President Donald Trump’s executive orders are facing legal challenges, from his federal funding freeze to his attempt to end birthright citizenship. His FEMA reform plan has also raised questions about the future of disaster relief. Meanwhile, in North Carolina, 60,000 ballots are under legal review in the state’s Supreme Court race, leaving the election outcome uncertain.

Plus, UNC and Duke are putting aside their rivalry to build North Carolina’s first standalone children’s hospital, a $320 million project that could transform pediatric care in the state.

We break down what’s happening, what it means, and what to watch for next. Listen now.

Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(02:03) Hot Takes & Headlines

(10:27) In Office & On The Move

(16:16) Closing

⁠Website!⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Formerly known as Twitter)⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠

Sources:

Hot Takes and Headlines

UNC and Duke Health Announce Standalone Children's Hospital

https://corporate.dukehealth.org/news/unc-health-duke-health-partner-build-ncs-first-stand-alone-childrens-hospital

https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-duke-universities-childrens-hospital-beab969a0d38f8ac5421e9102cfeb655

https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2025/01/duke-university-duke-health-unc-health-collaborate-north-carolina-first-standalone-childrens-hospital-triangle-nc-childrens-decade-long-goal

https://youtu.be/MmrNIOJThsg?si=63OCI5Wcu2OIbeXq

https://youtu.be/8WQ02phEpzI?si=IESvvWRZgnpoLjYq

https://youtu.be/TXMQNQX1lek?si=URWQFAMS5BvrNQiJ

Supreme Court Race

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/north-carolina-top-court-wont-fast-track-republican-court-candidates-challenge-2025-01-23/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-supreme-court-2024-election-appeals-bcddcbc85f23a83604c7eaa77f57b0a4

Federal Funding Freeze: Legal Battles and Campus Concerns

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/29/g-s1-45313/trump-federal-funding-freeze-reversed

https://ground.news/article/trump-administration-rescinds-order-attempting-to-freeze-federal-aid-spending_7c6b73

https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-sues-to-block-freeze-on-federal-funds/

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/29/white-house-rescinds-federal-funds-freeze-memo.html

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2025/01/28/trumps-federal-funding-freeze-concerns-colleges?utm_source=chatgpt.com

In Office and On the Move

Trump's Executive Order to End Birthright Citizenship Faces Legal Challenges

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-judge-hear-states-bid-block-trump-birthright-citizenship-order-2025-01-23/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://apnews.com/article/birthright-citizenship-donald-trump-lawsuit-immigration-9ac27b234c854a68a9b9f8c0d6cd8a1c?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Trump Visits Hurricane Helene Disaster Zone, Talks FEMA and Recovery Efforts

https://www.youtube.com/live/tdSIwRgeoh4?si=VghdaEOd-uyl1V3D

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/council-to-assess-the-federal-emergency-management-agency/

https://www.ssa.gov/history/pdf/fdr.pdf

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/24/nx-s1-5273606/trump-visit-asheville-california-disasters

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/24/us/los-angeles-wildfires-california#trump-fema-states-disasters

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-signs-executive-order-aimed-drastically-improving-fema-efficacy-priorities-competence

https://www.congress.gov/bill/95th-congress/senate-bill/626

We unpack the week’s biggest political moves. From President Trump’s rapid-fire executive orders on his first day back in office to Governor Josh Stein’s inauguration and cabinet selections in North Carolina, we break down what these decisions mean for you.

We’ll explore the implications of Trump’s controversial policies, including the border emergency, DEI program shutdowns, and birthright citizenship changes. Plus, we answer listener questions about the role of a governor’s cabinet and the power of executive orders.

Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:20) Hot Takes & Headlines

(10:27) In Office & On The Move

(20:31) Listener Q&A

(21:30) Closing

⁠Website!⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠X (Formerly

Sources:

NC Governor Josh Stein Delivers Inaugural Address [FULL ADDRESS]

https://www.youtube.com/live/CXEVYxrRmqc?si=bBOxgv8MRLqyvEz6

Hot Takes and Headlines

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-inaugural-balls-2025/

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/20/g-s1-43759/trump-inaugural-address-key-moments

https://www.stein2024transition.org/press-releases/governor-elect-josh-stein-announces-cabinet-members-2

https://ballotpedia.org/Donald_Trump's_executive_orders_issued_on_the_first_day_of_his_second_term%2C_2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com

In Office and On the Move

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/21/nx-s1-5270027/trump-defends-his-decision-to-pardon-january-6-rioters

https://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2025/01/duke-university-north-carolina-21-other-states-sue-donald-trump-executive-order-ending-birth-right-citizenship-fourteenth-amendment-over-century-legal-precedent

https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-defends-americans-constitutional-rights/

https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/jan-6-pardons-trump-inauguration-2025-v375kz0g8?utm_source=chatgpt.com®ion=global

https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/president-donald-trump-executive-orders-list

https://theconversation.com/trump-has-withdrawn-the-us-from-the-paris-agreement-heres-why-thats-not-such-a-bad-thing-248109

https://www.newsweek.com/trump-withdrew-paris-climate-accord-hallelujah-opinion-2018851

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-orders-federal-diversity-equity-inclusion-employees-placed-paid-rcna188679

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/01/22/trump-to-corporations-stop-dei/77882451007/

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyjqgl2erzo

In this episode of The Room Where It Happens, Lily Oatis dives deep into the latest political developments in North Carolina, including Senate Bill 382 and Governor Josh Stein's executive orders.

First, we break down Senate Bill 382, the disaster relief bill tied to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, and explain how it’s reshaping the way North Carolina manages emergencies and political power.

Then, we take a closer look at Governor Josh Stein's first executive orders since taking office, focusing on his actions to address the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and the ongoing recovery efforts. What do these decisions mean for North Carolina’s future? We discuss the impacts, the politics, and what these changes mean for you as a voter.

Key Topics in This Episode:

Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(01:31) Hot Takes & Headlines

(09:42) In Office & On The Move

(13:26) Closing

Website!⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠X (Formerly known as Twitter)⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠YouTube

Sources:

Senate Bill 382:

https://belovedcommunitycenter.org/a-beloved-response/nc-senate-bill-382/

https://nsjonline.com/article/2024/11/general-assembly-passes-3rd-round-of-hurricane-helene-relief/

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article295854989.html

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2024/11/20/3rd-helene-relief-bill-passes-nc-house-senate-amid-controversy/76291959007/

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article295861554.html

Gov. Josh Stein First Executive Orders:

https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/01/02/governor-josh-stein-signs-five-helene-recovery-executive-orders-first-action-governor

https://www.wral.com/story/nc-gov-josh-stein-signs-5-new-helene-relief-orders-new-state-auditor-says-he-has-questions/21791092/

https://www.wyff4.com/article/gov-josh-stein-executive-orders-hurricane-helene-recovery/63326416

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro

(05:07) Hot Takes & Headlines

(08:40) The Supreme Court Race Explained

Website!⁠⁠

⁠Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠X (Formerly known as Twitter)⁠⁠

⁠⁠YouTube

Sources

Hot Takes & Headlines:

https://claytonforcarolina.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anderson_Clayton#:~:text=Career,congressional%20campaign%20of%20Kathy%20Manning

https://19thnews.org/2023/03/anderson-clayton-north-carolina-democratic-party-chair/

Supreme Court Story:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/north-carolina-supreme-court-blocks-certification-democrat-winner-clos-rcna186662

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/federal-judge-kicks-battle-over-nc-supreme-court-election-back-state-court

https://news.yahoo.com/news/north-carolina-supreme-court-race-162542605.html

https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-election-supreme-court-recount-52a40daaf69aae2d5129940a8c93a13c

https://nsjonline.com/article/2024/11/north-carolina-supreme-court-race-headed-to-recount/

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/18/north-carolina-supreme-court-candidate-00195265

https://news.yahoo.com/news/leading-nc-supreme-court-court-012316570.html

https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-election-supreme-court-ballots-f1cfc84248dcdadd9d4f59aa39850eb3

https://wlos.com/news/local/recount-requested-extremely-close-race-north-carolina-court-seat-democratic-incumbent-allison-riggs-republican-jefferson-griffin

https://statecourtreport.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/very-close-race-north-carolina-supreme-court-seat

https://www.cbs17.com/news/political-news/ap-politics/north-carolina-court-race-is-extremely-close-as-counties-complete-election-tallies/

https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-election-counties-canvass-close-races-57c717c90aab5b68f7d5c0069b1bb98a

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/republican-north-carolina-top-court-candidate-asks-court-intervene-race-2024-12-19/

https://apnews.com/article/c3709c1b342aad17a44e8aa20198d234

i blackout somewhere between writing, shooting, editing, and uploading this season finale! this is my first time doing this BE NICE! xoxo

It’s the season finale of Not Just Headlines, and I’m bringing you all the highlights, insights, and lessons from an unforgettable year. In this episode, we’re breaking down the latest election results, what they mean for you, and how power is shifting both nationally and here in North Carolina. I’ll also share personal stories from my journey as a political journalist, and first-time voter. Whether you’re happy, stressed, or just curious, this episode will leave you informed and inspired. Plus, don’t miss some exciting announcements about what’s next for Season TWO and MORE!

Special thanks to Carolina Forward and T.E.A. Media for supporting our journey!!

Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(04:07) Hot Takes & Headlines

(09:12) Results are in: who made the cut

(11:01) Governor's Race

(12:04) Citizens-Only Voting Amendment

(16:14) Sales Tax Increase

(19:11) Will Allison Riggs win the NC Supreme Court Seat

(25:56) Gerrymandering

(28:13) Q&A Session

(31:46) My first year as a voter: a reflection

(35:01) Announcements

Website!⁠⁠

⁠Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠X (Formerly known as Twitter)⁠⁠

⁠⁠YouTube

Sources

A.P. DillonNC House Republicans lose supermajority by one seat | The No…​

WUNCNC House seats flip to give Democrats a better shot at uphol…​

https://www.wunc.org/live-updates/2024-election-day-north-carolina-voting-results-live

https://www.wfae.org/politics/2024-11-16/democrat-riggs-now-has-a-24-vote-lead-over-republican-griffin-for-a-seat-on-the-nc-supreme-court

ABC11 Raleigh-DurhamNorth Carolina voters to pass 'citizens-only' amendment, ABC…​

Blue RidgeWhat is the 'citizens-only' voting amendment on 2024 North C…​

https://nsjonline.com/article/2024/11/north-carolina-supreme-court-race-headed-to-recount/

ballotpedia.org​

WUNC2024 NC Supreme Court election: Meet the candidates​

AP NewsNorth Carolina governor appoints Democrat to fill Supreme Co…​

Scott D. YostCommissioners Already Looking To Next Sales Tax Referendum -…​

Board Adopts Resolution Outlining Plans for Sales Tax Revenu…​

INDY staffPending Potential Recount, Democratic State Rep. Terence Eve…​

lol Jesus luvs u ! JESUS 2024

In this episode, Lily Oatis speaks with Carly Cooke, a current Commissioner on the Guilford County Board representing District 5. Carly brings over 20 years of experience in Guilford County, along with a background in business and a focus on public education advocacy. We’ll discuss her journey into public service and what her role entails. Join us as we explore the essentials of local politics, one interview at a time!

In each episode, we’ll sit down with candidates and political figures to uncover the stories behind the headlines. This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Elaine Marshall, North Carolina's first female Secretary of State. With a rich background in law and public service, Elaine shares her journey, the challenges she faced as a trailblazer for women in politics, and how her office connects with young voters.

Join us for insightful conversations that empower you to understand your local government and inspire you to make your voice heard. Let’s break down the barriers to civic participation together—one interview at a time!

In this episode, we’re joined by Lisa Grafstein, a civil rights lawyer and the current NC Senator for District 13. We’ll discuss her motivations for running for office, the impact of the North Carolina General Assembly’s composition on issues important to young voters, and the core values driving her campaign.

We’ll also explore how Lisa plans to work across party lines to achieve meaningful change, the first major initiatives she hopes to implement if elected, and advice for young people looking to get involved in politics or advocacy.

Join us for a deep dive into the issues that matter and discover how you can make your voice heard!

In this episode, we sit down with Ed Eldred, a candidate for the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He shares his insights on the purpose of the court, the responsibilities of a judge, and how he plans to influence the lives of young people in North Carolina.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lorenza Wilkins, a servant leader with over three decades of experience across private, public, and social sectors. Dr. Wilkins, an advocate for youth development, shares her vision for fully funding public schools, expanding access to capital for small businesses, protecting women’s reproductive rights, and investing in mental health resources. Join us as we discuss her actionable plans to ensure equitable education funding, enhance economic opportunities, and foster community involvement.

Tune in to learn how local policies impact your community and why your vote matters now more than ever!