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

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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