Natasha Marcus for NC

04/03/2026

The politically-motivated NC Supreme Court ignored 20 years of precedent and threw out the Leandro ruling today. Complete disregard for NC students.

Tamika Walker Kelly, president of the North Carolina Association of Educators: "Thousands of educators are committed to the young people of this state, in spite of the state’s failure to adequately fund our schools, because we believe that every child deserves the best we can give them. Today, the majority of the North Carolina Supreme Court made it clear they do not share that belief. What the court tries to pass off as a legal technicality is, instead, a moral failure. … The constitutional promise of a sound, basic education was not erased today. It was betrayed by those in power who believe that corporate tax cuts are more important than our future generations. Until the people of North Carolina rise up, reclaim our democracy and restore checks and balances, our kids will never be this state’s top priority.”

Here’s what state officials, education leaders and policy groups had to say about the North Carolina Supreme Court’s decision to throw out the long-running Hoke County Board of Education v. State of North Carolina lawsuit.

01/15/2026

We knew this would happen when NC passed extreme abortion restrictions. Now a mother is dead. 😞 Maternal mortality is high in NC and the rest of the Southeast. Substandard healthcare is now the law.

In a state that had legislated its commitment to life, Graham spent her final days struggling to find anyone to save hers.

10/22/2025

This long list is only a fraction of all the ways in which Trump is acting like a king (or worse) instead of an American President.

10/22/2025

This is great investigative reporting and should not be missed. Republican state legislators took massive campaign contributions from a developer and, in return, used taxpayer money to pay for a road in Mooresville that the developer had been obligated to build. The developer was enriched by $15 million at our expense!

To keep the grift secret, those involved didn’t disclose their business dealings and the money was funneled through an unusual method. Now they aren’t answering questions and have moved on to other schemes.

This is a perfect example of how the GOP supermajority uses its unchecked power to enrich themselves, screw the people, and cover it up. It’s also a demonstration of why towns should not elect developers and lobbyists to their Town Boards.

The money trail for a Mooresville connector road involves a political insider, undisclosed connections and dozens of campaign donations.

10/15/2025

I’ll be at a NO KINGS rally near me this Saturday. There are thousands planned all over the country. We have to show this dictator in the White House that we are NOT okay with his anti-American tactics to secure absolute power. I hope you will find a rally near you, make a sign or wear a pro-democracy T-shirt, and show up too. America needs you!

As the president escalates his authoritarian power grab, the NO KINGS non-violent movement continues to rise stronger. We are united once again to remind the world: America has No Kings and the power belongs to the people.

10/06/2025

Thank you to everyone who came to our fundraiser in Cornelius to help support my former colleagues in the NC Senate in their quest to break the Republican supermajority in 2026. We cannot stop fighting for our values and for a better, more equitable North Carolina.

07/25/2025

I’m taking a break from politics and following a longstanding tradition of former legislators — I’m acting in a cameo role in a local theater production.

There are only three shows left - tonight, Saturday night, and Sunday afternoon. You are invited to come see my (somewhat embarrassing) theatre debut at the fantastic performance hall on the Davidson College campus. My fellow castmates are so talented and we promise to keep you laughing during this comedy - Neil Simon’s Rumors. Tickets are at the door or online at https://mattsproductions.org/. SEE YOU THERE!

06/24/2025

"The contradiction between the state’s vulnerability and Mike Causey’s head-in-the-sand approach to climate change came to a head last year when he was challenged by then-North Carolina state senator Natasha Marcus (D-41) in the state insurance commissioner election. In the debate, Marcus highlighted “how glaringly obvious it is that climate change is real” and warned that “more storms like Helene are coming and every region of our state is at risk.” This reality is visible in data on average claim amounts, which are rising throughout most of the state."

American democracy is in jeopardy, from the disastrous Citizens United ruling that flooded our politics with corporate cash to the immoral assault on voting rights. We work every day to defend against these threats and advance bold reforms.

06/20/2025

This was so predictable. We warned them to not waste taxpayer money on private school vouchers for the wealthiest families. They did it anyway and blew a huge hole in the state budget to do it.

“Koons found that, on average, the private schools she tracked raised their tuition by about 15 percent the year that the voucher expansion took effect. ‘That's a one year increase. That's huge. That's way more than inflation would merit,’ Koons said. ‘And the tuition corresponded very closely with the change in policy.’"

Research by Public Schools First NC found many private schools receiving Opportunity Scholarships raised tuition by 15% or more after the state increased voucher funding.

06/19/2025

Free fans in Mecklenburg County!

Beginning Wednesday, June 18, at 9 AM, Mecklenburg County residents 60 years and older and adults ages 18 to 59 who receive disability income can register to pick up a free box fan. Registration will be available online through the link below or by calling one of the 10 pickup locations.

Fans will be available for pickup starting June 25 at these locations, while supplies last:

Albemarle Road Recreation Center, 5027 Idlewild Road North, Charlotte, 980-314-1101
Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center, 2921 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, 980-314-1111
David B. Waymer Recreation Center, 14008 Holbrooks Road, Huntersville, 980-314-1127
Eastway Regional Recreation Center, 3150 Eastway Park Drive, Charlotte, 980-314-3772
Mallard Creek Recreation Center, 2530 Johnston-Oehler Road, Charlotte, 980-314-1121
Northern Regional Recreation Center, 18121 Old Statesville Road, Cornelius, 980-314-6772
Southview Recreation Center, 1720 Vilma St., Charlotte, 980-314-1105
Sugaw Creek Recreation Center, 943 W. Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, 980-314-1124
Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte, 980-314-1320
West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2401 Kendall Drive, Charlotte, 980-314-1120

Walk-up requests will not be accepted. Fans are limited to one per person. When picking up a fan, an individual must show a valid driver’s license or state ID providing proof of age and a current Mecklenburg County address.

The fans are provided through contributions from Duke Energy.

More info and registration here: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/mecklenburgparks/activity/search/detail/160875?onlineSiteId=0&locale=en-US&from_original_cui=true

06/19/2025

As always, Gene Nichol nails it. The huge protests throughout the country and the world give us hope that we can claw back our democracy from an authoritarian narcissist and a limp Republican party that offers no resistance.

Regular News & Observer columnist Gene Nichol spoke at the “No Kings” protest in Raleigh. Here’s what he had to say about President Donald Trump. | Opinion

05/07/2025

His pathetic attempt to throw out valid votes in Democratic-heavy counties was appalling. It should not have taken this long. This should have been decided in November, when all the other candidates who lost also conceded. Congratulations FINALLY to Justice Allison Riggs.