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Brandon Kingdollar

@kingdollar.bsky.social
3.5K followers 714 following 317 posts

Recovering journalist studying at Yale Law. Fan of hiking, horror, the Chicago Bears, and my cat.

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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Sheriff Sam Page, the Republican who bested Phil Berger in his Senate primary, joined N.C. educators at a rally for teacher pay today. “A lot of our teachers feel disrespected. They’re underpaid, underfunded, and they need more support in the schools,” he said.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
The protest came to a close around 1:30 p.m., about three hours after it began. Some planned to join one of more than a dozen other protests in the Triangle area afterward.
Signs rest against a stand as folks pack up tables. A wall reads “No Kings.”People walk home through city streets. One man wears a pink hat from the 2010s Women’s Marches.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Durham resident Gian Bass, decked out in American flags, said the veteran’s speech was most moving to him as someone from a family of service members. “I just don't want to see anyone sent over to go fight a war if it's not self-defense or in defense of an ally.”
A man in American flag garb holds a sign: “Democracy is non negotiable.”
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Notably, Durham’s No Kings had a major labor focus, with lead organizers calling on the crowd to participate in a May 1 general strike. NC Amazon union campaign co-founder Rev. Ryan Brown: “On the eve of America’s 250th birthday, we are watching a country lose its soul and call it law and order.”
A man speaks to the crowd with hands clasped in a jacket reading “Rev. Ryan Brown. President.” The podium reads “Workers over billionaires!”
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Vietnam veteran Dale Herman, who was a Navy hospital corpsman, condemned the Iran war and the billions spent on it: “While we are spending money to kill people in Iran, we’re also killing people here at home by not ensuring that everyone has access to affordable health care, food, and housing.”
A man speaks at a podium labeled “Workers over billionaires!”
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
Scenes from No Kings in Durham, where thousands of protesters marched through the streets before rallying in Central Park.
Protesters fill a city street, waving American flags. “Support peace not militarism.”Throngs of protesters marched through a street, with the crowd blending into the horizon. “Release all the Epstein files” reads a sign toward the front.Protesters fill a grassy park, waving flags and signs.Protesters stand in a park, with signs reading “Abolish ICE” among others.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
WOW — with the unofficial tally in for all precincts, Phil Berger, the top Republican in the North Carolina State Senate, is trailing Sam Page by 2 votes.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
Gov. Stein’s response to those who say large-scale ICE raids are necessary for safety: “This is causing widespread fear, widespread uncertainty. This is not about public safety, and I wish that it were.”
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
“They are operating in the shadows.” Stein condemns ICE operations in North Carolina cities for stopping and detaining individuals based on skin color.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
As ICE raids target Charlotte and Raleigh, Gov. Josh Stein says the White House has told the state nothing about the ongoing immigration operations. #ncpol #ice #northcarolina
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
Gary Lucido, a Texas transplant in North Carolina, said he voted Republican all his life before Trump came along. He said GOP descriptions of No Kings as a “Hate America” protest are a “bunch of crap.” “We love America. We’re here because we want to preserve America,” Lucido said.
Two protesters hold flags while another carries a sign reading “You know it’s bad when a Reagan Republican is protesting.”
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
Donna and Larry Shipman came to No Kings in Raleigh to fight for their right to vote, with key Voting Rights Act protections under threat. “We need to stand up and say, ‘No, you’re not going to take this away from us,’” said Donna Shipman. “The Supreme Court, they say racism is over. No, it’s not.”
Demonstrators pose with signs including one that says “We honor the constitution, not a felon!!”
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
The scene at No Kings in Raleigh, where protesters have been met with a near-constant stream of supportive honks for the last two hours.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
Despite a chorus of cheers and honking cars at the No Kings protest in Raleigh, Clayton resident Jeffrey Cohn’s dogs Bindi and Obi are as calm as can be. “They’re a little iffy with other dogs, so it’s good to put them in a stressful situation with other dogs and reward them for being good.”
A man wearing a costume with a list of tariff rates stands beside two dogs.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
The No Kings rally on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh is awash with colorful characters — among them, the Cookie Monster from the children’s show “Sesame Street.”
Onlookers carrying an American flag look at a protester dressed as the Cookie Monster.A protester dressed as a green dragon stands beside individuals holding signs.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
No Kings protesters line the sidewalks of Capital Boulevard in Raleigh, as a stream of passing cars honk in solidarity.
Protesters line a city street beside passing cars. One waves a large American flag, another a sign reading “The only GOOD orange monarch is a butterfly.”
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 18/07/2025
Just now: Governor @joshsteinnc.bsky.social speaks to residents who have lost their homes as he surveys flood damage in Chapel Hill. Story to come.
Governor Josh Stein stands beside members of the media and smiles as he speaks to a gray-haired resident in a tank topGovernor Josh Stein stands beside a man in a baseball cap looking into the window of a flooded home. A flood line on the brick rises to the level of his chest.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
DNC Chair Ken Martin’s take on Zohran Mamdani’s big NYC win:
The party's future

In seeking a direction for the party, Martin said it's critical to focus on an economic agenda that "speaks to working class people in this country again" - something he saw from both Stein and, in New York City's recent mayoral primary, State Rep. Zohran Mamdani, who prevailed in an unexpected rout of former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

"He focused almost exclusively on affordability, right, and on economic issues," Martin said. "His message was really focused on how to make it easier for people to afford to live in New York City, and he didn't stray too far from that."

He also credited Mamdani with listening to a wide range of voters, including seeking out Trump supporters and asking what issues were important to them in the recent presidential election and proceeding to earn their trust with an economic agenda that spoke to them."What I think many politicians in the Democratic Party need to learn is not just how you organize in-person, but how you organize online, using the power of social media to really engage people in the conversation and create excitement and energy around your campaign," Martin said.

He said the party will "work our butts off to help get him elected as the next Mayor of New York City" and dismissed concerns over Mamdani's identification as a socialist, which Republicans have used as an attack line for the Democratic Party at-large - including Trump, who posted Wednesday that Mamdani is "a 100% Communist Lunatic" and condemned Democrats for supporting him.

"The fact that Donald Trump doesn't understand the difference between a communist and a socialist should tell you everything you need to know," Martin said. "As long as I'm the DNC Chair, all are welcome, all are invited in this big tent party of ours. I believe you win through addition, not subtraction."
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Submitted for your approval!
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
A shoulder-to-shoulder crowd in Raleigh’s Bicentennial Plaza protesting Trump — more than 1,000 in attendance in what appears to be the city’s largest protest against the administration this year.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 03/04/2025
cat
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Post the first video game you remember playing. (hey, ESRB ratings are just a recommendation!)
Tommy Vercetti riding a motorcycle down Ocean Boulevard in the game GTA: Vice City.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
More than 100 showed up across from the Carolina Country Club, where Sen. Thom Tillis is holding a fundraiser, calling on him to hold a town hall and hear from his constituents. #ncpol
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
In Raleigh, hundreds of protesters rally in Halifax Mall in defense of scientific research as part of nationwide “Stand Up for Science” demonstrations.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Some signs from the 50501 protest today:
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
Hundreds pack the NC State House grounds in Raleigh for the latest 50501 protest. Story TK.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
Scenes from Raleigh’s 50-state protest against Trump: demonstrators wave American flags and chant “Elon Musk has got to go!”
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
Video from the field: activists march down Blount Street in downtown Raleigh in protest of Trump’s return to office. Story to come.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
“…are you done with work yet?”
An orange and white kitty resting his chin on the edge of a beige cat tree. His eyes are squinted in either sleepiness or impatience.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
As we wait to see what action comes out of Cooper’s office at the close of his term, here’s some useful background: he has used his clemency powers more than any governor since progressive Jim Hunt, who left office in 2001. Since his time, clemency powers had gone almost unused in NC.
Title: Cooper used his clemency powers more than any North Carolina governor since Jim Hunt.

Chart showing Jim Hunt and James Martin with well over 100 grants of clemency in each of their terms before use of the power fell off almost completely by the 21st century governors. Then, a slight uptick in Cooper’s second term with 20 commutations and 18 pardons.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
No sign of Democratic Rep. Cecil Brockman at the General Assembly — his assistant is also not in. His absence means Republicans need one less vote to override the governor’s veto. #ncpol
Office of Rep. Cecil Brockman in the NC General Assembly. Lights are off.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Demonstrators sing “This Little Light of Mine” as North Carolina legislators enter the House to vote on an override of the governor’s veto to SB 382, which shifts power away from elected Democrats. #ncpol
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Here’s the moment the marchers arrived at the legislative building. #ncga
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
the concert I saw at Fenway may have played a role in this list…
Mitski entering the stage, arms raised, through a cloud of smoke
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
thank you for supporting local journalism mitski 🤩
Spotify Wrapped
Top Artists
1 Mitski
2 Eminem
3 The Killers
4 The Smiths
5 Alice Phoebe Lou

Top Songs
1 Witches
2 Blue Light
3 No More What Ifs
4 Apesar De Você
5 euphoria

Minutes listened
34,512

Spotify.com/wrapped
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
update:
Smiling man with orange cat in lap that is half covered in a blanket
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
me when the turkey hits
Orange and white cat named Marty who is curled into a ball on a green sofa.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
how your email finds me after 5 p.m.
adorable orange cat curled up on the couch with a paw wrapped around his little leg
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Gov. Cooper statement on the proposed Helene bill that shifts power away from newly elected Dems:
Office of Governor Roy Cooper: Shortchanging disaster recovery right now will have serious consequences for years to come. Legislators have put forward a bill that fails to provide real support to communities hit hard by Hurricane Helene and instead prioritizes more power grabs in Raleigh. North Carolinians recovering from unprecedented disasters should strongly urge their legislators to do their jobs and help Western North Carolina rebuild.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Dr. Oz poised to head up Medicaid, per Trump transition team.
Email from Trump - Vance Transition, subject “Statement from President Donald J. Trump.”

STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
I am very pleased to nominate Dr. Mehmet Oz to serve as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator. America is facing a Healthcare Crisis, and there may be no Physician more qualified and capable than Dr. Oz to Make America Healthy Again. He is an eminent Physician, Heart Surgeon, Inventor, and World-Class Communicator, who has been at the forefront of healthy living for decades. Dr. Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Also on the reorganization front: The bill would make the State Highway Patrol an independent agency, removing it from the oversight of the Department of Public Safety. #ncpol A whole slew of government reorganization stuff in here lacking a clear link to Hurricane Helene.
MAKE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENT
SECTION 3E.1.(a) The State Highway Patrol is established in this subpart as a single, unified cabinet-level department. All functions, powers, duties, and obligations vested in the State Highway Patrol under the Department of Public Safety are transferred to, vested in, and consolidated within the State Highway Patrol in the manner of a Type I transfer as defined in G.S. 143A-6.
SECTION 3E.1.(b) G.S. 143B-2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B-2. Interim applicability of the Executive Organization Act of 1973.
The Executive Organization Act of 1973 shall be applicable only to the following named departments:
…
(14) State Highway Patrol."
SECTION 3E.1.(c) G.S. 143B-6 reads as rewritten:
"§ 143B-6. Principal departments.
In addition to the principal departments enumerated in the Executive Organization Act of 1971, all executive and administrative powers, duties, and functions not including those of the
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
It was an offer I couldn’t refuse…
Alamo Drafthouse reservation for The Godfather Part II
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Apple AI keeps thinking the campaign events I cover are concerts lmao
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
just vibing
Orange kitty lying casually on a navy blanket, with a jaunty paw curl
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
And now it’s just 24 votes apart! We’re heading for a photo finish (and an important reminder that especially in a swing state, every single vote counts).
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
Shocking turn here in the North Carolina Supreme Court race, where new provisional ballots now have Judge Allison Riggs up by just *106 votes* over her Republican opponent. #ncpol She has made up what was once a more than 10,000 vote deficit. But still more votes to be counted.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
New reading material! 📚
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
me when I journalism
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
he says thank you for supporting local journalism!
A smiling orange cat snuggled in the crook of an elbow, resting on a cozy green blanket.
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Brandon Kingdollar @kingdollar.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
Good morning from my reporting partner!
A sweet orange cat sitting in a red shoebox with a cute, innocent look in his eyes.
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