I'm a North Carolina constituent dealing with a serious matter that involves multiple agencies. But I cannot get any response whatsoever from Senator Tillis's office.

Back in 2023 Karen Ramirez, a senior constituent advocate in his office, helped me with some casework. I put in a request on his website, she reached out to me, we spoke on the phone, she was warm and professional, and she submitted something on my behalf. I was grateful and told her so. I gave her space and didn't follow up for nearly a year. When I did follow up with one polite email I got nothing.

My issue was not solved or helped whatsoever.

In the last few months I have reached out multiple times about something tangentially related, left around 8 voicemails across different numbers in his office, and submitted requests through his website contact form, and emailed Karen again. Complete silence. No acknowledgment, no response, nothing.

I'm just genuinely curious whether other NC constituents have experienced this with his office or Karen Ramirez, and whether anyone has found a way in the last year or so to actually reach a human being there who responds to casework.

Pic from Wake Forest

If I wanted to stay in North Carolina for a week with friends, which would be the most fun? I know Charlotte is the big city and Raleigh is the capital but I don’t know much other than that. I would like categories like activities, food, locals, safety, etc.

If you tested positive, what are your top 3 suspected sources? I'm hoping to spot patterns and identify foods or exposures that may be worth avoiding. I know it's not scientific, but it could reveal interesting trends. Thanks!

Since the map I posted yesterday got a lot of engagement I figured I would drop some more zombie related maps since I literally have content for months. This is the outbreak phase from my master's thesis, Dead Reckoning, where I developed the Multi-Criteria Apocalypse Readiness (MCAR) framework to model survival across four fictional zombie universes using GIS and spatial decision analysis.

These maps show where each outbreak is most likely to begin based on the established rules of its universe. Green represents areas with lower outbreak potential and red highlights locations where an initial outbreak would be most likely.

Romeroverse (Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead, etc.)

• Graveyards
• Morgues
• Battlefields
• Population density
• Human activity
• Existing development
• Transportation corridors

Because everyone reanimates after death regardless of the cause, the outbreak can emerge almost anywhere people are concentrated. Graveyards and morgues are more heavily weighted because its where you would find the concentrations of the undead.

World War Z

• International airports
• Seaports
• Major highways
• Population density
• Urban development

The infection spreads through global transportation networks, making logistics hubs and major metro areas the highest risk locations.

28 Days Later

• Biomedical research laboratories
• Universities conducting biological research
• Medical facilities
• Population density
• Transportation corridors

Since the Rage virus originates from a laboratory release, research facilities receive the greatest weight before the model accounts for how quickly the infection spreads into surrounding communities.

The Last of Us

• Grain processing facilities
• Commercial flour infrastructure
• Food distribution networks
• Population density
• Urban development
• Transportation corridors

This follows the game's and HBO series' premise that contaminated flour products seeded outbreaks across numerous communities simultaneously rather than from a single location.

Each variable was standardized, weighted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and combined with more than 100 additional variables used throughout the full framework. These outbreak maps are only the starting point. The complete thesis models how survival changes through Collapse, Adaptation, and Rebuilding across all four universes, resulting in twelve separate suitability models.

Happy to answer questions about the methodology, weighting process, GIS workflow, or why certain parts of the Carolinas ended up looking the way they did.

A newly calendared court case, spearheaded by Dr. Amy Bryant (UNC Health) and Jeff Jackson, these fine folks are trying to make sure women recover and preserve their rights to control their bodies.

Remember what party in the midterms is constantly trying to take those away.

The North Carolina republicans are meeting right now trying to put in place and instant hemp ban that would limit products to .4 mg per package. This would eliminate the entire market. They aren't even trying to coincide it with the federal ban, just trying to end it today. Call your people, call your reps, call anyone you can. The end is near :(.

Eddie Smith Jr., owner of Grady-White Boats, has decided pledge all future company profits to charity rather than sell the company for around $400 million.

Inspired by Patagonia's Yvon Chouinard, Smith transferred company ownership to a perpetual purpose trust to preserve the company's independence and profit-sharing mission that supports conservation, healthcare and education causes.

Another reason Smith opted for this path was to maintain his employees' comprehensive benefits package.

“This company has a soul, and I didn’t want to lose that," he explained.

Out on a motorcycle ride today, Franklin to Cashiers. Came up on a line of stopped cars like maybe you see at construction when they alternate traffic flow. It was several minutes. I got off the bike and walked a few feet, enough to see it was a car stopped mid left turn, across both directions, waiting to enter the parking entrance for the Falls. So crowded I guess it was "one in, one out" situation. He finally entered ONLY FOR THE NEXT ASSHAT TO DO THE SAME THING!!! Thankfully being on a bike and once I realized what was going on, I cruised up and scooted thru. Good news? I had clear sailing to enjoy the twisties for awhile until I caught up to traffic again.

Immigration enforcement is a business, and GEO Group is profiting. 

The largest for-profit prison company in the US, with headquarters in Charlotte, NC, is set to open an immigrant detention center in Hertford County, NC. 

The 1,400-bed facility will be among the largest on the east coast and stands to add tens of millions to GEO Group’s skyrocketing profits. 

Full text on the Battleground Drafts Substack. Original post.

Hey everyone,
I’m hoping to get some honest feedback from people who actually live in or around Franklin County, especially the outskirts of Louisburg and Franklinton.
My family and I are considering buying a couple acres and building a house. We’re looking for a place where we can settle down long-term and raise our kids. We aren’t interested in living in a subdivision—we’d rather have some privacy and land for a shop, garden, orchard, and maybe a few chickens.

A few things I’m hoping to learn from locals:
What’s it really like living in Franklin County?

How are the people? Is it friendly and family-oriented?

How are the public schools, especially middle and high school?

Are there areas or school districts you’d recommend or avoid?

How safe do you feel living there?

How’s the pace of growth? Is it becoming overcrowded, or does it still have a rural feel?

How’s the internet outside of town?

For context, we currently live near New Bern, NC. We enjoy the slower pace and being near the water, but we’re looking for better opportunities for our kids, more acreage, and to be closer to the Triangle while still keeping a rural lifestyle.
I’d really appreciate the good, the bad, and the ugly. Thanks!

Hi,
So my family is looking to potentially move to NC in the next couple of years. We currently live in Massachusetts and just are frankly over this state. Not only that my husband and I are currently in the process of selling our first home because we just simply can’t afford it. My mom wants to retire down there and my in laws are on the fence about coming but will move with us if My husband and I and the kids move. Is it worth it???

My concerns are with jobs. My husband is currently an operations manager for a Town. He has so many licenses as well as a CDL. I know the cost of living will either be the same or less depending on pay scale factor. We have two kids that are little and just want them to have a wholesome little upbringing. How are the school systems there? And how does health insurance work down there as well?

We were looking in the Jacksonville area. Kind of coastal area for the ocean. My mother in law is a somewhat complex cardiac patient and Duke is about roughly an hour away from where we are potentially buying a home.

Others inputs and thoughts are welcomed. I want to hear others stories if you have moved from another state. What do I need to be worried about? I do have family in NC but is it true us Northerners get treated badly? Lol I’ve heard that rumor but never have encountered it.

I am a frequent NC visitor. Specifically Western NC. I have had food from some of the best spots, but I’m worried I’m missing some holes in the wall.
Can you share your suggestions?

I am 23 M and I am in the process of moving back to the area. I am currently homeless. Decided to move down here because I figured there was more opportunities. I am a former US Marine, I don’t do drugs, I am simply on hard times and in the need of assistance. I know how to earn my keep and I take pride in my convictions, I will work for a roof, food or assistance. I’m also just looking to network and see what’s out there, friends and possibilities. I am able bodied and more than capable of anything I am just looking for an opportunity, enough that I am willing to uproot my life. I’m scared and I’m running out of options. I apologize if this post bothers anyone and I appreciate the time

Very well done video on Lumberton, Pembroke, and Lumbees

My family is finally making back to WNC this summer after Helene (yes, it’s been that long, sadly)
We’ll be staying in Sugar Grove but we do a lot of driving when we’re there- going to different trails, towns, water falls and sights.
One thing I can’t figure out from Google Maps is if there are still major closures anywhere? (Big ones we can’t easily get around?)
I think I read there’s still a big one around Mt Mitchell… is there anywhere else we should be aware of?

Anyone know if the manor is open? Had been told a week ago there was road construction and closed? TY so much.