January 2026
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• North Carolina has repeatedly redrawn its congressional maps. The North Carolina General Assembly has redrawn maps six times in the last decade, with several maps struck down by courts—including a 2017 ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States for racial gerrymandering.
• Recent map changes favor Republicans. The newest map reshapes districts—especially Don Davis’s 1st District—to reduce Black voting power and potentially give Republicans an additional congressional seat.
• Legal challenges face obstacles. Courts have ruled that partisan gerrymandering is mostly up to states, meaning the North Carolina Supreme Court will likely decide whether the map stands.
✅ Action item: Help protect fair elections by volunteering for voter outreach, educating people about gerrymandering, and supporting candidates who favor fairness
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• U.S.–Venezuela tensions have escalated sharply. The United States government accused Venezuela of drug trafficking and seized oil tankers, increasing conflict between the two countries.
• The U.S. attacked Caracas and captured Venezuela’s president. In January 2026, U.S. forces attacked the capital and captured Nicolás Maduro, who was taken to the U.S. for trial while Delcy Rodríguez became acting president.
• Oil appears to be a central motive. The article states the Donald Trump administration ultimately made clear its focus on Venezuela’s oil rather than the earlier stated reasons like immigration or drug trafficking.
✅ Action item: Learn about U.S. foreign policy and discuss how international actions impact democracy, resources, and global stability with your peers or political organizations.
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• Leadership turmoil in Cary. The Town of Cary Government faced controversy after the town manager resigned following questions about spending reports.
• Residents demanded accountability at a council meeting. Community members criticized leadership, with Harold Weinbrecht facing calls to step down over transparency concerns.
• A state audit is underway. The town is currently being reviewed by the North Carolina State Government, with residents and speakers calling for further investigation and clearer financial oversight.
✅ Action item: Attend or watch local council meetings and advocate for transparency and accountability in local government, since municipal decisions directly impact your community.
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• Wake County is considering a long-term water plan. The Wake County Board of Commissioners will vote on the One Water Plan, a 50-year strategy to protect water supply, reduce pollution, mitigate flooding, and expand equitable access.
• Rapid population growth is driving the plan. Wake County expects about 250,000 new residents in the next decade and over 2 million residents by 2070, increasing pressure on water systems.
• The plan focuses on regional collaboration and conservation. It outlines improvements for water supply, wastewater treatment, stormwater and flood management, and groundwater protection, while encouraging public participation in conservation and sustainable practices.
✅ Action item: Learn about local environmental and water policies and support community efforts like water conservation, native planting, and public input at county meetings to help shape sustainable growth.
