The Hometown Holler

09/07/2026

NC FARMER IS HEADED TO HARVARD

From N.C. A&T State University to Harvard University

Kamal Bell is headed north as a The Loeb Fellows, where he’s taking on a new title: food systems architect.

What the heck does that even mean? We asked.

And his idea about treating farms like civic infrastructure is worth hearing.

🎧 Catch the full conversation with Kamal Bell of Sankofa Farms on The Hometown Holler YouTube or anywhere you stream your pods. (Link in Bio)

09/05/2026

The fellas tried their hand at potting.

The Plant Mama was summoned, the drinks were cracked, and now the f...

09/04/2026

San Diego's got Ron Burgundy. North Carolina has Tim Boyum. One of our state's most prominent journalists, Tim sits down with the fellas to chat about his America 250 cross country trip, what he learned along the way and everything in between.

San Diego's got Ron Burgundy. North Carolina has Tim Boyum. One of ...

09/04/2026

UPDATE ON FERNANDO:
Millions have seen this video of federal agents abusing an American citizen. Fernando Vazquez Orea was at work in Raleigh, NC when he was wrongfully detained by federal agents. After confirming his citizenship, the agents abandoned him on the side of a road and disrespectfully tossed his personal belongings out the window.

That incident has now sparked legal action. On July 29, 2026, the ACLU of North Carolina filed a damages claim against the federal government on Fernando's behalf, demanding compensation for his unlawful arrest and detention.

Fernando is not alone. The ACLU filed 54 similar claims across 17 states against the federal government, all documenting the same pattern: harm inflicted by federal immigration agents. The legal process to hold those responsible has begun.

09/03/2026

Last year, we recorded Gloria Steinem speaking at a rare public appearance in Manhattan. She was a week away from turning 91. This clip captures her exactly as she was that evening, and indeed throughout her life: deploying her extraordinary wit to inspire and mobilize. Even in the home stretch, she was sharp as a tack, zealously optimistic, and always challenging us to aim higher. For 135 and beyond.

Thank you, Gloria, for showing us what it means to live boldly and never stop fighting for what's right.

Rest in Power 💜

09/01/2026

This week, global tech and finance leaders are convening with senior Trump administration officials in our home state to discuss inflation, the war in Iran, AI, and Hurricane Helene recovery. These issues impact every North Carolinian. We applied for media credentials to bring the people of North Carolina timely, fact-driven information from the G20 proceedings.

In receiving this message, we join other media organizations, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, whose requests for media credentials have been rejected.

According to reporting from Axios, "key MAGA influencers" enjoyed access to the G20 meeting in Asheville.

Why don't they want media in the room?

08/31/2026

BREAKING: Task & Purpose reports that elements of the Fort Bragg-based 82nd Airborne Division will remain deployed to the Middle East into next year as the Iran “Not-a-War” War continues.

More than 50,000 U.S. troops are currently operating across the Middle East. Since the war began on February 28, 18 American service members have been killed and more than 750 have been wounded.

In a letter announcing the extended deployment, division leaders acknowledged the toll on military families:

“You are carrying a lot while your partner is away. Taking care of yourself helps you be there for yourself, your family, and your Paratrooper. Lean on your Family Readiness Groups, Chaplains, rear-detachment teams, and one another. You do not have to carry this alone.”

Image source: Army photo by Capt. Alvin Cade Jr.

#2026

08/31/2026

FULL EPISODE on the Hometown Holler YouTube Channel: San Diego's got Ron Burgundy. North Carolina has Tim Boyum. One of our state's most prominent journalists, Tim is known and beloved by Tar Heels everywhere as the bow tie guy. This year, the longtime host of Capitol Tonight traded the studio for the open road, embarking on a 6,000-mile adventure across 24 states and DC to document America's 250th birthday.

Tim joins the Holler to talk about what he learned traveling the country, meeting everyone from filmmaker Ken Burns and country legend Lee Greenwood to a guy in Austin, Texas who gave up a lucrative real estate career to build tiny home communities for homeless people. We discuss how patriotism looks different outside North Carolina, why the American flag has become less polarized than we think, and the radical power of decency and kindness. Plus: the origin story for Tim's iconic bowtie.

#2026