Good morning. Weeks after encouraging fellow GOP representatives to avoid face-to-face meetings with constituents enraged by the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to the federal government, Rep. Richard Hudson employed the strategy himself at a tele-town hall on Tuesday.
It was a stark contrast to many recent in-person events held by lawmakers, characterized by terse exchanges and jeers from angry attendees. At Hudson’s town hall, rather than shouting in unison, constituents navigated the awkwardness of speaking through their phones. They apologized for their barking dogs in the background and asked “can you hear me?” before launching into their questions.
Welcome to CityView Today. In today’s newsletter, downtown Fayetteville advocates have an urgent message to Cumberland County leaders: Do not cancel construction of the 3,000-seat downtown Crown Event Center. And the City of Fayetteville hosted an in-person workshop this week to help residents build and strengthen their nonprofits. Another workshop is planned for May 21.
Thanks for reading,
Sarah Nagem
Editor for CityView
Rep. Richard Hudson shrugs off DOGE concerns in town hall
Weeks after encouraging fellow GOP representatives to avoid face-to-face meetings with constituents enraged by the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to the federal government, Rep. Richard Hudson employed the strategy himself at a tele-town hall on Tuesday.
More from CityView
Downtown advocates tell commissioners: ‘Keep the Crown Downtown’
Activists worry that Cumberland County will cancel the $145 million performing arts center and redo the old theater and arena 3 miles away.
City holding workshops to help residents build nonprofits
The City of Fayetteville’s Economic and Community Development Department is hosting in-person workshops to help residents with nonprofit recruitment and fundraising.
Events
TECH TIME AT HEADQUARTERS LIBRARY
- Where: Cumberland County Public Library Headquarters Branch, 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville
- When: 9-10:30 a.m. today
- What: Whether you need help setting up an email account, learning how to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) or anything in between, we’re here to help you with your computer, tablet or smartphone questions. No appointment necessary.
BEND AND BREW
- Where: The Rick Herrema Foundation, 5572 Shenandoah Drive, Fayetteville
- When: 9:30-10:30 a.m. today
- What: Join us for our Bend and Brew yoga event! Bend your body, sip your coffee and let your worries flow away.
BE A WOLF
- Where: Fayetteville State University, 1200 Murchison Road, Fayetteville
- When: 7 p.m. today
- What: Presented by Fayetteville State University Theatre, Be A Wolf is a play about what we are and what we are becoming: a dark comedy about fear, persuasion, and the moment we stop pretending. This is one of three pop-up performances before the show heads to Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025.
Obituaries
Violet Cook Hammond
Violet Cook Hammond, 84, of Fayetteville, passed away on Monday, April 21.
LaKaia Rashay Melvin
LaKaia Rashay Melvin, 26, of Fayetteville, passed away on Monday, April 21.
George Ellis Scott
George Ellis Scott, 63, of Hope Mills, passed away on Monday, April 21.
Until tomorrow!
🎭 This weekend I’m heading to Pinehurst to see a performance of “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial” starring television actors John Wesley Shipp (known for “The Flash,” “Dawson’s Creek” and “Guiding Light”) and David A. Gregory (“One Life to Live”). The show is being staged Thursday through Sunday by The Judson Theatre Co. in the Bradford Performing Arts Center at Sandhills Community College. Tickets are $44.87 to $64.25 (including fees). I saw Shipp some years back in “Twelve Angry Men.” He gave a great performance and was gracious when meeting fans afterward.
~ Paul Woolverton
