Southern City Magazine

Working As One. Advancing All.

​​​League publications, regardless of format, keep members informed about best practices around the state and country, emerging trends and technologies, policy proposals that affect municipalities, programs and services offered by the League, and key events taking place across the state. Southern City ​magazine is received by every elected municipal official and every key appointed official, and Southern City also serves as a great source of information for the public about all that is going in North Carolina cities and towns. 

New Southern City Out Now!

Issue 2, 2025

Discover the latest issue of Southern City, the League's quarterly magazine—designed for municipal leaders. We recap our two flagship events, Town & State Dinner and CityVision, introduce new League leadership and spotlight Board Member and Fayetteville Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Keefe Jensen, alongside a Q&A with House Democratic Leader Robert Reives.

Learn more about the upcoming offerings from the League's Advancing Municipal Leaders program, including our summer financial webinar series, as well as "Commit to Civility" and strategic planning opportunities.

Readers can learn about the upcoming safe driving campaign through the Workers' Compensation Trust and the Property & Casualty Trust, where League risk management experts examine the current driving-related claims trends. This issue also checks in on our western North Carolina neighbors, the Town of Mars Hill and Marshall.

Read all the features now!

See Full Issue

New & Popular

Another Year, Another Successful CityVision

Gathering in Greenville

Read More

Fayetteville’s Voice

Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Keefe Jensen

Read More

Town & State Dinner Links State and Municipal Leaders

More than 400 League members and state legislators attended the League’s Town & State Dinner.

Read More

Listening Sessions Foster Consensus Legislative Goals

Legislative Policy Development

The League’s legislative listening sessions offer a place where elected officials and key community leaders share stories and insights to identify community challenges. These discussions shape legislative goals, ensuring that the diverse needs of North Carolina municipalities are effectively represented to lawmakers...Read More

Taking the Field

Together Through Adversity

As the vibrant hues of autumn begin to paint our beautiful state, western North Carolina is faced with extreme challenges as we face the horrific destruction of Hurricane Helene....Read More

ARPA Story Site Explores Town, NCLM Efforts

The League’s WRAL hub, “Investing in our Future,” highlights American Rescue Plan investments in North Carolina municipalities. It aims to inform residents about project impacts and financial stewardship...Read More

Speaking Out

The Troubling Trend of Local Partisan Election Mandates

Over the course of the last few legislative sessions, we have seen local bills—and some of them passed into law, others not—mandating that local elections be changed from non-partisan to partisan. It’s a troubling trend...Read More

New NCLM.org Is Here for You!

Slick overhaul more easily connects members, services

Lengths of time, feedback analysis and strategy toward a nimbler experience—with North Carolina’s municipal officials always first in mind—have all led to the unveiling of a new, much-enhanced nclm.org, the long-time web home of the N.C. League of Municipalities...Read More

Raleigh’s Forward-Looking Leader

Councilman Jonathan Melton

Quickly moving from newcomer to established voice, Melton has a step-by-step vison for the capital city...Read More

Legislative Policy Committee Kicks Off Goals Process

NCLM's legislative policy process is gearing up as its 65-member committee collects input to set goals for the next biennium, addressing key issues like local infrastructure, funding, and staffing challenges...Read More

Town of Spencer Utilizes ARPA Funds to Move Towards the Future While Honoring the Past

The Town of Spencer had its start as a railroad town and is most widely known as the home of the N.C. Transportation Museum, But a new vision for the town and the receiving of ARP dollars have allowed Spencer to move towards the future and invest in projects that will serve the town both today and in the long term...Read More

It Starts and Ends With Conversation

Rep. Reece Pyrtle

Rep. Reece Pyrtle on the joy of working with people...Read More

See Online Archive

Advertise With Us