Fitness industry, hurt by COVID shutdowns, works to bounce back
The government-imposed lockdowns of last year wrecked the global economy, and the fitness industry was among the businesses hurt most by the closures.
Opinion
Op Ed – Senator Sawyer: It’s not just students who have a stake in higher ed reforms
Business owners, educators, students, and North Carolinians at every corner of our state had to adapt to extraordinary circumstances over the past two years. From online learning to labor shortages, North Carolinians have been tenacious in tackling some of our state’s biggest challenges. Representing those families, business owners, and health care workers in the North Carolina Senate has been the honor of my life.
Medicaid expansion remains unwise
North Carolina lawmakers are reportedly considering some form of Medicaid expansion as part of a final budget deal with Gov. Roy Cooper that would also bring tax cuts and other free-market policy gains on key issues.
Proposed redistricting maps filed ahead of Monday’s public hearings
The N.C. House Redistricting Committee submitted its proposed state district maps Friday, Oct. 22, after two months of public hearings and open meetings. They can be viewed on the legislative website along with the state Senate's five draft maps for congressional districts, with one proposed map drawn of their own districts.
Wake principal denies face mask exemption for kindergartener with disabilities
A Wake County principal has denied a mask exemption request for a kindergartener with disabilities, according to a recorded phone call released by the anonymous parent.
OPINION: State House Republicans hold ultimate ace to stop N.C. Supreme Court madness
Should Democrats on the State Supreme Court make the highly partisan and controversial move of forcing two Republican State Supreme Court Justices off a critical case to decide the fate of voter-approved state constitutional amendments requiring voter ID and lowering the maximum income tax rate, State House Republicans can effectively suspend those Democrat justices immediately and indefinitely by a simple majority vote.
Study: Dem-backed bill could slash charter school student funding
A new study from researchers at the University of Arkansas and Western Carolina University finds that a Democrat-backed budget bill pending in Congress would slash an average of $1,131 per student in resources for charter schools.
General Assembly passes measure to rein in a governor’s emergency powers
The N.C. House in a concurrence vote passed House Bill 264, Emergency Powers Accountability Act, 66-44, on Wednesday, Oct. 20. Specifically, the legislation requires the governor to get concurrence from the Council of State for an emergency declaration lasting more than seven days.
Charlotte school district criticized over failure to properly investigate sexual assaults
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools continues to come under fire for how it has handled allegations from students who say they were sexually assaulted on campus.
Surge in violence merits response
The overall crime rate, defined as the total number of reported crimes divided by North Carolina’s population, was lower in 2020 than in 2010. But most of these reports concern property crimes: arson, burglary, larceny, and motor-vehicle theft. Their frequency certainly affects the security of our homes and possessions. Places with high rates of property crime also struggle to attract business investment and residential development.
Public school health survey asks students about drug use, sexual behavior
A youth risk survey for middle- and high-school students in the public school system is raising eyebrows for asking students about drug use and sexual activity.
Judge could issue order compelling lawmakers to fund Leandro in early November
The judge in the long-running Leandro school funding case could issue an order as early as three weeks compelling the General Assembly to fully fund a court-ordered plan drawn up by California-based consultants.