N.C. COVID cases trending down, but experts say we will learn to live with virus
COVID-19 cases in North Carolina may actually be decreasing, even as media hysteria and local mask mandates rage on.
News and Opinion
Food and Nutrition Services Benefits to Increase by 25% Starting Oct. 1
RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced households enrolled in the Food and Nutrition Services program will see their benefits increase by 25% beginning Oct. 1, 2021, as part of a national re-evaluation of benefit amounts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. More than 1.6 million people are enrolled in FNS in North Carolina
Governor’s agency to pay settlement after investigation into volunteer grants
The N.C. Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service under the office of Gov. Roy Cooper has agreed to a settlement with the federal government after an investigation alleged falsified timecards and compliance documents for grants from the federal AmeriCorps program.
N.C. congressman wants school choice for students facing mask mandates, CRT
A Republican congressman from North Carolina would expand school choice for students across the nation facing mask mandates or classroom instruction based on Critical Race Theory.
OPINION: Is college football the death knell for COVID hysteria?
Like everything else in society, college football can speak to our hyper-politicized culture. And no, I’m not talking about the vulgar chants directed at Joe Biden spreading across college stadiums. I’m talking about the unmasked fans and packed stadiums.
N.C. hospital suspends hundreds of healthcare workers without pay amid vaccine mandate
Winston-Salem based Novant Health has suspended more than 300 employees effective this week for not getting a COVID-19 vaccine. According to a press release from the hospital system, those who have not either had one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine or a first dose of Moderna or Pfizer will not be allowed to report to work. Those with one dose will have until October 15 to get the second one.
Labor force shouldn’t be shrinking
North Carolina’s economy has enjoyed a substantial recovery from the depths of the Great Suppression — that is, from the COVID-19 downturn of 2020. Most businesses are back up and operating. So are schools and universities. More employees than ever before are working from home. That’s had positive consequences for worker satisfaction and traffic congestion (although the consequences for productivity are admittedly unclear). State government is flush with revenue. North Carolina’s headline unemployment rate was just 4.3% in August.
Regulatory sandbox bill moving through final hurdles in N.C. Senate
A bill to establish a “regulatory sandbox” by waiving certain obstacles for a trial period for fast-emerging financial and insurance products and services is one step closer to becoming law. It cleared the Senate Commerce and Insurance Committee on Tuesday, Sep. 21.
Food truck owner files court challenge against Farmville regulations
An eastern N.C.-based food truck owner is going to court to challenge a steep increase in the cost of doing business in Farmville.
OPINION: Cooper’s all in on critical race theory
Even in North Carolina, the rejection of fundamental American principles thunders ahead. The proof? Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed an anti-critical race theory bill on Sept. 10. If one reads the text, it’s hard to imagine political leaders opposing these principles a few years ago. Simply put, the bill works to reinforce the American tenets of equality and our E Pluribus Unum motto.
ABC chairman resigns amid supply issues, problems at warehouse
ABC chairman A.D. Zander Guy Jr. has resigned as chairman of the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.
New laws protect visitation rights for nursing home residents and clergy
Two new laws in North Carolina will protect visitation and religious rights for patients and long-term care residents during emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic.