State Board of Elections recommends delaying 2021 elections, 2022 primary
With new U.S. Census data not expected until September, the State Board of Elections is recommending moving all of this year’s municipal elections to 2022.
News and Opinion
NC communities awarded $282 million for water and sewer improvement projects
Governor Roy Cooper announced this week $282 million in loans and grants to help pay for 94 drinking water and wastewater projects statewide.
State auditor finds a bevy of unlicensed providers receive Medicaid funds
An audit released by State Auditor Beth Wood’s office Thursday, Feb. 18, found the state Department of Health and Human Services did a poor job of gatekeeping the Medicaid Provider Enrollment process.
N.C. cities pass nondiscrimination ordinances without bathroom policies
Five years after House Bill 2 put North Carolina at the center of national controversy, cities in the state’s liberal enclaves are once again discussing discrimination and the LGBT community. Six cities and counties in North Carolina have passed ordinances that designate sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes, and LGBT advocates are now pushing two dozen more to follow suit.
Top 2022 GOP prospects strike different tones on Burr’s impeachment vote
As N.C. Republicans grappled with how to respond to Sen. Richard Burr’s surprise vote to convict former President Trump, the leading GOP prospects for Burr’s seat in 2022 had starkly different reactions, with sharp differences in tone.
NCDHHS Updates County alert system, shows progress
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today updated the COVID-19 County Alert System, which shows 27 red counties — a decrease from 61 red counties on the previous Feb. 4 County Alert System — and the fewest red counties in the state since the start of the County Alert System.
Rick Henderson: Eric Holder shouldn’t fool anyone
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder drew glowing media attention last week as he gave the Weil Lecture on American Citizenship at the UNC School of Law. He vowed a new round of lawsuits challenging whatever form the next round of North Carolina congressional and legislative districts take unless they’re drawn to his satisfaction.
John Hood: Picking winners Is for losers
Taxing the income, sales, or property of a business is a means of paying for government services associated with that business activity. It pays for police, courts, and other means of protecting property and adjudicating disputes. It pays to train current workers and educate future ones. It helps pay for local streets and other infrastructure.
Judge struggles to find distinction that would keep N.C. bars closed
A Superior Court judge asked repeatedly Thursday, Feb. 18, for evidence that would justify state government orders that keep private bars closed across North Carolina.
Senators introduce bill increasing attendance at high school events
Republican Senate lawmakers have introduced a bill that would change the 100-person capacity limit at outdoor high school sporting venues.
Governor Cooper appoints Jim Weaver as DIT secretary
Governor Roy Cooper announced James “Jim” Weaver will serve as Secretary and state Chief Information Officer at the Department of Information Technology. Thomas Parrish has served as Acting DIT Secretary and CIO since Tracy Doaks’ departure last June.
Severe weather causes delay in COVID-19 vaccine shipments
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has been notified by the federal government of continued delays in some shipments and deliveries of COVID-19 vaccine this week due to severe weather. Both first and second dose shipments have been impacted. The Department is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and vaccine providers to help minimize the potential effects of these delays.