Chief Justice Beasley makes judicial appointments
Chief Justice Cheri Beasley announced the following appointments effective Friday, January 1, 2021.
News and Opinion
NCDHHS shares updated rollout plan for COVID-19 vaccinations
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced it had updated its vaccination plan to align with new federal recommendations issued last week. The changes simplify the vaccine process and continue the state’s commitment to first protect health care workers caring for patients with COVID-19, people who are at the highest risk of being hospitalized or dying, and those at high risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Lt. Governor Dan Forest issues final statement
As I wind down the final days of serving as Lieutenant Governor, Alice and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the thousands of friends we have made across this great state. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve our state as Lieutenant Governor for the past eight years, and to run for Governor in 2020, perhaps the most unique political year of the modern age.
Algenon Cash: Governor Roy Cooper signs order allowing mixed cocktails to go
Governor Cooper just can’t seem to win for losing these days. The North Carolina Democratic Governor is popular with ordinary citizens, but not so much within the bar and restaurant community. The industry blames him for a wide range of woes since being placed under restrictions enacted in March to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
$600 one-time payments as part of a second stimulus payout
A second stimulus check was approved on Sunday as part of a $900 billion dollar bill. The $600 one-time payment will be sent to those eligible based on their 2019 reported income. The amount of the one-time payment depends on the income of the household. President Trump disagreed with the amount of the one-time payment, and instead recommended the amount of $2000 as a direct payment to eligible individuals. On Monday, the House of Representatives passed a measure to increase the stimulus checks to $2000. On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader McConnell blocked a bid to unanimously pass the $2000 stimulus check without a vote, and then also blocked allowing a vote to be brought to the floor on Wednesday though he did say the $2000 stimulus check was his focus.
State Highway Patrol Graduates 50 New Troopers
The State Highway Patrol proudly welcomed 50 new troopers at a graduation ceremony held for the 152nd Fast-Track Basic Highway Patrol School. The ceremony commemorates a historical first for the fast-track program as the cadets spent nine consecutive weeks at the training academy without visiting home. This training schedule was designed to ensure maximum protection for the cadets from outside exposure to COVID-19.
Governor Cooper and NC Senate Leader Phil Berger respond to passing of former Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight
Governor Roy Cooper shared the following comment following the passing of former Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight, "North Carolina lost a giant today with the passing of my friend, Senator Marc Basnight. His positive influence on our public universities, transportation, environment and more will be felt for decades.”
John Hood: Lower Taxes Attract Key Leaders
When Democrats attack pro-growth tax reform as “trickle-down economics,” I can understand their rhetorical intent. But the charge is silly on multiple levels — including the fact that every Democrat who ever serves in state or local office spends great time and effort to try to recruit business executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and high-value professionals to their communities.
Bar owners across N.C. challenge Emergency Management Act provision
Bar owners from six counties across North Carolina are going to court to challenge the governor’s executive orders shutting down their businesses. Their lawsuit seeks to have a key piece of the state Emergency Management Act declared unconstitutional.
NC SPIN reaches its end
May I tell you a bit about the pioneering Campbells of eastern North Carolina? The patriarch of the family, minister James Archibald Campbell, founded a school in Buies Creek in 1887 that we now know as Campbell University. In the early days, privation and bad luck sometimes forced “Jim Arch” to keep institution alive through sheer force of will.
NCDHHS to expand reach out and read to all North Carolina counties through new medicaid initiative
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently received approval to use federal matching funds to expand services for the evidence-based early childhood program, Reach Out and Read. Research shows that children who Reach Out and Read have improved literacy and language comprehension, and clinics have improved patient-clinician relationships and well-child visit attendance. This partnership with Reach Out and Read is one of the first in the country among Medicaid programs.
John Hood: Christmas gifts aren’t wasteful
Among the pagan-inspired customs of the Christmas season, there has come to be the ritualistic burning of the straw man. Specifically, I refer to the traditional seasonal column by a sly journalist or political analyst asserting that the exchange of Christmas gifts is a major lose-lose for the economy.