by Julie Havlak, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper moved North Carolina backward in economic reopening in another virtual news conference that shut out some media outlets. Cooper tightened restrictions on indoor mass gatherings, dropping the maximum allowed gather
By Julie Havlak, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — Reopening the economy during COVID-19 is a hotly contested issue in the race for N.C. Commissioner of Labor. The two candidates — Republican state Rep. Josh Dobson, R-McDowell, and Democratic county commissioner Jessica Holmes — w
By Julie Havlak , Carolina Journal News Service Winter is coming, and small businesses are running out of time. Gov. Roy Cooper’s “Phase 3” of COVID-19 shutdowns has left small venues out in the cold, even as he announced he’ll reopen at 7% capacity any large outdoor venues t
By Julie Havlak Carolina Journal News Service Reopening schools is the top priority of Catherine Truitt, the Republican candidate for state superintendent. Truitt also wants to defend the Opportunity Scholarship program, but her Democratic opponent, Jen Mangrum, argues
By Julie Havlak Carolina Journal News Service Gov. Roy Cooper plans to allow fans at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte and other outdoor entertainment venues. At a Sept. 22 new conference, Cooper said he would move toward Phase 3 of his COVID-19 limits Oct. 2, when large
By Julie Havlak, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — “I don’t consider myself to be a black leader. I consider myself to be a leader in N.C. who just happens to be black.” That’s how Republican candidate for lieutenant governor Mark Robinson introduced himself at a debate hosted by
by Julie Havlak, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — Diabetic state employees soon won’t have to swallow the rising cost of insulin. State Treasurer Dale Folwell waived co-pays on insulin prescriptions for members of the State Health Plan, starting Jan. 1, 2021. Folwell hopes
by Julie Havlak, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — Unions won a new stronghold in North Carolina. Patients will pay the price, some critics say. A national nurse’s union won a vote to organize 1,800 registered nurses across western North Carolina. The 965 votes to unionize Missio
by Julie Havlak, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis went on the attack Monday night. He had to. Tillis went after Democrat Cal Cunningham more like an underdog challenger than an incumbent senator and former speaker of the House in No
by Julie Havlak, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden “will be the most pro-union president since [Franklin Roosevelt],” Jill Biden said of her husband Monday during a teleconference sponsored by a nurses’ union. “He will govern with the understan
by Julie Havlak, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper is suing to dismantle a powerful legislative check on executive power. The N.C. Supreme Court will eventually decide the issue. The legislature and the governor are fighting over control of the Rules Review Commis
By Julie Havlak Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper will move North Carolina into Phase 2.5 on Friday, Sept. 4, when gyms and bowling alleys will be able to operate at 30% capacity. But Cooper’s reopening plan will bring little relief to gyms and bo
