In a time when political division and a gridlock in Congress dominates the headlines, there’s one issue that should unite us all – the fight against cancer. No matter our background, beliefs or zip code, nearly every family has felt the pain and uncertainty that a cancer diagnosis brings. Still, like many Americans, I put off keeping up with my recommended cancer screenings until just a few years ago. When I was fortunate enough to receive clear results, I realized the risk I had taken by waiting so long to get screened. Now, I’m committed to educating others in our community about the importance of routine screenings and how early detection can make all the difference in the fight against cancer.
Energy is the backbone of our economy and our way of life. From powering homes to fueling businesses, reliable and affordable energy keeps America moving forward. But today, outdated permitting rules are blocking the very projects we need to secure our future. Regulations that were designed to provide a fair process have turned into roadblocks. Instead of delivering better outcomes, they now drive up costs, stall job creation, and leave families footing the bill.
My name is Josiah Hafner, and I’m 16 years old. I’m writing in response to the recent op-ed titled *“Protecting kids online is easier than it seems”* by Lee Currie. While I appreciate the concern for child safety, the article presents a one-sided and misleading view of the App Store Accountability Act (S.1586/H.R.3149)—a bill that directly affects teens like me.
North Carolina’s mountains, beaches, and vibrant cities rank it among the top states in the country for hitting the road. While smooth summer travels are always the goal, a popped tire, broken engine, or minor collision can dampen a vacation.
In all my years involved in politics, I have seen only a handful of proposals that receive real overwhelming support among the public. The federal App Store Accountability Act is one of them.
The governor of North Carolina earns an annual salary of a little over $200,000 per year. While it’s only about a fifth or less of what the average partner in a big law firm can expect to bring home and a fiftieth what the football coach at the state’s flagship university rakes in, it’s still good money. In a state where the median household income is around only a third of that amount and millions subsist at or below the poverty line, for most people, getting a job with a 200k salary would feel like winning the lottery.
The North Carolina General Assembly is considering two very different approaches to the issue of money and the courts. House Bill 315 would ban litigation financing in its entirety. House Bill 925, the Consumers in Crisis Protection Act, would instead regulate consumer legal funding with strong safeguards for families and businesses.
Growing up, there was a period when my family relied on food stamps to survive. At the time I admittedly felt some embarrassment about that fact, yet I found a way to use the foundation provided by that public assistance to achieve several important goals in life.
Each year, nearly 70,000 North Carolinians receive the devastating news that they have cancer. In rural communities, where access to preventive care and cancer screenings is comparatively limited, diagnoses are often made later, when the disease is harder to treat and more costly. The burden of cancer is alarmingly high in our state, and it's hitting rural families hardest.
Just a few weeks ago, WakeMed in Raleigh reported a surge in heat-related emergency cases, including three children. They weren’t alone. Hospitals across North Carolina have been overwhelmed this summer, not just by record temperatures, but by the growing pressure to do more with less.
Senator Thom Tillis’ decision not to seek re-election next year gives him a rare opportunity in the coming months: more freedom to lead boldly on the most pressing issues of our time. As he enters his final stretch in the Senate, one way he can cement his legacy as a pro-innovation, pro-business lawmaker is by championing smart, federal policy for cryptocurrency.
