Every day, I hear from people across North Carolina—teachers, small business owners, young professionals, and retirees—who feel like the ground is shifting under their feet. They’re working hard, raising families, planning futures.
Throughout my long career in law enforcement, and my time as Sheriff of Rutherford county, I have witnessed many threats to public safety such as drug epidemics, trafficking networks and more. What is quietly developing in the shadow of social media and online stores is something that you would not expect: a health crisis that is masquerading as a wellness trend.
I've been helping North Carolina's young people train to work with both their hands and their minds for over 20 years, getting them ready for the jobs, many of which are best learned with real-world experience, like trades and agriculture.
As lawmakers in Raleigh consider a bill that would change the required hours for teens’ provisional permits, some are raising concerns.
North Carolina is growing—with over 600,000 new North Carolinians moving to the Tar Heel State over the past five years. And as is almost always the case, driving that population increase is economic expansion. North Carolina is a top state for manufacturing and business, and many companies are looking to come to or expand in North Carolina, bringing with them tens of thousands of high paying jobs and further cementing the state’s status as an economic powerhouse in the South.
In rural communities, like the many we have here in North Carolina, local public schools are often community hubs, serving as places of learning as well as connection and growth. Likewise, local businesses are often important pieces of what makes a rural community what it is, making relationships between the two not just beneficial, but essential.
RALEIGH — Chief Justice Paul Newby announced the following appointment effective June 1, 2025:
Living in rural North Carolina, I've witnessed a remarkable transformation in our schools and communities over the past five years. As a school board member serving Stanly County I've seen how a key decision made by the Federal Communications Commission under President Trump in April 2020 has created tangible benefits for our students, teachers, and families.
Tens of thousands of new small businesses open every year in the Tar Heel state. The North Carolinians behind these businesses embody the American Dream.
As North Carolina looks to strengthen its economy and energy security, offshore wind presents a smart opportunity for economic growth and job creation. With over $10 billion in private investment already fueling the U.S. offshore wind supply chain, this industry is proving to be a driver of local business development, manufacturing expansion, and workforce growth
Obesity rates are skyrocketing in our nation. In the last two decades, obesity has doubled among American adults. Despite the growing consensus and greater understanding of the disease, many people continue to view obesity as a lifestyle choice or personal failure. It’s important to understand that for many Americans, obesity is not a choice. It’s a chronic disease that affects every layer of a patient’s life.
Nowadays, it’s easy for important information on key issues to get lost. That’s why I am glad that Senator Michael Lazzara took the time to highlight the significance of rescheduling cannabis in his op-ed, “Rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug.” With growing evidence that cannabis has many therapeutic benefits, we cannot ignore the reality that cannabis-based treatments work.
