The Democrat-dominated Buncombe County Board of Commissioners wants to join the legal fight against North Carolina's new election maps.
All by Donna King
National Republican group backs N.C. leaders at U.S. Supreme Court
A national group representing Republican state officials is backing N.C. legislators at the U.S. Supreme Court. Legislative leaders want the high court's permission to intervene in a federal lawsuit targeting voter ID.
Appeals Court won't force N.C. regulators to permit new solar plant
The N.C. Court of Appeals has affirmed state regulators' ruling against a proposed solar energy plant for North Carolina. Appellate judges accepted regulators' argument that the plant would have forced overly costly upgrades to the state's electric grid.
N.C.’s Apple deal named worst of 2021
The $846 million subsidy deal that North Carolina struck with Apple just topped the “year’s worst” list of a nonpartisan economic think tank. The Center for Economic Accountability selected the 39-year agreement to put Apple’s campus in Research Triangle Park as the “Worst Economic Development Deal of the Year,” saying that its annual $21 million cost to the state led the list of reasons.
Appeals Court to decide whether UNC, NCSU should refund student fees from COVID shutdown
The N.C. Court of Appeals will decide in the weeks or months ahead whether students from N.C. State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill can sue their schools for refunds of student fees.
Cooper gets national media attention as potential '24 presidential candidate
A major cable television network and one of the nation's leading mainstream newspapers both mentioned N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper this week as a potential 2024 presidential candidate.
School closures still on the table this winter
Outgoing N.C. Health Secretary Mandy Cohen told lawmakers recently that schools could still close in the event of a COVID infection surge this winter. Cohen delivered this news as teachers and students scramble to wrap this semester and kids try to catch up from the year of remote and missed school.
School closures still on the table this winter
Outgoing N.C. Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen told lawmakers recently that schools could still close in the event of a COVID infection surge this winter. Cohen delivered this news as teachers and students scramble to wrap this semester and kids try to catch up from the year of remote and missed school.
DHHS employee fired over vaccine mandate, despite natural immunity
An employee of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services who was fired for not getting a COVID vaccine is speaking out.
State legislature passes flurry of bills, including adjournment resolution
Both chambers of the N.C. General Assembly passed an adjournment resolution Monday evening, Nov. 29, coming amid a flurry of other measures making their way through the legislature.
State Sen. Chuck Edwards expected to run in Cawthorn's N.C. 14th
On Tuesday, state Sen. Chuck Edwards, who currently represents Buncombe, Henderson, and Transylvania counties, is expected to announce his candidacy for the newly configured 14th Congressional District. The new 14th comprises North Carolina’s most western counties.
Small business bills waiting in Senate Rules Committee
Having trouble getting a hair appointment or other services? There are three bills sitting in the Senate Rules Committee that sponsors say would loosen bureaucratic red tape for some small service businesses. Bill sponsors are eager to see them move before lawmakers adjourn for the year.
G.K. Butterfield to retire from Congress
Rep. G.K. Butterfield, N.C.-1, a Democrat, has officially announced he'll retire at the end of this term in Congress. Originally from Wilson, Butterfield, 74, has served in Congress since 2004. He has been in Congress for 18 years, representing a district that runs along North Carolina's northern border with Virginia. Butterfield won his first election to Congress by more than 71% and has handily won the seat in each election since, winning by margins well into the 70's.
National group drives opposition to district maps in N.C., other states
The N.C. House passed its district map proposal during evening session Tuesday, Nov. 2. The Senate is expected to vote on the N.C. House district map on Thursday. Redistricting maps do not go before Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, driving more pressure on the legislative process by opposition groups.
Lawsuit filed before district maps are approved
As the North Carolina General Assembly plans for the first votes on new legislative and congressional district maps this week, interest groups have already filed lawsuits to block them. The maps are still in development with several map proposals having been presented to the public in recent hearings.
Biden approval rating dips amid concerns about the economy
In a new poll out Thursday, Oct. 21, there are rumblings that North Carolina voters are growing frustrated with President Joe Biden's overall performance and his handling of jobs and the economy. With North Carolina a key state in the 2022 midterm elections, this statewide survey of 600 likely voters found 38% of respondents approve of Biden overall, but 56% do not. The margin of error in the survey is plus or minus 4%.
Questionable criteria on NC worker ranking begs a deeper dive
North Carolina’s economic health seems strong. Taxes are low, cost of living is below average, and a recent CNBC study gave the state a No. 2 ranking as “Best for Business” because of solid growth, quality workforce, business friendliness, and technology.
Cancel culture at UNCW drives leadership out
Describing a culture of silencing conservative voices at UNCW, one trustee was driven to quit last week with an openly critical post of Seahawk nation on Facebook. Former UNCW Board of Trustees member Woody White revealed what he sees as a troubling trend in treatment of conservative faculty and students.
N.C. hospital suspends hundreds of healthcare workers without pay amid vaccine mandate
Winston-Salem based Novant Health has suspended more than 300 employees effective this week for not getting a COVID-19 vaccine. According to a press release from the hospital system, those who have not either had one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine or a first dose of Moderna or Pfizer will not be allowed to report to work. Those with one dose will have until October 15 to get the second one.
Local elected officials couldn’t profit from their offices under stalled bill
A bill intended to prohibit conflicts of interest by local elected officials is stalled in the N.C. legislature, as lawmakers wrangle over the state budget and the end of session remains uncertain.