Today's NC Political News briefs
Several recent state government items touch on public health, community college leadership, workforce training, domestic violence prevention, western North Carolina infrastructure, court security, farmland preservation and tourism spending.
Stein proclaims Heat Safety Week
Gov. Josh Stein has proclaimed May 18-22 as North Carolina Heat Safety Week as the state enters its annual heat season.
The governor’s office said North Carolina’s heat season runs from May 1 through Sept. 30. The proclamation is intended to raise awareness of health risks tied to high temperatures and highlight state programs that help cities, towns and counties respond to extreme heat.
The governor’s office said North Carolina recorded more than 5,700 heat-related emergency department visits in 2025. Operation Fan Heat Relief, which provides fans to eligible older adults and adults with disabilities, runs through Oct. 31.
Community college board names Bill Carver interim president
The State Board of Community Colleges has named William S. “Bill” Carver interim president of the N.C. Community College System.
Carver’s appointment takes effect July 1. He will succeed President Jeff Cox, who is retiring June 30 after more than 30 years of service to North Carolina.
The board has retained Buffkin Baker to assist with the search for a permanent president. The leadership transition comes as community colleges remain central to state workforce, education and economic development policy.
Community college system receives $6 million for healthcare workforce support
The N.C. Community College System has announced $6 million in philanthropic commitments to expand its Boost student success model into healthcare workforce pipelines.
The funding comes from the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust and AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina. The system described the investment as a way to support student success and help address healthcare workforce needs across the state.
The announcement connects community college funding to one of the state’s continuing workforce challenges, particularly in health care, where employers face ongoing demand for trained workers.
DOJ launches statewide domestic violence fatality review effort
Attorney General Jeff Jackson and the N.C. Department of Justice are convening a statewide collective of domestic violence fatality review teams.
The department said the effort is intended to review domestic violence fatalities at the state level and identify ways to prevent and address domestic abuse. Five counties in North Carolina currently have local domestic violence fatality review teams, according to DOJ.
The initiative could lead to broader policy recommendations if local teams identify shared findings across cases.
Canton receives additional Helene water infrastructure funding
Gov. Josh Stein and Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson highlighted additional water infrastructure funding for Canton during a visit to western North Carolina.
The governor’s office said Canton received $3.5 million in Clean Water State Revolving Fund Helene funds for its new wastewater treatment plant and interconnect project. The award brings Canton’s total DEQ funding for Helene-related water infrastructure upgrades to $24.5 million.
The governor’s office said DEQ has awarded more than $860 million for water infrastructure projects in western North Carolina counties since Hurricane Helene.
Supreme Court marshal retires; Ricky Parks appointed successor
Supreme Court of North Carolina Marshal Tom Bowman is retiring after more than two decades with the Judicial Branch.
The Supreme Court appointed Chief Deputy Marshal Ricky Parks as the next marshal. Parks has 37 years of law enforcement experience and has served as chief deputy marshal for the Supreme Court since April 2016.
Chief Justice Paul Newby said Bowman’s service was marked by “integrity, professionalism, and dedication.”
Farmland preservation advocates press lawmakers for more funding
About 150 people attended Farmland Preservation Advocacy Day in Raleigh to support working farms and meet with lawmakers, according to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The department said advocates made the case that protecting working lands matters for the economy, food security, rural communities and future generations.
Earlier department materials said goals for the advocacy day included seeking increased annual farmland preservation funding, additional support for federal partnership projects and action on the state conservation tax credit.
North Carolina tourism spending reached $37.2 billion in 2025
North Carolina set a tourism spending record in 2025, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce.
The department said travelers spent more than $37.2 billion on trips to and within the state, surpassing the previous record of $36.7 billion in 2024. Commerce said state and local governments received more than $2.7 billion in tax revenue from visitor spending.
The state’s tourism-supported workforce increased to 230,997 jobs, and tourism payroll rose to $9.8 billion.
