Today's NC Political News briefs
RALEIGH — North Carolina’s political and government news cycle is quieter heading into the weekend, with no regular legislative sessions scheduled Friday and more committee activity expected early next week. State agencies still posted several updates in recent days, including new workforce training academies, a federal funding request for Hurricane Helene recovery, state tax charges, wildfire response and upcoming public meetings.
Electrical workforce academies launched
The North Carolina Business Committee for Education announced Thursday that 12 Careers Electric summer electrical academies will launch at community colleges across the state. The program is expected to train 220 students this summer through community college courses, industry credentials, hands-on work experience and registered pre-apprenticeships.
The academies are part of a broader effort supported by the Siemens Foundation to train 25,000 North Carolinians for electrical careers over the next decade.
Stein seeks more Helene recovery money from Congress
Gov. Josh Stein met with North Carolina’s congressional delegation Wednesday in Washington, D.C., and asked Congress to approve more than $10 billion in additional funding for Hurricane Helene recovery in western North Carolina.
State Sen. Kevin Corbin joined Stein for the meetings. Stein said North Carolina is continuing to use federal recovery money already provided but needs additional resources for long-term recovery work in storm-damaged communities.
Wake County restaurant owner charged in tax cases
The N.C. Department of Revenue announced Thursday that Marcella Aguado De La Cruz, 49, of Youngsville, was charged with six counts of embezzlement of state property in tax cases tied to two restaurant entities.
The department said the charges involve alleged failure to remit North Carolina and Wake County sales taxes collected by Marz Fusion LLC, doing business as Red Monkey, and Marz Hospitality Group LLC, doing business as The Arepa Bar. The charges are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Hyde County wildfire reaches 24% containment
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said Thursday that the Rose Bay Canal Fire in Hyde County was 618 acres and 24% contained.
The N.C. Forest Service said nearly 90 personnel resources were assigned to the incident. Officials said firefighting efforts were focused on increasing containment, monitoring fire behavior and protecting nearby areas. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
General Assembly scheduled to return Monday
The North Carolina General Assembly is scheduled to return Monday, with the House set to convene at 10:30 a.m. and the Senate set to convene at 3 p.m.
The legislative calendar lists several House committee meetings for Tuesday, including Election Law, Health, Judiciary 1 and State and Local Government. The House Election Law Committee is scheduled to consider a proposed committee substitute for House Bill 958, titled “Election Law Changes.”
Sentinel Landscape Committee to meet Tuesday
The N.C. Sentinel Landscape Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon in Raleigh.
The committee is a partnership involving farmers, foresters, conservationists and military installations. Its work focuses on land conservation, working lands and military readiness in areas connected to North Carolina’s agriculture and defense sectors.
Local Government Commission approves arena financing
The Department of State Treasurer announced this week that the Local Government Commission approved the Centennial Authority’s request for $200 million in bond anticipation notes for improvements to Lenovo Center.
The approval allows the authority to move forward with financing tied to modernization and enhancement work at the Raleigh arena.
