The N.C. Board of Elections voted Friday, May 14, to rehire Karen Brinson Bell as executive director. Board members Tommy Tucker and Stacey “Four” Eggers were the only dissenting votes.
All in Opinion
Fred Barnes taught me a lesson
I’ve written a regular column for nearly 35 years. It debuted in the Spring Hope Enterprise, a Nash County weekly, in the summer of 1986 and then quickly expanded to dozens of other daily and community papers.
N.C. towns face insolvency as financial oversight falls short
After a decade of financial struggle, the small town of East Laurinburg in Scotland County could soon cease to exist. It could be the start of a trend: State Treasurer Dale Folwell now warns that a growing number of North Carolina towns are at risk of insolvency.
Auditor reports poor monitoring of COVID-19 relief money
The N.C. auditor said the vast majority of the $3.6 billion in COVID-19 relief funds the state received from the federal government was distributed with limited monitoring and controls.
Republicans urge Cooper to allow more fans for Canes’ playoff games
The National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup playoffs start this weekend, and, as it turns out, the Carolina Hurricanes are one of the best teams in the league, albeit in a shortened 56-game season.
Anti-critical race theory bill passes House after rancorous debate
The House has passed a bill that would prohibit the exclusive teaching of Critical Race Theory in North Carolina public school classrooms. The 66-48 vote on May 12 followed a scorched-earth debate in which Democrats called the measure anti-American and hateful, while Republicans countered that it was focused on ensuring equity in schools.
Enforce rules to ease labor shortage
President Joe Biden wants you to believe that there is no relationship between the extra $300 a week many are receiving in enhanced unemployment-insurance benefits and the shortage of workers now manifest in stores, restaurants, hotels, and other businesses here in North Carolina and across the country.
Bill would keep public schools from exclusively teaching critical race theory
The teaching of critical race theory as the only explanation of America’s past would be outlawed in public schools under a bill approved by the N.C. House Education Committee on Tuesday, May 11.
Creating his own lane in race for Senate, Mark Walker is enjoying the ride
In a 25-minute sermon at the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Wilson, former Congressman Mark Walker looks right at home. Walker is a preacher and a preacher’s son. His sermon is faith-based, not political.
Gas lines snake through North Carolina towns
If you’re seeing long lines at gas stations, you’re not alone. The Colonial Pipeline shut down this weekend, saying it was hit with a ransomware attack Friday, May 7. The pipeline supplies nearly half of the fuel for the eastern part of the country and may be largely down through the rest of the week.
ABC omnibus bill moves forward, but it’s far from complete
A House committee discussion over an omnibus alcohol bill amounted to yet another debate involving people wanting to free regulations on spirituous liquor and those wanting to tighten the state’s stranglehold.
Lawmakers want to recognize occupational therapy licenses of other states
Occupational therapists who move to North Carolina would have an easier time getting back to work under a bill in the General Assembly.
Former N.C. State receiver changes congressional run to open 13th district
Former N.C. State Receiver Bo Hines has filed FEC paperwork to run in North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District.
Op-Ed for publication from Governor Cooper: The Road to a Brighter Future Runs Through North Carolina
North Carolina is emerging from a worldwide pandemic strong and growing, with new jobs and new neighbors arriving daily. We welcome this growth, but in order for our communities to thrive, our infrastructure must catch up and keep up. In recent weeks, Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff visited North Carolina with a plan to help transform our state and nation’s infrastructure.
Senate advances trio of health care bills aimed at reducing costs
The Senate is close to approving a trio of health care bills aimed at reducing costs and increasing transparency in the system.
House urges Congress to ‘Keep Nine’ members of U.S. Supreme Court
The state House wants Congress to reject proposals for packing the U.S. Supreme Court. The House voted 68-44 Thursday to support a federal “Keep Nine” amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Race theory is dangerous nonsense
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans of Filipino descent had a median household income of just over $100,000 in 2019. The median household income of white Americans that year was about $66,000.
N.C. Democrats, Republicans work on criminal justice reform
In a compelling community forum, a woman described her heartbreaking involvement with the criminal justice system before Democratic party activists across the state.
Bills loosening, expanding alcohol rules advance in N.C. House
The N.C. House committee on Alcoholic Beverage Control moved several bills Wednesday, May 5, including measures to expand growler sizes, to allow alcohol service on charter buses, and to set up “social districts.”
Governor Cooper proclaims May 6, 2021 as National Day of Prayer
Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May 6, 2021 as National Day of Prayer in North Carolina to invite North Carolinians of all faiths and backgrounds to express their beliefs through prayer.