Given the freedom to choose whether to mandate masks for students, school boards across the state have begun voting to make face coverings optional for the coming school year.
All in Opinion
Early look at task force submissions on CRT raise concern
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in March announced the launch of a task force to address growing concern grew among public school parents about political and cultural indoctrination in the classroom, specifically related to Critical Race Theory.
Letter to the Editor: Laurie Moody - American families need access to paid family leave
Benjamin Franklin gave us many great words of wisdom. One of his best lines is that we should “do well by doing good.” While this ideal may have worked in the politics and government of early American history in the 1700’s, we don’t see much of that sentiment in today’s public policy. People of all political stripes (right, middle, left and those not involved at all) are tired of the fighting and looking to support policies that exemplify the words of Mr. Franklin.
Hudson bashes proposed new federal gun regulation
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson took aim this week at a proposed federal regulation that targets pistol stabilizing braces. Hudson led a Capitol Hill news conference Tuesday drawing attention to the issue.
Congress seeks to cut $40 million from charter schools, impose new regulations
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee voted to cut $40 million from the federal Charter Schools Program, in a major policy shift away from the bipartisan support that charter schools have enjoyed in recent years.
N.C. school districts have spent just 13% of federal COVID-19 relief, analysis finds
Public school districts in North Carolina have received about $5.3 billion in COVID-related relief from the federal government. But, on average, school leaders have spent just 13% of that money.
To do good or do better
There are at least as many different ways to explain the origins of political disagreement as there are political commentators. I, for one, think such factors as cultural traditions, religious views, family background, educational experiences, and interpersonal relationships all help to shape how we choose our preferred political candidates or “sides” – and how we choose to act on those preferences.
Help wanted: Lucrative benefits persuade almost 2 million to turn down work, poll finds
Nearly 2 million Americans have turned down jobs because the unemployment benefits are too lucrative — backing up a Republican-led plan in North Carolina to curtail emergency pandemic benefits.
House passes interstate agreement for licensing mental health counselors
The N.C. House unanimously passed a bill Monday to allow mental health counselors to work across state lines. Aimed at increasing public access to professional counseling services, House Bill 791, Licensed Counselors Interstate Compact, would enter North Carolina into an agreement with member states allowing a counselor’s license from one state to be accepted in the others.
Fewer students major in Humanities
Most students attend colleges or universities primarily to acquire the knowledge, skills, and credentials required to get a rewarding job.
Getting COVID-19 shot is matter of personal choice, conservatives say
The voices of those urging government officials to rely on individual liberty and personality responsibility as the founding principles relate to getting the COVID vaccine are getting louder.
Supply chain snags and ABC system disrupt private liquor business
Ollie Mulligan, this week from an airport somewhere in the Northeast, talked about his upcoming flight home, about returning to his native Ireland, to County Kildare. He thought aloud about the bright, rolling green fields. Of horses, and of Guinness.
North Carolina's Innocence Inquiry Commission Featured on the All Things Judicial Podcast
The latest episode of All Things Judicial features part one of a three-part series on the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission. Part one is hosted by Lindsey Guice Smith, Executive Director of the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, and the guests are commissioners Johnson Britt, Rick Glazier, and John Boswell.
Teledentistry bill, reducing tape for hygienists, moving in legislature
A bill that advocates say would boost access to dentistry, especially in the state’s rural areas, is sailing through the General Assembly.
Cooper to let mask mandates expire, says schools ‘should’ require masks in K-8
Gov. Roy Cooper will allow existing state mask mandates to expire on July 30, but he's recommending required masking for public school students in kindergarten through middle school. Cooper emphasized those changes during a Wednesday afternoon press conference on updated state COVID-19 guidance.
NC High School Athletic Association blasts legislature’s reform efforts
Leaders and supports of the N.C. High School Athletic Association gave a passionate defense of the organization Tuesday night in the wake of proposed legislation that would remove the organization from oversight and management of high school sports in North Carolina.
Overhaul of high school sports governance presented in Senate
On Tuesday, the N.C. Senate Education Committee presented a bill that would effectively end the High School Athletic Association's role in supervising high school athletics, a role the organization has held since 1913.
Effect of state policy isn’t huge
For years, North Carolina conservatives and progressives argued incessantly about the effects of the state’s rightward turn. Conservatives said lower taxes and less regulation tend to boost entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic growth. Rejecting that position, progressives argued that spending more money on education and other public programs and making greater use of health, safety, and labor regulations would have net-positive results for the economy.
N.C. lawmakers still have plenty of work to do on broadband
The General Assembly may allocate hundreds of millions in federal relief toward closing the digital divide this session, but policy experts says lawmakers still need to reduce regulations to further help the expansion of broadband infrastructure.
Vaccine requirements issued as some college students return to campus
Some universities across the state have announced that they will be requiring the COVID vaccine for students returning to campus. UNC System public universities are not requiring, but encouraging, the vaccine. Some private schools, including Duke and Wake Forest, are requiring it.