I promise I’m no math geek. So why do my columns about North Carolina politics and public policy so often feature rankings, economic data, or other statistics?
All in Opinion
State Supreme Court agrees to fast-track case against N.C. voter ID law
The N.C. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a lawsuit challenging North Carolina's voter ID law. The high court's decision removes the case from the state Court of Appeals and places it on a faster track for final resolution.
UNC System schools, private universities begin transition to mask-optional policies
Gov. Roy Cooper has recommended schools and local governments transition from mask mandates to a mask-optional policies, and counties and towns across North Carolina are heeding the governor.
North Carolina groups stepping up support those in war-torn Ukraine
Doctors, nurses, and other aid workers from North Carolina's Samaritan’s Purse are lifting off Friday morning from Greensboro headed to Poland to to deploy a field hospital. The humanitarian aid organization based in Boone has been helping in situations like Ukraine for more than 50 years.
Fort Bragg soldiers establishing safe havens for Americans fleeing Ukraine
As the war in Ukraine escalates, soldiers from the world’s largest military base, Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, are being sent to Europe, both as a deterrent to further Russian aggression and to help Americans fleeing the fighting.
OPINION: A look at the state of America
President Biden’s State of the Union Address represents much of America today, a meandering belief in big government that’s woefully short on economic coherence. Yet, the state of the union is pretty evident to most.
Legislators get opposition, support for U.S. Supreme Court redistricting plea
Each of the plaintiffs in North Carolina's legal dispute over election maps is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to stay out of the fight. So is the N.C. Justice Department.
Ukraine invasion claims voter attention
Over the past couple of weeks, North Carolina politicos have focused intently on the outcome of the state’s latest redistricting saga. After the GOP-majority General Assembly saw its original set of electoral districts thrown out by the courts, lawmakers tried again. Their new legislative maps were accepted. A three-judge panel rejected the Republicans’ newly crafted congressional districts, however, and enacted a “remedial” map for the 2022 cycle.
OPINION: Earls' disturbing comments help make case for income tax cap
State government should face a limit on the amount of your income it can tax. Disturbing comments from one N.C. Supreme Court justice help explain why.
Legislative leaders urge N.C. Supreme Court to steer clear of school funding fight
Legislative leaders argue there's no good reason for the N.C. Supreme Court to stp into a dispute now over $1.7 billion in court-ordered education funding. Republican legislators filed a new brief Monday. It opposes a request from the N.C. Department of Justice and other parties backing court-ordered funding.
Cooper sanctions Russia, including ban on vodka made in that country
The N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, through an executive order, has pulled the products from its more than 430 stores across the state.
New vote to Free the Smiles would mark first veto override attempt in a year
The speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives wants colleagues to override the governor's veto of a bill ending school mask mandates. It would mark the first time in a year that lawmakers have tried to overturn a gubernatorial veto.
OPINION: Round up the horses
In the Disney “Toy Story” movie series, Buzz Lightyear and Woody are the unlikeliest of friends. The stark contrast between the two figurines and the cultures they represent is purely intentional. The movie plots are built around these two sorting out their different approaches to whatever the problem is at hand.
Pennsylvania case mirrors N.C. redistricting appeal to U.S. Supreme Court
Based on a 4-3 vote from the state Supreme Court, a congressional election map drawn by legislators gets tossed out. The court substitutes its own map for 2022 elections. The new map tips the scale toward the Democratic Party.
The tale of crooked-neck John
The early history of North Carolina is full of fascinating characters. John Kincaid was one of them.
OPINION: Court gerrymanders in the name of stopping gerrymandering
The trial court in the redistricting case North Carolina League of Conservation Voters v. Hall rejected a remedial congressional map drawn by the General Assembly based on recommendations from three "special masters" they appointed to inspect that map.
Lawmakers take N.C. congressional map dispute to U.S. Supreme Court
State legislative leaders are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to step into the legal dispute over a new congressional map for North Carolina.
Senate primary debate offers fireworks despite Ted Budd's absence
A debate Saturday among three Republican candidates to replace retiring U.S. Sen Richard Burr, R-N.C., was substantive and respectful yet offered just enough fireworks to spark small fires throughout.
OPINION: DeSantis right to point out hypocrisy of ‘two-tiered’ society on masks
The continued realignment of working-class Americans toward the Republican Party is one of the more fascinating political traits today.
Advisory committee seeks to give parents a voice in their children’s education
Parents across North Carolina want their voices heard on what's best for their children, especially after two years of lockdowns, mask mandates, and changing curriculum.