The state Senate has passed a new version of a bill that would require N.C. sheriffs to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, two years after Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a similar effort.
All in State Government
Rick Henderson: SAVE the primary care providers!
Responding to COVID-19’s death, suffering, and loss, by necessity governments swept aside some rules that let patients get care from medical professionals who weren’t doctors. As we approach widespread immunity, either with vaccinations or COVID patients recovering, questions about whether these regulations that blocked patients from seeing health providers were needed. Period.
North Carolina's January employment figures released
The state’s seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate was 5.9 percent, declining 0.2 points from December’s revised rate. The national rate declined 0.4 points to 6.3 percent.
State to renew controversial ABC contract and increase liquor prices
The N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission voted unanimously last week to recommend the state award a 10-year contract for warehouse services to LB&B Associates, the target of an audit in 2018 that has over the previous years cost the state about $13.5 million.
New order issued by Chief Justice Paul Newby
Chief Justice Paul Newby issued an order today extending emergency directives an additional 30 days in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fight to end the perpetual state of emergency
On March 10, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency for North Carolina due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and on March 17, 2020, he closed schools, restaurants, and bars for in-person dining. The NCHSAA also suspended school sports.
Governor Cooper Signs COVID-19 relief bill into law
While I will ask legislators to revisit some areas of this legislation, including changes necessary to quickly deliver rental assistance, these funds will bring needed relief for people who are struggling, schools and small businesses as we strive to emerge from this pandemic.
Gov. Cooper announces people with high-risk medical condition in group 4 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine beginning March 17
Today, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. announced beginning on March 17, people in Group 4 who have a medical condition that puts them at higher risk of serious illness and people who live in certain congregate settings will be eligible for vaccination. The rest of Group 4, which includes other essential workers will become eligible April 7. (See Deeper Dive)
NC House Leaders Introduce Emergency Powers Accountability Act
Today marks an entire year since Governor Roy Cooper unilaterally put the citizens of North Carolina under a state-wide emergency order due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NCDHHS Expands Demographic Data on Vaccine Dashboard
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has expanded its vaccine data dashboard to provide more demographic data on people who are partially or fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
NC Lawmakers Seek Answers on Prisoner Release Settlement by Gov. Cooper and AG Stein
State lawmakers will continue to seek answers on Tuesday about a confidential prisoner release settlement by Governor Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein that provides early release for 3,500 offenders.
General Assembly passes COVID relief, to consider fully reopening bars
The General Assembly has passed with a unanimous vote a new COVID relief bill that would direct nearly $1.7 billion in aid across the state.
Efforts to reopen N.C. classrooms ramp up, despite Cooper’s veto
The N.C. State Board of Education passed a resolution Thursday, March 4, calling on all public school districts to give parents the option of in-person learning by the end of March. The education board’s action is the latest step in a growing consensus to swiftly reopen school classrooms across the state.
The North Carolina Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is one of seven WIC State Agencies to receive a U.S. Department of Agriculture/Tufts Telehealth Intervention Strategies for WIC (THIS-WIC) grant. Selected through a competitive review process, the $1 million grant will use innovative telehealth solutions to deliver nutrition education and breastfeeding support to WIC participants to overcome barriers to access, particularly those encountered in rural settings.
Governor Cooper appoints new members to state boards and commissions
Governor Roy Cooper announced new appointments to North Carolina boards and commissions.
Attorney General Josh Stein shuts down massive charity fraud robocall operation
Attorney General Josh Stein, along with the Federal Trade Commission and 46 agencies from 38 states and the District of Columbia, today shut down a massive telefunding operation by Associated Community Services (ACS) and a number of related defendants that bombarded 67 million consumers with 1.3 billion deceptive charitable fundraising calls.
NCDHHS updates County alert system, shows continued progress in NC
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today updated the COVID-19 County Alert System, which shows six red counties — a decrease from 27 red counties on the previous Feb. 22 County Alert System and the fewest red counties in the state since the start of the County Alert System.
NCDHHS expands access to COVID-19 rapid testing in K-12 schools
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will be expanding access to COVID-19 rapid testing in K-12 public schools to protect students, teachers and staff from COVID-19. When schools implement testing combined with the state’s strong mitigation strategies, they can detect new cases to prevent outbreaks and reduce the risk of further transmission.
COVID-19 cases declining rapidly in North Carolina long-term care settings
New COVID-19 cases in North Carolina long-term care facilities have declined rapidly in the last several weeks. Case rates are down over 15-fold in skilled nursing facilities, adult care homes and other licensed facilities since the peak of transmission in January 2021.
North Carolina running out of room to borrow for road projects
North Carolina may run out of room to borrow money for transportation projects in just a few years, according to a new report released this week by State Treasurer Dale Folwell.