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Education
NEWS & OBSERVER: More NC third graders retained for poor reading
The second year of the state’s public school literacy law saw more third graders – about 1 in 7, in all – retained because they were not reading well.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Lots of talk by NC legislators, but not much movement on education
Legislative Republicans met privately in a retreat last winter, in advance of this year’s long General Assembly session, to talk about their ideas oneducation. A key goal was to establish where the House and Senate could agree on significant policy changes.
Elections
WRAL: Earlier NC primary means quicker decisions but some confusion
Moving North Carolina’s primaries for hundreds of elected posts up by seven weeks to align with early presidential contests could save counties money,reduce voter confusion and boost overall turnout.
WRAL: Advisory letter could permit bigger role for outside groups in NC elections
Recently published guidance will pave the way for advocacy groups to more closely work with official campaign committees of candidates running for officein North Carolina.
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: NC Rep. Jacqueline Schaffer won’t run for third term; Tim Morgan will seek seat
Republican Rep. Jacqueline Schaffer, a champion of socially conservative issues, said Friday she won’t run for a third term.
WRAL: Attorney general primed to begin run for NC governor
Attorney General Roy Cooper is now prepared to tell North Carolina residents he’s a candidate for governor next year.
Energy & Environment
FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER: Law bars local fracking regulations
Before adjourning their session last week, North Carolina lawmakers passed a law prohibiting towns, cities and counties from adopting any regulations orordinances on natural gas drilling or the controversial practice commonly known as fracking.
STAR NEWS: Area residents concerned about wind turbines
Five energy companies have voiced interest in putting wind turbines off the North Carolina coast.
Health Care
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Charlotte area among highest for some medical costs, survey shows
Charlotte ranks in the top four of 30 U.S. cities for the price consumers pay for four common medical procedures, according to the 2015 Castlight HealthCostliest Cities Index.
WNCN: Louisburg hospital closing is part of larger trend among rural hospitals
Next week’s closure of Novant Health’s Franklin Medical Center is part of a larger trend among struggling rural hospitals that shows signs of accelerating,according to UNC’s Dr. Mark Holmes.
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Cardinal-CenterPoint merger could occur as early as Feb. 1
CenterPoint Human Services could merge as early as Feb. 1 with the state’s largest behavioral health managed-care organization, according to its topexecutive.
Insurance
WRAL: Lawmakers weigh optional insurance overhaul
State lawmakers are considering making big changes to optional insurance policies offered by state agencies next year, following a report by the ProgramEvaluation Division that shows little oversight of the policies.
Legislature
WCTI 12: Urologist to join N.C. House, succeed Brian Brown
A Greenville urologist will serve out the term of a North Carolina House member who resigned this week to go work for U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis.
STAR NEWS: Lawmakers reflect on lengthy General Assembly session
The area’s representatives in the General Assembly agree on at least one thing: The most recent legislative session was too long.
NEWS & RECORD: Fall adjournment 1 unpredictable twist of 2015 session
Some figured the 2015 General Assembly would be more subdued compared to recent years when Republicans who wrested control of state government fromDemocrats initially imprinted their conservative philosophy upon North Carolina.
CONTACT US
HarryKaplan
Senior Vice President
hkaplan@mwcllc.com
JeffBarnhart
Senior Vice President
jbarnhart@mwcllc.com
Franklin Freeman
Senior Vice President
ffreeman@mwcllc.com
Bo Heath
Senior Vice President
dbheath@mwcllc.com
John Merritt
Senior Vice President
jmerritt@mwcllc.com
JohnnyTillett
Senior Vice President
jtillett@mwcllc.com
Kerri Burke
Vice President
kburke@mwcllc.com
JillianTotman
Assistant Vice President
jtotman@mwcllc.com
Sarah Wolfe
Assistant Vice President
swolfe@mwcllc.com