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Education
NEWS & OBSERVER: Common Core ignites math war in North Carolina
Sydney Young is a confident, vivacious 10-year-old who was comfortable recently showing a classroom full of parents at Fuquay-Varina Elementary School howfifth-graders learned to solve math word problems requiring multiplication and division with decimals.
Elections
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: N.C.’s busy election year starts Tuesday
North Carolina kicks off a busy new election season Tuesday and, at least in the presidential race, forecasters expect it to favor Republicans.
CITIZEN-TIMES: Tom Apodaca retiring from NC Senate
Western North Carolina’s most powerful state legislator said Monday he will not seek re-election next year.
GRAHAM STAR: Roger West won’t seek 9th term
State Rep. Roger West, R- Peachtree, announced Monday he will not seek a ninth term as District 120 representative and will step down after next year’slegislative session.
WRAL: As race for governor heats up, a change in tone for McCrory?
Gov. Pat McCrory hasn’t been shy over the last few weeks in his support for a spate of conservative causes that have ignited debate beyond the borders ofNorth Carolina.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Debates set for candidates running for governor, U.S. Senate
The League of Women Voters and Time-Warner Cable will sponsor debates next year for the candidates for governor and U.S. Senate, in advance of the primaryand the general elections.
Energy & Environment
CITIZEN-TIMES: Wood pellet industry creating confusion
A relatively new yet rapidly growing industry that makes wood pellets to burn for energy in place of coal, with production mills proposed in Western NorthCarolina and Upstate South Carolina, is generating heat of another kind – confusion.
Health Care
COURIER-TRIBUNE: Calls for recording surgeries ignored
Much remains unknown about the 2008 surgery that left Shelly Skalicky without sensation in her body.
WRAL: Feds: NC violated settlement over mental health services
Officials from the U.S. Department of Justice told North Carolina leaders this month that the state isn’t doing enough to help keep people with seriousmental illnesses in their local communities and out of more restrictive housing.
Insurance
NEWS & OBSERVER: State treasurer strengthens her hand in auditing insurers
In August, state lawmakers passed insurance legislation that had the blessing of life insurance companies and State Treasurer Janet Cowell, who wasconcerned they weren’t paying out small death benefit policies in a timely fashion.
WRAL: Lawmakers weigh changes to state worker benefits
State legislators are debating some substantial changes to the coverage options currently available to state employees and retirees.
New Laws
USA TODAY: Numerous NC laws taking effect in December
New North Carolina laws are aimed at cracking down on revenge porn and graffiti, keeping children safe from the liquid used in electronic cigarettes andregulating how law enforcement agencies use automatic license plate readers.
NCGA DOCUMENT: Legislation with Effective Dates of July 1, 2015 through January 1, 2016
See pages 22-29 for laws taking effect on Tuesday, December 1, 2015.
Personnel Changes
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Folwell retiring from state Commerce post
Dale Folwell, a prominent Forsyth County appointee in the McCrory administration, said Tuesday he is stepping down from his Commerce Department duties onDec. 1.
GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY: North Carolina CIO Chris Estes Leaves Government for Private Sector
North Carolina CIO Chris Estes will leave for the private sector within a week, Gov. Pat McCrory’s office announced on Nov. 23.
WNCN: NC Board of Elections chairman stepping down
The chairman of the North Carolina State Board of Education announced Tuesday that he would be stepping down.
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