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2017 Elections
NEWS & OBSERVER: Democrats already recruiting candidates for 2017 legislative election
The new legislative districts haven’t been drawn yet, but Democrats are already trying to recruit candidates and energize supporters for the special legislative election set for this November.
Economy
NEWS & OBSERVER: NC corporate income tax rate drops after legislature’s cut
As North Carolinians rang in the New Year, the state corporate tax dropped for the final step of a multi-year decrease that began in 2013 and has since been heralded by conservative tax experts as one of the nation’s greatest reduction packages in decades.
Education
ASHEBORO COURIER TRIBUNE: Some NC teachers to get bonuses in January
North Carolina is ready to dole out $14 million in teacher merit bonuses this month, with rewards based on last year’s third-grade reading tests and exams that show high school students doing college-level work.
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: North Carolina’s charter surge: Attendance has doubled in the last 5 years
While North Carolina’s traditional public schools lost students this year, charter school enrollment has more than doubled since the state lifted a 100-school cap in 2011.
WRAL-NEWS: NC charter schools chief: Need to increase diversity, open more rural schools
North Carolina charter schools need to have more diversity among their students and open more schools in rural parts of the state, the state’s charter school chief said Wednesday.
WRAL-NEWS: New NC superintendent: Urgent changes needed to fix ‘outdated’ school system
North Carolina’s newly elected Superintendent of Public Instruction says urgent changes are needed to fix the state’s “outdated” public school system and said his first order of business will be to embark on a year-long listening tour across the state.
Health & Human Services
NEWS & OBSERVER: NC governor formally begins Medicaid expansion pursuit
On Friday Gov. Roy Cooper formally started his effort to expand Medicaid to more of the poor and middle class lacking insurance, even as Republicans in Washington bear down on repealing the federal health care law that offers this coverage option.
In the Courts
WRAL-NEWS: Judges refuse to delay court-ordered 2017 legislative elections
Three federal judges on Wednesday denied a request by state lawmakers to postpone their earlier order requiring new state House and state Senate districts be drawn and elections be held this year.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Judges block NC elections board overhaul as Roy Cooper’s lawsuit pends
A three-judge panel Thursday upheld Gov. Roy Cooper’s request to block a revamp of the state elections board while his lawsuit makes its way through the courts.
Justice & Public Safety
Gov. Roy Cooper said this week that he’d like to see more “transparency” in how police body camera footage is handled, but the N.C. Police Benevolent Association isn’t happy with his stance.
Leadership Changes
WRAL-NEWS: In inaugural speech, Cooper speaks consensus, but draws line
Starting his term amid acrimony with Republicans, North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vowed in his inaugural address Saturday to “do everything possible to reach consensus” while setting limits and pressing his case to expand Medicaid coverage and getting rid of a law limiting gay rights.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Gov. Roy Cooper’s first week in office sets tone
Bit by bit, North Carolina got its first look at Gov. Roy Cooper beyond the campaign trail this past week, his first in office.
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Gov. Roy Cooper names 4 state government veterans to key positions
New North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday named four state government veterans to take key positions in his administration, including the former state budget director under the two most recent Democratic governors.
WRAL-NEWS: Cooper names first cabinet nominees
Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday began assembling his cabinet, naming his choices to lead the departments of Transportation and Environmental Quality.
ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES: Cooper’s environmental pick a contrast from McCrory’s
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s choice of an environmental advocate to lead the state environmental agency represents a break in department leadership from the previous Republican administration, which critics alleged was too cozy with business and utilities.
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Gov. Roy Cooper names SBI veteran as leader of Department of Public Safety
Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday named a veteran of the State Bureau of Investigation to serve as his secretary of public safety, leading one of the biggest Cabinet agencies.
WSOC-NEWS: Cooper’s DOT secretary choice not sitting well with I-77 toll lane opponents
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has announced two more cabinet appointments as he builds his team to lead the state over the next four years.
CHAROTTE OBSERVER: Cooper celebration goes on despite impending snowstorm
An approaching snowstorm forced organizers to trim Saturday night’s sprawling Inaugural Ball festivities at N.C. State University and squeeze them into a much smaller venue downtown Raleigh on Friday night, where celebrants heralded the return of a Democratic governor in North Carolina after four years.