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Your weekly North Carolina political news report.
Economic Development
WLOS: Gov. Cooper visits Madison County, touts Hometown Strong initiative
Gov. Roy Cooper took his tour of Western North Carolina to Madison County on Tuesday to unveil an initiative designed to help rural communities across the state. Cooper, who grew up in rural Nash County, met with about 50 Madison County officials involved in the pilot program Hometown Strong.
Education
THE (Asheboro) COURIER-TRIBUNE: Commissioners host legislators to discuss issues
A proposed statewide school bond referendum led a conversation Friday between the Randolph County Board of Commissioners and the local legislators. The board annually meets with the local legislators to let them know what issues are important to the county. Friday morning they met at the Randolph County Office Building on McDowell Road, Asheboro.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Raleigh, Durham and Charlotte need more charter schools in poor areas, report says
Raleigh, Durham and Charlotte are home to many charter schools, but a new national report says those three areas are filled with places where lower-income families don’t have access to these non-traditional public schools.
EDUCATION NC: State Superintendent Johnson says state education system must transform
State Superintendent Mark Johnson made stops at local rotary clubs and schools in Western North Carolina earlier this week, explaining to state residents why he thinks the state’s education system needs to be transformed.
NEWS RELEASE: Governor Cooper Joins National Bipartisan Effort to Expand K-12 Computer Science Education
To help ensure every North Carolina student has access to the skills and training they need to be ready for college and career, Governor Cooper today announced that he is joining the Governors’ Partnership for K-12 Computer Science.
Environment
STAR NEWS: UNCW says it has ‘no agenda’ on GenX research
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) defended its scientific practices Thursday after a Duplin County legislator accused researchers of allowing political motivations to sway their results.
THE (Hendersonville) TIMES-NEWS: Tryon to get state funds for storm cleanup
Gov. Roy Cooper Tuesday issued a state public assistance disaster declaration for the town of Tryon and the village of Cedar Rock in Caldwell County to help those local governments recover costs spent cleaning up from fall storms. Both communities were hit by tornadoes that formed from the remnants of Tropical Storm Nate in October.
Health
THE MCDOWELL NEWS: HCA Healthcare/Mission merger to result in a new foundation
The planned merger of Mission Health, western North Carolina’s largest health care provider, and HCA Healthcare of Nashville, Tenn., a for-profit company, will result in the creation of a new foundation dedicated to improving the health of McDowell and 17 other counties now served by Mission.
STAR NEWS: N.C. insurance commissioner promotes takeback efforts during New Hanover visit
North Carolina’s insurance commissioner visited New Hanover Regional Medical Center on Friday to discuss the hospital’s efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and ask what else could be done.
In the Courts
WLOS: NC’s AG sues over Duke Energy charging consumers for coal ash cleanup
North Carolina’s attorney general is challenging regulators for allowing Duke Energy to start charging consumers hundreds of millions of dollars to clean up coal ash dumps, plus a potential profit margin.
Public Safety
ROCKY MOUNT TELEGRAM: Block party marks reentry week
A high-ranking state official joined local residents on Wednesday in Rocky Mount to support a community event by a local organization helping people with criminal records or coming out of prison readjust to society.