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Agriculture
THE COASTAL TIMES: Homeland Security guidance deems agriculture critical infrastructure in response to COVID-19
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler applauds the guidance Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued in reiterating Food and Agriculture as being critical infrastructure industries to national security, according to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.
SPECTRUM NEWS: Farmers Markets Remain Open Across the State
Four state-operated farmers markets across North Carolina will remain open, officials say, along with a number of certified roadside stands and markets.
Economic Development
CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL: Coronavirus a blow to economic development – but may have silver lining for NC
As the novel coronavirus continues to spread, it’s threatening major economic development projects across the nation.
WXII: Winston-Salem announces COVID-19 relief fund, officials allocate $1 million
Winston-Salem officials announced the city is contributing up to $1 million to match contributions to a fund helping residents economically impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
WRAL TECH WIRE: Citing economic impact, NC Chamber warns governor against a ‘shelter in place’ order
The North Carolina Chamber is making quite clear it opposes a possible “shelter in place” order for North Carolina even as several states hammered by the coronavirus have already done so. Such a declaration should be a “last resort,” the group says.
Education
WRAL NEWS: State school board votes to cancel tests amid coronavirus closure
As schools across North Carolina begin their second week of closure due to the coronavirus outbreak, the State Board of Education voted unanimously Monday to request a federal waiver for required testing and accountability measures for the current school year.
ABC 11: NC Superintendent: ‘We are not coming back to school April 1st’
North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson sat down for an extended, exclusive one-on-one interview with ABC11’s Jonah Kaplan to answer the growing list of questions about how the COVID19 crisis is affecting the school year and how families should transition to remote learning.
Healthcare
WECT: Cooper asks President Trump for flexibility in federal food, healthcare programs
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is asking President Donald Trump for waivers to adapt federal food and healthcare programs while the state is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
WLOS: COVID-19 NC Sunday Update: WNC cases, road closures, hospital visitation restrictions
As cases of the coronavirus rise across the state, several facilities and counties have put additional, stricter safety measures into place.
SPECTRUM NEWS: N.C. DHHS Calls for Health Care Volunteers to Help With Coronavirus Response
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services needs help responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government
WFMY 2: NC government officials warn of scams, introduce coronavirus helpline
Mike Sprayberry, NC Director of Emergency Management said 2-1-1 can help get citizens information on food assistance, support for families, and other basic needs.
WLOS 13: NC Governor orders increased access to childcare, DMV clarifications
Governor Roy Cooper has waived restrictions to increase access to caregivers to provide flexible child care and elder care during the coronavirus emergency. According to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NC DPS), the order provides flexibility to local health departments working to adapt to the increased need for their resources.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Gov. Roy Cooper orders NC bars and restaurants closed, new help for unemployed
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday he plans to order restaurants and bars closed except for takeout and delivery orders.
Transportation
INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE: N.C passenger rail service reduced during COVID-19 outbreak
Beginning Monday, March 23, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s passenger rail service, NC By Train, is reducing its number of daily trips in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
ABC 12: NC Ferry schedules altered by coronavirus outbreak
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry System is adopting a new set of schedules beginning Friday to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.