NC Politics in the News

April 20, 2020

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Agriculture

WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL NOW: N.C. gains two additional SNAP benefits from U.S. Agriculture Department
The U.S. Agriculture Department approved Friday two North Carolina requests for additional resources as part of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE NEWS HERALD: Local burn ban supplements cancelled burning permits
A locally issued burn ban is supplementing a state-level decision to cancel all burn permits.


Economic Development

WRAL NEWS: NC House plans to add $25 million for small-business loans
The state would add $25 million to a bridge loan program for small businesses under legislation planned once the General Assembly goes back into session April 28.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Restart economy or extend restrictions? NC Senate leader wants more COVID-19 data
North Carolina’s stay at home order expires in two weeks. The state legislature is back in session in two weeks, too.


Education

WFAE: NC Education Officials Point Fingers Over Controversial COVID-19 Aid Formula
North Carolina education officials are pointing fingers over a controversial method of distributing COVID-19 relief money that excluded Mecklenburg County.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC schools could get at least $389 million in federal coronavirus disaster relief
North Carolina’s public schools could get at least $389 million from the federal government to help them deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

WBTV: Certain criteria need to happen for NC schools to reopen to students, staff
Schools across North Carolina have been ordered to remain closed until at least May 15.


Healthcare

WINSTON- SALEM JOURNAL NOW: Hospitals trying to balance COVID-19 care while taking revenue hits
The Triad has been spared — so far — from material job losses, layoffs and furloughs from its three major health-care systems.

WRAL NEWS: Report: ‘Gradual’ reopening, more testing will help avoid stress on NC hospitals
A team of local researchers and epidemiologists say North Carolina must lift restrictions slowly to make sure hospitals are not overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Coronavirus could cost NC’s struggling rural hospitals $145 million per month
Rural hospitals are set to lose more than $145 million per month as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the state.


Government

ABC 15 NEWS: NC governor: More COVID-19 test supplies needed, workers added to process unemployment
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper responded to President Donald Trump’s plan to reopen the economy by stressing that the state needs the federal government’s help supplying medical professionals to ramp up COVID-19 testing.

WSOCTV: Test, trace, trend: Gov. Cooper lays out road map for when NC will reopen
North Carolina is on the road to reopen, but when it does, it’s going to look different.

WBTV: N.C. General Assembly to open for business April 28, but limit building access, take temperatures
North Carolina’s legislature will return to business April 28, N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore announced in a press release Wednesday.


Transportation

WNCT: U.S. Transportation Secretary announces $283.70 million to N.C. airports in response to COVID-19
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $283,706,816 in airport aid to 72 airports in North Carolina to help respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

WWAY: NCDOT BUDGET TO TAKE HUGE HIT DUE TO COVID-19
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is facing a rough road ahead because of the coronavirus.