NC Politics in the News

June 1, 2020

Pardon Our Dust

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Agriculture

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC limits information on meatpacking plants’ COVID-19 outbreaks as case numbers grow
Meatpacking plants are breeding grounds for COVID-19 among workers.


Economic Development

THE WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: N.C. exceeds $3 billion in paid state, federal unemployment insurance benefits
North Carolina has surpassed $3 billion in paid state and federal unemployment insurance benefits as the state approaches the 1 million claimant mark.

WLOS: $6 million in federal grants will go to help NC workers and families
Governor Roy Cooper has announced North Carolina has received a $6 million dollar federal grant to help workers in families who have been struggling with finances due to this pandemic.

SPECTRUM LOCAL NEWS: Small Percentage of Businesses in North Carolina Receive PPP Loan
North Carolina has the third lowest percentage of businesses to receive funding from the Paycheck Protection Program or PPP, according to data collected by business.org.


Education

CAROLINA COAST ONLINE: N.C. schools will continue dealing with COVID-19 this fall and beyond
It’s not certain whether COVID-19 will continue to spread through North Carolina this fall, but one thing is likely: The 2020-21 school year won’t be typical.  

WCNC: Union County to hold in-person graduation, violating governor’s order
The Union County Schools Board of Education voted Thursday to hold an in-person high school graduation, which would violate North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s current coronavirus restrictions.

NORTH STATE JOURNAL: 2020-21 remote instruction plans approved by N.C. Board of Education
At a May 21 meeting, remote instruction plans were approved by North Carolina’s State Board of Education for the upcoming 2020-21 school year.


Healthcare

WLOS: NC COVID-19 update: Second day of highest new cases reported within 24 hours
As of Saturday, May 30, 2020, North Carolina health officials say there have been a total of 27,673 lab-confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the state, that’s up 1,185 cases from Friday’s report. Additionally, the state reports 877 virus-related deaths, 404,157 completed tests, and 638 hospitalized patients. 12,926 tests were completed on May 30.

THE STANLY NEWS & PRESS: STATE: NCDHHS issues RFQ to expand testing, contact tracing for COVID-19
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking to create a pool of qualified vendors to support the response to COVID-19. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was issued May 29 for diagnostic and antibody testing including specimen collection and laboratory processing, reserving potential laboratory capacity and contact tracing.


Government

ABC 11: Face coverings, 10-person limits on outdoor gatherings in Durham continue as restaurants, salons prepare to open
Durham is joining the rest of North Carolina in relaxing coronavirus protection measures starting June 1.

FOX CAROLINA: NC Gov. Cooper authorizes assistance of National Guard for cities in need
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has authorized the assistance of the National Guard for North Carolina cities in need. 

WLOS: NC Governor Cooper extends utility cut-off moratorium, creates one for evictions as well
Amid the global pandemic, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 142 on May 30, effective immediately, to extend the prohibition of utility shut-offs and implement a moratorium on evictions.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Following downtown protests and damage, Raleigh mayor to enact curfew for city Monday
After two nights of protests that have ended in vandalism, rioting and tear gas deployed throughout downtown, Raleigh needs to enact a curfew Monday night for the safety of its residents, said Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin.


Transportation

WECT: NCDOT looking to improve oversight after agency overspent $742 million in 2019
Leaders of the North Carolina Department of Transportation said Wednesday they’re making some changes following an audit that outlined how the agency overspent by about $742 million last year, with lawmakers saying they’re drafting legislation to improve oversight.