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Economic Development
GREENSBORO NEWS & RECORD: Loren Hill named Piedmont Triad Partnership economic development director
The former president of economic development for the city of High Point has been named a top economic developer for the Piedmont Triad Partnership. Loren Hill, who only recently retired from his position at the High Point Economic Development Corp., was named Monday as the Piedmont Triad Partnership’s Carolina Core regional economic development director.
Education
WXII12: North Carolina Board of Education approves new social studies standards
The North Carolina Board of Education approved new social studies standards for students in K-12 that focus on a more diverse perspective of history. The board voted in favor of the fifth draft of the new standards in a 7-5 vote, according to NBC affiliate WRAL.
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER: NC schools seek power to shorten summer vacation
It’s been nearing a year of remote learning for many students in the Alamance-Burlington Schools System, and district superintendent Bruce Benson is concerned. He sees more than 200 seniors in danger of not getting their diploma on-time, a significant drop from last spring.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Lunch will look different when Wake students return: More distance, no trips off-campus
School meal times will be even more different than normal when Wake County students return next week for in-person classes. The Wake County school system will use stricter new guidelines on social distancing at all schools during meal times and will require high school students to stay on campus for lunch. The changes come after a COVID-19 outbreak at a school during lunch time and scientific advice on how to try to keep students and staff safe.
Government
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC governor unveils COVID relief budget, including bonuses for teachers, college staff
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper laid out his budget recommendations for coronavirus relief spending Thursday, continuing efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 with an eye to recovery for businesses and residents.
WRAL: Cooper, Cohen, NC education leaders call for reopening more schools
The governor, his secretary of health and a bipartisan pair of the state’s top education officials pressed school systems across North Carolina Tuesday afternoon to reopen for in-person learning. “It’s time to get our children back into the classroom,” Gov. Roy Cooper said during a briefing on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Healthcare
WXII12: North Carolina vaccine progress: How the state is doing 50 days in
It has been a little more than 50 days since the first North Carolinians started receiving their initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Based on the current vaccination rates, it is going to take many more months before a vast majority of adults in the state are completely vaccinated.
WRAL: Walgreens will administer COVID-19 vaccines at 300 NC locations
Walgreens will begin administering coronavirus vaccines at 300 locations in North Carolina on Friday. According to a press release, over 31,000 doses of the vaccine will be given to eligible groups — seniors 65 and older, healthcare workers, and staff and residents of long-term care facilities — starting on Feb. 12. The locations have not yet been announced.
WCNC: NC sees a dramatic drop in flue cases due to preventative practices to slow the spread of COVID-19
North Carolina health officials said flu cases are low in the state thanks to the preventative measures they’re taking to slow the spread of COVID-19. Health officials said these preventative measures, known collectively as the 3Ws, have helped dramatically reduce the spread of the flu and other respiratory illnesses across the state.
Politics
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Require schools to allow in-person learning, Senate majority says
The North Carolina Senate backed a bill Thursday that would require schools to give some in-person instruction to the state’s K-12 public schools students. Senators voted 29-16. A final vote, which is usually a formality without more debate, will be next week. Then it moves to the House.
Technology
WRAL TECH WIRE: Startup Spotlight: 29 emerging companies across NC share $1.5M in One NC Small Business Program grants
Twenty-nine technology companies across North Carolina – about half of them working in the life sciences – have received grants totaling $1.5 million to foster job creation and promote research and technological development in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Transportation
FOX 8: Millions being spent to make sure North Carolinians have transportation to vaccination appointments
Millions of dollars are being spent to make sure that North Carolinians have transportation to vaccination appointments. An estimated 600,000 people in the state have issues with transportation, which means getting to and from vaccine sites can be a challenge.