NC Politics in the News

Agriculture

WRAL: As NC considers medical marijuana, state farmers fear bill locks them out
North Carolina farmers who got into the cannabis business in recent years hoped they’d be in a prime position to capitalize on the state’s eventual legalization of marijuana. But those hopes are fading, even with a bill to legalize medicinal marijuana pending in the state’s General Assembly.

THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: NC House resolution opposes SEC rule forcing ‘climate disclosures’ on farmers
North Carolina Rep. Jeff McNeely, R-Iredell, has filed a resolution that would urge the U.S. Congress to fight the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed rule forcing “the enhancement and standardization of climate-related disclosures for investors” in agriculture.

Economic Development

THE AP: Michael Baker International Selected for Design-Build Team Delivering New F-35B Aircraft Maintenance Hangar at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina
Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that the firm has been selected as part of the design-build team delivering a new F-35B aircraft maintenance hangar at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina. The firm is serving as a subconsultant to Walsh Federal LLC and the project marks the team’s second F-35 maintenance hangar project at the installation. 

TRIAD BUSINESS JOURNAL: Chain of medical practices specializing in senior care coming to Triad
Senior-care medical chain plans to open two clinics in Winston-Salem and one each in Greensboro, High Point and Burlington.

Energy

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Duke Energy wants to add green-energy projects in western North Carolina
Duke Energy said Monday it wants to add 400 megawatts of solar and other renewable energy in North Carolina, mainly in the regions west of Raleigh. A request for proposals by Duke Energy Carolinas, the utility that serves Charlotte and the western half of the state, will help it meet the state’s 2007 green-energy mandate.

Education

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Despite concerns, NC House votes to let virtual charter schools stay open through 2027
North Carolina’s two popular but low-performing charter schools would be allowed to stay open for at least the next five years under legislation passed by the state House on Thursday. The N.C. Virtual Academy and the N.C. Cyber Academy only have state permission to stay open through the end of the 2022-23 school year.

RALEIGH NEWS & OBSERVER: Fayetteville State University receives historic gift to support students from Eastern NC
Fayetteville State University has received a $5.8 million gift, the largest in its history, to support student success, particularly those from rural Eastern North Carolina. The charitable grant from Anonymous Trust, a private foundation in Raleigh, is more than four times larger than any previous single gift to the historically Black university.

Government

THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: With primary canvass complete, legislative leaders eye veto-proof majorities
The N.C. State Board of Elections officially certified primary elections on Thursday, June 9. According to the NCSBE, about 1.4 million people cast ballots, a 20% voter turnout for the May 17 primary. Karen Brinson Bell, NCSBE executive director, presented the results to board members for certification.

THE CENTER SQUARE: North Carolina lawmakers putting final touches on two-year spending plan as short session nears end
Lawmakers in the General Assembly are nearing the finish line on adjustments to North Carolina’s two-year spending plan, according to Republican leadership.

The General Assembly is considering how to spend $6.2 billion in unanticipated revenues for the current fiscal year and next, amending a budget enacted last fall that spends $27 billion over the next year.

WCCB: Gov. Cooper Says Rural Communities Across North Carolina Awarded Grants
Governor Cooper says 30 local governments in rural areas across North Carolina have been awarded grants from the Rural Transformation Grant Fund. The fund is a new source of support for rural economic development projects in the state funded by the federal American Rescue Plan.

Healthcare

THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: State Appeals Court tosses out lawsuit challenging N.C. certificate-of-need restrictions
A unanimous N.C. Court of Appeals panel has dismissed a New Bern eye surgeon’s challenge against the state’s certificate-of-need restrictions. A CON represents a state government permission slip to open medical facilities, purchase certain equipment, or perform certain procedures.

KHN: Medical Bills Can Shatter Lives. North Carolina May Act to ‘De-Weaponize’ That Debt.
When Erin Williams-Reavis faced a $3,500 surgery bill, the hospital offered to let her pay in $300 monthly installments. It was too much, said Williams-Reavis, 44, who lives in Greensboro, about an hour west of the state capital. Her hours as a personal assistant had been cut, and she and her husband were behind on bills, even requesting a forbearance on their mortgage.

Politics

MSN: North Carolina lawmakers hesitate to send out checks as gas prices rise
Lawmakers in North Carolina are struggling to pass a law that would give residents cash to help them deal with rising gas prices. Democrats have attempted to pitch a summer tax break, which would give North Carolina drivers a $200 tax rebate.

THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: NC Democratic Party under fire for anti-Israel party platform resolutions
A group of N.C. Jewish clergy leaders are calling out the N.C. Democratic Party for anti-Israel resolutions that were considered at the party convention held June 18 in Durham. Calling the resolutions potentially “dangerous.” the clergy members point to the party’s Platform Committee Special Report, which sets a wide range of positions that the state party takes in the upcoming year, including 2022 elections.

Technology 

WRAL TECH WIRE: North Carolina still seeking to enhance broadband access, connectivity, statewide
Many North Carolina households still lack access to high-speed internet access, but state government can play a role in changing that, according to documents presented to a group of state legislators earlier today. The House Committee on Appropriations, Information Technology, met at 10 a.m. on Wednesday to hear a set of presentations, including one on cybersecurity and broadband access from the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT), according to an agenda published previously by the North Carolina General Assembly.

Transportation

WWAY: NCDOT encourages summer drone safety
National Drone Safety Day is Saturday, and North Carolina officials are bracing for one of the busiest summers yet for the wildly popular devices.

Across the state, there are about 15,000 registered recreational drones and more than 9,500 registered commercial drones, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. But these unmanned aircraft systems can be dangerous, if not operated properly.