NC Politics in the News

Economic Development

WINSTON SALEM JOURNAL: NC economic development leader named to federal council
Christopher Chung, chief executive of the Economic Development Partnership of N.C., was named Tuesday to a two-year term on the U.S. Investment Advisory Council.

TRIANGLE BUSINESS JOURNAL: Why former NC Commerce secretary thinks next big jobs win is on the way
Tony Copeland, former secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce from 2017 to 2021 and current senior economic development and corporate strategist at Brooks Pierce, said the state is well-positioned to win another big project.

WRAL: NC takes top spot in another business climate ranking; Raleigh also scores well
On the industry and talent recruiting battlefronts there’s more good news for the Raleigh metro area and the state of North Carolina. In fact, North Carolina ranks No. 1 in the new Business Facilities ranking of states. It was No. 2 a year ago.

Education

NEWS & OBSERVER: ‘Cut the check.’ School supporters urge NC Supreme Court to order Leandro funding.
On Wednesday, the court will hear arguments over whether it should order the money transfer over the objections of Republican legislative leaders. Around 150 people who gathered at the Halifax Mall in front of the Legislative Building on Saturday said the high court needs to intervene after nearly 30 years of litigation.

THE CENTER SQUARE: North Carolina data shows young students made learning gains compared to year before
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is celebrating strong gains in literacy skills for young students during the first year with a new “science of reading” curriculum

WRAL: Democrats call for action as vacancies among NC K-5 teachers jump by 65% this year
Among teachers and school staff, vacancies were about 27% higher than last year. Vacancies among teachers in kindergarten through fifth grade have increased by 65% in North Carolina this year compared with last year, according to data from the North Carolina School Superintendents’ Association.

Environment

WFAE: N.C. lithium suppliers say climate law will help their businesses
The federal climate and health care law enacted last week has provisions aimed at boosting the U.S. electric vehicle industry. North Carolina lithium mining companies say it will help their business of supplying electric vehicle makers.

WRAL: Duke experts: Contaminants from flooding in NC hurricanes a risk to environment
Environmental experts from Duke University on Wednesday discussed the threat that flooding during hurricane season poses to land and water.

Government

AXIOS: N.C. Supreme Court rules against “racially gerrymandered” legislature
The North Carolina Supreme Court ruled Friday that the state legislature may not have the authority to pass amendments to the state constitution because lawmakers were elected based on district maps that were “unconstitutionally racially gerrymandered.”

NEWS & OBSERVER: Trimester restrictions? Exceptions? NC GOP leaders talk about potential abortion bans
North Carolina’s GOP leaders gave more indications Tuesday of what abortion legislation might look like if Republicans gain a supermajority this fall.

Healthcare

WRAL: ‘Not on the same page’: No deal yet on NC Medicaid expansion
North Carolina legislative leaders don’t appear to be close to a deal yet on a Medicaid expansion bill. “We’re not on the same page,” House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, told to reporters Tuesday. “I’m reasonably optimistic that something will happen in December.”

WFAE: North Carolina identifies first monkeypox cases in women
North Carolina has now confirmed the state’s first cases of monkeypox in women.

Politics

WITN: In memoir, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson calls for taking science, history out of elementary schools
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is dropping more hints about a potential run for governor in 2024. And, if elected, he says he’d work to keep science and history out of some elementary school classrooms.

Transportation

THE ROBESONIAN: State transportation officials urge safety around railroads
Already this year there have been 51 incidents with vehicles and pedestrians on railroad tracks in North Carolina; 10 people have died.

MASS TRANSIT: Raleigh’s New Bern BRT project secures $35 million CIG grant
The city of Raleigh, N.C., received a $35 million grant through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program for the Wake Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) New Bern Avenue Project, which will build a 5.4-mile BRT route connecting the city’s central business district with the east side to North New Hope Road.