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Economic Development
FOX 8: Businesses in Alamance, Randolph Counties may soon expand as North Carolina approves incentive grants
Two companies wanting to expand their businesses in the Piedmont Triad were approved Tuesday for state incentives that would allow them to hire hundreds of employees in the next few years.
THE MORGANTON NEWS HERALD: Morganton company plans to expand, create new jobs
Gerresheimer Glass is getting some help from the state to expand in Morganton and add new jobs. NC Gov. Roy Cooper’s Office and the North Carolina Department of Commerce announced Thursday the award of a building reuse grant for the expansion project.
Education
THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: NC House committee makes recommendations on recruiting women into STEM fields
The North Carolina House Select Committee on Advancing Women in STEM passed a set of recommendations to lawmakers on Dec. 6 on ways to recruit and retain more women and minorities in STEM fields.
WRAL: Durham schools unanimously approve new LGBTQ, gender support policy
The Durham Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved an LGBTQ and gender support policy Friday. The vote came after discussion during the regular work session Thursday.
Environment
WFAE: Pellet plant permit delayed amid environmental justice concerns
State officials have delayed approving an expansion for a wood pellet plant in northeastern North Carolina while they consider concerns about how the plant affects the environment and nearby communities of color.
Government
FOX 8: Governor Roy Cooper announces $75,000 for information on Moore County substation attacks
Widespread power outages caused by vandalism of electrical substations in Moore County continued on Sunday, with electricity shut off to nearly all residences and businesses, and estimates for restoration of power stretching possibly into Thursday, officials say.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC treasurer seeks BlackRock CEO’s ouster because of firm’s environmental investments
North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell called Friday for the CEO of the world’s largest investment manager to resign or be removed, citing loss of confidence because of the firm’s environmental, social and corporate governance initiatives and investments.
MCDOWELL NEWS: Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson will not seek re-election.
In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, N.C. Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson stated he would not seek re-election to another term. Dobson, a former McDowell County commissioner and state representative, announced his decision during a meeting of the North Carolina’s Council of State in Raleigh.
Healthcare
WCNC: NCDHHS to provide eligible North Carolina public schools with free mental and behavioral health training and support
Mental and behavioral health struggles continue to create challenges in the school setting. It’s something experts say was made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. But now the state is stepping in with extra resources to help. North Carolina Psychiatry Access Line (NC-PAL) will start providing mental and behavioral health training and support to participating school administrators and counselors in 130 public schools around North Carolina.
Politics
CNN: Takeaways from Moore v. Harper, the historic Supreme Court arguments on election rules
Arguments in the Supreme Court’s blockbuster election rules case played out for more than three hours on Wednesday as the justices examined claims from the North Carolina GOP legislature, which argues that state constitutions and state courts have little or no authority to impose limits on how state legislatures craft their rules for federal elections.
WBTW: North Carolina protestors call on Gov. Cooper to abolish state’s death penalty
More than 100 people took to the streets demanding action from Gov. Roy Cooper. Organizers want an end to the death penalty and are asking the governor to commute the state’s 135 current death sentences.
Transportation
UP AND COMING WEEKLY: New nonprofit transportation safety organization launched, focusing on teen drivers
A newly-formed nonprofit organization, the North Carolina Alliance for Safe Transportation, or NCAST, has launched an inaugural traffic safety campaign. The message is for parents or guardians to make sure the vehicles teens drive include appropriate safety features, and to discourage young motorists from driving distracted.
AXIOS: North Carolina could be wasting millions on widening roads without fixing traffic
The bipartisan infrastructure law will distribute billions of dollars for road construction across the U.S., including $100 million to widen I-85 in Gaston County from six to eight lanes. But some say much of it will be in vain.