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Economic Development
WRAL TECHWIRE: ‘Recession bell continues to ring … just got louder’ warns NC State economist in new report
New economic data for North Carolina’s economy point more strongly to a recession after a drop in the monthly index of economic indicators compiled by N.C. State economist Dr. Mike Walden. “Hold on,” he warns. “The recession bell continues to ring, and it just got louder,” Walden notes in the NCSU Index of North Carolina Leading Economic Indicators. The data is for March, and Walden points out the index is “down 2.5% from February. It’s also down 5.8% from February 2022.
Education
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: ‘An all-out assault on the university?’ NC bill would eliminate faculty tenure
North Carolina legislators are considering a bill that would eliminate tenure for future faculty hired at the state’s public colleges and universities. Instead of tenure, the bill proposed by Republicans would establish a “uniform contracting procedure” in which hired faculty are offered employment contracts ranging from one to four years, which could be renewed.
WFAE: Skip senior year? NC bill would require a three-year graduation path
High school could soon become a three-year experience for many North Carolina students, under a bill that’s moving through the state House and Senate. The bill’s titled “Choose Your School, Choose Your Future” expand the state’s voucher program, which provides public money for private school tuition. But they also require all public schools to create a three-year track to graduation — and they provide a new state scholarship to encourage students to use that track.
Government
FOX NEWS: North Carolina Supreme Court hands Republicans big win, giving them potential 2024 edge
The North Carolina Supreme Court threw out a previous ruling against gerrymandered districting in the state on Friday and also upheld a photo ID voting law in what is being touted as a victory for Republicans. The recent partisan gerrymandering ruling from the newly formed court, in which conservatives have a 5-2 advantage, is expected to simplify the process for the Republican-controlled legislature to assist the GOP in securing additional seats in the U.S. House of Representatives during the upcoming 2024 elections.
Healthcare
WRAL: NC House leaders back bill allowing healthcare workers to turn away patients for ‘moral’ reasons
Should you be turned away from medical care because a provider has a moral or ethical objection to something about you? You could be — under a bill that is likely headed for the House floor next week. House Bill 819, which sponsors call the Medical Ethics Defense Act, would allow any healthcare provider, hospital or institution, or insurer or other payer to refuse to provide care or service to any person if the provider has a “religious, moral or ethical” objection to doing so. The GOP-backed measure passed the House Health committee Thursday.
Politics
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: See who’s running in 2024 for North Carolina governor and other statewide offices
In November 2024, North Carolinians will go to the polls to vote for president, governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and many other offices. It may seem like a long way off, with almost a year before anyone starts voting even in the primary elections, but some candidates are already off and running. Attorney General Josh Stein was the first to announce he would run for governor in 2024, followed by Treasurer Dale Folwell.
Transportation
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Years-long effort to widen I-40 south of Raleigh reached a milestone this week
Commuters should have an easier time on Interstate 40 south of Raleigh starting this week. Contractors for the N.C. Department of Transportation finished building two new lanes in each direction between the Raleigh Beltline and the U.S. 70 Bypass around Clayton. Most of the lanes on the eastbound side opened overnight Monday, while the westbound lanes were opened overnight Tuesday in time for Wednesday’s morning commute.