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Economic Development
THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: NC recognized third year in a row for economic development
For the third year in a row, North Carolina garners top honors with Site Selection magazine’s Prosperity Cup recognition for economic development. “Two projects alone in 2022 accounted for $9 billion in capital investment in the Tar Heel State — both in Chatham County,” said Mark Arend, writer. “Vietnamese EV and battery manufacturer VinFast picked the Triangle Innovation Point mega site for its three-part manufacturing center — for production of electric cars, buses, and batteries. A $2 billion initial investment for phase 1 is expected to grow to $4 billion. The project will employ 7,500 at full operation.”
Education
THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: Legislative leaders appeal latest Leandro ruling to second-highest NC court
North Carolina’s top legislative leaders are appealing the latest ruling in the long-running Leandro education funding case to the state’s second-highest court. Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore filed a notice of appeal Friday. The request to the N.C. Court of Appeals applies to Judge James Ammons’ April 17 Leandro ruling, “including all orders, findings, and conclusions incorporated into the Order,” according to the court filing.
WRAL: McCrory-appointee to State Board of Education announces resignation
Amy White will resign from the North Carolina State Board of Education next month — shrinking the number of Republicans on the 13-voting member board from four to three. White announced her resignation during the board’s meeting Thursday. She said she wants to “refocus my passion, my energy, my time” on Community of Hope Ministries, where she is the executive director. The organization serves children and families in southern Wake County through various programs in and out of schools.
Government
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Concealed gun permit mandate likely to stay put for now, NC GOP leaders signal
A bill that would allow people to carry concealed guns without a permit in North Carolina, which was poised to move forward in the General Assembly this week, appears to have stalled for now. House Bill 189, which would allow anyone over the age of 18 to carry a concealed handgun without first obtaining a permit from their local sheriff’s office, cleared two committees in recent days and had been added to a calendar of more than 50 bills the House was taking up in a marathon session Wednesday evening.
WFAE: What the NC Supreme Court decision means for redistricting in the state and elsewhere
A recent decision gives North Carolina lawmakers the ability to draw the legislative maps they believe are best, without judicial interference. A newly minted Republican majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court reversed an earlier decision from December when the court’s then-Democratic majority rejected the GOP maps as a partisan gerrymander.
Healthcare
THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: NC legislature sends new abortion restrictions to Gov Cooper
The North Carolina House and Senate have passed a new bill that will limit abortions after 12 weeks of fetal development. The bill contains exceptions for rape and incest up until 20 weeks of pregnancy, fetal abnormalities up until 24 weeks, and the life of the mother all the way through pregnancy. The legislation passed the General Assembly on Thursday with a vote of 29-20 in the Senate after the longest debate in a decade. As it stands, Republicans have the votes to override Gov. Roy Cooper, who said earlier this week he would veto the bill.
Politics
WKRN: Leading GOP candidate for governor in NC mocked school shooting survivors
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson (R), who is running for governor, was found to have made several social media posts mocking survivors of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. A new report from CNN’s KFile chronicles several social media posts from Robinson in which he attacked the teenage survivors of the Parkland shooting, where 17 people were killed by a gunman.
Transportation
ABC11: New law makes it easier for teens to get NC driver’s license
A new driving law goes into effect across North Carolina making changes to how long teenagers are required to have their learner’s permit before applying for the next level. A bill that Governor Cooper declined to sign, citing safety concerns, goes into effect today.