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Agriculture
WRAL: Turkey farms in Johnston County, Wayne County test positive for Avian Flu
On Friday the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced two more commercial turkey operations in Johnston County have tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza. The farms were identified after another nearby farm earlier this week euthanized 32,000 turkeys after a positive sample within the flock.
Economic Development
WBTV: “Rabbit” picks Rowan; Macy’s announces largest economic development project in county history
The project, a 1.4 million square foot distribution center for Macy’s, would create 2,800 full-time jobs by the end of 2028. The company also is planning to create more than 2,000 seasonal part-time jobs. The investment would be over $584 million in new construction and equipment. “We couldn’t be more honored and excited to welcome an iconic company like Macy’s, Inc. into Rowan County, and we look forward to supporting them in their continued growth in the years to come,” said Rowan County Commission Chairman Greg Edds. “We’re especially proud that this is the largest job creation announcement in our county history. The future of Rowan County has never been brighter.”
ELECTREK: Vietnamese EV brand Vinfast announces North American manufacturing site will be built in North Carolina
Vinfast intends to invest up to $2 billion in the first phase of the manufacturing site, creating thousands of new jobs for local residents. Set to break ground this year, Vinfast’s new manufacturing center in Chatham County, North Carolina, will cover nearly 2,000 acres divided into three separate areas: electric car and bus production/assembly, EV battery manufacturing, and ancillary industries for suppliers.
Education
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC could change how its teachers are licensed and paid. Here’s what’s on the table.
A draft teacher licensure model that will be presented to the State Board of Education next week proposes a higher state base salary of $45,000 for many beginning teachers. Further raises that could push the salary to more than $70,000 a year would be tied to factors such as student performance and teachers taking on additional duties.
Elections
WECT: Mail-in voting now available for NC Statewide Primary
As of Monday, residents in NC can now request absentee ballots for the 2022 Statewide Primary. Per the NC State Board of Elections, any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot up until May 10. Ballots must be sent via mail or turned in to your county board of elections office or a local early voting site. Ballots are due on the day of the Primary, May 17, by 5 p.m. and cannot be turned in to polling places.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC election officials aren’t letting felons register to vote, despite new court ruling
People with felony records who are out of prison, but still on probation or parole, were granted the right to vote in North Carolina on Monday in a high-profile lawsuit against the state…But an email Tuesday from state officials obtained by The N&O indicates that none of the roughly 55,000 people affected by Monday’s ruling will actually be able to exercise their new voting rights — at least not at the moment.
Environment
WITN: UNC Researchers: Climate change causing fish migration
University of North Carolina’s Marine Sciences college in Morehead City has conducted research into the decrease in the number of fish. Dr. Janet Nye, Associate Professor at the Institute of Marine Sciences, has been studying water temperatures and how it impacts fish along North Carolina’s Coast.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC set to miss greenhouse gas reduction targets, environmental group says
The Environmental Defense Fund analysis found that under existing state policies, North Carolina is set to miss gas reduction targets Gov. Roy Cooper set for 2025 and 2030. North Carolina is on pace to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions 27% from 2005 levels by 2025, according to the analysis, short of the 40% target Cooper set in Executive Order 80. And the analysis projects a reduction between 28% and 38% by 2030, the year in which Cooper is targeting an emissions reduction of 50%.
Government
WECT: NC opens $48 million in Rural Transformation Grant funds to local governments
The NC Department of Commerce has opened applications for the Rural Transformation Grant Fund which aims to fund local government activities.
The fund allocates $48 million for spending in four main categories: Downtown Revitalization, Resilient Neighborhoods, Community Enhancements for Economic Growth and Rural Community Capacity building. The funding must also be used for projects with some relation to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthcare
SPECTRUM NEWS: Expanded Medicaid for new mothers begins in North Carolina
New mothers can now receive one year of full Medicaid coverage after delivery as a new state law expanding services took effect Friday. The 12-month coverage option was offered to states in a COVID-19 relief and stimulus package approved by Congress last year. The North Carolina state government budget approved by the General Assembly in November and signed by Gov. Roy Cooper accepted that offer.
WCTI: “We’re going to have to learn to live with this virus,” top NC health leader says of COVID
[NC DHHS Secretary Kody] Kinsley said the state now has more testing, treatment and vaccine supply than ever before. He also said based off blood sampling, nearly 95% of people now have some amount of immunity to COVID-19.
Politics
THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: ‘God restores.’ Speaking to Black leaders in Charlotte, former mayor Cannon apologizes.
Speaking to members of the Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg on Saturday, former mayor and current City Council candidate Patrick Cannon apologized for crimes that led him to federal prison in 2014.
WCNC: Thom Tillis endorses Madison Cawthorn’s opponent in NC primary
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis announced that he is endorsing state Sen. Chuck Edwards against incumbent Rep. Madison Cawthorn in North Carolina’s 11th District House primary. Cawthorn has come under scrutiny from Republicans, with Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy saying the freshman congressman “lost my trust.”
Transportation
WRAL: State panel working to improve appeal of electric vehicles
Friday was the kickoff event for the state’s new Clean Transportation Plan. It was created in response to an executive order by Gov. Roy Cooper in January, boosting already-lofty goals for carbon reduction set back in 2018. Transportation is now the state’s number-one source for greenhouse gas emissions at 36%. Of that pollution, about three-quarters comes from passenger cars and trucks. Cooper wants to tackle that by boosting the use of transit and zero-emission vehicles.