NC Politics in the News

Economic Development

WRAL TECH WIRE: Wolfspeed announces $5 billion investment in Chatham County, largest in NC history
Wolfspeed will build a new semiconductor plant at a 400-acre site in Chatham County with an estimated investment of $5 billion and a commitment to create more than 1,800 jobs paying $77,000 a year on average. But it’s going to cost North Carolina tax payers some $1 billion in a variety of tax incentives.

Education

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: ‘We want to be deliberate.’ Commission needs more time on NC teacher pay plan. 
A state commission said Thursday it needs more time to finalize a model that recommends paying North Carolina teachers based on their performance instead of their experience. The Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission (PEPSC) is working on a new licensure and compensation model that would pay teachers based on their ratings on student test scores or evaluations and whether they’re willing to take on additional duties.

Environment

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Clean Energy Projects Surge After Climate Bill Passage
In the weeks since President Biden signed a comprehensive climate bill devised to spur investment in electric cars and clean energy, corporations have announced a series of big-ticket projects to produce the kind of technology the legislation aims to promote.

Government

AP NEWS: Appeals court says NC fisheries challenge can continue
Coastal recreational anglers can keep suing the state of North Carolina over accusations that government regulators have devastated near-shore fishing stocks in violation of the state constitution, the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.

Healthcare

WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: State health secretary urges legislative leaders to move forward on Medicaid expansion compromise
North Carolina’s health secretary is trying his hand at shifting out of neutral Medicaid expansion talks in the legislature by making a direct appeal to Republican leaders and health care system executives.

Politics

SPECTRUM NEWS: Race tightens as North Carolina’s two top Senate candidates tour the state
A dozen men sat around the tables inside a classroom at the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, not far from downtown Lexington. They included sheriffs from neighboring counties and Republican leaders in the General Assembly. Sen. Thom Tillis and Congressman Ted Budd, campaigning to be the next Republican U.S. Senator from North Carolina, sat in the center. Chuck Edwards was there too, the Republican nominee to replace Rep. Madison Cawthorn in Congress.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: With political majority at stake, NC Supreme Court candidates debate law vs. politics
The Democrats and Republicans running for two key seats on the N.C. Supreme Court held a debate Friday night, with many questions focused on the blend of politics and the court — an unavoidable mixture in a state with partisan judicial elections.

Transportation

ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES: NC Dept. of Transportation seeks input on draft of 10-year improvement plan
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is seeking public input on the draft of its 2024-2033 State Transportation Improvement Program.

Each highway division will host open houses during normal business hours to allow people to review funding and proposed projects, ask questions and submit comments.