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Your weekly North Carolina political news report.
Agriculture
THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT: More money heading to NC fisherman harmed by Florence
More money is heading to North Carolina commercial fishermen whose landings were harmed by Hurricane Florence. The state Division of Marine Fisheries is sending out 1,000 checks totaling $7.2 million to compensate fishermen.
Economic Development
THE SEATTLE TIMES: Demand for lithium could revive North Carolina mines
A region west of Charlotte that was once a mother lode of lithium, the increasingly vital metal that powers cellphones, Teslas and cordless tools, may soon be one again.
AREA DEVELOPMENT: EG-GILERO Expands Operations with Chatham County, North Carolina, Manufacturing Facility
EG-GILERO, a medical device manufacturer, plans to invest more than $4 million and create 60 jobs in Pittsboro, North Carolina. The project will be its third production center in the Tar Heel State.
Education
EDUCATION WEEK: North Carolina Read to Achieve gets retooled in Senate bill
An effort championed by North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger to improve student literacy by third grade would be retooled in new legislation.
Environment
THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: NC orders Duke Energy to dig up millions of tons of coal ash at six power plants
North Carolina’s environment department ordered Duke Energy on Monday to excavate millions of tons of coal ash from six power plants, including two near Charlotte on lakes Norman and Wylie.
Healthcare
MODERN HEALTHCARE: N.C. reference-based pricing plan hits roadblock
The North Carolina treasurer’s plan to tie hospital and physician payments for state employee health services to a percentage of Medicare stalled in the state House of Representatives, which could spell doom for the proposal.
NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NEWS: Nursing students ready to go to rural NC, but need more autonomy
A sea of white coats descended on the state capital Wednesday as more than a thousand nursing students from around the state came to push lawmakers on some of the biggest health care issues of this legislative work session.
Government
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry says she won’t run in 2020
North Carolina Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry won’t run for a sixth term in 2020. Berry, a Republican, made the announcement Tuesday at a meeting of the NC Council of State in downtown Raleigh.
Transportation
PORT CITY DAILY: Five takeaways from the 1,000-page NCDOT Cape Fear Crossing study
North Carolina Department of Transportation’s release of the Cape Fear Crossing Draft Environmental Impact Study is one of the last remaining steps before a billion-dollar route is selected.