Pardon Our Dust
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Agriculture
INDEPENDENT TRIBUNE: Rising N.C. farm bankruptcies could signal broader rural crisis
Family farm bankruptcies are on the rise in North Carolina, a signal the rest of the state’s farm economy could be in trouble. North Carolina saw a 33 percent increase in Chapter 12 family farm bankruptcies from 2018 to 2019, with 16 filings, says a study by the American Farm Bureau, a trade association that advocates for farmers.
BIOMASS MAGAZINE: 15 North Carolina bioenergy, crop farming projects win funding
The North Carolina Bioenergy Research Initiative and the New and Emerging Crops Program recently awarded $1 million in grants for 15 projects aimed at boosting bioenergy opportunities and crop production in the state.
Environment
DAIRY REPORTER: North Carolina digitizes environmental monitoring for dairy processors
A new online training course from North Carolina State University is designed for dairy processors. It helps improve their environmental monitoring programs (EMP) for better food safety and pathogen control.
Education
WRAL: NC schools superintendent texted a half million parents and teachers to get feedback on Common Core
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson used a state database of parent and teacher cellphones to send out a survey Tuesday on a key issue in his campaign to become lieutenant governor: Common Core standards.The text went to 540,000 numbers, and a similar email went to roughly 800,000 addresses, Johnson’s spokesman said Tuesday afternoon.
THE CENTER SQUARE: North Carolina community colleges see increase in enrollment, workforce education
North Carolina’s community college system has seen its first spike in enrollment in the past decade, according to officials.The North Carolina Community College System saw a 4.4 percent increase in enrollment in the fall 2019 semester and a higher increase in short-term workforce education – 9.4 percent.
Elections
THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: North Carolina’s primary is March 3. Here’s what you need to know.
Up and down the ballot, North Carolina voters face one of the most consequential elections in years.Not only is the state a presidential battleground, but the U.S. Senate and congressional races could help determine control of the next Congress. Races for governor, the Council of State and courts will shape the future of the state. And 170 legislative contests will determine who controls the General Assembly and with it the power to draw state and federal election districts for the next decade.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: These 7 candidates are running for NC state superintendent of public schools in 2020
A new person will be taking over the leadership of North Carolina’s public schools early next year, with seven candidates hoping to become the next state superintendent of public instruction.Superintendent Mark Johnson was elected in 2016, but the Republican is running for lieutenant governor instead of seeking re-election this year. His absence means five Democrats and two Republicans will compete in the March 3 primary to win their party’s nomination for the open seat.
Health
WTKR3: Task force formed to monitor new coronavirus for North Carolina
North Carolina state government has formed a new panel designed to monitor a new virus that has killed over 1,000 people in China.The new Novel Coronavirus Task Force unveiled this week by Gov. Roy Cooper will be led by State Health Director Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson and Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry.
Transportation
NORTH STATE JOURNAL: Cabinet appointees take new roles at NC DOT, NC DIT
On Feb. 4, Gov. Roy Cooper announced that James Trogdon, secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, would be resigning at the end of February in order to return to the private sector.Cooper named Trogdon’s replacement, Eric Boyette, who currently serves as the secretary of the Department of Information Technology. The governor also announced the appointment of Tracy Doaks as secretary of DIT.
THE LAURINBURG EXCHANGE: Applications open for state bicycle, pedestrian planning grants
The N.C. Department of Transportation is accepting applications from communities for the 2020 Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative. The program provides funding for municipalities across the state to develop comprehensive bicycle or pedestrian plans.