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Economic Development
WRAL TECH WIRE: Good news for jobs seekers: 3 major sites report growth in Triangle help wanted
Hiring not only is picking up nationally but also in the Triangle. Proof? Activity is picking up on major job boards. Azuna.com, for example, shows 44,109 total jobs in Wake County, which is nearly 4,000 more than last week’s count.
TRIAD BUSINESS JOURNALS: North Carolina grabs solo top spot in state business climate ranking
After a first-place tie with Georgia in 2020, North Carolina grabbed the solo top spot in Site Selection magazine’s state business climate rankings for 2021.
Education
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC schools face ‘destabilizing’ budget cuts because of drop in enrollment since pandemic
North Carolina school districts have not returned to pre-pandemic student enrollment totals, putting them in danger of losing $132 million in state funding this year. Enrollment figures last week by the state Department of Public Instruction show that the 115 school districts are reporting 1.35 million students so far this school year.
WRAL: State due in court to respond to $1.7B education funding proposal
State officials will have their chance this week to weigh in on a proposal to compel state finance executives to transfer $1.7 billion toward funding schools. The state officials — typically the State Board of Education the Department of Public Instruction — must submit a written response in Wake County Superior Court by the end of Monday. A court hearing Wednesday will address both the proposal and response.
Environment
ABC 11: The impact of climate change on North Carolina
Earth’s climate is warming and its impacts are already being felt in North Carolina. Climate Central, a non-profit news and science communication organization, reports and analyzes climate change and its impacts across the world.
Government
WFMY NEWS 2: Federal vaccine mandate could impact NC teachers and government employees
The White House announced Tuesday that businesses with 100 or more workers must get the COVID-19 vaccine or test weekly by January 4, but in North Carolina, that could extend to government workers, including teachers. It has to do with how our state’s Department of Labor works.
WBTW: Scotland County town’s finances taken control of by Local Government Commission
The Local Government Commission — a group that includes top finance officials in North Carolina — voted to impound East Laurinburg’s books and take full control of its finances after allegations over the town’s former finance director, according to an announcement from the North Carolina Treasurer’s Office.
Healthcare
ABC 11: Children as young as 5 start getting COVID-19 vaccine at Wake County health department locations
Children as young as 5 start getting COVID-19 vaccines Monday through the Wake County health department. Appointments are available at all five public health clinics in Wake County. All vaccinations are free and do not require insurance.
NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NEWS: Evidence-based reentry resources key for sicker incarcerated population, researchers say
At first, Tommy Green doesn’t tell his clients that he was formerly incarcerated. As a Community Health Worker for North Carolina Formerly Incarcerated Transition Program (NC FIT) in Orange County, he connects people coming out of jails and prisons with health resources, as well as assistance with other needs, like food and transportation.
Politics
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Take a closer look at North Carolina’s approved political maps for Congress, legislature
The three maps that will help define North Carolina’s political future were passed Nov. 4 by the Republican-led state legislature. They’ll be what North Carolina uses in every election for the next decade, unless a court orders them to be re-drawn.
SPECTRUM NEWS: N.C. governor vetoes another bill reining in emergency powers
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday vetoed the latest Republican bill seeking to rein in his powers, this time legislation that would have required other elected leaders to sign off on long-term emergency declarations like those for COVID-19.
Transportation
SPECTRUM NEWS: Grants awarded to help highway safety initiatives across N.C.
More than $18 million in grants is being awarded to support state and local transportation safety initiatives, the North Carolina Department of Transportation announced. The grants are made possible through the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program. According to a release, 96 community-based grants will be administered through October 2021 and September 2022.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: US House passes Biden’s infrastructure plan. Here’s how NC will benefit
The U.S. House passed a key part of President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda Friday, delivering an infrastructure package that could bring nearly $9 billion in federal funds to North Carolina over the next five years.