Pardon Our Dust
We recently launched this new site and are still in the process of updating some of our archived content. Some details of this article may be incomplete, links may be broken, and other elements may not display properly yet. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Agriculture
INDY WEEKLY: Nation Depends on N.C. Farmers for Christmas Trees
The state is one of the top five producers of live Christmas trees in the nation, according to a report from apartmentguide.com. In 2017, North Carolina ranked second, harvesting 3.7 million trees across almost 36,000 acres. That’s about 28 percent of all trees produced in the nation, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Economic Development
TRIAD BUSINESS JOURNAL: Could feds’ semiconductor push add to NC’s economic development pipeline?
The federal CHIPS Act is creating buzz, with CEOs of major companies urging Congress to take action. The measure calls for $52 billion to incentivize semiconductor production and research in the U.S.
SPECTRUM NEWS: New Kroger fulfillment center coming to Concord
On Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper’s office announced Kroger would be building a new high-tech customer fulfillment center in the city of Concord. This new facility is estimated to create nearly 700 jobs over the course of five years and help grow the state’s economy.
Education
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: North Carolina hasn’t tested for lead in schools’ drinking water. Until now.
Public schools in North Carolina could begin testing taps and drinking water fountains for lead concentrations early next year, using funds included in the recently signed state budget.
Elections
NPR: North Carolina delays 2022 primaries to give redistricting challenges more time
The North Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered that the state’s March 2022 primary be delayed until May 17 so it can settle two lawsuits challenging Republican-drawn maps for Congress and the state’s legislature.
ABC13: In ‘unprecedented’ strategy, Cawthorn hand-picks choices for NC congressional districts
Congressman Madison Cawthorn is unveiling a new, and unusual strategy that he hopes wins Congressional seats for Republicans in North Carolina. Former President Donald Trump is helping with it.
Environment
WFAE: With fire contained, NC’s Pilot Mountain State Park is reopening
Nearly all of a northwestern North Carolina state park is reopening after a wildfire burned over 1,000 acres before it was contained earlier this month. The Yadkin River section of Pilot Mountain State Park reopened Saturday. Most of the rest of the park will be accessible to visitors starting Monday, rel=”noopener noreferrer” the Winston-Salem Journal reported.
Government
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC governor signs bill criminalizing politicians’ use of their titles for financial gain
Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law Thursday a bill that will make it a felony for public officials to financially benefit from their titles, going against some legislative Democrats and a North Carolina’s NAACP leader who opposed the legislation.
WFAE: NC governor Cooper vetoes bill barring donations to run elections
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed Republican legislation Thursday that would bar North Carolina election boards and officials in counties from accepting private money to run elections.
Healthcare
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Who is Kody Kinsley, Gov. Cooper’s next pick to lead the NC health department?
During a news conference on Tuesday, Cooper said he chose Kinsley because he “is the most qualified and experienced person for the job.” Asked about the fact that unlike Cohen, Kinsley is not a trained physician, and does not have an education in medicine or public health, both Cooper and Cohen reiterated their support for Kinsley. They noted that DHHS, in its pandemic response, has been aided by a team of doctors and medical advisors.
Politics
US NEWS: NC GOP Senate Primary Intensifies as Campaigns Go Negative
A court ruling delaying North Carolina’s high-stakes GOP Senate primary has increased pressure on former President Donald Trump’s favored candidate to agree to a debate schedule and has given his opponents more space to renew attacks on him.
Transportation
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: UNC’s Dean Smith and Roy Williams are immortalized on Triangle highway
Roy Williams Highway will cover four miles of Interstate 40 in Orange County, from the Martin Luther King Jr. exit east to U.S. 15-501. The next three miles of I-40 in Durham County will be known as Dean Smith Highway, between U.S. 15-501 and the exit for N.C. 54.