Pardon Our Dust
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Agriculture
THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: Appeals Court rejects lawsuit challenging recent farm laws
A unanimous three-judge panel of the N.C. Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit challenging 2017 and 2018 amendments to North Carolina’s Right to Farm Act.
ABC11: “Prices are sky high.” Surging inflation latest challenge to NC farmers
Across the country, the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts an additional $3.1 billion spent on fertilizers, lime and soil conditioners – an increase of 12.5%.
Economic Development
WRAL: Warren County looks to use new zoning tool to help businesses welcome I-85 travelers to NC
Warren County economic developers are hoping to capitalize on their location by using a new zoning tool to welcome more tourism dollars into the area. Where many interstate turnoffs tend to boast a range of truck stops and restaurants, Warren County’s four major exits on I-85 fall short.
WRAL TECH WIRE: Pace of hiring appears to be slowing, but thousands of jobs are still available in Triangle
The pace of hiring appears to be slowing down in the Triangle, as several major job boards show declines in the number of local positions available. But ZipRecruiter and Adzuna provided some counterbalance to the declines on other sites.
Education
THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL: NC education superintendent to roll out new parent council in 2022
“And in my support of school choice in all of its forms, I have frequently said that the parent is the best person to decide what’s right for their child’s education and that no one cares more about that child than that child’s parents or guardians,” said Truitt. “And to that end, I will, in the New Year, be announcing the formation of a new parent council.”
WSOC-TV: Can NC schools move to remote learning due to COVID-19?
Part of Senate Bill 654, which was signed into law in August, allows remote learning for public school districts due to COVID-19 emergencies — but only under specific circumstances. According to the law, districts have the authority to make day-to-day decisions for the 2021-2022 school year about shifting individual schools or classrooms to remote learning, due to “COVID-19 exposures that result in insufficient school personnel or required student quarantines.”
Elections
WUNC: This decade’s redistricting battle in NC is off to a fast and furious start
A trial in state superior court over redistricting in North Carolina begins Monday. North Carolina’s high court is determined to address constitutional questions about newly drawn electoral maps sooner than later this decade.
Government
SPECTRUM NEWS: N.C. legislature meeting will be quiet, with no work until ’22
The House and Senate scheduled floor sessions for midday Thursday, a month after lawmakers last sent bills to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk. But House Speaker Tim Moore and staff for Senate leader Phil Berger say there will be no recorded votes. Jan. 10 is the earliest date that some colleagues could be needed to take action.
WRAL: NC legislature may require more transparency from state Supreme Court, Senate leader says
North Carolina legislators are mulling a new law requiring state Supreme Court justices to sign court orders by name so that the public knows how each justice decided an issue, Senate Republican leader Phil Berger said Thursday.
Healthcare
WITN: New NCDHHS Secretary to step into role on New Year’s Day
Kody H. Kinsley will take his oath as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services during a brief ceremony Saturday.
GREENSBORO NEWS RECORD: Positive COVID tests hit record high in NC, health officials say
As case numbers and hospitalizations rise locally and beyond, state health officials reported a record-high percentage of positive COVID-19 tests Tuesday.
Politics
SPECTRUM NEWS: N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore sounds off on Medicaid expansion, Rep. Madison Cawthorn
Listen in as he goes in depth about how close the state really is, or is not, to approving Medicaid expansion. Then, he talks extensively about his decision not to run for Congress and how Congressman Madison Cawthorn appears to have run in his district on purpose.
THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Who would lead if NC Senate primary narrows to Budd vs. McCrory? What a new poll says
U.S. Rep. Ted Budd would take the lead in the GOP competition for the open U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina, if former Republican Rep. Mark Walker drops his bid and switches to a House seat, according to a poll by Budd’s backers.
Transportation
WITN: N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Grant program applications open
On Saturday the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program started accepting grant applications for communities planning traffic safety programs. The grants will be for federal fiscal 2023 which runs from October 1st until September 30th, 2023.