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Agriculture
FOX 8: Turkeys will retire in North Carolina after ‘pardon’ from Biden
The National Thanksgiving Turkey, and his “wingman,” will be presented to President Joseph R. Biden Jr. at the White House on Nov. 21. After the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation, a 75-year tradition at the White House, the turkeys will be transported to Raleigh and placed in the care of North Carolina State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS).
Economic Development
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Forsyth commissioners considering incentive packagers for food, medical packaging manufacturers
Forsyth County has reached the public hearing stage for two more economic-development projects involving manufacturers, this time with a potential combined 279 jobs at stake. The county Board of Commissioners will conduct separate public hearings at 2 p.m. Dec. 1 on the two incentive requests.
FOX 8: German ventilation company moving North American headquarters to Winston-Salem with $100M expansion
A major economic development is coming to the Piedmont Triad. On Wednesday, the Office of Governor Roy Cooper announced that Ziehl-Abegg, Inc. will be moving its North American headquarters to Winston-Salem and investing more than $100 million to expand its operations.
Education
THE CENTER SQUARE: North Carolina charter schools have increased enrollment by nearly 20% since 2019
North Carolina’s public charter schools continue to witness significant enrollment gains, jumping nearly 20% since 2019, while traditional public schools remain 3.2% below pre-pandemic levels. Data released by the state Department of Public Instruction last week shows the average daily membership for North Carolina charter schools has increased from 117,552 in 2019 to 140,133 in 2022, an overall jump of 19.2%.
THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: Decline in enrollment at UNC System schools for first time in nearly a decade
For the first time in nine years, enrollment in UNC System schools is down this year, particularly in graduate programs. For fall 2022, there was a total headcount of 239,663 students across the system, down about 2% over the previous year. Of the 16 institutions in the system, 12 saw decreases in enrollment. Four saw increases.
WRAL: NC Rep. wants school year pushed back to Labor Day-to-Memorial Day calendar
Rep. John Torbett, R-Gaston, said this week his special nine-member committee on education will issue a report next month recommending a “realignment” of state education leadership and a Labor Day-to-Memorial Day school calendar.
Environment
SPECTRUM NEWS: Will North Carolina get offshore wind farms? Right now it’s up to one state commission
There’s a swath of ocean just over the horizon off Oak Island, in the southeast corner of North Carolina, that one day could be home to hundreds of towering offshore wind turbines. The project, federal regulators say, could produce as much power as Duke Energy’s nearby Brunswick Nuclear plant.
Government
SPECTRUM NEWS: North Carolina spent $3.6 billion in COVID relief. Here’s where the money went
In 2020, Congress approved a bill to send $150 billion to the states to help deal with the growing COVID-19 pandemic. North Carolina received about $3.6 billion from the package. In a report to the General Assembly, the North Carolina Pandemic Recovery Office laid out how each dollar was spent.
Healthcare
THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: North Carolina hospitals to restrict visitors under strain of ‘concerning’ flu surge
As a result of a rapid increase in flu cases and other respiratory viruses throughout the state, several North Carolina healthcare systems have enforced strict visitation restrictions at hospitals.
Politics
WRAL: Tim Moore poised to win record 5th term as NC House speaker
Speaker Tim Moore is again the choice of North Carolina state House Republicans to lead the chamber for the next two years after an internal vote Friday that should bring him history-making longevity at the top.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: With two tight races certified, NC Republicans fall one vote short of total control
Two tight North Carolina House races that had not been called were certified by local boards of elections Friday. Democrat Diamond Staton-Williams defeated Republican Brian Echevarria for House District 73 in Cabarrus County. Meanwhile, Republican Timothy Reeder defeated a Democratic incumbent, Rep. Brian Farkas, for House District 9 in Pitt County.
Transportation
WRAL: Winter weather prep goes high-tech for DOT
The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s winter weather prep is going digital this year with a snow plow simulator designed to give employees more training time without getting behind the wheel of an actual vehicle.
SPECTRUM NEWS: Costly commuter rail would ease gridlock traffic in the Triangle
As the Triangle area continues to be a hot spot destination for people moving into the area, along comes more cars on the roadways. That’s why GoTriangle and other local agencies proposed a commuter rail line.