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Economic Development
TRIANGLE BUSINESS JOURNAL: North Carolina’s growing ties to India create business opportunities
Strengthening ties with the growing population in India could mean more business opportunities in North Carolina – and the Triangle in particular. That’s the hope of organizers of a U.S.-India Business Connection Event in Morrisville Thursday, which is expected to bring Indian Ambassador Taranjit Sandhu to the Triangle.
Education
WFAE: NC Community College System president named, as bill to shift power over leadership advances
The state board of community colleges has announced Jeff Cox as its choice for the next North Carolina Community College system president. The board’s announcement comes as state senators are advancing a bill to grant the General Assembly the power to confirm or deny a final candidate for the top post to lead the state’s 58 community colleges. Cox has been the president of Wilkes Community College in western North Carolina since 2014.
EDNC: NC House passes school discipline bill. Will it disproportionately affect Black kids?
Legislation that supporters say will improve school discipline but critics say will kick more Black students out of school was adopted Wednesday by the state House. The N.C. House passed a bill that removes wording from state law that now lists inappropriate language, disrespecting teachers, dress code violations and minor fights as examples not to be deemed serious violations meriting a long-term suspension.
Government
ABC11: NC Governor Roy Cooper announces college partnership to train future workers for Vinfast
Wednesday, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced a partnership between Carolina Community College in Sanford and Vietnamese electric vehicle maker Vinfast. The school will help train future workers for the company. Standing inside the future site of the E. Eugene Moore Manufacturing and Biotech Solutions Center, Central Carolina Community College student Vickie Nelson sharing her perspective on a recent string of economic announcements in the region.
NORTH STATE JOURNAL: ReOpen NC protester suing governor, various officials for violating her constitutional rights
ReOpen NC protester Monica Ussery’s long battle with the state over her arrest at the first protest in 2020 has entered a new chapter: A civil complaint against the governor and other top law enforcement officials. In addition to Gov. Roy Cooper, defendants named in the complaint include former N.C. Department of Public Safety secretary Erik Hooks, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, Raleigh Police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown, now-retired Raleigh Police Captain Dedric Brown, State Capitol Police Chief Roger “Chip” Hawley, Chief of the North Carolina General Assembly Police Martin Brock, and Capitol Police Officers Derick Proctor and Tito Fink.
Healthcare
THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: Medical Debt De-Weaponization Act gets bipartisan praise in NC Senate Health Committee
The North Carolina Senate Health Care Committee held a discussion Wednesday on a bill that would help those affected by medical debt, and members are hoping that the second time is the charm. S.B. 321, Medical Debt De-Weaponization Act is similar to H.B. 1039, also known as the Medical Debt De-Weaponization Act, which stalled out in a House Banking Committee hearing last June. The bill limits the interest rate that large medical facilities can charge patients and limits medical debt buyers or debt collectors from “engaging in any extraordinary collection actions to obtain payment for the care.”
Politics
WRAL: NC Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson announces 2024 bid for governor, setting up GOP primary battle
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson said Saturday he will run for governor in 2024, ending months of speculation over whether he would seek the state’s top executive office and kick-starting a battle for the GOP nomination — one that is likely to focus on whether he’s too extreme for moderate voters.
WITN: Republicans propose banning drag shows with felony charges
Anyone who performs in a drag show in public could potentially be arrested and charged with a crime, under a new bill proposed by North Carolina Republican lawmakers Tuesday. Conservatives nationwide have recently galvanized around criticism of drag shows, with armed militia groups sometimes showing up to performances. Drag brunches are popular at some restaurants. Other types of performances have also sprung up in recent years, like libraries hosting events where people in drag read books to a crowd.
Transportation
ASHE POST & TIMES: Wildlife commission and NCDOT renew focus to reduce animal collisions
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding demonstrating their commitment to work together to improve the infrastructure and safety for both wildlife and the traveling public on North Carolina roads. Both agencies share common goals to make highways less hazardous for wildlife and reduce the impact highways have on important habitats. The partnership aims to develop effective and efficient passages for various species of wildlife to reduce highway hazards for motorists and wildlife, while minimizing habitat fragmentation.