RALEIGH — In a potentially significant decision, the North Carolina Court of Appeals has held that the addition of the phrase “without limitation” to a list of specific reasons why a town can reject a land-use decision does not grant the locality new authority. The town may reject only an…
RALEIGH — It was a feat that pirate Captain Jack Swallow of the Black Pearl (Pirates of the Caribbean) would have envied. A horde of about 9,000 people slipped into town and took over every bed in the city’s largest hotel, its convention center, and nearly every eating establishment and…
RALEIGH — Author Douglas Morris and other “smart growth” advocates say that suburban sprawl contributes to increased violent-crime rates. But a comparison of crime rates among cities characterized as smart growth and “sprawlers” shows a different story. And a study of Raleigh showed that street robberies were less likely in…
CHAPEL HILL — About 30 people attended a forum May 8 to discuss bias against conservatives on college campuses. Speakers cited personal examples of bias from North Carolina, Virginia, and New York. The forum was held at the headquarters for Robert “Whit” Whitfield’s campaign for the 4th District U.S. House…
RALEIGH — Brian Lee Crowley is the founding president of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, Atlantic Canada’s public policy think tank. He has written extensively on the centrally planned, government monopoly model of health care in Canada. Carolina Journal interviewed Crowley during his recent visit to Raleigh. He said…
CHAPEL HILL — With the war on terrorism ongoing in Iraq and Afghanistan, graduates at some area colleges heard firsthand from two individuals who have been involved in policy decisions regarding Iraq and the Middle East. Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright highlighted a…
CHARLOTTE — An arts group has proposed a $190 million vision for Charlotte’s cultural future. If, how, and to what degree the proposal will be accepted and built remains to be seen. Under the proposal by the Arts & Science Council, the city would spend $88 million over five years.
RALEIGH — When NC legislators decided to drop the planned high school graduation exit exam for 11th graders, they weren’t necessarily saying that there should be no final requirement for graduation. With the four-year graduation rate at just 60 percent, they also weren’t willing to see it go lower on…
CHARLOTTE — When the Federal Transit Administration released its proposed fiscal 2005 budget in February, there were plenty of disappointed transit supporters in both the Triangle and Charlotte. Rather than committing to pick up half the tab for new rail transit systems in the two communities, the FTA’s upcoming budget…
RALEIGH — Onerous urban planning is driving former Portland, Ore. residents across the Columbia River into Vancouver, Wa., according to a community development director who warns that the story of those two states and two cities should serve as a caution to other urban centers. Richard Carson, director of community…
