The dubious linking of disease, disparity, and ‘structural racism’ in Durham

Suppose I were to tell you that in Durham County neighborhoods with the following characteristics — a lower percentage of white individuals, “lower economic and racial spatial advantage,” “higher area deprivation,” “higher reported violent crimes, evictions, poverty, unemployment, uninsurance, and child care center density, as well as lower election participation, income, and education” — that there is also a higher incidence of three chronic diseases. What...

Failure to launch

North Carolina should quit this club

When it comes to regulating nurses, North Carolina is in an increasingly exclusive club. Unfortunately, the cost of our club membership far exceeds any benefits. In most states, nurse practitioners and other advanced-practice nurses have significant authority to treat patients without being subject to the authority of a physician. In Virginia, for example, they enjoy...

Standing and the NC Supreme Court: Rediscovering our legal heritage

Standing is probably one of the most disliked doctrines in American law. Basically, it requires private plaintiffs in federal court (most state courts, including in NC, have similar rules) to show that they have been individually harmed by an action before they can sue to stop it. Since it is a procedural limit, standing often...

Trust the process

Reives raises legitimate concerns about no-bid contracts in state budget

The state House's top Democrat offers good ideas for boosting transparency and accountability in the budget process.