While most of North Carolina’s political observers have been focused on the long-awaited completion of the state budget, there have also been other bills progressing through the legislature — like SB 189, Fentanyl Drug Offenses and Other Related Changes, which increases fines and penalties for distributing the drug and sets up a task force to...
We all remember Gov. Roy Cooper’s 888-day state of emergency during the height of COVID. It allowed him to decide which businesses could open and when. It allowed him to decide if schools could be open and under what conditions. In short, it gave him a level of power that no single leader often enjoys...
Over the past week, I had the pleasure of traveling to Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia — two of the most beautiful towns in the country (leaving aside all those obviously better places in North Carolina). It was great to see my two young children enjoy every second of the sand and waves at...
Después de una tragedia, es una costumbre estadounidense ofrecer “pensamientos y oraciones” por la situación y por los más afectados. Puede ser un cliché para quienes no saben qué más decir, pero también suele ser un gesto genuino de buena voluntad. Lamentablemente, también se ha convertido en una costumbre entre los de izquierda, especialmente los...
After a tragedy, it’s an American custom to offer one’s “thoughts and prayers” for the situation and those most affected. It can be a cliche for those who don’t know what else to say, but it’s also frequently a genuine gesture of goodwill. Sadly, it’s also become a custom for those on the left, especially...
Unless something changes drastically, and quickly, Republicans seem to be on the path to lose the White House in 2024. The elephant in the room that threatens to keep the elephants out of the room — a large part of the GOP primary base believes the 2020 election was stolen, while another part of that...
Over the weekend, an unsigned Virginia artist named Oliver Anthony performed his original song “Rich men north of Richmond” at a farmers market in rural Currituck County, North Carolina. Days earlier, only a few close family and friends had likely heard the song. But videos show those in attendance, some who had traveled many hours...
On Aug. 16, supermajorities in both the North Carolina House and Senate overrode Gov. Roy Cooper's veto on House Bill 808, Gender Transition/Minors, along with five other bills. H.B. 808 now becomes state law and will prevent those under 18 from receiving experimental sex-change treatments.
It’s hard enough to start a business, but it’s even harder when your meddling neighbors look for frivolous reasons to shut you down. They are the equivalent of the uptight lady down the block who calls the police to shut down a kid’s lemonade stand for lacking proper paperwork. Sure, if an adult’s business is...
The question of who pays the ferryman is one from ancient Greece, and one’s eternal fate hung in the balance. Loved ones would place coins on the eyes or under the tongue of the deceased to ensure they would have the toll to pay Charon the ferryman, whose job it was to take souls across...
The ability to learn about virtually any topic instantly is one of the beauties of living in the internet era. But it can be a bit of double-edged sword for those who’d prefer the public not be aware of some of these details. This is the situation Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal and City Council members...