On the cover

• CSX continues search for rail terminal site

• ‘Revenuers’ concern for N.C. distillery owners

 

North Carolina

• Couple pleads guilty in IRS refund fraud case, Page 2

• CON mandate ended for new mental health facilities, Page 3

• A.G. Cooper’s refusal to defend state part of national trend, Page 4

• Justices rule that Map Act uses eminent domain powers, Page 5

• General Fund budget features tax cuts, teacher pay hikes, Page 6

• Group against I-77 toll not giving up despite NCGA inaction, Page 7

• Legal battle between State Bar, LegalZoom could end soon, Page 7

• N.C. regulatory reforms praised by national analysts, Page 8

• Farm bill extends renewable tax credit for one company, Page 9

• Achievement School District reforms pass General Assembly, Page 10

 

Local government

• Appeals Court: Anonymous 911 callers can be cross-examined, Page 11

• Michael Lowrey commentary: The government as travel agent, Page 11

 

Education

• College transparency measure reflects efforts in many states, Page 14

• Meadows bill would relieve students of Obamacare mandate, Page 15

• Issues in Higher Education: College dropouts cost N.C. taxpayers $446 million per year, Page 16

• Terry Stoops commentary: School choice is social justice, Page 17

• George Leef commentary: Ban the college degree box, Page 17

 

Interview

• Cowen: Focus on barriers to opportunity to address ‘inequality,’ Page 19

 

Opinion

• Troy Kickler commentary: Willie Jones an important North Carolin Anti-Federalist, Page 18

• Editorial: North Carolina gives conservatives hope, Page 20

• Roy Cordato commentary: Focus on growth, not development, Page 20

• Editorial: Cash and votes, Page 21

• Editorial: Limiting debt, Page 21

• John Hood commentary: We never were in Kansas, Page 21

• Media Mangle: Trace elements of journalism, Page 22

• Michael Walden commentary: Lessons from 1970s gas crisis, Page 22

• Andy Taylor commentary: ISIS may not be our biggest threat, Page 23

• Becki Gray commentary: New Markets Tax Credit a wrong turn, Page 23

 

Parting shot

• N.C. Democratic Convention delegates plan soft drink offensive (a CJ parody), Page 24