On the cover

• The debate on ways of making schools safer is only beginning

• What are counties doing to protect schools?

 

News

• Quick Takes, Pages 2-5

• Cooper brothers named new company after former tenant, Page 6

• Primary ballots will include sales tax increase, Page 7

• Latest developments in the Atlantic Coast Pipeline controversy, Page 7

• Legislature, local officials tackle ‘digital divide,’ Page 8

• A busy and chaotic climb, Page 9

• Take a ‘serious’ look at pay, BOG says, Page 12

• Court of Appeals shuts down NCDOT again in Map Act cases, Page 14

• Polls, Page 24

 

Interviews

• Sam Page: Rockingham sheriff discusses moves to improve school safety, Page 18]

• F.H. Buckley: Founders focused on U.S. Constitution’s role as anti-corruption tool, Page 19

 

Opinion

• Mitch Kokai commentary: Attack school violence, not a straw man, Page 15

• Julie Tisdale commentary: Lawmakers, public officials should be first to reject tax increases, Page 15

• James Otteson commentary: Intellectual diversity and academic professionalism, Page 16

• Kristen Blair commentary: Why kids bully and what to do about it, Page 17

• Anthony Hennen commentary: The quizzical case of UNC’s ‘buy local’ resolution, Page 17

• Editorial: Transparent doesn’t mean invisible, Page 20

• Jon Sanders commentary: A teachable moment missed with the national school walkout, Page 20

• John Trump commentary: N.C. Senate leader serves up delicious distraction, Page 22

• Michael Walden commentary: Options for increasing affordable housing, Page 22

• Andy Taylor commentary: Expanding gun rights and a colossal waste of money, Page 23

• Becki Gray commentary: Pro-growth policies fueling North Carolina’s economic rise, Page 23

 

John Hood commentary

• Modern conservatism is an alliance, Page 21

• Nearby successes don’t disprove conservatism, Page 21

• North Carolina thrives on trade, Page 21