On the cover

• Multiple choices: Nontraditional colleges and learning methods raise expectations for people willing to explore

News

• Celebrating National School Choice Week, Page 2

• Quick Takes, Page 3

• With Martin’s departure, Cooper likely to move Supreme Court further left, Page 4

• Silent Sam discussions further complicated by chancellor search, Page 5

• Pfeiffer’s new health sciences center could alleviate rural care shortage, Page 6

• Who is Ken Eudy?, Page 7

• Timeline: Bipartisan Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement, Page 8

• Timeline: 9th Congressional District election investigation, Page 9

• N.C. Community College System gears up to help noncompleters ‘Finish First,’ Page 10

• Wake County Public Schools enrollment misses the mark, Page 13

• Carver Heights will become a restart school instead of transferring to the ISD, Page 13

• New national poll shows support for school choice is growing, Page 13

• Polls, Page 24

Interviews

• Todd Nesbit: Sin taxes, other selective taxes lead to poor public policy nationwide, Page 18

• LaTeesa Allen: Innovative School District offers way to turn schools around, Page 19

Opinion

• Terry Stoops commentary: The unfinished business of school finance reform, Page 14

• Mitch Kokai commentary: Departing chief says rule of law requires setting aside preferences, opinions, Page 15

• Shannon Watkins commentary: Looking at higher ed through rose-colored glasses, Page 16

• Kristen Blair commentary: Why are teenage girls so sad?, Page 17

• Chris West commentary: Public universities exploit eminent domain with little oversight, Page 17

• Editorial: Smaller school districts are coming, eventually, Page 20

• Michael Walden commentary: How can we address our transportation issues?, Page 22

• John Trump commentary: Words matter, and each carries in its meaning a unique gravity — real and perceived, Page 22

• Andy Taylor commentary: Republican Party should explore politics that bring people to the polls, Page 23

• Becki Gray commentary: Are we willing to accept cost of expanding Medicaid?, Page 23

Commentary by John Hood

• Democrats may help GOP in 2020, Page 21

• Land grabs don’t enhance growth, Page 21

• Democratic governors get failing grades, Page 21