A new advanced placement course in U.S. History that’s being used in North Carolina schools is now the subject of a serious debate over exactly what information students should be taught about our country’s founding. Dr. Terry Stoops, the John Locke Foundation’s director of research and education studies, analyzes the controversy and explains how the course falls short, why the course has such importance, and why he wants to see competition to the College Board for these types of courses. Then we turn to issues of regulations related to new technologies. State lawmakers are looking into possible regulation of ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft. A legislative committee recently heard the pros and cons linked to new regulation. You’ll hear highlights from that meeting. Lawmakers are also considering new rules targeting people who rent out rooms through the Internet, using services such as Airbnb. You’ll learn why entrenched lodging interests are leading the push to add new regulations for their competitors. That’s followed by a look at transportation policy. North Carolina has the second-largest state-maintained road system in the United States. Funding that road system has created challenges in recent years. Gary Harris, executive director of N.C. Petroleum and Convenience Marketers, offers his industry’s perspective on addressing that funding in the years ahead. And finally, Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson discusses CJ’s investigation into a North Carolina resort development project that was funded by federal stimulus dollars administered through the state Commerce Department. Despite being deemed as having been satisfactorily completed, the resort, known as the Mountain Heritage Expo Center, is a boondoggle that has gone bust, leaving two contractors still waiting for the $60,000 they’re owed.
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