Citing reporting from Carolina Journal, the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys has asked U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to launch a formal investigation into the handling of the prosecution of a gang leader. CJ Managing Editor Rick Henderson explains why the group has expressed “grave concern” over the details of the story – details that sent Assistant U.S. Attorney Denise Walker into hiding for a time, and then to leave her job. Next is a look at former Gov. Jim Martin, who played a critical role in helping transform North Carolina from a one-party state into a battleground that attracts national attention during each election cycle. Now Martin’s story gets the attention it deserves in “Catalyst,” a new biography from John Locke Foundation Chairman John Hood. Hood shares details from the book and explains why he labels Martin one of the titans of late 20th-century Tar Heel politics. Then we turn to the presidential race. North Carolina voters heard very different economic messages from two recent presidential candidates visiting the Tar Heel State. Republican Jeb Bush outlined his tax plan during a trip to Garner. Democratic Bernie Sanders made his plea for spread-the-wealth populism during a rally in Greensboro. You’ll hear highlights from both events. That’s followed by a look at the intersection of education policy and local politics. North Carolina’s largest school system has faced a recent series of contentious school board elections. N.C. State University political scientist Andrew Taylor explores the reasons for the heated elections in the book “The End of Consensus.” Taylor shares key findings from his research. And finally, Terry Stoops, the John Locke Foundation’s director of research and education studies, analyzes the education component of the newly approved General Fund operating budget.
CJ Story Garners Reaction From US Attorneys Group
Related
Hyper-political culture means added importance for school board races
While working the polls last week, I approached voters about school board races. Some looked straight ahead and marched towards the door, assuring me they were “all set.” Others were curious and open, willing to take the literature. But then I encountered voters who would recoil, furrowing their brows, and stopping me with hand gestures...
Gender identity in the schools: has the lunacy peaked?
Extreme ideologies have taken root in many North Carolina public schools. They manifest themselves via various policies. For example, Wake (see here and here) and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have for years been indoctrinating students in pro-transgender training. The consequences have been disastrous. A child’s understanding of sex and gender is severed from biology and anatomy and is now entirely defined by...
Why the midterms matter more than ever
In his inimitable style, the great English essayist, Samuel Johnson, boomed (he rarely spoke) that what is known isn’t always obvious and what is obvious isn’t always present. Before I am charged with stating the obvious, let me remind readers that Alfred North Whitehead said it takes extraordinary intelligence to contemplate the obvious. So, let’s...
Will Cooper finally try to lead?
Long ago it became apparent to me that Gov. Roy Cooper either does not care about his place in history or thinks his actions during the pandemic are enough for historians to write something of substance about his eight years as governor. Because other than managing the virus with debatable results, there is almost nothing...