The state is taking stronger — some say controversial — action to slow the spread of COVID-19 as the number of cases climbs to 40 and beyond. Requirements for unemployment benefits will be relaxed and all private clubs and restaurants will…
School is canceled in North Carolina. Now, the state must decide how to handle nutrition, child care, and distance learning. The spread of coronavirus — which stands at 23 cases across the state — is enough for Gov. Roy Cooper to shut down K-12 public schools…
The threat of a coronavirus outbreak has pushed North Carolina into waiving state caps on hospital beds. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Thursday, March 12, temporarily lifted a regulation requiring hospitals to get state permission to add beds. The rule said hospitals couldn’t…
North Carolina’s General Assembly has no plans to hold a special session to address coronavirus, but while Gov. Roy Cooper and state health leaders issue new recommendations for residents, lawmakers remain watchful, House and Senate leaders say. With at least 15 coronavirus cases diagnosed in North…
Teachers and retirees are suffering without a budget in place, two freshman Democratic lawmakers said during a March 10 news conference. A spokesman for the Republican leader of the Senate said the General Assembly has passed a budget, but obstinate Democrats — including Gov. Roy Cooper — continue…
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College has food pantries on its campuses — for its teachers. Full-time professors at North Carolina’s community colleges earn less than K-12 teachers. Their average pay is $51,478 — some $2,500 less than the average salary of K-12 teachers — and community colleges…
Each week, staff at Carolina Journal looks back at the week in N.C. politics and chooses several interesting, relevant stories you may have missed. Here’s this week’s review: Neck-and-neck polling: It’s a three-way race in North Carolina for the Democratic primary. Polls from…
North Carolina’s budget stalemate is seriously affecting its public universities and may even cause enrollment cuts at three institutions participating in a reduced tuition program, say leaders of the University of North Carolina System. UNC’s Board of Governors is worried about…
The possibility of a Republican version of Medicaid expansion has died in North Carolina. Republicans in the House had flirted with a version of Medicaid expansion that would extend coverage only to low-income working adults. But now that a federal appeals court has struck down work…
The General Assembly will look a bit different after the 2020 session. Twenty-four lawmakers — Republicans and Democrats — have opted not to run for re-election. Institutional knowledge will shrink as experienced lawmakers leave the General Assembly, political scientists say. But the turnover may allow new issues and…
