News

Media blasted for ignoring study on harmful government lockdowns

A new meta-analysis from Johns Hopkins University shows that government-mandated lockdowns in America and Europe during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic only reduced the death rate by 0.2%, on average. Researchers concluded that lockdowns “have had little to no public health effects” while imposing “enormous economic and social costs” and should be “rejected...

David N. Bass
News

Small businesses, like Ashworth’s in Fuquay-Varina, struggling with inflation

Ashworth’s Clothing in Fuquay-Varina opened in 1937. It survived through some trying times, such as World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Great Recession. Owner Steve Ashworth says the current state of the world economy offers some unique challenges, too. “This is unusual, especially the government’s lockdown in 2020, which impacted us,” he told...

News

Fitness industry, hurt by COVID shutdowns, works to bounce back

The government-imposed lockdowns of last year wrecked the global economy, and the fitness industry was among the businesses hurt most by the closures. But a new study finds the industry is “poised for incredible growth … with fitness trends undergoing a seismic shift away from gyms and towards outdoors, home fitness, and digital options.”  RunRepeat,...

John Trump
Opinion

As free Americans, our fears should extend well beyond COVID-19

America has largely moved on from COVID-19, even as much of the world is still deep in its throes. Thing is, many politicians in the U.S., as well as left-leaning media outlets, would have us believe otherwise. Sure, in their heart of hearts, they want COVID to go away, for the world to truly move...

John Trump
Opinion

People respond to lockdowns by eschewing gyms for the track and the trail

People are running more, and, mostly, they’d rather do it alone. So finds a new study by RunRepeat, which specializes in shoes for athletes and studies the fitness industry. The reasons people are running are obvious, at least to me. But the trend, in my mind, smacks of government overreach as that relates to picking...

John Trump

Help Support Non-profit Journalism & Donate Today

Opinion

Cooper doesn’t seem to get it, even as he vows to loosen most restrictions June 1

It seems Gov. Roy Cooper doesn’t get out much, meaning outside North Carolina. A quick trip to South Carolina, for instance, would show a sense of freedom unavailable — from my experience — in Wilmington, Boone, or Raleigh. Wearing a mask is a personal choice. But I can’t get my head around the need to...

John Trump
News

Bill to fully reopen bars, restaurants moves forward

Editor’s note: This story was updated Tuesday, April 13. A House Judiciary committee on Tuesday, April 13, quickly approved a bill that would fully reopen bars and restaurants, as long as they follow specific safety guidelines. The bill, House Bill 211, heads to that body’s Alcohol Beverage Control Committee. Restrictions on N.C. businesses continues, even...

John Trump
News

A third of gym members won’t return, even after vaccine, survey finds

Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday will ease restrictions on many N.C. businesses, but the damage to many — most notably bars — has already been done. Gyms, too, have suffered during the pandemic, as many have closed and others are struggling with reduced membership. RunRepeat, which specializes in shoes for athletes and studies the fitness...

John Trump
News

As vaccinations rise, Cooper takes steps to further ease COVID-19 restrictions

Gov. Roy Cooper is further easing restrictions on state residents and businesses that began one year ago because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cooper’s latest executive order takes effect 5 p.m. Friday, March 26, and expires April 30. The state’s general mask mandate remains in effect. Cooper says 31% of North Carolinians older than 18 have...

CJ Staff
News

Wake parents, with letter, urge Cooper to reopen schools

A group of Wake County parents has written Gov. Roy Cooper asking him to reopen schools for in-person instruction. Wake is the state’s largest school system. “There is no rational basis for restricting public-school children in one set of schools while allowing private school children in the same neighborhood to enjoy the benefits of in-person...

Dallas Woodhouse
News

Cooper makes move to re-open bars, but says more government money is needed

Private bars will open at limited capacity under a new executive decree from the governor, although at the same time he called for more direct government aid to prop up failing businesses. As opposed to easing restrictions even further, as states such as South Carolina and Florida — and many with Republican governors — have...

John Trump