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Statewide broadband survey should lessen taxpayer waste

State agencies are asking residents to take the N.C. Broadband Survey to help determine which areas are unserved or underserved. It’s an important effort, as the survey will help ensure that the plethora of taxpayer dollars funneled toward broadband infrastructure goes to the places that need them most. The survey, a collaboration between the N.C....

Johnny Kampis
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Auditor finds Johnston County sheriff violated county purchasing policy

The state auditor’s office found that Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell bought vehicles and gas masks without obtaining the proper written quotes, in violation of the county’s purchasing policy.  The report released by State Auditor Beth Wood said that by not following this policy, the sheriff’s office potentially overpaid for these items, wasting taxpayer money....

Johnny Kampis
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Cooper vetoes bill that would end mandatory masks in schools

Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed the Free the Smiles Act. The bipartisan measure would have blocked mandatory mask policies in N.C. schools. It’s Cooper’s second veto this year and a record-extending 71st veto since he took office in 2017. “I have encouraged local boards to lift mask mandates, and they are doing it across the...

CJ Staff, Theresa Opeka
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Filing for 2022 statewide primary election resumes

Candidate filing for the 2022 statewide primary has restarted across North Carolina. Filing for the primary and rescheduled municipal elections will continue through March 4. The N.C. Supreme Court suspended the filing period, which began Dec. 6, and moved the date of the statewide primary and rescheduled municipal elections for May 17, the N.C. Board...

John Trump
News

UPDATE: Wake to end mask mandate Feb 25

UPDATE: Wake County, including the capital city of Raleigh, will end its indoor mask mandate starting Feb. 25. That announcement came on Friday afternoon, February 18, 2022 The Wake County Public School System announced in a letter to parents on its website Friday, Feb. 18, that masks will become optional in their schools “in the...

Theresa Opeka

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Report: Elementary students lag in literacy due to pandemic

A research brief from curriculum publisher Amplify shows that elementary school students continue to lag behind in literacy almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic. The mid-school-year assessment concluded that students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade are the furthest behind compared to their pre-pandemic counterparts. Black and Hispanic students are bearing the brunt...

David N. Bass
News

N.C. delays tax filing, but future cuts to personal income taxes a boon for residents

Tax season in North Carolina won’t open until Feb. 28. Changes in the tax law, part of the state’s $25.9 billion spending plan passed last year, have delayed the Department of Revenue from finalizing certain tax forms, the department says. This also includes updates for tax systems and approval of tax preparation software.  “Accurately processing...

John Trump
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Freedom? U.S. dips to record low in global rankings

The Heritage Foundation’s 2022 “Index of Economic Freedom” puts the United States at a record low ranking, falling from 20th in 2021 to 25th this year out of 177 countries ranked. “The decline of American economic freedom is serious cause for alarm, and has real and tangible consequences for all Americans, especially low-income families and...

David N. Bass
News

Lawmakers move to ban diversity litmus tests in K-12 schools, universities

Model legislation proposed by a higher-education reform group in North Carolina would prohibit political and ideological litmus tests in hiring decisions for public K-12 schools and public universities. The legislation applies to schools that require applicants for employment to sign a document affirming their support for the “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) agenda. Some applicants...

David N. Bass
News

Sports betting legislation will probably make a comeback in 2022 

A bill that would legalize mobile sports betting in North Carolina is likely to see significant consideration in the House during the abbreviated spring legislative session.   Rep. Jon Hardister, R-Gulliford, and majority whip in the House and one of the sponsors of the legislation, said recently he believes Senate Bill 688 has enough bipartisan support...

Johnny Kampis
News

ABC issues fines, moves forward in expanding the size of growlers

The N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission has taken another step in passing rules to expand the size of growlers from 2 to 4 liters. On Wednesday, Feb. 9. the commission held a public hearing on the proposed, permanent Expand Allowable Growler Size rule. The move is part of House Bill 890, an alcohol omnibus bill...

John Trump