Month: March 2024

1. GOP nominee to run North Carolina public schools called for violence against Democrats, including executing Obama and Biden

The Republican nominee for superintendent overseeing North Carolina’s public schools and its $11 billion budget has a history marked by extreme and controversial comments, including sharing baseless conspiracy theories and frequent calls for the execution of prominent Democrats. Michele Morrow, a conservative activist who last week upset the incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction in North […]

Written by on March 17, 2024

2. North Carolina labor chief rejects infectious disease rule petitions for workplaces

North Carolina’s elected labor commissioner has declined to adopt rules sought by worker and civil rights groups that would have set safety and masking directives in workplaces for future infectious disease outbreaks like with COVID-19. Commissioner Josh Dobson, a Republican, announced Wednesday that his refusal came “after carefully reviewing the rulemaking petitions, the record, public […]

Written by on March 17, 2024

3. NC lawmaker in close primary files protest claiming voting issues

A state lawmaker who appears to have lost last week’s primary has filed protests of the election results. The latest vote tally for a state House race in the Roanoke Rapids area shows that Rep. Michael Wray, D-Northampton, is behind by just 36 votes. If those results don’t change, social studies teacher Rodney Pierce will […]

Written by on March 17, 2024

4. In second blow, Feds now cite HCA’s Mission Hospital for violating emergency treatment standards

Asheville’s Mission Hospital has violated the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA), the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services told the hospital’s CEO on Thursday, again threatening to withdraw the system’s federal funding, according to a letter obtained by Asheville Watchdog. EMTALA ensures public access to emergency services regardless of ability to pay. […]

Written by on March 17, 2024

8. Garner mobile home park residents reach settlement with property owner

A federal court has signed off on a $1 million settlement agreement between residents of Indian Creek Mobile Home Park in Garner and the property’s owner, Riverstone Communities LLC. The settlement stems from a class action challenge to a “rent-to-own” scheme perpetuated Riverstone Communities. As part of the settlement, Riverstone Communities agreed to pay $1,020,000 […]

Written by on March 17, 2024

9. Grants boost High Point projects

Congress recently approved federal expenditures for two projects in High Point. Rep. Kathy Manning, whose district includes the city, secured $1 million for a proposal called the Lighthouse to redevelop a vacant building and $959,752 for the city’s “advanced water metering” project. The latter will go toward the city’s ongoing $22 million conversion to a […]

Written by on March 17, 2024

10. NHC staff outline revised homelessness strategy, propose ‘informal working group’

A more structured approach to New Hanover County and Wilmington’s joint homelessness response was presented to county commissioners Thursday after both governing bodies rejected a task force proposal last month. Jennifer Maready, the county’s chief strategy officer, and Rachel LaCoe, the City of Wilmington’s director of housing and neighborhood services, presented a five-month plan to […]

Written by on March 17, 2024

1. Hunting has a diversity problem, and an NC State program aims to fix it

Dwight Wadford climbs the wooden steps of the box stand. He’s a hunting mentor with Academics Afield — a hunter education program at North Carolina State University that teaches young adults how to hunt. Kahron Guzman shoulders the rifle and clicks the safety off. He’s part of a new generation of hunters: Adults who don’t […]

Written by on March 14, 2024

2. Elm City rejects accountants’ plea for file access

Residents booed and stormed out of the room Tuesday when the Board of Commissioners ignored Town Attorney Slade Rand’s recommendation to restore an accounting firm’s electronic access to town financial records so it can reconcile Elm City’s books for past-due annual audits. “If you table this for another month, you’re jeopardizing your timetable,” Rand said. […]

Written by on March 14, 2024

3. CRC adopts 16 rules to keep natural resources protected

More than a dozen rules state coastal management officials say are crucial to day-to-day operations will remain on the books for now. The Coastal Resources Commission on Wednesday unanimously adopted the 16 rules as “temporary,” a move that will keep the rules in the state Administrative Code for one year or until they are reinstated […]

Written by on March 14, 2024

4. Recent N.C. school district news highlight importance of chief financial officer

In North Carolina, public school systems are the largest employer in nearly half of the state’s 100 counties. While school superintendents act as the chief executive officer (CEO), chief financial officers (CFO) are responsible for managing school system budgets. The work of a CFO often goes unnoticed by the general public — until something goes […]

Written by on March 14, 2024