Month: April 2024

1. Lobbyist seriously injured at legislative leader’s wedding weekend

The night before state Rep. Destin Hall’s wedding in southwest Virginia in December, one of his groomsmen was seriously injured after falling off the back of a pickup truck. Police records and a 911 call indicate that the truck—driven by another groomsman, with Hall as a passenger—briefly left the scene before returning. Cory Bryson, a […]

Written by on April 17, 2024

2. Fact Sheet: Biden-⁠Harris administration announces new actions to protect U.S. steel and shipbuilding

President Biden knows that steel is the backbone of the American economy, and a bedrock of our national security. American steel fueled the country’s industrialization and helped build the middle class. American-made steel remains critical for our economic and national security. American companies must lead the future of more sustainable steel. This green steel will […]

Written by on April 17, 2024

3. Dare Housing Task Force wants to incorporate more community voices in the process

Meeting one week after the county commissioners voted to cut ties with its remaining affordable housing partner and return $35 million in housing funds to the state, the Dare County Housing Task Force made several decisions on how to move forward—including one that involves broadening and restructuring the group. Following the suggestion of County Manager […]

Written by on April 17, 2024

4. Construction paused at VinFast’s NC site as carmaker seeks a smaller footprint

Nearly nine months after VinFast broke ground on its planned $4 billion electric vehicle factory in North Carolina, construction at the Chatham County site has stalled while local officials await updated building plans from the Vietnamese carmaker. Chatham County confirmed Tuesday what News & Observer drone footage makes clear: No significant vertical construction has occurred […]

Written by on April 17, 2024

5. Stoner’s Ball in Haywood is bringing crowds and raising eyebrows

A celebration of all things cannabis is poised to draw hundreds of people to Haywood County this weekend, and is drawing its share of critics, as well. The first annual Stoner’s Ball coming to the Smoky Mountain Event Center is making no bones about serving up a “legal high” with products that emulate the effects […]

Written by on April 17, 2024

6. Guilford County leads the state on fetal, infant death reviews

Guilford County has been tracking infant deaths for decades, yet officials there continue to struggle with high death rates and no answers. Jean Workman and Leandra Vernon with Every Baby Guilford hope to change that with the formation of North Carolina’s only Fetal and Infant Mortality Review program. “As time goes on, the more we […]

Written by on April 17, 2024

7. Legal gambling yields North Carolina nearly $12M in March

Gross wagering revenue at an 18% tax rate brought the state $11,969,318 in March, the North Carolina State Lottery Commission says. Bettors won more than $590 million, and it wasn’t even a full month. Legal online gambling opened March 11, just in time for the Tobacco Road spectacle known as the ACC Tournament, and the […]

Written by on April 17, 2024

8. County looks for operation clarity from Trillium Health

A preference in Moore County to keep businesses local doesn’t just apply to thrift stores and ice cream parlors, for the county commissioners, it also applies to healthcare. At the Tuesday evening meeting, chairman Nick Picerno presented a resolution requesting the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to address concerns regarding the consolidation […]

Written by on April 17, 2024

10. Wilkes commissioners ask Greene to resign

The Wilkes County commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of a motion asking Commissioner Stoney Greene to resign from the board Tuesday night, with Greene casting the lone vote against the motion. Commissioner Greg Minton made the motion at the end of the meeting under “new business.” Commissioner Keith Elmore seconded the motion. The motion stated, […]

Written by on April 17, 2024

3. N.C. hospitality leader warns Buncombe against using tourism tax for affordable housing

When Buncombe County’s Tourism Development Authority decides which projects to fund using visitors’ dollars next week, a powerful organization will be watching closely. The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association warned in a letter last week to the Charlotte City Council that spending occupancy tax dollars on affordable housing could lead to a legal challenge. […]

Written by on April 16, 2024

4. New water rules carry extra cost for High Point

The city of High Point says it’s taking steps to comply with new federal drinking water standards announced last week for PFAS pollution. Samples from the city’s water system have contained levels of the chemicals above 4 parts per trillion, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set as the new limit that will be enforced […]

Written by on April 16, 2024

5. Web of Mission Health litigation grows. Buncombe seeks to join attorney general’s case against HCA

Emergency room understaffing at Mission Hospital in Asheville is costing taxpayers by making EMS workers wait longer to offload patients, Buncombe County is claiming in a proposal filed earlier this month to join North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein’s lawsuit against the hospital’s owner, HCA Healthcare. The attorney general’s lawsuit, filed in December, claims HCA […]

Written by on April 16, 2024