Month: November 2024

4. As DEI programs face scrutiny and backlash, Charlotte companies reshape their efforts

Elvis Menayese/WFAE Radio Lowe’s Home Improvement, headquartered in Mooresville, said it was making changes so that its policies were “lawful” and “include everyone.” Lowe’s has received awards in recent years for its diversity, equity, and inclusion work. But the home improvement retailer, based in Mooresville, made news in August when word got out that it […]

Written by on November 4, 2024

5. A final look at polling and early voting in NC before Election Day

Hannah Vinueza McClellan/Education NC Ahead of Election Day, more than 4.4 million people cast their ballots in North Carolina during early voting, according to data from the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) at the close of polls on Nov. 2 — more than 56% of total eligible voters. The state has outpaced the […]

Written by on November 4, 2024

6. Former Michele Morrow campaign manager arrested after posting photos of woman wearing keffiyeh on X, warrants show

Emily Mikkelsen/WGHP News North Carolina state superintendent hopeful Michele Morrow’s former campaign manager has been charged after police say she posted pictures of a stranger online. Jennifer Sloan Rachmuth, 54, of Apex, was charged on Saturday with one count of cyberstalking after law enforcement says that she took pictures of a woman at a Harris […]

Written by on November 4, 2024

7. Mountain celebrity claims coverup of massive Helene death toll. Why he’s wrong.

Lucas Thomae/Carolina Public Press Eustace Conway, a former reality TV star and founder of the 1,000-acre Turtle Island Preserve in Watauga County, has become one of the most prominent North Carolina voices promoting debunked claims about the devastation of Tropical Storm Helene, giving them traction and an audience well beyond North Carolina on social media. […]

Written by on November 4, 2024

8. Progressive nonprofit files campaign finance complaint against Wilmington’s Tide Turners

Peter Castagno/Port City Daily A local conservative advocacy group is under scrutiny for alleged violations of its nonprofit status, including failures to disclose political campaign expenditures supporting New Hanover County commissioner candidates. Progressive nonprofit Carolina Forward — a 501(c)4 that endorses Democratic political candidates — submitted a complaint against another 501(c)4, the Wilmington-based Tide Turners […]

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9. Helene: Key Tennessee, Carolinas interstate reopens

Derek Draplin/The Center Square Interstate 26, a key crossing for drivers near the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, has reopened to the relief of Unicoi County residents. The Tennessee Department of Transportation reopened the interstate on Wednesday after building a temporary causeway with single lanes going both ways. I-26 collapsed into the Nolichucky River […]

Written by on November 4, 2024

10. Officials are in ‘No hurry to sell’ 87 acres of Navassa site

Trista Talton/Coastal Review Online The only viable offer last year to buy land formerly tied to the Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp Navassa Superfund Site came with a proposal to use the property for warehousing. That is not what residents of the Brunswick County town wanted then. By all accounts, it’s not what they want now. The […]

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Who got big money from Stein, Robinson funds?

Back in early September, Senate leader Phil Berger voiced a bit of skepticism that North Carolina would really be a toss-up state in this year’s presidential election. He accepted that Vice President Kamala Harris’ early polling numbers were a “sugar high” after President Biden withdrew from the race. While Harris and Republican nominee Donald Trump […]

Written by on November 4, 2024

Campaign vets working on down-ballot races

In the lieutenant governor’s race, Democratic nominee Rachel Hunt has raised $3.4 million and spent $2.6 million. The Republican nominee, Hal Weatherman, has raised $1.6 million and spent $1.4 million. Hunt’s largest spend, $1.1 million, has gone to the Maryland-based Buying Time media consultancy. Its founder, Catherine Herrick, worked on former President Clinton’s 1996 re-election […]

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1. Microsoft makes major land buy in Person County

Jack Hagel/WRAL News Microsoft Corp. appears poised to launch a major project in North Carolina. The Redmond, Washington-based technology giant on Thursday plunked down approximately $26.85 million for about 1,385 acres in Person County, according to county property records. The land — in Woodsdale Township, which extends to the Virginia border — had been set […]

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3. Helene put NC mountain counties on cash-only basis, catching many unprepared

Jane Winik Sartwell/Carolina Public Press When prepping for a storm, you may stockpile bottled water and toilet paper. Maybe you dust off your generator and fill up your car with gas. You may set out flashlights, candles, and nonperishable snacks on your kitchen counter. But how many people withdraw enough cash to last themselves and […]

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4. Democrats use unprecedented strategy to boost voter turnout in Meck County

Morgan Radford/WCNC News North Carolina already beat its record early-voter turnout in the 2020 election, and Democrats in Mecklenburg County are devoting more resources than ever to win on Election Day. North Carolina’s early voting period runs through Saturday, Nov. 2. Democrats told NBC News it’s all about juicing the numbers as much as possible […]

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5. Ten years of NC’s private school vouchers, and they’re only becoming less accountable

Liz Schlemmer/WUNC Radio North Carolina spent $185 million on private school vouchers last school year, a new annual report sent to the General Assembly shows. This month, the state agency that awards tax-funded scholarships to private school students filed its 10th annual report on the Opportunity Scholarship program. The report provides less information on the […]

Written by on November 4, 2024