NORTH CAROLINA POLITICS
Ex-offenders led the fight to make getting second chances easier—and they won
Advocates reflect on the North Carolina General Assembly passing the Second Chance Act, which makes it easier for people with non-violent felonies to get their records expunged.
What you need to know about the N.C. commissioner of labor candidates
The November election is coming up, so The Daily Tar Heel is breaking down every state and local office on the ballot from governor to county commissioner. Here we broke down who the candidates are for N.C. commissioner of labor.
Here's what issues matter most to N.C. House candidates Meyer and Insko
The November election is coming up, so The Daily Tar Heel is breaking down every state and local office on the ballot from governor to county commissioner. Here we broke down who the candidates are for N.C. House District 50 and 56.
CHCCS suspends driver's education instruction; OCS launches virtual program
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools' online driver's education program was canceled Aug. 19, while Orange County Schools restarted a virtual program Sept. 14.
Orange County Board of Commissioners returns to session with a packed agenda
The Orange County Board of Commissioners discussed commemorating the Voting Rights Act of 1965, decriminalizing marijuana and the county's response to COVID-19 at a Tuesday meeting.
N.C. General Assembly prepares COVID-19 plans as return to session approaches
The North Carolina General Assembly goes back into session on Sept. 2, which would be the first time either the House or Senate have convened since July 11. But the House Select Committee on COVID-19 has restarted meetings to discuss the legislature’s approach to the newest wave of coronavirus-related issues.
State and community leaders hold listening session to discuss criminal justice reform
The North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice has recommended a ban on chokeholds, a mandate to intervene and report excessive uses of force and that judges consider a defendant's ability to pay before implementing a fine or fee.
Here's the new state platform that takes a 'whole-person' approach to health care
NCCARE360, a technology platform that helps connect North Carolinians with health care providers and human service organizations across the state, launched June 22. Here's how officials think it can help with a "whole-person" approach to health care in North Carolina amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Mayors across Orange County respond to death of George Floyd
The Daily Tar Heel talked to Mayor Pam Hemminger of Chapel Hill, Mayor Lydia Lavelle of Carrboro and Mayor Jenn Weaver of Hillsborough about a statement they co-signed condemning the death of George Floyd and police brutality.
Protest over death of George Floyd escalates in Raleigh as police deploy tear gas
Thousands gathered in Raleigh this Saturday to peacefully protest. The next morning, downtown was decimated. After a peaceful protest that began around 5 p.m. and lasted for approximately two hours, tensions escalated through the night as police deployed tear gas and rubber bullets at demonstrators and multiple buildings were damaged in the aftermath.
Board of Governors committee discusses COVID-19 aid funding for UNC System schools
The Board of Governors' Committee on Budget and Finance met Tuesday to discuss funding allocations of the 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act and the UNC System Debt Capacity Study for the 2019 fiscal year. The N.C. General Assembly appropriated $44.4 million to the UNC System in April.
NC Policy Collaboratory receives $29 million from state for COVID-19 research
The North Carolina Policy Collaboratory received $29 million as part of a $1.5 billion coronavirus relief package signed by Governor Cooper earlier this week. UNC-Chapel Hill was one of five North Carolina universities to receive funding for COVID-19 research.
Here are the key takeaways from the state's COVID-19 relief legislation
The COVID-19 relief package Governor Roy Cooper signed into law Monday includes appropriations for UNC Medical Center and for the University to conduct COVID-19 treatment research. Orange County representatives highlighted the importance of the bill's allocation of funds for schools, food banks and rural communities.
'Living inside a bubble': How N.C. voters broke along lines of income and education
With competitive elections for nearly every office in the state on the ballot this fall, two counties on opposite sides of the state with differing population dynamics serve as examples of a greater statewide trend. Between the 2012 and 2016 elections, North Carolina counties' vote shift tracked with their median income and education level u2014 counties with higher income and education levels tended to shift towards the Democratic Party and counties experiencing more poverty shifted their vote towards the Republican Party.
State legislators cope with the challenges presented by COVID-19
As with many other things, COVID-19 has disrupted the ability for lawmakers to convene to discuss and debate upcoming bills and other proceedings. While many hope to return to in-person gatherings, for the time being they proceed with remote calls and meetings.
N.C. House works on COVID-19 legislation, but are they moving fast enough?
N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) has convened a select committee to begin forming the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. However, some lawmakers and experts have raised concerns that the General Assembly might not be able to act soon enough on some of the state’s most pressing needs.
N.C. lawmakers are seeking federal testing waivers as the state faces coronavirus effects
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that states would be able to bypass federal standardized testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year due to complications imposed by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Environmental departments in N.C. face cuts amidst state budget uncertainty
N.C. environmental departments have lost funding and staff as pollution complaints continue to rise.
Common Cause files complaints against Burr and others for alleged insider trading
Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and three other senators are facing allegations of insider trading after selling off large amounts of stock following a confidential meeting on COVID-19. Common Cause has launched an investigation into their actions.
