state

People attend the Wolf Alice concert at Cat's Cradle in Carrboro on March 22, 2022.

Concert venues across North Carolina grapple with changing COVID-19 guidelines

By Eliza Benbow | Mar. 23, 2022

While Orange County has lifted its mandate on public indoor places, businesses and other private spaces still have the discretion to require masks indoors. Some venues, such as Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, are still requiring masks indoors. In addition, Cat's Cradle requires concert attendees to present their COVID-19 vaccination cards or proof of a negative test within the prior 72 hours, in addition to their ID. "Sort of like with public transit, there is not a real easy way to stay six feet from everyone if you're going to enjoy a typical concert environment at Cat's Cradle," Frank Heath, owner of Cat's Cradle, said.

US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks to members of the media at her hotel after attending the Munich Security Conference (MSC), on February 20, 2022, in Munich, southern Germany. During the 58th Munich Security Conference running from February 18-20, 2022, international diplomats and experts meet to discuss topics such as global order, human and transnational security, defense, and sustainability. Photo courtesy of Andrew Harnik/POOL/AFP via Getty Images/TNS.

'Future we are fighting for': Kamala Harris discusses workers' rights at Durham Tech

By Lauren McCarthy | Mar. 3, 2022

Over the course of the year, Harris said, she has visited many union apprenticeship facilities where she has met a diverse, creative and determined workforce.

NC Supreme Court approves new maps to nobody's full satisfaction

By Ian Walniuk | Mar. 1, 2022

The new congressional, House and Senate maps will take effect for the 2022 primary elections on May 17, according to Rachel Raper, Director of the Orange County Board of Elections. Under the new setup, Orange County will remain in District 4 of the congressional map. It will also remain in the 23rd district in the N.C. Senate and will retain its current boundaries in the N.C. House, including the 50th and 56th districts.

Judge Inman, who is currently on the N.C. Court of Appeals, is a candidate for the N.C. Supreme Court. Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Judicial Branch Communications Office.

N.C. Court of Appeals Judge Lucy Inman running for state Supreme Court

By Harrison Gummel | Feb. 27, 2022

Judge Lucy Inman recently declared her candidacy for the Democratic N.C. Supreme Court primary scheduled for May 17.

The 'Blue Room' is one of several classrooms at the Chapel Hill Cooperative Preschool where teaches and staff work to aid students in their development and prepare them for entry into the secondary school system. The Cooperative Preschool system also finalized plans to consolidate their two Chapel Hill sites into a single facility on Monday, April 1, 2019.

N.C. Child Care Stabilization Grant distributes over $335 million

By Madelyn Van Meter | Feb. 20, 2022

Since the program's launch, nearly $336 million of the total $805 million has been distributed to 3,961 child care centers across North Carolina. With the funding, employers aim to bring in new staff and provide better opportunities for those currently employed.

Voting signs guide voters to the East Franklin precinct  on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021.

'An unequivocal win': Advocacy groups react to Supreme Court gerrymandering decision

By Waverly McIver | Feb. 20, 2022

The advocacy groups and residents who spoke at the press conference Tuesday called for fairness and equity in North Carolina's redistricting process.

New N.C. law provides access to birth control without a prescription

By Lauren McCarthy | Feb. 7, 2022

House Bill 96 allows certified pharmacists to provide oral contraceptives to patients after conducting a consultation. Although the law went into effect on Feb. 1, Campus Health director of Pharmacy and Professional Services Amy Sauls said individuals will not be able to walk into a pharmacy and get birth control just yet. UNC junior Yena Ismail said she hopes the law will help individuals make choices they feel are the best for their bodies. “It's going to help a lot of people take control of their health and help them regain some sort of bodily autonomy,” Ismail said.

Businesses on Franklin street in Chapel Hill are pictured on Jan. 26, 2022.

N.C. resignation rates ninth highest in the country, according to recent analysis

By Jenna Rupp | Feb. 1, 2022

According to a recent analysis by WalletHub, North Carolina has the ninth highest resignation rate in the country. Over the last 12 months, North Carolina had a resignation rate of 3.22 and a resignation rate of 3.60 percent as of Nov. 2021.

DTH Photo Illustration. NC Medicaid Direct Care workers will be receiving bonuses for their work during the pandemic.

NCDHHS announces plan to provide job access for individuals with disabilities

By Ian Walniuk | Feb. 1, 2022

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services announced a plan to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities find work and be integrated into their communities. The plan aims to provide access to employment assessments, career development planning, career counseling and more.

Former Chief Justice and Senate candidate Chery Beasley answers student questions in the pit on Sept. 8, hosted by the UNC Young Democrats.

Cheri Beasley's U.S. Senate campaign gains momentum after Cooper endorsement

By Waverly McIver | Jan. 19, 2022

"As someone who knows what it takes to win, I can tell you Cheri’s got it," Gov. Roy Cooper said in a press release. "She’s honest and trustworthy and she’ll put in the hard work necessary to fight for the people of North Carolina."

Jackson drops out of U.S. Senate race, endorses front-runner Beasley

By Madison Ward | Dec. 16, 2021

“I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished, but everyone needs to know when to step aside,” Jackson said. “Cheri Beasley has served this state honorably for over two decades and has always fought for justice. She’ll be a great U.S. Senator for North Carolina.“

The new U.S. House district map in North Carolina was approved by the State Senate’s redistricting committee. The map favors the Republican Party by packing Democrats into only three districts.

Candidate filing to begin Tuesday morning for U.S. House and N.C. House, Senate

By Guillermo Molero | Dec. 6, 2021

Filing for these contests along with those for other statewide offices was slated to begin Monday at noon and conclude on Dec. 17. Candidates wishing to file for other statewide offices, including numerous positions on the state’s judiciary, may still do so.

Gov. Roy Cooper speaks on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2021, at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro.

Editorial: The new North Carolina budget isn't a big enough step

By Editorial Board | Nov. 29, 2021

"The lackluster funding is a theme of the budget at large — a small step toward progress, but nowhere near enough. It seems Cooper and the Democrats have bent to the will of the Republican-controlled General Assembly for the sake of having a budget after all these years."

U.S. President Joe Biden speaks at the General Motors Factory ZERO electric vehicle assembly plant on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021 in Detroit. Biden was in town to tout the benefits of the infrastructure bill he signed two days ago that allocates $1 trillion for, among other things, adding electric vehicle charging stations around the country as companies like GM retool away from the internal combustion engine. Photo courtesy of Nic Antaya/Getty Images/TNS.

Editorial: What the new infrastructure bill means for North Carolina

By Editorial Board | Nov. 21, 2021

"The infrastructure bill is a massive success for North Carolinians: The bill makes critical investments into the state which will stimulate economic growth and improve our overall quality of life."

N.C. Sen. Ben Clark recently revealed a draft of his newly suggested CBK-4 map. His submission is intended to maintain regional integrity and create an even split between eastern and western districts across North Carolina.

N.C. Sen. Ben Clark introduces new proposed model for the state's congressional map

By Harrison Gummel | Oct. 27, 2021

N.C. Sen. Ben Clark, D-Cumberland, Hoke, recently revealed a draft of his new proposed design for North Carolina’s congressional map.

N.C. General Assembly reaches compromise on energy legislation

By Graham Hill | Oct. 25, 2021

House Bill 951, signed by Gov. Roy Cooper earlier this month following bipartisan approval, seeks to lower the state’s carbon emissions while maintaining low costs for consumers. The bill sets two goals for decreasing emissions: a 70 percent reduction in 2015 emissions levels by 2030 and becoming completely carbon neutral by 2050.

U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C., seen here in 2019, says he won't run for reelection in 2022. Photo courtesy of Alex Wong/Getty Images/TNS.

U.S. House Representative David Price to retire after over 30 years serving N.C.

By Austin Blake | Oct. 24, 2021

Although Price said he knows it is time for him to retire, he said his pursuit to protect and expand democracy will remain.

Gov. Roy Cooper speaks Thursday at Pizzeria Mercato in Carrboro, which recently implemented a vaccination requirement to dine there.

Republicans continue to push bill to limit Gov. Cooper’s emergency powers

By Ian Walniuk | Oct. 14, 2021

A bill designed to restrict the executive powers of the governor could soon be headed to Gov. Roy Cooper's desk. After several months of limited discussion in the Senate, it was amended and passed on Sept. 8. It was then sent back to the House, where it is currently under consideration.

UNC pharmacists prepare a vaccine dose in the former Wendy’s in the Student Union on March 31, 2021. As North Carolina began to allow college students to receive coronavirus vaccines, UNC opened a clinic on campus where students can receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Orange County COVID-19 vaccination rate decreases due to CDC miscalculations

By Austin Blake | Oct. 12, 2021

The COVID-19 vaccination rate in Orange County is not as high as the CDC previously reported. The error stems from calculating vaccination rates based on where people received their shots, instead of where they lived.

(Clockwise from the top left) George Griffin, Ryan Jackson, Riza Jenkins, Tim Sookram, Mike Sharp and Meredith Pruitt are running for the three open seats on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School Board of Education. Photos courtesy of Griffin, Jackson, Jenkins, Sookram, Sharp and Pruitt.

Meet the six candidates running for the CHCCS Board of Education

By Waverly McIver | Oct. 4, 2021

George Griffin, Ryan C. Jackson, Riza Jenkins, Meredith Pruitt, Mike Sharp and Tim Sookram are running to serve on the CHCCS Board of Education. Here's what they hope to accomplish if elected.