NC Politics in the News

Oct 17, 2023

Charles Kelley

3 mins

Agriculture

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Chronic wasting disease detected in Johnston County deer, 23rd case found in NC A deer in Johnston County tested positive for chronic wasting disease, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission confirmed Friday, marking the first case of the fatal illness around the Triangle. Chronic wasting disease has a 100% fatality rate for deer, elk and moose.

Economic Development

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Toyota, Bridgestone, Fujifilm: NC looks to attract more Japanese businesses this week Gov. Roy Cooper and more than two dozen other North Carolina officials are in East Asia this week for the annual Southeastern United States/Japan Economic Development Conference. The goal of this Tokyo trip, Cooper said in a statement, is to recruit more Japanese industry. It is an effort the Tar Heel State has been making for 45 years.

Education

WUNC: Dozens of North Carolina colleges will waive application fees this week This week, prospective college students can apply to many colleges in North Carolina without paying an application fee via a program through the College Foundation of North Carolina. The initiative is known as College Application Week. WCNC: NC State Auditor: CMS didn't comply with truancy law during 2020-2021 school year A new report alleges Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) did not comply with North Carolina’s truancy law during the onset of the pandemic. The law compels districts to formally notify parents when their students are missing, and if the absences persist, parents could eventually be referred for criminal charges.

Government

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC GOP overturns 5 Cooper vetoes, as top Democrat accuses them of 'creating a monster' North Carolina Republicans, wielding their veto-proof supermajority in the General Assembly on Tuesday, overturned vetoes from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper one by one. They implemented a variety of controversial changes, stripping powers from the governor, advancing a pipeline project and overhauling election rules. THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: Robinson proclaims "NC Solidarity with Israel Week" Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson drew media attention Thursday morning after announcing that he would take steps as “acting governor” while N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper was in Japan this week for an economic development summit. In an event in the N.C. House auditorium, Robinson issued an official proclamation of a Day of Prayer and declaring this “North Carolina’s Solidarity with Israel Week.”

Healthcare

AP NEWS: North Carolina Medicaid expansion still set for Dec. 1 start as federal regulators give final OK Federal regulators have given their final approval for North Carolina to begin offering Medicaid to hundreds of thousands of low-income adults on Dec. 1, state health officials announced on Friday. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services told the state in a letter Thursday that changes to North Carolina’s Medicaid program to provide expanded coverage through the 2010 Affordable Care Act had been approved. THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC State Health Plan begins crackdown on spending for weight-loss drugs The North Carolina State Health Plan will put new measures in place to prevent diabetes drugs like Ozempic from being used off-label for weight loss, leadership announced at a meeting Wednesday night. This is the plan’s first effort to rein in spending on a class of drugs called GLP-1s, which has put the plan’s finances “under siege.”

Politics

NC NEWSLINE: NC Treasurer criticizes GOP legislators budget provision allowing public records to be sold, destroyed State Treasurer Dale Folwell said efforts by the Republican-controlled General Assembly to restrict access to important public records reduces confidence in all levels of government. Folwell, a Republican who is running for governor in 2024, addressed the controversial budget provision Tuesday in an open conversation with members of the media.

Transportation

WCNC: Transportation leaders compete for federal funds dedicated to expanding rail service in North Carolina Transportation leaders were in Salisbury on Wednesday to discuss improvements to the passenger rail network. North Carolina has an opportunity to compete for federal funds, grow its network, and connect more areas of the state together – all by train.

Categories: Insights