NC Politics in the News

Economic Development

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC seeks more megasites to land next mammoth jobs deal. It's named its top locations. Megasites are steering the present and future of North Carolina’s economy. With a minimum of 1,000 contiguous acres each, these expansive tracts of land have, in only the past few years, attracted the types of large-scale projects never before seen in the state.

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Education

ABC 11: COVID-19 rebound continues: Dept. of Public Instruction report shows improvement in math, reading The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction released its report on last year's student test performance results. The percentage of students meeting the standard for grade-level proficiency when it comes to reading increased from the previous school year for all grades. The biggest improvement being in fourth grade. WLOS: 'The whole school system is crumbling,' new NC law ruffling feathers as school year begins A new North Carolina law known as the Parents' Bill of Rights is ruffling feathers for the new school year. The legislation outlines 10 rights parents have when it comes to their children in North Carolina schools.

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Energy

WFAE: Dominion Energy sells North Carolina gas business to Canadian company Dominion Energy is selling its natural gas business in North Carolina to a Canadian company. The $14 billion transaction also includes gas utilities in the Midwest and Rocky Mountains.

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Government

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC's months-late state budget with raises hits another hurdle. Delay could be over by Monday Already two months late, final negotiations on the North Carolina budget are happening this weekend between the most powerful politicians in the state. By Monday afternoon, Republican legislators — who have total control of the General Assembly — will have at least one caucus meeting to make final decisions on the two-year spending plan.

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Healthcare

NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NEWS: A look at North Carolina's first year with the 988 mental health crisis line It’s been a little more than a year since the launch of the new national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number 988, and North Carolina saw a 31 percent increase in calls for support during that time. While the national hotline isn’t exactly new, the shortened number is.

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Politics

WRAL: How new NC election laws could strengthen GOP's grip on state and national politics Republican state lawmakers this week are expected to pass a sweeping and controversial change to elections laws — one that could help GOP lawmakers further cement control of the state for years to come. Senate Bill 749 would make major changes to who is in charge of administering elections in North Carolina. WUNC: Prospects for more legalized gambling in North Carolina uncertain Prospects that another large expansion of gambling in North Carolina will be included in a state government budget appeared dimmer this week as the House's top leader said there weren't enough Republicans on board with the idea. The GOP-controlled General Assembly is more than two months late on approving a spending plan through mid-2025. Votes on a final state budget could come next week.

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Transportation

AP NEWS: North Carolina's transportation secretary is retiring: the chief operating officer will succeed him North Carolina Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette, who has served in Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s Cabinet since 2017, is retiring from state government. Succeeding Boyette as DOT secretary starting Oct. 1 will be current Department of Transportation Chief Operating Officer Joseph R. “Joey” Hopkins, the governor’s office said in a news release Tuesday. ABC 11: $900,000 awarded to GoTriangle to improve public transportation GoTriangle received $900,000 during a check presentation ceremony Friday. The money comes from the omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2023, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in late 2022.