NC Politics in the News

Economic Development

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: North Carolina is the only state with this economic incentive for esports. What to know. Through the North Carolina Esports Industry Grant Program, the state offers financial rebates of up to 25% of qualified expenses, according to the program’s website. To qualify, a production must directly spend at least $150,000 in North Carolina per event. Up to $5 million can be awarded each fiscal year.

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Agriculture

CBS17: US agricultural leader tours NC State, talks future of farming From cows, to crops, to ice cream, a tour of NC State’s field lab gave Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small a chance to see how the university is looking toward the future of farming.

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Education

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: NC school system further delays start due to toxic mold. $17M cleanup underway. A North Carolina school system is again delaying the start of classes due to toxic mold in at least 25 of its 37 schools. The Alamance-Burlington School System said Saturday that schools are now scheduled to open on Sept. 11. WRAL: NC hospitals brace for a back-to-school Covid surge School administrators and medical professionals are bracing for a continued surge in Covid-19 cases, compounded in part by North Carolina public school students’ return for the start of the state’s traditional school year. Covid cases have been rising in the state. And school districts in other states, including Kentucky, Oklahoma and Texas, have already canceled classes due to Covid-19 outbreaks.

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Energy

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Should nuclear power be considered clean energy? Yes, says proposed NC legislation. A bill pending in the North Carolina General Assembly would scratch the term “renewable energy source” from the state law governing public utilities, replace it with the term “clean energy source,” and specify that “clean energy” includes nuclear power.

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Healthcare

WHQR: NC Medicaid drops thousands of people for unreturned paperwork Tens of thousands of people are losing Medicaid coverage in North Carolina who might still be eligible. That’s because, after a pause during the pandemic, state employees are reevaluating millions of people’s eligibility and restarting the process of removing people from the Medicaid rolls. In many cases, what are essentially paperwork issues are costing people their health insurance.

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Politics

WRAL: NC Gov. Roy Cooper endorses AG Josh Stein in 2024 governor's race North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper endorsed Attorney General Josh Stein Wednesday in the state’s 2024 governor’s race, an expected move from a Democratic ally, but one that foreshadows a potential primary challenge. THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: Wake Rep. Paré launches congressional campaign The only Wake County Republican currently serving in the North Carolina General Assembly will run for Congress. State Rep. Erin Paré will pursue a critical swing seat that will be key in the GOP’s 2024 efforts to retain a narrow U.S. House majority.

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Transportation

COASTALREVIEW.ORG: NCDOT seeks input on draft transportation access plan North Carolina Department of Transportation officials are asking for public input on a draft plan to improve transportation access for seniors and people living with disabilities in small urban and rural areas. The draft Statewide Locally Coordinated Plan, or LCP, outlines transportation improvements from 2025-2029. NCDOT has created a virtual room with information about the draft plan that is currently being developed. Public input will help shape the plan.