News — Neuse News

This week, we had some progress on the pandemic front, as things started to improve after the stabilization we saw last week. Case growth peaked, at least in the short term, and the case growth rate ticked down. Further, outbreaks in many states are now being contained, as expected. The economic news is better, with the recovery continuing. That said, there are signs of weakness.

Aug 6

Aug 6 John Hood: Homicides spiking in Carolina cities

John Hood

As if the COVID crisis and economic recession weren’t bad enough, here’s some more bad news to process: homicide rates are spiking in many North Carolina communities.

Aug 5

Aug 5 Reece Gardner: It's all about love, folks

There are some things that bear repeating, such as expressions of love, about which I will be repetitious today. Sometimes when chaos and upheavals occur in our lives, such as at the present time, we tend to long for the past or to look ahead to a less-troubling future.

Aug 2

Aug 2 Neuse Foundation seeks support for Sept. 11 ‘Wings Over the Neuse’

Like many local businesses and organizations, the CSS Neuse Foundation has been hit hard by fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The CSS Neuse II, the replica of the original CSS Ram Neuse ironclad, has been essentially closed from April through July.

Aug 2

Aug 2 Michael Spears: Signs of a slowdown, but recovery still on track

This week, the news was much the same as it was last week. This is actually good news, as things had been getting worse. As such, this stabilization represents progress. It also indicates that, in many states, outbreaks are being contained.

Aug 1

Aug 1 John Hood: New monuments could unify state

John Hood

If you’ve lived in North Carolina for even a few years, you’ve probably formed an opinion about whether statues and monuments honoring Confederate leaders and soldiers ought to remain in or near courthouses, town halls, state buildings, and other public property throughout the state.

Jul 31

Jul 31 Rep. Chris Humphrey: Expanding rural broadband a top priority for NC General Assembly

During this past legislative session, expanding access to rural broadband and closing the digital divide was a top priority of mine and the Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly. In rural areas, especially in my district in Eastern North Carolina, connection to reliable high-speed internet service is critical to attracting and retaining businesses, improving health care access and ensuring that our children are not left behind in the digital age.

Jul 29

Jul 29 Reece Gardner: Replacing the Constitution with Socialism

Columns, Politics

Folks, the chaos that's been unfolding in several of our major cities recently has little or nothing to do with racism or grievances. It has everything to do with the massive attempt underway to destroy our Constitution and replace it with Socialism.

Jul 27

Jul 27 Mike Parker: Staring into the Coronavirus ‘rabbit hole’ - Parents and teachers share concerns

Since my column last week, I have spoken to parents, teachers, and administrative staff from no less than five school systems regarding their concerns for the coming reopening of schools in August. Please keep in mind that opening day – August 17 – is less than a month away. These parents, teachers, and administrators were plain spoken to the point of being blunt.

Jul 25

Jul 25 Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Fresh crispy summertime cucumbers

Tammy Kelly

Cucumbers are appearing abundantly at local Farmer’s Market and nothing says summer like the crunch of fresh cucumber. Most of us Southerners enjoy a plain cucumber in about any kind of salad, or in a bowl of vinegar and pepper, or made into a tiny sandwich, but here are some other ways to add the unique flavor to other tasty treats as well. Enjoy!

Jul 23

Jul 23 Matthew Lococo: Teaching in a pandemic

Guest User

Columns, Coronavirus

On March 14 at about 4 pm, my professional and personal life altered in ways that I would have never thought. On Friday, March 13, I told my students what I tell them every Friday, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do and enjoy your weekend, I’ll see you on Monday!.”

Jul 22

Jul 22 Reece Gardner: It is time to reopen

While one casualty from the Coronavirus is one too many, it is important that we receive accurate information about the true nature of the plague. In a recent conversation with Congressman David Rouzer, he expressed concern about the questionable reporting in some areas about the Positivity Rate for the Coronavirus.

Jul 20

Jul 20 Aleatha Thrower: Left and right - scoot to the middle, please.

Aleatha Thrower

Columns, Coronavirus, Politics

The original decision to shut down was the right one and I fully supported Gov. Cooper. Now, it has gone too far.

Jul 19

Jul 19 Mike Parker: Students will return to school in August – sort of

When Gov. Roy Cooper announced at his press conference Tuesday that North Carolina will reopen schools with both in-person and remote education, the in-person option is perhaps the most difficult to achieve. Possible plans the governor earlier outlined were:

Jul 16

Jul 16 Leon Steele: Did you know? Part 6

Local News, Columns

Did you know that despite the possibility that we may not enjoy any Summerfest concerts this year the Pride team is moving ahead with Christmas plans? It takes months to plan a parade as well as the lights at Pearson Park.

Jul 15

Jul 15 Reece Gardner: Will schools open this Fall?

There are signs that seem to indicate that a significant number of our K-12 schools will open this Fall. National Education Secretary Betty DeVos stated this week that she expects schools to be "fully operational" for the upcoming 2020 term.

Jul 13

Jul 13 Mike Parker: Looking through a ‘window’ into the past

When I visited my mother recently, she gave me a photograph of a good-sized group of her family members. I picked out my granddaddy with ease, even though he was probably somewhere in this mid-30’s at this time.

Jul 12

Jul 12 The CARES Act 2020 RMD waiver: What you need to know

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), signed into law on March 27, 2020, includes provisions that temporarily relax several key retirement account rules. One of these provisions is a waiver of required minimum distributions (RMDs) in 2020. Here’s what you need to know.

Jul 11

Jul 11 Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Healthy fresh local seafood

Tammy Kelly