Today, Senator Jim Perry joined us to discuss his frustration with the unemployment system, to chat about the mask or no mask debate, Governor Cooper's Phase 1 implementation, COVID-19 testing in NC and more.
All in Coronavirus
Governor Cooper: Phase 1 is a careful, modest step to re-igniting our economy
Governor Roy Cooper stated in today’s press conference, “We still need to keep certain businesses closed or limited during this phase. Public health experts have explained that any place people sit or stand still for more than 10 minutes, especially indoors, greatly increases the risk of spreading this virus.”
Greene County confirms first COVID-19 death
The Greene County Department of Public Health is reporting the first death in the county of a resident who had tested positive for COVID-19.
Dr. Pradeep: Mask or No Mask?
Dr. Pradeep joined our Coronavirus Chat and tackled topics such as:
Mask or No Mask?
Death Certificate process and its impact on COVID-19 deaths
Gov. Cooper's Phase 1 Implementation Friday at 5pm
Trends with COVID-19 statistics
Lenoir County Board of Commissioners letter to Governor Cooper
Senator Brown’s district to receive $3,873,766 in COVID-19 relief funds
Sen. Harry Brown’s district will receive $3,873,766 to cover immediate expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
John Hood: Numbers missing from lockdown debate
To put it simply, most people infected by the virus never get sick at all or present only mild symptoms. Protocol doesn’t subject them to testing. Indeed, most infected people wouldn’t even bother to seek it. So, how many North Carolinians truly are infected? We need to think more broadly. According to University of Chicago professor Casey Mulligan, a rough estimate of the cost of the current lockdowns nationwide is about $20 billion a day in lost economic production. On a proportional basis, that would translate to $540 million per day in North Carolina.
Three graduating seniors write, record song of encouragement for classmates
Three members of the Class of 2020 at South Lenoir High School have teamed up to write and record a song that speaks to seniors everywhere who are seeing long-awaited last-year traditions roiled by a global pandemic.
Lenoir County Government Lenoir County joins neighbors to petition Gov. Cooper to ‘reopen our local county economies’ Press Release May 7, 2
This week, the Lenoir County Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed to join seven other Governing Boards in Central Eastern North Carolina to request that Gov. Roy Cooper repeal Executive Order 135, known as the “Stay at Home Order.”
Local man gets married via livestream during COVID-19 pandemic
When Robert and Tierney Daigle planned their wedding for April 24, 2020, they didn’t expect to be saying their vows in front of a camera live-streaming to YouTube, but the development of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a change of plans for the couple.
Chief Justice Beasley extends emergency directives until May 30
Chief Justice Cheri Beasley has issued an order to extend the effect of previously issued emergency directives until May 30, 2020. On April 2, the Chief Justice entered an order containing seven emergency directives that postponed most in-person court hearings until June 1, broadened the court system’s ability to use technology and stopped driver’s license suspensions for nonpayment of court fines. The latest order extends the effect of those directives through the month of May.
LCPS 2020-2021 School Year Calendar Changes
“The N.C. General Assembly, in legislation approved this past weekend and signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday, set opening day of the 2020-2021 school year as August 17, a week earlier than usual,” said LCPS Patrick Holmes. “District administrators will use that guidance to produce a revised calendar for the next school year during May and plan to present that calendar to the Lenoir County Board of Education at its June meeting.”
Governor Cooper: We can't stay in our homes forever
In a press conference today, Governor Roy Cooper stated, “Because the combination of our indicators tell us that our trends are mostly decreasing or leveling, I have signed an Executive Order to move North Carolina into Phase 1 of easing restrictions. This order begins this Friday, May 8, at 5 pm. Phase 1 removes the designations of essential and non-essential businesses. Retail stores can increase to 50 percent capacity as long as they implement social distancing. The order allows people to leave home to visit open businesses and it encourages parks and trails to re-open. Businesses that were specifically closed in the last order will remain closed such as salons, barbers, theaters, bars, gyms and pools. Restaurants will continue to be open for takeout or delivery only. These businesses will have the opportunity to open and do more in Phase 2.”
Senator Perry and Representative Humphrey announce passage of COVID-19 relief package
Senator Jim Perry and Representative Chris Humphrey joined their colleagues in unanimously approving two COVID-19 response packages, including over $1.5 billion in much-needed relief for families, students, workers, businesses and hospitals to help deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
Mike Parker: During the COVID-19 confusion, please do not forget to complete the Census
I should have written this column about two months ago. Like most of us, I have been distracted. Today’s subject is crucial to our local, state and national government. The census still contains a few questions I think are unnecessary. For instance, I am not sure what questions about ethnicity or marital status have to do with apportioning representation in the U.S. House, but I answered those anyway.
Gov. Cooper signs two COVID-19 relief bills into law
Gov. Roy Cooper signed two relief bills into law on Monday, May 4, that will provide assistance to the state as it deals with COVID-19. The two bills, House Bill 1043 and Senate Bill 704, include almost $1.6 billion in relief measures related to public health and safety, education, small business assistance and state government operations.
NCDMV License and Registration expiration dates extended 5 months
To assist N.C. Division of Motor Vehicle customers and partners in dealing with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, a provision included in the COVID-19 bill signed into law today by Governor Cooper grants a five-month extension of the expiration date on more than two dozen DMV credentials.
Golden LEAF receives $125M in funding to support NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program
Today, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors took action in response to House Bill 1043. The bill includes $125 million to provide grants to entities for the purpose of making loans to assist small businesses affected by the economic impact of COVID-19. Effective today, loans made from the program to small businesses will include a limit on the number of employees per business, a minimum interest rate for the first six months of the loan term, and an increased time for repayment.
22 Lab-Confirmed Positive COVID-19 cases in Greene
Twenty-two cases of COVID-19 have now been confirmed in Greene County. The Greene County Department of Public Health received notification of 4 lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive cases throughout the weekend. Out of the 22 lab-confirmed positive cases, 15 of the individuals have recovered, are doing well, and are out of isolation. The Greene County Department of Public Health is currently monitoring six individuals and the other individual is hospitalized.
Community parade honors veterans at NC State Veterans Home
Our community shows veterans at the NC State Veterans Home how much we love them with a parade of thanks.
Drive-thru food distribution a huge success
Kinston Teens and City of Kinston crisis relief drive-thru food distribution at the Kinston Community Center sponsored by Mount Carmel H.E.L.P.S. Disaster Relief Team with support from Groundbreakers Global Ministries and Hands for Humanity Community Development.