North Carolina minority and women-owned businesses hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic will have access to guidance and $12 million in grants to help them weather the crisis, Governor Roy Cooper announced this week.
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Candidate Interview - Dr. Donna Lake
Dr. Donna Lake joins Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy to discuss today's issues ahead of the General Election. Dr. Lake is running for the District 7 seat in the NC Senate representing Lenoir and Wayne County. Topics discussed include Voter ID, reopening NC schools, rural broadband internet access, COVID-19's impact on the state budget and more.
Candidate Interview - Sen. Jim Perry
Senator Jim Perry joins Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy to discuss today's issues ahead of the General Election. Sen. Perry is running to retain the District 7 seat in the NC Senate representing Lenoir and Wayne County. Topics discussed include Voter ID, reopening NC schools, rural broadband internet access, COVID-19's impact on the state budget and more.
North Carolina Court System launches free, online document preparation tool
With free, 24/7 online access and easy-to-understand interview questions, Guide & File will eliminate barriers and simplify the legal process, particularly for the hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians who come to court without an attorney every year.
Gov. Cooper Op-Ed: The path to a stronger, healthier future for North Carolina
This pandemic has affected every corner of our state, including our state budget needs. For many families, it has also shifted their priorities. Last week, I proposed a budget that tackles the challenges we’re facing today while building for the promise of tomorrow. We can emerge from this crisis even stronger than before if we invest wisely.
Gov. Cooper: Gyms can open, bars remained closed in NC Phase 2.5 to begin Friday
Governor Roy Cooper today announced that after a summer of hard work to slow the spread of COVID-19, North Carolina will take a modest step forward move into Phase 2.5 starting this Friday, September 4th at 5pm. Mask mandates and other prevention methods remain in effect and are even more important to contain the virus, Cooper said.
Governor Cooper announces more than $12 million to expand internet access
People living and working in 11 rural counties will get expanded high-speed internet service thanks to more than $12 million in grants awarded by Governor Roy Cooper’s administration. Governor Cooper, along with the NC Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) and its Broadband Infrastructure Office (BIO), announced today the award of the 2019-2020 Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grant and COVID-19 Recovery Act funding.
NC News: Governor Roy Cooper signs Executive Order to improve fair hiring practices at North Carolina state agencies
Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order 158 to implement fair chance policies at state agencies to increase employment opportunities for people with criminal records. The Order is effective immediately and will be implemented by November 1, 2020.
NC Chamber needs help finding the “Coolest thing made in NC?”
Today, the NC Chamber launched a statewide, public-driven online contest seeking the “Coolest Thing Made in NC” to celebrate North Carolina’s cutting-edge manufacturing industry, which generates more than 18% of the gross state product and employs more than 10% of the state's workforce.
New grant program accepting applications to help businesses and nonprofits hurt by COVID-19
Businesses and nonprofit organizations in North Carolina that have experienced interruption due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic could qualify for up to $250,000 from a new state grant program, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The Department of Commerce is now accepting applications for the Job Retention Grant Program (JRG) through the agency’s website.
Lt. Governor Dan Forest hosted ice cream social campaign event in Ayden
Republican nominee for North Carolina Governor Lt. Governor Dan Forest hosted an ice cream social campaign event at Simply Natural Creamery & Jersey Farm in Ayden, North Carolina.
Mark Pope returns to Kinston as Global TransPark's Economic Development Director
The North Carolina Global TransPark Authority has hired Mark Pope to be its economic development director, effective July 15. In July 2018, Pope resigned as Lenoir County Economic Development executive director to become the Director and President of the Wayne County Economic Development Alliance.
NC News: North Carolina has first reported SARS-CoV-2 positive case in dog
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has received its first reported case of a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positive dog in North Carolina. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans. On Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, at approximately 6:00 p.m., a client arrived at the NC State Veterinary Hospital with their dog who was demonstrating signs of respiratory distress with onset earlier that day. The dog, unfortunately, succumbed to its acute illness. The client alerted staff that a member of the family had previously tested positive for COVID-19 and later was tested negative.
NC News: State Fair canceled for 2020
After careful consideration and due to the continued uncertainty of conditions come October, the N.C. State Fair will not be held in 2020. The fair was scheduled to take place Oct. 15 through 25.
NC News: State's adjusted June unemployment rate decreases 5.2 points from May’s revised rate
The state’s seasonally adjusted June unemployment rate was 7.6 percent, decreasing 5.2 points from May’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 2.2 percentage points to 11.1 percent.
NC News: NCDHHS launches testing initiative for nursing homes
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) will partner with Omnicare, a CVS Health company, to make facility-wide testing available to residents and staff in all North Carolina skilled nursing facilities.
John Hood: Progressive politicians hurt downtowns
Conventional wisdom has it that progressives champion urbanity and conservatives disdain it. There’s some truth to that. Progressives are far more likely than conservatives to prefer walkable, high-density communities over auto-dependent, detached-dwelling neighborhoods.
Maintain your Independence: Drive sober or get pulled over
The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program has a new weapon in its arsenal in the war against impaired driving during the Independence Day holiday – window chalk.
NC News: Celebrate safely this 4th of July - State Fire Marshal Mike Causey urges residents to attend public fireworks shows
The 4th of July is synonymous with barbecues, parades and fireworks. However, this year, many Independence Day celebrations could look differently due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Cooper vetoes 2nd Amendment Protection Act
Raleigh, N.C. – Most North Carolina churches can choose to allow handguns on their private property today. Due to a loophole in the law, churches who also operate private schools get lumped into the definition of a “school” even on weekends, and they lose that right. House Bill 652 applied to non public schools only and provided a technical correction clarifying that a church caught in this situation could allow handguns on their property during non school hours, if they chose to do so. Governor Cooper vetoed this legislation on July 2nd.