All in NC News

NCDHHS Reports First Identified Case of B.1.1.7 COVID-19 Variant in NC

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first identification in a North Carolina resident of the COVID-19 variant called B.1.1.7, which was first detected in the United Kingdom in December. The B.1.1.7 variant was identified in a sample from an adult in Mecklenburg County processed by Mako Medical Laboratories. To protect the privacy of the individual, no further information will be released.

Governor Cooper sworn in for second term

On Saturday, Governor Roy Cooper was sworn in for his second term as North Carolina’s Governor. Members of North Carolina’s Council of State also took the oath of office. The theme of the Inaugural ceremony was North Carolina: Strong, Resilient, Ready, and due to the ongoing pandemic, the ceremony was altered to follow COVID-19 safety protocols.

Governor Cooper Op Ed - North Carolina: Strong, resilient, ready

Transitions are a time for reflection, and a time for looking forward. My first term in this office was filled with triumphs, but also trials. First, the triumphs. Historic progress to make our state more inclusive and our environment cleaner. Record jobs announcements in rural and urban parts of our state that provided rewarding work to our people. Unrelenting efforts to make health care more accessible and public schools stronger.

Food and Nutrition services recipients to receive a temporary 15% increase in benefits

RALEIGH — Today, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced that Food and Nutrition Services recipients will see a temporary increase in the amount of benefits they receive. This increase is part of the federal Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020. The maximum benefit amount for households receiving FNS will increase by 15% until June 30, 2021. This increase will end on June 30, 2021, when benefit amounts will return to their current levels.

SHP working to keep drivers safe during the Holidays

Last year, troopers responded to 2,970 collisions between the dates of Dec. 24 through Jan. 2. Among those collisions, 745 were injury related and 27 resulted in a fatality. This year, the SHP hopes to decrease the number of collisions during the same time frame by focusing on violations such as excessive speeding, reckless driving, following too close and impaired driving.

Governor Cooper announces $30 million to expand internet access in rural areas

Nearly $30 million will go to fund 18 broadband infrastructure projects with a goal of connecting 15,965 households and 703 businesses in rural North Carolina to high-speed internet, Governor Cooper announced Thursday. The grants are part of the 2020 Special Supplementary Round of the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) Grant program and will be distributed through the N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) Broadband Infrastructure Office (BIO).

State and local leaders are not in agreement with Governor Cooper’s latest mandate

Governor Roy Cooper announced a modified Stay-At-Home order as of 5:00 pm on Friday to slow the spread of COVID-19. US Congressman Dr. Greg Murphy, NC Senator Jim Perry and NC Representative Chris Humphrey all react to Governor Cooper’s curfew. The order requires businesses to remain closed from 10:00 pm until 5:00 am. and shortens the timeframe on-site alcohol can be sold to 9:00 pm, from the previous order of 11:00 pm.

Court of Appeals overturns Voter ID decision

On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reversed a lower-court decision to enjoin North Carolina’s voter ID law and constitutional amendment. "Now that a federal appeals court has approved North Carolina's voter ID law and constitutional amendment, they must be implemented for the next election cycle in our state," NC House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said.

N.C. Political News under new ownership

Magic Mile Media, Inc., parent company of Neuse News, has assumed ownership of NCPoliticalNews.com effective December 1, 2020. Frank Williams, a public relations professional who has been involved in North Carolina’s political process for over 25 years, founded N.C. Political News in early 2013. BJ Murphy, president of Magic Mile Media and publisher of Neuse News, will assume publisher duties for NCPoliticalNews.com.

NCDHHS to provide automatic payment to thousands of seniors and people with disabilities to help with winter heating bills

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced it will issue an automated payment to thousands of eligible households to help with winter heating expenses via the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. The automated payment will be issued beginning Dec. 1 and is designed to help eligible seniors and people with disabilities access winter heating assistance in a safe and socially distanced manner during the COVID-19 pandemic.