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 Politics
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.
May 3-9 is Hurricane Preparedness Week
Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed May 3-9 Hurricane Preparedness Week in North Carolina and reminded residents that now is the time to prepare for the 2020 hurricane season. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.
Mario White appointed District Court Judge serving Jones County
On Friday, May 1 Governor Roy Cooper appointed three judges to serve Brunswick, Cumberland and Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties. Mario White will serve as a District Court Judge in Judicial District 4, which serves Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties.
Murphy pleased elective surgeries may resume in North Carolina
Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) released the following statement after Governor Roy Cooper announced elective surgeries may resume effective immediately in the state of North Carolina.
Governor Cooper: Optimistic for Phase 1 implementation next week
“Last week we shared details on key indicators we’re watching to ensure data and facts guide our decisions. Those graphs are updated daily on the Case Count Dashboard at http://nc.gov/covid19. We remain optimistic the trends will be stable enough to move us into Phase 1 next week.”
State auditor releases Greene County investigative report
State Auditor Beth Wood released a Greene County investigative report with three findings:
The County Manager failed to demonstrate a commitment to integrity and ethical values by requesting that a vendor alter an invoice date.
The County failed to properly maintain its financial records and prepare its financial statements timely.
County employees spent more than $95,000 on credit card purchases without adequate documentation
NAACP sues Lenoir County over election equipment
With the election in November on the horizon, whether Lenoir County residents will use the ExpressVote machines will be up for the courts to decide as the NC NAACP has filed suit against many counties, including Lenoir County. The current Chair of the Lenoir County Board of Elections, Courtney Patterson, is also an Executive Committee member of the NC NAACP, the organization bringing forth the lawsuit.
Governor Cooper: "We are enacting our battle plan"
Today, Governor Roy Cooper held a press conference where he discussed the phases he rolled out recently, the National Guard deployment in our state, NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 500 race possibility on Memorial Day Weekend and his response to a question regarding Reopen NC.
Cooper proposes $1.4 billion COVID-19 relief package using federal funds
Governor Cooper released a recommended budget plan to invest $1.4 billion in emergency funds to help North Carolina respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding for this proposal would come predominantly from the state’s share of the federal CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) and would be appropriated by the North Carolina General Assembly in its upcoming session.
Local representatives react to Cooper's COVID-19 plans
Local representatives expressed concern over economic impacts of continued economic shutdown.
Watch Reopen NC founder chat with Neuse News
REOPEN NC Founder Ashley Smith chats with Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy on yesterday's Coronavirus Chat. We discussed her qualifications to lead the group, their communication with Governor Cooper's office this week, what their group's goals are and more.
Governor Cooper extends Stay at Home Order until May 8th
On Thursday afternoon, Governor Cooper announced that he is extending the Stay at Home order until May 8th. Gov. Cooper also unveiled a three-phased plan to get to a new normal. A decision on schools will be announced on Friday.
Governor Cooper expected to unveil reopening NC plan this afternoon
Gov. Cooper and members of the Coronavirus Task Force will hold a briefing on COVID-19 updates at 3:00 pm today. Cooper is expected to unveil his plans to phase in reopening NC. Earlier this week he said that he would also discuss schools later in the week. At 4:00 pm today, Neuse News will interview Ashley Smith, founder of the Reopen NC Facebook Group, which held a large protest in Raleigh on Tuesday.
Lt. Gov. Dan Forest joins our Coronavirus Chat broadcast
Today we welcomed Lt. Governor Dan Forest on Coronavirus Chat with Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy. We discussed our healthcare system, the status of PPE's and testing, how to Reopen NC, what about going back to school, and more.