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.
All in Politics
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.
Candidate Interview - Dr. Virginia Cox-Daugherty
Virginia Cox-Daugherty joins Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy to discuss today's issues ahead of the General Election. Dr. Cox-Daugherty is running for the District 12 seat in the NC House. Topics discussed include Voter ID, reopening NC schools, rural broadband internet access, COVID-19's impact on the state budget and more.
Candidate Interview - Rep. Chris Humphrey
Rep. Chris Humphrey joins Neuse News Publisher BJ Murphy to discuss today's issues. Rep. Humphrey is running to retain his seat in the NC House. Topics discussed include Voter ID, reopening NC schools, rural broadband internet access, COVID-19's impact on the state budget and more.
NC News: State unemployment rate drops to 6.5 percent, within 3 points of 2019's rate
Raleigh - According to a press release from the NC Department of Commerce, the state’s seasonally adjusted August unemployment rate was 6.5 percent, decreasing 2.0 percentage points from July’s revised rate. The national rate decreased by 1.8 percentage points to 8.4 percent. North Carolina’s August 2020 unemployment rate increased 2.7 percentage points from a year ago.
Letter to the editor: BLM - The organization is not what you think
“In the wake of several high-profile killings of black people by police, the Black Lives Matter Organization (BLM) has taken the world by storm in 2020. You can’t turn on the TV, watch sports, attend a meeting, or drive down the street without encountering BLM in every facet of society. I agree with the statement and belief that black lives matter, but I will never support the BLM organization. You may be shocked to find out what the organization is truly based upon, and I seek to inform fellow Americans, not to enflame, so hear me out.” - Seth Hobbs, Kinston
State employees can get paid leave to help during upcoming elections
State employees can use up to three days (24 hours) of paid time off to volunteer with their County Board of Elections to help with this fall’s elections, the Office of State Human Resources announced today.
Senator Harry Brown's term coming to an end with no regrets
North Carolina Senator Harry Brown has been a member of the North Carolina State Senate since 2004 and became the Senate Majority Leader in 2011. His current term ends on December 31, 2020. As a small business owner who grew up in Jones County but worked in Onslow County, Brown’s initial motivation for running for office was to help other small businesses in his district and in the state.
Write-in candidates host education town hall meeting
Lenoir County School Board Write-In candidates Michelle Cash and Nancy Gilmore held an education town hall meeting at The Exchange in Kinston on Tuesday evening. The forum provided parents and teachers the opportunity to meet the candidates, ask questions, and voice concerns about the current state of Lenoir County Public Schools.
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.
NC House race features PAC money, cease and desist letters
In early August, Ward and Smith, PA sent a cease and desist letter to Wallace & Nordan LLP on behalf of Representative Chris Humphrey and the Chris Humphrey Campaign Committee. The letter was in response to a political advertisement sent out by the Conservation Votes PAC. Upon receiving the cease and desist demand, the Conservation Votes PAC declined the request.
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.
BJ Murphy: North Carolina - Trump and Cooper’s Races to Lose
While reporters and TV talking heads continue to refer to North Carolina as a swing state, they are largely mistaken. We do not “swing” between Republicans and Democrats for president and governor much to the media’s chagrin. Our selection of US Senators, however, would qualify for that designation. The reality is that NC tends to vote for Republican presidents, Democratic governors, and flip flops on US Senators.
Reece Gardner: Force required to end rioting
There is probably only one way the violent rioters in Portland are going to stop their war against the city, and that will be when they are confronted by massive force. That actually might be close to happening.
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.
State and local leaders honor Kinston centenarian
Senator Thom Tillis’s representative Adam Caldwell, Commissioner J. Mac Daughety and Rep. Chris Humphrey presented a flag from the U.S. Capitol to Mrs. Hazel Bradshaw Sult for her 100th birthday.
Local representatives unsure how remote learning could impact public school funding
August 17 marked the first day of school for most students in North Carolina. Public school systems across the state have implemented remote learning, with some planning to rely on it for longer than others. The transition from face to face education to remote learning has some asking about the impact of remote learning to school funding which can be based on attendance.
Thomas Taft Jr. reappointed to state board of transportation representing Lenoir, Jones and Greene
Thomas Taft Jr. has been reappointed as a member of the N.C. Board of Transportation.
He was reappointed this week by Gov. Roy Cooper and will represent Division 2, which is comprised of Beaufort, Carteret, Craven, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Pamlico and Pitt counties. He originally joined the Board of Transportation in 2018 as an at-large environmental member.
Congressman Murphy says Sanderson Farms "a perfect example" of COVID efforts
Congressman Gregory Murphy M.D., the representative for North Carolina’s 3rd congressional district, along with State Representative Chris Humphrey, State Senator Jim Perry, and County Commissioner J. Mac Daughety, toured the Sanderson Farms facility and observed the policies and procedures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.