Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed Aug. 16–20, 2021, as Rural Broadband Week to call attention to the urgent need to improve broadband access and adoption across our state.
All in Politics
Gov. Cooper, state health leaders urge some schools to revisit decisions and fully implement health protections
Today, Governor Roy Cooper, NC DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen and State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson sent a letter to school boards that have failed to adopt the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit urging them to protect their students and staff in the new school year.
Rep. Humphrey helps secure local funding in NC House Budget
Earlier today, the 2021 Appropriations Act was passed out of the North Carolina House of Representatives with bipartisan support. In addition to pay raises for teachers and state employee, state employee retiree supplement bonuses, investments in agriculture, and funding for infrastructure improvements, S105 also includes several line items that will impact Eastern North Carolina.
John Hood: Lawmakers embrace capital idea
North Carolina’s state government has a multi-billion-dollar surplus. Its enormity has multiple causes: past spending discipline, revenue growth from a resurgent economy, and gobs of borrowed federal money. Its enormity also presents North Carolina’s conservative-run legislature with a challenge.
Congressman Ted Budd visits Pink Hill on campaign trail
Congressman Ted Budd, representing North Carolina’s 13th District, came to Pink Hill to a campaign reception. Budd is running as a candidate for the US Senate.
Governor Cooper announces third COVID-19 cash drawing winner and highlights HOPE program for rental and utility assistance
Today, amid higher COVID-19 numbers statewide, Governor Roy Cooper again urged North Carolinians to get vaccinated. He also announced the third winner of North Carolina’s Your Shot at $1 Million Summer Cash Drawing. Winston-Salem resident and incoming Fayetteville State University freshman Audrey Chavous received the $1 million prize as part of the cash drawing that includes North Carolinians 18 and over who have received a COVID-19 vaccine.
North Carolina's June county and area employment figures released
Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in June and decreased in one. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.4 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 3.7 percent. All fifteen of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 7.1 percent while Durham-Chapel Hill had the lowest at 4.1 percent. The June not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 4.9 percent.
North Carolina Updates StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit
Today, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. shared updated public health guidance for K-12 schools to follow in the upcoming school year.
Recusal dispute at City Council meeting over property transfer to Kinston Teens
At the City Council meeting on July 20, 2021, the council voted 3-1 to transfer eight properties from the City of Kinston to Kinston Teens, a youth-led nonprofit organization. City Councilmember Sammy Aiken disputed Councilmember Kristal Suggs’ ability to vote as she is the Kinston Teens Chairperson. “I have consulted with Councilwoman Suggs with her roles with the Kinston Teens and whether it was appropriate for her to be excused from voting. In my opinion, she is obligated to vote,” said City Attorney James P. Cauley, III.
The race is on, Kinston Mayoral Race features four candidates
The Kinston Mayoral race has four candidates including incumbent Mayor Dontario Hardy, current Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon, Jeffery Warren, and Zac Holcomb.
Op-Ed: Rep. Chris Humphrey - House Bill 500, The Disaster Relief and Mitigation Act of 2021
Representative Chris Humphrey (R-Lenoir, Pitt) writes, “I’m proud of the work being done in North Carolina to prepare for disaster mitigation and flooding. The Emma Webb Park Project displays the best of Kinston - with many concerned citizens and young people volunteering their time to improve the community around them. As we approach the height of hurricane season, I hope all of us take time to prepare for inclement weather before storm clouds arrive.”
Updated: 2021 Election Filing for Lenoir, Jones, and Greene County
In Lenoir, Jones, and Greene county there are multiple seats open in the 2021 election. The dates to file for candidacy are July 2, 2021, at 12:00 pm through July 16, 2021, at 12:00 pm.
Senator Perry secures funds in state budget
The North Carolina General Assembly completed the first step of a multi step budget process when the NC Senate prepared the first draft of a budget for the 2021 - 2022 biennium. In the next step, the House of Representatives will make changes and send the document back to the Senate.
Updated: 2021 Election Filing for Lenoir, Jones, and Greene County
In Lenoir, Jones, and Greene county there are multiple seats open in the 2021 election. The dates to file for candidacy are July 2, 2021, at 12:00 pm through July 16, 2021, at 12:00 pm.
Health officials encourage parents to get preteens and teens up to date on immunizations
Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed July Adolescent Immunization Awareness Month to highlight the importance of immunizations for North Carolina’s preteens and teens. As teachers, parents and students are preparing for the start of the 2021-22 school year, public health officials remind parents and guardians to ensure their teens and preteens are current on all their vaccinations and encourage health care providers to take steps to ensure their young patients are up to date.
BJ Murphy: If not you, who?
I am more concerned about the next four years for Kinston today than I was four years ago.
The impasses we face with the City of Kinston pose significant challenges for our community’s future, and we need leaders to step up at a time such as this. The mayor’s seat and two councilmembers’ seats are up for grabs, and the $10 filing fee period ends on Friday, July 16th at 12:00 pm.
Now is not the time to complain. Now is not the time to critique. Instead, if you feel led to run or compelled to serve your community greater than your role today, here is your opportunity to influence or shape the change you desire.
Early filers for upcoming 2021 Election
In Lenoir, Jones, and Greene county there are multiple seats open in the 2021 election. The dates to file for candidacy are July 2, 2021, at 12:00 pm through July 16, 2021, at 12:00 pm.
Reece Gardner: The filibuster has failed
The gigantic effort in the U.S. Senate to end the Filibuster has failed. Republican Senators were unanimous in their pro-Filibuster stance, and they were joined by two Democrat Senators, Joe Manchin (WV) and Kyrsten Sinema(Ariz). Also. Senator Angus King (I-ME) has said he will stand behind keeping the Filibuster.
Treasurer Folwell announces NC's State Pension Plan hits a record $121 billion
NC Treasurer Dale Folwell in an exclusive interview with Neuse News announced the North Carolina State Pension Plan has hit a record $121 billion. It’s one of the largest pools of public money in the world and covers more than 950,000 members.
Governor Cooper announces grants to rural communities to attract 294 new jobs and more than $103 million in private investment
A $120,000 grant will support demolition and repair work related to the renovation of a vacant, 255,000-square-foot building in Kinston, where Crown Equipment is expanding its operations. The company manufactures a line of high-quality lift trucks, including electric and internal-combustion models. The overall project is expected to create more than 130 jobs and represents an investment of $13.2 million by the company, while 16 of those jobs are tied to this grant.