Governor Cooper signs house bill 531 into law.
All in Politics
Governor Cooper Proclaims October as Disability Employment Awareness Month
Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed October as Disability Employment Awareness Month, stressing the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
New laws protect visitation rights for nursing home residents and clergy
Two new laws in North Carolina will protect visitation and religious rights for patients and long-term care residents during emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Governor Cooper encourages faith leaders to help strengthen community vaccination efforts
Faith leaders from all religious backgrounds can be trusted figures in their communities. Their word can go a long way in encouraging people to talk with doctors and understand that these vaccines are safe and effective. The NC DHHS Healthier Together team is working with houses of worship to sponsor their own vaccine clinics.
BJ Murphy: LCPS Chairman Bruce Hill Admonishes Parents for Contacting Him
At the September 13th Lenoir County Public Schools board meeting, Chairman Bruce Hill admonished the public on when it’s appropriate to contact a school board member. He cited a chain of command, the need to go straight to the source, and emphasized the school board’s primary goal is to be policymakers. However, Mr. Hill seemingly chastises parents, guardians, and stakeholders for attempting in any type of way to hold school board members accountable. In an eye-opening statement, Mr. Hill says about the school board, “[we] aren’t as versed in education” and “we as board members we don’t know what goes on at the schools.”
Two candidates enter the Lenoir County Sheriff's race
With more than a year before mid-term elections, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s race is already heating up. Jackie Rogers announced his candidacy for Lenoir County Sheriff via a press release and posts on Facebook Monday evening. Neuse News reached out to Sheriff Ronnie T. Ingram and confirmed his intent to run in the 2022 mid-term election.
In 2018 Ingram ran unopposed, therefore the November 1, 2022 general election will present the community with a competitive race.
Treasurer Folwell Praises 38 Entities for Moving from Stress to Success
In a sweeping success story for local governments around the state, the Local Government Commission (LGC) has removed 38 entities from its Unit Assistance List (UAL), a monitoring device that flags and tracks local governments and public authorities battling financial and governance challenges.
Social Security Board of Trustees: Combined trust funds projected depletion one year sooner than last year
The Social Security Board of Trustees today released its annual report on the long-term financial status of the Social Security Trust Funds. The combined asset reserves of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance (OASI and DI) Trust Funds are projected to become depleted in 2034, one year earlier than projected last year, with 78 percent of benefits payable at that time.
Governor Cooper signs criminal justice reform bills into law
Governor Roy Cooper signed three criminal justice reform bills into law today, House Bill 436: Support Law Enforcement Mental Health, House Bill 536: Law Enforcement Duty to Intervene and Senate Bill 300: Criminal Justice Reform. These bills align with recommendations of the Governor’s Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice (TREC).
Governor Cooper signs executive order expanding access to Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for COVID-19
Governor Roy Cooper signed an Executive Order to make it easier for North Carolinians to access treatment for COVID-19. The Executive Order authorizes and directs State Health Director, Dr. Betsey Tilson, to issue a statewide standing order to expand access to monoclonal antibody treatment, which if taken early can decrease the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death. The Order will be in effect through November 30, 2021.
Lenoir County Quickly Resolves Finance-Related Issues of Concern
Lenoir County quickly resolved a number of finance and bookkeeping issues, prompting the Local Government Commission (LGC) to remove the county from a state list for government entities battling financial and governance issues.
Mayor of Pink Hill passes away Friday morning
The Town of Pink Hill is in mourning at the loss of its mayor, Carol Sykes. Sykes has served as mayor of Pink Hill since 2009.
“I've known Mayor Sykes and her family for many years,” said Rep. Chris Humphrey. “She and her husband raised two super-smart daughters in Pink Hill. She was kind but firm. You didn't have to question where she stood on an issue. If she was your friend, she would help you in any way possible.”
North Carolina politicians respond to the events in Afghanistan
Politicians throughout North Carolina have responded to the events that unfolded on August 26, 2021, in Afghanistan that left 13 US service members dead and 18 injured. President Joe Biden addressed the nation in a televised response.
Reece Gardner: Words of wisdom from our 40th President: Reagan
It was heartbreaking this week to see videos of hundreds of people - men, women and children - in Afghanistan risking their lives trying to get onto a U.S. jet that was moving toward takeoff Some of them continued to try to hang on even as the plane began to ascend. Now there are droves of people - Many of them Americans sleeping in orchards and opium fields, moving from house to house just trying to stay alive. Freedom is a precious commodity, and we still have it here in America, but the events in Afghanistan should remind us that we can't take this freedom for granted.
Greene County Clerk Of Superior Court Announces Retirement
The Honorable Sandra E. Beaman, Greene County Clerk of Superior Court, has announced that she will retire on September 30, 2021. Beaman has served as the elected Clerk of Superior Court for Greene County since November 2014.
Where Kinston's Mayoral candidates stand on vaccine mandates
Vaccine mandates have made headlines as cities and municipalities strive to combat the recent spike in COVID-19 cases. In recent news, as reported by WITN, City of Kinston Mayor Dontario Hardy gave his thoughts on if he would consider a vaccine mandate if COVID-19 cases continued rising. The other candidates, Mayor Pro Tem Felicia Solomon, Zac Holcomb, and Jeff Warren have also weighed in on vaccine mandates.
Senator Perry chosen as budget negotiator
The North Carolina General Assembly has completed another phase of the multi-step budget process for the 2021 - 2022 biennium. The NC Senate and NC House have both offered budget options for the next biennium.
Governor Cooper provides update on State’s pandemic trends, encourages vaccination
Today, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. provided an update on the state’s COVID-19 key metrics and trends. A representative from Live Nation Entertainment, Jeannine Beson, joined to share information on the company’s updated vaccination policies for concerts in North Carolina and their mission for keeping concert-goers safe. Additionally, the winners of the of the state’s final Your Shot at A Million Summer Cash Drawing and Summer Cash 4 College drawing winners were announced.
Governor Roy Cooper tours the Neuse Regional Library
Governor Roy Cooper visited the Neuse Regional Library to explore bridging the digital divide and bringing Internet access to more people through its programs. In addition to the Neuse Regional Library, Cooper also visited the Lenoir County Health Department to encourage vaccine use.
Governor Cooper visits Lenoir County Health Department to encourage more North Carolinians to get their lifesaving vaccine
Today, Governor Roy Cooper visited a vaccine clinic at the Lenoir County Health Department to encourage more North Carolinians get their COVID-19 shot.