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Friday Forward News Roundup

Rep. Edwards Debunks FEMA Rumors Following Hurricane Helene

Rep. Chuck Edwards addressed multiple rumors about FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene, debunking conspiracy theories such as geoengineering the hurricane and FEMA seizing property. He clarified that FEMA has sufficient funding for disaster relief, does not confiscate donations, and that disaster survivors receive initial $750 payments as part of broader financial assistance. Edwards and other officials, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, emphasized the harm caused by misinformation circulating on social media, urging people to fact-check claims from reputable sources. (Carolina Journal)


Early Voting on Track in Hurricane Helene-Damaged Counties

Despite Hurricane Helene's devastation, 75 out of 80 planned early voting sites in western North Carolina counties will open as scheduled on Oct. 17, according to State Elections Director Karen Brinson Bell. The state has approved new rules to help displaced residents vote and relocate polling places in the 25 affected counties. Officials will survey hundreds of polling places to ensure as many as possible can open by Election Day. Voters can find polling information on the state Board of Elections Voter Search page. (NC Newsline)


North Carolina Passes $273 Million Hurricane Helene Relief Package

Governor Roy Cooper signed a $273 million relief package to address the immediate needs from Hurricane Helene, focusing on disaster assistance, school employee pay, and election administration. Nearly all funds will cover the state’s match for federal disaster programs. New election rules allow absentee ballots to be requested until the day before Election Day in the 25 hardest-hit counties, impacting 1.3 million voters. The state is preparing alternative voting locations like tents and trailers for damaged polling sites, and future recovery legislation is expected. (WRAL)


North Carolina Treasurer Candidates Debate Pension Fund Management and State Health Plan

Republican Brad Briner and Democrat Wesley Harris, candidates for North Carolina’s state treasurer, debated at Greensboro College, discussing the management of the state’s health plan, pension fund, and taxpayer dollars. Briner emphasized reducing liabilities and growing investments, while Harris advocated for an economic policy focus and a more active role for the treasurer in supporting state employees. Both candidates critiqued the current pension plan’s investment approach, with Harris favoring more stock market investment and Briner suggesting assets like mortgages. They also addressed the financial strain of the State Health Plan and stressed the need for reforms and creative solutions to ensure its solvency. (News & Observer)


North Carolina State Auditor Releases Annual Employee Association Membership Audit

The North Carolina State Auditor’s Office published its annual audit of employee association membership counts, revealing that the State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) has the largest membership at 40,181, followed by the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) with 25,679 members. Notably, SEANC saw a 3,713 member decrease from 2022, while NCAE gained 685 members. The audit, which took 250 hours and cost $34,000, verified membership numbers from payroll deduction reports, but auditors were limited to verifying the data provided by the associations. (North State Journal)


Early Voting Modifications in Buncombe County Due to Tropical Storm Helene

Buncombe County has adjusted early voting times and locations following disruptions from Tropical Storm Helene. Voting will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. between October 17 and November 1, with polls closing at 3 p.m. on November 2 as required by law. New early voting sites include the UNCA Health & Counseling Center and the Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Center. Officials are also reassessing 80 polling locations and contacting poll workers to ensure a smooth process. (CBS 17)


Guilford County Voters to Decide on Sales Tax Increase for Schools

In November, Guilford County voters will decide on a sales tax increase that could generate an estimated $25 million annually for the county’s schools. If approved, the tax would increase from 6.75% to 7%, funding pay raises for teachers and frontline school workers. The Guilford Education Alliance supports the measure, emphasizing its importance in retaining teachers. The tax would not apply to items like prescriptions, cars, gas, or groceries, but the ballot will not specify its connection to education due to state law. (FOX 8)


Universities in Western North Carolina Extend Class Suspensions Due to Hurricane Helene

Several universities in Western North Carolina have extended class cancellations due to the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene. UNC Asheville will remain closed until at least October 28, Appalachian State University will resume classes after October 15, and Western Carolina University plans to restart on October 21. The campuses sustained various levels of damage, including flooding and infrastructure disruptions, prompting the extended closures. Essential services like dining and health care remain operational, and disaster relief funds have been established for students affected by the storm. (Charlotte Observer)


UNC-Chapel Hill Increases Security Amid Protests Related to Israel-Hamas War Anniversary

UNC-Chapel Hill has implemented heightened security measures, including fencing around campus landmarks and ID checks at classroom buildings, in response to protests tied to the Israel-Hamas war. The university's Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) is hosting a "week of resistance," prompting concerns about potential unrest. University officials stated that these actions, such as restricting access to buildings and adding surveillance cameras, are precautionary. The measures come as tensions on campus have risen following previous demonstrations and vandalism related to the conflict. (News & Observer)


NC Community Colleges Launch Relief Drive for Hurricane Helene Victims

The North Carolina Community College System is organizing a two-day supply drive starting on October 13 to support communities devastated by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. The drive coincides with the biennial conference in Raleigh, gathering 1,600 attendees from 58 colleges. Supplies such as non-perishable food, water, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, and cold weather gear will be collected, with public drop-offs available. The drive aims to address immediate needs, but organizers stress the importance of ongoing support in the weeks and months ahead. A fund has also been set up for long-term recovery efforts. (WUNC)


Sibelco Resumes High-Purity Quartz Production in Hurricane Helene-Hit Spruce Pine

Sibelco, a key producer of high-purity quartz used in semiconductor manufacturing, has resumed operations in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, after Hurricane Helene severely damaged the area. Production and shipments are gradually ramping up, aiding the local economy, which heavily relies on the quartz mines. Spruce Pine quartz is essential for making silicon chips, with 70-90% of the crucibles used worldwide sourced from the area. The Quartz Corp., another major producer, has yet to resume operations as local infrastructure is still being restored. (WRAL)


Efforts to Secure IV Fluid Supplies Amid Hurricane Milton and Previous Disruptions

Federal officials are collaborating with B. Braun Medical to move critical IV fluid supplies from its Daytona Beach facility, which was closed ahead of Hurricane Milton. The move comes as U.S. hospitals are still facing shortages after Hurricane Helene damaged Baxter International's North Carolina plant, responsible for 60% of the nation's IV fluid supply. B. Braun expects to resume operations soon, and the Biden administration is being urged to declare a national emergency to boost IV production, while additional steps like imports and regulatory easing are being considered to address the ongoing shortage. (WRAL)


Russell’s Pharmacy & Shoppe to Close Amid Financial Strain, Leaving Community Void

Russell’s Pharmacy & Shoppe, a cherished independent pharmacy in East Durham, will close on October 19 due to financial pressures caused by low reimbursement rates from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and increasing upfront costs for medications like Ozempic. Founded by Darius and Terensia Russell in 2018, the pharmacy became a vital part of the community, offering personalized care and service. The closure leaves the neighborhood, already a food desert, with limited access to nearby pharmacies, potentially becoming a "pharmacy desert." Remaining patients will be transferred to Gurley’s Pharmacy. (Indy Week)


Raleigh Veterans Day Parade Canceled for Second Consecutive Year

For the second year in a row, Raleigh's Veterans Day Parade has been canceled, following city rules established after the 2022 Raleigh Christmas Parade tragedy. Organizers cited difficulties with new guidelines as the reason for not holding the event. Despite the absence of the parade, a Veterans Day ceremony and 21-gun salute will still take place at the State Capitol. Local veterans expressed disappointment, stressing the importance of the parade given the area’s military ties, and are hopeful for a return in 2025. (ABC 11)


South Carolina Executes First Inmate in 13 Years Amid Renewed Death Penalty Debate

On September 20, South Carolina carried out its first execution in 13 years, with Freddie Owens choosing to die by electric chair. Five more inmates are expected to face execution in the next six months, with the option of electric chair, firing squad, or lethal injection. Meanwhile, national and state debates on the death penalty are intensifying. Although Democrats removed calls to abolish the federal death penalty from their 2024 platform, President Biden's stance remains mixed. In North Carolina, both gubernatorial candidates support the death penalty, although the state has not executed anyone since 2006. (WFAE)

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