Disaster Relief Stalled Amid Political Disputes

Congress has failed to pass disaster relief for Western North Carolina, leaving the region devastated by Hurricane Helene without federal assistance. A proposed $100 billion disaster aid package, including $9 billion for North Carolina, was blocked due to political disagreements. While bipartisan efforts initially found common ground, subsequent opposition from President Trump and demands for spending cuts led to the defeat of both the original and revised bills. With a looming government shutdown, lawmakers remain divided, leaving the future of disaster aid uncertain. (News & Observer)

North Carolina’s Death Penalty: A Halt in Executions Since 2006

North Carolina’s last execution occurred in 2006 when Samuel Flippen was put to death for the murder of his stepdaughter. Since then, while death sentences continue, no executions have been carried out due to an unofficial moratorium stemming from legal disputes, including the 2007 medical board objection and challenges related to the Racial Justice Act. With 136 people currently on death row, shifting public opinion and the high costs of the death penalty contribute to the state’s alignment with a national trend of declining executions. (News & Observer)

North Carolina Pushes for Constitutional Convention on Term Limits

North Carolina lawmakers recently passed a resolution calling for a constitutional convention focused on congressional term limits, joining eight other states in backing such measures. While Congress requires applications from 34 states to convene a constitutional convention, the process raises debate about how applications are counted, with scholars like David Super warning Congress has discretion. Advocates like Convention of States Action and U.S. Term Limits are driving nationwide efforts, though concerns remain about the scope and implications of such a convention, which has never been used in U.S. history. (NC Newsline)

GOP's Challenge to North Carolina Election Rejected by Elections Board

The North Carolina Board of Elections has denied Republican Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin’s challenge to disqualify 60,000 votes, citing incomplete voter registration paperwork and other technicalities. Griffin trails Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs by 734 votes out of 5.7 million cast. Despite the GOP's claims, no evidence of fraudulent votes was provided. The board’s decision, split along party lines, could lead to a legal challenge in state courts, potentially reaching the Republican-majority Supreme Court. The case also highlights the irony that photo ID requirements undermine much of the GOP’s claims, as most of the challenged voters likely provided ID. (WFAE)

NC Gov.-Elect Josh Stein Announces Cabinet Picks

North Carolina Gov.-elect Josh Stein unveiled key Cabinet appointments, including Reid Wilson as Environmental Quality secretary and Pamela Cashwell as Natural and Cultural Resources secretary, both holdovers from Gov. Roy Cooper's administration. The Cabinet will feature its first Latino and Indian American secretaries: Gabe Esparza for Administration and Dr. Devdutta Sangvai for Health and Human Services. Other notable picks include Leslie Cooley Dismukes for Adult Correction and McKinley Wooten Jr. for Revenue. Stein's appointees will require Senate confirmation, with his inauguration scheduled for January 11. (WRAL)

New SBI Director Promises Transparency, Collaboration, and Modernization

Chip Hawley, recently sworn in as North Carolina's State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) director, pledged a "new way of doing business" emphasizing transparency, collaboration, and technological upgrades. With over 40 years in law enforcement, Hawley plans to enhance public understanding of the SBI’s role and improve communication with law enforcement agencies and the public. He highlighted the importance of modernizing outdated technology to expedite investigations, aiming to strengthen the SBI’s efficiency and effectiveness in serving North Carolina. (CBS 17)

Audit Highlights Oversight Failures in North Carolina Nursing Homes

A state audit of North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services revealed significant delays in nursing home inspections, complaint investigations, and deficiency verifications, potentially jeopardizing resident safety. Between 2021 and 2023, 68% of the state’s 425 nursing homes were inspected late, with some going over 20 months without review. Of 17,152 complaints requiring investigations, 39% were completed late. Additionally, 37% of sampled deficiencies lacked verified corrections. DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley attributed the issues to long-standing understaffing and underfunding, worsened by COVID-19, and called for increased legislative support. (News & Observer)

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's Campaign Settles $35,000 Fine for Finance Violations

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's 2020 campaign has agreed to pay $35,065 in fines for campaign finance violations, including accepting prohibited contributions, exceeding donation limits by $11,800, and using campaign funds for personal expenses. The settlement follows a nearly four-year investigation by the State Board of Elections, which found reporting errors due to an inexperienced treasurer. Critics, including watchdog Bob Hall, argue penalties should have been stricter, citing underfunding and confidentiality laws that delayed transparency. (News & Observer)

North Carolina Democrat Blasts Party Over Veto Override Fallout

North Carolina Rep. Cecil Brockman, D-Guilford, criticized the state Democratic Party for targeting him after he missed last week's veto override vote on Senate Bill 382, which Republicans had sufficient support to pass without Democratic votes. In a statement, Brockman accused his party of scapegoating him, ignoring his mental health struggles, and wasting resources on a failed primary challenge against him. The controversy underscores tensions within the Democratic Party and could signal opportunities for Republicans, who are one seat shy of a House supermajority. (Carolina Journal)

North Carolina Electors Cast Votes for Trump Amid Electoral College Debate

North Carolina’s 16 Electoral College votes were officially cast for Donald Trump on December 17, 2024, reflecting his win in the state’s popular vote. State electors, selected by the NCGOP, emphasized the significance of their constitutional role to high school students. The meeting coincided with a renewed push in the U.S. Senate to abolish the Electoral College in favor of a national popular vote system, which supporters argue would "restore democracy." (Carolina Journal)

Durham Housing Authority CEO Steps Down After 8 Years

Anthony Scott, CEO of the Durham Housing Authority (DHA) for over eight years, is stepping down effective December 19. Scott highlighted DHA's ongoing $800 million redevelopment of downtown properties and investments in preserving public housing as key achievements during his tenure. Anthony Snell, DHA's Director of Real Estate since 2020, will serve as Interim CEO as the board transitions leadership. (ABC 11)

Bo Ferguson Appointed Durham City Manager, Effective January 2025

Durham City Council has appointed W. Bowman "Bo" Ferguson as the next city manager, succeeding Wanda Page upon her retirement at the end of 2024. Ferguson, a deputy city manager since 2013, has overseen key departments, including Police, Fire, and Community Safety, and played a vital role in initiatives like the HEART program and the City-County Fire Department merger. With nearly three decades of local government experience, Ferguson will assume his role on January 1, 2025, with a salary of $297,000. Mayor Leonardo Williams praised Ferguson’s commitment, innovation, and leadership in serving Durham’s community and values. (ABC 11)

UNC Drops Remaining Cases Against Pro-Palestinian Protesters

The Orange County District Attorney dismissed the final eight cases against protesters from UNC-Chapel Hill’s pro-Palestinian encampment in April 2024. The decision followed a judge's dismissal of a prior case on constitutional grounds, citing insufficient justification for restricting protest on public university grounds. The demonstration, which included 39 arrests, sparked debates over free speech and led to calls for a UNC System-wide protest policy, raising concerns among defense attorneys about potential limits on First Amendment rights. Meanwhile, 25 protesters previously accepted plea deals requiring community service and payment of court costs. (WUNC)

Alamance County Advances $37M Courthouse Expansion

Alamance County commissioners approved a $3.148 million design contract with CRA Associates to expand the Judge J.B. Allen, Jr. Courthouse in Graham. The $37 million project, downsized from earlier $99 million proposals, will add three stories to address growing court system needs. The contract passed 4-1, with Commissioner Pam Thompson dissenting. (Alamance News)

Wake County Schools Face $7.5M Budget Shortfall and $69.4M Funding Need

Wake County schools are addressing a $7.5 million budget shortfall this year, caused by higher child nutrition costs, increased charter school enrollment, and utility expenses. The district projects a $69.4 million increase in local funding will be needed next year to cover employee raises, rising charter school enrollments, and the opening of four new schools. With per-student spending significantly below national and regional averages, administrators warn of potential spending freezes and hiring restrictions as they navigate limited resources. (News & Observer)

Durham Public Schools Adopts Family Responsibility Zones Amid Bus Driver Shortages

Facing severe bus driver shortages, Durham Public Schools (DPS) has implemented "family responsibility zones," ending bus service within 1.5 miles of elementary schools to save 20 bus runs. The district, currently short 60 drivers, has also extended a four-day bus rotation schedule through January 17. While 160 candidates are in the hiring pipeline, concerns persist about transportation reliability. Employees and the Durham Association of Educators are pushing for a meet-and-confer policy to address this and other systemic issues collaboratively with district leaders. (CBS 17)

UNC-Chapel Hill Trustees Advocated for Applicants Amid Admissions Transparency Concerns

During the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, UNC-Chapel Hill trustees, including Chair John Preyer, frequently inquired about applicants’ statuses and advocated for students through university officials, despite a lack of formal guidelines on their involvement in admissions. Over 100 pages of redacted texts revealed trustees sought updates on waitlisted students, with some even suggesting "pushes" for certain candidates. This scrutiny comes amid broader debates on college admissions practices and fairness, especially following high-profile controversies and legal challenges like the Supreme Court’s ruling on race in admissions. Critics argue such involvement creates the appearance of conflicts, undermining trust in the institution's integrity. (Assembly)

North Carolina's Population Surpasses 11 Million Amid Rapid Growth

North Carolina's population grew by 164,835 people in the year ending July 2024, reaching 11,046,024 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This 1.5% growth rate, the eighth fastest nationally, was driven by 82,288 new residents from other states, making North Carolina the second most popular state for domestic migration after Texas. Nationwide, international migration accounted for 84% of population growth, while natural population growth remains below pre-pandemic levels. North Carolina remains the ninth most populous state, closing in on Georgia's population. (News & Observer)

CRISPR Brings Healthier Mustard Greens to Market

Research Triangle Park-based Pairwise is using CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) gene editing to create mustard greens with a milder taste, aiming to make fruits and vegetables more appealing to consumers. Unlike GMOs, which introduce foreign genes, CRISPR accelerates natural plant breeding processes. Pairwise's greens, marketed as "Conscious Greens," received a 90% approval rating in public taste tests. The company is collaborating with Bayer to bring the product to store shelves, joining other RTP innovators like Elo Life Systems, which is developing a fungus-resistant banana. (WUNC)

Toxic PCB Contamination Spurs NC State's $3M Poe Hall Remediation Plan

NC State University plans to remediate and reopen Poe Hall after its closure in 2023 due to high levels of toxic PCBs, a carcinogen found in older building materials. Tests revealed PCB levels exceeding EPA safety limits in 56 rooms and the HVAC system, with some concentrations hundreds of times above thresholds. Linked to 215 cancer cases, including two graduate students diagnosed with leukemia, the contamination has raised community fears. While the university is investing over $3 million in renovations, saving $10 million compared to demolition, many, including students, question the building’s safety and future use. (WRAL)

Raleigh’s Transit Vision Expands, But Greyhound Excluded for Now

Raleigh's Union Station bus facility (RUS Bus) is set to open in August 2025, complementing the train station completed in 2018 as part of a plan to create a multimodal transit hub. The $4.75 million relocation of Greyhound to its current site on Capital Boulevard in 2014 was considered temporary, but no concrete plans for its inclusion at RUS Bus have materialized. Compared to peer cities like Boston, Charlotte, and Atlanta, Raleigh remains an outlier with its regional bus terminal disconnected from downtown and other transit options. (Indy Week)

NC Opens Peer Respite Center to Address Behavioral Health Crises

North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services and the Promise Resource Network have opened the Peer Respite Center in Wake County, offering short-term care and 24-hour peer support for individuals experiencing mental health, substance abuse, or behavioral crises. Aimed at reducing hospital and emergency room visits, the center provides an alternative, less restrictive environment with resources like living spaces and peer specialists. The facility is the first of its kind in Wake County and one of three peer respite centers in the state. (CBS 17)

Publix to Open New Store in Wesley Chapel, Union County

Publix Super Markets is opening a new location in Wesley Chapel, Union County, at the busy intersection of Weddington and Waxhaw-Indian Trail roads. The store will employ about 150 people, adding to Publix’s presence in the Charlotte region, which includes two existing Union County locations. Known for its top-rated customer service, the Florida-based grocer offers features like in-store cafes and pharmacies, though an opening date for the new store has not been announced. (WBTV)

Leland Approves Mixed-Use Development Near Mallory Creek

The Leland Planning Board approved a conditional rezoning for a 31.5-acre mixed-use development near Mallory Creek Plantation in a 4-3 vote. The project includes 127 townhomes, 5,000 square feet of restaurant space, 15,000 square feet of retail, and 10,000 square feet of office space, along with trails, a playground, and a stage. With an estimated 2,400 daily vehicle trips, a traffic impact analysis is required before further approvals. Residents' concerns over traffic, privacy, and tree buffers were addressed through revised plans, including preserving existing buffers and prohibiting on-site tree burning. (Port City Daily)

Eastern Hellbender Salamander Proposed for Endangered Species List

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a proposal to list the eastern hellbender salamander, North America’s largest salamander, as endangered. Native to 15 eastern U.S. states, the species faces critical threats from habitat destruction, including damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene in 2023. This decision follows a decade-long effort by environmental groups and a court order to reevaluate the species' status, with a 60-day public comment period preceding the final determination. (NC Newsline)

Durham Teacher’s Foodraiser Feeds Thousands, Combats Food Insecurity

Turquoise LeJeune Parker, a media coordinator at Lakewood Elementary in Durham, has led the Bull City Foodraiser for a decade, providing food security for thousands of students across 12 elementary schools and one middle school during school breaks. This year, the initiative packed 4,750 food bags with help from over 300 volunteers, ensuring families reliant on free or reduced-price meals have food over the holidays. In a state where over 60% of public school students qualify for such programs, Parker’s efforts highlight the power of community in addressing food insecurity. (Cardinal & Pine)

Max Muhleman, Visionary Behind Carolina Sports Expansion, Dies at 88

Max Muhleman, a pioneering sports marketing executive instrumental in launching the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and Hendrick Motorsports, passed away at 88 due to heart-related complications. Known for creating the permanent seat license (PSL) concept, Muhleman revolutionized sports financing, helping fund Bank of America Stadium and inspiring similar campaigns nationwide. Credited by leaders like Jerry Richardson and George Shinn for transforming Charlotte into a thriving sports city, Muhleman’s legacy is marked by innovation, integrity, and his focus on building enduring relationships. A public memorial service will be held on December 30 at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. (Charlotte Observer)