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UNC Board of Governors repeals DEI policy, embraces ‘principled neutrality’
The UNC Board of Governors voted Thursday to repeal the UNC System’s policy on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The motion was passed on a voice vote as part of the “consent agenda,” which included multiple action items. Two board members — Joel Ford and Sonja Phillips Nichols, who are both Black — asked to […]
NC House declines to concur with Senate changes to law governing mask wearing
The North Carolina House on Wednesday rejected controversial Senate amendments to a bill that would, among other things, ban wearing masks in public, even for health reasons. The bill now goes to a conference committee for possible changes. Current state law allows people to wear masks in public for health reasons, an exemption added during […]
North Carolina House bill would grant recognition to the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina
Members of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina held a press conference Tuesday morning at the North Carolina General Assembly to urge lawmakers to support House Bill 970. The bill would grant state recognition to the Tuscarora Nation. Representatives of the group say they have faced mistreatment in their pursuit of state recognition, accusing the […]
NC Senate approves bill making it a crime to wear a mask in public
The North Carolina Senate approved an amended version of House Bill 237 on Wednesday evening that would prohibit the wearing of masks in public. The controversial bill, which would also increase criminal penalties for those who commit crimes while wearing a mask in public, comes in the wake of protests that have erupted on college […]
Controversial bill requiring sheriffs to cooperate with ICE hits a snag in NC House
On Wednesday, the North Carolina House rejected the Senate version of House Bill 10, a controversial measure that requires cooperation between all North Carolina sheriffs and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The House took issue with an amendment on the proposed bill that would have allowed anyone to file a complaint with the state attorney […]
NC Senate panel approves controversial bill that targets protests, bans masks in public
The North Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee approved an amended version of House Bill 237 on Tuesday morning that would prohibit the wearing of masks in public. The controversial bill, which would also increase criminal penalties for those who commit crimes while wearing a mask in public, comes in the wake of protests that have erupted […]
Biden administration touts NC investments to kick off “Infrastructure Week”
A $110 million grant from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will fund the replacement of the 60-year-old Alligator River Bridge in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Last year, Asheville Regional Airport, in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration, broke ground on a $15 million project to replace its 62-year-old air traffic control tower. A $35 […]
North Carolina appeals court orders resentencing for man convicted of murder as teen
The North Carolina Court of Appeals this week ordered a trial court to resentence a man imprisoned for murder he committed when he was a child. The imprisoned man at the center of the case is James Kelliher, who is serving life sentences for crimes he committed when he was 17 years old. Kelliher has […]
AAPI advocates, lawmakers promote election reforms, voting rights, DEI at Raleigh lobby day
Representatives from the nonprofit advocacy group North Carolina Asian Americans Together called on state lawmakers Wednesday to protect voter ID exceptions, establish an independent redistricting commission, and support DEI initiatives and ethnic studies. The advocates spoke at a Legislative Building press conference alongside a small group of Asian American and Pacific Islander lawmakers. Later in the […]
NC House easily passes “Shalom Act” to enshrine antisemitism definition in state law
By a vote of 105-4, the North Carolina House on Wednesday passed a bill, dubbed the “Shalom Act,” that would establish a definition of antisemitism in state law. If the bill becomes law, North Carolina would, by reference, make the “Working Definition of Antisemitism Adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance on May 26, 2016” […]
Education event draws state leaders, leading candidates to Raleigh
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, the North Carolina Republican Party nominee for governor in November, embraced a very different and unusually subdued tone on Tuesday as he outlined his priorities for public schools at the Public School Forum of North Carolina’s 10th annual “Eggs and Issues” breakfast. Approximately 400 attendees, including educators, politicians, and community leaders […]
Cooper renews call for public school investments, blasts GOP voucher expansion as “larceny”
At a press conference on Monday, Gov. Roy Cooper reiterated his call for increased investment in public schools and outlined new legislation that proposes a moratorium on additional taxpayer-funded private school vouchers until public schools are “fully funded.” Cooper called efforts by Republicans to expand the voucher program “larceny.” The governor was joined by state […]