North Carolina

NC Democratic lawmakers file new version of maternal health care bill

Published

1 month ago

April 21, 2025

NC Democratic lawmakers file new version of maternal health care bill

A state senator hopes that the third time is the charm for a bill aimed at improving maternal care for North Carolina mothers.

Sen. Natalie Murdock, NC-Chatham, along with her Democratic colleagues in the NC House, filed Senate Bill 571/House Bill 725, known as the MOMnibus Act.

The bill, if passed, would establish grants for community-based organizations, provide implicit bias training for maternal care professionals, fund lactation consultant training programs at historically Black colleges, establish a perinatal education grant program and create the “Mom-nibus” initiative, which seeks to bring care to mothers and babies in areas without access care access.

Charity Watkins, an assistant professor of social work at North Carolina Central University, and Gabriel Scott, an MPA with the North Carolina State Coalition of the National Council of Negro Women, both said they experienced the issues many other women of color could face if the bill is not passed.

“I’m highly educated [and] I am able to advocate for myself,” Watkins said. “Yet, I was dismissed, and my symptoms could have easily resulted in me losing my life.”

“I was telling the nurses and the staff, ‘Hey, I’m in full-blown labor. I need some medication, please, for pain management,’ I actually was ignored,” Scott said.

Murdock said one goal of the bill is to make situations like Watkins and Scott’s far less common.

“The data shows us Black women continue to be three to four times more likely to die from childbirth, even with education,” Murdock said.

This is the fourth time Murdock has introduced the MOMnibus. She first sponsored the bill as SB 632/HB 507 in 2021, HB 552/SB 467 in 2023 and SB 838 in 2024.

Dr. Michelle Benoit-Wilson, an OBGYN in the state, said the MOMnibus bill is exactly the kind of legislation the state needs.

“We need to stop using politics as a bouncing ball, as opposed to recognizing the core problem, which is that women are dying, and they shouldn’t be,” Benoit-Wilson said.

The current version has no Republican sponsors, who control both chambers of the state legislature. In all previous iterations, the bill didn’t make it out of the committee in either chamber.

The latest bill is unlikely to pass during the 2025 legislative session, but NC Rep. Julie von Haefen, D-Wake, said getting the messaging out is just as important.

“Even if we can’t get the bill passed in the General Assembly right now, we need to build the momentum so that when we finally are in a position to get some of these things passed, we have the advocates,” von Haefen said.

WRAL New on Friday reached out to State Senate Pro Tem Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall, both Republicans, for comment on the bill and are waiting to hear back.

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North Carolina

Lowering U.S. and NC Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Memorial Day

Published

14 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Press Room

Lowering U.S. and NC Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Memorial Day

In tribute to the sacrifices of our armed services personnel, Governor Josh Stein has ordered all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities be flown at half-staff from sunrise until 12 noon on Monday, May 26 in honor of Memorial Day.

Statement from Governor Stein
“Throughout our nation’s history North Carolinians have answered the call to serve our country and protect our freedoms, and this weekend we honor those who paid the ultimate price in that service. Anna’s and my heart are with all the North Carolinians who are mourning their loved ones. Let us honor their legacy by preserving their memories, celebrating their bravery, and nourishing our democracy.”

Background
North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance to regulations outlined in the U.S. Flag Code.
Click for the NC State Government Flag Guide.
Sign up for the North Carolina Flag Alert list.

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North Carolina

Obituary for Donna Darlene Foy at Jones Funeral Home of Jacksonville

Published

1 day ago

May 22, 2025

Press Room

Obituary for Donna Darlene Foy at Jones Funeral Home of Jacksonville

Donna Foy, 61, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, May 19, 2025 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. Donna was a devoted Wife, mother, and Mamaw. She was a fervent animal lover donning the nickname, Elly May, as a young girl. She was beloved by

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North Carolina

Spotted lanternfly confirmed in western North Carolina

Published

2 days ago

May 21, 2025

Press Room

Spotted lanternfly confirmed in western North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The invasive spotted lanternfly has been confirmed in western North Carolina, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDACS) said.

The department said it confirmed the presence of the insects in Rockingham County after initial surveys indicated that the insects were concentrated in Reidsville within a two mile radius.

“NCDA&CS has ramped up surveillance in the Triad area since this pest was detected in in Kernersville in 2022,” said Dr. Bill Foote, director of the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division. “Members of our Plant Industry team are moving quickly to assess and prevent the spread of this brightly colored pest, and we ask members of the public to be on the lookout for more spotted lanternfly and report any finds by through a form found at www.ncagr.gov/SLF.”

The insects and their egg masses have been found in 17 states, including North Carolina.

Foote said the spotted lanternfly poses a serious threat to the state’s wine and grape industries and can cause damage to more than 100 species of plants.

“Spotted lanternflies like to feed high in the treetops, but they are not good at telling the difference between a truck tire and a tree trunk,” said Amy Michael, Entomological Programs manager. It is very likely this new population came from lanternflies hopping in with an unsuspecting commuter.”

The NCDACS said concentrated surveys will be performed year-round in Rockingham County to find if the insects are in additional locations.

Officials advise people to look for and destroy lantern eggs before they hatch.

The egg masses can be found on a variety of surfaces including trees, rocks, vehicles, equipment and lawn furniture.

“Taking a moment to check your clothing, shoes and vehicle for these insects and removing any you see goes a long way in preventing this pest from spreading any further,” Michael said.

To learn more about the spotted lanternfly or to report a sighting visit here.

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Prevention Tips

According to the USDA’s website, there are some things you can do to prevent and deter the spotted lanternfly from taking over your plants.

Inspect your trees and plants for signs of this pest, particularly at dusk and at night when the insects tend to gather in large groups on trunks and stems.

Check your vehicle before leaving a parking lot or work site and inspect vehicles for eggs or insects. Check doors, sides, bumpers, wheel wells, grills, and roofs. If found, destroy any eggs or insects you find.

Close your car windows as spotted lanternflies and their nymphs can enter vehicles unsuspectedly. When parked, make sure to keep windows closed. If possible, try to park 15 feet away from trees.

Look for egg masses in your trees, bricks, stones, and other smooth surfaces. If you find eggs, smash them and scrape them into a plastic zippered bag filled with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol to kill them. Then, zip the bag shut and dispose of it in the trash.