North Carolina
NC Gov Roy Cooper faces scrutiny for sending daughter to private school amid opposition to school choice bill
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Democrat North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper declared a “state of emergency” this week in an attempt to prevent a school choice bill from passing the state legislature, despite sending his own daughter to a private school in Raleigh.
Announcing the move in a video message released Monday, Cooper said the state of public education is “no less important” than other emergencies.
“It’s time to declare a state of emergency for public education in North Carolina. There’s no executive order like with a hurricane or the pandemic, but it’s no less important,” Cooper said. “It’s clear that the Republican legislature is aiming to choke the life out of public education. I’m declaring this state of emergency because you need to know what’s happening. If you care about public schools in North Carolina, it’s time to take immediate action and tell them to stop the damage that will set back our schools for a generation.”
Cooper, highlighting efforts from Republicans in the state as a “private school voucher scheme,” said the North Carolina he knows “was built on support for public schools” and insisted that more money should be geared toward public schools and teacher pay raises.
NORTH CAROLINA GOV ROY COOPER DECLARES ‘STATE OF EMERGENCY’ OVER SCHOOL CHOICE BILL
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, declared a “state of emergency” this week in an attempt to prevent a school choice bill from passing the state legislature. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
The comments from Cooper come after he sent at least one of his three daughters to Saint Mary’s School, an expensive private school in Raleigh, according to A.P. Dillon, a reporter for the North State Journal.
“In terms of folks being able to send their kids to the private school of their choice using an Opportunity Scholarship, it’s worth remembering Cooper sent one of his daughters to St. Mary’s, a private school with hefty tuition cost,” Dillon wrote in a tweet last month.
Furthermore, Cooper’s daughter, Natalie, was recognized as being a graduate from the college-preparatory, boarding and day school in a press release from the institution in 2017.
“The Coopers have three daughters, Hilary, Claire, and Natalie, a 2011 Saint Mary’s graduate,” the school wrote in a press release to announce that North Carolina first lady Kristin Cooper would serve as its 2017 commencement speaker.
Cooper faced immediate criticism from social media users and school choice advocates for his remarks about public schools in the state while sending his own child to a private school.
Jason Williams, executive director of the NC Faith and Freedom Coalition, was quick to call out Cooper’s remarks in a tweet.
“Why doesn’t Roy Cooper want your child to have the same quality, private education his kid had?” Williams wrote. “If he believed so much in public education, why did he spend thousands for his own kid to avoid it?”
Expounding on his comments, Williams told Fox News Digital, “We support Gov. Cooper and anyone else having the freedom and responsibility as parents to do whatever they feel is in the best interest of their children. We simply believe that every parent in North Carolina should be given that same opportunity.”
“We do have a state of emergency with our public school system. The problem with Gov. Cooper’s state of emergency is the focus is on the wrong thing,” he added. “The true emergency is the leftist attempts to indoctrinate our children and the failure to adequately educate them.”
Similarly, school choice advocate Corey DeAngelis wrote in a tweet, “This hypocrite sent his own kid to a private school. We’re freeing families from the clutches of the teachers unions once and for all & there’s nothing he can do about it.”
FIRST ON FOX: FORMER REP MARK WALKER LAUNCHES REPUBLICAN CAMPAIGN FOR NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR
“What a hypocrite. Public schools aren’t good enough for his kids, but they are for yours,” Independent Women’s Forum senior policy analyst Kelsey Bolar blasted.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Sam Chan, Cooper’s press secretary, said, “Two of his daughters spent their entire educations in public school and another attended public schools except for the last four years in a private school.”
“This isn’t about whether kids should go to private schools, it’s about whether taxpayers should foot the bill at the expense of public schools,’ Chan added.
In April, Republican lawmakers in North Carolina announced efforts to move forward with education reform bills that promote school choice. One measure, Senate Bill 406, would provide equal funding to charter school students along those who attend public school. Critics, such as Cooper, said the bill mostly serves to cut funding for public schools.
The measures by state Republicans followed the announcement by state Rep. Tricia Cotham that she would be defecting from the Democratic Party to join the GOP. Her decision, she said at the time, came from her support for school choice.
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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper speaks to pro-abortion supporters gathered in Raleigh on May 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)
“On issues like school choice, like charters, we have to evolve,” Cotham said. “One-size-fits-all in education is wrong for children … [Democrats] didn’t really want to talk about children. They had talking points from adults and adult organizations.”
Fox News’ Lindsay Kornick contributed to this article.
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North Carolina
Obituary for Kristie Lee Sturgill Blake at Market Street Chapel
North Carolina
NBA Draft Scouting Report: Texas’ Tre Johnson
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Drake Powell
Guard | UNC
Height: 6’5” | Weight: 185 lbs
2025 Draft Age: 19.78
As a natural wing or off-ball guard, Powell has what it takes to be an impact player at the next level. He boasts the positional size and athleticism to exploit his opponents on either end of the floor. Overall, he’s a very smart player with a competitive edge and is willing to adapt to what his team needs to win.
Powell is really best as an off-ball player offensively, especially given he’s not known for being a self-creator or primary ball-handler. However, he is a smart cutter and has found ways to position himself for success when finding space. To really take his game overall to the next level, the North Carolina freshman will need to prove he can become a better shooter. Whether it’s in the mid-range or beyond the arc, his jumper is inconsistent. Again, as an offensive prospect, he needs to improve to really become a two-way threat. The physical traits are there for him to get where he needs to be, but the development of his offensive game is a huge swing for Powell in terms of draft stock.
On the defensive end of the floor, Powell really shines. His athletic tools allow him to be all over the place and make plays on and off of the ball. He is quick, boasts length and is very smart as a defender. When thinking about what will differentiate him from other prospects at the next level, it will be his upside as a defensive prospect. He plays with tremendous energy and effort and he makes those around him better on the defensive side of the ball. In fact, he is one of the best defenders in the entire freshman class.
If Powell can convince NBA teams that he has the future projection of being a better offensive player, there’s no question he could be one of the most impactful players in the draft. In the meantime, he can lean on his defensive abilities to contribute to winning. The former five-star recruit is following in the footsteps of his father as a Tar Heel, as he played baseball for North Carolina when he was in school.
Mid to Late Lottery Pick in 2025 NBA Draft.
Want to know more about other potential 2025 NBA Draft prospects and where they might get selected? Check out our Draft Digest Big Board.
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North Carolina
WATCH: Steamy and Stormy in North Carolina on Friday, Heat Advisory in the eastern Triad
Friday, August 2: High humidity remains Friday with highs reaching into the 90s and feels like temperatures expected near 100 degrees. A Heat Advisory for the heat index reaching between 105 to 107 degrees is in effect from 11 a.m. Friday until 8 p.m. in the easter Piedmont Triad. Spotty to scattered storms may also bring a severe threat for the afternoon. Storms that do become severe may bring damaging wind and hail.
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