North Carolina
Weekend reads: A crisis of confidence, heated politics, making a mockery of campaign finance laws | NC Newsline
Across the UNC System, campuses face a crisis of confidence
By Joe Killian
At N.C. State and UNCG, recent faculty votes reflect cultural, philosophical and political tensions
When members of N.C. State University’s College of Education faculty voted to express “no confidence” in the university’s chancellor and provost last weekend, it was a first in the university’s history. But the largely symbolic vote reflects greater tensions on campuses across the UNC System, as faculty say they feel locked out of high level decision-making by administrators and political appointees. [Read more...]
Bonus read: Former UNC System presidents: less politics, more diversity needed in governance
Students remember Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s ‘cruel comments’ on Parkland shooting anniversary
By Greg Childress
On the sixth anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., North Carolina students have released a video about what they say are “cruel comments” Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson lodged against its survivors.
Robinson, R-Guilford, is a gubernatorial candidate.
Seventeen students and faculty died during one of the nation’s deadliest mass shootings at the high school, which has since been demolished.[ Read more …]
Crowded GOP Lt. Governor’s race includes NC newcomer who’s never voted in the state
By Lisa Sorg
A prophetic evangelist who said God told her she was Jewish. A long-time Democrat turned Republican. A sheriff. Another Christian minister endorsed by Ted Nugent. Several current and former state lawmakers. A head of the opaque “Election Education Foundation.” And a paramedic from Florida who believes COVID is a hoax, has never voted in North Carolina, and has lodged unfounded accusations about the integrity of the election process.
Eleven Republicans are running in the March 5 primary for lieutenant governor; the winner will face one of three Democrats — state Sen. Rachel Hunt, Ben Clark or Mark H. Robinson — in the General Election this fall. [Read more...]
On rancor and rhetoric: North Carolinians search for civility in an uncivil political season
By Clayton Henkel
When Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02) is in her home district, she loves taking her dog Wiley to the local parks.
“A lot of people see me walking my dog all around Raleigh,” said Ross, who enjoys the chance to make a personal connection with her constituents. “It really breaks down that grassroots feel, knowing your member of Congress.”
But Ross is increasingly aware those interactions can be combative and unpleasant in today’s heated political climate.[ Read more …]
Backsliding, toothless enforcement are making a mockery of North Carolina’s campaign finance laws (commentary)
By Rob Schofield
There was a time in North Carolina, not that many years ago, when the state’s political establishment – elected leaders, judges, regulators, lobbyists, reporters, reform advocates – were hugely and rightfully obsessed with the laws governing campaign finance and political influence peddling.
In the early 2000s, spurred on by the energetic muckraking of a nationally acclaimed government watchdog named Bob Hall and, in particular, his courageous investigations of Democratic state House Speaker Jim Black, campaign finance laws and lobbying laws (and the corruption they were designed to police) frequently dominated lawmaking in the Legislative Building and the state’s political news headlines. [ Read more …]
DHHS putting $5.5 million into behavioral health program for formerly incarcerated people
By Kelan Lyons
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will award $5.5 million to a program that provides psychiatric and physical health care services to people coming home from jail or prison, the agency announced this week.
The money will go to the FIT Wellness Program, a part of the North Carolina Formerly Incarcerated Transition Program in the UNC School of Medicine. The initiative helps imprisoned people with serious mental health conditions as they try to navigate life outside the confines of a cell, helping them with their health needs and, once they’re free, connecting them with community supports like housing and transportation. [Read more…]
Bonus read: Prison reentry council sets ambitious goal for helping people released from prison
Federal judges seem split on ordering new Senate districts Black voters are challenging
By Lynn Bonner
Two federal judges on a three-judge panel were wary of immediately ordering new state Senate districts that Black voters in northeastern North Carolina said illegally weakened Black voting strength.
The voters are appealing a federal district court judge’s decision denying their request to order two Senate districts be redrawn in the state’s Black Belt counties in time for this year’s election. A Fourth Circuit Court three-judge panel heard oral arguments in the appeal Thursday morning. [Read more.…]
Chemours asks federal appeals court to negate EPA health goal for GenX
By Lisa Sorg
Chemours, the company responsible for polluting the drinking water of 800,000 people in the Lower Cape Fear River Basin with GenX, is asking a court to negate the EPA’s health advisory for the toxic chemical.
The Third Circuit Court of Appeal s, based in Philadelphia, heard arguments last week. There is not a timetable for a decision.
A ruling for Chemours could save the company hundreds of millions of dollars because it would not have to provide alternate water supplies to households whose private wells contain GenX between10 parts per trillion and 140 ppt. [ Read more...]
NC Board of Elections endorses adjustments to voter ID rules for use after the primary
By Lynn Bonner
The state Board of Elections on Thursday endorsed permanent voter ID rules for use in future elections.
The new proposed rules must be approved by another state commission before they go into effect. Rules for voter ID in use since last year remain in place for the current primary elections. [Read more…]
Bonus read: From IDs, to selfies to guns: what NC voters need to know about early in-person voting
Five recommendations North Carolina lawmakers may consider to tackle HOA disputes
By Clayton Henkel
Members of the House Select Committee on Homeowners’ Associations are moving closer to advancing a draft bill designed to level the playing field between homeowners and their HOAs.
Following two public hearings in January, five recommendations were presented Tuesday to the committee by legislative staff.
The first recommendation involves an association’s obligation to provide records for examination by its members. [Read more…]
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) — A state scholarship aimed at giving the children of disabled veterans a chance at a college education is facing budget cuts, leaving students wondering what’s next.
In June, ABC11 reported that the North Carolina Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans was cutting its program for future applications for children of disabled veterans in Tier 2, which covers veterans 20-90% disabled.
Now, ABC11 has learned that cuts are going a step further. Current scholars are learning their benefits will be cut beginning the spring semester, prorated by 25%.
Victoria Morales still remembers learning her UNC dreams would become a reality thanks to her dad’s service. Her dad is fully disabled.
To lawmakers. I would say fulfill your promise. We, the people, are being affected by this. And this is real.
– William Dishmon, student, son of a veteran
“He was relieved that his service actually meant something for his kids,” she said. “Giving that amount of time to something, believing so hard in your government and so hard in the things it can do for you, be promised that your children will be taken care of, and then when you’re daughter’s almost done, it’s just over now.”
The cut for current scholars is leaving students and their families figuring things out, including William Dishmon and his dad.
“He had to quit his job, and it was hard for him to find, you know, a lower-stress job for him. But it was a big impact on our family,” Dishmon said.
Isabella McGee’s sister couldn’t get the scholarship because of the cuts to future scholarships, and now she’s wondering if she can finish nursing school with the scholarship she has.
“Honestly, it’s just the uncertainty because we don’t know what the next semester’s going to look like, we don’t know what senior year’s going to look like, and that just puts an excess stressor on our life on top of being a student,” McGee said.
In the meantime, students had a message for lawmakers: To not turn their backs on those who served.
“To lawmakers. I would say fulfill your promise. We, the people, are being affected by this. And this is real. This is a real situation that will affect multiple students across North Carolina,” Dishmon said.
Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
CARY, N.C. (WTVD) — The North Carolina State Highway Patrol celebrated the graduation of 55 new troopers.
The ceremony was held at Shepard’s Church in Cary. The 166th Basic Highway Patrol School graduates completed a rigorous 15-week training program covering firearms, vehicle operations, crash investigation, emergency response, physical fitness, de-escalation, and state law.
Chief Justice Paul Newby administered the oath of office, while Governor Josh Stein, the guest speaker, commended the graduates for their dedication to public service.
“It takes a special person to work in law enforcement,” Stein said. “I thank each of you for your commitment to protecting the public and will continue to advocate for the pay and respect law enforcement officers deserve.”
Colonel Freddy L. Johnson Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol, praised the graduates for their determination and character.
“Their willingness to earn the title of Trooper reflects their desire to serve the communities of this state,” he said.
The new troopers will begin their field training on December 10 at their assigned duty stations.
Copyright © 2025 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A Lincoln County man was sentenced this week for the death of a 63-year-old woman in October of 2023.
Michael Steven Ricker has been charged with the death of Lesa Armstrong Rose, his girlfriend’s mother. He was also out on bond at the time for shooting and injuring her father.
He pled guilty to a charge of second-degree murder, amended from the original charge of first-degree murder.
Riker was sentenced to 397 to 489 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections with 760 days credit for time served.
In related charges from Catawba County that will run concurrent with the Lincoln County charges are 84 to 113 months for discharging a firearm into an occupied property and 96 to 125 months for attempted first-degree murder.
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY
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