Agriculture
WRAL: Thanksgiving is going to be more expensive this year, NC farmers say
Thanksgiving is going to cost more this year, particularly because rising prices of corn, turkey and sweet potatoes. North Carolina farmers say they are struggling to hire enough truckers to meet their demand.
Economic Development
CHARLOTTE POST: North Carolina’s film industry shows off its growing resilience
North Carolina’s film industry is on the cusp of a major turning point. Various film and television production companies have invested a record-breaking $409 million so far this year.
WRAL: AdvanceTEC to invest $10M in Johnston County, creating 25 jobs paying $125,000 average wage
The cleanroon design, construction, and process integration company AdvanceTEC will construct a new facility and hire as many as 25 workers with average wages of $125,000 at a location near Clayton, the company announced today.
Education
WRAL: Plans to push NC lawmakers to fund a 'sound basic education' due Monday in decades-long Leandro case
Groups fighting for more equitable education funding will tell a judge Monday how to incentivize lawmakers to change laws and spend more on schools.
BLUE RIDGE PUBLIC RADIO: Most NC school districts haven't regained students lost during the pandemic plunge
Last year's enrollment dropped 5% across all school districts, as most of them opened remotely. State officials said they expected a rebound this year but weren't sure how that would play out.
Environment
WECT: Researchers study how climate change impacts North Carolina
Fighting climate change and the devastating impacts global warming will have on us has been a major talking point for many ahead of the COP26 Climate Change Conference meeting in Scotland at the end of October.
Government
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: There’s common ground between Gov. Cooper and Republicans on the NC budget. Really.
The governor said he thinks it’s fair to say that they already have agreement on the “vast majority” of the budget. That includes broadband internet expansion, water and sewer infrastructure projects and construction projects. The need for high speed internet, especially in rural areas, was exacerbated in 2020 when thousands of students were in remote learning. Aging water and sewer systems impact people all over the state.
Healthcare
ABC11: NC's wasted COVID vaccines cost US government an estimated $12 million
North Carolina vaccine providers have thrown out 703,006 doses since last December, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).
WINSTON SALEM JOURNAL: More insurer options available for North Carolinians on federal ACA health exchange
The 2022 open enrollment period begins Monday for the federal health insurance exchange with a sign-up period again scheduled to end Dec. 15.
Politics
CAROLINA JOURNAL: Lawsuit already filed before district maps are approved
In a motion filed Friday, Oct. 29. the Southern Coalition for Justice is leading the lawsuit for the North Carolina NAACP and Common Cause in N.C. NAACP v. Berger. Their suit names as defendants Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore in their official capacity as legislative leaders, along with chairs of the House and Senate Redistricting and Elections Committees, and members of the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
US NEWS: Ex-NC Gov. McCrory Eyes Political Comeback With Senate Bid
In the rankings of political upsets from November 2016, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory's defeat was a distant second. Still, when the Republican best known for signing the transgender bathroom bill narrowly lost at the same time Donald Trump comfortably won the state, it left many stunned.
Transportation
THE NEWS HERALD: NCDOT awarded nationally for innovative efforts
During the annual meeting of State Transportation Innovation Councils from across the nation, North Carolina was one of two states presented with the STIC Excellence Award by the Federal Highway Administration. The award recognizes state councils that have demonstrated success in fostering a strong culture for innovation within their transportation communities.
