Agriculture

WECT: Hemp, CBD products could become illegal in NC July 1
Hemp products have been legally available in North Carolina since 2015 when the state passed the hemp pilot program bill, which offers an exemption. Back in January, the state’s hemp farming laws expired, turning over THC testing and other responsibilities from the North Carolina Agriculture Department to the federal USDA.

Economic Development

TRIANGLE BUSINESS JOURNAL: Key vulnerability could cost NC next major economic development opportunity
As major companies scoop up some of the state’s best industrial spots, a shortage of shovel-ready sites is looming – one that could keep the next VinFast or Toyota (NYSE: TM) from landing in the Tar Heel State. That’s the fear of economic developers, who say the state’s robust site options have been a major differentiator in competing with areas such as Texas, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee for big name projects

Education

WRAL: Auditors: NC education officials didn't review more than $300M in schools' stimulus plans
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction is planning to hire more employees and contractors after an audit found the department wasn’t vetting whether schools’ plans for spending federal pandemic stimulus funds.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Judge hears arguments about whether NC should transfer $795 million to public schools
In November, state lawmakers approved a budget that partially funds a court order to transfer $1.75 billion from the state treasury to fund the Leandro school action plan. On Wednesday, a new judge assigned to the case heard competing legal arguments over whether to require the state to turn over the remaining funding.

Government

FOX8: Breaking down President Joe Biden’s visit to Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University
Biden spoke before a room filled with students, CEOs and elected officials as the president drew focus to his “Building a Better America” plan. From making and buying American-made products to investing in infrastructure and creating jobs, it’s something we’ve seen here recently in Greensboro and a reason for the presidential stop.

THE CENTER SQUARE: North Carolina audit says transparency lacking on $1 billion spent on Hurricane Florence relief
An audit of nearly $1 billion allocated for North Carolina’s Hurricane Florence disaster recovery has revealed most of the money was distributed with no way to determine whether it was spent as intended. State Auditor Beth Wood on Tuesday issued the results of a performance audit of Hurricane Florence Disaster Recovery Funds, which were distributed through the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Healthcare

WRAL: City of Raleigh implementing $50 surcharge for unvaccinated employees on its healthcare plan
The City of Raleigh announced Monday that a surcharge will be applied on its healthcare plan for unvaccinated employees starting in January of 2023. The City said it would be implementing this $50 monthly surcharge for employees, retirees, GoRaleigh employees and covered spouses who are unvaccinated.

CITIZEN TIMES: Buncombe 2020 overdose death rate among NC's highest. An incoming $16M is supposed to help
Nearly 180 people died of unintentional overdoses in Buncombe from January 2020 through August 2021, according to data from North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. But help that has been on the way for a long time is almost here. Board of Commissioners on April 19 will vote on a budget amendment for the first portion of $16.1 million in opioid settlement money, allocated by the state.

Politics

THE CENTER SQUARE: NC congressman introduces bill to restart building border wall
U.S. Rep. Ted Budd, R-NC, introduced the Build the Wall Now Act, which removes all legal impediments to building the border wall. Among other things, it unlocks an additional $2.1 billion that was appropriated in fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 that weren’t spent.

THE WASHINGTON POST: Mark Meadows removed from N.C. voter rolls amid fraud investigation
Mark Meadows, a former top Trump aide, has been removed from the voter rolls in North Carolina as the state investigates allegations that he committed voter fraud in the 2020 election, election officials said Wednesday.

THE HILL: Progressives rescinding endorsement of NC congressional candidate over AIPAC donations
The Progressive Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party is revoking its endorsement of a U.S. House candidate due to donations she accepted from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Transportation

CBS 17: ‘Investment in the future:’ NC looks to electric transportation
Gov. Roy Cooper and Rep. Deborah Ross were at Siemens eMobility Manufacturing & Distribution System Headquarters in Wendell on Monday, highlighting the importance of electric vehicle infrastructure when it comes to cutting down on emissions. Cooper called electric buses an investment in the future of the state. GoRaleigh has five electric buses out of about 105. Siemens installed and manufactured the charging units.

TRANSPORTATION TODAY: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to increase North Carolina’s transit funding by 25 Percent
According to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), North Carolina will receive 25 percent more ($176 million) in public transit funding as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.