Agriculture
THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: With little oversight, NC poultry farms raise 1 billion birds a year. Who pays the cost?
Johnny “Van” Garris sees how North Carolina’s poultry industry has grown every time he leaves his driveway. No matter which way he turns, Garris drives by some of the roughly 50 massive poultry barns that have sprung up within a mile of his Anson County home.
Economic Development
WUNC: North Carolina releases revised county economic distress rankings
The North Carolina Department of Commerce is out with revised economic distress rankings for all 100 counties. According to the department, counties are placed into three tiers based on four factors: average unemployment rate for the most recent 12 months for which data are available, median household income for the most recent 12 months for which data are available, percentage growth in population for the most recent 36 months for which data are available, adjusted property tax base per capita for the most recent taxable year.
Education
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: North Carolina education leaders want school districts to pilot new teacher pay plan
State education leaders want North Carolina school districts to step up to pilot a program that would pay teachers based on their performance instead of on their years of experience. The State Board of Education unanimously approved Thursday a motion that calls for identifying the changes that need to be made in state rules, policies and laws to make a performance pay model possible.
Environment
THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER: Deja vu: For the second year in a row, North Carolina is heading for a dry Christmas
For the second year in a row, almost 1.24 million North Carolinians are heading into the most wonderful time of the year facing drought. A weather phenomenon thousands of miles away in the Western Pacific that bubbles to the surface every decade or so − and then sometimes decides to linger − is likely to mean another dry winter for Tar Heel residents.
WFDD: Triad receives $100,000 in environmental grants
The Piedmont Triad is set to benefit from $100,000 in environmental grants. The funding was announced on Thursday by state Attorney General Josh Stein.
The money is part of North Carolina’s Environmental Enhancement Grant program, which is awarding an overall $2.5 million statewide in 2022.
Government
Healthcare
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Atrium Health completes major deal to double in size, combines with Midwest hospital chain
Atrium Health completed a major deal Friday with Advocate Aurora Health to combine healthcare systems, making it one of the largest systems in the U.S. The combined healthcare system called Advocate Health, which will be headquartered in Charlotte, will serve nearly 6 million patients annually and is the fifth-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the nation, according to a news release.
NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NEWS: Amid the trials of long COVID, glimmer of hope at UNC clinic
Tony Marks in Pinehurst and Brooke Keaton in Charlotte both lived orderly, productive lives two years ago. That was clearly reflected in their steady jobs and close family ties. However, their experiences with the long-term effects of infection with the COVID-19 virus have touched and in many cases devastated nearly every other aspect of each of their days.
Politics
AP: Supreme Court weighs 'most important case' on democracy
The Supreme Court is about to confront a new elections case, a Republican-led challenge asking the justices for a novel ruling that could significantly increase the power of state lawmakers over elections for Congress and the presidency.
Transportation
WWAY 3: Governor Cooper highlights transition to clean bus, truck transportation future
Governor Roy Cooper is highlighting the importance of medium and heavy duty electric vehicles to North Carolina’s future. Cooper spoke at a Bootcamp and showcase Tuesday morning, taking a look at vehicles and learning more about them.
