Agriculture

WITN: Commissioner Troxler to deliver State of Agriculture address virtually
Commissioner Steve Troxler will deliver his annual update on the state of agriculture in North Carolina on February 24 at 10 a.m.  Agriculture leaders say due to the pandemic, this year’s address will be virtual.

Economic Development

TRIANGLE BUSINESS JOURNAL: Who is Machelle Sanders? NC's new Commerce secretary carries lengthy experience in life sciences
Machelle Sanders, a former biotech executive, will be tasked with steering North Carolina's economic development charge through the choppy waters in the pandemic's wake. But those who will serve as her allies were quick to applaud Gov. Roy Cooper's selection.

AREA DEVELOPMENT: Cardinal Foods Plans Pender County, North Carolina, Operations Expansion
Cardinal Foods, a Burgaw agribusiness company that provides products and services across the eastern U.S., will expand at its operations in Pender County, North Carolina. The $15.5 million project is expected to create 48 new jobs.

Education

WSOCTV: NC bill could require districts to offer summer school
As many local students returned to the classroom this week, some also could be headed for summer school if a new bill passes through the North Carolina General Assembly, WTVD reported. The Summer Learning Choice for Families, also known as House Bill 82, would require school districts to offer six weeks of learning recovery and enrichment after the school year ends.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: School reopening bill passes in NC legislature; here's what the governor says about it
The North Carolina state legislature sent the governor a bill that would require the state’s K-12 public school districts to offer in-person learning again, after nearly a year of remote learning for some students. The House voted 77-42 on Wednesday.

Environment

NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NEWS: Gov. Cooper names another Environmental Defense Fund official to head DEQ
If confirmed, Dionne Delli-Gatti would follow in the footsteps of Michael Regan, who also came from the EDF and is now facing congressional confirmation to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Government

WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: N.C. House bill would provide 2020 property tax deferral for business owners
A state House bill would offer some business owners a COVID-19 related deferment on their 2020 property tax payment through the end of 2021. House Bill 119, filed Friday, has four Republican primary sponsors, including Rep. Jon Hardister, R-Guilford. Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, is listed as a co-sponsor.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: GOP leaders defend shutdown of nonpartisan unit that targeted NC waste, fraud, abuse
The North Carolina legislature’s nonpartisan division tasked with evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of public services is being dissolved, Republican leaders confirmed after a former staffer broke the news on Twitter this week. The nearly 15-year-old unit said to have saved the state millions, known as the Program Evaluation Division, has more than a dozen staffers. 

Healthcare

WBTV: CDC allows local governments, providers discretion on restricting out-of-state visitors from getting vaccine
North Carolina public health leaders are working to prioritize the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine to in-state residents. Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Gibbie Harris said in a press conference Thursday morning that the health department has seen people from out of state sign up for appointments in Mecklenburg County.

WRAL: COVID-19 vaccine registration opens in Wake County for teachers and school staff
On Monday, teachers and school employees in Group 3A of North Carolina's vaccine rollout can register to get a vaccine in Wake County. Each county will distribute vaccines to school and childcare workers differently, and vaccinations are expected to begin as early as Wednesday.

FORBES: Michael Jordan Donates $10 Million To Open Health Clinics in North Carolina
Billionaire basketball star Michael Jordan is donating $10 million to open two rural health clinics near his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina, as the coronavirus pandemic has underlined the dangers of unequal access to healthcare.

WLOS: North Carolina to see further delays in vaccine delivery
President Joe Biden's administration told North Carolina and other states on Friday afternoon that they will see further delays in shipments of COVID-19 vaccine doses.

North Carolina public health officials said they now expect more deliveries of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to resume at the start of next week. 

Politics

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Who's in, who's out and who is still deciding on a 2022 US Senate run in North Carolina?
North Carolina Republican Richard Burr is not running for a fourth term in the U.S. Senate, creating an open seat for the 2022 election season and attracting plenty of interest from Democrats and Republicans.

Transportation

WAVY: NC Moves 2050: New, interactive webpage lets residents explore 30-year transportation plan in NC
The N.C. Department of Transportation has completed the long-range transportation plan update, NC Moves 2050, with an all-new interactive way for people to explore the plan online. The plan, adopted by the N.C. Board of Transportation on Feb. 4, provides a blueprint focused on “creating a more responsive, diverse and inclusive transportation system to keep people and freight moving safely and efficiently throughout the state.”