Agriculture
THE CENTER SQUARE: North Carolina lawmakers hold hearing about right-to-repair issues with farm equipment
Farm equipment dealers, farmers, lawmakers and others testified on Wednesday about various right-to-repair issues during a meeting of the General Assembly's Agriculture and Forestry Awareness Study Commission in Plymouth.
Economic Development
WRAL: NC’s Economic Development Partnership receives award for business retention, expansion
The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina’s (EDPNC) Existing Industry Expansions team was recently awarded the 2022 Bronze Excellence Award for business retention and expansion initiatives from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the largest nonprofit professional association for professional economic developers in the world.
WRAL: Chase CEO says presence in North Carolina is going to get bigger – ‘we’re ambitious’
North Carolina’s recent wins in economic development across a broad swath of industries – from biotech to electric vehicles – comes as no surprise to JPMorgan Chase’s top executive Jamie Dimon. After all, his own company continues to expand its presence in the state.
Education
WRAL: Wake schools weighing intervention procedures for struggling students
The Wake County Public School System plans to require intervention teams at each school to help students at risk of not passing a course or grade level.
Environment
THE NEWS & RECORD: NC county considered 'birthplace of environmental justice' site of Biden administration announcement of new environmental justice office
Forty years after a predominantly Black community in Warren County rallied against hosting a hazardous waste landfill, President Biden’s top environment official visited what is widely considered the birthplace of the environmental justice movement Saturday to unveil a national office that will distribute $3 billion in block grants to underserved communities burdened by pollution.
SPECTRUM NEWS: Small N.C. fire department becomes first to destroy toxic fire foam with new tech
Firefighting foam for a long time contained PFAS, called “forever chemicals” because it does not degrade in the environment. It’s also suspected to cause cancer in firefighters who have to use it to put out fires mainly involving jet fuel, gasoline or diesel.
AXIOS: Governor: North Carolina has "front-row seat" to impact of climate change
North Carolina has had a “front-row seat when it comes to the effects of climate change," Gov. Roy Cooper (D) said Sunday on "Meet the Press," in the aftermath of one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the U.S.
Government
BLUE RIDGE PUBLIC RADIO: NC Senate leader pans exempting student loan forgiveness tax
Efforts to exempt North Carolina residents from state income tax on the value of student loan forgiveness announced last month by President Joe Biden likely will be unsuccessful given that the state Senate's most influential member opposes them.
Healthcare
NC HEALTH NEWS: Tryon Medical drops insurance plan, panicking patients
As tensions escalate nationally over health care costs, insurers and health care providers are increasingly playing hardball in their contract negotiations, creating stress and confusion for patients. That phenomenon was on display this past week in Charlotte, where Tryon Medical Partners – the largest independent primary care practice in the Charlotte region – told patients it would no longer accept the Humana Medicare Advantage insurance plan.
Politics
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Sen. Thom Tillis throws support behind Hines, NC state Republicans ahead of midterms
On Thursday, a source close to Tillis’ campaign told McClatchy that Tillis’ leadership PAC, NC Red, transferred a combined $161,000 to Hines, three organizations and 14 candidates running for North Carolina Supreme Court and the state’s General Assembly.
THE RICHMOND OBSERVER: Poll: Political environment tightens headed into heat of election season
The first poll since election season kicked into high gear following the Labor Day holiday shows a tightening field between Republicans and Democrats at the state and federal level in North Carolina. At the same time, the poll continues to show widespread concern among voters about the direction of the country and the economy, in addition to strong disapproval numbers for President Joe Biden.
Transportation
WMBF: N.C. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Development Plan approved, state to receive $39.4 million for charging stations
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Sept. 27 that North Carolina’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan has been approved. Under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, N.C. is set to receive $39.4 million over fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
