Our take
Everyday the government makes decisions that affect our lives; from the water we drink, the food our kids eat and how much money we bring home. Being informed is one of the first steps in building our power and creating change in our communities.
The New York Times: Trump Administration Strips C.D.C. of Control of Coronavirus Data
Last week, the Trump Administration stripped control of all COVID-19 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and has ordered hospitals to send the information to the Department of Health and Human Services through a private company. Since the pandemic began, the CDC has regularly published data on availability of hospital beds,…
WRAL: Safety, equity and resources are key to begin N.C. school year right
Decisions on reopening schools is happening across the country as the Trump Administration has pressured governors to reopen schools his fall. With numerous threats to cut school funding for states that do not adhere to Trump’s strong-arm approach, North Carolina was one of many states that announced school plans. For North Carolina, the choice of…
Progressive Pulse: As the General Assembly adjourns, it leaves money on the table while needs go unmet
The General Assembly adjourned on Saturday, with lawmakers coming back into session on Sept. 2. In its most recent legislative session, Republican lawmakers did not set aside politics on many issues, but rather ignored public health officials and sought to force the reopening of the state. During an unprecedented moment, the demands of the wealthy…
N.C. Policy Watch: New research confirms presence of toxic “forever chemicals” in scores of NC water supplies
According to a new study, raw water supplies for at least 150 public utilities in North Carolina contained some level of toxic fluorinated chemicals, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals”, because they never break down in the environment. This comes after researchers from N.C. State University finding GenX chemicals in wells and water from 70 …
Trump and his EPA dismantle environmental protections under cover of COVID-19 crisis
Last week, the federal government overruled North Carolina’s objection to seismic testing off the coast, saying the activity proposed by the company, WesternGeco, is in the national interest. Trump’s offshore drilling plan will allow the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management to issue permits for seismic testing on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf, from Maryland…
N.C. Policy Watch: North Carolina dreamers heartened for their futures after Supreme Court ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the Trump administration cannot carry out its plan to shut down the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), which has allowed nearly 700,000 young people, known as Dreamers, who came to the United States as children, to live and work in the United States. In a 5-4…
As communities fight for justice, Juneteenth sheds light on Black History and freedom
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. But 155 years after, the nation is still struggling with the issues of systemic racism and injustice. The celebration of June 19, coined “Juneteenth“, marks a day in 1865 when Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that…
Gov. Cooper signs bill addressing fall election under COVID-19
On Friday, Governor Roy Cooper signed into law legislation that will provide money to help run North Carolina elections safely and securely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also expands vote-by-mail measures, making it easier to cast mail-in absentee ballots this fall. The bill was created in bipartisan effort that will allocate over $27 million…
Why the Protests in the U.S. are an Awakening for Non-Black People Around the World
For nearly two weeks, protests and demonstrations have been held across the United States and the world, calling for an end to racism and police brutality against Black Americans. The widespread movement is one of the largest mobilizations, spawning from the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who was killed by police in…
Amid the pandemic, racism & injustices must not be ignored
The COVID-19 outbreak has taken a toll on the U.S., exposing not only the weakness in the health care system and economy, but the continued inequalities and injustices happening in communities across the country. During a time when the country needs direction and unity, Trump has only spread division and discord, ultimately pandering to an…