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.
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…
WRAL: Bipartisan election bill promised as others fight over NC’s ballot rules
House leaders in bipartisan support, have moved forward with a house bill containing changes to the state’s election rules due to the pandemic. House Bill 1169, contains many measures requested by the State Board of Elections and voting rights advocates to help the state prepare for conducting a safe election for voters during the COVID-19…
WRAL: Long-standing, unmet priorities are even more critical now
Two weeks after meeting to approve a $1.6 billion package that distributed COVID-19 funds from Washington, the North Carolina General Assembly resumed its annual session on Monday. The N.C. Senate unveiled spending priorities on Tuesday for the coming fiscal year, rolling out more than 18 separate bills. The N.C. House has yet to lay out…
Amid the pandemic, North Carolina needs to guarantee safe and fair elections
In late March, the State Board of Elections asked legislative leaders and Gov. Roy Cooper to make it easier for North Carolinians to vote absentee by mail because of the coronavirus pandemic. The State Board of Elections executive director Karen Brinson Bell, asked for voters to be allowed to request mail ballots through an online…
WRAL: Trump must act, not distract, on COVID-19 to move U.S. forward
COVID-19 cases are approaching 12,256 in North Carolina; 1.2 million in the nation and 3.7 million worldwide. Instead of increasing testing and treatment; providing adequate protection for healthcare workers; and reducing the spread of the virus that is taking a toll on lives and the economy — Trump chooses to dodge responsibility and deny the…
Decades of cuts leaving Eastern North Carolina hospitals vulnerable to financial losses due to coronavirus
North Carolina currently has 49 rural and independent hospitals around the state, but the financial toll caused by the COVID-19 outbreak may strain the remaining hospitals already struggling from decades of funding cuts. As the pandemic continues to sweep across the state, rural hospitals are set to lose more than $145 million per month. The…
WRAL: EPA won’t further limit air pollution despite coronavirus concerns
On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it will not enforce regulations that would limit the amount of small particles in our air. This comes after a new study released by Harvard found that people with COVID-19 who live in regions with high levels of air pollution across the country, are more likely…