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.
N.C. immigrants, allies vow to resist ramped-up ICE enforcement actions
Increased ICE enforcement actions across 12 counties in North Carolina, are causing concerns for many communities. Since January, ICE agents have detained over 32 people in 10 counties, including 16 in Raleigh recently. In response, community members, immigrants and allies, are vowing to protect their families and neighbors as Trump’s ICE agents continue to invade…
Charlotte Post: Disparity in North Carolina public school funding widens
According to research by the Public School Forum of North Carolina, the student funding gap between the wealthiest and poorest counties in North Carolina, has substantially expanded. During the 2017-2018 school year, the Local School Finance Study found that the difference in spending between the 10 wealthiest districts and 10 lowest-spending districts, was $2,523 per…
The continuing domino effect of North Carolina’s rejection of Medicaid expansion
A recent state-by-state report by The Kaiser Family foundation, found that North Carolina, the 10th largest state in the nation, is fairing worse than the national average in health care. With 33.5 percent of North Carolina residents below 200% of the Federal Poverty level in 2018, Medicaid is much-needed for those without financial accessibility. In…
2019 was the worst year for rural hospital closures this decade, a new report finds
According to a new report from the Chartis Center for Rural Health, 19 rural hospitals closed across America in 2019. Almost one out of every four open rural hospitals are at risk of closing in the near future. States like North Carolina, that have chosen not to expand Medicaid have experienced the most rural hospital…
Group says NC must take ‘immediate action’ to provide students a sound basic education
With the recent decision in the Leandro case, an advocate group says NC must take ‘immediate action’ to meet the state’s Constitutional obligation to provide students with a sound basic education. In January, Superior Court Judge David Lee signed a court order in the long-running Leandro school funding case ordering state leaders to provide enough…
WRAL: North Carolina Facebook page is ‘disinformation campaign,’ experts say
According to media experts, a Facebook page, called “North Carolina Breaking News”, that reportedly shares breaking news, is a hub for misinformation. The page includes racially insensitive terms towards minorities, and numerous instances of incorrect information in which news stories from other states are rewritten to have occurred in North Carolina. With over 50,000 followers,…
Duke Energy still seeks rate hikes even as profits are up
Duke Energy turned a profit of $660 million for the last three months of 2019, up 42% from a year ago. This comes after Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike request to raise over $123 MILLION on the backs of rate-payers to pay for their toxic coal ash clean up. From WFAE: Duke CEO Lynn Good…
Judge voids UNC’s shady settlement over confederate statue
Last week was a win for UNC students, faculty and alumni as a state judge vacated the UNC settlement over Silent Sam. Judge Allen Baddour held a hearing to reconsider his initial approval of the deal back in November, now ruling that the SCV did not have standing to bring the lawsuit in the first…
Staggering levels of forever chemicals found in Cape River Basin
A water sample taken from the Sanford sewage treatment plant that discharges into the Deep River, revealed a shocking concentration of forever chemicals. Documents released from the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality uncovered high levels of potentially carcinogenic chemicals in rivers and streams throughout the Cape Fear River basin in North Carolina — from Reidsville to Wilmington.…
NC Health News: Mental health advocates use gathering to push for funding, priorities
On Saturday, hundreds of mental health advocates raised questions about the priorities and concerns of the mental health community in North Carolina. The 42nd annual Mental Health Legislative Breakfast at UNC Chapel Hill, brought over 400 health providers, advocates and consumers into a discussion to make state lawmakers aware of the need for improved and…