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.

In police killing of Andrew Brown Jr., a small NC town crisis on national stage

By Alanna Joyner | April 27, 2021

In the wake of the conviction of Derek Chauvin, North Carolinians have taken to the streets of Elizabeth City after Pasquotank County deputies shot and killed Andrew Brown Jr., an unarmed Black man in his car, while serving a warrant Wednesday.  While the guilty verdict from the Chauvin trial felt like a victory for some,…

NC panel signs off on Duke Energy orders on rates, coal ash

By Alanna Joyner | April 19, 2021

On Friday, the N.C. Utilities Commission approved two orders involving Duke Energy’s two electric subsidiaries in the state over rate increases requested back in 2019 and a settlement announced in January by Duke Energy, Attorney General Josh Stein and a conservation group over how coal ash clean-up cost. According to the Triad Business Journal, the…

The Progressive Pulse: Democrats decry racial health disparities in their renewed push for Medicaid expansion

By Alanna Joyner | April 14, 2021

Last week, state Democrats renewed their calls for Medicaid expansion in an effort to address the state’s long-standing racial health disparities and to help out the state’s economic recovery from the pandemic.  Under the American Rescue Plan, the state would receive more than $1.7 billion in federal funding in addition to incentives targeted at helping…

N.C. Policy Watch: Despite a federal stay on evictions, landlords are ousting their tenants

By Alanna Joyner | April 7, 2021

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, North Carolinians across the state continue to struggle with paying rent and getting rental assistance, all while staying afloat.  The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) federal eviction moratorium and the state’s residential eviction moratorium extensions through June 30th has given many North Carolinians much needed…

Five years later, Democratic lawmakers fighting to promote LGBT rights

By Alanna Joyner | April 5, 2021

Last week, Democrats in the North Carolina General Assembly introduced four bills that would protect LGBTQ North Carolinians from discrimination, violence, and harassment. The ground-breaking package of LGBTQ-inclusive bills, called the Equality for All Act, establishes statewide nondiscrimination protections, bans on “conversion therapy” and the “gay/trans panic” defense, and more. From WRAL: “These four bills…

Patsy Takemoto Mink: First Woman of Color in Congress

By Alanna Joyner | March 24, 2021

In honor of Women’s History Month, Progress NC is highlighting women who have fostered change, encouraged debate and have transformed our state through their contributions to arts, sciences, politics, etc. Similar to the women highlighted in previous blog posts, Patsy Takemoto Mink was no stranger to firsts. Mink was the first woman of color to…

The federal pandemic relief bill contains a big carrot to expand Medicaid. Will North Carolina bite?

By Alanna Joyner | March 23, 2021

Today marks the 11th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — a law that reformed the health care system and allowed more than 20 million Americans to gain coverage. Although the law passed over a decade ago, North Carolina remains one of the 12 states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion…

Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray: Civil Rights Activist, Poet and Lawyer

By Alanna Joyner | March 18, 2021

In honor of Women’s History Month, Progress NC is highlighting women who have fostered change, encouraged debate and have transformed our state through their contributions to arts, sciences, politics, etc. Durham-based civil rights activist Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, was the first Black person to earn a doctorate in law from Yale Law School, a founder…

Maya Angelou: Award-winning poet and author, civil rights activist

By Alanna Joyner | March 10, 2021

In honor of Women’s History Month, Progress NC is highlighting women who have fostered change, encouraged debate and have transformed our state through their contributions to arts, sciences, politics, etc. A revered North Carolina poet laureate, world-famous author and civil rights champion who made an impact on American culture and society for more than 50…

John Merrick: Prominent Business Leader from Durham

By Alanna Joyner | February 24, 2021

In an effort to celebrate Black History Month, Progress NC is highlighting prominent Black leaders from North Carolina, who have shaped our state through their contributions to arts, sciences, politics, etc. In the early 1900’s, Black-owned businesses in Durham, North Carolina can be traced back to the efforts of two African-American entrepreneurs:Charles Spaulding and John…