Commentary/Opinion
Facts Must Come Before Explanations
By John Hood RALEIGH — Who is to blame for North Carolina losing its industrial base over the past two decades? Misguided federal lawmakers who passed free-trade agreements? Foolish state…
Letter To The Editor: Save Our Historic Fremont School
Fremont Elementary School has been a part of our community’s story for more than a century. Built in 1923 through the dedication and generosity of Fremont’s citizens, the school has…
Carolina Arts Need Your Investment
By John Hood RALEIGH — The brilliant (and controversial) French artist Edgar Degas drew, painted, and sculpted. Although he relished a wide range of subjects, his best-known works depict ballet…
Opinion: Welfare Reforms Create Good Problems
By John Hood RALEIGH — When Congress passed its budget-reconciliation bill last summer, it created a bunch of problems for North Carolina policymakers — thank goodness! No, really. Federal law…
You Decide: Is The Homebuying Market Improving?
By Mike Walden Ever since COVID-19, buying a home has been a challenge, especially for first-time buyers. Buyers have been hit by a triple-whammy. Home prices surged, homes for sale…
Letter To The Editor: Red Cross Month Honors Neighbors Who Give Hope When Help Can’t Wait
As our country marks its 250th year, I’ve been thinking about what truly brings communities together. For me, it always comes down to people — neighbors caring for neighbors. In…
When War First Came To Fayetteville
By John Hood RALEIGH — A couple of weeks ago, I was privileged to speak at a ceremony honoring those who fought at the first major southern engagement in the…
Social Disconnection Is Everyone’s Problem
By John Hood RALEIGH — I have a large and loving family, many cherished friends and colleagues, daily opportunities for meaningful work and enjoyable play, and countless other blessings. Still,…
Budget Writers Shouldn’t Hope For Miracles
By John Hood RALEIGH — During the just-completed primary campaigns for North Carolina General Assembly, you may have heard one or more candidates say that state government is currently operating…
You Decide: Will Tariffs 2.0 Be Different Than 1.0?
By Mike Walden Tariffs continue to be an ongoing issue in the country, receiving much attention. Recently, there was a Supreme Court decision that some of the tariffs imposed by…
State Shouldn’t Rest On Its Laurels
By John Hood RALEIGH — Over the most-recent 12-month period, North Carolina’s economy expanded by an inflation-adjusted 3%. Among the 50 states, only South Carolina (3.5%) posted a significantly faster…
Carolinians Thwarted Britain’s Southern Gambit
By John Hood RALEIGH — During the first few months of America’s war for independence, the British redcoats occupying the rebellious city of Boston won one major battle (for Bunker…
