Commentary/Opinion
COVID Shapes Debate On Worker Safety
RALEIGH — For 16 years, former state Rep. Cherie Berry has served as North Carolina’s labor commissioner. Now she’s retiring, and another Republican state representative, Josh Dobson of McDowell County,…
Ticket-Splitting Still Shapes Elections
By JOHN HOOD RALEIGH — North Carolina, like most of the country, has become increasingly polarized in our political thinking and behavior. But what does that really mean? Well, we…
Virtual Learning Continues, But Schools Too Important To Stay In Limbo
By: Becki Gray I spent several days with three students who are, by mandate from the governor and the Mecklenburg County school board, learning at home. Hayden, Stephen, and Caroline are…
Social Security Matters – About the Mystery of Spousal Benefits
By AMAC Certified Social Security Advisor Russell Gloor Association of Mature American Citizens Ask Rusty – About the Mystery of Spousal Benefits Dear Rusty: From what I’ve researched, the formula for…
Take A Walk On The Sunny Side
By JOHN HOOD RALEIGH — In this seemingly endless year of disease, destruction, dissension, and despair, what’s an optimist to do? This is no hypothetical question for me. I’m a…
Candidates Clash On Reopening Schools
By JOHN HOOD RALEIGH — When Democrat Jen Mangrum and Republican Catherine Truitt first filed to run for state superintendent of public instruction, neither could have expected that the central…
You Decide: Recession, Recovery or Something Else?
By Dr. Mike Walden When I speak to groups – virtually for the last six months – I perceive two concerns. One is fear about the virus, especially how long it…
Letter To The Editor: Can The County Manager Or Commissioners Pick Up My Trash?
What’s the big deal about trash decals? A few days ago, I realized that my trash decal had expired and to ensure that I was compliant with County ordinances, I…
Letter To The Editor: EMS Takeover Leaves Many Unanswered Questions
By: D. Banks Wallace Johnston County EMS Advisory Committee Member After reading the article entitled, “County Commissioners Forcing Four Oaks EMS, 50-210 EMS Out of Business”, I felt it my…
Metro Areas Suffer Big Job Losses
By JOHN HOOD RALEIGH — North Carolina’s economy, battered by COVID-19 itself as well as government’s costly attempts to contain its spread, is still struggling to recover. There were about…
Op-Ed: Rewriting Election Laws Is Outrageous And Irresponsible
By: NC Senator Brent Jackson Rewriting election laws right in the middle of an election is outrageous and irresponsible, but that is exactly what the State Board of Elections wants…
Lieutenant Governor Rivals Differ Sharply
By JOHN HOOD RALEIGH — The post of lieutenant governor is a constitutional office in North Carolina, and the only one empowered to exercise both legislative and executive powers. Those…
