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WRAL: Growing number of conservative local leaders want Medicaid expanded in NC

By Alanna Joyner / January 16, 2020 / Comments Off on WRAL: Growing number of conservative local leaders want Medicaid expanded in NC

NC’s Republican-controlled state legislature remains calcified in its opposition to expanded Medicaid, which would bring down healthcare costs for everyone, even those with private health insurance.  But a growing number of conservatives are calling on lawmakers to finally allow expansion. From WRAL: “We believe we have a responsibility to look after our citizens. It’s a…

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The News & Observer 01/14 Letters: Deployment to Middle East will hurt NC towns, families, the economy

By Eleanore Wood / January 14, 2020 / Comments Off on The News & Observer 01/14 Letters: Deployment to Middle East will hurt NC towns, families, the economy

The idea that wars are always good for the economy is simply not true. It is likely that the emotional and economic impact of a war with Iran would be a heavy one, not unlike North Carolina’s experience during previous wars in the middle east. Our state simply can not afford another endless war. From…

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Will NC lawmakers play politics or pay teachers in 2020?

By Logan Smith / January 14, 2020 / Comments Off on Will NC lawmakers play politics or pay teachers in 2020?

GOP budget standoff continues with lawmakers returning to Raleigh, as yet another red state expands Medicaid RALEIGH — North Carolina lawmakers are returning to Raleigh this week for a so-called “mini-session” amidst the budget standoff which legislative Republicans have been waging since last summer.  Although the legislature’s paltry pay plan for state educators is expected to be…

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Lawmakers return to talk teacher pay as another red state expands Medicaid

By Logan Smith / January 13, 2020 / Comments Off on Lawmakers return to talk teacher pay as another red state expands Medicaid

The North Carolina General Assembly convenes on Tuesday for a so-called “mini-session” amidst the budget standoff waged by legislative Republicans since last summer.  From North Carolina Health News: “We have not set a date and honestly we’re waiting like everyone else to see what the legislature” does this week, said Dave Richard, the N.C. Department of Health…

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Raleigh N&O: Kansas is expanding Medicaid. What’s the matter with North Carolina?

By Alanna Joyner / January 12, 2020 / Comments Off on Raleigh N&O: Kansas is expanding Medicaid. What’s the matter with North Carolina?

The North Carolina General Assembly convenes on Tuesday for a so-called “mini-session” amidst the budget standoff waged by legislative Republicans since last summer. Meanwhile, the health care spotlight is heating up on North Carolina Republicans as yet another red state — this time Kansas — has decided to expand Medicaid. From The News & Observer:…

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In Case You Missed: It -Silent Sham payoff, voter ID ruling, Iran protests

By Alanna Joyner / January 10, 2020 / Comments Off on In Case You Missed: It -Silent Sham payoff, voter ID ruling, Iran protests

In Case You Missed It is a weekly roundup of the most important news articles, editorials, and op-eds in North Carolina — so you can stay plugged in without having to scour a dozen different news sites each day. Quote of the Week: “This was so last-minute”  –April Shumard on Trump’s rushed deployment of the 82nd…

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Settlement forces Duke Energy to clean up coal ash ponds — but who will pay for it?

By Alanna Joyner / January 9, 2020 /

After years of Duke Energy trying to shirk its responsibility to clean up its coal ash ponds, a new settlement means the energy giant will finally have to clean up these polluted ponds which have leaked countless tons of toxic chemicals into North Carolina waterways. From WRAL: Frank Holleman, senior attorney for the Southern Environmental…

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Trump trying to start a war with Iran to distract from impeachment troubles

By Eleanore Wood / January 8, 2020 / Comments Off on Trump trying to start a war with Iran to distract from impeachment troubles

The Trump administration is hell-bent on starting a war with Iran, and North Carolina military families are caught right in the middle. 3,500 soldiers based at Fort Bragg are being sent to the Middle East — part of the rising tensions with Iran created by Trump’s unilateral assassination of an Iranian official. Some military families…

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NC voter ID law put on hold as more gerrymandering evidence comes to light

By Eleanore Wood / January 7, 2020 / Comments Off on NC voter ID law put on hold as more gerrymandering evidence comes to light

NC voter ID law put on hold as more gerrymandering evidence comes to light  North Carolina’s voter ID law is temporarily on hold after a federal court ruling. This comes as new files have been released showing more details on NC Republicans’ plan to rig elections and undermine the will of voters. Last week’s ruling…

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Tessa Pendley: Why teachers blame the GOP legislature for no pay raise before the holidays

By Eleanore Wood / December 29, 2019 / Comments Off on Tessa Pendley: Why teachers blame the GOP legislature for no pay raise before the holidays

Union Hill Elementary School teacher Tessa Pendley speaks out about the budget and the lack of any compromise from GOP leaders in North Carolina’s legislature. From The Greensboro News & Record North Carolina educators don’t have much to be thankful for this holiday season when it comes to the latest meager “raises” offered up by legislative…

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