Thousands of veterans deluge VA with claims for toxic exposure benefits, health care
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is processing claims at the fastest rate in its history, hoping to avoid a significant backlog as hundreds of thousands of veterans apply for health care and benefits under the landmark toxic exposure law Congress passed earlier this year. The day after President Joe Biden signed the […]
Jury convicts two suspects in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
By Jon King NC Policy Watch August 23, 2022 In Courts & the Law, News Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Photo: Michigan Advance Two men whose first trial on charges of planning to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 ended in a mistrial, have been convicted by a second jury. Adam Fox, 39, and Barry Croft Jr., 46, […]
Fentanyl in NC: An epidemic within the opioid epidemic
By Joe Killian – 8/15/2022 NC Policy Watch A year ago this month, Barb Walsh was enjoying a feeling of pride for which every parent longs. Sophia, the second of her four daughters, had come through the COVID-19 pandemic, graduating from Appalachian State University’s business school in 2020 and getting a good job with Milwaukee […]
Citing ‘teaching crisis,’ state education leaders back new licensure and compensation plan
By Greg Childress August 5, 2022 NC POLICY WATCH North Carolina teachers marched for better pay. The state has a “teaching crisis” and must revamp its licensing and compensation system to recruit and retain quality teachers, Eric Davis, the chairman of the State Board of Education, said Thursday. Davis noted that teacher vacancies throughout North Carolina […]
Increased algal blooms in June lead the state to investigate two important NC lakes
NC POLICY WATCH By James Burrell – 7/27/2022 Photo: NC DEQ Algal blooms webpage Hotter summers spurred by climate change are likely making more and more bodies of water in NC unsafe There have been more than 300 public reports of algal blooms in North Carolina this year, 100 in June alone, according to the NC Department of Environmental Quality. And climate […]
‘These people don’t care’: U.S. Senate GOP stalls bill for veterans exposed to burn pits
NC POLICY WATCH By Jennifer Shutt July 29, 2022 In News Rosie Torres, co-founder of Burn Pits 360 and longtime advocate for veterans issues, speaks during a press conference on the PACT Act, which would provide veterans exposed to burn pits with healthcare and benefits, on July 28, 2022 outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photo: […]
Disenfranchised no more, ‘Second Chance voters’ can register and cast ballots — for now
By Kelan Lyons NC POLICY WATCH – 7/29/2022 Daquan Peters (L) is among thousands of North Carolinians on parole who can register to vote. Allowing those on probation and parole to vote marks the largest expansion of voting rights in North Carolina since the Voting Rights Act of 1965 Daquan Peters didn’t waste any time […]
Monday numbers: A closer look at COVID exhaustion and how it’s affecting our response to the pandemic
By Joe Killian NC POLICY WATCH – 7/25/2022 The latest poll results from the the Axios/Ipsos Coronavirus Index show that Americans are exhausted with COVID-19 and its variants, with a majority saying they don’t believe they will ever be rid of the virus in their lifetimes. The results, released last week, are the latest indication that while the […]
Beasley vs. Budd: With 12 weeks to go, Democratic Senate candidate finds surprising momentum
By Kirk Ross NC POLICY WATCH – 7/26/2022 The U.S. Senate race between Democrat Cheri Beasley and Republican Ted Budd is shaping up to be a close one. Pivotal contest that some had already conceded to the GOP is shaping up to be closer than expected With less than three months to go before the start […]
From state budget surprises to freedom on the line: The week’s top stories on Policy Watch
By Clayton Henkel NC POLICY WATCH July 3, 2022 In Commentary, News In this issue: 1. State budget has plenty of surprises, including lots of earmarks and lower raises than state employees wanted Developing a state spending plan in secret, North Carolina Republicans used most of the state’s water and sewer improvement money for earmarked projects, lifted financial limits for families who want private school vouchers, and helped subsidize hog industry biogas plans. Republicans released their $27.9 billion budget late Tuesday afternoon and plan to have it […]