2016 Elections
TWC NEWS: Robert Brawley to Challenge Governor McCrory in Primary Race
Governor Pat McCrory has a primary opponent for the 2016 gubernatorial election
NEWS & RECORD: 2016 legislative retirements marked by top GOP leaders
Democrats Marc Basnight, Tony Rand and Joe Hackney were the veteran political powerhouses of the North Carolina General Assembly in 2009. Within four years, they were all out of power and out of office — largely the result of age, illness and the ascendancy of the Republican Party in state politics.
WRAL: Opinion: Candidates can't be the face of bond campaign
Candidates running for offices such as governor or attorney general won't be able to serve as spokesmen for committees promoting or opposing the March 15 bond referendum, according to state elections officials.
WRAL: Super PAC supporting North Carolina lieutenant governor
A political action committee that can take unlimited contributions from donors has been formed with the primary goal of helping Republican Dan Forest get re-elected as North Carolina's lieutenant governor in 2016.
Education
WRAL: Senator asks state to halt payroll deductions for educators group
Sen. Ralph Hise, R-Mitchell, has asked the Office of State Controller to stop deducting dues from members of the North Carolina Association of Educators, a teacher advocacy group that has tangled with lawmakers over salary and education policy.
ABC 11: UNC Board names Junius Gonzales as interim system president
Junius J. Gonzales, senior vice president for academic affairs of the 17-campus University of North Carolina, will become the University's interim president, effective January 4, 2016.
Energy & Environment
STAR NEWS: Proposed offshore wind turbines source of contention for beach towns
The view from several Cape Fear coastal communities could be dotted with fields of wind turbines, unless the concerns from local beach towns are heard.
NEWS & OBSERVER: NC Utilities Commission approves electricity discounts for industrial customers
The N.C. Utilities Commission this week approved a special discount on electric bills for industrial power users, a price break Duke Energy has been seeking for favored customers for at least four years.
Health Care
WFAE: Public Health Report Shows NC As Most Improved State
North Carolina showed the most improvement of any state in a major public health report released Thursday.
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Electronic cigarette sales continue volume decline
Declines in electronic cigarettes sales continued during November, as heightened promotional activity failed to generate higher consumer interest, according to the latest industry data from Nielsen.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Researchers measure NC psychiatric bed shortage
The state would need another psychiatric hospital nearly the size of Central Regional in Butner to reduce average wait times for beds to about one day for patients in the middle of the state, according to a study released this month.
Public Safety
NEWS & OBSERVER: NC public safety agency says budget has hampered terrorism probes
The head of the state’s public safety agency Thursday criticized state legislators for what he called a “dangerous” and shortsighted move that has hampered efforts to detect and prevent crime, including terrorism, in North Carolina.
Transportation
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Why couldn't the DOT build free lanes on I-77?
In the debate over whether to build toll lanes on Interstate 77, the N.C. Department of Transportation has said starting over with a new plan would take years.
ABC 11: Expanded bus service, rail highlight Wake transit plan
New and improved buses, more routes throughout Wake County and a rail system stretching 37 miles, all of this is part of a new transit plan unveiled by county leaders Tuesday.
