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A new report says as a result of budget appropriation increases, within a few years, North Carolina taxpayers will be spending more than $520 million per year on private-school tuition. (Adobe Stock)

Report reveals inequities in NC school voucher system

School vouchers in North Carolina were intended to expand educational options for low-income families. However, the report "NC School Vouchers: Using …

The USDA is finalizing a series of rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act as part of President Biden's Executive Order on Promoting Competition in America's economy.

USDA rule could level playing field for livestock producers

Backers of a new federal rule said it will increase fairness for livestock and poultry producers, in North Carolina and across the country. The U.S…

North Carolina has more than 46,000 farms, and Black farmers run around 1,500 of them. (Adobe Stock)

'Farm and Faith' partnerships combat food injustices, racial land loss in NC

The Rural Advancement Foundation International is taking action against food injustices impacting farmers of color and rural communities through its F…

North Carolina's public schools earn failing grades in national report

North Carolina's public school system is facing a crisis, according to the recently released "Public Schooling in America 2024" report. It ranks the …

About 30% of U.S. households, or 38.6 million households, are eligible for weatherization. Only about 0.2% of low-income households in the United States receive much-needed weatherization services each year, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. (Marina Gordejeva/Adobe Stock) About 30% of U.S. households, or 38.6 million households, are eligible for weatherization. This means that only about 0.2% of low-income households in the United States receive much-needed weatherization se

NC nonprofit helps families in need save on energy bills

By Elizabeth Ouzts for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism…

In the United States, more than 44 million people, including 13 million children, experience food insecurity. (Adobe Stock)

Farm Bill could help food banks across North Carolina

In a state where nearly 11% of households face food insecurity, North Carolina's food banks are grappling with an urgent problem. The nonprofit …

North Carolina is one of 41 states to expand Medicaid since 2014. (Adobe Stock)

Officials urge NC residents to enroll during Medicaid expansion

North Carolina is pushing to expand health care to those who need it most and officials from UnitedHealthcare are urging residents to take advantage o…

The Farm Credit System is cumulatively the largest lender to the agricultural sector, making about 45% of all agricultural loans, with $350 billion in assets. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Increasing accountability, sustainability in Farm Credit System

A new report is calling for greater accountability in the system providing funding to farmers in underserved communities. The research takes a dive …

KFF research suggests that Medicaid expansion has helped reduce disparities in coverage by income, age, marital status, disability status and, in some studies, race/ethnicity. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolinians gain greater access to health care with Medicaid expansion

Starting Friday, North Carolinians will have greater access to health care as the long-awaited Medicaid expansion is launched. Medicaid will …

The North Carolina Department of Commerce provides free small-business advisors to help people who want to start/expand a business or have a general business question in North Carolina. (Adobe Stock)

Smaller Companies Struggle to Access Funding from Federal Economic Bills

In the quest for economic growth, some small businesses in North Carolina are facing challenges in accessing funding from federal economic stimuli…

The average annual cost of child care in North Carolina is $9,255 for an infant and $7,592 for a 4-year-old. (Adobe Stock)

Report Highlights NC Needs for More & Better Child Care

Families in North Carolina are in critical need of more and better child care options, according to the latest Kids Count Data Book, released today …

Around 77,900 transgender youths live in 11 states that passed bans or took other executive actions this year or in prior years to prohibit or limit their access to gender-affirming care. (Valerii Honcharuk/Adobe Stock)

NC Advocates, Doctors Speak Out Against Ban on Gender-Affirming Care

In North Carolina, advocates and health care professionals are voicing their opposition to recent medical care restrictions they call legislative …

International students comprise 5% of all students in higher education. (Adobe Stock)

Undocumented NC Students Call for Tuition Fairness

Some North Carolina students are calling on legislators to propose a bill to allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at community colleges…

Total Medicaid/CHIP enrollment grew to 90.9 million in September 2022, an increase of 19.8 million or more than 27.9% from enrollment in February 2020, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

NC's Most Vulnerable Face Challenges with Tailored Health Plans

Roughly 2.8 million North Carolinians receive Medicaid benefits, and many are being transitioned over to managed health care plans. It means their …

Wildlife crossings help reduce habitat fragmentation and increase landscape connectivity. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates Call for More "Climate-Informed" Wildlife Crossings

Advocates in North Carolina and nationally are calling on decision makers to expand the use of climate-informed wildlife crossings. Given the vast …

Carolina del Norte es uno de los 12 estados que no han ampliado Medicaid, lo que empeora la carga de los ya escasos proveedores de atenci�n m�dica en las zonas rurales. (Adobe Stock)

A pesar de décadas, desafíos de atención médica persisten en zonas rurales de NC

Mientras los legisladores estatales continúan las negociaciones sobre la expansión de Medicaid, los defensores dicen que décadas de …

Weather experts predict the upcoming 2022 hurricane season has a 60% chance of producing more storms of higher intensity. (Jillian Cain/Adobe Stock)

New Bill Allocates Money for Improving NC's Coastal Resilience

The Inflation Reduction Act, newly signed into law, allocates billions of dollars to fight climate change, including funds specifically for coastal …

RAFI-USA launched the Fresh Bucks consumer incentive program in 2015, in partnership with the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust. The Double Bucks incentive program began in 2019. (Adobe Stock)

NC Farmers’ Markets Double Buying Power for Food-Insecure Households

People in North Carolina who need to stretch every dollar spent on food can get double the value of fresh produce and other goods through government a…

Healthcare provisions in The Build Back Better Act would increase Medicaid and CHIP coverage for people after a pregnancy, from 60 days to one year postpartum. (Adobe Stock)

Report: 'Build Back Better' Could Shrink NC Health Coverage Gap

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Many low-income North Carolinians without health insurance would quality for 'zero-dollar' out-of-pocket health coverage under a new …

The latest North Carolina state budget includes $40 million for water and sewer projects in the state park system. (Adobe Stock)

Historic Dollars for Conservation, Outdoor Recreation in NC State Budget

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina communities will soon receive funding to preserve green spaces, maintain parks and boost resiliency against the …

Cutting greenhouse-gas emissions as part of an effort to slow climate change also reduces air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter, that harm human health, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (Adobe Stock)

NC Lawmaker: Build Back Better Act “Makes Up” for Time Lost on Emissions

DURHAM, N.C. -- North Carolina lawmakers say President Joe Biden's recently announced Build Back Better Act will help ensure generations of residents …

In 2018, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper issued Executive Order 80, a commitment to tackle climate change and build a clean energy economy. (Flickr/NC Dept. of Public Safety)<br />

Gov. Cooper: NC Will “Do Its Part” to Reduce Carbon Emissions

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Gov. Roy Cooper said this week, North Carolina lawmakers are on the cusp of passing legislation he believes will put the state on …

North Carolina's Senate Bill 300 also creates a felony charge for resisting police, if it results in physical injuries to the officer involved. (Adobe Stock)

ACLU: NC's Criminal-Justice Reform Package Doesn't Go Far Enough

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed sweeping criminal-justice reform into law this month that is meant to hold police more …

In the last fiscal quarter before the pandemic, the top 1% of higher-income Americans held $15.10 trillion in stock and mutual funds, according to the North Carolina Justice Center. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Corporate Leaders, Wealthy Individuals Call for Increased Taxes

RALEIGH, N.C. -- It is not every day people ask for higher taxes, but that is the gist of a letter just sent to Congress, signed by more than 200 …

North Carolina's registered voters overwhelmingly support land and water conservation, according to a 2017 statewide poll by the group Land for Tomorrow. (Adobe Stock)

Conservation Groups Give Thumbs Up on NC Senate Budget

RALEIGH, N.C. - Conservation groups are praising Senate lawmakers' recent budget proposal, which provides more than $100 million toward the state's …

Around 600,000 employees of North Carolina's small businesses have no health insurance, according to the North Carolina Justice Center. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Small Business Owners Feel "Crushed" by Healthcare System

DURHAM, N.C. -- Small-business owners across the state say the pandemic has highlighted their struggles with the current healthcare system, and many …

North Carolina could join the 11 states that make up the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a market-based collective to cap and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from the power sector. (Adobe Stock)

NC Steps Closer to Joining States Committed to Reducing Carbon Emissions

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A state environmental committee is considering a proposal to set a process in motion to reduce carbon emissions from power plants…

Hurricane Florence lands on North Carolina's coast in 2018. Statewide, the storm caused 39 deaths and billions of dollars in damage. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC Groups Sign On to Renewed National Focus on Curbing Climate Change

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Biden administration has its sights set on creating more jobs, with an ambitious plan centered on clean energy and climate policy…

More than 30 million workers nationwide, including 67% of low-wage workers, do not have access to a single paid sick day from their employers. (Adobe Stock)

More NC Employers See Public Health Benefits of Paid Leave

RALEIGH, N.C. -- More North Carolina employers have changed their "time off" policies to include sick leave related to COVID-19, but low-income …

A 2020 poll by the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters found 56% of North Carolina residents think a major coronavirus-like mobilization is required to ward off the worst impacts of climate change. (Adobe Stock)

With NC Native Heading EPA, Local Officials Build on Renewed Climate Focus

DURHAM, N.C. -- North Carolina leaders said the state is well-positioned to tackle climate change while boosting local economies, especially with …

More than 77% of North Carolinians identify as Christian, according to data from The Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

NC Faith Voters to Convene on Guns, Voting Rights, Healthcare

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The North Carolina Council of Churches will host a series of virtual workshops next week, focused on major legislative issues in the …

Research shows when jobless workers receive too little wage replacement for too short of a time, it impacts their ability to pay rent, keep food on the table and keep local businesses open. (Adobe Stock)

Push for UI Reform Grows as NC Workers' Challenges Linger

RALEIGH, N.C. -- It's estimated more than 280,000 North Carolinians remain unemployed from jobs lost during the pandemic, and many more have stopped …

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 4 million children lack health insurance coverage nationwide. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Without Action from Lawmakers, NC’s Child Uninsured Rate Expected to Rise

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The number of uninsured children is swelling in North Carolina and a dozen other states that have not opted to expand their Medicaid …

More than two-thirds of local health departments in the United States provide adult and childhood immunizations, communicable-disease control, community outreach and education, and more. (Adobe Stock)

NC Public Health Departments Called Overworked, Underfunded

OXFORD, N.C. -- North Carolina has spent fewer and fewer dollars on public health over the past decade, and local health officials say inconsistent …

Since its creation 1990s, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund has conserved more than 1.5 million acres of land and thousands of miles of streams and rivers. (Adobe Stock)

Pandemic Drives Demand to Expand NC State Parks, Natural Areas

RALEIGH, N.C. - The state has received more than 100 applications for conservation projects this year, an increase environmental groups say was …

North Carolina's population is projected to grow by 44% by 2040, and experts say cities must boost their public transportation options to handle this surge. (Adobe Stock)

NC Cities Fight for Public Transit, Despite Pandemic Setbacks

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Public-transit ridership has plummeted to historic lows across the U.S., but some North Carolina cities are pushing to sustain …

The city of Mount Airy, N.C., has undertaken a major stream-restoration project. (Adobe Stock)

Rural Towns Do Needed Restoration Work, Despite Pandemic

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. -- Small towns across the state are focusing efforts on environmental restoration and creating equitable access to green spaces …

Children with access to healthcare are more likely to succeed in school, graduate from high school, attend college, earn higher wages, and become healthy adults. (Adobe Stock)

Spike in Number of Uninsured NC Children Among Highest in Nation

RALEIGH, N.C. -- An estimated 142,000 North Carolina children were uninsured last year, according to a new report released by the Georgetown …

Nationwide, more than 100,000 small-scale farms disappeared between 2011 and 2018. (Adobe Stock)

Small Farmers Say Federal Policies Sidestep Rural Communities

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Small farmers and rural residents say Washington has for too long neglected the special needs of these regions, and some are now …

In the final stretch of the U.S. Census, North Carolina continues to lag behind the national self-response rate by 3.8 percentage points. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Judge Orders Census Count Extended through October

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The 2020 Census count will be extended until October 31, this after a court ruling reversed the Trump administration's decision to …

Since the state's eviction moratorium expired in June, thousands of North Carolina residents are at risk of losing their housing. (Adobe Stock)

NC Lawmakers Fail to Bring Relief to Struggling Residents

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina's economy is hurting, yet residents can expect little in the way of federal relief. U.S. Senate lawmakers have …

After-school programs, school lunch assistance, special education, and classroom technology all receive federal funding based on U.S. Census data. (Adobe Stock)

Census Undercount Could be Disastrous for NC Schools

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Census Bureau has announced it's wrapping up field operations a month earlier than previously planned, and critics say the …

Many retailers who have made the switch from brick-and-mortar to online-only sales during the pandemic are relying heavily on their local postal service. (Adobe Stock)

NC’s Small Businesses Say USPS Needed Now More Than Ever

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- North Carolina's small businesses say they are relying on the U.S. Postal Service to help get them get through the coronavirus …

North Carolinians who are behind on their utility bills could be disconnected when the shutoff moratorium expires Saturday. (Adobe Stock)

Despite Heat Wave, Utility Shutoffs Loom for 1 Million in NC

RALEIGH, N.C. -- As temperatures soar above 100 degrees in some regions, more than 1 million North Carolina households could lose access to air …

The COVID-19 pandemic has the U.S. Postal Service scrambling to come up with additional revenue.(Adobe Stock)

Count on Getting Your Mail? Senate Day of Action Urges Support for USPS

RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolinians have been counting on their postal workers to deliver needed items during the pandemic, and now the U.S. Postal …

It's estimated that hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians have lost health insurance coverage due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

More NC Workers See Medicaid Expansion as Racial Justice Issue

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Black Americans are more than twice as likely as whites to die of COVID-19, but even before the pandemic, racial health disparities …

The Roan Highlands in North Carolina is a conservation focus area of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. (Travis Bordley)

Great American Outdoors Act Could Help NC Expand State Parks

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- The U.S. Senate recently passed legislation aimed at ensuring the nation's land and water resources, particularly its national …

Millions of vacationers flock to North Carolina's Outer Banks each year. (Adobe Stock)

NC's Coastal Areas Could Get Economic Boost from Moving Forward Act

NAGS HEAD, N.C. -- Congress is considering a bill that would provide funding to coastal communities for investment in ocean and coastal-habitat …

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NC: Budget Policy & Priorities