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38:05

In late 1972, U.S. Marine Captain Ron Forrester disappeared on a bombing run into North Vietnam. Back home in Texas, his family could only wait and hope. Audio subscribers to Texas Monthly can get early access to episodes of the series, plus exclusive interviews and audio. Visit texasmonthly.com/audio to join. Go to HelloFresh.com/FLIGHT10FM to get 10 Free Meals with a Free Item For Life.…

NC Newsline

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Stories and voices that matter

100 епізодів

NC Newsline

updated 13 годин тому

Поширити

Головна серій•Feed

Stories and voices that matter

100 епізодів

#News #Politics #NC Newsline #NC Policy Watch

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1
NC League of Women Voters president Jennifer Rubin on the ruling finalizing NC’s Supreme Court race 10:40

13 hours тому10:40

10:40

It’s been six long months now, but North Carolina’s seemingly never ending state Supreme Court election may soon be over. This past week, federal Judge Richard Myers II – a Republican appointed by President Trump — issued a complete rejection of GOP candidate Jefferson Griffin’s effort to overturn his narrow defeat by tossing the ballots of thousands of voters. In a detailed 68-page opinion, Myers wrote that Griffin’s effort to change rules governing voter eligibility after the election violates the U.S. Constitution. One advocacy group especially heartened by the ruling was the North Carolina League of Women Voters – which intervened in the case – and the day after the ruling came down, NC Newsline caught up with the League’s president, Jennifer Rubin. Click here to listen to the full interview with NC League of Women Voters president Jennifer Rubin.…

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Rep. Zack Hawkins on the chaos of crossover week and improving services for those with disabilities 15:02

13 hours тому15:02

15:02

This past week was crossover week at the North Carolina General Assembly – a chaotic period in which lawmakers considered and voted on scores of bills in just a few days – often with precious little informed discussion. It’s a tough time for legislators who take their jobs seriously and try to understand every proposal on which they’re voting – a task that some have more success with than others. One lawmaker who’s gotten pretty good at the speed-reading and comprehension that crossover week demands is Rep. Zack Hawkins of Durham and earlier in the week NC Newsline caught up with Hawkins to learn more about how he’s been faring, and to get his views on some front-burner issues – including the controversy surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion in state government and the urgent need to better serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Click here to listen to the full interview with Rep. Zack Hawkins.…

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Hilary Harris Klein of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice on voter list maintenance concerns 10:54

14 hours тому10:54

10:54

The challenge of keeping state voting rolls current and accurate has always been a big task and today, in a fast-growing state with more than seven and a half million voters – many of them often on the move – it can be tougher than ever. That said, there are sound and accurate ways to do this important work that keep things up to date without disenfranchising voters who may simply have skipped an election or two — and as a new report from researchers at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice shows, this is an area in which North Carolina officials can and should do a better job. Fortunately, as Newsline’s Rob Schofield was reminded in a recent conversation with the Southern Coalition’s senior voting rights counsel Hilary Harris Klein, the solutions in this area aren’t terribly complex and many are largely just a function of providing adequate funding to state and county election officials to hire necessary staff and purchase 21st century computer systems. Listen to the full interview with Hilary Harris Klein of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. Click here to read the new SCSJ report.…

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New state elections board embarrasses with shameful treatment of executive director 1:05

19 hours тому1:05

1:05

Fears about the trouble that lies ahead for North Carolina now that judges have okayed the scheme to give auditor Dave Boliek control over the state Board of Elections, were confirmed last week by the cruel and classless behavior of Boliek’s new right-wing appointees. After firing longtime elections board executive director Karen Brinson Bell – a rigorously nonpartisan professional who worked miracles on a shoestring budget and won national acclaim for her work to help western North Carolinians vote after Hurricane Helene – the new board members wouldn’t even allow her to say farewell. When she asked to say a few words at her final board meeting, Boliek’s new appointees adjourned before she could say a word and walked out of the room. Unbowed by the shabby treatment, Brinson Bell stayed behind to deliver a powerful message to the news media and other witnesses. The bottom line: For nearly six years, Karen Brinson Bell dedicated her career to strengthening our democracy and exemplifying public service at its finest – two concepts about which the men who fired her haven’t a clue. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

1
The conservative war on science continues in Raleigh 1:05

4 дні тому1:05

1:05

No modern political leader has done more to undermine science and research – both by slashing funding and directly spreading myths and disinformation — than President Donald Trump. Whether defunding everything from cancer studies to the National Weather Service or placing a troubled conspiracy theorist like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in charge of the nation’s health, Trump has recklessly endangered millions of lives and wreaked havoc that will take many years to repair. And sadly, Trump has also spurred state and local government in a similar direction. Last week, North Carolina House Republicans advanced a bill to ignore the Food and Drug Administration by allowing the sale of a drug used to kill parasites in horses — ivermectin – without a prescription. Though touted by some right-wing pundits as a miracle cure, peer reviewed scientific research has repeatedly shown such claims to be bogus. The bottom line: Ivermectin advocates may be sincere, but by overturning established, science-based drug approval laws, they are setting a very dangerous precedent indeed. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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Judge Griffin’s concession in Supreme Court contest doesn’t undo the damage he inflicted 1:05

5 днів тому1:05

1:05

The nation’s last unsettled election contest has finally been decided. On Wednesday, Republican state Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin conceded to incumbent Democratic Justice Allison Riggs. It was a long overdue act that many observers, including Justice Riggs (who prevailed in two separate recounts), are rightfully celebrating as a victory for democracy. That said, Griffin’s challenge – which called for trashing thousands of ballots cast by voters according to the rules in effect last November – has done tremendous damage. Not only did it waste vast sums of money and further undermine the public’s confidence in the judiciary, but one fears that it will inspire copycat losers in future elections who will try to overturn their losses by retroactively altering election rules. God help us if this were to happen in a presidential election. The bottom line: a federal judge dismissed Griffin’s shameless challenge as unconstitutional, but several of Griffin’s GOP pals on the state courts were ready to go along with it. And that’s a red flag that should alarm us all. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

1
Nobody voted to make Dave Boliek governor 1:05

6 днів тому1:05

1:05

If you’re like the vast majority of North Carolina voters, the decision you made last November in the auditor’s race was pretty low on your list of priority contests. Ah, but for Republican lawmakers looking for ways to seize more powers from Gov. Josh Stein, newly elected Republican auditor Dave Boliek has turned out to be a convenient tool. Thanks to a bill rammed through during a lame duck session, Boliek has been given all sorts of new powers that have absolutely nothing to do with the auditor’s traditional role – including bizarrely enough, appointing the state Board of Elections. And last week Boliek followed marching orders from GOP leaders by appointing a pair of hard right ideologues to the Board. The bottom line: It makes no more sense to place the auditor — state’s accountant — in charge of elections than giving the duty to the agriculture commissioner – especially when voters had no inkling of the shift when they cast their ballots. Unfortunately, for Republican lawmakers bent on shamelessly seizing power at every turn, logic and the will of voters is of little interest. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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Duke Energy helps lead a cowardly corporate retreat 1:04

7 днів тому1:04

1:04

While it’s no surprise that President Donald Trump is undoing years of hard won national progress in combating discrimination, the decision by many corporations to cowardly follow suit is shameful. Take North Carolina-based Duke Energy. As researchers at the Energy and Policy Institute recently reported, Duke once held itself out as a leader in fighting injustice. Its former CEO led her presentation at a 2020 earnings call by stating quote “issues surrounding racial equity and social justice are front and center, as they should be.” “Now, more than ever” she continued, “we are relying on these values to cultivate a workplace rooted in diversity and inclusion.” What a difference a few years make. Today, the report notes, Duke has been busy scrubbing numerous references to diversity and inclusion from important corporate documents. The bottom line: While some corporations are proudly reenforcing their commitment to fight discrimination, Duke bosses have sadly but predictably folded like a cheap suit. One suspects it’s a sign of their true colors. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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The NC Conservation Network’s Grady McCallie and Luna Homsi discuss State of the Environment 2025 21:06

7 днів тому21:06

21:06

Few issues on the public policy agenda in 2025 are more urgently important than the health of the environment. Whether it’s global challenges like climate change and the rise in weather disasters or hyperlocal matters like land use planning and access to clean drinking water, elected leaders undoubtedly have their work cut out for them. Fortunately, thanks to the hard work of experts at the North Carolina Conservation Network, we now have a wonderfully comprehensive and data rich report that details exactly where things stand. The report – entitled simply enough, “North Carolina State of the Environment” – is based on the analysis of data from 114 different source indicators over a period of five years. And recently NC Newsline caught up with the Conservation Network’s Policy Director Grady McCallie and Campaigns Data Manager Luna Homsi, for a special two-part conversation to learn more. In Part One of our recent extended conversation, we commenced discussing their organization’s new and remarkably comprehensive report on the state of the environment in North Carolina. In Part Two of our chat, we took a closer look at some of the many specific environmental challenges confronting our state – including some encouraging news on air pollution, the importance of rapidly transitioning to a sustainable energy grid, the huge challenges posed by the spread of so-called forever chemicals, and the report’s inclusion of dozens of specific policy recommendations. Click here for the full interview with the NC Conservation Network’s Grady McCallie and Luna Homsi. Read the full report: North Carolina State of the Environment 2025.…

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Equality NC’s Eliazar Posada on recent anti-LGBTQ bills, and how caring people are pushing back 16:14

7 днів тому16:14

16:14

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has helped give rise to many disturbing trends in merican politics and policy in recent months, and one of the most troubling has been the crusade to marginalize and revive discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans. Both in Washington and Raleigh, conservative politicians and their appointees have been working hard to roll back hard won victories that allowed LGBTQ+ people to live normal lives free from harassment and even to, quite literally, deny their existence. Thankfully, a cadre of smart and courageous activists has been helping to speak out and push back, and recently Newsline’s Rob Schofield got a chance to chat with one of their most eloquent leaders – the executive director of Equality North Carolina, Eliazar Posada. Listen to the full interview with Equality North Carolina executive director Eliazar Posada…

1
Chaotic week at the legislature highlights NC’s flawed lawmaking process 1:05

8 днів тому1:05

1:05

Like many seemingly inexplicable practices that just sort of happened over time, designers of our state government could probably never have imagined something like “crossover week” at the North Carolina legislature. “Crossover” is an artificial semi-annual deadline by which bills must be approved by at least one body – the Senate or the House – in order to remain eligible for passage that year. This year’s deadline is this Thursday May 8. While the reasoning behind crossover deadline –to cull hundreds of bills and spur lawmakers to action – probably makes some sense, the practical result is that scores of bills will be approved this week in an absurdly rushed fashion. Indeed, large numbers of dramatic state law changes will be brought closer to enactment with, quite literally, just a few minutes of discussion and scarce – if any – public input. The bottom line: The crossover deadline has become obsolete. In a large, diverse and fast growing state of 10 million people, lawmakers ought to be serious and disciplined enough to get their work done without having to cram like college students. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

1
Illogical cruelty: Lawmakers seek to criminalize homelessness 1:05

11 днів тому1:05

1:05

As anyone who steps outside of a gated community these days is aware, the number of impoverished and homeless people living on the street is, thanks to our unjust and top heavy economy, way up. What’s more, providing useful assistance to these people – many of whom struggle with disabilities, mental and physical health challenges and just plain hopelessness — is extremely tough. Here, however, is one thing we do know from the experts who do this heroic work: passing laws to make life on the street even tougher isn’t a solution. Unfortunately, that’s where the North Carolina legislature is heading with a bill that would force local governments to criminalize camping or sleeping on public property. As a Methodist pastor told lawmakers, quote “How can we push down folks who are already down? Seems like it’s impossible, but this bill has figured it out.” The bottom line: As several advocates told lawmakers, the solution to homelessness lies in a sustained commitment to building a genuine social safety net and ending poverty, not criminalizing people who have no other place to go. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

1
NC women lawmakers plead for fair insurance treatment 1:05

12 днів тому1:05

1:05

It’s a pretty remarkable situation when elected leaders feel compelled to share their own intimate personal health stories in hopes of passing legislation that would save the lives of others. And it’s even more remarkable (and troubling) when the leaders doing the sharing are all women and the officials blocking action are all men. But that’s what happened this week at the state legislature when a trio of female lawmakers who are also breast cancer survivors demanded action on legislation that would require health insurance companies to cover the cost of diagnostic imaging for the disease. Amazingly, many insurers don’t cover those tests and even more amazingly, the male legislators who run the General Assembly have repeatedly blocked bipartisan bills to require it. It’s an outrageous situation that, as Senator Val Applewhite of Cumberland County rightfully observed, should leave all women, quote “as mad as hell.” The bottom line: The all-male crew behind the breast cancer screening blockade should be ashamed. Let’s hope their mothers, wives and daughters let them know about it. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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State leaders should heed experts in combating substance use disorder 1:05

13 днів тому1:05

1:05

There are many factors that go into the overdose epidemic of opioids and other drugs that kill thousands of North Carolinians each year. As a pair of law and medicine experts explained, however, in a recent NC Newsline op-ed, there are some increasingly successful strategies that deserve public support. And topping the list is the urgent need for everyone – health care providers, law enforcement, elected officials – to recognize that substance use disorder – is just that: a medical disorder, not merely an addiction or personal weakness to be frowned upon. Fortunately, polls show that an overwhelming majority of North Carolinians have come to understand this truth and strongly favor what experts describe as “a health-first approach” to the problem, that includes funding for non-judgmental, evidence-based treatment programs. The bottom line: To his great credit, Governor Josh Stein has voiced strong support for committing the state to just such an approach and ending the stigma that too often attaches to substance use disorder. All state policymakers and providers should follow his lead. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield…

1
A simple step to prevent gun violence that all sides should be able to support 1:05

14 днів тому1:05