National

NC presidential pardon highlights marijuana reform

March 27, 2024

A man from North Carolina serving a long sentence for selling drugs has received a presidential pardon, which sparked discussions about long sentences for marijuana-related offenses. As President Joe Biden grants forgiveness to James Michael Barber, advocates for changing the current drug laws emphasize the need for broader reforms for marijuana-related charges.

Paul Armentano, deputy director of the advocacy group known as NORML, said the significance of presidential pardons is important.

NC school voucher dollars are funding Christian Nationalist indoctrination

March 14, 2024

Shortly after he took over as North Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor in 2021, current Republican candidate for governor Mark Robinson launched a task force to root out indoctrination in our public schools.

Jobs Numbers Continue to Exceed Expectations in February

March 11, 2024

The United States’ labor market continued to show signs of strength in February 2024, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

States consider menthol cigarette bans as feds delay action

March 6, 2024

Elijah Kinlaw, a 24-year-old roofer from Clermont, Florida, is among the disproportionate number of Black smokers who favor menthol cigarettes and supports a federal ban on them to mitigate their health risks, despite the challenges he faces in quitting.

Harris, in Durham ahead of Super Tuesday, touts administration’s investments in small and minority-owned businesses

March 5, 2024

If, as has long been the common wisdom in American politics, the chief day-to-day duty of the Vice President for their administration is to serve as an energetic champion, defender, and all-purpose political point person, Vice President Kamala Harris did her best to fulfill those roles on Friday during a brief visit to Durham.

Harris, in Durham ahead of Super Tuesday, touts administration’s investments in small and minority-owned businesses

March 3, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris’s visit to Durham highlighted the administration’s $92 million investment in women and minority-owned start-ups in North Carolina, reinforcing her role as a key advocate for President Biden’s reelection campaign.

Monday numbers: New data show why the U.S. needs more immigrants

March 1, 2024

The Congressional Budget Office’s recent economic forecast highlights the critical role of immigration in boosting the U.S. economy, projecting that immigrant workers will significantly increase the labor force, GDP, and federal tax revenue, while also preventing population decline by 2042.

No fare! Free bus rides raise questions of fairness, viability.

February 23, 2024

The article discusses the benefits and challenges of free bus rides in Richmond, Virginia, highlighting how the policy has boosted ridership and aided low-income workers but raised concerns about long-term financial sustainability and equitable fare structures.

Biden administration picks airports for nearly $1 billion in terminal upgrades

February 16, 2024

As announced by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the Biden administration will allocate nearly $1 billion in grants to 144 airports across the U.S., including several in North Carolina, to enhance terminal facilities and improve the passenger experience.

Private equity’s growing footprint in home health care draws scrutiny

February 12, 2024

Private equity ownership in healthcare, exemplified by the abrupt withdrawal of Help at Home from Alabama due to regulatory and reimbursement challenges, can lead to reduced access and quality of care, raising concerns about profit-driven healthcare models’ sustainability and ethical implications.

UAW delivers rousing presidential endorsement for Biden over ‘scab’ Trump

January 31, 2024

The United Auto Workers of America endorsed President Joe Biden for re-election, highlighting his unprecedented support for striking autoworkers and contrasting his pro-labor stance with former President Donald Trump’s perceived opposition to working-class interests.

Overdraft, late charges could be slashed as White House continues attack on junk fees

January 26, 2024

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed a new rule to ease overdraft fees as part of the Biden administration’s broader effort to reduce “junk fees,” potentially saving millions of households significant costs while ensuring greater transparency and fairness in financial services.

National News