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According to the Prison Policy Initiative, about 305,360 men and 93,925 women are released from prisons and jails in North Carolina every year. (Felix Mizioznikov/Adobe stock)

Thursday, May 9, 2024

A new hotline connects formerly incarcerated people with re-entry services in NC

A North Carolina group hopes to help people stay out of prison by connecting them to critical resources. Recidivism Reduction Educational Programs …

Federal researchers found nearly three in four children who were disenrolled during the

Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Report: NC works to keep kids on Medicaid health coverage

A new report showed North Carolina is one of only a few states taking a cautious approach to removing families with children from Medicaid since the p…

According to Zillow, the typical value of homes in North Carolina is about $329,225. North Carolina home values have gone up 4.6% over the past year. (Adobe Stock)

Rural North Carolina town gets pathway to homeownership

Residents in a rural North Carolina town grappling with economic challenges are getting a pathway to homeownership. In Enfield, the average annual …

According to data from Best Colleges, nearly half of states in the U.S. have either proposed anti-DEI legislation or could be in the process of drafting it. (Adobe Stock)

Students unite to defend DEI initiatives

Conversations about diversity, equity and inclusion are on the rise as lawmakers propose bills to restrict or ban DEI in state-funded institutions…

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 …

According to research from the Brennan Center, if the voter participation gap had not existed in 2020, 9 million more ballots would have been cast. (Adobe Stock)

Southern groups mobilize to empower voters, protect democracy

Southern groups are mobilizing to protect democracy and empower voters to address the issues that impact their communities, including in North …

The Inclusive Democracy Act of 2023 would restore voting rights to all Americans with criminal convictions, eliminate state-level barriers for incarcerated individuals to vote in federal elections, and prohibit prosecution for incomplete ballots. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Bill aims to restore voting rights for incarcerated people in NC, US

More than 83,000 people in North Carolina are unable to vote, due to a past or present felony conviction and at least some are watching new …

Access to EV charging is expected to increase significantly in the coming years as a result of government initiatives in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. (Adobe Stock)

Expanding EV infrastructure for environmental equity in NC

The number of electric vehicles in North Carolina has surged in the past five years, with about 70,000 people now driving them. Advocates said …

In a statement on its website, Emancipate North Carolina said it

Advocates stand with NC Justice Earls during investigation

Numerous groups are showing support for North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls as an investigation moves forward following her comments rega…

NC leaders discuss alternatives to criminal-justice fees

The burden of criminal justice fees can be financially devastating for many individuals. From speeding tickets to court costs, those involved in the …

People who are detained awaiting trial are more likely to accept a less favorable plea deal, more likely to be sentenced to prison, and more likely to receive longer sentences, research from The Sentencing Project showed. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

Report: Minorities make up NC prison population majority

A new study of incarceration trends shows people who are Black or Native American make up more than half of North Carolina's prison population…

In 1920, Black people made up 14% of all farmers. It is estimated Black farmers lost around $326 billion worth of land within the 20th century. BIPOC farmers now make up less than 5% of all U.S. farmers. (Heather Craig/Adobe Stock)

Advocates bring attention to racism rooted in farming across NC

Advocates are drawing attention to systemic racism in farming across North Carolina and the nation. The National Farm Worker Ministry is hosting its …

In 2019, Black youths were 4.4 times as likely to be incarcerated in the juvenile-justice system<br />as were their white peers. (Jeffrey Zalesny/Adobe Stock)

Report Offers Ways to Reduce Jail, Prison Populations in NC

The U.S. prison population has grown nearly 500% since the start of mass incarceration 50 years ago and now, reform advocates are calling for its end …

About one in five North Carolina residents has unpaid medical bills in the collections process. (Adobe Stock) About one in five North Carolina residents has unpaid medical bills that are in the collections process. (Adobe Stock) About one in five North Carolina residents has unpaid medical bills that are in the collections process. (Adobe Stock)

NC Foundation Helps Erase $2.2 Million in Medical Debt

The burden of medical debt is not so heavy anymore for some lucky North Carolina residents. The Coastal Credit Union Foundation partnered with the …

NC Family Demands Fair Treatment as Teen Brothers Face Adult Charges

A Gaston County family is demanding fair treatment as teenage twin brothers Paden and La'Dainian Fuller face attempted first-degree murder charges in …

Youth-Led Nonprofit Works to Transform Rural NC Health, Wellness

Rural areas in North Carolina have long been grappling with limited access to services, from health care to internet access, and a unique nonprofit …

Organización no lucrativa dirigida por jóvenes trabaja para transformar las zonas rurales de CN

Las zonas rurales de Carolina del Norte llevan mucho tiempo lidiando con un acceso limitado a los servicios, desde la atención médica hasta …

Farmers in North Carolina lose crops worth roughly $79 million as a result of equipment breakdowns. (Alexey Zarodov/Adobe Stock)

Tractor ‘Right to Repair’ Could Save NC Farmers $103 Million a Year

North Carolina farmers are calling on lawmakers to address manufacturer-imposed repair limitations on tractors, and minimize disruptions on their …

In 2020, children of color made up the majority of the total child population in 20 states. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Declining Child Population a Concern for NC’s Future

North Carolina is among the states where the child population has increased, but nationwide numbers suggest a decline in children, which could …

The National Association of Federally Insured Credit Unions reports 122 million Americans are credit-union members. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

NC Credit Unions Position Themselves as Banking Alternatives

People who are nervous about where to put their money based on recent bank failures in the news are taking a closer look at credit unions. There …

Farmland makes up about 8.3 million acres in North Carolina, and agriculture employs one in six people in the state. (Andrii Yalanskyi/Adobe Stock)

NC Farmers Count On Congress for Support to Fight Climate Change

North Carolina farmers are monitoring a bill that's been revived in Congress, aimed at improving farm sustainability and reducing the agriculture …

People have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the air by 40% since the late 1700s. (Adobe Stock)

NC BREATHE Conference: Climate Concerns for Vulnerable Communities

North Carolina groups are gathering to tackle the main challenges climate change presents to local communities at today's NC BREATHE Conference in Cha…

After Generations of Exclusion, Black Americans Embrace the Outdoors

By Jazmin Murphy for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Brett Peveto for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News Service …

Many of the nation's more than 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States do not have access to any form of identification, according to the Center for American Progress. (Adobe Stock)

NC’s Anti-Community ID Bill Could Harm Immigrant Families

Providers of community IDs for North Carolina's immigrant communities say proposed legislation banning police officers and local governments from reco…

The Best Colleges rankings take into account a school's academic outcomes and overall college affordability. (Adobe Stock)

Three NC HBCUs on List of Best LGBTQ+ Campuses

Three North Carolina Historically Black Colleges and Universities are on a recent "best of" list for LGBTQ+ campuses. The Best Colleges Campus Pride …

Median operating margins among rural hospitals were higher in expansion than non-expansion states in 2019, according to KFF. (Adobe Stock)

NC Medicaid Expansion Agreement Could Bolster Rural Hospitals

North Carolina lawmakers recently reached a bipartisan agreement that paves the way for an additional 600,000 residents to gain access to health cover…

North Carolina is one of the largest users of a type of temporary agricultural visa with between 14,000 and 17,000 H-2A visa workers annually, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (Adobe Stock)

Unionized Farmworkers Reach Pact with Hundreds of NC Farms

Unionized farmworkers recently signed a collective-bargaining agreement with the North Carolina Growers Association. The new agreement protects the …

Americans strongly support unionization, according to a 2022 Gallup poll in which 71% of respondents approved of unions, marking the highest point nationally since 1965. (Adobe Stock)

Even With Thinning Ranks, Unions Organize for Change

By Herbert White for the Charlotte Post, with support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for North …

A schematic of a planned shopping district by F7 International Development, whose CEO was recently awarded the

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NC Business Owners Recognized for Their Social Impact

An increasing number of North Carolina businesses are shifting toward social impact and sustainable business practices. James Montague, president …

Black farmers made up 14% of U.S. farmers in 1920, but having been denied equal access to land, financing and other resources, that number dwindled to 1.4% in 2017, according to the U.S. Census of Agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

NC's Black Farmers Face Uphill Battle

Two Democratic senators have introduced legislation in Washington they hope will become part of the 2023 Farm Bill. Debate is set to begin in the …

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction was recently awarded $17 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education to help address student mental health needs. (Adobe Stock)

Foundation Funds Grassroots Efforts to Curb NC Racial Disparities

Following the example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - honored today for his civil rights work - one organization in North Carolina is finding ways …

El Departamento de Instrucci�n P�blica de Carolina del Norte recibi� recientemente $17 millones en subvenciones del Departamento de Educaci�n de EE. UU. para ayudar a abordar las necesidades de salud mental de los estudiantes. (Adobe Stock)

Fundación apoya esfuerzos comunitarios para frenar disparidades raciales en NC

Una organización en Carolina del Norte encuentra maneras de ayudar a revertir las disparidades raciales en el estado, y sigue el ejemplo del Dr…

FLOC was founded in 1968 to defend the rights and basic human dignity of farm workers regardless of immigration status. (Heather Craig / Adobe Stock)

FLOC Convention Resolves to Make Common Cause with Small Farmers

Leaders of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee want to change the narrative about agriculture in America. FLOC members who gathered in Toledo, Ohio…

More than 574,000 students were enrolled last year in the North Carolina Community College System. (Zoran Zeremski / Adobe Stock)

Innovations in NC Higher Ed Helping Students Who Transfer

Research says 80% of community-college students intend to transfer to complete a bachelor's degree, but only 14% do so within six years. …

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 …

An estimated six million children with asthma in the United States are especially vulnerable to air pollution, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock)

Climate Change, Extreme Temps Affect NC Black-Owned Small Businesses

A new Pew Research poll finds Americans are split on how to tackle climate change. In North Carolina, small Black-owned businesses say they're …

In 2020, 2.6 million more U.S. households became homeowners compared with 2019, according to the National Association of Realtors. (Pipkin Family/Self Help Credit Union)

Credit Unions Offer Programs to Help First-Time NC Homebuyers

June is National Homeownership Month - and some North Carolina credit unions and banks say they're working to reduce the racial wealth gap by offering…

The 2020 North Carolina Climate Science Report stated,

NC Faith Leaders Call on U.S. to Pay 'Fair Share' for Climate-Related Loss

Faith and climate leaders convene in Charlotte this week, as the Southeast Climate and Energy Network and US Climate Action Network join forces…

Around 17% of bachelor's degrees awarded to Black students nationwide come from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and <a href=

research shows HBCUs boost economic mobility and generational wealth.(Adobe Stock)">

NC HBCU Boosts Resources for Nontraditional Learners

One of North Carolina's oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities is finding new ways to help students stay enrolled and graduate. Recent …

Staff prepare to vaccinate North Carolina residents at a pop-up clinic run by the Farm Labor Organizing Committee, AFL-CIO. (Christiana Wagner/FLOC)

Mobile COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Gears Up for Influx of NC Migrant Workers

An all-volunteer vaccine clinic run by a farmworkers' union says it's expecting an increase in demand from seasonal migrant workers who want to be vac…

Observers say in the past several years, the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association has had an increasingly heavy hand in crafting state policies related to policing and criminal justice. (Adobe Stock)

A Powerful Lobby Shaped NC’s Newest Body-Camera Law

By Mandy Locke and Danielle Battaglia Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan Reporting for the Gaston Gazette -North Carolina News Service Members of…

Harmful chemicals known as PFAS have been detected in the drinking water of nearly two dozen public water systems across North Carolina, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental Leaders Gather in NC for Health-Equity Conference

National environmental leaders gather this week in Salisbury to discuss how North Carolina can better address the disproportionate public health impac…

Natural disasters can upend personal finances, increase debt and affect retirement plans, according to experts from North Carolina's Coastal Credit Union. (Adobe Stock)

NC Credit Unions Step Up Resources for Families Affected by Warehouse Fire

Local credit union employees are providing volunteer financial counseling services to QVC plant employees and their immediate families who were impact…

Research from 2016 found that when police were equipped with cameras during a test period, use of force incidents and citizen complaints shrank by 50% and 90%. (Adobe Stock)">

Critics: NC Courts Have “Wide Discretion” on BodyCam Footage Release

Under a 2016 law, footage from cameras worn by North Carolina police officers can only be released through court order. But critics say the process …

According to the North Carolina Business Council, fair elections are a top concern among its members. (Adobe Stock)

Small Businesses Want Fair Representation in New NC Voting Maps

A big deadline is coming up this week for North Carolina legislators, who have yet to spell out the process for redrawing new electoral maps…

Drug overdose deaths topped more than 100,000 in 2021, according to the CDC. (Adobe Stock)<br />

2021 Saw Record Number of NC Overdose Deaths

Advocates and faith groups are calling for more investments in harm reduction across the state, as new provisional data shows overdose deaths have …

Farmworkers suffer from higher blood pressure compared with the general public, putting them at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes; yet many face challenges accessing health care. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Rural NC Farmworker Clinics Rely on APRNs

Volunteer Advanced Practice Registered Nurses serve North Carolina's most vulnerable communities, yet many say the state's supervising physician …

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PNS Daily Newscast - May 10, 2024

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NC: Social Justice