Governor Roy Cooper signed the following bill into law:
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Local and state politicians discuss their mask mandate opinions
The City of Kinston has a current mask mandate requiring everyone to wear a mask inside of city buildings. Mayor Dontario Hardy said, "We will be taking the recommendations from the Governor's office and Secretary Kinsley's office here in the very near future."
Governor Cooper encourages schools and local governments to end their mask mandates
Today, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley provided an update on the state’s COVID-19 metrics and trends. As North Carolina’s COVID-19 metrics continue to move in the right direction and with vaccines widely available, Governor Cooper encouraged schools and local governments to end their mask mandates.
Governor Cooper announces over $335 million distributed to more than 3,900 child care centers through child care sabilization grants
Governor Roy Cooper visited and toured Fundamentals Child Development Center in Goldsboro where he provided an update on the North Carolina Child Care Stabilization Grants and encouraged all eligible child care centers to apply for funding.
North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore urges governor: End student masking policies
North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore sent a letter to Governor Roy Cooper asking to end the policies that have disrupted classrooms and hindered student achievement and repeal the guidelines that force healthy kids to stay home and effectively mandate masks in schools, as most governors across the country finally do the same.
Cooper vetoed House Bill 605: 2022 Primary Date
"This bill is an additional attempt by Republican legislators to control the election timeline and undermine the voting process. The constitutionality of congressional and legislative districts is now in the hands of the North Carolina Supreme Court and the Court should have the opportunity to decide how much time is needed to ensure that our elections are constitutional."
Governor Roy Cooper signs professional land surveyor bill
An act to revise the education requirements for licensure of a professional land surveyor, to make various technical changes, to clarify the design-build and design-build bridging statutes, to prohibit waiver of future claims for progress payments on construction contracts, to require attorneys' fees in certain lien claims, and to define the term "supplier" as used in a provision of the alcohol control laws.
Mayor Dontario Hardy appointed to lead National League of Cities’ Small City Council
NC, has been appointed to Chairman of the National League of Cities (NLC) 2022 Small Cities Council. Hardy was elected to a one-year term to develop and guide programs among local elected officials from similar communities. The appointment was announced by NLC President Mayor Vince Williams of Union City, Georgia.
USDA Highlights Biden-Harris Administration’s First-Year Accomplishments to Create Better Market Opportunities for Rural Businesses in North Carolina
U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small today highlighted the Biden-Harris administration’s first-year accomplishments in North Carolina to help create better market opportunities for rural businesses, their suppliers and their customers.
John Hood: Imperial City Loses on Mandates
On September 15, I wrote a column responding to President Joe Biden’s announcement of a new federal mandate that large employers, federal contractors, and certain other business establishments require their employees either to be vaccinated or to undergo frequent COVID-19 testing.
Senator Don Davis announced intent to run for congress
Senator Don Davis, of Greene County, has announced his intent to run for congress to represent the second district, after Representative G.K. Butterfield said he would not seek re-election.
First session graduates of Kinston 101 course
The first group of Kinston 101 members have graduated. This group was made up of 15 members. These members attended seven out of ten sessions where they learned about the city’s inner workings.
N.C. Supreme Court halts 2022 candidate filing, delays primary
On Tuesday, December 8 the Supreme Court of North Carolina issued an order to halt candidate filings for the 2022 election and delayed the primary. The new primary will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
The order also states, “Any individual who has already filed to run for public office in 2022 and whose filing has been accepted by the appropriate board of elections, will be deemed to have filed…”
A new filing period has yet to be established by the State Board of Elections or N.C. Supreme Court.
Current list of 2022 candidates for Lenoir, Greene and Jones Counties
According to the State Board of Elections, here are the most recent 2022 candidate filings in our area. As of today, the Supreme Court of North Carolina has halted candidate filings and delayed the primary until Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
Superior Court Clerk Dawn Stroud announces she will retire when her term ends
Dawn Stroud has announced her retirement after 32 years of service as the Clerk of Superior Court. She will serve out the remainder of her term which expires December 2022.
Historic city council swearing in ceremony
The city of Kinston held a historic City Council meeting where the results of the 2021 Municipal election led to the swearing-in of the youngest city council member in North Carolina. Council members Robert Swinson IV and Chris Suggs were sworn in as well as Mayor Dontario Hardy. In addition to the swearing-in of council members and mayor, Mayor Hardy also selected Council Member Antonio Hardy as his Mayor Pro Tem.
Governor Cooper announces four Judicial appointments, Justin Minshew as District 8A judge
Governor Roy Cooper announced four judicial appointments to Superior and District Courts across the state.
Lenoir County Sheriff files for re-election
Today, Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram announced he has filed for re-election with the Lenoir County Board of Elections for the Office of Sheriff.
NC Free Enterprise Foundation rates local legislatures
The NC Free Enterprise Foundation (NCFREE) released its 2021 Legislative Business Ratings. The foundation ranks NC General Assembly members voting records on votes related to advancing business and free enterprise within North Carolina.
Governor Cooper vetoes Election Day Integrity Act Bill
"The legislature ironically named this bill 'The Election Day Integrity Act' when it actually does the opposite. Election integrity means counting every legal vote, but this bill virtually guarantees that some will go uncounted."