Commentary

COMMENTARY

Gambling with people’s lives: A tragic legislative session devolves into farce

BY: - September 19, 2023

A game. An utterly cynical game that’s about nothing other than power, money and winning. That’s clearly how North Carolina state Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, House Speaker Tim Moore, and the minions with whom they surround themselves are treating the never-ending 2023 state legislative session over which they exert such complete and unmerited […]

COMMENTARY

National report highlights the cruelty of Treasurer Dale Folwell and the state health plan

BY: - September 19, 2023

Read the ProPublica article here.

COMMENTARY
Editorial cartoon by John Cole

Berger’s big gamble

BY: - September 18, 2023

COMMENTARY
A close up of a packet of birth control pills

Reading the fine print in North Carolina’s new abortion law

BY: and - September 18, 2023

In May, when Republicans passed new restrictions on abortion access, they assured North Carolinians that Senate Bill 20 was a “common-sense, reasonable” bill that provided “needed support for women and families” such as expanding access to birth control. House Speaker Tim Moore praised the bill for taking a “holistic” approach that included funding for health […]

COMMENTARY
two mased healthcare providers (including one shining a light) look into the camera

Weekend humor from Celia Rivenbark: Really? My physical now includes this kind of test?

BY: - September 16, 2023

After the usual vital signs check at my annual physical, the nurse looked at me with a kind smile. “OK, now I’m going to say three words and I’m going to ask you to recall those three words a little later.” She said the words slowly and distinctly, but they were almost drowned out by […]

COMMENTARY
several rifles leaning against a gun shop wall

A practical, boring and potentially effective strategy for reducing gun violence

BY: and - September 14, 2023

UNC-Chapel Hill is not yet finished with the first month of classes, but it has already been forced to conduct its second active-shooter lockdown.  Two weeks ago, a faculty member was fatally shot. And this week a gun was reportedly brandished at a bagel shop near the student union on campus. These events come on […]

COMMENTARY
an empty classroom

Start to the new school year sends a message about North Carolina’s future

BY: - September 12, 2023

Blistering summers that go on and on and the discomfort they cause for humans are far from the only (or worst) negative impacts of the global climate emergency. Similarly, when it comes to public education in North Carolina, bringing school facilities up to snuff is just one item on a to-do list that’s as long […]