Unpacking the State Budget (Part 2) - Health

H.B. 259’s health spending should be taken with a mixture of optimism and caution. Optimism, because the legislature has shown they can be convinced to make bipartisan decisions in the interest of the state, such as Medicaid expansion. Caution, because it took the state losing $5 billion federal dollars a year plus an extra signing bonus to reach that point. Optimism, as the bill makes historic investments in mental health and rural health infrastructure and workforce incentives. Caution, since these investments were made with one-time funding with no clear path to renewal in the context of aggressive tax cuts limiting future revenues.

Editor's Picks, EssaysBobby PetersNovember 28, 2023Local Politics, Editor's Pick, LocalComment

Unmasking the Silent Killer: Fentanyl on College Campuses

Most college-aged students today are aware of the opioid crisis and are or know someone who has been personally affected by it. With fentanyl, this can range from full-blown drug addiction to a one-time drug use gone wrong.

Editor's Picks, LocalMalea MullNovember 25, 2023Local, UNC, UNC Student Body, UNC on-campus event, unc, Chapel Hill, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC - Chapel Hill, Editor's PickComment

Chapel Hill Goes to the Polls

Chapel Hill’s polling stations will also find themselves busy, as the mayor’s office, four seats on the town council, and four seats on the school board are all up for election. Issues such as changes to zoning in Chapel Hill, progress on the Bus Rapid Transit line, and possibly more planned buildings on Franklin Street promise to make this election an impactful one for Chapel Hill’s future.

Editor's Picks, LocalBenjamin McAvoy-BickfordNovember 7, 2023Local Elections, Local, Local NewsComment

We Can’t Pick and Choose Which Genocides to Defend Against

“In Minister Gallant’s comments about cutting off resources to Gaza, he contended, ‘We are fighting animals’ and ‘We will eliminate everything.’ This direct and explicit conflation between all Gazans and Hamas is deeply troubling and is an all-too-common tactic used to justify violence towards targeted groups.. . . As the crisis in Gaza grows more acute by the day, we in North Carolina, the UNC community, and the U.S. must push for an immediate ceasefire to all indiscriminate military operations”

UNC Announces Faculty for School of Civic Life and Leadership

On Oct. 6, 2023, the University of North Carolina announced that it has appointed nine of its faculty members to the newly created School of Civic Life and Leadership. However, faculty members and others have expressed concerns that the School of Civic Life and Leadership will reflect the conservative bent of the Board of Trustees.

Riding the Waves of Change: How Surf Therapy and Similar Programs Can Help Turn the Tide on Child Poverty

With the ever-growing costs of welfare programs in the United States, policymakers and advocates continue to ask the question: Is there a successful and cost-effective way to address this growing problem? Well, for this community in Peru, the answer is an unconventional activity: surfing.

Editor's Picks, Global, CultureKayla NguyenNovember 3, 2023Global News, Global, Climate Change, Editor's Pick, CultureComment

The Israel-Hamas War: A Welcome Distraction for Putin

Putin is quick to turn all the blame on the US and its policy concerning this region, not even acknowledging the atrocities committed by Hamas. His sole purpose was to tie the conflict to his greater war against the West. Putin is directly benefiting from the chaos abroad by diminishing the US image, having attention taken away from Ukraine, and US support being divided even further around the globe.

Not Just Trans Kids: Rulings Allowing Bans on Gender-Affirming Care are Part of a Larger Trend

The current legislative siege on gender-affirming care for children is only a symptom of a larger upheaval of legal precedent in the wake of the Dobbs decision. Previously, abortion being protected by the 14th Amendment gave courts reason to put much more stock into this argument in similar cases. Now, however, legislatures are much more free to circumscribe what their constituents can do with their bodies; the question is, where do parents’ rights end and the state’s right to intervene in the interest of public health begin?

National, Editor's PicksCatherine WilesNovember 3, 2023LGBTQ+, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+ Community, Healthcare Equity, Editor's PickComment

A New Hijab Bill For Iranian Women Means More Restrictions for a Historically Repressed Demographic

The bill, known as the Culture of Chastity and Hijab Bill, allows up to 10 years of jail time as punishment for women who choose not to wear the hijab or abide by Islamic dress code. Additionally, the bill permits flogging, fines of up to 360 million Iranian rials, and restrictions on travel and online access for women accused and convicted.

Global, Editor's PicksAliza JankowskyNovember 3, 2023Iran Protests, Iran, Gender Rights, Editor's Pick Comments

The State Budget Passed. What Does It Mean?

“H.B. 259 directly impacts personal finances, access to social services, and the economy and opportunities of the state. But, the budget is also an omnibus bill with broad policy changes in healthcare, education, government operations, environmental regulation, and more that directly impact all North Carolinians. H.B. 259 sets the guardrails for what the state can and cannot do in the next two years. Being informed will help residents understand and expect what is coming.”

Essays, Editor's PicksBobby PetersNovember 1, 2023Essay, Editor's PickComment

A Tale as Old as Time: Post-Wildfire Policies Open Deep Wounds for Native Hawaiians

In early August, the country watched fearfully as the deadliest series of U.S. wildfires in over a century broke out across Maui. Now, nearly two months later, Hawaiian citizens not only continue to mourn their losses but are speaking out against the state government’s recovery efforts, which many say have prioritized big development companies in the wake of the disaster and could threaten local environmental and cultural rights to Maui’s resources.

Gov. Cooper’s Revealing Vetoes of Environmental Legislation

“One bill is a wide-ranging regulatory reform bill that would speed up environmental permits for projects like the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline. Another provision would change the regulations around hog waste lagoons, a move that opponents say could prevent state agencies from considering civil rights issues when they issue permits.”

Editor's Picks, LocalLandon KnoxOctober 19, 2023Editor's Pick, Local, Environmental Politics, Roy Cooper, Energy, Alternative EnergyComment

Carrboro’s Comprehensive Plan Sets the Framework for the Town to Address Affordable Housing, Climate Action, and Racial Equity

“Increasing affordable housing takes funding and extensive organization; however, its attention in the plan marks a vital first step. One of the most important ways the plan will achieve affordable housing is by providing financial incentives like an increase in density bonus for rental units that provide housing to residents whose average income is below 80% of the Average Median Income, AMI, of the community.“

The Withdrawal of French Troops in Niger: A Request Fulfilled but a Security Gap Left Behind

“Following the departure of the French troops, the Nigerien government will be burdened to provide itself with security. If Mali and Burkina Faso are examples of military regimes lacking Western support, prospects are not looking bright for the future of Niger’s security.“

Editor's Picks, GlobalNina SlagerOctober 14, 2023Niger, Global, Editor's Pick, French Involvement in AfricaComment

Can Republicans Replace Trump?

“Republicans need to find a candidate that can appeal to both sides of the aisle, in the same way that Democrats nominated Biden over other more progressive candidates to attract centrists and swing voters.”

UNC Student Organizations Take Action After Back-to-Back Gun Violence Incidents

“Once inside, the students chanted “Vote Them Out!” before being quickly escorted out for causing a disturbance. White stated he and his organization wanted to ‘keep the momentum [they] were able to harness in weeks prior.’”

Editor's Picks, LocalRachael StrootOctober 6, 2023NC Gun Control, Local Elections, UNC, Editor's PickComment

North Carolina Senate – Is Nuclear Energy Clean?

The North Carolina General Assembly is just one of many governments trying to work out the proper role of nuclear energy in a decarbonized system. However, any discussion of nuclear energy must not overlook the problem of waste storage.

Editor's Picks, LocalSteven HeineSeptember 25, 2023Local News, North Carolina Politics, Nuclear Energy, Alternative Energy, Editor's PickComment

Shootings Should Not be Our Norm

“I tell these stories not to recount horrifying experiences in order to stir up trauma or to victimize myself, but, rather, to answer the question I was asked two years ago as I again sat in lockdown – now on UNC’s campus: Was this the first shooting I've experienced myself? “

Editor's Picks, Opinion, EditorialsCharlotte GeierAugust 29, 2023UNC-Chapel Hill, Gun Laws, Mass Shooting, Editor's PickComment

Meloni’s Surrogacy Ban Foreshadows a Troubling Future for Italy

“Meloni’s remaking of Italy’s present by reimagining and valorizing the ghosts of the country’s fascist past paints a troubling picture for Italy’s future.”

If ‘Sportswashing’ Criticism is Going to Fly, It Needs a Retool.

“The recent barrage of sportswashing criticism evokes familiar Western-centric bias by singling out Middle Eastern human rights atrocities, glossing over the human rights violations that America, Europe, and the global West have sponsored. There is a double standard for which atrocities are worth outspokenly denouncing and which are not. If us Americans are going to continue to condemn sportswashing, we ought to hold the West to the same level of scrutiny as the Middle East.”

Editor's Picks, GlobalGabriel SchanerJuly 15, 2023Sportswashing, Saudi Arabia, PGA-LIV Golf, Editor's Pick, Global NewsComment