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All About Change

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Eli Beer & United Hatzalah: Saving Lives in 90 seconds or Less 30:20

vor 14 Tagen30:20

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30:20

Eli Beer is a pioneer, social entrepreneur, President and Founder of United Hatzalah of Israel. In thirty years, the organization has grown to more than 6,500 volunteers who unite together to provide immediate, life-saving care to anyone in need - regardless of race or religion. This community EMS force network treats over 730,000 incidents per year, in Israel, as they wait for ambulances and medical attention. Eli’s vision is to bring this life-saving model across the world. In 2015, Beer expanded internationally with the establishment of branches in South America and other countries, including “United Rescue” in Jersey City, USA, where the response time was reduced to just two minutes and thirty-five seconds. Episode Chapters (0:00) intro (1:04) Hatzalah’s reputation for speed (4:48) Hatzalah’s volunteer EMTs and ambucycles (5:50) Entrepreneurism at Hatzalah (8:09) Chutzpah (14:15) Hatzalah’s recruitment (18:31) Volunteers from all walks of life (22:51) Having COVID changed Eli’s perspective (26:00) operating around the world amid antisemitism (28:06) goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight , in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at www.jayruderman.com .…

NC Newsline

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Stories and voices that matter

163 Episoden

#News #Politics #NC Newsline #NC Policy Watch

NC Newsline

updated vor 2 Tagen

Serie-Home•Feed

Stories and voices that matter

163 Episoden

#News #Politics #NC Newsline #NC Policy Watch

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The conservative war on science continues in Raleigh 1:05

vor 2 Tagen1:05

1:05

No modern political leader has done more to undermine science and research – both by slashing funding and directly spreading myths and disinformation — than President Donald Trump. Whether defunding everything from cancer studies to the National Weather Service or placing a troubled conspiracy theorist like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in charge of the nation’s health, Trump has recklessly endangered millions of lives and wreaked havoc that will take many years to repair. And sadly, Trump has also spurred state and local government in a similar direction. Last week, North Carolina House Republicans advanced a bill to ignore the Food and Drug Administration by allowing the sale of a drug used to kill parasites in horses — ivermectin – without a prescription. Though touted by some right-wing pundits as a miracle cure, peer reviewed scientific research has repeatedly shown such claims to be bogus. The bottom line: Ivermectin advocates may be sincere, but by overturning established, science-based drug approval laws, they are setting a very dangerous precedent indeed. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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Judge Griffin’s concession in Supreme Court contest doesn’t undo the damage he inflicted 1:05

vor 3 Tagen1:05

1:05

The nation’s last unsettled election contest has finally been decided. On Wednesday, Republican state Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin conceded to incumbent Democratic Justice Allison Riggs. It was a long overdue act that many observers, including Justice Riggs (who prevailed in two separate recounts), are rightfully celebrating as a victory for democracy. That said, Griffin’s challenge – which called for trashing thousands of ballots cast by voters according to the rules in effect last November – has done tremendous damage. Not only did it waste vast sums of money and further undermine the public’s confidence in the judiciary, but one fears that it will inspire copycat losers in future elections who will try to overturn their losses by retroactively altering election rules. God help us if this were to happen in a presidential election. The bottom line: a federal judge dismissed Griffin’s shameless challenge as unconstitutional, but several of Griffin’s GOP pals on the state courts were ready to go along with it. And that’s a red flag that should alarm us all. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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Nobody voted to make Dave Boliek governor 1:05

vor 4 Tagen1:05

1:05

If you’re like the vast majority of North Carolina voters, the decision you made last November in the auditor’s race was pretty low on your list of priority contests. Ah, but for Republican lawmakers looking for ways to seize more powers from Gov. Josh Stein, newly elected Republican auditor Dave Boliek has turned out to be a convenient tool. Thanks to a bill rammed through during a lame duck session, Boliek has been given all sorts of new powers that have absolutely nothing to do with the auditor’s traditional role – including bizarrely enough, appointing the state Board of Elections. And last week Boliek followed marching orders from GOP leaders by appointing a pair of hard right ideologues to the Board. The bottom line: It makes no more sense to place the auditor — state’s accountant — in charge of elections than giving the duty to the agriculture commissioner – especially when voters had no inkling of the shift when they cast their ballots. Unfortunately, for Republican lawmakers bent on shamelessly seizing power at every turn, logic and the will of voters is of little interest. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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Duke Energy helps lead a cowardly corporate retreat 1:04

vor 5 Tagen1:04

1:04

While it’s no surprise that President Donald Trump is undoing years of hard won national progress in combating discrimination, the decision by many corporations to cowardly follow suit is shameful. Take North Carolina-based Duke Energy. As researchers at the Energy and Policy Institute recently reported, Duke once held itself out as a leader in fighting injustice. Its former CEO led her presentation at a 2020 earnings call by stating quote “issues surrounding racial equity and social justice are front and center, as they should be.” “Now, more than ever” she continued, “we are relying on these values to cultivate a workplace rooted in diversity and inclusion.” What a difference a few years make. Today, the report notes, Duke has been busy scrubbing numerous references to diversity and inclusion from important corporate documents. The bottom line: While some corporations are proudly reenforcing their commitment to fight discrimination, Duke bosses have sadly but predictably folded like a cheap suit. One suspects it’s a sign of their true colors. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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The NC Conservation Network’s Grady McCallie and Luna Homsi discuss State of the Environment 2025 21:06

vor 6 Tagen21:06

21:06

Few issues on the public policy agenda in 2025 are more urgently important than the health of the environment. Whether it’s global challenges like climate change and the rise in weather disasters or hyperlocal matters like land use planning and access to clean drinking water, elected leaders undoubtedly have their work cut out for them. Fortunately, thanks to the hard work of experts at the North Carolina Conservation Network, we now have a wonderfully comprehensive and data rich report that details exactly where things stand. The report – entitled simply enough, “North Carolina State of the Environment” – is based on the analysis of data from 114 different source indicators over a period of five years. And recently NC Newsline caught up with the Conservation Network’s Policy Director Grady McCallie and Campaigns Data Manager Luna Homsi, for a special two-part conversation to learn more. In Part One of our recent extended conversation, we commenced discussing their organization’s new and remarkably comprehensive report on the state of the environment in North Carolina. In Part Two of our chat, we took a closer look at some of the many specific environmental challenges confronting our state – including some encouraging news on air pollution, the importance of rapidly transitioning to a sustainable energy grid, the huge challenges posed by the spread of so-called forever chemicals, and the report’s inclusion of dozens of specific policy recommendations. Click here for the full interview with the NC Conservation Network’s Grady McCallie and Luna Homsi. Read the full report: North Carolina State of the Environment 2025.…

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Equality NC’s Eliazar Posada on recent anti-LGBTQ bills, and how caring people are pushing back 16:14

vor 6 Tagen16:14

16:14

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has helped give rise to many disturbing trends in merican politics and policy in recent months, and one of the most troubling has been the crusade to marginalize and revive discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans. Both in Washington and Raleigh, conservative politicians and their appointees have been working hard to roll back hard won victories that allowed LGBTQ+ people to live normal lives free from harassment and even to, quite literally, deny their existence. Thankfully, a cadre of smart and courageous activists has been helping to speak out and push back, and recently Newsline’s Rob Schofield got a chance to chat with one of their most eloquent leaders – the executive director of Equality North Carolina, Eliazar Posada. Listen to the full interview with Equality North Carolina executive director Eliazar Posada…

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Chaotic week at the legislature highlights NC’s flawed lawmaking process 1:05

vor 6 Tagen1:05

1:05

Like many seemingly inexplicable practices that just sort of happened over time, designers of our state government could probably never have imagined something like “crossover week” at the North Carolina legislature. “Crossover” is an artificial semi-annual deadline by which bills must be approved by at least one body – the Senate or the House – in order to remain eligible for passage that year. This year’s deadline is this Thursday May 8. While the reasoning behind crossover deadline –to cull hundreds of bills and spur lawmakers to action – probably makes some sense, the practical result is that scores of bills will be approved this week in an absurdly rushed fashion. Indeed, large numbers of dramatic state law changes will be brought closer to enactment with, quite literally, just a few minutes of discussion and scarce – if any – public input. The bottom line: The crossover deadline has become obsolete. In a large, diverse and fast growing state of 10 million people, lawmakers ought to be serious and disciplined enough to get their work done without having to cram like college students. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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Illogical cruelty: Lawmakers seek to criminalize homelessness 1:05

vor 9 Tagen1:05

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As anyone who steps outside of a gated community these days is aware, the number of impoverished and homeless people living on the street is, thanks to our unjust and top heavy economy, way up. What’s more, providing useful assistance to these people – many of whom struggle with disabilities, mental and physical health challenges and just plain hopelessness — is extremely tough. Here, however, is one thing we do know from the experts who do this heroic work: passing laws to make life on the street even tougher isn’t a solution. Unfortunately, that’s where the North Carolina legislature is heading with a bill that would force local governments to criminalize camping or sleeping on public property. As a Methodist pastor told lawmakers, quote “How can we push down folks who are already down? Seems like it’s impossible, but this bill has figured it out.” The bottom line: As several advocates told lawmakers, the solution to homelessness lies in a sustained commitment to building a genuine social safety net and ending poverty, not criminalizing people who have no other place to go. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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NC women lawmakers plead for fair insurance treatment 1:05

vor 10 Tagen1:05

1:05

It’s a pretty remarkable situation when elected leaders feel compelled to share their own intimate personal health stories in hopes of passing legislation that would save the lives of others. And it’s even more remarkable (and troubling) when the leaders doing the sharing are all women and the officials blocking action are all men. But that’s what happened this week at the state legislature when a trio of female lawmakers who are also breast cancer survivors demanded action on legislation that would require health insurance companies to cover the cost of diagnostic imaging for the disease. Amazingly, many insurers don’t cover those tests and even more amazingly, the male legislators who run the General Assembly have repeatedly blocked bipartisan bills to require it. It’s an outrageous situation that, as Senator Val Applewhite of Cumberland County rightfully observed, should leave all women, quote “as mad as hell.” The bottom line: The all-male crew behind the breast cancer screening blockade should be ashamed. Let’s hope their mothers, wives and daughters let them know about it. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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State leaders should heed experts in combating substance use disorder 1:05

vor 11 Tagen1:05

1:05

There are many factors that go into the overdose epidemic of opioids and other drugs that kill thousands of North Carolinians each year. As a pair of law and medicine experts explained, however, in a recent NC Newsline op-ed, there are some increasingly successful strategies that deserve public support. And topping the list is the urgent need for everyone – health care providers, law enforcement, elected officials – to recognize that substance use disorder – is just that: a medical disorder, not merely an addiction or personal weakness to be frowned upon. Fortunately, polls show that an overwhelming majority of North Carolinians have come to understand this truth and strongly favor what experts describe as “a health-first approach” to the problem, that includes funding for non-judgmental, evidence-based treatment programs. The bottom line: To his great credit, Governor Josh Stein has voiced strong support for committing the state to just such an approach and ending the stigma that too often attaches to substance use disorder. All state policymakers and providers should follow his lead. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield…

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A simple step to prevent gun violence that all sides should be able to support 1:05

vor 12 Tagen1:05

1:05

North Carolinians are generally of two very different minds on the gun violence that plagues our society. While polls consistently show that most favor stronger laws to regulate firearms, a loud and determined minority opposes virtually any regulation. Here, however, is at least one simple prevention step that all sides should be able to endorse: installing inside locks on the doors to college classrooms. As NC State professor Walter Robinson explained in a recent NC Newsline op-ed, he and his faculty colleagues have repeatedly asked school leaders to install locks in all classrooms and lecture halls so that instructors and students can shelter in place in the event of a campus shooting. Unfortunately, and amazingly, however, the requests have been rejected. The reason: cost. And it’s hard to overstate just how absurd this is. The bottom line: In a multi-billion dollar system, it’s ridiculous that university leaders didn’t long ago invest in such a simple and basic safety precaution. Further delay is inexcusable. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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Sen. Graig Meyer on the Senate’s budget and his concerns that it ignores a raft of important needs 16:18

vor 13 Tagen16:18

16:18

Members of the North Carolina General Assembly took a post-Easter break last week as they prepared for what promises to be the busiest period of the 2025 session in May and June, but prior to that, Republican leaders in the state Senate unveiled and quickly approved their version of a new two-year state budget. The proposal attracted sharp criticism from Democratic senators who blasted the tiny pay raises allotted to teachers and state employees, as well as the decision to double down on regressive corporate tax cuts at a time in which the state’s economists are warning of impending revenue shortfalls. And recently, NC Newsline caught up with one of those critics, State Senator Graig Meyer. He’s not only worried about the budget, he’s deeply concerned about what a host of other top state and national GOP priorities portend for our country’s future. Click here for the full interview with Sen. Graig Meyer.…

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Common Cause of NC’s Ann Webb on the latest in unsettled Riggs/Griffin Supreme Court election 12:01

vor 13 Tagen12:01

12:01

It’s hard to believe, but it’s now been nearly six months since the November 2024 election and one race remains officially undecided – the contest for an associate justice seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Two recounts have confirmed that incumbent Justice Allison Riggs was the narrow victor, but remarkably, challenger Jefferson Griffin refuses to concede and continues to pursue the audacious strategy of seeking to have thousands of ballots – ballots cast according to the rules in effect on Election Day – thrown out. The challenge has led to multiple lawsuits and numerous state and federal court rulings and recently, in order to try and get a handle on where things stand, what’s at stake and what might happen next, NC Newsline’s Rob Schofield caught up with one of our state’s top good government champions, Common Cause of North Carolina Policy Director, Ann Webb. Click here for the full interview with Common Cause of North Carolina Policy Director Ann Webb.…

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Meredith College pollster David McLennan on Trump administration policies and voter dissatisfaction 15:11

vor 13 Tagen15:11

15:11

We’re now more than three months into the second Trump administration and to say that it’s been a tumultuous period would be a vast understatement. From the precipitous economic decline, to the mass firings of federal workers, to the rise of an immigrant deportation program that has cast aside traditional norms of due process, the national news has been chockful of unprecedented and highly controversial actions. So how has this drumbeat of controversy impacted the views of North Carolina voters? A new public opinion survey from the Meredith College Poll indicates that people are very concerned – both about the direction the country is headed and the performance of the Trump administration. And recently NC Newsline’s Rob Schofield caught up with poll director David McLennan to learn more. Click here to listen to the full interview with David McLennan.…

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Another Republican judge stands up for the constitution 1:05

vor 13 Tagen1:05

1:05

For the second time in recent weeks, a North Carolina Republican judge has courageously put the constitution ahead of their political party. First, it was Supreme Court Justice Richard Dietz who rightfully dissented when his four Republican colleagues okayed a GOP effort to change election rules after the election in last fall’s disputed Supreme Court contest. And last week, Superior Court Judge Lori Hamilton helped strike down a law passed by the Republican-dominated legislature last fall to seize powers from Gov. Josh Stein. The law would have placed the auditor – in effect, the state’s accountant – in charge of appointing the state Board of Elections. In rejecting the scheme, Hamilton wrote that the duty to faithfully execute the laws has been exclusively assigned to the governor and cannot be reassigned without violating the constitution. Good for her. The bottom line: In this time in which a handful of politicians are trying to seize and monopolize more and more power, courageous judges are a bulwark against despotism. North Carolina is fortunate to have two of them. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

NC Newsline

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Federal appeals court should put an end to Judge Griffin’s election challenge 1:05

vor 16 Tagen1:05

1:05

Enough! That’s what a large, growing and bipartisan chorus of legal experts, government watchdogs and average North Carolinians are saying right now in response to Judge Jefferson Griffin’s farfetched effort to overturn his Supreme Court election loss last fall to incumbent Justice Allison Riggs. It’s been almost six months now since Griffin was narrowly defeated – a fact confirmed by two recounts – but nonetheless, he persists in his brazen effort to have thousands of ballots cast according to the rules in place at the time of the election thrown out. It’s a remarkable stance that, if somehow validated, would invite all kinds of post-election mischief in the future and further undermine faith in our democracy. Fortunately, an end to this absurd situation could be in sight as earlier this week, a federal appeals court granted Justice Riggs’ request to put a stay on confusing lower court directives. The bottom line: For the sake of our democracy, let’s hope the court’s action is a signal that it’s ready to take control of and put an end to a dispute that’s gone on way too long. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

NC Newsline

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Flood insurance failures in western NC highlight the need for reforms 1:04

vor 17 Tagen1:04

1:04

Flood insurance. It’s something that most people have heard of and that many probably have a notion they should look into as the climate warms and severe storms grow more frequent. To their credit, some have done more than think about it. As NC Newsline’s Galen Bacharier reported this week, about 10 percent of businesses and five percent of homeowners in western North Carolina actually had flood insurance prior to Hurricane Helene and were, quite understandably, counting on their policies to help them rebuild in the aftermath of the disaster. Unfortunately, as Bacharier also reported, that’s often not been the case. In numerous instances, it’s taken several months for the policyholders to collect and even then, many payments have been only partial. Many other claims have been denied outright based on technicalities and other questionable grounds. The bottom line: the industry’s failure to aid people and businesses in need cries out for better government oversight of flood insurance policies to protect consumers. If state and federal policymakers are serious about their pledges to aid disaster victims, they’ll make it an immediate top priority. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

NC Newsline

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Repeated funding cuts give rise to a vicious cycle for important public services 1:05

vor 18 Tagen1:05

1:05

There’s a vicious downward cycle that’s been at work in North Carolina state government in recent years. And here’s how it worked: First, conservative politicians blast quote “government bureaucracy” and enact big tax and spending cuts in response. Next, core services like schools, mental health, transportation, and public safety – plagued by funding cuts and staff reductions — all struggle mightily to keep up with rising demands in a fast-growing state. Next, besieged by constituent complaints, the same politicians who imposed the big cuts decry the decline in services and move to turn agencies over to private interests and/or lower standards – so that for example, class sizes can rise, or driver’s licenses have to be renewed less frequently. Finally, claiming to be motivated to improve quote “efficiency,” the same politicians impose more tax cuts and start the whole process over again. The bottom line: slashing funding for basic public services does no more to improve outcomes than scrimping on the upkeep of your car or home. And it’s long past time for our state to break this vicious cycle. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

NC Newsline

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Study should spur new approaches to landlord-tenant law 1:03

vor 19 Tagen1:03

1:03

At first blush, the idea that eviction is the solution for landlords when residential tenants fall behind on their rent or otherwise violate terms of a lease seems obvious. And, indeed, in many situations, it is the only realistic path. As new research from landlord-tenant law experts at the national Legal Services Corporation shows however, there are actually relatively few situations in which evictions end up being a win for landlords. The study found that eviction proceedings seldom result in landlords recovering back rent and often end up costing thousands of dollars. So, what should landlords do? The researchers found that by working together — rather than merely as adversaries — landlords and legal aid providers can reduce financial losses, improve stability for all parties, and minimize costs and disruptions. The bottom line: At a time in which so many renters are cost-burdened, there is no magic solution. But data show that, often, landlords can achieve better results for everyone by thinking outside of the box. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield…

NC Newsline

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Sen. Lisa Grafstein on the Senate budget, DEI, and the latest on the unresolved Supreme Court race 19:28

vor 20 Tagen19:28

19:28

After several weeks of conducting business at a steady, manageable pace, the North Carolina General Assembly suddenly shifted into high gear. This past week, legislative committees rapidly considered and okayed scores of brand new, never before-heard bills on an array of topics, while at the same time Senate Republicans were unveiling and advancing their proposed version of a new two-year state budget. So, what is the average lawmaker to do at such a time – especially if you’re not a member of the majority party? For Wake County state Senator Lisa Grafstein, the path has been obvious – read each proposed new law as quickly and thoroughly as possible and do your best ask questions, offer amendments and speak up on behalf of average North Carolinians whose interests are so often ignored. Last week Newsline’s Rob Schofield caught up with Grafstein at her Legislative Building office for a special two-part conversation at which they discussed an array of issues starting with a review of the Senate’s new budget proposal. Click here to listen to the full interview with state Senator Lisa Grafstein.…

NC Newsline

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Former NC state Senator and U.S. representative Wiley Nickel discusses Trump, tariffs, and Tillis 15:28

vor 20 Tagen15:28

15:28

We’re now three months into the second Trump administration and, as so many experts had feared and warned, the chaos – in the global economy, in the federal government, in our courts, and on the ground in scores of communities across the nation – is palpable. Between the seemingly random economic tariffs, massive and crude cuts to public services, and cruel and unlawful treatment of lawfully present immigrants, the national mess is already looking as if will be bigger than it was during the first Trump administration. Not surprisingly, however, resistance to the administration’s policies seems to be growing and gaining steam and earlier this week Newsline’s Rob Schofield caught up with a former North Carolina state Senator and U.S. representative, Wake County’s Wiley Nickel, who says, that while he sees some encouraging signs, he also believes it’s time for caring and thinking people to redouble their efforts. Listen to the full interview with Wiley Nickel here .…

NC Newsline

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The NC Senate’s head-in-the-sand budget proposal 1:05

vor 20 Tagen1:05

1:05

There are many shortcomings in the new proposed state budget approved by the North Carolina Senate last week – the inadequate pay raises for teachers and state employees, the failure to invest in numerous core public services that have been reeling from staffing shortages, the giveaways to unaccountable special interests. But if there’s an overarching flaw that lies at the heart of the proposal, it is the plan to plow ahead with new and regressive tax cuts at a time when state economists are warning of significant budget shortfalls in the near future. Republican Senate leader Phil Berger – a smalltown lawyer with no credentials in economics – says the consensus forecast of the state’s economists is wrong. He claims the state’s fiscal picture will remain rosy even with new corporate and personal income tax cuts taking effect and massive new reductions in federal aid from the Trump administration. It’s a remarkably oblivious stance. The bottom line: North Carolina public services are already running on a shoestring and the Senate’s decision to pull that string even tighter is a huge mistake. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield…

NC Newsline

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Bill to establish school censorship boards is a terrible idea 1:05

vor 23 Tagen1:05

1:05

Sometimes, you have to wonder what century it is that some of our state lawmakers inhabit. For a classic example of how detached from reality some have become, check out a new proposal advancing in the legislature to establish censorship boards in every school district charged with banning books that quote “include descriptions of sexual activity” or are quote “pervasively vulgar.” First of all, the definitions are impossibly vague and will invite all kinds of destructive meddling from people who are no more skilled in evaluating literature than they are at teaching physics or chemistry. But even setting aside the offensiveness of establishing government-run censorship boards, the notion of banning books – of all things — because they discuss sex in a society in which most kids are regularly online and vast numbers while away their days playing hyperviolent video games, would be laughable if it weren’t so sad. If only kids could be inspired to read books. The bottom line: Appointing censorship boards to ban books has always been a bad idea. In 2025, it’s downright ridiculous. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

NC Newsline

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NC leaders from both parties must demand an end to wrongful deportations 1:04

vor 24 Tagen1:04

1:04

Americans have many big and important differences these days, but if we can’t come together to agree on a handful of fundamental ideals and human rights that have been baked into our Constitution and way of life for over two centuries, we’re in big trouble. And one of those fundamentals is the simple idea that government cannot suddenly seize and imprison any person — much less deport them to a foreign gulag — without due process and the right to defend themselves in open court. Tragically, however, the Trump administration has been trashing this fundamental right of late by, quite literally, empowering masked and armed officers to simply seize people on the street and whisk them off to unknown sites. Such disappearances represent a despicable betrayal of everything our nation supposedly stands for. The bottom line: Whatever their disagreements on other issues, it’s imperative that all North Carolina elected leaders of both major parties stand up, speak out and demand an immediate end to these outrageous and unconstitutional acts. Our nation’s status as a free country is on the line. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

NC Newsline

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Supreme Court’s Riggs-Griffin ruling is an assault on democracy 1:04

vor 25 Tagen1:04

1:04

It’s been almost six months since state Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin narrowly lost last year’s election to incumbent Justice Allison Riggs. Two recounts confirmed the result. Unfortunately, Griffin’s effort to overturn the election based on the farfetched theory that thousands of registered voters should have their ballots thrown out continues. And last week, four Republican state Supreme Court justices endorsed the scheme — ruling that the votes of numerous military and overseas voters will be trashed unless they can somehow provide a photo ID in short order. This despite the fact that state rules required no such thing at the time of the election. It’s a remarkably dangerous ruling that Republican Justice Richard Dietz blasted as an invitation to losing candidates of all kinds to engage in post-election meddling. The bottom line: If there’s any fairness left in the world, Justice Riggs will prevail in her appeal to the federal courts. But even if she does, the damage done to the legitimacy of our judiciary and our democracy by the Supreme Court ruling will be immense and long-lasting. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

NC Newsline

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Inconvenient Tax Day truths 1:05

vor 26 Tagen1:05

1:05

Today is Tax Day – the day the political right – lazily and predictably – likes to use as a crutch for blasting government. What all of us would do well to recall today, however, is where we would be without taxes and the essential services they provide that make civilized society possible. And we should also remember two huge failings of the North Carolina tax system that are the handiwork of political conservatives: First, is the regressive nature of our state tax structure – a system in which the wealthy pay vastly lower rates than people of middle and lower incomes. And second, is the way that repeated regressive tax cuts of the past 15 years are starving core public services – so much so that total spending on things like schools and infrastructure in North Carolina has plunged by nearly 40%. The bottom line: No one loves paying taxes, and our system is far from perfect, but when Americans buy into lazy and simplistic anti-tax narratives, average people play right into the hands of the wealthy forces who’ve been rigging the system. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

NC Newsline

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Rep. Maria Cervania on western NC recovery, retaining top talent, and bills she’s working to advance 14:26

vor 27 Tagen14:26

14:26

It’s been more than six months now since Hurricane Helene devastated much of western North Carolina, and while there’s been a great deal of heroic recovery and rebuilding effort at all levels of government since then, recent actions in Washington are raising red flags in many corners. At the North Carolina General Assembly, for example, lawmakers like Wake County state Rep. Maria Cervania have expressed deep concern that big Trump administration budget and staffing cuts to federal agencies, along with big price hikes caused by new Trump tariffs will wreak further havoc in the region. And recently NC Newsline caught up with Cervania from her Legislative Building office to discuss her concerns for western North Carolina, as well as her take on some other front burner issues – including the shape of our state employee workforce, the right’s crusade against diversity, and her efforts to reduce nicotine use by kids. Click here to listen to the full interview with state Rep. Maria Cervania.…

NC Newsline

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NC State political science professor Steven Greene discusses Trump’s tariffs, economic uncertainty 13:31

vor 27 Tagen13:31

13:31

The Trump administration continues to enact, retreat from, and then renew dozens of norm-shattering policies that threaten to alter and undermine the fundamentals of our economy and even American democracy itself. From the massive and unilaterally imposed budget and staffing cuts to key federal agencies, to the on-again-off-again economic tariffs, to the unprecedented and deeply disturbing disappearances of immigrants, Trump has unleashed a fusillade of controversial actions. So, what does it all mean and where might it all lead? Recently, NC Newsline’s Rob Schofield got a chance to discuss these questions with an expert who’s been monitoring developments very closely – NC State University professor of political science, Dr. Steven Greene. Click here to listen to the full interview with NC State political science professor Steven Greene.…

NC Newsline

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Journalist Kevin Hardy on how Trump cuts are proving damaging to small farms, food banks and schools 11:41

vor 27 Tagen11:41

11:41

Recent federal government budget and staffing cuts imposed by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency are having devastating impacts in dozens of areas, but one that’s received less attention than it probably deserves is agriculture. As journalist Kevin Hardy of the national news outlet Stateline reported recently , the administration has yanked funding for programs that allowed schools and food banks to buy fresh products from small farms. Originally funded under the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s local food programs aided some of the nation’s most disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, including newcomers and small farmers and those who have faced racial discrimination, while channeling fresh food and produce to schools and food banks. Now the programs are gone and as Hardy told NC Newsline when we caught up with him earlier this week, the damage being inflicted is widespread and deep. Click here to listen to the full interview with Stateline journalist Kevin Hardy.…

NC Newsline

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As usual, Tillis offers empty gestures on Trump’s destructive tariffs 1:03

vor 27 Tagen1:03

1:03

The use of economic tariffs to promote fairer trade and better outcomes for workers, consumers and the environment is not a new or bad idea. In a world in which some countries rely on slave labor and treat the earth’s air and water like a garbage dump, thoughtfully designed and implemented tariffs can be a useful policy option. Unfortunately, President Trump has been doing no such thing. Instead, he’s imposing tariffs in a chaotic and likely unlawful way based on little more than his daily whims. And the outcomes have been disastrous. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis is typical of the Republican politicians who could help but lack the guts to do so. He’s co-sponsored a bill rein in Trump, but as he well knows it has no chance. Once again, his mission is to seem rather than to be. The bottom line: Trump’s half-baked tariffs are wreaking economic havoc for millions of Americans and lining the pockets of his billionaire pals. And so long as politicians like Senator Tillis continue to enable him, the chaos will continue. For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.…

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