State - Randolph Record

20 Jul

Randolph County Schools drops mask mandate

Randolph RecordNews, Politics, StateRandolph County Schools

ASHEBORO — The Randolph County School Board adopted a resolution Monday night ending mask mandates in the county’s largest school system for the 2021-2022 school year. The resolution, adopted unanimously by the board, is effective immediately which allows teachers and students currently in summer school programs to make their own choices regarding mask usage. The new board policy cites CDC guidance and the board’s concern for individuals’ rights to make decisions regarding their own personal health in making the change. The resolution also said harassment, discrimination, bullying, or intimidation based a person’s decision to wear or not wear a mask…

07 Jul

Cooper sought eviction order approval after bypassing Council of State last year

A.P. DillonPolitics, StateReal Estate, Roy Cooper

RALEIGH — Faced with an expiring executive order related to restricting evictions, Gov. Roy Cooper sought Council of State concurrence last week. The request from Cooper for concurrence came on the one-year anniversary of the General Assembly passing legislation urging the governor to confer with the Council of State on emergency actions. On June 29, 2020, the legislature passed Senate Bill 105, titled “Clarify Emergency Powers.” Cooper promptly vetoed the measure three days later. As of June 30, Cooper has issued a total of 221 executive orders since taking office. Seventy-six, or almost 35%, of those orders are COVID-19 related.…

06 Jul

Tropical Storm Elsa expected to hit NC

Associated PressStateHurricane, Hurricane Elsa, Roy Cooper

RALEIGH – Tropical Storm Elsa could bring rain, wind, and tornadoes to North Carolina on Wednesday night and into Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center. State emergency management officials are advising residents in eastern and central North Carolina to be prepared for significant rains and possible flooding. “Residents and visitors to North Carolina should keep a close watch on the forecast for this storm,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. The State Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh activated Tuesday to monitor the storm. The State Emergency Response Team is preparing to support local governments with any storm-related needs.

06 Jul

Nikole Hannah-Jones rejects job at UNC Chapel Hill

Randolph RecordStateKnight Foundation, Nikole Hanna-Jones, UNC Chapel Hill

RALEIGH — Nikole Hannah-Jones, the writer of the controversial “1619 Project,” turned down a job at UNC Chapel Hill and will instead take a position at Howard University, news outlets reported Tuesday. According to The Associated Press, Hannah-Jones told CBS This Morning she would instead join the faculty at Howard University, an HBCU located in Washington, D.C. One week ago, trustees at UNC Chapel Hill approved tenure for Hannah-Jones on the last day of the previous iteration of the trustee board, which voted 9-4 to award tenure. The university had previously announced in April that she would join the journalism…