Senator Hagan talks unemployment in North Carolina

(RALEIGH) — After a bleak jobs report from August, many North Carolinians are disheartened about the employment situation in the state. U.S. Senator Kay Hagan says that she understands how hard it is for the people who are impacted by the lack of jobs in North Carolina and America.

“When we look at 10.1 percent in North Carolina, it is devastating to a family, it’s obviously devastating to the individual, and I’m very concerned about the people that it impacts even in addition to the state and the country as a whole,” Hagan said.

During her August recess from Congress, Hagan hosted and attended many jobs-related events in North Carolina, including the Defense Trade Show in Fayetteville and a roundtable discussion with small business owners in Greenville.

Check out the original story at ncnn.com

New bill could provide funding for new anti-drunk driving program

(ASHEVILLE) — What if your car could tell you whether or not you were too drunk to drive? That technology may be around the corner. 11th District Congressman Heath Shuler has introduced a bill in Washington that would provide $12 million in funding over the next five years to the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety, or DADSS Program.

 

That funding would come out of funds for promoting seat belt safety across the nation. Congressman Shuler says that program has basically had all the success it can and it’s time to invest in other things.

National Mothers Against Drunk Driving President-elect Jan Withers says DADSS could cure the drunk driving epidemic. She says she wants no one else to feel the way she did when she heard her 15-year-old daughter had been killed by a drunk driver.

The systems being researched include one that could measure blood alcohol level by touch, the other would analyze the driver’s breath.

Check out the original story at ncnn.com

Counties in eastern North Carolina in drought condition

(RALEIGH) — Although some parts of North Carolina saw a good amount of rain in the past month, some other parts of the state weren’t so lucky. The NC Division of Water Resources says that 17 counties are in a severe drought, which is the second worst of the four drought categories.

Spokesperson Sarah Young says that part of the deficit comes from multiple months where there was a lack of rainfall. “We had a really dry winter, so we’re really still in a deficit. In those 17 counties, there was only 10-15 percent of what is normal for the past 30 days,” she said.

The four drought categories from D4 to D1 are exceptional drought, extreme drought, severe drought and moderate drought, as well as D0, which is classified as abnormally dry.

According to a federal drought map, 65 counties are experiencing either drought or dry conditions in the state.

Check out the original story at ncnn.com

RNC chairman says NC will be battleground state in 2012

(RALEIGH) — It’s no secret that the Republicans want to win the presidency back in 2012. Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said it’s clear the Tar Heel State will play a very important role in deciding that outcome.

“We all know that North Carolina is going to be a battleground state, and it’s a state that at every cost, Republicans in this country, Republicans in Washington, and Republicans right here, need to make sure that Barack Obama is a one-term president and we win,” Priebus told a crowd at the North Carolina Republican Party Headquarters in Raleigh.

Priebus spoke just one week after Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, came to show her support for North Carolina.

In 2008, North Carolina voted for the Democratic presidential candidate for the first time since 1976.  Republicans are hoping to turn the state back to red in 2012.

Check out the original article, as well as Priebus’ full comments at sgrtoday.com

New DNC chair visits Raleigh, talks about 2012

(RALEIGH) — The 2012 Democratic National Convention will be held in North Carolina, but Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz has already made her first visit to the state.

Speaking at the Organizing for America North Carolina Headquarters in Raleigh, Wasserman Schultz said that North Carolina is a very important part of President Obama’s campaign. “North Carolina is the heart and soul of the reelection campaign of President Obama, our convention is going to be here, we’re very excited about it,” she said.

In 2008, President Barack Obama won the state of North Carolina by a thin margin against Republican Sen. John McCain. It was the first time that North Carolina voted Democrat since the election of former president Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Wasserman Schultz, a Representative from Florida, has been a member of the US House of Representatives since 2005. Just two weeks ago, she was confirmed as the first woman chair of the Democratic National Committee in 15 years.

Check out the original story on sgrtoday.com and listen to the audio of Debbie Wasserman Schulz

UNC leader: universities can’t handle another year of budget cuts

(RALEIGH) – UNC System president Tom Ross said he’s concerned about difficult decisions that would have to be made if proposed $500 million budget cuts get approved by state lawmakers.

Speaking at a gathering sponsored by NC Policy Watch in Raleigh, Ross said that the system has had continued cuts for the past few years. “Unless something miraculous happens, this will be the fifth year in a row in which the University of North Carolina has received budget cuts,” he said.

Ross said budget cuts would likely force public universities to cut down on enrollment, classes, programs offered, faculty as well as financial assistance. He added that the ideals of higher education will be significantly lowered in North Carolina if the UNC schools are no longer able to offer financial aid or low tuition.

Check out the original story at sgrtoday.com

Education cuts in budget continue to be protested by Democrats

(RALEIGH) — As the budget debate continues in the General Assembly, Democrats are increasing their criticism of education spending cuts proposed by Republicans. Jennifer Tuft is a kindergarten teacher in Randolph County, but is losing her job after this school year.

“I don’t know how we’re going to run a school of the same number of children with at least five fewer employees, and as far as I know, it’s not finished. I still think there’s more that are going to be cut,” she said.

Tuft is also a mother of three. She says that she never thought she’d lose her job, because teachers will always be necessary.

Senate Leader Phil Berger says that the Republicans have no choice but to cut spending in certain areas. “We inherited a situation where we got a history of spending at one level, and we got revenue at another level,” he said.

Check out the original story at ncnn.com

Peace College program would offer real-world experience

(RALEIGH) – Peace College announced a new program aimed at connecting the classroom to the real world of public policy and law.

David McLennan, chair of the political science department, said the Raleigh Experience will give students the opportunity to spend part of their senior year in four different cooperatives over the course of a semester. These coops will be for government, legal, nonprofit and political organizations.

McLennan and other school officials say that due to Peace’s short distance from the General Assembly, it is perfectly positioned to place students directly in the heart of state and federal politics.

In addition to this new program, Peace College has also created a partnership between the school and the North Carolina Center for Women in Public Service. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization will be helping the college to shape and mentor the future female leaders of North Carolina. Peace College is one of two women’s colleges in Raleigh, the other being Meredith College.

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall is an honorary director of NCCWPS. She said that it’s important for the female leaders of tomorrow to have real world experiences while in school. She also noted that even if a student is not necessarily interested in being in public office, studying politics will help with any career, as government has an effect on everything.

To hear me voice the feature with sound clips, check out the original story at sgrtoday.com

Unemployed make urgent plea to lawmakers

(RALEIGH) — Out-of-work North Carolinians have made their emotional pleas to state lawmakers in hopes of getting their unemployment benefits back. Ken Williams is one of thousands of people who lost unemployment benefits two weeks ago. Williams said that the lack of a job, and now the lack of unemployment benefits, has forced him to become a person that he has never been before.

“Last night I went to my daughter’s, she wanted to borrow something from me and she had to give me gas money to get there and I’ve never been like that in my life,” said Williams in an emotional plea.

Unemployment benefits in the state were lost for 37, 000 people when Gov. Beverly Perdue vetoed legislation that would have extended the jobless checks. The governor objected to a backup budget plan included in the bill that would have cut state spending by 13 percent if lawmakers did not pass a formal plan by June 30.

Check out the original story at ncnn.com

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

(RALEIGH) — April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and those on the front lines fighting the problem in North Carolina say they have many tools in their box to help prevent abuse. The state’s model works to help families understand proper parenting and development.

The Nurse Family Partnership has been in existence for 30 years and is funded through private grants and Smart Start explained Maureen McKeon, director of communications for Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina. “One thing North Carolina has done is implemented family strengthening programs that have been shown to increase the likelihood of preventing abuse before it occurs,” she said.

While the state is strong in family support programs, North Carolina spends less for home visits compared to other parts of the country. The state spends $61 per child for home visits, compared to the nationwide average of $171.

Check out the original story at ncnn.com