Governor Roy Cooper and N.C. General Assembly Debate Executive Power
Governor Roy Cooper and N.C. General Assembly Debate Executive Power

“In North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper first evoked emergency powers in March 2020 at the onset of the pandemic and has continued to exercise his authority as we enter the end of March 2021. Currently, Cooper’s executive orders are in effect until he decides to make an amendment, however, the NC General Assembly is seeking to curtail Cooper’s power. The bill in the General Assembly, House Bill 264, would require every governor to seek approval from a majority of the Council of State before being allowed to issue a long-lasting executive order. Additionally, the bill would only allow an executive order to remain for a maximum of seven days without approval from the Council of State before being automatically voided.”

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LocalSeth MooreNCPOLComment
Why the $15 minimum wage amendment failed to pass in the Democrat-controlled Senate
Why the $15 minimum wage amendment failed to pass in the Democrat-controlled Senate

“Sanders and other progressive Democrats pushed on, attempting to pass an amendment which would re-include the $15 minimum wage. The harshest roadblock to their efforts came when Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, who oversees the legitimacy of Senate activities, ruled that the $15 minimum wage could not be included under the existing budget reconciliation limitations.”

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NationalAurora CharlowMinimum Wage, Senate, BidenComment
Should Standardized Tests Continue to be Waived During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Should Standardized Tests Continue to be Waived During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

“Standardized tests are not only required by state and federal law, but the results are used to evaluate school and student performances, teacher accountability, and even help dictate principal salary. In the midst of the pandemic, many concerns have been raised about schools and students still being evaluated on regular conditions despite experiencing the biggest gap and setbacks in learning in the 21st century”

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NationalBreana WeaverEducationComment
The Kremlin Takes Aim at Social Media in Russia
The Kremlin Takes Aim at Social Media in Russia

““It remains to be seen whether further, more serious action will be taken by the Russian government amid their efforts to send a message to large social media conglomerates; however, it appears that this route of potential censorship has been building for quite a while and would not be totally out of the question. The further question that remains is what the backlash of younger generations would be should Russia pursue this route.”"

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GlobalMichaela AusbrooksRussiaComment
What Happens When the Ice Melts? A Look at Russian and Chinese ‘Arctic Strategies’ and their Implications for the U.S.
What Happens When the Ice Melts? A Look at Russian and Chinese ‘Arctic Strategies’ and their Implications for the U.S.

“Receding sea ice and melting permafrost in the Arctic are reshaping the security and economic landscape of the far north. New shipping lanes, previously un-navigable because of ice, could be available for commercial shipping year-round by 2030. While the Arctic Council has created a space for collaboration and exchange amongst Arctic states for the past 25 years, the potential for economic gain and unique national security concerns could erode cooperation and add a new dynamic to power competitions in the Arctic.”

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Essays, GlobalMadison UrbanArctic, Arctic Circle, Security, International Relations Comment
The Pandemic Will Never End Without Global Vaccine Cooperation
The Pandemic Will Never End Without Global Vaccine Cooperation

“It is easy for those of us who live in wealthy nations with high vaccination rates to think of those in poorer or war-torn countries as pitiable but distant. Something to be concerned about, though lacking any real impact on the success of our own COVID eradication efforts. This, however, is a grave misjudgment. Not only is vaccine nationalism and the zero-sum prioritization of one’s own population a moral failing, it is scientifically counterproductive.”

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GlobalEmma CohnCOVID-19, Vaccination, WHOComment
What Neera Tanden’s Failed Confirmation Means for the Biden Administration
What Neera Tanden’s Failed Confirmation Means for the Biden Administration

“President Joe Biden faced his first major cabinet confirmation setback two weeks ago with the withdrawal of Neera Tanden as his pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget. Tanden faced a difficult confirmation process from the outset due to her past Twitter criticism of the GOP and some progressives, like Senator Bernie Sanders. Tanden later deleted many of these critical tweets before her confirmation hearing, though this did little to improve her chances of confirmation. How did Tanden — the former Clinton campaign aide and president of the Center”

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NationalAdam TatumComment
How Doctor Billing Malpractice Paralyzes Medicaid Expansion in N.C.
How Doctor Billing Malpractice Paralyzes Medicaid Expansion in N.C.

“In 2014, NC state auditors discovered that a surprising amount of NC doctors whose licenses have been revoked seeing Medicaid patients. Nearly seven years later, another audit revealed the same: North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) failed to properly verify credentials, which resulted in improper Medicaid payments. Because of improper Medicaid spending and the state’s failure to expand Medicaid, Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) subsidies are inaccessible to many North Carolinians, as subsidies from the Bill rely on the expansion of Medicaid within states.”

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LocalLejla BrkaNCPOL, Health CareComment
Cuomo's Fall From Grace Accelerates
Cuomo's Fall From Grace Accelerates

“In the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo received praise for his handling of the situation in New York state. However, that praise was short-lived. Owing largely to a recent string of sexual harassment allegations and new information about his mishandling of pandemic policy public opinion is quickly shifting against the Governor.”

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Editor's Picks, NationalLabeeb AhmedAndrew Cuomo, DemocratsComment
The Biden Administration’s Surprisingly Positive First Fifty Days
The Biden Administration’s Surprisingly Positive First Fifty Days

“Going into Inauguration Day, many Americans were satisfied to finally see the Oval Office reclaimed by someone who, while not perfect, seemed to have common courtesy and basic administrative competency. For others, the relief inspired by Donald Trump leaving public office was mitigated by a concern that nothing would fundamentally change under a Biden administration. While President Biden is still far from a progressive president, recent orders and proposals by him and the Democratic party which he leads should inspire some confidence in those uneasy about Biden’s capacity to affect positive change.”

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Editorials, OpinionEditorial BoardBiden, harris, Opinion PickComment
Biden & Blinken’s UN Human Rights Council Plan
Biden & Blinken’s UN Human Rights Council Plan

“Last Wednesday, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the United States would be seeking a seat on the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, a council that President Trump pulled out of in 2018. In Blinken’s video announcement, the diplomat stated that the U.S will be looking to be on the Council for the 2022 to 2024 period, even though it admittedly needs reform.”

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GlobalManav ShahUnited NationsComment
N.C. Republicans efforts to prevent police budget cuts elicit resentment from local governments
N.C. Republicans efforts to prevent police budget cuts elicit resentment from local governments

“Asheville was the only city in N.C. to enact budgetary changes in response to the Black Lives Matter protests, but the new bill would apply to all N.C. local governments. If the bill passes, any city or county that cuts more than 1% from their police budget will be penalized with reduced state funding.”

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LocalAurora CharlowNCPOL, Black Lives Matter, Race Relations, North CarolinaComment
Cooper Changes NC Unemployment Benefit Requirements by Executive Order
Cooper Changes NC Unemployment Benefit Requirements by Executive Order

“Beginning on March 14th, 2021, North Carolinians seeking unemployment benefits will have to provide proof that they are actively pursuing employment opportunities to qualify. Governor Roy Cooper laid down an executive order detailing the changes which negate a previously issued executive order from March of 2020. Typically, in a non-COVID time, the requirements for unemployment stipulate that one must be actively searching for a job before receiving any state issued benefits. However, Governor Cooper struck down the requirement due to the increased unemployment during the pandemic. Now, that period is closing, and within the new executive order, Governor Cooper promotes the usage of NCworks.gov to promote job opportunities and employment training.”

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LocalNicholas LongRoy Cooper, NCPOL, COVID-19, UnemploymentComment
Syrian Refugee Runs for German Parliament
Syrian Refugee Runs for German Parliament

“Alaows explains how, after arriving in Germany, he was stuffed into a gym with 60 other people, prohibited from working, and not given German language lessons. While he organized protests against these shocking conditions, he ultimately realized that the main issue was that migrants like him did not have a voice representing or advocating for them in the German Parliament. This is what he aims to change in his political run. Alaows is running as a part of the Green Party, which he joined a year ago. The Green Party focuses on human rights and social justice issues along with environmental concerns and Alaows has found a comfortable position amidst their ranks.”

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GlobalMichaela AusbrooksGermany, Tareq Alaows, Reichstag, RefugeesComment