North Carolina State Supreme Court Taking Next Steps on NC Public Education
North Carolina State Supreme Court Taking Next Steps on NC Public Education

“In 2021, Governor Roy Cooper, also a Democrat, proposed a budget that would have allocated $1.7 billion to fund a two-year remedial action plan for North Carolina schools, but the funding fell short. Since late 2021, Lee has again been pushing for the state to fund the Leandro plan, but the Republican-controlled legislature is reluctant to appropriate money on the basis of a court order, which they consider a constitutional overreach, as the legislature is endowed with the power of the purse, not the judicial system.”

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LocalNing SoongNCED, NC Education, Governor, Roy Cooper, LeandroComment
Volunteers from Around the World Join the War in Ukraine
Volunteers from Around the World Join the War in Ukraine

“Less than a month ago, Brazilian shooting instructor Tiago Rossi had no active combat experience; today, he is fighting as a volunteer for Ukraine against Russia, one of the world’s strongest militaries. “I came here to fulfill my mission - if I die it’s because that’s how God willed it,” Rossi said of his decision. According to Ukrainian officials, he is one of almost 16,000 international volunteers who has signed up to join Ukraine’s new International Legion of Territorial Defense.”

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GlobalErich HessUkraine, International Conflict, RussiaComment
Partisan Politics or State Inadequacy?: The GOP’s Request for Voter I.D. Intervention Reaches the Supreme Court
Partisan Politics or State Inadequacy?: The GOP’s Request for Voter I.D. Intervention Reaches the Supreme Court

“At face value, this conflict might appear as no more than a partisan power grab at controlling the status of S.B. 824 — a frequent occurrence in our contemporary political system. Yet, the effects of this case are more pivotal and far-reaching. If a Supreme Court decision favors Senator Berger and Representative Moore, the legislature will be granted broad autonomy regarding intervention in future cases. A move in this direction might blur the lines between the roles of the Legislature and the Executive, and thus create a more nebulous governmental landscape.”

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Editor's Picks, LocalJustin GoldmanVoter ID, Voting Rights, NCPOL, Supreme Court, Attorney General, GOP, Editor's PickComment
January 6th’s Second Attack on the Constitution?
January 6th’s Second Attack on the Constitution?

“Thompson likely made this statement out of frustration due to several high-ranking Trump associates invoking this right, denying the committee information about an event President Biden described as the day the Constitution "faced the gravest of threats." Yet, his statement only adds to those threats as it directly contradicts the Supreme Court’s Fifth Amendment interpretation in Griffin v. California — that any insinuation of a defendant's guilt based on the invocation of their Fifth Amendment right violates their Fifth Amendment right to avoid witnessing against themselves.”

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NationalJacob WrightConstitution, January 6th, CongressComment
The Elephant in the Room: America Must Not Ignore Africa’s Growing Power
The Elephant in the Room: America Must Not Ignore Africa’s Growing Power

“Despite countless statistics on the continent’s growing status, Africa imperatively lacks media attention and global perception of importance. In the coming decades, the continent’s economy will double. Its population will triple. Its foreign direct investment will quadruple. This data illustrates Africa’s coming status as a rising power – a power that American foreign policy refuses to acknowledge. With these imperative topics in mind, I had the honor of hearing Ambassador Mary Yates, former deputy commander at the United States Africa Command, speak about barriers between the western world and Africa.”

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FellowsMichelle LiuAfrica, Fellows, AU, China, International Relations, International DevelopmentComment
Europe’s Handling of the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis Raises Important Questions of Equity
Europe’s Handling of the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis Raises Important Questions of Equity

“The superior treatment of Ukrainian refugees is most likely due to a multitude of factors, the first one being the most obvious: EU citizens are better able to empathize with Ukrainians due to racial, linguistic, and religious ties according to research from Lamis Abdelaaty, an assistant professor of political science at the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.”

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FellowsNoah GottliebUkraine, Refugees, Equality, War, Russia, European Union, EuropeComment
A Sphere of Fractured Influence: Why Putin Has Waged Unprovoked War in Ukraine and NATO’s Involvement in Aiding the Crisis
A Sphere of Fractured Influence: Why Putin Has Waged Unprovoked War in Ukraine and NATO’s Involvement in Aiding the Crisis

“Given the history of political and ideological conflict between Western nations and Russia, recent Ukrainian alignment with Western nations as well as NATO has been perceived as betrayal by Putin. With former Soviet nations like Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania already members of NATO, Putin faces a waning sphere of Russian influence in Eastern Europe. Putin’s manifestation of war in Ukraine reveals his fear of losing political influence, as demonstrated by his impetuous and desperate military endeavor to maintain political influence and power over Ukraine.”

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GlobalNia SmithUkraine, War, Putin, Russia, International Conflict, NATO, Europe, EUComment
Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia and the Fight for Healing in Corrections
Dr. Nneka Jones Tapia and the Fight for Healing in Corrections

“Psychology textbooks likely would not have predicted that Nneka Jones Tapia would be one of the first clinical psychologists in American history to run a jail, serve as Managing Director at one of the country’s premier social impact organizations, or even graduate from college. However, Dr. Jones Tapia has never been overly concerned with what others perceive as insuperable obstacles.”

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FellowsNoah GottliebFellows, Interview, Criminal Justice, Prison ReformComment
The World Has Moved to Sanction Russia. Will It Make a Difference?
The World Has Moved to Sanction Russia. Will It Make a Difference?

“Still, this conflict has only been going on for a relatively short period of time (12 days). No one knows how strong Russia’s resolve is in bearing the costs of these sanctions. No one can say whether these sanctions will help bring an end to this war. However, history has shown that sanctions cause real human suffering and have yet to win major concessions for the U.S.”

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GlobalTanner BaileyRussia, Sanctions, Ukraine, Economy, International RelationsComment
One Year After the Atlanta Spa Shooting, UNC’s Asian American Community Stands Strong with Solidarity
One Year After the Atlanta Spa Shooting, UNC’s Asian American Community Stands Strong with Solidarity

“The March 16 Atlanta Spa shooting sparked a nationwide reckoning over the societal insidious and pernicious “otherization” of Asian Americans, who have faced a 339% increase in hate crimes targetization due to COVID-19. Indeed, despite the “American” in the name, history treated this demographic group as perpetual foreigners in their home country. With an impending Yellow Peril and Red Scare spreading tendrils of fear across the United States, modern society must not support or amplify the dehumanization of the past. To address this imperative issue, I had the honor of interviewing Lynx Yuan of the Asian American Student Association and Dr. Amin from the Asian American Center.”

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Fellows, Editor's PicksMichelle LiuStop Asian Hate, Asian Americans, Campus Issues, Racial Equity, Editor's PickComment
The Debate on Campaign Compensation
The Debate on Campaign Compensation

”If you received a text, phone call, mailer, or a knock on your door during the 2020 campaign cycle, chances are you met an organizer. Campaigns, from local to national, are massive logistical undertakings. To do the heavy lifting, field organizers are hired to manage volunteer bases in order to maximize voter mobilization. But in many campaigns, young organizers who work seven days a week are underpaid, or not compensated at all.”

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FellowsDiane OngOrganizing, DNC, RNC, NCPOLComment
North Carolina Public Schools See a Disconcerting Prevalence of Calls for Literary Censorship
North Carolina Public Schools See a Disconcerting Prevalence of Calls for Literary Censorship

“Janice Robinson, the North Carolina director for Red, Wine, and Blue, an Ohio-based organization that supports local moms and seeks to prevent book bans, believes that the concerns about explicit material are ‘just a smokescreen for the anti-CRT.’ What book bans are actually doing, claims Ms. Robinson, is allowing the "right wing" to push "their political agenda at the expense of our kids," as they are unable to use literature to encounter uncomfortable experiences of those outside their community, which would prepare them for life beyond the classroom.”

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Local, Editor's PicksJacob WrightNC Education, Censorship, Books, NCPOL, Editor's PickComment
Hidden Culture in the Himalayas: Kharnaks in the Changthang
Hidden Culture in the Himalayas: Kharnaks in the Changthang

“Extinction of the animals these groups care for will lead to their cultural extinction as well. The struggles that tribes in Changthang face are unfortunately echoed globally as climate change drastically impacts indigenous groups…The loss of practice does not seem as grave as the loss of history and legacy-a connection to the people who came before-the past and future gone. Without a connection to the traditions and knowledge of past generations, the longevity of tradition remains insecure.”

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Global, EssaysHannah GarnerCulture, Cultural Preservation, Nomads, EssaysComment
Remington Arms Manufacturer Settles with Sandy Hook Victims
Remington Arms Manufacturer Settles with Sandy Hook Victims

“While the political climate surrounding gun control legislation remains deeply divided, this settlement constitutes a historic utilization of existing law to hold gun manufacturers accountable. The families are hoping that this settlement will send a message to gun manufacturers’ banks and their insurers, illustrating that improper behavior is expensive; by placing pressure on banks and insurers the hope is that gun manufacturers will make their practices safer and correspondingly save lives.”

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NationalNicholas BerrySandy Hook, School Shootings, Gun Laws, Lawsuit, Criminal JusticeComment
The U.S. Military-Industrial Complex: The True Victors of War
The U.S. Military-Industrial Complex: The True Victors of War

“Traditionally, all levels of society, from political leaders to the general population, face some set of sacrifices or risks in fighting another country. Arms dealers have emerged as a noteworthy exception to this paradigm, though, as they only profit from violence or defense. They exist in a position removed from the government yet have the power and funds to push desired legislation. Whether one agrees with the predominance of the military-industrial complex or not, their growing influence will likely lead to increased militarism and armed defense both in the United States and the rest of the globe.”

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National, Editor's PicksJohn PowersMilitary, Economy, Cold War, Arms Race, Editor's PickComment
Governor Cooper Recommends Schools End Mask Mandates
Governor Cooper Recommends Schools End Mask Mandates

“Many states with Republican governors have already ended the mask mandates and now some states with Democrat governors are following suit. There is evidence supporting claims that masks are not effective for young children and therefore there is no need for them. Additionally, there is evidence that shows that masks have harmed children in both educational and social development. Due to this impact, states are having to reevaluate the cost of wearing masks and if the benefits of masks outweigh the educational and social development of children.”

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LocalSeth MooreNC, NCP, NCPOL, Education, NC Education, Mask Mandates, COVID-19Comment
The Bottom-Up Process of Pretrial Reform in North Carolina
The Bottom-Up Process of Pretrial Reform in North Carolina

“As public health concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased attention on jail populations and the national racial reckoning after George Floyd’s death forced communities to reconsider the current criminal justice system, pretrial reform in North Carolina has become a prominent topic of interest.”

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Fellows, LocalNoah GottliebCriminal Justice, Criminal Justice Reform, Jail, Pretrial Reform, NC Law, UNC Comment