Author: The Carolinian

NC NEWSLINE -Buncombe Rep. Eric Ager says his new bill, titled "The Affordable Food Act," was inspired by a problem that is being felt in every county of the state: rising food and grocery prices. "Wages have just not kept up with the cost of basic necessities," said Ager. "The same basket of groceries - cost goes up, same paycheck stretches less." Beyond the affordability crisis, Ager says far too

East Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh was once known as "Black Main Street," a thriving commercial corridor in the early 20th century where more than 50 Black-owned businesses operated at its peak. The area included medical and law offices, a hotel, restaurants, barbershops, and retail stores, serving as a central hub for Black economic life during segregation. Today, remnants of that history remain visible through sidewalk murals along East Hargett

NC NEWSLINE - Tristin Taylor grew emotional as she recalled slipping into homelessness after debilitating migraines caused her to lose her job. Taylor, 63, had been a regional salesperson for a high-end skin care line, earned a good salary and considered herself solidly middle class. After burning through her savings, she landed in the shelter. She rode Raleigh city buses to pass the time because the shelter where she slept

NC NEWSLINE - A state Senate committee advanced a bill Thursday that would limit the fees hospitals can charge Medicaid for outpatient care. House Bill 727 would prevent hospitals tacking extra fees, called facility fees, to Medicaid bills when patients are treated outside some hospital settings. To charge a facility fee under the bill, hospital systems will have to have treated patients in a main hospital or nearby building, a

[caption id="attachment_17601" align="alignnone" width="2560"] Father and son doing homework with laptop at home. Father and teenage son using laptop. Boy and dad sitting at home working with notebook[/caption] Sponsored-Across North Carolina, thousands of children rely on foster families for safety and stability. For many, their strongest bond is with a sibling who has shared the same experiences. When children enter foster care, siblings are often their only constant presence. Yet

By Cash Michaels Contributing Writer Just when many thought that St. Augustine's University (SAU) in Raleigh was well on the road to overcoming its problems, comes word that the private Episcopalian HBCU has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to address its massive debt. Doing so, SAU's Board of Trustees said in an announcement, is a "deliberate and strategic step to advance the University's long-term sustainability while addressing current financial

[caption id="attachment_17575" align="alignnone" width="1440"] Attorney Edward Blackmon Jr., 78, a civil rights attorney and a former state representative, right, demonstrates how he and other civil rights marchers were taught how to protect themselves if physically set upon by lawmen to his son State Sen. Bradford Blackmon, D-Canton, in Canton, Miss., Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)[/caption] JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - At 16, Edward Blackmon Jr. was arrested during

NC Newsline-A bill allowing people to carry concealed handguns without permits is dangerous, Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead said Tuesday, as it would increase gun violence and make the jobs of law enforcement officers harder. Birkhead spoke at a news conference with gun control advocates. They gathered in Raleigh as part of their efforts to convince House members to uphold Gov. Josh Stein's veto of a bill that would make

THE CONVERSATION - Americans spend a remarkable amount of time shopping - more than on education, volunteering or even talking on the phone. But the way they shop is shifting dramatically, as major platforms and retailers are racing to automate commercial decision-making. Artificial intelligence agents can already search for products, recommend options and even complete purchases on a consumer's behalf. Yet many shoppers remain uneasy about handing over control. Although

THE HILL - On average, Americans are receiving larger tax refunds this year. So, how will they spend them? The Treasury Department said in a release on Tax Day that as of April 14, the average tax refund this filing season was more than $3,400, an increase of 11 percent from last year. Filers can check the status of their refund using the "Where's My Refund" tool on either IRS.gov