The Debate Over Fetal Personhood, Abortion Rights Grips SCOTUS 

[caption id="attachment_7289" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Protesters gathered outside the court on Tuesday as the justices heard oral arguments in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. (Mark Walsh)[/caption] Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer The debate over personhood and abortion rights continues at the US Supreme Court, with Idaho's near-total ban on abortion under scrutiny. The case, argued on April 24, centers around whether Idaho's abortion restrictions conflict with the Emergency Medical Treatment and

Behind The Scenes With Kristi Jones: Chief Of Staff To Governor Cooper

  Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer The chief of staff oversees executive branch operations and holds a position of parity with appointed Cabinet secretaries. It is common for the role to wield significant influence over policy matters within the administration and orchestrate the development of the administration's policy goals while ensuring cohesion amidst diverse stakeholders. Among these behind-the-scenes and important figures is Kristi Jones, the chief of staff for North Carolina

Who Is Kamala Harris? Part 1 Of Series

  By: Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer Over half of Americans currently disapprove of the Vice President, according to the FiveThirtyEight. Americans know the name, the role, and the criticisms: do they know the person? Who is Kamala Harris? The White House did not respond to requests for comment. Fortunately, Harris wrote a book titled, "The Truths We Hold: An American Journey", which was released in January 2019 - weeks before

Senate Approves Private School Voucher Bill

By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer The North Carolina Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved a bill that will provide hundreds of millions of dollars to the state's private school voucher program. The move sparked heated debates between Democrats and Republicans, highlighting the sharp contrast in their perspectives on education spending priorities. North Carolina's cost-adjusted per-pupil funding level is $10,791, which is $4,695 lower than the national average. In terms of funding

Unveiling the Layers of Discrimination How Jane Elliott’s Experiment Prevailed

  By: Jordan Meadows Staff Writer In the wake of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in April 1968, the small town of Riceville, Iowa, found itself grappling with confusion and grief. Among those affected were Jane Elliott's third-grade students, who couldn't comprehend why someone would take the life of their recently celebrated "Hero of the Month." It was in this atmosphere of perplexity and sorrow that Jane Elliott, a diversity

NC’s Cannabis Crossroads: Balancing Legalization And Coming Regulations

  Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer With recent developments in the state commencing, North Carolina is poised for potential reform on the legalization of marijuana amid a spectrum of opinions and legislative hurdles. 2023 witnessed a flurry of proposed bills in both the states' House and Senate pertaining to the legalization and regulation of hemp, medicinal cannabis, and adult recreational usage. The recent conclusion of the North Carolina General Assembly session

Once Again Students Are Leading The Charge

Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer What began as a localized movement at Columbia University in New York has morphed into a nationwide confrontation between students and administrators regarding anti-war protests and the boundaries of free speech on college campuses.  Over the past 10 days, the wave of demonstrations has led to the arrest, suspension, probation, and expulsion of thousands of students across various colleges, including Yale University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Virginia Tech,

Chess With A Purpose: Inside Durham’s Bow Tie Kings 

By: Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer Blending the strategy of chess with invaluable life lessons for young minds, The Bow Tie Kings Chess Club in Durham is not just about moving pieces on a board; it's about nurturing critical thinking, respect, and self-control among its members. Facilitated by Glen Fisher, a mentor with a passion for both chess and guiding young lives, the club sessions kick off with meditation and prayer,

Minimum Wage Stagnation in NC 

Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer While a surge of minimum wage increases swept across more than 20 states in 2024, North Carolina finds itself lagging behind, stuck at the federally mandated $7.25 an hour. This rate, set over a decade ago in 2009, remains unchanged despite calls for action and mounting evidence of its insufficiency to meet the rising costs of living. One of the organizations working on this issue is

Soul City Music Festival: Roots To Reggae In Norlina

Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer The inaugural Soul City International Roots Music Festival was held on Saturday at Seven Springs Farm & Vineyard in Norlina, NC. Hosted by the Soul City Community Development Corporation, the festival brought together music and culture enthusiasts to celebrate a shared heritage, stemming from the theme of the festival: 'From Soil to Soul'. An array of world-renowned artists performed at the festival, each expressing their cultural