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NC’s “Housing Wage” Average Is Up Nearly $2 Since 2024

By Greg Childress NC Newsline A full-time worker in North Carolina must earn a minimum of $27.14 per hour to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment, according to a recent report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC). A year ago, the state's "housing wage" was $25.21 per hour. The NLIHC releases an annual report - Out of Reach: The High Cost of Housing - which shows what people must

What to know if you’re at risk of having your wages garnished over student loan debt

[caption id="attachment_13092" align="alignnone" width="980"] In this May 5, 2018, file photo, graduates at the University of Toledo commencement ceremony in Toledo, Ohio. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)[/caption] BY  CORA LEWIS NEW YORK (AP) - Millions of student borrowers could begin having their wages garnished as soon as this summer, according to estimates from credit bureau TransUnion. The company predicts that by August roughly 3 million borrowers could move into default, meaning they're

Will ‘The Power Bill Reduction Act’ Make Electric Bills In NC Go Up Or Go Down?

By Lisa Sorg  Inside Climate News Duke Energy can now backslide on its legally mandated carbon emissions reductions, offload a greater share of fuel costs to residential customers and charge ratepayers for financing costs of planned new power plants even if they're never built. On Tuesday the North Carolina House and Senate overrode Democratic Gov. Josh Stein's veto of Senate Bill 266, "The Power Bill Reduction Act." Stein vetoed the

NC House bill would allow fewer trips to the DMV

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="2880"] NCDMV Office (photo from https://www.ncdot.gov/)[/caption] By Colin Campbell WUNC State lawmakers are trying to address long lines at the Division of Motor Vehicles by making it easier to renew driver's licenses online. DMV offices have been dealing with a surge in people trying to get a REAL ID under new federal requirements. Rep. Reece Pyrtle, R-Rockingham, says people who get their REAL ID shouldn't have to

State Audit Finds NC DMV In Crisis

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer North Carolina's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is facing a mounting service crisis, according to a performance audit released by State Auditor Dave Boliek on Monday evening. The report, based on visits to DMV offices, staff interviews, and data analysis, found that customer service has significantly worsened in recent years. Average wait times at DMV offices have increased by 15.5% since 2019, with customers now

Who Is Winning America’s Fight For Democracy?

By Dani Ross Special To The Carolinian This week in Texas, Democrats fled the state to force a pause in the redrawing of its voting maps. Many fled to Illinois where the governor promised protections as their governor promised prosecution. These are lawmakers. These are the people that were elected to represent the best interests of their citizens. In Colorado clerks are receiving requests for "official" government agents to gain

When Power Bills Go Up In North Carolina, Just Remember This Vote

By Will Scott  Environmental Defense Fund The North Carolina General Assembly's vote to override Governor Stein's veto of Senate Bill 266 is a major setback for North Carolina households, clean energy progress and climate leadership. Despite warnings from economists, energy experts and everyday residents, the General Assembly chose to make law a bill that will raise customer energy costs and shift billions in risk and cost from utilities and larger

The New Northgreen: A Historic Course & Bold Revival

By Ms Jheri Worldwide  Staff Writer Designed by legendary Golf Architect Bob Toski in the late 70's, Northgreen Country Club has become a staple of the Rocky Mount community, beloved by both veterans and newcomers in the sport of golf.​​ Northgreen Country Club is back, and according to the Stanley and Cheryl Campbell, it's on a path to becoming "the best golf course within the region," to be "the best

Trump says he doesn’t trust the jobs data, but Wall Street and economists do

[caption id="attachment_13197" align="alignnone" width="1440"] (AP Photo / LM Otero)[/caption] WASHINGTON (AP) - The monthly jobs report is already closely-watched on Wall Street and in Washington but has taken on a new importance after President Donald Trump on Friday fired the official who oversees it. Trump claimed that June's employment figures were "RIGGED" to make him and other Republicans "look bad." Yet he provided no evidence and even the official Trump had appointed in his

Young Refugees Start Hot Meals Operation To Help Feed Public Housing Residents Displaced By Chantal

By Eli Chen WUNC On a blistering late July morning, about a dozen elementary and middle school-aged kids were busy washing and chopping vegetables at a farm southwest of Chapel Hill. As they rinsed water spinach and chopped shallots, squashes and a large water gourd, an adult supervising them, Hsar Ree Ree Wei, loudly directed volunteers to stir fry the vegetables and cook fried rice. The group is cooking meals