Agriculture
THE MOORESVILLE TRIBUNE: North Carolina Department of Agriculture offers online resources for farmers
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offers online resources for farmers, agribusiness operators and others who work in the agricultural industry to assist with COVID-19 concerns.
NORTH STATE JOURNAL: Agriculture provisions in CARES Act total $49 billion
The U.S. Senate’s recently passed Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) will provide various protections and benefits to support agricultural businesses and farmers.
Economic Development
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Limited NC unemployment benefits become stark reality for recipients
After 18 days of unprecedented filings of unemployment insurance claims, the state’s top employment security official wanted to offer a moment of reassurance to hundreds of thousands of frustrated North Carolinians.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: As coronavirus keeps people home, North Carolina gas and sales tax revenues plummet
With businesses closed and people staying home, North Carolinians are driving less, depriving the state of tens of millions of dollars in fuel taxes used to build and maintain roads.
Education
WLOS: North Carolina schools update grading methods amid coronavirus outbreak
The North Carolina State Board of Education has made a decision regarding virtual school days and grading procedures. It includes activity from March 16 through May 15.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Wake schools to switch to pass/fail grading for students during coronavirus pandemic
The Wake County school system will switch to issuing pass/fail grades instead of using traditional grades because of the move to remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic.
Healthcare
WBTV: More than 2,400 people have coronavirus in North Carolina, 25 deaths reported
North Carolina health officials reported a total of 2,402 cases of coronavirus across 88 counties on Friday morning.
THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Hospitals worry about staffing as providers prepare for surge of coronavirus patient
As hospitals across North Carolina prepare for a possible surge of patients infected with the coronavirus, it is not clear whether enough medical staff are available to provide adequate care or whether the state has enough equipment, including hospital beds and ventilators.
Government
PBS: NC governor says state was told not to expect more stockpile supplies soon
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper says the state has received about one-third of what it requested from the National Strategic Stockpile and has been told not to expect any more any time soon.
WUNC: Legislators Ready For Shock To Budget
North Carolina has seen more than 50 times the typical number of people applying for unemployment in the past two weeks. Nearly 90% say they're jobless because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Transportation
WBTV: Drivers worry about inspections during ‘stay-at-home’ order
North Carolina drivers worry that state law requiring them to have their vehicles inspected contradicts the stay-at-home order and puts their health at risk. State representatives are considering a change in statute to grant car owners leeway on their registration renewals.
WSOCTV: NCDOT donates medical supplies to local health departments
North Carolina’s Department of Transportation donated medical supplies to local health departments.
