When COVID-19 first struck North Carolina nearly three years ago, Gov. Roy Cooper responded with a series of executive orders that closed or limited the operations of schools, businesses, public amenities, and even churches.
All in Columns
Mike Parker: As the New Year opens, my only resolution: Practice gratitude
As 2022 drew to a close, I had an acute awareness of how much complaining I had done last year. I confess that fault to my shame. So much in my life that brings me joy and continual challenge, yet I focus on the negatives too much of the time.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Blessings for the New Year
The New Year offers us an opportunity to make a clean start on developing new life habits and even leave some behind us. Be sure to start your new year with an extra boost of good fortune by enjoying a meal sure to promise good blessings. The traditional foods in the South relating to good fortune are beans, greens and pork.
John Hood: Democratic Court Blew It on Redistricting
I’ve been on the redistricting beat a long time. Back in the early 1990s, I wrote numerous articles criticizing the collaboration among Republican and NAACP activists to maximize the number of black-majority districts. After the egregious Democratic gerrymander of 2001, I cheered on the lawsuit that ultimately became the Stephenson v. Bartlett case, which overturned the gerrymander and enforced the state constitution’s rule against unnecessarily splitting counties in legislative maps.
John Hood: Christmas Gets a Cheeky Defense
One of the ironies of the holiday calendar is that Christmas follows closely after Thanksgiving. Many of the Pilgrims and Puritans who helped make Thanksgiving an American tradition were appalled by and opposed to the celebration of Christmas.
Mike Parker: Snow Hill knows how to do a parade right
On a December 3rd that mixed threats of rain with actual rain, participants and onlookers determined in their hearts that no matter the weather, the Snow Hill Christmas Parade must go on. Parade participants lined up, and a little after 2 p.m., the first group stepped out to begin the 2.5-mile parade route.
Adopting a dog brings joy to all
In 2019, I went to a pet store in Greenville on the hunt for my best friend. I knew since I was 5 years old that as soon as I had my home, I would adopt a dog. No one tells you how difficult it is to adopt or purchase a dog, but you need to weigh the options either way.
Cooking with Tammy: Tried and True Christmas Food Favorites
Most every family has food traditions; they are as much a part of who we are as the educations we receive. They are a part of our culture and really show where we come from and form a great deal of who we will become.
John Hood: Index Confirms State’s Reddish Tint
No, I haven’t come up with the #ncpol equivalent of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. In that famous science-fiction satire, the protagonist learns there is an “Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything” — and its answer is 42. But the question itself is never revealed, and indeed it’s suggested that if both the question and answer were known simultaneously, the universe would cease to exist.
Matt Lococo: Meet Me Greene County, featuring Amber Hargett
Neuse News is beginning a series to introduce Greene County readers to some of the influential, interesting, and decision-making leaders of our community. Consider this “Meet Me Greene County” column a look into what makes Greene County the special place it is to live, work, and play.
Mike Parker: Symbols of Christmas point to the Savior
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the music, the special holiday foods and their aromas, the brightly decorated Christmas trees, the candles adorning windows, and more. Some homes come to life with the lights of Christmas.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Cookie Baking Time
Get out the cookie sheets; it’s time to start baking the Holiday cookies and treats. Nothing feels and smells like Christmas as much as Holiday baking. Many of you know that I am not a baker…it is much to precise of a science for me.so the recipes you will see in this cookie baking article will be very easy and almost foolproof!
Matt Lococo: Meet Me Greene County featuring Jessica Anderson
Neuse News is beginning a series to introduce Greene County readers to some of the influential, interesting, and decision-making leaders of our community. Consider this “Meet Me Greene County” column a look into what makes Greene County the special place it is to live, work, and play.
Teen Volunteer, Amelia Smith wins North Carolina Public Library’s Friend of the Year Award
Neuse Regional Libraries are excited to announce that Amelia Smith, a sophomore at Lenoir County Early College High School, won the North Carolina Public Library Director’s Association (NCPLDA) Friend of Year Award. Amelia truly deserves this statewide recognition as she consistently dem
John Hood: Judges Cannot Amend the Constitution
Most of the nine justices on the United States Supreme Court espouse some version of the originalist school of constitutional interpretation. Starting early next year, most of the seven justices on the North Carolina Supreme Court will be originalists, too.