Study Shows Decline in "Homegrown" Terrorism

Thursday, February 09 2012 by Leoneda Inge

Eric Hodge:  It was feared there would be a dramatic rise in home-grown terrorism in the United States post 9-11.   But a North Carolina-based report shows that didn’t happen.  Leoneda Inge reports.

Leoneda Inge:  The study – “Muslim-American Terrorism in the Decade Since 9-11” actually shows a steady decline in the number of Muslim-Americans who committed or were arrested for violent terrorist crimes.  For example – the report says in 2009, there were 49 Muslim-Americans arrested or convicted of terrorism.  In 2010, there were 26. And in 2011 – that number dropped to 20.  The report was produced by the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security.  The center is made up of experts from U-N-C, Duke University and R-T-I International.  Since 9-11 – 462 Muslim-Americans have been arrested for non-violent support of terrorism.  Leoneda Inge – NC Public Radio – WUNC.

"Gen Z" in the Workplace

Wednesday, February 08 2012 by Leoneda Inge

Generation "Z" college students Enioluwafe Ojo, Andriy Shymonyak, Allyson Brake and Xavier Primus attend the 2012 Emerging Issues Forum at Raleigh Convention Center. (PHOTO: Leoneda Inge)

Eric Hodge:  North Carolina’s workforce continues to evolve as the economy evolves and digs its way out of the last recession.  The Institute for Emerging Issues at N-C State says in order to continue this positive trend, it is imperative for the state to begin strategically investing in Generation “Z.”  Most of the young people making up Generation “Z” were born in the 1990s and are approaching college age. Even though this group is the nation’s most diverse and most technologically savvy – how will they fit into the workplace of the future?  Leoneda Inge reports.

Leoneda Inge:  This year’s Emerging Issues Forum began in a game show format.  The first question – How many text messages do you think the average teenager sends each month?  The contestants were way off! (Buzzer!)  The answer is 3,339 text messages.  Question two – What is the average amount of student debt in North Carolina after college graduation? Even the Generation Z participant was a little off on this one.  It’s just about 21-thousand dollars.  A decade ago, these questions weren’t even that relevant but times have changed.  Former Governor Jim Hunt kicked off this week’s forum – “Investing in Gen Z.”

Jim Hunt:  They can be the salvation for us in terms of what they do in the future, how they do it, how they help us rejuvenate our economy.  But we’ve got to realize how they think and how they communicate and how they connect.

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Economic Development Through Art

Wednesday, February 08 2012 by Isaac-Davy Aronson

A task force of civic, arts, and business leaders says the arts can be an economic engine for North Carolina. The panel has released recommendations as part of the SmART Initiative. It's mapping out ways for communities to use the arts to increase jobs and quality of life. Mary Regan is executive director of the North Carolina Arts Council. She says creative industries have bucked the unemployment trends in North Carolina.

Mary Regan: The number of jobs that we call creative worker jobs - those have held steady over the last four, five years. So there's a great future for North Carolina; if we can support that climate I think that it will just bring huge rewards.

The Arts Council will provide grants of $20,000 to $30,000 to up to four communities to help them use their cultural assets to create arts-driven economic development. The SmART Initiative Task Force recommends facilitating more cultural districts, and lays out ways to incentivize and facilitate partnerships between non-profits, business, and government. The panel is chaired by Capitol Broadcasting CEO Jim Goodmon. He spearheaded Durham's American Tobacco Historic District, a model for the initiative.

Thomas Built Buses Recognized for Environmental Stewardship

Wednesday, February 08 2012 by Catherine Brand

The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources is designating High Point-based Thomas Built Buses as an "Environmental Steward." Julie Woosley is the manager of the state's Environmental Assistance Center. She says Thomas Built recycles 100% of the waste it creates.

Julie Woosley: They've reduced their water usage by 42 percent over the last 5 years; they've reduced their energy usage by 24 percent. They're constantly looking for ways to improve. We encourage folks to look at that continual improvement process. There are always ways to be better.

Only 16 businesses have been given Environmental Steward status over 10 years. Fuquay Varina-based John Deere Turf Care will be awarded the designation next month for its commitment to reducing solid waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

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