Alex Granados

Lawmakers Meet Drop-Dead Legislative Deadline

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:53:12 +0000

The deadline for Crossover hit the North Carolina General Assembly yesterday, striking some bills dead for the session. The self-imposed deadline requires that legislation pass at least one chamber to stay under consideration.

A variety of legislation was pushed through this week, including measures that would reform the grievance process for fired state workers, allow health insurers in health exchanges to refuse coverage for abortion and a law that would ban the Muslim Sharia law in North Carolina.

Foodie Musician Gathers Huge Ensemble, Releases Album

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:53:07 +0000

Andy McGowan is making his mark on Durham with the restaurant Geer Street Garden, but by night, he and, sometimes, 15 of his closest friends form D-Town Brass and jam until the early hours. They’ve just released two albums, “UR” and “Golden Belt.”

Professor Examines Overlooked Writers Of The 19th Century

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:13:53 +0000

When we think of the classics of 19th Century literature, names like Melville and Hawthorne come to mind. But what about their contemporaries? What makes ones writer a master and another forgotten? Phillip Gura, professor of American literature and culture at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, tackles that subject in his newest book, “Truth’s Ragged Edge: The Rise of the American Novel” (FSG/2013).

How Storytelling Influences The Way We Think And Act

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:07:31 +0000

Joe McHugh says we spend too much time focusing on what information people consume instead of how they consume it. Conservatives may focus on Fox News, and liberals may love MSNBC, but McHugh says that’s not as important as the fact that members of both ideologies are watching television. He says the mediums we use can be as influential as the content they provide.

Lawmakers Push Slew Of Controversial Bills

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:35:32 +0000

Lawmakers were on a tear in the North Carolina General Assembly this past week, pushing forward a slew of controversial bills.

The Senate tentatively passed a bill requiring seventh-graders to be taught that abortion can lead to premature delivery in future pregnancies. The controversy there came about because the medical conclusion is based on disputed science.

"I feel emotional about this one," said singer-songwriter Laurelyn Dossett during a State of Things news roundtable. "I have three daughters...I find it so offensive when science is used in that way."

Legislation requiring parental consent for teenagers who want STD treatment or birth control is making its way through the House. Some think that it could be counterproductive if passed.

Why Legislators Are Changing State Environmental Policy

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:06:16 +0000

A variety of measures aimed at weakening environmental protections are making their way through the General Assembly. One would limit environmental regulations while another would repeal a six-year-old renewable energy policy. Meanwhile, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources is changing its mission statement to reflect an emphasis on customer service, a move some call anti-science.

Why Professional Wrestling Has Such Great Music

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Tue, 07 May 2013 13:52:00 +0000

Paul Swartzel has always been a fan of professional wrestling. It all goes back to North Carolina’s own Nature Boy Ric Flair and his delightful entrance music: “Thus Spake Zarathustra.”

Teenage Entrepreneur Wins Big In Tech Market

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:43:15 +0000

In the late '90s the Internet was king and everybody wanted a piece of it. Jud Bowman was a student at the North Carolina School of Science and Math when he had an idea for an Internet start up. It was called Motricity, and he managed to get investors onboard before things went south in the Internet market.

Local Musicians Honor Ry Cooder

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:13:41 +0000

Why Comic Books Don’t Have Heroic Female Characters

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:38:24 +0000

Comic book fans know the pleasure of becoming absorbed in an alternate world. One where weirdos and freaks reign supreme as superheroes and saviors. It’s the perfect escape for somebody that doesn’t feel as though they quite fit in. For Jeremy Whitley, comics were engrossing, so much so that he wanted to make his own. But then he had a daughter.