News

North Carolina's First Lady, Ann McCrory, is lobbying to get a bill passed at the General Assembly that would require large commercial dog breeding operations to adhere to minimum standards of care.

Commercial breeders with more than ten breeding females would have to provide food and water, daily exercise, appropriate housing, and veterinary care and humane euthanasia if needed. The measure has already passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support. But it hasn't been brought to the floor by Senate leaders yet. In her first press conference since moving to the governor's mansion, Mrs. McCrory told reporters she hopes that happens soon.

Guest host Phoebe Judge speaks with Jarius Sowells about his time at the University of Texas. He failed his first year and took time off until he felt ready to try again.

Sowells says the African American enrollment at the university is low and needs to be higher, and that affirmative action is necessary.

Phoebe speaks to Sowells as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to rule on a case over racial preferences in admissions by the University of Texas.

Republican leaders in the legislature are getting ready to hash out their own versions of the state budget. And the House, Senate and Governor’s version are quite different when it comes to pre-K.

North Carolina has long been praised for its commitment to high-quality pre-kindergarten programs. But all three of the current budgets make cuts to those programs, to varying degrees.

Four North Carolina teacher training programs are among the worst in the country, according to a report from the National Council on Teacher Quality.

Teacher education programs have come under fire from many different sides, but the latest report from the National Council on Teacher Quality paints an especially bleak picture. 

Big Bird and Robert Siegel don’t have that much in common. But the All Things Considered host can now say he works for the same guy who used to be Big Bird’s boss.

Augie Turak is a successful businessman with two software companies under his belt. For the past 17 years, he’s studied the business strategies of a group of Trappist Monks living in South Carolina.

The late ‘80s and early ‘90s were a good time for funny television. The Kids In The Hall sketch comedy show took to the airwaves and amused a generation of viewers with their unique brand of sketch comedy.

Another rivalry game between North Carolina and North Carolina State is on the horizon at the College World Series in Omaha.  This time, the loser will go home.  

No team has been hotter down the stretch than North Carolina State. UCLA’s 2-1 victory over the Wolfpack on Tuesday was only the fifth loss for State since March 31, and no one except for Florida State and the North Carolina Tar Heels had beaten the Pack.  So Wolfpack coach Elliott Avent was in no mood to talk about the Tar Heel rematch Thursday night.

State legislators have delayed a final vote on a bill that seeks to change North Carolina's tax code.

As homecomings go, this one was slightly delayed for James Merrill. He spent 16 years in a variety of administrative posts in the Wake County Schools in the 1980s and ‘90s, rising as high as associate superintendent. Once he became the top candidate earlier this month after a series of interviews and public events, it took another few weeks to iron out the contract details.

He says it was worth the wait.