Opinion
Winners still flirt with swing voters
March 18, 2024
Carolina Journal’s first post-primary survey is out. It shows our state’s 2024 general elections will be, as usual, quite competitive. That’s not to say North Carolina’s electorate is perfectly purple. It’s not. All other things being equal, Republicans enjoy a modest edge statewide of a...
NC’s legislative majority embraces unfiltered extremism
March 18, 2024
For decades, political operatives crafted their parties’ strategies according to the delicate tenets of the median voter theorem. The protocol was to prune and adjust controversial positions until the party’s platform aligned with the preferences of the most moderate and influential bloc in the electorate:...
Why no Poole’s in ‘Roadside Eateries’?
March 18, 2024
“I can’t find Poole’s in the revised edition of ‘North Carolina’s Roadside Eateries: A Traveler’s Guide to Local Restaurants, Diners and Barbecue Joints.’ What happened?” It is the first complaint I have gotten about the new version of “Roadside Eateries," being published by UNC Press...
Election 2024: Closer, and less important, than you probably think
March 18, 2024
Depending on whom you listen to about the constantly shifting horse race we call a U.S. presidential election, either Joe Biden or Donald Trump is always ahead or behind by a nose ... nationally. For example, a March 7-13 Ipsos/Reuters poll has Biden at 39%...
Invincible? Maybe not
March 15, 2024
I often think I am invincible doing this job and have worked long and hard hours to try to bring the best possible local news to our community. Many people have called me stubborn, hard-headed and even stupid as I have struggled alone to do...
Judges see past Cooper’s rhetoric in appointments battle
March 14, 2024
Lawyers for Gov. Roy Cooper labeled the changes “shocking” and “breathtaking.” The governor himself complained about a “blatantly unconstitutional legislative power grab.” But a bipartisan group of Superior Court judges saw a much different picture. In a unanimous Feb. 28 decision, the judges rejected most...
A place is more than just the space we occupy
November 28, 2023
It’s wonderful to have a solid connection to a particular place. Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about because you have that connection. I was in Creedmoor on Saturday and felt an overwhelming sense of place as I located a parking spot and...
Invincible? Maybe not
March 15, 2024
I often think I am invincible doing this job and have worked long and hard hours to try to bring the best possible local news to our community. Many people have called me stubborn, hard-headed and even stupid as I have struggled alone to do...
Mental health forum slated
February 13, 2024
One does not need to be a trained medical professional to recognize our communities, county, state, and nation are in a mental health and substance abuse crisis. In 2019, suicide became the leading cause of death for children ages 10-14 within North Carolina. One in...
Here we go again!
December 26, 2023
First there is the Granville landfill proposal that will surely put Granville behind the 8-ball if approved, now seems yet one more project may be looming over Granville residents, as Granville officials appear to be OK with ‘signing off’ on another project that could cause...
End North Carolina’s death row
December 26, 2023
This week, Gov. (Roy) Cooper commuted the sentences of six people and issued pardons to four others. This is a step in the right direction following this month’s series of Vigils for Freedom and Racial Justice, attended by hundreds of people. Twelve innocent men, mostly...
Was the SGWASA board … bored?
October 31, 2023
Most know I have been a harsh critic of how South Granville Water and Sewer Authority has been mishandling service and product quality for their customers. I learned long ago how old, outdated and dilapidated the system was. However, I never gave any thought to...
SGWASA’s latest in case you missed it
October 17, 2023
After listening to the most recent South Granville Water and Server Authority Board meeting, held Oct. 10, I’m prepared to make a bold, but very likely true statement. First let me share with you what they stated as their three top projects for the future,...