There’s always been a healthy dose of class warfare in the debate over maintaining roads to barrier islands like Hatteras. It exploded in letters to the N&O today. Said one writer: “Why is it that we all have to cater to the rich and their Shangri-Las at the coast? Isn’t it time that we…
Read MoreA biography of former Lt. Governor Bob Jordan, written by long-time North Carolina reporter and editor Ned Cline, is on the bookshelves. Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh will host a book signing and presentation by Jordan and Cline at 7:30 p.m. this Wednesday. The book, “The Man From Montgomery,” traces Jordan’s life and…
Read MoreThis will make my friends at DOT mad, but face it: When it comes to informing the driving and tax-paying public, your 511 line – and your website – flunked the Irene test. Anybody who tried Sunday to get updated information on specific roads from DOT knows that. Apparently, the 511 line is…
Read MorePolitico did the obligatory piece on Governor Perdue and Irene (quoting Brad Crone and me) and reminding us that politics is never far from a storm. “The storm packs a potentially pivotal political moment,” for Perdue, it said. And had this: “She shines in a battle, and this is going to be a battle.…
Read MoreWhat’s worse: going through a hurricane, or going through days, even weeks, of agony, anxiety and anticipation listening to hyperventilating, iron-pumping weather announcers and reading shrieking headlines (as in “Shrieking Irene aims its fury at NC coast”)? As the storm’s barometric pressure goes down, our blood pressure goes up. Actually, what’s worse is dealing…
Read MoreA TAPster shares this AP story: “RALEIGH — Gov. Beverly Perdue’s staff is taking the blame for failing to alert the North Carolina public sooner that the governor had declared a state of emergency for nearly 40 eastern counties for the approaching Hurricane Irene. “Perdue’s press office announced late Thursday morning her declaration, which sets…
Read MoreA group of golfers and non-golfers were talking this week about Webb Simpson’s comments after winning his first PGA event. Not what he said about his putting or a crucial drive or a big save. But the first words out of his mouth when David Feherty stuck a microphone in his face on the…
Read MoreThe email from David Parker, state Democratic Party chairman, promised a rip-roaring attack on Republican leaders: “Tillis, McCrory and Berger: Turning Back The Clock On NC Schools.” Then came the first line: “Last week, Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly decided to challenge a court ruling on pre-kindergarten access could lead to an…
Read MoreI used to think the media or most of it looked at the world through ‘two left eyes’ – back in the days of Jesse Helms the media’s liberal bias was a mantra and article of faith. Now, I’ve come to think what the media loves more than politics or ideology is a good…
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