The concept of the political fact-check was revolutionary a decade ago when it first was introduced at scale. PolitiFact, born at the St. Petersburg Times, won a Pulitzer Prize for its new approach to journalism — and rightfully so. But as with any form of journalism, the fact-check is subject to the bias of the … Read more
There are few topics more important in N.C. politics than education. Not only is North Carolina home to more than 1.5 million public school students, education makes up more than 50% of the state’s $24 billion budget. With the stakes so high, it’s frustrating that North Carolina politicians can’t seem to have an honest conversation … Read more
As the 2019 legislative session gets underway, the drumbeat from all corners of the media, business, and political establishment is sure to grow louder for Medicaid expansion. Gov. Roy Cooper has signaled that he will put it in his budget, and some GOP legislators are either openly or privately supportive of the effort. Yet despite … Read more
Newspapers in mid-sized cities across America are hurting, and TV stations are headed that way, too. That’s not news anymore. But the unstoppable vicious cycle destroying the mainstream media business model should not be construed as a threat to democracy — no matter what journalists tell you. Their brand of “unbiased” news will die right … Read more
North Carolina’s first-term treasurer is quickly becoming a favorite among conservatives for his tough stance on fixing the state’s fiscal responsibilities. Dale Folwell, a Winston-Salem CPA with a long history of public service, has spent his first two years in this office moving billions of dollars away from Wall Street hedge fund managers and bringing … Read more