Devastation and loss near Oklahoma City

May 21, 2013 - 9:34pm

For all of the catastrophic weather we’ve watched in person or on television over the past 10 years or so, there is still little for us to compare to the horrible, violent cyclones that ripped through Moore, Okla., this week.

Keep the SBI independent of the governor

May 20, 2013 - 10:10pm

For all of the embarrassing ethical issues that faced former governors Mike Easley and Bev Perdue, at least North Carolina voters could depend on a vigorous, independent investigation to get to the bottom of what was going on.

Laudable bill to fight electric rates gets axed

May 19, 2013 - 10:56pm

It appears that Senate Bill 720 likely won’t receive serious consideration this legislative session after it failed to pass out of the N.C. Senate before Thursday’s crossover deadline.

Crossover week ends with frenzied activity

May 18, 2013 - 8:20pm

It’s never pretty to watch state lawmakers scramble during crossover week to get legislation passed.

Expand the discussion of capital needs

May 16, 2013 - 10:24pm

May brings out calculators and spreadsheets in meeting rooms all over North Carolina.

Let local governments set smoking policies

May 15, 2013 - 11:38pm

We continue to wonder why Republican state lawmakers want so much to tell local governments what to do.The latest chapter comes as N.C. Sen.

Scandals mark disappointing start to new term

May 14, 2013 - 9:50pm

The Obama White House has been rocked for much of the first few months of its new term by disappointing scandals and failures.

‘Puppy mill’ legislation good for N.C.

May 14, 2013 - 5:07pm

As contentious as the N.C. General Assembly can be, it was rewarding last week to see an overwhelming number of N.C. House members pass a bill designed to ensure humane treatment of dogs in commercial breeding kennels.

Partnership gives young moms a boost

May 12, 2013 - 6:41pm

A program called Nurse-Family Partnership is working to help guide first-time, low-
income mothers through pregnancy.

GOP tax reform plan hurts most vulnerable

May 11, 2013 - 7:02pm

N.C. Senate Republicans unveiled the first details of their tax reform plan last week, characterizing it as a $1 billion tax cut that is the largest in state history.

Ramsey’s heroism is a lesson for all of us

May 9, 2013 - 10:00pm

The Rocky Mount community could learn a lesson or two from an unlikely hero with an iron sense of responsibility and a fondness for Big Macs.

Kentucky accident underscores responsibility

May 8, 2013 - 8:44pm

As the failure of a bill that would have mildly expanded background checks on gun purchases showed, the firearms debate in the United States remains a rocky terrain of little give or take, even when 90 percent or more of Americans appear to be in agreement.

Public funding for judicial races works

May 7, 2013 - 10:37pm

One of the blessings of listening to retired statesmen is they often leave behind partisan expectations and look toward a common good.

N.C. needs tax revenue from online sales

May 6, 2013 - 11:04pm

The messy prospect of collecting state sales taxes from Internet transactions is rumbling its way through Congress.

It’s never too late to donate to local charities

May 5, 2013 - 7:40pm

The spirit of giving was on display Saturday morning in downtown Rocky Mount as hundreds of people participated in the fifth annual Fun Run for Charities.

Duke program a positive step for the area

May 4, 2013 - 6:43pm

It is certainly positive news that Duke Energy has chosen a 320-acre section of the Middlesex Corporate Centre for its 2013 Site Readiness Program.

Maintenance a critical need for schools

May 2, 2013 - 10:09pm

Nash-Rocky Mount school board members are taking a greatly needed look at infrastructure, maintenance and the costs associated with each.

Veterans deserve better benefit consideration

May 1, 2013 - 10:08pm

For all of the ways we celebrate military veterans on patriotic holidays and before ball games, we don’t show them much respect when it comes to rewarding them benefits they are rightfully due.

Vouchers plan would hurt public schools

April 30, 2013 - 10:02pm

North Carolina legislators seem determined to put private school vouchers on a fast track to approval this session.

Foxx’s selection could benefit North Carolina

April 29, 2013 - 10:35pm

On the heels of Gov. Pat McCrory’s plan to change the funding process for state highways and other road needs, North Carolina transportation is getting a potentially bigger boost in Washington.

Bryant’s Twitter comment goes too far

April 28, 2013 - 8:31pm

A controversial statement tweeted last week by N.C. Sen. Angela Bryant is a cautionary tale to be careful how you use social media.

Sweepstakes donations warrant investigation

April 27, 2013 - 8:46pm

The N.C. State Board of Elections is scheduled to decide Tuesday if it will open an investigation into the $235,000 in campaign donations from an Internet sweepstakes company whose owners have been indicted in Florida.

Good business news comes to Rocky Mount

April 25, 2013 - 8:44pm

Spring has ushered in good news for Rocky Mount’s retail stores and restaurants.

Data backs McCrory’s new road funding plan

April 24, 2013 - 9:49pm

Gov. Pat McCrory’s new plan for highway funding brings data and methodology to a table that too many times in the past has leaned in the favor of political collateral and favoritism.

Right call to try Tsarneav in civilian court

April 23, 2013 - 10:50pm

Recent calls to try the surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect before a military tribunal rather than in a civilian court are premature at best if not completely ill-conceived.