City should charge more for Internet cafes

May 22, 2012 - 4:00pm

The city of Rocky Mount would do its residents a world of good – and potentially make some money – by charging stiffer fees on local Internet sweepstakes cafes.

Faulty logic kills bill to ease inspection fees

May 21, 2012 - 8:59pm

Well, it didn’t take long for North Carolina lawmakers to open up a box of pretzel logic in the short session of the N.C. General Assembly last week.

Justice bill gives bipartisanship a good name

May 20, 2012 - 8:08pm

What happens when Democrats and Republicans agree on something? While it surely doesn’t happen often enough, when it does we like to take note.

Lawmakers should study fracking carefully

May 19, 2012 - 7:08pm

State lawmakers should take a slow and cautious approach in studying whether North Carolina should allow the natural gas drilling method known as fracking.

SBI should investigate UNC-Chapel Hill

May 18, 2012 - 8:17pm

There is little surprise the State Bureau of Investigation has been asked to start a criminal probe of academic fraud at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Speaker’s salary decisions weaken his stance

May 17, 2012 - 8:50pm

The more that’s known about the way N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis manages his political appointees, the more Tillis undermines the pledge of fiscal conservatism he has prescribed for everyone else in state government.

Legislature looks at an ambitious agenda

May 16, 2012 - 4:48pm

Even-year legislative sessions historically have meant a couple of arduous months of budget anguish, followed by a quick exit from Raleigh so legislators could go home and campaign for re-election.

North Carolina’s film investment pays off

May 15, 2012 - 4:53pm

Economic incentives are a touchy government subject.

Public schools are at a funding crossroads

May 14, 2012 - 6:20pm

To hear N.C. Sen. Buck Newton and N.C. Superintendent June Atkinson talk about public education is like listening to desciptions of two different worlds.

Postal Service rights misstep, but issues abound

May 13, 2012 - 8:37pm

The U.S. Postal Service can’t seem to win for trying.

Lawmakers should focus on budget work

May 12, 2012 - 4:04pm

State lawmakers will return to Raleigh on Tuesday for the 2012 legislative session.

Fun Run for Charities a good way to help

May 11, 2012 - 9:00pm

Hundreds of people are waking up early today to help local nonprofit groups.

Amendment, early voting drive great turnout

May 10, 2012 - 9:54pm

There’s little doubt that the so-called marriage amendment played a prominent role in driving North Carolina voters to the polls this year, but give some credit, also, to the state’s familiarity now with early voting.

Bond initiative will better our community

May 9, 2012 - 4:43pm

Eastern North Carolina will see more law enforcement officer candidates, more firefighters and more emergency medical technicians.

Accountability applies to bloggers, too

May 8, 2012 - 8:39pm

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the rights of all Americans to express their opinions in speech or in writing.

Misconduct of leaders crosses party lines

May 7, 2012 - 4:17pm

Judging by recent events, neither major political party in North Carolina has an upper hand when it comes to ethics and decision-making.

Politics as usual: ridiculous, small, hateful

May 6, 2012 - 9:35pm

If you thought primary elections weren’t that important, see the unwanted attention a Baptist preacher in Fayetteville is getting after his attempt to persuade congregates to vote for a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage.

Take the time to vote in primary election

May 5, 2012 - 4:11pm

Twin Counties residents are encouraged to exercise their right to vote in Tuesday’s primary election.

Utility merger fight is one worth waging

May 4, 2012 - 6:47pm

Rocky Mount and New Bern should continue to insist on the best possible result for utility customers from the proposed Duke Energy Corp. and Progress Energy Inc. merger.

How about a little more support for teachers?

May 3, 2012 - 4:44pm

A four-year degree is a teacher’s ticket to a challenging, low-paying career.

City plans fitting tribute to jazz pioneer

April 30, 2012 - 6:15pm

The music of Thelonious Monk isn’t the easiest body of work to wrap a sense of appreciation around.

Voters can find reasons to go to polls early

April 29, 2012 - 6:54pm

Primaries, mostly, are synonymous with low voter turnout.

Find common ground on student loan rates

April 28, 2012 - 6:51pm

Republicans and Democrats in Congress are once again fighting over something both sides claim to agree on: preventing interest rates on millions of federal student loans from doubling this summer.

Bojangles’ marks start of mixed-use project

April 27, 2012 - 4:57pm

After years of hard work, the first tenant of the Crossing at 64 mixed use project held its groundbreaking this week.

Tragic shooting underscores terror of abuse

April 26, 2012 - 9:36pm

The terrible tragedy at Westridge Grill on Thursday gives us pause on any number of levels.