January 2016 archives

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Friday, January 29, 2016

Must win: Ted Cruz can't go much further if he doesn't stop Trump in Iowa

The Iowa caucuses are beginning to look like a must-win for Ted Cruz. Pundits say that if Cruz doesn't stop Donald Trump in Iowa, he might not get a second chance. Even Cruz's supporters say that if he doesn't...

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Jitters: Nervous about stocks? Understandable -- but panic isn't the answer

Investors have grown jittery lately as the stock market has shown signs of pulling back from its long streak of gains. Several downturns, linked chiefly to the low price of oil and problems with the Chinese economy, have caused...

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Spoiler? Bloomberg might not make a splash, but he could cause a serious ripple

The possible entry of independent Michael Bloomberg into the presidential race could muddy its already murky waters. Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City, recently said he was considering a run. A moderate, who was once a...

Monday, January 25, 2016

Iowa caucuses: Small in terms of delegate count, it's a ritual that exerts enormous influence

Much has been said about the upcoming Iowa caucuses and their impact on the race for president. But how many people outside of Iowa really know how the caucuses work? Unlike a straight vote, the caucuses are groups of...

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Hub of opportunity: CSX project would be a boon to county -- if we don't get off on the wrong track

The Wayne County Board of Commissioners has said it plans to pursue the CSX Railroad hub that Johnston County turned down. Good. Wayne has ample room for the nearly 500-acre hub that would bring hundreds of jobs to the...

Friday, January 22, 2016

Wise move: Raises for Sheriff's Office and EMS are a smart investment

The Wayne County Board of Commissioners has approved job reclassification plans for both the Sheriff's Office and the Office of Emergency Services, the latter receiving approval just this week. Members of both departments should see pay raises as a...

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Avoid IRS scam: If the tax agency wants to reach you, it won't be by telephone

You may have been one of the intended victims of this particular scam. A caller who says they are with the Internal Revenue Service tells you that you owe the government money and goes on to describe where you should...

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Freedom trumps: British Parliament opts for free speech over desire not to be offended

Our British cousins have little stomach for the bombastic Mr. Donald Trump, but after much debate in Parliament they have come to the conclusion that they shouldn't ban him from entering their country (something their laws enable them to do...

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Right decision: NAACP had a weak case for overturning voter ID law

A federal appeals court judge has ruled against a last-minute challenge by the NAACP and others to stop voter identification laws from taking effect in North Carolina's March 15 primary. We think he made the right decision. U.S. District...

Monday, January 18, 2016

Sanders rising: To protect herself in primaries, Hillary Clinton is forced to hit hard

As the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary near, Democrats are having to face up to the fact that Sen. Bernie Sanders has created a real race between himself and Hillary Clinton. What was supposed to be a cakewalk...

Friday, January 15, 2016

Win-win: New college manufacturing center is a good idea for all involved

Wayne County is upfitting the former Bussman plant on Dixie Trail to be used by Wayne Community College as an advanced manufacturing center to train students to become the high-tech workers of tomorrow. It is a wonderful idea and...

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Fantasy game: Record Powerball jackpot causes the imagination to run wild

What would make a person take hard-earned cash and plunk it down for a lottery ticket, knowing full well that the odds of winning are infinitesimal? We aren't quite sure, but plenty of people have been doing just that...

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Give blood: Dwindling supply of critical reserves can be replenished through your generosity

The American Red Cross has a desperate need for blood and platelet donations to prevent a shortage this winter. Busy holiday schedules in November and December contributed to about 1,700 fewer blood drives held across the country, officials say,...

Monday, January 11, 2016

Good news: Numbers show North Carolina to be in good shape economically

North Carolina residents got some good economic news last week. Gov. Pat McCrory announced that the state's unemployment rate has improved and that the state is the only one of the top 10 states in population to see a...

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Improper: City Council shows troubling disregard for how public office works

The Goldsboro City Council met in private session last week to discuss a shooting near the home of one of its members. It was a reasonable response, given the violence the city is experiencing. But the council met outside the...

Friday, January 8, 2016

Skip Skype: School stakeholders need board members who will represent them in person

The Wayne County Board of Education this week rejected a more lenient remote Skyping participation policy offered by the state School Boards Association. Good for them. The board had adopted its own policy on Skyping this past fall, limiting...

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Bullish on America: Sen. Burr's recipe for prosperity is achievable if we have the will to do it

Sen. Richard Burr was in Goldsboro this week, speaking to a group of Rotarians and local leaders. His message was clear: The United States must reduce its tax burden on corporations in order to attract investment. If it does, it...

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Vote bonds up: State has pressing infrastructure needs. Here's a sound way to pay for them.

North Carolina voters will be asked in March to decide the fate of a $2 billion bond referendum that would go to higher education construction projects, water and sewer infrastructure, the state parks, the state National Guard and the...

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

End run: On gun issues, president plays as though his moves are all that matter

President Barack Obama has announced he will push for gun control restrictions by executive order. Obama, unable to get legislation passed through normal channels -- Congress -- says he is taking it on his own to pursue regulations that...