Legislative Update: Lawmakers take action to prohibit student cell phone use in schools during instructional time
BY REP. TODD CARVER The N.C. General Assembly took a break last week for the July 4th holiday so no new legislation was passed. That doesn’t mean that nothing took
Viewpoint: Understanding the power of eye contact
BY JEFF CORBETT The May/June 2004 issue of Psychology Today offers a great story on the power of eye contact. It reads like this: “Bill and Hillary Clinton often tell the story
Legislative Update: The long session draws to a close without a budget deal
BY REP. TODD CARVER Last week saw the long session of the N.C. General Assembly draw to a close — sort of. Leadership announced that the House and Senate were
Letter to the Editor: Fear of being sued should not outweigh legitimate safety concerns
To the Editor: I’m not angry because the Troutman Town Council voted to approve the Clontz Hill Road rezoning and annexation requests. I’m angry because of why they approved it.
Letter to the Editor: Community invited to contribute to local history project
To the Editor: If you have ancestors who lived in Iredell County, your help is needed to help celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our country in 2026 by submitting an
Viewpoint: What you need to know to avoid being manipulated
BY JEFF CORBETT I once attended an incredible workshop at Arizona State University taught by professor Dr. Robert Cialdini, an often-quoted expert in all things dealing with persuasion, and today
Viewpoint: Brown Family Bereavement Center will be a blessing to our community
BY REP. TODD CARVER The best part of my week happened in Mooresville — not in Raleigh — last week. I want to use this space to share information about
View from the Hudson: A few words about your love handles
BY JOE HUDSON I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, appreciative of several things about you that are admirable — pleasant personality, winning smile,
Legislative Update: The North Carolina Border Protection Act would hold sanctuary cities accountable
BY REP. TODD CARVER Last week the N.C. House of Representatives passed a Senate bill entitled the North Carolina Border Protection Act, SB 153. I supported this bill for a
Viewpoint: The power to succeed comes from within
BY JEFF CORBETT I recently watched the film “Ray,” the inspiring story of Ray Charles, and I loved it! If you delve deeper into the making of this film, you’ll
Legislative Update: HB 193 empowers private schools to protect students and staff
BY REP. TODD CARVER Members of the N.C. House of Representatives voted to approve House Bill 193 in May. This legislation has garnered some media attention so I wanted to
Legislative Update: Inside the N.C. House budget
BY REP. TODD CARVER Last week we saw the introduction and passage of the N.C. House of Representatives budget. This is my first budget experience in the General Assembly, but
Viewpoint: We can learn a lot from how giraffes treat their babies
BY JEFF CORBETT Gary Richmond spent seven years at the Los Angeles Zoo as a zookeeper, and his book “A View from the Zoo” describes how the birth of a giraffe
Legislative Update: State budget should encourage economic growth, invest in future of N.C.
BY REP. TODD CARVER This work in the the N.C. House of Representatives has turned to the budget process. Before I say where we are, let me tell you about
View from the Hudson: It’s a good life … thanks to others
BY JOE HUDSON I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, thinking the birth of a rare Malayan tapir calf — a strange looking short-necked
Viewpoint: HB 636 promotes censorship and fear, while infringing on parental rights
BY KAREN VAN VLIET In response to Rep. Todd Carver’s recent column, the N.C. General Assembly has taken a misguided step with HB 636, “Promoting Wholesome Content for Students” Act,
Viewpoint: Is HB 765 a necessary step toward affordable housing or a legislative overreach?
BY REP. JEFF McNEELY North Carolina’s affordable housing crisis has reached a critical juncture. With escalating housing costs and a growing population, the state faces mounting pressure to provide accessible
Legislative Update: Crossover week in Raleigh
BY REP. TODD CARVER Last week was crossover week in the N.C. General Assembly. That means for a bill to remain alive it must have cleared either the House of
Viewpoint: Don’t let FOMO define the life you lead
BY JEFF CORBETT A married couple in their early 60s was celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant. Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on
Letter to the Editor: Troutman Council, town manager have created this mess
To the Editor: This could be one of the most contradictory statements one has ever heard. “Town Manager Ron Wyatt opened the session, saying that being frugal is key while
Legislative Update: Searching for solutions at the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles
BY REP. TODD CARVER This week’s article isn’t about a particular piece of legislation but an issue which confronts many people in North Carolina. The Division of Motor Vehicles
Viewpoint: President Trump is making America stronger, safer
Editor’s Note: Congressman Pat Harrigan released the following statement about the first 100 days of the Trump administration. BY REP. PAT HARRIGAN WASHINGTON — One hundred days into President Trump’s second
Viewpoint: Is it possible to be too happy?
BY JEFF CORBETT I thought you’d be interested in a study on happiness from a joint project of three universities, as reported in TIME magazine. The research team’s findings had
Legislative Update: Proposed legislation aims to safeguard N.C. farmland, strengthen national security
BY REP. JEFF MCNEELY North Carolina House Bill 133, the NC Farmland and Military Protection Act, represents a prudent and necessary measure to protect our state’s agricultural resources and national
Letter to the Editor: Proposed cuts to Medicaid would harm 2.7 million North Carolinians
To the Editor: Medicaid is our country’s single largest source of healthcare coverage, providing crucial healthcare access to more than 72 million low-income Americans, including children, seniors, veterans, those living
Viewpoint: An Open Letter to RFK
BY KIM EROH Let me tell you about my son. He is an extraordinary human being in every way. His heart is tender, overflowing with compassion, empathy, and kindness. His
Viewpoint: Memory and hope on Good Friday
BY REV. H. STEPHEN SHOEMAKER Why is the day of Jesus’ crucifixion on a Roman cross called “good”? Here’s a beginning: Because on the cross Jesus forgave the ones killing
Letter to the Editor: WWJD Peace Rally planned for Good Friday in Statesville
To the Editor: Many Christians are concerned about the lack of the teachings of Jesus in today’s Christianity. Many churches preach power and riches instead of feeding the poor or
Legislative Update: The case for regulatory reform in N.C.
BY REP. TODD CARVER One of the committees I am most excited to serve on in the N.C. House is the Regulatory Reform Committee. This group is tasked with reviewing
Viewpoint: The importance of remembering names
BY JEFF CORBETT A friend of mine in nursing school shared details of a most unique pop quiz given by her instructor. Among the many questions there was one –
Legislative Update: Iredell Ready and the importance of reaching our 2030 goal
BY REP. TODD CARVER Most people may not be aware North Carolina set a goal in 2019 to have 2 million people with a post-secondary degree or high-quality credential. This
Viewpoint: Proposed legislation puts patients first, holds insurance companies accountable
BY SALLY NIX For too long, health insurance companies have dictated patient care instead of doctors. The bureaucratic nightmare of prior authorization, which requires doctors to obtain insurer approval before treating their
Local History: The search for Stearn’s Temple Cemetery
BY SHELLIE TAYLOR For over 40 years, some people in Statesville believed that an abandoned African American church cemetery had been destroyed by the organization known as the Statesville Redevelopment
Viewpoint: Denigrating I-SS Board members takes precedence over improving student academic achievement
BY MICHAEL KUBINIEC In February of 2025, certain Iredell-Statesville Schools administrators were given an opportunity to rate the Board of Education members in a survey. Results were released and published
Legislative Update: DOGE and its role in Raleigh
BY REP. TODD CARVER The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is an idea which should not invoke a partisan divide the way it has. We can argue about the implementation
Viewpoint: Giving your undivided attention benefits everyone
BY JEFF CORBETT The famous Austrian surgeon Dr.Theodor Billroth used to tell his students that a doctor needed two abilities: freedom from nausea, and the power of observation. Then he’d