Viewpoint: Empowering students helps them succeed in the classroom and beyond
BY JASON GARDNER Today’s world is changing at unprecedented speeds, and today’s schools need to do more than just teach facts. They need to teach students how to take charge
Viewpoint: Personal growth and adaptability are lifelong pursuits
BY JEFF CORBETT IdeaBank shared a story about a minister, a Boy Scout, and a computer executive who were flying to a meeting in a small private plane. About
Legislative Update: Iryna’s Law aims to make N.C. communities safer
BY REP. TODD CARVER The stabbing death of a young Ukrainian woman named Iryna in Charlotte was the impetus for the latest update to the N.C. criminal justice system. The
Viewpoint: The times are never so bad
BY H. STEPHEN SHOEMAKER Saint Thomas More wrote in his own tumultuous time, “The times are never so bad but that a good man can live in them.” We need
Legislative Update: Understanding NC’s Medicaid funding issues
BY REP. TODD CARVER I have received numerous emails from constituents over the past couple of weeks who are concerned about the NC Medicaid funding cuts set to take place
What3Words: A phone app that can help save a life
BY FRANK JOHNSON I volunteer with Holy Angels in Belmont and have been associated with the nonprofit off and on since they began their mission in the 1950s. For the
Viewpoint: MGSD demonstrates commitment to fiscal responsibility, transparency
BY JASON GARDNER The Mooresville Graded School District is once again proud to announce another clean financial audit, a testament to our unwavering commitment to our core value of integrity.
Viewpoint: Where do the Mermaids stand?
BY JEFF CORBETT In his book “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” Robert Fulghum tells of a young minister overseeing a large group of seven- to
Viewpoint: As a society, we need to look at how we provide treatment for mentally ill population
BY REP. TODD CARVER I wanted to take an opportunity to discuss a reply I received to last week’s article. For those who missed it, I discussed the fallout from
Legislative Update: The case for criminal justice reform
BY REP. TODD CARVER Speaker of the House Destin Hall and Senate President Phil Berger held a joint press conference last week to discuss how the deadly stabbing on the
View from the Hudson: A slick story about Southern okra
BY JOE HUDSON I was on the front porch when you drove by, and I waved, reeling from surprise and consternation, having just learned that a good Southern friend of
Viewpoint: We all have the opportunity to make our own sandwiches
BY JEFF CORBETT Journalist Tim McGuire shared a story about an old priest in Seattle who got up early every morning to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and then
Letter to the Editor: NCDOT decision to close West Wilson Avenue demonstrates lack of vision
To the Editor: As was announced at the close of the Mooresville Commission meeting on September 2, on Monday, September 8, NCDOT will publicly demonstrate its lack of vision as
Legislative Update: The reason the N.C. General Assembly has not adopted a state budget
BY REP. TODD CARVER I have been getting quite a few questions this week surrounding the state budget and the process used in North Carolina for funding our state government.
Viewpoint: New organization provides peer-to-peer support for veterans in Iredell County
BY DEREK DeVOS For most veterans, PTSD isn’t about one moment, one mission, or one event. It’s about what comes after. The sleepless nights. The sudden anger. The panic in
Viewpoint: Are you chasing your dream or just living?
BY JEFF CORBETT My grandfather was a young man in Statesville in the early 1900s, and he told me of a farmer who would bring live chickens to folks’ homes
Legislative Update: The goal of HB 67 is to increase access to medical care in N.C.
BY REP. TODD CARVER This week I want to share some information with you about HB 67, The Healthcare Workforce Reform. You probably haven’t heard of it because it was
Pardon Our Mess! Signs of progress visible throughout Statesville
BY RON SMITH Sometimes, progress is ugly, and inconvenient, and frustrating, and expensive. Right now, one does not have to drive or walk far in Statesville to come across a
View from the Hudson: Holy Scripture and cell phones
BY JOE HUDSON I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, thinking that as a member of the Statesville City Council, I sometimes get ferocious
Viewpoint: The sound of silence can help you recharge, reflect and refresh
BY JEFF CORBETT A young man decided to be a monk. His monastery had a strict vow of silence. Twelve months later the abbot called him in and said, “You
Legislative Update: N.C. General Assembly has several more vetoes to consider
BY REP. TODD CARVER The majority of this week’s update is dedicated to discussing the remaining vetoes of Gov. Josh Stein. The remainder will include a short discussion on the
Legislative Update: N.C. lawmakers successfully override eight vetoes
REP. TODD CARVER Last week I had said I hoped to override four of Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes during the week. Instead the N.C. General Assembly completed overrides on eight
Viewpoint: Are your priorities out of kilter?
BY JEFF CORBETT Today’s column has an embarrassing origin. I had just sat down to write it when an interesting news blurb popped up on my computer screen. I took
Legislative Update: Lawmakers return to Raleigh this week to attempt veto overrides
BY REP. TODD CARVER The N.C. General Assembly will be back in session this week. I believe the primary reason for our return is to attempt to override vetoes. There
View from the Hudson: Proud to be part of the herd
BY JOE HUDSON I was on the front porch when you drove by and I waved, thinking that many people now like to embrace their independent streak like those motivational
Viewpoint: How to use ‘the most powerful drug used by mankind’
BY JEFF CORBETT A tired businessman who wanted to get away from it all went to a retreat at a famous old monastery. As he was signing in, he asked
Viewpoint: North Carolina returns to top of national business rankings, but there’s still work to do
BY REP. TODD CARVER Just a few words to make sure everyone saw that North Carolina was once again ranked as the best place to do business in America by
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