On this episode of Our American Stories entrepreneur philanthropist and America's Cup winner Bill Koch doesn't like being cheated Tom Acitelli author of Pilsner How The Beer of Kings Changed The World tells the story of how America's favorite drink came here and stayed here despite a world war and Prohibition When -year-old Lana Peters passed away in from complications due to colon cancer the nation seemed to have forgotten the woman who had become a sensation during the Cold War The History Guy recalls the extraordinary life of the woman whose defection to the United States represented a seminal [... more]

On this episode of Our American Stories our regular contributor Brent Timmons shares the story of a lesson in risk Jennifer Yuengling is one of the four th generation sisters of Yuengling Beer shares about working with family the secret to the company's success and a whole lot more Karl Marlantes tells us about his decision to serve in the Vietnam war that he saw as unjust Support the show https www ouramericanstories com donate Time Codes - Brent Timmons on the Importance of Balance - The Story and Family Behind America's Oldest Brewery - Why I Chose to Go [... more]

Reform of North Carolina's alcohol regulations has taken a major step forward this year Gov Roy Cooper has signed into law measures that ease restrictions on craft brewers and distillers New laws also make other changes that reduce government barriers for consumers Rick Henderson Carolina Journal editor-in-chief assesses the recent legislative interest in reforming decades-old alcohol rules President Trump is scheduled to head to Charlotte next year for the Republican National Convention That didn't stop Charlotte City Council from voting recently to condemn some of the president's remarks including criticism of four Democratic congresswomen known collectively as the Squad You'll [... more]

As Gov Roy Cooper signed into law a compromise between craft brewers and N C beer distributors several other proposed alcohol reforms remain in play within the General Assembly Rick Henderson Carolina Journal editor-in-chief analyzes the prospects for additional reforms during this legislative session As Medicaid expansion continues to play a major role in this year's legislative debates State Auditor Beth Wood is drawing attention to disturbing findings her auditors have issued in connection with North Carolina's existing multibillion-dollar Medicaid program Wood explains why she is raising questions about management of existing Medicaid dollars North Carolina's craft brewers and the [... more]

As N C state government continues to consider policies that benefit the solar energy industry residents of one Beaufort County community are fighting a proposed -acre solar facility planned near a local school Rick Henderson Carolina Journal editor-in-chief explains why people in Terra Ceia are raising concerns about the project North Carolina lawmakers have been debating proposed changes in laws limiting the freedom of craft brewers to distribute their own products It's an issue that has attracted attention from Christopher Koopman senior research fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University Koopman explains why state restrictions on craft breweries [... more]

North Carolina's maze of alcohol regulations stands in the way of entrepreneurs trying to expand a growing industry in the state Jon Guze John Locke Foundation director of legal studies outlines the complicated regulatory scheme in a recent report He also calls for a rollback of regulatory overreach that would help the economy and enhance freedom within the state Politics tends to influence central bankers and the results often to lead to bad news for the economy That's the argument from Wake Forest University economist John Wood He cites historical examples of political influence that have led central bankers away [... more]