College athletes are forming a union, seeking to be treated as employees and compensated accordingly. Meanwhile, in the NFL, teams are navigating quarterback situations, with Kirk Cousins and Justin Fields being discussed as potential trade targets. The NCAA's response to unionization efforts remains to be seen, while March Madness is just around the corner, with teams gearing up for the tournament. [... more]

PFAS, a family of toxic chemicals, has been linked to cancers and other life-threatening conditions, contaminating soil, groundwater, and even raindrops. The EPA has updated its drinking water advisories, but a new federal drinking water standard has not been established. Meanwhile, a growing movement of unionization is underway at tech companies like Amazon, driven by a new generation of workers seeking better pay, benefits, and respect. [... more]

The Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania is experiencing a resurgence in jobs due to e-commerce, but this growth comes with challenges such as increased traffic and air pollution. Meanwhile, workers at an Amazon warehouse on Staten Island have voted to unionize, a trend that is gaining momentum across the country. In the UK, the royal family is preparing for a transition from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles, who will be succeeded by his son William. Climate change is also a major concern, as seen in the devastating floods in Western Germany that have led to the creation of 'flood wine.' The US is also struggling with a child care crisis, with many families unable to afford the costs of daycare. Finally, a rare collection of printed Americana is being auctioned off, including a copy of the Declaration of Independence. [... more]

A healthcare policy analyst discusses the economic analysis of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, revealing a funding gap of $119 to $171 million in the first year. The analyst argues that the governor's plan is misguided and costly, and that the state should instead apply for a state innovation waiver to restructure healthcare subsidies and lower insurance premiums. Meanwhile, a lawsuit challenges the city of Wilmington's vacation rental rules, which the city claims are constitutional but the Institute for Justice argues are unconstitutional. The case has significant implications for property rights in North Carolina. [... more]

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions about North Carolina's housing supply, with experts discussing the need for more affordable housing and the impact of higher property taxes. The University of North Carolina's new president, Peter Hans, addressed the challenges facing the university, including balancing public health with public education. The long-running Leandro school funding lawsuit has raised constitutional issues, with some arguing that the courts should not dictate how the state budget is spent. Meanwhile, a hospital in western North Carolina is at the center of a unionization effort, with nurses voting on whether to join the National Nurses United union, which could have implications for the state's right-to-work status. [... more]