North Carolina News Summary

North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are proposing tuition increases due to budget pressures. According to The Business North Carolina, UNC's Board of Trustees is considering raising tuition for in-state undergraduate students by 3%, which would be the first increase in nearly a decade. This increase would add approximately $211 to the annual cost, raising tuition and fees to about $9,360. Non-resident undergraduates could see a significant increase of 10%, bringing their total tuition and fees to $49,601. These proposals come in response to expected budget cuts from state lawmakers, who previously considered substantial reductions in higher education funding. Some trustees, like Jim Blaine, have expressed opposition to increasing tuition for in-state students, highlighting concerns over affordability. Meanwhile, North Carolina State University is also proposing similar tuition hikes for its students in light of the financial pressures faced by public universities in the state.

In Salisbury, the City Council has approved a rezoning request for a new residential mixed-use development off Truck Avenue, which will become a 408-unit apartment complex. The Salisbury Post reports that this development is part of an ongoing effort to address housing shortages in the area. After initial rejections due to excessive comments, the planning board reviewed the revised master plan and recommended approval. The new complex aims to connect with the anticipated Grande on Julian II and will feature three-story, multi-bedroom apartment buildings with careful traffic studies already conducted to ensure efficiency and safety for residents.

Additionally, the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce has introduced a new health plan, Carolina HealthWorks, aimed at providing affordable insurance options for small businesses. As reported by the Salisbury Post, this initiative comes in response to rising healthcare costs that smaller employers have been facing. The plan, developed in partnership with the N.C. Chamber and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, allows small businesses to pool resources for better access to benefits typically available to larger companies. The program is designed for businesses with two to 50 employees and aims to enhance the capacity of local businesses to attract and retain talent in a competitive market.

In veteran affairs, North Carolina has implemented initiatives to expand access to healthcare and services for over 600,000 veterans and their families. According to the Carolina Journal, this includes extended hours for NCServes and the launch of AskMeNC to streamline access to essential services. Governor Josh Stein emphasized the importance of these initiatives, which aim to connect veterans with healthcare, peer support, housing assistance, and more. The NCServes program, which has already provided extensive services to veterans since its inception, is now seeking to serve an additional 2,000 veterans in the coming year. The expansion reflects North Carolina's commitment to supporting its large veteran population, particularly in rural areas.