Politics

Lawmakers Push Slew Of Controversial Bills

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:35:32 +0000

Lawmakers were on a tear in the North Carolina General Assembly this past week, pushing forward a slew of controversial bills.

The Senate tentatively passed a bill requiring seventh-graders to be taught that abortion can lead to premature delivery in future pregnancies. The controversy there came about because the medical conclusion is based on disputed science.

"I feel emotional about this one," said singer-songwriter Laurelyn Dossett during a State of Things news roundtable. "I have three daughters...I find it so offensive when science is used in that way."

Legislation requiring parental consent for teenagers who want STD treatment or birth control is making its way through the House. Some think that it could be counterproductive if passed.

How Does Money Affect An Election?

Shawn Wen and Frank Stasio — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:22:16 +0000

The previous State Elections Board's term expired just as they were beginning to investigate $235,000 of allegedly illegal political donations. The donations implicate Gov. Pat McCrory and legislators from both parties. Governor McCrory made the unusual decision of replacing all of the board members.

North Carolina Journalist Gives A Behind-The-Scenes Look At Local Media

Frank Stasio and Shawn Wen — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:01:28 +0000

The Pew Research Center released its annual State of the Media report for 2012, and television news viewership is down. Political coverage has declined, and on local TV news, 40 percent of the content is made up of traffic, sports and weather. Meanwhile, newspaper newsrooms in 2012 employed 40,000 people, the smallest number of full-time journalists since 1978.

One Man’s Search For The Next American Revolution

Frank Stasio and Alex Granados — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 14:32:25 +0000

The nation’s wealth is now concentrated in so few hands, the wealth gap growing so fast, that even its most ardent defenders question whether our current form of corporate capitalism can survive. Gar Alperovitz is looking for the next American Revolution. He is a professor of political Economy at the University of Maryland and author of the book, “What Then Must We Do: Straight Talk about the Next American Revolution” (Chelsea Green/2013). Host Frank Stasio talks to him about what can be done to save capitalism.

What Role Should Religion Play In Public Life?

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:33:43 +0000

Though some may argue religion has no place in politics, Nancy Petty, pastor of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh, says that faith can have a powerful role to play.

“I think that religion in political life of our society can be a very healthy thing when it engages people in dialogue,” she said in an interview with Frank Stasio on The State of Things.

Election News

Frank Stasio and Susan Davis — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 14:42:00 +0000

While all eyes are focused on the presidential race, several interesting contests are shaping up around the state. Pat Gannon, political reporter for the Wilmington Star-News and John Frank from the News & Observer join host Frank

Stasio to get down to the nitty gritty of politics in The Wilmington area, and Wake and Johnston counties.

The Theater of Politics

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:05:00 +0000

How much do politics and theater have in common? The stage has long been a place for social critique of political ideologies. And when a politician says something unexpected these days, we call it “going off-script,” reflecting the highly-produced quality of politics.