Press Releases

Grants of up to $1,000 are available from the NC Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission to nonprofit organizations and local government agencies wishing to create or strengthen youth programs in North Carolina’s rural and underserved communities, supporting the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The theme of this year’s 2020-2021 grant program is “all service has purpose,” a topic often addressed and elevated in the teachings of Dr. King to encourage unity and service within the community.

The North Carolina Department of Administration’s Council for Women & Youth Involvement (CFWYI) is accepting mini grant applications through its State Youth Council program until November 6, 2020. Youth Councils are active across the state, enabling students to enhance their communities while helping their peers. The annual mini grant program specifically targets youth, particularly high school students grades 9 - 12, giving Youth Council members an opportunity to help local peers establish leadership skills in project development, management, and communication.

Governor Roy Cooper announced today that North Carolina will remain paused in Phase 3 for three more weeks as health officials continue to monitor North Carolina’s viral trends. North Carolina has seen increased hospitalizations and trajectory of cases in recent weeks. Governor Cooper underscored the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, and using good judgment despite fatigue or frustration with the pandemic.

The Andrea Harris Social, Economic, Environmental, and Health Equity Task Force’s Educational Opportunity Subcommittee will host a virtual public roundtable on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 from 6-8 p.m. The Educational Opportunity Subcommittee serves to develop policy recommendations that will create educational opportunities for communities of color in health literacy, financial literacy, general academia, as well as recommendations on strategies to increase funding for health education in community centers that service vulnerable communities.

The U.S. Census Bureau announced all Census self-response and field data collection will conclude Thursday, October 15, 2020, following a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. To date, an estimated 30 percent of North Carolinians have yet to respond to the 2020 Census. This equates to a potential loss of $54 billion in funding over the next decade for communities across the state.

Governor Roy Cooper has ordered all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, October 5 in honor of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day. In accordance to Public Law 107-51, flags are to be lowered annually in recognition of the many firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. 

North Carolina minority and women-owned businesses hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic will have access to guidance and $12 million in grants to help them weather the crisis, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The North Carolina Department of Administration has launched a new grant program, RETOOLNC, to help North Carolina Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms impacted by COVID-19. 

North Carolina will ease cautiously some restrictions while continuing safety measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 as the state’s metrics remained stable in September, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. “Our top priority remains getting children back to in-person learning. This month marks a major shift for many families now and in the coming months as schools open their doors, some for the first time since the pandemic,” said Governor Cooper. “The virus continues to spread, so we must take the next steps methodically, and responsibly.”

The United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities should return to full staff display at sunset today, September 29, 2020, after being lowered in honor of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away Friday, September 18, 2020. She will be laid to rest today in a private ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities to remain lowered to half-staff until sunset on the date of internment in honor of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away Friday. An updated notification will be sent once the date of interment has been established.