Press Releases

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.

Governor Roy Cooper today ordered all North Carolina flags at state facilities to be lowered to half-staff beginning today, Friday, September 18, 2020 until sunset on Saturday, September 19, 2020 in honor of Henderson County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Hendrix who died in the line of duty on September 10, 2020

With less than two weeks left until the Census deadline of September 30, there are still nearly 4 million North Carolinians who have yet to self-respond, putting at risk more than $70 billion in funding over the next decade for communities across the state. This uncounted population represents nearly 40 percent of North Carolina households.