Seth Effron Coverage

SETH EFFRON: Faith of Jewish people guided by love, not hate

Friday, March 22, 2024 -- It is not for Donald Trump to determine which Jews do, or don't, hate their faith based on support for his political agenda. I don't hate him or denigrate his religious affiliation for his political opportunism.

SETH EFFRON: Win elections by getting fewer people to vote?

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 -- Will that potential dampening of voter enthusiasm - because of uncontested local races - aid Republicans in statewide races? Could uncontested Republicans in two congressional districts diminish engagement among significant blocks of GOP voters?

SETH EFFRON: In rural N.C., Jews unite to show concern, solidarity and sympathies

Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 -- In rural parts of North Carolina where Jewish populations are dwindling and synagogues have been closing, the concerns for the victims of attacks from the Gaza Strip, sympathies and love for Israel are nonetheless present.

SETH EFFRON: Voter enthusiasm in key groups critical to election outcome

Nov. 3, 2022 -- When voting ends and the winners of next Tuesday's election in North Carolina are determined, the most significant factor in the outcomes may be who DIDN'T cast ballots.Voting does matter! Voter enthusiasm - the personal drive to make sure a vote is cast - is what counts.

SETH EFFRON: Rocky Mount High School class of '70 - Making history by just showing up wasn't easy

Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 -- For the Rocky Mount High School class of 1970 - celebrating its COVID-delayed 50th reunion - there is truly dynamic history to recall. The class of '70 was the first to graduate from a fully integrated Rocky Mount High School.

Seth Effron, Capitol Broadcasting Company

SETH EFFRON: Unaffiliated voters shouldn't be banned from helping N.C. elections

Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022 -- I joined the lawsuit challenging a state law to end an institution that silences the voices of 2.6 million unaffiliated voters. All citizens deserve the opportunity to fully participate in the electoral process - and that includes the oversight and administration of elections.

SETH EFFRON: When Frank Daniels made me an offer I couldn't refuse

Monday, July 11, 2022 -- There has been plenty written about Frank Daniels' family legacy, his politics, dedication to quality education and civic involvement. For the most part, his efforts made the community and state much better places. But for me and many more, he enshrined an ethic that encouraged creativity and embraced those who looked to exploit it. I was offered the opportunity of a lifetime when I most needed it.

SETH EFFRON: Confronting fear of violence at school polling places

Thursday, June 16, 2022 -- We live in a state and nation that uplifts democracy and true representative government. We also understand REAL POWER still rests with citizens who exercise their clout at the ballot box. How about making sure we're teaching students that power comes only through the ballot, not bullying. Participation, not provocation and intimidation, are what makes our nation great.

SETH EFFRON: Numbers behind the polling numbers

Thursday, April 14, 2022 -- One thing most voters seem to agree on - North Carolina elections will be fair and all proper votes will be counted. A strong majority of voters - 69% -- are confident that their votes will be accurately counted with just 25% not-confident. Practically two-thirds of Republicans -- 63% -- say their votes will be accurately tabulated.

SETH EFFRON: An honest wage or tax dodge for N.C. legislators?

Monday, Feb. 14, 2022 -- If the salary for legislators isn't adequate - and there are few who'd rationally argue that a $13,950 salary matches the responsibilities and commitment - why not just face the reality and change it? Manipulating the length of the legislative session and other tricks to boost legislators' compensation is a dodge and dishonest.

SETH EFFRON: 2022 Senate primary will be battle for N.C. GOP's identity

Saturday, June 12, 2021 -- Will North Carolina be another stage where Donald Trump, like on "The Apprentice," determines who gets a place in the organization and who gets fired? What does it take to be a loyal Republican in North Carolina in 2022? Will a contentious primary leave the victor - whether Trump anointed or not - better or worse positioned against the Democrats (where a contentious primary is also in the offing)? Do the campaigns of 1972 or 1986 offer any clues?

SETH EFFRON: Avoid tragedy at beaches and pools

Wednesday, June 2, 2021 -- Over the last two pre-pandemic years, 52 North Carolina children died in drowning accidents. Rip current-related fatalities on the N.C. coast have increased from a dozen in 2017 to 17 in 2019. Not every drowning death can be prevented but many can be avoided with basic precaution.

SETH EFFRON: A birthday the pandemic forgot. A year with much to remember

Friday, March 5, 2021 -- Exactly one year ago she celebrated her 97th birthday alone, in the studio apartment of an assisted living facility. ... But she is not celebrating her birthday today by herself.

SETH EFFRON: Another inauguration comes to heal a divided nation

Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 -- The pandemic and more presently the fear of deadly violence, has dampened the celebratory atmosphere that typically accompanies an inaugural. Museums, art galleries, restaurants are closed - both for health AND security fears. Festive balls and live performances will be "virtual." The grand display of a peaceful transition of power, the trademark of this nation's stable democracy and an example to the world, will be much subdued. But it will go on and will be no less significant.

SETH EFFRON: How Basnight ushered in new era of legislative clout

Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020 -- To the degree that Republican Sen. Phil Berger has emerged as a very influential and powerful public officeholder in North Carolina, he has Democrat Marc Basnight who died Monday, to thank. Basnight - the largely self-educated rural legislator - reshaped the state Senate at the end of the 20th Century by transforming the largely ceremonial office of Senate President Pro Tempore into a power center that he held for 16 years.

SETH EFFRON: Not in a voting booth, still Mom casts 19th consecutive presidential ballot

Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 -- There hasn't been an election since 1944 - local, state or national; bond issue or referendum - that my mother's missed. On Thursday, Sept. 17, she voted in her 19th presidential election. Listen to mom -- make sure you vote.

SETH EFFRON: From the start Dennis Rogers connected news, communities and people

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020 -- Before Dennis Rogers became "the Dennis Rogers" who earned such strong affection as a columnist, he was a newspaper colleague in Fayetteville who helped an entire newspaper frame the way it covered and talked about its community.

SETH EFFRON: Bob Jordan's legacy transformed N.C.; marked partisan transformation too

Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 -- Just as former Lt. Gov. Bob Jordan's tenure marked a transition from one party dominance politically, it marked a shift from a time when political leaders emerged from the state's business and economic establishment - not creatures concocted out of ideological action committees, special interest groups and political image makers. He was a community business leader who saw public service as an extension of that.

SETH EFFRON: Democratic legislators hold key in upcoming veto showdown

Friday, April 19, 2019 -- The effort to sustain Gov. Roy Cooper's veto will be a critical test of his clout and the power that Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore wield in the Republican-dominated General Assembly. The fate of this over-ride effort is particularly critical because it is the first since Republicans lost their veto-proof legislative majority.