American rescue plan Coverage

NC working to free up $100M to buy time for childcare centers running low on emergency funding

"We have the funds available right now to extend those through December of this year," said Ariel Ford, director with the division of Child Development and Early Education for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

Shelle Jackson, WRAL reporter

Emergency childcare funding to run out despite deadline extension

The money, allocated in 2021's American Rescue Plan Act, has been a lifeline for childcare providers across the country. In North Carolina, that deadline has been extended to buy more time for childcare providers.

1,700 child care centers expected to close in NC when American Rescue Plan funding ends

At the end of September, more than 4,000 child care programs in North Carolina will stop receiving federal funding from the American Rescue Plan.

1,700 NC child care centers expected to close, 155K kids impacted when American Rescue Plan funding ends in September

At the end of September, more than 4,000 child care programs in North Carolina will stop receiving federal funding from the American Rescue Plan.

Shelle Jackson, WRAL reporter

Fact check: Biden says American Rescue Plan 'cut Black child poverty in half'

In a Feb. 27 White House address, President Joe Biden said the child tax credit he'd expanded through the American Rescue Plan "cut Black child poverty in half in 2021 because of the child tax credit."

Matthew Crowley, PolitiFact reporter

State program aims to grow hospitality workforce

When the pandemic started, many restaurants had to cut back on the work force. Three years later, they are still trying to find the workforce needed to run. WRAL's Adam Owens spoke with the NCRLA to learn about a program aimed to get workers back into the field.

New hospitality program aims to get workers back into restaurants

The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) Foundation is administering a $1.1 million hospitality workforce training program to refuel the state's restaurant and hospitality businesses.

Adam Owens, WRAL anchor/reporter

WRAL Digital program offers $1 million to build local communities

Capitol B Creative Studios and WRAL Digital will invest up to $1 million in dollar-for-dollar matching support to American Rescue Plan grant recipients and those of other state, federal and private grant programs aimed at encouraging economic stimulus.

PEG O'CONNELL: N.C. Missing out on good insurance news. Change it now

Monday, Aug. 29, 2022 -- North Carolina is missing out on one of America's most exciting doses of good news. Around much of the country the number of uninsured people is dropping but not in the Tar Heel state. North Carolina is too smart and too caring a place to miss out on a good thing. Expanding Medicaid is, as so many studies have indicated, a very good thing.

Gov. Cooper announces $23M grant to implement clean energy jobs in NC

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo came to North Carolina A&T on Wednesday to make a pivotal announcement for the university's effort to aid in the advancement of clean energy and provide jobs in the field.

NC A&T receiving $23M for clean energy workforce program

The NC A&T Good Jobs Challenge grant will create STEPs4GROWTH, a clean energy workforce training program that will start in high school and continue through college.

$200 million in small business loans coming to North Carolina

More than $200 million in small business loans is coming to North Carolina as part of an ongoing federal program to help disadvantaged businesses.

$200 million in small business loans heading to NC targeting disadvantaged communities

More than $200 million in small business loans is coming to North Carolina as part of an ongoing federal program to help disadvantaged businesses.

Keenan Willard, WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter

Fact check: When Biden took office, how many Americans were on unemployment benefits?

During a recent press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre played down the impact of President Joe Biden's policies on inflation, saying: "We have to remember what the president walked into ... 20 million people were on unemployment insurance benefits." PolitiFact checks her claim.

Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact reporter

New legal fund fights evictions in Raleigh

The Raleigh City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved spending $500,000 on a program to help renters by preventing evictions and providing legal support for those who face losing their homes.

Raleigh City Council approves $500K to help keep renters in homes

The Raleigh City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved spending $500,000 on a program to help renters by preventing evictions and providing legal support for those who face losing their homes.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

More in NC now eligible for health insurance help

Changes made to the Affordable Care Act in 2021 mean hundreds of thousands more North Carolinians are eligible for subsidized health insurance in 2022.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief

NC daycares could soon be eligible for federal grants up to $60,000 a quarter

A federal grant of around $805 million will soon be available for NC daycares as part of the American Rescue Plan for early childhood education.

NC daycares receive $805 million in financial relief, can apply for grant next week

North Carolina will receive $805 million dollars as part of the American Rescue Plan for early education.

Lora Lavigne, WRAL reporter

Fact check: Biden says hunger 'sharply' dropping after stimulus

President Joe Biden credits the American Rescue Plan for helping Americans recover from the pandemic and economic fallout, including those who have experienced hunger. "The Rescue Plan is delivering food and nutrition assistance to millions of Americans facing hunger," Biden said May 5. "And hunger is already sharply down in the United States."

Louis Jacobson and Amy Sherman, PolitiFact reporters

Biden defends American Rescue Plan

Under the Biden relief program, which started accepting applications on Monday, restaurants and bars can qualify for grants equal to their pandemic-related revenue losses, with a cap of $10 million per business and $5 million per location.

Fact-checking Biden's first speech to Congress

In his first speech before Congress, President Joe Biden argued it was time to turn the coronavirus pandemic into a historic opportunity to expand government for the benefit of a wider range of Americans, urging investments in jobs, climate change, child care, infrastructure and more.

Louis Jacobson, Amy Sherman, Victoria Knight and Miriam Valverde, PolitiFact reporters

Fact check: When do K-12 schools get relief funds?

A U.S. Senator from West Virginia said relief money for schools won't go out in its entirety until 2028. PolitiFact found spending on K-12 education in the American Rescue Plan is set to continue through 2028, although 90% of it will be distributed between 2021 and 2025.

Lara Bonatesta and Mackenzie Gilligan, PolitiFact reporters

LESLIE BONEY: Back end of the 'one-and-one'

Sunday, March 28, 2021 -- Funding from the American Rescue Plan is barreling toward North Carolina and I haven't yet heard anyone saying no. Among other things, the plan will bring billions to the state to help families find their way back from job loss, debt, and hunger; will help schools and students overcome learning loss; will help businesses fight back from loss of sales and employees. Regardless of which side of the political aisle you sit on, it will go a long way toward helping the state "build back." But unless we are intentional, it won't ensure that we build back "better." Or at least not as "better" as it could be.

Fact-checking 7 Biden claims on the stimulus, vaccine rollout

Hours after President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, he gave his first prime-time presidential address to mark the anniversary of shutdowns across the nation -- and to give Americans hope that the pandemic-era losses would soon come to an end.

Louis Jacobson, Victoria Knight and Amy Sherman, PolitiFact reporters