Opinion Roundup: Senate leader says no to Medicaid expansion; Cooper OKs NASCAR race; beach visitors told to 'go home'; surgery during pandemic no problem for WWII vet; and more.

Wednesday, Apr. 29, 2020 -- A round up of opinion, commentary and analysis on: Virus appears to be slowing in N.C. — Cooper disagrees; virus deaths more than those killed in Vietnam War; lots of empty seats at legislative session; Burr has stock in healthcare, too; virus speeds up preexisting economic changes; 'flat teacher' doll helps students; ACC tournament returns to Greensboro; and more.

N.C. economy could see gradual reopening soon. But are people eager to go out and shop? (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- As N.C. prepares for the possibility of easing some COVID-19-related restrictions next week, some businesses are planning for their reopening. But the critical question remains: when that happens, will people go out? The new coronavirus has uprooted people’s lives, as people have lost loved ones and millions of Americans remain out of work. Others are adjusting to working from home and homeschooling.

Coronavirus Has Now Killed More Americans Than Vietnam War (WUNC-FM reports) -- In not even three months since the first known U.S. deaths from COVID-19, more lives have now been lost to the coronavirus pandemic on U.S. soil than the 58,220 Americans who died over nearly two decades in Vietnam.

Report: Viral spread of COVID-19 appears to be slowing in N.C. (WRAL-TV reports) -- A new report from a group of top epidemiologists and public health experts in the state projects that a gradual reopening plan isn't likely to overwhelm N.C.'s hospitals.

Cooper confident there will be increases in coronavirus (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- With expanding testing for the coronavirus an important part of his plan to relax social restrictions, Gov. Roy Cooper continues seeking federal help while realizing the state must do plenty of the work. Cooper, in releasing his benchmarks for reopening the state last week, said he wants North Carolina to reach 5,000 to 7,000 tests per day. The state has been above 5,000 daily tests just four times in April.

Data shows N.C. lagged in COVID-19 loan program for businesses (WRAL-TV reports) -- A federal program designed to keep small businesses afloat across the country in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic benefited fewer firms and employees in N.C. than the vast majority of other states, new data show.

Another casualty of coronavirus: Passenger ferry service between Ocracoke and Hatteras (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- The coronavirus outbreak has led the state to cancel passenger ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands this summer. The N.C. Department of Transportation decided that social distancing wouldn’t work well on a passenger ferry designed to carry more than 100 people between the two islands. NCDOT says it’s easier to keep people apart on its car ferries, where it encourages passengers to remain in their vehicles or stand at least six feet apart while on board.

N.C. data release shows 4 nursing homes with 10-plus deaths (AP reports) -- Four N.C. nursing homes have each had at least 10 deaths of residents diagnosed with COVID-19, according to data released on Monday by state health officials.

Family members of Louisburg nursing home struggling to deal with loss (WRAL-TV reports) -- Four more people at the Louisburg Nursing Center have died of COVID-19. This brings the number of deaths to 18. Rosalia Fodera spoke with family members about their loss.

Testing of employees at Mountaire Farms results in 74 COVID-19 cases (WRAL-TV reports) -- Drive-thru testing at Mountaire Farms resulted in 74 positive COVID-19 cases, which is 21 percent of the 356 people tested at the plant on Thursday and Friday.

Pick-your-own farm closes after positive COVID-19 tests (WRAL-TV reports) -- A pick-your-own strawberry farm in N.C. has temporarily closed after laboratory tests confirmed eight workers tested positive for coronavirus, according to officials

Historic Outbreak: Spanish Flu on N.C. Coast (Coastal Review reports) -- The call to end the practice of shaking hands was urged by the publisher of the Elizabeth City newspaper way back in 1919, as the Spanish flu was on track to claim nearly 14,000 lives in N.C..

Mecklenburg County Transitions To N.C. Stay-At-Home Order; More Businesses Deemed 'Essential' (WFAE-FM reports) -- Mecklenburg County, the city of Charlotte and six county towns agreed Tuesday to transition from the county stay-at-home order to the statewide order issued by Gov. Roy Cooper that now extends to May 8. The slightly more lenient N.C. order deems more businesses as "essential."

Unafraid of coronavirus: 97-year-old WWII veteran gets surgery in N.C. hospital (WRAL-TV reports) -- Although statistics show nearly a third of American adults are afraid of visiting a hospital, out of concern of catching COVID-19, these common fears didn't stop WWII veteran Robert Davis, who had a heart procedure in Fayetteville last week at 97 years old.

Nearly $1 million raised for out-of-work restaurant workers (WRAL-TV reports) -- Lynn Minges, president and CEO of the N.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association, says continued donations have led to $950,000 being raised for to help restaurant employees put out of work because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Berger plan blocks even temporary Medicaid expansion (The Insider reports) -- Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, introduced the Senate’s plan for tackling COVID-19 late Tuesday afternoon. That plan does not include a temporary Medicaid expansion as set forward in the N.C. House’s plan.

Senate Business plan (The Insider reports) -- The Senate’s coronavirus recovery bill includes a bigger allocation for small business loans, a new tourism marketing campaign and liability protections for businesses deemed essential. The plan, developed behind closed doors and rolled out late Tuesday, creating some notable contrasts with the House’s bill, which has been developed over weeks of open public committee meetings.

ROSE HOBAN: Lawmakers return to Raleigh to address health care, other needs generated by COVID-19 pandemic (N.C. Health News reports) -- Legislature returns to tackle funding and policy issues brought about by the pandemic.

Politics Don’t Go With Pandemics (Southern Pines Pilot) -- One inexperienced Republican House member, Keith Kidwell of Beaufort, is proposing a constitutional amendment that would require legislative approval for a long-term state of emergency declaration. In a news release he said he wants to “make sure that the representatives of the people have a voice in when and how emergency powers are enacted.” This is the kind of partisan nonsense we don’t need right now. The vast majority of polls show overwhelming support for the state’s actions thus far on coronavirus. Let’s stay focused in Raleigh. Meet the critical needs facing all of us in this public health emergency. Politics don’t belong in pandemics.

Session marked by empty seats, stay-home opponents (AP reports) -- The General Assembly began its annual session Tuesday by turning immediately to legislation to distribute COVID-19 federal relief funds, operating under unprecedented rules with social distancing in mind.

Legislative Session Starts With Protesters As Backdrop (WUNC-FM reports) -- The state House and Senate are split over how much COVID-19 relief to provide in the immediacy. The discord may be typical, but it's hardly business at usual on West Jones Street in Raleigh. The General Assembly will need to reach agreement on the amount to earmark for small business loans and whether to provide COVID-19 medical coverage for those in the healthcare gap.

‘I hope more members will wear masks.’ N.C. legislature back for a session like no other (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- The coronavirus pandemic has changed life in N.C. for millions of people. The state has been under a state of emergency since March 10 and a stay-at-home order since March 30. The state legislature returned Tuesday, for the first time since the pandemic spread to N.C., to start a historic session like no other. Many lawmakers wore masks and sat apart from each other in a Legislative Building that was much more empty, and quiet, than usual. And their primary task is to pass COVID-19 relief.

N.C.'s COVID-19 legislative session is underway (WRAL-TV reports) -- Lawmakers expect quick resolution, but there are differences to work out in spending and policy bills.

Medicaid expansion, lawmaker death benefit among other bills filed during coronavirus session (WRAL-TV reports) -- Death benefit bill has bipartisan support, would boost payout to families of General Assembly members who die to $50,000.

ReOpen protesters in N.C. converge outside legislative building, 4 arrested (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- ReOpen NC members who oppose Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive orders gathered in downtown Raleigh, their third protest.

Man arrested at ReopenNC protest with damaging Executive Mansion property (WRAL-TV reports) – Jonathan Dan Warren was charged with damage to property after damaging the "north east gate of the Executive Mansion by pulling on it so violently that it was broken," police said.

At least four protesters arrested in Raleigh, one the ReOpenNC organizer (WRAL-TV reports) -- At least four protesters were arrested at the ReOpenNC rally in downtown Raleigh on Tuesday. The arrests came as protesters moved from outside the state legislative building to the governor's office.

WRAL poll: Pandemic becoming factor in fall elections (WRAL-TV reports) -- The general elections are still more than six months away, but the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is playing a major role in how voters are sizing up incumbent politicians, according to a WRAL News poll. See the full results of the poll.

ELIZABETH OUZTS: Duke Energy gave half a million to political group before primary, new filings show (Energy News Network reports) -- Duke Energy funneled half a million dollars through a tax-exempt political group to pay for polling, television ads, and mailers in advance of N.C.’s March primary, new documents submitted to the IRS show. At least three state legislative candidates got help from the entity named Citizens for a Responsible Energy Future, but that aid accounted for less than a tenth of the group’s total expenses, leaving the full extent of its beneficiaries unknown. Called a “527” for the section of revenue code under which it’s regulated, the group created Jan. 30 by two former Duke exec.'s is separate from the company’s official PAC. The 527 can take donations directly from corporations and make unlimited expenditures promoting candidates, but it can’t explicitly advocate voting for anyone.

Unemployment filings spike, again, as N.C. system opens to independent contractors (WRAL-TV reports) -- N.C. saw the biggest spike yet in unemployment claims Friday as the state system opened to self-employed people and independent contractors not usually eligible for claims.

N.C. unemployment insurance claims approach 900,000; benefits paid reach $910 million (Winston-Salem Journal reports) -- The N.C. employment market is fast approaching the thresholds of 1 million jobless claims and $1 billion paid out in state and federal unemployment benefits.

Sen. Richard Burr Is Not Just a Friend to the Health Care Industry. He’s Also a Stockholder. (PRO PUBLICA reports) -- The Republican of N.C., who is under investigation for his stock trading, regularly flips health care stocks even as he pushes for legislation to help the industry. “The industry feels very positive about Sen. Burr,” the president of N.C.’s bioscience trade group said during Burr’s last reelection campaign. “He’s done a stellar job.” Burr also trades in and out of the industry’s stocks. Since 2013, Burr and his wife bought and sold between $639,500 and $1.1 million of stock in companies that make medical devices, equipment, supplies and drugs, according to a ProPublica analysis of his financial disclosures.

MELISSA BOUGHTON: N.C. judge considering whether to order more robust COVID-19 prison response (N.C. Policy Watch reports) -- Two attorneys for several civil rights organizations and incarcerated people alleged in court today that the state is not doing enough to protect detention populations from contracting COVID-19. They asked Wake County Superior Court Judge Vince Rozier to order a more robust plan with a faster release schedule to reduce the incarcerated population in N.C. They suggested the state start with the release of 3,000 incarcerated people who have 60 days or less to complete their sentence. The hearing for a temporary restraining order was conducted remotely over a WebEx video conference system due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Families, ACLU press for inmate releases amid virus outbreaks behind bars (WRAL-TV reports) -- Coronavirus cases continue to mount in state and federal prisons in N.C., making relatives of inmates increasingly anxious.

Coronavirus is speeding up changes in the economy that were already there (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- According to a panel of UNC business and real estate professors, retail will survive the coronavirus, but it will become different along with consumer behavior. Changes in the economy that were already underway are being accelerated by the pandemic and will alter the way we consume daily goods and services for the future, the professors said during an online press briefing Tuesday.

Views mixed on executive order to keep meat processing plants open (WRAL-TV reports) -- WRAL's Aaron Thomas spoke with a worker at a meat processing plant along with a professor at NC State to get their view on President Trump's order to keep meat processing plants open during the coronavirus outbreak.

Meat packing plants ordered to stay open, N.C. workers continue to test positive (WRAL-TV reports) -- During the COVID-19 pandemic, there's been a high demand of meat across the state, but there's also been many reports of virus outbreaks in meat packing facilities.

Governor OKs NASCAR To Race At Charlotte (AP/WRALSportsFan reports) -- The governor said NASCAR can go forward with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway without fans in attendance at the end of May unless health conditions deteriorate in the state.

HAL TARLETON: Stimulus checks spike federal deficit (Wilsons Times column) -- If you’re pleased with your pandemic stimulus check, just wait until the payments come due.

Kinston's crime rate down 26 percent compared to last year​​​​​​​ (Kinston Free Press reports) -- “In my 27 years with the Kinston Police Department, I have seen a rise and fall with the crime rate. It is at one of the lowest levels I have ever seen.” KPD Maj. Jenee Spencer said. “I think it is safe to say this is largely due to Governor Cooper’s order and more people staying at home, therefore not becoming victims of crimes or out perpetrating them,” Spencer said. From March 14 to April 9 of last year, there were 367 total offenses within the city. This time in 2020 has witnessed 286 total offenses.

Historians asking for help to remember pandemic (AP reports) -- N.C. historians are already pondering how the COVID-19 pandemic will be remembered by future generations.

ECU student sues UNC system over switch to online classes (WRAL-TV reports) -- A student at ECU filed a class action lawsuit against the UNC system claiming that the closing of campuses and transition to online instruction in response to the coronavirus outbreak deprived students of in-person instruction, face-to-face time with professors and campus facilities, which they pay for.

New UNC Charlotte chancellor named to replace Phil Dubois (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- Sharon Gaber, currently the president of the University of Toledo, will be the fifth chancellor of UNC Charlotte. Her appointment was approved by the UNC Board of Governors.

University of Toledo president leaving for UNC-Charlotte post (AP reports) -- The president of the University of Toledo announced that she will be leaving the school to become chancellor at the UNC-Charlotte.

'Flat Teacher' doll helps bridge the social distancing gap between teacher and students (WRAL-TV reports) -- Teachers finish last weeks of school year with more impersonal "virtual learning" but use their own paper "flat teacher" image to make personal connection with students.

No sports or eating in the cafeteria? COVID-19 may change N.C. schools when they reopen. (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- Large group activities could be put on hold after N.C. schools resume.

Apex Friendship High School principal creates 'Class of 2020' wall for seniors (WRAL-TV reports) -- Apex Friendship High School Principal Matt Wight was heartbroken he wouldn't be able to hand out diplomas to his high school seniors this year -- so he found another way to congratulate them.

Are your kids backsliding with their behavior? That's normal during transitions -- especially now (WRAL-TV reports) -- Ashley Witherspoon's four-year-old neighbor recently took off on her bike -- alone. With her family hunkered down to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, her parents complained that the girl had become "so defiant." To them, the behavior was frustrating. But to Witherspoon, a licensed clinical social worker and parent, it wasn't surprising at all.

As fear of COVID-19 surge subsides, N.C. hospitals resume non-urgent surgeries (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- In a sign of how well the fight against coronavirus has gone in North Carolina, hospitals in the state are rescheduling surgeries and other procedures they began postponing in March to prepare for a surge in COVID-19 patients. That surge never arrived, and hospitals say they now have the equipment, staff and bed space to resume some non-emergency procedures.

Pug in N.C. Tests Positive for the Coronavirus, Researchers Say (New York Times reports) -- A team at Duke University detected the virus in the dog this month.

Triangle Canine Tests Positive For COVID-19, First Known Case In U.S. (WUNC-FM reports) -- A dog belonging to a family in the Triangle has tested positive for COVID-19. It's the first known case of the coronavirus infecting a dog in the U.S. The family is participating in a research study by Duke Health that is working on developing diagnostic tests for the earliest stages of COVID-19, among other things. Researchers usually test all members of a participating household, including pets.

Researcher: Pet parents need not worry about getting coronavirus from furry family members (WRAL-TV reports) -- When a Chapel Hill family's pug tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Dr. Chris Woods was not surprised — or worried.

N.C. doctor, former mayor, settles Medicare fraud case for $8.8M (Triangle Business Journal reports) -- An $8.8 million settlement has been reached between federal authorities and a physician whose practice in Dunn allegedly filed fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims. Dr. Ibrahim Oudeh, his wife Teresa Sloan-Oudeh, and Dr. Oudeh’s medical practice where his wife served as office manager have agreed to relinquish approximately $3.3 million in assets. They also agreed to a conditional consent judgment in the amount of $5.5 million to settle the claims in the Eastern District of North Carolina. A lawsuit filed in February 2018 claimed Dr. Oudeh – who previously served as the mayor of Dunn – his wife, and their practice had billed medically unnecessary and improper nerve conduction studies and medically unnecessary and improper radiological tests and echocardiograms that violated Medicare’s anti-markup limitations. The suit also claimed they had overbilled for evaluation and management services.

Former mayor of Dunn settles federal case for $8.8 million (Fayetteville Observer reports) -- Allegations include fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims

Raleigh transplant describes life in Japan (WRAL-TV reports) -- WRAL's Ken Smith talked with Chris Nusbaum about life in Japan during this pandemic.

Most airlines don't require face masks, despite coronavirus threat (WRAL-TV reports) -- As Americans begin to resume travel, some are worried that face masks aren't required for most commercial airline passengers.

Here's a look at 8 energy startups joining N.C. Cleantech Corridor program (WRAL-TV/TechWire reports) -- Eight startups are bringing a wide variety of cleantech energy to North Carolina as part of an accelerator program. Here’s a look at each firm.

Duke Wants To Double Renewable Energy Sources By 2025 (WFAE-FM reports) -- Duke Energy has set a goal of doubling the renewable energy it produces or buys by 2025. The new target is in the company's annual sustainability report out Tuesday.

Flyers stoke debate over reopening the Outer Banks (AP reports) -- A flyer that's being place on parked cars along part of N.C.'s coast is telling visitors to go home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

U.S. court ruling could threaten pipeline projects with delays (Reuters reports) -- Several major U.S. oil and natural gas pipeline projects could be at risk of delays after a U.S. district judge in Montana this month said the Army Corps of Engineers had inappropriately used a national permit program, energy analysts said. Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris ruled on April 15 that the Army Corps violated federal law by issuing the so-called Nationwide Permit 12 that allows pipelines to cross water bodies because it did not adequately consult with other federal agencies on risks to endangered species and habitat. The ruling halted work on pipelines through streams and waterways, but allows other construction to continue. The U.S. DOJ and the Army Corps filed a motion to limit the scope of the order by May 11, but it is unclear if the motion is likely to succeed. Ann Nallo spokeswoman for Dominion Energy Inc, which is building the Atlantic Coast gas pipeline run from W.Va. to N.C., said “we’re following the developments to assess any impact.” The company said it still expects the project to start up on schedule by early 2022.

Clean Water Act ruling tees up coal ash brawl (E&E News reports) -- With its landmark Clean Water Act ruling last week, the Supreme Court may have avoided creating a major loophole for coal ash ponds under the statute. In their 6-3 decision in Maui County v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund, the justices rejected a declaration by EPA last year that said the agency would not regulate any pollution that flows through groundwater on its way to federally protected waters. EPA's interpretive statement excluded from its permitting program pollution sources such as leaks from coal ash ponds, which are large impoundments of power plant waste that often sit adjacent to federally regulated waterways. Environmental groups enmeshed in coal ash litigation said the Maui court decision clearly shows that coal ash pollution falls under the Clean Water Act. Last week's ruling could be useful in upcoming court battles, but many experts say the utility industry is already shifting on its own toward cleanups. "It makes it clear to utilities that they cannot continue to have leaking unlined coal ash lagoons that are polluting the adjacent lakes, rivers and streams in violation of their permits," said Southern Environmental Law Center Senior Attorney Frank Holleman.

The ACC names Greensboro as host of 2023 ACC Tournament (WRALSportsFan/WRAL-TV reports) -- The ACC announced in a release on Tuesday that Greensboro will be the host of the 2023 ACC Tournament. Greensboro was the 2020 Tournament host, but the event was cut short due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Can you find them all? Artist hides tiny sculptures in Raleigh park (WRAL-TV reports) -- Graymon Ward, the artist behind the viral sensation Pizza Time! on a Raleigh sidewalk, has a new unusual project up his sleeve: He's hiding tiny sculptures in Fred Fletcher Park in Raleigh.