Blue Ridge Times

North Carolina’s AAA Bond Rating Reaffirmed by Moodys and S&P Global “North Carolina is consistently recognized for its excellence in fiscal management,” said Treasurer Briner. “Getting an Aaa bond rating may sound like a financial mark meant for experts, but it matters to every North Carolinian. It reflects confidence in how we manage public money and can help the state borrow at lower interest costs. That means more of our tax dollars can go toward the schools, roads and other priorities that support our communities.” Read more below

UNCA Professor Ryan Steed Selected As New Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar For 2026 “Ryan is the ideal teacher-scholar,” said Sally Wasileski, Ph.D., dean of UNC Asheville’s College of Natural and Human Sciences and former chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “He took biochemistry from a nascent idea to one of our greatest strengths and points of pride, and he did it while mentoring students in research that matters, from the fundamental science of how bacteria make energy to the search for new antibiotics. Our students are better scientists because of him, and this national recognition is richly deserved.” Read more below

Op-ED: The Great Reckoning for American Higher Ed In 2026, American colleges are continuing their the trend. See, the birth rate has been dropping since 2007, when an astonishing 4.3 million babies were born. Nearly two decades  later those kids represent the peak of college enrollment for a generation. It only goes “south” from here. The steepest decline (13%) will occur between now and 2028, when the freshman class shrinks by an astounding 320,000 students. In addition to fewer students, young adults are beginning to explore alternatives to college. But I think we are also witnessing something greater: the end of the great college spending spree. Read full article below

Georgia Department of Revenue Announces Distribution Of Homeowner Tax Relief Grants "Along with our partners in the General Assembly, we are delivering on our promise to make life more affordable for hardworking Georgians by providing needed relief for homeowners from property taxes," said Governor Brian Kemp. "Because of our commitment to creating jobs and budgeting conservatively, we are able to take steps such as these to keep more money in Georgians' pockets." Read more below

Tennessee Pursues United States Space Academy “Chris Hansen is a committed public servant with decades of experience in corrections and public safety,” said Gov. Lee. “His knowledge of the Tennessee Department of Correction makes him uniquely qualified to lead, and I am grateful for his willingness to serve Tennesseans during this transition.” Read more below

Effective Immediately, Gov. Lee Appoints Interim Commissioner At Tennessee Department Of Correction “Chris Hansen is a committed public servant with decades of experience in corrections and public safety,” said Gov. Lee. “His knowledge of the Tennessee Department of Correction makes him uniquely qualified to lead, and I am grateful for his willingness to serve Tennesseans during this transition.” Read more below

Sen. Ted Budd Leads Congressional Effort For New Autonomous Warfare Command To Be Headquartered In North Carolina In the letter, the Members wrote: “North Carolina hosts an expansive defense industrial base, innovative research institutes and universities, strategic terrain, and well-equipped military installations; home to some of our nation’s top warfighters. Our delegation has consistently emphasized North Carolina’s unique ability to contribute to missions of national importance, and our state continues to deliver to this end. North Carolina’s military installations, including Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune, have already emerged as national leaders in the integration of emerging technologies and advanced weapons systems into the force.” Read more below

Op-Ed: North Carolina Should Embrace the Next Generation of Plastic Recycling Read more below

Op-Ed: Guess Who’s (Not) Coming to Dinner? When was the last time you invited people into your home for dinner? Wait, it can’t be a work function or a major holiday. Just an ordinary Saturday night with a few friends, some food, a few bottles of wine, and absolutely no reason to celebrate anything. Give it some thought. We’ll wait. Okay, that’s what I thought. If you’re having trouble remembering if it was pre or post Covid, you're not alone. According to a recent survey, we’ve abandoned one of the great American pastimes: the dinner party. Up until 1975, 42% of Americans said they entertained in their home at least once per month. By 2026, that number had fallen to just 12%.That's a decline of roughly 70% in half a century. Read more below

Analysis: Even a Democrat's Seat Is a Referendum on Hospital Care in North Carolina's 1st Read more below