North Carolina's educators aren't furloughed like federal workers. But the way folks who work in our public schools are doing creative math in order to keep up with the cost of living, the insufficient funds in their paychecks kinda hit like a furlough. It's because state lawmakers won't pass a budget that even puts a salary increase on the table. Meet some of those educators in this edition of the "Closer to the People" podcast.

⛔️ COMING SOON to a state near you — maybe yours — is the political pandemic that started in Texas and is spreading across the country sickening already fed-up voters. This edition of the "Closer to the People Podcast" draws the line on redistricting with perspective from NC Counts Coalition, North Carolina Black Alliance and Common Cause North Carolina.

North Carolina Black Alliance was among the first organizations in the country privy to HIT Strategies’ 2024 Black Values Survey, a national look at registered and unregistered Black adults that put data behind the oft-repeated notion that Black voters are not monolithic. The research revealed five values clusters bookended by Black voters on opposite poles, from those who lean in to the struggle for civil rights to those with conservative mindsets whose views on race are neutral. Within those poles were Black voters with views somewhere in between yet distinct. The research ultimately underscored the complexity of the Black vote and why wise politicians shouldn’t take it for granted. Dig in to that in this installment of the “Closer to the People Podcast.”

In North Carolina, Martin County residents are at the intersection of health care and equity waiting to see if they'll get a hospital where they live.

We're having real conversations with OUR people, like this exchange in Dare County, North Carolina, where just 2.8% of the population is Black. Not a lot of melanin down there by the beach. But Black people are there, so there we were, exploring proposed legislation that would further minimize their presence. 

North Carolina Black Alliance doesn't play politics. We prioritize people. That includes paying attention to your purses and wallets. Lots of talk about how elected officials want to spend our hard-earned tax dollars and who's siding with whom in the process. We went to the General Assembly to see for ourselves what the deal is during early budget talks.

Elected officials in North Carolina are mimicking White House executive orders aimed at reversing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The state Senate gave the nod sending Senate Bill 227 to the House. The proposed legislation would eliminate DEI in public education in North Carolina.   Perspective on the bill and what you can do about it are in this installment of the "Closer to the People" podcast.

The federal cuts keep coming. It's dizzying. But do we really care?

A seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court was on the ballot during the 2024 general election. It's 2025. The race still hasn't been decided. Recounts are within a candidate's rights. Making sure ballots ultimately count are a voter's purview.

Climate change catches so much heat. Truth is, we're responsible for most of that global warming. So let's cut Mother Nature some slack — wouldn't hurt if in the process we did more to cut carbon emissions, too.

Who's judging you? That's up to you, actually.

Listen and learn why North Carolina voters are in a swing state of mind. 

⛔️ WARNING: This episode may humble you. Think you've been moving through the chessboard of life like a queen or a rook? You might be a pawn. 

Ever thought about breathing as a fundamental right? 

There are individuals eligible to vote in the upcoming election who actually believe they’re ineligible, according to Florida Rights Restoration Coalition President Desmond Meade, who has made it his mission to dismantle disenfranchisement.