Let’s call the NC Supreme Court what it really is | Opinion

The US Supreme Court is often referred to by the name of the chief justice, e.g., the Warren Court, the Burger Court, the Roberts Court. To my knowledge, that has not been the case with the NC Supreme Court. However, I suggest we begin to refer to the NC Court with its leader’s name. It should be known as the Berger Court, and not for Phil Berger, Jr. The clear leader and driver of court rulings is Phil Berger, Sr., and the court name should reflect that.

Larry Wolf, Garner

RFK, Jr.

I see that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his band of medical misfits have decided that babies no longer need the Hepatitis B vaccine, the one that’s responsible for the dramatic reduction of this terrible disease. Studies show that about 90% of infants who are infected at birth will go on to experience chronic infections, a quarter of whom will die of chronic liver disease.

One has to wonder how many people will have to die or be afflicted with a preventable illness before Congress acts to rid HHS of Kennedy and his ilk. Congress is supposed to be representing their constituents. Doing nothing while a bunch of conspiracy theorists and anti-science vaccine deniers run roughshod over federal health policy is not what I’d call representing our interests.

Eric Thomas, Durham

Farmer bailout

There was a time when farmers tilled the soil, raised crops and livestock, then sold them for profit in the marketplace. Unfortunately, under the current administration, many farmers are being unwillingly turned into government employees. Tariffs eliminated major markets they’ve historically sold to, leaving them with surplus product and falling prices. The administration’s solution is to put them on the government payroll, replacing their lost tariff income with bailout income, funded by taxpayers.

As farmers become normalized to being federal employees, they will increasingly operate at the whim and desires of the leadership of our government, whether benign or malignant. And so, another part of what’s made America great kneels at the feet of the government it voted for and everyone loses.

Lee Fluke, Charlotte

Cancer research

As a cancer patient in active treatment, I know the value of research that has found new treatments and therapies. In fact, in the last 30 years, the federal government’s increases in cancer research and prevention funding have led to a 34% decline in mortality rates. This is great news, but our work is not over. As a volunteer for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, I’m asking Sen. Thom Tillis to work to pass a full-year funding bill that provides the highest possible funding increases for cancer research and prevention at the NIH, NCI and CDC.

Tony Newberne, Charlotte

RTP gratitude

On Nov. 24, the Durham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to amend Research Triangle Park’s zoning district within its Unified Development Ordinance. This action aligns with ordinances approved by Wake County Board of Commissioners in June 2025 and opens the door for new development and campus modernization across 7,000 acres in the heart of the Triangle.

It also advances the RTP 3.0 vision, strengthening the Park’s appeal to companies and talent by upholding its research mission and guiding growth that meets regional needs. The framework positions RTP to attract investment, accelerate innovation and support North Carolina’s economic leadership while enabling more housing near jobs, new retail and recreational amenities, efficient use of centrally located land and infrastructure, and a stronger foundation for future regional transit.

Shaped by extensive collaboration among RTP Owners and Tenants Association leaders, public- and private-sector partners, experts and community members, this milestone reflects guidance from elected officials and staff across all levels of government, along with economic development, university, business, utility, transportation and housing partners. We are grateful for their role in ensuring RTP’s future supports the broader community.

Scott Levitan, President and CEO, and Barbara Mulkey, Board Chair, Research Triangle Foundation of NC