A state budget win for black bears and red wolves in North Carolina | Opinion
The announcement that North Carolina’s budget includes a recurring $10.2 million investment for wildlife crossings is a triumph for our state’s wildlife, economy, and public safety. For over a decade, conservationists, scientists, and advocates have pointed to the fragmentation of our natural landscapes — most notably in the Pigeon River Gorge on I-40 — as a looming crisis for both roaming wildlife and motorists. This funding acknowledges a truth we have long championed: protecting nature and modernizing infrastructure are not mutually exclusive goals.
By building wildlife-friendly overpasses, underpasses, and fencing, we aren’t just saving the lives of iconic species like black bears, elk, deer, and endangered red wolves. We are also actively protecting North Carolina drivers from the costly and tragic impacts of wildlife/vehicle collisions.
We commend lawmakers, the NC Department of Transportation, wildlife agency, and our partners in the Safe Passage coalition who made this vision a reality. North Carolina now leads the nation by example, proving that through bipartisan cooperation, we can build a safer, more connected future where our economy and wildlife thrive.
Thomas Bell, Raleigh
LGBTQ+ protections
Johnston County’s decision to remove explicit wording protecting LGBTQ+ students and school employees from its anti-bullying and equal employment policies reflects an antiquated political playbook founded in fear.
The protections were a response to increased discrimination and bullying experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals. The suggestion that the language provided LGBTQ+ individuals with “more rights” is a lazy dog whistle with no historical precedent that, sadly, repeats the pushback against the Women’s Suffrage Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, and now, the LGBTQ+ movement. It sounds more like fear of the “other.” We can do better.
The protections that Johnston County leaders removed are actually longstanding features of our democracy that allow us to live out our nation’s most important values. So as we celebrate 250 years, let’s humble ourselves and be open to the idea that progress is not a zero-sum game.
Michael Finley, Holly Springs
About Johnson County’s decision to eliminate protection of LGBTQ people from bullying and equal employment policies: Congratulations for returning us to the discrimination against and repression of some of our citizens — which ultimately means all of us — and stoking hatred and fear. Real progress and real important subject to spend our time and taxpayers’ money on.
Steve Ferebee, Rocky Mount
Thom Tillis and Blanche
In Todd Blanche’s Senate confirmation hearing, Sen. Thom Tillis told Mr. Blanche that “I hope you stay within the ethical bounds of the law.” Given that a federal judge has just referred Blanche to the NY State Bar for investigation of ethical violations of self-dealing in the bogus IRS/Trump “settlement,” shouldn’t Sen. Tillis do more than “hope”? Mr. Blanche orchestrated the settlement AND the $1.8B fund our good senator called “stupid on stilts.” Wouldn’t the more prudent course of action be to withhold a confirmation vote until the ethics investigation is complete?
Jeff Braden, Raleigh
Troubling election dispute
Voter confidence in our elections is damaged when disputes happen such as the one that occurred in Granville County Tuesday night.
No person with overall control of election administration in this state should be telling a county Board of Elections where to place early voting sites to one party’s advantage. That is not nonpartisan. Please continue to publish stories about disputes in any county where they occur.
I have served 15 years as a precinct level election official in Durham and Wake Counties and also spent eight years as a local government reporter. These disputes are troubling to me.
Mark G. Rodin, Durham
Private school vouchers
I find it an unconscionable misallocation of our taxpayers’ money that 74.2% of students in private schools receive tuition vouchers. This funding has grown exponentially over the last two years.
Our public schools are having to trim budgets for programs, staff, supplies, and repairs because of this diversion of funds. Public schools, with adequate funding and support, can provide an environment for learning and reflect parents’ values, while also being required to disclose achievement data and accountability as to how these public funds are spent.
Our children deserve access to the best possible education we can provide. All our efforts should be directed at developing and funding programs that make that feasible. Diverting funds only lessens our ability to pursue them.
Vouchers with taxpayer money that do not demand the same accountability as our public schools are a dereliction of fiscal responsibility and a disservice to our students, teachers, and communities.
Margaret Magnani, Cary
A previous version of these Letters to the Editor misspelled Mark G. Rodin’s name. We apologize for the error.
This story was originally published July 19, 2026 at 5:00 AM.