Opinion

RALEIGH — What does it mean to be a conservative? “I’ve always believed that conservatism is the politics of reality,” wrote National Review founder William F. Buckley, “and that reality ultimately asserts itself in a reasonably free society.” Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher put it succinctly: “The facts of life are conservative.”

A Tribune Opinion

RALEIGH — Reacting a few days ago to President Donald Trump’s brief attempt to suspend payment on a broad swath of federal grants, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer warned that “virtually any organization, school, state, police office, county, town or community depends on federal grant money to run its day-to-day operations, and they’re all now in danger.”

NEWTON GROVE — Joyce Marie Harrell, of Newton Grove, formerly of the Suttontown community, passed away in the early dawn hours Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Rolling Ridge Assisted Living in Newton Grove.

WARSAW — The game began with both teams showcasing strong defense, but it was the Tigers who were first to strike. David Zelaya opened the scoring with a layup, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead. South Lenoir responded with a three-pointer to take the early advantage, but Zelaya’s quick thinking put the Tigers back in front with another layup, bringing the score to 4-2.

RALEIGH — As a proud native of the Charlotte area who has happily lived most of my life in the Raleigh area, I am overjoyed to report that North Carolina’s recent growth extends far beyond our two most-populous communities.

RALEIGH — Of course Congress and the White House are going to reduce federal funding for Medicaid expansion. Of course North Carolina and other states will be forced either to reduce Medicaid coverage or to shoulder billions of dollars in additional medical expenses. That was always the inevitable endgame for Medicaid expansion.

RALEIGH — During his 2024 campaign, Donald Trump promised sky-high tariffs on products from China and across-the-board taxes on imports from other countries. Now president-elect, Trump has already pitched the idea of levying 25% taxes on Mexican and Canadian imports to the U.S., blaming those governments for failing to arrest the cross-border flow of illicit drugs and illegal immigrants.

RALEIGH — If you think what has made 2024 memorable is a chaotic political campaign featuring multiple assassination attempts, a first-ever switcheroo at the top of the ticket, and the second-ever election of an American president to non-consecutive terms in office, consider yourself a political junkie.

RALEIGH — With the tumultuous election cycle behind us, lawmakers in both Washington and Raleigh will talk taxes in 2025. In the nation’s capital, the return of a Republican Congress and Trump administration will likely produce an extension of expiring tax cuts enacted back in 2017, including rate reductions and immediate expensing for the corporate-income tax.