Free Republic

North Carolinians agreed to borrow $2 billion last year to support higher education and infrastructure. Should they borrow a similar amount to more quickly build Interstate 87 and other important roads? Some local officials say yes. For more than a year, Interstate 87 has been a burning issue for elected officials in Pasquotank and surrounding counties. Creating that road from Raleigh to the Virginia state line would cost more than $1.3 billion, based on early estimates, and it could take decades to develop. Just widening U.S. Highway 17 to interstate standards from northern Pasquotank through Camden may cost almost $187...

Fourth-grade students in Williamston, Michigan, won’t be watching Donald Trump’s Inauguration speech during class time on Friday because their teacher feels Trump’s statements during the campaign compromise the historic event. According to radio host Steve Gruber, Brett Meteyer, who teaches the elementary school students, sent a letter to parents explaining that students would watch the 2005 and 2009 inaugurations instead, and will cut off viewing of Trump’s inauguration right before the President-elect speaks.

The developer of a Noah's Ark-based theme park in Kentucky said on Wednesday he would fight for his religious rights after state officials warned he could lose millions in potential tax credits if he hires only people who believe in the biblical flood. Ark Encounter, which is slated to open in 2016 in Williamston, Kentucky, is not hiring anyone yet, but its parent company Answers in Genesis asks employees to sign a faith statement including a belief in creationism and the flood.

At least 2 dead in pileups on I-96 near Lansing 1/12/2005, 11:16 p.m. ET By DAVID EGGERT The Associated Press ALAIEDON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Two people were killed and at least 37 others were injured in multiple pileups involving about 200 vehicles in thick fog Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 96 east of Lansing, authorities said. A 14-year-old boy was killed when the sports utility vehicle he was riding in and about 10 other vehicles — including a semi — crashed in the westbound lanes about 3 p.m. EST near Williamston, Ingham County sheriff's officials said. The boy's mother and...

Analysts: Candidate faces tough battle to upset Whitmer By LINDSAY FREDERICKSON The State News Williamston - In a United Methodist church in his hometown, Larry Ward officially kicked off his campaign Thursday night in what many call an uphill climb against state House incumbent Gretchen Whitmer. Ward is the only Republican to file so far in the race for the 70th District House seat held by Whitmer, an East Lansing Democrat. His campaign manager, no-preference sophomore Jason Miller, said a GOP representative could better serve the MSU community. “MSU will have a unique opportunity to close the funding gap between...