Press Releases

While rains from Alberto are tapering off across western North Carolina, emergency officials are keeping a close watch on river and lake levels as the threat of flooding, landslides and mudslides remains significant.  Initial reports indicate a landslide yesterday evening near Boone may have claimed two lives.  Rescue teams recovered two bodies from the collapsed home where a gas leak also occurred.

Governor Roy Cooper will declare a State of Emergency for western North Carolina after heavy rains overnight prompted mudslides in multiple communities, closed portions of I-40 east of Asheville and triggered evacuations of Old Fort and a community near Lake Tahoma in McDowell County.

Though Subtropical Depression Alberto is weakening, the threat of additional rain means North Carolinians need to remain vigilant and watch for area flooding in low-lying areas and landslides in the mountains, Governor Roy Cooper said today.

As Subtropical Storm Alberto continues to bring heavy rains, flooding and the potential for landslides to North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper urged residents to take seriously the storm, which has claimed two lives in the state.

Governor Cooper on HB 972 and SB 724, legislative Republicans’ insufficient proposal to address emerging contaminants in North Carolina’s air and water:

“This legislation makes it harder to keep our air and water clean and it sends funding to the wrong place, providing little more than political cover to legislators who have failed to act. People are tired of politics polluting their water, and state agencies responsible for holding polluters accountable need resources to stop pollution and keep people safe.”

Governor Roy Cooper today nominated three people to serve the state as Special Superior Court judges.

Governor Roy Cooper has issued Executive Order No. 43, establishing the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Performance Management. Composed of 10 department heads, senior officials, legislators, and performance experts appointed by Gov. Cooper, the committee will examine state agency efforts to  improve efficiency and effectiveness as well as seek out best practices from other states, academia, and non-governmental organizations.

AveXis, Inc., a clinical-stage gene therapy company developing treatments for rare and life-threatening neurological diseases, will locate a new manufacturing center in Durham County creating 200 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.  The company is expected to invest approximately $55 million in the facility to produce potentially breakthrough therapies to address rare neurological genetic diseases.

Governor Roy Cooper today announced six new judicial appointments across the state.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper delivered remarks at the North Carolina Association of Educators March for Students & Rally for Respect on Bicentennial Plaza in downtown Raleigh. See below for his remarks as prepared.