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HAPPY HOLIDAYS & INSIGHTS ON SKILL BASED IMMIGRATION EDITION | |
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
December 4, 2022
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Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes. | |
In Memoriam: Chacko Verghese | |
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Our community will never forget our friend and brother, Chacko Verghese, who passed away on Dec. 3. He was a jovial and loving person, who had a heart of gold, and was so passionate about the continued growth and success of the Indian American community. He was very involved in the early days of the Indian American Forum for Political Education and worked with Swadesh Chatterjee and many leaders in the community to encourage more engagement in the political process.
I will miss his smile, his laugh, and the time we would spend over a coffee or a chat at Lifetime Fitness.
He will forever endure in our hearts, and we know that he is now in peace with God in Heaven, smiling down at all of us.
We pray for his wife, Kumari, his children, grandchildren and all his family.
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United in our Fight Against AIDS: | |
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https://www.worldaidsday.org/
Since 2018, About 700,000 people have died of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, and nearly 13,000 people with AIDS in the United States die each year.
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US Soccer loses to Netherlands in World Cup Knockout Match. | |
SAMP ARMY plays for third place in T10 World Cup in Abu Dhabi! A Game Changer for Cricket in our region! | |
Hometown Hero Alert:
Morrisville resident Guri Burmi on a Coast to Coast Ride to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes.
(See Hometown Hero Section)
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Spotted Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch at Santa’s workshop. | |
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!
Council has been working with RDU Airport to make sure that the air space is safe and secure for Santa’s arrival. I am pleased to Santa Claus is cleared for arrival in Morrisville at approximately 1:15 am EST.
My Visit with Santa at Providence Place:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/686454083090584
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IMPORTANT CARY AND MORRISVILLE UPDATES: | |
Submit your feedback on Wake Bus Rapid Transit by Dec. 16th! | |
BE WARY OF BLASTING AT SOUTHPORT DRIVE :
Be advised that blasting began on Wednesday, Nov. 23, beginning at 10 a.m., at 218 Southport Drive.
Blasting will occur within 150 feet of McCrimmon Parkway. Travelers may need to find alternate routes if roads are closed during blasting operations.
Permits are good for 60 days. Blasting could occur within 60 days from this date. For questions or concerns contact the Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department at 919-463-6122.
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Dec 4 - Radio NYRA
Tune in on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with Hometown Hero, Guri Burmi to talk about his Coast to Coast Ride!
99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! Live at www.radionyra.com.
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DEC 8th is WINTER WHITE GOODS COLLECTION
The Winter White Goods collection day will be Thursday, December 8. Registration is required and must be received by Monday, December 5, at 5 p.m. at https://bit.ly/MSVWhiteGoods
Items to be collected include washing machines, dryers, freezers, refrigerators, dishwashers, water heaters, stoves/ovens, and dehumidifiers. Microwaves should be dropped off at the South Wake Landfill, 6130 Old Smithfield Road, Apex.
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THE TIME FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM IS NOW! | |
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A Call to Action:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/2465079250308504
Over the past few weeks, I have written a few Op Eds, which were published on WRAL Tech Wire and the WRAL main site.
I wanted to share these insights with each of you and am going to be leading efforts in the next few weeks, to lobby our Congress and Senate to work with President Biden to accelerate the path to citizenship for skilled immigrants (H1B holders) and documented dreamers.
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MY INSIGHTS ON SKILL BASED IMMIGRATION
Indian-Americans Make North Carolina Stronger. Let’s Help Them Stay
https://www.wral.com/steve-rao-indian-americans-strengthen-north-carolina-amid-systemic-challenges/20603295/ Nov 22, 2022
In August, I joined over 1,000 Indian-Americans for a parade in Morrisville celebrating the 69th anniversary of Indian independence. Immigrants and people of Indian descent from all over the Triangle gathered beneath three fluttering flags — the Indian tricolor, the North Star, and the Stars and Stripes.
And in October, I had the honor of attending the White House Diwali Celebration hosted by President Biden and the First Lady, an emotional experience, which reaffirmed for all who attended, that American Democracy is at its best when we value and take pride in the diversity of our nation.
At the Parade, People yelled out: “Jai Hind” (“Bravo, India”) and “Long Live America,” all in the same breath.
We celebrated our shared heritage at both these events.
It reminded me—as it always does-- how much India and America have in common. Just like the American colonists, Indians rose up and threw off the yoke of British imperial rule. Like us, they committed to building a democratic nation.
Yet, it’s the United States that so many Indian families look to as they dream of their future. Scores of people—much like my own parents—come here in search of opportunity, a great education and the chance to build a career. Still, many of these newcomers are disappointed.
Often they find our immigration system makes it incredibly difficult to stay and work. Employment visas are in short supply. Many American-trained Indians with vital technical skills have been forced to return home, even though there aren’t nearly enough native American workers to take their place.
The few who do get skilled-worker visas can still face an indeterminate wait – decades long in many cases -- green cards. Hundreds of thousands of skilled workers are stuck in visa limbo. They may be able to work here, but unable to earn permanent residency or citizenship. Worse, it leaves their children -- “documented Dreamers” who have spent most of their lives in the United States -- unable to remain in America after they turn 21. There’s no clear path to either a permanent work visa or citizenship, though many consider themselves to be American.
Even amid these challenges, Indian-Americans are making critical contributions to their communities. Today about a third of Morrisville’s 30,000 residents are Indian-Americans. I am inspired by the remarkable economic, cultural and political transformation this community is bringing to our region and state. I can start my day in Morrisville with an Idli Dosa breakfast and a South Indian filter coffee, watch Cricket at Church Street Park and end my day with a Holi or Diwali festival at the Koka Booth Ampitheater in Cary or Hindu Society of North Carolina. I also serve with an immigrant from Mumbai, Satish Garimella, on the Morrisville City Council -- the only council in the State with two Hindu members.
North Carolina’s Asian-American population has grown 65% over the past decade, bringing vital skills, driving economic growth and offsetting the impact of labor shortages in some critical skills, for our state’s employers.
Today Indians account for about 20% of all international students in the United States. They’re making vital contributions to the success of North Carolina’s amazing educational institutions. In North Carolina alone, international students generate $484 million in economic activity which contributions to the creation of almost 5,700 jobs.
About 20% of Indian students are enrolled in STEM programs, gaining the vital science, technology, engineering, and math skills that our high-tech businesses urgently need. It’s estimated that every foreign STEM graduate who finds work in the United States creates about 3 new jobs for U.S. If we enable just half of our advanced-degree STEM students to stay and work after graduation we could create another 2,400 jobs for North Carolinian workers.
Earlier this month, President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act, providing important aid for America’s high-tech manufacturers. But as it made its way through Congress, the law was stripped of vital provisions that would have made it easier for Indian STEM graduates to gain green cards.
As the child of Indian immigrants, I’m passionate about giving skilled workers and their children a real chance to put down roots here in North Carolina.
Morrisville’s Indian Independence parade was a reminder that Indians who are building lives in America are integrating into our communities. They are proud of their Indian heritage, but they are equally proud of-- and deeply committed to—the United States of America.
Our lawmakers need to do their part and give these valued members of our communities a clearer path forward to stay in America and become citizens. The next best opportunity for action is the National Defense Authorization Act, which could include measures to address the needs of documented Dreamers.
Our representatives in Washington must rethink and revise outmoded policies that stand in the way of innovation and growth.
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Tech Layoffs Show the Need for a New Approach to Skilled Immigration
https://wraltechwire.com/2022/11/29/guest-opinion-tech-layoffs-show-the-need-for-a-new-approach-to-skilled-immigration/
Everyone knows the tech industry is in crisis. Facebook parent-company Meta recently reduced its workforce by 13 percent and with Elon Musk as “chief twit,” Twitter has laid off almost two-thirds of its workforce and terminated about 80% of its contract workers. Across the country, it’s estimated that over 73,000 tech workers have lost their jobs.
But if you’re ones of the immigrants who make up 20 to 30% of workers at these companies, the situation is even more dire. Suddenly thousands of people whose visas are directly tied to their employment — including hundreds at Meta and Twitter alone — have been left without jobs. If they can’t get new jobs within 60 days, they’ll be forced to leave the country. This reveals just how rigid our high skilled immigration system is—and why that lack of agility threatens American innovation.
I’ve written before about the major problems with our high skilled visa system. Immigrants must compete for an artificially constrained number of H-1B skilled-worker visas. Workers who win the lottery are anchored to the specific company that hired them, and can only change employers with great difficulty. Worst of all, immigrants from high-population countries like India and China are forced to wait decades before they can finally graduate from their H-1B visa and obtain a green card.
Critics might argue that tech companies can’t support these workers right now, so better cut them loose. But that’s incredibly short sighted. First, it completely ignores the major investment we’ve already made in these workers. So many of them are trained at our first-rate colleges and universities and went on to hone their skills at American startups and high-tech enterprises. Casting them off will, by default, sent them into the arms of Shanghai, Guangdong or Bangalore-based companies.
Second, not every tech market is shrinking. Right here in North Carolina, we’ve seen plenty of layoffs. But we’ve also seen those losses offset by the creation of new tech jobs, with companies including Apple, FUJIFILM, and Fidelity all increasing their presence. Many local employers are eager to hire foreign-born workers into new technical positions. But H-1B visas aren’t easily transferrable, making it extremely difficult for immigrants to simply hop from one job to another.
Third, visa restrictions have long made it nearly impossible for H-1B holders to launch their own companies. Venture firms are offering laid-off workers seed money to start their own businesses, and it’s estimated that as many as one-quarter of sacked tech workers try to start their own companies. But skilled immigrants are largely shut out of that process — in fact, some immigration lawyers are now advising laid-off immigrants to consider starting businesses in Canada instead, since the visa process is significantly easier there.
Losing these workers isn’t just bad news for the workers and their families, or the communities where they’ve put down roots, bought homes, and raised children. It’s bad news for the entire North Carolina innovation economy — because collectively, these immigrant workers represent a vast amount of time, money, and energy that our business community has invested in navigating America’s byzantine immigration system to secure the talent they need.
Immigrants make up just 8% of our state’s population, but they account for at least 20% of all our state’s workers in vital sectors such as computer and math sciences, driving billions of dollars in economic value. When these individuals get laid off and have to leave the country, companies can’t simply rehire them a few weeks or months down the line. They’ll all have to re-enter the H-1B lottery with no guarantees.
We’ve got to rewrite our visa policies now or risk losing many thousands of immigrants with specialized skills. That means streamlining the H-1B system, so companies can hire workers more easily. It means giving existing visa-holders more flexibility to change employers or to start businesses of their own. And it means ending the country cap system so all skilled immigrants have a viable path to a green card regardless of their country of origin.
The skilled immigration system has been outmoded for years, but tech layoffs have brought the crisis to a head. It’s time for Democrats and Republicans in Washington to implement the smart, pragmatic reforms.
Give businesses and workers the flexibility they need to weather these turbulent times—and prepare for the future.
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The Midterms Are Over. It’s Time to Pass the Dream Act
Now that we’re a few weeks removed from the midterms, the real winner of the contest is clear. It wasn’t Republicans and it wasn’t Joe Biden’s Democrats. It was democracy with a small D. Voters largely rejected the party’s right-wing fringe. In so doing, they reaffirmed their faith in the U.S. political process.
If Congress was smart, it would now put the will of the voters into action and work across the aisle to deliver results not just for their own base, but for all Americans.
That won’t be easy, especially with a divided government. Realistically, gridlock is likely to remain the political norm over the next two years. But there’s one area where both sides can show they’re capable of real leadership: that’s to pass legislation protecting the Dreamers.
In recent years, I’ve spoken with many young people who were brought to this country as young children. Thanks to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, I’ve watched them come out of the shadows and attend college here in North Carolina, gaining the vital skills that our high-tech businesses desperately need. I’ve seen them find great jobs, pay taxes, and buy cars and homes. They’ve launched businesses of their own, too, creating jobs and wealth for all of us.
Dreamers have grown from ambitious young people into amazing American adults. They’ve settled down, proven their value to our community, and in many cases, gone on to marry and have U.S. citizen children of their own.
But along the way, I’ve also seen the Dreamers struggle to build a truly secure future here. Established by executive order, the DACA program is vulnerable to disruption by activist judges or changes in the balance of power in Washington. We saw that just last month, when a court in Texas ruled against the DACA program and threatened — again! — to scrap the program altogether.
For now, the DACA program remains in effect, but far too many Dreamers are struggling. Some employers are wary of hiring qualified candidates who could lose their legal status without warning—either because of a court ruling or because government red tape holds up their employment reauthorization.
Other Dreamers have missed out on educational opportunities, struggled to secure scholarships, or missed out on the loans they needed to buy homes or start businesses.
That’s bad for the young people involved, but it’s also bad for the rest of us. The Dreamers are a vital part of our economy, and the more we hold them back, the more our businesses and communities miss out on their talent and energy.
I’d love to see Democrats push through legislation to safeguard Dreamers during the current Congress. Even more, I’d love Republicans and Democrats to take this step together. Surveys show that an overwhelming majority of Americans, of all political hues, support legislation to give the Dreamers permanent lawful status and a pathway to American citizenship.
Singling out immigration as a place for potential bipartisanship might sound a bit odd; after all, immigration has sparked some of the worst partisan excesses that we’ve seen in recent years. But that’s exactly why supporting Dreamers would be such a powerful symbol. It would show that Congress has read the message of the Midterms: voters want to see the democratic process--Democracy with a small D—put into action. Protecting Dreamers is an ideal place to show that political pragmatism can triumph over partisan ideology.
Our system remains strong.
As a nation and a government, we’re still capable of rallying around a common cause to get things done.
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IMMIGRATION CALL TO ACTION
https://wraltechwire.com/2022/04/05/guest-opinion-support-american-innovation-pass-the-competes-act/
We must push Senator Tillis, Senator Burr, and our entire Congressional Delegation in NC that to pass the Dream Act and also advance forward the Dreamer Protections in the National Defense Authorization Act.
In addition, we must urge Senator Tillis and his colleagues to bring back to the Senate Floor the Competes Act, which — among other pro-America policies — reforms the broken immigration system to allow educated and skilled STEM workers who were born in another country to stay and work for American businesses. Earlier this month, President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act, providing important aid for America’s high-tech manufacturers. But as it made its way through Congress, the law was stripped of vital provisions that would have made it easier for Indian STEM graduates to gain green cards.
On a personal note, I want to thank Congresswoman Deb Ross for her leadership on this issue, and we also need our newest members to our Congressional Delegation, Wiley Nickel, Jeff Jackson, and Valerie Foushee to join us in this fight.
Finally, I am leading efforts at the National Level, working with Swadesh Chatterjee, USINPAC Chair Sanjay Puri and Congressmnan Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi to convince as many leaders in the Congress and Senate that we must accelerate these efforts.
Do we want the next Google, SAS, Red Hat, Wolfspeed to be founded in Canada or the United States? This will happen if we do not find a way to retain the best and brightest minds in the United States! (44% of the Fortune 500 in the US were founded by immigrants)
Over the next few weeks, I will be organizing a Town Hall on these issues and planning a trip to Washington D.C, along with starting an on line petition with thousands of signatures to show our Senate and Congress, that we are more than serious.
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SBA Congressional Town Hall in Winterville, NC | |
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Last week, I attended the Small Business Administration Town Hall hosted by SBA Southeast Regional Administrator Allen Thomas and Congressman GK Butterfield. Congressman Butterfield and Allen Thomas inspired all of the attendees on the resources available for Small Businesses and we also heard remarks from North Carolina Director of the USDA, Bob Etheridge.
The Highlight of the event was to hear from small business owners and entrepreneurs who were able to successfully utilize SBA resources to grow their companies.
I am looking to host Director Thomas in a few weeks in Morrisville.
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Guri Burmi Rides Across Country to raise Money for Juvenile Diabetes
Guri Burmi is in the middle of a coast to coast motorcycle ride from the Triangle to California -- raising money and awareness about Type 1 Diabetes after his young nephew's diagnosis two years ago.
Perhaps the best view of Burmi's one-man mission comes from his motorcycle helmet cam. He's been recording much of the journey since departing Morrisville this past weekend in front of a garage-full of well-wishers.
"I want to give back to society. I want to try to see if we can cure this disease and make the lives of millions of people better," Burmi told ABC 11 via Zoom from a hotel room in Oklahoma.
He's calling this 6,200 mile voyage (back and forth) his "Coast 2 Coast Solo Winter Ride." It's a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). He says he was inspired to raise money and awareness about Type 1 Diabetes after his now 16-year-old nephew Arvad, who lives in Burmi's native Mumbai, India, was diagnosed in 2020.
During this Holiday Season, I cannot think of a better person to celebrate that Guri Burmi whose radical act of generosity and ride across the country is an everlasting reminder of the light of love in our hearts.
We look forward to welcoming him back to Morrisville sometime on Dec 14th.
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Suicide Prevention Line to 988 |
On Saturday, July 16, the U.S. will transition the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988 – an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care.
The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need.
Starting tomorrow, simply calling or texting 988 or chatting https://988Lifeline.org will connect you to compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. #988Lifeline
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Join us on Radio Nyra on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with HSS on Darsana Exhibit. 99.9HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Join us on Radio Nyra Sundays at 4pm for interesting interviews with local thought leaders
99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Great Radio Nyra interview with North Carolina Asian Americans Together on elections!
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/692128012047450/?t=21
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Great US Open Roku TV Interview with Andy Andrews!
https://youtu.be/-Uy7aX-M2AI?t=79
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On the Porch with Randy Voller on WCHL 97.9 FM!
https://chapelboro.com/?s=on+the+porch
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WPTF Steve O'Bryan show on the Dream Act and DACA!
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Get with the Program with Gary Jones!
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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This Week in Morrisville: December 5th - 11th | |
Winter White Goods Collection to be December 8
The winter white goods collection will take place Thursday, Dec. 8. Items to be collected include washing machines, dryers, freezers, refrigerators, dishwashers, water heaters, stoves and ovens, and dehumidifiers. Microwaves are not included in this group. Microwaves should be dropped off at the South Wake Landfill, 6300 Old Smithfield Rd. in Apex. You must register to participate in the white goods collection. Please complete this form no later than Monday, Dec. 5.
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Free Meditation Sessions Offered December 9 and 10
Morrisville residents and friends are invited to participate in one of two free transformative meditation sessions featuring Shri Naam deo Ji, a travel yogi. The sessions will be offered at Cedar Fork Community Center, 1050 Town Hall Drive, on Friday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., and at the Morrisville Senior Center, 4117 Davis Drive, on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 2-4 p.m. Click here to register for the session at CFCC. Those 55 and older can click here to register for the session at MSC.
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Menorah Lighting to be Held at Indian Creek Trailhead December 22
The Town of Morrisville will set up a menorah at Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive, and light it every night of Hannukah (Dec. 18-26). On Dec. 22, at 5:30 p.m., Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar will perform a Menorah Lighting Ceremony at the outdoor menorah. The public is invited to attend.
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Morrisville Senior Center Hosting Christmas Lunch and Gift Exchange December 13
The Morrisville Senior Center (MSC), 4117 Davis Drive, is hosting a catered Christmas luncheon and white elephant gift exchange on Dec. 13, from noon-3 p.m. The organization Performance Edge will provide entertainment, and Christmas music will be playing. The cost is $9 for residents and $11 for non-residents. Participants are asked to bring a funny or impractical gift in the spirit of the white elephant exchange. The value of gifts is limited at $10. Click here to register for the luncheon by Dec. 6.
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Applications Now Being Accepted for Community Police Academy
Residents are invited to apply for the Community Police Academy, an eight-week program designed to give participants a working knowledge of the Morrisville Police Department. It is intended to increase transparency and enhance understanding between the community and the police. The academy will be held on Tuesday nights from Jan. 10 to Feb. 28. Meetings will be held at the Fire Station No. 1 training room from 6-8 p.m. Participants must be age 21 or older and must live or work in the Town of Morrisville. Background checks will be done on all applicants. Click here for more details and to apply by Dec. 16.
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Swim with Santa at the MSC on December 16
Visit the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center, 1301 Morrisville Parkway, for a fun-filled holiday event on Friday, Dec. 16, from 4:30-8 p.m. Participants can visit with Santa, do some arts and crafts, and play in the program pool and on the play structure. Everyone will also get to take home a special treat. Sign up opens on Dec. 2, and space is limited. Please sign-up for one slot per person, including for adults and children, at http://www.tinyurl.com/swimsanta. Participants must have a MAFC membership or purchase a single-visit pass.
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Now Hiring: Join the MAFC Team
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center is currently recruiting for the following positions:
- Senior Aquatics Specialist (FT)
- Marketing & Membership Coordinator
Both positions provide benefits. Learn more and apply here. The Town is offering financial incentives for part-time lifeguards who can work during the day in the off-season. Experienced swim instructors, as well as, day and early evening desk staff are needed. Learn more and apply here.
Free Lending Library Installed at Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center
The Town of Morrisville has a new lending library! The Dedicated to Our Community North Carolina (DOC NC) volunteer group created and installed a wooden lending library at the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center over this past weekend. The DOC NC team has pledged to build, paint and install several little libraries on different locations within Morrisville. Stop by the new library and pick up a book on your way to getting your exercise in!
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Now Hiring: Join the Public Works Team
The Town of Morrisville Public Works Department has three exciting career opportunities open now. Join one of only three North Carolina municipalities with an American Public Works Association (APWA) accredited Public Works Department. We are looking for individuals to serve in our Streets Maintenance, Athletics Maintenance, and Grounds Maintenance divisions. For more information click on the following links:
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Public Invited to Provide Feedback on Proposed Wake Rapid Bus Transit Extensions
The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is seeking comments on the Wake BRT: Rapid Bus Extensions Study draft results and recommendations. Public engagement is an essential part of this study, which will evaluate and recommend rapid bus routing for extensions to both of the planned Western and Southern Corridors. The planned Western Corridor will connect downtown Raleigh to downtown Cary, and the proposed extension includes the area between Cary and the Research Triangle Park.
CAMPO is requesting comments on the study’s draft results and the recommended alignment for the Western Corridor extension. Members of the public are invited to visit the study website to view a handout summarizing the draft results and recommendations at WakeBRTExtensionsStudy.com. Comments can be provided by email at WakeBRTExtensions@publicinput.com or by phone at (855) 925-2801, using code 7804. The deadline for submitting comments is Dec. 16.
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Morrisville Smart Shuttle Service is Now Operating! |
The Morrisville Smart Shuttle, the Town’s newest public transit service, allows riders to request a pick-up or drop-off from one of 15 nodes, or stops, located around the Town using the Smart Shuttle application on their smartphone.
Watch this short video on how to use the Morrisville Smart Shuttle App by clicking here!
The service runs seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Additional details on the Morrisville Smart Shuttle visit TownofMorrisville.org/SmartShuttle
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Winter Hours to Start for Western Wake Farmers' Market
The Western Wake Farmers' Market (WWFM) will start its winter hours on Dec. 3. The market, which offers healthy and fresh food and goods from small and local businesses, will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive. The market will be closed on Saturday, Nov. 26. Visit http://wwfm.ag/ to see a complete list of local vendors and shop local.
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Carolinas Chinese Chamber of Commerce GALA
Carolinas Chinese Chamber of Commerce GALA AND 50th Anniversary of Ping Pong Diplomacy with Congressman Elect Nickel , Mayor Cawley and Rep. Elect Ya Liu.
(More on this in Next Newsletter)
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Town Hall in Greenville
Met with SBA Southeast Director Allen Thomas at Town Hall in Greenville!
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Build To Rent Event
TCC Build To Rent Event was informative!
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HSNC Gala
Inspired by HSNC Campus plans at Gala!
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NC Science Awards
Congrats to Swadesh Chatterjee, Dr. PM Shah (Order of Long Leaf Pine) Dr. Priya Kishnani and Dr. Jagdish Narayan (NC Science Awards) for their recognitions.
(More on Next Newsletter)
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Providence Place
I visited with Santa at Providence Place!
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Ride Along
Ride Along with Officer Victor Phillip on Wednesday evening !
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SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY VISITS | |
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Last week, I visited a number of businesses on Small Business Saturday. This went so well, that I am going to continue this throughout the year, visiting a business or two every Saturday or during the week. I also plan to focus on different markets like Technology, Health Care, Manufacturing, etc.
If you have a business and you want me to visit you and highlight your company, please email me at sr@steverao.com.
Thanks to all the companies who let me drop by.
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Small Business Listening Tour: | |
Send me an email at sr@steverao.com to book a Business Listening visit to your company. | |
Inside Out Sports
Thanks to Sid Cardoza for running a very successful sports company, Inside Out Sports, a destination for many of our top runners, and triathletes! We also thank him for hosting another very successful Turkey Trot.
Insights from Sid:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/549414760532828
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GLOBAL AND NATIONAL UPDATES: | |
THE LATEST NEWS AND WEEK AHEAD | |
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The Senate passed a bill yesterday to prevent a potentially devastating railroad strike.
• What to know: The bill now goes to President Biden, who’s expected to sign it. It will force a deal between railroad companies and unions and avoid a Dec. 9 strike.
• What’s in the deal? The biggest pay increase railroad workers have seen in decades, but no paid sick days, the issue workers cared most about.
• The big picture: A strike would have had huge ramifications on the economy, which is why Congress made the rare decision to step in.
A court shut down the special master’s review of the Mar-a-Lago documents.
• How we got here: Former president Donald Trump is being investigated for potentially mishandling government information, and the FBI seized thousands of documents from his Florida home.
• What yesterday’s ruling means: Federal prosecutors couldn’t access these documents during the outside expert’s review, so this removes a big hurdle. However, Trump could appeal.
The Supreme Court will weigh in on Biden’s student loan relief plan.
• The timeline: Justices will hear the case in February, they announced yesterday. The program is facing multiple legal challenges.
• In the meantime: The plan, which would cancel up to $20,000 in federal student debt for millions of people, will remain on hold.
The Colorado River could face a doomsday scenario as soon as July.
• What’s happening? Water could get so low in Lake Powell that its hydroelectric dam needs to be shut down. That means much less water would flow to Arizona, Nevada and California.
• Why this matters: Millions of people rely on the Colorado River for drinking water, hydroelectric power and irrigation for farming regions.
The TSA wants to start scanning your face at airports.
• The details: The security agency is testing facial recognition technology at 16 major airports and hopes to roll it out across the U.S. as soon as next year.
• How it works: Kiosks with cameras — instead of a human — would check your ID, unless you ask for a different option. The TSA says this is more secure — but there are privacy concerns.
College football’s championship picture will come into focus this weekend.
• What’s at stake: A spot in the College Football Playoff, a two-round tournament that decides the national champion.
• Games to watch: USC vs. Utah (today, 8 p.m. Eastern time on Fox) and TCU vs. Kansas State (tomorrow, noon on ABC). If USC and TCU win, they’re probably in, with Georgia and Michigan. But a loss by either could clear a path for Ohio State.
• The final word: The four playoff teams will be revealed Sunday at noon on ESPN.
The U.S. men’s soccer team plays the Netherlands at the World Cup tomorrow.
• The details: This is the knockout round, which means the U.S. has to win or be eliminated from the tournament in Qatar.
• One big question mark: Whether star Christian Pulisic, who was injured during Tuesday’s win over Iran, will be able to play.
• How to watch: The match starts at 10 a.m. and will air on Fox and streaming services.
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NC Senate Delegation Supports Same Sex Marriages
A bill that would add federal protections to same sex marriage passed a key vote in the Senate on Wednesday. The Respect for Marriage act has bipartisan support. Both of North Carolina’s republican senators, Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, voted to advance the bill.
The bill would require individual states to recognize another state’s legal marriage but does not require all states to legalize same-sex marriage.
All 50 members of the Democratic caucus voted to start debate on the bill as well as 12 Republicans. The GOP senators who voted yes are:
1. Susan Collins of Maine
2. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
3. Rob Portman of Ohio
4. Mitt Romney of Utah
5. Thom Tillis of North Carolina
6. Roy Blunt of Missouri
7. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming
8. Richard Burr of North Carolina
9. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia
10. Dan Sullivan of Alaska
11. Joni Ernst of Iowa
12. Todd Young of Indiana
Without an agreement to speed up passage of the bill that needs consent from all 100 senators, final passage will likely occur after the Senate returns from Thanksgiving recess.
Once the bill passes the Senate, it will need to be passed again through the House before going to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. Supporters of the bill hope to pass the legislation through the House before the end of the year as Republicans appear on track to take control of the chamber in the next Congress.
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WANTS TO PILOT NEW TEACHER LICENSURE SYSTEM
The North Carolina State Board of Education plans to consider asking lawmakers to permit and fund a pilot program for teacher licensure that would boost teacher pay and classroom support while subjecting teachers to more consequential evaluations.
It’s a smaller-scale plan than had been discussed for months, recommending a statewide overhaul of licensure all at once.
Board Member Jill Camnitz said Wednesday the board will take up the recommendation of one of its subcommittees to pursue licensure changes in just a few school districts first. A vote will take place at the board’s meeting Thursday, when it will also approve a generic blueprint for the licensure changes but not the details of what those changes would be. The subcommittee recommended the blueprint on just a 9-7 vote Nov. 10.
State leaders are proposing the changes in an effort to improve teacher recruitment and retention.
Funding for the overhaul statewide, as drafted, would top $1 billion annually. A pilot program would cost much less, though how many and which districts would participate remains to be seen.
As drafted, the proposed overhaul of the state’s teacher licensure system would, for the first time, tie a teacher’s pay to the license the teacher holds and then provide raises each year. Starting pay would be higher than it is currently; pay for most teachers would top $56,000 — $2,000 more than the current maximum pay. It would also provide additional teaching staff to serve as leaders and mentors for other teachers. Each teacher would face a performance review in part or in whole based on student test scores that would determine whether the teacher can keep their license.
The proposed licensure system would be unique nationally.
State leaders contend the plan would ensure more student success by providing teachers with more support and more rigorous evaluation. They say it would also be friendly to teachers who enter the profession from another profession and who don’t have degrees in education.
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RALEIGH RELEASES VIDEO FOOTAGE OF HEDDINGHAM SHOOTING
Police on Thursday released body camera video from a shootout with a 15-year-old boy suspected of fatally shooting five people and wounding two more in an East Raleigh neighborhood.
Officers spent several hours searching for the armed suspect, later identified by his parents as Austin Thompson, after the rampage seven weeks ago. The teen was ultimately located in a wooded area behind a residential property near the Neuse River Greenway, the walking path where he is alleged to have killed two of the victims.
The newly released video shows officers with police dogs surrounding one of two buildings behind the property with their guns drawn. Multiple shots ring out from the barnlike structure, striking one officer, and police return fire.
Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson petitioned Wake County Superior Court on Oct. 24 to release the images citing transparency grounds. Following a Nov. 9 hearing, the court authorized the release of three officers' body camera recordings from Oct. 13 and a compilation video with captions.
Among them was Officer Casey Clark, whose body camera video shows him being shot in the right knee as police surround the building, and then being dragged to safety behind another building. An officer applies a tourniquet, while another calls Emergency Medical Services.
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Please watch for the Black Issues Forum on UNC-TV! Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 4 pm!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the Show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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PBS NC
- Fridays at 7 p.m. (premiere)
- Sundays at 4 p.m.
- Thursdays at 1:30 a.m.
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NC Channel
- Fridays at 8:30 p.m.
- Saturdays at 1:30 a.m.
- Sundays at 6 p.m.
- Mondays at 12 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
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Sunday at 4 pm for our Radio Nyra Interview | |
Join us on Radio Nyra on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with HSS on Darsana Exhibit. 99.9HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Join me every Sunday at 4pm for a new show. 99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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Dec 5th Swearing In Ceremony of Wake County Commissioners.
5 pm Wake County Justice Center.
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Dec. 6th School Board Meeting! | |
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Dec 6th Swearing in of Sheriff Willie Rowe at 10 am! | |
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Radio NYRA
Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio NYRA for another update on local issues.
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99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! Listen at www.radionyrausa.com!
99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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Join us every Friday on World Edition at 10 am for the Great America Project Panel where we discuss how we rebuild Americas' image with leaders from around the country and world.
OFFICIAL International Broadcast Media
Public Open Dialogue TV is a worldwide multilingual, multi-demographic network focused on inspiring, educating and entertaining the global community. We provide unique programming in areas not covered by traditional media, and provide a platform for the audience to engage with those shows. Formerly IBMTV.
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Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville.
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Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
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