Eighteen school districts across the state of North Carolina will receive a total of $800,000 in grant funding to help students develop computer science skills through coding and app development.

A new collaboration between the North Carolina Department of IT’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity and NC 211 is helping more residents connect to the internet and access digital inclusion services, advancing Gov. Roy Cooper’s ongoing efforts to close the digital divide across the state.

As part of its efforts to close the digital divide, Mecklenburg County, N.C., is installing free public Wi-Fi at more than a dozen parks and recreation centers.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch announced that its digital court records system – eCourts – has been expanded to include 11 additional counties in western North Carolina.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has entered a partnership with CHESS Health and Trillium Health Resources to enhance support for North Carolinians working toward recovery from substance use disorders.

Ahead of the 2024-2025 school year, the North Carolina State Board of Education has approved a new round of grant funding to support the state’s Digital Learning Initiative.

Following the passage of legislation last month, North Carolina public schools are now required to add computer science as part of the Standard Course of Study for all students entering high school in the 2026-27 school year.

James “Jim” Weaver began his state IT leadership role as chief technology officer (CTO) and deputy chief information officer (CIO) in Pennsylvania, followed by a very successful stint as CIO for the state of Washington, then was lured back east to North Carolina by Gov. Roy Cooper in 2021.

Greensboro, N.C., is welcoming its new Mobile Innovation Lab, which allows students to get hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) careers.

The nonprofit Results for America has recognized eight states – Colorado, Minnesota, Tennessee, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, Utah, and Connecticut – for their achievements in using data-driven and evidence-based policymaking to “accelerate economic mobility, advance equity, and deliver better results for their residents.”