Latest news with #DavidMcLennan
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dr. David McLennan on why NC voters have deep concerns about some of Trump's early priorities
Professor David McLennan (Photo: Meredith College) A narrow majority of North Carolina voters supported Donald Trump in last November's presidential election, but just weeks into his second term in office, large majorities oppose some of his highest profile policy ideas and initiatives, according to the latest Meredith College Poll. Meredith pollsters asked likely voters for their views on an array of policy matters— both foreign and domestic — as well as a handful of North Carolina-specific issues. And while results varied somewhat depending upon the political party, race and gender of the voters surveyed, there were some clear and noteworthy takeaways about what most North Carolinians are thinking, and recently we caught up with the poll's director, Prof. David McLennan to learn more. Click here for the full interview with Prof. David McLennan.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Will NC legalize casinos on non-native lands in 2025? Majority approve, poll says
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Outside of lands belonging to recognized native tribes and waters more than 3 miles offshore on gambling cruise ships, casinos are not legally able to operate in North Carolina. There's a chance that will change this year. While looking at the priorities for the General Assembly in 2025, Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch said changing state law to allow for more casinos was one of just two key, non-partisan issues in 2024. The other, he said, was medical marijuana—which also seems likely to be revisited in 2025. In new polling released Thursday by Meredith College, the issue was weighed by hundreds of respondents representing N.C. voters across the state. Unsurprisingly, a majority favored legalizing it. The breakdown was 58% in support, 32% opposed and the remaining 10% without a stance on the issue. Casino cruises off Carolina coast compete with new NC gambling options 'Most North Carolinians seem accustomed to all forms of gambling, so supporting casino gambling in the state does not seem unusual,' said poll director, David McLennan. 'We have the lottery and have just adopted online sports wagering in the state. Plus, many states, including those on the border of North Carolina, now have casino gambling so even citizens who might have had objections to casino gambling 20 years ago might be resigned to the fact that all forms of gambling are inevitable,' McLennan added. NC representative files bill to deduct gambling losses on state tax return North Carolina's largest casino is in Cherokee—just under a five hour drive from Raleigh. Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort opened in 1997 on the tribal lands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and has been in a constant state of growth since. It also includes a smaller location called Harrah's Cherokee Valley River in Murphy, N.C. Another in the state, which opened as a 'temporary casino' in 2021, is the Catawba Two Kings Casino. The Catawba Nation has since announced plans to build a permanent Catawba Two Kings Casino resort, slated for an opening in early 2026. This will be just 35 miles west of Charlotte's metro area. Caesars Virginia holds grand opening with large presence of central NC casino-goers For those living in the Triangle area looking for a casino gambling experience, closer options than Cherokee include those in Bristol and Danville, Virginia—posing a conundrum for lawmakers who'd like to see revenue flowing into the state rather than out of it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How many in NC want medical marijuana legalized?
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Despite repeated efforts in the North Carolina General Assembly, a law to legalize medical marijuana has not been passed. However, it's likely to emerge again in 2025. In a poll released by Meredith College on Thursday, a large majority of likely N.C. voters voiced support for such a law. The split was 71% in support, 23% opposing and 6% who had no stance on the issue. NC Senate leader sees compromise for medical marijuana legalization This comes as no surprise as Meredith College polling officials have seen a history of strong public support of a bill like this. The most recent attempt to legalize medical marijuana was called the North Carolina Compassionate Care Act, which would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana for a number of physical and mental conditions. Pollsters also said a majority of every demographic group in the state, even those that self-identify as the most conservative residents, support such legislation. NC lawmakers lay out priorities ahead of 2025 session 'North Carolina is one of a handful of states without some form of legal medical marijuana. With the public strongly behind such a law and most within the medical community supporting this legislation, it seems like this might be a good time to pass such a bill,' said poll director, David McLennan. In January, N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger told CBS 17 medical marijuana conversations in the 2025 session will have to include unregulated THC concerns. As of February 2025, marijuana for medical use is legal in 39 states, the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
