Lowering U.S. & NC Flags in Honor of Civil Rights Activist Rev. Jesse L. Jackson

Governor Josh Stein today all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities be lowered to half-staff from sunrise Feb. 19 through sunset Feb. 28 in honor of Civil Rights Activist, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, who passed away on Tuesday. A protege of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, for decades he advocated for the poor and underserved communities on issues concerning voting rights, education, job opportunities, and health care.

As part of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Dr. King appointed Rev. Jackson the national director of Operation Breadbasket in the late 1960’s, an initiative designed to improve job opportunities for African Americans. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, he later founded the People United to Serve Humanity, also known as PUSH, in 1971 to help improve the economic conditions of Black communities across the nation. He also established the Rainbow Coalition in 1984, an initiative that later merged and renamed as the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, dedicated to advocating for social justice through voter engagement and representation.

A presidential candidate in 1984 and again in 1988, Rev. Jackson earned numerous awards and honors. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000 by former President Clinton.

Services for Rev. Jackson will be held next week in Chicago. He will lie in state at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters Feb. 26 and 26, followed by Celebration and Homegoing services Feb. 27 and 28 respectively.

"Civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson found a home at North Carolina A&T, where he launched his prolific career working to change this country for the better," said Governor Josh Stein. "To honor his life, let us continue his work for justice and equality. May his memory be a blessing."

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Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are also encouraged to fly flags at half-staff for the time indicated.

Background

North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance with regulations outlined in the U.S. Flag Code

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• Obituary: Jesse Jackson, Charismatic Champion of Civil Rights, Dies at 84 [New York Times]

From the archives: Jesse Jackson's speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention | CBS News

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Published at 6.00am on Wednesday, February 18, 2025
Author: Bobby Coggins

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CONSUMER ALERT: Never buy or sell fake vaccine cards

PRESS RELEASE (08-06-2021)
NC ATTORNEY GENERAL JOSH STEIN

As millions of North Carolinians get vaccinated to protect themselves and others against COVID-19 and the dangerous Delta variant, fraudsters are buying and selling fake vaccine cards. These fake cards are illegal, and buying or selling a falsified government seal is a federal crime. Our office is leading the fight to shut down sellers of fake vaccine cards.

You don’t need to spend money on your vaccine. In fact, you can make money – including a $100 bonus for newly vaccinated people at participating locations through the end of August.

Getting the vaccine honestly also keeps us all safe. When people fake their vaccination status to enter schools, workplaces, or public settings, they put themselves and others at risk. Supplying fake medical records to an employer, school, or university could be a violation of institutional policies and could result in disciplinary actions.

There is no need to break the law and fake your vaccination status – the vaccines are safe, effective, and available in your community. You can learn more about vaccine safety here.

The best way to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us is to get a vaccine. Find out where to get your shot here.

If you’re concerned about people selling fake vaccine cards online, please report them to our office at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. If you’re concerned about fake vaccine cards being used in your business or institution, please contact local law enforcement.



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Published at 4:00pm on Friday, August 06, 2021

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NC Attorney General Josh Stein Advises People to Take Action to Get Your COVID-19 Federal Recovery Payments Before Oct. 15

There are an estimated 9 million people who have not yet claimed their COVID-19 economic impact payments from the federal government. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided payments of up to $1,200 per individual to help with the financial burdens caused by COVID-19, but individuals must act by Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, to receive their payments.

Most individuals who haven’t received their payments yet don’t usually file tax returns, but they are still eligible to receive recovery payments if they share additional information with the IRS.

Individuals who didn’t file a federal tax return for 2018 or 2019 (because they made below the $12,200 gross income amount required to file taxes or for other reasons) and don’t receive Social Security retirement or other federal benefits should submit their personal and financial information to the IRS here: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here

People who have already received an EIP prepaid card should activate it or replace it to receive their money. 

Additional information and resources are available through the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Attorney General Stein also shared tips to help North Carolinians protect their recovery checks from scammers: https://ncdoj.gov/consumer-alert-dont-lose-your-recovery-money-to-scammers/

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NC Attorney General: Don't Let Scammers Exploit Your Coronavirus Fears

Don't Let Scammers Exploit Your Coronavirus Fears
Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Fears about the coronavirus and news of infections are on the rise, so scammers and fraudsters are sure to follow. Recent media reports detail unscrupulous sellers touting fake treatments listed at outrageous prices. Scammers are setting up bogus websites, emails, texts, and social media posts to take people’s hard-earned money.

Our office is watching the news closely, and we want you to be able to avoid coronavirus scams. The best way to protect yourself is to follow these tips:

•Be skeptical of “miracle cures.” Ignore online offers for vaccinations, pharmaceuticals, and medicines. If you are unsure about a product, check with a doctor before you buy it. Remember, as all scams go – if it’s too good to be true – it probably is.

•Watch out for high-priced or low-quality products. Because of high demand, prices are increasing on products like hand sanitizers and face masks. Moreover, some of these products may not even be of the quality they promise. Consider health recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control when deciding whether a purchase is necessary. If you are unsure about a product, check with a doctor or health professional before you buy it. Research before you make a purchase and try to buy from reputable companies with a reliable record – and don’t pay an unfair price for something you may not need.


•Don’t let anyone rush you. Avoid offers that are only good “now or never.” Fears about the spread of coronavirus mean that many people are making decisions under pressure – walk away from high-pressure sales pitches or cure-all promises.


•Watch out for phishing emails. Criminals will try to steal your money and information by sending you phony communications. If a person claiming to be an expert on coronavirus contacts you, ignore them. Double-check links before you click on them, and don’t open anything from an unfamiliar sender.


•Look out for unauthorized or fraudulent charities. Don’t let anyone rush you to into making a donation, and visit www.give.org or www.charitywatch.org to make sure the organization you are considering donating to is legitimate.


A lot of false information is floating around about the coronavirus. Stick to reputable sources – visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, or North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services websites for more information, or contact your doctor if you have questions.

If a company contacts you and you’re unsure of their authenticity or if you believe that you have been the victim of a scam, contact our office’s Consumer Protection Division at ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

Published at 4:20pm on Tuesday, March 3, 2020

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CONSUMER ALERT: These medical supplies may show up at your door, even if you didn't purchase them

Our Consumer Protection Division has received complaints from people who were sent medical supplies, especially back and knee braces, that they never purchased, and then harassed by robocallers to pay for the supplies. These scammers having been operating throughout the country, and the federal government recently charged 24 individuals for scamming people out of more than $24 million. Here’s how this scam usually works and what to do if it happens to you.

Consumers will initially receive a telemarketing call that tells them their health insurance (usually Medicaid or Medicare) qualifies them to receive a free medical device. Most consumers decline this offer, but the device will be delivered to their address anyway. After consumers receive the device, scammers will either attempt to bill their health insurance for it or call the consumer multiple times asking for payment.

If this has happened to you or a loved one, don’t feel pressured to pay for something that you didn’t order. You don’t have to, and under state law you are allowed to keep the product you didn’t order without paying for it. Please report the scam to our office’s Consumer Protection Division at ncdoj.gov/complaint or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. And while robocalls are frustrating, here’s more information on steps you can take to lower the number of spam calls you receive.

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Press Release: Attorney General Josh Stein does not Object to Mission/HCA Deal

Press Release

NC DOJ

Attorney General Josh Stein 

1/16/2019

(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein today announced that he does not object to HCA’s acquisition of Mission Health System’s assets. As a result of extensive negotiations with the Attorney General’s Office, HCA has strengthened its commitments to provide healthcare services, the Dogwood Health Trust has agreed to make its board more representative of the communities it will serve, and the parties have agreed to enforcement measures that will ensure compliance with this agreement. These commitments will be included in a revised asset purchase agreement and letter agreement. More information about these commitments is available here.

“Access to healthcare is truly a life or death issue,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “We kept that fact in mind as we conducted our review of this transaction. After extensive negotiations, I am satisfied that this new agreement protects healthcare in western North Carolina, ensures that the full value of Mission’s assets will continue to be used for public purposes, and requires that the Dogwood Health Trust will be independent and representative.”

“I am also pleased that HCA agreed to enforcement measures – this ensures that my office has the ability to take legal action should HCA fail to comply with the commitments it has made.”

Under statute, the Attorney General has the right to review any transaction in which a nonprofit corporation sells substantially all of its assets.

The Attorney General has dedicated substantial department time and resources in carrying out this responsibility regarding the sale of Mission Health System. Since May 2018, this review and negotiation has been a top priority of attorneys in the Department of Justice.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

A comparison of the key terms of the agreement before and after Attorney General’s Office negotiations can be found here.

A map of the future Dogwood board can be found here.

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Published at 5:00 pm on January 16, 2019

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