When Will Roy Cooper Wear a Tie Again? Does Duke Face Trump's Funding Threat?

The Decline of the Men’s Tie in North Carolina

In recent years, the traditional men's tie has seen a significant decline in popularity, especially in North Carolina. George Knuckley, owner of Kannons Clothiers in Raleigh, notes that while the store still carries ties, they are no longer sold in the same volume as before. "We still carry them," he said, "but not at the volume we used to."

Knuckley recalls a time when every white-collar male worker, from top executives to IBM CPAs, wore formal neckwear daily. However, this tradition is fading, with some figures in power choosing more casual attire. For instance, former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper was known for wearing a tie every day, while his successor, Josh Stein, rarely does. Lee Lilley, a past adviser to Cooper and current state Commerce secretary, noted that "very few meetings that I show up to where a man on the other side is wearing a tie."

This shift can be attributed to several factors, including the rise of casual Fridays, remote work during the pandemic, and more relaxed tech company cultures. Bill Spruill, a Triangle entrepreneur, humorously responded when asked if he sees many ties worn among local business leaders: "lol no."

Despite this trend, certain institutions still require formal attire. In 2023, the U.S. Senate codified a dress code that includes ties. Interestingly, Cooper, who previously wore a suit and tie six to seven days a week, has chosen a different look for his 2026 Senate campaign. He launched his campaign in an open-top-button business shirt, a style he plans to maintain moving forward.

Morgan Jackson, a political adviser to Cooper, shared that "the last few months of not wearing one have been a real game changer." Similarly, Michael Whatley, chairman of the Republican National Committee, officially launched his Senate campaign in an open-button shirt and jacket. Jonathan Felts, a Republican strategist in Raleigh, noted that while political advisers don't spend much time on fashion, the choice of attire can send a message. "If there was a criticism (of Cooper), it was that sometimes he can come across as too stiff," Felts said.

Felts also predicts that the North Carolina General Assembly may eventually drop its tie requirements as younger leaders take power. However, not everyone is pleased with this change. Knuckley, who has worked at his family clothing store for 46 years, believes there are certain times when ties should be worn. "But we do feel like there are certain times where they need to be wearing a tie and they're not," he said.

Duke Health Faces New Challenges

Duke Health, a major health system in Durham, recently faced backlash after conservative commentator Ben Shapiro and tech billionaire Elon Musk criticized its efforts to recruit medical residents from a broader demographic range. In March 2024, Duke Health defended its diversity initiatives, stating that achieving health equity through diverse talent recruitment allows them to deliver the highest quality care to patients.

However, the situation has changed significantly. Two top Trump officials threatened to cut all federal funding for Duke Health over a new investigation into its DEI practices. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. and Education Secretary Linda McMahon wrote in a letter to the university that "this vile racism carries a host of excuses" and hides behind a "smug superiority."

Duke Health receives hundreds of millions in annual funding from the National Institutes of Health. This week, the Trump administration reportedly froze $108 million in grants for the school, according to multiple national outlets. While neither HHS nor Duke has confirmed the figure, Duke Health spokesperson Stephanie Lopez stated that they would provide updates once available.

Farmworker Fatality Case Unfolds

A case involving the death of migrant worker José Arturo Gonzalez Mendoza has sparked controversy. Barnes Farming Corp., a politically connected farm, saw its penalty slashed from $187,500 to $3,750 after an initial investigation found multiple workplace safety violations. The case involves extreme heat, 911 calls, surprise autopsy results, a new labor commissioner, a Republican state senator, and the recent death of the senator’s husband, Johnny Barnes, who owned the farm.

The question remains whether Barnes Farm benefited from a generous settlement or if the labor department and political rivals were overly aggressive in their actions.

Amazon Warehouse and Saint-Gobain Expansion

North Carolina's second-largest Amazon warehouse in Garner is vast, data-driven, and increasingly filled with robots. Workers are encouraged to stretch before resuming shifts after breaks. The e-commerce giant operates a four-story fulfillment center in Garner, just south of Raleigh, where it uses metrics to ensure fast package delivery.

Meanwhile, Saint-Gobain, a 360-year-old construction materials company, is expanding its roofing shingles campus in Oxford, Granville County. The facility is hot and loud, and it's set to welcome a new neighbor soon.

International Students and Business Growth

Over 7,000 Indian nationals studied at North Carolina universities last year, making them the largest foreign group. Some members of Congress, including Rep. Deborah Ross of Wake County, worry that visa delays could lower this number as the new academic year approaches.

Hitachi Energy is growing its U.S. headquarters on NC State's Centennial Campus in Raleigh. A Swiss-based energy systems provider, Hitachi now occupies five floors on the campus and plans to add around 100 employees by year's end.

Epic Games recently beat Google in court again, as the latter failed to convince judges to overturn a unanimous jury verdict in the long-running monopoly case over its app store. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney celebrated what he called a "total victory," but Google will appeal once more.

Tech News Highlights

Microsoft became the world's second $4 trillion company, joining Nvidia in the unprecedented club. Both companies have offices in the Triangle. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg outlined a future where superintelligence, AI that exceeds human brain capabilities, will transform humanity. "Developing superintelligence is now in sight," he wrote in an open letter.

Roblox, the world-building video game, has seen a market hot-streak, with its stock rising 91% in the past six months due to robust user growth. Like the Cary-made Fortnite series from Epic Games, Roblox targets younger players. Many wonder if Epic will ever go public.