Governor Cooper’s Year in Photos: 2024
Here’s a look back at some of the highlights of 2024 as Governor Cooper has delivered on his promise of a North Carolina where people are better educated, healthier and have more money in their pockets.
January 17, 2024: Gov. Cooper shows us how to get to school in style! The Governor visited Durham to highlight historic federal funding for 114 electric school buses across North Carolina.
January 18, 2024: Vanilla, chocolate or M&M? Gov. Cooper couldn’t let President Biden leave North Carolina without stopping at Cook Out for a milkshake.
January 29, 2024: Strengthening reentry services for formerly incarcerated people is both the right and smart thing to do. Gov. Cooper signed Executive Order 303 to direct a whole-of-government approach to improve reentry services, strengthen our economy, make communities safer and give people the second chance they deserve.
February 6, 2024: Gov. Cooper takes in the music on a visit to Diggs-Latham Elementary School in Winston-Salem as part of ‘The Year of Public Schools.’
February 12, 2024: Following the signing of EO 305, which set statewide goals for the conservation of forests and wetlands, Gov. Cooper enjoys a breath of fresh air at Falls Lake, near Durham.
February 13, 2024: The Montford Point Marines made history as the first African American members of the Marine Corps. Gov. Cooper visited their memorial in Jacksonville to honor their legacy.
February 20, 2024: Gov. Cooper enjoyed a picture-perfect visit to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Morganton.
March 21, 2024: Gov. Cooper hosted a Women’s History Month Celebration to honor women in state government. Their work is helping to improve the lives of all North Carolinians.
April 8, 2024: Gov. Cooper had a stellar time viewing the solar eclipse with students at Pleasant Grove Elementary School in Morrisville.
April 12, 2024: Cheers! Kanpai! Gov. Cooper toasts to the friendship between North Carolina and Japan during Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to the Executive Mansion.
April 22, 2024: No better place to celebrate Earth Day than the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains. Gov. Cooper took the day to reflect on protecting North Carolina’s natural resources.
April 23, 2024: Blast off! NASA Astronaut and North Carolina native Christina Koch joined Gov. Cooper on a trip to North Carolina A&T State University, where students are reaching new heights.
April 25, 2024: Who would win this prehistoric battle: a tyrannosaur or a triceratops? Gov. Cooper tested his paleontology skills at the opening of the immersive Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh.
May 20, 2024: North Carolina is proud to be the most military-friendly state in the country. Gov. Cooper showed his gratitude for North Carolina veterans in honor of Military Appreciation Month.
June 6, 2024: Gov. Cooper visited “The Home of American Golf” for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst.
June 17, 2024: North Carolina will always be first in flight. Gov. Cooper celebrates the opening of the Boom Supersonic Overture Superfactory, which will bring over 2,400 jobs to Greensboro.
June 20, 2024: Diversity makes our country a stronger, better place. Gov. Cooper welcomed nine new American citizens to the Executive Mansion for a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony.
July 7, 2024: Breaking ground on new possibilities. Gov. Cooper joined USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg for the start of the S-Line Project, which will help revitalize the Southeast Corridor of passenger rail.
July 12, 2024: Medicaid milestones. Gov. Cooper celebrates the more than 500,000 North Carolinians that enrolled in quality, affordable healthcare since NC’s historic medicaid expansion.
July 17, 2024: Gov. Cooper announced a $242 million federal grant to replace and restore the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in Wilmington. Investing in infrastructure will continue to propel North Carolina forward.
August 12, 2024: North Carolina’s first-in-the-nation medical debt relief program will make a difference in the lives of families across the state. Gov. Cooper announced this plan at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, highlighting how the state’s 99 eligible hospitals have agreed to relieve the medical debt of millions of North Carolinians.
August 27, 2024: North Carolina’s abortion ban has made it more difficult for medical professionals to do their jobs and provide care to women across our state. Gov. Cooper hosted a roundtable discussion on access to reproductive care in North Carolina.
September 19, 2024: It is a great day for Caniacs and Wolfpack fans. Gov. Cooper attended the official unveiling of the Lenovo Center.
October 4, 2024: Hurricane Helene was the deadliest and most destructive storm in North Carolina’s history. Gov. Cooper met with people in Western North Carolina impacted by the storm to ensure they have the resources they need to rebuild.
October 10, 2024: Communities came together in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Gov. Cooper visited Marshall to tour damaged areas and hear from folks affected by the storm.
October 24, 2024: Step right up! Gov. Cooper took in the games, fair food, and company of North Carolinians at the State Fair.
October 31, 2024: Happy Halloween from your local Caniac, Gov. Cooper!
November 1, 2024: Gov. Cooper visits Banner Elk, speaking with local officials and volunteers at a supply distribution site. Western North Carolina’s resilience after Hurricane Helene is a testament to the strength of our state.
November 13, 2024: Raise your hand if you love field trips! Gov. Cooper joined a group of Raleigh third-graders to announce a $1 million program to help public schools access educational trips to sites operated by the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
November 25, 2024: No fowl play at the 2024 Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon! Ethel and Bertha were fully pardoned from the Thanksgiving table and will spend the rest of their days on a beautiful North Carolina farm.
December 4, 2024: A Healthier North Carolina: Gov. Cooper celebrated the one-year anniversary of Medicaid in North Carolina and other major health care accomplishments at ECU Health in Greenville.
Later in the month, Gov. Cooper announced that more than 600,000 North Carolinians have enrolled in Medicaid expansion in the first year of implementation, in half the time that was first projected.
December 10, 2024: A Better Educated North Carolina: Gov. Cooper celebrated public education and supporting children from cradle to career at Claxton Elementary School in Greensboro. Under the Governor’s leadership, North Carolina has raised average teacher pay and supported children by investing in early childhood education and child care.
December 10, 2024: Lighting the menorah reminds us of the importance of hope, faith, and resilience. Gov. Cooper and First Lady Kristin Cooper hosted a Hanukkah menorah lighting ceremony at the Executive Mansion to celebrate the season.
December 12, 2024: The North Carolina state capitol glows with the warmth and light of the holiday season. Gov. Cooper and First Lady Kristin Cooper wished all North Carolinians a peaceful and merry Christmas.
December 13, 2024: North Carolina’s Progress on Clean Energy: Gov. Cooper has the state toward a clean energy economy. The Governor spoke at Kempower in Durham and celebrated the over 20,000 new clean energy jobs and more than $24 billion in industry investments over the past eight years.
December 15, 2024 and December 19, 2024: A Caniac and a Tar Heel: Gov. Cooper honored Carolina Hurricanes Coach Rod Brind’Amour and former UNC Men’s Basketball Coach Roy Williams with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, welcoming them to the state’s highest honorary society.
December 17, 2024: A Stronger Workforce for North Carolina: Our state’s community colleges help build a strong workforce and economy. Gov. Cooper celebrated the Finish Line Grant program and investments in community college and workforce training at Durham Technical Community College.
December 18, 2024: Gov. Cooper delivered his Farewell Address at Nash Community College where he kicked off his gubernatorial campaign nine years ago.”Being born in North Carolina, that was luck. But being Governor of North Carolina, that’s because so many people came together, with God’s guidance and blessings, to help me.”
