This week on the Down East Journal, we explore House Bill 146, known as the “Back to Basics” bill, which would make learning cursive writing and the memorization of multiplication tables a requirement in North Carolina public schools. And, plans to cut funding for the Congregate Meals programs in Havelock and Harlowe are proposed. We’ll explain how the decision was reached and explore a possible solution. The Down East Journal airs Friday at noon on all of the PRE stations. And Saturday at noon on PRE, Public Radio East, News and Ideas.