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Economy
WINSTON- SALEM JOURNAL: State jobless rate falls slightly in February
North Carolina’s unemployment rate for February has dropped to 5.1 percent.
WILMINGTON STAR NEWS: New Hanover legislators propose big increase inNC film grant program
The state’s film grant program would nearly double to $55 million annuallyunder companion bills filed Thursday by New Hanover County Republicans Sen.Michael Lee and Rep. Holly Grange.
DURHAM HERALD SUN: NC House votes to cut ties to any companies thatboycott Israel
The N.C. House voted 88-21 Thursday to cut any business ties North Carolinamight have with companies that boycott Israel.
Education
BURLINGTON TIMES NEWS: More standardized final exams would go away inHouse bill
Some North Carolina legislators are advancing a bill that would eliminatemore standardized exams for public school students, many of them in highschool.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Former lawmakers, former Raleigh mayor amongnominees for UNC board
Ten people have been nominated in the Senate for six seats on the UNC Boardof Governors.
Energy
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: State GOP tries to slow wind farms in NC
North Carolina Republican lawmakers whose districts include U.S. militarybases are again seeking to slow down wind energy development in the state.
HB 2
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Local LGBT protections would still be banned underdraft HB2 replacement bill
Local governments wouldn’t be allowed to pass nondiscrimination ordinancesthat specifically protect LGBT people under a draft proposal forreplacement of House Bill 2.
Health Care
WRAL-NEWS: House set to vote on cancer donation bill
State House lawmakers will vote Monday night on a new way for people todonate to cancer prevention — on their income tax form.
WRAL-EWS: Ophthalmologists say patient safety at risk if optometristsperform eye surgery
North Carolina ophthalmologists are fighting back against a proposal toallow optometrists to perform some types of eye surgery in the state.
In the Courts
DURHAM HERALD SUN: Veto override means voters will know judges’ partyaffiliations
Voters casting ballots for judges next year will know the political partiesof the candidates.
Justice & Public Safety
WITN-NEWS: Partial rewrite of criminal gang law clears House
The state House has agreed to a partial rewrite of North Carolina’scriminal gang law that supporters say will make it easier to prosecute gangmembers and those who are directing violence.
State & Local Government
ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES: Cooper restores state worker associationaccess
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has essentially reversed an order by hisRepublican predecessor that scaled back benefits for North Carolina’s chiefstate employee union.
DURHAM HERALD SUN: Cabinet pick advances through turbulent confirmationhearing
Former state legislator Susi Hamilton became the first Cabinet secretary torun into turbulence in a confirmation hearing Thursday, when a Senatecommittee recommended her nomination on a split vote.
CAROLINA JOURNAL: Sanders confirmed unanimously to run Department ofAdministration
A Senate committee clearly impressed with the governor’s choice of MachelleSanders as a Cabinet secretary on Tuesday unanimously recommended hernomination be confirmed.
Transportation
NEWS & OBSERVER: NC regulators reject proposed auto insurance hike
New state insurance commissioner, same old result.
WRAL-NEWS: House votes to remove helmet requirement for autocycles
Members of the state House have voted to allow drivers of three-wheeledautocycles to hit the road without wearing a helmet, even if the vehiclehas no roof.
WNCN-NEWS: NC Senate advances school bus cameras to catch dangerousdrivers
The idea of catching drivers passing school buses unlawfully with camerasand issuing monetary penalties based on photos or video is advancing againat the North Carolina General Assembly.