Pardon Our Dust
We recently launched this new site and are still in the process of updating some of our archived content. Some details of this article may be incomplete, links may be broken, and other elements may not display properly yet. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Condolences
WRAL-NEWS: Former WRAL reported Mark Binker dies
Insider Editor Mark Binker died unexpectedly at his home early Saturday.
Crossover
DURHAM HERALD SUN: With closet cleaned at NC General Assembly, issuesstill remain
The Republican-controlled General Assembly just pushed past its biennial”crossover” deadline, as more than 200 bills cleared either the House orthe Senate during the week.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Legislative road kill: Some bills start to cross,but don’t make it
Hundreds of ideas die a quiet death in the legislature.
Education
WILKES JOURNAL-PATRIOT: Compromise is reaches on class size
The General Assembly has given final approval to a bill designed to ensurenew class-size requirements don’t put art, music and physical educationspecialists out of a job.
NEWS & OBSERVER: NC may change what is labeled a low-performingschool
Hundreds of schools each year would avoid the stigma of being labeled bythe state as low-performing under a bill unanimously approved by the stateHouse on Wednesday.
WILSON TIMES: Campus free-speech bill passed NC House
North Carolina House members on Wednesday passed House Bill 527,Restore/Preserve Campus Free Speech, but not without some partisan sparringover the necessity of the legislation.
Environment & Natural Resources
As one wind-regulating measure failed in a North Carolina House committee,another bill has been filed to take its place.
Health Care
NEWS & OBSERVER: Who can do eye surgery? Lawmakers back off frommaking changes
The months-long debate over whether optometrists can perform certain eyesurgeries ended — at least for the moment — after the state House turnedHB 36 into a study bill.
In the Courts
ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES: Panel of NC judges backs Cooper over electionchanges
North Carolina judges on Friday put a temporary brake on renewed efforts byRepublican state lawmakers to curtail the new Democratic governor’s controlover state and local elections.
Justice & Public Safety
RICHMOND COUNTY DAILY JOURNAL: NC House hides police video from electedofficials and public
An amendment to House Bill 797 stripped the ability of city and towncouncils to view footage of police recordings without a court order.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Drivers who hit protesters blocking roads could beprotected under NC House bill
Drivers who hit a protester who’s blocking the road couldn’t be sued forinjuries if they “exercise due care,” under a bill that passed the N.C.House on Thursday.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Crime victims’ rights could be constitutionalamendment
Crime victims and their families would be guaranteed certain rights in thestate Constitution, if voters approve, under a bill that cleared the Houseon Thursday.
Leadership Changes
Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday appointed John Arrowood to fill a seat on thestate Court of Appeals vacated the same day by Doug McCullough, aRepublican who reaches the mandatory retirement age next month.
Regulatory Reform
NEWS & OBSERVER: Brunch bill to change Sunday drinking laws isstill alive, sponsor says
Supporters of North Carolina’s “brunch bill” may have felt a mimosa-sizedhole in their hearts Thursday night when a key legislative deadline passedwithout the proposal advancing.
Transportation
DURHAM HERALD SUN: Votes keep Durham-Orange light rail, bus plans ontrack to engineering phase
GoTriangle got the final two votes needed Friday to keep the Durham-OrangeLight-Rail Transit project moving through the Federal TransitAdministration’s grant process.
Veto Overrides
WTVD-NEWS: General Assembly overrides Cooper’s elections board veto
Republicans in the North Carolina House and Senate have completed theiroverride of Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of a measure trying a second time tocombine the state elections board and ethics commission.
ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES: Republicans override Cooper’s veto in latestclash
Republican lawmakers have voted to override new Democratic Gov. RoyCooper’s veto of a bill that reduces his authority over state elections,the latest partisan clash in North Carolina over laws that chip away atexecutive branch power.