Atkinson Urges Raises For All Teachers, Extra-Duty Bonuses
North Carolina's public schools superintendent is seeking pay raises for all teachers, plus bonuses for experienced teachers who coach fellow educators or teach in low-performing classrooms.
State schools superintendent June Atkinson on Wednesday offered her proposals on what will likely be a bi-partisan, election-year push to raise teacher salaries that now lag near the bottom in the country.
The elected Democrat told a committee of the Republican-run General Assembly they would define how many teachers would be eligible for those bonuses. Atkinson says they're already offered by some school districts that can afford them, while classrooms in other parts of the state are left out.
Legislators have raised teacher pay in each of the past two years, focusing on early-career educators.
Witnesses Express Concerns About North Carolina Voter ID Law
Those challenging North Carolina's voter identification law say they worry that Hispanics and the homeless may have trouble voting this year.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that the NAACP and the U.S. Justice Department witnesses presented their concerns during a hearing on the law in Winston-Salem on Wednesday.
Maria del Carmen Sanchez testified that she had trouble renewing her driver's license because her name did not match the one on her U.S. passport. She worries the same problem could come with the new voter law, which requires a photo ID to cast a ballot.
Michelle Kennedy with the Interactive Resource Center in Greensboro says the homeless also might have problems voting because of the photo ID requirement.
North Carolina officials say the new law will cut down on voter fraud.
Tanger Center Design Unveiled
The public is getting its first look at the design of the new Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center in Greensboro. City leaders unveiled the plans during a press conference Wednesday. They're hoping the center will be a catalyst for more economic development downtown.
The budget for the public-private project is estimated at around $78-million dollars.
The center is meant to be a flexible entertainment venue that can host local artists and national Broadway performances.
The design plans will make it a focal point in downtown Greensboro with its limestone and glass façade.
Owen Covington with the Triad Business Journal says it could also serve as an economic driver for the downtown area.
The city plans to break ground in early fall on the 3,000-seat venue. The center is slated to open in June of 2018.
Microfibres Lay Off 125 As It Closes Winston-Salem Plant
Microfibres Inc. says it's shuttering its Winston-Salem manufacturing plant, eliminating 125 jobs.
The Pawtucket, Rhode Island-based company announced Tuesday that it's ending its U.S. manufacturing presence in response to domestic and global textiles challenges that could lead to a bankruptcy filing.
Microfibres General Manager Steve Trastelis tells theWinston Salem-Journal that the company has a workforce of 125 people at its Winston-Salem plant, down from 270 as recently as 2004.
The company makes high-performance, stain-resistant flocked fabrics for the upholstery, furniture and specialty products markets.
Trastelis says employees were told Tuesday of the decision to close the plant, which could take place by the end of the week.
He says without emergency funding, the company could file for bankruptcy protection as soon as Friday.
Ban on Sorority Activites At Duke University 'Partially Llifted'
Duke University has partially lifted a ban on sorority activities after a meeting between school officials and sorority leaders.
The school on Wednesday banned all sorority activity because of a new member's alcohol-related hospitalization. Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta said there also were concerns about the recruiting process known as rush.
Duke released another statement from Moneta later that said a Wednesday evening meeting had been productive and everyone agreed to take steps to prevent future incidents.
The school is now allowing sororities to conduct study breaks, sisterhood events, chapter meetings and philanthropy and community service activities. Moneta said the other sanctions were expected to be lifted soon.
Moneta said the student is expected to recover fully. The school did not say which sorority the student joined.
Burr Campaign To Report $818K In 4th Quarter, $5.3M In Bank
U.S. Sen. Richard Burr had $5.3 million in his campaign coffers in his bid to represent North Carolina on Capitol Hill for another six years.
Burr's campaign released his fourth-quarter fundraising numbers Wednesday. They were due to federal election regulators by this weekend.
The figures showed The Richard Burr Committee taking in $818,000 for the three months ending Dec. 31. The campaign had raised more than $1 million in each of three previous quarters.
Burr has three rivals in the March 15 Republican primary, including Cary physician Greg Brannon, who hasn't yet released his fundraising numbers.
There are four Democrats running for their party's nomination. Deborah Ross of Raleigh reported Tuesday raising almost $586,000 during the quarter, with $452,000 cash on hand.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.