Winston-Salem Councilman Wants Investigation Of House Bill 2
A Winston-Salem city councilman wants lawmakers to undo a controversial new measure the General Assembly passed last week. The law limits local governments from passing their anti-discrimination rules.
Councilman Dan Besse says he's concerned that what's known as HB2 could have unintended economic consequences..
Besse introduced a resolution at Monday's council meeting calling for a legislative investigation of the consequences of the law. The resolution also asks local lawmakers who supported the bill to reconsider their votes. The Winston-Salem Journal reports that the council decided instead to take more time to explore the new law, although it was clear most oppose it.
Furniture Buyers Threaten Market Boycott Over Law
Some of the roughly 20,000 retail and interior-design companies that attend the twice-a-year High Point furniture market say they won't travel to the city next month because of the new state law voiding a Charlotte anti-discrimination ordinance.
The taxpayer-supported High Point Market Authority said Monday that dozens of buyers have said their employees won't attend to shop the new offerings of manufacturers and wholesalers. Opponents of the law also are on social media calling for a boycott of the market, which has an annual statewide economic impact of $5 billion.
New York Bans Non-Essential State Travel To North Carolina
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has banned all non-essential state travel to North Carolina in the wake of the state's decision to overturn an ordinance on transgender rights.
The ban, which was signed by executive order on Monday, requires all state agencies, departments, boards and commissions to immediately review all requests for state funded or state sponsored travel to North Carolina.
In a statement, the Democratic governor said New York "will not stand idly by as misguided legislation replicates the discrimination of the past."
The mayors of San Francisco and Seattle have also banned city workers from non-essential travel to the state.
Company Accepts Blame In Boone Hotel Deaths
The company that owned a hotel where three people died of carbon monoxide poisoning has accepted blame in a plea deal that drops criminal charges against a manager.
Appalachian Hospitality Management will be dissolved as part of the plea deal on Monday that includes the dismissal of charges against manager Damon Mallatere.
The case resulted from three carbon monoxide deaths in 2013 at the Best Western hotel in Boone.
Panthers Sign Steelers CB Brandon Boykin To 1-Year Deal
The Carolina Panthers have signed unrestricted free agent cornerback Brandon Boykin from the Pittsburgh Steelers to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not available Monday.
With cornerback Bene Benwikere moving to the outside, Boykin is expected to compete for the team's nickel cornerback spot.
The 25-year-old Boykin has played in all 64 games and started seven during his four seasons in the NFL — the first three with the Philadelphia Eagles and last year with the Steelers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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