Legislative Map Trial Begins After Congress Lines Nixed
Another North Carolina redistricting trial is getting under way, this time in federal court over a lawsuit challenging boundaries for nearly 30 state House and Senate seats.
Arguments in the weeklong trial starting Monday in Greensboro federal court are likely to match those in another federal case involving the 1st and 12th Congressional Districts. A three-judge panel in February said they were illegally gerrymandered by race and must be redrawn, which legislators did. Lawmakers also delayed the congressional primary until June.
Dems Put LGBT Leader In Legislature After Transgender Law
Democrats in North Carolina's third-largest county are sending a gay-rights advocate to the state Legislature for its annual session beginning later this month.
Members of the Guilford County Democratic Party executive committee on Saturday selected Equality North Carolina Executive Director Chris Sgro to fill an unexpired term. He says his top priority will be repealing a new state law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people.
Sgro will complete the term ending this year of Rep. Ralph Johnson, who died last month.
Rally Set For Supporters Of Law Addressing Bathrooms, Bias
Religious leaders, media personalities and others are gathering in North Carolina's capital to support HB2.
Monday's rally by the "Keep NC Safe" Coalition on the old Capitol grounds in Raleigh comes while vocal national opposition to the law continues. CEOs are urging Gov. Pat McCrory and legislators to repeal it and Bruce Springsteen canceled his Greensboro concert Sunday because of it.
Scheduled rally speakers include the Benham Brothers, Christian author Frank Turek, and Pentecostal minister Bishop Harry Jackson.
UNC-CH Head Says Donors Pause Over New LGBT Law
The head of North Carolina's flagship public university says HB2 is threatening the flow of private-sector money as donors and businesses are considering whether they want to continue providing funding for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Campus Chancellor Carol Folt made the comment in a letter to students and faculty addressing the university's compliance with HB2.
Folt says current and prospective donors are signaling they may reconsider their gifts since the resolution was adopted into law two weeks ago. Folt says the law also is jeopardizing grants and relationships with businesses.
Provost Says Meeting Planned After Appalachian State Sit-In
The top academic officer at Appalachian State University says the school's chancellor wants to meet with students protesting HB2.
Provost Darrell Kruger says Chancellor Sheri Everts aims to meet with campus protesters Monday, after she recovers from surgery. Protest spokeswoman Rachel Clay said about 50 students were occupying the ground-floor lobby of the school's administration building Saturday, two days after dozens of students began their sit-in.
E-Cigs Could Be Banned From Public Parks In Kannapolis
E-cigarettes could be banned from public parks in Kannapolis.
The Independent Tribune of Kannapolis reports that city council will consider the ban at its Monday meeting.
The city, a suburb of Charlotte, already prohibits smoking from public parks. Council members will discuss whether to revise the ordinance to include e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices, such as vape pens.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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