Charlotte Mayor Hosts Town Hall On HB2
Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts has told a town hall meeting that her city shouldn't be punished for standing up for LGBT rights through an ordinance that was eventually struck down by a new North Carolina law.
Roberts spoke to a town hall meeting aimed at building a coalition of opposition to the recently passed measure. House Bill 2 prohibits local and state governments from mandating protections for LGBT people in the private sector or at stores and restaurants. The mayor said the city wants to be welcoming to all people and that local businesses should be told that Charlotte did the right thing in passing the ordinance.
Around 200 people crowded into a room in an Uptown Charlotte hotel for the first in a series of town hall meetings addressing the controversial legislation.
Ani Difranco, Cyndi Lauper Join North Carolina Law Protest
Ani DiFranco and Cyndi Lauper are the latest musicians to protest HB2.
DiFranco said in a statement Thursday that she canceled her appearance at the Festival for the Eno music festival in Durham on July 4, because of the legislation she described as a "direct attack on the rights of the LGBT community."
Lauper said in a statement Wednesday that she would be donating all proceeds from her June 4 show in Raleigh to Equality North Carolina.
Likewise, comedian Louis C.K. said in an email to fans that he would also donate profits from Asheville shows to the advocacy group.
Legislators Back Doubling NC Lottery Ad Spend Cap
The General Assembly appears poised to consider again a proposal increasing how much money the North Carolina State Education Lottery can spend on advertising annually.
A lottery oversight committee recommended Thursday legislation for the session starting later this month that in part would allow the lottery to spend two percent of total annual revenues on ad expenses. It's now one percent.
Lottery Executive Director Alice Garland says the additional advertising could ultimately generate $56 million in profits annually for education. The committee report recommends that most new proceeds go to targeted teacher raises.
NC A&T Cancels Aggie Fest
North Carolina A&T has canceled the final three days of an end-of-year celebration, following reports of gunfire and an assault on campus.
Vice Chancellor Melody Pierce wrote students Thursday afternoon, saying this year's Aggie Fest was suspended after several incidents she believed were “a threat to the safety of students and the campus community.”
The News and Record reports a number of people who aren't A&T students showed up following an event Tuesday night, and the campus was notified of reports of gunfire.
There was also an alleged on-campus assault.
A&T's spring intra-squad football game will be played as scheduled Saturday afternoon.
Bank Of America Profit Drops 18 Percent On Weak Trading Unit
Bank of America's first-quarter profit fell more than 18 percent from a year earlier, hurt by weak performance in its global trading unit.
The Charlotte-based bank reported a profit after payment of dividends to preferred shareholders of $2.22 billion in the quarter ending in March, or 21 cents per share. That's compared to a profit of $2.72 billion, or 25 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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