Education Secretary Calls For Repeal Of 2 Transgender Laws
U.S. Education Secretary John B. King Jr. says laws in North Carolina and Mississippi that restrict the rights of transgender Americans are hateful and should be repealed.
King spoke Monday at the Education Writers Association national conference in Boston.
Asked about laws in the two states, King said they're hateful and that gender identity should be protected.
He added, "My hope is legislators will realize they've made a terrible mistake."
He's calling for the state legislatures to repeal the laws.
Civitas Poll Shows Voters Leaning Democratic
A new survey from the conservative Civitas Institute suggests North Carolina voters are leaning heavily toward Democratic candidates in the coming election.
This latest poll shows Governor Pat McCrory trailing Democrat Roy Cooper by ten points, among the widest margins ever in any survey so far.
Tarheel voters also showed a preference for Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton over GOP rivals Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.
NCAE, Democratic Lawmakers Speak Out On Teachers' Day
Critics of the Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly say low morale within the teaching profession needs to be reversed.
North Carolina Association of Educators President Rodney Ellis, Democratic legislators and others plan to talk about it during a news conference today. The day is observed by the National Education Association and National PTA as National Teacher Day.
The event comes as state House members evaluate Gov. Pat McCrory's budget proposal for next year. It includes an average 5 percent pay raise for teachers and bonuses of $1,100 or $5,000 tied to experience.
Statewide Order To Prescribe Anti-Overdose Injection Weighed
An injection that can stop fatal overdoses of heroin or OxyContin could become more readily available in North Carolina.
State health officials want a statewide standing order for physicians to prescribe naloxone for an opioid overdose in an emergency. The Senate Health Care Committee scheduled a hearing today on legislation for the state health director to set the order.
Fundraiser For Skippy's Raises Over $111,000
A fundraiser for the owner of Skippy's Hot Dogs in Winston-Salem has raised more than $111,000, before expenses.
Mike Rothman had to close the restaurant abruptly in February when he was hospitalized with brain cancer.
Local restaurant owners banded together to reopen Skippy's for eight days to raise money for Rothman's medical bills.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports the fundraiser pooled the resources of more than 100 volunteers and 20 local businesses.
More than 13,000 hot dogs were sold during the course of the week, which ended April 30th.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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