UNC Head On LGBT Law: Colleges Can't Run Without Fed Funds
Leaders of North Carolina's public universities are grappling with the threat that the federal government could withhold billions of dollars if the state loses a legal battle over transgender students and bathrooms.
The University of North Carolina governing board spent hours Tuesday discussing a lawsuit by the U.S. Justice Department accusing the 17-campus system of violating federal civil rights laws. UNC President Margaret Spellings says the state's public universities can't operate without federal funding, and college leaders are trying to prevent risking that the money will be cut off.
Spellings sent a letter to the Justice Department Monday saying the system is caught between federal and state mandates.
Bills Addressing College Costs, Immigration, Pay Filed
North Carolina lawmakers facing a self-imposed deadline have offered bills addressing penalties for "sanctuary cities," the cost of college education, economic incentives and worker pay.
House and Senate members filed close to 120 pieces of legislation Tuesday, the cutoff for bills that would affect next year's budget or that study commissions recommended.
One bill by Sens. Norman Sanderson and Buck Newton would deny local governments money for public school capital or city street improvements if they don't comply with federal and state immigration laws.
Gray Confirmed For North Carolina Utilities Commission
The North Carolina legislature has confirmed more people appointed by Gov. Pat McCrory to state commissions, including a former lawmaker.
The House completed the confirmation Tuesday of Lyons Gray to the state Utilities Commission and Christopher Loutit to the state Industrial Commission. The Senate already had voted for the two appointees.
North Carolina School System To Allow Pepper Spray
A North Carolina school system has adopted a policy allowing high school students to carry pepper spray this fall, a policy one board member said may be useful for students who encounter transgender classmates in the bathroom.
The Salisbury Post reports the policy was adopted by the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education during a work session on Monday.
Board member Chuck Hughes said using the sprays was purely defensive, and he referenced the North Carolina law that limits LGBT rights, saying such sprays could help female students if they go to the bathroom and don't know who's coming in after them.
Momentum Afoot To Repeal Cap On State Funds For Light Rail
There may be momentum to repeal a limit on state funds for light-rail projects approved last year.
The House Transportation Committee voted Tuesday to eliminate a provision in the state budget capping those state funds at $500,000 per project. The provision appeared to have put in jeopardy a rail project linking UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill with downtown Durham that would need state funds to receive matching federal dollars.
Hoke County Mom Wins $100K Powerball Prize On Mother's Day
A Hoke County woman who decided to use a combination of her children's ages and grandson's birthday to play Powerball received quite the Mother's Day present.
The N.C. Education Lottery says Kimberly Goins won a $100,000 prize from last weekend's drawing. She called it the best Mother's Day present she could ask for.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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