Perlman Says Symphony Wouldn't Print Opposition Statement
Violinist Itzhak Perlman says he canceled his Wednesday performance with the North Carolina Symphony in Raleigh after he was told he would not be able to include a personal statement opposing a new state law in the event program.
In an interview with the Associated Press on Tuesday, Perlman said he will not perform in North Carolina until the state's law limiting anti-discrimination policies for LGBT people is reversed.
Perlman had said he wanted to proceed with the concert to support the 66 professional musicians employed by the North Carolina Symphony. He reversed the decision Tuesday after orchestra management told him he would not be able to include his opposition to the law in the event program.
North Carolina House Budget Bill Goes To Floor
This year's budget process is moving quickly in the North Carolina House.
The full House plans today to debate and then hold the first of two required votes on proposed budget adjustments. The adjustments are for the second year of the two-year budget approved last September.
The $22.2 billion spending proposal cleared two House committees Tuesday after lawmakers considered almost 50 amendments. The first floor vote wasn't expected until Thursday but House leaders agreed to move it up a day.
E-Cigarettes Banned In Brunswick Co. Government Buildings
Brunswick County's smoking ordinance has been amended to include a ban against e-cigarettes.
The ordinance was changed at Monday's commissioners meeting. The ordinance regulates smoking inside county-owned buildings, and had not previously addressed e-cigarettes.
Spokeswoman Amanda Hutcheson says the county, which is in southeastern North Carolina, has been considering e-cigarettes the same as regular cigarettes. The change was a clarification to the existing policy.
Sheriff Investigates Human Trafficking In Mebane
A Mebane couple is facing felony charges in a possible human trafficking case.
The Greensboro News and Record reports that an Eastern Alamance High School student from Nigeria was improperly enrolled.
The two people under investigation are being charged with common law obstruction of justice and obtaining property by false pretense.
But Alamance County Sheriff Terry Johnson says the case has “the smell of a human trafficking organization.”
Johnson says the Alamance-Burlington School System did not know that the student was registered improperly.
The sheriff's office says that 18 students in another county are also under investigation for similar reasons. The same couple is alleged to be involved.
Ben And Jerry Team Up With NC NAACP, Unveil New Flavor
Coming to a freezer near you: Empower Mint, a mix of fudge brownies and peppermint ice cream.
Company founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield released the flavor as new partners with the North Carolina NAACP. Sales of the ice cream brand will benefit the NAACP.
The company will dispatch trucks this summer offering free scoops and registering people to vote. It also will educate people about reauthorizing the federal Civil Rights Act.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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