Group Says ID Mandate In Primary Portends November Problems
An election reform group opposed to North Carolina's 2013 voting law says problems implementing its photo identification mandate the first time in the March primary portend major problems for November's election.
Democracy North Carolina filed Thursday a brief urging a federal appeals court to strike down the photo ID requirement and retain both same-day registration during early voting and out-of-precinct voting on election day. A trial judge upheld the law.
Democracy NC says more than 1,400 provisional ballots weren't counted during the primary because voters lacked qualifying ID and alleges the law's "reasonable impediment" exception didn't work.
Coal Ash Bill On North Carolina Legislative Fast Track Slows
Legislation reconstituting North Carolina's short-lived Coal Ash Management Commission is on the fast track to the desk of Gov. Pat McCrory, who's expected to veto the measure. But lawmakers slowed it down to work on one provision.
The Senate decided Thursday not to accept the House version of the bill approved Wednesday, sending it to a conference committee. Senate Rules Committee Chairman Tom Apodaca says he hopes it will return to the floor for a final vote early next week.
Apodaca and House bill manager Chuck McGrady pointed to altering language in the bill related to getting drinking water piped to homes near coal ash pits where residents are worried about well water safety.
McCrory says he'll veto the bill, saying the commission is unconstitutional and would undermine environmental protections.
North Carolina Prisons Moving Away From Solitary Confinement
North Carolina prison officials over the past year have cut the number of inmates in solitary confinement in half.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reports about 5,330 of the state's 38,000 prisoners — 1 in 7 — were kept in isolation on any given day. This month, that number was down to 2,540.
State prison Commissioner David Guice says his goal is to end the state's heavy use of solitary confinement, a punishment that he says is linked with an increase in assaults on staff members.
Guice says other states that are moving away from solitary have seen assault numbers decline.
Senate Agrees On Concessions For Carolinas Boundary Changes
North Carolina legislators are lining up concessions necessary for the redrawn boundary between North Carolina and South Carolina to take effect in 2017 after more than 20 years of work.
The Senate voted unanimously Thursday to confirm the re-established 334-mile boundary separating the states and alleviate problems for about two dozen homes and businesses shifting states. The bill addresses public schools, taxes, sewer districts and an alcohol beverage permit for a South Carolina convenience store that will wind up in North Carolina.
The bill now heads to the House.
NC State Martin Twins Transferring To Nevada Hoops
Caleb and Cody Martin, the 6-foot-7 twin brothers who played basketball at North Carolina State last season, are transferring to Nevada.
Cody Martin told the Reno Gazette-Journal they committed Wednesday because they liked Nevada's fast-paced attack under first-year coach Eric Musselman, and believe the program is on the rise.
The brothers announced their plans to leave North Carolina State in March.
Caleb Martin averaged 11.5 points and 4.7 rebounds while averaging about 30 minutes of play per game last season. Cody Martin averaged 6 points and 4.4 rebounds over about 26 minutes a game.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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