Gubernatorial Candidates Clash On LGBT Law
Gov. Pat McCrory and Democratic rival Roy Cooper clashed in a televised campaign debate over a controversial state law limiting non-discrimination rules designed to protect LGBT people.
Cooper, McCrory and Libertarian Lon Cecil took part in Tuesday evening's debate in the North Carolina governor's race, one of the most competitive and expensive in the nation.
At the debate in Raleigh, McCrory blamed Cooper for siding with Charlotte's mayor when the city passed a non-discrimination ordinance related to gender identity. The governor said that caused legislators to pass what's known as House Bill 2.
Cooper said McCrory is to blame for damaging North Carolina's brand by signing the law, which received national attention.
Emails To McCrory Complained About Lack Of Action On HB2
Emails sent to Gov. Pat McCrory's office complained that he didn't call for a special session after the Charlotte City Council passed an ordinance targeting transgender rights, and they suggested that he would lose votes in his re-election bid if he didn't react.
The Charlotte Observer reports thousands of emails were provided to it more than a week after the newspaper filed a lawsuit against McCrory for failing to meet a request made under North Carolina's public records law.
Some emailers to the governor's office called McCrory an "idiot" for signing the law. Others used the same word to describe supporters of the Charlotte measure, which allowed transgender individuals to use bathrooms in government-run facilities that matched their gender identity.
NC Asks Court To Leave Early-Vote Schedules Intact
Attorneys for Gov. Pat McCrory and the state say an appeals court should refrain from ordering additional early in-person voting hours and dates in five counties because voting begins Thursday and the arguments for intervening are weak.
The state's lawyers responded Tuesday at the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to an emergency request filed by some voters. The request alleges the state isn't complying with an earlier 4th Circuit ruling striking down a 2013 ballot access law.
The attorneys say that's not true. They say changes would confuse voters and burden election officials in Nash, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Guilford and Forsyth counties.
A lower court judge rejected the voters' arguments last week.
Hurricane Matthew Sends Snakes, Rodents In Search Of Shelter
Flood waters from Hurricane Matthew not only drove hundreds of families from their homes in the Cape Fear region. They also forced insects, rodents and snakes from their natural surroundings as well.
The Fayetteville Observer reports the unprecedented water has led to a march of biting and stinging creatures across the area. Justin Jackson of Stedman said his attempt to save his wife's decorations from flood waters resulted in an encounter with fire ants.
In addition, rats that were chased from flooding basements have begun looking for new homes, and that means snakes flooded from their holes were looking for the rats.
NCSAA Delays Playoffs Due To Hurricane Matthew Flooding
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association is delaying some playoff events due to lingering flooding from Hurricane Matthew.
The football and women's tennis team playoffs will now start a week later. Football will run from Nov. 18 through Dec. 17. Women's tennis will run from Oct. 25 through Nov. 12.
The playoff schedule for volleyball and men's soccer has been compressed to keep the original championship dates, though the NCHSAA has lifted weekly limitations on the number of volleyball matches teams can play in areas affected by the storm.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Receive the morning news briefs delivered to your email inbox every morning, click here to sign-up.