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Bill Would Boost State Minimum Wage
A state representative from Greensboro has proposed an increase in the North Carolina minimum wage.
Democrat Pricey Harrison is the lead sponsor of a bill that would more than double the state minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 within five years. The legislation would also guarantee North Carolina employees equal pay for equal work, add protections for employees who complain about working conditions, and ensure benefits such as paid sick time and family leave.
Harrison tells the News and Record of Greensboro the bill faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled legislature, but it serves as a reminder that “Democrats care about working-class individuals."
Bills Shifting Appointment Power From Governor OK'd By House
Another fight over appointment powers of North Carolina's new Democratic governor is playing out in Republican legislation eliminating his ability to choose board members at more than a dozen community colleges.
The House passed along party lines Thursday two bills shifting appointments of college trustees from the governor to General Assembly leaders. Local lawmakers would have input.
Sunday Brunch Could Include Alcohol Sales With Legislation
Some North Carolina lawmakers are pushing legislation that will let restaurant patrons get a Bloody Mary or mimosa with their Sunday brunch.
Several senators sponsored a bill this week that would allow county commissioners or municipal councils to pass ordinances granting exceptions to the statewide ban on Sunday beer, wine and liquor sales before noon. Restaurants in those cities or counties could start serving alcoholic drinks at 10 a.m. Alcoholic Beverage Control stores would remain closed on Sundays.
Bill Restricts Opioid Drugs, Boost Recovery
Supporters of legislation designed to address North Carolina's opioid abuse crisis say more restrictions on prescriptions and more spending on treatment will help reduce the number of families torn apart and devastated by addiction.
The proposal unveiled Thursday by Republican lawmakers and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein would place more mandates upon medical providers before prescribing anti-pain drugs like OxyContin or morphine.
NRC Report: Duke Researchers Mishandled Radioactive Material
A report from a federal agency says Duke University researchers mishandled radioactive material during an experiment last month.
The Duke Chronicle reports that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said a sample of Uranium-235 was "compromised and assumed to be leaking" during an experiment on Feb. 11. The incident was not reported until Feb. 15.
According to the report, traces of Uranium-235 were found on one physicist's toilet, and it was promptly decontaminated.
Ohio Company Recalls More Than 40,000 Pounds Of Veal
An Ohio company has issued a recall on more than 40,000 pounds of meat.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on Thursday that Ohio Farms Packing Co. is recalling several thousand boxes of boneless veal products for possible E. coli contamination. Company officials say the products were produced from Nov. 30, 2016 to Feb. 3, 2016.
Officials say the products were shipped to distributors in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Illinois, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas and Canada.
A full retail distribution list will be posted on the Food Safety and Inspection Service website.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.