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General Assembly Leaves Raleigh, Returning Again In October
The North Carolina General Assembly plans to return to work in October after wrapping up a two-week session in which they passed legislative redistricting maps, overrode two vetoes and passed one other bill.
The House and Senate officially adjourned Thursday their work session that started Aug. 18. Before leaving they agreed to reconvene Oct. 4, setting rules that make broad the actions and legislation that they can consider. They include proposed constitutional amendments, election regulations and the redrawing of judicial districts for District Court and Superior Court seats.
Money To Address Chemical In North Carolina River Approved
North Carolina legislators have approved money to clean up and monitor a little-studied chemical dumped into a river that serves as drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people.
Wilmington-area residents are worried after learning recently about GenX, a chemical that a plant discharged for years into the Cape Fear River.
The bill the General Assembly approved Thursday allocates funds for local water utilities to remove GenX from river water they take in and for UNC-Wilmington to test the river's chemicals.
Cooper Signs Orders To Help Gasoline Supply
Gov. Roy Cooper has signed executive orders to ensure gasoline gets in and through the state, and that motorists don't get ripped off at the pump.
Cooper on Thursday signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency to temporarily waive the cap on the maximum hours of service restrictions for fuel vehicles. The order comes in response to problems caused by Hurricane Harvey.
Another executive order declares an abnormal market disruption for gasoline based on the temporary shutdown of Texas and Louisiana fuel refineries due to Harvey. As a result, the state's price gouging law against overcharging during a crisis is now in effect for the next 45 days.
Protesters Vow To Continue Sit-In After UNC Clears Site
Demonstrators are vowing to continue a sit-in protesting a Confederate statue even after the University of North Carolina removed picnic tables, tarps and other equipment from the site.
Police officers and other university officials removed the objects from around the statue known as Silent Sam on Thursday morning. The protesters chanted, "This racist statue has got to go" while the items were carried away.
At least 10 protesters were still sitting on the pedestal of the statue after the items were cleared. Signs that had been taped to the statue were also removed.
UNC Reports Apparent Norovirus Cases; Rush Week Postponed
Health officials at UNC-Chapel Hill are reporting an apparent outbreak of norovirus throughout the Greek community, leading the Panhellenic Council to postpone sorority recruitment.
The council took the recommendation of campus health services and the Orange County Health Department to cancel events scheduled Thursday and Friday.
North Carolina's 6 Black Justices From Past, Present Honored
The six living black justices of the North Carolina Supreme Court have been honored with a special ceremony.
The two current and four former justices attended Thursday's event inside the Supreme Court's courtroom. Former Govs. Jim Hunt and Beverly Perdue, who appointed some of the justices, spoke at the event, as did current Chief Justice Mark Martin.
Among the six is Henry Frye, who was the first African American associate justice and chief justice, serving for 17 years overall through 2000. There's also Jim Wynn, now serving on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
The two current black associate justices are Cheri Beasley and Michael Morgan. Past associate justices are Patricia Timmons-Goodson, a leader on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, and current U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield.