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North Carolina House Democrats Unveil More 2018 Candidates
Energized Democrats seeking inroads in the North Carolina House during next November's elections are rolling out names of more candidates who hope to upset veteran Republican lawmakers.
The state Democratic Party announced nine additional challengers Monday that include an ex-Army physician, a former health care executive and the mayor of Creedmoor. Top GOP budget-writers Reps. John Faircloth and Linda Johnson are among incumbents the Democrats want to defeat.
Democrats currently hold 45 of the 120 House seats but are encouraged by electoral successes by Virginia counterparts last month. Pending redistricting changes also could put a few more seats in play.
'Moral Monday' Protesters Now Challenging Court Fees
Two people arrested while demonstrating last year in the North Carolina Legislative Building against Republican policies are using the appeal of their trespassing convictions to challenge court fees their lawyer argues are unconstitutional.
The attorney for Carol Anderson and Dale Herman filed a motion Monday in Wake County Superior Court urging a judge to overturn the costs they were ordered to pay as part of their lower-court convictions.
Lawyer Scott Holmes writes that the minimum $178 cost for a convicted defendant in District Court is more than four times the amount in the mid-1990s. He says these fees shouldn't be used to pay for the court system but rather for public schools, as the state constitution requires.
Weather Causes Setback To Old Salem Events
Old Salem, a popular local destination for Christmas traditions, took a big hit from last week's snowstorm, and is now temporarily closed.
At first, the surprise snow was exciting, potentially creating the perfect setting for a big holiday weekend.
But then a server that handles everything from ticket sales to retail receipts failed after a power outage. Old Salem president and CEO Frank Vagnone says a long list of events were canceled on what is usually the busiest weekend of the season.
Events that were cancelled included sold-out candlelight Christmas tours and the Salem Christmas festival.
Vagnone says he hopes the computer issue can be solved this week so Old Salem can reopen.
Supreme Court Won't Hear Dispute Involving NC TV Network
A lawsuit against Greensboro for allegedly discriminating against an African-American-owned television network will go forward after the Supreme Court declined to get involved in the case.
The Supreme Court's announcement Monday that it would not get involved in the dispute leaves in place a ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit earlier this year that revived the lawsuit. A trial court had initially dismissed it.
Black Network Television claims the City of Greensboro rescinded a $300,000 economic development loan because of race. The city says race had nothing to do with it. Appeals court judges ruled 2-1 that the lawsuit had been improperly dismissed.
Officials: Roads Through National Forests Covered With Snow
The United States Forest Service says motorists traveling through the Nantahala and Pisgah national forests should watch for snow- and ice-covered roads.
A news release from the forest service says although temperatures have risen above freezing eliminating snow from most paved streets, the national forest roads are mostly unpaved and unplowed. Officials say while gates may be open, drivers should not assume that roads are safe for travel.
The forest service also said it may be several days before forest staff is able to safely assess road conditions. Also, motorists are advised that snow and ice could create fallen trees and limbs that could block roads. The freeze-thaw cycle can loosen rocks which can roll onto roads.