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North Carolina's Altered Legislative Districts Back In Court
North Carolina legislative districts are back in court again as federal judges must decide whether to accept proposed alterations by their appointed third-party expert.
A three-judge panel scheduled a hearing Friday in Greensboro to listen to why a Stanford University law professor they hired redrew boundaries the way he did. House and Senate districts drawn by Republican legislators have been in courts since 2011.
Moore Predicts Deal On Judicial Maps By End Of January
The North Carolina House leader predicts redrawn election districts for trial court judges can be finalized with Senate Republicans by the end of January. But he's unsure what his colleagues think about a Senate proposal eliminating head-to-head judicial elections.
House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger appointed Thursday members of a special bipartisan joint committee tasked with recommending judicial changes to the General Assembly.
A separate Senate panel formally recommended Wednesday the House-Senate committee idea. Likely topics include judicial redistricting and a Senate proposal to replace traditional judicial elections with up-or-down retention elections for gubernatorial appointees vetted by a commission and legislators.
Cooper To "Pursue Every Option" Against Offshore Drilling
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper says he'll keep fighting efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to expand oil and gas exploration off the Atlantic coast, saying such drilling "represents a critical threat" to the state's coastal economy.
Cooper responded Thursday to news of additional opportunities proposed by the federal government for offshore energy development starting in 2019. He said in a release his administration "will pursue every option" to prevent drilling near the state's beaches, fishing waters and coastal communities.
State Republican legislative leaders generally back offshore exploration, as did Cooper's predecessor, Republican Pat McCrory.
House Panel Backs More Legislation On Unregulated Chemicals
Some North Carolina legislators want a law passed soon addressing ways to know more about what unregulated chemicals are in drinking water supplies and to better calculate concentrations in the water that appear safe.
A House committee voted unanimously Thursday to recommend to the full chamber legislation that responds to "emerging contaminants" such as GenX, which was found in Wilmington's main water supply. House Republicans want the measure approved during a special session that begins next Wednesday.
Cigarette Maker Philip Morris Says It Wants To Quit Smoking
One of the worlds biggest tobacco makers says it wants to give up smoking in the new year.
Philip Morris is known for cigarette brands like Marlboro, Parliament and L&M.
But in a series of ads overseas, the company said its New Years resolution is to get out of the traditional cigarette game all together.
Instead, the company wants to shift to what it calls “healthier” tobacco products: things like E-cigarettes and heat-not-burn technology.
NC Officials: Flu Kills 7 More People, Including Child
State health officials say another seven people have died from influenza, including a child.
The report issued for the week ending Dec. 30 lists seven deaths, bringing the total to 20 for this flu season.
Flu season runs from October to May, with the most cases usually in North Carolina around January or February.