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Judges Rule For GOP In Latest Power Struggle With Governor
North Carolina state judges have ruled for Republican legislative leaders over laws that will constrict a state appeals court and limit the governor's powers to control outside funds.
A majority on a three-judge panel dismissed two portions Monday of a wide-ranging lawsuit by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.
The 2-1 decision upheld as constitutional one law reducing the number of Court of Appeals judges from 15 to 12 as vacancies arise through retirements or resignations. The majority also affirmed a law that told the governor he must include money in future budget proposals for taxpayer-funded scholarships for private school tuition.
Separately Monday, a Superior Court judge ruled lawmakers had the power to decide how certain federal grants were used, along with compensation Volkswagen paid after its emissions scandal.
School Psychologists Concerned About Staffing Levels
North Carolina school psychologists and guidance counselors say hiring more of them would help public schools identify students with mental health challenges sooner and reduce the possibility of serious violence.
Leaders of groups representing the fields spoke Monday to a state House subcommittee examining student health issues.
Currently there is one school psychologist for roughly every 2,100 public school students in North Carolina. That compares to a one-to-700 student ratio that a national psychologist group recommends. Department of Public Instruction data show well over a dozen school districts lack a full-time psychologist.
Final 2018 Obamacare Numbers Show Decline In Enrollment
Fewer North Carolinians signed up for 2018 insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, mirroring a national trend.
About 11.8 million consumers across the nation signed up – a 3 percent drop from the year before. The numbers come from a government tally released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
North Carolina saw a 5 percent drop in enrollees from the year before.
There were two insurers offering plans on the federal marketplace exchange in the state – Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and Cigna.
The reason for the decline is unclear, but possible factors include a shorter enrollment period and overall uncertainty about the future of Obamacare.
Guilford Education Board Receives Honor From Kennedy Center
The Guilford County Board of Education is receiving national recognition from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.
The 30th annual Kennedy Center and National School Boards Association award honors just one school board per year, and comes with check for $10,000.
The News and Record reports Guilford County was recognized for allocating a significant portion of the district budget to the arts even in a challenging economic environment.
The national review panel also commended the board for extensive work evaluating the impact of its arts programs, expanding professional development opportunities and forming strong community partnerships.
Guard At North Carolina Sweepstakes Parlor Killed In Robbery
A guard at a sweepstakes parlor in North Carolina has been killed during a robbery.
Burlington police said in a news release that officers were called to the parlor around 9:20 p.m. Sunday in response to a robbery and shooting.
Police say the guard had been shot in the back and an employee and customers had been shot in the head.
The security officer was pronounced dead on arrival at Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington. His name has not been released. Police say his gun had been stolen.
The injured customer and employee were treated and released from the hospital.
Police say three suspects ran from the building. No arrests have been made.