Presidential Candidates Weigh In On HB2
North Carolina's controversial House Bill 2, best known for its so-called “bathroom provision,” is in the national spotlight once again. Two presidential candidates are sparring over the legislation.
Republican Donald Trump spoke out against HB2 on Thursday, saying the state should have left it “the way it was.” His rival, Ted Cruz, responded by saying the law is common sense.
House Bill 2 has several provisions, including one that requires transgender people to use public bathrooms that match their biological sex.
Silver: Change In NC Law Needed For All-Star In Charlotte
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he believes the league has made it "crystal clear" that a change in North Carolina's House Bill 2 is necessary to stage the 2017 All-Star Game in Charlotte, though is resisting setting a deadline for a decision.
Silver said Thursday that he has spoken to political and business leaders in North Carolina, who have told the league that if given time, they believe there will be a change in the law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people.
NC State Bar Panel Considers Innocence Rule For Prosecutors
A North Carolina State Bar panel appears to be making progress on the issue of whether prosecutors should be required to turn over evidence of innocence after a person is convicted.
At issue is a model rule recommended by the American Bar Association that requires prosecutors to turn over such evidence. In 2009, North Carolina's State Bar rejected the rule, which the ABA says has been adopted in some form in 13 states.
The five-member ethics subcommittee took no votes Thursday but appeared to reach a majority consensus that all attorneys, not just prosecutors, should be required to turn over evidence of innocence of a convicted person.
Report: NC Legislature Losing Experienced Members
Resignations, pending retirements and runs for other public offices by North Carolina General Assembly members are taking a significant bite out of the legislature's collective experience and effectiveness.
The nonpartisan North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research released Thursday results of its biennial effectiveness survey for lawmakers during the 2015 session.
Sixteen legislators not coming back next year or who've already resigned ranked in the top half in the House or Senate.
Western Carolina Chancellor Diagnosed With Brain Tumor
Western Carolina University Chancellor David Belcher has informed the school that he has been diagnosed with a small brain tumor.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reports Belcher said in an email sent Thursday that the tumor is affecting his speech and expression. He said the resulting condition is called expressive aphasia.
Belcher said he is optimistic and in the process of engaging with medical specialists to learn more. He also said Provost Alison Morrison-Shetlar will be his primary representative when he is unavailable. He said he will fulfill his executive responsibilities even when he is not on campus.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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