Man Receives Pardon Of Innocence For Rape Of 81-Year-Old
Gov. Pat McCrory has granted a pardon of innocence to a man who served 27 years in prison for a rape that he didn't commit.
McCrory said in a news release that he told Edward McInnis of the pardon Thursday. The pardon makes McInnis eligible to file a claim for $750,000 in compensation.
McInnis had been released from prison in August after an investigation by the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission. He had been sentenced in 1988 to life in prison for the rape of an 81-year-old woman in Laurinburg.
Amendments Blocked LGBT Law, I-77 Toll Repeals
The full state House voted on more than two dozen amendments while passing their version of the North Carolina government budget this week. Items that didn't get to the floor for debate would have repealed House Bill 2 and canceled an agreement to build toll lanes on Interstate 77 north of Charlotte.
Speaker Tim Moore ruled both amendments out of order because they didn't comply with House rules. He said Thursday an amendment by Rep. Darren Jackson of Raleigh to repeal the LGBT law wasn't relevant to the budget. Jackson says he's optimistic the bill will still be debated and voted on this year.
Rep. Julia Howard of Mocksville filed the I-77 toll amendment. Moore says the amendment didn't qualify for floor debate because of uncertainty over a monetary penalty for canceling a contract with a private company to build the toll lanes.
GOP Debate In NC Takes On Being Conservative
Two U.S. House members with their political futures on the line are debating one of the core issues in their upcoming Republican primary — who deserves to be called a true conservative.
U.S. Reps. Renee Ellmers and George Holding debated Thursday on WRAL-TV ahead of a rare primary election next month between incumbent Republicans reshuffled into the 2nd Congressional District. They were joined by Greg Brannon, who was defeated in GOP primaries for U.S. Senate in 2014 and 2016.
Residents Demand City Water
North Carolinians who live near coal ash ponds organized a protest rally highlighting the need for city water in those regions.
Many of them are asking to be connected to city water lines to end their dependence on bottled water provided by Duke Energy
State health officials last year warned residents against drinking their well water due to a cancer-linked heavy metal. Officials reversed themselves in March, saying the water was OK.
Nonprofit Launches Campaign To Build Playgrounds In Flint
A North Carolina-based nonprofit seeks to build playgrounds in Flint, Michigan for children coping with the city's lead-contaminated water crisis.
The Make An Impact Foundation announced Wednesday the first playground is planned outside Flint's famed Berston Field House. The longtime facility has trained many athletes, including Olympic gold medalist boxer Clarissa Shields.
"Make An Impact Week" starts September 12 and will include various community improvement projects. Those efforts are envisioned as a lead-up to the playground construction.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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