Bill Blocking Anti-Discrimination Rules Now Law
Governor Pat McCrory has signed a bill that prevents local governments from setting their own anti-discrimination rules.
The Republican-controlled General Assembly took action Wednesday in a special session after the Charlotte City Council recently approved a broad anti-discrimination measure that allows transgender people to use the restroom aligned with their gender identity.
The Senate voted for the measure hours after the House passed it by a wide margin. The governor signed the bill late Wednesday night.
The bill is a blow to the LGBT movement after success with similar anti-discrimination measures in more than 200 cities nationwide.
Rockingham Residents Criticize Duke Energy Over Coal Ash Disposal Plan
The state held a public hearing in Eden Wednesday night on the proposed coal ash landfill at the retired Dan River Steam Station.
The News and Record of Greensboro reports that while only a small crowd attended the hearing, the majority of speakers opposed the plan.
Distrust of Duke Energy was a theme echoed by many of the those who spoke.
The general perception was that Duke knew or should have known that its underground drainage network needed repair before coal ash was spilled into the Dan River.
Mayors Attend Economic Forum With Pelosi, Adams
Rep. Alma Adams has invited U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to discuss challenges and opportunities for women in North Carolina with several female mayors.
The group will meet Thursday at UNC Charlotte Center City.
The mayors attending the economic forum are from cities in Adams' 12th District. They include Jennifer Roberts of Charlotte, Karen Kirks Alexander of Salisbury and Barbara Mallet of East Spencer. Also attending is Greensboro Mayor Pro Tem Yvonne Johnson.
Controller: Dues Removal From Paychecks Continues For Some
A few dozen members of the North Carolina Association of Educators who are also state employees can continue to have membership dues removed from their payroll checks.
State Controller Linda Combs wrote Wednesday to the NCAE as part of a lengthy evaluation about whether the teacher lobbying group qualifies for dues checkoff. State law sets membership thresholds at two levels — either at least 2,000 members or 40,000 members.
Combs says the agency believes the 2,000-member level is met by NCAE for state workers paid through the primary state payroll system. So that service will continue for 36 workers.
Cannon Dates Back To 18th Century
A state archaeologist estimates that a cannon unearthed in downtown Wilmington is about 300 years old.
Assistant state archaeologist Chris Southerly says that based on the gun's size and design, it dates to 1700 to 1750 and came from an English ship.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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