Winston-Salem Passes Anti-HB2 Resolution
Winston-Salem City Council approved a resolution opposing House Bill 2 at last night's meeting.
The controversial law gained national attention for the bathroom provision. It requires transgender people to use a public bathroom or locker room that matches the sex on their birth certificate. It also bans local governments from passing their own anti-discrimination rules.
Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Besse says the resolution addresses a broad bill that could have unintended consequences.
The local measure has no legal weight. Winston-Salem joins Greensboro, Asheville and several other cities across the state that oppose the new law.
Supporters say it creates privacy and safety protections for women and children.
Pearl Jam, Boston Cancel North Carolina Shows Over New LGBT Law
Pearl Jam and Boston are the latest acts to cancel concerts in North Carolina because of the state's new law on LGBT rights.
In a statement issued Monday on the band's website, Pearl Jam says the band has communicated with local groups and will give them money to oppose the law.
Pearl Jam was scheduled to perform April 20 at PNC Arena in Raleigh.
Boston guitarist Tom Scholz announced the group's decision to cancel shows Monday on its Facebook page. Concerts were scheduled for Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh early next month.
In the statement, Scholz says aspects of the law "arguably encourage bigotry.”
NC Regulators Reject Solar Test Of Electricity Monopoly Law
Green-power critics of Duke Energy Corp. plan to appeal a decision by North Carolina utilities regulators enforcing the limits of rooftop solar power.
The nonprofit North Carolina Waste Awareness and Reduction Network last year installed solar panels on a Greensboro church's roof and billed the congregation almost half of Duke Energy's average electricity price.
NC WARN Executive Director Jim Warren said Monday the group will appeal after regulators declared its arrangement to recover the solar system's cost illegal.
10-Digit Dialing Coming To North Carolina's 336 Area Code
People living in North Carolina's 336 area code will need to limber up their fingers, and some of them will need to learn a new area code altogether.
The N.C. Utilities Commission says all local calls made within the 336 area code must be placed using the 10-digit telephone number, specifically the area code plus the seven-digit local number. It applies to home telephone or cellular service and takes effect on April 23.
To ensure there are enough numbers, the commission has ordered a 743 area code overlay for the 336 area.
Legislature's Police Chief Retiring; House Clerk Delays Exit
One fixture at the North Carolina Legislative Building is retiring while another is staying a little longer.
General Assembly Police Chief Jeff Weaver is no longer on the job after taking leave before his scheduled May 1 retirement date.
Weaver was chief for more than 14 years. His job got more attention in recent years as his police force managed Legislative Building protests and arrests of citizens opposing Republican policies. Lt. Martin Brock is acting police chief.
House Principal Clerk Denise Weeks will stay beyond her previously announced May 1 retirement date as the upcoming legislative session begins next Monday. She's been principal clerk since 1993.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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