Governor Wants To Change, But Not Scrap, House Bill 2
Gov. Pat McCrory issued an executive order expanding anti-discrimination rules for state employees and asking lawmakers to eliminate a provision in a law limiting LGBT protections he signed three weeks ago.
But he said Tuesday he sees no need to repeal the rest of the law, which came about to overturn a Charlotte city ordinance.
McCrory's order did expand the equal employment policy for state employees to include sexual orientation and gender identity and urged lawmakers to restore the right of all workers to sue in state court over employment discrimination.
Deutsche Bank, NBA Drawn Into HB2 Backlash
Deutsche Bank is halting plans to add 250 jobs in North Carolina because of House Bill 2.
Previously, the bank had planned to add the jobs through next year in Cary.
But on Tuesday co-executive officer John Cryan said the company is "unwilling to include North Carolina in its U.S. expansion plans for now," because of the law. He said the German bank may revisit the plans later.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of U.S. senators is urging the NBA to move its 2017 All-Star game away from Charlotte.
HB2 Supporters Gather In Greensboro
Around 180 supporters of HB2 gathered for a prayer vigil last night in Governmental Plaza in downtown Greensboro.
They're encouraging Gov. Pat McCrory to stay strong on the new law that prevents transgender people from picking the bathroom of their choice.
The vigil comes amid a national backlash against the law from corporations.
North Carolina Supreme Court Hears Arguments On Retention
The Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit challenging what the law calls a "retention election." It gives most sitting justices the choice to an up-or-down statewide vote with no challenger.
Those who sued call the law unconstitutional because they say the election is actually a referendum. The state Constitution says justices "shall be elected." Attorneys for the state say the retention option is indeed an election.
A lower court struck down the law.
Protest Moves UNC Meeting From Asheville To Chapel Hill
A planned protest has prompted the University of North Carolina Board of Governors to move its meeting from Asheville to Chapel Hill.
The board had planned to meet at UNC Asheville on Thursday and Friday.
UNC Asheville Chancellor Mary Grant issued an email Monday saying the meeting is being moved because of what she called potential large protests from off-campus groups.
UNC Asheville student Juliet Flam-Ross said the protest would primarily be composed of Asheville students who opposed the naming of UNC President Margaret Spellings, a former U.S. education secretary under President George W. Bush.
Breastfeeding Mother Ordered To Leave Courtroom
A Forest City mother is hoping to raise public awareness about breastfeeding after she says she was tossed from a Henderson County courtroom for breastfeeding her infant son.
Stephanie Rhodus tells news outlets that Judge Peter Knight kicked her out of the courtroom Monday after objecting to the fact that Rhodus did not want to cover her baby with a blanket while feeding him.
North Carolina law allows women to breastfeed in public, regardless of whether her nipple is exposed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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