Morning Headlines: Monday, April 18, 2016

McCrory: More Dialogue Needed On Transgender Issues

Governor Pat McCrory is calling for more dialogue on the issue of transgender people and bathroom use while saying he stands by provisions of a bill regarding access to facilities.

The governor appeared Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press" to talk about the bill, which he signed into law last month.

McCrory reiterated that he will ask legislators to repeal a part of the law that bans workers from filing discrimination claims in state court.

The executive director of Equality NC said Sunday that McCrory acknowledged signing a bad bill. Chris Sgro says McCrory should work to repeal the entire law.

Silver: NC Law 'Problematic' To NBA, No Decision On All-Star Game

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says a North Carolina law that limits anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people remains "problematic" for the league, but he says there is no decision on moving next year's All-Star Game out of Charlotte.

Silver said Friday that owners discussed the law during their two-day meetings and that the league wants to be involved in helping protect those it discriminates against.

Silver, who attended Duke University, says he is troubled by the law, adding he doesn't even understand the genesis for it.

'Moral Monday' Leader Removed From American Airlines Flight

The architect of the progressive movement known as "Moral Monday" says he was removed from an American Airlines flight after he responded to a passenger who made disparaging remarks.

The Rev. William Barber said in a statement he was removed Friday from a flight from Reagan National Airport to Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Barber says a nearby passenger said loudly that he had problems with "those people" and criticized Barber's need for two airline seats. Before the crew gave safety instructions, he says he stood up and turned around to respond.

Barber is also president of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP.

New Police Chief In Belmont Can't Arrest Anyone

The new chief in Belmont can't make arrests or carry a police weapon.

The Gaston Gazette reports Chief H.C. "Skip" Clark isn't certified to be a law enforcement officer in North Carolina.

Belmont leaders say they knew that when they hired Clark in February of 2014.

Since Clark waited for more than a year between jobs, North Carolina requires him to take 600 hours of basic law enforcement training before he can wear a badge.

Advocates Worry As NC Sets Precaution Fires Near Eagle Nests

State wildlife officials are burning the forest underbrush around Jordan Lake under two bald eagle nests.

Veterinarian Ellen Tinsley told the News & Observer that she thinks the state Wildlife Resources Commission should have waited until the baby eagles in the nest were able to fly before setting the fires Friday.

Tinsley worries the baby eagles might try to leave the nest early and fall to the ground.

Wildlife Resources Commission biologist Chris Baranski says his agency is using fire techniques to reduce smoke and heat near the nests. He says the commission couldn't wait until the summer because the hotter, drier weather makes setting fires much more dangerous then.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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