Legislature To Consider Control Of Police Body Camera Footage
Lawmakers are introducing a bill giving law enforcement the final word on who sees footage from body cameras worn by police.
The measure would let police chiefs and sheriffs decide who sees the footage, cutting city and town councils out of the process.
The News and Record of Greensboro reports the bill was filed by Rep. John Faircloth, a Guilford Republican.
Critics of Faircloth's bill say it's bad policy that preempts municipal power.
Under current state law, city councils can choose to release the footage if they believe it's in the public interest.
The Greensboro City Council will confront the issue next week when it views footage from a 2014 shooting.
Soucek Replacement Joins North Carolina Senate
The replacement for recently resigned North Carolina state Sen. Dan Soucek has officially joined the chamber.
Deanna Ballard of Blowing Rock was sworn in to office Wednesday to fill out the remainder of Soucek's two-year term representing the 45th District covering five northwestern counties. She took her seat during the afternoon floor session.
North Carolina State Controller Confirmed To Another Term
The General Assembly has finally signed off on keeping Gov. Pat McCrory's choice for North Carolina state controller on the job for the next six years.
The Senate gave Wednesday unanimous support to Linda Combs, whom McCrory originally appointed in 2014 to fill out David McCoy's seven-year term. McCrory nominated her for a full term last year. The House confirmed her last May but the Senate didn't get to it until now. Combs remained on the job in the meantime.
HAECO Expansion Set To Start At PTI Airport
Construction is set to begin on a major project at the Piedmont Triad International Airport.
HAECO America's is building a new hangar at the airport in Guilford County.
The site will be used for inspecting airplanes, maintenance and repairs.
The overall cost of the project public-private partnership is estimated at $60 to $70 million. It's expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the area.
Drug Companies To Pay North Carolina $45M In Settlement
North Carolina will receive $45 million in a settlement with drug makers Pfizer and Wyeth.
A group of states, including North Carolina, settled with the drug makers Wednesday on lawsuits alleging the companies owed millions in rebates to Medicaid for heartburn and acid reflux medications.
Altogether, the companies will pay $784.6 million to states and the federal government.
Former Georgia Legislator Named New Chancellor At ECU
The UNC Board of Governors has chosen a former Georgia legislator as the new chancellor at East Carolina University.
Cecil Staton, currently the interim president of Valdosta State University, was unanimously elected during the board's specially called meeting in Chapel Hill on Wednesday.
From 2005 to 2014, Staton represented Georgia's 18th Senate district. He was vice-chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus and also was a member of seven committees, including the higher education committee.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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