Judge To Combine NC GOP Leaders' LGBT Law Cases
A federal judge has agreed to combine two lawsuits filed by North Carolina Republican leaders who are seeking to defend a law that limits protections for the LGBT community.
Judge Terrence Boyle ruled on Monday to allow the consolidation of separate cases filed by Gov. Pat McCrory and two legislative leaders, Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore. All three are Republicans.
The two lawsuits against the Department of Justice argue the federal government overreached when it declared the state law was discriminatory.
McCrory Picks Legislative Aide To Unemployment Appeals Board
Pat McCrory's chief lobbyist at the North Carolina General Assembly has been nominated by the governor to a panel that serves as a final arbiter on unemployment benefit claim appeals.
McCrory's choice of Fred Steen of Rowan County to the three-member Board of Review was made public Monday evening. McCrory formally nominated Steen late last week to a four-year term.
If confirmed by the legislature, Steen would succeed former Greensboro mayor Keith Holliday, whose term was set to expire July 1.
House Backs Expanded Compensation For Forced Sterilization
North Carolina lawmakers are set to expand the state's compensation program for people involuntarily sterilized by government officials several decades ago.
The House on Monday passed a bill allowing North Carolina's four largest counties to create compensation programs for those sterilized by orders of local governments.
Electronics Recycling Program To End In Bill Clearing Senate
The state Senate wants North Carolina's electronics recycling program repealed.
Eliminating the initiative was among many provisions in the Senate's annual "regulatory reform" bill approved Monday on a largely party-line vote. The bill now goes to the House.
The bill also removes a prohibition on computers, printers and televisions from landfills related to the recycling program. Electronics manufacturers pay annual fees and accept used products or have recycling outlets do so.
Republican bill writer Sen. Trudy Wade of Greensboro says there aren't enough recyclers accepting those electronics and they're being stored by counties instead. Environmental groups say the decision is short-sighted and the program has helped create hundreds of jobs.
On 70th Birthday, Trump Scheduled To Hold Greensboro Rally
Donald Trump is making his first public appearance in North Carolina in three months and his first since becoming the Republicans' presumptive presidential nominee.
Trump was slated to speak at the Greensboro Coliseum on Tuesday night, the same day as his 70th birthday.
The event comes a day after he delivered a speech in New Hampshire on national security and immigration in light of last weekend's mass shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that left 49 people dead. Trump vowed if elected to impose a broad ban on immigration from areas of the world with a history of terrorism.
Two Victims In Orlando Shooting From North Carolina
Among the people being mourned following the terrorist attack on an Orlando nightclub are two from the Tarheel state. 25-year old Tevin Crosby graduated from West Iredell High in Statesville. 33-year-old Shane Tomlinson graduated from Northwest Cabarrus High School in Concord. Tomlinson also received a Bachelor of Science degree from East Carolina University.
Crosby had been living in Michigan, where he owned a marketing firm. High school teachers in Statesville remembered Crosby as a young man with integrity and determination.
Tomlinson was the lead vocalist for an Orlando cover band. According to the Charlotte Observer, the band had just finished a performance at another local club. Concord's Mayor, Scott Padgett, noted that many in Concord remember Tomlinson from his youth.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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