Morning News Briefs: Friday, February 24th, 2017

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Power Struggle Intensifies With Governor

The tug of war over whether North Carolina's GOP-led legislature can subject the Cabinet choices of a new Democratic governor to confirmation has intensified, with senators agreeing to subpoena a department head who failed to appear before a committee.

The Senate panel voted Thursday to compel Gov. Roy Cooper's military and veterans' affairs chief to appear next week to testify. The decision came after Secretary Larry Hall didn't show for three recent confirmation hearings.

More Sponsors For Measure To Repeal HB2, Keep Restrictions

More North Carolina House members have signed on to legislation portrayed by its writers as a bipartisan compromise that eliminates a law limiting LGBT rights and which public restrooms transgender people can use.

As of Thursday, 18 lawmakers — including five Democrats — sponsored the measure to repeal what's known as House Bill 2. But restrictions would be added back upon local governments seeking to extend anti-discrimination protections. The state also would still have power over policies involving multi-stall bathrooms.

There's no word yet about if and when the bill will get heard.

NC Dems Ask Supreme Court To Dismiss Voting Law Case

North Carolina's top Democrats are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to dismiss an effort to revive a law struck down as unconstitutional because it targeted minority voters to help Republicans.

Gov. Roy Cooper and Attorney General Josh Stein on Thursday asked the court to dismiss the high court review of whether the GOP-backed law that also mandated that voters show a photo ID was constitutional.

Winston-Salem Mosques Opening Their Doors To The Public

Winston-Salem-area Muslims are reaching out to the community after death threats were allegedly made during a local meeting of conservative activists last week.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports the Annoor Islamic Center in Clemmons will open its doors Friday for its 1:30 p.m. services. It will then host a town hall-style meeting in which members of the public can ask questions about Islam.

The other two mosques in the area will also have their doors open during afternoon services.

Area Hospitals Enact Flu Season Restrictions

It's peak flu season in the Piedmont, and some local hospitals will begin limiting patient visits starting Friday.

Cone Health, Novant Health, Carolinas HealthCare System and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center will begin restricting children ages 12 and under and adults with flu-like symptoms from visiting their facilities. The hope is to limit the spread of the influenza virus.

NAACP To Announce Plans For North Carolina Economic Boycott

The NAACP is announcing plans for an economic boycott of North Carolina to protest laws enacted by the state's conservative General Assembly, including one limiting LGBT protections.

The civil rights group issued a statement saying national President Cornell Brooks will speak Friday at a news conference in Raleigh.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.