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Rep. Walker Won't Challenge Sen. Tillis In NC GOP Primary
Rep. Mark Walker announced Thursday that he won't challenge Sen. Thom Tillis in North Carolina's Republican primary next year, a move that shows President Donald Trump's influence on state politics and the high stakes in the 2020 congressional elections.
Walker said he'll focus on remaining in the House, rather than trying to move over to the Senate, even though he says Trump and conservatives had encouraged him to switch.
North Carolina Teacher Licensure Bill Hits Roadblock
The North Carolina Senate has decided not to back changes to a bill that supporters believe would help address teacher shortages across the state. It leaves a lot of uncertainty for many teachers who must renew their licenses by the end of the month.
Senate Bill 219 had been approved in a House committee earlier this week, but it failed in the Senate on Thursday because lawmakers say too many modifications were made from the version they approved in May. Both sides now say they will look for a compromise.
The original bill called for several changes to teacher licensing requirements. That included more time for beginning teachers to pass exams. Districts would also have been able to issue a one-time temporary license for educators who still haven't passed the test.
Gaming Commission Advances Without Fantasy Sports Regulation
A measure creating a new state commission to oversee the state lottery, bingo and raffles and boxing in North Carolina has now cleared a House committee, minus any language to regulate fantasy sports games.
The House Judiciary Committee voted for the North Carolina Gaming Commission proposal on Thursday, a week after legislation containing both the commission and new fantasy sports regulations failed. Some members panned language in that bill declaring fantasy sports games aren't gambling.
Thursday's debate focused on a failed amendment that would have removed video lottery games from the list of activities the proposed commission would conduct feasibility studies on, which include sports betting and steeplechases.
Salem College Fulfills Three Of Four Compliance Goals To Keep Accreditation
Salem Academy and College has been deemed compliant on three of four requirements cited when an accreditation committee placed the school on probation a year ago.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Colleges confirmed the compliance after an in-depth review proved the school is in sound financial standing. Salem has remained fully accredited.
According to a press release, the fourth compliance requirement for Salem to be removed from probation requires financial stability to be demonstrated over a longer period of time. There will be another review in December.
Emails Show Author Sparks Objecting To Pro-Gay 'Agenda'
Emails filed in an ongoing lawsuit show novelist Nicholas Sparks chastised a former headmaster at the private Christian school in North Carolina he runs for promoting a pro-gay "agenda." Sparks denies he discriminates.
The emails, published Thursday by the Daily Beast and filed as exhibits in federal lawsuit in North Carolina, show Sparks complaining in 2013 about "an agenda that strives to make homosexuality open and accepted."
The emails are part a case between Sparks and former headmaster Saul Hillel Benjamin, who alleges that Sparks defamed him. Benjamin headed the college-prep K-12 school for a few months before being forced out.
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