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NC Redistricting Fight Turns To State Courts After Ruling
Opponents of North Carolina's district maps are putting their hopes in state courts after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that federal courts aren't the place to settle partisan gerrymandering disputes.
An election reform group, the state Democratic Party and voters will go to court next month to try to persuade state judges that Republican-drawn General Assembly districts discriminate against Democrats based on political beliefs and voting history.
Voting-rights advocates across the country have vowed to turn to state litigation after Chief Justice John Roberts wrote Thursday that federal courts have no authority to determine whether partisan gerrymandering is unconstitutional.
Highway Patrol Delays Promotions For Cheating Investigation
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is delaying promotions to conduct an investigation into an allegation of cheating.
A news release from the patrol on Friday says it received the allegation on June 20. After meeting with N.C. State University officials the following day, Col. Glenn McNeill decided to initiate an internal affairs investigation. The patrol provided no details of the allegation.
On Wednesday, the patrol announced that the promotional list would not be released on July 1 as expected.
Fatal Lion Attack Nets 3 'Serious' Violations For Center
North Carolina labor officials have cited an animal sanctuary for safety violations after a lion fatally mauled a 22-year old intern last December.
The state Occupational Safety and Health Division issued a citation for three "serious" violations to the Conservator's Center.
Because Alexandra Black was an unpaid intern, the division could not issue a direct citation for her death. Officials issued a citation Thursday after determining that other employees were exposed to hazards.
In an investigation following Black's death, the division found that the center had ineffective procedures to secure dangerous animals and did not do adequate inspections and maintenance on animal enclosures. The division also found that the center had an inadequate emergency response plan in the event of an animal escape.
The center faces penalties of $3,000.
Muddy Creek Cafe & Music Hall In Bethania To Close
A local cafe and music venue just outside of Winston-Salem will close its doors this year. Muddy Creek Cafe & Music Hall in Bethania will remain open through December.
The Bethania Mill has a new owner and will be used as an event center in the future.
Shana Whitehead opened Muddy Creek Cafe in 2011. The venture grew with her partner Bill Heath and the addition of the adjacent music hall a few years later.
Although the Bethania location will close, a new Muddy Creek Cafe opened in Sparta in 2018. It also includes a music hall.
Illinois Man Fatally Falls While 'Free Climbing' NC Mountain
Emergency officials say a rock climber has died in an 80-foot fall on Shortoff Mountain in North Carolina, where he was apparently "free climbing" without protective gear.
Burke County Emergency officials said other climbers tried to resuscitate 31-year-old Austin Howell of Chicago while emergency crews rappelled down to his body. He was pronounced dead at the scene Sunday afternoon.
A statement from Emergency Management Director Michael Willis says Howell was apparently not using ropes or a harness when he fell. Willis also told the News & Observer the place where Howell fell was known as "one of the most difficult portions," of the mountain's Linville Gorge.
North Carolina's Freshwater Fish Record Falls After 36 Years
North Carolina's decades-old freshwater fish record has fallen.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission says angler Alphonso Jackson caught a 2-pound, 1-ounce redbreast sunfish June 10 while fishing the Lumber River in Wagram.
It broke the record set 36 years ago by 5 ounces.
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