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Gov. Cooper Signs First Bill Received Into Law
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has signed his first bill into law, a Republican measure reducing the membership of the University of North Carolina system board.
Cooper's office said he signed the bill Friday, one day before a constitutional deadline. The legislation drops the UNC Board of Governors from 32 voting members to 24 by mid-2019. Membership would fall to 28 this summer. The House and Senate elect the board.
Cooper Cabinet Member Up For Senate Confirmation Vote
The North Carolina Senate looks ready to confirm a member of a governor's Cabinet for the first time in recent history, even as a legal fight over whether senators have that authority returns to court.
The Senate scheduled debate and a vote Monday evening on whether to back Gov. Roy Cooper's military and veterans' affairs secretary — former state Rep. Larry Hall.
Committees confirmed his nomination last week after Hall answered questions from senators.
Judges Decline To End Lawsuits Against NC Congressional Maps
A panel of federal judges has allowed a pair of lawsuits to continue that allege North Carolina's congressional districts are illegal because Republican lawmakers used excessive partisanship in drawing them.
The three judges refused Friday to grant the wishes of North Carolina legislative leaders and dismiss the lawsuits against the 2016 boundaries for the state's 13 congressional seats.
'Bless Their Hearts': New Billboard Replaces Criticized One
A new billboard has replaced one in North Carolina that was criticized as being sexist and misogynistic.
The new sign reads: "Much Ado About Nothing. A social experiment that brought forth those so immersed in their own insecurity that in the mirror they could only see an angry victim of their incorrect interpretation of a silly billboard — Bless their hearts."
The billboard is alongside Business 40 between Winston-Salem and Greensboro.
The first billboard went up in February and read: "Real men provide. Real women appreciate it."
The billboard belongs to Whiteheart Outdoor Advertising. Owner Bill Whiteheart said the organization that bought the space wants to remain anonymous.
Protests were held about that billboard, and groups are raising money for billboards that support equality.
Several Hundred Turn Out For North Carolina March 4 Trump
Several hundred people converged on North Carolina's government complex for a rally to show their support for President Donald Trump.
The "March 4 Trump" event brought people to Halifax Mall just north of downtown Raleigh on Saturday. Bracketed by the state Legislature and the legislative office building, people carried signs and wore shirts backing Trump.
Gathered just behind the rally was a handful of protesters, some of whom blew air horns in an attempt to disrupt the event.
US National Whitewater Center Needs County Permit To Reopen
Officials say the U.S. National Whitewater Center can't reopen for whitewater sports this year until Mecklenburg County issues a newly required permit for the facility where an Ohio visitor got a deadly infection last summer.
The center applied Feb. 23 for the annual operating permit from the county health department. The center was scheduled to resume water activities on March 4.
The permit can be suspended if the center doesn't meet water-quality or safety standards.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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