Morning News Briefs: Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Judge Delays Ruling On Transgender Bathroom Case

A federal judge in North Carolina has decided not to rule immediately on whether to block a portion of a state law governing the use of public bathrooms by transgender people.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder heard evidence Monday, ahead of a November trial that will determine the law's longer-term prospects. Schroeder will preside over that trial.

The U.S. Justice Department and the American Civil Liberties Union asked Schroeder to block a provision of the law requiring transgender people to use restrooms in many public buildings that match their birth certificates, rather than their gender identities. The law known as House Bill 2 also excludes gender identity and sexual orientation from statewide anti-discrimination protections.

Gov. McCrory Lets One Bill Become Law Without Signature

Gov. Pat McCrory decided against signing one bill sent by the legislature because money appropriated to defend House Bill 2 originated from a disaster relief fund.

The bill became law without McCrory's signature as a deadline passed Sunday night. It contained many tweaks to a larger budget measure, including $500,000 for the governor's office for legal costs of defending House Bill 2, which limits anti-discrimination rules for LGBTQ people.

McCrory spokesman Josh Ellis said Monday the governor would have preferred that money come from Attorney General Roy Cooper, who won't defend the law because he calls it discriminatory. Attorneys for McCrory and legislative leaders have stepped in.

Greensboro Won't Forgive Museum Debt

The Greensboro City Council has refused to write off nearly $800,000 owed by the International Civil Rights Center and Museum.

The council voted 6 to 2 against forgiving a loan to the museum. 

The News and Record of Greensboro reports museum officials declined an invitation to attend the meeting to discuss the debt.

The museum claims the amount owed is closer to $280,000.

Some council members questioned why the issue had to be discussed in a public setting, calling it a “media witch hunt” designed to create negative publicity.

The museum opened in 2010, but has struggled financially since its founding in 1994.

Two 12-Year-Old Boys Arrested In Teen's Shooting Death

Authorities say two 12-year-old boys have been charged in connection with the death of a teenage boy found shot behind a church in Winston-Salem.

Winston-Salem police say the two boys were arrested Monday and each charged with conspiracy to commit murder in the death of 15-year-old Jose Angel Chegue Mendoza.

Police say Mendoza was found with multiple gunshot wounds Friday night in an open area behind the Progressive Apostolic Church.

He was taken to the hospital, where he died.

Police Lt. Eric Montgomery says investigators are not releasing any further information about the boys charged because they are juveniles.

Duke Energy Customers Set Usage Record In Midst Of Heat Wave

Duke Energy customers cranked up their air conditioners last week and set a record in the process.

The Charlotte-based utility said Monday that its customers across the Carolinas used 20,671 megawatt-hours of electricity between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on July 27, setting a record. That edged out the record of 20,628 megawatt-hours set on Aug. 7, 2007.

The all-time Duke Energy Carolinas record is 21,101 megawatt-hours, set on Feb. 20, 2015.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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