Morning News Briefs: Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Guilford Election Board Approves New Early Voting Plan

At one of its rowdiest meetings in recent memory, the Guilford County Board of Elections approved an early voting plan Monday.

The plan allows for 25 early voting sites, Sunday voting, and an additional seven days of ballot access before the November election.

The sites include polling places at the University of North Carolina Greensboro and North Carolina A&T State University, among other locations. An earlier proposal suggested the board might cut a significant number of early voting locations, including those at the universities.

Forsyth Commissioners Vote To Put Bonds On November Ballot

Forsyth County will see a $430 million dollar bond referendum this fall on building projects for schools and parks.

The County Board of Commissioners held a final public hearing Monday, giving residents a chance to speak for or against the proposed bonds and the tax increase that will come with them.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports the vote was 5-2 in favor of putting the referendum on the ballot.

Should the proposals pass in November, work on the projects is expected to start in early 2017.

Judge Hears Arguments In Same-Sex Marriage Case

A federal judge seems inclined to let a legal challenge continue over North Carolina's law allowing magistrates to refuse to marry same-sex couples, but only if those suing prove they have the right to file the legal action.

At a hearing Monday in Asheville, lawyers for same-sex couples said magistrates must follow the law. They said that when taxpayer money is spent on judges who refuse a legal duty, they have the right to sue.

Lawyers for the state Attorney General's office countered that the plaintiffs must prove they suffered more direct harm. They said the law allows other magistrates not religiously opposed to gay marriage to perform the ceremonies.

Audit Finds Problems With DHHS No-Bid Contracts

A state audit has found examples of no-bid contracts for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services that lacked the proper review, documentation or negotiations.

The report released Monday by Auditor Beth Wood looked closely at 59 contracts and found issues with many of them.

Wood's office says the state is generally required to use a competitive bidding process, but that competition can be waived in some instances.

DHHS responded to the audit in a letter saying that it's working on improving its overall contracting process.

Winston-Salem Native Takes Silver In 100M Backstroke

Winston-Salem native Kathleen Baker won the silver medal in the 100 meter backstroke Monday night at the 2016 Olympic games.

The 19-year-old finished second in the event with a personal best time of 58.75 seconds, just behind gold medalist Katinka Hosszu of Hungary.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports Baker attended Forsyth County Day until the age of 14, then moved to Charlotte to train in hopes of one day competing in the Olympics.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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