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Ruling Could Shake Up North Carolina Congressional Elections
This year's U.S. House elections in North Carolina could see repercussions after federal judges struck down the state's congressional map, saying Republicans went too far using political data to preserve GOP-held seats.
The panel of judges raised the possibility this week of redrawing the districts by mid-September so they could be used in November elections, or before the next session of Congress in January.
GOP lawmakers say requiring a new map now could bring voter chaos and confusion, but the state Democratic Party says voters shouldn't have to suffer through another election with unconstitutional districts.
Republicans Say They're Ending Appeals In Ballot Cases
Republican legislative leaders have stopped fighting litigation addressing proposed constitutional amendments and partisan labels for a few judicial candidates for this fall's ballots.
Key GOP lawmakers say paperwork is in to end appeals of lower court rulings they lost.
The state Court of Appeals accepted Tuesday their withdrawal motion in a case where judges blocked referendums for two constitutional amendments because the questions weren't clear enough.
Republicans say the legislature finalized Monday new amendments and referendums that comply with the ruling. Gov. Roy Cooper and interest groups challenged the earlier amendments, and Cooper's office says further legal action should be expected.
Hurricane Recovery, Pipeline Focus Of Legislative Panel
North Carolina Republican lawmakers want to publicly talk some more about Hurricane Matthew relief and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
The General Assembly's chief government oversight committee meets Wednesday. Presentations on hurricane recovery and the pipeline's permitting process are on the agenda.
Eastern lawmakers have been unhappy with Gov. Roy Cooper's administration on the pace in which over $200 million in federal funds are being distributed to homeowners and landlords for repairs and rebuilding.
As for the pipeline, an appeals court this month vacated two key federal permits for the project covering West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina.
UNC Board Working On Confederate Statue Plan
The board that oversees North Carolina's public universities has asked the University of North Carolina's campus at Chapel Hill to come up with a plan for preserving a Confederate monument torn down by protesters.
The resolution approved Tuesday by the Board of Governors does not indicate whether university leaders favor returning the statue to its former location, or putting it elsewhere.
The resolution simply asks the university's chancellor and trustees to present them with a plan for the monument's "disposition and preservation" by Nov. 15.
North Carolina University Ponders Changes To Troubled Dorms
Administrators at UNC-Ashevile are considering potential changes to five apartment-style dormitories which officials have designated as safety risks.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reports the university hasn't said when the changes will occur or determined how students will be impacted.
The State Construction Office issued a certificate of occupancy earlier this month, but the N.C. Department of Insurance barred students from moving in for the new school year. Students were allowed to return under an agreement that puts four Asheville firefighters in an apartment.
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