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Judges: North Carolina Must Redraw GOP's Gerrymandered Map
Federal judges now agree that North Carolina's congressional district map drawn by Republicans is illegally gerrymandered, excessively partisan, and must quickly be redone.
The three judges ruled late Tuesday that the boundaries violate the U.S. Constitution because they were designed to benefit Republican candidates at the expense of non-Republican voters. Republican mapmakers made clear in 2016 that they wanted to retain the GOP's 10-3 seat advantage in the congressional delegation.
The judges gave the legislature about two weeks to come up with a replacement. Candidate filing is supposed to begin Feb. 12.
There's a good chance Republicans will try to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to block the ruling's enforcement until the justices rule in a similar case they heard from Wisconsin.
General Assembly Coming Back To Town For Appointments, GenX
The North Carolina legislature is meeting for the first time in nearly three months, with lawmakers aiming to pass laws addressing water quality and approving appointments to state boards and commissions.
The General Assembly reconvenes its session at midday Wednesday, with work initially expected to last only one day. But there's talk that they will leave the session officially open for the next week or two in case they must redraw legislative districts or if the House and Senate reach a deal on judicial reforms.
The drinking water legislation expected before a House committee Wednesday is in response to the chemical GenX being discharged into the Cape Fear River.
Source: Alabama Picked For New Toyota-Mazda Factory In Works
Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda have chosen Alabama for a $1.6 billion joint-venture auto plant that is to begin operating by 2021 and eventually employ 4,000 people, a person briefed on the decision says. North Carolina was also considered to be a finalist for the plant.
The plant is to be built in the Huntsville area in Limestone County and eventually employ about 4,000 people, said the person, who asked to remain anonymous because the location hasn't been officially announced.
Officials said without elaborating that Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is expected to make a major economic development announcement Wednesday.
Duke Energy Agrees To Pay $84K Penalty For Coal Ash Leaks
Duke Energy will pay an $84,000 penalty and work to end leaks of potentially toxic waste from three North Carolina coal-burning power plants into groundwater and nearby rivers.
A deal announced Tuesday and signed by a Duke Energy executive includes the penalty for leaks detected at pits holding liquefied coal ash at the Rogers, Allen and Marshall power plants.
15 To Be Enshrined Into North Carolina Sports Hall
The N.C. Sports Hall of Fame says the 2018 class of inductees has 15 new members who will be enshrined in May.
Among the 15 announced on Tuesday are MLB umpire Joe West, former major league pitcher Scott Bankhead, former Duke wide receiver Wes Chesson and veteran HBCU coach and administrator Bill Hayes.
Also included in this year's class are former LPGA golfer Donna Andrews, Olympic speed skater Joey Cheek, and long-time high school coaches Paul Jones and Jack Holley. Both Jones and Holley are being posthumously inducted.
A news release from the hall said the annual induction banquet is scheduled for May 4 at the Raleigh Convention Center.
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