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Medicaid Expansion Shades North Carolina Budget Talks
Medicaid expansion is an early point of contention in final budget negotiations in North Carolina, even though neither proposal approved by House and Senate Republicans contains it.
That's because Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper insists that adding hundreds of thousands of people to the state's Medicaid rolls must be part of the budget talks. Cooper's office said that's what was relayed by the governor's staff on Tuesday to staff representing legislators.
Senate Republicans translated that to an ultimatum from Cooper that negotiations are over unless the budget expands Medicaid. Cooper spokesman Ford Porter said there was no ultimatum, and that Cooper invited legislative leaders to the Executive Mansion Wednesday for face-to-face talks.
US Education Department To Investigate UNC Middle East Event
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating a conference on the Middle East held at the University of North Carolina after a legislator raised complaints that participants were biased against Israel.
The conference titled "Conflict Over Gaza: People, Politics, and Possibilities," was co-sponsored in March by Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill.
McClatchy D.C. reports that Raleigh Republican Rep. George Holding asked for an investigation in April, citing "reports of severe anti-Israeli bias and anti-Semitic rhetoric at the taxpayer-funded conference."
UNC says it used $5,000 in education department grants for the conference and will cooperate with the inquiry.
3 North Carolina Sheriffs To Speak Out Against Detainer Bill
Some North Carolina sheriffs who've refused to hold people in jail if federal agents say they might be in the country unlawfully are still opposed to updated legislation aiming to address the issue.
Sheriffs from Mecklenburg, Wake, and Buncombe counties plan to speak at a Legislative Building news conference on Wednesday before a Senate committee debates and votes on the bill.
These recently elected sheriffs announced they wouldn't comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers for people charged with state crimes, saying it's not in the best interest of community safety and may be unconstitutional.
Ivanka Trump, Commerce Secretary Tour Manufacturing Plant
Ivanka Trump and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross have toured a North Carolina manufacturing plant as part of a workforce development visit.
The Charlotte Observer reports President Donald Trump's daughter and adviser went with Ross to the Siemens Charlotte Energy Hub, which manufactures power generation equipment. The Tuesday tour preceded a meeting of the American Workforce Policy Advisory Committee, an arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Trump and Ross also met with Central Piedmont Community College students who work part-time at the facility in Siemens' apprentice program.
Statesville Votes Down Changes To Flag Ordinance
Statesville has voted against the flying of really big flags, holding its ground against a reality TV star's huge Stars and Stripes.
The Statesville City Council voted down changes to its flag ordinance Monday night. That means flags within city limits must be no larger than 25 feet by 40 feet, roughly half the size of the American flag that Marcus Lemonis has unfurled outside his Gander RV store.
Lemonis is the chief executive officer of Camping World, which owns Gander.
Statesville has asked a court to order Gander RV to comply or pay a $50 per day fine.
Lemonis stars on "The Profit" on CNBC. He's said the flag is staying, and he'd go to jail for contempt of court to protect his constitutional rights.
Shark Attack Survivor Gets Message From Robert Downey Jr.
A North Carolina teenager who lost a leg in a shark attack this month got a personal message from the actor who plays "Iron Man" in Marvel's superhero movies.
Robert Downey Jr. uploaded a video addressed to 17-year-old Paige Winter on his Instagram on Tuesday, calling her heroic and resilient. He asked the teenager to be an ambassador for his climate change coalition, which aims to use advanced technologies to clean up the environment. After the June 2 attack, Winter had spoken out in support of ocean and shark conservancy.
Winter was surprised with the message during an interview that aired on ABC's "Good Morning America." At a news conference last week, her father said she was a big fan of Downey and asked him to follow her on Instagram.
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