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Guilford County School Board Approves Change To Suspension Policy
The Guilford County Board of Education has approved a controversial change to the student suspension policy.
The News & Record reports the board voted 5-4 to allow parents and students to appeal short-term suspensions directly to the district superintendent.
An overflow crowd showed up to Tuesday's meeting, with the majority supporting the changes.
Under the new policy, a parent or student has up to 10 days to appeal a short-term suspension to school support staff. A second appeal would then go directly to the superintendent.
Report Alleges Homeless In Greensboro Face Discrimination
People experiencing homelessness in Greensboro face major barriers to attaining permanent housing and financial stability. That's according to a new study by UNCG, Guilford College, and the Homeless Union of Greensboro.
The report is based on public records spanning two years and over 200 interviews. It found those facing homelessness in Greensboro lack access to affordable housing and emergency shelters. The study also suggests they're unfairly targeted by Greensboro police officers, particularly minorities.
Study authors say some city ordinances effectively criminalize poverty.
Research Predicts Hexavalent Chromium Levels Above State Guidelines In Piedmont
A new study from Duke University estimates that over half of drinking wells in the Piedmont have levels of a chemical compound above the state's health advisory level.
Researchers at Duke used a large dataset of measurements to create a model that predicts levels of hexavalent chromium, a known human carcinogen. Dr. Avner Vengosh says hexavalent chromium can occur naturally in groundwater and this area is especially prone to higher levels.
Vengosh says the study also emphasizes a discrepancy in standards that needs to be resolved.
North Carolina Lawmakers Reconvene, Redistricting On List
North Carolina legislators are returning to Raleigh to figure out how to change congressional districts now that state judges have blocked the current boundaries for next year's elections because of their likely unlawful partisan bias.
The General Assembly reconvenes on Wednesday following a two-week break, with the redrawing and approval of U.S. House maps on its to-do list.
A special House-Senate committee will receive public comment Wednesday morning on plans drawn by individual legislators over the past week.
North Carolina Schools Chief Running For Lieutenant Governor
North Carolina's state schools superintendent has decided he'll run for lieutenant governor next year, instead of seeking re-election.
Republican Mark Johnson announced on Tuesday he wants a different office than the superintendent of public instruction, which he won in 2016.
Johnson had hinted that he was considering an executive branch position. Now he'll join a crowded March GOP primary field with at least six other announced candidates.
Former North Carolina Insurance Chief Goodwin Seeks Old Job Back
North Carolina's insurance commissioner from 2009 through 2016 wants the job again.
Democrat Wayne Goodwin announced on Tuesday he'll run for commissioner next year, setting up a potential rematch with current Commissioner Mike Causey, the Republican who beat him in 2016. Causey is seeking re-election.
Goodwin has been the state Democratic Party chair since his defeat. He was a state legislator and assistant insurance commissioner until his 2008 election victory for commissioner. In a news release, Goodwin blamed Causey for higher insurance rates and says politics is getting in the way of health care savings.
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