YOU DON’T SAY

“I’ve done a lot of challenging things, and, you know, I don’t think anybody should serve forever”

Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincoln, on leaving the legislature to pursue new opportunities. (The News & Observer, 7/15/24)

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Saine Resignation

Colin Campbell, WUNC Radio, 7/15/24

One of the leading Republicans in the state House is resigning. Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincoln, told WUNC on Monday that he’s leaving the legislature to pursue new opportunities. He said he would release more specifics later.

He said the decision was motivated by “new opportunities for my family, and I just felt it was time.”

Saine is one of the leading budget writers for the House and led efforts to legalize sports betting in North Carolina last year.

The 50-year-old Saine had been reelected six times and was running unopposed to win his seat again this year. GOP leaders in his district will select his replacement — both to finish out Saine’s term this year and to appear on the ballot in November.

Saine has served in the House since 2011, bringing a professional background in marketing and technology to the legislature. He led the House Finance Committee, which oversees tax policy, before moving several years ago to co-chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee. He’s also held leadership roles at the national level in the American Legislative Exchange Council, a conservative group that proposes model legislation for states.

Saine had considered running for House speaker next year as longtime Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, moves to Congress. But he ultimately decided to support House Rules Chairman Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, for that position instead.

Saine’s resignation was first reported by N.C. Tribune. [Source]

 

No Appeal

Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi, The News & Observer, 7/15/24

Blue Cross Blue Shield NC is calling it quits on its legal fight to retain the contract to administer the state’s health insurance plan.

The insurance giant won’t be appealing its loss earlier this month on a case arguing the State Health Plan made a mistake in granting the health contract to Aetna starting in 2025, according to Blue Cross NC spokesperson Laura Eberhard, “While disappointed in the outcome, Blue Cross NC will not appeal the court’s ruling regarding the State Health Plan’s RFP process,” Eberhard said in an email to The News & Observer on Monday.

“While we will continue to provide the highest level of service throughout the current agreement, we know that our relationship with North Carolina’s teachers, public safety officers, and state employees is guided by something far more meaningful than a contract. Together, we share a vision of a better, healthier tomorrow and remain united by a common sense of purpose and commitment to the state we call home,” she wrote.

Blue Cross NC, which had been the state’s third-party administrator for the SHP for more than 40 years, in February 2023 filed a complaint with the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings. This followed the announcement by State Treasurer Dale Folwell earlier that year that Aetna would replace Blue Cross NC.

Throughout 2024, the case was heard in the OAH, with witness testimony and lengthy legal arguments on why the state had or had not made the right decision. Administrative Law Judge Melissa Owens Lassiter ultimately ruled in favor of the state and Aetna.

In early July, she wrote in her final decision that “the preponderance of the evidence showed that the Plan conducted the procurement carefully and thoughtfully, fairly and in good faith, and that its decisions were properly within its discretion. It also showed that the vendors’ proposals were evaluated and scored carefully, accurately, and fairly.”

Blue Cross NC could have opted to appeal Lassiter’s decision in the state’s superior courts. Any decision there could also have been appealed.

This decision means that hundreds of thousands of state employees will now be covered under the Aetna umbrella. A third-party administrator handles all of the administrative tasks associated with health insurance, which include issuing cards, processing claims, setting up technological systems and more.

For this, the state pays a fixed per-member cost. In North Carolina, the administrator also lays out contracts with a network of providers and negotiates the prices paid to them for health care services. This means some members could see a change in in-network providers. According to the SHP website, 99% of State Health Plan claims processed over a year would have been paid to in-network providers under Aetna. [Source]

GOP Nomination

Joyce Orlando, USA Today Network, 7/15/24

The Republican National Convention has spoken and former President Donald Trump will be the GOP presidential candidate for the 2024 election. But he didn’t win all of the votes of the delegates.

During the Day 1 roll call on Monday, July 15, of the RNC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, states and territories cast their delegate votes for who will represent the Republican Party in the 2024 presidential election. It was an overwhelming win for Trump as state after state pledged the votes of their delegates to him, but North Carolina was the first state not to have all their delegates aboard the Trump train.

North Carolina’s Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson was the one to announce the votes of the Tar Heel state’s delegates. Out of the 74 votes, 62 went to Trump and the remaining 12 votes were to be cast pursuant to convention rules. North Carolina along with Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Michigan also had similar votes.

Delegates are required to vote in accordance with the outcome of their state’s primary or caucus and most were bound to back Trump.

Chair of the convention House Speaker Mike Johnson announced after the roll call that 2,387 votes were cast for Trump. But by the time North Carolina was called for their vote, Trump had already secured the Republican nomination after Florida’s vote. Eric Trump delivered the delegates that formally put Trump over the top.

“On behalf of our entire family and on behalf of the 125 delegates in the unbelievable state of Florida, we hereby nominate every single one of them for the greatest president that’s ever lived, and that’s Donald J. Trump, hereby declaring him the Republican nominee for president of the United States of America,” he said.

Ohio Senator J.D. Vance was named as Trump’s running mate during the delegate roll call via social media. Trump revealed his pick on Truth Social. [Source]

 

Tillis Presser

Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Danielle Battaglia, The News & Observer, 7/15/24

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina predicts that the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump will shift the tone of the 2024 Republican National Convention to one of “unity.”

Tillis said Monday during a press conference that he originally had planned to go to the RNC convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a “brief stop,” with plans to be in Wilmington on Wednesday for an infrastructure announcement. “But I’ve decided to clear my calendar, get up there tomorrow and be there for the majority of the conference traveling back on Friday,” Tillis said. “Because I think now’s the time for the Republicans to show unity.”

“I believe that President Trump is going to do that in his speeches and the themes of the convention,” Tillis said.

Tillis is generally considered a bipartisan dealmaker, having worked with Democrats on legislation. He was censured by his own state party during the NCGOP’s annual convention in Greensboro last year for not always voting in line with the platform.

“We need to be the party that sets aside the rhetoric and starts calming the nerves and getting this nation back on track and leading by example,” Tillis told reporters on Monday during the press conference.

“Right now we have people in both parties who seem to be wanting to create fear, uncertainty and doubt in a world full of it. And I think that the party that focuses on optimism, certainty and confidence is the party that wins in November, and I believe that party is going to be the Republican Party,” Tillis said.

Tillis said it was necessary to get to the “facts” and find out where the security lapse happened during the assassination attempt. He decried “talking heads” engaging in speculation or people participating in conspiracy theories.

“Let’s hear from the Secret Service. Let’s figure out where the hand-off was between federal, state and local elected officials. Somebody made a huge mistake … somebody has to be held accountable. This wasn’t just an honest mistake. Someone in this process needs to be held accountable,” he said.

Tillis signed on to a letter requesting that Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin from Illinois hold a hearing and for the Secret Service director, Homeland Security secretary and FBI director to testify. [Source]

 

Robinson Remarks

Mark Bergin, WRAL News, 7/15/24

North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson was on the national stage again Monday, telling delegates at the Republican National Convention that President Joe Biden was to blame for high costs at the pump and in the grocery stores — and that Donald Trump would help improve the economy.

Robinson, an ally of Trump, is running for governor in North Carolina against Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein.

“Come November, I plan to be the first Black governor of North Carolina,” Robinson said.

Robinson gave an abbreviated version of a familiar everyman stump speech, focusing on the economy, the top issue for voters. He grew up poor in a big Greensboro family. As an adult, he said, he lost jobs due to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

“As governor, I will not forget where I came from or the struggles of the people that I meet,” Robinson said, telling the audience that he went bankrupt, losing a car and a house.

Robinson became North Carolina’s first Black lieutenant governor when he was first elected in 2020, due in large part to his fame from a 2018 viral video talking about gun rights. He had never held political office before his 2020 victory.

Like Trump, Robinson is a highly polarizing figure, earning himself staunch critics as well as passionate supporters inside and outside his party.

In social media posts and podcast appearances, he has advanced Holocaust denialism and conspiracy theories about Jewish people — a history he’s tried to counteract in recent months with a trip to Israel amid the Israel-Hamas war. Robinson is also vocally anti-gay, telling one church audience in March that the reason God created him was to fight against LGBTQ issues. He enjoys massive support among evangelical Christians and pro-gun activists, two key parts of the GOP base.

Robinson steered clear of those subjects Monday, focusing on his story and his support for Trump, who he called the “Braveheart of our time,” referring to the 1995 Mel Gibson movie about Scottish patriot William Wallace.

“Under President Trump, the American dream was alive and well,” Robinson said. “Under President Trump, there was hope and we need that now more than ever.” [Source]

Asbestos Lawsuits

Ames Alexander, The Charlotte Observer, 7/15/24

Billion-dollar companies are using Charlotte’s bankruptcy court to dodge lawsuits from thousands of people who were sickened by asbestos, families and their lawyers say.

Using a controversial legal maneuver called the Texas Two-Step, three major corporations created subsidiaries that then filed for bankruptcy in the federal court in Charlotte. Two of the three corporations aren’t headquartered in North Carolina. All are profitable.

Despite that, the strategy has stalled thousands of lawsuits — including more than 80 filed in North Carolina — that seek compensation for illnesses caused by asbestos, plaintiffs’ lawyers say.

“Charlotte, North Carolina has somehow become the most important jurisdiction in asbestos litigation nationally,” said Jon Ruckdeschel, a Maryland trial lawyer who represents about 10 of the asbestos victims.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and 23 other state attorneys general contend companies should not be allowed to use the Texas Two-Step to put lawsuits on hold. Plaintiffs’ lawyers argue that the move is fraudulent. U.S. senators from both major parties have railed against it, too.

Attorneys for the companies — Georgia-Pacific, Trane Technologies and CertainTeed — declined to respond to questions from The Charlotte Observer. But in court filings, they argue that their strategy is legal and that it provides a fair and efficient way to resolve claims. It’s now up to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals — and possibly the U.S. Supreme Court — to rule whether any part of the practice is unconstitutional.

Held up by legal challenges, appellate reviews and other complications, the three bankruptcy cases have been pending in Charlotte’s bankruptcy court for years. During that time, hundreds of people have died from asbestos-related illnesses while waiting for justice, plaintiffs’ lawyers say.
The maneuver is called “the Texas Two-Step” because companies that employ it take advantage of a Texas law that allows corporations to move their corporate charters to Texas and then split into two.

After Georgia-Pacific, Trane and CertainTeed were split up, one company in each case received virtually all of the assets, while the other was saddled with all of the asbestos liabilities, court records show. The asset-rich companies continued business as usual.

Greg Gordon, a partner in the Jones Day firm who has been representing the three companies, wouldn’t comment for this story. Neither would officials for Georgia-Pacific. Officials for CertainTeed and Trane didn’t respond to requests for comment.

In court papers, however, company lawyers contend that their strategy is fair to all. They’ve noted that the companies have offered to fund trusts so that their subsidiaries can settle bankruptcy claims.

North Carolina Attorney General Stein, joined by 23 other state attorneys general, filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in January, arguing that the Texas Two-Step threatens the power of states to enforce laws against corporate wrongdoers.

The maneuver has resulted in delays that have been devastating to some North Carolinians, according to Nazneen Ahmed, a spokesperson for the state Attorney General’s office. “Wealthy companies using the Texas Two-Step have little incentive to promptly resolve claims against them for their misconduct that harmed North Carolinians because they no longer face the threat of having to go to trial,” Ahmed said in an emailed statement to The Observer.

U.S. senators from both parties — Democrats Dick Durbin and Sheldon Whitehouse and Republican Josh Hawley — filed a separate brief in February, contending that the strategy “radically expands the authority of bankruptcy courts and makes a mockery of congressional intent.” [Source]

 

DEI Ban

Brianna Atkinson, WUNC Radio, 7/15/24

North Carolina’s 16 public universities and the North Carolina School of Science and Math have about six weeks to prove they are complying with a ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Some have already taken action to follow the directive, including the shuttering of DEI offices.

In May, the UNC Board of Governors repealed its policy that had previously mandated DEI offices and staff. It’s been replaced with a new directive that enshrines “institutional neutrality” and directs campuses to avoid “political controversies of the day.”

Already in North Carolina, Duke University — which is a private institution and not subject to the UNC guidance — ended a scholarship for Black students “due to the legal landscape related to race-based considerations in higher education.”

Here’s what universities say they’ve done so far:

There is no longer a Chief Diversity Officer listed on Appalachian State University’s Chancellor’s Cabinet webpage. Jamie Parson, who was previously in the role, and Appalachian State’s spokesperson, didn’t return requests for comment from WUNC. The university has also removed a web page that previously showed the percentage of minority students enrolled, as well as DEI events and news.

ECU has made changes to its DEI office, but they took effect May 1 — before the Board of Governors vote, said spokesperson Jeannine Manning Hutson. All of the university’s personnel-related units are now consolidated under one department: Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity, she said. ECU’s Chief Diversity Officer is now the university’s Chief People Officer. Two other job titles also changed to remove words like diversity, equity, inclusion and affirmative action. The university has also added a new position, a manager for well-being and engagement programs. This seemingly aligns with a provision in the system’s new policy to redirect DEI spending to student-success initiatives.

Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University and North Carolina A&T State University did not return a request for comment from WUNC.

Quiana Shepard, a university spokesperson, said North Carolina Central University is reviewing the UNC System guidance and its “staffing plans.”

Bryan Gilmer, a spokesperson, said the North Carolina School of Science & Math is still reviewing the UNC System guidance and “evaluating what changes we will need to make to comply.”

Lauren Barker, a university spokesperson, said NC State is reviewing the UNC System guidance and is “focused on providing programs and services that positively impact academic and professional performance, while maintaining our commitment to institutional neutrality.”

Michael Strysick, a university spokesperson, said UNC Asheville is reviewing the UNC System’s new policy and guidance and has “nothing to report on at this time.”

UNC-Chapel Hill has removed the “Meet the Team” page from its DEI website. The page previously listed all of the university’s DEI staff, including a Chief Diversity Officer, program coordinators and student ambassadors. Nearly 20 positions were included. Kevin Best, a university spokesperson, said in a statement that UNC-Chapel Hill is “focused on building a welcoming environment that maintains our commitment to institutional neutrality and the equality of opportunity for every member of our community.”

UNC Charlotte will close its DEI office and will relocate staff to other departments and roles within the university next month, said spokesperson Buffie Stephens. Nobody has been laid off as a result of the reshuffling, she said. The office has eight employees, including a Chief Diversity Officer, according to its website.

UNC Greensboro has removed its DEI webpage. The previous website was a hub for the university’s DEI efforts, including events, diversity education and training resources, and several diversity dashboards.

UNC Pembroke’s DEI webpage now requires a password to access. Previously, the website was open to the public and included information about the university’s inclusion and diversity council, American Indian Heritage Center, and implicit bias and accessibility education resources.

UNC School of the Arts’ “Division of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging” is now the “Division of Institutional Engagement.” The university has also changed job titles for several of its employees.

Sydney Bouchelle, a university spokesperson, said UNC Wilmington is still finalizing its next steps.

Western Carolina University hasn’t had a permanent Chief Diversity Office since 2023. A temporary employee filled the role on a contract, which ended last month. No employees have “been separated” from the university as a result of the new system policy, said spokesperson Julia Duvall.

Winston-Salem State has deleted its DEI webpage. Previously, the website had several pages about DEI initiatives at the university, including DEI research, training and a cultural holiday calendar. [Source]

 

Alcohol Monitors

Lucas Thomae, Carolina Public Press, 7/15/24

Continuous alcohol-monitoring bracelets can be required under North Carolina law, but the juvenile statute used by social services agencies doesn’t address this directly, leading to reluctance in mandating them for parents with a history of alcohol use disorders.

Even as increasing numbers of North Carolina judicial officials and attorneys embrace the use of continuous alcohol monitoring in criminal contexts, uncertainty remains over how the technology can be implemented in matters of child custody. Both the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Haywood County Department of Social Services told CPP they do not have the legal authority to use these tools, which have proven effective in reducing future alcohol-related incidents.

However, a top child welfare law expert has also told CPP that under existing law judicial officials do have the discretion to order the use of continuous alcohol monitoring in such cases.

The North Carolina General Assembly passed a law in 2012 allowing the use of continuous alcohol monitoring systems as a condition for pretrial release or probation, to mitigate punishments for impaired driving offenses and to ensure compliance with child custody and visitation orders.

These systems, commonly referred to as CAM bracelets, fit around the ankle similar to GPS-tracking ankle monitors that are often used as a condition for bail or probation. CAM bracelets monitor the presence of alcohol through the skin by testing samples of sweat every 30 minutes.

SCRAM Systems, the Colorado-based company that produces the CAM bracelets most commonly used in North Carolina, relies on subcontractors to distribute and monitor CAM bracelets across the state. Each of the six SCRAM providers authorized in North Carolina can install and monitor CAM bracelets on referrals from state agencies.

Ray Murphy is the program manager at Tarheel Monitoring, a SCRAM provider based out of Wilmington. He’s worked for years to promote CAM bracelets to the local legal community, which has seen increased buy-in in recent years. In fact, many of the referrals he receives come from defense attorneys who want their clients to wear the bracelets before their cases go to trial in order to prove their sobriety in court. Murphy told CPP that these types of referrals are the most common, followed by probation and parole referrals, followed by family court referrals.

Although CAM technology has been available in North Carolina for more than a decade, they have been used sparingly by judges and magistrates. The reluctance to order the use of CAM is two-pronged, sources told CPP. 

First, the state’s judiciary and bar generally lack knowledge about CAM. Second, judges who are aware of the bracelets often shy away from them because of the costly fees placed on the wearer, about $75 to install and another $360 per month for monitoring.

However, the bracelets have proven effective at reducing recidivism in DWI offenders, and can become a popular tool when backed by state or local funding. This was most recently evidenced by a pilot program that supported the use of CAM bracelets in the westernmost reaches of the state.

During that year-long program, $45,735 of a Governor’s Highway Safety Program grant was used to pay the costs of CAM bracelets for 55 people convicted of alcohol-related offenses in the seven counties that make up the 43rd prosecutorial district.  Of those 55 people who were ordered to wear the bracelets for 60 days, 53 had no alcohol violations, one absconded and one tested positive for alcohol and later pleaded guilty.

Jason Arnold, the chief assistant district attorney for the district, was pleased with those numbers. “I didn’t think we would be this successful, I really didn’t,” Arnold said. [Source]

 

Education Issues

Sarah Gleason, Asheville Citizen Times, 7/15/24

Education has become a contentious topic this election season in North Carolina, with current Gov. Roy Cooper naming 2024 the year of public schools as Republican legislators funnel more taxpayer money into private schools through the Opportunity Scholarship. The governor plays an important role in the future of education in North Carolina holding the power to sign into law or veto education-related funding and legislation and appoint members of the State Board of Education.

The state has a history of controversial education bills like HB 2, the bathroom bill, which was signed into law by then-Republican Gov. Pat McCrory and later softened through further legislation.

A big concern in the education sector this year is the tug-of-war between funding public schools, including raising teacher pay, and supporting private school vouchers. In 2022-23, North Carolina was ranked 38th in average teacher salary by the National Education Association, which mainly Democrats point to when calling for more public school funding.

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, says he supports public schools and raising teacher pay while simultaneously saying some schools are indoctrinating students. He wants to make schools more transparent and increase parent-teacher partnerships. He supports school choice, including charter schools and increased Opportunity Scholarship funding.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Robinson called on schools to “get back to the basics” like math and reading and “get politics out of the classroom.” He has said he believes the solution to improving schools is in giving more power to school staff. Robinson has also been vocal about his opposition to education about the transgender community in schools.

Attorney General Josh Stein’s stance on education reflects the current governor’s stance. Stein, who is endorsed by Cooper, supports fully funding public schools before giving money to private schools.

One of Stein’s main concerns with education is the teacher and staff shortages in public schools, he said in a video message to administrators at a North Carolina Association of School Administrators conference.

He also hopes to address mental health concerns in schools and fund healthy meal options for students if elected. Stein is an advocate for keeping college affordable and increasing access to skills-based and job training focused education, not just four-year degrees. [Source]

 

Mecklenburg Fundraising

Steve Harrison, WFAE Radio, 7/15/24

Mecklenburg Democrat Nicole Sidman has raised more than twice as much money as her opponent, incumbent Republican Tricia Cotham. They are fighting for a key state House seat that could determine whether the GOP keeps their supermajority in the General Assembly.

Cotham switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party last year. Since then, Democrats have poured money and resources into the race.

Sidman, who works at Temple Beth El in Charlotte, has raised $317,000 for the entire election cycle since announcing her candidacy in late 2023. She has $231,000 cash on hand.

Cotham has raised $151,000 this election cycle, and has $160,000 left to spend. Most of her donations came from political action committees. Cotham’s district covers Matthews, Mint Hill and parts of south Charlotte. It’s considered a toss-up.

Mecklenburg County’s other competitive state House race is for an open seat in Davidson, Cornelius and parts of Huntersville.

Democrat Beth Helfrich has raised $243,000 compared to $91,000 for former Huntersville Mayor Melinda Bales, a Republican. The seat is currently held by Republican John Bradford. He ran for Congress in the 8th District but lost in the GOP primary in March. [Source]

 

Court Records

Joel Burgess, Asheville Citizen Times, 7/15/24

On July 22 eCourts, an online court records system, is set to come to western North Carolina.

“The eCourts transition is the most important access to justice project in the history of the N.C. court system, and the benefits to the public of replacing paper records with digital access are immense,” said N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts Director Ryan Boyce in an announcement earlier this year about the planned change in WNC.

But rollouts in other parts of N.C. have not been smooth, according to critics and a federal lawsuit that said eCourts led to the violation of people’s constitutional rights.

The state’s new cloud-hosted court software will integrate with law enforcement documents, featuring a paperless process, electronic filing and a free online search portal, Boyce said. “As Enterprise Justice expands statewide, millions more North Carolinians gain mobile access to their courthouse, saving time and providing transparency,” the NCAOC director said.

But others say the system has been plagued with sluggish loading screens, court slowdowns and even unlawful arrests.

“The eCourts launch has caused people to spend days or weeks longer than necessary in jail. Others have been arrested multiple times on the same warrant − even after their charges have been dismissed by a judge,” said the lawsuit filed last year in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of N.C. by plaintiff’s who claimed breach of civil rights.

Defendants include Boyce, eCourts software contractor Tyler Technologies of Texas and sheriffs in Mecklenburg and Wake counties.

In the latest filing, Mecklenburg Sheriff Gary McFadden argued June 7 in support of a previously filed motion to dismiss, saying plaintiffs failed to show he “disregarded a (jail) release order, knew the details of release orders yet kept plaintiffs incarcerated or that he knew they had release orders at all.” McFadden said his knowledge of release orders would depend on a judicial official entering them in the eCourts system and then the system delivering that order to his office.

The Citizen Times reached out July 12 to Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams and Chief Public Defender Sam Snead, asking for comment on the eCourts transition happening in less than two weeks.

In March, Snead told the Citizen Times he expected the change to be difficult but that it was a necessary “modernization of the court.”

Williams, also commenting in March, said he visited Mecklenburg County to look at the system in operation and spoke several times with DA Spencer B. Merriweather III. “Data integrity, privacy, victim security, defendants getting released when they’re supposed to be released, accurate information being kept in public record — all those are concerns,” he said. [Source]

 

Spring Lake Finances

Jami McLaughlin, CityView, 7/11/24

North Carolina’s Local Government Commission voted last week to return full control of all financial affairs to the town of Spring Lake, effective Aug. 1, or as soon as the town can appoint a finance officer. The ruling — at the LGC’s regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday — caught Spring Lake officials by surprise, albeit a pleasant one that had Mayor Kia Anthony expressing elation.

“I’m not an overly emotional person, but I cried,” Anthony said. “I was speechless. This has been a long time coming.”

The state assumed control of the town’s books back on Oct. 5, 2021, amid allegations of financial wrongdoing, missing money and budget deficits. An investigative audit released by the N.C. Auditor Beth Wood in March 2022 cited years of mismanagement and documented hundreds of thousands in missing dollars. It was the second investigative audit in less than 10 years, the first of which was conducted in 2016, both indicating misappropriation of public tax dollars by town staff.

In the last three years, in an effort to regain the state’s confidence, the town has hired a new permanent town manager, town clerk and town attorney, and an interim police chief. A balanced budget was presented and adopted by the Local Government Commission and endorsed by the town board. The 2022 audit is on track to be completed by December and the 2023 audit is also slated to begin through the contracted services of Raleigh-based accounting firm Cherry Bekaert.

According to new Town Manager Jon Rorie, a new finance director and a new human resources manager have been hired, and are onboarding this week. He also said the town is interviewing for more financial staff as well to satisfy goals within the finance department. [Source]

 

Office Vandalism

WTVD News, 7/15/24

A North Carolina Democratic Party office in Carteret County was vandalized Saturday night. Officials said someone threw rocks and a concrete planter through the window of the office in downtown Morehead City.

This comes after the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. It left one spectator and the suspected gunman dead.

It is unclear if the vandalism is related to the assassination attempt. Police are investigating. [Source]

 

Convention Security

William Tong, The News & Observer, 7/15/24

The Cary Police Department is sending 26 officers to assist with security at this week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, a town spokesperson said Monday. They will be joining 4,000 officers from more than 60 other law enforcement agencies across the country for the four-day event, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Friday.

Three other North Carolina police departments are participating: Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Concord and Greensboro. The out-of-state personnel will mainly serve in roles that are not public-facing, such as traffic control, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The officers from Cary, which has about 200 police officers overall, are participating as part of a “mutual aid agreement” between the two departments, town spokesperson Kenric Alexander told The N&O in an email. All costs for the collaboration are covered by the federal government as part of a “designated national security event,” he added.

Alexander said the town cannot more fully explain how the Cary Police Department was selected to assist during the convention. “We first received notification of the request shortly after Milwaukee was named as the host city, he said in the email. [Source]

 

Abortion Providers

Rachel Crumpler, NC Health News, 7/15/24

Rachel Jensen was excited to embark on the next phase of her training in obstetrics and gynecology — a fellowship in complex family planning in North Carolina. But when it came time for her to pack her bags and move from Baltimore, Maryland, to the Triangle last summer, Jensen found a legal landscape much different than what she had signed on for.

North Carolina’s increased abortion restrictions took effect July 1, 2023, significantly diminishing abortion access in the state and dropping the time frame for seeking most abortions from 20 weeks of pregnancy to 12 weeks. 

“It was a huge blow to myself, to the program, to the patients that we care for,” Jensen said.

Immediately, Jensen worried about how the stricter abortion law would affect her training. The purpose of her two-year fellowship is to build her skills in complex abortion and contraception, with the goal of positioning her as a specialist who’d be brought in on more complicated cases. Honing those skills is now more difficult in North Carolina, she said, because there are fewer complicated second-trimester abortions. Even the first trimester procedures she provides require a more challenging two-visit process and legal web than in some nearby states such as Virginia.

Jenna Beckham, an OB-GYN and abortion provider who has been practicing in North Carolina for more than 10 years, sees why the state’s abortion restrictions would be a deterrent. If she were making her decision about where to train today, she said, she’d think about North Carolina differently.

Fourteen states now have complete bans on abortion, and even more states have gestational restrictions in place, so new doctors are more often factoring state abortion laws into their decisions about where to train and start their careers.

Producing competent providers in North Carolina who are equipped to provide comprehensive abortion care is harder now, Beckham said, which raises concerns about the abilities of the next generation of OB-GYNs. In response, medical schools in North Carolina are making adjustments to ensure adequate training, including more simulation work and arranging training opportunities out of state for hands-on experience in second-trimester abortions.

Jensen travels two and half hours to a Planned Parenthood clinic in Virginia. Abortion is legal there up to 26 weeks, and she provides care and gains more exposure to second-trimester abortions. 

North Carolina has nine OB-GYN residency programs. Four of them participate in the Ryan residency training program, which has a dedicated focus on helping new physicians learn the skills for managing abortions. While the curriculum varies based on the institution, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education requires all OB-GYN residency programs to provide access to abortion training and recommends a minimum number of first- and second-trimester procedures performed by trainees.

Beverly Gray, residency director of Duke’s OB-GYN program, said trainees in North Carolina are meeting the minimums, but reaching those marks now is harder. She worries that reduced exposure to abortion procedures will result in a dwindling pool of providers equipped to provide care, particularly in emergencies.

North Carolina has several highly sought-after medical training destinations, but Gray said that recruiting amid the tighter abortion restrictions is more difficult and affects the talent that will come to the state.

For example, Duke is launching a complex family planning fellowship this year — a program that will be more difficult to operate than when the university received approval for it before the Dobbs decision. The first fellow will start in August, Gray said, but the state’s increased abortion restrictions deterred some candidates. [Source]

Taylorsville Manager

Sarah Johnson, Hickory Daily Record, 7/15/24

The Taylorsville Town Council will hold a special meeting on Wednesday at 9 a.m. to decide on a new town manager, according to a news release from the town. Taylorsville began searching for a town manager around March after Taylorsville Town Manager Aaron Wike requested to return to his previous position as director of public works. At a meeting in March, the Taylorsville Town Council voted to enlist the help of the N.C. League of Municipalities.

This is the first time in roughly 20 years that the town searched for a town manager, Taylorsville Town Clerk Yolanda Prince said at the March council meeting.

Taylorsville’s former town manager David Odom died in April 2023. Odom was appointed as town manager in 2003. Wike took over the position shortly after Odom’s death.

The Taylorsville Town Council will also discuss adopting a contract with the Alexander County government for planning and zoning services and an amendment to a service contract with Southern Corrosion about water tank management, according to the release. [Source]

Duke Substation

Sharon McBrayer, Greensboro News & Record, 7/15/24

Duke Energy is looking to add a lithium battery substation on N.C. 126 near Lake James. The Burke County Board of Adjustment unanimously approved Duke Energy’s proposal for a battery storage facility along N.C. Highway 126 on Tuesday. The proposed site is located between Eagles Nest Way and Fish Hatchery Road and Heron Point Drive, according to maps.

Duke Energy serves between 120 and 140 customers in the area of the proposed substation, according to information from Burke County.

Logan Stewart, a spokesperson for Duke Energy, told The News Herald the battery will serve dual purposes. During an outage, customers on the distribution power line connected to the battery can be separated from the grid and served by the energy storage facility. This is often referred to as a “microgrid” or “islanding.” In islanding mode, it will provide energy for approximately 250 customers, Stewart said.

The battery substation also can support the broader Duke Energy grid by providing energy when additional power is needed such as times of peak usage, Stewart said.

The Duke Energy application for the station says the circuit that serves the customers experiences a higher number of outages than average, and the upgrade will improve its reliability. In addition, the application says the changes will also benefit all Duke customers by allowing the substation to use lower-cost energy during peak demand.

Duke Energy will have a 30-year lease of 2.25 acres from Heweshda LLC for the storage and management of battery energy for Duke Energy on N.C. Highway 126. Heweshda LLC is based in Winston-Salem, according to county information. Construction is expected to start this year and take about a year to complete, Stewart said. The battery substation is expected to be in service in late 2025, Stewart said. [Source]

 

Checkers Ownership

WSOC News, 7/15/24

The Charlotte Checkers are under new ownership. In an announcement Monday morning, the American Hockey League team said Zawyer Sports & Entertainment has acquired a controlling interest in the team. The Checkers’ current CEO, Michael Kahn, will remain the team’s largest minority partner. Kahn has held majority ownership since 2006. Day-to-day business operations and front office staff will not change with the new ownership, the team said.

Zawyer Sports & Entertainment is not new to the area. It is also the ownership group behind Gastonia’s new baseball team. Zawyer Sports & Entertainment already owns and operates three minor league ECHL franchises.

The Checkers are not changing their NHL affiliation with the Florida Panthers or their status as the primary tenant at Bojangles Coliseum, they said in a news release. [Source]

 

Highway Patrol Contest

WITN News, 7/15/24

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has entered their cruiser into the 2024 America’s Best-Looking Cruiser Contest. Announced in a news release, the Highway Patrol submitted a photo of a Ford Mustang cruiser in front of the Wolfpack Turf stadium backlit by a helicopter hovering above.

The Highway Patrol says this serves as a salute to NC State’s athletic program and its 2023-2024 season performance.

The contest will have photo submissions from highway patrol and state police agencies nationwide. The top 13 positions will have their photos featured in a 2025 calendar. All proceeds go towards the American Association of State Troopers Foundation for educational scholarships. Troopers are encouraging all North Carolinians to vote for the photo to win first place. [Source]

Raleigh Land

Chantal Allam, The News & Observer, 7/15/24

One of the last remaining large tracts of undeveloped inside the Raleigh Beltline has been scooped up by a luxury real estate developer.

Apex-based Loyd Builders has purchased five parcels — nearly 10 acres — at 2710-2730 Toxey Drive, between St. Mary’s Street and White Oak Drive, on the inner rim of Interstate 40. The wooded lots sit less than three miles from sought-after neighborhoods like Five Points, North Hills and the Village District; and around the corner from the Carolina Country Club on Glenwood Avenue.

As growth grips the region and land becomes even more scarce, it came with a hefty price tag: around $10.4 million, or just over $1 million per acre.

Loyd plans to build 11 custom luxury homes on a private road with a cul-de-sac. Lots will range from 0.45 acres to 1.4 acres. Prices will start at around $5 million and go up to $10 million. [Source]

 

Advertising Campaign

News Release, 7/15/24

The North Carolina School Boards Association has announced the launch of a statewide advertising campaign to build support for public schools. A news release from the organization said the campaign will use social media and billboard advertisements to promote healthy, well-funded public schools as  good for everyone, not just students who attend them. The campaign, which features an animated video. “States with strong public schools thrive economically and socially,” said Leanne Winner, the association’s executive director.

Legislative Sessions, Studies and Meetings

LB: LEGISLATIVE BUILDING. LOB: LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING

HOUSE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Tuesday, July 23

• 9:00 A.M. | House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform, Auditorium.

HOUSE CALENDAR

Wednesday, July 29, 2024

• House Convenes at 12:00 P.M.

SENATE CALENDAR

Wednesday, July 29, 2024

• House Convenes at 12:00 P.M.

HOUSE & SENATE: Reconvening allowed under provisions of SB 916, if no sine die adjournment previously adopted.

• Monday, July 29 to Thursday Aug. 1
• Monday, Sept. 9 to Wednesday, Sept. 11
• Wednesday, Oct. 9
• Tuesday, Nov. 19 to Friday Nov. 22
• Wednesday, Dec. 11 to Friday Dec. 13

N.C. Government Meetings and Hearings

BOLD ITEMS ARE NEW LISTINGS

Tuesday, July 16

• 10:30 a.m. | North Carolina Spiritous Liquor Advisory Council  – 3rd Quarter Meeting, 2 West Edenton St, Raleigh.

Wednesday, July 17

• 9 a.m. | The North Carolina Real Estate Commission Meeting, 1313 Navaho Drive, Raleigh.
• 11 a.m. | The Economic Investment Committee (EIC) meets, 301 North Wilmington St, Raleigh. Teleconference Number: +1-415-655-0003 (toll charges might apply) Teleconference Access Code: 2422 672 3002.
• 1 p.m. | N.C. Plant Conservation Board meets to discuss items related to land conservation, stewardship efforts of the N.C. Plant Conservation Program, and regulatory matters, Rankin Science South, Room 210B Appalachian State University, Boone; for information on joining remotely, visit: Joining Remotely. Contact: Julian Wilson, 919-707-3758 or [email protected].

Thursday, July 18

• 8 a.m. | North Carolina Medical Board Meeting – July 2024 Meeting, 3127 Smoketree Court, Raleigh.
• 9:30 a.m. | North Carolina Turnpike Authority meets, 1 S. Wilmington St, Raleigh.

Thursday, Aug. 1

• 6 p.m. | The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality Public Hearing on Moriah Energy Center Draft Air Quality Permit, Vance-Granville Community College, 200 Community College Road, Henderson.

Monday, Aug. 5

• 9 a.m. | The Board Development Committee of The North Carolina Partnership for Children meets, The meeting will be held via Zoom. You may contact Yvonne Huntley at 984.221.1242 or email at [email protected] for additional information.

Tuesday, Aug. 6

• 9 a.m. | The Council of State meets. 1 South Wilmington St, Raleigh.

Monday, Aug. 19

• 2 p.m. | The Executive Committee of The North Carolina Partnership for Children meets, The meeting will be held via Zoom. You may contact Yvonne Huntley at 984.221.1242 or email at [email protected] for additional information.

UNC Board of Governors

23 S. WEST STREET, SUITE 1800, RALEIGH

Wednesday, July 24

• T.B.A. | The UNC Board of Governors, UNC System Office.

Thursday, July 25

• T.B.A. | The UNC Board of Governors, UNC System Office.

N.C. Utilities Commission Hearing Schedule

DOBBS BUILDING, 430 NORTH SALISBURY STREET, RALEIGH

Monday, July 22

• 2 p.m. | Expert Witness Hearing – Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC and Duke Energy Progress, LLC 2023 Biennial CPIRP | E-100 Sub 190
• 2 p.m. | Expert Public Witness Hearing – Joint Application of DEP and NCEMC for CPCN to Construct a 1360MW Electric Generating Facility in Person County, NC | E-2 Sub 1318, EC-67 Sub 55
• 2 p.m. | Expert Witness Hearing – Application for CPCN for 850 MW Natural Gas-Fired Combustion Turbine Electric Generating Facility Located at 8320 NC Highway 150 E, Terrell, NC 28682 in Catawba County | E-7 Sub 1297

Other Meetings and Events of Interest

BOLD ITEMS ARE NEW LISTINGS

Tuesday, July 16

• 2:30 p.m. | Gov. Roy Cooper to visit North Carolina Governor’s School Western Campus, Greensboro College, 815 W Market St, Greensboro.
• 7 p.m. | North Carolina Democratic Party Unity Dinner, Raleigh Convention Center.

Saturday, July 27

• 9 a.m. | North Carolina Federation of Young Republicans Convention, The Farm at 95, Selma.