North State Journal — Vol. 2., Issue 1

Page 1

|

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1

www.NSJONLINE.com |

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

eamon queeney | North State Journal

Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson) speaks along with other lawmakers and North Carolina business leaders during a press conference on House Bill 186 at the Legislative Building in Raleigh.

the Wednesday

News BRIEFing

Lawmakers ask the SCOTUS to reject Stein’s request for dismissal Washington, D.C. Legislative leaders on Monday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to throw out a request filed by N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein. Last week Stein asked the Supreme Court to stop the N.C. legislature’s appeal in support of the Voter I.D. law. N.C. lawmakers have appeal pending before the high court after a lower appeals court threw out Voter I.D. saying it was discriminatory. Lawmakers argue that Stein asked the court to dismiss the appeal without consulting lawmakers who filed it.

NORTH

H.B. 2 repeal bill garners support, opposed by governor

JOURNaL

Bipartisan H.B. 186 repeals House Bill 2 and expands statewide discrimination protections, but referendum provisions eliciting protests from leading Democrats may sink chances of passage

STATE ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

Scrutiny of Obama-era waterway regulations is welcome news to farmers

Asheville The Asheville Jewish Community Center was among 20 Jewish community centers and schools across the country that received bomb threats on Monday within hours of each other. The threats, all of which appeared to be hoaxes, were traced to be coming from inside the country and overseas. The threats were received at centers in N.C., Delaware, Alabama, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Florida and Indiana, prompting the schools to evacuate children. The center in Asheville runs a daycare, but no children were there because it was a teacher workday.

By Donna King North State Journal

Fayetteville Lawyers for U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl said on Sunday they will ask an Army appeals court to dismiss charges against him in the belief that President Donald Trump’s repeatedly calling him a “traitor” during the election campaign make it impossible for him to get a fair trial. Bergdahl’s defense team plans to make the request on Monday at the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals in Virginia.

to clarify which bodies of water are covered by the Clean Water Act. “President Trump’s executive order to ditch the Waters of the U.S. rule is a welcome relief to farmers and ranchers across the country today,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “The flawed WOTUS rule has proven to be nothing more than a federal land grab, aimed at telling farmers and ranchers how to run their businesses. The Environmental Protection Agency failed to listen to farmers’ and ranchers’ concerns when drafting the rule and instead created widespread confusion for agriculture.” The rule has faced intense political and legal opposition from Republicans lawmakers, farmers and energy companies. It was blocked by a federal appeals court pending further court challenges. “The problem with the Obama

RALEIGH — A bipartisan group of lawmakers sponsoring legislation that would repeal the controversial House Bill 2 were joined by bevy of business and industry representatives Tuesday to provide updates on the status of potential compromise amid public opposition by Gov. Roy Cooper and Democratic leadership in the legislature. “What’s important about this press conference is the bipartisan support that this bill has garnered because of its thoughtful framework and its sincere attempt to try to reach a true compromise addressing the ongoing challenges of House Bill 2,” said co-sponsor and Deputy Majority Whip Rep. John Bradford (R-Mecklenburg). House Bill 186 would repeal H.B. 2 in its entirety while declaring the regulation of multi-occupancy bathrooms and locker rooms the exclusive domain of the state legislature, unless the facilities in question are in direct control of a city. The bill also expands a declaration of statewide employment discrimination prohibitions, adding protections on the basis of citizenship, veteran status, pregnancy and genetic information. Despite receiving support from business chambers, industry and a bevy of local and state elected officials, the most recent attempt at compromise legislation has been slow to get traction with Democrats opposed to one particular provision. “The bill as it is written now does not address the rights of the LGBT community,” said the Senate Democrat’s Minority Whip, Sen. Terry Van Duyn (D-Buncombe), in a press conference Tuesday morning. The point of contention among Democrats opposed to the bill is the requirement therein that municipalities must offer local voters a referendum on any adopted expansions of protected classes before they are to take effect. House Minority Leader Rep. Darren Jackson (D-Wake) compared the referendum provision to put-

See WOTUS, page A3

See H.B. 186 , page A8

WOTUS on notice after Trump executive order

Jewish Community Center in NC among those threatened

Bergdahl lawyers ask U.S. Army court for dismissal

By Jeff Moore North State Journal

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump signed a measure on Tuesday directing regulators to review an Obama administration regulation that expanded the number of federally protected waterways, a senior White House official said. Trump’s order will also direct the Justice Department to ask a federal court to put legal challenges to the rule on hold as the administration conducts its review, the official said. The order will kick off what will likely be a lengthy process to undo the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which was finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2015

Neal Robbins, publisher of the North State Journal VOLU

After a year in print, North State Journal launches Volume 2 Society for News Design names NSJ a finalist for best-designed newspaper

By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal

Expanded coverage of the North Carolina political scene Jones & Blount Page 5

5

20177 52016 $2.00

8

Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson)

“The North State Journal is a barometer of life in North Carolina.”

RALEIGH — The North State Journal, North Carolina’s only statewide newspaper, is celebrating its first year of bringing the people of the Tarheel state together from Murphy to Manteo. NSJ launched on Feb. 28, 2016, with a mission of delving deep for truth, elevating the conversation and bringing the whole story to the whole state. “There are a lot of places in the world, but there is no better place than North Carolina. The North State Journal is a barometer of life

ME 1

ISSUE

56

|

Sports Who w ill lead th e Pack next?

W THRO , DOWNG YOUN MAN!

ww

w. NS

JONL

INE .cO

M |

SATU RDAY, fEb

RUAR Y 25,

2017

the no rth sta te Journa coachi ng basket prospects to l staff picks five ball tea m next lead ncsu’s season . Page B4

nson Brice Joh n s dow throw d onteste an unc inst dunk aga rtin Cody Ma C’s UN during r win ove 68 80te. NC Sta Heels The Tar led stumb Duke against ounded but reb thanks quickly s’ William to Roy formula magic surgand are ards ing tow tseason the pos e on eng with rev d. their min

Left to

in North Carolina,” said publisher Neal Robbins. 2.28.16 “We wanted to be an effective and beneficial news source focusing on statewide coverage. Your local newspapers have obituaries, weddings, engagements and local coverage of your community. Newspapers such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Washington Post are providing the national coverage between the states. We exist between those two entities,” said Robbins. The North State Journal began as a Sunday paper focusing on news, sports and features. Over the course of its first year, NSJ shifted its weekend edition to Satfor NEWS Y SUNDA

NORTH E

RE

E T. NGUY

EN | NORT

ING DRAW

TH

H STAT

E JOUR

right:

the week end N

S SPORT

CHRISTIN

INSIDE

“I’m real pragmatic about this. I want to get [H.B.2] off the table. It’s sucking all the wind out of every other issue we’ve got out there.”

eWS BRIeFI NG

NAL

S E LINE

Blue Ale rt launched system in N.C.

Raleigh The Stat announ e Highway Patr implem ced this week ol the enta Alert syst tion of the television em. It will useN.C. Blue boards stations and radio, on notify the major high message ways to enforcem public whe n Carolin ent officer in any law a has been Nor th attacked viole sought. and a suspect ntly State Hig is telecomm hway being alert alon unicators willPatrol the susp g with descript issue the mode of ect and/or the ions of suspect’s travel.

T SOTUA RNaL

Kev in

Keatts (uNC-w ilm

ington),

Archie

Miller

(univer

sity of

Day ton) , Gregg

NOR S TH

T

ATE JOUR NaL ELEV ATE

THE

cONV

ERSA TION

Battle ov betwee er confirmat governorn NC Senate, ions continue s

Marsha

ll (wichit

a state),

will wad e (VCu),

LeVelle Monton (N.C. Cen tral).

Trump a rolls ba dministration ck transge Obama’s nder dir ective

Suprem which e Court ma y have bans sex final say protec tions ext discrimina on whe tion the end to a person in education r Title IX, , extend ’s gen der ide s ntity

By Dan Reuters iel trotta

WASHI NGTON Trump , Lawma this weeadministrationD.C. — The Attorney kers ditc Gen townJOUR h ma adm k that it will announced Ses halNAL ls organi sions sai eral Jeff STATE Hby allowed inistration revoke Obazed pol d in a EN | NORT guidanc theitical opp E T. NGUY students transgender e that statement during onents CHRISTIN in that the sion confer Cha bathroom to use the public school Oba rlot te Rucho ma gui cial Ses of thei multi-stalle ly. N.C.’s er than del emb Sen. Bob the 2016 Spe l Ass Washing r choice, d not and only , is getting contain ines “did ton dele matches using tee for is, left Genera gati the one rathsufficie id Lew ng Commit g at the N.C. “town hallheat for not ing sing their biologic that legal ana attendinon icti nt Com Rep. Dav ” ldin mee istr le-s al by Bui sex lysis or talled one mit ting g Red groups ce al scho or us- how using thems organized Senate islative Offi ols’ explain s as subpoe tee issues venues the inte The annpolicies may individuna for for as the Leg rpr perm Cabine meeting protest. The Cooper etation ouncem was con stakes it. Commit t ent in sistent ongoing s are the latest raucous after thr nominee are grap N.C. and othe raised the lan Insuranctee on Com with the guage ee nor states and prot series of ralli in an ies of statpling with shows of Title presiden e convene merce and es, the bou that e, fede into the ests more than marches IX.” law as (R-Rock t pro tem d, Senate it pert ral and mun ndar- criticism Phil Trump. presidency of 30 days ingh ains to public Berger am) join mittee Donald rest separati icipal include heaped By Jeff the counAt gatherings biologic rooms alon on N.C on Tucker co-chairs Sen ed comal North Moore ., g the line in of spor d boycotts (R-U recess, try as Congresacross State Jou and can which Former sex. (R-South nion) and s. Tommy members ting s goes on of thro to spea rnal celing Bill port) were invi Obama’s Presdie ugh the events and press k to spea Rabon ple battle ted concert abo this but inst to their constitu RALeI sum Bar add “gen directive nt between ut the ong k to the ead FBI v. Ap Congress attempt ack sam time compan mer. Howevers appear GH — Afte down and were shou ents oing the stalled der identity e opportu ed to ies lack , met with ted Senate before a Nor r failing to ecutive bran legislative andbattle “resist moves to , D.C. groups bathrooms ” and multi- their dollars, nity to prot ed the ch chantsges Tru to mation committee forth Carolina Assembly’s auth over the Gen exl jud and organiza mp” sign gton era le Title IX protected und the list of ministration since the Truest with s. Nat nson hearing eral a confir- firmation tions Fed ority to Joh iona Washin y the batt tim ly mp law, scho like and er acti l es, thre ber hold hea adiew sda federal tion of Ind on pert Mov ols nati form revivisi ers’ sexes in saying that By Kim e Journal On Tue the FBI and ble will er Larry er Democrae separate ing a legislat rings, acknow conains to coordina eOn are “The actionw ide. helping separadiscrim Stat city lead ion oath public ive subp option ledgHall, Gov t lawmak this te the mee to rlotte North between go under bath inat app ps on oen in min inat Cha ma ory oint take proc Indivisi . Roy Coo g a was an identify istration tings. — crim will against rooms is n by “Frankly eeding. ble na Kin r James npartme ed secretar y Apple the new per’s taken heav LOT TE ing non-dis transgen, this shou rlottk; their biolwith a gender those who against all is troubling the adior By Don e Journal Directo nt of Mil of the big dea a’s recoilykChawee CH AR and and e has the e olin that exp and ans gay stat as FBI and Apple Sen Stat ogic to Dehoo othe criti l,” Car ld ’s of itar bac of th soci we goe Affa l said al sex. not be for directiv cizin said in r than beg Sen th y believe Nor al e s med the city ed the ire will In a approva ia nal at a Mar irs, will hav and Veter- day. “Senate Berger on — Nor maps(R-N t the Comey sident and in,” Ya. Thodat In unv a statement. k. On stok Trump e back, Presiderolling that ions for m Tilli .C.) Thu e ce weefor rict SBORO nd to figh s ssio protect munity has thisdesc his qua ch 2 meeting to appear cabinet appoint confirmatio rscongre Vice Pre Counsel Bru on Wed eiling the nt Don un-attendin GREEN gressional distdge panelselfasnot ous poli treads into they inte s women and g thei the tum ald tration nesday, Trunew directio 1 mapsribe commit lifications afte to consider standard prac ees has long n of aryr der comers who say con ify at a on e-ju How “mock prim General eve put that N.Ctical and econ indtwo n ultutee vote ton, D.C r a Sen mp adm been figured federal thre dow n the 201 ever tice in will test offic , Tilli with sue a subp hall is law mak that they belilic bathrooms. Council - histown tion s and raware d Thursda they a ate Sewell sional hearing .] and [Washin inispan passing . has found omic waters gender poli ials argued that el shot ired a re-d theting many stat elec .” before gy to is- long as we onmee itse cies shou new law at risk in pub rlotte City Feb. 22 es. grou ed fs atelstaff say the pan Minutesoena for him congres es for requires H.B. 2 last year lf in since for the stat briepriv ps. Infor can n Cha mind-bo ld be transe7 . al Feb. 5, tional and requOsteen serv tion issu y with es before nd Henders childre bers of the Thu i- Jun propos perggling remember. It as encryp arou multi-st individuals , a law that states’ righ to decide. By an issue rsda the Sen “The ersial y, Tilli ille inst a der that this constituJudge William quick turn ands’dec onv is ts, Mem Jord ate See te controv statesdire on ion aga law that matalled public to use the tration is potethe Trump invoking gen ansuit is even ntiff set a Shawplai k weeks. NCGA, Charlot in the sed the discriminat orientation, ctor adm now pic ch sat legi bath the inal ntia , pas l acties has the inis dow US slatures Progress NA ACPn with page A2 birth cert lic nci orig lly room par es sex liste al el and SCOT in othe emboldeningificate. n sexu ression in pub taxis WomCar original City Cou d on thei s conside olinaive Organiz rch 7 the that mak r states s Trump h ses, ed upo ring th en who district ed e r Car from the court. By Ma the Nor calle “open dial son bas or gender exp city busines propos- Redrawn 13t the new d the olina’s laws similar that are sion brou administrat has gon withdraw , D.C. conmee as claims ogu sion for , backed by thatRep to Nor ting e.”not ion’s did t all ght sim identity ations, such the city. The ch has On eSatu White H.B. 2. t will . G.Kers gton case th hasrday r case e will agains mak . Butterfi ilar corp deciHouse in the Distric n Washin Gov. Brian ent thei The stat commodels, illegal in restrooms, whi spokesm n aus law host eld (D-N ative e orate rn a .C), lineas.“For ope must pres suspect bec nincom an Sea commo conserv ity Nevada a moderat self g the See tru warretu will public and hot - be an mun d Tog from n al, mun pres cou Mp, pag ityrtdisc r the has ether” nds to maps are at all in defi ond Sandov can, took him ; the Dur e A2 sense.” al exte sharp criticism of the com nded to afteussion ham seat and kets sider racerch 9 to resp That date. is legislativeinpriRepubli sideration ions exte drawn ers and poc ary attracted aker il Ma rch 18. and state protect prim Spe unt out of con ment to the al mak Ma se with from law sion t Hou ial, n by oint Moore . ortable re interes decisio , gubernator new congres for app reme Court uncomf der individualsse, Rep. Tim would Tim Moo land) rict the te tial re dist sta ers Hou iden sgen U.S. Sup y as Senate to befo the mak two tran but new law e 7. ging rsda (R-Cleve r of the r own tors maries, set for Jun on Thu cans held firm Speake d), promised tion” for the rs challen draw thei the legisla rven elan date, now for the votejudges to Republi not to act on nt e one that ed tive inte (R- Clev Law yers asked the -pac has gon “legisla the new their vowinee by Presidejob. seek a . ries Council has creatapprove through a fast bounda they do not any nomObama for the city law Charlotte City ning se and passed . map if Assembly Barack “The mon sen issue by ope e ks ago the ty all com ms to . Suprem Generalsession two wee vel against or public safe nging roo the U.S ied free tra cha special through 13th Court den By Cor ed a majrooms and way Europe shut down s r y Lavalet ute ders’ e thei olina’s new North all bath al state lea t 13 trib s mak State Jou te Page A3 Distric th Car zones to ium of potenti for a the map LAW, rnal While l hurdles, Nor w a number cycle Nor th request NEW ials s, Belg er Turn to RALeI lega to dra Brussel Union offic state’s election y of low latest is expected an into law GH — In 200 the last runoffs. The ended sta t Europe Europe’s free ng tric ing n 5, Hou e Dis dow cent alcoby then-Go tes. Dur se Bill court ruli d e thre to be susp say that e will shut cut v. candidaa had to hav s for runoffs ter wins, evensold in hol by volu Mike easley, 392 was sign t ordere travel zon key acts to ts me tha win -get call Nor olin the vote law Car Tur since, the th Carolin restriction ending the 6 ed passed ning the top watchers say ned by new maps unless ber of migran newly brewerie craf t beer indua. In the 11-aon beer mad pertical determi . Cen6, mea Poli be the num nor th through e or s y. 201 wn Th orit for t will g e Tot Several across the stat stry has grownd-a-half year The U.S a maj e dra Distric headin by March 7. al Lif n to nea e. s without new 13th another of them turn out.al district hav r e Cen rly 200 and theshows rs who tersion Greece vote state legi Nor th Carolin their sup ner of dfu tha l of vote congres the average more thart por a law is, but a brew slature rais ageless the han ates htly that eac ents change ters now wan slig ed ery en. stitu the d. In only Page C42 was t can prod pot cap wholesa sus dict ,000 con out, a 201 l uce with on the amo 2003 the 700 lent of le distributor unt of about for runoffs in h a low turn ner-take-al out sign n mor beer to win Wit nso a nity e than ing on operati Welfare turnout 00 voters. 6 million25,000 barr tes and opportu berly Joh state ng . ts els (the with a bottles n 25,0 e of candida this a golden Craft Free under the By Kim e Journal ECU’s of a new Carntatives tha recipien h equ tion of rese ban ped Stat ivawit 5 beer ing th ed dom n enta call 201 North , now wanner of an orga ). The grou se of Rep “The tial stam 77e are were test a Implem pients in Nor rated Sit dow d coach, som p, 520 nization ts the cap U.S. Hou vigo GH — fairness whole thing the 16 format, trip call RA LEI g welfare reci rs and rein ile policy 2003 the is 8 based on eInA3 new hea a $2.to 00 Brewer ,” John Marrinoreally about raised even mor ed omery enin g use g Wh to win ING, Pagwithout sign state legislat y free mar e. law scre flagged dru cy’s efficacy. w that it is Montg , own screenin Freedom and one of ure rais TR ICT ing on Freedom Scottie the driv er of Olde Mec kets and ed the REDIS olina has ut the poli al results shocontroversy , now wan with a who brand , said. “We cap on christine ing forc klenbur abo Turn to gur lesa SPORTS from noth built ts the es beh t. nguy g debate say the inau have renewed entation. cap rais le distributorthe amount barrels en | ind ing and a business of beer nort ed even rd to 25,0 here, we Craft h stat backers , the findings and implem 2013, subthe stat a brew ate brand we have to more. 00 barr es Bea e Jour buil e to ano nal tran els. An ery can prod U.S. Sen working new law’s cost passed in Work First ther priv sfer the tells us at 25,0 t a access Nine Jam ifinalists organiza for uce s was a’s owe to g the ate r ate 00 ch mar ely olin tion nrsh ove sem compan rights.” ket, givi did lik to dru Car , Craft , whi ip of that y Award ng up Tested The law nts of Nor th ce program rk First rolina Dem can mary winner Manteo the sale and lose all for lica Wo stan rth Ca our and dist pri ning positive jects app public assi the program, See bre call No home ribution rphy to ary and trai rewerIe debate, tempor g. As par t of assistance illegal drug their s, page rds of E rr, on Mu A3 screenin porary cashAlmost two-thi OD LIF use faces Bu tem THE GO offers unemployed. are children. ed the bill for the of the benefits initially vetofiscally irrecipients Pat McCrory 3, calling it . 201 Gov in passed when it e A3 G, Pag TESTIN 16 8 Turn to

oes hit 53 tornad . N.C central

, N.C. Oxford le and Vance g Granvil s are assessin adoes countie after 53 torn day damage dow n Wednes to touched from Virginialives. t evening ming eigh clai Texas, ional Weathernings The Nat issued 25 war of m; in all ed. Ser vice stor the e issu during five wer it is 2015, onlyials here say hur t. N.C. officg” no one was “amazin

See Volume 2, page A2

J

ATE ELEV

THE

CONV

TION ERSA

e policy Charlott ntroversy o sparks c

nal ngressio New co maps face t ic distr scrutiny further

Group lo craft be oks to raise cap wither distributio n legislat ion

are ens welf N.C. screts for drug use n ie p ci re 150

E INSID

the good

life

21

5

20177

520

$2.00

The first and last issues of Volume 1 of the North State Journal.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.