House Bill 676, filed on April 18 by N.C. Rep. John Autry (D-Mecklenburg), proposes a statewide ban on hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as “fracking.” This is the third legislative session in a row that Autry has filed this bill. The bill was last referred to the House rules committee on April 19.
During its meeting on Tuesday, the Carrboro Town Council discussed creating an intergovernmental climate council within Orange County and devoting more resources to aesthetic improvements in the town.
If passed, N.C. Senate Bill 458 would expand protections for individuals present at the scene of overdoses where medical assistance is called. Current North Carolina law lacks such immunity provisions for everyone at the scene of an overdose.
Though the Compass Center's Safe Homes, New Lives program raised over $1 million to address the lack of crisis housing in the county, they currently only have three housing units — which, according to the Center's executive director, cannot meet all of the county's needs. The center is still Orange County's sole provider of emergency housing for those escaping domestic violence situations. Marilyn Jacobs Preyer, co-chairperson of the Safe Homes program's fundraising campaign, said the program's scattered housing model provides more safety and anonymity for survivors than a traditional shelter.
The Chapel Hill Town Council discussed the possibility of developing a municipal services center at the site where the Chapel Hill Police Department is currently located and decided against the construction of an apartment complex at 701 M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard at their meeting on Wednesday night.
While Rep. Valerie Foushee (D-N.C. 4th), Carrboro Town Council member Barbara Foushee and Chapel Hill Town Council member Paris Miller-Foushee might be the most recognized Foushees, they aren't the only ones who have had significant impact.
After a series of delays, Chapel Hill Transit is beginning to receive the new equipment needed to get Next Bus live bus tracking running again. Transit users have been without a real-time tracking system since 3G networks were deactivated in February 2022.
During the Carrboro Town Council meeting on Tuesday, council members discussed the possibility of approving a lease for a new Town office space, as well as restricting cemetery plot sales to preserve available land.
According to the North Carolina Public School Forum’s “Top Education Issues 2023-24” report, teachers in North Carolina have one of the largest pay penalties in the nation, earning around 24.5 percent less than similarly-educated peers.
The North Carolina General Assembly continued their long session on Wednesday – their first legislative session after new members were sworn in on Jan. 11. A total of 26 bills were filed in the N.C. House of Representatives on Wednesday and Thursday. Between Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 34 bills were filed in the Senate.
