Benjamin Glover

Group Aims to Push N.C. Lottery

The recent formation of the N.C, Lottery for Education Coalition -- a pro-lottery group -- has added a new twist to the battle for a lottery in North Carolina.The coalition was formed a month after Chuck Neely, who lost a gubernatorial bid in the 2000 Republican primary, organized Citizens United Against the Lottery.Although the pro-lottery group is still in its fledgling stages, it has the potential to be effective, said the coalition's organizer, Jay Reiff, who managed Gov.

N.C.'s Diversity Evident in 2000 Census Results

Results from the 2000 U.S. census report show that North Carolina's population is becoming more culturally diverse, largely because of a rapidly increasing Hispanic community.While the percentage of whites and blacks living in the state has decreased since 1990, the percentage of Hispanics living in North Carolina increased from 1.2 to 4.7 percent -- prompting some officials to say that the state needs to address the needs of the growing Hispanic community.Whites make up 72.1 percent of the N.C. population, down from 75.6 percent in 1990.

Bonds, Interest Rates May Help Deficit

Some financial experts say the Federal Reserve Board's recent effort to stave off an impending economic slow-down by lowering interest rates could save the state of North Carolina millions of dollars. Despite a budget deficit of nearly $800 million, the state will start selling municipal bonds to its citizens in March to finance the $3.1 billion higher education package that passed Nov.

NCCU Revives Nursing Exam Scores

A year ago, N.C. Central University's nursing program seemed about as likely to post the highest passing rates in the UNC-system as Florida State now does to lead the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball standings.With a passing rate of only 66 percent in 1999, the Board of Governors threatened to shut down the program unless their scores improved.Just a year later, N.C. Central boasted the highest score in the state -- 94 percent passing rate -- on the National Council Licensure Examination of Registered Nurses, referred to as the N.C.

Bills Propose Election Reform