Michael Handy

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ASG March To Protest Budget Cut

By Michael Handy | May 1

The UNC Association of Student Governments is planning a March on the Capitol to protest the proposed $125 million budget cut to the UNC system -- a cut opponents say could increase class sizes and the length of time needed for students to graduate.The march, which begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday, will start at the N.C. State University Bell Tower and wind down Hillsborough Street in Raleigh to the N.C.

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Officials Worry Classroom Cuts May Go Too Far

By Michael Handy | April 25

The UNC system's recently submitted proposal of $125 million in possible budget cuts -- which could eliminate close to 450 faculty positions systemwide -- is raising concerns among some state legislators and UNC-system officials.Last week, the N.C.

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State House Approves Student BOG Vote

By Michael Handy | April 17

RALEIGH -- After a brief debate, the N.C. House approved a bill Monday that calls for a student vote on the Board of Governors and sent the proposal to the Senate, where a similar measure died most recently two years ago.Proposed by Rep. Alma Adams, D-Guilford, the bill passed by a vote of 83-26 and was then sent to the Senate by a voice vote.UNC Association of Student Governments President Andrew Payne, who serves as the BOG's lone student member, said he expects the bill to face a tougher battle in the Senate. "We have some work to do in the Senate," he said.

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Hispanic Population Seeks Clout

By Michael Handy | April 16

The N.C. Hispanic population grew by more than 300,000 over the last 10 years, yet only one Hispanic currently holds a seat in the N.C. General Assembly.Despite the increase in the Hispanic population and its influence in state affairs, Hispanic leaders feel their voice is still largely unheard in state government.Elena Askey, a Hispanic who works in the office of Rep.

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Broad: Searches' Cost Necessary

By Michael Handy | April 12

With the state facing a nearly $800 million budget deficit, some N.C. legislators have expressed concern about the UNC system spending more than $1 million since 1998 on chancellor searches.According to The News & Observer, UNC-Chapel Hill spent more than $175,000 to find its new chancellor, making the search the UNC system's third most expensive in recent years.East Carolina University spent $202,000 on its chancellor search last year, while N.C.

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Student Status Brings Tax Woes

By Michael Handy | April 3

With an April 15 tax deadline quickly approaching, many students remain in the dark about rules for filing their returns.The Internal Revenue Service requires most working students to file a tax return, even if they were only part-time employees.According to the IRS Web site, unmarried students who are still claimed as a dependent by their parents must file a tax return if they have unearned income of more than $700 or an earned income of more than $4,400.Students must also file a return if their gross income is greater than $700 and exceeds their earned income by more than $250.Th

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Alan Keyes \Addresses N.C. State

By Michael Handy | March 27

RALEIGH -- Might doesn't make right, and the strongest elements in society should not control justice - these were the ideals former Republican presidential candidate Alan Keyes stressed to a standing-room-only crowd at N.C. State University on Monday night.Keyes, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was at N.C. State as a participant in the university's annual Human Rights Week.Keyes finished third after President George W. Bush and Sen.

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Hogging the Land?

By Michael Handy | March 21

Every day, hogs in North Carolina produce more than 50,000 tons of waste -- more than is produced by all of the people in California combined -- without an effective system of disposal.The hog waste adds up to almost 19 million tons a year, leading to a series of ecological problems that have sparked a heated debate between the pork industry and environmentalists.At the center of the controversy is the pollution caused by the current methods of feeding hogs and disposing of the waste, which environmentalists believe is destroying the state's air and water.But industry officials say ho

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Edwards May Use Bill to Jump-Start\Presidential Bid

By Michael Handy | March 20

Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., toured Wake Medical Center in Raleigh on Monday to rally support for legislation that has become his centerpiece in recent months -- the patients' bill of rights.But it is unclear if Edwards is simply following through on campaign promises or trying to build a political portfolio for a possible bid for the presidency.Edwards is sponsoring the Bipartisan Patient Protection Act, commonly called the patients' bill of rights, along with Sen.