Opinion Roundup: Time for gerrymandering to go

Court reminds us why gerrymandering needs to go (Fayetteville Observer) -- The U.S. Supreme Court this week issued a slap at North Carolina’s racially biased political redistricting. The case focused on two sprawling districts created to include as many African-American voters as possible. The case follows by days the court’s upholding of an Appeals Court decision that ruled the state’s voting reforms targeted African-Americans with “almost surgical precision.” The redistricting rulings make it clear that old-fashioned gerrymandering needs to go away.

Independent redistricting needed (Winston-Salem Journal) -- Here we go again. The U.S. Supreme Court rightly ruled Monday that North Carolina lawmakers relied too heavily on race when drawing two congressional districts in 2011, affirming a lower-court ruling that forced legislators to create new maps last year.

KIRK ROSS: Expect Supreme Court ruling to influence upcoming redistricting cases (Carolina Public Press column) -- Supreme Court rejected two districts from a congressional map that’s no longer in use. But ruling will affect challenge to the current map and other cases.

LIZ BELL: Bill gives more options for teacher career pathway (EdNC column) -- A bill under consideration by the Senate education committee would widen the possible pathways to becoming a teacher. Senate Bill 599 establishes the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission, a governing body made up of teachers and administrators from all levels of the educational system that would make recommendations regarding educator preparation programs to the State Board of Education. The State Board would have the final say on what standards the programs would have to meet and whether or not they meet those standards.

NEEL KELLER: The Lost Colony turns 80 (Outer Banks Sentinel column) -- When the 2017 season of The Lost Colony opens on May 26, the production at Roanoke Island's Waterside Theatre will aim the spotlight squarely on a milestone event: America’s longest running outdoor symphonic drama turns 80 this year. The Lost Colony will celebrate with some high-tech upgrades and a rolling out of the red carpet for some distinguished TLC alumni — including two performers who appeared in the play 78 years apart.

LEONEDA INGE: Cheerwine Celebrates 100 Years With Southern Flair (WUNC-FM column) -- It’s a big year for Cheerwine , the cherry-flavored soda with a cult-like following that has been run by the same family for 100 years.