Opinion Roundup: 2nd amendment upheld in more counties; Senate candidate debate; work needed in basic education

Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020 -- A round up of opinion, commentary and analysis on: 2nd amendment; Leandro requirements not met; Senate candidate face off; preventing senior falls; big counterfeit seizure; and more.

Democratic Senate candidates in North Carolina face off at their first forum (Charlotte Observer reports) -- Two of N.C.'s Democratic U.S. Senate candidates disagreed on health care policy at the first meeting of their campaigns Tuesday night. They were among four Democrats and one Republican candidate who appeared at a forum sponsored by Charlotte's Black Political Caucus at West Charlotte High School. All are trying to replace Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis.

Cunningham unveils first ad for his N Carolina Senate bid (AP reports) -- N.C. Democratic Senate candidate Cal Cunningham is highlighting his military service in his first television ad of his campaign. In the TV ad, Cunningham says he's running for the Senate to fulfill the oath that he took when he joined the Army Reserve to defend the Constitution. The former state senator says “corruption” in Washington is blocking progress on health-related issues that matter to people. Cunningham has served in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Head of NC’s Legislative Black Caucus makes his Democratic presidential pick (McClatchy D.C. reports) -- Former Vice President Joe Biden picked up a key N.C. endorsement Monday. State Sen. Paul Lowe, chairman of the state Legislative Black Caucus, endorsed Biden for president. The caucus includes 39 state lawmakers, including members of other ethnic minority groups. Lowe is a pastor who represents Winston-Salem and Forsyth County.

How one organization is drawing parallels between Trump and Martin Luther King Jr. (Durham Herald-Sun reports) -- About 150 people gathered in a small banquet hall at the Hilton in North Hills on Monday night to honor Martin Luther King Jr. But they were also there to praise President Donald Trump. Organized by Black Voices for Trump, a creation of the Trump re-election campaign, the crowd listened to speakers make parallels between what happened during the Civil Rights movement and what is happening in 2020. "During the Civil Rights movement you couldn't go into an establishment because of the color of your skin," said Harrison Floyd, executive director of Black Voices for Trump.

Soap Opera Event (The Insider reports) -- Reidsville: A town where politics, gospel music and soap operas merge. Actually, that doesn't usually happen -- but it will this weekend. Guiding Light and The Bold and the Beautiful actor Paulo Benedeti is coming to the Rockingham County town, not to steal women's wallets and hearts (look it up), but to host a gospel brunch campaign kickoff event that will introduce Democratic candidates to their constituents. But how Benedeti, the man known to soap opera fans as Antonio Dominguez and Jesse Blue, found himself in N.C.'s North Star is even more interesting. The brunch is hosted by the Elect Wally White Committee.

Auditor race heats up as incumbent’s former employees run against her (Durham Herald-Sun reports) -- Tension is high in the state auditor’s race after two of incumbent Auditor Beth Wood’s former employees filed to run against her. Tim Hoegemeyer and Luis Toledo blamed their former boss for low morale, a lack of vision and a low number of audits, and said the problems prompted them to run. Hoegemeyer, a Republican, said he “wouldn’t throw mud” at his opponents, though he did detail some of his complaints with the office.

RILEY WOLFRAM: Elizabeth Warren announces plan to begin student loan debt cancellation on day one (The Technician reports) -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren recently released her plan to use existing laws to begin the process of cancelling student loan debt for 95% of borrowers on the first day of her presidency. Warren first proposed this plan in April 2019, but the release revealed that she would begin this debt cancellation on day one. According to a report from LendEDU, NC State’s class of 2018 averaged $24,053 in debt per borrower, and according to a report by the Center for Responsible Lending, approximately 1.2 million North Carolinians hold a total of $44 billion of student debt. To offset the costs of this plan, Warren is proposing a wealth tax on households with a net worth of $50 million or more.

Raleigh community leaders divided over Lt. Gov. Forest comments about Planned Parenthood (WRAL-TV reports) -- Lt. Gov. Dan Forest took aim at Planned Parenthood during a speech to a church on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Republican candidate for governor took aim at Planned Parenthood, claiming it originated to ‘destroy the entire black race.’ He has made no secret of his Christian beliefs over the years, including his opposition to abortion.

TRAVIS FAIN: NC Appeals Court: Not up to judges how long legislative sessions take (WRAL-TV reports) -- A unanimous and bipartisan trio from the North Carolina Court of Appeals rejected a legal challenge Tuesday against the General Assembly's surprise 2016 session, saying it's not up to the courts how long these things must take. Common Cause, a left-leaning group that has challenged a number of decisions made by the legislature's Republican majority in recent years, argued that the special session's speed violated the people's right to instruct their legislature, as laid out in the state constitution.

N Carolina appeals court upholds lawfulness of 2016 session (AP reports) -- A North Carolina appeals court upheld the legality of a legislative session Republicans quickly called in December 2016 to push through laws that weakened the power of incoming Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

How innovative is NC? Time lag in data dragging down its rank, state exec says (WRAL-TV/TechWire reports) -- A report from the N.C. Department of Commerce reported ranked the state 21st for innovation likely understates its performance. Why?

'2nd Amendment Sanctuary' Movement On The Rise In NC (WFAE-FM reports) -- A growing number of N.C. counties are becoming so-called Second Amendment sanctuaries, including several in the Charlotte region. In general, that means local governments pass resolutions affirming they won't enact unconstitutional gun-control measures. Union County commissioners are set to vote on a sanctuary resolution, and a group plans to petition Cabarrus County commissioners to consider one, as well.

SALENA ZITO: 2nd Amendment Sanctuary Movement Isn’t Going Away (Wall Street Journal column) -- The media smears them as ‘white supremacists,’ but thousands showed up in Richmond, Va.

VIRGINIA ANNABLE: Catawba County Commissioners pass Second Amendment resolution (Hickory Daily Record reports) -- Catawba County Commissioners voted Tuesday to support Catawba County’s proposed resolution to declare support of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution -- the right to bear arms. The resolution says the county and Catawba County Sheriff’s Office would oppose any laws that infringe on those rights. The vote was unanimous.

Cabarrus County board of commissioners vote in favor of Second Amendment resolution (WCNC-TV reports) -- It’s becoming a growing trend across the country and in North Carolina, now 11 counties have either passed or are talking about becoming Second Amendment sanctuaries. The declaration is meant to protect the rights of law-abiding gun owners, regardless of what happens on a state or federal level. So far, Gaston, Lincoln, Catawba, Alexander, Cleveland, Iredell, Ashe, Stanly, Union and Rowan Counties have either passed or discussed Second Amendment Sanctuary resolutions.

NC DOT Funding (The Insider reports) -- The N.C. Department of Transportation plans to change how it handles federal funding in an effort to restore about $1.14 billion shifted out of the Highway Trust Fund in the months ahead of a cash crunch. The agency has given itself a 2024 deadline to repay the transferred money, according to a report sent to legislators. The legislature required the report as part of legislation last year to give the agency more than $100 million to address shortfalls, and the report also details DOT's efforts to cut costs.

Unemployment lawsuit (The Insider reports) -- Did a law enforcement officer quit his job when he turned in his badge and said, "I'm done"? It's a question that multiple state agencies have been wrestling with, and one that N.C. Court of Appeals judges ordered Tuesday should be revisited. In April 2017, supervisors at the Pinehurst Police Department ordered their employees to participate in a medical screening that included giving urine and blood samples and a detailed medical history to a third party, according to court records.

Group asks West Virginia council to stop prayers at meetings (AP reports) -- A Wisconsin-based advocacy group has issued a complaint on a West Virginia city council's practice of opening meetings with predominantly Christian prayers, a local news outlet reported. The letter cited the 2017 Lund v. Rowan County case in N.C., in which a county board opened each session with a prayer, often with references to Christianity and without asking other faiths to participate, according to records filed in the case. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled the board violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment when it "elevated one religion above all others and aligned itself with that faith.” Johnson’s letter argues that the situation in Wheeling resembles the N.C. case.

BRIA BELL: Woman files lawsuit against NC faith-based company, says they’re breaking the law (WBTV reports) -- A lawsuit against a Christian broadcaster based in south Charlotte was filed in January. A former employee – who was fired – has accused the company of failing to pay her what she was promised and forcing her to work overtime without extra pay.

WESLEY YOUNG: Hydroponics startup gets more money (Winston-Salem Journal reports) -- A greenhouse has been built at Kimberley Park with the objective a starting a hydroponic tomato operation. The project is seeking an additional $500,000 to get the operation up and running. The Winston-Salem City Council granted another $500,000 on Tuesday to see a start-up hydroponics operation to completion. The spending is on top of $962,000 approved by the city in 2016 to get the project started. The hydroponics project — meant to provide food and job training — is being carried out for the city by Goler Community Development Corp.

PAUL NIELSON: Hockmeyer declines local, state funding for expansion (Daily Advance reports) -- Hockmeyer Equipment Corp. has decided to forgo more than $1 million in state and local incentives for its planned expansion in Elizabeth City.

LINDELL J. KAY: Move over: State raises penalties for striking emergency vehicles (The Wilson Times reports) -- Local authorities say stiffer penalties for drivers who violate the state’s move-over law could make highways safer for everyone.

ALEX GRANADOS: Court finds 'considerable, systemic work is necessary to deliver' on Leandro and sound, basic education (WRAL-TV reports) -- Judge David Lee signed a consent order Tuesday that lays out a plan of action for the state to meet the mandates of the long-running Leandro court case. The consent order signed by Lee lays out the general agreement of all parties as to the facts of the case, the findings and recommendations of the WestEd report, and the need to do something further to meet the Leandro mandates. It also establishes a plan for the parties to present further reports detailing concrete steps the state will take to meet the short-, middle-, and long-term recommendations of the WestEd report.

KELLY HINCHCLIFFE: Wake school leaders exploring whether academic options could help improve diversity (WRAL-TV reports) -- Wake County Board of Education members are exploring how different academic options might help schools become more integrated. Tuesday's discussion was part of the board's ongoing efforts to balance student diversity across schools. The board has been working with facilitators from RTI International, who are leading the discussions about how to define diversity in schools and what data should be examined.

GILBERT BAEZ: Cape Fear Valley to rape victims: If you were charged for rape kit, let us know to waive costs (WRAL-TV reports) -- Documents obtained by WRAL News show that Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville has billed rape victims thousands of dollars, violating a state law.

NIA HARDEN: Major US airports screening travelers for deadly coronavirus (WRAL-TV reports) -- The first case of the deadly coronavirus was reported in the U.S. on Tuesday, and local travelers are on high alert.

To prevent senior deaths from falls, NC providers turn to exercise and home-proofing (N.C. Health News reports) -- Deaths following falls is on the rise among seniors. But keeping up strength and mobility can prevent falls, as can making homes safer for those at risk, say North Carolinians working to counter the trend.

Eli Lilly returns to RTP with $470M plant for diabetes drugs (TECHWIRE/WRAL-TV reports) -- Global pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY) plans to build a research facility in RTP, creating 462 jobs over the next five years. The Indianapolis-based company will invest $474 million in the lab, which will produce injectable medicines like insulin, as well as delivery systems like pens. The state has approved a Job Development Investment Grant of up to $8.7 million for Lilly. The JDIG will rebate some of the state withholding taxes on the new jobs to the company if it meets annual hiring and investment targets over the next 12 years. Durham County also will provide incentives to the company, and Durham Technical Community College will offer a customized training program for the plant’s workers. The new jobs will pay an average salary of more than $72,000 a year, officials said, which is slightly higher than Durham County’s average of $71,750.

Lilly to build North Carolina plant, create over 460 jobs (AP reports} - Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly & Co. will build a new manufacturing facility in N.C., generating over 460 new jobs.

Why Eli Lilly chose Durham (Triangle Business Journal reports) -- The global drug giant says it will bring 460 jobs to a new facility in Durham – a more than $470 million investment.

MARK BOYLE: DHA official says McDougald Terrace residents to remain in hotels for now (WRAL-TV reports) -- Out of their homes for several weeks, dozens of residents from McDougald Terrace housing complex demanded answers Tuesday night at the Durham City Council meeting. DHA announced at the meeting it is renewing hotel stays on a week-by-week basis, according to Housing Director Anthony Scott. He also said residents will still be out of their homes and in hotels for a couple more weeks.

Charlotte husband serenades wife before brain cancer surgery (WRAL-TV reports) -- Ray Singleton has been using music to encourage his wife as she battles brain cancer and to calm himself. A video of him singing to her before she went into surgery has gone viral.

SLOANE HEFFERNAN: Raleigh officials consider asking taxpayers for up to $150M for Dix Park (WRAL-TV reports) -- Local residents may soon have to pay more green for Raleigh's green spaces, including the planned Dix Park. Raleigh officials are considering putting a parks bond on the November ballot and are weighing three options: $150 million, $200 million and $250 million.

NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame will induct its 2020 class of honorees -- Rebecca Darwin, Co-founder and CEO of the Allée Group; Peter Gammons, Award-winning sportswriter and broadcaster; Nikole Hannah-Jones; Investigative reporter for The New York Times Magazine; Torod Neptune; Chief Communications Officer at Lenovo; Judy Woodruff; Managing editor and anchor of PBS NewsHour.

MICHAEL HEWLETT: Longtime Winston-Salem attorney dies. Fred Crumpler helped develop the Alford plea (Winston-Salem Journal reports) -- One of local lawyer Fred Crumpler’s cases, North Carolina vs. Henry Alford, paved the way for what is known as the Alford plea. Crumpler died Sunday at age 89. The prominent Winston-Salem attorney whose legal work helped establish the right of a criminal defendant to enter a plea without admitting guilt died Sunday after an illness, said David Freedman, a partner of the law firm Crumpler, now known as Crumpler, Freedman Parker & Witt, founded in 1959.

Study names NC 3rd best state in which to drive (WRAL-TV reports) -- With U.S. traffic congestion costing U.S. drivers $87 billion in 2018 and the U.S. ranked 17th in the world in road quality, the personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on 2020's Best & Worst States to Drive In.

Agents seize $460,000 in counterfeit goods from Greensboro flea market (AP reports) -- Federal agents seized nearly half a million dollars worth of counterfeit shoes, handbags and watches at a Greensboro flea market, according to the North Carolina Secretary of State.

MARY CANROBERT: Column: Tuskegee Airmen piloted a path of success for many black Americans (Hickory Daily Record reports) -- Before the Catawba County Library issued a press release announcing that it was helping to bring the off-Broadway play “Black Angels Over Tuskegee” to the Catawba Valley, I knew that the Tuskegee Airmen were African American men who played a significant role in World War II, but that was about it.

CASSANDRA SHERRILL: Know an Axel from a Salchow? What to watch for at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Greensboro (Winston-Salem Journal reports) -- The Greensboro Coliseum is playing host to the U.S. Figure Skating Championships for the third time. The national championships were also held there in 2011 and 2015. Competition for junior skaters began Tuesday, and the Olympics-level seniors will compete Thursday through Sunday. If you’re a casual skating fan — or a total neophyte to the sport — here’s what and who to watch this year in the senior divisions.