Opinion Roundup: New judicial nomination; Bishop's 'harsh' discrimination; 'butt'ing in; dusting off iPads and more

Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019 -- A round up of opinion, commentary and analysis on: a new federal judicial nomination; Sen. Bishop's 'harsh' discrimination; 'butt'ing in at Carolina Beach; dusting off warehoused iPads; redistricting public hearing; judicial redistricting challenge in Mecklenburg County and more.

Dan Bishop’s harsh history of discrimination (Charlotte Observer) -- Republican congressional candidate Dan Bishop went on the offensive this week about his past, threatening media members if they broadcast an ad highlighting his 2017 investment in a web site frequented by white nationalists. But if the state senator from Mecklenburg wants to outrun his harsh history of discrimination, he’s going to need some durable shoes.

NO IF'S or AND'S, but BUTTS OK on Carolina Beach (WECT-TV reports) -- Carolina Beach leaders amended the town's public nudity ordinance Tuesday to remove the word "buttocks," WECT reported.

BRIAN MURPHY: Trump picks UNC law professor for long-vacant judge post, ending push for Thomas Farr (McClatchy D.C. reports) -- President Donald Trump nominated UNC law professor Richard Myers to fill the longest federal judicial vacancy in the county. Trump had twice nominated Raleigh lawyer Thomas Farr to be a judge, but Farr never received a full vote in the Senate. His nomination was doomed after Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and the lone black Republican in the Senate, said he could not support Farr, who was dogged by work he did for former Sen. Jesse Helms' campaigns that critics say disenfranchised black voters.

MATTHEW BURNS: UNC law professor Richard Myers nominated for federal judgeship, ending Farr's bid (WRAL-TV reports) -- President Donald Trump nominated Richard Myers, a professor at the UNC School of Law, to the longest-running vacancy on the federal bench.

Lawsuit challenges judicial elections in Mecklenburg County (AP reports) -- A lawsuit challenging the new way of electing District Court judges in Mecklenburg County says the law divides the county into two predominant racial groups and sorts the voters into districts by race.

JIM MARTIN, JIM HUNT, MIKE EASLEY, BEVERLY PERDUE: Ex-governors urge courts to end gerrymandering (Wilmington Star-News column) -- After 36 consecutive years of governing the great State of North Carolina, we have gained a perspective that few will ever experience. Although our policies and political viewpoints often differ, today we stand united on a matter that has critical importance to the constitutional democracy of our state.

Cash crunch forcing DOT to lay off hundreds of temp workers, contractors (WRAL-TV reports) -- The state Department of Transportation will lay off hundreds of temporary workers (not 1,000 as earlier reported by the News & Observer of Raleigh) and contractors in the coming weeks because storms and lawsuits have drained the agency's funding, officials said Wednesday.

Judge upholds firing of stay-at-home trooper (WRAL-TV reports) -- A state judge ruled the State Highway Patrol was justified in firing a sergeant who was found at home on several occasions when he was supposed to be working.

Have more than one, but not in N.C. -- sale of 'Polygamy Porter' banned (WRAL-TV reports) -- The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission denied the appeal of a Utah-based brewery to sell its "Polygamy Porter" in N.C.

JEFFERSON WEAVER: Investigation continues into allegation that county manager sexually harassed employee (Whiteville News-Reporter reports) -- A team of attorneys are investigating allegations that Columbus County Manager Mike Stephens made unwanted advances toward a Board of Elections employee. In a detailed letter to county commissioners, Portia Bowen said she was repeatedly approached by Stephens from January through June, either personally or through a third party with offers of a promotion to the director's post at the board.

The compelling case for drug-treatment courts (Wilmington Star-News column) -- State Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley was right when she called for increased funding for recovery courts. After interning in New Hanover County’s recovery courts under Judge James H. Faison III, I saw firsthand their life-changing effects.

Meadows discusses veteran legislation, mental health in Fletcher (Hendersonville Times-News reports) -- Over the six years U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows has hosted Veterans’ Solutions Seminars, he’s often heard from local veterans about their frustration with red tape issues with the VA. Representatives from the VA Hospital, the benefits office, the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs and members of Meadows’ staff attempted to address those issues.

Nonprofits host panel on redistricting in N.C. (Hendersonville Times-News reports) -- More than 140 people attended a forum about gerrymandering and fair redistricting at the Henderson County Public Library. Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters Henderson County and eight other nonprofits, “Redistricting: What Happens Now” was a panel discussion featuring Republican and Democratic state legislators.

CALLIE BROWN: N.C. must expand access to health care (Winston-Salem Journal column) -- I am a general pediatrician in Winston-Salem at a clinic that provides care almost exclusively for patients who receive Medicaid insurance. Many of my patients’ parents are uninsured. In N.C., more than 15% of parents of infants and toddlers are uninsured. Statewide, at least 500,000 adults do not earn enough to purchase private health insurance, yet earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. Why does this matter to a pediatrician? Because access to high-quality, affordable health care for a parent improves health for both parents and their children.

LAURA LESLIE: Both sides of gun debate appalled by gaps in background check system exposed in NC (WRAL-TV reports) -- The revelation that the convictions of about 145,000 people in North Carolina weren't included for years in a federal database used to determine whether someone can buy a gun irritates people on both sides of the gun debate.

TRAVIS FAIN: Supporters brace for veto on association health plans bill (WRAL-TV reports) -- An ad campaign ramps up to persuade the governor on association health plans, a top priority for real estate agents and other business groups.

KELLY HINCHCLIFFE: NC superintendent says 3,200 iPads sitting in warehouse for last 12 months finally to be distributed (WRAL-TV reports) -- More than 3,200 iPads are sitting in a state warehouse - 2,400 of them have been there for a year - but North Carolina Superintendent Mark Johnson says the devices will be delivered to districts this school year. He plans to announce details next week about what schools will be receiving them.

Thousands of iPads in warehouse to be distributed (AP reports) -- Schools superintendent says more than 3,200 iPads sitting in a state warehouse will be delivered during the upcoming school year.

KELLY HINCHCLIFFE: TeachNC campaign aims to recruit more people to teaching profession (WRAL-TV reports) -- State education leaders unveiled a new campaign aimed at recruiting more people to the teaching profession. TeachNC will focus on increasing the number of high-quality and diverse North Carolinians entering the teaching profession, especially in hard-to-staff areas such as science, math and special education.

Bragg family hospitalized with carbon monoxide poisoning (Fayetteville Observer reports) -- 88 homes on post are suspected to have “potential risks”

GREG BARNES: Pittsboro agrees to notify residents of drinking water contamination (N.C. Health News reports) -- The Town Board said chemicals found in the water don’t exceed standards, but residents need to know about the contamination so they can decide on their own whether they think it’s safe.

DAVID BORAKS: New N.C. Law Will Make Vehicle Charging Stations More Like Gas Pumps (WFAE-FM reports) -- One day in the not-too-distant future, drivers of electric cars could pick charging stations the same way owners of gas guzzlers choose pumps now - by price. New rules being adopted around the country, including North Carolina, are clearing the way.

JENNIFER ALLEN: Sea Level Rise Report to Look Beyond 2050 (Coastal Review reports) -- The Coastal Resources Commission is directing its science advisory panel to look at sea level rise predictions beyond 30 years in its 2020 update to a state report.

Endangering the Endangered Species Act (Greensboro News & Record) -- Since President Nixon signed it in 1973 — nearly half a century ago — the Endangered Species Act has been a resounding success story. Now the act itself is endangered, in the latest attack in the Trump administration’s war on the environment. This legislation has been the nation’s bedrock conservation law, the government’s most effective way to protect wildlife, fish and plants and, often in the process, irreplaceable lands that are their habitat.

Novelist Sparks defends decision on former head of NC school (AP reports) -- Author Nicholas Sparks says keeping the private Christian school he founded in his N.C. hometown headed in the right direction was tough during a 2013 spell before cutting ties with the new headmaster he deemed unfit for the job.

He was 'damaging' reputation of school: Nicholas Sparks takes stand in defamation lawsuit (WRAL-TV reports) -- A jury is ready to start hearing evidence in a federal lawsuit accusing novelist Nicholas Sparks of defaming the former headmaster of a private Christian school.