North Carolina

NC lawmakers back this week for overrides, but not budget

Published

9 months ago

August 14, 2023

NC lawmakers back this week for overrides, but not budget

RALEIGH, N.C. — After more than a month of inaction, state lawmakers will return to Raleigh this week to resume work aimed at finishing the regular legislative session.

The state budget is already six weeks late due to deadlocked negotiations between House and Senate Republicans. That stalemate could stretch into September, according to House Speaker Tim Moore, so the budget isn’t a likely candidate for action this week. However, a slew of bills, conference reports and veto overrides remain to be considered.

Moore has scheduled five veto override votes for Wednesday. Those vetoes include two bills loosening rules for charter schools, two bills targeting LGBTQ+ minors, and one that would change the state’s building code oversight. All five were vetoed by Democratic Governor Roy Cooper in early July.

House override bills

Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. House Bill 574 would ban transgender girls and women from competing in women’s sports in middle school, high school and college athletics in North Carolina.

Sponsors say allowing transgender female athletes to compete against athletes who were born female is unfair, because transgender women are bigger and stronger and faster. But critics say the ban is unnecessary. Only two transgender girls have even sought permission to compete in high school athletics in North Carolina.

Gender transition for minors. House Bill 808 would prohibit any medical professional from providing gender-affirming medical care to any transgender patient under 18, including hormone treatments or puberty blockers as well as surgical procedures, even if the minor’s parent consents.

Supporters of the bill say they’re trying to protect underage people from making decisions that could have life-long consequences. But opponents say gender-affirming care can be lifesaving for young transgender people, and all major medical groups support it.

Code council reorganization and amendments. House Bill 488 would divide the state’s current Building Code Council into two bodies, one focused on residential buildings and the other on commercial. It would also ban the council from updating the current building code and adding new energy efficiency rules, and allow the builders of multifamily units to use less fire-proofing between dwellings.

Charter school review board. House Bill 618 would create a new board to vet and grant charter school applications. It would be able to reconsider any application rejections by the State Board of Education from July 2022 onward.

Supporters of charters have maintained for years that the State Board of Education, which currently makes those decisions, is insufficiently supportive of charters and too slow to act on applications. The new review board, which would mostly be appointed by Republican lawmakers, would likely be more receptive. Opponents say the power to approve applications should remain with the state board of education. They say the new board would be under political pressure to be overly permissive in approving or renewing schools.

Charter School Omnibus. House Bill 219 includes an array of changes loosening state law governing charter schools. It would allow them to expand without permission as long as they’re not low-performing and allow them to give preferential treatment to some applicants. It would also let them enroll and charge tuition for out-of-state and foreign exchange students. And it would give counties authority to use — and even raise — property tax revenue for charters’ capital needs, which currently isn’t legal. It would also ban regulators from considering the impact of a new charter on local school districts in the application process.

Supporters say the measure would even the financial playing field for charters and make it easier for them to grow to meet demand. Opponents, including many traditional public school advocates, warn it would drain capital funds from districts and could result in over-proliferation of charters in some districts.

A supermajority with no wiggle room

Republicans in the state House and Senate hold veto-proof majorities — but only barely. A veto override requires support from all 72 Republicans in the House and all 30 Republicans in the Senate. If even one or two Republicans are absent, and if all Democrats are present and voting against an override, it will fail.

That’s one reason the override votes haven’t happened yet in the House. Four of the five override votes have been delayed five times already because some GOP members were unable to attend those sessions.

The regular legislative session is usually over by mid-July, so many lawmakers schedule travel, family vacations and medical procedures in mid-July and August, making it a challenge to get all of them into the chamber on any given day in that period.

The House and Senate also have differing rules on how vetoes are handled. The law doesn’t require, and neither body has set, a time limit within which they have to take up a veto override, also known as “reconsideration.”

The Senate’s rules require the majority party to give 24 hours’ notice to the minority party before an override vote can be held. The House’s rules are less strict, allowing an override vote “on the legislative day [a veto] is received in the House from the Senate or Governor or any other legislative day it is printed on the calendar,” which often isn’t published until late the preceding evening.

If House Republicans aren’t sure they’ll have sufficient members present to override a veto, they’ll generally reschedule the override vote rather than risk it. In the Senate, there are fewer members to account for. They generally don’t schedule an override vote until they’ve found a day that will work.

The other veto

A sixth veto could be taken up this week, but it wouldn’t start in the House.

Senate Bill 49, Parents Bill of Rights, passed its final legislative vote June 29, largely along party lines. While no Democrats in the House or Senate voted for it, one House Republican — Rep. Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke — voted against it.

It was vetoed July 5 by Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, who called it a “don’t say gay” bill, evoking a law passed in Florida. Cooper warned it would “scare teachers into silence by injecting fear and uncertainty into classrooms.”

Under legislative rules, vetoed bills get their first override vote in the chamber where the bill originated. The bill was sent to Senate Rules July 6 and has not moved since.

Speaking to reporters July 31, Senate leader Phil Berger said the Senate will vote to override the veto of S49 “at some point.” So far, no override vote has been scheduled.

Berger spokeswoman Lauren Horsch said last week that the full Senate is expected to be in Raleigh this week, but no votes are on their calendar yet.

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North Carolina

Lead slips away in draw with N.C. – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Published

3 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Press Room

Lead slips away in draw with N.C. – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

PITTSBURGH (May 18, 2024) — The Pittsburgh Riverhounds extended their unbeaten streak to seven games, but the team was unable to hold on to take all three points and settled for a 1-1 draw with North Carolina FC tonight at Highmark Stadium.

Edward Kizza scored just before halftime for the Hounds (3-3-4), but a headed goal in the second half by Evan Conway pulled North Carolina (2-4-5) level.

It was the first draw in five meetings between the teams, and it came in front of a sellout crowd of 5,113.

First half

The Hounds were the more promising side to begin the match, though former Hounds player Louis Pérez had the first good chance with an eighth-minute free kick from 27 yards that missed just over the bar for North Carolina.

Back the other way seconds later, the Hounds had a golden opportunity when Langston Blackstock sent a low cross in from the right wing, but a lunging Kenardo Forbes couldn’t turn the ball on frame from close range.

Forbes put his next chance on target just before the half-hour mark, a curling shot from inside the box that was spilled by North Carolina keeper Antonio Carrera. The rebound went to Kizza out wide, but with his back to goal and no angle to shoot, he played the ball wide for Junior Etou, and no Hounds were able to get on the end of the next cross.

Kizza’s goal came in the 44th minute after Danny Griffin nearly dribbled through the North Carolina midfield, playing a pass that took a fortunate deflection to Blackstock as he ran toward the top of the box. Carrera and the defense closed to Blackstock, who wisely slipped a pass to his left, where Kizza was unmarked and played the ball into the open net.

Second half

Where the Hounds had the edge with 61 percent of first-half possession, North Carolina came back with 66 percent of the ball after the break.

The visitors tied the match when Pérez served in a long, high ball from the left side that ended up being perfectly placed. Conway sprinted between a pair of Hounds defenders, and his header stayed just under the crossbar for the tying goal in the 58th minute.

Both teams searched for a winning goal, and the best chance late came from North Carolina substitute Oalex Anderson. Anderson got the ball at his feet inside the box, and he was able to spin away from two defenders and put plenty of power on a shot moving away from goal, but Hounds goalkeeper Gabriel Perrotta was able to parry the shot away and keep the match tied.

Modelo Man of the Match

Langston Blackstock picked up his first assist of the season on the Hounds’ goal, and the right wing back had a strong two-way night. The second-year pro created two chances, won 7 of 14 duels — including all three tackles on the night — and tied for the match high with six clearances.

What’s next?

The Hounds will make a Memorial Day weekend trip to Tennessee, where they will face Memphis 901 FC at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25. Memphis (4-5-1), which moved to the Western Conference this year, won last night against El Paso, 2-1.

Riverhounds SC lineup (5-3-2) — Gabriel Perrotta; Junior Etou, Luke Biasi, Pat Hogan, Illal Osumanu (Sean Suber 62’), Langston Blackstock; Kenardo Forbes (Dani Rovira 77’), Danny Griffin, Robbie Mertz (Aidan O’Toole 77’); Edward Kizza (Bradley Sample 62’), Kazaiah Sterling

North Carolina FC lineup (5-3-2) — Antonio Carrera; Ezra Armstrong, Bryce Washington, Paco Craig, Mikey Maldonado, Shaft Brewer; Collin Martin, Raheem Somersall (Rodrigo Da Costa 76’), Louis Pérez; Evan Conway, Garrett McLaughlin (Oalex Anderson 68’)

Scoring summary

PIT — Edward Kizza 44’ (Langston Blackstock)
NC — Evan Conway 58’ (Louis Pérez)

Discipline summary

PIT — Illal Osumanu 6’ (caution – tactical foul)
PIT — Junior Etou 67’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Bradley Sample 85’ (caution – tactical foul)

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North Carolina

Watch live: Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. North Carolina FC live stream

Published

10 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Press Room

Watch live: Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. North Carolina FC live stream

Ireland Contracting Nightly Sports Call: May 12, 2024

16:01

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — It’s a soccer night in Pittsburgh!

The Riverhounds are back home in Pittsburgh after last week’s 2-2 draw against Tulsa and head into this week’s matchup with a 3-4-3 record this season.

Kickoff at Highmark Stadium is set for 7:00 p.m.

There are multiple ways to watch the Riverhounds this season, including by watching the live player above and by tuning into KDKA+!

The Riverhounds’ 2024 season

KDKA+, which became the team’s local broadcast partner in 2023, will show 15 home matches and seven away matches this season. The matches will also be streaming here on KDKA.com.

The matches that KDKA+ will be broadcasting for the rest of the season listed below:

Saturday, June 1 – Riverhounds vs. Indy – 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 22 — North Carolina vs. Riverhounds – 7:30 p.m/
Saturday, July 6 — Riverhounds vs. Monterey Bay – 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 13 – Riverhounds vs. Oakland – 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 27 – Riverhounds vs. Loudoun – 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 10 – Riverhounds vs. San Antonio – 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 17 – Riverhounds vs. Colorado Springs – 7 p.m.
Saturday, August 24 – Birmingham vs. Riverhounds – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 31 – Indy vs. Riverhounds – 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 7 – Riverhounds vs. Rhode Island – 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 14 – Tampa Bay vs. Riverhounds – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 28 – Riverhounds vs. Birmingham – 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 12 – Riverhounds vs. Charleston – 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 19 – Loudoun vs. Riverhounds – 7 p.m.
Saturday, October 26 – Riverhounds vs. El Paso – 7 p.m.

Mike Darnay

Mike Darnay is a digital producer and photojournalist at KDKA-TV/CBS News Pittsburgh. Mike has also written and produced content for Vox Media and the Mon Valley Independent.
He often covers overnight breaking news, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and high school sports.

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North Carolina

North Carolina Sports Betting Apps | 5 Best NC Sportsbook Apps & Promos to Grab Today

Published

17 hours ago

May 18, 2024

Press Room

North Carolina Sports Betting Apps | 5 Best NC Sportsbook Apps & Promos to Grab Today

The sports betting calendar just keeps delivering with golf’s second major, the PGA Championship continuing all weekend, along with the NASCAR All-Star Race on Sunday from North Wilkesboro Speedway and the final days of the conference semifinals in the NBA and NHL. Sign up today with the best North Carolina sports betting apps and you can cash in on thousands of dollars in welcome offers.

You can wager on MMA and UFC, the PGA, soccer, motorsports, the NBA, NHL, MLB and so much more in the palm of your hand with these North Carolina betting apps.

Best North Carolina Sports Betting Apps

North Carolina Betting App	Promo Code	Welcome Offer
📲 BetMGM	🌟 SBWIRE	🎁 $1,500 First-Bet Offer
📲 Caesars Sportsbook	🌟 SBWIRE1000	🎁 $1,000 first Bet on Caesars
📲 FanDuel	🌟 CLICK HERE	🎁 Get $5, Get $200
📲 bet365	🌟 SBWIRENC	🎁 Bet $5, Get $150 or 1st Bet Safety Net up to $1000
📲 Fanatics	🌟 CLICK HERE	🎁 Get Up to $1000 in Bonus Bets
📲 DraftKings	🌟 CLICK HERE	🎁 Get $5, Get $200

Every North Carolina resident and visitor who’s thinking about wagering on needs to grab these North Carolina sports betting apps and bonuses to load up their bankroll.

BetMGM NC Betting App

As we start discussing all the North Carolina sports betting apps, let’s start with the biggest number on the board, available with the BetMGM North Carolina bonus code SBWIRE.

Make your first bet on any sport available on the BetMGM app — one of the best North Carolina betting apps. If it loses, you will receive bonus bets back as a refund. For wagers below $50, you will get one credit for the full amount. For bets of $50 and more (capped at $1,500), you will receive five bonus bets, each equal to 20% of your original bet.

Caesars Sportsbook North Carolina Betting App

The Caesars Sportsbook NC promo code gives new time users a $1,000 First Bet on Caesars. If your opening bet up to $1,000 after registration loses, Caesars will pay you back with a matching bonus bet.

You have 14 days to play the bonus bet credit, which comes with no odds restrictions and carries a 1X playthrough – meaning anything you win while wagering with the bonus bet is yours to keep.

FanDuel North Carolina Sports Betting App

When you sign up for a FanDuel account with the FanDuel North Carolina promo code and play a $5 first bet, $200 in bonus bets are all yours.

You get seven days to play these bonus bets, but here’s where FanDuel is unique. FanDuel allows you to spread around your $200 in bonus bets any way you like. If you want to use it all on one game, that’s cool. If you think it’d be awesome to have something down on 15 games, then go for it. They’re your bonus bets. The minimum bonus bet wager is just $5, meaning you could make 40 bets if you like – including props and parlays. Each time a bonus bet wins, you win cash.

bet365 North Carolina Sports Betting App

Let’s shake it up a little bit, courtesy of bet365 NC. When you register for a bet365 account with the bet365 North Carolina bonus code SBWIRENC, you’re allowed to decide whether you want either $150 in bonus bets for placing a $5 first bet or a First Bet Safety Net up to $1,000.

With the first offer, you simply make a $5 first bet on anything you want and you’ll get $150 in bonus bets immediately. With the First Bet Safety Net, you get to make a first bet anywhere from $10 to $1,000 with the knowledge that bet365 returns the amount of your bet to your account as bonus bets if it loses.

Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina Betting App

The Fanatics Sportsbook North Carolina promo code delivers the potential for up to $1,000 in bonus bets with one of the more intriguing North Carolina sportsbook apps available.

When you sign up today, you will receive a matching bonus bet equal to your first wager, up to $100. Then for the next nine days, you can select a real-money wager and have it matched as well – up to $100 each day – for a potential $1,000 in total bonus bets.

DraftKings NC Sports Betting App

Let’s close out this embarrassment of potential riches by checking out what DraftKings has to offer. If you start an account with the DraftKings North Carolina promo code, you’ll get to receive $200 in bonus bets the instant you place a $5 first bet.

As soon as you plunk down your $5 first bet, DraftKings whisks you eight $25 bonus bets, and you’ll have seven days to play them on any sport you want. Any bonus bet needs to win just once for you to collect the profit in cash.

Bet on the PGA Championship & More With These North Carolina Betting Apps

The PGA Championship teed off from the Jack Nicklaus-designed Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, KY Thursday morning and the field includes World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who had missed the last few tournaments while awaiting the birth of his first child. Scheffler announced the birth of a baby boy on Monday from Valhalla.

The North Carolina sports betting apps and the sportsbook promos designed for the dawn of this online sports betting era can be utilized on more than 20 sports all over the globe — everything from auto racing to hockey to football to futbol.

There will be plenty of drama. But if you want no drama, then just cash in on $1,700 in bonus bets thanks to all of these spectacular North Carolina betting promos available for new customers. Keep in mind, you can sign up for as many of these as you want!

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.

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