North Carolina

North Carolina high court backs move forcing school spending

Published

2 years ago

November 4, 2022

North Carolina high court backs move forcing school spending

An area North Carolina choose had the facility to switch giant quantities of taxpayer {dollars} from authorities coffers to state companies to hold out a plan to deal with longstanding training inequities, the state Supreme Courtroom dominated on Friday.

In one other landmark determination from faculty funding litigation that started three a long time in the past, the courtroom’s Democratic majority declared it was authentic for Superior Courtroom Choose David Lee final 12 months to order the motion of $1.75 billion from state coffers to companies to implement an training remedial plan he authorised earlier.

Republican legislative leaders argued that solely the Normal Meeting has authority to acceptable cash, citing language throughout the North Carolina Structure.

However in a 4-3 determination, justices agreed with Lee — who died final month — that earlier Supreme Courtroom choices within the case, together with the structure’s declaration addressing the folks’s “proper to the privilege of training,” gave him authority to order funds be spent with no particular Normal Meeting regulation.

Affiliate Justice Robin Hudson, writing the 139-page majority opinion, described this an “extraordinary” scenario by which the courts can intervene after a 1997 Supreme Courtroom ruling that discovered there was a constitutionally protected proper for youngsters to acquire the “alternative for a sound fundamental training.” In 2004, justices declared that the state had did not reside as much as that mandate.

As did Lee, Hudson cited the repeated unwillingness of different elements of state authorities to offer the assets essential to adjust to these guidelines for ordering the switch.

“For twenty-five years, the judiciary has deferred to the chief and legislative branches to implement a complete resolution to this ongoing constitutional violation,” Hudson wrote. “Right now, that deference expires.”

The opinion is a large victory for the plaintiffs within the litigation first filed in 1994 and their training allies, which embody Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. He was not named a authorized celebration within the case however his workplace helped develop the remedial plan that Lee in the end designed.

One other trial choose earlier this 12 months lowered Lee’s proposed switch to $785 million, citing the passage of training funding within the 2021 state price range regulation. Hudson stated Friday the case needs to be returned to Lee’s successor, Choose Mike Robinson, to recalculate the necessity in gentle of this 12 months’s price range regulation.

“As soon as these calculations have been made, we instruct the trial courtroom to order these state officers to switch these funds to the desired state companies,” Hudson added.

The eight-year remedial plan that Lee signed off on directed at the very least $5.6 billion be spent on issues like enhancing trainer recruitment and salaries, hiring extra faculty help personnel, increasing pre-kindergarten and boosting funding to teach college students with disabilities.

Legislative leaders haven’t been events within the litigation till just lately and in authorized briefs even questioned whether or not Lee had any foundation to impose a remedial plan that coated all 100 counties. Hudson rejected that argument and others from lawmakers.

Affiliate Justice Phil Berger Jr., who wrote an 88-page dissenting opinion for the courtroom’s three Republicans, stated it is clear that the facility to acceptable funds rests solely with the Normal Meeting.

“If legislative energy over appropriations is absolute, then the judicial department has no position on this endeavor,” wrote Berger, who’s the son of Senate chief Phil Berger, a Rockingham County Republican.

As an alternative, the youthful Berger wrote, “the bulk right now now joins in denying legislative defendants due course of, the elemental equity owed to any celebration, and usurps the legislative energy by crafting coverage and immediately appropriating funds.”

The justices dominated barely two months after listening to oral arguments and 4 days earlier than statewide elections for 2 affiliate justice seats, each held by Democrats Sam Ervin IV and Hudson. Ervin is searching for reelection, whereas Hudson is retiring.

Republicans can receive a majority in the event that they win at the very least one of many seats, which probably may open the door for the Supreme Courtroom to revisit the case.

Each main events have managed at one time the Normal Meeting and the Govt Mansion for the reason that 2004 ruling. However Democrats led by Cooper embraced the remedial plan. Republican legislators have touted state price range legal guidelines that hold growing Okay-12 spending and training coverage enhancements.

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North Carolina

Dozens in western NC kicked out of hotels Tuesday despite FEMA extending deadline, officials say

Published

1 hour ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Dozens in western NC kicked out of hotels Tuesday despite FEMA extending deadline, officials say

Despite the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) extending the deadline, dozens of people in western North Carolina were left without shelter Tuesday night after being kicked out of the hotels FEMA provided as temporary housing for those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

On Monday, FEMA announced it was extending the deadline for its Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for victims of Helene in western North Carolina.

Through the program, FEMA paid for hotel and motel rooms for thousands of people displaced by Hurricane Helene.

Tuesday just before 3:30 p.m., FEMA said on X that “current eligible occupants can remain in their lodging through the end of March 2025.”

But hours later, Senator Ted Budd posted this message on X:

“My office is hearing from dozens in WNC who have been kicked out of their hotels tonight, despite FEMA’s announcement yesterday that they were extending Transitional Sheltering Assistance through January 25.

“This is unacceptable. This needs to be fixed TONIGHT.”

Senator Thom Tillis also called out FEMA Tuesday night on X:

“My office has been helping dozens of Helene victims today who have been told their hotel vouchers expired despite not having a safe and livable home to go back to. Their homes have mold and broken windows…it’s 20 degrees tonight. Hotels are trying to help them, and a number of nonprofits are stepping up to pay for victims to stay in their hotels so FEMA has another day to get its act together.

“This is a total breakdown on the part of FEMA.”

This comes after Governor Josh Stein was in western North Carolina that same day.

On Tuesday, Stein posted a photo of himself eating a BBQ sandwich at JRO’s in Canton.

Gov. Josh Stein eating sandwich in Canton Tuesday (Photo: Josh Stein Facebook)

“My team and I have been working hard to maintain temporary housing assistance for people in western NC,” the governor said Monday, one day prior, on X.

Senator Budd said later on Tuesday that he had been in contact with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and encouraged those in need of assistance to contact his office at budd.senate.gov.

WRAL News reached out to FEMA, and this was the agency’s response:

“If any survivors still need housing assistance or feel their TSA eligibility ended in error, they should immediately call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362.”

If you were impacted by this situation and would like to share your experience with WRAL, go to wral.com/reportit.

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North Carolina

NC Lottery Mega Millions, Lucky For Life results for Jan. 14, 2025

Published

10 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Jan. 14 drawing

04-14-35-49-62, Mega Ball: 06, Megaplier: 3

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Jan. 14 drawing

03-06-17-26-39, Lucky Ball: 04

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 14 drawing

Day: 2-0-1, Fireball: 3

Evening: 3-3-6, Fireball: 3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 14 drawing

Day: 0-2-7-8, Fireball: 8

Evening: 8-8-1-4, Fireball: 2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 14 drawing

11-17-19-20-33

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Double Play numbers from Jan. 14 drawing

18-24-36-37-43

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:

Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.

When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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North Carolina

School closings, delays in Western North Carolina, Wednesday, Jan. 15

Published

18 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

School closings, delays in Western North Carolina, Wednesday, Jan. 15

Some school systems in Western North Carolina are closed or operating on delays Wednesday, Jan. 15, due to winter weather impacts.

Avery County Schools: Two-hour delay.
Cherokee County Schools: Two-hour delay.
Clay County Schools: Closed, optional workday.
Graham County Schools: Two-hour delay.
Jackson County Schools: Two-hour delay.
Macon County Schools: Franklin area closed, remote learning day. Highlands School, three-hour delay. Nantahala School, two-hour delay.
Madison County Schools: One-hour delay.
Mitchell County Schools: One-hour delay.
Swain County Schools: Two-hour delay.
Transylvania County Schools: Two-hour delay.