Later today, the Charlotte City Council will hear information about a potential civil rights/racial profiling ordinance. The measure is sponsored by several groups including the NAACP, ActionNC and Democracy North Carolina. The ordinance, among other things, calls for a prohibition of profiling based on race, religion, what country a person is from and gender. The ordinance presentation is at 5:00 p.m. at the government center. Comments from the public will not be taken.
CATS CEO Stepping Down, Accepting Presidential Appointment
Carolyn Flowers, the CEO of the Charlotte Area Transit System says she is stepping down after receiving a presidential appointment. Her last day at CATS will be January 9. Flowers will then serve as a Senior Advisor to the Federal Transit Administration, a group within the U.S. Department of Transportation that provides financial and technical assistance to public transit systems nationwide.
NC's FY2014 Report Released
North Carolina's Controller has released the states comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2014. North Carolina collected $450 million less in revenues than had been forecast, largely due to under collections in individual income taxes. That was partially offset by stronger than anticipated corporate income tax and sales and use tax collections.
Environmentalists Want Advisory For Fish Caught In Sutton Lake
Environmentalists want North Carolina health officials to warn people against eating fish caught in Sutton Lake near Wilmington. This after a new study by two professors at the University of Florida reported unsafe levels of selenium in the fish. In high doses selenium can be toxic to humans. The element is found naturally but it is also a byproduct of burning coal.
The lake is near a retired Duke Energy power plant and a coal ash storage pond. The study was paid for by the Southern Environmental Law Center.
After pressure from environmental groups, state environmental regulators began tightening water quality standards for the lake last month.
Upgrades Coming To Charlotte Airport
Charlotte Douglas International is poised to get some more upgrades in the coming year. The Charlotte Observer reports American Airlines, which operates 90 percent of the daily flights in Charlotte, is spending some $2 billion on its planes and hub airports. Planned upgrades to hubs include remodeled clubs for frequent fliers, more check-in kiosks and more charging stations for electronics in passenger waiting areas. American will also update the interiors of a number of aircraft in its fleet.
Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Jointly In Charleston
The Coast Guard’s Maritime Law Enforcement Academy in Charleston is hosting a two week training program for members of the Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Beginning today, officers from both agencies will train patrolling with each other in border waters, checking for everything from safety violations to drug and cigarette running. The training involves becoming familiar with the laws of both countries.
Gastonia Man Scares Off Suspected Burglars, Posts Warning To Them
A 68-year-old Gastonia resident says he scared off two would-be burglars in ski masks using a gun he keeps in a holster on his walker. The man tells the Gaston Gazette after the attempted break-in last Thursday he taped a note to his door saying if they try to break in his house again he will be waiting.
Panthers Defeat Saints
The Carolina Panthers won yesterday in New Orleans beating the Saints 41 to 10. The game ends a six game losing streak for Carolina .who are now 4 and 8 and 1. This weekend they play 2-and-11 Tampa Bay in Charlotte.
Belk Bowl To Bring Georgia, Louisville To Charlotte
We now know who will play in the Belk Bowl later this month at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium. This year’s game will include two nationally-ranked teams, Number 13 Georgia versus Number 20 Louisville. The game is December 30.