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NC House bill draws fire over contraception rules

NC House bill draws fire over contraception rules

A bill broadening so-called conscience protections and the number of employers who can refuse to provide contraception services in health insurance coverage has been approved by a North Carolina House committee.

The bill approved Wednesday allows any medical professional to refuse to participate in an abortion and allows any business to refuse to provide contraception coverage on religious or moral grounds.

The bill expands so-called conscience protections beyond doctors and nurses to include people such as pharmacists and technicians.

The contraception provision expands existing law that exempts religious organizations to any private or nonprofit company.

The bill also outlaws health care plans that include abortion services from future online marketplaces of private plans offered under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Opponents say the bill tramples women's rights.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

Secretary of State launches mobile website

Secretary of State launches mobile website

The North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office has launched a mobile version of the Department’s website.

The mobile site, m.sosnc.com, allows anyone to search the SOS Corporations, Lobbying Compliance, UCC Debtor, Federal Tax Lien, and Charitable Solicitation Licensing databases from web-enabled smartphones or tablets.

After searching in one of the databases, users can simply pull up PDFs of filings. 

“This puts a wealth of searchable data literally in the hands of SOS customers who need to access the site on their smartphones and tablets in order to save time and money,” Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall said Tuesday. “Making these databases accessible on mobile platforms is an important step in keeping pace with how our customers are accessing information.”

To try out the mobile site on your web-enabled smartphone or tablet, just go to m.sosnc.com.

Mayor Foxx nominated to be next U.S. Transportation Secretary

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- President Barack Obama nominated Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to head the U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday.

The president highlighted Foxx's background on building out the transit system here in Charlotte with the Lynx Blue Line and the start of work on the city's east-west streetcar line.

Earlier this month, Foxx announced he would not seek re-election as Charlotte mayor.

"If confirmed, I will do my absolute best to uphold the standard at the Department of Transportation," Foxx said in his statement at the White House. "I don't know of a Democrat or Republican road, bridge, rail system or port."

Mayor Foxx nor his press secretary commented on the impending announcement. But some state representatives are already taking to Twitter to congratulate Foxx on his nomination.

Pittenger invites community to Open House Celebration in Mooresville

Pittenger invites community to Open House Celebration in Mooresville

Congressman Robert Pittenger is inviting the community to celebrate the opening of the first-ever Congressional office in Iredell County with a ribbon-cutting and open house on Tuesday, April 2.

Congressman Pittenger will host a reception between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at his office in Mooresville. Residents of Iredell County, north Mecklenburg, and the Lake Norman area are encouraged to attend and learn more about the services offered by Congressman Pittenger’s office.

“We are honored to help constituents who need assistance dealing with Washington bureaucracy, including issues involving Social Security, Medicare, Veteran’s benefits, passports, and immigration,” commented Congressman Pittenger.

Statewide Taskforce Releases North Carolina’s First Plug-in Electric Vehicle Readiness Plans

Statewide Taskforce Releases North Carolina’s First Plug-in Electric Vehicle Readiness Plans

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -- The North Carolina Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) Taskforce, in collaboration with several statewide partners, released the state’s first PEV Readiness Plan along with four regional plans. The NC PEV Readiness Plans were created through the NC PEV Readiness Initiative: Plugging-in from Mountains to Sea – one of only 16 projects awarded across the United States through the U.S. Department of Energy. The project covered the entire state of North Carolina with a focus on four metropolitan areas in the Greater Asheville, Charlotte, Piedmont Triad and Triangle areas. 

 

McCrory prepares to be sworn in as NC governor

McCrory prepares to be sworn in as NC governor

Republican Pat McCrory is taking the oath for North Carolina governor early rather than waiting another week for the pomp of inauguration weekend.

McCrory and his Cabinet will be sworn in during midday ceremonies Saturday inside the old Capitol building in Raleigh.

The incoming governor and other Council of State members still will be publicly installed and feted during the outdoor inauguration and parade Jan. 12.

The former Charlotte mayor decided to get sworn in Saturday so his administration would be in place when the newly-elected General Assembly convenes next week and chooses leaders.

McCrory will hold open houses from Asheville to New Bern next week before the festivities revert to Raleigh with the ball and public ceremonies.

Outgoing Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue is expected to participate in Saturday's ceremony.

 

Crystal Crump elected to 2 positions with Registers of Deeds Association

Crystal Crump elected to 2 positions with Registers of Deeds Association

Union County Register of Deeds Crystal Crump has been elected president-elect of the North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds and vice-chair of District III for the state’s Registers of Deeds Association. 

As vice-chair, Crump serves as a liaison with the association and other departments within state government.

District III is comprised of Anson, Cabarrus, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union and Yadkin counties.