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Tuesday: Round-up
posted at 2007-04-10 22:58 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
Sorry so quiet lately - your barkeep's been out of town for a funeral. But I'm back today with a quick round-up of the day's top stories.
LAX alert
According to the AP, sources close to the investigation say Attorney General Roy Cooper's office may make an announcement tomorrow on whether the state will pursue or drop charges against three Duke Lacrosse players charged with assaulting a woman at a party last year.
A spokeswoman for the AG's office says as of late Tuesday afternoon, nothing has been scheduled for Wed. But that could change of course - and the N&O and others are reporting that accused players returned to town today. Stay tuned.
Burr speaks up
NC's junior senator, Republican Richard Burr, has finally taken a position on the Navy's plans to put a landing field near the Pocosin National Wildlife Refuge. Burr sent this letter yesterday to the head of the Navy, opposing the Pocosin site for a long list of reasons. Senior Senator Republican Elizabeth Dole has voiced her "concern" about the site, but has refused to take a position on it.
McAllister's money
You can add House Appropriations Chair Mary McAllister (D-Cumberland) to the growing list of House members whose campaign finances are under scrutiny. The N&O's Dome reports McAllister used campaign funds to pay herself back for loans to her campaign, but it looks like she repaid herself too much. McAllister says she didn't pocket the money. She says she's found errors in some of her reports and is working to correct them.
Lottery vending
Lines at gas stations and supermarket customer service counters could be a little shorter soon. Or not.
The AP reports that groceries and convenience stores are adding vending machines to sell lottery scratch-offs. Retailers expect it'll speed up service for other customers, but opponents are concerned the machines will make it easier for underage players to buy tickets. Besides, from what I've seen, it isn't buying the scratch-offs that holds up the line - it's cashing them in, which, at this point, still requires a human.
Google suit
Republican gubernatorial contender Bob Orr says his Institute for Constitutional Law is planning to challenge the constitutionality of state sales tax breaks included in the incentive plan that lured Google to Caldwell Co. The N&O's Jonathan Cox has the full story.
McKissick heads to Raleigh
Durham Dems elected party chair Floyd McKissick to replace late state Sen. Jeanne Lucas. The Herald-Sun's Ray Gronberg has the details.
Wed preview:
Aside from Duke LAX, which will own the news cycle if it breaks tomorrow, you might also want to keep an eye on dueling slavery resolutions in the House -- the House version by Womble et al, and the Rand bill that passed the Senate last week. Both appear on tomorrow's calendar. It'll be interesting to see which version House leadership takes up.
Comments? Drop me a line.
