Easley uses veto for first time
Gov. Mike Easley used gubernatorial veto power for the first time in the state's history, rejecting a bill Wednesday appointing people to a number of state commissions.
Easley said he issued the veto because some of the appointees did not meet the qualifications required by law, but Republicans questioned whether Easley had some other motive. "For the first veto in the history of the state to be such an inane bill lends itself to be scrutinized; it doesn't make any sense," said Senate Minority Leader Patrick Ballantine, R-New Hanover.
Republicans have speculated that the governor and Democrats would try to find a means to bring the lame-duck General Assembly back into session. Some have suggested that Easley would try to force another vote on a lottery or budget matters, prior to the seating of a new Legislature with more Republicans taking office in January. To either address his objections or override his veto, Easley would have to call a special legislative session that could begin no later than next Wednesday.
Stress, culture of military life led to Ft. Bragg killings
Five killings this summer involving couples at Fort Bragg are believed to be due to existing marital problems and the stress of separation while soldiers are away on duty, Army investigators said Thursday.
But U.S. Army culture may discourage couples from seeking help in domestic disputes, the report added. A 19-member team, including mental and physical health workers and military clergy, visited the base during August and September and collaborated on the report.
"The bottom line is trying to create a different culture so soldiers and their families understand that seeking help is what we want you to do," said Lt. Col. Yvonne Tucker-Harris, director of the Army's family advocacy programs.
Four Fort Bragg soldiers killed their wives in June and July, authorities said. Two of the men committed suicide and the other two are charged with murder. Three of those cases involved Special Operations soldiers who had served in Afghanistan. The fifth case involves a woman charged with murdering her husband, a major in the Army's Special Forces.
Schools see most crime in 10 years
Crime in North Carolina's public schools increased for the third straight year, reaching the highest level in the 10 years since the state first started tracking it.
However, the Durham public schools bucked the statewide trend, showing a decrease in violent and criminal incidents for the third year in a row. According to figures released Wednesday by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, Durham schools reported 144 incidents to the state during the 2001-02 school year, down 20 percent from the previous year's 181.
Statewide, 10,951 criminal and violent acts were committed in the state's public schools during the 2001-02 school year. That equals nearly 9.5 acts for every 1,000 students, a 56 percent increase. The previous year, schools reported 7,563 criminal acts, or 6.1 incidents for every 1,000 students.
The addition of three categories-possession of an alcoholic beverage, bomb threats and burning of a school building-contributed to the increase, state education officials said.
Committee approves arena deal for new NBA team
The Charlotte City Council's economic development and planning committee narrowly endorsed a proposal Wednesday to build an arena for a new NBA team.
The deal includes some private backing and a 25-year lease for the team. The committee voted 3-2 to back the tentative agreement-the full council votes Monday night.
Several council members have said they are concerned about the tight construction schedule-architects would need to begin work almost immediately in order to meet the deadline of opening the arena in October 2005-and whether the project can fall within the $200 million building budget.
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