A measure to compensate victims of North Carolina's forced sterilization program has been approved by the State House. It would pay $50,000 to each living victim and carries an initial price tag of $10 million.

The overwhelming sentiment on the compensation bill was summed up by Democratic Representative Patsy Keever.

"We can't make this right, we know that," said Keever during debate on the House floor yesterday. "But we can say we're sorry and put our money where our mouth is. I urge you to vote for this."

A controversial bill that would allow hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in North Carolina passed an important legislative committee Tuesday. Fracking uses horizontal drilling methods to access trapped pockets of natural gas. The bill's sponsors say it will bring much-needed money and jobs into the state, but opponents of the measure say there aren't enough safeguards.

Two 13-year-old boys face charges and a long-term suspension after authorities say a handgun and a loaded ammunition clip were found on one student at a Rowan County Middle School on Monday.
The Rowan County Sheriff's Office says the gun was found on a male student at Charles C. Erwin Middle School, near the town of Granite Quarry in the eastern part of the county.
Deputies say that, based on conversations with the parents, one of the students found a hidden lockbox key Sunday night at his home and used the key to open the box and take the gun.

Mecklenburg County and Carolinas HealthCare have reached an out-of-court settlement regarding a lawsuit over issues relating to mental health services.

The meat of the settlement revolves around the CMC-Randolph behavioral health hospital. Mecklenburg County owns it, but Carolinas HealthCare (or CHS) has managed it since 1986. And in 2000, the county signed a contract to pay CHS nearly $22 million per year to the hospital to provide care for mental health patients.

The North Carolina House has passed a measure to compensate living victims of the state's forced-sterilization program. Lawmakers have proposed a $50,000 lump sum for each living victim of the North Carolina Eugenics Board. During debate on the measure Tuesday afternoon, several dozen members of the state house tried unsuccessfully to lower compensation to $20,000, saying the budget can't take a larger hit. Not so, said Republican Representative Carolyn Justice.

The North Carolina House has passed a measure to compensate living victims of the state's forced-sterilization program. Lawmakers have proposed a $50,000 lump sum for each living victim of the North Carolina Eugenics Board.

During debate on the measure Tuesday afternoon, several dozen members of the state house tried unsuccessfully to lower compensation to $20,000, saying the budget can't take a larger hit.

Not so, said Republican Representative Carolyn Justice.