AG Cooper says it’s still too high

After holding public hearings across the state, Duke Energy Carolinas and the North Carolina Public Staff have recently reached an agreement which calls for a rate hike of 7.2 percent instead of the original request of 15 percent. Public Staff, an organization affiliated with the N.C. Utilities Commission, opposed Duke Energy’s initial 15 percent rate hike. After hearing from Tar Heels across the state, North Carolina’s Public Staff and Duke Energy agreed to the aforementioned rate reduction.

If approved by the North Carolina Utilities Commission, the increase would become effective beginning in February of 2012.

Cooper concerned about dangers of ‘binge-in-a-can’

A proposed federal settlement to place limits on alcoholic beverage Four Loko is a good start, but stricter limits are needed, Attorney General Roy Cooper said recently.

The Federal Trade Commission has proposed a settlement with Phusion Projects, LLC regarding its deceptive marketing of the flavored malt beverage Four Loko. Phusion markets the supersized drinks as single servings that can be safely consumed on a single occasion, but one can of Four Loko currently contains almost as much alcohol as five beers.

Attorney General Roy Cooper has named North Carolina’s next solicitor general.

John Maddrey will serve as the second ever solicitor general for the state.

“John’s extensive legal knowledge , experience and appellate skills make him an excellent choice for North Carolina’s solicitor general,” Cooper said. “I am confident that he will continue to serve our state well in this new role.”

The debate on whether internet sweepstakes gaming is legal in North Carolina wages on, as the state Court of Appeals heard arguments from representatives on both sides of the proverbial coin last month.

Following two bans and years of legislative cat-and-mouse, attorneys representing the gaming industry challenged a state law passed last December aimed at banning internet sweepstakes gaming before a panel of three judges on Oct. 25.