A new publication released by Human Rights Watch, “We Know What To Do: Harm Reduction and Human Rights in North Carolina” highlights human rights abuses in North Carolina. Cited abuses include the criminalization of syringes and other equipment proven to curb the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, failure to enact “Good Samaritan” laws that protect those who seek help for an overdose victim, and inadequate access to affordable drug treatment and harm reduction information for people who are using drugs. Human Rights Watch also documented the testimony of women reluctant to carry multiple condoms for fear that they will be used as evidence of prostitution.

On Monday, Nov. 14, Dr. Bill Harrison, chairman of the State Board of Education visited the Macon County School System.

During his visit, he toured Iotla Valley Elementary School, Mountain View Intermediate School and the Board of Education. Dr. Harrison was complimentary of the staff and students at each school and the programs that are being implementing to improve the education of Macon County students.

At right is Jennifer Love and student Hailey Bryson explaining to Dr. Harrison the connections program that is being implemented at Mountain View Intermediate.

Consumer protection experts with the Attorney General’s Office have published a comprehensive guide to frauds and scams that are currently targeting North Carolina consumers, Attorney General Roy Cooper announced.

“Con artists are experts at finding new ways to rip you off, and they also love to recycle tried and true scams,” Cooper said. “Outsmart the scammers by learning their tricks so you can avoid them.”

The publication offers details about ploys scammers use to try to rob North Carolinians of their money and their personal information. It includes a wide variety of scams, such as telemarketing fraud, phony prizes, fake checks, sweetheart scams, and home repair rip-offs.

North Carolina Democrats cringed when the United States Justice Department preapproved the redistricting maps on November 1. The decision by the Obama administration will likely give Tar Heel Republicans an electoral advantage for the next decade. The state’s Democratic Party is already preparing to file a lawsuit to challenge the decision, but such a prompt ruling by the Democratic administration poses a significant hurdle to opponents of the GOP drawn lines.

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