US Supreme Court Flips the Script back to NC

The US Supreme Court has tossed out a North Carolina court ruling that upheld Republican-drawn electoral districts for state and congressional lawmakers on the heels of a similar case involving a Alabama decision made last month.

The US justices ordered the state Supreme Court to reconsider whether the Republican led North Carolina legislature relied too heavily on race when it redrew voting districts following the 2010 census. (Hello, Mr. Rucho, Sir)... psst.

A similar ruling was issued last month involving a complaint from Alabama Black Legislative Caucus that the Republican-dominated legislature illegally packed African-American voters in already majority-minority voting districts.

Last month the justices determined that an Alabama court's ruling backing that state's redistricting plan "legally erroneous." Justice Stephen Breyer, writing for the majority in the Alabama case, said the lower court should have considered the claims district-by-district rather than focusing on the state as a whole.The Supreme Court has advised the NC judges to revisit their ruling in light of the Alabama decision.

State lawmakers have argued their maps sufficiently satisfied the requirements of the Voting Rights Act, a federal law aimed at protecting minority voting rights. Perhaps not well enough.

 

 

 

Photo: NC State Fans Nation

Photo: NC Policy Watch

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Walmart's Coming here, but leaving there

Trending headlines, says it all, Walmart suddenly closes five stores in four states

leaving 2200 without jobs.

But, of course that's no reflection with what's about to happen here in Wilson, NC.
This city is getting not one, but TWO (count em' up) two new neighborhood Walmarts in the coming months. Never mind, we already have a version of a so-called superstore (if that's what you really wanna call it.) It has no auto/tire service and no deli where you can buy their version home-cooked meals like you can in most other "SUPERSTORES". Demolition is already underway on one with the other soon to follow. If all goes according to plans.

However, in other parts of the country city officials are scratching their heads and wondering what the heck is going on ...and why have these stores closed? The cities where these stores were closed include: Brandon, Florida; Pico Rivera, California; Livingston, Texas; Midland, Texas; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Commissioner Victor Crist, who represents the Brandon, Florida district where one of the stores closed said, "I just find what's going on very odd."

Walmart claims the stores closings were related to plumbing issues. Wow. Really ... in all FIVE of them at varying locations. Ironically, it's being reported there have been no plumbing permits pulled in any of the cities where the stores were closed. Now, that's not just odd. That's just downright suspicious.

The stores are expected to reopen in six months, however that's a long time to be out work. It's reported that all workers will receive paid leave for two months. After that, full-time workers could become eligible for severance, according to CNN Money. However, part-time workers will have to fend for themselves.

That's no way to treat employees Walmart. Here's hoping Wilson won't one day meet the same fate.


Photo: Getty Images/ Tim Boyle

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IF ONLY ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

LUTHER VANDROSS

 

 

April 20, 1951 - July 1, 2005

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