[Editor’s note: This column was updated after original publication to include recent data.] The latest device flooding schools resembles a flash drive but doesn’t store data. Its purpose: delivering a flavored nicotine hit. Called a JUUL, it’s a hipper iteration of the e-cigarette, which debuted a decade ago. Adolescents, who love JUUL’s super-slick appearance, brand...
Becki Gray on oil exploration via fracking; Terry Stoops reacts to legislative comments about dropping Common Core; legislators discuss protecting the electric grid; John Staddon on pros & cons of British health care model; Roy Cordato on e-cigarette tax
RALEIGH — The Senate gave initial approval to House Bill 1050 Wednesday and made its final vote just after noon Thursday. The House concurred with the Senate version an hour later, and Gov. Pat McCrory signed the bill at 4:05 p.m. The bill also did away with local privilege license taxes assessed by cities and towns. More than 300 North Carolina municipalities assess some sort of privilege license tax, bringing in $62.2 million annually.
