Stephanie Poole

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Legal Expertise Crucial In Legislative Process

By Stephanie Poole | December 4

Members of the N.C. General Assembly say legislators who double as lawyers fulfill a key function in the legislature despite some criticism that the two positions create a conflict of interest. Both the N.C. House and Senate have a large body of legislators working in the field of law when not in session. Other professions heavily represented in the General Assembly include former educators, businessmen, doctors and retired professionals. Sen.

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48 Expelled As Cheating Trial Ends

By Stephanie Poole | November 27

Forty-eight students at the University of Virginia were dismissed from the university when the UVa. Honor Committee ended Saturday a series of highly publicized plagiarism trials. Each of the students either was found guilty by the Honor Committee or independently withdrew enrollment. Three students had their diplomas revoked. The students were accused in April 2001 by UVa. physics Professor Lou Bloomfield of violating the school's Honor Code by cheating on their term papers.

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UNC Discusses Joint Venture With ECSU

By Stephanie Poole | November 22

A committee of the UNC-Chapel Hill Board of Trustees discussed Wednesday plans to create a joint pharmacy program with Elizabeth City State University, though no definitive action on the proposal was taken. The program, considered by the BOT's University Affairs Committee, would be a joint venture between the two UNC-system schools, said UNC-CH executive associate provost Bernadette Gray-Little.

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Congress Convenes Lame-Duck Session

By Stephanie Poole | November 13

U.S. congressmen reconvened Tuesday for the final extended legislative session of 2002, which is expected to focus on a new plan for a U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The so-called lame-duck session is the last opportunity for lawmakers to enact legislation before newly elected officials meet Jan. 7. "Lame duck" refers to legislators who still hold office after a replacement is chosen but who hold limited power.

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Tenn. Removes Ban on State Lottery

By Stephanie Poole | November 8

N.C. legislators say the recent success of Tennessee's lottery referendum will not significantly increase the chances of a lottery bill being passed by the N.C. General Assembly next session. Tennessee residents voted Tuesday to remove a state constitutional ban and allow lawmakers to create a lottery system. Tennessee Sen. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, said his state likely will have a lottery within a year because it will not take long to create a lottery bill.

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N.C. Republicans Strive For Historic Takeover

By Stephanie Poole | October 29

North Carolina's Nov. 5 elections -- held under the authority of court-ordered districts -- might result in a historic party shift in the Democratically controlled state legislature. Democrats have been in the majority in both the N.C. House and Senate for the past century, with the exception of a four-year stint of Republican control in the House during the 1990s. Democrats have a strong-hold in the Senate with a 35-15 majority but have only a tenuous grip on the House with a 62-58 advantage.

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Military Might Be Involved in Sniper Hunt

By Stephanie Poole | October 16

As the Washington, D.C., area "serial sniper" victim list grew to nine deaths, numerous theories have been offered regarding the killer's training and skill level. Newsweek magazine reported that the FBI has asked the U.S. Department of Defense to provide information about Fort Bragg's sniper school, specifically about students who were rejected or flunked out. Anna Taylor, Fort Bragg media relations officer, said officials at the army base are researching media inquiries about snipers and sniper schools but said she could not comment on government requests.

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Bowles, Dole Plan to Increase Aid

By Stephanie Poole | October 11

Both of the candidates in North Carolina's closely watched U.S. Senate race say the federal government has a role in ensuring all students have access to higher education.But Democrat Erskine Bowles and Republican Elizabeth Dole offer slightly different plans of action for funding.

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Fayetteville State Students Lobby to Keep Name

By Stephanie Poole | September 27

Loyal supporters of Fayetteville State University successfully rallied Thursday to oppose a potential university name change, winning the necessary votes to stop its consideration. About 200 students, along with some faculty and alumni, mobilized for the event, said Arkeem Fleming, Fayetteville State Student Senate president pro tem. Fleming said the Fayetteville State student government sponsored the rally to express concerns over a proposed bill in the N.C. House.

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Legislature Approves 1/2-Cent Tax Increase

By Stephanie Poole | September 25

The N.C. House approved a measure Tuesday that allows counties to raise sales taxes by a half cent. The legislation also received preliminary approval from the N.C. Senate Tuesday and will go before the chamber today for a final vote. The additional revenue will be used to repay state municipalities some of the $333 million that Gov. Mike Easley withheld in local funding last spring, said Rep. Joe Hackney, D-Orange. Under a previous bill, local municipalities would receive a larger percentage of sales tax revenue starting in July 2003.