19 Important N.C. Stories of 2007

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19 Important N.C. Stories of 2007

Special Report - December 31, 2007
As we close out the year 2007 and look foward to the new year, it is a good time to pause and reflect on some of the issues that have developed in North Carolina over the past year. Sometimes our view of what is important changes over time, so this retrospective is presented here as an opinion. We invite you to take a look back at all of the stories for 2007 and make your own judgment as to those you think are most important. Here are 19 from our list:

Scientists Uncover New Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Method
Researchers announced this week the discovery of a new stem cell source that may yield treatments for a variety of diseases and conditions without necessitating the destruction of a human embryo. (January 9) more

N.C. Marriage Amendment Introduced Again
One of the first bills introduced in the 2007 Session of the North Carolina General Assembly was an act to amend the North Carolina Constitution to define marriage as “the union of one man and one woman at one time.” (January 25) more

First N.C Problem Gambling Report Presented
Last week, a report entitled "Effects of the North Carolina State Lottery on the Incidence of Gambling Addiction" was presented to the Joint Legislative Health Care Oversight Committee of the North Carolina General Assembly. (February 5) more

Thousands Attend Marriage Rally
Thousands of citizens rallied outside the legislature in Raleigh today to call for lawmakers to allow a vote on the state marriage amendment. (March 6) more

Prayer Lawsuit Filed Against Forsyth County
Public prayers that invoke the name of Jesus Christ or other recognized deities are under attack in Forsyth County. (April 4) more

Supreme Court Upholds Crimes Against Nature
On May 4, 2007, the North Carolina Supreme Court upheld a ruling of the N.C. Court of Appeals that allowed a minor to be prosecuted for violating the State’s crimes against nature statute. (May 10) more

House Nixes Needle Exchange Proposal
A provision to establish three pilot needle exchange programs in North Carolina was added to the House budget bill last week, but was removed during floor consideration amidst controversy over the proposal. (May 11) more

Sexual Orientation Included in 'Bullying' Bill
A bill, H.B. 1366–School Violence Prevention Act, directing local school boards to adopt policies to protect public school students from bullying and harassment passed 2nd reading in the House on Wednesday, May 23. (May 24) more

U.S. House Approves Lumbee Recognition Act
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation to grant the Lumbee Indian Tribe full federal recognition, and the bill includes a provision prohibiting the Tribe from conducting gambling activities should the act ultimately become law. (June 7) more

Video Poker Banned from North Carolina
The culmination of years of work to eliminate from North Carolina what many gambling experts refer to as the “crack cocaine” of gambling, came to fruition on Sunday, July 1. (July 3) more

Sponsor Abandons Sex Ed Bill, For Now
State Representative Susan Fisher (D-Buncombe) has abandoned efforts to push a controversial bill that would promote contraceptives and “alternative” sexual behaviors in North Carolina public schools. (July 5) more

2007 General Assembly Session Wrap-Up
With the drop of a gavel on Thursday evening, August 2, the 2007 Session of the North Carolina General Assembly was brought to a close. (August 10) more

Court Upholds Sex Business Restrictions
The North Carolina Court of Appeals has upheld a Pitt County ordinance that forced four sexually oriented businesses in the county to shut down. (September 5) more

Sex Offenders Can Be Kept From Parks
In an opinion issued on October 2nd, the N.C. Court of Appeals upheld the right of a local town to ban registered sex offenders from public parks. (October 4) more

Charter School Law Revisions Proposed
A commission designed to study the effectiveness of North Carolina’s charter school program has issued an initial proposal recommending that the N.C. General Assembly and State Board of Education approve more flexible guidelines for the creation of new charter schools. (November 16) more