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State Government
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By Administrator
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Friday, 29 March 2013 14:55 |
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RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - North Carolina's hard-hit construction industry made gains in February, according to data from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). The state added 600 jobs in the second month of the year, bringing total employment in the sector to 171,600. The January total was 171,000 even.
Despite the positive uptick, the number of construction jobs in North Carolina is still well below the February 2012 level of 174,400.
North Carolina was among 35 states posting one-month increases, according to AGC data. The nation added 48,000 construction jobs total during the period.
“The turnaround in construction hiring that began in a few states two years ago has now spread to most of the country,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist in a news release. “There are strong indications that the expansion will continue for residential and private nonresidential construction, but investment in infrastructure and public buildings is likely to shrink further.”
Texas added the biggest number of jobs: 15,700. Utah had the largest percentage increase in jobs, at 5.3 percent.
Complete state-by-state data can be found at agc.org. |
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Last Updated on Friday, 29 March 2013 14:56 |
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State Government
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By Administrator
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Friday, 29 March 2013 14:23 |
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LOUISBURG, (AP) — Electronic sweepstakes games are supposed to be illegal in North Carolina. But hundreds of Internet cafes across the state continue to offer the fast-moving games mimicking Vegas-style slots.
Three months after the state Supreme Court unanimously upheld lawmakers' most recent ban, there has been no visible statewide effort by law enforcement authorities to put the multimillion dollar industry out of business.
The North Carolina Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement is granted the explicit responsibility under state law to root out illegal gambling. Public Safety Secretary Kieran Shanahan said Thursday the agency is conferring with local law enforcement and prosecutors on how to best enforce the sweepstakes ban.
Meanwhile, local prosecutors and county sheriffs in more than a dozen jurisdictions have moved ahead. They are raiding cafes, seizing computers and making arrests.
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Last Updated on Friday, 29 March 2013 14:24 |
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State Government
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By Administrator
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Thursday, 28 March 2013 16:22 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — Gov. Pat McCrory has announced his choices to run three North Carolina law enforcement agencies.
Col. William J. Grey of Cary was sworn in Thursday as commander of the North Carolina Highway Patrol during a ceremony in the old Capitol.
FBI agent Gregory K. Baker of Raleigh has been chosen as director of Alcohol Law Enforcement. The agency enforces the state's alcohol, tobacco, lottery and gambling laws.
Clayton Police Chief Glen B. Allen has been chosen as head of the State Capitol Police. The agency provides security for workers and visitors at the state government complex in downtown Raleigh. The agency has been without a permanent chief since last summer, when Chief Scott Hunter died.
Baker and Allen will be sworn in later, after completing duties at their current jobs.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 28 March 2013 16:22 |
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State Government
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By Administrator
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Wednesday, 27 March 2013 13:26 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — Rivals to Blue Cross Blue shield are backing legislation to eliminate a negotiation technique that North Carolina health insurers use with doctors and hospitals.
The others say Blue Cross Blue Shield discourages competition.
The House Judiciary Committee voted Wednesday to prevent insurance company contracts from requiring medical providers to accept the lowest prices for services that they accept from any competing health plans. The bill also would prevent providers from having to disclose their rates with another insurance carrier.
Ken Lewis with the North Carolina Association of Health Plans says Blue Cross uses its sheer size to get the rates it wants.
Blue Cross opposes the bill. Lobbyist Chris Evans says it infringes on its ability to keep costs down for its nearly 4 million members.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 March 2013 13:27 |
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