Michael Praats

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Hunter Sáenz |Michael Praats

The Lake Norman Marine Commission is slated to be dismantled by July 1. But some have safety concerns, so some lawmakers are stepping in. Lawmakers drafted a bill during a committee meeting last week to update and refurbish the old commission, creating a new one with more authority, according to Senator Vickie Sawyer. She told lawmakers that with the revisions, two counties would have to vote to dismantle the commission, not just one. It would also add four commissioners to the existing five.

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Michael Praats |Hunter Sáenz

As boating season on Lake Norman rapidly approaches, a decision from the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners could mean the end of the commission tasked with promoting safety and recreation on the lake. On April 21, following a closed session without any public input, Lincoln County Commissioners voted to send a letter of intent to the LNMC, several state lawmakers, and other counties on the lake announcing their intent to withdraw from the commission.

Mar 25, 2025 | wsoctv.com | Michael Praats

Trails Carolina, the Wilderness therapy camp in western North Carolina that shut down last year following the death of a 12-year-old boy, faces new legal troubles. A former resident of the camp says she was sent to the camp when she was 12 years old and was sexually assaulted multiple times by a staff member. The girl, known only as Kylee in the lawsuit, claims that after she attempted to run away, she was placed under heavy surveillance.

Mar 25, 2025 | yahoo.com | Michael Praats

Trails Carolina, the Wilderness therapy camp in western North Carolina that shut down last year following the death of a 12-year-old boy, faces new legal troubles. Shuttered wilderness therapy camp in western N.C. faces new lawsuitsA former resident of the camp says she was sent to the camp when she was 12 years old and was sexually assaulted multiple times by a staff member.

Feb 21, 2025 | yahoo.com | Michael Praats

A proposed bill in the North Carolina General Assembly would prohibit state agencies from enacting any Diversity Equity and Inclusion programs and discontinuing any programs that exist already relying on state funds. Trump administration gives schools a deadline to end DEI programs or risk losing federal moneyThe bill prohibits the use of any public funds for DEI initiatives in governmental agencies and private entities, such as nonprofits that receive state funding.