By Arianna Bennett
In local news, Banner Elk is doing their biannual Spring Litter Sweep Roadside Cleanup. April 15th was the first day for this roadside cleanup and will continue on until April 29th. According to the Watauga Democrat this initiative usually occurs around the last two weeks of April and September. Participation is encouraged and a list of town streets to volunteer at are available at the town hall.
In state news, on Wednesday the North Carolina house approved a ban on transgender athletes. According to WRAL, the House approved 73-39 for the separation of sports by biological sex. Representative Kristin Baker said “This bill is a bill to be inclusive, not to be exclusive.” This has been one of many bills in North Carolina that have pertained to trans youth including restrictions on gender affirming care or jail time for public performance such as drag shows. This bill will be heading to the senate.
In national news, In the case of Ralph Yarl, a black teenager who was shot after knocking at the wrong door to pick up his siblings, the 84 old man, Andrew Lester, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday. According to the Associated Press “The case is among three in recent days involving young people who were shot after mistakenly showing up in the wrong places.” The hearing for Andrew Lester is still ongoing.
Today’s weather is brought to you by Booneweather.com. It is a beautiful day with a high of 72 and a low of 46.