Budget problems are spelling out higher costs for higher education in North Carolina. The UNC system is looking for ways to cut expenses while they await the final word on the Governor’s budget package next month. Schools in the system are asking for the maximum increase in tuitions next year…6 and a half percent, but they could still lose class sections, faculty positions, programs and services, as they’ve been told to prepare for budget reductions as much as 15 percent. http://www.news-record.com/content/2011/01/28/article/nc_colleges_planning_for_15_cuts
Of course there’s evidence that texting while driving is dangerous…now lawmakers in two states are considering a ban on texting or listening to an ipod while jogging, walking or running. New York and Arkansas both want to outlaw the practice, citing a slight spike in pedestrian fatalities in early 2010 from the same period in 2009. A representative of the Governor’s Highway Safety board says pedestrians have to share some of the responsibility for their safety in traffic situations. http://www.wxii12.com/news/26597955/detail.html
As if tensions weren’t high enough in Egypt…there’s a new crisis looming…a food shortage. Families are running out of the basic staples of their diets, and many stores are either closing, or can’t get their shipments in. Protestors want President Mubarek to step down…he fired his whole cabinet over the weekend, announced a new one, but says he won’t resign, but promises to promote democracy. Americans trying to get out of the chaos are hitting plenty of roadblocks, including flight cancellations, a strict government curfew and a complete shutdown of the internet. http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/30/egypt.protests.food/index.html?hpt=T2
Got a question for a lawyer, but no money for a lawyer? The Forsyth County Young Lawyers Association are hosting an Ask a Lawyer Day this Saturday. Local attorneys specializing in various areas of law will be on hand to answer questions from workers comp to consumer issues to wills. The event will run 9:30-2 this Saturday at the Forsyth county Public Library Central branch auditorium.
Duke Blue Devils fall to St John's on Sunday
