VOLUME 8 ISSUE 9
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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2023
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Appeals court upholds Apple’s control of iPhone app store Cary An appeals court on Monday upheld Apple’s exclusive control over the distribution of iPhone apps, rejecting the latest attempt to force one of the world’s most powerful companies to dismantle the digital walls protecting its most lucrative product. The 92-page decision issued by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals largely affirmed the findings of a lower-court judge who presided over a 2021 trial that revolved around an antitrust lawsuit filed by Epic Games, the maker of the popular Fortnite video game. Epic Games’ lawsuit alleged Apple’s app store — which was launched in 2008, a year after the first iPhone went on sale — had turned into an illegal monopoly that stifles innovation and competition while generating billions of dollars in profit for Apple. The Cary-based company could still ask for a review before a larger panel of Ninth Circuit judges or file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court.
PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson points to the crowd as he announces is run for governor on April 22, 2023 at Ace Speedway in Altamahaw.
Robinson officially announces bid to become NC’s first black governor
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lt. Gov. Robinson announces appointments to NC Blockchain Initiative Raleigh Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson announced new appointments to the state’s Blockchain Initiative (NCBI). “North Carolina is already home to many notable blockchain and FinTech startups, and we need to do all we can to keep our state competitive,” Robinson said. “We appreciate the incredible work this task force has done in researching this transformational technology, and we thank them for their continued service.” “The passage of the bipartisan Sandbox Act of 2021 was a clear indicator North Carolina is working to be a leader in the ecosystem,” said Agnes Gambill West. Task Force co-chairs will include the reappointment of Washington-based Blockchain Association’s Dan Spuller along with six other individuals; Eric Proper, Stuart Russell, Agnes Gambill West, John Bridge, Faruk Okcetin and Jain Arun Singh. NSJ STAFF
ReOpen NC protester suing Cooper, various officials, alleges violation of constitutional rights Raleigh ReOpen NC protester Monica Ussery’s long battle with the state over her arrest in 2020 has entered a new chapter: A civil complaint against Gov. Roy Cooper and other top law enforcement officials. In addition to Cooper, defendants named in the complaint include former N.C. Dept. Of Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks, Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, retired Raleigh Police Chief Cassandra Deck-Brown, retired Raleigh Police Captain Dedric Brown, State Capitol Police Chief Roger “Chip” Hawley, North Carolina General Assembly Police Chief Martin Brock, and Capitol Police Officers Derick Proctor and Tito Fink. Ussery’s complaint accuses the defendants of violating her First Amendment right to freedom of speech and assembly and her 14th Amendment rights to due process — including a Brady violation for withholding the body cam footage. A.P. DILLON
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controversial gender identity ideology in schools. Robinson has already gained ALTAMAHAW — With storm support from powerful Republiclouds swirling overhead, sup- cans in the state. Video messages backing Robporters of Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson inson from U.S. Rep. were undeterred and Dan Bishop (R-09) and headed into the stands U.S. Sen. Ted Budd (Rat Ace Speedway, loNC) were also played on cated in Altamahaw in “We don’t the event’s giant video Alamance County. need another screen. With the stands Near the start of the packed with what the politician who rally, nearly two dozcampaign estimated spent their en legislators took the was around 1,000 peostage in support of Robple, the April 22 rally life climbing inson’s announcement, kicked off around 4 the political including Senate Leadp.m. er Phil Berger (R-Eden). The 54-year-old ladder. We “We in the House, we Robinson became the need a public wholeheartedly endorse state’s first black lieu- servant. and we stand behind tenant governor in our friend, the next 2020. He garnered na- Someone governor of the state of tional attention after who’s actually North Carolina, Mark video of his fiery 2018 Robinson,” Rep. Neal speech defending gun lived through Jackson (R-Randolph) rights at the Greens- the struggles told the crowd. boro City Council went Following the video viral. That speech be- of everyday endorsements, as Robcame a springboard for North inson took the stage the his 2020 campaign for Carolinians.” venue was flooded with office. the song “Believer” by Robinson has been Imagine Dragons. a target for Democrats Lt. Gov. Mark After thanking his and left-leaning activ- Robinson family, supporters and ists over his pro-life volunteers, Robinson positions and vocal opposition to indoctrination in the cut to the chase. “Today, we make it official,” he classroom, including taking on controversial issues like perceived inappropriate sexual topics and See ROBINSON, page A3 By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
N.C. Association of Educators drops lawsuit against popular school choice program By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The N.C. Association of Educators (NCAE) dropped its lawsuit against North Carolina’s popular Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP), according to a filing with the Wake County Superior Court last week. “Plaintiffs hereby notice the dismissal of all claims against all Defendants,” wrote Christopher Brook, the attorney representing NCAE. “Plaintiffs have consulted with all parties regarding costs, and all parties agree that each side will bear their own costs. Defendants reserve the right to pursue costs should Plaintiffs re-
file this lawsuit within one year of this filing.” Brook had been appointed to the N.C. Court of Appeals by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in 2019. Brook, a Democrat, ran in 2020 to retain the seat but was defeated by Judge Jefferson Griffin, a Republican. Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC) has been a consistent supporter of the OSP and has helped families navigate the program for years. PEFNC’s President Mike Long was pleased the NCAE dropped the suit. “The NCAE should have never filed this lawsuit in the first See LAWSUIT, page A8
Bills protecting girls’ sports take center stage at General Assembly Sen. Vickie Sawyer (R-Iredell): “This bill is “pro-woman.” By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — After speeding through several committees, the North Carolina House and Senate each passed bills designed to protect girls’ sports last week in an emotional day at the General Assembly. The NC House passed House Bill 574, the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, on April 19. Athletic teams designated for women may not have members of the male sex and vice versa, according to the bill. The only exception is the case where there is no comparable sports team for females available and the sport in question is not a contact sport. House Bill 574 passed by a vote of 73-39 and had bipartisan support as Reps. Garland Pierce (D-Scotland), Michael Wray (D-Northampton) and Shelly Willingham (D-Edgecombe) voted in favor. Rep. Tricia
Cotham (R-Mecklenburg), who recently left the Democratic Party, voted in favor of passage. She had also voted in favor of the bills in two committee meetings prior to the floor vote. As of this spring, around 21 states have either enacted or filed similar legislation. The House measure went through two committees and a floor vote with a noon press conference promoting its passage. The same day House Bill 574 flew through committees to a passage vote, the Senate also advanced its companion bill, Senate Bill 631. The primary sponsors for the bill include Sens. Vicki Sawyer (R-Iredell), Kevin Corbin (R-Macon) and Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth). On April 20, the Senate passed the bill by a party-line vote of 29-18. During the debate in a Senate Education/Higher Education Committee meeting on April 18, things got a heated as Democrats repeatedly labeled the bill as “anti-trans.” In response, Sawyer shot back, stating, “This bill is not about being anti-trans, this bill is about being
“I felt betrayed and belittled and like my efforts and sacrifices I had made had been reduced to a photo op to validate the identity and feelings of a male.” Riley Gaines pro-woman.” Primary sponsors of House Bill 574, Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson), Kristin Baker, (R-Cabarrus) and Rep. Erin Pare (R-Wake), entered the House’s Judiciary Committee hearing with a special guest: Riley Gaines, a 12time All-American swimmer out of the University of Kentucky with five SEC titles and a two-time Olympic trial qualifier as well as being the SEC record holder in the 200 ButSee NCGA, page A2