text: Gov. Beverly Perdue signed House Bill 80, which bans sweepstakes parlors in North Carolina. You can read the final ratified version of the bill here: H80v5.pdfThe bill passed on July 7 by a 86-27 vote. Unless the video sweepstakes industry successfully sues the state, which it has threatened to do, the 932 parlors must close when the law goes into effect Dec. 1.There was no public ceremony for the bill signing.
  You can read the Indy's previous coverage, Feb. 24, June 17 and June 23.
  Tags: video sweepstakes, House Bill 80, Gov. Beverly Perdue
  Photo by D.L. AndersonLarry Thomas, a mentor with Durham Companions, talks with X'Zavier McFadden, age 9.
  Each of these groups received low scores recently in a county analysis that ranked nonprofits on their reporting compliance and effectiveness. Because of the groups' weak performance over the past year, commissioners slashed allotments for each group by about 15 percent. Here's how much each organization will receive if they file quarterly reports to the county on time this year: — Operation Breakthrough, which administers several programs for low-income families, including Head Start, will receive $79,390, a cut from last year's allotment of $93,400.
  — John Avery Boys & Girls Club, which runs recreational after school and summer programs for children, could receive $35,011, a reduction from last year's allotment of $41,189. — Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle, a mentoring program for young adults and teenagers, will receive $27,787, down from $32,690 last year.
  John Avery Boys & Girls Club and the Triangle Champions Track Club received funding even after turning their grant applications into the county after the deadline last spring. Despite performing the worst, Durham Companions received the same amount they got last year, $4,670, and could be eligible for even more money in mid-February if they perform well, commissioners decreed at a meeting late last month.