The perception is that female genital mutilation (FGM) occurs only in other countries, but this barbaric practice shockingly happens right here in the U.S. as well.
Just 27 states have laws in place to protect women and girls from this cruel and unnecessary practice that is often carried out on girls as young as the age of 3, says Elizabeth Yore, international child advocate and head of the national #EndFGMToday initiative. North Carolina is one of 23 states that still has no laws on the books to criminalize FGM. While FGM has been a federal crime since 1996, local prosecutors need state laws to bring perpetrators to justice.
“With important midterm elections just weeks away, legislators in these states should stand up and say they are committed to protecting women and girls from FGM by sponsoring a bill criminalizing this procedure,” Yore said. “This can and should be a bipartisan issue, as evidenced by the 27 states with laws already in place. While some developments have been positive, 23 states do not have laws protecting females from this ghastly practice—and that is unacceptable. We will advocate in the new legislative sessions to further protect these girls so they are safe from FGM in all 50 states.”
Yore noted that the Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than 500,000 girls and women are at risk of FGM in the United States. Female genital mutilation is also recognized by both the World Health Organization and the United Nations as a human rights violation perpetrated upon little girls and women. Over 200 million women worldwide have been subjected to this cruel and barbaric practice.
View a state-by-state map of those who do have anti-FGM laws at EndFGMToday.com. Anti-FGM efforts are underway in several states that do not yet have laws on the books.
Learn more about FGM on social media at #EndFGMToday, as well as efforts in the U.S. to stop it.
The Ashville City Council has just approved a measure to make room for future marijuana sales by ordering the construction of additional space in it’s ABC warehouse for legal marijuana storage.
North Carolina is ranked below average in the nation for many health measures, including oral health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 15 percent of low-income adults in the state say their mouth and teeth are in poor condition, and 20 percent of adults say they are not satisfied with the quality of their life because of their oral health. To offer their help in the community, Dr. Amir Marashi of Greater Charlotte Oral & Facial Surgery designed the Second Chance program two years ago, offering the community a life-changing opportunity to apply to receive a smile makeover. The program offers one final recipient a full-arch restoration treatment, a procedure typically costing $50,000, completely free of charge. With the recent addition of Dr. Arman Haghighi, both doctors are excited to be running the program again to transform another local individual’s smile and life.
The Governor of North Carolina has just vetoed Senate Bill 824 (‘the Voter ID law’).
Yesterday afternoon an armed sex offender attempted to steal some clothing at the Macy’s department store at the Northlake Mall.
Along with energetic singing and dancing, the children will share inspiring stories of how their lives have been changed and how they have been called into a life of purpose to transform their communities. The show is an expression of joy from children who have been rescued after losing one or both parents to live in one of three Watoto villages. Their stories are journeys from despair to hope and from fear to faith.
A new 
According to the new report, “the venues with the highest percentage of food outlets that incurred one or more high-level violations in the two-year period include Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina (92 percent); Palace of Auburn Hills near Detroit, which has since closed, (86.1 percent); American Airlines Center in Dallas, (83.1 percent); and Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (82.6 percent).”