Union County school board approves new rule on transgender athletes: Thursday, March 9

The Union County Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday on a rule that would require all high school athletes to compete only on teams that are "consistent with the gender on the student's birth certificate." The new rule, which is the latest attempt to legislate transgender athletes, would allow transgender athletes to compete on teams consistent with their gender identity if permitted by NCHSAA rules and regulations.The NCHSAA's transgender policy does allow students to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity. Schools are required to submit Gender Identity Request Forms on behalf of the student prior to them playing on any team consistent with their gender identity. The requests are based on gender identity for daily life activities in school and the community. Schools may be required to provide additional documentation, including a list of medications and written documents from health care professionals. North Carolina's approval process was established after lengthy reviews of policies from other states, the NCHSAA website says.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/sports/union-county-public-schools-transgender-athlete-birth-certificate-state-rules-north-carolina/275-f18d23e6-0954-4592-a968-0bd30b844dd0North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper unveiled on Wednesday a $1 billion plan to address the state’s mental health and substance abuse needs, which have spiked amid increasing overdose deaths and spiraling rates of suicide among young people.The Democratic governor’s office said his initiatives, which will be outlined in his upcoming state budget proposal, include more behavioral health services for those in schools and in jails. He also wants to spend more on in-patient treatment and supplemental services like mobile crisis units to help people facing psychiatric episodes.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/north-carolina-politics/gov-cooper-mental-health-politics/275-4b8489aa-2d37-42d3-a3df-aeabd595304aWatch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT!