Monsoon mess: Eighteen-year-old Mason William Andrews left his hometown airport in Monroe on Aug.1 with a plan to become the youngest pilot to circle the globe in about 40 days, but rainy weather in India has left Andrews stalled for over a week, The News-Star reports. According to a Facebook post from his father, Jeb Andrews, Mason will head to Thailand once he’s clear to take off again. Read the full story.
Driving support: Louisiana is offering a break to people who owe child support and have seen their driver’s licenses suspended for the back-owed debts. Under the “Back on the Road” program, they’ll be able to get their licenses reinstated for a reduced amount through Sept. 28. Anyone with a suspended license for child support debts can pay two months of the court-ordered child support, $100 toward the past-due child support and any court-ordered administrative fee to begin the license reinstatement process. Read the full story.
‘Living wage’: In one of the most surprising legislative twists in state government this year, North Carolina has become the first state to implement—and the first red state to approve—an increase in the minimum wage for state workers to $15 an hour, or $31,200 a year, Governing reports. However, conservative backers of the measure say it doesn’t go against their beliefs because the new minimum wage doesn’t apply to the private sector, only state workers. Read the full story.
