RALEIGH, N.C.  – A proposal to expand sex education in North Carolina schools has been approved by a House panel after a debate about sexually transmitted disease and divine intent.

The House Health Committee on Thursday backed creating a two-track system for sex education in grades seven through nine. The bill would give parents the option of the current curriculum focused on abstinence until marriage or one that also discusses contraception.

The bill next heads to a vote by the full House.

State health director Jeff Engle said most people have sex before marriage and need information to protect themselves.

Christian Action League director Mark Creech said the Bible forbade sex outside marriage, and that eliminates the risks.

Most teens do not have a vote, so @15, a new teen-led social change platform underwritten by Best Buy, has been launched to give them a voice.

DURHAM, N.C. — As the 2008 presidential election approaches, all eyes are on the candidates and how voters will respond.  Would the outcome be the same if teens under 18 had the chance to voice their opinions? 

This election season, The Streets at Southpoint’s parent company, General Growth Properties, Inc. engages America’s youth on issues that impact their future through an interactive teen election, UR Votes Count.  

The group will announce the teen election results nationally following the six-week event tour.

The experience will educate and engage teens on timely, relevant issues facing the nation and the world. It also allows teens to vote on who they would elect as president of the United States. This national forum addresses topics such as the environment, healthcare, the Iraq war, social security, national security and education. UR Votes Count is taking place at 150 malls across America in 42 states over six weeks.  For a complete list of UR Votes Count dates and locations visit www.urvotescount.com.

Teens unable to attend the local UR Votes Count event can text the last name of their choice for president of the United States to 77812 (Barr, McCain, Nader, Obama).  To confirm their vote, participants must text back their year of birth and zip code (Standard text messaging rates apply.) 

The Durham event takes place Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Each teen voter who participates at the mall wins an instant prize. One lucky winner at Southpoint will get a $100 Discover gift card. At the end of the six-week tour, three ballots from the event will be chosen to win the national prizes. The grand prize is $5,000 in GGP mall shopping.

RALEIGH, N.C. — As many as 1,000 teens from throughout the state are expected at Rally the VOTE – Voices of Teens Emerging, a civic engagement rally sponsored by Girl Scouts Sept. 20. 

The nonpartisan event will feature special sessions on voter registration and voter turnout, and North Carolina gubernatorial candidates Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory and Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue have been invited to address the high school teens.

Jessica Jacobs, former Miss North Carolina and founder of the “Read to Me” literacy program, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the four-hour event. Damon Circosta, policy director for the NC Center for Voter Education, and Jenn Frye, with Democracy NC, will help teach the teens about voter registration and turn-out. The Raleigh-based rock band, Old Avenue, will perform.

Rally the VOTE – Voices Of Teens Emerging will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Meymandi Hall in downtown Raleigh. The groups of high school teens must register prior to the event at www.voicesofteensemerging.com. Additional information about the event can be found on this webpage or by phone at 919-782-3031.