A daily look at some of The News & Observer headlines on this date in past years.
On this day in 2013, a Wake County judge ordered the state government to pay $74,446 to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, compensation for its long and unsuccessful legal fight over the Possum Drop — a controversial New Year’s Eve celebration.
PETA sued the Wildlife Resources Commission for issuing a permit for the event in far-western Clay County, which involved lowering a live opossum in a cage to ring in the new year…