Category Archives: State/Regional

Pilot killed in small plane crash in North Carolina raised a wheel to avoid a turtle, NTSB says

Pilot killed in small plane crash in North Carolina raised a wheel to avoid a turtle, NTSB says

MOCKSVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report says the pilot of a small plane that crashed at a North Carolina airport runway this month raised a wheel after landing to avoid hitting a turtle. Officials say the pilot and a passenger were killed in the June 3 crash near Sugar Valley Airport in Mocksville. A second passenger was seriously injured. A communications operator reported that she advised the pilot about the turtle and that after landing, the pilot lifted a wheel to avoid it. A man cutting grass reported that after the wheel was raised, the wings rocked back and forth and the plane took off again. He then heard the crash.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Green Party retains official status despite failing vote thresholds

North Carolina Green Party retains official status despite failing vote thresholds

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Green Party will remain an official party in North Carolina, able to field candidates statewide through the 2028 elections. The Republican majority on the State Board of Elections voted Thursday to allow the North Carolina Green Party to be recognized again in the ninth-largest state. The party was at risk of joining four other small parties whose candidates for president or governor also failed to reach vote thresholds last year. But Green Party officials said they more than met another standard in state law because presidential candidate Jill Stein was on the 2024 ballot in at least 35 states.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes his first bills. They are on concealed carry and immigration

North Carolina Gov. Stein vetoes his first bills. They are on concealed carry and immigration

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein has vetoed his first bills. On Friday he blocked for now Republican legislation that would let adults carry concealed handguns without a permit and make state agencies and local sheriffs more active in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The three vetoed measures now return to the legislature, where Republicans are one House seat shy of holding a veto-proof majority. Override votes could happen as soon as next week. Stein said the gun bill makes North Carolina residents less safe and undermines responsible gun ownership. One immigration bill would force some state law enforcement agencies to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.… Continue Reading

North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal

North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators have finalized a bill that would eliminate an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate set in a landmark 2021 law. The state Senate voted Thursday to accept the House version that would repeal the requirement that electric regulators work to reduce carbon dioxide output 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. The law’s directive to meet a carbon neutrality standard by 2050 would remain in place. The bill’s Republican supporters say eliminating the interim mandate would benefit electric ratepayers and is more efficient for Duke Energy. The measure now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who raised concerns about an earlier version of the bill.… Continue Reading

North Carolina judges side with GOP lawmakers for who gets say on highway patrol commander

North Carolina judges side with GOP lawmakers for who gets say on highway patrol commander

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A panel of North Carolina trial judges dismissed Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s case against GOP legislative leaders over the issue of who gets to appoint and remove the State Highway Patrol commander. The Superior Court panel’s Monday decision means the case doesn’t go to trial but it can be appealed. The lawsuit focuses on part of a power-shifting law passed by the Republican-dominated legislature last year. The provision outlines that Col. Freddy Johnson would remain in his role as the State Highway Patrol commander until 2030. Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper originally appointed Johnson in 2021.… Continue Reading

North Carolina redistricting trial begins, with racial gerrymandering allegations the focus

North Carolina redistricting trial begins, with racial gerrymandering allegations the focus

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina congressional and legislative districts drawn by Republicans in 2023 that helped them retain majorities in Raleigh and Washington are in court. A trial began Monday in two federal lawsuits filed by voters and advocacy groups that accuse mapmakers of illegally eroding Black voting power while enacting lines that aided GOP electoral prospects. The lawsuits claim that lines are so skewed that many Black voters lack the ability to elect their preferred candidates. Republicans counter that they used no race-based data in developing the plans. The trial won’t end until next month. North Carolina has a long history of redistricting litigation and related landmark decisions.… Continue Reading

Justice Department’s early moves on voting and elections signal a shift from its traditional role

Justice Department’s early moves on voting and elections signal a shift from its traditional role

ATLANTA (AP) — The Trump administration’s Justice Department has begun targeting Democratic and presidential swing states with demands for election data or changes to voter registration procedures. While the requests may seem technical and mundane, collectively they suggest the department is moving away from its traditional stance of protecting access to the ballot box. Instead, the actions address concerns that have been raised by a host of conservative activists following years of false claims surrounding elections in the U.S. By targeting certain states — presidential battlegrounds or those controlled by Democrats — they also could be foreshadowing an expanded role for the department in future elections.… Continue Reading

Permitless concealed carry in North Carolina faces uphill battle after some GOP pushback

Permitless concealed carry in North Carolina faces uphill battle after some GOP pushback

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators have given final approval to a bill allowing eligible adults to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. However, the legislation faces a handful of challenges before it can become law. A likely veto from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein is the first. Republicans also lack a supermajority in the House that allows them to override the governor’s vetoes. A few Republican House members also joined in with Democrats to vote against the bill Wednesday. If passed, North Carolina would become the 30th state in the country to allow the concealed carry of a handgun without a permit.… Continue Reading

North Carolina GOP sending immigration crackdown bills to Democratic Gov. Stein

North Carolina GOP sending immigration crackdown bills to Democratic Gov. Stein

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Republicans at the North Carolina legislature have given final approval to two pieces of immigration legislation. One would compel state agencies to participate in President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and the other would toughen a recent law that required sheriffs to help federal agents seeking criminal defendants. A series of House and Senate votes on the measures on Tuesday means they now go to new Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who has yet to veto a bill and since taking office has tried to build rapport with lawmakers. The GOP’s legislative maneuvers happened as National Guard troops have been deployed by Trump to Los Angeles.… Continue Reading

North Carolina auto insurance rates are going up 5% on average in settlement

North Carolina auto insurance rates are going up 5% on average in settlement

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina automobile insurance rates are poised to increase statewide this fall by a 5% average as part of an agreement reached between state regulators and the insurance industry. The settlement announced Monday by Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is lower than the average 22.6% rate increase for private passenger vehicles originally requested by the North Carolina Rate Bureau. A September public hearing on the request would have been held in September without the settlement. The changes take place Oct. 1 and includes an average 16.3% decrease on motorcycle liability insurance rates.… Continue Reading

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