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North Carolina Lawmakers Override Cooper's Veto
The Republican-controlled General Assembly has officially cancelled Gov. Roy Cooper's first veto, meaning elections for local trial judges will become officially partisan again starting next year.
The Senate completed the veto override Thursday, one day after the House held a similar vote. At least three-fifths of the members voting in each chamber had to agree to override.
The new governor last week vetoed the measure that would put party affiliations of candidates running for Superior Court and District Court on ballots. Candidates also would be chosen in partisan primaries.
Cooper said the bill damages recent efforts to distance the work of judges from politics.
NCAA Set To Pick Title Sites, Could Leave North Carolina Out
The NCAA will start deciding on locations for its upcoming championships next week and has indicated it will leave North Carolina out of that process if the state hasn't changed a law that limits LGBT rights by that time.
In a statement Thursday, the sports organization said its committees will begin picking championship sites for 2018-22 and will announce those decisions April 18. The statement says "once the sites are selected by the committee, those decisions are final."
Former House Member Hamilton Backed For Cabinet Post
Gov. Roy Cooper's choice to lead the agency managing North Carolina parks, protecting natural areas and preserving state history has been given a seal of approval from a state Senate committee, but not all members signed on.
The Senate panel voted 11-3 on Thursday to recommend the confirmation of former Rep. Susi Hamilton of Wilmington as secretary of natural and cultural resources. The recommendation now goes to another committee.
Bill Avoiding Companies Boycotting Israel Clears NC House
North Carolina House members want to prevent state pension funds and other money from being invested in companies that are boycotting Israel.
The House voted Thursday for legislation directing the State Treasurer's Office to avoid investments in these companies and divest when necessary.
The bill also would prevent government contracts with companies in a "Boycott, Divest, Sanction" movement designed to pressure Israel when it comes to the cause of Palestinians.
House Delays Debate On Handguns At Schools Hosting Church
North Carolina House debate on whether someone can carry a concealed handgun on K-12 school property where church services also are held has been delayed.
The bill's sponsor moved the debate and likely vote on the legislation from Thursday to next Monday. Rep. Rena Turner of Iredell County gave no reason when requesting it from the floor.
The measure would allow someone with a concealed weapons permit to be armed while at a church-affiliated school where space also is used for religious worship. In its current form, the bill also could apply to churches that rent public school buildings.
Partial Rewrite Of NC Criminal Gang Law Clears House
The state House has agreed to a partial rewrite of North Carolina's criminal gang law that supporters say will make it easier to prosecute gang members and those who are directing violence.
The House voted overwhelmingly Thursday for the measure, which adjusts gang-related crimes and defines more specifically what constitutes a criminal gang and criminal gang activity. Prosecutors and law enforcement says it's difficult to prosecute gang members under a 2008 state law.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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