US Justice Department Asks Judge To Block Transgender Law
The U. S. Justice Department has asked a federal judge to halt implementation of a North Carolina law requiring people to use the bathroom of the gender on their birth certificate.
U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in May the department would try to block the provision of the law.
A filing Tuesday in U.S. District Court in North Carolina says the Justice Department is likely to be successful in getting the law overturned based on a recent ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals involving a transgender student's bathroom access in Virginia.
North Carolina lawmakers made only minor changes in the law last week, allowing people to sue in state courts if they believe they have faced employment discrimination. The bathroom provision was not changed.
Obama Joins Clinton In Charlotte Rally
Presumptive presidential nominee Hillary Clinton held a campaign rally in Charlotte Tuesday. President Barack Obama joined her on stage for the first time this election season.
Clinton spoke first, talking about her unlikely path to friendship with the president. She went on to outline some other goals for what her presidency could look like, including making college debt-free, equal pay for all, and increased job growth.
Obama took the opportunity to praise Clinton's leadership ability. And he looked back on his own terms in office.
Ross, Cooper Call For Support, Voter Turnout
Democratic Senate candidate Deborah Ross and gubernatorial candidate Roy Cooper urged supporters in Charlotte to vote in November and bring their party victory.
Ross told a crowd Tuesday at the Charlotte Convention Center that North Carolina is on the national map and will be painted Democrat-blue in November. Ross is challenging incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Burr, who she called a "classic example" of politics as usual.
Cooper followed Ross onto the stage. He said Republican Gov. Pat McCrory failed to make education a priority and signed the state law that limits some legal protections to LGBT people. Cooper said the law has cost the state thousands of jobs and should be repealed.
GOP Supporters Pack Venue For Trump Speech
Thousands of Republicans turned out in Raleigh to support presumptive nominee Donald Trump's appearance that was made just hours after President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton campaigned together in Charlotte.
Trump addressed a crowd of more than 2,200 supporters who braved intermittent downpours Tuesday evening to see him speak at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.
Trump recited campaign promises to the energetic audience that roared at his digs at Clinton and cheered when he vowed to bring jobs to the state and increase support services for veterans.
Army Reserve Officer Who Threatened Mosque Set For Hearing
A decorated Army Reserve officer who left bacon at a North Carolina mosque and threatened to kill its members is expected to appear in court for the first time since he posted bail last month.
Hoke County Court scheduled a hearing for Russell Thomas Langford of Fayetteville for Wednesday morning.
Witnesses say that on June 9, Langford made death threats to members of the mosque about 20 miles southwest of Fayetteville and later attempted to run over one of its members.
Langford posted a $60,000 secured bond for his release the day following the incident and was placed under the control of his commander at Fort Bragg.
NC Court: State Owes More Than $1.3M For Taxes Paid By Trust
The state Court of Appeals says North Carolina must refund more than $1.3 million in taxes paid by a trust for income that wasn't distributed to a beneficiary living in the state.
A three-judge panel said in a unanimous opinion Tuesday the state Revenue Department must repay the taxes and penalties with interest. The judges say the department's assessment of taxes on The Kimberley Rice Kaestner 1992 Family Trust violates the U.S. and state constitutions.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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