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NC Redistricting Case Returns To State Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court has told North Carolina's top court to reconsider a redistricting lawsuit filed by Democrats and allies after the nation's highest court struck down congressional districts as racial gerrymanders.
The justices issued a two-sentence order Tuesday in the redistricting case that challenged 2011 congressional and General Assembly districts.
The state Supreme Court twice upheld the districts, but separate federal lawsuits also challenged those maps. Now the justices told the state Supreme Court to review its previous rulings since justices agreed last week the original 1st and 12th Congressional Districts were illegal.
NC Gov't Spending Bill Heading To House Budget Panel
The Republican-controlled House remains on track toward getting its North Carolina government budget bill approved by the end of the week.
The House's top budget-writing committee prepared for hours of debate Wednesday on its two-year spending plan. Several portions of the GOP proposal already have been unveiled, with details on teacher and state employee pay expected to be released during the House Appropriations Committee meeting.
Dozens Arrested After Health-Care Protest In North Carolina
North Carolina NAACP leader Rev. William Barber was among more than 30 people arrested inside the state Legislative Building as they protested Republican lawmakers' refusal to expand Medicaid coverage.
General Assembly Police Chief Martin Brock says 32 people were taken into custody on Tuesday and face charges of second-degree trespassing after holding a sit-in to push for Medicaid expansion and preserving the federal health care law passed under former President Barack Obama.
Dozens of protesters marched through the hallways to the offices of legislative leaders, where other protesters sat outside. Brock says the arrests began after officers received complaints.
Kellogg To Lay Off Nearly 500 Employees In North Carolina
The Kellogg Company has announced it will close two distribution centers in North Carolina this summer, resulting in the loss of nearly 500 jobs.
The Michigan-based cereal and snack maker filed a notice with the state in May saying its Charlotte and Greensboro facilities will shut down July 29. Kellogg employs 233 employees at its Charlotte center and 250 employees at its Greensboro center.
Grandmother Set For Deportation Is Offered Sanctuary In Greensboro Church
A North Carolina grandmother scheduled for deportation will be offered sanctuary at a Greensboro church on Wednesday.
St. Barnabas Episcopal Church leaders voted unanimously to offer shelter to Juana Luz Tobar Ortega. She fled violence in Guatemala and arrived in Asheboro in 1993. She has worked in High Point for at least the last eight years.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has ordered her to leave the country and will not grant her a stay of removal, which led to the church vote.
Jury Selection Begins For Minister Accused In Member Beating
Jury selection has begun in the trial of a North Carolina church minister accused of beating a man to expel his "homosexual demons."
A trial began Tuesday for Brooke Covington, a 58-year-old minister at Word of Faith Fellowship in Spindale, North Carolina.
Four other church members charged with assault and kidnapping will be tried separately.
Covington has pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and assaulting former church member Matthew Fenner in January 2013. If convicted, Covington faces up to two years in prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.