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Lawyer: Time's Already Up For 2017 Election
North Carolina's Republican legislative leaders have told the U.S. Supreme Court there's not enough time to hold a special election this fall with new General Assembly districts and that it could be an "enormously misguided" remedy if judges were to order one.
An attorney for the GOP lawmakers made the statement in a legal brief requested by Chief Justice John Roberts before a Tuesday afternoon deadline.
Roberts had sought responses to a demand by voters who have successfully gotten 28 House and Senate districts thrown out to have the U.S. Supreme Court return the case to a lower court more quickly than normal.
Sunday Hunting In North Carolina Expanded In Advancing Bill
Hunters' opportunities to shoot game on Sundays would be expanded under legislation moving through the Senate, less than two years after it became legal.
The Senate Rules Committee advanced the bill Tuesday. It would eliminate a prohibition on hunting with guns on Sunday mornings, which coincides with church services. Shooting near places of worship would remain illegal all day.
Sunday hunting is limited to private property and barred in Wake and Mecklenburg counties. The proposal would lift the ban there and allow hunting on managed public lands.
Late NC Rep. Samuelson Remembered By Colleagues
Colleagues of a North Carolina House leader who died in January are going to remember her life and contributions by passing legislation in her honor.
The House scheduled Wednesday consideration of a resolution to recall the life of former Rep. Ruth Samuelson of Charlotte. She died at age 57, several months after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Winston-Salem Drops Car Fee Proposal
The Winston-Salem Finance Committee has dropped a proposal to raise a motor-vehicle fee beyond the current $15 level.
The committee also set aside a provision to grant incentives to military personnel who join the city's police force.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that the proposed budget would increase the tax bill for most residents, and would raise fares for Trans-Aid, the city's bus service for the disabled.
Dress Code Addresses Confederate Flag Concerns
A North Carolina County Board of Education has given preliminary approval to a change in its dress code, as a response to concerns about the display of Confederate flags on campuses.
The Orange County board added language that bans clothing and accessories that can be deemed racially insensitive.
The Herald-Sun newspaper of Durham reports that the change comes amid complaints about the Confederate flag in County schools.
The measure must go through a second reading before it becomes official school policy.
Man Arrested In DC 'Pizzagate' Incident Apologizes In Letter
A Salisbury man who walked into a District of Columbia pizza restaurant with an assault rifle, intent on investigating internet rumors dubbed "pizzagate," is apologizing and saying he realizes now "just how foolish and reckless" he was.
Edgar Madison Welch made the statements in a letter submitted to a judge Tuesday ahead of his sentencing set for June 22. In a court document, Welch's attorney asks he be sentenced to 1 ½ years in prison.
In a separate document, prosecutors say he should spend 4 ½ years in prison.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.