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North Carolina Senate Completes Map Debate
The North Carolina Senate has completed its debate on a proposed redistricting map with partisan statistics that appear to still give Republicans the upper hand in the chamber.
Senators voted on mostly party lines Monday evening to approve the boundaries. The House approved the map of its districts early Monday.
Now, there's very little standing in the way of the legislature giving final approval to both maps before a judicial deadline Friday. All that's left is for each chamber to approve the map drawn by the other chamber.
Top NC Court Weighs Lawmakers Stripping Of Governor's Powers
North Carolina's highest court is deciding how far the Republican-dominated legislature can go to minimize new Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's ability to pursue goals that helped him get elected last year.
The state Supreme Court on Monday heard arguments in Cooper's lawsuit claiming the GOP-controlled Legislature violated the constitution with a law diminishing the governor's role in managing elections. It's the first time the high court is weighing in on the ongoing political battle between Cooper and lawmakers.
Lawsuit: Law School Defrauded Taxpayers Out Of $285 Million
A lawsuit is accusing the Charlotte School of Law of defrauding taxpayers out of $285 million by admitting unqualified students, then manipulating records to keep them enrolled so the school could collect their government-supported tuition.
The Charlotte Observer reports the lawsuit was filed by former professor Barbara Bernier. The suit says the for-profit school, which closed last week, conspired with its owner to inflate enrollment and maximize profits.
Bernier also said the school lowered admissions and retention standards while misrepresenting both the state bar exam scores of their graduates and their success in finding jobs.
Refuge Occupier Jason Blomgren Sentenced To Probation
A North Carolina man who pleaded guilty to conspiracy in the takeover of an Oregon wildlife refuge has been sentenced to two years on probation.
Jason Blomgren traveled to Oregon in January 2016 to perform guard duty during the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel described him as a minor player who spent 15 days on the refuge.
Tropical Storm Warning, Watch Continues In North Carolina
A storm is moving off the North Carolina coast but forecasters say the chance of it becoming tropical are dropping.
The National Weather Service issued a tropical storm warning from Surf City to Duck along the Outer Banks.
Forecasters say the storm is expected to move along the North Carolina coast Tuesday before heading out to sea Tuesday night.
The system could bring up to 3 inches of rain to eastern North Carolina and Virginia.