Here are some of the stories we're following today:
North Carolina Judge Allows Voter ID Lawsuit To Continue
A state judge has declined to dismiss a lawsuit challenging North Carolina's photo identification requirement to vote starting next year even after the General Assembly eased the mandate for some without IDs who want to cast ballots.
Superior Court Judge Michael Morgan ruled Wednesday a month after holding a hearing on motions filed by attorneys for the state and for voting rights groups and voters.
Morgan's decision also puts on hold the legal proceedings in the case until after the presidential primary, expected in mid-March. That means the photo ID requirement will be used when people cast ballots in person during that election.
All North Carolina Primaries In March Under Legislative Deal
North Carolina voters should be prepared to pick their preferred candidates from their favored party earlier this year for all races — not just for president.
The House and Senate have negotiated their agreement to hold all 2016 primaries on March 15, including the presidential nomination contests. The two chambers scheduled final votes on the arrangement Thursday. Affirmative votes would send the measure to Gov. Pat McCrory.
The deal builds on a 2013 decision by Republican lawmakers to move the presidential primary up from the usual May primary date. Seats for governor, Council of State, U.S. Senate, General Assembly and judgeships would now be added.
Sales Ban On Fetal Tissue In North Carolina OK'd By Panel
A state Senate committee has cleared legislation filed in response to recent undercover videos of Planned Parenthood officials discussing fetal tissue for research.
The panel voted Wednesday for a measure to prohibit the sale of the remains of aborted fetuses.
State health regulations direct how facilities permitted to terminate pregnancies and medical and research labs must dispose of those remains by burial, cremation or incineration. But state law doesn't specifically ban the sale of these remains. The bill would make such activity a low-grade felony.
Sen. Chad Barefoot of Wake County says the legislation would bring "some level of dignity to unborn children" who were aborted.
The North Carolina Planned Parenthood affiliate calls the bill another "political attack on safe and legal abortion" in the state.
North Carolina Senate Gives Initial OK To $2B Bond Proposal
What's being billed as a consensus $2 billion borrowing proposal between North Carolina legislative leaders has received strong initial support from the Senate.
Senators voted 46-2 Wednesday for the debt package, in which nearly $1.3 billion would be set aside for construction on 14 University of North Carolina campuses and for all community colleges.
The borrowing would not occur unless a majority of voters agree in a referendum, expected to be in mid-March. It would make the first statewide bond question on the ballot since 2000.
Clint Bowyer's Title Hopes Hit Hard By NASCAR Penalties
Clint Bowyer's slim shot at winning the Sprint Cup championship in Michael Waltrip Racing's final season took a huge hit Wednesday when NASCAR penalized the team for an infraction in the opening playoff race.
NASCAR said the No. 15 team had parts not properly installed on its Toyota in the opening inspection Friday at Chicagoland Speedway. Bowyer was docked 25 points, dropping him to last in the 16-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup championship field.
300x250 Ad
300x250 Ad