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NC Congress Map Challenged Again On Partisan Bias

North Carolina's congressional map is being challenged again on accusations that Republican lawmakers fashioned districts to maximize GOP seats.

Democratic and independent voters sued Friday in Wake County court, alleging extreme partisanship in how the 13 districts were drawn. They say the map violates the state constitution and want new districts for 2020. Republicans hold 10 seats.

The lawsuit mimics successful arguments in partisan gerrymandering litigation in state court involving General Assembly districts.

Documents: Ex-GOP Chair For North Carolina To Plead Guilty

A former North Carolina GOP chairman will admit in court that he lied to federal agents conducting a bribery probe of a major political donor.

The federal court docket shows that Robin Hayes is scheduled to enter a guilty plea on Oct. 2. A factual basis document prepared as part of the plea agreement and signed by Hayes' attorney acknowledges that Hayes knew he was making false statements to FBI agents.

Prosecutors have accused Hayes of involvement in an insurance executive's plan to funnel campaign contributions to the state's top insurance regulator in exchange for special treatment.

Deal Linking Blue Cross NC, Cambia Halts After CEO Resigns

Two Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers on both U.S. coasts are scrapping plans for a long-term cooperation agreement after an executive central to the deal resigned in the wake of an alleged drunk-driving crash.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and Portland, Oregon-based Cambia Health Solutions said Friday they're ending their request for regulatory approval.

North Carolina Homeowner Insurance To Rise Slightly Next Spring

North Carolina homeowner insurance rates will go up 4% on average next spring as part of an agreement between the Insurance Department and an entity representing the industry.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said the settlement announced Friday means an administrative fight between his office and the North Carolina Rate Bureau ends. 

Causey's news release says the Rate Bureau — composed of the state's property insurance writers— initially sought an overall increase of more than 17%.

Winfrey Shocks Fundraisers With $1M Donation For Students

Oprah Winfrey shocked attendees at a North Carolina fundraiser by announcing a donation of more than $1 million toward the United Negro College Fund.

The Charlotte Observer reports that the former talk-show host and OWN television network chief made the surprise announcement Saturday while speaking at Charlotte's 17th annual Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon.

United Negro College Fund officials were hoping the luncheon would help raise $500,000 for deserving area students to attend historically black colleges.

3 Of 4 Escapees From Ohio Jail Arrested In North Carolina

Three of four inmates who authorities say overpowered two female corrections officers and escaped from an Ohio county jail have been caught in North Carolina.

A release from Gallia County Sheriff Matt Champlin in Ohio says the three men — Brynn K. Martin, Christopher M. Clemente and Troy R. McDaniel Jr. — were taken into custody in Cary around 2 a.m. Monday. That's a little over a day after the men escaped the Gallipolis jail Sunday.

The fourth inmate, Lawrence R. Lee III, is believed to have accompanied the other three, but fled from authorities at the time of the arrests.

A Cary police release says the three men were "captured without incident" and are awaiting extradition to Ohio.

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