Dr. Kimberly Hardy, an assistant professor at Fayetteville State University, joined with other Democrats on Tuesday criticizing GOP Judge Jefferson Griffin for trying to throw out ballots. (Screenshot from video feed)
NC Republicans pass law shifting government power, overriding Cooper’s veto
Wide-ranging law curbs authority of newly elected Democrats and offers limited aid to storm-ravaged western NC
North Carolina lawmakers approved a wide-ranging bill to shift executive power in state government on Wednesday, cementing a Republican override of Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto a month before new elected officials are sworn in.
The GOP override passed the House 72-46, after moving through the Senate last week. It now becomes law, though many of its sections do not take effect for months. [Read more...]
Protesters forced out, one arrested as House lawmakers override hurricane relief bill veto
By Christine Zhu and Brandon Kingdollar
Police removed around 100 protesters as they chanted “shame!” after the override passed along party lines.
Around 100 demonstrators packed the North Carolina House of Representatives gallery Wednesday, calling on lawmakers to reject the veto override for Senate Bill 382, a controversial measure marrying Helene relief to seismic power shifts away from elected Democrats.
As representatives entered the floor and later took their votes, the protesters hummed “This Little Light of Mine” and held up signs and flashlights in an effort to appeal to legislators’ morality and move them to their side. Demonstrators packed into the gallery as well. [Read more...]
Cooper, Stein sue to block new GOP-led law stripping governor-elect of powers
Lawsuit says legislature’s ability to appoint Highway Patrol commander violates NC constitution
North Carolina Governor-elect Josh Stein and Gov. Roy Cooper filed a lawsuit Thursday to block a new Republican-led law shifting executive power in government.
Stein, who currently serves as attorney general, and Cooper argue that the portion of the law making the Highway Patrol its own department, with a commander appointed by the GOP-controlled legislature, is unconstitutional. [Read more…]
NC Board of Elections rejects GOP Supreme Court candidate’s efforts to throw out thousands of votes
By Lynn Bonner
The state Board of Elections on Wednesday rejected Republican Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin’s efforts to toss out more than 60,000 ballots cast in last month’s election.
Most of the votes rejecting Griffin’s election protests were 3-2 along party lines, with the board’s three Democrats voting against Griffin and the three Republican legislative candidates who filed protests on similar grounds. [Read more…]
Bonus read: No third recount for GOP Judge Griffin as Democrats denounce his effort to throw out ballots
Supreme Court election protest ensnares voters of all stripes, including some elected officials
Republican candidate, Judge Jefferson Griffin, has challenged thousands of voter registrations — scroll down to see if you’re on the list
Raymond Corbett of Johnston County has voted in every general election in North Carolina since at least 2004 and will say, unprompted, that Ronald Reagan was the last great president.
He doesn’t think much of lawyers and politicians. When he received a mailer from the state Republican Party telling him his vote in this year’s election might be challenged, he told his wife to throw it away. [Read more...]
UNC-Chapel Hill hires Bill Belichick as head football coach in $50M deal
It’s Belichick’s first time coaching college football after nearly a half century in the National Football League
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill formally introduced Bill Belichick as its head football coach at a Thursday press conference after negotiating a $50 million contract over five years. [Read more…]
St. Augustine’s University, dogged by financial struggles, loses its accreditation
By: Galen Bacharier and Clayton Henkel
Commission strips Raleigh HBCU of accreditation after previous ruling and probation.
Saint Augustine’s University was stripped of its accreditation Tuesday, as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College board voted to remove the Raleigh HBCU from its membership.
The university plans to appeal the Tuesday ruling.
Without accreditation, students hoping to attend Saint Aug would find themselves unable to receive federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education. [Read more…]