Makiya Seminera, The Associated Press

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North Carolina judges side with GOP lawmakers for who gets say on highway patrol commander

North Carolina judges side with GOP lawmakers for who gets say on highway patrol commander

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- A panel of North Carolina judges dismissed one of Democratic Gov. Josh Stein's cases against Republican legislative leaders Monday, upholding part of a power-shifting law that prevents Stein from selecting the State Highway Patrol commander.

North Carolina governor urges state lawmakers to include more Helene aid in upcoming budget

North Carolina governor urges state lawmakers to include more Helene aid in upcoming budget

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein urged state lawmakers Monday to allocate hundreds of millions more dollars toward western North Carolina's ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene instead of waiting on "uncertain federal assistance."

Visa crackdown leads international students in the US to reconsider summer travel

Visa crackdown leads international students in the US to reconsider summer travel

On summer break from a Ph.D. program, an international student at University of California, San Diego, was planning a trip with a few friends to Hawaii. But after seeing international students across the United States stripped of their legal status, the student decided against it.

North Carolina is pursuing its own restrictions amid Trump's pushback against DEI

North Carolina is pursuing its own restrictions amid Trump's pushback against DEI

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Following the lead of several conservative states and the president himself, North Carolina Republican lawmakers have advanced their own bills that target diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

North Carolina GOP town hall gets rowdy as attendees hurl scathing questions on Trump

North Carolina GOP town hall gets rowdy as attendees hurl scathing questions on Trump

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Before answering an attendee's question about President Donald Trump's "destructive and disastrous trade war," Rep. Chuck Edwards made a plea to the rowdy crowd at his Thursday town hall in Asheville, North Carolina.

Universities are facing big cuts to research funding. At Duke, it's a time for 'damage control'

Universities are facing big cuts to research funding. At Duke, it's a time for 'damage control'

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -- Facing the potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding, Duke University is preparing for the worst.

Some in Hurricane Helene-ravaged North Carolina embrace Trump's push to abolish FEMA

Some in Hurricane Helene-ravaged North Carolina embrace Trump's push to abolish FEMA

SWANNANOA, N.C. (AP) -- Emily Russell remembers feeling hopeful after she managed to get an appointment with the Federal Emergency Management Agency not long after Hurricane Helene ripped though her home in Swannanoa, North Carolina.

North Carolina officials make urgent request to lawmakers on Helene and other hurricanes

North Carolina officials make urgent request to lawmakers on Helene and other hurricanes

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina officials charged with leading recovery efforts in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene -- as well as parts of eastern North Carolina still struggling from previous hurricanes -- told state lawmakers this week that they need more money. And they need it soon.

Latest challenge to North Carolina's power-shifting law focuses on state elections board control

Latest challenge to North Carolina's power-shifting law focuses on state elections board control

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina's current governor and his successor tacked on another lawsuit Monday disputing a key provision within a GOP law that erodes the powers of several incoming Democratic state leaders -- the latest in a longstanding power struggle between North Carolina's executive and legislative branches over who controls the state's elections.

Democratic incumbent Don Davis wins reelection in North Carolina's only toss-up congressional race

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Democratic freshman Rep. Don Davis has won reelection, defending his seat from a challenge by Republican opponent Laurie Buckhout in North Carolina's only toss-up congressional race.

GOP candidate concedes race to Democratic US Rep Don Davis in NC's 1st Congressional District

GOP candidate concedes race to Democratic US Rep Don Davis in NC's 1st Congressional District

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Republican candidate Laurie Buckhout conceded the race for North Carolina's only toss-up congressional district on Wednesday following a tight, closely watched race against incumbent first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis.

Democratic incumbent and GOP challenger in a close contest in NC's 1st Congressional District

Democratic incumbent and GOP challenger in a close contest in NC's 1st Congressional District

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Don Davis and Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout remained in a close contest early Wednesday for North Carolina's only toss-up congressional district.

The winner of a North Carolina toss-up race could help decide who controls the US House

The winner of a North Carolina toss-up race could help decide who controls the US House

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- A pathway for Republicans to keep the U.S. House or for Democrats to take control of it may partially hinge on who is victorious in North Carolina's only toss-up congressional district.

What to know about how Helene's aftermath is affecting voting in western North Carolina

HOT SPRINGS, N.C. (AP) -- In one of the critical states that could decide who takes the presidency in November, election workers and voters in the western part of North Carolina are still having to balance their recovery from Hurricane Helene's devastation with holding elections.

A hurricane's historic destruction hasn't stopped North Carolina election workers and voters

A hurricane's historic destruction hasn't stopped North Carolina election workers and voters

HOT SPRINGS, N.C. (AP) -- About three weeks after Hurricane Helene pummeled western North Carolina, the Hot Springs Community Center was still caked in mud. A paper sign hung on the door warning visitors to use "extreme caution" until the building could be inspected. The reason for the damage was scribbled at the top of the page: water inundation.

Electoral battleground North Carolina starts early in-person voting while recovering from Helene

Electoral battleground North Carolina starts early in-person voting while recovering from Helene

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- Early in-person voting was set to begin statewide Thursday in the presidential battleground of North Carolina, including in mountainous areas where thousands of potential voters still lack power and clean running water after Hurricane Helene's epic flooding.

Voters in North Carolina and Georgia have bigger problems than politics. Helene changed everything

Voters in North Carolina and Georgia have bigger problems than politics. Helene changed everything

VILAS, N.C. (AP) -- Brad Farrington pulls over to grab a case of water bottles being passed out in Vilas, a small rural community tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He's on his way to help a friend who lost much of what he owned when Hurricane Helene blew through last weekend.

Fierce North Carolina congressional race could hinge on other names on the ballot

Fierce North Carolina congressional race could hinge on other names on the ballot

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (AP) -- As Laurie Buckhout made her way around Nash County GOP headquarters in Rocky Mount, she seemed to be in high spirits. The Republican congressional candidate bounced around the crowded room, hugging and laughing with volunteers set to canvass local neighborhoods that afternoon.

North Carolina GOP leaders reach spending deal to clear private school voucher waitlist

North Carolina GOP leaders reach spending deal to clear private school voucher waitlist

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina's Republican House and Senate leaders said Friday that they've agreed with each other on a supplemental spending proposal that includes hundreds of millions of dollars to eliminate the state's waitlist for private school vouchers.

She took a 'ballot selfie.' Now she's suing North Carolina elections board for laws that ban it

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- A woman is suing the North Carolina elections board over state laws that ban most photography in polling places after she took a selfie with her ballot in March.

Democrats launch first paid ad campaign for the Harris-Walz ticket in battleground states

Democrats launch first paid ad campaign for the Harris-Walz ticket in battleground states

With a solidified presidential ticket stumping across the country and a massive amount of money to spend, the Democratic Party is targeting seven critical battleground states with paid advertising for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Pelosi delivers speech to NC Democrats with notable absence  -  Biden's future as nominee

Pelosi delivers speech to NC Democrats with notable absence - Biden's future as nominee

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- In a state expected to help decide the presidency, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi did little to quell speculation on President Joe Biden's path forward as the Democratic nominee to a room full of North Carolina Democrats on Saturday.

North Carolina governor vetoes masks bill largely because of provision about campaign finance

North Carolina governor vetoes masks bill largely because of provision about campaign finance

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Despite changes made to North Carolina's masking bill to quell concerns over the removal of a pandemic-era health exemption, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said he vetoed the legislation on Friday mostly for a different reason: a campaign finance provision tacked on to the end during legislative negotiations.

North Carolina governor vetoes masks bill largely due to provision about campaign finance

North Carolina governor vetoes masks bill largely due to provision about campaign finance

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Despite changes made to North Carolina's masking bill to quell concerns over the removal of a pandemic-era health exemption, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said he vetoed the legislation on Friday mostly for a different reason: a campaign finance provision tacked on to the end during legislative negotiations.

North Carolina Senate gives initial approval to legalizing medical marijuana

North Carolina Senate gives initial approval to legalizing medical marijuana

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina got a step closer to legalizing medical marijuana on Thursday when the state Senate gave it its initial approval.

North Carolina revives the possibility of legalizing medical marijuana

North Carolina revives the possibility of legalizing medical marijuana

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- North Carolina senators are pushing to legalize medical marijuana again, but it's unclear if the state House will approve it.

Takeaways from the campaigning to win over rural voters in swing-state North Carolina

Takeaways from the campaigning to win over rural voters in swing-state North Carolina

OXFORD, N.C. (AP) -- President Joe Biden and Donald Trump have their sights on a handful of battleground states in the White House race, and North Carolina is one of them.

Many voters in swing-state North Carolina are disengaged. Party activists hope to fire them up

Many voters in swing-state North Carolina are disengaged. Party activists hope to fire them up

OXFORD, N.C. (AP) -- She opens the door wearing a gray tank top, Hello Kitty pajama pants and pink fuzzy slippers. With her 6-year-old son standing quietly beside her, she listens patiently as Liz Purvis begins discussing what's at stake in the election this November.

North Carolina lawmakers approve mask bill that allows health exemption after pushback

North Carolina lawmakers approve mask bill that allows health exemption after pushback

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- A new, reworked version of a bill that originally caught flak for removing a pandemic-era health exemption for wearing a mask in public was approved by North Carolina lawmakers on Tuesday.

North Carolina GOP lawmakers agree to add a health exemption to a bill that limits masking

North Carolina GOP lawmakers agree to add a health exemption to a bill that limits masking

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Republican lawmakers in North Carolina struck a compromise on a bill that now maintains a health exemption for masking in public while preventing the use of masks during criminal activity, but only one chamber chose to vote on it Thursday.

At North Carolina's GOP convention, governor candidate Robinson energizes Republicans for election

At North Carolina's GOP convention, governor candidate Robinson energizes Republicans for election

Before Mark Robinson, North Carolina's GOP candidate for governor, even stepped on stage at the state party's convention Saturday, several state candidates took time in their own speeches to energize the crowd by vouching for Robinson's gubernatorial bid.

Lara Trump touts RNC changes and a 2024 presidential victory for Trump in North Carolina

Lara Trump touts RNC changes and a 2024 presidential victory for Trump in North Carolina

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) -- To a room full of Republicans from across North Carolina on Friday, former President Donald Trump railed against the Biden administration and vowed to win in the state for a third time -- all over a speaker phone call after his son Eric Trump dialed him on stage.