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Recent Articles from Gary Robertson, The Associated Press
Top NC senator backing bill requiring appeals court votes
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican lawmakers could advance legislation soon that would require state appellate judges to disclose publicly how they voted privately on orders issued by their courts, the state Senate’s top leader said Thursday. The proposal follows a rapid-fire series of rulings this month involving redistricting litigation that ultimately delayed the […]
NC’s top court halts March primary due to remapping suits
RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina’s highest court on Wednesday pushed back the March election primaries for legislative, congressional and judicial seats to give state courts time to review lawsuits claiming the Republican-controlled legislature illegally gerrymandered some districts. The decision by the state Supreme Court comes after a state Court of Appeals panel initially blocked filing [&[...]
Moratorium over: N.C. towns advance LGBT protections
RALEIGH (AP) — The first North Carolina municipalities are acting to expand LGBT rights again a month since the expiration of a moratorium on nondiscrimination ordinances agreed to years ago as a compromise to do away with the state’s “bathroom bill.” The governing board of Hillsborough, a town of 7,000 about 40 miles (64 kilometers) […]
At inauguration, Cooper calls to strive for shared goals
RALEIGH (AP) — Starting his second term, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Saturday called on residents to learn from the state’s recent triumphs and trials and to commit to shared goals for education, health care and racial equality, and to “cherish our democracy.” The Democrat emphasized COVID-19’s continuing challenges and condemned this week’s violence […[...]
Newby seeks vaccine access for court system
RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina’s new chief justice says he’s asked Gov. Roy Cooper to consider getting COVID-19 vaccines more quickly to local court officials to meet a state constitutional requirement that “all courts shall be open.” Speaking at Wednesday’s online installation ceremony for himself and two new justices, Chief Justice Paul Newby said “access [&h[...]
Court: N.C. domestic violence order rule harms LGBT people
RALEIGH (AP) — Domestic violence protection orders issued by North Carolina judges to keep apart people in abusive or frightening dating relationships must be granted in same-sex cases as well, a divided state appeals court panel ruled Thursday. North Carolina appears to be the only state that expressly limits such restraining orders upon dating couples […]
As all else, NC’s inauguration festivities derailed by COVID
RALEIGH (AP) — Public inauguration festivities for North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and other statewide elected officials will again be subdued. In January 2017, after Cooper was first elected, approaching snow and sleet forced the cancellations of a public swearing-in ceremony and ensuing inaugural parade. Now, as Cooper begins his second term, the COVID-19 restrictions […]
NC appeals judge censured for ‘toxic work environment’
RALEIGH (AP) — A North Carolina Court of Appeals judge was censured on Friday after a judicial investigation determined his refusal to squarely address his chief aide’s bullying, profanity and dishonesty caused a “toxic work environment” for female law clerks who worked for him. State Supreme Court justices unanimously affirmed the recommendation by the state […]
N.C. racial justice task force makes dozens of recommendations
RALEIGH (AP) — A task force commissioned by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper in the days following George Floyd’s death on Monday formally recommended far-reaching changes to police, criminal justice and court systems, with a goal of eliminating racial inequities. “This task force took the governor’s charge seriously and worked to develop recommendations that will […]
Judge names expert to scrutinize NC prison virus response
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A judge agreed on Friday to name a third-party expert to scrutinize the COVID-19 response within North Carolina’s prison system, which along with the rest of the state is experiencing a surge in cases and hospitalizations. Ruling again in ongoing litigation about health and safety within prisons during the pandemic, Superior […]
Criminal record, sentence changes among new N.C. laws
By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — New laws began Tuesday in North Carolina that are designed to help more people convicted of lower-level crimes and nonviolent drug trafficking get records cleared or punishments eased. The ” Second Chance Act ” and ” First Step Act ” are among nearly a dozen […]
4th Circuit upholds hog verdict; Smithfield announces settlement
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld a 2018 jury verdict that led to awarding monetary damages to neighbors of a North Carolina industrial hog operation for smells and noise they said made living nearby unbearable. But judges ruled the jurors’ multimillion-dollar awards — intended to penalize a subsidiary of the […]
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Commentary
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- Amotion sees resurgence after almost a decade
- The flip side of generative AI in law and how to address it
- The fight for equal educational opportunity continues
- Court’s term was rough on big business
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- Lawyers Weekly debuts new and improved web experience
- US Supreme Court bites back at parody’s use of the First Amendment
