RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge has decided that two legislative districts in northeastern North Carolina can remain intact. Black voters argued that Republicans manipulated the boundaries to prevent them from electing their preferred candidates. U.S. District Judge James Dever sided on Tuesday with GOP leaders, stating that the plaintiffs failed to prove the lines diluted Black voting power. The case involved two state Senate districts approved in 2023. The lines include a region where African American population is high. The ruling could be appealed to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.… Continue Reading

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina legislature has approved a criminal justice package in response to the stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee on Charlotte’s light rail. The package finalized Tuesday with a House vote limits bail and aims to ensure more defendants undergo mental health evaluations. The measure already passed the Senate and now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. His office said the measure is being reviewed. The bill also includes provisions that aim to help restart executions in the state. Public outrage over the death of Iryna Zarutska intensified with the release of security video showing the attack on the commuter train.… Continue Reading

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislators have introduced criminal justice measures to toughen bail rules and evaluate offenders for mental health issues. This follows the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte commuter train last month. The Senate approved the bill late Monday. It now heads to the House for debate. The bill aims to prohibit cashless bail for certain crimes and reduce magistrates’ discretion in pretrial release decisions. A late amendment could also open the door to new execution methods beyond lethal injection. One Democrat criticized the amendment as immoral.… Continue Reading