Receive the morning news briefs delivered to your email inbox every morning. Click here to sign up.
Judge Strikes Down 20-Week Abortion Ban
A federal judge has struck down North Carolina's ban on abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Judge William Osteen gave the state a 60-day delay before issuing his decision. That was in part to give lawmakers time to replace the law.
They didn't do that, so last week the judge made it official to strike it down.
North Carolina's law would ban on abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy, except in a medical emergency.
Osteen declared it unconstitutional, writing that the 20-week limit prohibited some abortions before a fetus could live outside the womb.
The state now has 30 days to appeal the ruling.
North Carolina Moves To Help Offenders Clear Their Records
More people in North Carolina could soon qualify to have their criminal records wiped clean, thanks to a bipartisan bill loosening the requirements.
Offenders with multiple nonviolent misdemeanor or low level felony convictions would be eligible to have their records expunged, regardless of age. The bill also expands expunctions for misdemeanors and minor felonies committed by 16- and 17-year olds. Currently, only nonviolent, first-time convictions are eligible.
"The Second Chance Act," introduced by Democratic Sen. Floyd McKissick of Durham County, recently passed the state Senate and now goes to the House.
Winston-Salem Woman Killed, 3 Hurt In Weekend House Fire
Authorities in Winston-Salem say a woman was killed and three others were hurt in a house fire.
Fire Department Battalion Chief Aaron Noah tells the Winston-Salem Journal that the fire on Sunday morning was caused by unattended cooking, and that there were no working smoke detectors in the home.
The woman's name isn't being released pending family notification. Noah didn't have the medical conditions of the other three people taken to the hospital, but said he didn't think their conditions were life-threatening.
Noah says the house appears to be a total loss.
14 Rescued From Rip Currents On Southeastern NC Coast
The National Weather Service says at least 14 people have been rescued from rip currents on the southeastern North Carolina coast.
10 of the 14 rescues on Memorial Day were at Carolina Beach and the other four were at Wrightsville Beach.
The rip current risk for the two beaches was listed as high on Monday.
There have already been two deaths on the North Carolina coast during the long weekend, and rip currents were believed to be a factor in each drowning.
Family Of Woman Mauled By Lion Pushes For New Regulations
New details about the lion mauling death of a 22-year old who interned at the Conservator's Center in Burlington, North Carolina have caused the victim's aunt to question the animal sanctuary's safety protocols.
Virginia Black said her niece, Alex, was attacked in an area where the lion could have reached park visitors. She said center staff had to read the instructions for the tranquilizer gun, which they broke before they could use it on the lion.
Black urged lawmakers to strengthen a bill that passed in the House prohibiting private ownership of nonnative exotic animals. She wants more regulation for facilities exempted from the bill's prohibition, like the sanctuary.
300x250 Ad
300x250 Ad