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Police: Kidnapped Virginia Baby Found Safe; Father Arrested
An infant who was kidnapped by her father in Virginia has been found safe in North Carolina.
Authorities say the abduction of seven-month-old Emma Grace Kennedy occurred at a gas station in Danville. That's where Carl Ray Kennedy, the girl's father, assaulted the baby's mother with a knife.
Kennedy is a registered sex offender with a long criminal history. He was arrested with the baby in Randleman, North Carolina, after a two-day manhunt.
The infant appears to be in good health and is being evaluated at a hospital in Danville.
Court Restores Lawsuit Against North Carolina "Ag-Gag" Law
A federal appeals court is resurrecting a lawsuit by animal-rights groups against a North Carolina law that discourages undercover investigations into conditions at farms and other workplaces.
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday reversed a North Carolina federal judge's decision dismissing the lawsuit.
A three-judge appeals panel said People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals and other groups have alleged a reasonable fear that the law sought to punish undercover exposes uncovering illegal and unethical conduct.
North Carolina was among about a half-dozen states passing laws targeting surreptitious recordings in agricultural settings. North Carolina's law extends to other types of businesses.
NC Lawmakers Move To Protect Pork Giant Hit By Big Verdict
Legislators in the country's No. 2 hog-growing state are launching a new effort to shield industrial hog operations from neighbors who have complained for decades about the smell, noise and flies generated by housing thousands of animals together.
The North Carolina Senate's Agriculture Committee on Tuesday unveiled language that would protect the low-cost but much-criticized method of handling hog waste by spraying it over farm fields. The legislation says farm and forestry operations couldn't be a nuisance if they're using such practices common to their industry.
North Carolina Election Rule Changes Gets Final Legislative OK
Legislation containing several election administration changes has cleared the North Carolina General Assembly and is now on Gov. Roy Cooper's desk.
The Senate voted 30-12 Tuesday for the legislation, which would require many state and county election board workers to receive criminal background checks.
The measure would extend the state's current prohibitions on losing primary candidates from running again in the fall for the same office as a write-in or independent candidate. This "sore loser" provision would now also apply to new political parties choosing their candidates by convention. The Green Party and possibly the Constitution Party will be on ballots this November.
Sexual-Assault Kit Tracking Bill OK'd By Senate Committee
A bill establishing a statewide tracking system for sexual assault evidence kits has approval from one North Carolina legislative committee. But some legislators have questions about the funding.
A state Senate committee gave a favorable report to a new version of the bill Tuesday and sent it another committee.
The bill also orders creation of a working group to determine priority for the testing of rape kits that have languished for too long.
Sen. Shirley Randleman told senators who questioned the lack of funding in the bill that officials need to know the precise extent of the problem before appropriating money.
North Carolina Gets $147M Grant For Highway Improvements
North Carolina's senators say the U.S. Department of Transportation will award nearly $150 million for infrastructure projects across highway corridors in eastern parts of the state.
U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, and Gov. Roy Cooper released statements Tuesday saying that the $147 million grant will help widen up to 25 miles of Interstate 95 and upgrade parts of U.S. Route 70 to make it Interstate 42. It's unclear when construction will begin.
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