North Carolina
Military and overseas voters at center of challenges in Riggs-Griffin NC Supreme Court race
RALEIGH, N.C. — Almost six months later, and the North Carolina Supreme Court Race is still the only uncertificated race left in the country from 2024.
While multiple recounts confirmed Democrat Allison Riggs’ 734-vote win, Republican Jefferson Griffin’s ongoing challenges are now narrowing to a smaller pool of military and overseas voters.
Saturday morning, Riggs was speaking at the Lee County Democratic Convention in Sanford. Both thanking supporters and acknowledging she still has a fight ahead to maintain her narrow win over Griffin and make sure every vote counts.
“From my perspective, it doesn’t matter if it’s one voter, 6,000 voters, or 68,000 voters; every vote cast by an eligible voter should be counted, and I will not give one inch,” she said.
Riggs scored a partial win when the Supreme Court ruled the bulk of voters challenged by Griffin, who showed IDs, would have their votes count.
But a smaller number of military and overseas voters are still being called into question.
New ads are running calling out the Griffin campaign’s tactics, arguing military voters were exempt from the ID law, and federal laws have made it easier for those serving our country to cast ballots back home.
“It’s of utmost importance that as we move forward. That we make it as easy as possible for our servicemembers who are serving overseas to have their voices heard and participate in the election process that they are wearing the uniform to defend,” said U.S. Air Force Veteran Anil Nathan, co-founder of We The Veterans.
ALSO SEE: Justice Riggs rallies voters amid unresolved state Supreme Court race: ‘I will not back down’
It’s a message echoed by former GOP Governor Pat McCrory, who admits he actually voted for Griffin himself.
“I wanted the Republican judge to win because his philosophy more aligns with me. But in order to take the seat, you’ve got to earn the seat and win the seat. And in this case, he was defeated,” McCrory said.
McCrory says as someone no stranger to a narrow election loss, this would set a dangerous precedent.
“You abide by the rules before the election. It’s like changing a penalty call after the Super Bowl is over. You don’t do that. And the military personnel, I think, are special. And that’s why an exception was made for ID, that we trusted the military to do what’s right. And they voted based upon the rule set,” he said.
But other Republicans, including Griffin, still show no signs of backing down. The NCGOP told our Raleigh sister station, ABC11, in a statement on Saturday, “It’s no surprise far far-left Democrats are once again lying to North Carolinians and covering up for the partisan State Board of Elections’ failure to follow state law. The people of our state put Voter ID in the State Constitution; that’s the issue at play here. Judge Griffin himself served in a uniform a week before Election Day. There is no one who takes the oath more seriously.”
Riggs is still likely to take the case to federal court to ensure every remaining challenged vote counts.
The video in the player above is from a previous report.
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North Carolina
North Carolina attempted murder suspect arrested in Myrtle Beach
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — The Myrtle Beach Police Department announced Monday the arrest of a man wanted in North Carolina.
Officers arrested Leko Jones, 46, who was wanted by authorities in Burlington, North Carolina, according to the Myrtle Beach Police Department.
Jones is charged with attempted first-degree murder and assault by strangulation.
The arrest resulted from a coordinated effort between the Myrtle Beach Police Department’s Patrol Division and Investigations Division, working alongside the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Investigators said they safely located Jones and took him into custody.
North Carolina
E. 4th Street in Washington to close July 14-15 for sewer line replacement
A section of E. 4th Street in Washington will close next week for sewer line replacement work.
According to the city, E. 4th Street from Hudnell Street to Aycock Street will be closed to local traffic on Tuesday, July 14, and Wednesday, July 15, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
North Carolina
Town of Pine Knoll Shores announces Ryan Thompson to depart after 18 years
PINE KNOLL SHORES, Carteret County — A longtime Pine Knoll Shores public servant is preparing to begin a new chapter after nearly two decades with the town.
Ryan Thompson announced he will leave his full-time role with the Town of Pine Knoll Shores on August 12 after 18 years of service.
Thompson said he first came to Pine Knoll Shores in 2008 and has served the town in several roles, including police officer, chief of police, assistant town manager and most recently interim town manager.
In a message shared by the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department, Thompson said serving the community has been the greatest honor of his professional career.
Town of Pine Knoll Shores announces Ryan Thompson to depart after 18 years
He reflected on working alongside first responders through several hurricanes and coastal emergencies over the years, including Irene, Arthur, Matthew, Florence, Dorian, Isaias, Ophelia and Debby.
Thompson also highlighted the community’s response after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of western North Carolina in 2024. He said Pine Knoll Shores helped raise nearly $20,000 to support people impacted by the storm.
Thompson said Pine Knoll Shores has also been a special place for his family. His son served as a part-time firefighter with the Pine Knoll Shores Fire Department, and his wife served as the town’s tax collector.
Although he is leaving his full-time role, Thompson said he is not saying goodbye to the town.
He will begin serving as a public safety risk management consultant with the North Carolina League of Municipalities. He said the new role will allow him to work with cities and towns across the state to help support public safety and local governments.
Thompson also said he will remain with the Pine Knoll Shores Police Department as a part-time police officer.
He said he will also continue helping the town during its transition as Pine Knoll Shores begins the search for its next police chief and works through the town manager transition.
Captain Eric Tellefsen will become interim chief of police after Thompson’s departure.
Thompson said he is confident in the department’s leadership team and thanked the Pine Knoll Shores community for its trust, support and friendship over the past 18 years.
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