North Carolina
Gov. Roy Cooper decries bill shortening permit time for teen drivers, but lets it become law anyway
Friday, Could 5, 2023 4:39PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — Teenagers in North Carolina will have the ability to get their driver’s licenses sooner beginning Monday, regardless of objections from Gov. Roy Cooper.
In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers shortened the time a brand new driver needed to have a driver’s allow earlier than getting their driver’s license from 12 months to 6 months.
That pandemic rule change expired earlier this 12 months, leaving many teenagers and their dad and mom confused and upset.
SEE ALSO | 1000’s of NC teen drivers left in limbo after license wait time regulation expires
Lawmakers bought again collectively final month to debate and finally cross Senate Invoice 157, which brings that six month ready interval again and completely adjustments the wait time to 9 months firstly of 2024.
On Friday, Cooper mentioned he wouldn’t signal the invoice into regulation, however he additionally wouldn’t veto it. Meaning the invoice will go into regulation beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday; When DMV workplaces reopen Monday, teenagers who qualify will have the ability to get their licenses.
“I’ve issues that this regulation may make our roads much less secure, and I encourage the Division of Motor Automobiles and the legislature to watch its results carefully,” Cooper mentioned in a press release about his choice to not veto the invoice.
Copyright © 2023 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
North Carolina
How AM radio helped storm recovery efforts in North Carolina
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
North Carolina
North Carolina Dems fight GOP power shift as lawsuit targets election boards
Outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) and Gov.-elect Josh Stein (D-NC) filed an expanded lawsuit Monday to challenge a sweeping Republican-backed law that strips significant powers from the state’s incoming Democratic officeholders.
The move by the Democratic leaders escalates an ongoing legal battle over GOP efforts to reshape control of state agencies and boards ahead of next month’s transition.
The new legal action focuses on Senate Bill 382, which transfers the governor’s authority to appoint members of the State Board of Elections to the state auditor, a position set to be held by Republican Dave Boliek. Additionally, the law grants the auditor the power to appoint the leaders of all county election boards, further limiting gubernatorial influence.
“These blatantly partisan efforts to give control over election boards to a newly elected Republican will create distrust in our elections process and serve no legitimate purpose,” Cooper said in a statement.
The lawsuit was originally filed by Democrats over Senate Bill 749, a bill blocked earlier this year that would have overhauled the state election board structure. With SB 382 now law, Cooper and Stein are seeking to amend the lawsuit to reflect the changes, which they argue are unconstitutional and undermine democratic principles.
“In recent years, these legislative leaders have repeatedly tried and failed to seize control of the State Board of Elections for their own partisan gain,” Stein said. “This latest move insults the voters who rejected their power grab and must not stand.”
SB 382’s provisions extend beyond election oversight. It prohibits the incoming attorney general, Democrat Jeff Jackson, from taking legal positions contrary to those of the Republican-led legislature. It also reallocates $227 million to a Hurricane Helene relief fund but does not specify how the money will be used, raising concerns about delayed aid to affected communities.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Republicans overrode Cooper’s veto of SB 382 earlier this month, using their supermajority in the state Senate. However, starting in 2025, they will lose their veto-proof majority in the House, creating a more challenging legislative landscape.
The case now heads to Wake County Superior Court as the political fight over North Carolina’s balance of power intensifies.
North Carolina
North Carolina police officer killed days before Christmas
GREENBORO, N.C. – A Greensboro police officer was shot and killed on Monday morning while responding to reports of a man with a gun inside a Food Lion supermarket, authorities said. The suspect was taken into custody, though details of the incident remain under investigation.
Officer Michael T. Horan, 43, was shot just before noon at the store on Lawndale Drive in Greensboro, Assistant Police Chief Milford J. Harris said during a news conference. Horan, who joined the department in 2018, was remembered as an outstanding officer with a sterling reputation.
“He was an excellent officer. He had an outstanding reputation inside the department and in the community,” Harris said. “Together, we are mourning Officer Horan — who was a husband, father, son, and friend.”
Witness recounts Greensboro officer shooting
Ramona Miller, a shopper, told WGHP-TV she was with her 6-year-old granddaughter when the shooting occurred.
“We were on our way out, and I was purchasing a lottery ticket,” Miller said. “I was just sitting there and heard a ‘pop-pop’ and then ‘pop-pop-pop.’ I think I heard five shots. At first, I didn’t know it was a shooting, but an employee yelled out, ‘Shooting! Shooting!’”
Miller and her granddaughter left the store as police arrived. Authorities said there were no
North Carolina police officer killed in line of duty
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe into the circumstances of the shooting. Police did not release additional details about the suspect or the events leading up to the officer’s death. A heavy police presence was visible outside the supermarket in the hours following the incident.
Gov. Roy Cooper expressed his condolences to Horan’s family and colleagues in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“Officer Horan was courageously doing his duty protecting Greensboro when he became the victim of a senseless act of violence,” Cooper wrote. “We are grateful for his brave, dedicated service.”
Cooper also noted that he had sent a significant number of state law enforcement officers to support the response in Greensboro.
Who is Officer Michael Horan?
Horan was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard since 2000, serving as a law enforcement officer, tactical instructor, and search-and-rescue operator. In 2019, he received a lifesaving award for rescuing a man and his son from a rip current while off duty.
“Michael Horan was a protector and a provider,” Harris said. “The loss of a man like him rips a hole in the hearts of his family, squad mates, friends, and community.”
Democratic state Sen. Michael Garrett, who represents Guilford County, called the shooting a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement.
“During what should be a time of joy and celebration, another brave officer has been shot in the line of duty. Another family’s holiday season forever changed,” Garrett said in a statement on Facebook.
Greensboro police mourn loss of one of their own
The Food Lion store remains closed as authorities continue their investigation. The company said it is cooperating with law enforcement and offering resources to affected employees.
A memorial has been established at Greensboro Police Headquarters, where the public can pay respects to Officer Horan. Additionally, a fundraiser is being organized to support his family.
Horan leaves behind his wife and children, whose holiday season has been marked by grief instead of celebration. “Our hearts are with his family during this time,” Harris said.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Police have set up an online account to help the officer’s family.
The Source: Details in this article come from the Greenboro Police Department and the Associated Press.
-
Business1 week ago
Freddie Freeman's World Series walk-off grand slam baseball sells at auction for $1.56 million
-
Technology1 week ago
Meta’s Instagram boss: who posted something matters more in the AI age
-
Technology4 days ago
Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps
-
News1 week ago
East’s wintry mix could make travel dicey. And yes, that was a tornado in Calif.
-
News5 days ago
Novo Nordisk shares tumble as weight-loss drug trial data disappoints
-
Politics5 days ago
Illegal immigrant sexually abused child in the U.S. after being removed from the country five times
-
Entertainment5 days ago
'It's a little holiday gift': Inside the Weeknd's free Santa Monica show for his biggest fans
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump taps Richard Grenell as presidential envoy for special missions, Edward S. Walsh as Ireland ambassador