North Carolina

NC Supreme Court to re-hear arguments in controversial redistricting case

Published

2 years ago

March 14, 2023

NC Supreme Court to re-hear arguments in controversial redistricting case

North Carolina Supreme Courtroom justices plan to fulfill Tuesday in a uncommon rehearing of a case concerning the equity of voting districts drawn by Republican lawmakers — a case that might have main ramifications on the 2024 elections within the state.

Justices are anticipated to give attention to the very query that got here earlier than the courtroom final 12 months: Did GOP politicians violate North Carolina’s structure by gerrymandering the maps used to elect our state and nationwide lawmakers?

Proof from the trial confirmed that, out of the trillions of doable methods to divide North Carolina into political districts, each map the legislature proposed was extra skewed in favor of Republican candidates than 99.9% of the doable variations. That included maps for the state Home and Senate, in addition to for North Carolina’s 14 seats within the U.S. Home of Representatives.

Republicans argued that they’re free to attract the traces nevertheless they need. The state structure offers the legislature management over redistricting, with no specific guidelines on what’s or isn’t allowed.

The Supreme Courtroom stated that doesn’t imply the legislature is immune from judicial oversight. Whereas the state structure does give the legislature management over redistricting, the justices dominated, it additionally ensures that “all elections shall be free.”

And if the result of an election is basically predetermined by the form of the districts, it’s probably not a free election, the courtroom dominated. For instance, the maps GOP lawmakers needed for themselves would’ve primarily assured Republicans to maintain management of the state legislature in future elections, even when most voters voted for Democrats as an alternative.

Whereas the case largely revolves round energy within the legislative department, the politics of the bench have taken heart stage on this new rehearing.

Final 12 months’s ruling towards the legislature got here from a Democratic-majority courtroom, alongside occasion traces.

However now, after key wins within the November elections, Republicans have a 5-2 majority on the courtroom. Final month, the courtroom ordered a do-over — a unprecedented transfer that has occurred solely twice prior to now 30 years — and a call that equally got here down alongside occasion traces on the courtroom

Supporters say the redo is required to appropriate what they name a purely political determination from the earlier Democratic majority — which used a uncommon procedural transfer of its personal to hurry the case up earlier than final 12 months’s election. Critics say the alternative: That the courtroom’s unique determination placing down the maps was appropriate, and the one political determination has been the selection to reopen the case now {that a} new political occasion is in cost.

This isn’t the one high-profile political case that the courtroom’s previous Democratic majority sped as much as rule on earlier than the elections, and which the brand new Republican majority is now shifting to doubtlessly undo.

On Wednesday the courtroom will even reopen a voter ID case. Final 12 months’s ruling, additionally alongside occasion traces, struck down voter ID as unconstitutional for racial discrimination.

And additional sooner or later, the courtroom will even have the power to undo a landmark determination from final 12 months, additionally alongside occasion traces, together with the Leandro training funding case. The courtroom final 12 months dominated that Republican lawmakers have been violating the state structure’s assure of “a sound, primary training” for all youngsters and ordered them to spend extra on public faculties.

The selections to reopen these circumstances, after management of the courtroom flipped in January, have been equally alongside occasion traces.

Source link

Related Topics:2023 session Featured gerrymandering NC Supreme Court NCCapitol redistricting

Click to comment

North Carolina

2024 photo galleries: Businesses hit hard by Helene in Western North Carolina

Published

59 minutes ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

2024 photo galleries: Businesses hit hard by Helene in Western North Carolina

Businesses in Western North Carolina took a hit after Helene hit on Sept. 27, causing unemployment to skyrocket. For example, before Helene, only around 5,000 were unemployed in the Buncombe County, but after the storm over 13,000 people out of work, according to a report from the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Fraser fir farmers

Christmas Cottage

Asheville Tea Company

River Arts District

Ellaberry Llama Farm

Corner Kitchen

Zillicoah Beer Co.

Asheville breweries

US Reps. tour Asheville’s River Arts District

Source link

North Carolina

NC Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 25, 2024

Published

9 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

15-26-27-30-35, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

04-10-35-42-45, Lucky Ball: 02

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

Day: 8-0-0, Fireball: 3

Evening: 7-3-2, Fireball: 2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

Day: 9-0-3-0, Fireball: 7

Evening: 9-3-8-4, Fireball: 7

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

03-09-28-39-40

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Double Play numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

01-11-15-18-22

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:

Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.

When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link

North Carolina

Santa Claus swaps reindeer for alpacas at farm in Waynesville

Published

21 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Santa Claus swaps reindeer for alpacas at farm in Waynesville

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. — At Winchester Creek Farm, Santa Claus traded in his traditional reindeer for alpacas during the farm’s Santa Tour on Monday.

The event offered visitors a unique opportunity to pose for photos with Santa and interact closely with the farm’s animals.

The farm also featured a large mailbox for children to send their letters to Santa. Luanna Baldwin, a mother from Canton, expressed her delight with the experience.

“This was a great outing to take the girls for some Christmas magic,” Baldwin said. “They’ve been asking to see Santa, write a letter specifically, so that was super fun.”

At Winchester Creek Farm, Santa Claus traded in his traditional reindeer for alpacas during the farm’s Santa Tour, which concluded on Monday, Dec. 23.

WLOS via CNN Newsource

In addition to the alpacas, the tour allowed guests to feed and pet various other farm animals. Farm Manager Ashley Edwards highlighted the joy the event brings to visitors of all ages.

“We have people come in who are in their 60s, 70s, and above who have never touched a chicken before, and I’m able to provide that kind of happiness to their hearts to their soul, and I think it’s great,” Edwards said. “This is a memory people aren’t going to forget.”

Winchester Creek Farm has been hosting the Santa Tours for the past six years. Although this year’s event has ended, the farm offers tours throughout the year.

Winchester Creek Farm operates as a year-round working farm, raising animals primarily for the fiber produced by their coats.

SEE ALSO | Schools closed for winter break: Family fun things to do

Featured video is ABC11 24/7 Livestream

Source link