North Carolina
North Carolina governor signs 12 bills still left on his desk, vetoes 1 more
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law on Monday nearly all of the bills that remained on his desk from the pile that the Republican-dominated General Assembly sent him before this year’s work session ended. But he vetoed another measure and will let the legislature’s annual “regulatory reform” measure become law without his signature.
Cooper signed 12 pieces of legislation. Those measures in part locate $68 million to replace expired federal child care center grants for the next six months, ensure anticipated teacher raises for this school year are carried out and resume the automatic removal of criminal charges that were dismissed or that resulted in “not guilty” verdicts.
The state constitution gave Cooper until late Monday night to act on the 14 remaining measures. The vetoed bill, which received unanimous legislative approval, partly addressed how certain court-filed documents are formatted. But Cooper said in his veto message that the bill also “creates legal ambiguity” about eviction orders that could harm low-income people and make it harder to appeal them in court.
The vetoed measures bring to five the number that he formally blocked from the batch of almost 30 bills that the legislators left him in late June. Since Republicans hold narrow veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate, the chances that these vetoes will be overridden are high.
Exactly when the legislature would attempt overrides is unclear, however. The General Assembly is scheduled to meet occasionally for short periods through year’s end starting Wednesday, when no action likely will be taken except to formally receive Cooper’s veto messages. Overrides become difficult when even a handful of GOP members can’t come to Raleigh.
Cooper said the “Regulatory Reform Act” that he declined to sign into law contained some important changes that should become law — and will by his inaction. But he said it also contains a provision where the General Assembly seeks to interfere with the charter and bylaws of the North Carolina Railroad, a private corporation whose stock is owned by the state.
“This isn’t about improving transportation for the people of North Carolina, it’s just another unconstitutional power grab by Republicans,” Cooper said in a news release.
Cooper signed on Monday two budget-related bills that the legislature passed as stopgaps since the Senate and House couldn’t agree on broad adjustments to the second year of the two-year budget enacted last fall. One of the bills includes language formally enacting an average 3% base salary increase for public school teachers starting this fall that lawmakers had previously agreed upon. The other contains child care grant funds.
Cooper said in a news release that legislators should pay teachers significantly more, find a way to extend the grants through 2025 and invest more in early childhood education.
Another bill that Cooper signed into law creates new sex exploitation and extortion crimes. And an omnibus alcohol regulation measure he signed would give local Alcoholic Beverage Control boards discretion to open their retail stores on New Year’s Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day, but not if Jan. 1 or July 4 falls on a Sunday.
Other bills Cooper recently vetoed address the use of all-terrain and utility vehicles on conventional roads and prohibit local governments from passing housing rules that would prevent landlords from refusing to accept tenants who use federal funds to assist with rent. He also vetoed last week some state building code changes and legislation barring state government from accepting cryptocurrency payments developed by a central bank.
North Carolina
NC to receive nearly $70M in FEMA funds, Madsion County manager says $14M hasn’t arrived
MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Senator Tedd Budd’s office announced nearly $70 million in public assistance FEMA funds for Helene recovery toward the North Carolina Department of Transportation, cities and counties.
Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt created a color-coded spreadsheet of projects, both paid and unpaid. Honeycutt said he sends the spreadsheet to federal leaders’ offices, including Budd’s, regularly to ensure staff are aware of what’s not reimbursed.
Honeycutt estimates about $14 million in reimbursements from FEMA haven’t come through.
As for the $1.9 million just approved for Madison County’s emergency protective measures, including laborers, equipment reimbursement, Honeycutt said the county doesn’t have it yet.
NORTH CAROLINA TO RECEIVE $70M IN ADDITIONAL FEMA FUNDING AS NOEM FACES CRITICISM
“It’s coming back to our fund balance,” said Honeycutt. “And we know it will take six more weeks for it to get through the state and to the county.”
Honeycutt estimates that within six months, FEMA will resolve all reimbursements. He said debris removal jobs along the French Broad River have been delayed as FEMA continues to review the applications.
In Marshall, the town has leased store spaces on Main Street, along with signs advertising leasing available. But longtime resident, artist and business owner Josh Copus is optimistic that Marshall and its community will thrive once again. He acknowledged that FEMA funds and reimbursements to clean up have been an important part of the area’s recovery.
MORE THAN $3.5M HEADED TO BURKE COUNTY FOR CONTINUED HELENE RECOVERY
“I would say our town is 50% fixed and our town was 100% destroyed, so 50% is pretty good,” Copus said.
The awards include:
- Biltmore Forest: $2.5 million for debris removal reimbursement.
- Buncombe County Sewage District: $1.57 million reimbursement for line repairs, vacuuming, line replacements and riverbank restoration.
- Old Fort: $1.15 million Westerman Street Waterline for potable water reimbursement.
- Mitchell County: $11.9 million for debris contractors, tipping fees and debris monitoring reimbursement.
- Buncombe County: $3.5 million toward labor costs for 836 laborers during and after Helene reimbursement.
- Asheville: $5.6 million for North Fork Treatment Plant repairs reimbursement.
- Lake Lure: $1.48 million for lake safety repairs reimbursement.
- Madison County: $1.9 million for emergency protective measures, including laborers, equipment reimbursement.
North Carolina
2026 primary turnout report released for eastern NC counties; see your county’s numbers
Here are the voter turnout numbers for the 2026 primary election, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
Hyde County had the highest voter turnout, while Onslow County had the lowest turnout. Check out what the voter turnout in your county was below:
BERTIE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
31.85% (3,911 out of 12,280)
CARTERET COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
29.06% (16,543 out of 56,931)
CRAVEN COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
18.63% (14,119 out of 75,778)
DUPLIN COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
21.93% (6,981 out of 31,832)
EDGECOMBE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
18.16% (6,428 out of 35,396)
GREENE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
19.70% (2,147 out of 10,900)
HYDE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
37.27% (1,123 out of 3,013)
JONES COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
25.91% (1,805 out of 6,966)
LENOIR COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
16.73% (6,251 out of 37,371)
MARTIN COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
17.61% (2,858 out of 16,228)
ONSLOW COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
11.44% (14,816 out of 129,537)
PAMLICO COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
24.03% (2,446 out of 10,180)
PITT COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
15.71% (19,429 out of 123,705)
TYRRELL COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
30.49% (723 out of 2,371)
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
28.66% (2,312 out of 8,067)
WAYNE COUNTY
Ballots Cast:
21.49% (16,408 out of 76,358)
North Carolina
Statewide tornado drill has NC schools and workplaces practicing safety
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 6:41PM
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — North Carolina schools and businesses took part in a statewide tornado drill Wednesday morning as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week.
The National Weather Service led the drill at 9:30 a.m., broadcasting it on NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System. Schools, workplaces and households across the state were encouraged to join in.
The National Weather Service didn’t issue a follow up alert to mark the end of the drill. Instead, each school or business wrapped up once they felt they had practiced the procedures thoroughly.
Wednesday’s drill also replaced the regular weekly NOAA Weather Radio test.
SEE | New warning for parents amid new ‘fire-breathing’ social media trend
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