North Carolina

North Carolina overrides veto to ban trans athletes from competing in women’s sports, putting law into effect

Published

12 months ago

August 17, 2023

North Carolina overrides veto to ban trans athletes from competing in women’s sports, putting law into effect

The North Carolina General Assembly completed an override to Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, which bans transgender girls and women in middle school, high school and college from joining women’s sports.

HB 574, which is the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, was among multiple overrides the House and the Senate made on Wednesday night. It was passed by the House by a vote of 74-45, while the Senate voted to override Cooper’s decision later Wednesday night.

HB 808, which does not allow medical professionals to provide hormone therapy, puberty-blocking drugs or gender-transition procedures to anyone under 18, was also overridden.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper speaks as electric carmaker Vinfast breaks ground in its $4 billion North Carolina manufacturing plant located within the Triangle Innovation Point on July 28, 2023. (Nick Ut/Getty Images)

Finally, the House and the Senate decided to override SB 49, also known as the “Parents Bill of Rights,” which requires teachers to inform parents when students question their gender or chooses to use a different pronoun in class.

These bills were passed into law and will take effect immediately.

‘SAVE WOMEN’S SPORTS’ BILL PASSES HOUSE WITH ZERO VOTES FROM DEMS, WHO CALL IT TRANSGENDER ‘BULLYING’

“The legislature finally comes back to pass legislation that discriminates, makes housing less safe, blocks FEMA disaster recovery funding, hurts the freedom to vote and damages our economy,” Cooper, who vetoed the bills in late June, said in a statement posted to X. “Yet they still won’t pass a budget when teachers, school bus drivers and Medicaid Expansion for thousands of working people getting kicked off their health plans every week are desperately needed. These are the wrong priorities, especially when they should be working nights and weekends if necessary to get a budget passed by the end of the month.”

Women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines was pleased to see the override happen for HB 574, posting a clip of Republican Speaker of the North Carolina House Tim Moore relaying the vote that carried the motion through.

“Fantastic news!” Gaines posted on X.

North Carolina became the 22nd state to ban trans minors from medical care that includes hormone therapy, puberty-blocking drugs and surgical procedures for gender transitioning.

The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, does not allow “students of the male sex” from playing for “athletic teams designated for females, women or girls.” The bill, at first, only applied to public and some private middle and high schools, but it changed to involve any “intercollegiate athletic program.”

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) will have to comply with the law now after they instituted a policy that allows transgender athletes to play sports based on the gender they identify as.

Demonstrators cher during "Our Bodies, Our Sports" speech

Demonstrators cheer during the speaking program at the “Our Bodies, Our Sports” rally for the 50th anniversary of Title IX at Freedom Plaza on June 23, 2022 in Washington, D.C. The rally, organized by multiple athletic women’s groups was held to call on President Biden to put restrictions on transgender females and “advocate to keep women’s sports female.” (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Athletes were allowed to fill out a form, among other documents, that a committee would review and ultimately approve or deny based off the student “genuinely” identifying as the gender indicated on the form.

Eighteen requests were received by the NCHSAA since the policy was put in place in the 2019-20 school year, spokesperson Brandon Moree told The News & Observer. Moree said that, of the forms, 16 were approved with 14 being transgender boys requesting to play on male sports teams.

Moree added that the NCHSAA will be complying with the new law, removing their policy.

While the laws were passed, there were some who did not agree.

BIDEN’S BIZARRE VIEW OF WOMEN’S SPORTS PUTS FEMALE ATHLETES AT RISK

House GOP Members And Female Athletes Mark Passage Of The Protection Of Women And Girls In Sports Act. (Chip Somodevilla)

“When we were all sworn into this office, we all swore an oath to uphold the constitution of the state and the U.S. When we have a group of citizens who are 8 times more likely to die by suicide, and we are banning their healthcare, that’s violating that oath,” Rep. Sarah Crawford, D-NC, said per The Independent.

However, Republican state Sen. Vickie Sawyer said North Carolina “must move to protect women and women’s sports,” using examples of women defeated by transwomen in athletic events to support her argument, The News & Observer reports.

In April, the House of Representatives passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, though not a single Democrat voted in favor of the bill.

“Today is a great day for America, for fairness, for families, and most importantly, for female athletes,” McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters as he celebrated the passage. “House Republicans pledged before the last election their commitment to America to protect women and girls in sports. Today, we kept that promise.”

The North Carolina state legislature building is seen in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Al Drago/CQ Roll Call)

However, President Biden vowed to veto the bill.

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“Schools, coaches, and athletic associations around the country are already working with families to develop participation rules that are fair and that take into account particular sports, grade levels, and levels of competition. As a national ban that does not account for competitiveness or grade level, H.R. 734 targets people for who they are and therefore is discriminatory,” the White House said of the bill.

Fox News’ Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

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North Carolina

Tropical Storm Debby expected to bring rainfall to Virginia & North Carolina

Published

4 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical Storm Debby expected to bring rainfall to Virginia & North Carolina

Tropical Storm Debby already has parts of Florida under tropical storm warnings. The Florida Big Bend is currently under a Hurricane Warning. Debby is forecast to briefly strengthen into a category 1 hurricane as it moves over the Gulf of Mexico where water temperatures are near 90 degrees.

As it continues its path over land it is expected to dial back to tropical storm strength as it reaches the Carolinas mid to late next week. Moderate rainfall is possible for northeast North Carolina and southern Virginia by the end of the week.

Higher amounts of rain are possible for southernmost portions of the Outer Banks but generally models show 2-4 inches for northeast North Carolina and 1-2 inches for southern Virginia through Thursday.

Stay with News 3’s First Warning Weather Team for the latest updates as the storm develops.

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North Carolina

Tropical weather update for Wilmington: What we can expect and when

Published

11 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical weather update for Wilmington: What we can expect and when

The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor a tropical depression over Cuba. It’s expected to become a tropical storm later Saturday, bringing impacts to the Carolinas around the middle of next week.

Heavy rainfall and flooding are the primary impacts expected, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

“Gusty winds are also possible, but it is too early to predict specific impacts in great detail at this time,” the weather service said.

At the same time, there is the potential for heavy rainfall and some flooding associated with front expected to stall inland this weekend.

As of 11 a.m. Saturday, the center of the tropical depression, which would be name Debby if it becomes a tropical storm, was over Cuba and moving west-northwest near 15 mph. The hurricane center said a turn toward the northwest is forecast for Saturday, followed by a northward motion on Sunday and then a slower northeastwardmotion Sunday night and Monday.

Maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph. Slow strengthening is expected throughout the day Saturday. Faster strengthening is possible Sunday, with the storm nearing hurricane strength when it reaches the Florida Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said.

STORM TRACKER: Monitor the latest tropical developments here.

Here’s a look at what we can expect in the Wilmington area, according to the latest briefing from the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

Wind

The probability of tropical storm force winds has increased, especially for the South Carolina coast. The most likely time of arrival of for northeast South Carolina is Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, and for Southeastern North Carolina is during Wednesday morning.

Rain

The potential for significant rainfall exists with 8 to 12 inches possible from near Cape Fear to portions of thenortheast South Carolina coast. Flash flooding and urban flooding are possible. Some rivers, including the North Cape Fear River and the Waccamaw River, could exceed flood stage next week.

INTERACTIVE MAP: Enter your address to see hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed nearby

Marine impacts

Rough surf, including dangerous rip currents, and hazardous marine conditions are expected this weekend and will persist into the upcoming week.

Are you prepared for a hurricane?

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Even if this system won’t pose a threat to the NC coast, it’s never too early to be prepared.

GET READY: Are you prepared for a hurricane? Here’s what to know if you live in the Wilmington area.

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North Carolina

Tropical Depression Four forms on its way to the Gulf of Mexico

Published

18 hours ago

August 3, 2024

Press Room

Tropical Depression Four forms on its way to the Gulf of Mexico

As of the 5 AM update Friday, Tropical Depression Four has formed. Areas along the East Coast including North Carolina need to continue monitoring this system. Winds are at 30 MPH and gusts are up to 40 MPH. The pressure dropped to 1009 mb and is moving to the west at 16 mph. TD 4 is expected to become Tropical Storm Debby over the weekend. Tuesday night and Wednesday are First Alert Weather Days due to the threat to ENC from this system but we may need to adjust the timing as we get closer.

The latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center continues to show ENC in the cone of uncertainty.(WITN)

It’ll move slowly before escaping to the north next week. As it moves up the East Coast, there’s a lot more uncertainty about the track and threats. We expect the track of this system to change through the weekend and even into next week. If ENC sees impacts from this system, they’d likely come mid-week. The longer this system stays over land, the weaker it’ll be. It’ll have the chance to strengthen if it moves back over open water, especially if it moves over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.

Storms are possible Saturday through Monday as a developing tropical system gets closer.(WITN)

The speed of this system is just as important as the strength. The quicker it moves through, the less rain piles up. If it slows down or stalls, higher rainfall amounts would be expected. Our river levels have dropped a bit since July’s wet weather, but levels are still higher than what you’d find in a typical August.