Politics

People carrying legally concealed handguns in North Carolina could take them into more restaurants and into state and local parks if an idea in the House becomes law. Full story...

Republicans in charge of redrawing North Carolina legislative districts will set boundaries with an eye to the Piedmont. Full story...

North Carolina Republicans and some crime victims are promoting legislation to make it a felony for an attacker to kill or injure a fetus at any stage of development. Full story...

Legislation that would eliminate four standardized end-of-course exams in North Carolina's public schools is moving forward over a judge's argument that ending them would violate the state constitution. Full story...

A Republican effort to change medical malpractice lawsuit rules and place a limit on certain monetary damages for patients in North Carolina has cleared a significant hurdle in the General Assembly. Full story...

Southeastern North Carolina's representative in Congress says as an eternal optimist, he does not think the federal government will shut down. Full story...

Sen. Thom Goolsby has sponsored a bill in the state legislature to designate US 17 as US Marine Corps Highway. The bill calls for $100,000 of Department of Transportation funds be allocated to pay for signage for the road. Full story...

The Republican-controlled state legislature wants to challenge parts of the last year's federal health care reform, but Attorney General Roy Cooper is against the plan, even though he's required to join the fight. Full story...

Gov. Bev Perdue is starting a five-day trip to Washington with a visit to the White House with other Democratic governors to talk with President Obama about how states can work together on the economy. Full story...

Attorney General Roy Cooper says his office shouldn't defend in court a challenge to the health care overhaul approved by North Carolina legislators if it becomes state law because the measure is unenforceable. Full story...

North Carolina residents would be presumed to have properly used deadly force when an intruder breaks into their home, car or business under legislation getting preliminary approval in the Senate. Full story...

The question for Pantano is whether he can go beyond the headlines -- and the controversies that surrounded him during his 2010 race -- and win a rematch against North Carolina Rep. Mike McIntyre (D) next November. Full story...

Following years of inaction by the former Democratic majority, the Senate tentatively passed SB 8 today with bipartisan support. In addition to removing the 15-year-old cap, it creates a North Carolina Public Charter Schools Commission to review applications for new schools, grant and revoke charters based on school performance, and provide general oversight for charter schools. Full story...

A key North Carolina Senate committee has declined to follow a recommendation from Gov. Beverly Perdue's budget proposal that would have generated an extra $80 million next year in estate taxes. Full story...

Anyone convicted of impaired driving in North Carolina under certain aggravating factors would face more time behind bars and higher fines in legislation that has cleared a House committee. Full story...