NCCapitol Coverage

Medical marijuana bill resurrected in legislative session
If medical marijuana becomes legal in North Carolina, people with certain medical conditions, like cancer, could get prescribed the drug.

The Wrap podcast: Bills, bills, bills (and a lawsuit)
The week in North Carolina politics from WRAL's NC Capitol team

Voters could have chance to repeal NC's Jim Crow-era voting test in 2024
North Carolina lawmakers are trying again this year to remove a Jim Crow-era voting test from the state's constitution. This year, the amendment's chances of making it onto voters' ballots may be better than in the past.

NC bills targeting LGBTQ kids latest in national culture war
North Carolina House Bill 43, filed this week, would outlaw puberty blockers, hormone therapy and other "gender-affirming" medical treatment for transgender minors, even with parental consent.

Experts warn NC bill could harm LGBTQ youth mental health
Critics of a North Carolina bill that advanced Thursday in the state Senate say it could jeopardize the mental health and physical safety of LGBTQ students who could be outed to their parents without consent.

When can ex-felons vote in NC? High court hears arguments in voting rights case
The state Supreme Court heard arguments in the first political lawsuit before the high court since Republicans flipped control in the 2022 elections.

North Carolina justices consider allowing convicted felons to vote
North Carolina's Supreme Court is deciding whether people convicted of felonies should be permitted to vote if they aren't serving prison time but are on probation or parole or have to yet pay fines.

Puberty blockers, transgender treatment targeted in new NC bill
Hormone treatments and puberty blockers would be outlawed for minors in the latest proposed legislation targeting transgender people.

NC senators want tougher utility attack penalties
Punishments would get tougher in North Carolina for intentionally damaging utility equipment -- like what authorities say happened two months ago when tens of thousands of Moore County residents lost electricity for days -- in legislation filed Wednesday by Senate Republicans.

NC Speaker 'confident' tougher rioting punishments will pass
Buoyed by the November elections, legislative Republicans seek to push through a once-vetoed bill to crack down on rioters.

NC committee passes bill to restrict teaching on gender, sexuality
A key state Senate committee passed a bill Wednesday that would limit the discussion of gender and sexuality in elementary schools.

Bill limiting what teachers can say about sexuality, gender advances despite opposition from parents, students
The bill could require teachers to facilitate discussions about gender identity with a questioning student's parents, except for when the teacher believes such a disclosure would lead to abuse.

Bill would require service providers to pay if they make you wait
If your doctor or repair person cancels your appointment on short notice, should they have to pay you for your time? Some state lawmakers say yes!

Hospital competition bill could amplify debate over Medicaid expansion, free markets
Medicaid expansion is expected to be a top focus at the General Assembly this year. A new bill that targets hospitals' legal protections against too much competition could affect those negotiations.

Bill limiting LGBTQ discussion in schools filed again in NC
The bill could require teachers to facilitate discussions about gender identity with a questioning students' parents, except for when the teacher believes such a disclosure would lead to abuse.

Bill would make businesses pay if they keep you waiting
If your doctor or repair person cancels your appointment on short notice, should they have to pay you for your time? Some state lawmakers say yes!

North Carolina Senate leader backs literacy test repeal
North Carolina's most powerful senator expressed interest on Tuesday in deleting a voter literacy test provision from the state constitution -- a relic from the Jim Crow era that while unenforceable has never been removed.

Group: N.C. request for redistricting rehearing 'frivolous'
An advocacy group that sued over redistricting lines in North Carolina told state Supreme Court justices Monday that previous rulings that blocked legislative and congressional district maps as illegal partisan gerrymanders should be left intact.

Congressional candidate accused of campaign violation
A Republican candidate for a western North Carolina congressional seat in 2020 has been accused by federal prosecutors of a campaign finance violation, and she's signed a plea agreement, court records say.