VOLUME 10 ISSUE 4 | THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2025
NSJONLINE.COM
STAN GILLILAND FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL
History repeating Civil War reenactors from across the country staged the annual recreation of the Battle of Bentonville near Newton Grove on March 15. This year’s event was the 160th anniversary of North Carolina’s largest battle of the war, which saw more than 80,000 Union and Confederate troops fight March 19-21, 1865.
Permitless carry, other gun legislation filed in NCGA
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BRIEF this week
Latest hearing in ongoing Riggs-Griffin race set for Friday Raleigh A panel of three judges on North Carolina’s Court of Appeals will hear arguments Friday about the stillunsettled November election for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat. Last week’s announcement came the same day the court rejected a request by the election leader — incumbent Democrat Allison Riggs — to have the entire Court of Appeals consider the matter now. Republican Jefferson Griffin, who trails Riggs by 734 votes, has challenged more than 65,000 ballots. Griffin currently sits on the Court of Appeals but has recused himself from deliberations. Two Republicans, John Tyson and Fred Gore, and Democrat Toby Hampson will hear the case.
Trump ending Secret Service protection for Biden’s adult children Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump said Monday he was ending “immediately” the Secret Service protection details assigned to Democrat Joe Biden’s adult children, which the former president had extended to July shortly before leaving office in January. The Republican president on social media objected to what he said were 18 agents assigned to Hunter Biden’s protective detail while in South Africa this week. He said Ashley Biden has 13 agents assigned to her detail and that she too “will be taken off the list.” Former presidents and their spouses receive lifelong Secret Service protection under federal law, but the protection afforded to their immediate families over the age of 16 ends when they leave office.
K-12 calendar change bills flood short session RALEIGH — Bills seeking to allow local school boards to alter the opening and closing dates of their K-12 public school districts have flooded
the General Assembly during its short session. So far, 27 such bills have been filed: 22 in the House and five in the Senate. The majority of the bills apply to See EDUCATION, page A2
See GUNS, page A8
Bill would provide victims with rape kit updates “A victim for whom a sexual assault examination kit is submitted … shall have a right to know the current status regarding the testing of the victim’s sexual assault examination kit.” House Bill 367
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By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Multiple firearms bills have been filed across both chambers of the General Assembly this session, including two that would allow for concealed carry without a permit. Senate Bill 50 was filed by Sen. Danny Britt (R-Robeson) in early February with Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) supporting the measure as one of the primary co-sponsors. Other sponsors include Sens. Warren Daniel (R-Burke) and Eddie Settle (R-Wilkes). The bill currently sits in the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate. “The General Assembly has made incredible strides to defend the Second
Twenty-seven bills have been filed to adjust start and end dates, while four others seek to alter school board races By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
A firearms advocacy group delivered petitions to House Speaker Destin Hall
Wake County Democrat Julie von Hafen also filed a similar bill last session By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Wake County House Rep. Julie von Hafen has filed a bill to give more control over rape kit testing status updates to sexual assault survivors. House Bill 367, filed March 11, aims to provide victims of sexual assault with rights to information and notification regarding the testing status of sexual assault examination kits, commonly known as rape kits.
Additionally, it establishes mandatory notifications in specific circumstances: when a determination is made that the kit cannot be tested, when a decision is made not to test the kit for reasons other than inability, and when a decision is made to destroy it. The bill requires the State Crime Lab to develop procedures for victims to exercise these rights, including methods for gathering and maintaining victim contact information and how notifications will be delivered. Victims will be responsible for ensuring the State Crime Lab has their current contact information. If passed, the bill would See UPDATES, page A3
“We need to join the majority of states and recognize that law-abiding citizens should be able to exercise their Second Amendment rights without getting permission from the government.” Sens. Danny Britt, Warren Daniel and Eddie Settle