The Associated Press

North Carolina's Supreme Court has ruled that tens of thousands of cast ballots challenged by the trailing candidate in November's election for a seat on the court must remain in the election count. Friday's decision by the justices partially overturns last week's decision by the Court of Appeals that favored Republican Jefferson Griffin.

Authorities say deputies fatally shot a man inside a North Carolina hospital's emergency room Tuesday after he pointed a gun at them. Law enforcement arrived at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center in Elizabeth City early Tuesday morning after receiving reports of an armed man pointing a gun at several emergency room staff members.

North Carolina's Supreme Court has temporarily halted enforcement of a decision by an appeals court that favored a Republican candidate in a close and unresolved November election for the state's highest court. The Supreme Court blocked Friday's order by a Court of Appeals panel that otherwise would have essentially taken effect immediately.

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail that runs through three western states is already challenging. Now the grueling journey may become even tougher this year due to federal cuts. Over a year's worth of trail work to clear downed trees and rebuild stretches of the Pacific Crest Trail has been canceled, while similar repairs have been disrupted for the Appalachian Trail. Wildfires and hurricanes already were taking a toll on America's two legendary trails that are used by millions each year. Now the associations overseeing the paths say cuts in grant money and the Trump administration's downsizing of the federal workforce threaten their very existence.

North Carolina enacted a rare energy law in the South in 2021 that directed power plant emissions be sharply reduced. But now the state's GOP-controlled legislature is seeking to repeal a key element in that law.

A crackdown on foreign students is alarming colleges, who say the Trump administration is using new tactics and vague justifications to push some students out of the country.

A top lieutenant to North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger is resigning from the chamber. A statement released Tuesday from Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton says he's retiring effective Wednesday evening "to pursue an opportunity outside of state government."

A panel from North Carolina's intermediate-level appeals court will hear arguments next week about a still-unsettled November election for a North Carolina Supreme Court seat. The Court of Appeals set the March 21 hearing before three judges

New North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein told lawmakers during his first State of the State address that he wants a Hurricane Helene aid bill on his desk and seeks to help make living expenses affordable across the state. Stein delivered the biennial speech to a joint General Assembly session Wednesday night