SUMMARY: The North Carolina State Board of Elections announced that counties failing to meet the Friday 5 p.m. deadline for results would face no penalties. In a closely watched Supreme Court race, Republican Jefferson Griffin led incumbent Democrat Allison Riggs by 2,753 votes, with 13 counties still unofficial, including Wake County. Nineteen out of 100 counties hadn’t reported results by the deadline. Meanwhile, Republicans maintained a 71-49 majority in the House, with official victories for incumbents Tricia Cotham and Bryan Cohn. Riggs and other candidates may request recounts if the margins are within specific thresholds by Tuesday.

Read the full article

The post Counties fail to complete canvass; judicial race remains undecided | North Carolina appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

SUMMARY: The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily blocked a lower court’s ruling that would have halted Louisiana’s law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. The law, signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, mandates displays in classrooms by January 1. While U.S. District Judge John deGravelles previously ruled the law as likely unconstitutional, the appellate court’s decision allows its implementation in unaffected districts. Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed support for the law, despite ongoing legal challenges from five school districts claiming it violates religious freedom. The case continues as it raises significant constitutional questions.

Read the full article

The post Appeals court allows partial implementation of Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law | Louisiana appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

SUMMARY: A Texas advocate is urging the incoming Trump administration and Congress to reevaluate federal policies that use taxpayer funds for abortions for unaccompanied alien children (UACs). The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has faced scrutiny for issues like trafficking, sexual abuse, and poor oversight of UACs. Advocates for abortion access argue UACs should receive taxpayer-funded abortions, citing exceptions under the Hyde Amendment. Critics, like Sheena Rodriguez of Alliance for a Safe Texas, demand transparency on the number of abortions performed on UACs, the costs, and the involvement of abortion-related organizations.

Read the full article

The post Texas advocate calls for probe into federally funded abortions for unaccompanied minors | Texas appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com