Josie Zimmer

Raleigh

Capitol Bureau Chief at WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)

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Articles

NC bill would give police emergency access to cell phone locations

2 weeks ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Mark Bergin |Josie Zimmer

North Carolina House lawmakers are moving ahead with a bill requiring wireless providers to cooperate with law enforcement. Providers would be required to quickly provide cell phone location data to police in case of a 911 call or emergency. More than half the states have a similar law, which the result of a woman's murder nearly 20 years ago. In 2007, Kelsey Smith was kidnapped from a Kansas shopping center and murdered. Police wanted to use the location of her cellphone to help find her. State Rep.
'We're going to feel the impacts': NC Health Department blindsided by $100 million federal funding cuts, 80 jobs lost

4 weeks ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Mark Bergin |Josie Zimmer

NC leaders scramble to track cuts to federal funding, worry about more aheadInterim State Health Director Dr. Kelly Kimple said the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services had no advance warning about cuts to the department. Kimple said the department is still trying to unravel which programs and jobs will be cut. The department announced Wednesday it is cutting 80 jobs and NC Health and Human Services Department to cut 80 jobs, lose $100 million in federal funding.
NC House bill would criminalize using public money for DEI

1 month ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Josie Zimmer |Mark Bergin

Some state lawmakers want to go beyond just banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs in state and local government. A bill that passed the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday would make it a criminal offense to use public funds to give special treatment to any group. Critics say House Bill 171 could shut down critical discussions about discrimination and civil rights. The state NAACP is vowing to fight it, calling it “an attempt to rewrite history.”“DEI has failed.
Scientists rally to make clear impact of federal cuts

1 month ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Jodi Leese Glusco |Josie Zimmer

All across the country on Friday, scientists and their supporters held rallies. They called it "Stand Up for Science Day."In Raleigh, several hundred people gathered on Halifax Mall to call attention to funding cuts being made to federal research by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on behalf of the Trump administration. Noelle Muzzy, was a research fellow at the EPA. Now her social media bio reads "Professionally unemployed." She was an organizer of Friday's event.
Immigrants, advocates warn against NC bill cracking down on undocumented residents

1 month ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Mark Bergin |Josie Zimmer

Gathered on Wednesday morning in Raleigh, advocates said five undocumented workers from Winston-Salem were detained last month in Florida. As North Carolina lawmakers consider whether to give immigration powers to state law enforcement, advocates for the immigrant community are saying a similar law recently enacted in Florida is already harming North Carolina families.
State senate leaders propose immigration crackdown in NC

1 month ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Mark Bergin |Josie Zimmer

A new North Carolina bill would require all state agencies and state funded programs to check the immigration status of everyone they serve – and refuse to serve anyone who can’t prove they’re in the country legally, except services protected by federal law like schools and emergency rooms. A bill to crack down on undocumented immigrants in North Carolina passed its first vote Wednesday in a key state Senate committee.
NC State grad one of many scientists hit by federal workforce cuts

1 month ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Mark Bergin |Josie Zimmer

NC State grad one of many scientists hit by federal workforce cutsNC State graduate Michelle Kirchner was working for the United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] in the applied sciences field. Kirchner working out in the fields with alfalfa farmers on ways to improve their crop yields, which feed dairy cows. Cheaper food for them can help keep milk and cheese prices low.
Winter storm costs pile up as NC grapples with Helene recovery

2 months ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Mark Bergin |Josie Zimmer

Wednesday will mark the third snow accumulation in central North Carolina since Jan. 29, 2022. The costs are really adding up for overtime, equipment, salt and other supplies. It comes as state officials are scrambling for money to respond to Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina in late September 2024. State officials said each winter storm this year costs the North Carolina Department of Transportation between $20 million and $30 million. Gov.
NC elections officials seek to fast-track state supreme court race battle

2 months ago | wral.com | Paul Andy Specht |Laura Leslie |Josie Zimmer

The North Carolina Board of Elections asked the state Supreme Court to use its power to bypass the state Court of Appeals and take up Republican Jefferson Griffin’s election challenge — a case that could determine whether Griffin wins a seat on the high court. Griffin, currently a state appeals judge, finished the November general election more than 700 votes behind Democratic incumbent Justice Allison Riggs.
Republican proposal would ban voter registration drives in NC

2 months ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Josie Zimmer

A bill filed this week in the North Carolina House would ban third-party voter registration drives from using actual voter registration forms. During voter registration drives, volunteers or staff with organizations help people fill out voter registration forms, collect those forms, and submit them to election officials. Groups across the spectrum hold these drives.