Mary Helen Moore

3 weeks ago | wunc.org | Mary Helen Moore

A bill working its way through the N.C. House of Representatives would allow civil lawsuits against individuals for development decisions they make on city councils or planning boards. The language is tucked into a wide-ranging bill rewriting development regulations that has bipartisan support from 13 Republicans and nine Democrats. Rep. Jeff Zenger, a Forsyth County Republican, is a primary sponsor of House Bill 765.

1 month ago | wunc.org | Mary Helen Moore

North Carolina leaders are considering a law requiring a written permission slip anytime a person goes on someone else's land to hunt, fish or get out on the water. Under existing laws, written permission is only necessary if hunting or fishing on land marked as private property. "There must be a balance in the law that protects property owners. If a person wants to access or use another person's land, they simply need to acquire written permission," said Sen.

1 month ago | wunc.org | Adam Wagner |Mary Helen Moore

A bill filed Monday seeking to ban most abortions in North Carolina will not be heard in the N.C. House of Representatives or its committees this legislative session, House Speaker Destin Hall told reporters Tuesday. "I don't think there's any real desire in our caucus to hear that particular bill, and so it's not going to be heard in committee," said Hall, a Caldwell County Republican. House Bill 804 would ban virtually all abortions, beginning at conception.

2 months ago | newsobserver.com | Mary Helen Moore

A challenger is entering Durham's 2025 mayoral race with a different take on the job than a typical first-time candidate. Anjanée Bell (pronounced AHN-jah-NAY), who has officially launched her campaign, is the daughter of longtime Mayor Bill Bell., who spent decades in public service, including 16 years as mayor, before leaving office in 2017. Anjanée Bell has begun fundraising to challenge Leonardo Williams, who confirmed Friday that he is running for re-election.

Feb 7, 2025 | newsobserver.com | Mary Helen Moore

The city of Durham is still waiting to be repaid by a local booking agent after last year's Bimbé Cultural Arts Festival headliner didn't show, officials say. Raleigh-based booking agent Chris Weeks, who the city said was someone they had "worked with and trusted for years," received $37,000 to book a performer for the popular annual event. He promised Grammy-winning R&B artist Monica, but she was performing several states away and didn't come.