Tom Normanly

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Bryan Mims |Kelly Gardner |Tom Normanly

This year's observance honoring the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. by North Carolina state workers had a renewed focus on music and words and their influence on the civil rights movement. Gov. Pat McCrory and the son of the late historian John Hope Franklin addressed the midday Friday service held at First Baptist Church on South Wilmington Street near the old Capitol.

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Bridget Whelan |Tara Lynn |Tom Normanly

The state of North Carolina paid tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, the first black pilots to serve in the U.S. military, at the State Capitol in Raleigh Wednesday. Four of the original Tuskegee Airmen who now live in North Carolina were invited to the Capitol with their families and were honored by Gov. Beverly Perdue in a special ceremony. Airmen Terry Bailey, Harvey Alexander, Harold Webb and Joe Burrucker had to fight for the right to fight for their country, Perdue said.

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Bruce Mildwurf |Tom Normanly |Matt Burns

Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue said Monday she'll closely review more than 200 bills the Republican-led legislature gave her before it left Raleigh over the weekend, even though she's got less time than usual to examine them. General Assembly staff were expected to present to Perdue on Monday 109 bills approved by lawmakers in the session's closing hours before they went home Saturday. Another 114 were already on her desk.

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Tom Normanly |Matt Burns

Many civilian employees will return to work at Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune this week. Defense Department officials say the decision to recall the workers comes after a review of a law passed by Congress and signed by the president to ensure that military personnel are paid. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the law allows the recall of civilian workers if their jobs contribute to the morale, well-being, capabilities and readiness of service members.

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Tom Normanly |Matt Burns

North Carolina's government got back up to speed Thursday with the federal shutdown now ended and federal funds for welfare, health and child care programs flowing back to the states. The state Department of Health and Human Services, the agency most affected by the 16-day partial closing, said that 2,200 workers who had been furloughed or faced reduced hours because their pay was all or partially funded by Washington were being told to return to work full time.