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A tropical depression has formed off the coast of Belize and forecasters say it is expected to bring as much as five inches of rain to parts of Belize, Guatemala and northern Honduras.More >> Tropical Storm Barry approached very close to Mexico's Gulf Coast on Thursday as civil defense workers readied emergency shelters and forecasters warned heavy rains could trigger potentially deadly flash floods or...More >> President Barack Obama is planning a major push using executive powers to tackle the pollution blamed for global warming in an effort to make good on promises he made at the start of his second term. "We know we have...More >> President Barack Obama is planning a major push using executive powers to tackle the pollution blamed for global warming in an effort to make good on promises he made at the start of his second term. "We know we have to do...More >> A California developer says an underground shelter he's creating in a vast limestone cave in eastern Kansas could be the human race's best chance to survive a nuclear attack or the impact of a wayward meteor.More >> After most of the world's population is wiped off the map by a wayward meteorite or hail of nuclear missiles, the survival of the human race might just depend on a few thousand people huddled in recreational vehicles...More >> Police say they think a domestic issue prompted a shooting at a condominium complex in an upscale Louisville neighborhood that claimed three lives and left a fourth person badly wounded.More >> A domestic situation apparently prompted the midweek shooting at a condominium complex in an upscale Louisville neighborhood that claimed three lives and left a fourth person badly wounded, police said.More >> Attorneys in the Jodi Arias case head back to court to discuss future plans for a potential retrial of the penalty phase after jurors deadlocked on whether to sentence her to life in prison or death.More >> Jodi Arias returns to court Thursday for the first time since the penalty phase of her case ended in mistrial last month as lawyers discuss plans for a new trial to decide the punishment for the convicted murderer.More >>
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Transgender candidate could become a first in NYC, but he says focus is on inclusion for allMore >> Transgender candidate could become a first in NYC, but he says focus is on inclusion for allMore >> At the G-8, leaders seek a Syria consensus despite a US-Russia divideMore >> At the G-8, leaders seek a Syria consensus despite a US-Russia divideMore >> As more patients get lab-grown body parts, scientists face challenge of making complex organsMore >> As more patients get lab-grown body parts, scientists face challenge of making complex organsMore >> With flames in check, some evacuation orders lifted in devastating Colo. wildfireMore >> With flames in check, some evacuation orders lifted in devastating Colo. wildfireMore >> 2 found dead in area burned by out-of-control Colo. wildfire that destroyed 379 homesMore >> 2 found dead in area burned by out-of-control Colo. wildfire that destroyed 379 homesMore >>
RALEIGH, NC (AP) - A North Carolina judge says Republican-backed legislation aimed at cutting off the revenue stream of a Democrat-friendly teachers association violates the constitution and can't be enforced.
Wake County Superior Court Judge Paul Gessner issued his order last month in favor of the North Carolina Association of Educators, which announced the decision Thursday. Gessner ruled the state's largest teacher lobbying group was the victim of "retaliatory viewpoint discrimination."
Republican state House Speaker Thom Tillis said in 2011 the law cutting off NCAE from collecting membership dues from paychecks was in response to the group's political activity. The association is a force in state politics and was close to departing Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue.
Spokesmen for Tillis and Senate leader Phil Berger of Rockingham County declined comment on the ruling.
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