U.S. Briefs: North Carolina’s belated court race results

North Carolina’s 2024 Supreme Court election finally concluded in early May when GOP challenger Jefferson Griffin formally conceded the race following a monthslong court battle. Griffin lost the election against incumbent Democrat Justice Allison Riggs by just over 700 votes. Despite two recounts confirming Riggs’ win, Griffin challenged the results in court and petitioned the North Carolina Supreme Court for a ruling. That court ruled in April that voters overseas and in the military would need to submit copies of their IDs, since election officials who had facilitated the voting process for those groups did not require them to honor the state’s voter ID law. Unless they submitted IDs within 30 days, their votes would be disqualified, and election officials would have to recalculate the results. However, Riggs appealed the state court’s decision to a federal court, which ruled May 5 that the original results be certified. Griffin formally conceded the race two days later, saying he planned to honor the federal court’s decision despite disagreeing with it. In a statement following her opponent’s concession, Riggs said, “I’m glad the will of the voters was finally heard, six months and two days after Election Day.” —Christina Grube

South Carolina

Twenty-nine out of 55 lawmakers listed as members of the South Carolina Legislature’s conservative, pro-life Family Caucus recently resigned amid a squabble over pro-life tactics. In a May 7 letter, the resigning lawmakers cited differences with caucus leader Rep. John McCravy, who is the primary sponsor of a bill to protect unborn babies throughout pregnancy. Local news outlets reported the pro-life organization Students for Life distributed fliers for the bill at lawmakers’ churches and delivered plastic spines to Republican leaders they saw as spineless and responsible for holding up the bill. The letter claimed that lobbying activities at churches crossed “a moral line” and that McCravy had refused to condemn the “inflammatory tactics.” McCravy responded that he didn’t control the group’s actions. —Leah Savas

California 

More than 7,700 people were baptized by immersion in the ocean surf or in steel cattle troughs on the sand during an event at Huntington Beach on May 3, according to Baptize California organizers. Hundreds of people thronged in front of a stage throughout the day listening to praise music, sermons, prayers, and promises of healing from physical and mental illness. The baptismal celebration was the largest of the annual events started in 2023 by Pastors Mark and Rachelle Francey of the nondenominational Oceans Church, which has campuses in Irvine and San Juan Capistrano. Organizers said a revival is spreading globally, with baptisms scheduled in every state on June 8, Pentecost Sunday, and similar events in Canada, Switzerland, and Peru. —Todd Vician

Associated Press / Photo by Lindsey Wasson

Washington

Police arrested about 30 people on May 5 during a pro-­Palestinian protest at the Seattle campus of the University of Washington. On May 7, UW suspended 21 students caught up in the arrests and banned them from all UW campuses. The protesters, who occupied a UW engineering building, were part of a group called Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return. It wants the school to cut ties with Boeing because of its defense contracts and arms sales to Israel. Boeing has a long-standing relationship with UW and donated $10 million for the engineering building’s construction. The protesters are accused of trespassing, destruction of property, and disorderly conduct, according to UW’s spokesperson. The Trump administration’s Task Force to Combat Antisemitism quickly announced a review of the school’s response. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon called the protest “yet another horrifying display of the antisemitic harassment and lawlessness which has characterized many of our nation’s elite campuses over the last several years.” The UW protest raised concerns of a repeat of the pro-Palestinian demonstrations held on campuses across America last year. —Emma Freire

New Jersey

City officials in Toms River want to build a waterfront property on land owned by Christ Episcopal Church, even if it requires eminent domain to do it. The church has been a downtown fixture for more than 160 years and regularly feeds the needy and hosts support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Its recent quest to construct a 17-bed homeless shelter on-site met with opposition from local residents. Critics say that’s what’s really behind the council’s push to acquire the property and redevelop its 11 acres as a recreational spot with pickleball courts, a skate park, and more. The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey owns the church, however, and it’s not for sale. The church’s attorney, Harvey York, told reporters the city’s action is blatantly illegal: “No town has ever done this, let alone done it to a church.” Any attempt to seize the property through eminent domain is likely to prompt a ­lawsuit from the church and the diocese. The town council was scheduled to vote on an ordinance allowing acquisition of the church and the other properties May 28. —Kim Henderson

Sefa Ozel / Getty Images

Indiana

Hoosier State lawmakers took towing companies to task during their last legislative session. Rep. Jim Pressel, a Republican who spearheaded a push for additional towing regulations, said Indiana is “the No. 1 predatory towing state in the nation” and argued towing company practices were harming commercial trucking companies. An American Transportation Research Institute report listed Indiana as having the most predatory towing incidents relative to miles traveled. New Indiana regulations, signed May 6 by Gov. Mike Braun, restrict when tow companies can increase their rates, require itemized invoices, and prevent companies from charging inspection fees when a vehicle is retrieved. If commercial carriers believe a tow company is charging an exorbitant rate, they can file a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office. The president of the Indiana Motor Truck Association told lawmakers that one tow invoice he saw included a fuel surcharge of more than $7,000 for an 18-mile tow. —Addie Offereins