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Republican lawmakers are pushing a bill that would ban people from wearing masks in public, saying it helps crack down on protesters. Disability rights advocates say the proposal could endanger people who wear masks to protect their health. Lawmakers say that's not the intent.

NC anti-mask bill could violate federal law, disability rights and free speech advocates say

YOURS >> WE'VE TOLD YOU ABOUT A BILL MAKING ITS WAY TO THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY, MAKING IT A CRIME TO WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC. IT'S AIMED AT STOPPING PROTESTERS FROM WEARING THEM. MANY WERE MASS STOP DURING THE RECENT PROTESTS THAT WE SAW ON UNC CAMPUS. NOW, THIS LEGISLATION HAS NO EXEMPTIONS ALLOWED FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY, WHICH BEGS THE QUESTION IS THIS LEGAL? JOINING US HERE TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK. TARA MUELLER, SHE IS A POLICY ATTORNEY WITH DISABILITY RIGHTS, NORTH CAROLINA. THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT. HAPPY TO BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT JUST THE GENERAL LEGALITY OF THIS AND MAYBE SOME OF THE HURDLES IT MIGHT BE IN THE WAY. I'M SURE WE ARE CONCERNED A DISABILITY RIGHTS, NORTH CAROLINA, THAT THE EFFECT OF THIS LAW WILL BE TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. >> WHO CHOOSE TO TAKE THE STEP TO PROTECT THEIR OWN SAFETY BY WEARING A MASK AS THE BUT BILL AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN. AND WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT THE BILL WILL GET CHANGED. ITS NOT LAW YET HOPEFULLY IT WILL GET CHANGED TO MAKE IT MORE SAFE AND HEALTHY FOR PEOPLE TO GET OUT AND USE THE MASKS. WAS CITY PUT IN SOME TYPE OF EXEMPTION FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED A MASK WITH WHO'S TO DETERMINE. TO DETERMINE THAT THERE'S NOT THE 2 SIDES TO THAT COIN. THERE COULD BE A VARIETY OF REASONS WHY SOMEBODY COULD BE WEARING A MASK THERE'S NOWT, RIGHT, RIGHT. AND THAT'S EXACTLY THE PROBLEM THAT WE GET INTO HERE. YOU KNOW, THE WE DON'T THINK THAT THE BILL SPONSOR HAD ANY DISCRIMINATORY INTENT, RIGHT? WE WE WE I THINK THAT THERE THERE MAY BE PEOPLE WHO ARE WEARING MASKS FOR THE SOLE REASON OF DISGUISING THEIR IDENTITIES SO THEY CAN COMMIT CRIMES AND GET AWAY WITH AND AND SO THERE THERE NEEDS TO BE A BALANCE THERE. THERE NEEDS TO BE A WAY TO OUTLAW THAT TYPE OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY. BUT ALSO AT THE SAME TIME, PROTECT THE PEOPLE WHO WHO LEGITIMATELY NEED TO WEAR MASKS FOR THEIR OWN HEALTH AND SAFETY. IT WAS THE CASE PRIOR TO COVID WHERE THIS WAS ALREADY IN EFFECT, RIGHT? SO THIS RULE ALREADY EXISTS THAT THAT IN NORTH CAROLINA, I THINK IT DATES BACK TO THE KU KLUX. YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO YOU WEREN'T ALLOWED TO WEAR A MASK IN THE STATE AND THEN COVID CHANGE THAT BECAUSE THEY NEED PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO WHERE THESE MASK AND GO OUT AND ABOUT DOES THAT PRECEDENT SET THAT TIME WHERE IT WAS ILLEGAL? DOES THAT KIND OF HELP THIS THE CASE FOR MASKS TO BE REINSTATED THEIR THIS WAR AGAINST THEM? YEAH, THAT'S A GOOD POINT. AND THAT CERTAINLY WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THAT THIS WEEK. THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE REACHED OUT TO US AT DISABILITY RIGHTS, NORTH CAROLINA, FROM ALL OVER THE STATE. AND WE'VE HEARD FROM LOTS OF FOLKS WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR OWN HEALTH AND SAFETY AND ABILITY TO GET OUT AND THE WORLD HAVE TOLD US THAT THEY NEVER KNEW THAT THIS WAS A LAW BEFORE COVID. WE KNOW THAT THE WORLD HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY SINCE COVID. WE ALL GET OUR NEWS MORE QUICKLY THAN WE EVER DID PEOPLE ARE MORE AWARE OF THE LAW CHANGES WHEN THEY COME ABOUT AND WE ALSO, YOU KNOW, AS A CULTURE HAVE HAVE CHANGED IN TERMS OF FOLKS WHO WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO USE MASK TO PROTECT THEIR OWN SAFETY, WHO MAYBE NEVER DID BEFORE. I KNOW I NEVER SAW SOMEBODY WEARING MASK BEFORE COVID WHEN IT COMES TO OUR OUR REPORTER, LAURA LESLIE, I THINK TALK TO A LITTLE BIT EARLIER AND SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS WERE AROUND POLICING AND HOW THEY WOULD EVEN INTERACT WITH SOMEBODY WHO MIGHT BE BREAKING THIS RULE TO WANT TO PASS. YEAH, YOU KNOW, THAT'S THAT'S A TOUGH QUESTION TO ANSWER. WE JUST DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WILL WORK IN REAL LIFE IF IT IF IT COMES TO BE AN AND THE BILL'S NOT CHANGE WE EXPECT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WILL NOT HAVE THE TIME OR THE CAPACITY TO GET INTO EACH INDIVIDUAL SITUATION AND DETERMINE IF ITS AN AD A VIOLATION, RIGHT? A VIOLATION OF SOMEBODYS DISABILITY RIGHTS OR IF OR IF PEOPLE ARE WEARING MASKS FOR OTHER REASONS. AND SO OUR CONCERN IS THAT THEY'LL GET ARRESTED AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THEY'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM AND WE EXPECT THAT THEY WILL ULTIMATELY PREVAIL. AT THE END OF THE DAY, ONCE THEY EXPLAINED THAT THEY'RE WEARING THEIR MASK FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY REASONS. BUT BUT THEY'LL BE LEFT WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD, RIGHT? A MISDEMEANOR OF CLASS, ONE MISDEMEANOR, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS OF THE MISDEMEANORS, RIGHT. ERIC, THANK YOU SO MUCH. WHAT WE'LL BE CHECKING BACK IN WITH YOU BECAUSE I A FEELING WE'LL BE

NC Senate passes bill that would ban wearing masks in public 

Pro-Palestinian protesters marching at UNC

Scattered showers & storms on tap Friday afternoon, WRAL Weather Alert Day issued for Saturday

Severe risk Saturday

Raleigh firefighter, wife charged with drug trafficking in Glenwood South, both get $4 million bonds

Nicholas Banister (left) and Amanda Lee Banister (right)

Texas governor pardons ex-Army sergeant convicted of killing Black Lives Matter protester

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Educators to hold walk-ins at Durham schools Friday

Durham educators to hold rally ahead of DPS budget hearing

How sewage floods at home turned into nightmares for Raleigh families

Sewage floods inside Raleigh homes

Donor and consultant convicted again of trying to bribe North Carolina's insurance commissioner

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Dennis Draughon, Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: The buzz of protests lingers on campuses

A Moore County high school student was killed Tuesday in a rollover crash on Youngs Road in Vass.

Moore County high school student killed in crash

Union Pines High School

The New York Rangers scored four third-period goals to beat the Carolina Hurricanes and eliminate them from the playoffs.

Rangers eliminate Hurricanes with third-period rally in Game 6

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The long-term project to complete the NC 540 loop around Raleigh takes another step on Thursday when crews break ground near Garner.

Construction begins in Garner to Complete 540

Completing 540

The Got To Be NC Festival kicks off Friday, and we're expecting to hear an announcement from the state's agriculture commissioner.



Got To Be NC Festival to kick off Friday with special economic announcement

Got To Be NC 2013

North Carolina State University is appealing a judge's decision to allow outside experts into Poe Hall.

No tests at NC State's 'sick building' Poe Hall for now

NC State Poe Hall contamination

Nash County police are investigating a shooting Thursday afternoon that left one person injured.

Nash County man injured in road rage shooting

One person shot in apparent road rage incident in Nash County 

On Tuesday, the Moore County Sheriff's Office received a report of an elderly man being assaulted at a home in West End. The man was taken to Moore Regional Hospital for treatment.

Moore County woman charged with strangling, abusing & kidnapping elderly man

Brandy Marie Scarboro

North Carolina interim chancellor Lee Roberts publicly backed athletics director Bubba Cunningham on Thursday, three days after the schoolâs board of trustees approved an audit of the athletics department due to financial concerns growing amid the volatile landscape of college sports.

UNC interim chancellor backs AD Bubba Cunningham after trustee criticism, audit push

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A year later, the full impact of the North Carolina abortion law is becoming clearer for both supporters and opponents.

A year later, impact from NC's 12-week abortion ban coming into focus

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Siren will officially begin her career as a therapy dog at the Durham Police Department on Friday. 

Durham Police Department's new therapy dog Siren begins her first day on the job Friday

Durham Police Department therapy dog Siren

It's that time of year when your child will be taking end-of-grade tests or EOGs. What are EOGs and how can you help them be better prepared?

End-of-grade tests: Everything you need to know about these annual exams

Student testing 

This weekend is filled with festivals including the BimbÃ© Cultural Arts Festival, Artsplosure and Got to Be NC!

Weekend best bets: Got to Be NC Festival, Artsplosure, Bimbe

The North Carolina Senate voted along party lines Wednesday to ban anyone from wearing masks in public for health reasons, following an emotional debate about the wisdom of the proposal.


NC Senate votes to ban people from wearing masks in public for health reasons

Protestors gather in Graham 

Voters cast ballots for candidates seeking the GOP nominations for lieutenant governor, state auditor and a Triangle-area congressional district.

2024 May second primary election results

Decision 2024

Your guide to best brunch spots in Raleigh. 

Savor the flavor: Raleigh's 20 best brunch spots revealed

Rosewater Kitchen & Bar

Don't Miss It

On Friday, we will get an update on the efforts to reduce crime in downtown Raleigh.

Update expected Friday about downtown Raleigh crime reduction efforts 

Crash scene in downtown Raleigh

Durham Association of Educators holds teacher walk-in Friday morning

Economic announcement expected to kick off 'Got To Be NC Festival' Friday

Deputies investigate Cumberland County shooting 

Disappointed Canes fans leave PNC after Game 6 loss 

Raleigh firefighter and his wife accused of selling drugs downtown nightclubs  

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Local News

Fayetteville police investigate Charles Court shooting

Woman calls for more pedestrian safety around Atlantic Avenue after breaking arm

Billy Graham statue unveiled at US Capitol

Diesel fuel leak shuts down I-540 WB ramp at Creedmoor Road in Raleigh 

Arrests of US tourists in Turks and Caicos for carrying ammunition prompt plea from three governors

Nation/World

Putin says Russia wants a buffer zone in Ukraine's Kharkiv but has no plans to capture the city

EPA's lead pipe fix sent about $3 billion to states based on unverified data

Severe storms kill at least 4 in Houston, knock out power in Texas and Louisiana

Justice Department formally moves to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug in historic shift

Jaguar Bolera will open to the public on Sunday at 10 a.m. for brunch. 



Bowl, dine and craft at new restaurant at Raleigh Iron Works

Mexican creamed corn at Jaguar Bolera 

Monica to headline BimbÃ© Cultural Arts Festival in Durham

Bimbe Festival

Artsplosure to take over downtown Raleigh this weekend, rain could dampen event

Artsplosure celebrates 'all different forms of art'

Wawa in NC: 10 stores by end of 2024; ð¥¨ 90 stores in 10 years

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La Farm expands into Raleigh with two new locations

New at the N.C. State Fair this year

Out & About

Fact check: Biden says Trump wants to monitor women's pregnancies

Politifact

Fact check: Kennedy says Congress prohibits research into mass shootings

Fact check: Trump says he's 'not allowed to testify' under gag order

Fact check: Biden says he was arrested during Civil Rights era

Fact check: Pelosi says Trump has 'the worst record of job loss of any president'

Saving the bees, tracking mosquitos and attacking cancer: NCInnovation approves first round of grants

NC Capitol

The late Rev. Billy Graham is immortalized in a statue unveiled at the US Capitol

Day without child care: Dozens of NC providers closing Thursday to rally

NC bill moves to reverse juvenile justice reforms

NC Senate approves bill targeting AI pornography

Eliminating DEI at UNC could impact dozens of jobs, programs

Education

UNC wants to renovate 'The Pit,' an iconic campus space

Parents push for statewide ban on 'explicit' books in schools

Teacher of the Week: Ryan Silva 

Removal of books with gay parents prompts federal complaint in Moore County Schools

Education, skills and rehab focus easing burden on NC juvenile justice system

WRAL In Depth

Stakeouts and surveillance: WRAL Investigates high-performance car thieves targeting Triangle dealerships

5 On Your Side resolves teacher's dental bill after insurance incorrectly charges her more than $1,000

NC State says it will process public records despite message indicating temporary pause

In Depth with Dan: Examining Raleigh's growing homelessness problem

Carolina Panthers schedule: Takeaways on their 2024 opponents 

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PREVIEW: NC Courage host Utah Royals FC

Schauffele gets another major scoring record and sets the pace at PGA Championship

'Broad respect': UNC interim chancellor defends Cunningham amid board criticism

Facing open meetings lawsuit, UNC board says it won't discuss athletics budget in closed session

Predicting who might win the outdoor track & field championships -- and those who could challenge

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(2) Wakefield softball fourth round bound after walking off (7) Lumberton in extras

(4) Pinecrest continues to roll in big third round win over (21) Laney

Cardinal Gibbons escapes Apex with one-goal win in second round of 4A playoffs

NCISAA spring sports championships schedule, results

The total cost to repair the damage, replace lost belongings and for a place to stay while repairs were being made totaled more than $160,000 for one Raleigh family.

Raleigh families describe exasperation in dealing with homes flooded by sewage

Police chases in North Carolina have more than doubled in recent years, raising concerns about safety.

Deaths from police pursuits on the rise across North Carolina

Since 2018, there has been an almost 140% increase in cyclists dying along roadways all over North Carolina

Bicyclists ride in silence to remember 43 people who died on NC roads

Police chases in North Carolina have more than doubled in recent years, raising concerns about safety. In 2022, 24 people were killed in pursuits in North Carolina -- half of whom were uninvolved bystanders. 

Police chases in NC have more than doubled since 2019. 24 people were killed in pursuits in 2022

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Bicyclists take to streets for silent ride, bring attention to spike in deaths on NC roadways

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The geomagnetic storms need to be really intense, like on Friday, for the northern lights to be visible here and that short window of notice makes it nearly impossible to plan a trip around seeing them. 

If you missed the northern lights, don't fret. More sun 'burps' mean there could be another chance this year

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WRAL Specialists

On WRAL at 6: Sewage spread across the living room: Local family left paying after Raleigh maintenance backfired

Grocery prices flat, overall inflation still high compared to pre-pandemic levels

NC Attorney General orders landlord to pay $25,000 in security deposits

Spring cleaning tips for easier dusting

5 On Your Side

Car thieves caught on camera: WRAL Investigates crime rings targeting NC dealerships

WRAL Investigates: Mother says missed pool inspection cost her daughter's life

Drugs, money & speeding: A ride along with Nash County's sheriff

On I-95, speed, drugs and a special effort to stop them

Investigations

UNC Charlotte economist: Inflation improvements seem 'sticky'

Grace Ueng: Be the extra in ordinary!

Mike Walden: Is it 'greedflation' or something more keeping prices high?

WRAL TechWire

The US says Boeing violated a 2021 settlement. That doesn't mean the company will face charges

Justice Department says Boeing violated deal that avoided prosecution after 737 Max crashes

Walmart lays off hundreds of employees and requires others to relocate

OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever announces departure from ChatGPT maker

Business

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Hundreds rally in Raleigh for day care funding increase

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A day without child care:  NC providers planning to rally on Thursday

Day without child care: NC providers close Thursday, rally to keep centers open

Learning how to parent: Resources parents can turn to

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List of top grocery deals valid May 15-21

Walmart Deals: Dearfoams Reversable Sherpa Throw Blanket only $5.51 (68% off), Garage 4-Shelf Unit only $39.99 (reg. $109.99), Countertop Pellet Ice Maker only $59.99 (reg. $129)

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