WUNC

In North Carolina, the red snapper and southern flounder fisheries are overfished and tightly regulated. But the legislature is now considering forcing open recreational fishing seasons for both species. The House passed a bill last week with mostly Republican support. Democratic Rep. Brian Turner voted against it, warning that it could make things worse.

A private foundation will help a North Carolina nonprofit that recently lost federal funding. The Trump Administration rescinded a $1.6 million grant to North Carolina Humanities last month. It supports museums, libraries, and history education in nearly every county. Executive Director Sherry Paula Watkins says the Mellon Foundation is stepping in.

You could soon receive a fine if an officer sees a pet in your lap while you're driving. Brunswick County Republican Frank Iler has introduced legislation that would let officers issue a $100 fine if they see a driver holding a pet or distracted by children.

The National Park Service has laid off 23 rangers in North Carolina parks as part of the federal government's recent austerity measures.

The North Carolina Department of Health is putting money toward mental health and substance use support for people at risk of regular incarceration.

Electric vehicle batteries will soon roll off the assembly line at Toyota's $14 billion factory in Randolph County. The Japanese automaker says it's also investing in EV manufacturing in China.Four years after groundbreaking, Toyota says the plant in Liberty is ready to open. It will start shipping electric and hybrid vehicle batteries to a Kentucky assembly plant in April. The company has hired nearly 4,000 workers in North Carolina. The opening comes as President Trump wants to cancel the Biden administration's investments in EV manufacturing. Meanwhile, Toyota announced on Tuesday that it will make electric vehicles and batteries in China, where the EV market is booming.

Republicans could soon take control of the North Carolina Board of Elections. The state House passed a bill Tuesday that would strip power from Governor-elect Josh Stein and other newly elected Democrats. The bill would give the new Republican state auditor the power to appoint Board of Elections members. That power currently belongs to the governor.

Democrat Rep. Don Davis is claiming victory in North Carolina's 1st Congressional District over Republican challenger Laurie Buckhout and will seemingly be narrowly reelected to his U.S. House seat.

Asheville City School officials said they expect to reopen classrooms by the end of October. Schools around Asheville have been closed since Helene knocked out power and running water in many school buildings nearly two weeks ago. Maggie Furman is Asheville City Schools Superintendent. She said crews are now digging wells on every campus.