Twenty-three Republican senators on Tuesday backed a measure that would constitutionally prohibit gay marriage in North Carolina. Twenty-three Republican senators on Tuesday backed a measure that would constitutionally prohibit gay marriage in North Carolina, Charlotte-based gay weekly Q-Notes reported. The proposed measure would amend the North Carolina Constitution to ban recognition of any ?domestic legal union? other than a heterosexual marriage. The question could appear on the 2012 ballot, if approved by lawmakers. The resolution enjoys the support of 23 GOP senators, including its primary sponsor Senator James Forrester, who has carried the proposed amendment for the past seven years. It is the first attempt by Republicans to ban gay marriage since their successful takeover of both chambers on November 2. Previously, Democratic leaders have blocked such measures. The new GOP majority in the Senate is large enough to approve placing the question on the ballot, but Republicans wil

WILMINGTON, North Carolina (Reuters) - North Carolina's Democratic governor on Thursday proposed eliminating more than 10,000 government jobs and cutting corporate taxes as part of a $19.9 billion state budget.

North Carolina State Representative Larry Brown wants AIDS funding to adults living a 'perverted lifestyle' cut off. North Carolina State Representative Larry Brown wants AIDS funding to adults living a 'perverted lifestyle' cut off, the Winston-Salem Journal reported. While discussing his support for a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a heterosexual union in the North Carolina Constitution, the Republican lawmaker veered off track to talk about HIV funding. ?I'm not opposed to helping a child born with HIV or something, but I don't condone spending taxpayers' money to help people living in perverted lifestyles,? he said. Brown's comments were quickly denounced by the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay advocate. ?Rep. Brown's ill-informed comments are not only hateful rhetoric, but they are also extremely dangerous,? HRC President Joe Solmonese said in a statement. ?Hysterical, judgmental and inaccurate statements like Brown's create an environment th

NC computer sweepstakes ban largely upheld by courts, legal appeals likely. Two trial court rulings have left a ban on electronic and computer-based sweepstakes machines in North Carolina largely intact, meaning games that have the look and feel of video poker and other casino games will have to be unplugged by Wednesday.

Former NC Gov. Mike Easley guilty of lone campaign finance charge as probes end with $1K fine. Former North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley was convicted Tuesday of a low-level felony and agreed to pay a $1,000 fine for an improperly filed campaign finance report, the lone accusation to emerge after sweeping investigations into his personal and professional life.

Large Republican gains on November 2 are prompting new calls to outlaw gay marriage in North Carolina. Large Republican gains on November 2 are prompting new calls to outlaw gay marriage in North Carolina, the AP reported. A Democrat-controlled Legislature has previously blocked Republican-backed bills to place an amendment defining marriage as a heterosexual union in the North Carolina Constitution. But next year's Republican takeover of both chambers has given ban backers new hope. ?We are definitely concerned that the new leadership is far more likely to bring up a vote,? Ian Palmquist, executive director of Equality North Carolina, the state's largest gay rights advocate, said. ?People are definitely looking at North Carolina because we have been so successful at blocking an amendment in the past.? The new GOP majority in the Senate will be large enough to approve placing the question on the ballot, but Republicans will likely need the help of four Democratic members in the General

AP ENTERPRISE: Interest group cash floods state races from governor to local sewage board. House and Senate candidates aren't the only ones targeted by interest groups in this year's campaign. While they have spent at least $185 million just since Labor Day to influence voters in close congressional races, outside money is pouring at similar rates into state elections for governors and down the ticket to city councils and even local sewage boards.

Report: Former Oklahoma star Bosworth says Blake introduced him to agent while with Sooners. Brian Bosworth and another former Oklahoma player tell Yahoo! Sports that former North Carolina assistant coach John Blake introduced them to agent Gary Wichard.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday it was probing reports the nation's top mortgage lenders improperly evicted struggling borrowers from their homes as part of the devastating wave of foreclosures unleashed by the financial crisis.

North Carolina attorney general investigating 15 lenders over foreclosure practices. North Carolina's attorney general is investigating the state's 15 largest mortgage lenders, questioning them about procedures used in foreclosure.

North Carolina's State Bureau of Investigation opens probe into Gov. Perdue's campaign flights. North Carolina's State Bureau of Investigation has opened an investigation into Gov. Beverly Perdue's campaign flights after a local prosecutor said he had lingering questions about a matter marred by partisan strife, officials said Friday.

NC governor declares state of emergency as heavy rains expected as Nicole skirts the coast. Gov. Beverly Perdue has proclaimed a state of emergency as North Carolina's coastal residents brace for drenching rains from a weather system interacting with approaching remnants of a recent tropical storm.

NC state official: Charlotte to host PGA Championship in 2017 at Quail Hollow. Since Quail Hollow Club returned to the PGA Tour in 2003, big-name golfers from Tiger Woods to Phil Mickelson have said the Charlotte course could be the site for a major championship.

NC lawmakers approve ban on Internet sweepstakes, sending bill to Gov. Perdue's desk. The North Carolina Legislature voted Wednesday to attempt to make clear again that a 2006 ban on video poker also applies to computer-based sweepstakes games found at businesses inside strip malls and old storefronts statewide.

NC man who spent almost 17 years in prison before being found innocent of murder gets $750,000. A North Carolina man who served almost 17 years in prison for murder before being found innocent has received $750,000 compensation from the state.

NC lawmakers ready to vote for $19B spending plan designed to protect classroom jobs. More teachers and university faculty would stay on the job this fall but some might face furloughs, and thousands of Medicaid patients may no longer get help at home with cooking and bathing in the North Carolina government budget heading for the first of two final votes Tuesday.

Tea parties and anti-establishment themes emerge in handful of primaries and runoffs. South Carolina Republicans nominated a tea party-backed Indian-American woman to run for governor and a conservative black man to run for Congress from the former Confederate state. Another incumbent congressman lost. So did a Senate hopeful chosen by Washington Democrats.

Marshall triumphs over Cunningham, Democratic party establishment in NC runoff for US Senate. Elaine Marshall has won the Democratic nomination to challenge North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr in November.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Eleven East Coast U.S. states have told BP they will hold it responsible for any losses caused by its still-growing oil spill in the Gulf, Connecticut's attorney general said on Monday.

A war at the shore over who gets to stand on the sand; NJ wants communities to decide. Some Jersey shore beach towns have plenty of ways to keep outsiders off their sand: Limit on-street parking, prohibit food and drink, and have no public bathrooms.