Roe v. Wade Coverage

More women fleeing to NC for abortions after fall of Roe

Clinic by clinic, county by county and up to the highest levels of state government, no state embodies the nation's post-Roe upheaval like North Carolina.

Kate Kelly, New York Times

Report: NC saw 37% jump in abortions in months following Roe v. Wade decision

Women seeking abortions in the south have found North Carolina to be a welcome sight since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a piece of landmark legislation in Roe v. Wade.

Abortion in NC: Democrats propose putting Roe vs. Wade ruling into state law

On Thursday, Democrats proposed putting the right to abortion until viability into state law.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief

Opposing abortion-rights protests held outside state legislative building in downtown Raleigh

The debate over abortion played out in opposing rallies in downtown Raleigh Saturday. Now the tense arguments are playing out in state legislatures like our own.

Adam Owens, WRAL anchor/reporter

TRACY JAFFE: What does it means to be the first physician to diagnose a live pregnancy?

Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022 -- The ability to choose what happens to your body is a fundamental right, regardless of political affiliation. Reproductive freedom is not a political issue, it's a health care issue.

Beasley, Budd tangle over economy, abortion, other policies in US Senate debate

Republican Ted Budd and Democrat Cheri Beasley highlighted differences over the economy, abortion and other issues during Friday's U.S. Senate debate.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Control of NC's high court is at stake in November. Which party leads in a new WRAL News poll

Four candidates vying for two North Carolina Supreme Court seats are seeking to bolster the court's reputation amid concerns the seven-member body has become increasingly driven by politics in its recent decisions.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Durham Mayor Elaine O'Neal meets with President Biden about reproductive health care

On Friday, Durham Mayor Elaine O'Neal discussed how men can contribute to the conversation of reproductive freedoms since it takes two partners when it comes to pregnancy.

Durham Mayor Elaine O'Neal among leaders who met with President Biden to discuss women's reproductive rights

On Friday, Durham Mayor Elaine O'Neal discussed how men can contribute to the conversation of reproductive freedoms since it takes two partners when it comes to pregnancy.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Editorial: Legislative leaders get more specific on changing N.C. abortion laws

Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022 -- For North Carolina voters who will be electing members of the General Assembly and Congress in November, recent statements from Sen. Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore on their positions on changing abortion laws gives them the most specific yet on how they might base their choice at the ballot box.

Doctors say abortion ban has unclear exception clause for medical emergencies

North Carolina's ban on abortions after 20 weeks is back in effect after a federal court reinstated the law following the end of Roe v. Wade. Doctors could face up to 10 years in prison for violating it. The state law includes an exception for medical emergency. However, doctors say what qualifies as a medical emergency isn't clear.

NC abortion law exceptions too vague, critics say

The state's 20-week abortion ban includes a narrowly-drawn exception for medical emergency. Critics say the exception is too vague, and will lead to poorer care for patients with pregnancy complications.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief

Editorial: Health and life taking backseat to politics in N.C. abortion policy

Friday, Aug. 19, 2022 -- Health and life are not the most important matters to House Speaker Tim Moore and state Senate Leader Phil Berger. To Republicans Berger and Moore it is all about politics, the fall elections and their machinations to gain a veto-proof majority in the General Assembly.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: What it's about, is politics

Friday, Aug. 19, 2022 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

AG Stein calls on voters to decide abortion access, pushes back on NC's 20-week abortion ban

Republicans have criticized the Democratic Attorney General for not defending the state law that bans abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

Fact check: White House press secretary says overturning Roe v. Wade was 'unconstitutional'

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre took the Supreme Court to task for its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, but she went too far in an Aug. 3 briefing by suggesting the court overstepped its authority. PolitiFact checks her claim.

Louis Jacobson, PolitiFact reporter

WRAL Data Trackers investigate rates of teen pregnancy and abortion in North Carolina

WRAL Data Trackers investigate rates of teen pregnancy and abortion in North Carolina.

Judge's decision looms over NC's 20-week abortion ban

State Attorney General's Office says a federal judge shouldn't reinstate North Carolina's abortion law despite Supreme Court striking down the the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

North Carolina abortion law remains in limbo after Roe v. Wade is overturned

Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group, filed a friend-of-the-court the brief asking a federal judge to lift an injunction blocking the enforcement of North Carolina's law that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks with some exceptions.

NC legislative leaders ask federal judge to lift state's 20-week abortion ban

Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal group, filed a friend-of-the-court the brief on GOP lawmakers' behalf, asking a federal judge to lift an injunction blocking North Carolina's law that bans abortions after 20 weeks.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Fact check: Is the NC GOP 'reintroducing' an abortion bill protecting life at conception?

A human rights attorney tweeted: "North Carolina GOP is reintroducing a bill that says life begins at conception and anyone who destroys that fertilized egg is guilty of first-degree murder." PolitiFact checks his claim.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

Fact check: If a pregnancy is terminated under legal exceptions, is it an abortion?

During a hearing in Washington, anti-abortion activist Catherine Glenn Foster said: "If a 10-year-old became pregnant as a result of rape and it was threatening her life, then that's not an abortion." PolitiFact checks her claim.

Maria Ramirez Uribe, PolitiFact reporter

Gov. Cooper signs Executive Order protecting reproductive health care

Surrounded by abortion-rights advocates at a news conference Wednesday, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order protecting access to abortion in North Carolina, pledging to do everything in his power to keep abortion legal and accessible in the state.

Cooper vows to fight future abortion restrictions

Gov. Roy Cooper Wednesday signed an executive order to protect access to abortion in North Carolina, and pledged to campaign this fall for Democratic lawmakers who will sustain his veto to block any new abortion restrictions. Republicans and allies are accusing him of "scare tactics."

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Navigating hot button political discussions at July 4th cookouts

Two major supreme court rulings have guns and abortion front and center this July 4th weekend. If you're out by the pool or making hot dogs on the grill with family and friends, there's a chance the dreaded "p" word may come up: Politics.