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North Carolina's highest court has ruled over some insurance claims filed by businesses that were harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting 2020 government orders limiting commerce and public movement. The state Supreme Court on Friday ruled unanimously in favor of some restaurants and bars in their claims, but against clothing store chain Cato Corp.

Ace Speedway in Alamance County and its owners accuse Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration of violating its constitutional rights. The state Supreme Court agreed unanimously Friday that the speedway can seek financial damages.

The new version of the bill includes language that allows people to wear a mask in public to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. The state Senate passed the bill on Thursday after Senate Democrats withheld their vote.

Democrats say the law would mean people who mask for their health would violate the law. Republicans say the bill is only focused on people who mask as a means to conceal their identity.

Republicans in the state Senate want to crack down on recent protests by restricting the use of masks in public. The new bill also would create a felony offense for blocking traffic.

A state Court of Appeals panel ruled unanimously Tuesday that a trial judge erred when he rejected claims by the North Carolina Bar and Tavern Association and private bars that their constitutional rights to earn a living and for equal treatment under the law had been violated.

Websites in the country's 50 states – including North Carolina – do not meet accessibility standards, meaning some who are visually impaired might not be able to access all information.

The newest COVID-19 vaccine was approved this week. And unlike previous approvals, the rollout for this one will be significantly different.

For the latest week of data, there were 435 hospital admissions for COVID-19, up nearly four-fold from a low point of 117 during the week of June 24. Despite the increase, hospitalizations are still well below the numbers seen both earlier this year and at the height of the pandemic.

Local high school students conduct cutting-edge neuroscience research through Duke University’s DUNE summer program.