North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has won another legal victory defending his COVID-19 executive orders, this time involving a lawsuit filed by Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. A judge on Tuesday refused to block temporarily his orders limiting business activities and mass gatherings and mandating face coverings. Forest sued Cooper last month, saying the orders were unlawful because he failed to first get support from the Council of State.

Some Eastern North Carolina counties are reporting Coronavirus related fatalities on Monday.  The Beaufort County Health Department said four residents died from COVID-19.  One person died Saturday and the other three individuals died today. The recent fatalities brings the county’s death toll to six.  The Craven County Health Department reports a thirteenth resident has died from Coronavirus complications. The individual tested positive for COVID-19 on July 28. The person had several underlying health conditions.  Statewide, there are 2,172 deaths due to the virus.

Data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction shows most K-12 parents won't have the option of sending their kids back to school at the start of the fall, even partially. Gov. Roy Cooper allowed districts to opt for fully remote learning in his reopening guidance. His Republican gubernatorial election opponent, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, wants every parent to be able to have the choice for fully in-person learning five days a week.