The North Carolina General Assembly has agreed to delay the state's already postponed primaries for U.S. Senate, House, the legislature and other positions by another three weeks. But the odds for the delay becoming law appear long after no Democrats voted for the legislation on Wednesday. And Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper says lawmakers should leave the decision to the state Supreme Court while it reviews new redistricting maps. The state's highest court already delayed the March primary to May 17 to let redistricting lawsuits be heard.

North Carolina Democratic legislative leaders are panning an effort by Republicans to delay primary elections by another three weeks. Republican lawmakers plan to convene the General Assembly on Wednesday to pass a measure that would put off the May 17 primary until June 7. The reason they give is the close window between when the state Supreme Court rules on whether redistricting plans are lawful and a deadline to begin the election process should maps have to be redrawn. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper also appeared to criticize the Republican attempt.

The Transportation Security Administration says its officers seized 106 guns at Raleigh-Durham International Airport in 2021, nearly double the number they seized at the airport in the previous year. A news release says another 100 firearms were taken at the security checkpoint at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, three times the total in 2020. In each instance, the firearms were discovered by TSA officers during the routine screening of carry-on property at airport security checkpoints.

On Wednesday, January 19th, President Biden is holding his first formal press conference of the year at the White House. The event comes as the administration faces numerous challenges, including the surging coronavirus pandemic and ongoing supply chain issues.  The press conference is scheduled to begin at 4 PM.