NC governor's veto of school mask mandate opt-out is upheld

The North Carolina legislature has failed to override another of Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes. The Senate fell short Wednesday on overriding a veto to a bill that would have allowed K-12 students to opt out of COVID-19 mask-wearing mandates. The Republican measure was approved last month on the same day Cooper encouraged boards of education to end broad mask requirements. Bill supporters have said it was needed to affirm that parents can make health-related decisions for their children. Nearly all of the state's school districts have already approved mask-optional policies. The vote comes as lawmakers plan to end this week a session that began in January 2021.