Cooper signs N. Carolina budget bill for 2nd straight year

North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has signed into law the budget adjustments for the coming fiscal year that Republican legislators sent to his desk. Monday’s signing marks the second year in a row that he’s accepted the GOP’s comprehensive state government spending plan. The changes provide slightly larger pay raises for teachers and state employees than what was planned in the state government budget already on the books. Cooper had until Monday night to sign the bill or veto it. Otherwise, it would have become law. Cooper also says that budget language will allow North Carolina's COVID-19 state of emergency to end on Aug. 15.