We also hear from Durham leaders after the headliner for the Bimbe Festival said she was never contacted for it. Plus, The latest on two shootings involving police officers and how AAA is partnering with local law enforcement to prevent thieves from taking parts from your car. Watch WRAL-TV at 7:30 p.m., and search for these and other stories on WRAL.com.

On WRAL at 7:30: Storms possible tonight. Who could see the heaviest rain during a WRAL Weather Alert Day, plus when the rain returns next week

The North Carolina Senate voted along party lines Wednesday to ban anyone from wearing masks in public for health reasons, following an emotional debate about the wisdom of the proposal.


NC Senate votes to ban people from wearing masks in public for health reasons

Protestors gather in Graham 

A year later, the full impact of the North Carolina abortion law is becoming clearer for both supporters and opponents.

A year later, impact from NC's 12-week abortion ban coming into focus

Ultrasound

All assets associated with the tag: David McLennan

David McLennan Coverage

Donald J. Trump will be running for president and speaking to a dedicated base of supporters even as the majority of Americans is in favor of his indictment, according to David McLennan, professor of political science at Meredith College.

<p>US IN RALEIGH. THANK YOU, MATT. &gt;&gt; ALL RIGHT. WE WANT TO GET BACK TO THE MAIN STORY OF THE DAY. FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP NOW FACING 34 FELONY COUNTS AGAINST HIM. AND JOINING US NOW TO TALK ABOUT THE HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS ARRAIGNMENT IS PROFESSOR DAVID MCLENNAN WITH MEREDITH COLLEGE PROFESSOR IN THE CLINTON. I HAD A WHOLE BUNCH OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU. I'M GONNA THROW THOSE OUT BECAUSE HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE. AFTER UNDERSTANDING THE INDICTMENT MORE AND ALSO HEARING FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEY ALVIN BRAGG. HE SAYS THAT THEY HAVE BROUGHT HUNDREDS OF CASES OF FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS BEFORE THAT. THIS IS ESSENTIALLY A STANDARD CASE THAT MIGHT WORK IN A COURTROOM. HOW WILL THAT WORK WITH PUBLIC OPINION? &gt;&gt; WELL, AS WITH PUBLIC OPINION, IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY DIVIDED PUBLIC ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE ROOTS IN SOME POLLING ALREADY, BUT SAYS A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT THE WAS A GOOD THING. BUT WE ALSO SEE IT AS A VERY FULL LITTLE ACTIVITY. AND SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE NUMBER OF IT BELLAMY'S BEING CHARGED AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP, I DON'T THINK IS GOING TO CHANGE A LOT OF MINES. WE'VE SEEN ALREADY SEEN MANY MEMBERS OF THE NORTH CAROLINA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION COME OUT. REPUBLICANS VERY MUCH AGAINST THOSE CALLING IT ALL KINDS OF DEMOCRATS 40. AND SO I THINK THAT'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO SEE PUBLIC OPINION VERY MUCH DIVIDED ALONG PARTY LINES. &gt;&gt; HOW DO YOU SEE REPUBLICANS GALVANIZING AROUND FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP? OBVIOUSLY THIS IS POLITICAL IN NATURE BECAUSE NOT ONLY IS HE A FORMER PRESIDENT. HE'S ALSO RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2024. AT THIS POINT BEFORE THE INDICTMENT WAS UNSEALED, WE SAW REPUBLICANS PRETTY MUCH GALVANIZING AROUND HIM. NOW THAT WE KNOW WHAT THE CHARGES ARE, DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT HIM? &gt;&gt; I THINK THIS IS THE ONLY INDICTMENT HE HAS. THEY'RE GOING TO STAY VERY ALIGNED WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP. THEY SEE THIS IS A POLITICALLY MOTIVATED INDICTMENT AND THAT THE TONYS ARE NOT SIGNIFICANT AND SO I DON'T SEE EXCEPT FOR A FEW REPUBLICANS WHO'VE ALREADY ANNOUNCED THEY'RE RUNNING AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION. MOST REPUBLICANS HAVE EITHER SAID NOTHING OR BEEN VERY MUCH IN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CAMP. THE QUESTION IS WE'VE GOT OTHER INVESTIGATIONS GOING ON INTO FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR AROUND JANUARY 6 THAT ALSO DOWN IN ATLANTA. I THINK IF WATER, BOTH OF THOSE WERE TO FILE AN INDICTMENT AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP, THEN WE CAN SEE THE CALCULUS CHANGE. &gt;&gt; REALLY QUICKLY, HOW DO YOU SEE INDEPENDENTS TAKING THIS CASE? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ALLEGED HUSH MONEY DEALS WITH THE STAR WITH A SOMEONE WHO WORKED AT PLAYBOY WITH THE DOORMAN. HOW YOU SEE INDEPENDENTS, ARE THEY GOING TO THINK THIS IS TOO MUCH BAGGAGE? WELL, I THINK WE'VE ALREADY SEEN THAT OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF ELECTIONS TWENTY-TWENTY THE INDEPENDENTS WENT TOWARDS JOE BIDEN 2020 TO THE INDEPENDENTS. &gt;&gt; DEMOCRATS DO BETTER THAN EXPECTED. I THINK THIS IS JUST ANOTHER PIECE OF EVIDENCE FOR INDEPENDENCE THAT WE NEED A NEW DIRECTION FOR THE COUNTRY. IT MAY NOT BE SUPPORTING JOE BIDEN. THAT MAY BE SUPPORTING ANOTHER REPUBLICAN. BUT I THINK MANY OF THEM MOVED ON FROM</p>

Trump criminal case will also play to divided court of public opinion

With a shift now in the balance of power in Congress, there could be a number of changes in North Carolina and across the nation. David McLennan, a political science professor at Meredith College, explains some of that uncertainty.

NOT SEEING BIG DELAYS JUST YET. >> GET YOU BACK TO OUR COVERAGE OF THE MIDTERM ELECTION WITH A SHIFT NOW IN THE BALANCE OF POWER IN CONGRESS, THERE COULD BE A NUMBER OF CHANGES FOR US HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA AND ACROSS THE NATION. DAVE MACLEOD AND A POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT MEREDITH COLLEGE JOINS US LIVE NOW TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THAT UNCERTAINTY NEVER DOLL. IT'S STILL NOT OVER NATIONALLY. DAVID WILEY NICKEL. THOSE BRINGING TO OUR LEVEL HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA WINNING DISTRICT 13, A BRIGHT SPOT FOR THE DEMOCRATS IN WHAT WAS A GOOD NIGHT FOR REPUBLICANS WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA RIGHT NOW? >> BUT RIGHT NOW, WHAT WHILE IN THE CULLS VICTORY MEANS IS THAT WE HAVE A CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION OF 7 DEMOCRATS AND 7 REPUBLICANS. I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING THE MAPS USED IN THIS ELECTION WILL NOT BE THE MAPS USED IN 2024. SO WE MAY SAY. WHILE NICHOLS 10 YEAR OR SOMEONE ELSE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE HAVE A VERY SHORT TENURE IN CONGRESS. HOWEVER. FOR DEMOCRATS, IT WAS A GOOD OUTCOME AND IT MAY HELP STEM THE REPUBLICAN TIDE IN TERMS OF TAKING CONTROL THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. >> WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME THIS MORNING, DAVID, TALKING ABOUT THE SUPER MAJORITY, THE REPUBLICANS ACHIEVED IN THE SENATE. JUST MISSED IT IN THE HOUSE. REPUBLICANS FLIP THE SUPREME COURT. THERE ARE SOME KEY AS WE KNOW, ABORTION RIGHTS, GUN LAWS. I WANT TO SAY ABOUT THAT MOVE NOW IN THAT DIRECTION. GOVERNOR COOPER'S ADMINISTRATION MOVING FORWARD TO MAKE THINGS TOUGH ON HIM. >> YEAH, HE WOKE UP THIS MORNING THINKING THAT A LOT OF HIS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THAT HE WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH THE LAST 2 YEARS AND BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT. I'M JUST ON SOME KEY SOMETHING LIKE REDISTRICTING WITH THE REPUBLICANS WHO CONTROL THE SUPREME COURT. THAT'S GOING MAKE THAT MORE DIFFICULT FOR 2024 FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL SEAT. IF THE REPUBLICANS CHOSE TO PUT FORWARD A STRONGER ABORTION BILL OR MAKE SOME BIG CHANGES TO THE BUDGET, YOU KNOW, WITH ONLY A ONE-SEAT ADVANTAGE IN TERMS OF THE SUPER MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE. GOVERNOR COOPER HAS TO WORK WITH TO MAKE SURE THAT HE CAN KEEP ALWAYS HOUSE MEMBERS TOGETHER ON THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS. SO ON A LOT OF KEY ISSUES, JOE, THIS IS GOING TO MAKE IT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR DEMOCRATS TO COMPROMISE AND WORK WITH REPUBLICANS. >> HOW ABOUT AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL? LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE. WHAT AMERICA COULD TELL US. BY THE WAY, THEY VOTED LAST NIGHT, YOU KNOW, FLIPPING THE HOUSE WHEN YOU THINK THE CONGRESS CONTROL SPENDING, RIGHT? SO IS THIS A CHECKS AND BALANCES OF THE CURRENT YOU KNOW, IN POWER ADMINISTRATION RIGHT NOW JUST TO MAKE SURE THINGS STAY EQUAL. >> WELL, IF THINGS WORK OUT WHERE REPUBLICANS CONTROL THE HOUSE AND DEMOCRATS MAINTAIN THERE CONTROL OF THE SENATE YOU KNOW, THAT'S GOING TO BE, I THINK, IMPORTANT MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE AGAIN, REPUBLICANS MAY WANT LESS SPENDING AND WHAT OTHER KINDS OF BILLS PASSED THEY NEED THE SENATE TO GO ALONG WITH THEM. BUT I THINK WHAT THE MESSAGE WAS FROM VOTERS WAS KIND OF MIX IN SOME WAYS. THEY SAID, LET'S HAVE SOME CHANGE FROM THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION AND THE DEMOCRATS BEING CONTROL OF THE 2 CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENCY. HOWEVER, THE MARGINS ARE GOING TO BE VERY SMALL OF REPUBLICANS DO. IN FACT, TAKE THE HOUSE. WE MAY SEE ONLY A 222 OR 224 MEMBERS, NOT THE RED WAVE OR TIDAL WAVE, BUT WE HAVEN'T DISSIPATED WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN A MANDATE FOR REPUBLICANS TO GOVERN VERY DIFFERENTLY. >> ALL RIGHT, DAVID, OUR TIME IS THERE. AND I APPRECIATED VERY MUCH THIS MORNING. THE POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR OVER AT MEREDITH COLLEGE, DAVE MACLENNAN JOINING US ONCE AGAIN. YOU'RE ALWAYS THERE FOR US. WE APPRECIATE IT. THANKS, DAVID. >> WE'VE LEARNED OVERNIGHT DEMOCRATS WILL STAY IN POWER ON THE WAKE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD IN ALL 7 DEMOCRATS AND 2 REPUBLICANS WILL MAKE UP THE BOARD. THAT INCLUDES 5 NEWCOMERS. MOST CURRENT MEMBERS CHOSE NOT TO SEEK REELECTION IN THE COMING YEAR. THE BOARD WILL TACKLE ISSUES, INCLUDING LEARNING LOSS STAFF RECRUITMENT

NC professor explains shift in power in Congress

Meredith College political science professor David McLennan says Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has th epower to stand up to President Donald Trump and defeat Trump's push for larger stimulus checks than those in the pandemic relief package.

CONTINUES IN THE SENATE. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. I'M LENA  LENA TILLETT. >> AND I'M GERALD OWENS. >>> THE PROPOSAL FOR THE LARGER CHECKS IS HAPPENING IN THE SENATE. AND LAURA LESLIE IS IN DOWNTOWN RALEIGH, AND THE CHECKS HEADING OUT TONIGHT IS GOOD NEWS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. >> Reporter: THAT'S TRUE, ANDY ANDY THAT -- AND THEY WILL BE HEADING OUT TONIGHT,  AND PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS BEEN TWEETING ABOUT THE PROPOSAL SINCE THIS WEEKEND,  AND IT READS UNLESS REPUBLICANS HAVE A DEATH WISH, THEY MUST APPROVE THE PAYMENT ASAP BUT IT RAN INTO A BECAUSE SAW WITH MITCH McCONNELL PUTTING IT ON HOLD. >> IT'S 97 BEEN FAVORED BY MITCH McCONNELL. AS THE MAJORITY LEADER HE CONTROLS THE AGENDA FOR THE SENATE,  AND HE IS CUTTING TIES WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND HE DOESN'T FEEL BEHOLDEN TO PRESIDENT TRUMP. >> Reporter: THE FACT THAT IT MADE IT THIS FAR AT ALL IS BECAUSE OF THE SHREWD MOVES OF NANCY PELOSI AND PUT McCONNELL IN A A DIFFICULT POSITION WITH THE SENATE SEATS STILL UP FOR GRABS NEXT WEEK. >> IT'S ABOUT GEORGIA AND MAINTAINING CONTROL IN THE SENATE IN THE NEXT CONGRESS. SO I THINK THAT BOTH THE PRESIDENT AND SPEAKER PELOSI HAS PUT MITCH McCONLE IN A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION. >> Reporter: PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN WILL BE PUSHING FOR ANOTHER RELIEF PACKAGE QUICKLY. >> SOMETHING THAT WOULD WORK OUT BETTER FOR JOE BIDEN AND START HIS ADMINISTRATION BUT NOT A GREAT WAY TO END PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ADMINISTRATION. >> Reporter: NOW, THE DIRECT DEPOSIT AMERICANS WILL SEE THE DEPOSIT IN THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS,  AND ABOUT THE BIGGER ONE, WE ARE NOT SURE, OBVIOUSLY, BUT IF YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY YOU WILL GET, YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT THE STIMULUS CHECK CALCULATOR ON THE WRAL NEWS APP OR AT WRAL.COM. BACK TO YOU. >> LAURA, ARE THE LAWMAKERS DEBATING HOW THE CHECKS WILL GO OUT? >> Reporter: THE 600 IS GOING OUT, BUT IF YOU GET YOUR TAX REFUND VIA DIRECT DEPOSIT YOU GET IN THE BANK ACCOUNT BUT IF NOT, IT WILL BE IN THE MAIL AND TAKE LONGER AND IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE WELL INTO JANUARY AND THROUGH THE MONTH FOR EVERYONE TO GET THE CHECK.

$2,000 stimulus checks unlikely, Meredith professor says

treasury checks, IRS

Meredith College political science professor David McLennan discusses the results of a new WRAL News poll on the U.S. Senate race between Repoublican Sen. Thom Tillis and Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham.

INVESTORS CAUTIOUS ABOUT MOVING FORWARD AND INVESTING THEIR MONEY. >>> AND RIGHT NOW AT 4:00, ALL NEW EXCLUSIVE RESULTS FROM THE WRAL NEWS POLL ON THE U.S. SENATE RACE. DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER CAL CUNNINGHAM IS AHEAD OF FOLLOW TILLIS BY 3 POINTS. 48% FOR CUNNINGHAM AND 45% FOR TILLIS. DAVID, THANKS FOR JOINING US. IT APPEARS THIS RACE HAS TIGHTENED A GOOD BIT AND TILLIS GAINED SUPPORT SINCE THE LAST POLL. CAN HE MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE IN LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE THE ELECTION. >> THE SIMPLE ANSWER IS YES. IF YOU LOOK AT THE UNDECIDED NUMBERS, 4%, THAT'S MORE THAN THE MARGIN, AND YOU LOOK AT THE MARGIN OF ERROR IN THE POLL. THIS IS A TIGHT RACE, WHAT WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE FROM THE BEGINNING. WE KNOW NORTH CAROLINA IS SUCH A DIVIDED STATE. SIX DAYS IS NOT AN INSURMOUNTABLE LEAD FOR TILLIS TO OVERCOME. >> SEEING THE DRAMATIC BOMB SHELLS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. BUT WHAT FACTORS ARE DRIVING THE NEWEST NUMBERS? >> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK IT WAS THE INFIDELITY ALLEGATIONS OR CHARGES MADE AGAINST CAL CUNNINGHAM. I THINK THIS IS THE NATURAL TIGHTENING OF THE STATE AS THE PRESIDENTIAL POLL THAT YOU REPORTED ON YESTERDAY INDICATED, THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE HAS GOTTEN VERY TIGHT. WE'RE SEEING A BY-PRODUCT OF THAT. AS THE TOP OF THE TICKET GOES, DOWN THE BALLOT RACES GOES. THE SENATE RACE IS FOLLOWING THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE. >> WE KNOW NORTH CAROLINA IS A KEY BATTLEGROUND STATE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE, BUT HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS ONE SENATE RACE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL? >> WELL, IF YOU LOOK AT THE SENATE, THE SENATE IS 53-47 IN TERMS OF REPUBLICANS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE. BUT THERE ARE MANY REPUBLICANS DEFENDING THEIR SEATS. AND EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN SEAT IS CRITICAL FOR THE REPUBLICANS TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE SENATE. TOM TILLIS, IF HE WERE TO LOSE NORTH CAROLINA, THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE THE SENATOR THAT TAKES THE REPUBLICANS OUT OF POWER IN TERMS OF CONTROLLING THE SENATE. SO THIS IS A SEAT THAT NATIONAL REPUBLICANS HAVE TARGETED AND NATIONAL DEMOCRATS HAVE TARGETED. THAT'S WHY WE'RE SEEING HUNDREDS

Professor: Tillis still has time for come-from-behind victory

Meredith College political science professor David McLennan said that President Donald Trump's campaign has put a strong emphasis on North Carolina in recent weeks, and his large, in-person rallies have helped him close the gap with Democrat Joe Biden in the state.

BOTH FELL. THE DOW WAS OFF 222 POINTS IN THE S&P OFF ABOUT 10. THE NASDAQ DID C ARISE AND IT WAS UP OR THAN 72 POINTS. >>> NOW TO THE ELECTION WHICH IS SOMETHING WE ARE ALL THINKING AND TALKING ABOUT. THE RESULTS OF AN EXCLUSIVE WRAL NEWS POLL SHOWS HOW MUCH IS LEFT BEFORE ELECTION DAY . THIS SHOWS PRESIDENT TRUMP AND FORMER PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TIED AT 48%. MEREDITH COLLEGE POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR DAVID McLENNAN JOINS US LIVE. WE WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO PICK YOUR BRAIN ON THIS. THE LAST POLL HAD JOE BIDEN UP BY FIVE POINTS, WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE THEN? >> WE ALWAYS KNEW NORTH CAROLINA WOULD BE A CLOSE STATE AND THAT IS JUST TOO WE ARE. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS THE INTENSITY WITH WHICH THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN TEAM HAS BEEN IN THE STATE. THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN HERE AND HIS SURROGATES HAVE BEEN HERE AND HIS FAMILY HAS BEEN HERE. THE INTENSITY THEY ARE PLACING ON NORTH CAROLINA HAS BEEN PART OF THE SLIGHT RISE IN THE POLLS. >> Reporter: AS WE DIG DEEPER INTO THE RESULTS, TRUMP IS GAINED SUPPORT FROM MEN AND NORTH CAROLINA. JOE BIDEN HAS CONSISTENTLY HELD AN ADVANTAGE WITH WOMEN AND ALL POLLS. DO YOU THINK THIS COULD COME DOWN TO A BATTLE OF THE SEXES WITH REGARDS TO WHICH CANDIDATE WILL WIN? >> WE'VE SEEN A TREND OF WOMEN TRENDING TOWARD DEMOCRATS AND MEN TOWARD TRENDING TOWARD REPUBLICANS. IF MORE WOMEN TURN OUT IN THE POLLS, THAT WILL FAVOR BIDEN. IF MEN TURN OUT AT A HIGHER THAN EXPECTED RATE, IT COULD SWAY THAT WAY. >> Reporter: THE RACE, AS WE KNOW, HAS TIGHTENED. OUR VISITS TO NORTH CAROLINA HELPING OR HURTING?  I THINK I JUST HEARD YOU SAY THEY ARE PROBABLY HELPING. >> THEY ARE. THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN BUYING ADVERTISING BUT HIS CAMPAIGN IS LOW ON CASH. THE RALLIES ARE WAY THE PRESIDENT CAN SPREAD HIS MESSAGE. EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE DO NOT WANT HIM TO POTENTIALLY SPREAD CORONAVIRUS OR BE PART OF THE CORONAVIRUS ENVIRONMENT, THAT IS WHAT HIS CAMPAIGN IS DOING. IT HAS HAVING AN IMPACT ON NORTH CAROLINA. >>> WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF PEOPLE GO TO THE POLLS EARLY AND WE SEE THAT JOE BIDEN HOLDS A LEADER IN THOSE EARLY VOTES. SHOULD WE READ ANYTHING INTO THAT AS WE COME UP TO ELECTION DAY ONE WEEK FROM TODAY? >> WE SHOULD READ THE ENTHUSIASM AMONG THE ELECTORATE . I THINK WHAT WE WILL SEE ON ELECTION DAY IS REPUBLICANS HAVE PUT A LOT OF ENERGY INTO TURNING OUT PEOPLE ON ELECTION DAY. I THINK IT WILL BE LATE IN THE EVENING OR A FEW DAYS LATER

Professor: Trump's rallies helping his momentum

North Carolina voters don't seem to mind that Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cal Cunningham had an affair - he's even gained ground among male voters - according to the results of a WRAL News poll released Monday.

<p>OR BECOME ILL, THE CONFIRMATION COULD FAIL. IF THERE'S A 50/50 TIE, VICE PRESIDENT PENCE WOULD BREAK IT. &gt;&gt;&gt; NOW THE RESULTS OF OUR LATEST WRAL POLL, LOOKING AT THE U.S. SENATE RACE. MUCH HAS HAPPENED SINCE OUR LAST POLL, INCLUDING SENATOR TILLIS TESTING POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS, AND DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER CAL CUNNINGHAM ADMITTING TO AN AFFAIR. DOES ANY OF THAT IMPACT THE VOTE? AT 4:00 P.M., WE REVEALED THE RESULTS, CUNNINGHAM NOW LEADING AT 49% TO 39% AHEAD OF TILLIS, CUNNINGHAM ADDING THREE POINTS OF SEPARATION IN THE LAST MONTH. WE ASKED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THOM TILLIS TESTING POSITIVE, AND 58% SAID IT DOES NOT AFFECT THEM ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. 23%, HOWEVER, SAID THEY WOULD LIKELY SUPPORT CUNNINGHAM AS A RESULT. I'M CURIOUS AS TO WHY YOU BELIEVE HAVING THE VIRUS WOULD IMPACT SOMEONE'S OPINION OF THE CANDIDATE. &gt;&gt; I THINK IT GOES TO A LARGER POINT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN DENYING THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CORONAVIRUS, SO THE FACT THAT THOM TILLIS TESTED POSITIVE SORT OF BRINGS ATTENTION TO THE ISSUE AND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE ISSUE. IT'S ALSO THE CASE THAT, ALTHOUGH HE TALKED ABOUT WEARING A MASK, HE OFTEN DID NOT WEAR A MASK, SO THERE COULD BE AN ISSUE GOING ON THERE. &gt;&gt; AS FOR THE ADMISSION OF AN EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR BY CUNNINGHAM, 61% SAID IT REALLY DOESN'T AFFECT THEM. WE POLLED THE VOTERS AFTER HIS LAST NEWS CONFERENCE WHERE HE SAID, QUOTE, I'VE SAID ALL I'M GOING TO SAY ABOUT THIS. DO PEOPLE JUST NOT CARE, OR COULD THIS BE A REFLECTION OF THE LARGER ANGER AGAINST THE INCUMBENTS? &gt;&gt; I THINK IT'S THE ANGER AGAINST THE INCUMBENT REPUBLICANS AND THE PARTISANSHIP WE HAVE. SOME SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT TILLIS TESTED POSITIVE AND SOME SAID CUNNINGHAM'S AFFAIR WAS IMPORTANT, BUT BY AND LARGE PEOPLE WERE LOCKED IN. I THOUGHT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN RATHER STABLE. I THINK REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR TILLIS AND DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS. &gt;&gt; AND 27% SAID THEY WERE LIKELY TO SUPPORT CUNNINGHAM, 31% TILLIS. BARRING SOMETHING UNFORESEEN, SHE'S GOING TO BE CONFIRMED, DOES THIS LIKELY SOLIDIFY THE LINES IN IN THE SAND YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT? &gt;&gt; I THINK THE LINES HAVE BEEN IN THE SAND FOR A WHILE. I THINK THESE NUMBERS YOU HAVE ON THE SENATE RACE ARE VERY CHALLENGING FOR THE TILLIS FOLKS, BECAUSE YOU'RE HEADING INTO THE LAST THREE WEEKS AND</p>

'People's votes are locked in,' professor says about lack of reaction to affair, viral infection in Senate race

Thom Tillis and Cal Cunningham

Meredith College political science professor David McLennan believes President Trump is trying to deflect the attention away from the coronavirus death toll by threatening to pull the Republican National Convention from Charlotte in August. 

YOU CAN COUNT ON WITH WRAL NEWS. >>>  IT IS THE BIGGEST ECONOMIC DRIVERS OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, THIS MORNING THE PRESIDENT THREATENED TO MOVE THE RNC ELSEWHERE IN CALLING OUT GOVERNOR COOPER ON TWITTER POINTING TO NORTH CAROLINA BEING IN SHUTDOWN MODE. REPUBLICANS NEED TO BE GIVEN AN ANSWER BY THE GOVERNOR WHETHER OR NOT THE SPACE WILL BE ABLE TO BE FULLY OCCUPIED, IF NOT, HE SAID THAT THE REPUBLICANS WILL BE FORCED TO FIND ANOTHER CONVENTION SITE IN THE STATE. HERE IS HOW SOME OF THEM RESPONDED BEGINNING WITH THE GOVERNOR. A SPOKES PERSON FOR GOVERNOR COOPER SAID THAT NORTH CAROLINA IS RELYING ON DATA AND SCIENCE TO PROTECT ARE STATES PUBLIC HEALTH THAN SAFE THE. AND THEY ALSO SAID WILL REMAIN CONSISTENT IN STATEMENTS REGARDING THE RNC BEING HELD IN CHARLOTTE, THE SCIENCE AND DATA WILL BE ULTIMATELY CONSIDERED. THE RNC WANTS TO HOLD ALL FULL IMPREZA CONVENTION IN CHARLOTTE , BUT WE NEED THE GOVERNOR TO PROVIDE ASSURANCES THAT IT CAN OCCUR. WE WILL NEED ANSWERS SOONER THAN LATER OR WE WILL BE FORCED TO CONSIDER OTHER OPTIONS. THE POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSORS JOINING US NOW TO TALK MORE ABOUT THIS. PROFESSOR, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, FIRST OFF BEFORE WE GET TO THE LOGISTICS, THIS PRESIDENT IS KNOWN TO SAY A LOT RHETORICALLY ON TWITTER THAT IS NOT ALWAYS REALITY. IS THAT WHAT HE WAS DOING TODAY OR IS THIS A REAL THREAT WAXY RENEE CHOU ?? >> HE ATTACKED GOVERNOR COOPER BUT ALSO THE MICHIGAN MAYOR REGARDING THE MAIL IN VOTES. WE ARE AT 100,000 DEATHS AND CLIMBING AND THE PRESIDENT AS PART OF THE DISTRACTION. >> LET'S GET BACK TO LOGISTICS, GIVEN ALL THAT IS THAT STAY, ALL THAT HAS BEEN ALREADY DONE $50 MILLION COMMITTED TO SECURITY HOW DO YOU MOVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND WHERE'D YOU MOVE IT TO. >> TO GET AN ORGANIZATION AND PLAN EXECUTED IT IS NOT DONE OVERNIGHT. IF YOU LOOK AT THE NATIONAL SPORTS LEAKS AROUND THE COUNTRY THEY MAY NOT HAVE FANS GOING INTO FALL SO HOW DO YOU IMAGINE A COLISEUM FULL OF PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, GOING TO A CONVENTION AND NO OTHER BIG GATHERINGS ARE TAKING PLACE ANYWHERE. THOSE ARE QUESTIONS, AND QUESTIONS THAT, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR SAID MAY BE MORE UP TO THE SCIENTISTS THEN THE POLITICIANS. >> Reporter: DAVID, YOU AND I HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR MANY YEARS. NORMALLY, YOU WOULD BE IN THE STUDIO TALKING TO ME BUT MAYBE YOU ARE HOME OR IN YOUR OFFICE, THIS IS THE NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS WITH COMMUNICATIONS, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE SCALE, THE SCALED-BACK CONVENTION FOR BOTH THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS EVEN A VIRTUAL NOMINATION ? >> FOR MOST AMERICANS THEY WOULD SEE IT ON TELEVISION ANYWAY YOU HAVE SPEECHES AND BALLOONS, YOU CAN DO ALL THE CEREMONIAL THINGS, THE DIFFERENCES FOR THE PEOPLE THAT GO, THE DELEGATES AND THE PARTY OFFICIALS, I MEAN, YOU AND I HAVE BEEN TO CONVENTIONS OVER THE PAST ELECTION CYCLE IT IS AN EXTRAVAGANZA FOR THE PEOPLE THERE SO IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT. AND THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE TUNING IN TO SEE WHO THE NOMINEE WILL STAND FOR IT COULD BE EASILY DONE VIRTUALLY. >> Reporter: IT IS LIKE WATCHING THE SUPER BOWL. IT IS WHAT HAPPENS. LAST WEEK, I SPOKE TO THE HEAD OF THE RNC AND THEY HAVE BEEN IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION AND THAT WAS INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR , THEY WANT TO HAVE THEIR OWN DOCTOR TO CONSULT AND WE ARE MOVING FULL STEAM AHEAD. WILL THERE BE ENOUGH STEAM IN THE ENGINE TO MOVE AHEAD ? >> EVERY MISSION ONCE THEY HAVE A SCALED-DOWN VERSION, THEY WANT TO DO IT ON A SMALLER SCALE. THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT WANTING TO HAVE A FULL-BLOWN CONVENTION AND THEY ARE PLANNING, PERHAPS, HAVING A SMALL, POSSIBLY, A VIRTUAL COMPONENT TO THERE CONVENTION.

Trump's threat to pull RNC from Charlotte intended as 'a distraction' from COVID-19

As the dust settles on the second-longest legislation session in North Carolina history, some say it's time for the state to seriously consider session limits.

Professor: 'Citizen legislatures' more efficient

NC Legislative Building

As the dust settles on the second-longest legislation session in North Carolina history, some say it's time for the state to consider session limits. 

Limits could rein in runaway legislative sessions 

Meredith College Political Science Professor David McLennan discusses the findings of a new WRAL News analysis showing the latest redistricting process in the N.C. General Assembly resulted in far fairer districts than previous maps.