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Judge Rejects Blue Cross Claim Against Feds; Group Files Lawsuit Over 2016 Special Session

North Carolina's largest health insurer faces a setback after losing a lawsuit to recover $130 million it says Washington promised but didn't pay under a provision of former President Barack Obama's health reform law.

The U.S. Court of Federal claims this week dismissed Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina's lawsuit seeking money promised but unpaid under the Affordable Care Act. The company did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby ruled Tuesday that ACA, also known as Obamacare, doesn't set a deadline for the government to make the payments promised to stabilize health insurance premiums for companies that took on sicker and older customers.

Group Files Lawsuit Against 2016 Special Session

The left-leaning group Common Cause and ten North Carolina residents have filed a lawsuit against the Republican-led legislature over a special session held last December that eroded the governor's powers.

The suit, filed Wednesday in Wake County, says the legislature failed to provide adequate public notice of the session and the legislation considered.

"The process was undemocratic, unprecedented, and unconstitutional," attorney Burton Craige, who represents the plaintiffs, told reporters outside the legislature Wednesday.

The suit claims legislative leaders violated the plaintiff's right to instruct their representatives under Article I of the state constitution.

Confederate Flag Rally Scheduled Outside York County Courthouse

Supporters of the Confederate flag are planning a rally outside the York County Courthouse this weekend. Rally organizers are upset with a recent decision to remove the flag from the courthouse and say the action may have violated a state law that requires legislative approval to remove confederate memorabilia from historic places.

Republican congressional candidate Sheri Few is among those who plan to attend the rally on Saturday. She's also scheduled to deliver remarks while there.

Democratic Mayoral Candidate Forum Scheduled For Saturday

Charlotte's three Democratic mayoral candidates will debate each other for the first time at a candidate forum scheduled for Saturday.

The forum is being organized by several local progressive groups. All three Democratic candidates -- State Senator Joel Ford, Mayor Pro Tem Vi Lyles, and the incumbent Mayor Jennifer Roberts -- will attend.

The event will be held from 12 until 2 p.m. at Weeping Willow AME Zion Church.

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