North Carolina lawmakers pass controversial 12-week abortion ban.

North Carolina lawmakers have passed a bill banning almost all abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, down from the current 20 weeks, in response to last year's overturning of Roe v. Wade at the US Supreme Court. The bill has far-reaching consequences, as many women from nearby states with more restrictive laws had traveled to the state for abortions in later stages of pregnancy. Abortion-rights supporter Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has pledged to veto the bill, but GOP seat margins and assurances from chamber leaders indicate a veto will likely be overridden.