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The Senate gave its final approval late Monday to additional rules surrounding abortion in North Carolina, primarily one extending the waiting period for a woman to obtain the procedure from 24 hours to 72 hours. The Republican-led chamber voted 32-16 largely along party lines for the bill after agreement on two amendments, including one that eased a requirement that only physicians who are board certified or certifiable in obstetrics or gynecology could perform abortions in most cases. (6/2)

Gov. Scott Walker said Monday he's prepared to sign a 20-week abortion ban bill that has no exception for cases of rape or incest. Asked Monday about the bill following a speech at a Boys & Girls Club event in Delavan, Walker said he would sign the measure banning the procedure after 20 weeks whether or not it had those exemptions. The Republican governor and likely presidential candidate made his comments before a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday on the fast-moving bill before committees of both the Assembly and Senate. (Stein, 6/1)