Republican legislative leaders in North Carolina plan to propose new crime-fighting policies when the legislature returns later this month — a response to the fatal stabbing of a light-rail passenger in Charlotte. Senate leader Phil Berger also said Thursday that he’s examining ways to restart the death penalty in the state, where the practice has been paused for years. Democrats, meanwhile, called on Republicans to increase public-safety funding.

Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian who lived in Charlotte, was fatally stabbed in the neck on Aug. 22 by a male suspect, investigators say. Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, faces state and federal murder charges for Zarutska’s death. The incident gained national attention and calls for action after surveillance video went viral last week, drawing re

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