The mood in the state legislature was solemn on Thursday, the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. But the anniversary wasn’t the main topic of conversation. Instead, Republican leaders spoke to reporters about their planned anti-crime legislative response to two recent high-profile murders — the random stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail in late August, and the fatal shooting of conservative activist, podcaster and Trump ally Charlie Kirk at a college speaking event on Wednesday.

“It’s a different country today than it was, frankly, yesterday,” House Speaker Destin Hall said.

Hall and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger shared their commitment to put forth a tough-on-crime legislative package when lawmakers return to Raleigh

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