Bill to reopen bars for outside service awaits decision from Gov. Cooper

The North Carolina legislature passed a bill last week that would overturn part of Gov. Cooper's Phase 2 reopening guidelines and allow the state's bars to serve drinks in outdoor settings. But Cooper must still sign the bill before it becomes law. The bill passed in the North Carolina Senate by a vote of 42-5 with plenty of Democrats supporting the legislation. It passed in the House by a narrower margin of 65-53. Cooper now has 30 days to decide whether to sign the bill into law or veto the…