The issue focused on climate change and climate scientists who claimed climate models failed to accurately depict climate change and scientists who defended climate models that scientists say failed to accurately depict climate change.

McCrory signed the executive order late Wednesday night. It blocks climate science researchers from discussing climate change research with state scientists or scientists working for North Carolina universities and universities that receive federal funds. The executive order says scientists should discuss climate change research only with scientists who work for federal agencies or institutions that receive federal funds.

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