Here are some of the stories we're following today:
Three Charged In Animal Shelter Abuse
Arrest warrants were issued for three people who used to run the Guilford and Davidson County Animal shelters. The charge against them is animal cruelty.
The warrants, issued Wednesday, stem from a multi-agency investigation into these shelters.
According to the News and Record, the Davidson County Grand Jury issued the indictments Tuesday for Marsha Williams, former executive director of both shelters, as well as her daughter Dana Williams-King and Marissa Studivent, listed as directors of the Davidson shelter.
All three women live in Guilford County and worked at the animal shelters in both Davidson and Guilford counties.
Williams also faces charges of obstructing the investigation and possessing a controlled substance at the Davidson shelter.
Ex-Prosecutor Indicted For Trying To Influence Judge's Race
A former Davidson County prosecutor seeking a Superior Court judge's seat has been indicted after authorities say she offered a district judge $20,000 to persuade her husband to drop out of the race.
Multiple media outlets report 43-year-old Wendy Joyce Terry is accused of texting District Judge April Wood in July, offering to give $20,000 to Wood's re-election campaign if she would persuade her husband, Jeffrey J. Berg, to drop out of the race for Davidson Superior Court judge.
Terry planned to run for the seat held by Superior Court Judge Theodore Royster, who is up for re-election in 2016. According to the indictments, Berg had also announced plans to run for Royster's seat.
Terry is facing multiple charges, including felony obstructing justice and attempt to violate campaign contribution limitation.
McCrory Signing Unemployment Insurance Bill In Gastonia
Unemployment insurance legislation being signed by Gov. Pat McCrory includes likely early relief for businesses paying extra taxes and increased mandates upon benefit recipients to look for work.
The governor planned to visit a Gastonia job placement office for today's bill-signing ceremony.
The measure raises the minimum number of weekly job contacts an unemployed worker must make to keep qualifying for benefits from two to five. A tax surcharge on businesses also could be eliminated early next year — several months early — once the state builds up enough reserves for future benefits as a 2013 law requires.
North Carolina Renewable Energy Standard Focus Of Forum
A 2007 law mandates certain amounts of electricity sold in North Carolina originate from renewable sources like solar panels and wind farms. Now opponents are making a late-session push to get final legislation passed to freeze those levels.
The American Energy Alliance sponsored a forum Wednesday. Speakers included two lawmakers who have backed efforts this year to freeze the renewable portfolio standard at the current 6 percent and limit how much utilities can charge rate-payers for compliance.
Other participants included the creator of a solar house at North Carolina State University and a policy analyst who says the standard is hurting the state's economy. Renewable energy advocates contend the standard has created thousands of jobs and is resulting in cheaper power.
Georgetown's John Thompson Wins 1st Dean Smith Award
The United States Basketball Writers Association has chosen one of Dean Smith's close friends — former Georgetown Hall of Fame coach John Thompson — as the first recipient of the award named for the late North Carolina coach.
The association will honor Thompson at a dinner in Chapel Hill on Nov. 10 benefiting the Dean E. Smith Opening Doors Fund, which aids low-income students in attending college and those pursuing advanced degrees in education and social work.
The USBWA announced the award in June to honor an individual who embodies Smith's values and spirit. Smith retired in 1997 as the winningest coach in Division I history and was known for stands on social issues such as racial equality and opposition to the death penalty.
Smith died in February at age 83.
300x250 Ad
300x250 Ad