Here are some of the stories we're following today:

Bonds, Primaries, Medicaid Addressed Before Adjournment

North Carolina lawmakers look to be on a glide path to adjourn this year's extended session by Sept. 30 since three months of intense negotiations have ended with a final budget law signed by Gov. Pat McCrory.

Prominent legislation still considered a priority is pending, but some measures have been negotiated by House and Senate Republicans while budget talks went on late this summer and already are in the queue.

The Legislature is expected to debate this coming week on compromise measures that overhaul how the state pays for Medicaid services for patients and expanded economic recruitment incentives.

Legislative leaders also say they will work out details on a $2 billion bond referendum and changing dates for next year's primaries. All primaries appear headed to occur March 15.

Stein Launching Campaign To Succeed Ex-Boss Cooper As AG

An ex-deputy to North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper is kicking off a bid to succeed his old boss.

State Sen. Josh Stein of Raleigh scheduled campaign events Monday in Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Raleigh.

The Democrat told supporters Sunday of his decision to run for attorney general and launched his campaign's website. Stein said earlier he was considering a 2016 run for attorney general if Cooper didn't seek re-election. Cooper is planning a bid to unseat GOP Gov. Pat McCrory.

State Senate Addresses Community Hospital Negotiations With Providers

The state Senate has passed an amendment to a bill that changes how community hospitals can negotiate with providers. Yadkin County patients could benefit from the change.

The Yadkin Valley Community Hospital has been closed since May, but the new amendment could help re-open its doors more quickly.

Under current rules, if a hospital is negotiating a sale or lease and the deal falls through, then the hospital must begin the paperwork all over again. But if the amendment passes, they could continue under the current request for proposals without having to go back to square one.

The change must still be approved by the state House.

The county has been looking for a provider for the last four months after the previous operator abruptly shut down the facility.

In a statement released last week, Commission Chairman Kevin Austin said the board is expecting in the next few weeks to receive reports from consultants who have been looking at the financial and physical needs of the hospital facility.

Stokes County Could Ban Alcohol Consumption On Its Rivers

Stokes County officials may make it illegal to drink alcohol while tubing down the Dan River.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports the warm-weather pastime may be a thing of the past.

The Stokes County Board of Commissioners will consider later this month a proposal to ban alcohol consumption on any river in the county. Offenders could be charged with a misdemeanor and fined $50.

Maya Angelou's Limousine Raising Money For Child Services

A 30-year-old limousine belonging to the late Maya Angelou is being raffled off to raise money for children's therapeutic care.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports that an executor of Angelou's estate donated the custom 1985 Lincoln Town Car limo to The Children's Home a couple of months ago.

Spokesman Norman Jameson says the child services agency wanted to convert the gray car into hope for children. It is selling 100 tickets for $100 each. Jameson calls that "$10,000 for hope."

Cooler Nights Lure Copperhead Snakes Out To Soak Up Sun

The cooler days of fall mean more sightings of North Carolinas most common venomous snake.

The News & Record of Greensboro reports the cooler nights lead to copperheads seeking out walking trails and other heat-retaining pavement to warm up in the mornings and evenings.

Greensboro Science Center reptiles curator Rick Bolling says copperheads have their young in the late summer, so they're also slithering through the underbrush looking for toads and other prey.

North Carolina State University wildlife ecology professor Chris Moorman says copperheads are not aggressive, and if they're left alone they'll leave humans alone.

 

 

 

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