Here are some of the stories we're following today:
Winston-Salem Retains High Rate Of Financially Troubled Homeowners
Homeowners in one Triad city have rates of financially troubled mortgages that are among the highest in the state. But, some of those numbers are declining statewide.
Almost one in 10 Winston-Salem area homeowners has a mortgage that is considered seriously underwater. That means they owe at least 25 percent more on a mortgage than the property is worth, according to the research firm RealtyTrac.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that the city's rate was higher than any other urban area in North Carolina.
The rate for the Greensboro-High Point area was 5.5 percent. The rates for Charlotte and Raleigh also had significantly fewer homes considered seriously underwater.
NC Lottery Nets $522 Million For State Education Funding
The North Carolina Education Lottery has surpassed records in sales and profits kicked back to the state, bringing in $522 million for education expenses in the most recent budget year.
The lottery on Thursday announced its annual earnings for the year ending June 30. Ticket sales for the year totaled near 2 billion. More than $1.2 billion was given away in prizes.
GOP Criticizes 'Offensive' Posts Of NC Elections Appointee
North Carolina Republican Party officials say they were unaware of racially tinged social media posts by a man appointed to a county elections board.
Rowan County Board of Elections Chairman Malcolm "Mac" Butner was sworn in earlier this month after he was nominated by the state's Republican Party chairman.
Last year, Butner was pressured to resign from a local housing agency after he made online posts that included a photo of the Confederate battle flag, praise for the Confederacy and the suggestion that those protesting the policies of Republican leaders were unemployed blacks who are not "productive good citizens" like white people.
North Carolina GOP Press Secretary Kara Carter on Thursday called the posts "offensive" and urged state elections officials to take "appropriate action."
Robeson To Improve Access For People With Disabilities
A North Carolina county has agreed to improve access for people with disabilities to such public facilities as government offices, voting sites, parks and playgrounds.
The U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday it had reached a settlement agreement with Robeson County as part of a nationwide review of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As part of the settlement, Robeson officials agreed to modifications to make government buildings and web pages more accessible for people with disabilities. The county also agrees to establish new procedures for government employees and law enforcement officers who come into contact with people who are blind or hard of hearing.
NC Auditor Finds Training Program For Blind Lacks Oversight
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says the director of its business training program for the blind has resigned as a state audit reported that ineffective oversight meant it was impossible to tell what worked.
State Auditor Beth Wood's office reported Thursday that the Business Enterprise Program for the blind has spent $29 million since 2000. The money comes from federal funds coupled with 17 percent of the revenues generated by each food service and vending location.
The human services agency says its program to train the blind to operate snack bars in state and federal buildings has not had any goals or performance yardsticks since it started in 1978.
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