Here are some of the stories we're following today:
New Law Expands Newborn Blood Testing In North Carolina
Babies born in North Carolina will now be tested for another serious condition that if caught early can be treated with a high survival rate.
Gov. Pat McCrory signed into law Monday a measure that adds tests for severe combined immunodeficiency to newborn screenings performed with a blood sample taken after birth. The law is named for Carlie Nugent of Harrisburg, who died at age 7 months from complications associated with what is sometimes known as "bubble boy disease."
The state budget law increased the screening fee from $19 to $24 to help pay for expanded testing. There's also $440,000 in the budget to buy equipment and supplies for the new test.
The state health department says insurance covers the fee as part of newborn delivery services.
Report: North Carolina Youth Suicides Double Since 2010
Child safety advocates in North Carolina are worried because youth suicides have doubled since the start of the decade and increased by more than one-third between 2013 and 2014.
The North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force released details Monday about the state's child death rate. The task force says 46 children died by suicide last year, compared to 34 the year before and 23 in 2010.
The task force makes recommendations to the General Assembly. A panel committee will have a special meeting on suicide in February.
The overall child death rate for 2014 was about 58 deaths per 100,000 children. It has been relatively steady since 2010.
The child death rate has fallen 46 percent since 1991, when the task force was formed.
NC To Add New Overlay Area Code To 336 In Piedmont
The Piedmont Triad is getting a new area code.
The North Carolina Utilities Commission says it will start adding numbers with a 743 area code to numbers already in the 336 area code that extends from Burlington through the Triad and into Wilkes County.
The new 743 numbers will start being assigned on May 23. But to get ready, the commission will require all phone calls made in the area use 10 digits — the number plus the area code — starting on April 22.
Customers can begin using 10-digit dialing this weekend if they want.
The 743 area code will be the ninth for North Carolina.
Turnaround Coach, Teacher Named McCrory Education Adviser
A former high school teacher and recent coach for teachers and principals in struggling school districts is Gov. Pat McCrory's new senior education adviser.
McCrory announced Monday that Catherine Truitt is succeeding Eric Guckian, who left at the end of July after more than two years at the post.
Guckian joined a national education group related to Teach for America.
In a statement, McCrory praised Truitt for diversity in teaching experience.
Truitt has worked at the International Center for Leadership in Education in 2012 as a district turnaround coach. She's also taught in England and in the Johnston County Schools, which her children attend. She once led curriculum at a private elementary school in Chicago.
Baskerville Won't Seek Re-Election To North Carolina House
A North Carolina House Democrat won't run again in 2016, citing in part his law practice and the political climate in Raleigh that now has his party in the minority.
Two-term Rep. Nathan Baskerville of Henderson announced his decision in a note Monday to supporters. He wrote he never intended to stay long in the General Assembly and wants to spend time working with his father at their law firm.
The 34-year-old Baskerville says he is pleased with what he has accomplished, including a law to help older adults preserve their funds targeted in scams. He also says he was outspoken against "regressive and detrimental economic and social policies," pushed at the Republican-led Legislature.
Baskerville represents the 32nd House District, covering Vance and Warren counties and parts of Granville County.
Chris Webber To Teach Master's Class At Wake Forest
Former NBA All-Star Chris Webber has a new job: teacher.
Wake Forest University announced Monday that Webber will teach a course in its new master of arts in sports storytelling program.
Webber will be a professor of practice in the program that is part of the university's documentary film program. He will teach a class on sports, race and society.
Webber was part of Michigan's "Fab Five" in the early 1990s, made five All-Star teams during his 15-year NBA career and now works as a television analyst. He formed a production company in 2012 with "Hoop Dreams" producer Peter Gilbert — who's also a professor of practice in the university's documentary film program.
The program launches in Fall 2016.
300x250 Ad
300x250 Ad