Morning Headlines: Friday, July 15, 2016

McCrory Signs North Carolina Budget Changes Into Law

Gov. Pat McCrory has signed North Carolina budget adjustments for the new fiscal year into law.

He did so Thursday at a ceremony at an elementary school in Union County, southeast of Charlotte.

The General Assembly sent the bill to McCrory two weeks ago on the last day of its annual work session.

McCrory's signing was expected — he never made any public pronouncements against the $22.3 billion plan, which adjusts the second year of the two-year budget approved last year.

New Standards For Poultry Industry Targets Distance From Homes

The poultry industry is setting new rules that will impact how close chicken houses can be built near residential areas in North Carolina.

Environmentalists say the new guidelines don't go far enough.

The industry standards say new poultry houses in the state will have to be constructed 1,000 feet away from a home. And the number is 1500 feet if it's near a school, church or other public building.  It's the first time the industry has changed the rules since the mid 90's.

But some residents say it doesn't fix the problem. They're concerned the waste and pollution is impacting their health and the environment as the industry continues to grow. Will Scott, with the Yadkin Riverkeeper, says the guidelines aren't enough to protect residents.

Start Date Set For New Guilford Superintendent

Guilford County Schools' new superintendent Sharon Contreras will begin work this August.

Sharon Contreras has told the school board of Syracuse, New York, that she'll be leaving August 5.

She will start her new job as superintendent August 22, a week before students return for the fall semester. She says she wants to tackle achievement gaps and high poverty rates in Guilford County.

Contreras succeeds Maurice Green in the position. Green resigned in March to lead the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.

North Carolina Lottery Sales, Profits Hit Record Highs Again

The North Carolina Education Lottery says it's had another record year for ticket sales and net profits.

Lottery officials announced Thursday ticket sales for the year ending June 30 totaled nearly $2.4 billion, generating almost $608 million for education. Ticket revenues were 20 percent higher than the year before. A year ago, net profits were $521 million.

Lottery Executive Director Alice Garland says scratch-off games and the record $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot in January contributed primarily to the record sales.

Sales and net profits for the state have increased every year since the first tickets were sold in 2006.

Ross Outraises Burr In Quarter; Burr's Coffers Still More Full

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Deborah Ross outraised Republican rival Richard Burr during the past three months, but North Carolina's senior senator still has a significant cash advantage entering the heart of the summer.

Information provided by the two campaigns before Friday's federal campaign finance deadline shows Ross raising $2.1 million in the second quarter compared to $1.6 million for Burr. It's the second consecutive quarterly period that Ross has generated more donations than Burr.

Burr's campaign said he had nearly $7 million in his coffers starting July 1. Ross's camp is reporting $1.9 million. Both candidates had to win primaries in March to advance to the general election. Ross is former state legislator.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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