Morning News Briefs: Friday, December 1st, 2017

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New North Carolina Laws Address Longtime Crimes, New Tech

Age-old criminal misconduct and challenges from new technology are addressed in the twenty North Carolina laws that take effect partially or in full Friday.

The General Assembly agreed this year to expand rules or crimes addressing drones, "revenge porn" and self-driving cars. There are tougher penalties now in place for human trafficking and a presumption that certain deadly domestic violence is first-degree murder.

Other new laws being implemented Friday rework old laws designed to go after criminal gangs and theft at retail stores. Attacking a hospital security guard performing duties is now a felony. There's also a new misdemeanor for vandals who damage or tamper with firetrucks or ambulances.

High Point Holds Redevelopment Groundbreaking Ceremony

The City of High Point will hold a groundbreaking Friday on its downtown redevelopment project.

The groundbreaking comes as High Point city officials have been pushing ahead getting funding, regulations and other plans in place.

The centerpiece of the project is a $30 million baseball stadium that needs to be completed by spring 2019.

Officials say there is a rush on the project because an independent minor league baseball team has committed to playing in High Point for the 2019 season, and they need a home.

The development will also include private investment in things like an event center, children's museum and park.

Wrangler Opens ‘Pop-Up' Store In Greensboro

Wrangler Jeans is opening a new pop-up store in downtown Greensboro Friday. The shop is one of several ways the company is celebrating 70 years of denim-making in the city.

Greensboro has been honoring the company's 70 year textile heritage with things like jean statues and “Jeansboro Day.” Wrangler already has two flagship stores in the U.S. but the pop up will be unique because it will highlight the company's history.

A Wrangler spokesman says the pop-up store is temporary and will be open through the end of January. It will also serve as a test center for the company to learn more about retail concepts and consumer trends.

Volunteers To Join Search For Missing North Carolina Child

Law enforcement officials will enlist the help of civilian volunteers in the search for a missing 3-year-old girl in North Carolina.

Onslow County Sheriff Hans Miller told a briefing on Thursday that volunteers will gather on Friday to help in efforts to find Mariah Woods.

The sheriff said officers from the Wilmington Police Department and deputies from the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office are on horseback, and boats from the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries are in on the search.

A statewide Amber Alert was issued for the girl after she was reported missing from her home outside of Jacksonville on Monday.

Ex-Gov. McCrory Now Co-Hosting Radio Show

Former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory is taking an expanded role on Charlotte's airwaves after a radio station manager says his recent daily segments got an "extraordinary" response.

The former Republican governor and WBT radio personality Bo Thompson are now co-hosting a one-hour show weekday mornings. McCrory started doing early-morning spots on Thompson's other program in September, talking about the city's mayoral race and other current events.

WBT general manager Matt Hanlon tells The Charlotte Observer that appearances by the ex-Charlotte mayor helped boost ratings and provided lots of feedback. The newspaper says McCrory agreed after the November election to the new time slot for at least a couple of months.