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NC Safety Head: Prison Deaths Investigation May Stay Secret
The head of the North Carolina agency that runs state prisons says corrections officials may never fully explain the lapses that led to the beating death of a guard earlier this year and a later attack in October that killed four workers.
Department of Public Safety Secretary Erik Hooks said he'll decide later if an internal report describing what happened and why can be seen by the public, or whether that would imperil prison security and future murder trials.
That bothers a state lawmaker who represents the area including Pasquotank Correctional Institution, scene of the deadliest attack by inmates in state history.
Republican Rep. Bob Steinburg said Thursday that reversing staffing shortages that make prisons more dangerous won't be possible unless potential employees understand problems and see when they're fixed.
North Carolina Sues Pharmaceutical Over Opioid Scheme
North Carolina state government lawyers are suing a pharmaceutical company whose former leaders face criminal charges related to an alleged nationwide bribery scheme involving a powerful opioid.
Attorney General Josh Stein announced an unfair trade lawsuit Thursday that he filed in Wake County court against Arizona-based Insys Therapeutics for a marketing campaign he says rewarded doctors who prescribed the drug Subsys.
The drug is approved only for cancer patients dealing with extreme bouts of pain. The lawsuit alleges Insys officials gave financial inducements to physicians who prescribed Subsys to non-cancer patients and sponsored presentations in Chapel Hill and Winston-Salem to expand use. The lawsuit also accuses the company of misleading insurers about the drug.
North Carolina Proposes Opioid Limits For Injured Workers
Injured workers would be limited in the amount of opioids they could receive under rules being considered by the North Carolina Industrial Commission.
Commission Chairman Charlton Allen said at a news conference Wednesday he thinks new rules are needed, based on a recent study of workers compensation claims by injured workers and opioid-related deaths.
Allen said the study found that more than 800 people on workers' comp died of an overdose over about four years. He did say it's not known whether or how pain medication prescriptions contributed to the deaths.
The commission is considering nine rules to limit the number of opioid prescriptions a person could receive. It would also encourage alternative treatments such as physical therapy and massage.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport Expansion Approved
A North Carolina airport has received federal approval for substantial redevelopment.
The News & Observer reports the Federal Aviation Administration approved Raleigh-Durham International Airport's 25-year master plan, in a letter shared with airport board members Thursday.
The plan calls for a new, longer runway to replace the one nearing the end of its expected lifespan, a new rental car center, new ground transportation centers in front of each terminal and the addition of as many as 23 new gates.
Airport officials say the new 11,500-foot runway will help the airport attract more long-distance flights. Airport president Michael Landguth said he expects RDU could add a nonstop flight to China within five to seven years.
Airports spokeswoman Kristie VanAuken says environmental studies for the runway will begin soon.
3 Foreign Companies Could Get Millions For NC Factory Jobs
Three foreign companies are setting up manufacturing operations in North Carolina in return for millions of dollars in tax breaks.
A state committee on Thursday approved incentives for Sunrise Global Marketing and Tristone Flowtech USA, both of which forecast lower-than-average salaries compared to the counties where they're locating.
Sunrise is part of a Chinese group making lawn and garden power tools in Burke County. It could get up to $2.8 million in tax breaks if it meets targets including nearly 190 jobs over five years. German auto parts maker Tristone could get almost $4 million for employing 300 by 2023 at an Iredell County factory.
Hydraulic lift maker Hydrotech Engineering and its Belgian parent plan 150 jobs over five years in Gaston County and could get $3.4 million.
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