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Insurance Commissioner Sending Challenged Donation To Feds
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey says he's sending money his campaign received from the state Republican Party to the federal government, whose investigators already are scrutinizing a leading state political donor.
Causey told WRAL-TV it was the FBI's idea to send in the $240,000 received in July. The agency told him he couldn't return it to the GOP.
A state elections complaint filed Monday by a former county Democratic Party official alleges the money came from $1.5 million that Durham investment firm founder Greg Lindberg donated to the state GOP in the 18 months ending June 30.
The complaint claims Lindberg gave the money to the Republican Party to bypass individual donation limits to campaign committees.
Causey and a state GOP leader said campaign finance laws were followed.
North Carolina School Board Delays Vote On School Takeover
North Carolina's statewide school board has delayed a vote on whether it will order a second academically low-performing school to be taken over or closed.
State Board of Education spokesman Drew Elliot said the board voted 7 to 5 to delay a decision until Dec. 6. Some board members wanted more time to build community support and to view additional data.
The board is considering whether Wayne County school leaders must turn over or shut down Carver Heights Elementary School starting next year.
A takeover could mean replacing teachers and administrators. Parents and local school officials are resisting losing control.
Hospital CEO To Serve As Interim UNC System President
The chief executive officer of UNC Health Care is stepping in as the interim president of the University of North Carolina system.
Officials said in a news release Thursday that Dr. William Roper has been named interim president of the system, effective Jan. 1. He takes over from Margaret Spellings, who last week announced her resignation.
In addition to being CEO of UNC Health Care, the 70-year-old Roper is dean of the UNC School of Medicine and a vice chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill.
North Carolina Confirms Its Season's First Flu-Related Death
North Carolina has confirmed the state's first flu-related death as flu season picks up.
The News & Observer reports that the illness claimed the life of an adult in the central part of the state.
Health officials did not name the person or offer other identifying details to protect the person's privacy. They said the person died this week.
State Epidemiologist Zack Moore said in a statement that people should get a flu shot.
Police Can't Find White Woman In Racist Rant That Went Viral
Police in North Carolina say they can't find the white woman recorded threatening her black neighbors while they waited for AAA
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say they attempted to serve a warrant Tuesday on 51-year-old Susan Westwood for misusing 911. Criminal summons for communicating threats and simple assault were issued last week.
And now police have released audio from the 911 calls. Leisa and Mary Garris called twice to report harassment. Westwood called 911 as well, telling the dispatcher she would pay $2,500 "to get them out of here."
Westwood has since been fired from the $125,000-per-year job she boasted about while the sisters recorded the encounter.
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