Morning News Briefs: Friday, October 28, 2016

Hillary Clinton Joined By Michelle Obama in Winston-Salem Rally

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton made a campaign stop in Winston-Salem with First Lady Michelle Obama Thursday.

The rally came as most counties in North Carolina are expanding the number of early voting sites available.

During the event, Obama highlighted Clinton's public service and experience. She also encouraged people to take advantage of early voting.

Clinton talked about her plans for immigration, the economy, and equal pay for women. And she laid out an initiative aimed at children.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has also been campaigning in North Carolina.

North Carolina Early Voting Surge Comes After Long Fight

As Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama campaigned together for the first time in North Carolina, early voting in the presidential battleground state appears likely to surge beyond 2012 levels. More polling sites were added Thursday after a protracted battle over voting access.

Through the first seven days of early voting, around 1 million ballots were cast — roughly on par with the last presidential election. But the number of early polling places was increasing statewide from around 250 to nearly 400. Political experts expected a resulting rise in ballots.

Pence To Join "The Conservative Rally" In Eastern North Carolina

Republican candidate for vice president Mike Pence is a late addition to the speakers' list for a big biennial rally featuring North Carolina's top elected GOP leaders.

Thousands usually attend "The Conservative Rally" featuring barbecue, music and political one-liners and calls to action. This year's edition begins late Friday afternoon at a tobacco warehouse in Smithfield.

Scheduled speakers with Pence are Gov. Pat McCrory, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest and U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, all of whom face tough elections against Democratic challengers.

Benchmark Health Coverage Costs Rising Fastest In Rural NC

New data examining the broadly subsidized insurance policies at the heart of President Barack Obama's health overhaul law show some of the biggest increases for a benchmark plan are coming in North Carolina's poorest counties.

Data compiled by Washington, D.C.-based health care consulting firm Avalere compared prices for the second-lowest-priced silver plan in each rating region for a 50-year-old single nonsmoker. The research shows an 80 percent increase in Cumberland, Harnett and six other nearby, mostly rural counties to their south.

About three-quarters of the people buying the individual policies from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, the state's dominant health insurer, qualify for federal tax subsidies that pay much or most of the cost.

McCrory Says Death Toll From Hurricane Matthew Rises To 28

Gov. Pat McCrory says the death toll from Hurricane Matthew in North Carolina has risen to 28.

McCrory told a briefing in Lumberton on Thursday that a Kinston man has died from injuries he sustained during the storm.

The governor said all the rivers that overflowed their banks in the days after Matthew hit the state have receded. But McCrory also noted that 200 people in Robeson County remain in shelters because of flood damage.

McCrory also said while all school systems affected by Matthew have reopened, students in Robeson County will return to class on Monday, three weeks after schools shut down because of the flooding.

US Forest Service: Wildfire Near Linville Gorge Contained

The U.S. Forest Service says firefighters have fully contained a wildfire burning near Linville Gorge and north of Lake James in Burke County.

A statement issued Thursday by the forest service said the wildfire was located in an area that underwent prescribed burns three and six years ago to reduce fuels and restore wildlife habitat. The reduction in fuels helped slow the spread of the fire.

The fire was reported Monday in the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but officials suspect it was caused by humans.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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