House Completes Another Override, Goes Home
The Republican-dominated legislature has completed its ninth override from among Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's 12 vetoes so far this year, this one on a wide-ranging regulatory bill.
The House voted late Thursday to make the measure state law despite Cooper's objections that it rolled back water quality protections, particularly on stormwater restrictions for building projects. The Senate's override vote that occurred several hours before also exceeded the three-fifths threshold required.
The override vote was the House's last action before members wrapped up a special session that began Wednesday.
Booker, Jackson, Barber Are Speakers At NAACP Convention
A potential presidential candidate in 2020 and a former presidential hopeful are among the speakers at this weekend's North Carolina NAACP convention.
Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and the Rev. Jesse Jackson will address convention attendees at the Raleigh Convention Center. Jackson ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination in 1984 and 1988, while Booker is considered one of several current Democratic presidential aspirants.
Outgoing state president the Rev. William Barber also will deliver his final "State of the State" address on civil rights Saturday. Barber was elected state president in 2005.
North Carolina Jail Inmate Dies After Hanging
Jailers say an inmate in North Carolina has died several days after he hanged himself in his cell.
The Surry County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that jailers found 30-year-old Michael Adrian Martin in his cell Sept. 28.
Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem said Wednesday that Martin had died from his injuries.
Sheriff Jimmy Combs and District Attorney C. Ricky Bowman say they are awaiting a report by the State Bureau of Investigation.
There was no immediate word on why Martin was in the jail in Dobson.
Man Rejects Deal, Could Face Death Penalty In Murder Trial
A Triad man has rejected a plea deal in a murder case, meaning he could be sentenced to death if found guilty.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports authorities say 21-year-old Norman Kennard Carter Jr. of Rural Hall is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 60-year-old Alphonso Singletary in September 2016.
Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O'Neill said Carter was prepared to plead guilty to first-degree murder and get a life sentence on Thursday, but rejected the deal.
NC Smoking Rates At New Low
New data shows the smoking rate in North Carolina is at an all-time low, but still higher than the national average.
The percentage of North Carolina adults who reported smoking in 2016 is 17.9. That's just above the national average of 17.1.
The data from the N.C. State Center for Health Statistics reveals that overall smoking rates are higher among certain populations including those who are unemployed, disabled, or living in rural areas.
The Department of Health and Human Services says smoking is still the state's leading cause of preventable death and costs taxpayers $3.8 billion per year in health care costs.
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