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Man Seeking Freedom Through North Carolina Innocence Process
A hearing is set to open Monday for a North Carolina man who has insisted for more than 20 years that he's innocent in the beating death of an elderly man.
A three-judge panel that is part of North Carolina's innocence process will hear the case of Robert Bragg, who's serving a sentence of life without parole in the December 1994 slaying of Coy Hartley. One of the main witnesses against Bragg was 10 years old when he testified and has since recanted his testimony.
If the judges agree that Bragg is innocent, he would be released from prison, where he has now spent 21 years behind bars.
Latest: Pipeline Supporters Pleased With Federal Assessment
Business and political leaders are applauding an environmental review of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline as a step forward in a project that they say will bring cleaner energy and economic development to Virginia and North Carolina.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission released its final environmental impact statement for the natural gas pipeline Friday. It found the project would have some negative impacts, though most could be reduced to insignificant levels.
EnergySure, a coalition of individuals, businesses and organizations in three states, called the project "a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revitalize our region's manufacturing economy."
North Carolina Unemployment Rate Reaches 11-Year Low In June
North Carolina's unemployment rate reached an 11-year low of 4.2 percent in June, a drop that one economist described as a mirage.
N.C. State University economics professor Mike Walden tells the Winston-Salem Journal the decrease is a mirage because it's partially attributable to people dropping out of the job market in addition to employer hiring.
The state Commerce Department reported Friday the rate dropped 0.3 percentage points from May, marking the first time since February 2015 that the state rate was below the U.S. rate, which was 4.4 percent.
Search On For Armed Man In National Forest
Authorities are telling visitors to stay away from a national forest in North Carolina while they search for an armed suspect, saying he escaped by stealing a mountain bike at gunpoint.
An area of the Pisgah National Forest extending between Asheville and the South Carolina border was closed Sunday while officers were seeking 38-year-old Phillip Michael Stroupe II of Weaverville. The Transylvania County Sheriff's Department says he's a suspect in a break-in.
Roads and trails south of the Blue Ridge Parkway and east of U.S. Highway 276 were closed to let investigators conduct their search.
Man Charged With Setting Blaze At Winston-Salem Thrift Store
Authorities have charged a man with setting fire to a Winston-Salem thrift store.
A news release from the Winston-Salem Police Department said that the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission Thrift Store was set ablaze early Thursday morning.
Police say that 44-year-old Ronald Anthony Houser set the fire and stole items. He's been jailed on charges including felony burning of a public building and larceny. Neither the news release nor jail records made clear if Houser has an attorney.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that Houser was an employee of the Rescue Mission. A safe and two cash boxes were taken, according to the newspaper.
Outer Banks Beach Widening Snags More Turtles Than Expected
An Outer Banks beach nourishment project has caught more sea turtles than expected.
The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Virginia, reports that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says the dredging company has accidentally snagged 65 sea turtles since starting the project — instead of the 17 expected by scientists.
Agency spokeswoman Allison Garrett said in an email that only one of the 65 turtles died, which is far below scientists' forecast of eight.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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