Receive the morning news briefs delivered to your email inbox every morning. Click here to sign up.
U.S. Senate Passes Bill That Includes $1.7 Billion In Florence Relief
The U.S. Senate has voted to allocate new disaster relief funding for states in the path of Hurricane Florence.
The measure was inserted into a larger aviation funding bill that has passed the Senate Wednesday.
Lawmakers say the $1.7 billion dollar fund is meant as a down payment to help people in the Carolinas and elsewhere pay to rebuild their communities. They also say they expect additional financial help will probably be needed.
The federal money comes just a day after the North Carolina General Assembly unanimously approved two bills designed to address the damage from the storm, which rocked the coast and caused devastating flooding further inland.
Florence Damage To North Carolina Schools Could Exceed Matthew's
North Carolina's public school officials expect damage from Hurricane Florence to well exceed school losses after Hurricane Matthew two years ago.
After receiving a record number of claims, the director of the state's public school insurance fund told the State Board of Education on Wednesday that $40 million has been set aside for claims from school districts and community colleges. Director Eileen Townsend says the fund paid $14 million in claims after Matthew.
Townsend says that while claims after Matthew were mainly for flooding, Florence caused more structural damage with winds and pounding rain.
New Big Donor In North Carolina Politics Subject Of Subpoena
A federal investigation seeks documents from a North Carolina government agency about business operations connected to a man who seemingly overnight became the largest individual donor in state politics.
The state Department of Insurance on Wednesday provided a copy of a grand jury subpoena demanding documents about Greg Lindberg, the Durham-based company Eli Global that he founded and several related companies.
Campaign finance documents show Lindberg has given more than $5 million to North Carolina political committees since 2016.
Recall Issued For Hams From North Carolina Company
Federal officials have ordered a recall of ham products from a North Carolina company after investigators found listeria contamination which led to one death.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Wednesday the ready-to-eat hams were produced by Johnston County Hams of Smithfield between April 3, 2017 to Oct. 2, 2018 and shipped to distributors in Maryland, North Carolina, New York, South Carolina and Virginia.
The hams weigh between 7 and 8 pounds and carry establishment number "EST. M2646" inside the USDA inspection mark.
Pizza Worker Fired: Customer Saw Racial Slur On Her Receipt
A worker at a North Carolina pizza store has been fired after a customer complained a racial slur was written on her receipt.
Myasia Nelson, who is black, says she and her family went to a Domino's Pizza store in Burlington on Monday, but when their order was posted, she saw a racial slur instead of her name.
Nelson says the manager spoke to the employee, who is white. Nelson, who says the employees was at first laughing about the incident, canceled the order and left.
District manager Junior Snyder confirmed Wednesday the employee was fired. Snyder says he apologized to Nelson, who declined a $50 gift card.
Jury Finds Ex-Charlotte QB Olsen Not Guilty Of Rape Changes
A jury has found former Charlotte 49ers quarterback Kevin Olsen not guilty on rape charges.
The jury returned its verdict Wednesday.
Authorities had filed multiple charges against Olsen, including three counts of felony second-degree forcible rape and communicating threats. Kevin Olsen is the younger brother of Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen.
300x250 Ad
300x250 Ad