Morning News Briefs: Wednesday, November 23, 2016

McCrory Asks For Recount Before Final Vote Tally

Republican Gov. Pat McCrory's campaign says it has filed for a recount in his close race against Democrat Roy Cooper, even though votes are still being tallied.

McCrory's campaign made the announcement Tuesday in a news release.

Most counties have yet to complete their counts. McCrory's campaign acknowledged the recount won't happen until counties finish those tallies, but they wanted to ensure they didn't miss a deadline under state law.

Counties were originally supposed to finish their counts by Friday. Recount requests must normally be filed by the second business day after those county reviews.

The counting process has been slowed by factors including Republican-led challenges.

Couple File Appeal Over North Carolina Gay-Marriage Law

Three couples want an appeals court to revive their challenge to a North Carolina law allowing magistrates with religious objections to refuse to perform same-sex marriages.

The appeal filed Monday with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond says a lower court erred by dismissing the challenge in September.

A judge ruled then that two gay couples and an interracial couple lacked standing to sue and lacked evidence they were harmed by the law that took effect in 2015.

Only a fraction of North Carolina's magistrates have filed recusal notices. The notices prevent them from officiating at all marriages — gay and heterosexual — for at least six months.

The law also allows some court clerks to decline to issue marriage licenses because of "any sincerely held religious objection."

Watauga Wildfire Burns Over 700 Acres, Continues To Spread

A wildfire in Watauga County has burned over 700 acres and continues to spread.

The Horton Fire started Monday as two separate fires along a roadside that spread into the hillsides. The fires later joined, creating one big wildfire.

The Watauga County Sheriff's Office says fire officials are investigating to determine if the fire was set deliberately, but deputies aren't ready to call it arson.

The fire has spread to residential areas and several homes have been evacuated.

Chimney Rock State Park To Reopen After Wildfires

The Chimney Rock attraction at Chimney Rock State Park reopens Friday morning.

The Rumbling Bald section of the park remains closed because of the Party Rock Fire in nearby Lake Lure.

The park was evacuated Nov. 11 because of the fire that had started Nov. 5. The fire has burned more than 7,000 acres.

Reidsville Police Warning Public After Fake Officer Report

Authorities in Reidsville are warning the public after learning that someone has impersonated one of their officers.

The Reidsville Police Department said in a news release that a person pretending to be an officer tried to pull over a driver on Sunday. The suspect, who was driving a black SUV, activated a blue light in the car's windshield and attempted to stop the other vehicle.

The department issued a statement on Monday, warning the public about potential cases of police impersonation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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