WRAL.com

Controlling anger and anxiety

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:01:13 -0400

A year and a half after he left Iraq, Sgt. Terrell McClain is still fighting the sniper who shot him in the arm and the mortar shells and rockets that rattled his brain. His weapon: biofeedback.

Blind determination

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:01:13 -0400

Come September, Jamie Dean will be in Beijing rowing in the Paralympics.

States say they won't check farm worker documents

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:01:13 -0400

Some states are balking at a federal effort to require them to screen potential farm hands for immigration violations before referring them to jobs, another conflict in the long-running dispute over the states' role in immigration enforcement.

System off Southeast could become depression

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:33:14 -0400

A storm off the Southeast coast that sent bands of rain into Georgia and South Carolina developed into a tropical depression late Friday night, the National Hurricane Center said.

Police search for missing El Paso soldier

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:20:13 -0400

Police say a female Fort Bliss soldier is missing and considered in danger after she did not report for work Friday and they found evidence of foul play inside her apartment.

1 man dies, 72 rescued on northern Outer Banks

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:28:13 -0400

One unidentified man died on the beach, and rescuers pulled 72 people from the surf along the northern Outer Banks as strong rip currents made swimming treacherous.

Marlins recall Delgado from Double-A Carolina

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:17:12 -0400

Rookie right-hander Jesus Delgado was recalled Friday by the Florida Marlins from Double-A Carolina, where he went 5-1 with a 3.73 ERA in 27 games.

Plan would boost payment to erroneously convicted

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:50:13 -0400

A measure boosting state compensation to people convicted of crimes and later declared innocent is heading to Gov. Mike Easley.

Drought response plan gets OK, sent to Easley

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:43:12 -0400

House lawmakers answered Gov. Mike Easley's call to give state officials more power to respond to drought by approving a hard-pressed compromise in the session's final hours Friday.

Family of slain NC woman plan return to Canada

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:36:14 -0400

The parents of a North Carolina mother found slain near her home tearfully asked Friday for the culprit to show "a shred of decency" by confessing, while her husband's attorney said he's an innocent man who wants to grieve in private.

NC General Assembly adjourns for the year

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:22:13 -0400

The General Assembly wrapped up its 2008 legislative session Friday after passing legislation designed to empower the governor during the drought and ban sex offenders from social networking Web sites.

2 Greensboro officers accused of assault are fired

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:42:04 -0400

Two of the three Greensboro police officers who were accused of sexual assault by a female officer have been fired.

Man gets 14 years in SC human trafficking case

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:27:04 -0400

One of two illegal immigrants charged with smuggling a teenage girl into South Carolina and forcing her into prostitution was sentenced Friday to more than 14 years in prison.

Attorney: Husband grieving for slain NC mother

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:24:12 -0400

An attorney for the husband of a North Carolina woman found slain near her suburban home says he has cooperated with police and would like to grieve for his wife in private.

NC finds different strain of salmonella

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:28:14 -0400

North Carolina food investigators said Friday their search for the source of a national salmonella outbreak has instead uncovered a different strain of the bacteria.

Gubernatorial candidates pledge open government

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:27:45 -0400

North Carolina's two main candidates for governor both promise their administrations will be transparent and open.

Official: Salmonella cases may get worse

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 21:40:33 -0400

A salmonella strain known as Saintpaul has sickened 23 people in North Carolina and more than 1,200 people nationwide.

Online ticket scalping plan headed to Gov. Easley

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:37:31 -0400

A plan to temporarily allow online ticket scalping is headed to Gov. Mike Easley, after the chambers drafted and passed a compromise measure before the legislative session adjourned Friday.

Little local echo for new NAACP boycott of SC flag

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:25:16 -0400

The Confederate flag that flutters 30 feet above one of this city's busiest streets still draws a mix of head shakes and shrugs from South Carolina residents.

Public health expert testifies at TVA trial

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:40:14 -0400

An expert from the Harvard School of Public Health has testified that reducing air pollution from Tennessee Valley Authority plants would save the lives of almost 100 North Carolina residents a year.

Cotton farmers face a formidable foe

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:57:13 -0400

It's only a few months into the cotton growing season, but already the budding rows of cotton are dwarfed by towering weeds that starve them of sunlight, nutrients and water.

Lawmakers again toughen sex offender rules

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:15:08 -0400

The General Assembly has agreed again to toughen laws against convicted sex offenders, this time on social networking sites.

NC man sentenced in deaths of 3 women

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:28:14 -0400

A Union County man received three consecutive life sentences without parole for the deaths of three Charlotte-area women between 1997 and 2006.

WWII vet learns flag banned from NC apartment

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:33:04 -0400

World War II veteran Don Way first thought someone had stolen the small American flag that had hung from the door frame outside his Greensboro apartment for five years.

Fayetteville police resume efforts to recover body

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:36:25 -0400

Police in Fayetteville are resuming their efforts to remove a body found buried under a bridge.

NC's unemployment rate reaches 6 percent

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:12:09 -0400

North Carolina's unemployment rate increased slightly in June to 6 percent - the state's highest level since December 2003, the state Employment Security Commission said Friday.

Drought response plan sent for governor's OK

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:27:44 -0400

Lawmakers are answering Gov. Mike Easley's call to give the state's chief executive more power to respond to a drought.

Slain NC woman's family ask killer to come forward

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:13:13 -0400

The family a North Carolina mother found slain near her suburban home says the culprit should speak up if the person has "a shred of decency."

Guilford commissioners approve FedEx incentives

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:44:13 -0400

Guilford County commissioners have approved nearly $1 million in tax incentives as they try to lure FedEx Ground to bring an operations hub to the area.

NRC holds public meeting on proposed NC plant

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:31:13 -0400

Officials from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission say they will thoroughly review plans for a nuclear-enrichment plant proposed for Castle Hayne in New Hanover County.

10 N.C. Starbucks stores to close

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:54:20 -0400

Starbucks' search for a quick fix will make it harder for some of its North Carolina customers to get theirs.

California expands suit against BoA's Countrywide

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:05:13 -0400

State officials expanded a previously filed lawsuit against Countrywide Financial Corp., adding allegations on Thursday that the mortgage lender rewarded staff for selling risky loans.

83-year-old state employee alleges discrimination in firing

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:58:19 -0400

A part-time worker at John Umstead Hospital in Butner has sued to regain her job, claiming she was fired because of age and race discrimination.

Autopsy released in Charlotte police shooting

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 05:50:13 -0400

An autopsy has been released on a Charlotte man shot by police two months ago, but questions remain about the incident.

N.C. Legislature expects to end session Friday

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:22:30 -0400

The House and Senate scheduled Friday morning floor sessions to wrap up any unfinished business and adjourn for the rest of the year.

NC Marine bases struggling with ID card jam

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:01:13 -0400

Officials at Camp Lejeune say they are dealing with a temporary logjam as tens of thousands of Marines, their families and civilian workers renew identification cards.

UNCG professor's sculpture part of Olympics show

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:01:13 -0400

A sculpture by an art professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro will be part of Olympic Fine Arts 2008, a cultural event at the event in Beijing.

N.C. now enforcing license requirements for fishing

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:17:49 -0400

North Carolina fisheries authorities are stepping up their enforcement of a law requiring everyone 16 and older to have a saltwater fishing license to fish in coastal waters.

NC Legislature expects to go home for good Friday

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:45:13 -0400

The General Assembly worked Friday toward adjourning for the year by passing legislation designed to empower the governor during the drought and ban sex offenders from social networking Web sites.

Charlotte's Coke Consolidated cuts 350 jobs

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:19:14 -0400

Charlotte's Coke Consolidated says it is cutting 350 jobs, including 35 in its headquarters city, in the wake of soaring fuel and sweetener costs.

Parents of accused Marine say they stand by son

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:34:13 -0400

The parents of a Marine corporal accused of killing his estranged wife say they stand by their son and that they believe in him.

Video poker game ban expanded by NC Legislature

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:22:03 -0400

The Legislature has agreed to eliminate a new form of video poker games that is being played in North Carolina.

Family, attorney defend Marine charged in wife's death

Capitol Broadcasting — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:40:38 -0400

The family and attorney of a Marine charged in the death of his estranged wife, an Army nurse, defended him at press conference on Thursday.

Judge cuts bond for woman in sexual assault case

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:40:13 -0400

A judge reduced the bond for a woman charged in an assault case in which a defendant is accused of beating a man and handcuffing him.

Supporters: anti-bullying law won't pass this year

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:07:12 -0400

An effort to require North Carolina school districts to adopt detailed anti-bullying policies won't pass the General Assembly this year, key supporters of the legislation said Thursday.

VW, Toyota latest to buy TVA megasites

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:35:12 -0400

The Tennessee Valley Authority's "megasite" economic development program is proving to be a megahit with major manufacturers.

Truck bed restrictions get NC legislative approval

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:25:11 -0400

The minimum age for a child to ride in a pickup truck bed in North Carolina will likely go up.

Salmonella discovery prompts food recall in NC

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 20:59:12 -0400

State officials announced Thursday a recall of fresh jalapeno peppers and avocados distributed in North Carolina after samples from a food distributor tested positive for salmonella.

NC troops saw insurgent's weapon in Iraq in '07

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:03:13 -0400

Sgt. Dominic Latchu was just drifting off to sleep in Iraq about a year ago when he heard a "lob bomb" for the first time.

N.C. officials recall produce tainted with salmonella

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:50:52 -0400

Jalapeno peppers and avocados might be responsible for outbreaks of salmonella in North Carolina.

Nucor falls 11 percent, analyst blames dilution

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:38:12 -0400

Shares of steel maker Nucor Corp. fell 11.1 percent Thursday as investors focused on what appeared to be a disappointing third-quarter outlook instead of record second-quarter results.

NC Senate, House approve 'Jessica's Law'

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:24:05 -0400

The House and Senate overwhelmingly approved "Jessica's Law" on Thursday - a plan that would imprison some child sex offenders for at least 25 years and monitor them by satellite if they're released.

State regulators seek Wachovia Securities records

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:34:12 -0400

Securities regulators from several U.S. states, investigating Wachovia Securities' auction rate securities sales practices, went to the company's St. Louis headquarters Thursday and requested its documents and records.

No death penalty in insurance investigator's death

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:19:04 -0400

An insurance agency owner charged with killing a state Department of Insurance employee investigating his business won't face the death penalty, prosecutors said Thursday.

Rodriguez to leave 82nd Airborne Division

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:19:12 -0400

The commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division is getting ready to move on to a new assignment.

Senate OKs Easley's drought response plan

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:43:41 -0400

Lawmakers are answering Gov. Mike Easley's call to give the state's chief executive more power to respond to a drought.

Troops saw insurgents' latest weapon in late '07

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:02:13 -0400

Military personnel say they have witnessed the effect of "lob bombs," the latest weapon in the arsenal used by Iraqi insurgents.

Body found near Fayetteville bridge

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:43:13 -0400

The remains of a body have been found under a bridge in Fayetteville.

House opposes plan to make state IDs more secure

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:38:48 -0400

The North Carolina House is asking the Senate to pass a bill that criticizes a federal law requiring states to make their driver's licenses more secure.

Expert says pollution diminishes mountain vistas

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:09:08 -0400

Pollution reduces visibility in North Carolina's mountains by 80 percent during the summer, an expert testified Thursday in the state's lawsuit against the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Plan to keep guns from mentally ill goes to Easley

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:16:13 -0400

A measure proposed in the wake of the Virginia Tech shooting designed to prevent the dangerously mentally ill from buying guns is headed to Gov. Mike Easley.

Senate approves noose hanging, cross burning plan

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:49:03 -0400

Hours after the House overwhelmingly approved a bill boosting the criminal penalty for burning a cross or hanging a noose to intimidating someone, the Senate has followed suit.

Family, attorney: Marine charged in wife's death is innocent

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:49:45 -0400

John Wimunc is "a man who believes in family, God and country and who served his nation honorably," his lawyer, D.W. Bray, said.

McCoy confirmed as next NC state controller

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:28:08 -0400

North Carolina state budget director David McCoy will be the next state controller.

Paratroopers return from Iraq

Capitol Broadcasting — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:54:18 -0400

Families greeted 300 paratroopers at Pope Air Force Base on Thursday.

NC House votes to allow online ticket scalping

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:31:04 -0400

North Carolina lawmakers have taken another step toward legalizing online ticket scalping.

Duke to fight suit aimed at stopping power plant

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:11:14 -0400

Duke Energy Corp. said Thursday it will fight any attempts to stop construction of a new coal-fired power generator in western North Carolina, arguing it was issued a "legal, valid permit" by the state's Division of Air Quality.

Geologists say little oil to drill off SC coast

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:21:12 -0400

While national momentum grows to lift a ban on offshore oil drilling, geologists say it's unlikely there will be rigs off South Carolina anytime soon because there's simply little oil to be had.

Auction rate probe hits Wachovia

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:14:12 -0400

Securities regulators from several U.S. states on Thursday raided the St. Louis headquarters of Wachovia Securities, seeking documents and records on the company's sales practices.

ECU professor to name spider species after Colbert

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:54:13 -0400

Talk show host Stephen Colbert has a big decision to make: Which spider species should bear his name?

Nucor's 2Q profit jumps, but outlook disappoints

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:12:13 -0400

Steel maker Nucor Corp. said Thursday strong shipments and growing margins propelled its second-quarter profit 68 percent higher, but its third-quarter guidance was below Wall Street expectations. Its shares tumbled more than 8 percent.

Mortgage help coming to struggling N.C. homeowners

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:40:07 -0400

A bill passed by the state legislature Thursday requires lenders to give homeowners 45 days notice before starting foreclosure proceedings. The banking commissioner will examine the loan's terms and try to work out a deal to save the home.

Lawmakers approve new boat towing rules

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:03:04 -0400

Lawmakers are ignoring a veto threat from Gov. Mike Easley and sending him a plan that would ease the state's restrictions on boat towing.

Feds: inmate escaped 1 month short of release

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:50:13 -0400

Federal agents are searching for an inmate they say escaped from prison about a month before completing his sentence of more than three years.

Family of slain jogger gets custody of children

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:55:13 -0400

The family of a Cary woman found slain at a construction site now has custody of her two young daughters, after filing an emergency petition to take the children from her husband.

Steel maker Nucor 2Q profit jumps 68 percent

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:30:14 -0400

Steel maker Nucor Corp. said Thursday strong shipments and growing margins hiked its second-quarter profit by 68 percent, easily beating Wall Street expectations.

Report: Southeast drought only slightly improves

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:01:13 -0400

Recent rains have done little to ease drought conditions across the Southeast.

Florida firefighters take over NC wildfire

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:13:04 -0400

A Florida firefighting team is providing some relief to North Carolina teams fighting a wildfire that's burned for more than six weeks.

High Point furniture plants have rare growth plans

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:05:15 -0400

Two High Point furniture manufacturers are preparing to expand their work force and production, bucking a sobering trend that has cut thousands of jobs from one of North Carolina's formerly premiere industries.

Officials identify woman killed in fire

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:56:13 -0400

Gaston County police say it appears a fire that killed a woman was intentionally set.

Charlotte officer suspended over Taser death

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:56:54 -0400

A Charlotte police officer has been suspended for five days following the Taser-related death of a 17-year-old grocery store employee in March.

Audit hits Health and Human Services contractor

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 04:01:15 -0400

The state auditor's office says the Department of Health and Human Services failed to adequately monitor a key contractor that oversaw payments for mental health services.

Last days signal rush in state legislature

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:24:21 -0400

It is a critical time when the fate of outstanding bills is decided.

Family, supporters greet paratroopers back from Iraq

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:15:54 -0400

"Welcome home!" were the sweetest words in the English language to 300 paratroopers who returned home to their families and loved ones on Thursday after 13 months in Iraq.

Military high court: racist speech not criminal

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:41:13 -0400

A U.S. Army soldier who espoused racist views in an Internet profile was exercising his right to free speech, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces ruled Wednesday.

NC Senate approves truck bed bill by 1 vote

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:56:12 -0400

Legislation raising the minimum age for a child to ride in a pickup truck bed in North Carolina is still standing.

Senate OKs long truck bill, sends it to Easley

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:19:12 -0400

The Senate is sending Gov. Mike Easley a plan to allow long tractor trailers on more North Carolina roads.

Hamilton uses growing platform to tell story

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:52:04 -0400

In two weeks, Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton turned Yankee Stadium taunts of "Josh smokes crack" into awe-struck cries of "Ham-il-ton."

Fort Bragg hosts memorial service for slain nurse

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:59:55 -0400

An overflow crowd attended a memorial service at Fort Bragg for Army 2nd Lt. Holley L. Wimunc, the maternity ward nurse who became the third female soldier to be slain in seven months.

NC regulators to cut back on malpractice data

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:37:12 -0400

State medical regulators voted Wednesday to cut back on the amount of information they will post on a Web site about malpractice settlements of North Carolina doctors.

Harnett County woman on probation in fire deaths

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:20:13 -0400

A Harnett County woman has been placed on probation after pleading guilty to charges from a February mobile home fire that killed two of her daughters.

NC soldier among 9 US soldiers killed in attack

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:49:12 -0400

A North Carolina paratrooper was one of nine soldiers killed when militants used machine guns and rocket propelled grenades to attack a remote outpost in eastern Afghanistan, the military said Wednesday.

House rebuffs federal plan to secure state IDs

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:09:12 -0400

The North Carolina House voted Wednesday to rebuff a congressional mandate that the state make its driver's licenses more secure because the federal government did not provide money to enact the changes.

Easley signs $21.4 billion NC budget into law

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:37:11 -0400

Gov. Mike Easley has signed off on the budget for North Carolina's state government.

Pentagon IDs 9 soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:31:03 -0400

Nine soldiers from eight states were killed in an insurgent raid that penetrated an American outpost in eastern Afghanistan over the weekend, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

Countrywide agrees to settlement in Pa. probe

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:59:13 -0400

Countrywide Home Loans Inc. has agreed to pay a Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee $325,000 to settle allegations that the mortgage lender sought improper fees or payments from bankrupt homeowners and otherwise violated bankruptcy court orders and regulations in nearly 300 cases.

N.C. soldier among nine killed in Afghanistan

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:59:48 -0400

Cpl. Pruitt A. Rainey, 22, of Haw River, was one of nine soldiers who died after militants attacked a remote outpost in eastern Afghanistan.

NC homes, business evacuated after truck gas leak

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:29:12 -0400

Residents and businesses near an Interstate 95 truck stop in Kenly were evacuated for several hours after a leak was discovered on a tanker truck hauling a pungent gas.

NC medical regulators to cut back Web data

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:21:04 -0400

State medical regulators have voted to cut back on the amount of information they post on a Web site about malpractice settlements of North Carolina doctors.

NC legislators trying to meet last-minute requests

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:47:10 -0400

Gov. Mike Easley signed the state budget bill into law Wednesday, removing a major obstacle that could have prevented the Legislature from adjourning for the year by the end of the week.

Moore endorses former primary foe for NC governor

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:48:13 -0400

State Treasurer Richard Moore officially endorsed Beverly Perdue for governor Wednesday, two months after their expensive and acrimonious Democratic primary campaign in which Moore questioned her commitment to party principles.

TVA lawyer questions expert in pollution lawsuit

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:06:13 -0400

An attorney for the Tennessee Valley Authority challenged a pollution expert's assertion that the utility could more quickly reduce its power plant emissions, which North Carolina officials say illegally cross into the state.

NC NAACP president elected to national board

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:10:13 -0400

The president of the North Carolina NAACP has landed a spot on the organization's national board to represent seven states in the South.

Former teacher accused of affair with student

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:25:13 -0400

A former middle school teacher has been arrested in Clinton, accused of having sex with a 15-year-old student.

Filmmaker: N.C. needs new sound stages to compete

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:00:07 -0400

North Carolina must start planning immediately to spend money on a dozen new sound stages from the coast to the mountains or risk losing its entertainment industry, a Hollywood film producer said Wednesday.

Environmental group to sue Duke Energy over plant

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:11:12 -0400

An environmental group asked a federal judge on Wednesday to halt construction of a new coal-fired generator in western North Carolina until Duke Energy Corp. proves it's using the best technology to stop hazardous pollution.

Senate approves towing bill despite veto threat

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:08:13 -0400

The North Carolina Senate is backing a plan to ease restrictions on the towing of boats on the state's roadways, despite a lingering veto threat from Gov. Mike Easley.

Moore endorses Perdue for governor

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:02:05 -0400

Arts school dean wants 12 new sound stages for NC

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:56:12 -0400

The dean of filmmaking at the North Carolina School of the Arts says the state needs 12 new sound stages to successfully compete for films and television business.

Police use warrants to search Cary jogger's home

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:51:08 -0400

Authorities investigating the murder of a Cary woman whose body was found in a subdivision construction site said Wednesday they have searched her family's home and vehicles.

1 killed in Gastonia house fire, may be arson

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:14:07 -0400

Authorities believe a fatal house fire in Gastonia may be the result of arson.

NC biodefense lab supporters get grant

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:19:13 -0400

A foundation that manages some state money has awarded more than $260,000 for supporters of a biodefense lab considered for Granville County for newspaper ads, a Web site and other programs.

3 missing after house fire in Gastonia

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:03:55 -0400

A mother and two children were missing after a fire destroyed their two-story house in Gastonia.

SBI opens new lab in Greensboro

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:47:07 -0400

The State Bureau of Investigation has opened a laboratory in Greensboro that will serve 12 counties and handle evidence for about 6,000 cases a year.

Homeowners, beware: Pennington may be knocking

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:12:03 -0400

Watch out, Charlotte. Ty Pennington will come knocking on someone's door later this month.

Man charged with killing 2 people in Winston-Salem

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:02:04 -0400

Police are investigating the shooting deaths of two people at a house in Winston-Salem.

NC truck stop evacuated after truck leaks chemical

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:05:13 -0400

Authorities have evacuated several homes and a truck stop and five other businesses along Interstate 95 near Kenly after a truck began leaking a chemical.

Pa. woman in Jordan case to have mental evaluation

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:02:13 -0400

A Pennsylvania woman who claims Michael Jordan fathered her son has been ordered to have a psychological evaluation and promise to comply with a court order.

Task force to hear comments on military growth

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:02:12 -0400

A task force helping to lead planning efforts for expected growth of military bases in North Carolina has scheduled a hearing to get comment from the public on a recent report.

Orange County Rescue Squad ordered off 911 system

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:31:26 -0400

The Orange County Rescue Squad has been removed from the local 911 system after a number of complaints from the county's new emergency services director.

Fate of NC anti-bullying bill uncertain

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:06:14 -0400

The chief sponsor of an anti-bullying bill for the public schools remains hopeful that a negotiated compromise can pass the Legislature before it adjourns for the year.

Panel OKs plan to raise state payments to innocent

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:37:03 -0400

A plan to increase the payments given to people who are erroneously convicted is advancing in the Senate.

The booming business of scrap metal

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:01:13 -0400

Scrap yard owner Steve Traub finds both good and bad in the soaring value of steel, copper and other metals.

Former wastewater plant operator pleads guilty

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:05:13 -0400

A former wastewater treatment plant operator has entered guilty pleas to felony violations of the federal Clean Water Act in U.S. District Court.

First patients at NC mental hospital arrive soon

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:12:12 -0400

A state health official says the first patients should arrive next week at the new mental hospital in Butner designed to replace two older facilities.

State announces settlement for Medicaid drug fraud

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:09:42 -0400

The state says it has settled for $14.8 million with a drug maker over allegations the company made the North Carolina Medicaid program pay too much for drugs.

Online ticket scalping bill heads to House floor

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:52:05 -0400

A plan to permit online ticket scalping is headed to the House floor, after committee members again revised the plan.

House, Senate OK NC anti-gang plan, send to Easley

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:14:50 -0400

An anti-gang plan backed by law enforcement officials and a host of North Carolina mayors was overwhelmingly approved by the House and Senate Tuesday.

Easley signs state budget

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:43:44 -0400

Gov. Mike Easley had until midnight Friday to sign the $21.4 billion spending plan into law, veto it or let it become law without his signature.

Aide: Boat-towing bill doesn't satisfy Easley

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:09:12 -0400

Gov. Mike Easley isn't satisfied with a concession in a boat-towing bill that lawmakers hoped would discourage him from vetoing the measure.

Boylan talks about drinking problems to NC House

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:44:12 -0400

North Carolina Rep. Joe Boylan says he is an alcoholic.

NC anti-bullying bill's final approval in doubt

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:38:13 -0400

Legislative leaders backed off votes Tuesday on a final anti-bullying bill negotiated by the House and Senate as Christian conservatives lobbied hard against what they said would advance special protections for gay citizens in North Carolina.

NASCAR commentator becomes partner in race team

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:02:13 -0400

ESPN racing commentator and former NBA star Brad Daugherty has become a partner in the JTG Racing team, and will field a Sprint Cup car in the 2009 season.

Cary police say missing jogger's body found

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:41:12 -0400

Police said a body found in a Cary subdivision under construction is that of a 34-year-old woman who disappeared after going jogging.

House sends drought-fighting bill to Senate

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:45:08 -0400

State officials would have more power to reduce water use during droughts under a plan that's headed to the Senate.

NC State coach's son sentenced to 15 months

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:12:05 -0400

A judge has sentenced the son of North Carolina State basketball coach Sidney Lowe to 15 months in a low-security prison farm on dozen charges, including robbery and kidnapping.

Bank troubles continue but consumers seem unfazed

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:14:50 -0400

In the nearly steady stream of bad news about banks, many consumers are likely wondering if any bank is really safe.

NC judges uphold Sears settlement despite concerns

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:11:05 -0400

A North Carolina appeals court protected a class-action settlement Tuesday that allowed attorneys who sued Sears to collect $1 million in fees while consumers received a total of less than $3,000.

Legislature exempts papers from solicitation ban

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:31:13 -0400

Local governments couldn't pass or enforce ordinances to prevent newspaper vendors from selling at street corners and in highway medians in a bill headed to Gov. Mike Easley's desk.

Anti-bullying bill gets pulled from NC Senate

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:27:03 -0400

Approval of a negotiated school bullying prevention bill is uncertain after the Senate delayed its final vote on the measure.

Expert: TVA could move faster to cap pollution

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:53:12 -0400

An expert in air pollution control technology says the Tennessee Valley Authority could move far more quickly to reduce emissions from its coal-fired power plants.

SC gov admits he flubbed interview about McCain

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:46:12 -0400

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford knows he bumbled a CNN Sunday talk show interview as the cable network took a look at potential running mates for Arizona Sen. John McCain and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

Lowe's son sentenced to 15 months in prison

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:57:44 -0400

The son of N.C. State basketball coach Sidney Lowe will spend more than a year at the Guilford County Prison Farm for a home invasion and shooting last year.