VIRUS OUTBREAK

Many forces behind alarming rise in virus cases in 21 states

NEW YORK (AP) — Coronavirus cases are rising in nearly half the U.S. states. And while many are chalked up to increased testing or to small, local outbreaks, others are more alarming. In Arizona, hospitals were notified over the weekend to prepare for the worst amid surges across the state. And the governor of North Carolina says recent jumps have caused him to rethink plans to reopen schools or businesses. Texas and Utah are among the states that have also been identified as worrisome hot spots. What’s tricky is sorting out exactly why different surges are happening. The answer may vary from state to state, and even from county to county, some experts say.

AP-US-PROFESSOR-SOCIAL-MEDIA-POSTS

‘One Tree Hill’ stars ask fans to help fire N.C. professor

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — Celebrities from the former hit TV show “One Tree Hill,” are calling on a university in North Carolina to remove a professor after he called the state’s governor “Massa Cooper.” Mike Adams tweeted in May he dined with six men and said he “felt like a free man who was not living in the slave state of North Carolina” before adding “Massa Cooper, let my people go!” Actress Sophia Bush and her former co-star, Hilarie Burton Morgan, are now calling on fans of the TV show to take action to remove Adams from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. The show had been filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-ELECTIONS

Prep for high N.C. absentee ballot demand gets Senate OK

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Changes to mail-in absentee ballot rules in North Carolina to help operate a fall election during the pandemic has received tentative approval from the state Senate. The measure is a response to the expected spike in demand for absentee ballots from people at higher risk for developing complications from COVID-19. Wednesday’s Senate debate was more divisive than a similar discussion in the House two weeks ago. The measure expands the options for registered voters to receive an absentee ballot request form. And there’s $27 million for things like upgrading elections security, recruiting in-person poll workers and stocking up on personal protective equipment.

REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

NC Republicans abandon effort to keep Trump in Charlotte

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A proposal by a North Carolina state legislator to keep President Donald Trump in Charlotte for the Republican National Convention will not go up for a vote. The Republican National Committee oversees the convention, and its chairwoman now says Jacksonville, Florida, is the top site for Trump to accept his party’s nomination. The last ditch-effort by state Rep. John Torbett of Gaston County contradicted Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s insistence that the state could not promise a full capacity crowd because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Trump will speak elsewhere, the RNC insists some of its business activities will continue to be held in Charlotte.

PANTHERS-RICHARDSON STATUE

Statue of ex-Panthers owner removed from outside stadium

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A statue of former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has been removed from outside the NFL team’s stadium. Richardson announced in 2017 that he was putting the team up for sale after a Sports Illustrated report, citing unidentified sources, said he made sexually suggestive comments to women and directed a racial slur at an African American team scout.  A team statement said it was concerned about possible attempts to take the 13-foot statue down, but didn’t elaborate. A crane lifted the statue from its pedestal to be trucked away Wednesday. The team didn’t say where it would be relocated.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-GYMS

Bill to reopen N.C. gyms, bars sent to skeptical governor

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina legislature has passed another bill overturning parts of Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order that keep certain businesses closed to discourage COVID-19′s spread. The House voted on a largely party-line vote on Wednesday for the measure written by Republicans, many of whom have been critical of Cooper’s slow pace to loosen restrictions on the state economy. The governor already vetoed a bill last week would let bars reopen outdoors and give restaurants additional outdoor seating options, and he’s been skeptical about the new measure, which also would allow gyms to reopen.

AMERICA PROTESTS-MILITARY-CONFEDERATE SYMBOLS

Trump: No change at bases named for Confederate officers

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he is ruling out changing the name of Army bases named for Confederate Army officers. This comes two days after Defense Secretary Mark Esper indicated he is open to a discussion of such changes, which have been urged by prominent retired Army officers and others. The issue has arisen periodically but is gaining new attention as the nation wrestles with questions of race after the death of George Floyd in the hands of Minneapolis police. In a series of tweets, Trump wrote, “My administration will not even consider” changing those Army base names.

ELECTION 2020-REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

Jacksonville is front-runner for Trump convention speech

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville, Florida, is the front-runner to host the celebration marking President Donald Trump’s acceptance of his party’s nomination for reelection. That’s according to Ronna McDaniel, who heads the Republican National Committee. She said in a radio interview Wednesday that reports of a final decision are “definitely premature” but that Jacksonville is the favorite now. The Democratic governor of North Carolina balked at promising Trump a full-blown convention in Charlotte without social distancing measures during the coronavirus pandemic. The RNC voted Wednesday night to allow the party’s more mundane business, including discussions over the platform, to be held in Charlotte because of contractual obligations.

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