PLAYOFFS-DEADLINE ACQUISITIONS
Trade-deadline players aim to provide boost in NHL’s restart
NHL players acquired at the February trade deadline are poised to have a big impact as the league returns from its shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Those players had additional time to study their new teams’ systems during the break. They also had time to work with teammates through July training camps. The league begins its expanded playoff qualifying rounds this weekend. New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz said those trade-deadline acquisitions competing in the NHL’s restart “are going to benefit” from the extra time to prepare.
BC-NC-LIGHTHOUSE BREAK IN
Park service says group broke into lighthouse for the view
HARKERS ISLAND, N.C. (AP) — The National Park Service says a group of young people broke into a lighthouse on North Carolina’s southern Outer Banks seemingly for the view. The Charlotte Observer reports that the alleged break-in occurred early Monday morning at the historic Cape Lookout Lighthouse. Authorities said the five suspects “in their late teens or early twenties” reached the island by boat. They then crept up to the lighthouse door and used tools to get inside. Cape Lookout Public Information Officer B.G. Horvat told McClatchy News that the group made it to the top and seemed to be breaking in for the view. The group admitted their guilt and were issued citations.
RADIO SHOW HOST-DAUGHTER-DEAD
North Carolina radio show host’s daughter killed in crash
MORRESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The daughter of a radio show host in North Carolina has died in a car crash. News outlets report 21-year-old Payton Alizabeth Cannon was killed just after midnight Wednesday when her car veered off a road in Mooresville and hit a tree. Cannon’s father is David Cannon. He is known as Ace in “Ace & TJ,” a syndicated morning radio show that airs in Charlotte. The show said on Facebook that they have experienced a heart wrenching blow. A sergeant with the state highway patrol told The Charlotte Observer it’s believed Payton Cannon was traveling at about 80 mph during the crash. The official said the speed limit on the road was 45 mph.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NORTH CAROLINA
N.C. State Fair canceled in 2020 due to coronavirus
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina State Fair has been canceled for this year due to safety, financial and attendance challenges from COVID-19. State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler made the announcement Wednesday. The fair was first held in 1853 is one of the state’s largest annual attractions, bringing in roughly 1 million visitors every October. The fair was last canceled due to World War II. Troxler also cited the uncertainty of whether current mass gathering restrictions will be eased. Otherwise, Troxler says a survey of past fair ticket buyers suggested that this year’s fair wouldn’t be well attended.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NORTH CAROLINA-COOPER
Lawyers: Cooper didn’t need group’s consent for virus orders
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — State lawyers representing North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper say he didn’t need the consent of other statewide elected leaders to issue COVID-19 orders shuttering businesses, limiting assemblies and mandating face coverings. The attorneys responded on Wednesday to a legal challenge by Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who says Cooper had to get the concurrence of the 10-member Council of State before acting. Forest sued Cooper earlier this month and wants enforcement of those orders blocked. A hearing happens next week. State lawyers cite a law they say lets Cooper act unilaterally when an emergency extends beyond the ability of local governments to handle.
ELECTION 2020-PENCE-NORTH CAROLINA
Pence urges in-person school during visit to North Carolina
APEX, N.C. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence says schools around the country will have the resources they need to reopen for in-person learning during a visit to a classroom of masked fourth graders at a North Carolina private school. Pence visited a Raleigh-area campus of Thales Academy on Wednesday as part of a push to encourage more K-12 schools to reopen with in-person instruction. The visit comes as President Donald Trump has threatened to hold back federal money if school districts don’t bring their students back in the fall. Critics have slammed Trump over the threats and argue that his administration hasn’t provided enough resources or guidance to schools.
RACIAL INJUSTICE-ROXBORO CURFEW
North Carolina city enacts curfew after police shoot man
ROXBORO, N.C. (AP) — Footage from a dashboard camera shows a Black man shot and killed by police in a North Carolina city appears to have pointed a gun at an officer. Release of the footage comes hours after officials in Roxboro declared a state of emergency and enacted a curfew for portions of the city. There have been demonstrations in the city since Friday, the day 45-year-old David Brooks Jr. was fatally shot by officers. Investigators say they found a loaded sawed-off shotgun at the scene, but they haven’t said whether Brooks was carrying the weapon.
CONRAD-RESIGNATION
North Carolina state Rep. Conrad to resign this week
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Four-term North Carolina state Rep. Deborah Conrad will resign her seat this week, with the possibility of returning to Raleigh soon as a lobbyist. The Forsyth County Republican will step down on Friday. Conrad announced last year she wouldn’t seek reelection in 2020. Conrad told the Winston-Salem Journal she’s considering a lobbying career. She’d have to wait at least six months before she could lobby the General Assembly. Forsyth County Republican activists would pick someone to fill the remainder of Conrad’s term through the end of the year. Another Republican is already running in November in her recently reconfigured district.
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