AP-NC-CHEMOURS LAWSUIT
Tentative deal reached over lawsuit involving Chemours Co.
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Regulators and environmental groups in North Carolina says they’ve reached a tentative agreement regarding a lawsuit with the Chemours Co. over so-called “forever chemicals” flowing into the Cape Fear River. The Fayetteville Observer reported Thursday that the proposed deal would address pollution from contaminated groundwater on Chemours’ property. The parties in the suit are the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, the Cape Fear River Watch environmental organization and Chemours. The company is required to remove 99% of the PFAS contamination. PFAS are used to make many consumer and industrial products. They’re known as “forever chemicals” because they are slow to break down. Researchers say they’re a threat to human health.
BC-EARTHQUAKE-NORTH-CAROLINA-TENNESSEE
Memphis university sends researchers to study NC earthquake
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The University of Memphis says specialists from its earthquake research center are traveling to North Carolina to monitor aftershocks of this past weekend’s 5.1 magnitude earthquake. The most powerful earthquake to hit North Carolina in more than 100 years struck Sunday morning. There were no reports of serious injuries, but some minor structural damage was reported in Sparta, as well as cracks in roads. The University of Memphis’ Center for Earthquake Research and Information, with help from North Carolina and U.S. geological survey officials, has deployed four portable seismograph stations in a tightly controlled pattern to record aftershocks of the earthquake.
AP-VIRUS OUTBREAK
Rural families without internet face tough choice on school
BEATTYVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Lee County, deep in the Appalachian Mountains, is one of many rural school districts around the country where the decision over whether to bring students back into classrooms is particularly fraught. As in other places, parents and officials are concerned about the virus. But dramatically limited internet access here also means kids could fall seriously behind if the pandemic keeps them home again. Roughly 3 million students across the United States don’t have access to a home internet connection. For some, it is simply too expensive. But in some rural places, a reliable connection can’t be had at any price.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-NORTH CAROLINA-COOPER
Forest abandons lawsuit challenging Cooper executive orders
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest has ended his lawsuit against Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. The Republican had argued Cooper unlawfully issued executive orders limiting mass gatherings and business operations during the coronavirus pandemic without the necessary approval from the Council of State. The two are competing in this year’s gubernatorial election. The 10-member council includes both of them, Attorney General Josh Stein and other statewide elected officials. A court ruled in Cooper’s favor on Tuesday by saying the governor had sufficient emergency authority to act in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
9-YEAR-OLD SHOT
Police: 9-year-old boy in critical condition after shooting
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — A 9-year-old North Carolina boy is in critical but stable condition after police say he was shot in the neck. The Winston-Salem Journal reports police Lt. Gregory Dorn says the boy was shot Wednesday while he was in a vehicle trying to leave a location. Dorn said the shooting followed an argument between two adults. Police said after the car’s driver realized the boy was shot after fleeing the area, they were involved in an accident while leaving the site of the argument. Dorn said investigators haven’t determined what started the argument.
AP-NC-FATAL SHOOTING-CHILD
Funeral scheduled for boy, 5, who was fatally shot in Wilson
WILSON, N.C. (AP) — A funeral is being held for a 5-year-old boy who was fatally shot in the North Carolina city of Wilson. News outlets report that a funeral was scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. for Cannon Hinnant. Authorities have charged Darrius Sessoms, 25, with first-degree murder in Cannon’s death. Police said that Sessoms lived next to the boy’s father, although police have not released a motive. WRAL-TV reported that Sessoms said he planned to hire his own lawyer at a court hearing on Tuesday. He rejected a judge’s attempt to appoint an attorney for him. The Wilson County clerk’s office said Thursday that he had still not hired an attorney.
TODDLER SHOOTS SELF
Police charge man after 2-year-old finds gun, shoots self
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina man has been arrested by police who say a 2-year-old boy found a gun and shot himself. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police say in a news release that officers responding to a call on Wednesday found the boy with what was described as a life-threatening gunshot wound. According to police, investigators determined that the toddler and his family were visiting a family friend at a residence when the child found and fired an unsecured firearm. Police said the family friend, 25-year-old Devonte Warren, is charged with failure to secure a firearm to protect a minor. Warren was identified by investigators as the gun’s owner.
ELECTIONS BOARD-ARREST
Elections board member arrested om child sex charges
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Law enforcement agents in North Carolina have arrested a county elections board member on child sex charges. The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation said in a news release on Thursday that 63-year-old Harold Lester Mabe, a member of the Stokes County Board of Elections, was arrested at his home on Wednesday and charged with 12 counts of statutory sexual offense with a child by an adult. The SBI said an investigation was begun last week at the request of the Stokes County Sheriff’s Office. No other details were available. He was issued a $1 million dollar secured bond after going before a magistrate in Stokes County.
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