ELECTION 2020-GOVERNOR-NORTH CAROLINA

Cooper, Forest to compete at lone N.C. gubernatorial debate

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest will participate in the lone gubernatorial debate of the 2020 election cycle. The Wednesday debate will be hosted by the state’s Association of Broadcasters. Cooper has long criticized Forest for refusing to wear masks at political rallies. Forest has attacked Cooper for a slow reopening of schools and businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Coronavirus trends have worsened in North Carolina as the state has transitioned to a Phase 3 reopening. Hospitalizations are at their highest levels since August, with more than 1,100 people currently hospitalized for COVID-19.

BIG DONOR-NORTH CAROLINA

Judge rejects N.C. political donor’s prison delay request

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A judge says an insurance company magnate and major North Carolina political donor convicted on corruption-related counts must begin his federal prison term next week. U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn rejected Greg Lindberg’s request that that his active sentence be delayed so he can more effectively appeal his conviction and because of an elevated risk of contracting COVID-19 in prison. Lindberg is supposed to report Tuesday to a prison in Alabama. Lindberg was sentenced to more than seven years in prison after being convicted in March of attempting to bribe North Carolina’s insurance commissioner to secure preferential regulatory treatment for his insurance business.

DOMESTIC SHOOTING-POLICE CRUISER

Police: Woman shoots detained man sitting in police cruiser

CRAMERTON, N.C. (AP) — Authorities said a woman shot and wounded a man while he was sitting in the back seat of a North Carolina city police cruiser. The man was hospitalized but didn’t suffer life-threatening wounds. Cramerton police were called to an apartment complex around 12:15 p.m. regarding a domestic argument involving two men and a gun. Police said officers detained one of the men in the back seat, although he wasn’t in custody for a crime. A woman later stuck a gun through the back seat window and shot the man in the hand and chest. A motive for the shooting wasn’t immediately released nor were the names of those involved.

ELECTION 2020-MICHELLE OBAMA

Michelle Obama, LeBron James team to help boost early voting

WASHINGTON (AP) — A voter initiative led by Michelle Obama is partnering with a similar group founded by NBA star LeBron James and other prominent Black athletes and entertainers to generate excitement about voting early for the Nov. 3 election. Mrs. Obama’s group When We All Vote and James’ group More Than A Vote are teaming to provide information, transportation, food, music, personal protective equipment and other support at early voting sites nationwide Oct. 18-31. In-person events are planned for Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Detroit; Los Angeles; Milwaukee; Orlando, Florida; and Philadelphia. A virtual couch party is planned Oct. 23. Mrs. Obama told The Associated Press on Tuesday “making your plan to vote early is critical.”

MCGRADY’S REPLACEMENT

Former N.C. House member Moffitt appointed to chamber return

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A former North Carolina state representative has been appointed to a House seat he also hopes to stay in for the next two years. Republican Tim Moffitt is officially a House member again after Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper formally appointed him on Monday to complete the term of veteran Rep. Chuck McGrady of Henderson County. McGrady wasn’t seeking reelection this fall and resigned earlier this month. Cooper was obligated by state law to appoint Moffitt because he was the choice of local Republican activists. Moffitt is already running next month for a full two-year term for McGrady’s seat.

CHEMICAL PLANT-LAWSUIT

N. Carolina sues for damages in ‘forever chemicals’ release

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The state of North Carolina has sued to seek financial damages from companies associated with so-called “forever chemicals” released for decades from a Bladen County plant into the Cape Fear River. Attorney General Josh Stein is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit filed Tuesday in state court against companies related to DuPont Co. and its spinoff The Chemours Co. The lawsuit accused the firms of knowing the dangers of the chemicals produced at the factory. Chemours has already entered into a separate court order to clean up the plant, reduce emissions and provide clean drinking water to residents nearby.

BC-NC-WAKE FOREST PRESIDENT-RETIREMENT

Wake Forest president to retire at end of academic year

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Wake Forest University President Nathan Hatch has announced his intention to retire at the end of the current academic year next June. In a message Tuesday, Hatch called his 15 years leading the school “the adventure of a lifetime.” A news release said Hatch had planned to announce his retirement earlier this year, but he and the school’s board of trustees chose to postpone it as the school addressed the COVID-19 pandemic. Board chairman Gerald Roach will oversee a search for Hatch’s replacement. The search is expected to begin immediately.

DRIVERS STRIKING ANIMALS

Report: Drivers are hitting more animals in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Transportation Department reports that the number of animals hit by drivers in North Carolina increased in 2019 to the highest levels recorded in more than five years. The department released a report Monday detailing three years’ worth of animal-related crashes. Researchers found that such collisions killed five people and injured more than 2,800 from 2017 to 2019. According to the report, the number of crashes had been declining from a high of more than 20,330 in 2013, but soared to 20,331 in 2019. Transportation officials attribute the rise to the state’s population growth, adding to the amount of development and number of drivers on the road.