BC-TROPICAL WEATHER-ATLANTIC

Ida’s not done, Kate persists, Tropical Storm Larry forms

HURLEY, Va. (AP) — About 20 homes were knocked off their foundations and trailers washed away in Virginia as flooding continues from what’s left of Hurricane Ida. The Buchanan County sheriff’s office says about 50 people were rescued, while hundreds were evacuated to shelters and one person remains unaccounted for. Ida’s remnants are forecast to dump rain from the central Appalachians into New England on Wednesday. Up to 8 inches (20 centimeters) are possible in spots from Pennsylvania to Massachusetts. Forecasters say life-threatening flash flooding is possible in cities and in areas with steep terrain. A tornado watch is in effect for parts of the Appalachians in Virginia and North Carolina. 

VIRUS OUTBREAK-NURSING HOMES

Bill setting NC nursing home visit standards gets final OK

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina health regulators would establish by next year visitation policies for nursing homes and adult care homes for declared emergencies like a pandemic in legislation heading to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk. The bill received final legislative approval on Tuesday. It tells the state Department of Health and Human Services to create visitation protocols for declared emergencies and implement them by next June. Those protocols would allow each resident to receive a visit at least twice per month from a preapproved visitor. Visitations would still be subject to federal health directives. The bill is a response to visitation bans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RACIAL INJUSTICE-RIOTS

North Carolina bill raising riot penalties heads to Cooper

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina House gave final legislative approval for a bill that would impose harsher penalties on those who engage in violent protests. The measure passed Tuesday and now heads to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Cooper has expressed concerns about the proposal pushed by Republicans. The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, NC NAACP and other civil rights groups oppose House Speaker Tim Moore’s bill and worry it could have a chilling effect on free speech. Rioting and looting that took place in Raleigh last year amid frustration over the murder of George Floyd is what sparked Moore to draft the proposal.

LOTTERY-VIDEO GAMES

NC lottery would regulate video gambling machines in bill

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina House lawmakers are advancing an effort to legalize video gambling machines through the state lottery. The House Commerce Committee voted Tuesday for the legislation, which would authorize video lottery terminals and direct the state lottery commission to permit bars, restaurants and convenience stores that can sell alcohol to install machines. Patrons would be able to play games of chance and redeem winnings for cash. Bill supporters say it’s time to regulate video gambling machines after efforts to eliminate their illegal activity have fallen short. Social conservatives and the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association oppose the bill, saying the machines harm the poor. 

PREGNANT INMATES

NC bill barring shackles on pregnant inmates gets final OK

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina prisons and jails would be prohibited from holding pregnant women with handcuffs and shackles in legislation given final General Assembly approval. The House voted unanimously on Tuesday for the bill, as the Senate did last week.  It now goes to Gov. Roy Cooper. The bill would largely bar using physical restraints on women during their second and third trimesters, during labor and for several weeks after delivery. It also aims to help inmates and prisoners deliver healthy babies and build bonds with their newborns while incarcerated. Shackling pregnant women is already barred by state prison policy. 

POLICE SHOOTING

Police release details after fatal shooting at department

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Police in North Carolina have released more details about an encounter that turned deadly for a man they said set fire to a patrol car in the police department’s parking lot and attacked an officer. Police say Christopher Moore used an accelerant to set a marked patrol vehicle on fire in the Greensboro Police Department’s employee parking lot. Moore then attacked Officer J.M. Chavez and police say he tried to get Chavez’ service weapon. Officers A.L. Dellinger and R.T. Brooks found Moore attacking Chavez and police say the three officers shot Moore, who died on the scene. Police say Chavez is recovering from his injuries. The three officers are on routine administrative duty during an investigation.

SUSPECT SHOT-NORTH CAROLINA

N. Carolina man in critical condition after police shooting

LENOIR, N.C. (AP) — Police in North Carolina say officers shot and wounded a man who investigators believe stole a vehicle from a parking lot. A news release from the Lenoir Police Department says 25-year-old Joshua Alan Kirby was confronted on Monday by two undercover officers and a patrol officer responding to a 911 call of an armed man. According to police, officers perceived a threat from Kirby and shot him. After the officers gave first aid, Kirby was taken to a local hospital, where police said he was in critical condition. One officer sustained a graze wound and was treated at a local hospital.

FENTANYL TRAFFICKING-REWARD

Reward up to $5 million offered for alleged fentanyl dealer

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The U.S. Department of State is offering up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of a Chinese national suspected of leading an international fentanyl trafficking operation. Authorities uncovered the operation after an overdose death in North Dakota. The reward was announced Tuesday. Jian Zhang is among more than 30 people accused of dealing large amounts of the powerful opioid. The investigation began when 18-year-old Bailey Henke was found dead inside a Grand Forks, North Dakota, apartment building in January 2015. Deaths from fentanyl supplied by the operation have also been reported in North Carolina, New Jersey and Oregon.

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