BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY-BEAR ATTACK
Bear attacks couple picnicking at Blue Ridge Parkway site.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The National Park Service says a couple having a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina has survived multiple bear attacks which it says may have been triggered by their barking dog. News outlets report a news release from the park service says the couple were near the Folk Art Center on Wednesday when they were alerted to the bear by their dog. Officials say the dog ran toward the bear, which made repeated attacks on the couple before they retreated to their car with the dog. The couple were treated at an Asheville hospital and released.
AP-EU-DAIMLER-TRUCK-SPINOFF
Daimler’s trucks, luxury cars to go their separate ways
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Daimler’s truck and luxury car businesses are going their separate ways. Daimler AG shareholders made the decision at an extraordinary meeting on Friday. The move gives the separate businesses the freedom to pursue different technologies as the push toward zero emission vehicles transforms the industry. The independent Daimler Truck Holding AG plans to develop hydrogen powered long-haul trucks, while Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz luxury car business is more focused on battery power. The move means that Daimler will rename itself Mercedes-Benz Group after the spinoff goes through later this year.
NEW LAWS
NC police reforms, Sunday distillery sales start in October
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — All or parts of more than 30 new laws in North Carolina take effect Friday. They include new police accountability reporting requirements, rules for sheriff’s candidates, mandated clergy hospital visitation and Sunday bottled liquor sales. One law directs police and deputy standards commissions to create a public database of law enforcement officers who have had their certifications revoked or suspended. Hospitals also must let a clergy member visit a patient even when there’s a declared emergency like the one under COVID-19, provided the minister complies with health protocols. North Carolina distilleries also can now sell their own liquor products in bottles on Sundays.
PRISONS RENAMED
North Carolina prisons rename locales over racist histories
RALEIGH, N.C (AP) — North Carolina is renaming four state prisons and a drug addiction treatment facility for probationers because their current names are connected to racism or slavery. The Department of Public Safety announced the changes on Thursday. They go into effect next week. Two of the locations — in Hoffman and Goldsboro — have been named for 20th century Governors Cameron Morrison and Gregg Cherry. Prisons in Tillery, Butner and Black Mountain also are getting renamed. State prison Commissioner Todd Ishee said it’s unacceptable today to maintain names with “negative historical connotations.” Workers at the five facilities had input on the renaming.
ALCOHOL BOARD CHAIRMAN
Liquor shortages on NC shelves gets legislature’s attention
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Persistent liquor shortages on local Alcoholic Beverage Control store shelves prompted North Carolina lawmakers to question the current top state ABC official and the distribution contractor. The House ABC committee met for two hours Wednesday with the deputy ABC commissioner and a lawyer representing the company called LB&B Associates. The committee chairman says he had a lot more questions than answers at the close of the hearing. The implementation of a new inventory and ordering software program hasn’t been smooth. Officials also say liquor consumption increases, the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions also are to blame.
WRONGFUL ARREST LAWSUIT-SETTLEMENT
North Carolina city settles lawsuit involving drug arrests
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Officials in North Carolina’s capital city have agreed to a $2 million settlement in a federal lawsuit that alleged more than a dozen Black men were wrongfully arrested and jailed on drug charges. News outlets report the civil rights lawsuit filed in April sought policy changes and actual and punitive damages from the city of Raleigh, a city police officer and seven of his co-workers, including a sergeant and a lieutenant, Attorneys for the plaintiffs announced the settlement in a news release late Wednesday. The Raleigh Police Department referred all questions to the city, which didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
OBIT-SANDERS
NC government, constitution expert John Sanders dies at 94
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — An expert on North Carolina government and higher education who helped revise the state constitution into its current form has died. A funeral home and the University of North Carolina School of Government said that John Sanders died last week in Chapel Hill at age 94. He was the school’s director for close to 25 years. Sanders was a staff member for the North Carolina Constitutional Commission that led to revisions to what became the 1971 constitution. He also led staff work on a panel that helped establish the statewide community college system. A memorial service is planned for later,
HIGHLAND GAMES-EX-MANAGER ARRESTED
SBI provides details on arrest of ex-Highland Games manager
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A state agency provided new details Thursday on the arrest of a former manager for the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games on multiple charges, including attempted murder and possession of a weapon of mass destruction. Angie Grube, spokeswoman for the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation, said Thomas Dewey Taylor was suspected of embezzling money and committing financial credit card theft. Grube said an investigation turned up an improvised explosive device with ignitable liquids
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