Reward offered for information on endangered red wolf death
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction in the shooting death of an endangered red wolf in North Carolina. The wolf was found in a muddy field in Tyrrell County on April 15, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The News & Observer reports that it had been shot in the spine and collapsed in the mud, some of which was found in its lungs. Killing a red wolf is illegal, except under special circumstances.
SOCIAL SERVICES-STATE TAKEOVER
State to take over social services in North Carolina county
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina agency is assuming temporary control of a portion of a county social services department after an investigation revealed systemic problems. On Monday, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services will temporarily assume leadership of child welfare services at the Bertie County Department of Social Services. A news release said the investigation revealed a lack of adequate training, supervision and capacity to deliver appropriate child welfare services. The release said the move is authorized under state law, and has the support of the county and the department. DHHS Secretary Kody H. Kinsley said working with county leaders would strengthen its ability to deliver child welfare services.
ELECTION 2022-SUPREME COURT RACES
Primaries spotlight coming battles over state supreme courts
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Upcoming primary elections for state supreme court seats in North Carolina and Arkansas are putting the spotlight on how such races across the U.S. have grown in importance in recent years and led to high-dollar, partisan battles for control. The Brennan Center for Justice says roughly $97 million was spent on state supreme court elections during the 2019-2020 election cycle. Voters in 32 states will cast ballots this year for state supreme court, races that have become increasingly politicized over issues such as partisan gerrymandering, abortion and gun rights. Other states with heated court races in the coming months include Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.
ELECTION 2022-NORTH CAROLINA-CONGRESS
Democrats aim to follow retiring NC Reps Price, Butterfield
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The retirements of two veteran North Carolina Democratic congressmen have opened the way for robust primaries Tuesday for the shot to serve on Capitol Hill. Eight Democrats are running to try to succeed 4th District Rep. David Price, who won’t be on the ballot for the first time since 1986. And four Democrats are running for the 1st District seat held by Rep. G.K. Butterfield, who’s represented the northeastern region since 2004. Primaries are being held in all but one of 14 U.S. House districts that North Carolina is now assigned. Seven incumbents seeking reelection have primaries, including Republican Madison Cawthorn, who is facing the strongest in-party challenge.
AP-US-ELECTION-2022-NORTH-CAROLINA-CAWTHORN
Madison Cawthorn tries to survive primary as slip-ups mount
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A series of unforced political and personal errors by GOP congressman Madison Cawthorn has brought the forces of big-name Republicans and traditional enemies to bear on his reelection bid in North Carolina. Some of the transgressions have been headline-grabbing, like one that rankled GOP colleagues who believe he insinuated they were holding orgies and snorting cocaine. Some have been salacious, like recently released videos showing him in sexually suggestive poses. But at home, the most consequential may have been when he decided to run for a different U.S. House seat before changing his mind. Some constituents believe he’s more interested in inflaming the culture wars than helping the district.
ELECTION 2022-NORTH CAROLINA-LEGISLATURE
GOP incumbent bouts mark NC legislative primaries
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Four pairs of Republican incumbents in the North Carolina General Assembly are facing off against each other in next week’s primaries, but the most interesting legislative race may be among Democrats. Gov. Roy Cooper took the unusual step of endorsing a primary challenger to Democratic Sen. Kirk deViere of Fayetteville. DeViere has been accused of getting too comfortable with the GOP during 2021 budget negotiations and siding with Republicans on other issues. Cooper is backing former Fayetteville city council member Val Applewhite. The most high-profile primary between sitting Republicans may be between Sens. Deanna Ballard of Watauga County and Ralph Hise of Mitchell County.
RESOURCE OFFICER-FIGHT
School resource officer on leave after fight with student
HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Officials in North Carolina say a resource officer at an elementary school has been placed on administrative leave after he got into a fight with a student. Henderson County Public Schools issued a statement on Thursday saying the principal at Fletcher Elementary School reported the fight, which occurred on Monday, to system administrators. The statement says administrators reported the incident to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office then asked the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation to look into the matter. Neither the school system nor the sheriff’s office released further details were released.
AP-US-BIDEN-BROADBAND-INTERNET
Biden administration to release $45B for nationwide internet
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is taking the first steps to release $45 billion to ensure every U.S. resident has access to high-speed internet by roughly 2028. The administration is inviting governors and other leaders Friday to start the application process. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo is overseeing the distribution. Raimondo is traveling to North Carolina and says universal access to broadband internet would be akin to the electrification of rural America during the 1930s, a recognition the internet is a utility needed for U.S. residents to function in today’s economy. The funding is part of the $65 billion for broadband in the $1 trillion infrastructure package President Joe Biden signed into law last November.
