VIRUS CLAIM-ASSAULT CHARGE Police: Woman claimed to have virus, blew into deputy’s face LINCOLNTON, N.C. (AP) — Authorities in North Carolina say that a woman has been charged after she claimed to have the coronavirus and blew into a sheriff deputy’s face. The Charlotte Observer reports that the incident occurred Sunday evening in Lincoln County.…… read more »

FSU CHANCELLOR Allison elected chancellor at Fayetteville State University. FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Darrell T. Allison has been elected to be chancellor at Fayetteville State University. The Fayetteville Observer reported that Allison was elected Thursday.  He had resigned from the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors in September to seek the position. Allison…… read more »

VIRUS OUTBREAK-VACCINES North Carolina moves to limit out-of-state access to vaccine RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina public health officials are shifting their guidance to improve access to the vaccine for North Carolinians. The new state guidance permitted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention allows vaccinators to turn away people who are briefly…… read more »

MISSING GIRL Missing Virginia girl found, Texas man in custody MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Authorities say a  Texas man has been taken into custody after the reported abduction of a 12-year-old Virginia girl. Authorities say 21-year-old Kaleb Christopher Merritt was captured in Henderson, North Carolina, on Saturday. The girl was reported missing from her home…… read more »

VIRUS OUTBREAK-FLORIDA TOURISM Orlando launches first tourism ad campaign since pandemic ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tourism officials in Orlando are launching their first full-scale marketing campaign since the start of the pandemic. It’s aimed at tourists located within driving distance in the southeast U.S. The $2.2 million advertising campaign launched this month is targeted for…… read more »