Cooper "Jobs Plan" Includes Medicaid Expansion, HB 2 Repeal
Roy Cooper has a "jobs plan" if elected North Carolina governor that would include expanding Medicaid and broadband access, reinstating a child-care tax credit, passing a transportation bond and repealing the law known as House Bill 2.
The Democratic nominee and current attorney general released his proposal Wednesday in Charlotte. He says his plan would help wages rise, let middle-class people keep more pay and nurture small businesses.
Cooper also blasts Republican Gov. Pat McCrory for signing a tax overhaul that Cooper argues most benefits the wealthy.
Cooper says House Bill 2 has discouraged businesses from looking at whether to build or expand in North Carolina. The law limits anti-discrimination rules for LGBT people.
Pump Motor Sparks Alert At Brunswick Nuclear Station
Duke Energy Progress says problems with a pump motor prompted a brief alert at the Brunswick Nuclear Station near Southport.
The utility said the alert was issued shortly after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and was lifted about 40 minutes later.
Duke said one of the two reactors at the station was reduced to about 70 percent power because of the damaged pump motor.
The company's statement says there was no impact to the health and safety of the public or plant employees.
Trial Delay For Man Accused Of Hitting Trump Protester
The trial for a man accused of hitting a protester at a Donald Trump rally in North Carolina earlier this year has been delayed until after the presidential election.
The Fayetteville Observer reports a defense attorney asked for a delay for 79-year-old John Franklin McGraw, who had been scheduled to stand trial Wednesday.
Defense attorney James C. MacRae Jr. filed the request June 30, saying he needed more time to prepare for trial.
Prosecutor Bella Truong agreed to MacRae's request and District Court Judge Tal Baggett set the new trial date for Dec. 14.
Woman Dies In Hit And Run In Greensboro
A woman has died after being struck by a hit and run driver in Greensboro.
54-year-old Ella Sharlene Whitfield was walking home from a store around 9:15 p.m. Monday when she was hit.
Investigators say Whitfield walked to her nearby home and then was taken to Moses Cone Hospital. She died at the hospital from her injuries.
Police do not have any information on the vehicle that hit Whitfield.
Drone Piloting Program To Launch At Lenoir Community College
Lenoir Community College is set to launch the state's first associate's degree program in drone piloting.
Media outlets report LCC got the approval for the program a few weeks ago, when the Federal Aviation Administration issued new rules allowing routine commercial use of drones.
The unmanned aircraft systems degree will be added as a third track in the aviation major, which already includes traditional piloting and aviation management.
Program Director Jeff Jennings says the program's goal is to "produce some unmanned aircraft entrepreneurship." He says the program will also train drone pilots going into photography, mapping, military and other industries.
The program will begin Aug. 15.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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