North Carolina Braces For Weekend Of Snow And Cold
Virtually all of North Carolina is expected to see snow this weekend.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for most of the state for Friday afternoon through Saturday afternoon. A winter storm watch is in effect in a few areas. Only the southeastern corner of the state is not expecting snow before the storm moves through.
Snowfall is expected to range from about 1 inch around Lumberton to as much as 9 inches around Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Durham and Raleigh. As much as 7 inches could fall from Asheville to Charlotte.
Bitterly cold temperatures are expected to follow the snow.
Utilities are making plans to deal with power outages. No problems were reported early Friday.
Transportation department officials are spreading salt and sand on many roads.
Law Shifting Schools Power Stays Blocked While Case Proceeds
A new law that shifts power away from the North Carolina Board of Education will remain temporarily blocked after the lawyers involved agreed to postpone a hearing.
A news release from attorneys for the state board says the agreement pushes back a hearing scheduled for Friday. A three-judge panel had been slated to hear arguments for a preliminary injunction. The lawyers are due back in court on Jan. 20 to discuss scheduling issues before the judges.
In the meantime, a previously issued temporary restraining order that blocks the law will stay in place.
Judges To Keep NC Election Law Blocked
A panel of judges says a law approved by North Carolina Republican lawmakers shifting election oversight powers away from the new Democratic governor won't be enforced until Goy. Roy Cooper's lawsuit challenging those changes is resolved.
Three judges are issuing an injunction that extends a temporary block on carrying out the law that would merge the State Board of Election and the State Ethics Commission. The word came late Thursday from a court administrator writing to the lawyers in the case on behalf of the judges.
North Carolina Lawmakers Tell Feds To Reject Cooper Request
North Carolina's legislative leaders have asked federal regulators to reject an anticipated proposal by Gov. Roy Cooper to expand Medicaid, citing state laws they say show he lacks the authority to ask on his own.
Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore wrote the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Thursday. Cooper announced Wednesday he'd file a request later this week seeking coverage though the federal health care overhaul.
Cooper says expansion would cover hundreds of thousands of uninsured people, generating jobs and reducing expensive emergency care. Legislators say covering the state's match for expansion could reach $600 million annually.
Public Inauguration Events Scaled Back Due To Winter Weather
The winter storm approaching North Carolina has scaled back this weekend's inauguration events for Gov. Roy Cooper and other statewide elected officials.
The anticipated snow led the official inaugural committee to cancel Saturday's swearings-in and parade and Sunday's open house at the Executive Mansion.
But smaller events are still happening Friday. A previously scheduled morning church service is on, while Cooper and council members will participate in an afternoon swearing-in ceremony at the Mansion. Cooper and several council members already have taken their official oaths.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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