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Fake News? Senate Leader Alters Headlines About Governor
The news was real, but the headlines weren't.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that the office of Republican North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger altered headlines from state newspapers and broadcasters on the senator's official Facebook page.
Pointedly critical of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, the headlines were posted on the page above links to the news outlets' original, unaltered stories.
The paper quotes Facebook spokesman Andy Stone as saying the practice violates Facebook's usage policy.
Lottery Funds Sought For School Construction, Principal Pay
Senate Republicans want to use more North Carolina Education Lottery proceeds generated from expanded advertising to build more schools in poor counties and increase compensation for principals and assistant principals.
Three senators filed legislation Thursday that would spend at least $100 million in lottery profits during the next fiscal year. Most of the funds would go to a grant program matching local money for school construction in the neediest counties. This is on top of lottery funds already distributed statewide for school construction.
Other lottery funds also would give principal and assistant principals big pay bumps next year and create performance-based bonuses to principals.
NC Legislators Propose College Loan Program For New Teachers
North Carolina officials are reviving efforts to help college students pay for their education in return for working in the state's schools.
Legislators on Thursday proposed up to $8,250 in loans that could be wiped away for teaching science or math in high-need or low-performing schools. Gov. Roy Cooper last week proposed a forgivable loan program of up to $10,000 a year for 500 students in exchange for a commitment to teach in public schools.
Politicians said they're trying to reverse a teacher shortage.
Health Officials: 17 Flu Deaths In North Carolina Last Week
North Carolina health officials say 17 people died from the flu last week, marking the fourth straight week that the death toll reached double digits.
The latest information from the state Department of Health and Human Services released Thursday shows all 17 deaths were adults. There had been pediatric deaths in four of the five previous weeks.
Carolina On His Mind: James Taylor To Perform At Merlefest
Five-time Grammy winner James Taylor will perform at this year's Merlefest, a four-day outdoor festival held annually at Wilkes Community College.
Officials said in a news release that Taylor will perform April 28 as part of the Transatlantic Sessions Tour. The sessions are a series of musical productions that bring Irish and Scottish artists together with American roots artists.
Merlefest spokesman Steve Johnson says this will be the first time a Transatlantic session has taken place outside the U.K. The live concerts are primarily recorded in Scotland and broadcast on public television in the U.K. and the U.S.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.