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State Reviewing Health Care Megadeal
The state attorney general is reviewing a proposed merger by two of North Carolina's largest health care groups The megadeal has some worried about how it could impact health care across the state.
Supporters of the deal between Charlotte's Carolinas HealthCare System and Chapel Hill's UNC Health Care say it will create one of the leading nonprofit systems in the country.
The Charlotte Observer reports that Attorney General Josh Stein's review will examine whether the merger would ultimately hurt health care competition.
The transaction does not require approval from Stein's office, but he could sue to block the deal if he believes it will hurt consumers or competition.
One of the concerns is how it could impact UNC Health Care, a state-owned nonprofit with a network of physicians across North Carolina.
Officials with the two entities involved say they hope to have a final agreement by the end of the year.
2 DEA Anti-Heroin Enforcement Teams Coming To 5 States
The federal government is sending law enforcement teams to cities in five states to help stop the flow of heroin and synthetic opioids.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said Friday the teams will enhance the agency's ability to combat problems surrounding heroin, fentanyl and drug trafficking violence.
The DEA is sending teams to Raleigh; Cincinnati and Cleveland; Long Island, New York; New Bedford, Massachusetts; and Charleston, West Virginia.
The agency considered fatal overdose rates, levels of heroin and fentanyl seizures, and where extra resources would have the greatest impact in selecting cities.
Outside Groups Funnel Money Into Choice Of Charlotte Mayor
Outside interest groups are getting involved in swaying Charlotte's mayoral election, the first since the city passed protections for LGBT people that were trumped by a statewide ban that drew boycotts from businesses and entertainers.
The Charlotte Observer reports that the new flow of money and advertising is coming from a handful of groups supporting and opposing broader gay rights. Also running ads to attack Democrat Vi Lyles in Charlotte's mayor race is a so-called "dark money" group that doesn't have to reveal its donors.
Lyles is running against Republican Kenny Smith.
NC College To Cover Tuition Cost For Some Next Year
A private college in North Carolina plans to cover the cost of tuition for all incoming, in-state students eligible for federal or state need-based aid starting next year.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reports Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa will offer its NC Free Tuition Plan for students new to the school beginning in fall 2018.
The average cost of attendance at Warren Wilson is $24,400 a year after financial aid. The school has 716 undergraduate and graduate students.
School President Lynn Morton says Warren Wilson reallocated scholarship funding to create the program.
Carolina Keno Drawings Began Sunday At Hundreds Of Locations
North Carolina lottery leaders hope a new draw game that started this weekend will attract new players while producing more net profits for public education.
Carolina Keno began Sunday at several hundred outlets statewide, primarily at bars, restaurants and some convenience stores where patrons often socialize.
Keno drawings occur every five minutes and cover numbers one to 80.