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Mourners To Say Goodbye To Billy Graham, 'America's Pastor'
Mourners are gathering in Charlotte to pay respects to the Rev. Billy Graham at a funeral that marks the culmination of more than a week of tributes to the man known as "America's Pastor."
The service is scheduled to start at noon Friday and to include performances by musicians who shared the stage with Graham at his crusades. The Rev. Franklin Graham will deliver the main funeral address for his father after personal messages from Billy Graham's three daughters and younger son. President Donald Trump is expected to attend, but isn't expected to speak.
Special Election Suggested For Some House Districts
An attorney leading another challenge to North Carolina legislative districts wants Wake County House boundaries changed for this year's elections, but a lawyer for Republican state lawmakers says it's too late for that.
Three state judges asked the lawyers Thursday how litigation by advocacy groups and voters should proceed. No decisions were announced.
The plaintiffs contend four districts must revert to 2011 boundaries because the state constitution prevented lawmakers from changing them last summer without specific court orders. Complicating the case is the U.S. Supreme Court blocking a federal court ruling so last year's lines are in use for May primaries.
Flu Deaths In North Carolina Reach 253, Exceed 2017 Total
Flu deaths in North Carolina this season have exceeded the count for all of last season with about three months left.
The state Department of Health and Human Services reported Thursday that 18 people died from the flu last week, and along with 35 deaths attributed to the flu from previous weeks, the death toll for 2017-2018 has reached 253.
Last year, 218 people died from the flu in North Carolina.
Parks, Historic Sites Directors No Longer At Their Jobs
The top leaders for North Carolina's state parks and historic sites are no longer on the job.
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources spokesman Neel Lattimore said Wednesday was the last day of employment for state parks director Michael Murphy and historic sites director Keith Hardison. There were no reasons given for their departures.
Personnel information provided by the department showed Hardison had been director of the Division of State Historic Sites for over 10 years, and Murphy began as parks director in 2014. Both made over $100,000 annually.
FBI, Local Police Launch Investigation Into School Threats
The FBI is joining with North Carolina police detectives and the state's second largest school system in an investigation into threats of violence at four separate schools.
A news release on Thursday said the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Police Department will work with the FBI on the incidents, all of which occurred on Wednesday.