Here's some of the stories we're following today:
State of Emergency In Effect For All Of North Carolina
Governor Pat McCrory has ordered a state of emergency, effective Friday, for all 100 North Carolina counties in preparation for heavy rain expected this weekend.
State emergency officials expect some impact from Hurricane Joaquin, even if it doesn't make landfall in the U.S.
At a news conference, McCrory says he's concerned Joaquin could mimic Hurricane Floyd, which killed 57 people and caused $6.9 billion damage along the East Coast in 1999. The storm produced torrential rains and widespread flooding in Eastern North Carolina.
There's also a separate low-pressure system over the South that's expected to contribute to precipitation totals.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for most of North Carolina through Monday.
State Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry says he expects flooding in low-lying parts of the state, no matter what Joaquin does.
He's asking residents to have emergency supply kits prepared, know the appropriate evacuation routes, and to never walk or drive through flooded areas.
Nearly 50 New North Carolina Laws Take Effect
All or portions of nearly 50 laws that the North Carolina General Assembly passed and Gov. Pat McCrory signed this year took effect Thursday.
The waiting period for an abortion has increased from 24 hours to 72 hours. Everyone under 18 is now prohibited from using tanning beds.
North Carolina's longtime Sunday hunting ban with guns is also now over, but the hunting will begin this weekend. The expanded hunting has many exceptions — no shooting when church is in session, and hunting is still not allowed in Wake and Mecklenburg counties. There are new laws on pistol permits and National Guard members carrying concealed weapons.
The state's "move over" law for police vehicles now also applies to trash and recycling trucks with flashing lights.
U.S Supreme Court To Hear European Case Against RJR
The Supreme Court will decide whether the European Union can pursue its lawsuit claiming that tobacco company R.J. Reynolds sponsored cigarette smuggling in Europe as part of a global money-laundering scheme with organized crime groups.
The justices agreed Thursday to review an appeals court ruling that said the EU and 26 of its member states were within their rights to sue in U.S. courts under federal racketeering laws.
The lawsuit alleges that RJR directed, managed and controlled the scheme that involved laundering money through New York-based financial institutions.
A federal judge threw out the claims, but a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last year that racketeering laws can apply to crimes committed in foreign countries.
Teacher Turnover In North Carolina Reaches 5-Year High
A newly released North Carolina report says teacher turnover rose slightly during the last school year, with more teachers leaving to teach in other states, moving among North Carolina school districts or leaving the profession entirely.
Multiple media outlets report that 14.84 percent of the state's teachers left their position last year, compared with 14.12 percent the year before. The report was presented Thursday to the State Board of Education during a meeting at Winston-Salem State University.
The statewide turnover rate represents a 5-year high, while the 16.5 percent turnover rate at Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools is a 12-year high for the district.
More than 3,000 of the more than 14,000 teachers leaving their positions reported they were resigning to teach in another district.
Alaska Airlines Expands With Flights To North Carolina
Alaska Airlines officials say they're expanding service with new daily flights from Seattle to North Carolina.
Airline officials said in a news release two daily nonstop flights to Raleigh-Durham began operating Thursday.
It's the sixth new city the carrier has added in 2015. Others include New York City and Nashville, Tennessee.
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