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Wake Forest Hoops Coach Pleads Not Guilty In Tourist Death
A college basketball coach who police say threw a punch that killed a New York City tourist has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge.
Wake Forest University assistant coach Jamill Jones was arraigned Thursday night on a misdemeanor assault charge and released on his own recognizance.
Police say Jones attacked digital marketing guru Sandor Szabo around 1:15 a.m. last Sunday in Queens, causing him to fall and smash his head on the sidewalk. Szabo, visiting from Boca Raton, Florida, banged on the window of Jones' SUV while looking for his ride after his stepsister's wedding.
Police say the coach got out, followed Szabo to the sidewalk, punched him and sped off.
Jones, of Kernersville, turned himself in to police earlier Thursday. His attorney calls the encounter a "tragic accident."
Hog Nuisance Trials Get New Judge After 3 Industry Losses
The federal judge managing a series of North Carolina lawsuits accusing the world's largest pork company of creating nuisances for rural neighbors is being temporarily replaced.
The order replacing U.S. District Judge Earl Britt for a trial starting next month was finalized Monday. Court records don't indicate why Britt was replaced.
Documents show the appointment of West Virginia federal Judge David Faber was in progress before a jury last week slapped Smithfield Foods with a $473 million verdict.
That decision made three straight multi-million-dollar losses for the Hong Kong company to neighbors complaining of intense animal waste smells, flies and truck traffic.
North Carolina Seeking Contracts Operating Retooled Medicaid
North Carolina state government has formally begun a search for insurance companies and health networks that want to care for most of the state's Medicaid patients.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday it's seeking proposals from entities interested in contracts with the state's overhauled Medicaid program starting in late 2019. DHHS Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen says the awards are valued at $6 billion annually for up to five years, making it the department's largest procurement ever.
The General Assembly agreed in 2015 to shift Medicaid from a traditional fee-for-service program to one in which statewide managed-care companies or regional hospital and doctor networks get flat monthly amounts for each patient covered.
Four statewide contracts and 10 contracts covering six regions are expected to be awarded in February.
Audit Finds Problems Managing Alcohol Warehouse Contract
An audit has found North Carolina's state-run wholesale and retail liquor distribution agency poorly managed its outside warehouse contract, leading to $11 million in additional costs covering over a decade.
State Auditor Beth Wood's office released Thursday a performance review of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission's contract with the company paid to run ABC warehousing, Columbia, Maryland-based LB&B Associates Inc. The liquor comes from licensed distillers and is held before getting shipped to local ABC stores.
Report authors say the commission failed to ensure annual contract price increases didn't exceed allowable amounts and failed to examine if increases were reasonable. They also found the state could have saved $2 million if they hadn't leased unnecessary space at a Clayton warehouse and that $300,000 in underpayments to the state were undetected.
Man Arrested In Fatal Shooting Of Pregnant Teen
A North Carolina man has been charged in the slaying of a pregnant 18-year-old and her unborn child.
21-year-old Hykeem Marquis Simmons was charged Thursday with first-degree murder in 18-year-old Anastaista Ray's death. High Point police found Ray, described as seven- to eight-months pregnant, shot in the head Monday night. Her 32-year-old brother, Corey, also was found wounded.
Police announced Tuesday that the shooting may have been gang-related. Authorities say Simmons was arrested that same day on charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and investigators were familiar with Simmons' previous gang affiliation.
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