Morning News Briefs: Friday, December 23, 2016

NC NAACP Leader Wants Economic Boycott

The leader of North Carolina's NAACP says the group will ask its national parent organization to begin an economic boycott of the state because a law limiting LGBT rights remains on the books.

The Rev. William Barber revealed the state chapter's plans Thursday, the day after the state legislature held a special session but failed to repeal the law known as House Bill 2.

Barber says more pressure must be on the state's cash registers to remove what he considers extremist policies by Republicans. Barber wants the full NAACP to keep the boycott in place until HB2 and recent laws affecting the appellate courts and the State Board of Elections are repealed. He also says fairer rules for redistricting are needed.

UNC Again Faces NCAA Extra-Benefits Charge In Academic Case

North Carolina again faces an NCAA charge for providing improper extra benefits tied to its multi-year academic fraud scandal.

The school on Thursday released a third Notice of Allegations from the NCAA that outlines rules violations. The notice, dated Dec. 13, includes rewording a charge that had been removed from the first version filed in May 2015 that was tied to athletes' access to the irregular courses on the Chapel Hill campus.

It also restores a reference to football and men's basketball players using problem courses to help maintain eligibility. That was removed before the second version filed in April.

UNC still faces five charges, including lack of institutional control.

Gas Prices Rising As Holiday Period Arrives

Gas prices are on the rise in the Triad, just in time for the holiday travel period.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports a gallon of gas costs almost 20 cents more than a year ago.

AAA Carolinas says the average cost of regular unleaded is $2.18 a gallon. The average cost of diesel is $2.41, up 15 cents.

AAA predicts more than 3 million North Carolinians are projected to travel at least 50 miles between Friday and January 3rd.

The Christmas and New Year's holiday period is also a dangerous time on the highways. Last year, 13 people died on North Carolina roads over the holidays, five of which were alcohol-related.

Duke Gives Allen Indefinite Suspension From Team

Duke has suspended Grayson Allen indefinitely from the team after tripping an opponent for the third time in a year.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski announced the suspension Thursday, saying in a brief statement that the program "needed to take further steps regarding his actions" because they "do not meet the standards of Duke basketball."

Allen picked up a technical foul for tripping Elon's Steven Santa Ana on a drive in the first half of a 72-61 win Wednesday night.

Allen, a preseason AP All-America selection who averages 16 points for the fifth-ranked Blue Devils (12-1), was caught tripping opponents twice last winter.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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