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Greensboro Hospital Reports State's 1st Vaping Death
A Greensboro hospital is reporting the state's first death linked to vaping.
Moses Cone Hospital says the death occurred on Wednesday, but spokesman Doug Allred couldn't provide any additional details. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services says it's investigating.
Allred says the hospital has had eight cases of vaping-related illness since August, including the unidentified person who died.
Last week, Cone Health confirmed it had treated at least six patients with a severe lung illness associated with electronic-cigarette use.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Investigated For Not Disclosing DWI Charges Against CEO
State regulators are looking into whether Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina violated state law by failing to disclose D-W-I charges against its C-E-O.
WUNC reports Blue Cross had been in talks to affiliate with Cambia Health Solutions of Oregon when CEO Patrick Conway was arrested in June. At issue is whether the companies broke disclosure rules by failing to immediately tell the two state insurance departments about the arrest.
There are laws in both Oregon and North Carolina that say companies have to declare what are called "material changes" to an application to merge within two business days.
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey says it's too early to say whether Blue Cross would face any penalties.
Ex-Staffer: NAACP Action Is 'Bittersweet'
The former employee of the North Carolina NAACP who says her supervisor sexually harassed her says the man's suspension from the civil rights organization is "a bittersweet victory."
In a text message to The Associated Press issued through her attorney, Jazmyne Childs said Thursday that "she waited in agony for two years" for the suspension of the Rev. Curtis Gatewood, whom she identified at a news conference Wednesday as the supervisor who harassed her.
Earlier Thursday, NAACP President Derrick Johnson said he suspended Gatewood's membership. Gatewood has denied the allegations and says he'll seek a hearing on his suspension.
White Supremacist Propaganda Discovered At Winston-Salem Temple
White supremacist propaganda was found last week at Temple Emanuel in Winston-Salem and on an online blog naming the synagogue.
Officials at Temple Emanuel are enhancing their security for the High Holy Days in response to the discovery.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports Vivian Smith, the president of Temple Emanuel, informed congregants last week. The synagogue reported the matter to Winston-Salem police, the FBI, and other organizations.
Nearly Half Of North Carolina Counties In Moderate Drought
Officials say nearly half of North Carolina's counties are experiencing a moderate drought due to a lack of rainfall.
Klaus Albertin is chairman of the N.C. Drought Management Advisory Council. He said in a news release issued by the Department of Environmental Quality on Thursday that water supplies, agriculture, fire threat and streamflows statewide are beginning to reflect the lack of precipitation.
Forty-five counties in the western and central parts of the state are in moderate drought stage, the least detrimental of four categories used in federal drought maps.
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