Receive the morning news briefs delivered to your email inbox every morning. Click here to sign up.

Spotty Ice Expected On Roads As Thawing Snow Refreezes

Officials are warning of another day of dangerous road conditions after a wintry snowstorm walloped several Southern states.

While sunny skies helped North Carolina and Virginia thaw on Tuesday, temperatures dropped again overnight. Gov. Roy Cooper warned that any moisture left on roads from melting snow could turn into ice again Wednesday morning.

Cooper also warned runoff from snowmelt could combine with an expected rainstorm this week to increase the flooding threat along some rivers. Rain was forecast for Thursday and Friday.

GOP Chairman: Vote Tally Sharing Would Warrant New Election

A state Republican Party leader says an affidavit alleging a county's early-vote totals were shared improperly would be grounds alone for a new election in an unsettled congressional race in southeastern North Carolina.

GOP Chairman Robin Hayes made the comment Tuesday about a Bladen County precinct worker's statement that the state Democratic Party released two weeks ago. The state elections board hasn't finalized the 9th District outcome while it examines alleged absentee ballot fraud.

Unofficial 9th District results show Republican Mark Harris leading Democrat Dan McCready by 905 votes.

Bill Requires 9th District Primaries If There's New Election

North Carolina Republicans aim to pass a law making clear new primary races also would be held for an unsettled congressional race next year if the state elections board orders a new election.

GOP legislators unveiled Tuesday a proposal that also keeps the current board in place to investigate absentee ballot irregularities in the 9th Congressional District until the probe finishes. The nine-member board would otherwise cease to exist as of Wednesday because of litigation unrelated to the 9th District.

Bennett College Faces Loss Of Accreditation

Bennett College in Greensboro may lose its accreditation.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges announced on Tuesday the private women's school faces the loss of its accreditation after years of financial and enrollment struggles.

The News and Record reports the school has been on probation for the last two years.

Bennett President Phyllis Worthy Dawkins said she will appear at a hearing in February in hopes of convincing the commission to reverse its decision.

Historically Black North Carolina University Off Probation

A historically black North Carolina university has emerged from probation placed by its accrediting agency.

The News & Observer reports the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges had put St. Augustine's University in Raleigh on probation for the past two years, citing financial problems and questions of institutional effectiveness. Loss of accreditation could have forced the university to close.

On Tuesday, the association's board of trustees announced it has removed St. Augustine's from probationary status.

DA: Evidence Linking Suspect To 2016 Rape Was Overlooked

A North Carolina district attorney says authorities last year didn't investigate DNA evidence linking a 2016 rape to a man accused in the recent slaying of a teenage girl.

The News & Observer reports Robeson County District Attorney Johnson Britt said Tuesday that an investigation into the DNA linking Michael Ray McLellan to the 2016 rape "fell through the cracks."

McLellan is charged with raping and killing 13-year-old Hania Noelia Aguilar, who was kidnapped from outside her Lumberton home in November. Her body was found weeks later.

300x250 Ad

300x250 Ad

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

Donate