Morning News Briefs: Wednesday, October 4th

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NC Legislature Back At Work A 3rd Time Since Wrap-Up

The North Carolina General Assembly is meeting for the third time since wrapping up its main work session in June, the result of more conflict with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and apparent unfinished business among Republican lawmakers.

The House and Senate reconvene Wednesday for what some GOP leaders anticipate will be a two- or three-day session.

Veto overrides and judicial redistricting are among the expected topics.

Trump To Attend Greensboro Fundraiser

President Donald Trump will attend a campaign fundraiser in Greensboro Saturday.

WRAL-TV reports A $2,700-per-person dinner will be held at the home of businessman Louis DeJoy and his wife Aldona Wos.

Wos served as secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services under former Gov. Pat McCrory. She is now the vice chairwoman of the president's Commission on White House Fellowships.

This will be the president's first trip to North Carolina since his January inauguration.

NC Utility Head On Drinking Water: OK As Far As He Knows

The head of the agency providing drinking water to more than 200,000 people in and around Wilmington says unregulated and little-studied chemicals in the Cape Fear River don't make the water unsafe — as far as he knows.

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority Executive Director Jim Flechtner told legislators in Raleigh on Tuesday that its water meets all regulations. He says the problem is too little is known about emerging pollutants to know whether they're unhealthy or OK.

The state Senate committee is investigating chemicals in the state's rivers, especially the chemical GenX, used in making Teflon, which the Chemours Co. plant near Fayetteville discharged.

Cigarette Makers To Publish New Statements On Health Risks

Cigarette makers will soon be publishing a series of blunt statements on the health risks of smoking.

Beginning next month, the court ordered “corrective statements” will start running on television and in newspapers. These are specific warnings against the dangers of tobacco.

This is a result of the 1999 lawsuit focused on industry conduct dating back to the 1950s. It includes Reynolds American, Altria Group, and others.

The court order required the tobacco companies to publish five statements in all about cigarette smoking. They'll take the form of 30-second ads on TV, airing once a week for one year. They'll also run full-page ads in dozens of newspapers across the country.

The companies are also required to say that they had deceived the public, intentionally designing cigarettes with enough nicotine to create and sustain addiction.

Milwaukee Brewers Finalize Purchase Of Carolina Mudcats

The Milwaukee Brewers have finalized their purchase of the Class A Carolina Mudcats.

The Brewers announced Tuesday the team has purchased a full ownership stake in the Mudcats, the Brewers' affiliate in the Carolina League.

The transaction closed and was approved by the Carolina League.

The Mudcats are based in Zebulon, which is part of the Research Triangle metropolitan area.