Editors:

Assignment Editors:

Photo Editors:

Good morning! Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up today in North Carolina. Questions about today’s coverage plans are welcome, and should be directed to Carolinas News Editor Tim Rogers at 919-510-8937 or at [email protected]. Jack Jones is on the desk, followed by Skip Foreman at 1:30 2.

A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories, digests and digest advisories will keep you up to date.

Some TV and radio stations will receive shorter APNewsNow versions of the stories below, along with all updates.

UPCOMING TODAY:

CHANCE AT FREEDOM

WILMINGTON — A man convicted of murder as a teenager and imprisoned 28 years ago is luxuriating by sleeping on his cousin’s living room sofa after a North Carolina judge ruled he did not get a fair trial. Johnny Small, 43, said he looked forward to a hot bath and getting used to an amped-up world full of cellphones he never knew now that he’s left prison after nearly three decades Thursday evening. After prison cots, he said he preferred the sofa in a big, open room to a private bedroom. By Emery P. Dalesio. SENT: 790 words. AP Photos NCWSN101, NCWSN102, NCWSN101, NCWSN102, NCWSN103. Note final version from Thursday did not move until 10:30 p.m.

FROM AP MEMBERS:

IN BRIEF:

— GREENSBORO SHOOTING DEATH, from GREENSBORO — Police in Greensboro are investigating the second shooting death of a man this week. SENT: 130 words.

— TURNPIKE-LOST TEDDY BEAR, from OLDMANS TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The New Jersey Turnpike is reuniting a New York boy with the teddy bear that he lost on a road trip to North Carolina. SENT: 130 words.

— JAYWALKING CHARLOTTE, from CHARLOTTE — Police in Charlotte hope they’ve made a point with pedestrians who violate crosswalk laws. The Charlotte Observer reported (http://bit.ly/2b9GJK5) that officers handed out 100 warning tickets in just 90 minutes at a single intersection Thursday morning.

— STABBING DEATH, from CHARLOTTE — Police say a man suspected of trying to break into a Charlotte apartment has been stabbed to death. SENT: 130 words.

— SEARCH FOR MISSING MAN, from MOREHEAD CITY — Authorities are searching for a missing Carteret County man who they consider to be in danger. SENT: 130 words.

— FAYETTEVILLE CYCLE SHOOTING, from FAYETTEVILLE — A suspect has been arrested in the death of a woman shot while walking along a Fayetteville street. SENT: 130 words.

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