Hello! The Carolinas News Editor is Tim Rogers. The supervisor is Jeffrey Collins.

A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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 and digests will keep you up to date.

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

TOP STORIES:

CAMPAIGN FINANCE-HARTSELL

RALEIGH — A former longtime North Carolina state legislator accused of using more than $200,000 in campaign funds for his personal benefit pleaded guilty on Friday to federal fraud and tax charges. Ex-Sen. Fletcher Hartsell of Concord entered the plea deal in Winston-Salem federal court. By Gary D. Robertson. SENT: 550 words.

NASCAR-CONCUSSION PROTOCOL

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. was confident NASCAR took the right step Friday when it beefed up its concussion protocol by adding a consistent screening rule at all venues. “Good to see progress being made and implemented. Health and safety is top priority,” Earnhardt tweeted . By Sports Writer Dan Gelston. SENT: 490 words, AP Photo NY174. Please note N.C. interest.

EXCHANGE-RECOVERING EAGLE

FRISCO — A sick American bald eagle found in a field in Perquimans County is doing much better now, thanks to a local man and a wildlife rehabilitation specialist who lives on the Outer Banks. Pete Marriner, of New Hope, recently recovered a bald eagle from a field in the Woodville area and transferred it to the care of Lou Browning, a Frisco-based wildlife rehabilitation specialist. By Chris Day, The Daily Advance of Elizabeth City. SENT: 970 words.

IN BRIEF:

— OBIT-ANIMAL RIGHTS AUTHOR, from RALEIGH — Tom Regan, the author of a noted book on animal rights and a professor emeritus of philosophy at NC State University, has died. SENT: 120 words.

— COOPER-JUDGES, from RALEIGH — The former longtime chairman of the State Board of Elections and a Court of Appeals candidate last fall have been appointed to local judgeships by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. SENT: 120 words.

— BANK OF AMERICA-CEO PAY, from NEW YORK — Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan is getting a big pay raise this year. SENT: 110 words.

— BKN–LGBT RIGHTS-TEXAS BOYCOTTS, from AUSTIN, Texas — The NBA has warned that Texas could be overlooked for future events because of a proposed “bathroom bill” targeting transgender people. SENT: 130 words.

— FATAL WRECK-LIFE SENTENCES, from GASTONIA — A Gaston County jury has handed down two life sentences to a man found guilty in connection with a fatal traffic crash two years ago. SENT: 120 words.

— CHARLOTTE SCHOOLS-WALKOUTS, from CHARLOTTE — Students from at least three Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools have staged walkouts, and administrators say they will be subject to disciplinary action. SENT: 120 words.

— TON OF POT-NORTH CAROLINA, from ASHEVILLE — Three of the six people charged after authorities accused them of trafficking more than a ton of marijuana are facing additional charges. SENT: 120 words.

— HOMELESS MAN-FIRE DEATH, from JACKSONVILLE — Police in Jacksonville say a homeless man seeking shelter inside an abandoned cargo trailer had died in a fire. SENT: 90 words.

— ELEMENTARY SCHOOL-LEAD, from FAYETTEVILLE — Health and education officials in Cumberland County say an environmental study has discovered lead in areas accessible to children at an elementary school. SENT: 100 words.

SPORTS:

BKC–T25-ACC THIS WEEK

UNDATED — No. 10 North Carolina plays host to No. 14 Virginia and No. 8 Louisville in a big test for the Atlantic Coast Conference-leading Tar Heels. Their top rival — Duke — has won six straight to move into a three-way tie for second place, with freshman Jayson Tatum leading the push with a pair of dominant second-half performances in a week’s span. SENT: 450 words, AP photos.

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The AP, Raleigh