Hello! The Carolinas News Editor is Tim Rogers. The breaking news supervisor is Jack Jones.
A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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:
HOUSE 2016-NORTH CAROLINA
RALEIGH — The thinnest of margins was keeping Republican U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger from losing his seat as his challenger pledged Wednesday to continue fighting in one of two congressional primaries that were too close to call. Pittenger led Mark Harris, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Charlotte, by about 140 votes a day after the primary election, according to state data. If Pittenger doesn’t hold on, he’d become the second incumbent to lose in a topsy-turvy primary following court-ordered redistricting. By Jonathan Drew and Gary D. Robertson. SENT: 550 words.
HOSPITAL VOLUNTEER-YOUTUBE
WINSTON-SALEM — Two families targeted by a North Carolina hospital volunteer’s expletive-laced, racially tinged tirade said Wednesday they are pursuing justice but have not yet taken legal action against the hospital. The families of Isaiah Baskins and Katie Thomas are represented by Justin Bamberg, an Orangeburg, South Carolina-based attorney who is also representing the family of Walter Scott, a black North Charleston, South Carolina, man who was shot and killed by a white city police officer. The officer now faces state and federal charges. By Tom Foreman Jr.. SENT: 540 words, AP Photos NCCB104, NCCB103, NCCB102, NCCB101.
XGR–HIGH SCHOOL MATH
RALEIGH — North Carolina schools would be required to offer traditional high-school-level mathematics classes alongside newer “integrated” classes that arrived with Common Core under legislation recommended Wednesday by a Senate committee. For years, most public school students had to take Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II to graduate from high school. But education leaders and the legislature decided to adopt the multistate Common Core standards, and in fall 2012 incoming freshmen instead took classes called Math 1, Math 2 and Math 3. By Gary D. Robertson. SENT: 600 words.
XGR–NONPROFIT-ID CARDS
RALEIGH — Some North Carolina lawmakers are trying to remove an exemption in an immigration law passed last year that allows law enforcement to use identification cards from local government or nonprofit organizations to determine a person’s identity or residency. The House Regulatory Reform Committee sent the bill to the Appropriations Committee on Wednesday with opposition from policymakers and law enforcement groups who say the exemption allows officers to protect communities with diverse populations. By Anna Gronewold. SENT: 450 words.
IN BRIEF:
— MCCRORY-MUNICIPALITIES, from RALEIGH — Gov. Pat McCrory says mental illness and the increased incidence of heroin addiction are among the top issues facing North Carolina, and he wants municipal leaders and local police to work with him on addressing them. SENT: 120 words.
— TAX REFUND SCHEME, from WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice says a Raleigh man has been sentenced to almost six years in prison for his involvement in a tax refund check scheme. SENT: 130 words.
— SHELBY KILLING, from SHELBY — Police have arrested a man and a woman in the killing of a 95-year-old Shelby woman. SENT: 130 words.
SPORTS
FBN–ASWA-PRO ATHLETE
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Cam Newton led the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl with the best season of his NFL career, collecting plenty of awards along the way. The former Auburn quarterback and 2010 Heisman Trophy winner did it with both his right arm and his long-striding legs, just like in college. SENT: 440 words, AP Photos NCCB101, NCCB110.
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The AP, Raleigh