Hello! The Carolinas News Editor is Tim Rogers. The breaking news supervisor is Skip Foreman.
A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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:
MOSQUE THREATENED-NORTH CAROLINA
RAEFORD — An Army Reserve officer left bacon at a mosque and brandished a handgun while threatening to kill Muslims and “bury them behind the mosque,” North Carolina authorities said Friday. The series of threats began Thursday afternoon when members of the mosque in Raeford noticed open packages of bacon near one of the entrances, according to a Hoke County Sheriff’s Office news release. By Anna Gronewold and Jonathan Drew. SENT: 470 words.
With:
— MOSQUE THREATENED-THE LATEST.
AMUSEMENT PARK-POWER OUTAGE
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Carowinds theme park reopened with most rides operating after a power outage forced the evacuation of several rides. A Carowinds spokeswoman said the park was operating normally Friday, with the exception of four rides that were closed. Riders on at least three attractions at the park on the North Carolina-South Carolina state line had to be evacuated Thursday night. By Meg Kinnard. SENT: 130 words. UPCOMING: 400 words by 3 p.m.
With:
— AMUSEMENT PARK-POWER OUTAGE-THE LATEST.
SUPREME COURT-CYBERBULLYING
RALEIGH — North Carolina’s cyberbullying law designed to protect children from harassing online posts has been found unconstitutional. The state Supreme Court ruled Friday the 2009 law that made posting on the Internet information designed to “intimidate or torment” a minor a misdemeanor violates the First Amendment by restricting speech. By Gary D. Robertson. SENT: 110 words. UPCOMING: 400 words by 5 p.m.
EXCHANGE-BIRDHOUSE MAN
RALEIGH — Eddie Jacobs’ Chevy S10 pickup truck is hard to miss. The bed is filled with decorative birdhouses that he sells, each one inspired by the state of North Carolina. There are lighthouses with their distinctive black-and-white stripes and diamonds, each with a solar-powered light on top. There are tobacco barns and pack houses, log cabins and outhouses — many decorated with metal roofs, plastic shrubbery and toy cars. By Andrea Weigl, The News & Observer of Raleigh. SENT: 820 words.
IN BRIEF:
— TEACHER-HORROR MOVIES, from FAYETTEVILLE — A Cumberland County middle school teacher is facing discipline after officials say he showed horror videos to sixth graders. SENT: 120 words.
— WIFE SLAYING, from CHARLOTTE — Authorities have arrested an 82-year-old Charlotte man and accused him of killing his 79-year-old wife. SENT: 130 words.
— HOG PLANT-MASON CITY, from HAMPTON, Iowa — The Hampton City Council is supporting the possibility of locating a pork plant in Franklin County. SENT: 130 words. Note North Carolina angle.
— INTERSTATE-RALEIGH-NORFOLK, from NORFOLK, Va. — Officials are planning a $1 billion interstate highway that will eventually connect Norfolk and Raleigh as well as open a high-speed, unobstructed route between a Virginia port and North Carolina’s Research Triangle region. SENT: 130 words.
— PHONY LANDLADY, from FREDERICK, Md. — A North Carolina woman is accused of stealing more than $4,000 from five men by posing as the landlady of a Maryland property she was being evicted from. SENT: 130 words.
— MCCRORY-REPORT CARD, from RALEIGH — North Carolina’s traditional school year is over, so some teachers say it’s time Gov. Pat McCrory gets graded for his performance on public education and other issues. SENT: 130 words.
— MISSING BOATER, from ELIZABETH CITY — Authorities say they searching for a boater who went missing in the waters south of the Albemarle Sound. SENT: 130 words.
SPORTS:
BBC–NCAA-EAST CAROLINA-TEXAS TECH
LUBBOCK, Texas — East Carolina has never gone to the College World Series. But after besting the defending national champs along the way to winning the regionals, the Pirates are a step away from Omaha. East Carolina, which has been in the most NCAA regionals (28) without advancing to the CWS, takes on Texas Tech in the first of a best-of-three series Friday night. The Red Raiders are looking to return to the CWS for the second time in three years. UPCOMING: 150-word AP NewsNow. Game starts at 8 p.m. CDT
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The AP, Raleigh