Report: North Carolina drought conditions ease slightly

RALEIGH (AP) -- Every county in North Carolina remains under a severe drought or worse despite a slight improvement in conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday found that 46 percent of the state is under exceptional drought conditions -- the most severe category. That was an improvement from the 49 reported a week ago. The worst drought conditions stretch across the middle of the state -- from Rocky Mount to Asheville to Charlotte. The report said the rest of the state is under extreme or severe drought. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)