Archives: September 2014

DHHS Oversight,1st Ld NC health officials highlight Medicaid finances

Makenzi Henderson,

North Carolina health officials are celebrating a positive cash balance within the state Medicaid agency for the most recent fiscal year. They’re also crediting a consultant’s work for helping bring Medicaid finances under control.

The state budget office told a General Assembly oversight committee Tuesday that Medicaid had $64 million remaining when the year ended June 30. The state Department of Health and Human Services is in charge of Medicaid.

McCrory aims to stump for Tillis in US Senate race

Makenzi Henderson,

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory says he plans to do anything he can to help fellow Republican Thom Tillis’ election campaign for the U.S. Senate in November, and will campaign for state legislators as time allows.

McCrory said Tuesday he’s planning to actively campaign for Tillis. The governor noted he endorsed the top lawmaker in the state House before the Republican primary election in May.

McCrory to let NC coal ash regulation become law

Makenzi Henderson,

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory says he won’t sign new regulations on Duke Energy’s toxic coal ash pits that he’s suggested include an unconstitutional provision.

McCrory said in a statement Tuesday he’ll allow the legislation to become law next week without his approval.

Pisgah Inn operator gets 10-year contract

Makenzi Henderson,

The operator of Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway has been awarded a contract to operate for another 10 years.

Bruce O’Connell told the Asheville Citizen-Times he plans to make improvements to the inn now that he has won the contract again.

Pender

Sea turtles returned to ocean

Helen Holt,

video

Topsail Island hosted a cheering crowd and some happy turtles! Hundreds of folks gathered this afternoon to see 8 sea turtles make their journey back to the ocean.

Brunswick

Teacher of the Week: Bonnie Stanley-Verzella

Randy Aldridge,

videoThe first day of school can be rough for both parents and students, but at Union Elementary School there is a very special kindergarten teacher who makes it easy and fun.
Bonnie Stanley-Verzella says kindergarten is when kids learn a lifelong love of school and she wants them to know that learning can be fun.
That’s why she is our Teacher of the Week

UPDATE: Teen wanted for shooting caught

WWAY News,

videoAn Onslow County teen wanted in connection to a shooting has been caught.

Detectives say Tyler Allen Lanier, 19, shot into a car around 11 p.m. Sunday at the Verona Quick Mart.

Pharoah McKever excels in debut for NC State

John Rendleman,

videoNC State defeated Old Dominion over the weekend in college football to improve to 2-0 on the season. Clearly, one of the difference makers on defense turned out to be a redshirt freshman who didn’t even play in the Wolfpack season opener. On Monday on WWAY we showcased Pharoah McKever’s college debut. McKever is a graduate of South Columbus High. Plus we have more football news on Mike Sheehan, Nick Napolitano and Jonathan Cooper!

New Hanover

Are you afraid of the shark?

Chris Brown,

videoYou might fear the fin but there are some people trying to understand sharks better, like Chris Fischer.The ocean expert understands the animals in a way few do and hopes to share his knowledge.

FIT MINUTE – Wilmington man loses 125 lbs

Makenzi Henderson,

videoWatching TV during the day or late at night, you might see those infomercials promising a quick fix to your weight problem.

Personal trainers say, many times, those programs just don’t work because real weight loss takes time and dedication.

Duke enters into $1.2B deal with ElectriCities

Makenzi Henderson,

Duke Energy has entered into a $1.2 billion agreement with ElectriCities to buy back minority stakes in several North Carolina power plants.

The deal is expected to lower power bills of thousands of eastern North Carolina residents by reducing debt for the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency, which is managed by ElectriCities. Duke entered into the deal, which was announced over the summer, on Friday.

Ex-Charlotte mayor’s lawyers seek sentencing delay

Makenzi Henderson,

Lawyers for former Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon have filed a request to delay sentencing in his public corruption case.

Area media outlets report the motion filed on Monday says one or more witnesses are unavailable for that date, and asks for a new sentencing date of Oct. 13. The original sentencing hearing was scheduled for Sept. 25.

Sea turtle nest count drops in North Carolina

wwaytv3_staff,

videoThe number of sea turtle nests along the North Carolina coast has dropped sharply after four years of increases.

The StarNews reports that the number of turtle nests fell 58 percent this year, compared with 2013.

Matthew Godfrey with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission said the numbers this year are about 30 percent below average.