AP-NC Newswatch

Latest North Carolina News:

GERMANY-BAYER-CINVEN
Germany’s Bayer sells pest control business for $2.6 billion
BERLIN (AP) – German chemical and health care company Bayer says it is selling a U.S.-based pest control business to private equity firm Cinven for $2.6 billion. Bayer said Thursday the Environmental Science Professional business, which is headquartered in Cary, North Carolina, had about 800 employees last year. It specializes in “environmental solutions” for pest, disease and weed control in non-agricultural areas. Bayer board member Rodrigo Santos said in a statement that the sale of the business, which the company said it planned to divest in February 2021, “allows us to focus on our core agricultural business.” The sale is expected to close in this year’s second half, and the proceeds will be used to reduce Bayer’s net financial debt.

AP-US-MEADOWS-VOTER-REGISTRATION
Former Trump chief Meadows’ voter registration in question
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – Mark Meadows, who as chief of staff to President Donald Trump promoted his lies of mass voter fraud, is facing increasing scrutiny about his own voter registration status. Public records show he is registered to vote in two states, including North Carolina, where he listed a mobile home he did not own – and may never have visited – as his legal residence weeks before casting a ballot in the 2020 election. A spokesperson for Meadows did not respond to a message seeking comment on Wednesday. The North Carolina Board of Elections declined to comment on the specifics of Meadows’ situation but said it “investigates credible allegations of violations of election laws.”

ELECTION 2022-NORTH CAROLINA-SENATE
In campaign ad, McCrory calls out Budd on Putin, sanctions
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – U.S. Senate candidate Pat McCrory wants to make Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a pivotal issue in the Republican primary in a television ad criticizing rival Ted Budd. McCrory’s campaign began running a commercial on Wednesday accusing the congressman of being soft on President Vladimir Putin and Russian sanctions. The ad marks the first in the race for the former governor. The commercial calls out Budd for calling Putin a “very intelligent actor” in a TV interview. Budd also called Putin “evil” and an “international thug.” A Budd campaign adviser defended the congressman’s comments. Fourteen Republicans are seeking the party’s nomination in the May 17 primary.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SCHOOLS
NC governor’s veto of school mask mandate opt-out is upheld
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – The North Carolina legislature has failed to override another of Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes. The Senate fell short Wednesday on overriding a veto to a bill that would have allowed K-12 students to opt out of COVID-19 mask-wearing mandates. The Republican measure was approved last month on the same day Cooper encouraged boards of education to end broad mask requirements. Bill supporters have said it was needed to affirm that parents can make health-related decisions for their children. Nearly all of the state’s school districts have already approved mask-optional policies. The vote comes as lawmakers plan to end this week a session that began in January 2021.

CAWTHORN-REVOKED LICENSE
Cawthorn cited by patrol for driving with revoked license
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) – Authorities say Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina has been cited for the third time in five months for a traffic violation. The N.C. State Highway Patrol said Wednesday that a trooper stopped a car in Cleveland County the night of March 3 after the vehicle was seen driving left of the center line. A patrol statement said Cawthorn was found to be driving with a revoked license and has been charged with two violations. He had been cited previously for speeding in October and January. Hawthorn’s office says it expects the traffic matters to be resolved quickly and he remains focused on representing his constituents.

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER-ASSAULT
NC sheriff’s office: Woman assaulted school officer
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) – A North Carolina sheriff’s office says it has charged a woman with assaulting a school resource officer. News outlets report the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said a parent arrived at Philo-Hill Magnet Academy on Tuesday morning and got into a fight with the officer. The woman drove away from school and a sheriff’s deputy tried to stop her. She didn’t stop and a chase ensued. The sheriff’s office says the woman eventually stopped on a street and was taken into custody without further incident. She faces multiple misdemeanor charges.

WILDFIRE-NORTH CAROLINA
Wildfire covers 1,000 acres on North Carolina’s Outer Banks
A wildfire in eastern North Carolina has burned parts of the Outer Banks and covered the area in smoke. The Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department said Tuesday morning that there was an active wildland fire at Dare County Bombing Range, a training location for military aircraft crews. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in North Carolina said Tuesday afternoon that the fire had slightly spread to the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of the only places in the world where endangered red wolves can be seen in the wild. The fire covered 1,000 acres and was 60% contained as of Wednesday morning.

ELECTION 2022-LEGISLATURE-COOPER
Cooper sides against NC Senate incumbent deViere in primary
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has endorsed the challenger of a sitting state senator in the May 17 primary. It’s an unusual public intervention by the second-term governor in intraparty politics. Cooper is backing Val Applewhite for the Cumberland County seat currently held by Sen. Kirk deViere, who at times has voted with the Republican majority on measures Cooper opposed. Cooper’s endorsement Tuesday says Applewhite isn’t afraid to stand up to “Right Wing Republicans.” DeViere says he’s confident voters will choose “the voice that best represents their interests – not the interests of partisan Raleigh politicians.”