The Catawba County District Attorney plans to seek the death penalty in the case against the man accused of killing teacher Maggie Daniels. Sharman Howard Odom was indicted for first degree murder two weeks ago.
Court records show the DA last week asked for a hearing for a judge to review evidence and decide if the state can pursue the death penalty in Odom's trial. The court hasn't set a date for that hearing.
Dollar General Continues Pursuit Of Family Dollar
Dollar General executives are still pushing to buy Matthews-based Family Dollar. Family Dollar's board earlier this month rejected the company's $78.50 per share cash offer over concerns the deal would violate antitrust laws.
Family Dollar says it will stick to a $74.50-a-share cash and stock deal with Dollar Tree.
Dollar General CEO Rick Dreiling told investors today he hopes Family Dollar will come to the table. Dreiling adds that he thinks the potential antitrust issues are manageable and that his company's offer is superior.
Dollar General has said that it would close 700 stores in the merger to avoid problems with regulators.
UNC Suspends Four Over Hazing Incident
North Carolina has suspended four football players from its season opener this weekend against Liberty. The suspensions come after a report this week of alleged hazing that left a walk-on receiver with a possible concussion.
Coach Larry Fedora says the four players were suspended for violation of team policy, but he wouldn't give specifics. The suspended players are sophomores Des Lawrence and Brain Walker, redshirt freshman Donnie Miles and true freshman M.J. Stewart.
UNC says it's investigating the incident, but the school has not confirmed that it had anything to do with hazing.
EPA Says NC Meets Air Quality Standard
The federal Environmental Protection Agency says all of North Carolina meets a new, more stringent national air quality standard for fine-particle pollution. The designation comes after state lawmakers passed the Clean Smokestacks Act in 2001. The law requires power plants to reduce emissions of fine particles and other air pollutants such as liquid droplets. Particulate pollution can contribute to haze and cause breathing problems.
The EPA plans to officially designate North Carolina in December as meeting the 2012 standard.
New President At BB&T
BB&T Bank has a new president. Long time executive Ricky Brown will replace Rob Greene, who retired. Brown has been with Winston-Salem based BB&T since the late 70s and previously served as the Charlotte area's regional president.