The two major-party U.S. Senate candidates in North Carolina are traveling the state this weekend trying to energize their allies with speeches and visits from out-of-state politicians. The campaigns of Republican Thom Tillis and incumbent Democratic Senator Kay Hagan also are raising a ton of money. With help from wealthy donors and outside groups, more than $100 million now has been spent on the North Carolina Senate race, the Charlotte Observer reports.
And national politicians are lending their support to the two main candidates. Tillis scheduled rallies Saturday with Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus in Raleigh and Greensboro. And Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson was scheduled to join Tillis at a Republican campaign office in Cornelius.
Hagan was at last night’s North Carolina Democratic Party Western Gala in Asheville, where she addressed the crowd. The keynote speaker was Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, who is considering a run for president in 2016.
Meanwhile, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will be in Charlotte next weekend to campaign for Hagan. Clinton will attend an early vote event next Saturday at Charlotte Convention Center.
Early voting begins this Thursday, October 23.
SALISBURY SERVICE REMEMBERS EBOLA VICTIM
A service in Salisbury on Saturday remembered the nation’s first victim of the Ebola virus. Thomas Eric Duncan was described as a big-hearted and compassionate man whose virtues may have led to his infection with Ebola in his native Liberia. Family and friends gathered at a Southern Baptist church with a primarily Liberian flock in Salisbury, near where Duncan's mother lives.
SC GOV. LEADS DISCUSSION ON EBOLA
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley will lead a group of department heads, state lawmakers and public health experts in a discussion Monday of what the state is doing in response to the Ebola outbreak. The Ebola Preparedness Roundtable is scheduled at the Statehouse grounds in Columbia. The roundtable discussion will address the importance of coordination, training, and public outreach between groups and organizations involved in South Carolina's response. State Health Director Catherine Templeton says the state is creating a statewide network linking health workers and facilities that may have to deal with Ebola.
FILM INDUSTRY FLEES AFTER TAX CREDITS END
Film industry advocates say even though one television series has agreed to return to North Carolina, not many other movies or TV shows are likely to follow. They say that's because a grant program is replacing tax credits next year. The CBS series "Under the Dome" has confirmed it will film its third season in the Wilmington area. It might be eligible for up to half the $10 million in the grant program. Film advocates say they hope to convince legislators next year to invest more heavily in the film industry. State Senator Bob Rucho says legislators will want to see if the film grants result in full-time jobs, since that's how other incentives are judged.
SPORTS
Jay Haas has the lead going into today’s final round as professional golf’s Champions Tour visits Conover for the Greater Hickory Kia Classic. Haas shot a second-round 4-under-67 and sits at a 12-under-par, two shots ahead of three other players.
Brian Vickers has the pole today as NASCAR’s Sprint Cup teams race at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. The green flag will wave around 2:20 this afternoon.
The Carolina Panthers travel to Green Bay, where they’ll play the Packers at 1 o’clock.
