Reynolds American 4Q profit up 16 pct

By Michael Felberbaum | February 8, 2012 - 1:05pm

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Reynolds American Inc., the nation's second-biggest tobacco company, said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter profits rose 16 percent as higher prices and productivity gains helped offset declining cigarette sales.

Reynolds American 4Q profit up 16 pct

By Michael Felberbaum | February 8, 2012 - 1:05pm

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Reynolds American Inc., the nation's second-biggest tobacco company, said Wednesday that its fourth-quarter profits rose 16 percent as higher prices and productivity gains helped offset declining cigarette sales.

Man who killed NC police officers seeks new trial

February 8, 2012 - 12:44pm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Lawyers for a man convicted of killing two Charlotte police officers are seeking a new trial, saying their client was mentally ill and incapable of assisting in his defense.

Wright brothers' Ohio bike shop may be demolished

February 8, 2012 - 11:57am

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio building constructed around the first Wright brothers' bicycle shop has been declared a public nuisance and may eventually be demolished, despite a resident's effort to preserve the site.

House bill would increase number of NC mustangs

February 8, 2012 - 11:56am

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The size of the wild mustang herd on the northern tip of North Carolina's Outer Banks would be larger under a new measure in the U.S. Congress.

Night gunfire at NC weapons training center

February 8, 2012 - 9:01am

STEDMAN, N.C. (AP) — A security contractor says its North Carolina gun ranges will light up with nighttime gunfire.

Duke has special events planned for Dickens' 200th

February 8, 2012 - 9:01am

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke University is joining the birthday celebrations for British author Charles Dickens with a special exhibition and a public performance similar to ones he gave during his life.

NC parties have 11 names for presidential primary

February 8, 2012 - 12:49am

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — More than half of the candidates expected on North Carolina's presidential primary ballots in May come from the Libertarian Party.

Chicken salad sandwiches recalled

By The Associated Press | February 7, 2012 - 11:23pm

A South Carolina company is recalling about 2,800 of its chicken salad sandwiches because of concerns about possible listeria contamination.

3 more Dems won't run again for NC Legislature

February 7, 2012 - 9:40pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Three more Democrats announced Tuesday they aren't seeking re-election to the General Assembly this year, including two drawn into districts with incumbent Republican lawmakers.

Sue Myrick won't seek re-election in 9th District

February 7, 2012 - 7:52pm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — U.S. Rep.

North Carolina editorial roundup

By The Associated Press | February 7, 2012 - 7:38pm

Recent editorials from North Carolina newspapers: Feb. 7 The News & Observer of Raleigh on the national and state economy: One month and a slight decline in the nation's unemployment rate do not an economic recovery make.

NC GOP majority sustains money edge over Democrats

By Gary D. Robertson | February 7, 2012 - 7:10pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Republicans now in charge of the North Carolina Legislature are capitalizing on their newly-earned political power and filling their campaign coffers for a big election year.

NC man convicted of abuse in child death is dead

February 7, 2012 - 7:00pm

SHELBY, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina man convicted of child abuse in the death of his 2-year-old stepson has been found dead in a jail cell.

NC Democratic Rep. Weiss won't seek re-election

February 7, 2012 - 3:54pm

CARY, N.C. (AP) — Another North Carolina state House member who was a leader during the chamber's Democratic control won't run for re-election.

NC court backs trooper who kicked canine partner

February 7, 2012 - 3:22pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Court of Appeals has upheld a judge's ruling that ordered a state trooper who was fired for kicking his dog to be reinstated with back pay.

NC appeals court: Weapons center is not a school

By EMERY P. DALESIO | February 7, 2012 - 3:01pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Shooting ranges and a training center built by former Delta Force members to train police and troops as next-generation warriors doesn't qualify as a school, a designation local officials accepted in allowing construction, the North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday.

NC appeals court: Weapons center is not a school

By EMERY P. DALESIO | February 7, 2012 - 3:01pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina court is rejecting claims that shooting ranges and a training center created by former Delta Force members to train police and troops as next-generation warriors qualifies as a school.

FDA grants priority review to Salix treatment

February 7, 2012 - 1:34pm

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. said Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration granted a priority review to its potential treatment for HIV-associated diarrhea.

Raleigh officer wounded in apartment standoff

February 7, 2012 - 11:37am

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A Raleigh police officer has been wounded in a standoff with a man barricaded in an apartment.

NC DOT hears from public on I-95 expansion, tolls

February 7, 2012 - 9:02am

LUMBERTON, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's Department of Transportation wants to hear from the public about the benefits of widening and improving Interstate 95, and the possible cost from charging tolls to travel the highway.

NC officials announce arts-economy program

February 7, 2012 - 9:01am

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina Arts Council will provide grants to up to four communities to help them use their cultural assets to create arts-driven economic development.

NC officials to announce arts-economy program

February 7, 2012 - 9:01am

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — The secretary of the state Department of Cultural Resources is making an announcement about a new arts-driven economic development program at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham.

Public hearing planned on Wrightsville Beach pier

February 7, 2012 - 9:01am

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. (AP) — A hearing is scheduled in Wrightsville Beach on a request by the owners to repair a dilapidated pier that closed more than 15 years ago because of damage from storms.

NC lawmaker released from hospital after wreck

February 7, 2012 - 2:15am

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — A colleague of State Rep.