(GREENSBORO)--Gov. Mike Easley has dispatched damage assessment teams comprised of state and local officials to Guilford, Forsyth, and Davie counties to begin the process of assessing damage from the storm that swept through the area late Thursday and early Friday morning. At least one person is dead and at least three others were injured after what law enforcement officers said was a tornado that touched down near Interstate 40 and Sandy Ridge Road in Greensboro.

(RALEIGH) -- Bits and pieces of the Governor’s proposed budget are trickling out of the Governor’s office. Governor Mike Easley wants over $10 million to match federal dollars for child health insurance. A press release indicates that would provide insurance for nearly 11,000 more children.  The Governor also proposes spending over $8 million to increase payments for foster care and adoption.

(RALEIGH) -- Waste Industries' shareholders approved the necessary steps for the company to go private. Shares of the regional, non-hazardous solid waste services company were de-listed from the NASDAQ Stock Exchange prior to the opening of trading on Friday.

(COLLEGE PARK, MD). - All eight participating institutions were represented on the 2008 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Softball first- and second-teams, announced Wednesday evening at the league's annual pre-championship banquet on the campus of the University of Maryland. UNC, which posted a school-record 49 wins and an 18-2 ACC record during the regular season, led all schools with six total team members, and also claimed the league's Player and Coach of the Year Awards.