Hello! The Carolinas News Editor is Tim Rogers. The breaking news supervisor is Jack Jones.

A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories and digests will keep you up to date.

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TOP STORIES:

CAMPAIGN 2016-TRUMP AIDE-GUN

WASHINGTON — A former paid worker for Donald Trump’s presidential bid has accused the campaign’s North Carolina state director of pointing a loaded pistol at him. Vincent Bordini filed a civil lawsuit Wednesday in a North Carolina court against the Trump campaign and recent state director Earl L. Phillip. The lawsuit alleges assault and battery, seeking monetary damages for emotional distress. Bordini, 41, also says Trump’s national campaign leadership refused to address the February incident. By Michael Biesecker and Jeff Horwitz. SENT: 820 words.

CHANCE AT FREEDOM

WILMINGTON — A judge on Thursday ruled that a North Carolina man who was convicted of murder as a teenager and was imprisoned 28 years ago did not get a fair trial and allowed him to go free. North Carolina Superior Court Judge W. Douglas Parsons ruled Thursday that there was not enough evidence to justify 43-year-old Johnny Small’s conviction for a 1988 murder. By Emery P. Dalesio. SENT: 850 words, AP Photos NCWSN101, NCWSN103, NCWSN102, NCAB203, NCAB202, NCAB201.

LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING

RALEIGH — Federal judges on Thursday struck down nearly 30 North Carolina House and Senate districts as illegal racial gerrymanders, but will allow General Assembly elections to be held using them this fall. The decision by a three-judge panel comes six months after another set of judges struck down North Carolina’s congressional districts for similar reasons. Thursday’s ruling covering 19 House and nine Senate districts is yet another blow to the GOP lawmakers in North Carolina, which has seen several laws it enacted either partially or wholly overturned by federal or state courts. By Gary D. Robertson. SENT: 700 words.

FERRIS WHEEL FALL

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The organizers of the eastern Tennessee fair where three girls fell from a Ferris wheel kept their ride operator despite an incident across the state line that injured five and caused the owners’ son to be jailed. Private inspectors believe a mechanical failure likely caused the gondola to flip over Monday, sending three girls plummeting 30 to 45 feet to the ground. By Erik Schelzig and Claire Galofaro. SENT: 800 words. AP Photos TNGRE101, TNGRE104, TNGRE102, TNGRE101, TNGRE107. Please note N.C. angle.

IN BRIEF:

— TEACHING ASSISTANT-SEX CHARGES, from WINSTON-SALEM — Police in Winston-Salem say a volunteer teaching assistant at an elementary school is charged with sexual exploitation of a minor in connection with pictures taken in the school’s cafeteria. SENT: 120 words.

— CAMPAIGN 2016-KAINE, from RALEIGH — Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine is coming to North Carolina for a pair of events early next week to talk up running mate Hillary Clinton’s economic plan and how they believe it will benefit the presidential battleground state if they’re elected. SENT: 120 words.

— WAKE REDISTRICTING, from RALEIGH — There’s now another chance for people in North Carolina’s second largest county to run for school board this fall after a judge this week ordered elections be held under district boundaries first approved in 2011. SENT: 120 words.

— BENNETT COLLEGE-PRESIDENT, from GREENSBORO — Bennett College has announced that its president will step down from her position effective Aug. 15. SENT: 100 words.

— BABY SITTER-ASSAULT CHARGE, from MARION — Authorities in McDowell County say a baby sitter faces charges after investigators say she abused a 10-month-old baby and caused serious injuries. SENT: 110 words.

SPORTS:

FBN–PANTHERS-RAVENS

BALTIMORE — The defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers faced the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason opener for both teams. By Sports Writer David Ginsburg. SENT: 700 words, AP photos.

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The AP, Raleigh