Hello! The Carolinas News Editor is Tim Rogers. The breaking news supervisor is Skip Foreman.

A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change.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:

CHANCE AT FREEDOM

WILMINGTON — A man convicted of murder as a teenager and imprisoned 28 years ago is luxuriating by sleeping on his cousin’s living room sofa after a North Carolina judge ruled he did not get a fair trial. Johnny Small, 43, said he looked forward to a hot bath and getting used to an amped-up world full of cellphones he never knew now that he’s left prison after nearly three decades Thursday evening. After prison cots, he said he preferred the sofa in a big, open room to a private bedroom. By Emery P. Dalesio. SENT: 790 words, AP Photos NCWSN101, NCWSN102, NCWSN101, NCWSN102, NCWSN103. Note final version from Thursday did not move until 10:30 p.m.

TURNPIKE-LOST TEDDY BEAR

OLDMANS TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The New Jersey Turnpike is reuniting a New York boy with the teddy bear that he lost on a road trip to North Carolina. The 12-year-old’s mother, Julissa Viana, of New City, New York, tweeted that the bear was missing when the family reached the Outer Banks on Aug. 6. She said the family had stopped at one of the turnpike’s service areas and the bear likely fell out. SENT: 200 words. Please note N.C. interest.

EXCHANGE-NUCLEAR WASTE STORAGE

MOYOCK — Marlin Stoltz put on a hard hat and bright yellow vest before walking out into the 4-acre work area of the Moyock Casting Facility, a new operation in the business of spent nuclear fuel storage. A line of concrete cases, each 21 feet long and weighing 100 tons, rested along a rail spur, ready for shipment. Several men stood atop a steel form where hydraulic power vibrated and settled four truckloads of concrete for the next case. By Jeff Hampton, The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk. SENT: 640 words.

IN BRIEF:

— GREENSBORO SHOOTING DEATH, from GREENSBORO — Police in Greensboro are investigating the second shooting death of a man this week. SENT: 130 words.

— TURNPIKE-LOST TEDDY BEAR, from OLDMANS TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The New Jersey Turnpike is reuniting a New York boy with the teddy bear that he lost on a road trip to North Carolina. SENT: 130 words.

— JAYWALKING CHARLOTTE, from CHARLOTTE — Police in Charlotte hope they’ve made a point with pedestrians who violate crosswalk laws. The Charlotte Observer reported (http://bit.ly/2b9GJK5) that officers handed out 100 warning tickets in just 90 minutes at a single intersection Thursday morning.

— STABBING DEATH, from CHARLOTTE — Police say a man suspected of trying to break into a Charlotte apartment has been stabbed to death. SENT: 130 words.

— SEARCH FOR MISSING MAN, from MOREHEAD CITY — Authorities are searching for a missing Carteret County man who they consider to be in danger. SENT: 130 words.

— FAYETTEVILLE CYCLE SHOOTING, from FAYETTEVILLE — A suspect has been arrested in the death of a woman shot while walking along a Fayetteville street. SENT: 130 words.

SPORTS:

FBC–WAKE FOREST PREVIEW

WINSTON-SALEM — Coach Dave Clawson hopes his Wake Forest players are all grown up now. The Demon Deacons have been among the nation’s youngest teams during Clawson’s first two years at the school. All those freshmen and sophomores on his first depth chart in 2014 are now juniors and seniors, and he’s hoping they can take a noticeable step forward after consecutive 3-9 seasons. By Sports Writer Joedy McCreary. SENT: 580 words, AP Photo NY159.

FBC–NC STATE PREVIEW

RALEIGH — North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren is hoping a new look can give the Wolfpack a needed lift in the Atlantic Coast Conference. There’s a new offensive coordinator. There’s also a quarterback battle for a team seeking a third straight bowl bid. By Sports Writer Aaron Beard. SENT: 600 words, AP Photos NCGB306, NCGB304, NCGB301, NCGB307, NCGB302, NCGB303, NCGB308, NCGB305.

FBC–NORTH CAROLINA PREVIEW

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina coach Larry Fedora spent the past two seasons saying it was time for his Tar Heels to compete for an Atlantic Coast Conference division title. Now that his Tar Heels have won one, the next step is winning an ACC championship and topping a season in which his team matched a program record for wins. By Sports Writer Aaron Beard. SENT: 610 words, AP Photos NCGB316, NCGB315, NCGB311, NCGB310.

FBC–DUKE PREVIEW

DURHAM — One by one over the past few years, Duke has taken care of nearly every item on its program-building checklist. The Blue Devils have posted three straight winning seasons. They’ve won an Atlantic Coast Conference divisional championship and played for a league title. They’ve reached four straight bowls, finally winning one. By Sports Writer Joedy McCreary. SENT: 570 words, AP Photos NCGB324, NCGB322, NCGB320, NCGB323, NCGB321.

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