GREENSBORO -- Debt-ridden Greensboro College reports that it has experienced a 12 percent increase in enrollment by first-year students.
The college opened the new school year with 1,254 students, seven fewer than last semester. But the freshman class of almost 240 is 12 percent larger than last fall.
Some people expected an enrollment drop because of concern about the college's debt of more than $19 million and the resulting resignation of longtime President Craven Williams in July.
The small Methodist college laid off 10 more staff members this summer, including three part-time music teachers and the band director. It is down to 68 full-time faculty members.
Speaker discusses future of money
RALEIGH -- The head of a Colorado research group spoke in Raleigh yesterday about what he sees is the future of money.
Futurist Thomas Frey of the DaVinci Institute was the inaugural speaker for a new program sponsored by SunTrust Bank's Center for Strategic Futures that focuses on future economic trends.
Frey said that the credit crunch is blocking the route to entrepreneurship some people choose after being laid off from their jobs. Under these circumstances, Frey says, its natural for people to try Internet-based businesses with low starting costs.
Frey also sees cash staying around in the digital future because people will demand anonymous money.
Burke high schools put on probation
MORGANTON -- An accreditation group has placed Burke County's four high schools on probation, saying that school-board members have created a chaotic atmosphere that makes teaching and learning hard.
The schools will be on probationary accreditation for the new school year. Accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is key for students who wish to attend college.
The group says that the blame for the "chaos" in the school system belongs to the school board, which it says has violated its own standards and accreditation standards.
The schools on probation are East Burke, Freedom, Draughn and Patton.
Agency: Child died of encephalitis
RALEIGH -- A Swain County child who died this summer had a case of mosquito-borne LaCrosse encephalitis.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said Tuesday that the virus caused the child's death -- the state's first such fatal case since at least 2001.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the case from lab specimens.
The department didn't provide identifying information for the child, citing state confidentiality laws. The child was hospitalized in July and died a week later.
LaCrosse encephalitis is the state's most common mosquito-borne disease, although it's usually confined to western counties. The disease is most prevalent among the elderly and children. Common symptoms are fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. More severe or rare reactions may include convulsions and coma.
Bag law starts on Outer Banks
MANTEO -- An experiment ordering big grocery stores to stop giving away disposable plastic bags on North Carolina's Outer Banks has started.
The law that took effect Tuesday means that big stores on the barrier islands must offer paper bags made of 100 percent recycled paper or coax customers to try reusable shopping bags. The law applies only to large stores on islands or peninsulas in Dare, Currituck and Hyde counties.
Supporters say that the law is designed to preserve the environment and protect wildlife. Environmentalists say that the bags can be swallowed by turtles, who choke on them.
New meaning for ‘traffic is a zoo'
ASHEBORO -- Officials in North Carolina are urging motorists to show their support for the state's zoo on the back of their cars.
The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is accepting applications for the new "Support the N.C. Zoo" license plate. It costs $30 extra, with $20 going to the N.C. Zoo Society.
The DMV will begin making the plates once 300 people sign up and pay.
Zoo officials say that supporters can buy the plates by calling the society or visiting its Web site. Plate applications will also be available at the zoo's gift shop.
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