Wind advisory for the Triad
High Wind Warning until midnight for the Foothills and N. Mtns
Red Flag Warnings posted for central NC
The National Weather Service warning that wildfires could be a problem today because of the gusty winds.
Gusty winds knocking out power to thousands of customers in western North and South Carolina. More than 1,200 residents in the Spencer area lost power overnight.
Paying more at the pump. Triple A saying that gas prices are 16 cents higher today than a month ago. The national average price for regular unleaded is just over $1.95 a gallon. The good news: compared to one year ago, we're paying about a dollar less a gallon.
Congress hammering out a compromise on the Economic Stimulus Package. The $789 billion dollar measure is expected to go up for a vote in the House and Senate as early as today.
A Fish Consumption Advisory is in effect for Badin Lake, where high chemical levels pose a potential problem to consumers. N.C. Division of Public Health officials stating that large mouth bass and catfish in the lake, located between Stanly and Montgomery counties, had elevated PCB levels. Since 2006, the fish have been under statewide and regional mercury advisories. www.journalnow.com/content/2009/feb/12/officials-warn-about-eating-fish-badin-lake/
Authorities say that the father of a middle-school student who brought a gun onto a bus and wounded a friend has been charged.The dad (Lawrence Muzzon) was charged with failing to store a firearm to protect a minor. The students go to Zebulon Middle School. www.journalnow.com/content/2009/feb/12/wake-county-boy-shot-on-way-to-school/
Firefighters still battling wildfires in the Australian state of Victoria. Close to half of the 30 fires have been contained. The official death toll is 181…but the number will likely double.
Compounding the cost of octuplets? A big share of the financial burden of raising Nadya Suleman's 14 children could fall on the shoulders of California's taxpayers.
Even before the 33-year-old single, unemployed mother gave birth to octuplets last month, Suleman had been caring for her six other children with the help of food stamps, plus Social Security disability payments for three of the youngsters.
Medical costs: The Suleman octuplets' medical costs have not been disclosed, but in 2006, the average cost for a premature baby's hospital stay in California was $164,273…eight times that equals $1.3 million.
For a single mother, the cost of raising 14 children through age 17 ranges from $1.3 million to $2.7 million. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090212/D969R99O0.html
North Carolina resident and grad student, Anoop Desai has made the top 36 for season 8 of "American Idol." For the next three weeks, different groups of 12 singers will perform. The top three vote-getters from each group will advance and become one of the show's top 12 finalists. The judges will then select the final three contestants following a special wild card round on March 5. http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090212/D969PU580.html
Sports: ACC Basketball: Big Four match-up last night:
State over Wake…82 – 76 Carolina over Duke…101 – 87
www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/acc-m-baskbl-body.html
The US beating Mexico 2 - 0 in a qualifying game for the World Cup.
Brett Favre is retiring…again. The 39-year-old quarterback insists he's done playing football, telling the New York Jets on Wednesday that his injured shoulder is still bothering him and he's retiring after 18 seasons in the NFL.
Sprint Cup qualifying starting today at 2pm for the Daytona 500.
Daytona 500 this Sunday 3pm on Fox. Front row at Daytona: Martin Truex Jr. (poll). Mark Martin on the outside.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/racing/02/08/nascar.daytona.ap/index.html?eref=si_topstories
