Across the Southeast

State halts Medicaid coverage of Viagra

RALEIGH, N.C. - All Medicaid prescriptions for erectile-dysfunction drugs such as Viagra have been halted in North Carolina while the state figures out how to prevent sex offenders from getting the drug through the government health insurance program.

Officials made the move after finding 15 convicted sex offenders got the drug through Medicaid out of 3,095 Medicaid patients receiving erectile-dysfunction drugs in April.

Candidate downplays role in cross burning

PRATT, W.VA. - As a candidate for mayor in Tuesday's election, Greg Bess prefers residents to focus on his accomplishments as chairman of the town's utility board rather than his conviction six years ago.

Mr. Bess said his role in a 1999 cross burning has been exaggerated. He pleaded guilty in 2001 to a criminal conspiracy charge, telling the federal judge he built the cross and carried it to the home of Lucy Roberts, who was baby-sitting her biracial granddaughter.

Magistrate orders warrant unsealed

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A U.S. magistrate has ordered that a federal search warrant be unsealed in the case of a Charlotte FBI agent, saying it includes allegations that he engaged in criminal conduct.

U.S. Magistrate Carl Horn ordered that the warrant and 25 color photos be unsealed in the case of Agent Eric Blowers.