[naviga:h2]Severe storms roll through Carolinas[/naviga:h2]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Another line of severe storms rolled through the Carolinas early today, a day after severe weather that produced hail and heavy rains in some places.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for much of central and eastern North Carolina, in effect until 1 p.m. for 37 counties stretching from the Raleigh area eastward.

All of the state’s 100 counties were under some sort of weather advisory this morning, from high wind warnings in the western mountains to high surf advisories along the coast.

Severe thunderstorm watches and a special marine warning expired in South Carolina as severe weather moved on from the state, although a wind advisory and localized flooding warnings were still in effect.

[naviga:h2]Bannon removed from security panel[/naviga:h2]

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has removed chief strategist Steve Bannon from the National Security Council, reversing an earlier, controversial decision to give Bannon access to the group’s high-level meetings.

A new memorandum about the council’s composition was published Wednesday in the Federal Register. The memo no longer lists Bannon as a member of the Principals Committee, a group of high-ranking officials who meet to discuss pressing national security priorities.

A senior White House official said Wednesday Bannon was initially placed on the National Security Council after Trump’s inauguration as a measure to ensure implementation of the president’s vision, including efforts to downsize and streamline operations at the NSC.

Bannon’s addition to the NSC sparked criticism that it was inappropriate for the political adviser to play a role in national security matters.

Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was heading the NSC at the time, but the official said Bannon’s role had nothing to do with the troubles facing Flynn, who was asked to resign in early February for misleading the administration about his communications with Russian officials.

[naviga:h2]Murder suspect free on $35M bail [/naviga:h2]

SAN FRANCISCO — A California woman accused of killing the father of her two children is expected to be released from jail today after posting an unprecedented $35 million bail raised by wealthy friends, family and business associates with ties to China.

Tiffany Li, 31, is backed by a consortium of people tied to her mother who have raised $4 million cash and pledged $61 million in San Francisco Bay Area property. California courts require twice the bail amount if property is used instead of cash.

Li’s attorney, Geoff Carr, says Li and her mother were born in China, where the mother was financially successful in the construction industry. Carr says Li and her mother are naturalized U.S. citizens.