By Mark Starling COVID-19 Variant Appears In Buncombe County (Buncombe County, NC) -- A more contagious strain of COVID-19 is showing up in Buncombe County. The health department revealed yesterday three cases of the U.K. strain have been identified through random sequencing testing by the CDC. There have been over 20 such cases in North Carolina. Health director Stacie Saunders said the news wasn't unexpected. State Senate Passes Bill Requiring Schools To Open (Raleigh, NC) -- A bill to require schools to reopen in North Carolina is heading to the state House. The Senate passed a proposal yesterday which instructs school systems to open under a choice of minimal or moderate social distancing for all grades. Governor Roy Cooper has already recommended that schools reopen their classrooms. Students are allowed to remain in remote learning if they wish, according to the bill.