The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

MIAMI (AP) — Forecasters say Tropical Storm Danny has weakened over the Atlantic and is barely a tropical storm.

But a tropical storm watch for the North Carolina coast remains in effect Friday morning. Large swells from Danny are expected to produce dangerous surf and life-threatening rip currents along the U.S. East Coast over the next day or two.

Danny's maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 40 mph (65 kph).

The storm is centered about 355 miles (570 kilometers) south of Cape Hatteras, N.C., and moving north-northwest near 9 mph (15 kph). A turn to the north with an increase in speed is expected later in the day.