Alcoa documentary reporter leaves UNC-TV

Eszter Vajda, the UNC-TV reporter at the center of a controversial documentary about Alcoa, is no longer employed by the television station. Vajda's involvement in a documentary about aluminum maker Alcoa has been the subject of news stories. Records show that a researcher and friend working with Vajda had taken money from interests that were hostile to Alcoa. Alcoa is seeking to renew its federal license to operate hydroelectric dams on the Yadkin River. The state is fighting the relicensing and wants to take over the operation. Records and e-mail messages from UNC-TV show that an array of forces hostile to the company, including Senate leader Marc Basnight, were pushing for the release of Vajda's story, one highly critical of Alcoa that aimed to present a case for a state takeover.