VOLUME 1 ISSUE 10
SUNDAY, MAY 1, 2016
WWW.NSJONLINE.COM
the Sunday NEWS BRIEFING
Thousands of H.B. 2 supporters fill the lawn outside the North Carolina General Assembly before the start of the legislative short session on Monday, April 25.
Multiple bills filed to cancel I-77 contract Raleigh Members of the N.C. House and Senate have filed bills that would end the I-77 toll lane project and sever the state’s relationship with Spanish contractor Cintra. Reps. Charles Jeter (R-Meck.) and Tricia Cotham (D-Meck.) filed separate bills in the House to stop the project, while Sens. Jeff Tarte (R-Meck.), David Curtis (R-Lincoln) and Andrew Brock (R-Davie) filed a Senate version. They say canceling the contract could cost the state up to $62 million in fees, but that community opposition to the project and the recent bankruptcy of Cintra’s similar project in Texas makes it too high of a risk to continue. Other lawmakers are wary of stopping the toll lanes, which are already under construction, saying the area needs traffic congestion relief.
Sen. Tillis calls for answers on Pope runway expansion Fayetteville, N.C. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) filed legislation this week requiring the Secretary of the Army to produce a plan on the expansion of Pope Air Field’s runway. Fort Bragg’s leaders have been fighting for the expansion for more than a decade, saying it’s too short for loaded cargo aircraft to take off safely. Bragg is a rapid deployment base, with the unit required to be anywhere in the world within 48 hours. Officials say the loaded aircrafts must take off with less fuel because of the shorter runway, forcing them to refuel more often. “This has fallen off the Army’s priority list and I’m not really sure why,” he said.
Millennials pass baby boomers as largest generation
MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
NORTH
STATE
JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION
N.C. GENERAL ASSEMBLY
H.B. 2 gets all talk, budget and taxes all action
INSIDE
Who did Panthers, Redskins take in the first round of 2016 NFL Draft? B1
Colleges prepare for seniors’ final choices By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal WILSON, N.C. — Would I thrive on a large campus or smaller campus? How will I cover the tuition costs? How do I know which major is right for me? High school seniors across North Carolina are asking themselves these same questions. National Decision Day is May 1, and high school seniors are feeling the pressure to make choices about college. “In terms of a decision on where to attend this fall, there are so many different options to consider. When you make a choice, embrace the choice. Start the pro-
cess and attend orientation,” said Thomas Griffin, associate vice provost and director of undergraduate admissions at NC State. “There are so many excellent colleges and universities in North Carolina and around the country,” he added. There are many choices for those wishing to consider college within the state. North Carolina is home to 16 public colleges and universities, 36 independent colleges and universities, and 58 community colleges. Acceptance into the area’s colleges and universities is competitive. Colleges are looking at See DECISION DAY, page A8
STEPPING OUT
54 H.B. 2
By Jeff Moore North State Journal
Washington, D.C. Millennials are now the largest living generation in America. In 2015, there were 75.4 million living millennials (born 19811997) and 74.9 million living baby boomers (born 1946-1964). Pew Research Center said the growth is partially due to an increase in millennials immigrating to the U.S. Generation X, the group in between, isn’t expected to pass baby boomers in size until 2028.
DECISION DAY
RALEIGH — Lawmakers convened Monday to begin the 2016 legislative session and were greeted by thousands of supporters and opponents of the state’s controversial Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act, or House Bill 2. The NAACP of North Carolina, opponents of the law mandating use of bathrooms according to biological sex in government facilities, offered sympathizers “Direct Action Training” on Monday morning before engaging in a protest on state capitol grounds. While leaders of the Republican majority have stated that their focus for the so-called “short” session will be budget adjustments and further tax reform, Democrat lawmakers wasted no time in filing House Bill 946 Monday morning, a bill that repeals H.B. 2. in its entirety. “It is a simple bill, it’s a half page long. It is a full repeal of H.B. 2,” said Rep. Darren Jackson (D-Wake). In a press conference previewing the legislative priorities of the Senate majority last week, Senate leader Phil Berger said the Senate Republicans
protesters arrested
5%
average teacher raises
$237M budget surplus
See GENERAL ASSEMBLY, page A8
CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Members of Generation Opportunity leave the General Assembly Building after speaking with lawmakers on April 26.
Activism redefined By Jeff Moore North State Journal RALEIGH — Walking the halls of the North Carolina General Assembly on Tuesday were a group of college students, and their dance cards were full. The students, part of Generation Opportunity, a policy advocacy group that focuses on issues relevant to 18-34 year-olds, met with a dozen legislators over the course of the day to introduce themselves and inquire where the lawmakers stood on certain policy issues. “We focus on educating and activating 18-34 year-olds, specifically on issues that affect their lives and their inability to get a job,” said Anna Beavon Gravely,
Love bacon? You’ll love this story. B6 Sports Pinball wizardry is alive and well in N.C. C3 the good life
state director of Generation Opportunity. “We met with a range of Republicans and Democrats, pretty evenly split down the middle, just because we are getting to know them. “The best way to get to start a relationship is face to face and let them know where we stand and what issues we’re passionate about,” Gravely said. Their passion on Tuesday? “We wanted to find out what their stance is on free speech, and softly get them ‘on the record’, so to speak, without being abrasive or really pushy,” explained Gravely. Just hours before Generation Opportunity’s tour de force, 54 arrests were made at the GenerSee ACTIVISM, page A2
MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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The Rev. Susan Rogers of Bahama and the Rev. Dale Osborne of Chapel Hill take part in a sit-in in protest of House Bill 2 on Monday, April 25 at the North Carolina General Assembly Building in Raleigh. Opponents and proponents of H.B. 2 gathered at separate rallies on the first day of the N.C. legislative short session.
Federal court upholds N.C. voter ID law On Murphy to Manteo, page A5
North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
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THE BACKSTORY
datebook
Good news Commencements East Carolina University Friday, May 6, 9 a.m. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
University of North Carolina at Wilmington May 6-7, times and speakers vary by major Trask Coliseum
NC State University
Wheels4Hope gives away cars to 5 families RALEIGH — A former homeless woman who attracted media attention in 2014 was one of the five individuals who drove away in a car as a part of the Wheels4Hope Fourth Annual Charity Golf Event Monday. Sheree Carter received a Buick LeSabre, which she said she could use to work more and not be limited by the bus hours. Carter was previously homeless and was working at Chick-fil-A in downtown Raleigh. Because she now has her own means of transportation, Carter plans to go back to school, take her kids to appointments and travel outside of Raleigh. Recovering alcoholic and cancer survivor Phyllis McCray received a Honda Civic at the charity event. McCray hasn’t owned a vehicle since 1999. She previously was sleeping in her son’s car and at her work due to no transportation available after the third shift. “I never thought a year and a half ago, when I was living in my son’s car, I would ever be owning my own [car],” McCray said. Their organization’s partner agencies purchase a Program Car for $500, which includes a six-month warranty.
WHEELS4HOPE
Sheree Carter and her family joyfully left in a Buick LeSabre purchased for $500 through Wheels4Hope’s referral program. Grace Community Church sponsored the vehicle repair costs by assisting with a financial donation and celebrating in Carter’s success.
Saturday, May 7, 9 a.m. PNC Arena
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Sunday, May 8, 9 a.m.
ECU taps Staton as next chancellor
Kenan Memorial Stadium
Appalachian State University May 13-14, locations and speakers vary by major
University of North Carolina at Charlotte May 13-14, times and speakers vary by major Dale F. Halton Arena
Duke University Sunday, May 15, 9 a.m. Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium
Wake Forest University Monday, May 16, 9 a.m. Hearn Plaza
WE STAND CORRECTED To report an error or a suspected error email corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line. • From April 24, the source of the graphic information on page A2 was the tax calculator at taxfoundation.org.
Visit North State Journal online! nsjonline.com jonesandblount.com nsjsports.com carolinabrewreview.com chickenbonealley.com
North State Journal ISSN: 2471-1365 Neal Robbins Publisher Donna King Managing Editor Drew Elliot Opinion Editor Will Brinson Sports Editor Jennifer Wood Features Editor Published each Sunday by North State Media, LLC 819 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27603 Inquiries: 866-458-7184 Annual Subscription Price: $250.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to North State Journal, 819 W. Hargett St., Raleigh, N.C. 27603.
By Donna King North State Journal GREENVILLE — East Carolina University officially has a new chancellor. The UNC Board of Governors announced this week that Dr. Cecil Staton will take the reins of Pirate Nation after serving as interim president of Valdosta State University and vice chancellor of extended education for the University System of Georgia. Also a business owner and former legislator, Staton grew up in Greenville, S.C., and holds a bachelor’s degree from Furman University, a master’s of theology and master’s of divinity degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., and a doctorate of philosophy from Oxford University. “He comes from humble beginnings and he sees what higher education can do,” said Henry Hinton, a broadcaster and vice president of the East Carolina University Foundation. “He wants to make sure every student has the kind of quality experience they expect and that it is a life-changing experience, as education was for him.” Staton also served as a Georgia state senator for 10 years and started several media companies. His combination of classroom experience, business leadership and political skills made him a perfect fit for the post, according to the UNC Board of Governors search committee. “He is a rare combination and will be a tremendous asset as our next leader. We feel very fortunate,” said Hinton. “Higher education is a unique big business. It has a lot of challenges with funding, spending,
JAY CLARK | ECU NEWS SERVICES.
Dr. Cecil Staton is congratulated by other UNC system chancellors after Staton’s election as East Carolina University’s next chancellor during the Board of Governors meeting April 27.
allocating resources to the right place ... it takes a CEO mentality these days to do it well, but without sacrificing the No. 1 goal, which is student success.” Staton follows Steve Ballard, who served at the helm of ECU for 12 years. Staton will be continuing the school’s work toward building the university’s influence and programs in STEM education, which includes ECU’s new engineering school. Staton brings a new perspective, though, saying he wants to start linking art and design into the science and
technology programs. The STEAM trend (Science Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) is growing in the education industry. “East Carolina has really become a regional leader, and we would like to see the university play more of a role in the economic development of the eastern part of the state,” said Hinton. Staton spent last weekend meeting faculty, students and school supporters, and plans to begin his work as the 11th ECU chancellor on July 1.
ACTIVISM from page A1 al Assembly during a mass sit-in protesting the controversial House Bill 2, with hundreds chanting “You have blood on your hands,” refusing to leave the building, and shouting down legislators when they attempted to adjourn the opening session of 2016. “We love a good protest. We’re always going to advocate for the ability to do that,” Gravely said of the previous night’s events. “What we provide is an outlet for college students, for young professionals to really channel their passion and direct it toward those that can affect change in a way that’s productive,” said Gravely of Generation Opportunity’s advocacy style. “We don’t just talk about occupational licensing reform, or reducing craft beer regulations, just to talk about the issue. We talk about the issues because it affects people’s lives.” “It was refreshing. They were civil, articulate, respectful, which allowed us to talk in depth and have a real discussion,” said Majority Leader Rep.Mike Hager (R-Rutherford) of his meeting with the students. “We came up with some ideas of how we can work together to accomplish some of their goals and that impressed me.” As for the issue of free speech, Gravely thinks it represents a bridge between the millennial generation and the political process. “Right now, for us, free speech is an issue that is resonating quite a bit on college campuses because it’s expediting the understanding of political involvement and the kind of impact it can have,” Gravely said. “Rarely do you have an issue that affects college students on campus that also is up for a vote or is potentially a bill in your state house. That rarely happens, so we want to capitalize on that opportunity to show the impact that a single voice can have.”
CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Generation Opportunity advocates against recent trends of establishing free speech zones, safe-spaces, and speech codes on college campuses. The students taking part in Tuesday’s meetings were from NC State, Wake Tech, and UNC Charlotte. “The entire world should be a free speech zone,” Gravely said, adding that limiting spaces for free speech establishes “a culture that is really suppressing and censoring a diversity of ideas.” Indeed, a lawsuit was filed Tuesday against NC State University and its chancellor, among others, by a student group claiming the university violated its right to free speech when it was asked to stop distributing fliers in the student union. In the suit, Grace Christian Life alleges the university unfairly restricted their engagement with students, despite obtaining permits, while other student groups faced no such restrictions. Grace Christian Life says they were targeted due to the religious nature of their group. Generation Opportunity counseled
each legislator they met with Tuesday that such policies are the opposite of what they think college should be about, and politely asked for their support should a bill arise that offers full protection of speech on college campuses. Lt. Gov. Dan Forest (R) is reportedly working with leaders of the General Assembly to introduce the Campus Free Expression Act, which would protect speech, assembly, petition and protest rights at campuses across the entire UNC system. Generation Opportunity members plan to keep engaging with lawmakers on issues important to them as the session continues. “What makes us different is we do have that action component, coupled with the education, and making our topics relevant to where we are in life,” Gravely said. “We want to create a more prosperous future for our generation, and the best way to do that is to take people who are affected and bring them to legislators in a productive manner.”
Rep. John Blust, right, speaks with members of the organization, Generation Opportunity, April 26, 2016 at the General Assembly building. Fifteen students from North Carolina colleges met with lawmakers to discuss free speech zones on campus and other issues.
North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
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BUSINESS & ECONOMY the DASHBOARD
10%
increase in new home sales in North Carolina are up since March of last year
COURTNEY SMEDICK
16%
15 million
increase in the statewide average amount spent on a new home purchase
visitors spent $952 million around the Blue Ridge Parkway in 2015
Federal Opportunities in the Aerospace Market
the
BRIEF Durham to get 275 new pharma research and development jobs
ORTH CAROLINA is home to a vibrant and N diverse military, commercial and general aviation aerospace industry, with assembly, manufacturing, engineering, operations and service providers statewide. With a critical mass of aerospace companies, robust supply chain and highly skilled employees — including 19,000 annual military transitions from installations in the state — North Carolina continues to engage successfully in the aerospace and aviation industries. Major aerospace and defense
The Marine Corps is holding an industry day for small businesses June 22 in Jacksonville, N.C.
employers operate within North Carolina, including HAECO, Spirit Aerosystems, Honeywell, UTC Aerospace, GE Aviation, Honda Aircraft Company and Curtiss-Wright Controls. Several federal agencies within the state procure and utilize manned and unmanned aerospace systems, products and services manufactured and supplied by firms located in North Carolina. Fleet Readiness Center (FRC) East at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point (the largest industrial employer east of I-95) and the Aviation Logistics Center at U.S. Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City both have responsibilities for the repair, maintenance and upgrades for military aircraft. Additionally, there are military aviation assets located at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro and Pope and Simmons Army Airfields at Fort Bragg. The provision of material and services for these assets could benefit companies located within the state. Industry-related companies should consider attending the 2016 Southeastern Region Aerospace Supplier and Advanced Manufacturing (SEASAM) Summit in Winston-Salem on Aug. 1617. At SEASAM, businesses can build (or reinforce) relationships with national aerospace prime contractors, first-tier subcontractors and suppliers within the military and civilian marketplace under one roof. Spanning the military and civilian marketplaces, the Summit’s lineup of keynote address speakers and breakout sessions will address current and future needs, requirements and opportunities that exist for companies across the aerospace supply chain. For more information on aerospace-related procurement opportunities or the Summit, visit the North Carolina Military Business Center at www.ncmbc.us.
BECK DIEFENBACH | REUTERS
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella delivers the keynote address during the Microsoft Build 2016 Developer Conference in San Francisco, California March 30, 2016.
Microsoft and Facebook engineer a bot-filled future By Darren Murph For the North State Journal
T
HE SERVICE INDUSTRY as we know it won’t ever be the same, and we only have ourselves to blame. Or, perhaps, thank. Earlier this month, both Microsoft and Facebook held independent developer conferences. Though these galas often target software engineers who build the apps and programs we all use on a daily basis, something was different this time around. Despite the two tech titans having almost nothing in common from a business standpoint, Facebook’s f8 and Microsoft’s BUILD managed to offer one eerily common thread: bots. Bots, as the industry has agreed to call them, are little more than computer programs that parse human language and attempt to engage in an action based on what it has been told. If you’ve used an iPhone with Siri over the past couple of years, you get the gist. Siri is decently capable of reminding you to grab groceries, but even today, I have to speak slower than I normally would in order to heighten the chances of her understanding me. Bots are the next generation of one’s digital assistant, and can be engaged both aurally and textually. The sudden focus on them ties back into the aforementioned events. Facebook introduced Bots for the Messenger Platform, enabling businesses the world over to create their own bot that can answer customer questions, take orders, file complaints and accomplish nearly everything that a typical customer service representative would. Meanwhile, Microsoft introduced Skype Bots. You can summon Murphy, a Bot “to find and create images for when questions
can’t be answered by words alone,” or Summarize, a Bot “designed to give an overview of a web page if you don’t have time to read the whole thing.” If this all sounds too complicated to use in your own life, take heart: the next few years will see the brightest minds in software engineering work to make these bots more humanlike. Eventually, you’ll be able to do things like text NC State’s University’s Facebook Bot with questions about the college’s enrollment deadline or to purchase a VIP parking pass for a future home game. Though creating chatty bots that understand humans — and are empowered to act on their behalf — is something many assumed was decades away, we’ve found ourselves suddenly facing the future. Initially, the story around bots will focus on their hilarious (or frustrating) misunderstandings of our language. In time, however, these bots could very well upend the service industry, raising expectations for instant gratification from clients and enabling scores of customer service professionals to focus on other duties. What I’m most curious about is the impact of bots on education. Presently, students in classrooms are largely limited by the questions a teacher poses or the curriculum laid out years ahead of a pupil’s arrival. With bots and access to the internet at large, there’s a chance to give each student their own freedom to explore beyond a predetermined schedule, earning added credits and other awards for going above and beyond. As it stands, a student pecking away in Facebook Messenger is a professor’s worst nightmare. But with the right bots, the time spent in that virtual world could actually further one’s knowledge.
Initially, the story around bots will focus on their hilarious (or frustrating) misunderstandings of our language. In time, however, these bots could very well upend the service industry.
Durham An expansion of Aurobindo Pharma USA is slated to add 275 research, development and pharmamanufacturing jobs to Durham. The announcement came this week from Gov. Pat McCrory, N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla III and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. The New Jersey-based company makes generic pharmaceuticals and currently has 14 scientists working in Raleigh, so the expansion means $17 million more in payroll for the area and a $31.7 million, new state-of-the-art national headquarters. The new jobs will be for researchers, analytical chemists, production operators, quality control specialists and others.
Verizon makes final offer to unions representing striking workers New York City Verizon Communications Inc. said it had presented a revised and “final” contract proposal to the unions representing nearly 40,000 striking workers who walked off the job April 13. The company said Thursday it would now offer a wage increase of 7.5 percent from its previous offer of a 6.5 percent raise over the term of the contract. The strike is one of the largest in the U.S. in recent years and was called by the Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Uber adds yachts to its transportation services Dubai, United Arab Emirates Uber, known for quick pickup rides around the world, just added yacht rides to its offerings in probably one of the few places it would sail: Dubai. Users can reserve a spot on a party yacht for about $85. This follows the company’s launch of UberChopper in Dubai last year. Data provider PrivCo estimates Uber is the most valuable startup company in the world, with a net worth of $51 billion.
NC economy shows promise, U.S. stalled A
CCORDING to federal commerce data North Carolina has the fastest growing economy in the nation, with an increase in state Gross Domestic Product of 13.4 percent since 2013. That’s according to the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis. However, overall the nation appears to be stalling in economic growth as first quarter reports show only half a percent growth in the U.S. economy. That is the lowest growth figure in more than two years, surprising most economists who attribute the sluggish numbers to lower consumer spending and a struggling manufacturing sector. Meanwhile the NCSU Index of North Carolina Leading Economic Indicators reports a rosier outlook for North Carolina, saying it is highly likely 2016 will be a growth year. A Reuters report largely attributes this growth to more Americans with a high school education or less returning to the labor force in larger numbers, citing an improvement in the national number of jobless claims.
Across the country, companies have continued to add about 200,000 jobs per month. The jobless rate has stayed roughly steady since October as about 400,000 people have entered the work force each month and quickly found jobs. Nathan Patterson, 24, who doesn’t have a high school diploma and moved from Illinois to Raleigh, was constantly looking for a job before he found one in North Carolina. In 2015, about 6 million Americans didn’t meet the criteria to be a part of the labor force, and during the recession, it was a million more. “I went from having nothing to having something,” Patterson said. North Carolina was hit hard with unemployment during the recession, but has recovered faster due to the strong growth in low-wage sectors, which includes retail, leisure and hospitality industries. Also, state officials said more unemployed people are going to community college to be
trained to find a better job, instead of waiting for improvement in the job market. Jackie Gregory, 25, said she struggled to find a better paying job without a college degree, but she decided to complete a pharmacy technician course at a community college. With the proper qualifications, she found a job at a pharmacy’s call center making $12.26 an hour. “If I didn’t get that job, I would be barely making it right now,” Gregory said. According to the Index, this is expected to be a trend for the remainder of the year. “The Index is predicting continuing economic growth in North Carolina at near the pace experienced for the last year,” said Michael Walden, an economics professor at NC State. Walden added that he expects the N.C. GDP to expand 3.5 percent this year with about 100,000 payroll jobs added, and a drop in the unemployment rate of about 5.3 percent. Reuters contributed to this report.
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Murphy
North Carolina State Parks
Raven Rock State Park
Chimney Rock State Park Mount Mitchell State Park
Lake Norman State Park Pilot Mountain State Park Hanging Rock State Park
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area Eno River State Park William B. Umstead State Park Falls Lake State Recreation Area Kerr Lake State Recreation Area Medoc Mountain State Park
Mayo River State Park Haw River State Park Morrow Mountain State Park Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve Lumber River State Park
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park
Carvers Creek State Park
PETA loses case over Possum Drop Brasstown, N.C. The Possum Drop, a New Year’s Eve event in which an opossum in a cage is lowered, has been ruled legal by the N.C. District Court. The animal rights group People for Ethical Treatment of Animals filed an appeal last year to challenge a state law removing opossum protections from Dec. 29 to Jan. 1. CHEROKEE SCOUT
Montreat College celebrates 100 years
One dead, one in critical condition after plane crash
Montreat, N.C. This week Montreat College welcomed alumni and visitors to the campus with a series of events, including a pops concert and a Grand Centennial Celebration Dinner at the Billy Graham Evangelical Center at The Cove in Asheville. The school was founded in 1916 as a Christian liberal arts college and currently has 461 undergraduate students
Boone, N.C. A Boone resident died after his plane crashed into the Boone Golf Course Monday. The plane’s two other passengers were airlifted to the Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. As of Thursday, one has been listed in critical condition and the other passenger’s condition is unknown. WATAUGA DEMOCRAT
NORTH STATE JOURNAL
East
Crowders Mountain State Park
Grandfather Mountain State Park Elk Knob State Park Mount Jefferson State Natural Area New River State Park Stone Mountain State Park South Mountains State Park
ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES
jonesandblount.com @JonesandBlount
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina has upheld the voter ID laws passed in House Bill 589 by Republicans in 2013. The lead plaintiffs in the case, the NAACP of North Carolina and U.S. Department of Justice, asked the court for an injunction against voter ID requirements, arguing the law was discriminatory in nature and did not serve the public interest. “In sum, granting an injunction at this time would (1) negate substantial and adequate educational efforts by the State, (2) increase rather than ameliorate voter confusion, (3) offer only a speculative benefit, and (4) excuse Plaintiffs’ delay. As such, in addition to finding above that the NAACP Plaintiffs are not likely to succeed on the merits, the balance of the equities and public interest do not favor an injunction,” said Federal District Court Judge Thomas D. Schroeder in his opinion. Schroeder further stated he saw no evidence that requiring photo identification to vote placed unfair burdens
Plan for Upcoming Centennial Events
Gorges State Park
Lake James State Park
Weaverville, N.C. A magnitude-2.5 earthquake was reported Monday morning in the northern part of Buncombe County. Residents said they heard strange noises that sounded like thunder and felt vibrations. The earthquake was centered north of Weaverville. There were no reports of injuries or damage.
Manteo
Jones& Blount By Jeff Moore North State Journal
Piedmont
2.5 earthquake shakes North Buncombe
to
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Federal court upholds NC voter ID law
Throughout 2016, North Carolina’s state parks system will celebrate its centennial. One of the nation’s first state parks was created 100 years ago at the summit of Mount Mitchell. Since then, the system has grown to nearly a quarter-million acres set aside for conservation, recreation and education. The occasion offers North Carolinians an opportunity to celebrate this achievement and rededicate themselves to the stewardship of the stunning landscape. Every state park will hold a special event to mark the centennial. Ranging from campfires to canoeing to 5Ks, mark you calendar and plan relaxing family fun in your state parks this summer! For a summer to-do list of ideas, visit ncparks.gov/100 or call 919-707-9300 for up-to-date information on centennial events.
WEST
North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
PIEDMONT One dead in Interstate 95 tractor trailer accident Johnston County The State Highway Patrol is investigating a collision on Interstate 95 in Johnston County that resulted in one death Wednesday. Two tractor trailers collided on I-95 near Interstate 40. One of the drivers was ejected from the tractor trailer and died on scene. He has been identified as 39-year-old Samuel Oryan Clark, of Albany, Ga. Clark’s passenger was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The other driver, Matthew Drew Hunter, 24, of Youngsville, N.C., was not injured. NC DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Zoofari at North Carolina Zoo to open May 1 Asheboro, N.C. The Zoofari, an African Wildlife Adventure, is set to start May 1 and run until Oct. 31. The tour will feature an open-air vehicle that drives around the 37-acre Watani Grassland exhibit. Vistors will be able to observe rhinoceroses, gazelles, greater kudus, ostriches and exotic antelope. The tickets are $20 per person. NORTH CAROLINA ZOO
Jones Lake State Park Singletary Lake State Park Lake Waccamaw State Park Fort Fisher State Recreation Area Carolina Beach State Park Hammocks Beach State Park Fort Macon State Park
on minority voters, saying the plaintiffs “failed to show that such disparities will have materially adverse effects on the ability of minority voters to cast a ballot and effectively exercise the electoral franchise.” “This ruling further affirms that requiring a photo ID in order to vote is not only common sense, it’s constitutional,” said Gov. Pat McCrory in reaction to the court’s ruling. The ruling: • upholds voter ID requirement • ends same-day voter registration • shortens early voting by seven days • approved the repeal of a provision that allowed voters to cast ballots outside of their home precinct. The ruling marks a victory for North Carolina’s Republicans in what was once the leading political controversy in the state. The voting rights issue served as the primary motivation for the advent of “Moral Monday” protests beginning in 2013, though its primacy to the movement has been usurped recently by opposition to House Bill 2, the Public Facilities Privacy and Security Act. NAACP of NC has appealed the ruling. It will go on to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va.
Goose Creek State Park Pettigrew State Park Merchants Millpond State Park Dismal Swamp State Park Jockey's Ridge State Park
Christian student group sues NC State Raleigh NC State student organization Grace Christian Life is suing the university for allegedly denying them free speech. Grace Christian Life claimed they obtained the proper permits but were told by the Student Involvement Office they were not allowed to leave their table to engage with students. Chancellor Randy Woodson issued a statement Thursday, saying “This lawsuit is without merit; the implication that an organization has been treated differently on our campus because they are a religious group is false.” TECHNICIAN
Duke president to step down in 2017 Durham Duke University President Richard Brodhead announced Thursday he would step down in 2017 after completing his term. In an email, Brodhead stated, “With many critical initiatives nearing completion, it seems the right time for Duke to recruit a new leader to guide the next chapter of its progress.” The Board of Trustees will begin searching for the 10th president this month.
INFOGRAPHIC BY LAUREN ROSE
EAST Overnight treehouse village to open October 2016 Windsor, N.C. A project that will create treehouses with overnight accommodations is underway in the town of Windsor. The treehouses will overlook the historic Cashie River, a recreation area popular for canoeing, paddleboarding and other activities. It will be the first fully handicappedaccessible treehouse village. The project was funded through a $95,000 water resources grant program from the McCrory administration to the town of Windsor, which used the money to cover cost of the land, a boardwalk, and construction of the tree houses and a “treezebo” observation deck. Town officials say they are launching an online reservation system for booking the overnight treehouses GOVERNOR.NC.GOV
Gator sightings increase in the east New Bern, N.C. Alligator warnings were issued for parts of eastern North Carolina. The N.C. Wildlife Commission says as the weather gets warmer there are
more alligator sightings and people should follow some simple rules to be safe. They recommend keeping pets on a leash and not letting young children play unattended near water. They also say not to feed or harass alligators and not to feed ducks where the gators have been sighted. It is illegal to move or kill an alligator in North Carolina, so officials say folks should call a local wildlife official if one is threatening or threatened. NEW BERN SUN JOURNAL
President Obama nominates justice for NC eastern district Eastern N.C. Justice Patricia TimmonsGoodson was nominated to be the U.S. District Court judge for the eastern district of North Carolina by President Barack Obama Thursday. Timmons-Goodson, from Fayetteville, N.C, has served as the vice chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights since 2015 and commissioner from 2014 to 2015. If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, she would fill a seat that has been vacant for more than 10 years. U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) said he would not support President Obama’s nomination. WHITEHOUSE.GOV
Possible replacements among the chairs calling for Harnett’s removal By Donna King North State Journal RALEIGH — As the North Carolina Republican Party plans for a meeting April 30 that may see the removal of current Chairman Hasan Harnett, several names are emerging as his replacement. Topping the list are former NCGOP chairs and high-ranking elected officials. Former chairs Jim Hastings, Robin Hayes and immediate past chair Claude Pope have been approached by grassroots activists and asked to consider stepping in to serve through the fall elections. Sources indicate a new chair would likely serve only until December when the Executive Committee will meet to approve the 2017 budget. Hayes served at the helm of the NCGOP from 2011 to 2013. He was then part of the support system for the most recent past chairman, Pope, who says each chairman has historically helped their successor navigate the challenges of the post. “We share a common bond, tasked to lead a diverse group of individuals,” said Pope. “That’s no small job.” That bond made Pope’s decision to rally former chairs to sign a letter calling for current Chairman Harnett’s removal “exceedingly difficult.” “It’s a tough thing to have to do,” Pope said. “We want our current and future chairs to succeed.” He also said commitments to his Bald Head Island retail stores and other business ventures along with spending time with his granddaughters would prevent him from seeking the interim chair role. “My plan for now is to stay put,” he said.
Hayes didn’t close the door on filling in. “I loved the time I served as party chairman. What I loved most was working with people,” said Hayes. “This would be an opportunity to step back up and thank the party for what it has done for me.” Former Gov. Jim Martin’s name has also been floated. Sources confirmed that outreach efforts were made to Martin, but the former governor indicated he would not talk about any future plans while the current chair is in place. Executive Committee members say that may change over the weekend as Harnett faces charges of violating the party’s Plan of Organization and gross inefficiency. A majority vote of the Executive Committee can determine a violation but a twothirds vote would be required to remove the chairman. “We have 140 years of experience being in the minority,” Pope said. “You have to be united in the minority. ... We have no experience being in the majority, and that’s some of the problem. Parties have a long history of factionalism on both sides, it’s part of politics. It’s our job to elect Republicans and rally all our members.” Hayes said he is ready for whatever the party leadership decides, whether he is tapped or someone else. He hopes to refocus the dialogue and the work toward putting Republicans in office this November. “We always have differing opinions, but preferably ones that are headed in the same general direction. ... We need to focus our attention on one of the most critical election years coming up,” said Hayes. “We have to get our act together, and I am confident we can.”
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North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
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north STATEment Neal Robbins, publisher | Drew Elliot, opinion editor | Ray Nothstine, deputy opinion editor EDITORIALS | DREW ELLIOT
Paratrooper puzzler from the Pentagon Thom Tillis, a member of the Senate’s Armed Services Committee, has been bulldogging this issue.
HERE’S A PUZZLER: the Pentagon has decided to dismantle the 440th Airlift Wing at Pope Field in Fayetteville, stating that aircraft based at other locations can do the job just as well as Pope is doing. The problem? Pope Field can’t even keep up with the Army’s requirements as it is. So how does the Pentagon expect to meet requirements from halfway across (or even all the way across) the continent? Most North Carolinians know Pope as Pope Air Force Base, but it is now officially Pope Field, an Army installation that is part of Fort Bragg where the 440th Airlift Wing — that’s an Air Force Reserve unit — provides direct support for Army units stationed at Fort Bragg. Or at least, they are supposed to provide support. Lately the 440th has been unable to meet Army airborne readiness requirements. According to North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, the 18th Airborne Corps requires 10,000 parachute jumps per month to be proficient, and the minimum requirement is 8,000. But in March, Fort Bragg was able to accomplish only 6,144 jumps. And to get to that woeful 61 percent proficiency, the Army had to use Army helicopters to support its paratrooper training needs. The eight C-130s at Pope Field apparently could not deliver. Tillis, a member of the Senate’s Armed Services Committee, has been bulldogging this issue. He says the Air Force asked him to “suspend disbelief” on the decision. “They told me to accept that it is more cost effective for units to fly from Little Rock, Arkansas, or McChord Air Force Base in Washington State rather than have planes stationed at Fort Bragg.” That’s a pretty tough one to swallow, to be sure. The Air Force and Army announced the decision via a letter to Congress in February. The letter certifying that both services agreed on the move was prompted by an amendment Tillis sponsored in the latest defense authorization bill. In the letter, the services told legislators that the eight remaining C-130Hs would be removed, and the 440th dismantled, by September. At the time, Tillis said he would be watching closely to see that the Air Force was meeting Army requirements. His argument is that the decision is bizarre considering the vital role Fort Bragg has in today’s military. Bragg is home to important parts of the military’s Global Response Force, including the 82nd Airborne Division and the headquarters of the 18th Airborne Corps. The 18th Airborne is known as “America’s Contingency Corps” because of its rapid-response role. The state’s junior senator says he is keeping pressure on the Pentagon to reverse its decision or prove it can provide the support the Army says it needs. Tillis was quoted in the Fayetteville Observer recently as saying he has “watched budget cutters within the Air Force slowly chip away at the ability of the commanders at Fort Bragg to adequately train their paratroopers.” It is unlikely that Tillis will be able to save the 440th. But he may be able to keep up enough pressure on the Air Force that the Pentagon will at least find a way to support the paratroopers at Fort Bragg in the way they deserve. If we are going to ask them to be the quick-strike force for the nation, we should be willing to give them the training tools they need.
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EDITORIALS | RAY NOTHSTINE
Why Andrew Jackson still matters For all of his flaws, and there were many, Jackson believed that it was better for power to rest with the people.
THE U.S. TREASURY announced in April that notable abolitionist Harriet Tubman is replacing Andrew Jackson on the front of the $20 bill. The announcement has pushed Jackson, who once towered over American political life, back into the news cycle. Much of the recent commentary on Jackson continues to denounce the former general and president for owning slaves and for his treatment of Native Americans. But for all the good and bad, Jackson still has an indelible influence over North Carolina and the nation. In 1948, President Harry Truman came to Raleigh to dedicate the statue of the presidents born in North Carolina at the state capitol. Both Carolinas continue to hold claim to Old Hickory as a native son. Born on the border of the Waxhaws region, not too far from Charlotte, Jackson was praised by Truman for his courage. Truman even made mention of his bravery during duels, just one of Jackson’s ridiculous practices modern man would find appalling. Referring to the South Carolina nullification crisis, he noted the most courageous thing Jackson did was “to stand up and tell his own people to their faces that they were wrong.” Even at the Raleigh statue, Jackson casts a long shadow over fellow presidents James K.
Polk and Andrew Johnson. Jackson saved an already fracturing nation, paving an eventual path and inspiration for Lincoln to preserve the union. In Raleigh, Truman praised North Carolinians for honoring a man who was willing to defy his own people while remaining faithful to the Constitution. Jackson, known for a hot temper, had a defiant hatred for the British. His father died before he was born and the British wiped out the rest of his family during the American Revolution. Captured at 13, Jackson boldly refused to shine the boots of a British officer and was slashed across the face and hand with a sword. His revenge: He exacted on the British Empire one of the most lopsided defeats in its otherwise illustrious military history at New Orleans in 1815. Much of our expansion of democracy and the modern American presidency can be traced to Jackson. He wholeheartedly challenged federal corruption and cronyism, giving voice to the masses that felt cut out from the government. He believed concentrated and distant power inevitably led to greater corruption and not social leveling. Jackson thought the government should live within its means and would abhor the
entangled web of federal taxes and regulations set up to benefit a powerful corporate elite today. As long as federal power and corruption expands, Jackson’s warnings standout. For all of his flaws, and there were many, Jackson believed that it was better for power to rest with the people. He was called a dictator and cruelly mocked by the country’s elites for his upbringing and lack of formal education. He was quintessentially American. Born impoverished, he went west to seek out opportunities, seizing them at every step. Like many Americans, Jackson became deeper in his Christian faith through age and suffering. According to his biographer Robert Remini, the people had such a deep love for Jackson that he continued to receive votes for the presidency 15 years after his death. While Harriet Tubman is certainly deserving of national recognition, if changing Jackson from the front of a $20 bill feels like a slight by the Treasury, it’s only because his shoes are perhaps too big to fill.
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GUEST OPINION | ANGELA SCIOLI
More democracy won’t fix education ELIEVE IT OR NOT, our democracy is more democratic B than it has ever been. That is the
The growing “education deficit” is a very frightening reality that already threatens our democracy.
problem. Alexander Hamilton was a real guy before he was a hit on Broadway. Were he alive today, he would be amazed by our naïveté. Majority rule is not a problem if the majority is well educated and can think critically about the complicated issues of the day, demand specific policies that will address those issues, and assess the reliability of sources regarding the candidates and issues. But an angry majority lacking those skills makes for a frightening specter. Right, America? Our Founding Fathers were a fairly privileged lot. They built the American democracy with a keen awareness that the vast majority of the population was not properly educated. They knew an uneducated majority could be swayed by simple speeches, manipulative media and fear. To insulate the fledgling democracy against that threat, they made sure the “mob” had very limited direct influence on our institutions of government. The sole body directly elected by the common people was the House of Representatives. The Senate was appointed by state legislatures, the electoral college carefully guarded the presidency, and judges were appointed by the president and approved by the Senate. The uneducated majority might vote, but their actual influence would be minimal. Around 1900, Progressives
sought to make the democracy more . . . democratic! They passed the 17th Amendment allowing for the direct election of senators by the people. Primaries, caucuses and state laws turned the electoral college into more of a rubber stamp. After the contentious 1968 Democratic convention, the party conventions were also “democratized” to allow for more participation. The good news? Our democracy is more democratic than ever before in history! And many think it should become even more so. And that’s the bad news. We are putting the (democracy) cart before the (public education) horse. We have allowed for shocking levels of inequality in our schools, to the degree that a North Carolina court case, the Leandro case, made the courts the feeble guardians of our most vulnerable youth. We have cut per-pupil spending in real dollars, cut supplies and support staff, and irreparably damaged the teacher preparation pipeline. We have created a grading system that assigned 682 public schools in North Carolina a grade of “D” or “F” but did not offer those same schools additional resources or support. And our latest idea? Replace the public schools altogether. We are looking to emulate Tennessee’s Achievement School District program. Through the ASD, the state runs the “failing” schools or allows a private charter company to do so. Gary Henry, a researcher at Vanderbilt University, testified
to a legislative committee that students in charter schools did not do any better than other lowperforming schools. Tennessee’s former ASD superintendent Chris Barbic, who resigned in 2015, determined that the charter concept cannot be transferred to neighborhood schools; he realized that charters cannot magically overcome generational poverty. Apparently, experience is an efficient teacher. Not only is this outcome a tragedy for the students attending these failing schools, this growing “education deficit” is a very frightening reality that already threatens our democracy. As Thomas Jefferson said, “We must attend first to the education of the common people [so] on their good sense we may rely.” In North Carolina, we have not heeded that advice. We have sacrificed our public schools on an altar of speculation, and we are finding many reformers to be “charter”latans who make great promises but can’t deliver. Our democracy, if this election is any indication, is not far behind. We must recommit ourselves to the fact that our public schools are the most important institution for the success of our democracy. And then, unlike in the past, our education deficit won’t require a democracy deficit. A Hope Street Fellow, Angela Scioloi is a Wake County public school teacher with 23 years’ experience teaching social studies.
COLUMNIST | BRADLEY BETHEL
NCAA assigns blame where it should
A The NCAA appears more concerned with educational quality than the press is.
FTER years of deflecting responsibility for the paper-class scandal at UNC Chapel Hill, the truly liable parties have finally been indicted. No, I’m not referring to head basketball coach Roy Williams or any other coaches. I’m referring to deans in the College of Arts and Sciences, whose negligence allowed the aberrant classes to persist for over a decade. In the NCAA’s amended notice of allegations (NOA), released April 25, the NCAA twice admonishes “individuals in the athletics and academic administrations on campus, particularly in the college of arts and sciences” for failing to address known anomalies in African and Afro-American Studies classes. Essentially, though the classes were listed as lecture-based, a department assistant managed them as independent studies. A previous investigation found no fewer than four deans who had at least some knowledge of the classes. One of those deans even told an athletics official that the class structure was within the professor’s purview. Yet despite the clear failings of UNC Chapel Hill’s academic administrators to ensure educational quality for their students, and despite the complete absence of evidence implicating any coaches, the local and national media have clamored to depict the Tar Heels athletics program as the epitome of corruption. Journalist Walter Kirn’s insight into the media’s workings is apropos here. He once tweeted, “This is how it works now with the news: the story begins with a moral, then a narrative is fashioned to support it.” Most educated people today recognize the systemic injustices in college athletics and support reform. In an otherwise worthy attempt to call attention to those injustices, activist-journalists have fashioned a narrative about the paper-class scandal bereft of facts but propelled by moral outrage. Across the media landscape, expressing moral outrage over college athletics is currently in vogue, and journalists try to be intellectually hip if nothing else. Criticizing college athletics is far more fashionable than questioning elite universities’ general commitment — or lack thereof — to educational quality. Thus, commentators have interpreted the paper-class
BILL PRESS
Fix the crooked primary process ALFWAY through the 2016 presidential primaries, we can all look back and be H proud of how the democratic process worked again, just like it’s supposed to. Republicans and Democrats came together in a fair and open process to select the person they wanted to lead their party to victory in November. Right? Wrong! I can’t believe I’m actually writing these words, but: Donald Trump is right. About this one thing, at least: The primary process is rigged. By both parties, but especially by the Republican Party. And the system badly needs fixing. There’s no one national set of rules for voting in the primaries. Instead, there are 100 different sets of rules. The Democratic and Republican party of each state sets its own rules on who may vote in their primary and who may not. There are only a handful of experts who know the rules in every state, but we’ve all seen enough from the 2016 primaries to know that for both parties, the rules are anything but uniform. In some states, the primary’s a level playing field. In others, it operates like a snooty, closed-door private club. In a few, it’s downright undemocratic and crooked. In six states or territories — American Samoa, Guam, North Dakota, Wyoming, the Virgin Islands, and Colorado — there’s no primary at all. Instead, delegates are chosen at a closed, state party convention. At the state convention in Colorado Springs on April 9, for example, the Colorado Republican Party awarded Ted Cruz all 34 of its delegates without allowing any vote to be taken at all — after which party staffers tweeted: “We did it. #Never Trump.” Whether you like Donald Trump or not, that’s hardly a fair process. For Democrats, Colorado wasn’t a whole
Once this election is behind us, leaders of both parties should get to work building a more equitable and just primary system.
CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
South Building, one of the oldest buildings on the UNC Chapel Hill campus, houses the university’s top academic officials. scandal not for what it is but for what confirms their current biases. Another apparent trend among commentators is interjecting elements of sexism into an already sensationalized narrative. Much of the initial outcry over the amended NOA portrays the NCAA as scapegoating the women’s basketball team. Such outcry, however, reveals a blatant disregard for what the NOA actually says. Yes, women’s basketball is the only team specifically named, but the additional infractions for which the team is highlighted have nothing to do with the paper classes. Rather, the additional infractions involve an academic counselor’s providing impermissible assistance with writing papers. Rather than assign blame primarily to any team or teams, the NCAA rightly assigns most of the blame for the paper classes to academic administrators. Ironically, the NCAA’s
specifically targeting academic administrators shows that the college athletics governing body is more willing to address issues of educational quality than most commentators have been. The paper-class scandal was indeed a case of neglecting educational quality and should have sparked serious discussions in the press about higher-education reform. Instead, commentators have seemed more eager to stick with what’s currently trendy, merely adding to the profusion of voices already scrutinizing college athletics. When the NCAA appears more concerned with educational quality than the press is, we shouldn’t be surprised that higher education is in need of such serious reform. Bradley Bethel is a former teacher and currently a documentary filmmaker who lives in Carrboro. His film “Unverified: The Untold Story Behind the UNC Scandal” is screening at festivals this spring.
lot better, because Colorado, like Iowa, Minnesota, Wyoming and Kansas, is a caucus state. Bernie Sanders may have won most caucus states so far, but the caucus formula, by its very nature, is still essentially undemocratic. Why? Because caucuses are held on one day only, are often closed to all but party members and require attending, in person, for as long as three or four hours, thereby automatically disenfranchising millions of voters who can’t show up at that time, in that place or stay that long. But even some primary states are rigged. This week’s New York Democratic primary was one of the worst. Because only registered Democrats could participate, more than 3 million Independents could not vote for either Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders, nor could millions of new voters, because the deadline for registering to vote on April 19, 2016 was October 9, 2015, 193 days before the primary. This week, the comptroller for the city of New York and the state attorney general both launched investigations into the New York primary process. There are countless other examples of unfair state primary procedures, most of which have festered for years with little public scrutiny or complaint. But now that this year’s hotly contested primaries have put such inequities under the spotlight, leaders of both parties should get to work, once this election is behind us, building a more equitable and just primary system that will encourage, not discourage, voter participation. Here’s a good start: 1) End the absurd primacy of Iowa and New Hampshire. There’s no reason they should be first. They do not reflect the American electorate. Replace them with rotating, regional primaries. 2) Ban all caucuses. Require each state to have a primary in which anybody can vote, preferably with early voting and same-day registration. 3) Either do away with superdelegates or require them to vote for the candidate who wins their state primary. Party elitists will fight to maintain closed primaries and deny access to Independent voters, but here’s why they’re wrong. Neither party can win the general election without the support of Independents. According to the latest Gallup poll, only 25 percent of all registered voters are Republican; 31 percent are Democrats; yet 44 percent are Independents. If you expect Independents to support your candidate in November, you have to let them vote in the primary in April. Bill Press is host of a nationally syndicated radio show, CNN political analyst, and the author of a new book, “Buyer’s Remorse.”
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NATION& WORLD Trump, Clinton inch closer to party nominations after Tuesday wins
NEWS IN IMAGES
By Liz Moomey North State Journal
RICK WILKING | REUTERS
Joe Deedon, president of TAC ONE Consulting, demonstrates proper grip of a pistol prior to showing how to search for a shooter in a middle school during an Active Shooter Response course offered by TAC ONE in Denver, Colorado.
RICK WILKING | REUTERS
Glock semi-automatic pistols modified to shoot Simunition non-lethal training ammunition sit under an inspirational poster at a middle school.
RICK WILKING | REUTERS
A student searches for a shooter with a mock victim in the background in a middle school during an Active Shooter Response course.
PROTEST from page A1 had no interest in making any changes to the law that would allow for men in women’s bathrooms and locker rooms. Converging Rallies Opponents of H.B. 2 were not alone in Raleigh on Monday, though, as supporters of the bill inundated the state legislative complex with signs and folding chairs. As lawmakers began arriving to their offices at the General Assembly, hundreds of H.B. 2 supporters greeted them with praise and encouragement. As the day wore on, those protesting the law underwent further activism training and participated in a rally outside the legislature, before initiating a mass sit-in at the General Assembly around 5 p.m., chanting “Forward together — Not one step back” as they marched toward the legislature’s doors. When the House and Senate called their respective Monday evening sessions to order, an otherwise perfunctory meeting, opponents of H.B. 2 filled the public galleries lining the chambers. The House chamber handled routine business in opening the year’s legislative session, but also welcomed its newest member, Rep. Chris Sgro (D-Greensboro). “I have big shoes to fill,” Sgro said after receiving a welcoming applause from the chamber. Sgro is also the director of Equality NC and was appointed by the Guildford County Democratic Party to replace Rep. Ralph Johnson, who died in November. No votes were held during the Monday session, but just when Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) moved to adjourn after 30 minutes of housekeeping to reconvene on Tuesday morning, H.B. 2 protesters leaped to their feet to shout down the departing lawmakers. “Our House! You will do no business but the people’s business!” protesters yelled as they were ushered out of the chamber by police and sergeants-atarms. Chants of “Justice!” and “You have blood on your hands!” rang through the halls as the protesters continued to make their voices heard, watched closely by State Capitol Police. Groups of protesters then moved to occupy the Speaker’s office, and others re-
After Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump won all five April 26 primaries and Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton won four of the five Northeastern states, their rivals made major campaign announcements. On Wednesday, Republican presidential candidate and Texas senator Ted Cruz announced his vice president pick, former Hewlett-Packard CEO and former Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina. “For the 13 months of this race, there has been a proven, consistent, courageous fighter,” Cruz said. “A fighter who terrifies Hillary. And who will do the same to our enemies. And that’s why I am proud to announce Carly Fiorina as my vice presidential running mate.” In Democratic rival Bernie Sanders’s post-primary statement, he hinted it was unlikely he would win the nomination but would remain in the race. “The people in every state in this country should have the right to determine who they want as president and what the agenda of the Democratic Party should be,” Sanders said. He said he was ridding campaign staffers from states of previous primaries, adding he looked forward to issue-oriented campaigns for the remaining primaries. Clinton won 204 delegates by winning the majority in Connecticut (28 of 55), Delaware (12 of 21), Maryland (59 of 95) and Pennsylvania (95 of 189). Sanders won only in Rhode Island, gaining 13 out of the 24 delegates. According to FiveThirtyEight, Sanders would have to win 65 percent of the vote in the remaining 11 Democratic primaries to gain the nomination. Ahead of the Democratic National Convention on July 25-28, Clinton has 2,151 of the needed 2,383 delegates needed for the nomination. Clinton, in her victory speech, told supporters “Now, with your help, we’re going to come back to Philadelphia for the Democratic National
fused to leave the premises. After several warnings by police, a total of 54 protesters were arrested after refusing to leave the premises as the building was closing. “Thank you! We love you!” said remaining protesters outside the building to those being arrested. Yet, adding another wrinkle to the H.B. 2 debate, Senate leaders also floated the idea this week of sending the controversial issue to voters in the form of a referendum. A similar referendum was passed by voters in Houston, Texas by wide majority in 2015.
AARON P. BERNSTEIN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Republican U.S. presidential candidate Ted Cruz waves with Carly Fiorina after he announced Fiorina as his running mate.
Convention with the most votes and the most pledged delegates.” Trump said at a news conference if he won the Republican party’s nomination, he is prepared to take on Clinton. “I think she’s a flawed candidate, and she’s going to be easy to beat,” Trump said. Trump also said, “Frankly, if Hillary Clinton were a man, I don’t think she’d get 5 percent of the vote.” Trump’s comment started uproar and a comment from Clinton. Rep. Renee Ellmers said she thinks Trump can overcome his unpopularity among women voters with straight talk and a plan of action. “This is an election unlike any other election,” Ellmers said. “To me, this is breaking all the rules, this is going against any of the typical history books and elections of the past.” Trump picked up 109 of the 117 delegates available Tuesday. Rival John Kasich won five delegates and Ted Cruz won three delegates from Rhode Island. Kasich and Cruz have been holding on in hopes of a brokered convention, but Trump inched closer to the
transitional housing, case management, mental health first aid training, child crisis centers, and efforts to combat heroin and opioid addiction. Medicaid will also be expanded, Heath said, recommending $3 million to offer services to older adults and those with Alzheimer’s disease, and $1 million for caregivers. Some of those recommendations, such as an appropriation bill dedicating funds to caregivers of those with dementia, received votes on the House floor the next day.
Routine business During the eventful week lawmakers Governor’s Budget Wednesday morning, state budget also began passing technical tax change director Andrew Heath offered a pres- bills out of committee, including changes entation of Gov. Pat McCrory’s budget to unemployment tax laws on businesses recommendations to House and Senate and proceeded to focus on the Republican majority’s focus on the budget and members. “The governor’s first priority is teach- tax reform. Further, the House and Senate beer pay and bringing average teacher pay above $50,000 [per year] mark,” Heath gan confirming multiple appointments said during his presentation. Such a raise, made by McCrory to various positions on Heath said, would elevate North Caroli- Wednesday and Thursday, after a freeze na NEA teacher pay rankings from 46th extending back to 2014 in some cases. Each appointment must be confirmed by place to 32nd. Approximately 80,000 teachers across both chambers before being sworn in to the state will receive an average salary in- the post. A list of fully confirmed appointcrease of $2,313, Heath explained. Raises ments will be published in the North would average 5 percent across the state, State Journal’s next edition. The General Assembly reconvenes and $5,000 bonuses would be issued for veteran teachers with more than 24 years Monday afternoon. of service. In addition to teacher pay, the recommendations also provide for excess lottery funds to be provided for education initiatives. A $3 million request in total funds from the lottery for developing flexible academic pathways for non-traditional students such as those affiliated with the military, and $3 million in total funds from the lottery for predictive analytics and high impact programs aimed at improving student completion rates. Lottery funds are also dedicated to special needs scholarships, with $5.8 million toward expanding the Special Education Scholarship Program by 300 students. Heath also reported that Medicaid and public school enrollment figures came in under budget, contributing to a forecasted $237 million surplus. A porMADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL tion of the surplus funds are to dedicated to implementing the recommendations North Carolina Senator Phil Berger of the Governor’s Task Force on Mental speaks during the beginning of the legisHealth and Substance Use, including lative short session on Monday.
MIKE SEGAR | REUTERS
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton takes pictures with supporters at a campaign rally in Bridgeport, Conn.
needed 1,237 delegates, totaling 954. Cruz and Kasich have 562 delegates and 153 delegates, respectively. For Cruz’s campaign, he is looking to the next primary in Indiana on May 3. Cruz has been polling behind Trump in single digits, according to various polls. “Tonight, this campaign moves back to more favorable terrain,” Cruz said in Indiana Tuesday.
DECISION DAY from page A1 academics, extracurricular activities, ACT and SAT scores, answers to essay questions and more as institutions are in search of a well-rounded student who can add to the diverse population of campus. NC State received 26,000 freshman applications this year. Of those, 11,000 students were admitted and the incoming freshman class is estimated to be 4,300. “North Carolina State University is one of the most selective in the country, which is unusual for a large land grant university,” said Griffin. “We have a diverse student body representing all of North Carolina as well as nationally and internationally.” Colleges around the state all tout programs unique and individual to their institution. NC State is known for not only the College of Engineering, but also programs such as textiles, agriculture sciences, natural resources, and environmental resources. “NC State is a national and international leader in those areas,” said Griffin. Colleges are looking for top contenders in their programs and students who can excel in the campus environment. For Barton College, a small private liberal arts college in eastern North Carolina, they are eager to find students who prefer small class sizes and being on a first-name basis with the entire campus. “Barton students are well-rounded. They are academically strong and driven students with grit and boldness,” said Amanda Metts, assistant vice president for enrollment at Barton College. “A very diverse population of students makes Barton more enriching,” she added. For colleges — especially private colleges — the available financial aid package plays an important part in the student’s selection process following acceptance, as private college tuition can be more than $25,000 a year. Financial aid includes institutional merit-based scholarships, endowed scholarships, local community-based scholarships, and loans and grants from the state and federal government. “Financial aid is one of the larger decisions for us. It’s the deciding factor for the majority of our students,” said Metts. “Private schools have a lot of competition in North Carolina — community colleges are making it more affordable and that is competition for us.” While colleges and universities prepare to fill their enrollment slots, high school seniors are working to select the school that is the best fit for them. This includes not only the financial aid package, but also academic programs, clubs and organizations, athletics, and the campus environment as a whole. Colleges are prepped to answer any and every question as seniors begin deciding which institution they will soon call home.
the Sunday SIDELINE REPORT
2016 NFL DRAFT
1. Laremy Tunsil fell to No. 13 in NFL draft after social media hack, admitted to taking money, using drugs. 2. First round picks: Washington Redskins picked up TCU WR Josh Doctson, while Carolina Panthers added another DL in Vernon Butler. 3. Stephen Curry suffered a knee injury in Game 4 against Houston and is expected to miss at least another week of playoff action. 4. NCAA issued antidiscriminatory measure that could jeopardize future men’s basketball tournament games in Charlotte (2017) and Greensboro (2018). 5. NC State beat ECU 6-1 in baseball at home, avenging 15-3 loss in Greenville.
@RussilloandKannell: Laremy Tunsil was once thought to be a top-5 pick. That just went up in smoke.
KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI | USA TODAY SPORTS
Vernon Butler (Louisiana Tech) was selected by the Carolina Panthers as the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.
SPORTS NCAA ALLEGATIONS
@BlackBlueReview: Butler said he was rooting for the Panthers in the Super Bowl because “I’m a big Cam Newton fan.”
Panthers pull another ‘hog molly’ in draft By Shawn Krest North State Journal HE Carolina Panthers added to their defense in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, but not at the position T everyone expected. After losing Pro Bowl cornerback Josh
@royceyoung: Draymond Green said on @NBAonESPNRadio that Steph Curry was crying in the huddle when he was told he couldn’t come back in.
Norman to free agency (the Panthers rescinded Norman’s franchise tag) many thought Carolina would go corner in the first. But general manager Dave Gettleman didn’t flinch from his philosophy of build- “We had a bunch ing through the defensive line and he of teams calling didn’t attempt to replace Norman in the first round. Instead, the Panthers drafted us. But the value defensive tackle Vernon Butler from Lou- was too good. isiana Tech. Who is this guy?
NFL
Deflategate reinflated A federal appeals court ruled that New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady must serve the four-game suspension initially handed down by the NFL in 2015. The ruling overturns a lower court ruling that allowed Brady to avoid a suspension last season, though the star quarterback’s camp has indicated it will fight the ruling.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Duke returns to the Jimmy V Classic, will play Florida Duke announced its return to the Jimmy V Classic for a Dec. 6 game against Florida in Madison Square Garden. The Blue Devils, led by Grayson Allen and the No. 2ranked recruiting class in the country, are expected to be one of the top-ranked teams early in the season. Mike White’s Florida team reached the quarterfinals of the NIT in 2016.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Cardiac Pack to meet the President in person After the 1983 NC State men’s basketball team completed its amazing run to the national title, only head coach Jim Valvano was able to make the trip to the White House to meet then-President Ronald Reagan in person. Thurl Bailey, a member of that title team, reached out to Barack Obama and now the players will get that trip, 33 years later, with a meeting scheduled for May 9.
CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
North Carolina head coach Roy Williams smiles during practice for an NCAA Tournament first round game at PNC Arena in Raleigh on March 16.
UNC gets favorable returns on new NOA By Brooke Pryor North State Journal HAPEL HILL, N.C. — Crack the celebratory Red Bull and C Coca-Cola, because North Caro-
lina football and men’s basketball weren’t mentioned in the amended Notice of Allegations delivered to UNC from the NCAA Monday morning. So it’s all over, right? That has to be what we’ve been waiting on: to finally close the book on the decades-long academic scandal that permeated the athletic department. Nope, not quite. UNC previously received an NOA in May 2015 detailing five Level I allegations against the university for misconduct in the African- and Afro-American Studies department and the Academic Support Program for Student-Athletes. The amended NOA, which is pretty similar to the first, revives the case against UNC that stalled when the university sent more evidence of possible violations in women’s
basketball and men’s soccer to the NCAA in August. So rather than going through what’s in this new document, it’s easier to go over what isn’t.
This kid is big. He’s powerful. He’s athletic. He’s got all the stuff.”
Butler is the highest drafted Louisiana Tech player since 1999, when receiver Troy Edwards went to the Steelers at Dave Gettleman No. 13. He’s a 6-4, 323-pounder with an eye-popping 7-foot wingspan. Butler is one of the most versatile defensive linemen in this year’s draft. He can play both inside spots and also played end in college. He made first-team All-Conference USA and was on the watch lists for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. Despite playing outside the Power Five conferences in college, Butler was a highly sought-after recruit. He turned down offers from Ole Miss and Mississippi State to attend Louisiana Tech. It was a surprise Butler fell to the Panthers in the 30th position. He told the Detroit Free Press the Lions had promised him they’d choose him if he was still available when they picked at No. 16. Instead, Detroit took offensive tackle Taylor Decker. “We’re really kind of shocked he was there,” Gettleman See PANTHERS, page B4
INSIDE
Men’s basketball and football While the first NOA specifically mentioned improper academic benefits given to the school’s two biggest revenue sports, the new document is scrubbed of all direct mention of the two programs. Wayne Walden, the former academic adviser for the men’s basketball team who worked with Roy Williams at Kansas and UNC, was also left out of the new NOA, further shielding the men’s basketball program from punishment. While this doesn’t guarantee both programs will escape without any major penalties from the NCAA, it makes recruiting easier for Roy Williams and Larry Fedora knowing their teams have likely escaped the NCAA’s wrath. See NCAA, page B7
MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
What’s better than bacon? A year’s supply of bacon. Which could only be won by attending Smithfield’s Bacon Night at a recent UNC baseball game. The biggest bacon bonus of the entire evening is a tough one to pick. Maybe it was the bacon races. Maybe it was the bacon grilled cheese. Maybe it was the humans wrapped in bacon. Find out more on page B(acon)6.
North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
B2
NS J beyond the box score
05.01.16
Laremy Tunsil: Ole Miss left tackle fell from a projected top spot in the 2016 NFL Draft after social media hack included drug use, taking money in college. Steve Kerr: The Golden State Warriors coach was named the 2016 NBA Coach of the Year after team’s recordbreaking 73-win regular season. Kurt Benkert: ECU quarterback Kurt Benkert finished spring practice in the running for the starting job but announced his decision to transfer this week. The move, which ECU coach Scottie Montgomery called a “surprise,” leaves transfer Philip Nelsonm as the most likelyQB in Greenville. Idaho: According to CBS Sports, Idaho, an opponent of App State in the Sun Belt, will be the first team to move down from FBS to FCS, effective 2018. Dwight Howard: With the Houston Rockets eliminated from the playoffs, Howard is expected to opt out of the his contract and become a free agent. Orlando, Charlotte, Milwaukee and Portland have been reported as potential landing spots for the five-time All-NBA center. Myles Jack: Former UCLA linebacker fell out of first round of NFL draft after knee injury is discovered. He was projected in the top 10 before the injury scared off teams.
POTENT QUOTABLES
ACC TOURNAMENT PICTURE MURKY
Wake Forest’s three-game sweep of North Carolina knocked the Tar Heels back in the standings, though UNC recovered with in-state wins against UNCW (10-9) and Campbell (9-4) this week. The competition for the 10 spots in the ACC Tournament field is tight and, as of April 29, includes all four of the state’s conference members.
STEVE MITCHELL | USA TODAY SPORTS
“If you want to get into career flopping between the two rosters, it wouldn’t be close.” Charlotte Hornets coach Steve Clifford responding to allegations of flopping from the Miami Heat. MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
NFL DRAFT
5
Ohio State players taken in the first round. Ohio State had three players taken in the first 10 picks of the 2016 NFL Draft, including Joey Bosa and Ezekiel Elliott back-to-back at No. 3 and No. 4, but fell one selection short of tying Miami’s record of six first round draft selections in 2004.
NFL DRAFT
$8.03M The estimated amount of money lost by Laremy Tunsil because of the social media hack that caused the Ole Miss tackle to fall out of the top five. The Miami Dolphins took him at No. 13 overall in the first round.
NFL DRAFT
MLB
DAVID KOHL | USA TODAY SPORTS
California quarterback Jared Goff was drafted No. 1 overall by the Los Angeles Rams during Thursday night’s first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Goff, a California native, started as a true freshman for Sonny Dykes, and went 14-23 for the Bears over the next three seasons.
GARY A. VASQUEZ | USA TODAY SPORTS
Miami Marlins All-Star second baseman Dee Gordon was suspended 80 games for violating the MLB drug prevention and treatment program. Gordon denied knowledge of ingesting the two banned substances.
NFL DRAFT
KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI | USA TODAY SPORTS
Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott came to the NFL Draft in style, flashing his abs with a crop-top shirt before being selected No. 4 overall by the Dallas Cowboys. The shirt was a shot at the NCAA, which banned his midriff uniform look during the 2015 season.
North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
B3
NBA
Above: During preseason action last October, Quinn Cook (3) talks with former Cavaliers coach David Blatt and shooting guard Jared Cunningham. Below: Quinn Cook (3) dribbles the ball against the Memphis grizzlies in October. PHOTOS BY GREG BARTRAM | USA TODAY SPORTS
Quinn Cook is ‘definitely’ ready for the NBA By Sean Labar North State Journal UINN COOK, a former standout on the 2015 Duke Q National Championship squad,
was recently named NBA D-League Rookie of the Year. He sat down with the North State Journal to discuss his time at Duke, his breakout season for the Canton Charge, playing Madden with Kyrie Irving, and working at the concession stands during Redskins games while growing up just outside of D.C. North State Journal: What did it mean to be named NBA D-League ROY? Quinn Cook: It was a tremendous honor, honestly, I didn’t know if I was going to get it. There were several guys that had great years, but I think the fact that my team was successful this season kind of helped put me over the hump. It was a great honor especially knowing that a lot of guys who are in the NBA now won the award, Will Bynum, Tim Frazier, Robert Covington, to name a few. That gives me a lot of confidence. It’s a good thing to have on my resume. How much has the D-League helped your individual game? It’s helped me a lot. There are a lot more people interested in the league now with it being on TV. We played on ESPN three times this year. We played on NBA TV four times. The NBA does a great job with the D-League. A lot of guys come down here and get confidence. There are a lot of guys I grew up watching that took the same path. I’ve learned a lot this year. When you’re in Canton, how much interaction do you have with the current Cavs players? Do you seek advice from those guys? Oh yeah, when I go to the games I see them and talk to them. Me and Kyrie [Irving] are really close. I’m over at his house a lot, just watching basketball and hanging out. He’s like a big brother to me. I went to training camp with those guys so I’m close with everyone. It definitely helps a ton. Those guys give me a lot of confidence. After a big game, I’ll get a bunch of text messages from them congratulating me. It’s just great, man. I’ve had a great year, and my relationship with the Cavs players has helped tremendously. What memories do you take away from your final season at Duke?
Quinn Cook There’s no better ending than winning the national title. We had such a brotherhood and a toughness that’s hard to find. That last team I was a part of had a “never say quit” attitude. Nobody ever really believed in us last year. A couple games we went into with our backs against the wall and played teams that were ranked higher than us going into the tournament. We were one of the hottest teams in the country, and still nobody had us winning it. Coach K always instilled that we could be the best team in the nation if we followed our guidelines. It was just a tremendous year for everybody. Do you still have a relationship with Coach K? I still talk to Coach K frequently. He still watches my games, especially now that they have been out of the tournament for a little while. He works so hard to keep up with guys’ stats and shoots us a text message if we have a big game. He’s just always there for us. That’s why I chose Duke. It has such a family atmosphere. When I went on those initial visits, I could just tell there was something different about it. I fell in love with it. I’m really happy I made that decision. Did you grow up rooting for the Redskins? I was as big of a Redskins fan as you can imagine. My mom and dad owned two concession
stands at FedEx Field. Me and my best friend worked at the concession stands growing up, and every fourth quarter we got to watch the actual game. It was great. One day I would be making chicken sandwiches and french fries, and the next day I was at the cash register dealing with the money. There were about five years, from when I was about 9 until I was 14. When I was 11 or 12 I started working only in the back — there was too much pressure up front dealing with all the people. That was my first real job. Who’s your favorite Redskin of all time? Sean Taylor and Jamison Crowder. Jamison was probably my best friend at Duke. He was a big 49ers fan. Our senior year, when the Redskins played the 49ers, I can remember us being in his dorm room. He had his Niners gear on and I had my Skins gear on. It was just us two in there screaming and going crazy. And then that May, he gets drafted to Washington. He sent me a text saying that he’s going to need all of my Redskins gear from now on. It was a cool moment. What athletes did you look up to the most growing up? Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson. I’ve met Kobe a couple times, we have a relationship. It was sad seeing him go. Other than winning a championship, that was the perfect way for him to go
Age: 23 Hometown: Washington, D.C. College: Duke Class of: 2015 Favorite Athletes: Kobe Bryant, Michael Phelps, Allen Iverson Favorite Movie: Space Jam Favorite Rapper: Drake Twitter: @QCook323
out. I think everybody witnessed something very special. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received in your athletic career? Always move on to the next play. You can have a bad turnover, but you can’t let that turnover affect your defense. You always got to move on. Or you can’t hit a big shot and start celebrating so you forget your defensive assignment. It’s always about the next play. Coach K always preached that to our team. Do you think you’re ready for the jump to the NBA? Definitely. I’ve put in a lot of hard work this year. Getting to practice early and staying after to make sure my game is always getting better. I’ve seen my game progress month by month, and think I really picked it up by the end of the season. I know for a fact that I’m ready. I’m just waiting for next year.
North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
B4 2016 NFL DRAFT
Skins snag WR Josh Doctson with 22nd pick By Sean Labar North State Journal HE Washington Redskins entered Thursday night with T an impressive wide receiving
corps, highlighted by Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, but it did not deter GM Scot McCloughan from increasing the talent around Kirk Cousins. With the 22nd overall pick, Washington selected TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson, one of the top pass catchers in the draft. It was a move that didn’t address an immediate need, but instead gives the Skins needed flexibility and depth at a critical position moving forward. Who is this guy? At 6-2, 202 pounds, Doctson earns his paycheck by going up and hauling in the football. He isn’t particularly fast (4.5 40 speed), but compensates with sure hands and an impressive leaping ability (41-inch vertical at the combine). Doctson transferred to TCU after one year at Wyoming, snagging 179 passes for 2,784 yards and 29 touchdowns during his three-year span as a Horned Frog. His senior season was especially impressive, racking up 1,326 yards and 14 touchdowns. “He’s got height,” coach Jay Gruden said. “He’s got the mad leaping skills which are very appealing, especially in the red zone. He’s another guy that’s going to bring athleticism to this offense, and we’re excited to have him.” With Corey Coleman and Laquon Treadwell off the board before Washington’s pick, Doctson was the best receiver left (and perhaps the best receiver on Washington’s board). Thanks Washington’s fairly deep receiver group, the Skins can develop Doctson’s raw physical skills and talent over the next several years. How he fits An outsider may argue Washington had bigger needs, and that’s true. But both Garcon and Jackson are playing in the final years of their respective contracts. Garcon has a $10.2 million cap hit in 2016 while Jackson eats another $9.25 million.
KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI | USA TODAY SPORTS
Josh Doctson (TCU) after being selected by the Washington Redskins as the number twenty-two overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre.
“He’s got the mad leaping skills which are very appealing, especially in the red zone. Jay Gruden
It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Skins decided to cut Garcon loose before the start of 2016, especially considering Doctson emulates Garcon in many ways. He’s just younger and faster. “I think he’s the most polished receiver of the group, personally,” Gruden said. “I think he can do a lot of different things across the middle. When the ball is in the air, he’s got the jumping ability. He’s got great hands. I think he’s got the best hands in the draft also. He’s a great pure route-runner. I graded him out very, very high. Our scouts had him graded out very high. Scot loved him. We all loved him, obviously, based on his production.” Redskins general manager
How he fits On the surface, the pick appears to be a case of the Panthers ignoring need(s) and adding to a position with two established starters. Gettleman’s first two draft picks as Panthers GM were Lotulelei and Kawann Short. It makes sense knowing Gettleman’s propensity for drafting “hog mollies,” dating back to his days with the Giants, and his philosophy of improving the secondary by adding to the front seven. Putting more pressure on the opposing quarterback helps relieve pressure on the defensive backfield, Gettleman believes. “It makes people on the back end better,” Gettleman said prior to the draft, when asked about improving the defensive line. “I’ve been with teams that have bigtime fronts and seen the value of that.” Butler will join the Panthers’ rotation on the interior of the defensive line, spelling Lotulelei and Short. He’ll likely replace free agent Dwan Edwards, who, along with Kyle Love, were the top reserves at defensive tackle for the Panthers last season. With Lotulelei and Short approaching free agency, Butler could also be an insurance policy, just in case negotiations on extensions for the 2013 draftees fall through.
fense thrives through the air, making Doctson a solid choice. Grade B+ — It was bold choice to ignore other areas, but a justified selection. This draft is deep with defensive talent (three starters from Alabama’s championship defense fell into the second round) and McCloughan can load up later in the draft. After adding Josh Norman the week before, the Redskins now have veterans all over the field to compete in the NFC East. Snatching up Doctson means they also have young talent offensively to grow with Cousins.
Full first round picks of the NFL Draft
PANTHERS from page B1 said. “Reminds me of my first draft, when Star [Lotulelei] fell. The kid is really talented. I’m not sure why he fell.” Plenty of other teams were interested in taking the Panthers’ spot. Gettleman said he received calls from seven teams looking to trade into the spot. “We had a bunch of teams calling us,” Gettleman said. “But the value was too good. This kid is big. He’s powerful. He’s athletic. He’s got all the stuff.”
Scot McCloughan has already earned the trust of the Washington fan base, which is overly difficult considering the team’s history of terrible misses in the draft. This year’s class is laden with starting caliber defensive tackles, so the second-year decision maker grabbed the best player available with plans to address glaring needs a bit later. The decision was more about the long-term stability of the wide reciever position, and less about throwing Doctson into the fire right away. Washington veteran defensive back DeAngelo Hall tweeted, “you can never have too many pass catchers,” after the Skins made the pick. Jay Gruden’s of-
VERNON BUTLER Height: 6’4” Weight: 323 pounds Wingspan: 35 1/8” 40-yard dash: 5.15 seconds Vertical: 33 1/2” College: Louisiana Tech Butler said his specialty is stopping the run, but “I’m looking to make plays in the backfield every time I get out of my stance.” He had 10 tackles for loss and a career-best four sacks as a senior last year. “This kind of potential and ability for growth, you get excited about,” coach Ron Rivera said. “He can be a guy who can impact from the inside, and the quickest way to the quarterback is through the A (inside) gaps.” Grade B — The Panthers had bigger needs than defensive tackle depth, but teams generally don’t go wrong choosing the best player available. Gettleman said he was the top player on the team’s draft board. (Skeptics can argue every team says the player they took was the top guy on their board, but Carolina did ignore offers to trade down.) The Panthers will address other needs later. In the meantime, they added another “hog molly” to one of the league’s stiffest front lines.
Pick
Team
Player
Position
College
1
Los Angeles Rams
Jared Goff
QB
California
2
Philadelphia Eagles
Carson Wentz
QB
North Dakota State
3
San Diego Chargers
Joey Bosa
DE
Ohio State
4
Dallas Cowboys
Ezekiel Elliott
RB
Ohio State
5
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jalen Ramsey
DB
Florida State
6
Baltimore Ravens
Ronnie Stanley
OT
Notre Dame
7
San Francisco 49ers
DeForest Buckner
DE
Oregon
8
Tennessee Titans
Jack Conklin
OT
Michigan State
9
Chicago Bears
Leonard Floyd
OLB
Georgia
10
New York Giants
Eli Apple
CB
Ohio State
11
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vernon Hargreaves
CB
Florida
12
New Orleans Saints
Sheldon Rankins
DT
Louisville
13
Miami Dolphins
Laremy Tunsil
OT
Ole Miss
14
Oakland Raiders
Karl Joseph
S
West Virginia
15
Cleveland Browns
Corey Coleman
WR
Baylor
16
Detroit Lions
Taylor Decker
OT
Ohio State
17
Atlanta Falcons
Keanu Neal
S
Florida
18
Indianapolis Colts
Ryan Kelly
C
Alabama
19
Buffalo Bills
Shaq Lawson
DE
Clemson
20
New York Jets
Darron Lee
LB
Ohio State
21
Houston Texans
Will Fuller
WR
Notre Dame
22
Washington Redskins
Josh Doctson
WR
TCU
23
Minnesota Vikings
Laquon Treadwell
WR
Ole Miss
24
Cincinnati Bengals
William Jackson III
CB
Houston
25
Pittsburgh Steelers
Artie Burns
CB
Miami
26
Denver Broncos
Paxton Lynch
QB
Memphis
27
Green Bay Packers
Kenny Clark
DT
UCLA
28
San Francisco 49ers
Joshua Garnett
G
Stanford
29
Arizona Cardinals
Robert Nkemdiche
DL
Ole Miss
30
Carolina Panthers
Vernon Butler
DT
Louisiana Tech
31
Seattle Seahawks
Germain Ifedi
OT
Texas A&M
North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
B5
2016 NFL DRAFT
Tunsil’s first-round tumble one of strangest ever By Shawn Krest North State Journal T’S safe to say Laremy Tunsil set a new standard for draft-night Idrama.
Just a few minutes before the 2016 NFL Draft began, a tweet from Tunsil’s verified account was sent out. It contained a video of a man, later confirmed to be Tunsil, smoking marijuana out of a large pipe (known as a “bong”) attached to a gas mask over his face. No, really, this happened. Tunsil’s account was hacked and the video was leaked by someone who wasn’t a fan of the top-rated tackle in the draft. ESPN and NFL Network scrambled to cover the situation while teams worked to get information. The Ravens reportedly yanked him off their board as a possibility at No. 6 (they would take Notre Dame tackle Ronnie Stanley instead). Tunsil’s tumble lasted a good while until the Dolphins stepped in and took him No. 13 overall. Shortly after being taken by Miami, things got weirder. Alleged text messages surfaced on Tunsil’s Instagram account that showed the left tackle requesting money from the Ole Miss athletic department to help his mother pay her electric bill. Screen shots of two alleged text exchanges between Tunsil and John Miller, the assistant athletic director for football operations, show the player asking for money. In one, dated April 7, 2015, Tunsil requests $305 to pay his mother’s light and water bill. “I thought we all agreed on an amt,” the account identified as Miller responded. “That number keeps changing.” “Someone needs to explain exact cost,” Miller’s account continued. “I have no way of handling surprise amounts.” In texts dated Feb. 15, 2015, Tunsil tells Miller, “Coach I need help paying my rent.” “See Barney next week,” Miller’s account responds, apparently referring to Barney Farrar, the assistant athletic director for
KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI | USA TODAY SPORTS
Laremy Tunsil (Mississippi) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Miami Dolphins as the No. 13 overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre in Chicago.
“I made a mistake. That happened.” Laremy Tunsil
high school and junior colleges at Ole Miss. Tunsil missed the first seven games of the 2015 season for receiving impermissible benefits. He was given use of three vehicles over a six-month period, a four-month interest free loan of $3,000 to buy a used car, as well as free lodging, airline tickets and a rental car. At his introductory press conference after being chosen by the Dolphins, Tunsil first denied the new allegations, then later admitted that he received money from Ole Miss staff. “I made a mistake,” he said. “That happened.” It all added up to the most bizarre (public) incident in NFL
draft history. A highly touted prospect’s Twitter account sending out a video of said highly touted prospect smoking marijuana out of a gas mask bong? Welcome to 2016. Tunsil’s agent claimed the account was hacked. Tunsil confirmed, however, he was the person in the video smoking marijuana in the mask. He said the video was at least two years old, and all the teams considering him were aware of it. The day before the draft, Tunsil was sued by his stepfather for defamation of character and infliction of emotional distress, resulting from an incident last year in which both men filed domestic violence charges against each
other. The Dolphins, who are familiar with offensive line drama after the bullying case between Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin two years ago, supported the talented but controversial player. One team source told the Miami Herald, “The best player in the draft just fell to us.” GM Chris Grier said, “It was a great opportunity to us. We’re very comfortable with the information we have.” Maybe the Dolphins got a steal, but they also got a player who will be highly scrutinized over the course of his career in Miami thanks to the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
PANTHERS
REDSKINS
Panthers TE Greg Olsen to drive pace car for Sprint All-Star Race
A jet, a ring and a promise: How the Redskins landed Josh Norman
By R. Cory Smith North State Journal
T
HE NFL and NASCAR have a lot in common. Both dominate Sundays across the United States, have huge events in February and include long drives with Greg Olsen. Wait, what? Yeah, the Carolina Panthers tight end will try his hand at driving when the Sprint All-Star Race comes to Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 21. He won’t be in the All-Star Race, but he’ll lead the field as the honorary pace car driver under the lights. “Since arriving in Charlotte I have developed a great admiration for NASCAR and their athletes,” Olsen said in a release from CMS. “Their concept of teamwork and commitment to excellence is second to none, and I have a great deal of respect for the drivers and their
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen warms up for Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium.
teams. I am honored to be included in such an event and I am looking forward to driving the pace car to kick off the 2016 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.” This isn’t the first time a Panthers star has crossed over into the world of NASCAR. Most recently, linebacker Thomas Davis drove the pace car during the Coca-Cola 600 last season to cap off the Charlotte festivities. Olsen’s roots in NASCAR run deep thanks to a close friendship with Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. The two athletes partner for an event called “Weekend with the 88’s” during November to benefit the Levine Children’s Hospital. After Davis got a ride with Earnhardt last year to prepare for the pace car experience, expect Olsen to get a ride along with Junior in the near future.
KIRBY LEE | USA TODAY SPORTS
By Sean Labar North State Journal OSH NORMAN woke up last Wednesday, emotions already J swirling through his mind.
He spent the morning at a funeral for his stepsister and then jumped in his car bound for his offseason home in Atlanta. But then Norman’s phone rang, and everything changed in a hurry. On the other end of the line was Norman’s agent at the time, Michael George, breaking the news that his client’s non-exclusive franchise tag had been rescinded by the Carolina Panthers. Norman was in shock. He never saw it coming. Meanwhile in Ashburn, Va., Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan and his crew caught wind of the news. “Ten minutes,” McCloughan said in regards to how long it took for him to contact Norman’s representatives. “I don’t want to mention how many teams were involved. It was a lot. We knew we had to get him right away and just get him on an airplane.” So that’s precisely what they did. In a move that mimicked the pre-McCloughan era in Washington, the Skins brass refused to let Norman fly commercial. Daniel Synder fueled up Redskins One (the owner’s private jet) and left to grab Norman with defensive coordinator Joe Barry, defensive backs coach Perry Fewell and veteran DeAngelo Hall. They welcomed the former Pro Bowler and his entourage with open arms, and made sure a deal got done before he left the building. Upon first glance, Norman’s five-year, $75 million deal looked like a typical Redskins move. But while Norman will now be the highest paid cornerback in the
BRAD MILLS | USA TODAY SPORTS
Washington Redskins free agent signee Josh Norman throws out the ceremonial first pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. NFL, the Skins will only take an $8 million cap hit in 2016, with the option to opt out of the contract when Norman reaches age 30. The deal makes Norman a happy man, but also won’t decimate Washington’s ability to lock down key players in the future (quarterback Kirk Cousins and tight end Jordan Reed.). While Norman admits he was blindsided, he now appears content in the nation’s capital.
“They had a big diamond, Tiffany ring right there on the table,” Norman said on ESPN Radio after the signing. “We ended up marrying. I know it’s a heartbreak for my girlfriend in Carolina, but shoot, when you come into a team like this man, we ended up clicking and hitting it off when we first saw each other, and he ended up giving me that Tiffany ring and I said I do. I couldn’t be any happier to be a part of this team.”
North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
B6 UNC BASEBALL
Smithfield throws bacon-filled baseball party at UNC By Brooke Pryor North State Journal HAPEL HILL, N.C. — Did you hear the one about the C vegetarian who went to Bacon
Night? ... He won a year’s supply of bacon. No, seriously. Freshman Quinn Rhodes went to UNC baseball’s second annual bacon night promotion Tuesday with his friends, and despite being a lifelong vegetarian, he entered a drawing for a chance to bring home the bacon for a full year, just for kicks. Irony reared its beautiful head and Rhodes’ name was one of two pulled out of the pot for a chance to race around the Boshamer Stadium bases at the end of the fourth inning for the right to literally bring home the bacon. But before he and fellow contestant James “Jammin’” Altman could start sprinting, they had to don bacon costumes, which happened to just be laying around the stadium after the breakfast for dinner promotion a week earlier. Quick reminder: he’s vegetarian. In a bacon costume. Running his heart out for a year’s supply of free bacon that he won’t eat. And to top it all off, he won the dang thing in a near photo finish. “I just came with my friends because they were excited about the bacon,” he said, still trying to catch his breath afterward. “So I’ll be sure to use this on them.” Another lucky fan also won a year’s supply of bacon — no exercise required — through an oldschool raffle draw. He grabbed his book of Smithfield bacon worth more than $350 and dashed (probably to the nearest grocery store). Along with the year of bacon giveaway, Smithfield donated 200 pounds of bacon to the promotion night, and with it UNC went hog wild. Bacon-wrapped grilled cheese.
MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Resisting the urge to finish the sandwich in less than a minute took every ounce of self-control. It was pure bliss.
Bacon-wrapped corn dogs. Bacon tots. Bacon Cheeseburgers. BLTs. Swiss cheese and bacon on sourdough. Every single thing you could ever want with bacon. I thought about sampling every item on the menu (in the name of journalism, of course) but my arteries (and my wallet) forced me to settle for the free bacon-wrapped grilled cheese being distributed to the first 400 UNC students through the gates, or really anyone who wandered up to the tent. I saw a picture of it on Twitter before arriving, and when I got my hands on the real one, I
was initially a little let down. The sandwich was, well, really only half a sandwich, and distributed from a cooler in Chick-fil-A-esque sandwich bags. Not nearly as glamorous as I’d hoped such a dish would be. Would the bread be soggy? Would it be good cold? How long had it been sitting here anyway? But when I took my first bite all the doubt and disappointment was snuffed out. The bacon was savory and soft without being too fatty, and the cheese melted into the bread, which adhered it to the bacon, making it a savory amalgamation
NC State outfielder Brett Kinneman (6) slides back into first base as ECU first baseman Bryce Harman (26) catches the pickoff attempt during a game on April 19 in Greenville. ECU defeated NC State 15-3. MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
College baseball deserves to see more ECU vs. NC State ALEIGH — Two of the best college baseball teams in the R country renewed a rivalry for the
107th time Monday night. The rematch between NC State and East Carolina, after the Pirates won 15-3 in Greenville last week, brought out 3,048 fans to witness the Wolfpack’s 6-1 victory. It was the second-largest crowd to ever watch a baseball game at Doak Field (only bested by an NC State-North Carolina matchup in 2013) and also marked the 10th time in the last 11 games the home team has won in the series. While the numbers and competitiveness of the series reflect one of the state’s best baseball rivalries, it remains a home-andhome each season. NC StateECU deserves a full weekend series, but you won’t hear both sides backing that opinion. Following the whooping ECU handed NC State in Greenville, Pirates head coach Cliff Godwin expected the Pack’s best against typical Sunday starting pitcher Ryan Williamson. Next time around, he hopes to show his
indeed. Resisting the urge to finish the sandwich in less than a minute took every ounce of self-control. It was pure bliss. After I finished eating and, perhaps, licking my fingers (a lady never tells), I stood, stunned for a minute and turned to a few people standing nearby with their sandwiches, discussing our shared religious experience in hushed tones. It truly was something to behold. Peak America, celebrating the perfect wedding of its favorite pastimes: baseball and bacon.
DURHAM BULLS
COLLEGE BASEBALL
By R. Cory Smith North State Journal
Baconwrapped grilled cheese sandwiches sit at the Smithfield Foods table before the UNC vs UNC Wilmington baseball game at Boshamer Stadium on Tuesday. Smithfield Foods provided two people at the game with vouchers for free bacon for a year.
hand with three straight weekend starters. “Obviously they gave us their best blow after what happened in Greenville,” Godwin said. “We had a lot of Pirates fans out here supporting us. … I’d like to see us match up on the weekends some time.” Meanwhile, NC State head coach Elliott Avent deflected questions about the importance of the ECU series, instead speaking on the strength of the ACC. When asked about the 15-3 blowout in Greenville the week prior, Avent offered that the team is getting ready for Duke and that d1baseball.com noted 13 out of 14 ACC teams should make the NCAA Tournament. His thoughts on the importance of keeping the two-game series alive with the Pirates? Not what you might think. “Oh, I don’t know,” Avent said. “Obviously the good thing about staying in North Carolina to play teams such as Wilmington, East Carolina, Charlotte and Elon is they’re all so good. But it makes our schedule way too tough. We’ve got to re-evaluate that thing and look at it.
“This league’s way too tough to keep playing these kind of games in midweek.” Is the ACC difficult? Sure. But playing against quality in-state opponents like East Carolina draws something no other opponent has this season at the Doak: loads of fans. Trading off the series each season would all but guarantee one packed weekend outside of conference play. NC State players agree. Evan Mendoza — whose go-ahead, three-run homer was initially deemed foul before being overturned — said the two-game series rivals Clemson or UNC for the team and had a “regional feel.” It clearly means a lot to both sides, regardless of resistance from Pack fans to call it a true rivalry. In the most competitive instate rivalry, there’s only one thing missing each season — a true winner between the Pirates and the Pack. The series deserves to be treated as a centerpiece on par with the season-ending UNC vs. NC State matchup. The only thing that needs re-evaluating is where a weekend series should start next year.
Faulk tames Blue Monster as Hurricanes take BP with Bulls By Cory Lavalette North State Journal URHAM — Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal D balked when teammates Justin
Faulk and Brad Malone implored him to be the first to take batting practice Wednesday afternoon with the Durham Bulls. After both of his teammates ripped some balls into the outfield, Staal knew he was in trouble. “That was the first time I swung a bat in probably 10 years,” he said. “I took a while and I still couldn’t quite get the feel of it, but it was still a lot of fun.” The trio was all smiles as Bulls manager Jared Sandberg threw them BP, and Faulk even closed out his session with a home run over the Blue Monster. “Good pitcher,” Faulk said of Sandberg. “He said it himself; he hit my bat.” While Malone did spray some line drives throughout the field, it was Faulk — who said he last played organized baseball at around age 14 and didn’t even make it to a batting cage ahead of
arriving at Durham Bulls Athletic Park — who put on the biggest show. Faulk bounced two off the warning track and one off the left field wall before finally hitting it out of the park, walking off on a high note. “I wasn’t sure if it was going to get out, but it made it out and it was pretty sweet,” Faulk said. “It was a good way to end it.” Faulk also threw out the first pitch prior to the Bulls’ 6-2 loss Wednesday night to the Louisville Bats in front of 5,969 fans and countless pets for Bark in the Park night at DBAP. And while Faulk didn’t “Hit Bull Win Steak,” he might still have a dinner coming his way courtesy Staal and Malone. “We’ll have to talk about that,” Faulk said. “We didn’t really set a hard bet, but they owe me something I think.” His teammate admitted defeat, but wasn’t sure if he owed Faulk a victory meal. “He might have said that because he won,” Staal said. “He was the only one who knocked it out.”
CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
From left, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk highfives Carolina Hurricanes forward Brad Malone and Durham Bulls third baseman Richie Shaffer after hitting a home run during batting practice on Wednesday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
B7
NBA
Key injuries to Curry, CP3 affect NBA playoffs By Brian Geisinger North State Journal he 2015-16 NBA season was about the Golden State WarT riors, and rightfully so. The reign-
ing champs feature a likely backto-back MVP in Stephen Curry and two other All-NBA performers in Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. As the spotlight grew brighter the Dubs only got better, eventually eclipsing the 1996 Chicago Bulls with an NBA-record 73 wins. Golden State didn’t just beat their opponents in ho-hum fashion. They demolished their opponents while playing a revolutionary style of basketball: positionless, fast, with sharpshooters omnipresent along the three-point line. The 2016 playoffs were supposed to be more coronation than competition for Golden State. For about 24 minutes of action, as the Warriors boat-raced the Houston Rockets in the opening game of their first round series, it looked like they would waltz. But just before halftime in that contest, Curry rolled his right ankle. Curry’s well-documented history of nasty ankle injuries made the decision to keep the superstar out two games an easy one. He returned in Game 4 and looked rusty, but Golden State was starting to click again. Things were going well, right up until the closing minutes of the first half when Curry slipped on a wet spot while trying to defend Trevor Ariza. As he fell, Curry slammed his right knee into the court. Curry hobbled off and the world held its collective breath. The next day, an MRI revealed a Grade 1 MCL sprain. The team said they would re-evaluate Curry in two weeks. All of the sudden, Golden State’s train toward immortality was thrown off the tracks. The Warriors sport a great roster, but Curry makes them tick.
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His shooting, especially from long range, is what unlocks everything for Golden State. He’s the genesis of their offense, and while the Warriors are a great passing team, known for swinging the ball side-to-side as they look for cutters and shooters, when they need a bucket it’s often left up to Curry to just figure it out. The 30 points he scores per game are gone, but it’s more than just scoring. The gravity and attention he commands makes things markedly easier for his teammates — Golden State scored 13.8 more points per 100 possessions with Steph on the floor during the regular season. That, for at least the next week, is out the window. The team most poised to ben-
efit from Curry’s injury appeared to be the Los Angeles Clippers, who were up two games to one over the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. The fourth-seeded Clips won 53 games, feature two of the best dozen players in the NBA (Chris Paul and Blake Griffin) and have played Golden State competitively in the past. At full strength, the Clippers would be a brutal matchup for a Curry-less Warriors squad. It was a rare lucky break for the Clippers, who have a history of really bad basketball and have fallen short in the playoffs four straight seasons. Beat the Blazers, and ransack a depleted Warriors team. Fate is a cruel mistress. Just a
few hours later, another break — this one less kind — would occur, and its impact would swing things violently in the opposite direction for the Clippers. Paul, the nucleus of everything the Clippers do, suffered a fracture to his right hand while defending Gerald Henderson during the third quarter of the fourth game against Portland. CP3 played one more possession before departing the game for good. Not long after Paul’s exit, Griffin reinjured the same left quad that cost him 47 games during the regular season. Paul was ruled out indefinitely, and the following day the Clips shut Griffin down for the season. In the span of 24 hours, Los An-
Stephen Curry (left), Blake Griffin (center) and Chris Paul (right) three of the top-10 players in the league. But injuries to the three All-Stars will have a significant impact on this year’s playoff outlook.
geles went from championship dark horse to dumpster fire in danger of getting bounced in the first round by Portland. Life comes at you fast. The big winners here? The Warriors benefit with a much easier matchup in the next round regardless. But San Antonio and Oklahoma City, set to begin play in the Western Conference semifinals over the weekend, have to see a big opening. Curry’s potential return still looms, but even if the MVP does make it back to play this season, the winner of their series has the pole position on representing the Western Conference in the NBA Finals.
NASCAR
NCAA from page B1
Carl Edwards’ winning move proves NASCAR still competitive for teammates
Men’s soccer
By R. Cory Smith North State Journal AST-LAP passes are a rarity in NASCAR, but not so this L season. On Sunday, the Sprint
Cup Series saw its third last-lap pass for a win with Carl Edwards driving his way to a second consecutive checkered flag. In the Daytona 500, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) came away on the right side with Denny Hamlin’s win. In Phoenix, it was Edwards losing to Kevin Harvick on the final stretch. So what made Sunday different? The two cars battling for the win were both from the Gibbs stable. Edwards didn’t give Kyle Busch any mercy, pulling a bumpand-run move in Turn 4 to clinch a fourth-straight win for Gibbs. Edwards’ crew chief Dave Rogers knows the JGR shop will be a little uncomfortable this week, but said the move was what’s best for NASCAR and its fans. “If we look at the big picture, today was a great day for NASCAR,” Rogers said. “Our fans don’t want to see teammate orders. They don’t deserve teammates to fall in line. They deserve good, hard racing. “I think it would be very disappointing to our fans if Joe [Gibbs] imposed a team order and told us, ‘Hey, have a parade instead of a race.’ … That’s just a testament to Joe Gibbs Racing for allowing us to put ourselves in that position.” The final pass was easily the most exciting, but NASCAR’s rule changes have brought the competition back to life. Sunday’s race saw 23 green-flag lead changes — the most since 2007 at Richmond. After last fall’s race was dominated by Matt Kenseth, Sunday at least saw more parity at the top. Competitive racing is great, except for the loser. Busch has shown a volatile
One of the reasons the NCAA had to reissue the NOA was because the university uncovered evidence of possible recruiting violations within the men’s soccer program. After evaluating the information, the NCAA issued Level III violations to the program, and it is now operating under some recruiting restrictions, athletic director Bubba Cunningham said. Impermissible benefits
AMBER SEARLS | USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES
Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards flips off the side of his car after winning the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway on April 24. personality in the past, but remained scripted in the postrace press conference about his teammate’s move. He deflected questions about Edwards, simply stating that his “Banfield Camry was awesome” and “my team gave me a great car,” on multiple occasions. So, would Busch do the same in Edwards’ shoes? In a heartbeat. “We still finished first and second and nobody got wrecked,” Edwards said. “But you can’t just sit there. If the roles were reversed, I’d expect [Busch] to bump me the same way. That’s hard racing.” Joe Gibbs didn’t show as much emotion during the post-race presser that he normally would for his driver’s winning. However, he did share that this was somewhat of a nightmarish situation
for him. “Kind of my fear is always at the end when you’ve got cars as good as we have and drivers as good as we have that you’ll wind up with two of your teammates battling there,” he said. “You wish it wouldn’t happen. … It’s one of those things that we’re going to work our way through.” After watching Jimmie Johnson push Dale Earnhardt Jr. to a victory at Talladega last year, fans were questioning the team aspect on NASCAR. Following Sunday’s race, there’s no question drivers are still out for wins regardless of who they battle to get there. It’s not so much about wanting to take out a teammate, but the necessity of winning. Edwards saw a chance to win for the second time this season and took it — simple as that. “There’s no time to consid-
“Our fans don’t want to see teammate orders. They don’t deserve teammates to fall in line. They deserve good, hard racing. Dave Rogers, Carl Edwards’ crew chief er much,” Edwards explained. “Really, to be honest, the last 30 laps or something I was just head down driving as hard as I possibly could. … You’re left as a racecar driver [asking], ‘What do we do here?’ We’re here to win a race. “At this point in the season, we’ve both got wins. Really it’s about going out for trophies and having fun.”
In the first NOA, the NCAA came down hard on “impermissible benefits” given to students taking paper classes within in the African- and Afro-American Studies department. This time around, the NOA focused on “impermissible academic assistance,” and a lack of control and oversight by the College of Arts and Sciences as a whole. Those charges are very serious, but it does shift the blame away from the department and instead focuses on the entire college for failure to monitor what was going on. Penalties and punishments The penalty portion of UNC’s case is still a long way away. The university has 90 days to respond, then the NCAA has 60 days to respond to the response. Next, there will be a committee on infractions hearing to decide penalties and the NCAA will issue a final ruling. But wait, it’s not over yet. The university can still appeal the final ruling. Bottom line: We’re nowhere near a resolution. With five top-level charges being leveraged against UNC, the possibility for grave consequences — scholarship loss, wins vacated, postseason bans — is on the table. With most of the allegations centered around former women’s basketball academic advisor Jan Boxill for providing “impermissible academic assistance,” that program appears to be in the most grave situation.
North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
B8 CHARLOTTE FOOTBALL
Veteran 49ers expecting big step forward By Tyler Everett For the North State Journal HARLOTTE — Coach Brad Lambert is confident his C team can improve drastically
in Charlotte’s second season in Conference USA. The 49ers lost their final 10 games en route to a 2-10 record in their FBS debut, but on Saturday night, the fans in Jerry Richardson Stadium for the Green-White game saw a team that expects things to be different this fall. Here are three compelling storylines for the 49ers’ second season in C-USA. Welcoming a new quarterback Kevin Olsen enrolled at Charlotte in January and was named the team’s starting quarterback two days before the spring game. Securing the quarterback role wasn’t necessarily simple: the younger brother of Carolina Panthers tight end Greg took a circuitous path to Saturday night. Now a 21-year-old redshirt junior, Olsen started his college career with Miami in 2013 as a highly touted, high-school prospect. Multiple suspensions with the Hurricanes led to a departure in the fall of 2014 and then a year playing for Riverside City College in California. The “family feel” around the 49ers’ program was cited as one of the factors that attracted him to Charlotte. “I really haven’t enjoyed being around a group of guys more than I have this last semester that I’ve been here,” Olsen said. Olsen’s enjoyment showed through during the spring game as he completed 14-of-18 passes for 163 yards. His first pass was intercepted — one of two picks he threw on the night — but he performed well otherwise, showing off a strong arm and good mobility. While highlighting his team’s accomplishments this spring, one of the first things Lambert mentioned was “we found our quarterback.” “We wanted Kevin to know this is where we were going coming into tonight,” Lambert said. “He got his first start, and he’ll have the whole summer to continue to learn our offense and get ready for our opener.” The 49ers are hoping Olsen will solidify a position where they had problems a year ago. Three players saw significant snaps under center in 2015, and they combined for 23 interceptions, 12 touchdowns and a completion percentage of just 52.3.
MARK ZEROF | USA TODAY SPORTS
Charlotte 49ers running back Ardy Holmes (8) runs the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium in a game during the 2015 season. Learning a new position
“I really haven’t enjoyed being around a group of guys more than I have this last semester that I’ve been here.” Kevin Olsen
Quarterback was all Matt Johnson knew from the time he joined the 49ers in 2012 — Charlotte only practiced that season before playing its first games in 2013 — until this season. After he threw for 5,293 yards and 41 TDs as the 49ers quarterback, Johnson admitted he initially had a hard time with his move to running back, where he’s currently slotted as one of the top backs. “I went home last year after the season and stared myself in the mirror every night, thinking, ‘Do you really love the game?’” he said. “Because you’re about to be taken away from something that you’ve loved so much, which is quarterback. I had to leave my feelings and stuff at the door when I came in, and just learn to love running back when I didn’t know how to play it.” If Saturday night was any indication, he has been a quick study. Johnson, who said he weighs 240 pounds and hopes to play at around that weight, carried the ball a game-high nine times, picking up 31 yards and a
1-yard TD plunge. He will share the running back duties with Kalif Phillips, a second-team all-conference player in 2015 who had 961 rushing yards on the season. Charlotte can also give defenses a lot to think about by employing Johnson as a Wildcat quarterback. He took three snaps in that formation Saturday, keeping it twice for a total of 10 yards and throwing one for a short completion. Johnson said he enjoyed finally getting to play running back, and thanked his teammates for their help with the adjustment. “Three weeks ago, if you would have had me in here wondering how I was going to do in the spring game, I would have had no confidence in myself,” he said. “The guys in that room that have been doing it through high school, and especially Kalif, it’s the most encouraging group of guys on the planet to help me make that transition. Because I never thought I would be able to do it, and at times, I didn’t want to.”
Veterans seek strong finish Johnson is one of 21 players who have been with Lambert, hired by Charlotte in 2011 to start the program, since that first season of practice in 2012. Charlotte’s roster also features 17 returning starters from a year ago, and Lambert believes his team’s experience will pay dividends. Of the 49ers’ 10 losses a year ago, he said there were “four that we left out there.” Lambert said more than anything, he is hoping for a successful season that rewards the players who showed faith in his program by coming on board when “there was nothing here.” “This class, we want to give them every opportunity to go out on top, because they took a risk on us,” he said. “This class will always be real special to us.” When asked about how far he has seen the program come, Johnson recalled the first day of conditioning back in 2012 and marveled at how fast the past four years have gone by. “I’ve got one year left,” he said. “And I do not want to be the guy that sits here and says, ‘If only, if only.’”
BASEBALL
Bulls’ Blake Snell strikes out A-Rod in blur of an MLB debut “It’s at the back end of his career, he’s not like in his prime, but he’s still a god. I’m gonna say that. It was really cool to see, to be able to do that and face him.” Blake Snell
By Brooke Pryor North State Journal URHAM — Blake Snell remembers last weekend in D snapshots.
For two days, his life was a blur. First, there was a phone call from Durham Bulls manager Jared Sandberg, summoning him to the lobby of their hotel in Norfolk, Va., to tell the 23-yearold southpaw he was moving up to the big leagues for a spot start the next day in New York. Within two hours, Snell was packed and headed to the airport. He remembers flying into LaGuardia and sitting in an Uber for an hour as it crawled through the boroughs to Yankee Stadium. And then? Snell isn’t quite sure. His memory is full of flashes: of the Rays players in the clubhouse, of manager Kevin Cash on the field, of playing catch before the game. “It all just went so fast,” Snell said. “It doesn’t even feel like it happened to be honest.” That’s when his family and friends took over, supplementing his memory by snapping pictures to constantly document the Seattle native’s first trip to the big leagues and the Big Apple.
“I just told them, ‘just take a bunch of pictures because I don’t want to do it,’” Snell said. “‘I’m gonna be pretty busy.’ So they did all of that and then at the end I got them all. It was pretty cool to see how many pictures I had and what I enjoyed. I’ll never forget it.” Snell got an extra day’s rest before making his major league debut against the Yankees, putting together a dazzling five-inning performance that included a strikeout of his childhood idol, Alex Rodriguez. That moment flashes in and out of his mind too, but a family member managed to capture the moment forever. “One of my friends had [a photo] when I struck out A-Rod, a photo of him when he was turned around and looking and arguing about it,” said Snell, who struck out six and only allowed one run on two hits in his MLB debut. “It’ll probably go somewhere in my house. Growing up, I was like ‘A-Rod is a god.’ I always thought he was the best player in the world. So when I got to face him, I was like, ‘This is crazy.’ “It’s at the back end of his career, he’s not like in his prime, but he’s still a god. I’m gonna say that. It was really cool to see, to be able to do that and face him.” And then, as soon as the weekend transpired, it was over,
ADAM HUNGER | USA TODAY SPORTS
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell pitches against the New York Yankees during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees defeated the Rays 3-2. and Snell rejoined his Triple-A club in Durham. The trip to the big leagues was a relief, a weight lifted off of the organization’s top pitching prospect. Now, he’s just focused on getting back in the groove with his first start since rejoining the team earlier this week. And with any luck, he’ll be back in the majors soon enough, with
a little more time to document his achievement. “Hopefully it helps him relax a little bit, because he’s not wondering when he’s going to get called up or anything like that,” Sandberg said. “He got called up, and now he’s back here. His time is definitely coming. The way he pitched up there, his time is coming.”
NS J
read to me
SUNDAY
This week in Read to me take a journey with Buddy, a very worried pup, as he finds his way out in the world and works on overcoming his fears.
5.1.16
Continued on page C7
the good life IN A NORTH STATE OF MIND
timeless
PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Top left, Patrick Propst, 23, and Felix Cantos, 22, react as they play bubble hockey with their friends at Boxcar Bar + Arcade in Raleigh. Top right, a detail of the pinball machine, Popeye Saves The Earth, shows Bluto and Olive Oyl. Bottom left, Valerie Wuerthner, 23, reacts as she scores against Taylor Tharrington in a game of air hockey at Boxcar Bar + Arcade. Bottom right, Carmelo Torres, 11, of Raleigh, plays Bugs Bunny's Birthday Balls pinball game at Boxcar Bar + Arcade in Raleigh.
Pinball wizardry alive and well in N.C. Though the heyday of pinball is certainly behind us, there are a handful of companies that still create these captivating games. By Rich Franklin For the North State Journal
C
HILDREN of the 1970s most certainly remember the electromechanical clamor of bells and whistles associated with the pinball machine. The late 1970s through the mid-1980s were considered the golden age of arcade games. Who can forget the sound effect repertoire of their first Atari system? Today the options for at-home gaming systems are endless. So gone are the days of hanging around in the the local corner store for a few games of pinball — or are they? While pinball machines may have virtually disappeared from most local
Inside
businesses, they have instead found refuge in the homes of passionate collectors. And in the last several years, retro enthusiasts and passionate pinball fans have attempted to revitalize this fascinating game of skill and share it with others. Across the state groups gather together, enthusiasts forming a community of old-school gamers determined to preserve that special feeling of dropping a coin in the slot for a few minutes spent flipping the lever and keeping the pinball in play. We are lucky to have several wonderful places to play pinball in North Carolina; here’s a glimpse at a few of them. See PINBALL, page C6
PERSPECTIVES
To mark the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death we reached out to professors and authors from across the state to talk about the Bard. See page C4
North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
C2
necessities flawless
Spring clean your makeup bag By Dana Reason North State Journal T’S warming up in North Carolina, and that means Ifestivals, beach trips, and
spring cleaning! Closets, baseboards, and garages usually get high priority, but we cannot ignore the one thing that helps put our best face forward everyday—our makeup bags! Without expiration and “best by” dates it’s easy to ignore but should not be neglected. As with anything else, organization is key. The more organized your space is, the more efficiently and effectively you can navigate through products for mornings when time is not on your side. By grouping similar products together, labels up, you can quickly choose colors for the day. By donating or tossing things that have never been used or are broken, you will have space for all your favorite products and will eliminate clutter. Using the seasons as a calendar reminder is an easy way to keep products current and at maximum efficacy. Mascara should be replaced once every 3 months. Summer, spring, winter, and fall all deserve a new mascara to keep your lashes separated, supple, and spectacular. Cream based products like foundations, concealers, cream blush, or eye products can last a full year. Powders and pencils will go the distance and only need to be replaced every two years. If keeping up with one more thing is unrealistic, simply write the month and year on the bottom so you never have to question if a product has passed its “best by” date. Brushes, sponges, and applicators should also be cleaned weekly and replaced as necessary. Now your makeup space is clean, organized, and ready for a great season of beauty!
Dana Reason Evans has more than 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, she has traveled across the country as a makeup artist for a national morning show and is the creator of dana L Skincare & Cosmetics.
history marked May 1, 1845
North Carolina’s school for the blind, the Governor Morehead School, opened in Raleigh. Originally conceived by Governor John Motley Morehead in 1843, the school became a reality in January 1845, when the General Assembly approved an act to provide for the education of deaf and blind persons.
May 3, 1856
The last recorded duel among North Carolinians, and one of the last duels in the South, was fought. Joseph Flanner and William Crawford Wilkings, both of Wilmington, battled just across the border in South Carolina. The duel resulted in Wilkings’ death.
May 6, 1976,
The town of Old Fort in McDowell County rededicated its once nationally-known Andrews Geyser. The Western North Carolina Railroad Company constructed the geyser around 1885 as a feature of its ritzy Round Knob Hotel and as a tribute to the men who died while building the railroad from Old Fort to Asheville. Information courtesy of N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
turn the page Looking for that perfect gift? Why not start with a book? Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill gave us their list of favorite books to give as gifts. Influenced by being in a college town, many of these make great gifts for graduates.
“Now Go Out There (And Get Curious)” by Mary Karr
released April 5, 2016
“If This Isn’t Nice, What Is? (Much) Expanded Second Edition” by Kurt Vonnegut
released April 26, 2016
“The Nightingale”
by Kristin Hannah released February 3, 2015
“Thing Explainer: Complicated Stuff in Simple Words”
by Randall Munroe released November 24, 2015
“A Spool of Blue Thread” by Anne Tyler
released April 26, 2016
Voices
just a pinch
time to Those lovely spring-flowering trees and shrubs have bloomed. Now what? Don’t just move on to the next beautiful thing in your landscape. Take care and prune now. Because if you wait until summer or fall, you will cut off next year’s flower buds. So after your forsythia, azalea, quince, spirea, and lilac bloom – prune away to ensure you enjoy that loveliness next season.
the plate
Deviled Eggs with Pimento Cheese and Pork Belly Heritage Food and Drink, Waxhaw
Start to finish: 1 hour, plus overnight refrigeration Makes 24 deviled eggs Pork Belly
1 pound Heritage Farms skin-on pork belly chicken stock canola oil salt pepper
Heat the oven to 350 F. Cut pork belly into a square or rectangle, then season with salt and pepper and sear on all sides. Place seared pork belly in a baking dish and top with enough chicken stock to barely cover it. Cover with plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, making sure to seal tightly. Cook for 3-4 hours, until fork-tender and almost falling apart. Cool pork belly slightly, then transfer to a baking sheet. Cover with parchment paper, top with another baking sheet, then set a few heavy objects on top. Refrigerate overnight. The next day, scrape off excess fat, pan-fry in oil until crispy, then chop and fold into pimento cheese mixture. Pimento Cheese
½ cup diced pimentos or roasted red peppers 8 ounces finely grated extra sharp cheddar 2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce Crispy Pork Belly
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Place yolks, mayonnaise, Sriracha, and mustard in chilled food processor and pulse until smooth (do not overmix). Add salt and pepper to taste.
“My aunts made deviled eggs for every single family function, and I always looked forward to them. They’re such a fun vessel for flavors. At Heritage, I can’t even count how many different variations we’ve done. I’m a Yankee, but I’ve totally adopted the South and I love cooking with Southern ingredients. You can’t get much more Southern than pimento cheese.” — Paul Verica, Chef
Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and puree to desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste. Fold desired amount into egg yolk mixture. Deviled Eggs
1 dozen locally grown eggs ¼ cup and 3 tablespoons Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise 2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce 2 teaspoons French’s Classic Yellow Mustard
RS VP 5 with 5 of North Carolina’s finest
Contributors to this section this week include: Rich Franklin Samantha Gratton Donna King Alison Miller Dana Reason Dan Reeves Amy Richards
Tell us
Place the bowl and blade of your food processor in the freezer for at least 15 minutes (the chilled bowl helps keep the yolk mixture from separating). Bring a pot of cold water to a rapid boil. Add eggs and boil for 8 minutes, then remove pot from heat and let eggs rest in the hot water for another 8 minutes. Remove eggs and place in a bowl of ice water. Allow to cool completely for 10 to 15 minutes. Peel eggs, then rinse to remove shell debris. Pat dry, slice in half, and remove yolks.
Caudle’s country is clean and clear. Raised in the Piedmont, he recorded “Carolina Ghost” at the Fidelitorium in Kernersville. You can hear N.C. throughout as he sings, “I watch the cardinal dust the night off its wings” on the track, “Piedmont Sky.” We posed our five questions toward the end of his recent tour, and Caudle was ever the southern gentleman in his reply. MELISSA STILLWELL | FOR THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL
NORTH CAROLINA is full of fine folks doing worthy work. In this series, we kick back for conversation with homegrown doers, makers, shakers, and artisans. Three years ago Caleb Caudle sold everything, save the essentials and his guitar, leaving him free to set out to change his life. “Carolina Ghost” came out of that courage, and we are the better for him having taken the gamble.
Is there a moment in your musical journey that you point to as your tipping point?
I’ve been writing songs for as long as I can remember, but three years ago I went all in and “Carolina Ghost” is the result. You could say this feels likes a tipping point. What’s the most distinct thing about playing in North Carolina?
Probably everybody says this same answer, but it’s true—it feels like a big family. At every tour stop in N.C. it just feels like home.
Is there a particular song or lyric that never fails to move you?
Oh, I can’t pick just one. I can tell you about the artists that I’m always mulling over and returning to: Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard, John Prine. How did where you are from shape the artist you’ve become?
The biggest effect is in my lyrical content. The imagery provides the setting, if you can place your audience in the setting you can get them to come along with you on the ride in the lyrics. Tell us a song that causes you to turn it up and roll the windows down.
Percy Sledge is my favorite singer of all time, I’m going to have to go with “When A Man Loves A Woman.” — Jennifer Wood, North State Journal
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the frame The Albemarle School | Northeastern N.C.
PHOTOS BY SUSAN DIXON | FOR THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Dr. Fred Saunders painting in progress at Easels in the Garden. Artists from across North Carolina gather to paint en plein air, capturing the beauty around them.
By Dan Reeves For the North State Journal
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HE FINAL PIECE about the Albemarle School, a group of plein air painters in Bertie County, must tell the story of the man who inspires them all—Dr. Fred Saunders. Never would he admit to being a godfather of sorts to a younger generation of artists in the group, but it is because of his generosity and willingness to pass the baton to up-andcoming painters that such rich production of art lives on with the Albemarle School. Before flourishing as a respected plein air painter, Aulander native, Dr. Saunders, 83, completed undergraduate studies and medical school at UNC Chapel Hill, then followed in his father’s footsteps by serving as a country doctor from 1954-2004. For two years he served as Commander of Battalion Medical Station in Inchon, Korea. His penchant for making art began as a child, drawing airplanes and other symbols of World War II. During his 40 years practicing medicine, he spent his weekends pursuing his desire to grow as a painter. Humble and without pretense, Saunders takes little credit for the tremendous amount of support, fellowship, and insight he provides others by assisting with their processes and creating works of art. Friends and fellow Bertie County plein air painters, Fen Rascoe, Sis Hall, and Jaquelin Perry speak not only to his appreciated guidance, expertise, and tutelage, but also to his companionship and mutual magnetism for art in nature which grows organically when painting together as a group. Saunders speaks endearingly of the friendships he has made through his years as a painter and stresses the ease with which he and his tight-knit band of brothers and sisters in art paint together. From 1982-2005, under the instruction of Ralph Smith, Saunders traveled far and wide in pursuit of inspiration. Between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, he observed firsthand the dramatic tides and jagged rock formations of the Bay of Fundy. This experience embedded in him a lasting impression and a new perspective on the stark contrast between land and seascapes in coastal N.C. and those of Grand Manan Island “The secret within the Bay of Fundy. Like other plein air painters of the to painting Albemarle School, Dr. Saunders inherently is learning possesses a unique ability to colorize the how to mundane, to animate the inanimate. What some perceive as a dismal marshy look.” waterhole becomes a lush, evocative — Dr. Fred mosaic brought to life by carefully swathed Saunders brushstrokes. Saunders manipulates values within each chosen color to make ripples of a low tide radiate with brightness reflecting his painted sun, through his eyes and his perception. “The secret to painting is learning how to look,” says Saunders. He speaks passionately about the importance of painting what he loves, and based on this logic, shies away from commission work. Today, Dr. Fred Saunders resides outside Colerain, N.C. with his wife Lois. What keeps him going is the joy and pleasure he derives from time spent with his plein air cohorts. Painting nearly every day, actively exhibiting his work through Arts of The Albemarle, The Bertie County Arts Council, and other outlets serves as his engine of survival.
Dr. Fred Saunders paints at Edenton’s annual Easels in the Garden fundraiser.
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perspectives Shakespeare’s First Folio | Raleigh It is good to have friends who care about your work. William Shakespeare had those colleagues in John Heminges and Henry Condell, who in 1621 decided to immortalize their friend by compiling his work into what we know today as the “First Folio.” Heminges and Condell acted alongside Shakespeare for The King’s Men, the company for which the Bard spent the majority of his life working. This close working relationship gave Heminges and Condell unique access to Shakespeare’s manuscripts. The compilation they created would have been lost to time had they not worked to preserve it. According to J. M. Pressley at the Shakespeare Resource Center there are only 233 original copies of the “First Folio” in existence, and of those only 40 are complete. “First Folio! The Book That Gave Us Shakespeare” will make it’s way to the North Carolina Museum of History as an exhibit on loan from Washington D.C.’s Folger Shakespeare Library on May 7 and remain until May 30. The pomp and circumstance surrounding this traveling valuable tome is all to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Leading up to the arrival the museum partnered with Raleigh’s Burning Coal Theatre Company to present and produce staged readings of all 38 of his plays, back-to-back for five days straight. The performers ranged from high school and college theater groups to professional companies. We wanted to join in the celebration and figured since a Shakespeare assignment in high school or college is a foregone conclusion (after all, he gave us that phrase in “Othello”) we’d go to the sources of those assignments. We called on teachers, professors, and authors from across the state and asked them if they could only read or assign three of Shakespeare’s plays which three would they go with and why. Their answers may just make you revisit William Shakespeare.
“King Lear”
I’m going with because of the relationship dynamics, “Hamlet” because of the teenage angst, and “Romeo and Juliet” for the perfect definition of classical tragedy. — Babs Von Biberstein Nichols, English Department Co-Chair and Broughton High School teacher
“Henry I V, Part I,”
If I could ask students to read only three plays by Shakespeare, I would choose “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and “Hamlet.” I choose these three because, first, they represent the major kinds of plays Shakespeare wrote — a history play, a comedy, and a tragedy. Second, they explore basic human emotions like love, desire, jealousy, envy, hope, and betrayal as their characters go through the challenges and opportunities in human relationships. Third, they all demonstrate the ability of theater to engage our sympathies, to develop our imaginative capabilities, and to understand our complexities as human beings. — Dr. John N. Wall, Professor of English Literature, NC State University
“Macbeth” — the protagonist’s every dark thought leads to the corresponding
physical action, making this Shakespeare’s most frightening play, and also my favorite. “ Hamlet” – of all the Bard’s works, this one is the richest and most inexhaustible. I have a tie for third — “The Tempest” — his farewell to us, a play both rich and strange, and an appeal for us all to seek our better natures and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” — the most sublime of his plays, and most filled with wonder. — Ron Rash, Parris Distinguished Professor in Appalachian Cultural Studies at Western Carolina University and North Carolina novelist
“The Tempest,”
If limited to teaching three Shakespeare plays, I would begin with which is short and shows the variation in characters and locations that would help students understand the dynamics of a Shakespeare play, plus it has a variety of critical and film interpretations that can be helpful in exploring both the play and its cultural impact. Next, I would teach “Twelfth Night,” which examines gender and disguise in a way that helps define early modern ideas about the relationship between love and friendship. Finally, I would present “Hamlet,” partly because everyone knows the ‘to be or not to be’ line, which would be a good place to begin to discuss the central ideas that this play forces us to consider, and partly because these characters have shaped the way we look at ourselves. The play has also been reinvented several times in a wide variety of excellent films. — Dr. Richard Vela, English, Theatre, and Foreign Languages Department at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, co-author of “Shakespeare into Film”
“Hamlet,”
which has the best poetry, “King Lear,” which poses the biggest question, “What is the cause of thunder?” and “Henry IV, Part 1,” which combines the best history play and the best comedy. — Dr. David Wilson-Okamura, Professor of English at East Carolina University If I could only assign three plays in my Shakespeare course, I would probably go the fairly predictable route of picking a comedy, a history, and a tragedy. One of the things that I try to emphasize in that class is how Shakespeare develops over the course of his career, so I would also choose an early play, a late one, and one somewhere in the middle.
“The Comedy of Errors” is a great way to get students to separate what a play is about from how it is
written. Rather than sweating out the details of a plot or struggling to keep tabs on a huge cast of characters, we can really focus on the power of Shakespeare’s language. The play isn’t perfect, yet it clearly shows the potential that Shakespeare possessed even at the beginning of his career. “Henry V” lets us see both a protagonist and a playwright who are deep in the process of defining who they are. The problem of figuring out who you are and who you want to be resonates strongly with college students, who are often grappling with this same issue themselves. “King Lear” shows Shakespeare at the height of his powers, completely confident in his craft. Even as he is showing us these horrible, tragic things, we cannot help but be swept up by the beauty and the majesty of his words. — Shawn McCauley, Assistant Professor of English, Barton College
PHOTOS BY EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Playing Parolles, Mark Woodard, of the Ensemble Stage, of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, performs Shakespeare’s “All’s Well that Ends Well” at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh. Actors from the Ensemble Stage were just one of the many groups participating in the Shakespeare Marathon: 38 Plays in 5 Days event at the museum. Around the clock from noon Saturday, April 23, until early Thursday, April 28, casts read every one of Shakespeare’s plays. Left, Derek Gagnier, center, playing Bertram, is forced to marry Helena, played by Shauna Godwin, third from right, by the King of France, played by Gary Smith, far right, all of the Ensemble Stage, of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, during a performance of Shakespeare’s “All’s Well that Ends Well.” Right, Playing the King of France, Gary Smith, of the Ensemble Stage, of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, laughs between his scenes.
“Troilus and Cressida” because it is unfamiliar to many students, explores sexual politics
in complicated ways, and is a great antidote to “Romeo and Juliet.” “The Tempest” because it invites interpretations that are enchanting, challenging, and offensive all at once. Finally, “Hamlet” because, like many of Shakespeare’s plays, it rewards those readers and audiences who return to it again and again with new conundrums and nuances. — Megan Isaac, Associate Professor of English and Chair of the Department of English at Elon University
“Twelfth Night” — classic mistaken identity with tons of opportunities for fun, tears, and everything in between. One of my favorites, it can literally be set in most any era and still work as well as it was originally intended to work. A great opportunity to see how Shakespeare’s stories can transcend time limitations. “Richard III” — one of the Bard’s most evil and most misunderstood villains. This play has some of the most horrific events but also some of the most beautiful and poignant moments in all of his plays. Lady Anne’s ‘set down, set down thy honorable load...’ scenes is one of the most beautifully written monologues in all of Shakespeare’s plays but features Richard at his most evil, and “Cymbeline” — one of the lesser produced Shakespearean plays. I particularly like this one because of its clearly defined characters who appeal strongly to the younger crowd (teens love this one). The female lead is a teen searching for her love, also a teen, who meets a whole new family along the way. What teen doesn’t dream of having a whole new family? In the end, all is right with the world…and with the king…as the Elizabethan world view is highlighted! — Phoebe Hall, Professor and Director of Theatre at Fayetteville State University
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playlist May 2 Fourth Annual Glenwood Ruritan Walleye Fishing Tournament Marion Bait your hook and join other anglers to try to catch a walleye on Lake James (use Black Bear Access). Entry fee is $25.00 per person, and there are monetary prizes awarded in various categories. blueridgetravelers.com
May 2-8 The Wells Fargo Championship Charlotte The PGA tees it up at Quail Hollow Club. Since its inauguration in 2003, the Wells Fargo Championship has quickly become one of the top events on the PGA Tour. wellsfargochampionship.com
by the byte N.C. Science Festival | North Carolina By Donna King North State Journal
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IDS OF ALL AGES swarmed the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on April 23 for the Triangle SciTech Expo in downtown Raleigh. The expo is part of the two-week statewide North Carolina Science Festival, which brings more than 600 events and activities focused on STEM— Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics—to every corner of North Carolina. It was started in 2010 by the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. “Six years ago when we started this we wanted to get out and serve parts of the state that do not really get science programming like this,” Jonathan Frederick, director of the N.C. Science Festival. Among the activities of the two-week festival are 155 science parties in elementary schools and “Invite a Scientist” in middle schools. Scientists visit classrooms, armed with a photo of themselves in middle school, and share their passion for science
and technology. “Our goal is to humanize the scientists and let kids know that they love what they do,” said Frederick. At the SciTech Expo kids tried hands-on experiments, crafts, and games. Scientists from universities were on hand to bring complex scientific terms to life right before their eyes. “I’m going to do this at home,” said eight-year-old Nathan Rogers of Zebulon, who was experimenting with borax goo. “It’s slimy and awesome!” But the events aren’t just fun and games. They give scientists the chance to spark the curiosity of the next generation. For example, some private companies were there to share the future of virtual reality gaming with teens willing to wait an hour in line for a chance to don the headset. This year, the festival hit 99 counties, with plans to visit Clay County later in the year. “Next year we are experimenting with the STEAM concept, integrating art and design into our focus,” said Frederick. “There is a creative spark that starts all these fields that comes from the same spark inside all of us, and we want to tap into that.”
May 4-5 Furnish Your World High Point This is your chance to buy furniture showroom samples and custom-order furniture at significant discount. High Point Market showrooms are closed to the public, but Furnish Your World gives you exclusive access guided by a professional interior designer when you purchase a ticket. highpoint.org/furnish-yourworld
May 4-8 Tryon Equestrian Spring Horse Show Tryon The 2016 Spring Series brings the first FEI CSI 3 star of the season, alongside “AA” Premier hunters with a Grand Prix. Saturday night features a “Saturday Night Lights” event with extra attractions, food, and entertainment for all. tryon.com
May 5 Catwalk to Camp Charlotte Join in for an evening of fun and fashion as individuals with autism as well as parents and friends strut the catwalk, modeling fashions from Macy’s at Northlake Mall. Tickets raise scholarship funds to send individuals with autism to a summer program at Camp Royall and are $75 per person. autismsociety-nc.org
May 6 Jiggy with the Piggy Festival Kannapolis The festival is a 36-year tradition and hosts a Kansas City Barbecue Society competition, more than 100 arts & craft vendors, concerts, 5k walk/run, car cruise-in, outdoor movies on the campus, an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at Cannon Memorial YMCA, and a people’s choice wings and pork tasting. jiggywiththepiggy.com
BEN MCKEOWN | FOR THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Maxwell Suh, left, Nick Maleki, middle, and Nestor Campos, right, control a robot they helped design and build with team 5190 from Green Hope High School for the FIRST Robotics Competition. Local teams demonstrated their robots for onlookers at the SciTech Expo at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh.
PINBALL from page C1 Flippers Variety & Arcade (Grandy) Flippers houses the best collection of pinball machines in the state. Located just north of the Outer Banks, it not only has the newest and most popular pinball machines ever made, but also some of the rarest. This large convenience and variety store is a great place for the entire family and also includes old arcade cabinets, pool tables, and redemption machines for the kids. Admission is free and all games require tokens. Asheville Pinball Museum (Asheville) Located in downtown Asheville, the pinball museum is a great place to spend the afternoon while shopping or dining at one of the many fine restaurants in the area. Follow the history of pinball by playing older, electromechanical machines, and working your way toward more modern day titles. The museum is kid-friendly and has a flat entry fee of $13 (adults) and $10 (kids 10 and under); admission allows you to leave and re-enter all day. Boxcar Bar + Arcade (Raleigh) Located in the downtown Warehouse District, the Boxcar is a bar and arcade that currently houses 12 pinball machines and a nice variety of arcade cabinets. Though primarily a bar, patrons under 21 are welcome to enjoy the arcade until 9 p.m. All machines operate on tokens. The Baxter (Chapel Hill) The Baxter is a barcade with over 50 retro arcade machines, including eight pinball machines. Patrons under 21 are allowed between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sundays only. The Baxter also hosts special events, including trivia, bingo, and movie nights. Lost Ark Video Games (Greensboro) While they primarily sell used video games, Lost Ark features a great arcade loaded with retro U.S. arcade machines, beautiful Japanese candy cabinets, and of course, a handful of pinball machines. They
CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The arcade game, Donkey Kong, was released in 1981 by Nintendo.
currently feature the new Game of Thrones pin, Medieval Madness, and Dungeons & Dragons. Admission to the arcade is $5 (Sunday to Friday) and $8 (Saturday). X-tra Ball (Charlotte) X-tra Ball is a unique, family-friendly ice cream and pinball parlor located inside of a comic book and gaming store (Spandex City). They maintain four machines and host monthly International Flipper Pinball Association sanctioned pinball tournaments. Machines operate on coin drop.
North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
Read to me
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Buddy Worried By Amy Richards EDITOR’S NOTE
Stories have power. They amuse, enchant, teach, and transport us to another time and place outside of our own. Each week, we invite you to read with us, and with the people you love, to let your imagination run wild and free.
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ILLUSTRATIONS FOR THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL | AMY RICHARDS
UDDY worried A LOT. He worried his ears were too large. He worried when it rained.
He worried when his owner would leave.
Buddy worried when he heard the rumble of the garbage truck. He worried when it was time for a bath. He worried when he met a bee. Buddy even worried when he saw his own shadow. Buddy’s biggest worry, was the man in the yard. He had a pointy hat and never smiled. He thought the man seemed familiar. Buddy loved playing with his ball but worried he would lose it. One day Buddy’s owner threw the ball too far. It landed next to the man’s boot.
This was a problem. Too afraid to ask the man for his ball, Buddy played with his bone. Buddy considered confronting the old man, but it would soon be night, and he worried it would be too dark. The next day Buddy began the long walk down the path towards the man, but was frightened by a sound in the bushes and ran back to the house. Buddy felt overwhelmed. Buddy barked to the man. The old man stood still and said nothing. An owl swooped down and perched right on the man’s hat. The man did not move. This made Buddy curious. He cautiously walked up and sniffed the man’s boots. The man was not real! Buddy felt relieved. Amy Richards has lived in North Carolina since 2004 and considers it her forever home. Between pen and ink, watercolor, and embroidery she creates everything from coloring books to greeting cards and prints. “Buddy Worried” is her first written and illustrated children’s book. To see more of her work visit amyrichardsillustration.com
COMING UP in the good life Vroom, vroom
Ride with us as we travel to the Pinehurst Concours d’Elegance for a blend of motorsports, golf, and the military.
Carolina style
We rounded up the top must-have fashion trends for spring.
Gift season is here
We’ve got your guide to present the graduate, mom, and bride on your list with a distinctly N.C. treasure.
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North State Journal for Sunday, May 1, 2016
pen & Paper pursuits I reckon . . .
Your guide to what’s what, where, why, and how to say it.
Lake Mattamuskeet
Lake Mattamuskeet — located almost in the center of Hyde County, this body of water is North Carolina’s largest natural lake. The lake’s history dates to the sixteenth century when the explorers on Sir Walter Raleigh’s Roanoke Island expedition paid a visit. Phonetically speaking, it’s MAT-uh-ma-SKEET.
COLOR AWAY!
Ring in the new month by taking a turn around the maypole with us. The first day of May is a traditional spring holiday in many cultures, marked by singing, cake, and a dance around the maypole. Be sure to share your handiwork with us on social media #coloraway.
JANRIC CLASSIC SUDOKU
SOLUTIONS TO PUZZLES FROM 4.24.16
ILLUSTRATION FOR THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL | AMY RICHARDS