VOLUME 1 ISSUE 23
SUNDAY, July 31, 2016
www.NSJONLINE.com
the Sunday News Briefing
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton celebrates among balloons after she accepted the nomination on the fourth and final night at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia July 28.
Clinton campaign also hacked in attacks on Democrats Raleigh On Friday it was disclosed to Reuters that the computer network used by Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign was hacked. This cyber attack follows two other hacks on the Democratic National Committee and the party’s fundraising committee for candidates for the U.S. House. When nearly 20,000 private emails from the DNC hit WikiLeaks.com last week, they revealed fundraisers organized by the DNC around the H.B. 2 controversy for U.S. Senate candidate Deborah Ross, challenging Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Attorney General Roy Cooper, hoping to unseat Gov. Pat McCrory this fall. They also show the influence and name-calling, that went on between the NCDP and DNC over the controversy. “The state of N.C. and the city of Charlotte and especially small businesses were being used as a pawn by Roy Cooper, by the mayor of Charlotte, and by the Democratic Party on an issue that was made up purely for political purposes and to raise money,” said NCGOP Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse. The emails show that the DNC party headquarters approved the state party’s statements on the H.B. 2 saga. Also according to the emails, DNC staffers coordinated and communicated about highyield Cooper fundraisers and worked his visit to financial giant Goldman Sachs in New York. To many the visit indicates Cooper is quickly sliding into the DNC’s nationwide messaging and fundraising machine. The seedier side of the DNC emails shows namecalling as DNC’s director of Hispanic Media referred to McCrory as a “moronic little bigot of a tarheel governor.” during the height of the H.B.2 controversy. According to the emails the DNC also targeted high-yield donors to LGBTQ causes and Andy Crystal, in the DNC press office, approved NCDP’s Dave Miranda’s press releases on H.B.2, responding to one on Pearl Jam’s canceled N.C. concert with simply “awesome.” McCrory said this week, “they cheered, literally cheered when businesses would boycott our great state.” McCrory is mentioned approximately 147 times in the emails and North Carolina is mentioned more than 500 times. For more on WikiLeaks and what N.C. needs to know, visit nsjonline.com.
Looking ahead to USA Basketball at Olympics B1 Previewing and predicting the 2016 ACC season B4-B5 Sports A new Sunday Story series with the participants of Meredith College’s young writers camp. C7 the good life
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NORTH
STATE
JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION
COURT DECISION
MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Cameron Lemley, of Greensboro, participates in early voting for District 13 at the Old Courthouse in downtown Greensboro on Tuesday, May 31.
Appeals court strikes down NC voter ID law By Jeff Moore North State Journal
INSIDE
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JIM YOUNG | REUTERS
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RALEIGH — The 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals struck down a North Carolina law on Friday that required voters to show photo identification when casting ballots, ruling that it intentionally discriminated against AfricanAmerican residents. Similar laws are currently in effect in Georgia and Indiana. “We cannot ignore the recent evidence that, because of race, the legislature enacted one of the largest restrictions of the franchise in modern North Carolina history,” wrote Judge Diana Motz in her ruling decision. Supporters and opponents of the voter ID law each had strong reactions to the ruling. The American Civil Liberties Union, a plaintiff in the case, lauded the decision. “With surgical precision, North Carolina tried to eliminate voting practices disproportionately used by African-Americans,” said Dale Ho, director of the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project. “This ruling is a stinging rebuke of the state’s attempt to undermine African-American voter participation, which had surged over the last decade. It is a major victory for North Carolina voters and for voting rights.” Deborah Ross, North Carolina Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, challenging incumbent Sen. Richard Burr (R), agrees with the ruling. “Our democracy is strongest when we bring more voices into the political process,” said Ross. “But North Carolina’s recent and See COURT DECISION, page A8
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION
DNC closes with historic Clinton nomination By Cory Lavalette North State Journal PHILADELPHIA — The Democratic Party tried to use its fourday convention to bring together its splintered factions by celebrating Hillary Clinton as the first female major-party nominee for president and embracing Bernie Sanders’ fanatical supporters. It wasn’t exactly a week of fullon brotherly love between the two sides, but speeches by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, former President Bill Clinton attempted to present their nominee and her running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Paine, as more qualified and diplomatic than Republican nominee Donald Trump. “She knows that for progress to happen, we have to listen to each other and see ourselves in each other, and fight for our principles, but also fight to find common ground, no matter how elusive that may sometimes seem,” President Obama said Wednesday of
— Senate Leader Phil Berger
For full convention coverage, see DNC A3-A5.
VOTE 2016 GOP blazing a campaign trail through NC By Jeff Moore North State Journal
“We will obviously be appealing this politically motivated decision to the Supreme Court.”
Clinton. Most of the four days consisted of praise for Clinton and scorn for Trump — both in speeches and slickly produced videos. That included the five North Carolinians who spoke on the main stage, ranging from a Greensboro middle school teacher to a U.S. representative, surely an effort to showcase voices from one of the key battleground states in November’s general election. On Thursday, Clinton offered her rebuttal to Trump’s nomination speech a week earlier. “We have the most dynamic and diverse people in the world,” Clinton said. “We have the most tolerant and generous young people we’ve ever had. We have the most powerful military. The most innovative entrepreneurs. The most enduring values. Freedom and equality, justice and opportunity. We should be so proud that these words are associated with us.”
RALEIGH — Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and his running mate Gov. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) campaigned in North Carolina this week, visiting the Triad Monday night, joined by Gov. Pat McCrory and several members of the North Carolina congressional delegation to campaign at the Winston-Salem fairgrounds. The Republican presidential ticket then campaigned in Charlotte Tuesday. Drawing a crowd of approximately 5,000, including many members of the N.C. General Assembly, Trump’s address Monday was preceded by remarks from Sen. Richard Burr, Rep. Virginia Foxx (5th Dist.), Rep. Mark Walker (6th Dist.), Rep. Robert Pittenger (9th Dist.), Rep. Mark Meadows (11th Dist.), and McCrory, among others.
The show of unity comes after the Republican National Convention in Cleveland in which bringing the party together behind their presidential candidate was a major theme, a marked difference from the primary season in which Trump proved a divisive figure in the Republican party. McCrory told the Winston-Salem crowd he came to Raleigh as an outsider to fix a broken state government and said the same is needed in the White House. “We need someone from the outside to clean up Washington, D.C.,” said McCrory to cheers. In an overture to Trump’s hawkish stance on immigration and refugees, McCrory said, “Even the FBI doesn’t know who’s coming into North Carolina from Syria. That’s not right.” McCrory also lamented the risSee REPUBLICANS, page A8
CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Republican vicepresidential candidate Gov. Mike Pence greets Gov. Pat McCrory Monday during a campaign rally with Donald Trump at the WinstonSalem Fairgrounds Annex.
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
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BUSINESS & ECONOMY the
BRIEF First tranche of Connect NC bond sale completed By Jeff Moore North State Journal RALEIGH — The first round of sales for the Connect NC bond offering approved by voters earlier this year has been completed, raising $200 million of the planned $2 billion bond sale. According to a press release, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. offered the lowest of six bids, at 2.08 percent. “This is a great day for North Carolina as we are one step closer to breaking ground on long-term infrastructure projects across the state to support our growth and quality of life for generations to come,” said Gov. Pat McCrory. “As one of only 10 states in the nation with an AAA credit rating, we are proud to report that North Carolina has experienced a strong demand for our bonds.” Earlier this month, all three major bond rating agencies— Moody’s Investor Services, Standard and Poor’s and Fitch Ratings—assigned an AAA bond rating, the highest possible, to North Carolina’s first issuance of
the Connect NC bond. Projects are scheduled to begin in mid-August of this year. The Connect NC bond will invest $980 million into the state’s 17 universities. The vast majority of these improvements will build facilities that will improve teaching and research in the science, technology, engineering and medical fields. An additional $350 million will go to the community colleges, primarily for new construction, repairs and renovations on its 58 campuses. Another $309.5 million will be awarded to smaller cities and towns to build and repair water and sewer systems. Agriculture and consumers will also benefit from Connect NC. Approximately $94 million will be spent to construct a new Agriculture and Consumer Sciences Lab for veterinary, food, drug and motor fuel testing. An additional $85 million will go toward a new Plant Sciences Research Complex at NC State University. The National Guard will receive $70 million to rehabilitate Regional Readiness Centers in Burke and Wilkes counties as well as construct a new readiness center in Guilford County. The Connect NC bond will also invest $75 million into our state parks and $25 million will go the North Carolina Zoo for upgrades to service support facilities, trails and exhibits.
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North Carolina gives small business the tools to thrive in the future By Donna King North State Journal MOORE COUNTY — “In a franchise, we weren’t interested in how many slices of ham you have to put on a sandwich. With ACE we could make it what we wanted. We knew what wasn’t here, the brands the level of service that ACE is known for. We could bring it all here.” Randy Saunders and his wife, Jill, enjoyed welcoming their fellow ACE retailers to Moore County this week to celebrate the recent opening of their 20,000 square foot hardware store, situated between Whispering Pines and Pinehurst in Moore County. Layered in outdoor fountains, high-end T-shirts, flip flops and pottery, the Saunderses hope the store fills a void in the shopping of the area beyond just tools. Importers since 1998, the couple said they were ready to take the leap into retail. “It’s a lot of fun and our numbers are running better than we anticipated,” said Randy Saunders. “Moore County has been great for small business for some time. Its proximity to golf has kept it semi-recession proof.” That sense of optimism and willingness to take risk draws thousands of North Carolinians into small business each year, and the state has increased resources to help them get started. CNBC recently ranked North Carolina the fifth-best state for business measuring access to capital, business friendliness, and workforce among other factors. Those figures are reportedly growing, with estimates showing there are more than 800,000 small businesses that call North Carolina home, employing more than 47 percent of the state’s employees. ACE is a cooperative,
EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
A variety of brushes hang as a customer shops at the Seaboard ACE Hardware store in Raleigh, North Carolina, Wednesday morning, February 24. As of 2015 organized retail crime surpassed internal theft as the biggest loss to companies.
as opposed to a franchise, meaning the store owners own the ACE corporation. “We’ve been growing. There are about 180 new stores nationwide last year and we are tracking closer to that number again this year.” said ACE’s Eastern N.C. District Manager Jon Herrin, who works with 49 stores across the area. “A lot of [store owners] have been in the corporate drive and now want to be their own boss, others are repeat entrepreneurs and willing to take those chances. It’s not cheap and a lot of people put their entire life on the line to do it.” Also a Moore County commissioner, Saunders said in general
the state has proven to be good for small business owners, and its location along the Eastern seaboard between Atlanta and Northern states is good for importers. Eastern N.C. has benefited from the growth of Fort Bragg as the Army moves more units into the area. “The number of officers and high ranking enlisted has changed the demographic here,” said Saunders. “In 1998 when we moved there, the area of Whispering Pines was around 90 percent retirees, now it’s about 50 percent retirees. School growth is exploding.” Saunders hopes to eventually grow to 10 stores across the state.
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North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
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Clinton gives final call to be ‘Stronger Together’ By Liz Moomey North State Journal
ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION
R DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION
Mike Segar | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The Rev. William Barber II, president of the North Carolina NAACP, speaks on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Thursday.
Five North Carolinians speak at four-day Democratic convention By Cory Lavalette North State Journal
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HILADELPHIA — Five people from North Carolina spoke during the Democratic National Convention, led by Rep. G.K. Butterfield (1st Dist.), who was speaking at his second straight convention, and North Carolina NAACP president the Rev. William Barber II. Butterfield’s speech Wednesday, the first of several from the Congressional Black Caucus he chairs, differed from his remarks in 2012 when he took on the Republican Party’s “roadblock” of President Barack Obama’s first-term policy. Rather than take on the GOP last week, Butterfield — who has held his seat since 2004 — took direct aim at their nominee, Donald Trump. “In my community, you judge a man’s heart by his words and his deeds,” Butterfield said. “Donald J. Trump, your words have been hostile. They have been bigoted and insulting. You have used every opportunity to talk about your wealth, to denigrate people who don’t hold your views, even within your own party. You are not qualified to serve as president of the United States.” Other than ending his speech with a call for voters to “read our platform and compare it to the Republican platform,” Butterfield focused solely on Trump.
“You want to know why your polling numbers are so dismal among African-Americans? I will tell you,” Butterfield said. “We know … you have gotten rich through your business. But we also know your wealth has come at the expense of other people.” Barber was part of the lead up to Clinton’s convention-closing speech Thursday evening. The leader of North Carolina’s “Moral Monday” civil rights protests, Barber delivered the best received supporting act performance of the night, if not the week. His theme of “reviving the heart of our democracy” called on voters of all races, those with and without faith, and the LGBTQ community to come together for the greater good. “We are called on to be the moral defibrillators of our time ... and must shock this nation and fight for justice for all,” the 52-year-old Barber said. “We can’t give up on the heart of our democracy. Not now. Not ever.” For those in attendance who didn’t know Barber ahead of his 10-minute speech, his slow approach to the lectern didn’t hint at the textbook Barber soliloquy to come. His measured tone drew in the crowd on substance, and before long they were cheering every Barber punctuation. As the Goldsboro minister engaged the attendees, they shouted
back responses, and Barber ended his speech calling for the viewing audience to “stand up, vote together, organize together, fight for the heart of this nation!” Also speaking Friday was Greensboro middle school teacher David Wils. Wils, a social studies teacher at The Academy at Lincoln, briefly touched on his love for and the struggles of being a teacher, but his main focus was on college debt. “No matter how hard you try, you can’t get ahead,” Wils said. Earlier in the week, Raleigh entrepreneur Brooks Bell championed Clinton while tying Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, to North Carolina’s controversial House Bill 2. “I am worried, terrified, of what will happen if we elect Trump,” Bell said Wednesday. “I’m not just scared for my business, but for all the other young entrepreneurs like me. We have already seen the preview in my state of North Carolina.” Her husband, ShareFile founder and a vice president at Citrix, Jesse Lipson, also spoke, delivering a similar H.B. 2-themed speech Monday. “Donald, I’m also a businessman. You build skyscrapers. I build in the cloud,” Lipson said, directed at Trump. “But it’s clear you don’t understand something simple about business: what scares away investment is hate.”
ALEIGH — In a dark room at the North Carolina Democratic Party Headquarters Thursday night, supporters cheered as Hillary Clinton spoke during the final night of the Democratic National Convention. Hillary for North Carolina hosted nine watch parties from Asheville to Wilmington. Bringing together themes she expressed on the campaign trail and in the public sphere, Clinton laid out her case that the United States can be stronger as a whole, working together. “That’s why ‘Stronger Together’ is not just a lesson from our history,” Clinton said. “It’s not just a slogan for our campaign.” While officially accepting her party’s nomination for president, Clinton also addressed the frequent criticism that she is stiff or not as politically gifted as her husband, former President Bill Clinton. “The truth is, through all these years of public service, the ‘service’ part has always come easier to me than the ‘public’ part,” Clinton said. “I get it that some people just don’t know what to make of me. So let me tell you.” Matthew Stevens, a 26-year-old from Morrisville, said he understands people see this as a flaw, but it makes him support her. “I see what people maybe see from her that she’s not that exciting and that she loves to work way too much and cares a lot, but I actually admire that,” Stevens said. “That makes me want to spend more time with her and actually ask her questions.” Sarah Mohamed, 26, of Morrisville, agreed. “She is very presidential,” Mohamed said. “She’s the type of person that I would trust to go talk to someone in a foreign country, someone to represent me and I think that’s what matters the most.” Clinton discussed the Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s unpredictable tone and how he could be perceived on the national and international stage. “Ask yourself: Does Donald Trump have the temperament to be commander in chief?” Clinton said. “Donald Trump can’t even handle the roughand-tumble of a presidential campaign. He loses his cool at the slightest provocation. When he’s gotten a tough question from a reporter. When he’s challenged in a debate. When he sees a protestor at a rally. Imagine him in the Oval Office facing a real crisis. A man you can bait with a tweet is not a man we can trust with nuclear weapons.” Clinton spent the majority of her speech talking about her agenda — expanding voting rights, addressing climate change, raising the minimum wage and securing access to healthcare — all of which Joanna Leeder, 20, of Raleigh and an intern for Linda Coleman’s campaign, enjoyed. “I liked that she focused a lot on her agenda and not so much on attacking Trump, which we saw a lot at the RNC,” Leeder said. “She did a good job appealing across the board as people — not just Democrats on her side, but it was really moving.” Asheville Democratic delegate Alyssa DeRonne said she is not with her, even after going to the convention and watching Sanders tell supporters to vote for Clinton in November. “I will never vote for Hillary,” DeRonne said. She said she was upset about the handling of superdelegates, former party chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s role and the handling of protests. “It would be better if they put Hillary in Guantanamo Bay, and Bernie could be our nominee,” DeRonne said. Leeder said she preferred Sanders, but plans on voting for Clinton, because she is satisfied with the changes in her platform to add some of his ideas. “At the end of the day, you have to come together, because we are stronger together,” Leeder said. “I think she incorporated parts of his platform, and all together I really like her plans she laid out tonight.” Clinton directly addressed Sanders’ supporters. “To all of your supporters here and around the country: I want you to know, I’ve heard you,” Clinton said. “Your cause is our cause. Our country needs your ideas, energy and passion. That’s the only way we can turn our progressive platform into real change for America. We wrote it together — now let’s go out there and make it happen together.”
Town bearing nominee’s name an example of small-town America By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal
“We’re all in trouble. Trump is full of crap and Hillary is a liar. ... I don’t know who to vote for.” Clinton resident Louis LaRouche
CLINTON, N.C. — In Southeastern North Carolina, one will find the quaint and friendly town of Clinton — a town full of tree-lined streets with the Courthouse Square in the center, boutiques and flower shops flanking the sides, and residents who wave as they pass by. It’s a long way from the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia and has no formal ties to Hillary Clinton other than sharing her last name. However, Clinton is similar to many places in rural America. With a population of just over 8,800, Clinton was named an All-America City in 2007. Like many rural communities in America, it strives for new jobs and economic growth, and feels the weight of the decision for who will earn their vote for the White House. “We need jobs down here. Any kind of job that a lower class person can get their foot in the door with,” said Louis LaRouche, 46, a local
mechanic. “We’re all in trouble. Trump is full of crap and Hillary is a liar. The country is on a downward spiral, and it doesn’t look good. I don’t know who to vote for.” Hillary Clinton made history last week when she became the first female nominee on a major party ticket. The moment was one many felt pushed the women’s equality movement forward and earned her the votes of fellow women. “It means something this year that a woman is running,” said Ashley Brady, 23. “It’s time for a change, so I’ll vote for Hillary. I decided that when she began running for president.” Veronica Garcia, a 40-year-old small business owner, will also support Clinton. “Good or bad, Hillary has been there in politics,” Garcia said. ‘With her being a woman, she would think about her decisions before making them and could stand up and be a strong woman for us. Trump is not qualified to be president. He is qualified to make hotels and make money.”
The choice in this election has many residents echoing similar sentiments in their views — feeling they need to swap party affiliations or select the lesser of two evils. “I’m a Republican who can’t vote Republican this year and will have to vote Democrat because of the lunatic who’s running for the Republican Party,” said retiree Janice Barnes, 67. “Hillary Clinton is more qualified than Donald Trump, though she comes with her own baggage.” Dorothy Austin, a 29-year-old registered Independent voter, thinks things won’t change regardless who comes out on top in November. “It doesn’t matter who wins — Trump or Clinton — we will be in a jam either way,” Austin said. “I don’t really feel like my vote counts. The government will still decide to do what they want to do no matter who is the president.” She added, “Donald Trump wants to ‘Make America Great Again,’ but when have we ever been great?”
MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
A sign proclaiming Clinton, N.C., to be an “AllAmerica City” hangs above downtown on Tuesday, July 26.
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North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
2016 Democratic National Convention
Philadelphia — History was made during the 2016 Democratic National Convention as former secretary of state and first lady Hillary Clinton accepted the nomination as the
Democratic Party’s candidate for president, the first time a woman has been nominated as a major political party’s presidential candidate in the U.S. The event was riddled with endorsement
A5 appearances by the likes of Senator Bernie Sanders, President Barack Obama and, of course, former President Bill Clinton.. For more on the convention, visit NSJonline.com.
Stories by Cory Lavalette and photographs contributed by Reuters North State Journal
Day 1: Sanders looks to unite party amid scandal
Day 3: Obama, Biden, Kaine tout Clinton, bash Trump
he Democratic National Convention started Monday T with the hopes it would provide
he Democratic Party used Day 3 of their national T convention to discredit Repub-
a stark contrast to its Republican counterpart the week before. However, the beginning of the Democratic convention in Philadelphia seemed like a continuance of the GOP’s up-and-down week in Cleveland, where accusations of plagiarism and defeated and defiant candidate Ted Cruz dominated most headlines. The Democrats’ controversy surrounded DNC chairwoman and Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who announced she would resign as head of the party following the convention due to an email scandal that further deepened rifts between supporters of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and backers of Hillary Clinton. Sanders did his best to calm things that evening as Monday’s keynote speaker, focusing on the importance of uniting against Republican nominee Donald Trump. “This election is about which candidate understands the real problems facing this country and has offered real solutions — not just bombast, not just fear-mongering, not just name-calling and divisiveness,” Sanders said. Sanders’ supporters were
mostly timid toward Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a favorite of the far left and an often mentioned pick for vice president before Clinton chose Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine to be her running mate. Warren pledged her allegiance to Clinton and continued to be one of the Democrats’ most vicious critics of Trump, aiming to bring the party together by uniting them against a common enemy. “Trump’s entire campaign is just one more late-night Trump infomercial,” Warren said. “And for one, low, low price, he’ll even throw in a goofy hat.” Her calls for unity will be particularly important in battleground states like North Carolina, Ohio and Florida, where polls show the race between the candidates is tight. Sanders and Warren were preceded by Michelle Obama. With her husband’s eight-year run in the Oval Office coming to a close, Obama gave perhaps the most polished and inspiring speech of the night, praising Clinton for her determination and loyalty. “What I admire most about Hillary is that she never buckles under pressure,” Obama said. “She never takes the easy way out. And Hillary Clinton has not quit on anything in her life.”
Adrees Latif | reuters
Lisa Barri of New York draws a peace sign along the perimeter walls of the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Wendesday.
CARLOS BARRIA | reuters
A supporter of former Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders wears tape across her mouth in protest on the floor at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Monday.
CARLOS BARRIA | reuters
Senator Bernie Sanders reacts before Vermont announced their delegate count during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
lican nominee Donald Trump’s readiness to be commander in chief while touting Hillary Clinton’s experience and poise under pressure. President Barack Obama, Clinton running mate Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, and current Vice President Joe Biden all spoke, with Obama again calling Clinton the most qualified candidate ever and volleying back the GOP’s attacks that a Clinton win in November is akin to a third Obama term. “This year, in this election, I’m asking you to join me — to reject cynicism, reject fear, to summon what’s best in us; to elect Hillary Clinton as the next president of the United States, and show the world we still believe in the promise of this great nation,” Obama said. “Thank you for this incredible journey. Let’s keep it going.” Clinton emerged to join Obama at the end of his speech, with the duo returning to the center of the stage to wave to the crowd. Kaine’s earlier speech offered the even demeanor that made him the frontrunner and eventual choice as the Democrats’
vice presidential candidate. He even showed off his Spanish fluency, parlaying it into support for Clinton. “When I lived in Honduras, I learned that the best compliment you could give someone was to say they were ‘listo’ — ready,” Kaine said. “Because what listo means in Spanish is this: it means prepared, it means battle-tested, it means rock-solid, up for anything, never backing down. And friends, Hillary Clinton, she’s ‘lista.’ Hillary Clinton is lista.” Biden’s speech was both touching and tough. He emotionally spoke of his late son Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015. Paraphrasing Earnest Hemingway’s “Farewell To Arms,” Biden said, “I have been made strong at the broken places.” Biden’s strength was evident as he took on Trump. “His cynicism is unbounded,” Biden said. “His lack of empathy and compassion can be summed up in a phrase I suspect that he’s most proud of having made famous: ‘You’re fired.’ ... How can there be pleasure in saying, ‘You’re fired’? He’s trying to tell us he cares about the middle class? Give me a break. That’s a bunch of malarkey.”
Day 2: Bill Clinton makes his case for Hillary on her nomination night
Day 4: Clinton has historic night in accepting Democratic nomination
O
fter three-plus days of the Democratic A Party telling the world how
n the night Hillary Clinton was selected as the first female presidential nominee in U.S. major party history — and closed Day 2 of the Democratic National Convention with a surprise appearance via live video from New York — her husband commanded the stage in the supportive role his wife mastered throughout his political career. “You could drop her in any trouble spot: pick one, come back in a month, and somehow, someway she would have made it better,” former President Bill Clinton said Tuesday in Philadelphia. “That’s just who she is.” It marked the eighth straight Democratic convention he has spoken at, starting in 1988 when he endorsed nominee Michael Dukakis. Much of the former president’s speech revolved around his wife’s work helping
others while balancing the challenges of their careers and parenthood, all with the backdrop of their courtship. “She’s insatiably curious, she’s a natural leader, she’s an organizer, and she’s the best darn change-maker I’ve ever met in my life,” the 69-year-old Clinton said, focusing on the nominee’s strengths rather than the perceived shortcomings of her opponent, Republican nominee Donald Trump. Also speaking Tuesday was former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who held the post under Bill Clinton. “She knows that safeguarding freedom and security is not like hosting a reality TV show,” Albright, 79, said of Hillary Clinton while needling Trump. “It is a complex, round-the-clock job that demands not only a steady
hand and a cool head, but also a big heart.” The Mothers of the Movement best combined the Democrats’ message of Clinton as a compassionate candidate with arguably the nation’s most current pressing issue. The group of black women — part of the Black Lives Matter movement — all have lost children to violence, some at the hands of law enforcement. “This isn’t about being politically correct. It’s about protecting our children,” Sybrina Fulton, mother of shooting victim Trayvon Martin, said. Clinton herself closed the second night live from the video board at Wells Fargo Center. “If there are any little girls out there watching: I may become the first woman president, but one of you might be next,” Clinton said.
JIM YOUNG | Reuters
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton hugs U.S. President Barack Obama as she arrives onstage at the end of his speech on the third night of the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Steve
MARK KAUZLARICH | Reuters
A delegate in the crowd celebrates amidst confetti and balloons after Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton accepted the nomination on the fourth and final night at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Thursday.
Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate for president of the United States, the historic nature of the moment wasn’t lost on the former secretary of state, senator and first lady. “Tonight we’ve reached a milestone in our nation’s march toward a more perfect union: the first time that a major party has nominated a woman for president,” Clinton said. “Standing here, standing here as my mother’s daughter, and my daughter’s mother, I’m so happy this day has come. I’m happy for grandmothers and little girls and everyone in between. ... After all, when there are no ceilings, the sky’s the limit.”
Most of her speech was a collection of what was said throughout the week. Clinton espoused her experience, poise and compassion while painting Republican nominee Donald Trump as inexperienced, bombastistic and self-centered, saying in her own words why Americans should vote for her in November. “[Trump] spoke for 70-odd minutes — and I do mean odd,” Clinton said of Trump’s speech last Thursday at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. “And he offered zero solutions. But we already know he doesn’t believe these things. No wonder he doesn’t like talking about his plans. You might have noticed, I love talking about mine.” Clinton, like Trump, was
introduced by her daughter. Chelsea Clinton described her mother as a loving mother and grandmother who brings the same caring and dedication to her public service. “People ask me all the time, ‘How does she do it? How does she keep going, amid the sounds and the fury of politics?’” Chelsea Clinton said. “Here’s how: it’s because she never, ever forgets who she’s fighting for.” The Rev. William Barber II, president of the North Carolina NAACP, spoke during a portion of the night dedicated to “An Inclusive America.” “We must shock this nation and fight for justice for all,” the 52-year-old Barber said. “We can’t give up on the heart of our democracy. Not now. Not ever.”
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north STATEment Neal Robbins, publisher | Drew Elliot, opinion editor | Ray Nothstine, deputy opinion editor
visual VOICES
EDITORIALS | ray Nothstine
Ignoring evil at a political convention That we are unable to unify against such stark evil signals our collective decline.
Democrats in Philadelphia offered a much more optimistic view of America and the world than their Republican counterparts. Overall, the speeches were better and their celebrities are the elite and well known to an America enthralled by entertainment culture. When they had to be dour, it was usually when highlighting their sacred commitment to identity and grievance politics. But a telling moment came when one of the more substantive speeches was loudly booed and shouted down. In his address, Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta mentioned Rev. Jacques Hamel by name. Hamel, 85, was the Roman Catholic priest who was essentially decapitated by Islamists in Normandy, France. Hamel was celebrating mass while ISIS-pledged cowards ransacked the church and slit his throat. It was one of many attacks aimed at the Western world this month. During his speech, Panetta, a strong advocate for Hillary Clinton, was shouted down by many of the delegates yelling, “No more war!” After Hamel’s savage murder, Pope Francis, certainly not known as a voice of militarism, declared, “The world is in a state of war.” French soldiers are now patrolling beaches along their coast to protect citizens and tourists from terrorist attacks. Besides a few lines here and there, ISIS and terrorism was largely ignored at the Democrat convention until Panetta’s address. Donald Trump accused Democrats in a Wednesday press conference of not mentioning ISIS, “Because they grew it.” While there certainly may be some truth to that accusation, the problem of the rise of ISIS and ignorance of the threat is, of course, much more complex. Panetta’s remarks and the hissing delegates combined with what appeared to be a bland inattentiveness by some of the assembled was indeed a poignant moment. It transcended politics and exposes the deep discord in this country about who the enemies actually are in the world. Clinton, who offered platitudes on national security, is unable to name the threat herself. It’s not just Clinton, and it’s far bigger than politics. Large swaths of Americans are unable to fully recognize or even name the evil that aims to achieve a worldwide caliphate. Secular elites in Europe and America struggle to grasp the depth of what is occurring, still believing the Islamic State can perhaps be reasoned with or wished away through appeasement and multiculturalism. That we are unable to unify against such stark evil signals our collective decline. In a landmark 1978 address to Harvard that was widely panned by the media (that’s how you know it was a good speech), the Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn declared, “The forces of Evil have begun their decisive offensive, you can feel their pressure, and yet your screens and publications are full of prescribed smiles and raised glasses.” Solzhenitsyn offered the West a warning and a strong indictment that a lack of spiritual and moral clarity blinds us to evil in the world. Perhaps it was telling that it was a Catholic cardinal outside of the Western world who best summed up our predicament. “How many more dead before European governments understand the situation in which the West finds itself? How many more decapitated heads?” asked Cardinal Robert Sarah of the Republic of Guinea. Unfortunately for Americans too, it’s a question that will go unanswered without naming and understanding the enemy that faces us.
BE IN TOUCH Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjvonline.com or 819 W. Hargett St. Raleigh, N.C. 27603. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.
EDITORIALS | DREW ELLIOT
Cooper’s scorched-state politics: destroying North Carolina to save it While he was telling voters in public that he wouldn’t dare hurt the state, he and his political allies were doing much worse in secret.
For months, it has been well known that North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, the Democratic nominee for governor, has encouraged job loss in North Carolina by pressuring companies not to expand in the state based on House Bill 2. The evidence, including a Wall Street Journal article, was strong but limited — one phone call to one company, a call that cost North Carolina 250 jobs from Deutsche Bank AG. But now, thanks to the WikiLeaks release of more than 19,000 internal emails of the Democratic National Committee, we now know that the activity was even more orchestrated than we thought. When events were cancelled in response to the law, Democratic officials — externally — were somber, admitting that “North Carolinians who work in the hospitality industry are going to be hurt” by the cancellations. But in secret — in reality — they were cheering. Anything for a political edge, evidently, no matter how many it hurts. Andy Crystal, the DNC staffer
who apparently wrote that an event cancellation was “awesome,” lives in Washington and is a member of the New York bar. And media relations staffer T.J. Helmstetter, in an email about another cancelled event, apparently wrote “this is great.” (It is unclear whether he was referring to the cancellation itself or the wording of a DNC news release on the bad news.) Helmstetter too has a D.C./New York background. Let me be clear: I’m not pointing out the staffers’ big-city backgrounds as a case of “outside agitators” stirring things up in our state, however true that might be. My point is that Crystal and Helmstetter get to sit in D.C. and play politics when real people’s livelihoods are at stake. They don’t have to look North Carolinians who lost their jobs or shifts in the eye. Do they understand that these were real people with real rent to make and real groceries to buy? Not so “awesome” for those folks. The petty schadenfreude of the DNC staff is alarmingly callous, but it pales compared to Roy Cooper’s acts of economic sabotage against
his home state. Before we get to his real M.O. as an inside instigator, first consider how Cooper handled a question at the gubernatorial debate in June. Cooper was asked what he would advise a hypothetical son or daughter who wanted to teach in North Carolina. “I’d tell them to teach right here in North Carolina because hold on, I’m coming,” Cooper said to laughs and applause from the audience. It was a great answer to a tricky question. Cooper was able to paint teacher compensation as lackluster while anointing himself as the certain savior of the situation. But as we now know, Cooper’s answer was pure political talking point. While he was telling voters in public that he wouldn’t dare hurt the state by urging a good teacher to go elsewhere, he and his political allies were doing much worse in secret. North Carolinians could rightly shake their heads and lament “politics as usual” about the DNC emails. But for Roy Cooper, it is Bên Tre. Bên Tre was the Vietnamese village that was levelled to flush
out the Viet Cong. Journalist Peter Arnett quoted an Army officer as saying “It became necessary to destroy the town to save it.” Even the ultra-left Independent Weekly has taken the stance of “don’t hurt us to help us.” But for Cooper, this state must be destroyed in order to be saved. Fortunately for North Carolina, Cooper’s scorched-state politics aren’t working very well. North Carolina’s unemployment rate stands at 4.9 percent, down from 5.5 percent when H.B. 2 was passed. That marks the first time since September 2007 that the rate has been below 5 percent. It seems that not many companies are willing to take a stand in order to help Cooper get his next job. We can be thankful that even though Cooper is willing to lob shells at his fellow North Carolinians, most of them have turned out to be duds.
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COLUMNIST | MICHAEL MUNGER
BILL PRESS
Two cities, two conventions, one choice or political journalists, there’s nothing crueler than two national political F conventions, two weeks in a row: Endless
IMAGE COURTESY OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
North Carolina: A newcomer’s guide very year in early August, thousands of new folks show up in the Triangle, where I E live. Many are students moving to one of the 25
Yankees think that the fivesecond rule is “When the light turns green, put both hands on the horn for five seconds.” Not here.
colleges and universities in the area, and lots of them are new to the South. So I thought I’d take a break from worrying about politics and offer some information and a welcome. First off, two rules of engagement. If you go into a store or restaurant, you are likely to have a conversation. If someone asks “hower yoo doin’?” the correct response is a cheerful “I’m great! Hower yoo!” even if your leg is broken sideways at the knee. Then you talk for several minutes before getting down to business. This can’t be hurried, or dispensed with. Safe subjects are weather, children, and basketball; acceptable loyalties include Carolina or State, with Wake Forest or Davidson working as boutique choices. There are no Duke fans here, so don’t even think about that. (I’m a Duke professor, but a Carolina fan; it’s called “tenure”.) Second, driving and the five-second rule. Now, Yankees think that the five-second rule is “When the light turns green, put both hands on the horn for five seconds.” Not here. Our five-second rule is “Wait five seconds after the light turns green, and then politely tap your horn, but really not even then.” There’s no hurry to get to that store, because you are just going to spend five minutes talking about weather, children, and basketball first anyway. Some other tips about driving: At a four-way stop, vehicles with larger tires have the right of way. If you see a car with its turn signal blinking, pay no mind; it must have been left on at the factory. Finally, one nice thing about driving down here is that people will generally let you in, merging into traffic or turning from a side street. This doesn’t happen up north; I’ve seen visitors from Massachusetts afraid to pull out, fearing an ambush.
You’ll notice that North Carolina has several nicknames, at least internally: Old North State, Tarheel State, or my favorite—in a slap at our neighbors Virginia and South Carolina — “a valley of peaceful humility between two mountains of tumult and conceit.” Natives would like to think of “Tarheel” as originating in our stalwart troops, who didn’t run away during battle during the “Late Unpleasantness” of the early 1860s. But it’s more likely an insult deriving from the practice of poor, barefoot settlers whose only livelihood was boiling down pitch and turpentine for naval supplies from coastal pine forests during the 17th century. Finally, and most important: Barbecue. That’s a noun, not a verb, around here. If you want to “grill” or “cook out,” that’s fine. Ribs, burgers, brats, steak, whatever you want. But barbecue is a thing, a specific thing, not something one does. Barbecue is pork that is smoked, and then “pulled” or coarsely chopped. It can be served plate style (with hush puppies and slaw), or sandwich style (on a hamburger bun, with a layer of slaw on top). The preferred hot sauce for most purposes has “Texas” in its name, but it’s made here in Winston-Salem. There are three types of sauce one uses to enhance the sacred pig. “Eastern” style is vinegarbased, with sugar and peppers. The “western” version is tomato-based, though it’s not the syrupy “barbecue sauce” you get in stores. To me, vinegarbased is better, but those who argue for that Lexington-style ketchup feel strongly, so they have my respect, and pity. The third type of sauce is mustard-based. We will speak no more of it. If you are going to use that junk, you might as well just root for Duke. Michael Munger is a professor of and director of the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics Program at Duke University.
Statements that matter Hillary Clinton Hillary Clinton became the first woman to accept a major party’s nomination for president Thursday Below is an excerpt from her remarks: I don’t think President Obama and Vice President Biden get the credit they deserve for saving us from the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. Our economy is so much stronger than when they took office. Nearly 15 million new private-sector jobs. Twenty million more Americans with health insurance. And an auto industry that just had its best year ever. That’s real progress. But none of us can be satisfied with the status quo. Not by a long shot. We’re still facing deep-seated problems that developed long before the recession and have stayed with us through the recovery. I’ve gone around our country talking to working families. And I’ve heard from so many of you who feel like the economy just isn’t working. Some of you are frustrated – even furious. And you know what??? You’re right. It’s not yet working the way it should. Americans are willing to work – and work hard. But right now, an awful lot of people feel there is less and less respect for the work they do. And less respect for them, period.... My primary mission as president will be to create more opportunity and more good jobs with rising wages right here in the United States... From my first day in office to my last! Especially in places that for too long have been left out and left behind.
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton accepts the nomination on the fourth and final night at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia July 28.
JIM YOUNG | REUTERS
From our inner cities to our small towns, from Indian Country to Coal Country. From communities ravaged by addiction to regions hollowed out by plant closures. And here’s what I believe. I believe America thrives when the middle class thrives. I believe that our economy isn’t working the way it should because our democracy isn’t working the way it should. That’s why we need to appoint Supreme Court justices who will get money out of politics and expand voting rights, not restrict them. And if necessary we’ll pass a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United! I believe American corporations that have gotten so much from our country should be just as patriotic in return.
Many of them are. But too many aren’t. It’s wrong to take tax breaks with one hand and give out pink slips with the other. And I believe Wall Street can never, ever be allowed to wreck Main Street again. I believe in science. I believe that climate change is real and that we can save our planet while creating millions of good-paying clean energy jobs. I believe that when we have millions of hardworking immigrants contributing to our economy, it would be self-defeating and inhumane to try to kick them out. Comprehensive immigration reform will grow our economy and keep families together and it’s the right thing to do. Whatever party you belong to, or if you belong to no party at all, if you share these beliefs, this is your campaign.
hours of note-taking; long, boring speeches by countless politicians; cheap hotels, lousy food and not enough sleep. Every reporter complains about it, but too bad. Because the worst things for reporters are the best things for voters -- a chance to see both major political parties up close, back to back, in order to weigh the differences between them. And there could be no greater contrast between two parties, two conventions, or two candidates than what we saw in Cleveland and Philadelphia. The quick version: One convention was built on fear, the other on hope. One convention offered the most qualified person ever to run for president, while the other offered the least. As for other real differences between them, let me count the ways. Tone. Throughout, the Republican convention was a public display of doom and gloom. If you believe Donald Trump, America’s never been in worse shape: economically bankrupt, weak and disrespected around the globe, and outsmarted and outgunned by terrorists. It’s a pessimistic message designed to justify Trump’s call to “Make American Great Again.” By contrast, the picture of America painted by Democrats, while realistic, was also positive and upbeat. As asserted by speaker after speaker: Yes, we have significant challenges, but, based on the facts, not mere assertions, we’re stronger than ever, both militarily and economically, both home and abroad. As Michelle Obama told delegates: “Don’t let anyone ever tell you that this country isn’t great, that somehow we have to make it great again, because this right now is the greatest nation on earth.”
Democrats loaded their agenda with speakers on national security, climate change, clean water, gun safety, women’s rights, gay rights, Black Lives Matter and a host of other issues.
Messengers. What a contrast. Republicans were obviously hurting for speakers. If Trump didn’t have so many kids, there would have been hours of radio silence. Many leading Republicans — John McCain, the Bushes — who would have been invited to speak — didn’t even show up. Several speakers avoided mentioning Donald Trump’s name, and Ted Cruz refused to endorse him. Democrats, on the other hand, had an embarrassment of riches: Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine joined by President Obama, the first lady, Vice President Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, House leader Nancy Pelosi, and Senate leader Harry Reid. Plus a surprise appearance by former mayor Michael Bloomberg, who shredded Donald Trump with one memorable line: “I’m a New Yorker, and I know a con when I see one.” Issues. A convention is a great opportunity, which Republicans in Cleveland totally wasted. There was a lot of talk about “Crooked Hillary” and why she should never be allowed to become president, but little talk about what agenda Republicans would pursue if they ever won the White House. Maybe that’s because, in Joe Biden’s words, Donald Trump “doesn’t have a clue.” Democrats loaded their agenda with speakers on national security, climate change, clean water, gun safety, women’s rights, gay rights, Black Lives Matter and a host of other issues, each with a specific plan for going forward. Diversity. Big difference. Philadelphia was broadcast in color; Cleveland, in black and white. Mostly white. According to the website Fusion, only 18 out of 2,472 delegates to the GOP convention were African-American, while 1,182 African-Americans were among 4,766 delegates gathered in Philly, in addition to 292 Asian-Americans, 747 Latinos, 147 Native Americans, 2,887 women and 633 LGBTQ Americans. Unity. Perhaps the biggest difference of all. Thanks in great part to Bernie Sanders, Democrats leave Philadelphia united solidly and happily behind Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine. Republicans are still trying to decide whether or not they like Donald Trump. Or trust him. It boils down to this: Anybody who watched both gatherings must conclude: One party knows how to put on a convention, the other party does not. Bill Press is host of a nationally syndicated radio show, CNN political analyst and author.
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NATION& WORLD NEWS IN IMAGES
An edes aegypti mosquito is seen inside a test tube as part of research on preventing the spread of the Zika virus and other mosquitoborne diseases at a control and prevention center in Guadalupe, neighbouring Monterrey, Mexico, March 8.
BENOIT TESSIER | REUTERS
Yellow jersey leader Team Sky rider Chris Froome of Britain cycles past the Arc de Triomphe July 24 during the Tour de France. DANIEL BECERRIL | REUTERS
Florida reports evidence of local Zika virus transmission By Barbara Liston Reuters
GENE BLEVINS | REUTERS
Firefighters battle the so-called Sand Fire in the Angeles National Forest near Los Angeles July 25.
KACPER PEMPEL | REUTERS
Pope Francis addresses the faithful during World Youth Days at Blonia Park in Krakow, Poland, July 28.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Four people in Miami likely contracted Zika locally through mosquito bites, Florida’s governor said on Friday, the first evidence that the virus tied to a rare but serious birth defect is circulating in the continental United States. Gov. Rick Scott said the state believed active transmission of the virus was occurring within an area of Miami about the size of a square mile. Testing showed that one woman and three men had been infected, Scott said. While health officials have yet to identify mosquitoes carrying the virus, the state has ruled out other means of transmission, including travel to another country with a Zika outbreak, and sexual contact. “We have worked hard to stay ahead of the spread of Zika and prepare for the worst,” Scott said in a statement. “We will continue to put every resource available to fighting the spread of Zika in our state.” Zika’s greatest risk is believed to
be posed by infection in pregnant women, given its ability to cause microcephaly in babies, a condition defined by small head size that can lead to developmental problems. Florida Surgeon General Celeste Philip said health officials are not advising pregnant women in the transmission area to move. “We do not believe there will be ongoing transmission,” Philip said at a press conference in Orlando, citing daily efforts to control the mosquito population in the area. U.S. health officials have cautioned for months that the summer mosquito season was likely to bring local outbreaks, with Gulf Coast states such as Florida, Texas and Louisiana on the frontlines. The current Zika outbreak was first detected in Brazil last year, triggering global alarm over the discovery that it was linked to microcephaly in infants and other severe neurological abnormalities. Brazil has confirmed more than 1,600 cases of microcephaly linked to Zika infection in pregnant women. Public health officials say Zika is
also a likely cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder in adults that can cause temporary paralysis. Zika’s arrival in the United States comes with Congress in recess after failing to reach agreement over how much funding could be used to fight an outbreak. The Obama administration has requested $1.9 billion to finance research, mosquito control and other prevention efforts. Until now, the more than 1,600 Zika cases in the United States have stemmed from travel to another country with active transmission, as well as a small number of cases of apparent sexual transmission by a person infected outside of the country. Puerto Rico has already been grappling with a Zika outbreak, with more than 4,600 cases of local transmission. U.S. health officials have predicted there will be hundreds of thousands of cases on the island territory before the current outbreak ends due to the prevalence of Zika-carrying mosquitoes and a lack of infrastructure to protect against insect bites.
REPUBLICANS from page A1
COURT DECISION from page A1
ing costs of health care across the nation. “We need a new president from the outside who will end Obamacare,” said McCrory, earning his biggest applause of the night. Republican members of the General Assembly were out in force to support Trump, including Rep. Justin Burr (R-Stanley); Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford); Rep. Pat Hurley (R-Randolph); Rep. Mark Brody (R-Union); Rep. Rayne Brown (R-Davidson); Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan); Rep. Debra Conrad (R-Forsyth); and Rep. Mike Hager (R-Rutherford). Excited to be there in support of Trump, Hager thinks the Republican nominee has a unique way of connecting with the people of North Carolina. “He’s about the working class guy,” Hager said. “He’s about the guy that struggles to pay his mortgage. He’s about the guy, or woman, that wants to send their kids to a better school. He really understands what it is to be American, and I think that’s why you see all these people out here.” After brief remarks from Pence, Trump took the stage to thunderous applause. Hitting on familiar themes from his primary campaign, Trump tackled the issues of bad trade deals, security and immigration, while wasting no time in attacking his general election opponent, Hillary Clinton. “She’s a fool,” said Trump of the Democratic nominee for president. Addressing the turmoil that preceded the start of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this week, he referenced the Wikileaks email scandal that revealed collusion between party operatives and the Clinton campaign to suppress challenger Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). DNC chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.) resigned over the controversy, and on Monday was booed offstage by Sanders supporters. After her
restrictive voting law, which included a stringent voter ID requirement and undid two bills I passed that allowed same-day voter registration and out-ofprecinct voting, did the exact opposite.” North Carolina Republicans criticized the decision as a partisan ruling and publicly resented the assertion of intentional racial bias in the 2013 law’s passage. “I think it is an offensive idea to say that a minority group cannot get an ID in North Carolina,” said Executive Director of the NC GOP Dallas Woodhouse. ”[The idea] that they are not capable and able to do that is offensive, and that is a racially charged statement unto itself. “Who was it a good day for?” Woodhouse asked, rhetorically, at a Friday press conference. “People who support voter fraud and the Democrats. You decide if they’re the same thing. “Who was it a bad day for? The nearly 75 percent of people in North Carolina who support common sense voter ID,” said Woodhouse. In a joint statement released by NC Speaker of the House, Rep. Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) and Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Eden), called the ruling unprecedented and promised they would appeal the decision. “Since today’s decision by three partisan Democrats ignores legal precedent, ignores the fact that other federal courts have used North Carolina’s law as a model, and ignores the fact that a majority of other states have similar protections in place, we can only wonder if the intent is to reopen the door for voter fraud, potentially allowing fellow Democrat politicians like Hillary Clinton and Roy Cooper to steal the election. We will obviously be appealing this politically motivated decision to the Supreme Court,” stated the
CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves to the crowd Monday during a campaign rally at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex.
ouster, she was hired by the Clinton campaign into a leadership role as honorary chair of Clinton’s 50 State program. “I’ll bet a lot of [Sanders’] people come to us, and we’ll take them,” said Trump of the scandal’s fallout. “And the reason we’ll take them, and the reason they want to come, is because there’s nobody better on trade than I am.” Trump lambasted “stupid” trade deals he says have taken jobs away from North Carolinians. “Your manufacturing is down 50 percent in this area, and you know what it is? It’s federal policy,” said Trump of the Triad economy. “Jobs around here are scarce. We don’t have a 5 percent unemployment rate; we probably have a 2021 percent unemployment rate.” The billionaire real estate mogul’s proposal to fix such labor market imbalances is to renegotiate trade deals that secure better terms for Americans. “We have to use our power of tariffs and taxes,” said Trump. “China dumps everything on us, and yet if you want to sell something in China, it’s next to impossible to get it in.” Trump said he would impose
taxes on the importing of goods from companies that moved their manufacturing overseas. “We’re not gonna let them leave so easily anymore,” said Trump. “There are going to be consequences.” On the issue of NATO, which he has been accused of wanting to walk away from, Trump said he supports the alliance. “I don’t want to give up NATO,” said Trump. “But they gotta pay.” The United States contributes the vast majority of defense spending among NATO alliance members, despite the treaty’s requirement that member nations meet certain thresholds for such defense outlays. Wrapping up his nearly onehour speech, Trump said he would return to the Old North State throughout the campaign because it is vital for him to win the general election. “I love this state, it’s a special state,” said Trump. “It’s a very special state and we’re going to win.” Clinton also made a campaign stop in Charlotte Monday, confirming the state’s critical role in the general election.
Republican leader of the N.C. General Assembly. Similarly, Gov. Pat McCrory issued a statement decrying the partisan ruling against the 2013 law. “Photo IDs are required to purchase Sudafed, cash a check, board an airplane or enter a federal court room,” said McCrory in a press release. “Yet, three Democratic judges are undermining the integrity of our elections while also maligning our state. We will immediately appeal and also review other potential options.” State Attorney General, and Democrat nominee for governor, Roy Cooper originally defended the law in court, but Republicans believe he purposely undermined the effort in public, raising ethical questions concerning his duties as the state’s leading attorney. "[Cooper] got there and said he was going defend it in court and trashed the State of North Carolina and the voter ID law in public; something that would get any other lawyer disbarred,” exclaimed Woodhouse at a Friday press conference. The North Carolina State Board of Elections (SBOE) issued a statement on the ruling to outline how it will affect general election voting in November. Voter ID requirements were previously in effect during the March and June primary elections. “Our agency is carefully reviewing today’s decision from the Fourth Circuit,” stated the SBOE. “Absent alternative guidance from the courts, voters will not be asked to show photo identification this election. Early voting will run Oct. 20 through Nov. 5, and same-day registration will be available at early voting sites.” The U.S. Supreme Court, which would hear the case if appealed, is in recess until October and unlikely to rule on the issue before elections on Nov. 8.
the Sunday Sideline report
acc football preview
1. Peyton Manning cleared by NFL in HGH investigation. 2. DeShaun Watson picked as Preseason ACC Player of the Year, Clemson named preseason title favorite. 3. Michael Jordan spoke out on shootings involving police and donated $1 million each to a pair of organizations focused on civil rights and building trust for better community policing. 4. The Carolina Panthers signed defensive back Kurt Coleman to a threeyear, $17 million contract extension. 5. Gov. Pat McCrory and Attorney General Roy Cooper endorsed ECU as a candidate for Big 12 expansion.
USA TODAY SPORTS images / photo illustration by Cece Pascual
All of the “Big Four” coaches spoke at ACC Media Days in Charlotte on July 21 and 22, laying out expectations for their respective programs. Clockwise from top: Dave Clawson of Wake Forest, Larry Fedora of North Carolina, David Cutcliffe of Duke and Dave Doeren of NC State.
@DanHanzus: Oh, by the way, Ryan Fitzpatrick just got close to a 300 percent raise from his 2015 salary.
SPORTS
@SFGate: Rio’s waters so full of human sewage, Olympic swimmers told to keep their mouths closed.
2016 rio olympics | basketball
By NSJ Staff North State Journal
@AdamSchefter: Asked whether Jimmy Garoppolo could remain starter upon Tom Brady’s return from suspension, Bill Belichick said “Jesus Christ.”
he 2016 ACC Football Kickoff brought coaches, players and media from all 14 schools into one place each July. T The event had a formal feel this year, with almost everyone
College football
College Football Playoff changes future dates CFP executives moved all future playoff semifinal dates to Saturdays or holidays after bad ratings on a workday New Year’s Eve. The change bumps the playoffs up in the calendar for four years in the upcoming cycle: 2016-17: Saturday, Dec. 31 2017-18 Monday, Jan. 1 2018-19 Saturday, Dec. 29 2019-20 Saturday, Dec. 28 2020-21 Friday, Jan. 1 2021-22 Friday, Dec. 31 2022-23 Saturday, Dec. 31 2023-24 Monday, Jan. 1 2024-25 Saturday, Dec. 28 2025-26 Saturday, Dec. 27
COLLEGE SPORTS
Jim Delany announces timeframe for retirement The Big Ten commissioner confirmed his plans to retire by 2022 at the league’s media days. USA Today reported Delany, a 28-year veteran, will step down by 2020.
MLB
Cubs deal for closer Chapman Chicago shoved all in on the 2016 season Monday, giving up a group of four prospects, headlined by SS Gleyber Torres, for Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman.
NFL
Gordon reinstated, faces four-game ban The NFL announced Browns wideout Josh Gordon was reinstated but would still face a four-game suspension. Cleveland is still debating his future with the team.
2016 North State Journal ACC Preview
Kyle terada | USA TODAY SPORTS images
New Golden State Warriors teammates Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant greet in Oakland during Team USA’s warm-up tour prior to the 2016 Olympic games in Rio.
Five critical points for Team USA basketball By Brian Geisinger North State Journal he Olympics start in less than two weeks, and Team T USA opens up its basketball
schedule on August 6 when they take on China. Before Rio, the Americans are out in Las Vegas for training camp and a series of exhibition games as a final tuneup before things get going. As Mike Krzyzewski heads into his third and final Olympics as the head coach of USA Basketball, here are five things to keep an eye on. 1. America’s Finest Five At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who starts for this team — barring some unforeseen disaster, they will go 8-0 and win their third-straight gold medal. The roster isn’t as star-studded as it could be, but there is still an abundance of firepower. You could easily make the case the ten best players in the entire tournament field will be clad in red, white, blue and Nike swooshes. The talent gap is obvious. However, it’s still fun to mix and match with this ubiquitous roster to see how what the first five will look like.
Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson are the best at their positions and are locks. Paul George should probably start at the other forward spot, but Carmelo Anthony will likely get the nod. Melo is playing in his fourth Olympic games (everyone should suddenly feel very old), a record for an American basketball player. If Team USA claims gold, he’ll also become the first American hooper to win three gold medals in basketball, which is quite an accomplishment. DeMarcus Cousins is the best big man on the roster and should start at center.
dressed in their Sunday best and the news of a conference television station, the ESPN-powered ACC Network, kicking off the festivities at the Charlotte Westin. ESPN president John Skipper, a North Carolina graduate himself, was INSIDE: there to celebrate the new venture, which will begin as a streaming option in 2016 The North and launch as a cable channel in 2019. State Journal But after the business of the day was done, there was plenty of football to dis- staff offers its cuss. No one’s star shined brighter at the ACC media kickoff than Clemson’s. order of finish, Heisman finalist DeShaun Watson and predictions and head coach Dabo Swinney answered questions about defending their ACC ti- All-ACC team for tle, and what they need to finish the job the 2016 season. after falling just a single score short of Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship a year ago. Tigers linebacker Ben Boulware, not to be overlooked, collected his own accolades including “bestdressed player representative” (see B6). Locally, Larry Fedora sported a new beard and was more than happy to discuss the expectations for a North Carolina team picked to win the Coastal Division. Dave Doeren shared his confidence in an NC State team facing a tough 2016 schedule and his own expectations for the Wolfpack’s new offense. At Duke, David Cutcliffe had no certainties about the quarterback position but plans to see Thomas Sirk, recovering from an Achilles injury, on the field this fall. At Wake Forest Dave Clawson hopes to see the Demon Deacons turn the corner in his third year at the helm. Now that the media tour is done, the ACC teams will open fall camp. Before they do, we preview the year on B4-B5.
inside
2. The big man shuffle The Americans will bring two centers to Brazil: Cousins and DeAndre Jordan. Both are incredibly productive and accomplished players who get the job done in very different ways. So which one gets the lion’s share of minutes up front? Cousins is a bulldozer, built to put his head down and get buckets on whatever helpless defender tries to impede his progress to the rim. However, his bully-ball game isn’t necessarily a clean fit in the See USA, page B8
courtesy liberty university
After eight years as an assistant baseball coach for Mike Fox at North Carolina, Scott Jackson is leaving the UNC staff for Liberty to take the job as the Flames’ next head coach. Jackson, a former Liberty assistant, discusses his return and how the first weeks on the job have gone with the North State Journal’s Brooke Pryor. READ MORE on B3
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
B2
NS J beyond the box score 07.31.16
Amar’e Stoudemire: Stoudemire announced his retirement as a New York Knick on Tuesday. The six-time All Star played for the Suns, Knicks, Mavericks and Heat during his 14-year career. Tyronn Lue: Lue signed a five-year, $35 million extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers after taking over as head coach in the middle of the season and leading the team to its first NBA title. Ryan Fitzpatrick: Free agent quarterback ended his holdout with the New York Jets, agreeing to a one-year deal on the eve of training camp. Warren Sapp: The Hall of Fame defensive lineman was bitten by a shark off the coast of Florida. “Shark got a little chuck of me,” Sapp Tweeted. “We got Dinner! #Winning.” Randy Gregory: The Dallas Cowboys defensive end reportedly violated the NFL’s substance abuse policy for the second time and now faces another suspension in addition to his fourgame ban. Tom Coughlin: NFL reportedly hired the two-time Super Bowl champion coach for a position in the league office. Devin Hester: Former University of Miami standout and Chicago Bears supsterstar returner was released by the Falcons ahead of training camp.
POTENT QUOTABLES
Antonio Brown and Brandon Marshall’s bet
Jets wideout Brandon Marshall said on Instagram he’ll give up a new Porsche if Steelers WR Antonio Brown has more receiving yards, but “if I have more receiving yards than you, you’ve got to give me the Rolls-Royce,” referencing Brown’s Steelers-inspired Rolls-Royce.
Benny Sieu | USA TODAY Sports
“I’m not going to speak on those things, but I wish him well in the competition.” Aaron Rodgers on his brother bringing family stuff into the Bachelorette COURTESY OF ROLLS-ROYCE
golf
98/100 The 2016 PGA Championship features 98 of the top 100 golfers in the world, according to the Associated Press, rated as the toughest field ever for a major by the Official World Golf Ranking.
MLB
12 New Chicago Cubs pitcher Aroldis Chapman threw 12 of his 15 pitches over 100 miles per hour in his Wrigley Field debut, striking out two in one inning of work during an 8-1 win against the White Sox.
tennis
PGA Championship
Gary Hershorn | Reuters
A knee injury has knocked 17time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer out of the 2016 Rio Games, the U.S. Open and the rest of the tennis season.
Brian Spurlock | USA TODAY SPORTS images
John Daly showed up to the PGA Championship in blue stars for the practice round and graffitilined pants for Round 1.
NFL
Winslow Townson | USA TODAY SPORTS images
Jimmy Garoppolo and Tom Brady reported to the New England Patriots training camp in Foxborough, Mass. this week. Garoppolo, a thirdyear Patriot, is expected to start the first four games of the 2016 season (against the Cardinals, Bills, Dolphins and Texans) while Brady serve his Deflategate suspension.
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
B3
college baseball
Liberty University announces Scott Jackson as the seventh head coach in Liberty University Baseball’s history. A press conference is held in the Team Room at the Liberty Baseball Stadium on July 18. Photos courtesy of Joel Coleman
Scott Jackson on becoming a head
coach, leaving UNC and faith in baseball
By Brooke Pryor North State Journal
to do. You put your head down and you work and you look up when there’s opportunity and if it’s there and it’s something you want to do, then great, if not then put your head down and keep working. That’s kind of how I have always done things. I’ve been fortunate to have opportunities in my career. I think if you’re always looking for the next job, you’re just not going to be where your feet are with your own job. That was something that I always thought, I’ll just always keep my feet on the ground in Chapel Hill and do my best and I never thought really about leaving. But an opportunity would come and I’d address it. This is something that it’s the only thing at this point that it was really something I wanted to do and so I can’t wait. My family is coming up here today.
fter eight years as an assistant coach under Mike A Fox at North Carolina, Scott
Jackson left Chapel Hill to start his own head coaching career at Liberty. The North State Journal caught up with him a week after he was introduced as the Flames’ new head coach to talk about making a leap to being a head coach, the transition out of UNC, and playing the Tar Heels in the future. North State Journal: You have a lot of major changes happening. How’s it been? When did all of that get started? Scott Jackson: You know how that stuff goes, you’re out on the road all summer and kind of the rumors start to fly a little bit. I had gone up there and interviewed and then I think was one on the front end, so there was a little bit of time to wait. Then one thing led to another and here I am. It’s crazy. When did that process kind of start with you interviewing? Our Athletic Director here, Jeff Barber, reached out to Mike Fox and just wanted to see if it was OK if he approached me about it. I think probably over a twoweek span, two and a half weeks, things worked out. I was up there interviewing, I believe, on the 7th or 8th of July. And then after a week or two, here we go. He called me and offered me the job. And it’s been a whirlwind. I can tell you that much. No kidding, I can believe that. There’ve been rumors in past years linking you to other coaching openings, what was it about Liberty that kind of stood out? I think here, first of all, I was here as an assistant, and it’s just an unbelievable place to have your family. Just a good faithbased Christian campus with students who just really celebrate their faith and there’s a lot of opportunity for your family to be a part of the church that’s right here on campus. It’s a really cool thing that I really enjoy and then you throw in the fact that there’s resources and facilities here that are probably better than some of the ACC, SEC schools and you throw all that together, and the last part is my wife’s entire family is from right in this area, so just a lot of things, personally, professionally, spiritually, that I
Scott Jackson Age: 40 Hometown: Charlotte, N.C. College: Campbell Class: 1998 (BA)/2000 (M.Ed.) Previous Experienc: UNC (8 years), Liberty, UNCW, Campbell, Wofford, Barton Twitter: @JaxonSC
think are really, really different here and unique here. I think you can put yourself in the position to hopefully contend for a postseason every year. It was a win-win in all of those areas and here I am. UNC has a history of recruiting guys that have strong Christian values, there were guys with Christian walk-up songs. Does your experience bringing those guys in translate well to recruiting at Liberty and recruiting to a place that’s so rooted in faith? I think we all want to coach good kids. That makes it fun. We would have recruits that would ask coaches at UNC. I think a lot of families knew that our whole entire coaching staff were believers and so that was something that would come up now and again. I think coming here, and being around some of those kids [at UNC] and being able to see how they impacted my life and not just the way we impacted them, I’m looking forward to having a roster full of those guys and just having a blast with the new guys. We’ve got some unbelievable kids in here
right now for summer school. So I can’t wait to get them all back here in August. It seems like this kind of a ‘baptism by fire’ almost just getting in there so late in the game. Does that make it more difficult with the transition or do you just kind of get in there and go on autopilot? You just go. The last couple days, this is the first night, I probably sound like I’m hungover, but this is the first night that I’ve had more than about three hours of sleep. You lay down, and there’s just too much on your mind, you want to get this done, you want to get that done. You want to touch base with all of the players. I’m still trying to run a couple of those guys down this week. You’re talking about recruiting, which is the lifeblood of your program. There’s just so many things that go through your mind as a head coach that are your responsibility, and it’s fun, but it’s exhausting at the same time. But yeah, it’s definitely baptism by fire. I think that’s the best way to say it. Is it about what you expected making the the jump from assistant to head coach? Is there anything that kind of jumped up that you didn’t realize you’d have to do? I think you think you know, but then once you get going, you have no idea. Like holy cow. I didn’t think it was going to be this crazy. Just the text messages, the emails, the phone calls. I’m one of those that wants to get back to everybody ASAP and you can’t do that. You have things here on campus you have to address and
you have to prioritize. One of my best friends is Cliff Godwin, the head coach at East Carolina. I texted him the other day and I said, ‘you told me it was going to be crazy, but you didn’t tell me it was going to be this crazy.’ He started laughing. He said, ‘just hang in there, man, it’ll slow down.’ We joked about that a little bit. It’s definitely at a speed that I expected, but there’s a lot more going on at that speed, if that makes sense. That definitely makes sense. Have you talked to Coach Fox since your move? I talked to coach. I was in Chapel Hill Tuesday to clean out my office and just kind of wrap things up there and give him my keys, parking pass, all that kind of stuff. It was like a dream. Is this really happening? It was very difficult to leave. More difficult going over to Coach [Scott] Forbes’ house later that night because coach Forbes has two daughters and I have two sons, so our families have spent so many hours together. Not just saying goodbye, but I had a chance to talk to coach for a while and just kind of let him know how much he’s impacted my career and my life and those eight years were incredible. What a great place. Did you ever envision yourself leaving Chapel Hill? Or was leaving to start a head coach career elsewhere always a part of the plan? No, I never, when I first got there, that was the place I’d always dreamed of coaching. It never entered my mind that leaving would be something that I wanted
This season you and Coach Fox kind of switched places, you were coaching more out of the dugout. Do you feel like that was a calculated move at all knowing maybe you could end up in a head coaching job? Not at all. I think Coach was at a point where he wanted to turn the offense over to me and just let me have it. I think he wanted to have more of a presence in the dugout and just sit there and manage the game instead of run the game, does that make sense? Just managing it instead of running it and I think it was something he enjoyed. I know it was something I really enjoyed. It helps you as a coach. We did it all the time in the scrimmages and stuff. Of course it’s not the same until you get in the fire and you get in the battle. It was definitely not calculated but it’s going to help me down the road for sure. As far as scheduling, Liberty plays UNC fairly often, is that something that you want to schedule for next year or you want to wait a little bit before having them come up to you guys or you coming back to Chapel Hill? We’ve got it on the schedule for April 18th next year. We’re going to go down to Chapel Hill. I can’t wait. Is that going to be weird to be in the visitors’ dugout and not wear a Carolina blue uniform? I’ve had some luck in that dugout. We beat ECU and Stanford in that dugout to go to Omaha in 2009 and 2011. So I’m going to hope that that luck stays with me when I go back over there.
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
B4
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
B5
North State Journal’s 2016 ACC Predictions The North State Journal sent a trio of intrepid reporters to Charlotte for ACC Media Days. They came away with a slew of stories we’ll be running out over the course of the next few weeks. But
Brooke
Shawn
pryor
What’s the biggest hurdle for North Carolina in repeating as Coastal champs?
Brooke’s Picks
There’s no question that UNC will have a great offense. A new face running the system won’t change that. But the Tar Heels have to continue improving defensively. They’ll really miss Jeff Schoettmer as a leader and a player, so to repeat as Coastal champs, they’ll have to utilize more than Gene Chizik’s base defense. There’s no doubt the defense drastically improved under Chizik, but the Tar Heels still need to strengthen their run defense and find a way to stop teams in the red zone.
Next man up: Who’s the 2nd best ACC QB and 3rd best ACC running back? I’m gonna go with Miami’s Brad Kaaya. He showed flashes of greatness last year and will only get better as he matures. But the margin between him and Deshaun Watson at first and second is massive. I think Matt Dayes at N.C. State could break out this season and become the third-best ACC running back.
Best position group in the ACC? Is it cheating to say the defensive backs? That’s probably covering too many positions but those are the groups I struggled to vote for the top two on my ballot. Between FSU’s Derwin James, Virginia’s Quin Blanding, UNC’s Des Lawrence, Duke’s DeVon Edwards and so many more, the ACC talent is super deep in the secondary.
More bullish on Dino Babers (Syracuse coach) or skeptical of Wake Forest? Wake doesn’t have anything that excites me, and I
Coastal
Clemson
North Carolina
Florida State
Miami
Louisville
Pittsburgh
NC State
Duke
Syracuse
Virginia Tech
Boston College
Virginia
Wake Forest
Georgia Tech
The schedule. The Heels open ACC play with two trips to Florida and four consecutive games against bowl teams. No team got a worse crossover draw than Carolina (NC State and at FSU)
Next man up: Who’s the 2nd best ACC QB and 3rd best ACC running back?
really liked Babers’ energy at ACC Kickoff. Maybe that’s not a great reason, but he seems like he has the kind of energy that program needs to get going this season. Also the Coach Dino/Dino’s BBQ coincidence is my favorite thing in the ACC.
Where do you think Duke is the strongest heading into the fall? Special teams — at least as far as the return game. DeVon Edwards is ready to smoke some people and I am SO ready to see it happen. The offense is a little up in the air with Thomas Sirk trying to come back from injury to start at QB, and the defense will have to find an identity without Jeremy Cash.
Mike Williams or Artavis Scott? I love a good comeback story, but I’ve got to go with Artavis Scott. He had two stellar seasons and has a lot of momentum going into this season. Mike Williams was good, but I’d need to see him play in a game this season before picking him over Scott — which would be cheating — so I’m sticking with sure-thing Scott.
2016 All-ACC Teams
team, then quizzed them on why they chose who they chose. Below are their selections, answers to various questions and a consensus North State Journal 2016 All-Atlantic Coast Conference team.
krest
What’s the biggest hurdle for North Carolina in repeating as Coastal champs?
Atlantic
offense
first it’s time to preview the upcoming ACC season and put our money where our mouth is. We asked each reporter for their projected standings of each division, their top coach, top player and All-ACC
How was Brad Kaaya never a first-teamer” may be a question we struggle to answer for our children. For third-best RB, I’ll go with the firstbest guy from two years ago: Welcome back, James Conner.
Who will Georgia Tech beat in the Coastal Division in 2016? Who did Paul Johnson tick off in the ACC office? Three Coastal opponents get a bye the week before they play GT. No other ACC team has more than two opponents coming off the bye and five never play a bye-week team. The Jackets may surprise Pitt, and could have a shot at UVa. That’s it.
Mike Williams or Artavis Scott? Even ignoring the fact that Williams is returning from a serious injury, Scott is the choice. He has more catches, more yards, more touchdowns and is a playmaking threat in more facets than Williams, including carrying the ball and returning kicks and punts.
Shawn’s Picks Atlantic
Coastal
Clemson
North Carolina
Florida State
Miami
Louisville
Virginia Tech
NC State
Pittsburgh
Boston College
Duke
Syracuse
Virginia
Wake Forest
Georgia Tech
Which first-year coach will have the best season? Justin Fuente inherits the most talent, and Virginia Tech has the schedule most conducive to a confidence-building fast start in the ACC.
What stands out about Virginia’s Micah Kiser (on Krest’s preseason ballot for All-ACC)? Micah Kiser led the ACC (regular season) with 117 tackles last season and also finished near the top of the ACC in sacks (7.5), TFL (14) and solo tackles (64). He was second in the conference with three forced fumbles. With the Cavs moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4 this year, Kiser will have more opportunities to be in the middle of big plays on defense.
2016 ACC Player of the Year
defense
Unanimous pick
Position
Player
Team
Position
Player
Team
QB
Deshaun Watson
Clemson
DE
Ejuan Price
Pittsburgh
RB
Dalvin Cook
Florida State
DE
Ken Ekanem
Virginia Tech
RB
Elijah Hood
North Carolina
DT
Carlos Watkins
Clemson
WR
Isaiah Ford
Virginia Tech
DT
Nazair Jones
North Carolina
WR
Artavis Scott
Clemson
LB
Ben Boulware
Clemson
WR
Mike Williams
Clemson
LB
Devonte Fields
Louisville
TE
Bucky Hodges
Virginia Tech
LB
Keith Kelsey
Louisville
C
Jay Guillermo
Clemson
CB
Cordrea Tankersly
Clemson
OG
Kareem Are
Florida State
CB
DeVon Edwards
Duke
OG
Caleb Peterson
North Carolina
S
Derwin James
Florida State
OT
Roderick Johnson
Florida State
S
Jordan Whitehead
Pittsburgh
OT
Mitch Hyatt
Clemson John David Mercer | USA TODAY SPORTS images
Deshaun Watson
special teams Position
Player
Team
K
Greg Huegel
Clemson
P
Justin Vogel
Miami
RTN
Ryan Switzer
North Carolina
QB, Clemson Passing: 4,104 yards (8.4 yards per attempt), 67.8 completion percentage, 35 touchdowns, 13 interceptions
Rushing: 1,105 yards (5.3 yards per attempt), 12 touchdowns
Notable: First player in FBS history to throw for 4,000 yards and run for 1,000 in a single season; Heisman Trophy Finalist and 2015 ACC Player of the Year
R. Cory
smith
What’s the biggest hurdle for North Carolina in repeating as Coastal champs? Coastal chaos. What will Miami look like underMark Richt? Will James Conner return to his 2014 form? There’s no way Georgia Tech can implode again, right? There are at least four other teams in the Coastal capable of making the same jump as UNC last season.
Next man up: Who’s the 2nd best ACC QB and 3rd best ACC running back? Brad Kaaya and Matt Dayes. If Richt can work his magic like he did with Matthew Stafford, Aaron Murray and D.J. Shockley, Kaaya should be a lock for second-team All-ACC. Dayes was a stud last season for NC State, leading the ACC in total touchdowns (12) before a season-ending injury.
Who will Georgia Tech beat in the Coastal Division in 2016? Everyone or no one. Paul Johnson has been noticeably quiet this offseason and there’s been zero hype around the Yellow Jackets after last season’s debacle. Senior QB Justin Thomas can lead his team to wins over Virginia and Virginia Tech along with competing against Duke and Miami at home.
Where do you think Duke is strongest heading into the fall? Secondary. While quarterback should be their
Cory’s Picks Atlantic
Coastal
Clemson
North Carolina
Florida State
Miami
Louisville
Pittsburgh
NC State
Duke
Boston College
Georgia Tech
Wake Forest
Virginia Tech
Syracuse
Virginia
strong suit, there’s no guarantee Thomas Sirk is healthy to start the season. With four seniors expected to start in the secondary and DeVon Edwards leading the way, I expect Duke to put the clamps on opposing quarterbacks this year.
Is Bradley Chubb NC State’s most valuable player? Easily the most valuable defensive player. But with a new offensive system, Jaylen Samuels could see another huge year. A hybrid player who can bounce from tight end to running back, Samuel fits perfectly in Eli Drinkwitz’ scheme.
Which first-year coach has the best season? Richt. I’m not expecting a “rise of Miami” here, but Richt has a lot of talent on his roster. Having Brad Kaaya to go along with Stacy Coley and a senior-laden secondary sets Miami up very well.
2016 ACC Coach of the Year Brooke’s pick
Shawn’s pick
Cory’s pick
If Larry Fedora can guide the Tar Heels back to the ACC Championship game and duplicate the success of last season, he deserves a serious look as ACC Coach of the Year. UNC has been steadily improving every season and any sustained success is a big product of Fedora’s system, coaching hires and recruiting. With the core of UNC’s offense and defense returning, it shouldn’t be too difficult to sustain the success of last season. But a win at Florida State and against Georgia would cement Fedora as a front runner for coach of the year.
With an immensely talented team and virtually no expectations, Bobby Petrino has the two most important ingredients to a Coach of the Year run. Louisville’s defense could be dominant, and quarterback Lamar Jackson can take over a game. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Cards upset FSU and throw a scare into Clemson. Many people might not like Petrino because of offfield issues in the past, but he’s highly capable of engineering an effective offense that can disrupt the standings, and if he makes a run at the Atlantic title he would lock down this award.
Clemson heads into the season with higher expectations than any other team in the conference. With Deshaun Watson at the helm and a plethora of talent around him, Dabo Swinney just has to make the right calls to trounce an otherwise one-team Atlantic Division. Swinney has the most talented team in the conference and the best opportunity to make it back to the College Football Playoff. If Swinney can navigate the Tigers through the ACC schedule and beat both Auburn and South Carolina, there’s no reason he shouldn’t repeat as Coach of the Year.
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
B6 2016 rio olympics | sport
UNC’s Kevin Best heads to tenth Olympics By Shawn Krest North State Journal Usain Bolt set the world record in the 2008 Beijing Olympics by running 9.69 seconds in the 100-meter dash. Michael Phelps won four gold medals in the pool to become the most decorated Olympian in history in 2012 at London. Two of the most memorable performances in recent Olympic history took place four years and more than 5,000 miles apart, but Kevin Best was there to see both of them. Best is known to Triangle-area athletes and media as the University of North Carolina’s Assistant Athletic Director for Communications. He serves as the Sports Information Director for the Tar Heel football team, but the school allows him to moonlight in a job most people only dream about. Best left for Rio de Janeiro on July 29 to work his 10th Olympic Games, including every Winter and Summer Games since the turn of the millennium. The 20-year Olympic career began when Best happened to be in the right place at the right time. A 1993 UNC graduate, Best’s first job out of college was in the University of Georgia Sports Information office. At the time, a new division of the IOC was planning for the 1996 Summer Olympics, to be held in nearby Atlanta. “They went around looking for people to work the Games,” Best said. “I was an intern. I didn’t know what else I’d be doing in two years, so I said I’d do it.” The new organization, now known as Olympic Broadcasting Services, was responsible for providing the worldwide feed of the Games. “Before that,” Best explained, “the host country’s rights holder was responsible for the worldwide feed.” For example, in 1984, when the Summer Olympics were in Los Angeles, ABC had to provide the rest of the world with video of their athletes.
Sergio Moraes | Reuters
“That was difficult to do,” Best said. “If you’re the rights holder for the United States, you want to show American athletes. You don’t want to be burdened with trying to show every other athlete too.” The OBS was created to provide an unbiased feed of every competitor in every event. “We show every athlete the same way,” Best said. “For instance, in slalom, you might have 118 competitors. We show every single competitor coming down the mountain, with the same camera shots, the same angles. So if the 118th place athlete is from Thailand, the Thailand rights holder can get the footage. They can broadcast it live. They can talk over it with their own commentators. Or they can just use the footage later on for highlights.” Best’s role in the organization is similar to what he does with UNC football. He manages the rights holders from every country around the world, to make sure they’re getting what they need for their broadcast. While most of the journalists at a UNC football game have been there before, leaving Best to
help out the handful of newcomers, the Olympics are a different story. “Pretty much everyone there is a first-timer,” Best said. “They all come there and want to know, ‘Where do I go? Where can I be? Where can I set up cameras? Where do I get interviews? How do I do that?’ We’re the media-relations staff for the TV rights holders.” The challenge of the job comes in the post-event mix zone, an area where the athletes interact with the media that has the potential to become chaotic. “You think of a UNC football game that’s on ESPN,” Best said. “The game ends, and ESPN’s sideline reporter comes onto the field and wants that immediate post-game interview.” At the Olympics, every country with an athlete in the event has their own version of an ESPN sideline reporter, wanting the immediate reaction from their own athlete. Best and his staff are the ones to make sure that happens. “Now, if Usain Bolt sets a world record, when he hits that mix zone, everyone’s going to want to talk to him,” Best pointed out. “Who gets the first inter-
pics and hockey once. The timing of the Summer Olympics poses a bit of a logistical problem for Best’s day job. He left for Rio just as Carolina’s preseason football camp opened, meaning he’s leaving the team in the hands of assistants for more than two weeks. His last Summer Games, London 2012, took him away from UNC for the start of Larry Fedora’s first season as Tar Heel coach. “Carolina has been great about working with me,” Best said. “[AD] Bubba [Cunningham] and all the other athletic directors put a priority on professional development, and I really feel like this is an important part of my professional development. All the coaches [including Fedora] have been great. I miss part of preseason camp, but I’m back in plenty of time for the first game.” Best has helped the world’s media tell the big stories—“With Usain Bolt, I just remember all of us literally trying to hold up the bike barricade to keep the media from crushing him in the mix zone,” he said—and the smaller ones. “The only Mexican skier is also a prince [Prince Hubertus of Hohenlohe-Langenburg] and he competes every year,” Best said. “He was in Sochi in 2014, and I think he was 55 years old. There was also a Thai skier [Vanessa Vanakorn] who was also a world-renown violinist.” Rather than any one individual moment, however, Best’s favorite Olympic memory is the chance to work with people around the world. “In Beijing, my assistant was from Trinidad & Tobago,” Best recalled. “And we had another assistant from Australia and one from France. Then we were assigned students from around the world to help out. “It sounds corny, but you have people from all walks of life, speaking different languages, coming together to pull off the biggest sporting event in the world.”
A man walks past a newlypainted bike lane ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic games near Barra da Tijuca beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Wednesday.
view? The fourth? It’s going to be a lengthy process. For instance, in Brazil, their rights holder is TV Globo. They’ll get the first interview, followed by NBC. We might not get to Jamaica [Bolt’s home country] until interview number 62.” In the ‘96 Games, Best didn’t have to worry about coordinating interviews for any record setters. “I had worked with the Georgia gymnastics team, and [in the two years between his internship and the Olympics] I’d gotten a full time job at Nebraska, working with the volleyball team,” Best said. “So in ‘96, they had me work the eliminary rounds of volleyball—just the round-robin pool play, not the medal round— and rhythmic gymnastics, with the ribbon and the ball. And I thought that was going to be the only Olympics I ever worked.” In 2000, however, the OBS came calling again, and Best was on his way to Sydney. He worked Beach Volleyball in Sydney and Athens, track and field and the opening and closing ceremonies in Beijing and aquatics for London and Rio. He’s also done alpine skiing three times in the Winter Olym-
acc FOOTBALL
acc FOOTBALL
Coaching changes present a scouting challenge
Clemson’s Ben Boulware was the best dressed at ACC Media Days
By Shawn Krest North State Journal nc’s schedule is full of tough matchups, including U Pittsburgh on September 24 and
at FSU the following week. The Panthers were a surprise Coastal Division contender last season, and many prognosticators expect them to finish near the top again this year. Florida State is always packed with NFL-quality talent, and playing in Tallahassee is always a tough task. Quality of opponents aside, the two games are significant for another reason—they’re the only teams Carolina plays before November who have the same head coach as last season. Six of UNC’s first eight games are against teams with new coaches. The Tar Heels’ entire non-conference schedule consists of teams who went through a coaching change. In addition, the Coastal Division has three teams—Virginia, Virginia Tech and Miami—with new coaches. Carolina coach Larry Fedora said that the new faces on the opposing sidelines add some difficulty to game planning. “Luckily when you’re playing in-conference, usually for us it’s like the fourth game of the season, you get on into your season,” he said. “You actually have some film to study. Where it hurts us in these early games, our first three are brand-new head coaches and new staff. That makes it much more difficult when you’re trying to prepare for them without any film.” Carolina opens with Georgia, who hired Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart as their head coach over the offseason. “What do we look at for them,” Fedora asked, throwing up his hands in answer. “We’ll look at some Georgia film to see person-
nel. We’ll look at Alabama film. Their offensive coordinator (Jim Chaney) came from Pitt, so we’ll look at them. But we don’t know.” While Florida State is a conference foe with an established head coach, there’s also extra work involved in playing the Seminoles. Carolina hasn’t played FSU in six years, long before Fedora took over as head coach. That’s the task facing Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have four opponents with new coaches (the three Coastal foes and Georgia), and their first three foes of the season are new to Tech. “It’s always difficult, I think, anytime you do that,” head coach Paul Johnson said. “We have played with Boston College (the season opening opponent). We played against their offensive coordinator, who comes from Virginia Tech. The defensive coordinator was at Virginia for a couple years. So we do have some familiarity with those games. The next two (Mercer and Vanderbilt), we’re completely blind, but we’ll have some film to look at.” How does a team prepare to “fly blind” against an opponent with no history? One option is to just focus on execution. “We’ve done it for a long time,” Johnson said. “We get ourselves ready. We’re not worried about what the other team plays. We’re dialed in. Doesn’t make a difference whether they’re a threeman or eight-man front. It makes a difference whether they have really good players.” Other than that, it’s just a matter of in-game reaction. “They obviously have the advantage, where they know what you’re going to do, and you’re going to have to do a great job of adjusting during those games,” Fedora said. “Hopefully with a mature team that we have, we’re going to be able to make those adjustments early on.”
By Brooke Pryor North State Journal HARLOTTE — Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware C knew there would be a sea
of gray and black suits and team-colored ties at this year’s media day. It’s the unofficial uniform of coaches and player representatives. But he didn’t want to fade into the background in his first media day appearance, so he carefully crafted a collage of the south’s finest threads. A beige jacket reminiscent of burlap material, pink tie, purple and light orange paisley shirt, rolled-up light blue dress pants and brown oxford shoes. It was really quite the ensemble. “I knew a bunch of you guys would kind of see the basic suits, because I know a bunch of coaches wear a black or gray suit with a team tie and I wanted to mix it up and give a little spice to the media day,” Boulware said. “So I threw a couple of pieces together. I don’t know, I think it looks decent, different. I just got [the jacket] at M.H. Frank in Clemson. [The shirt] in Savannah, Georgia. The fake capris, they’re really just dress pants that I rolled up, I got them in Charleston. The shoes in Belk in Easley [South Carolina].” Boulware described himself as a “reserved” person off the field, contrasting with his monster personality on the field. But his loud outfit was anything but reserved. He insists that he wasn’t trying to make anything but a fashion statement with his outfit — he just wanted to generate a little buzz. “I was trying to look good,” the senior said. “I wasn’t trying to convey no message, I just knew there would be a bunch of
Jeremy Brevard | USA TODAY SPORTS images
Clemson Tigers linebacker Ben Boulware speaks with the media during the ACC Football Kickoff at Westin Charlotte.
cameras around, and I wanted to look good. That’s really it.” So will this outfit make an appearance on the “Tiger Walk” before games this fall? “I would wear it on Tiger Walk but on the plane ride here, Coach (Dabo) Swinney was like, ‘You know you’re not wearing it on Tiger Walk. I don’t know what you think you’re doing. I’ll let it slide because I didn’t know you were wearing it. But it’s not what
you’re wearing on Tiger Walk,’” Boulware said. “I can probably wear a lot of it, I just couldn’t wear the shirt. The shirt is probably too colorful. I’ll probably have to roll the pants down. I’ll find something that looks good. It won’t be as colorful as this. Probably can’t wear the pink tie either. It’s a one-time thing.” Just to confirm, I asked Swinney if he could wear it. “Absolutely not.”
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
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panthers
2016 Carolina Panthers Preview: Positional preview By Sports XChange North State Journal CAMP CALENDAR: Full squad reports July 27; first practice July 28; camp breaks Aug. 16. QUARTERBACKS Starter: Cam Newton. Backups: Derek Anderson, Joe Webb.
Listing all of Newton’s 2015 accomplishments would take a while, so here are just a couple: He led the NFL with 45 total touchdowns, becoming the first player with at least 30 passing touchdowns (35) and 10 rushing touchdowns (10) in a single season. But he came back down to earth in the Super Bowl, both on the field and in his poorly handled post-game press conference. When needed, Anderson has proven to be a solid backup. Webb, who has turned into a special teams ace, hasn’t attempted a pass in a regular-season game since 2011. RUNNING BACKS Sarters: Jonathan Stewart, FB Mike Tolbert. Backups: Cameron ArtisPayne, Brandon Wegher, Fozzy Whittaker, Jalen Simmons, Devon Johnson.
Despite missing the final three games of the regular season, Stewart’s 242 attempts in 2015 were a career best, and his seven total touchdowns were his most since 2009. The Panthers’ offense functions best when he’s the workhorse, complemented by Whittaker, Artis-Payne and Tolbert. Johnson, an undrafted rookie from Marshall, could be groomed to one day take over for Tolbert. TIGHT ENDS Starter: Greg Olsen.
Backups: Ed Dickson, Scott Simonson, Beau Sandland, Braxton Deaver, Marcus Lucas.
Olsen led the Panthers in receptions (77) and receiving yards (1,104) last year, becoming just the seventh tight end in NFL history with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Dickson has been OK during his two years in Charlotte, but the Panthers are hoping to develop a guy like Sandland or Deaver into more of a pass-catching threat. WIDE RECEIVERS Starters: Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess. Backups: Brenton Bersin, Philly Brown, Ted Ginn Jr., Stephen Hill, Kevin Norwood, Damiere Byrd, LaRon Byrd, Avius Capers, Keyarris Garrett, Cobi Hamilton, Tobais Palmer, Miles Shuler.
When Benjamin went down with a torn ACL last summer, most assumed the season was over. The Panthers proved doubters wrong, and now they get Benjamin back. After a slow start to his rookie year, Funchess started showing Benjamin-esque promise and could be in for a bigger second season. Ginn destroyed his career high with 10 touchdown catches, doubling his total from his 2013 season in Carolina. Assuming Ginn isn’t able to replicate his double-digit scoring output, the Panthers hope Brown continues his improvement through a third season. They’ll also give one more chance to former Jets second-round pick Hill, who like Benjamin, tore his ACL in last year’s camp.
Jeremy Brevard | USA TODAY SPORTS images
David Yankey, G Chris Scott, T Daryl Williams, T David Foucault, T Donald Hawkins, T Jordan Rigsbee.
After a disastrous season in Tennessee, Oher resurrected his career by solidifying Newton’s blind side. But the strength of the Panthers’ line is in the middle. Sandwiched between mean and talented second-year guards Turner and Norwell, Kalil made a fifth Pro Bowl. Remmers held off Williams at right tackle last year, but Remmers’ job won’t be so secure after his Super Bowl struggles. The Panthers needed to find a backup center this offseason, so they signed Gradkowski, who can play both center and guard. DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Starters: DLE Charles Johnson, DLT Star Lotulelei, DRT Kawann Short, DRE Kony Ealy. Backups: DE Mario Addison, DE Rakim Cox, DE Ryan Delaire, DE Wes Horton, DE Arthur Miley, DE Larry Webster, DT Chas Alecxih, DT Vernon Butler, DT Eric Crume, DT Paul Soliai, DT Robert Thomas, DT Kyle Love.
Starters: LT Michael Oher, LG Trai Turner, C Ryan Kalil, RG Andrew Norwell, RT Mike Remmers. Backups: C/G Gino Gradkowski, C Matt Masifilo, G Reese Dismukes, G Tyler Larsen, G
The Panthers like to slide ends like Ealy into the middle, but they may opt to keep him mostly on the outside now. Johnson, Addison and the young guys should combine for a solid pass rush, but Ealy has the highest ceil-
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) stands on the field during the training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. on Thursday.
ing. Short destroyed a franchise record for sacks by a defensive tackle with 11.0 in 2015, tied for the most in the NFL. Lotulelei wasn’t as prolific, but his role is more about taking up space than racking up stats. Soliai, who fell out of favor in Atlanta, should be a good backup, and the Panthers were thrilled about what they saw in spring workouts from Butler, their first-round pick. LINEBACKERS Starters: WLB Thomas Davis, MLB Luke Kuechly, SLB Shaq Thompson. Backups: Ben Jacobs, A.J. Klein, David Mayo, Jared Barber, Brian Blechen, Jeremy Cash, Jared Norris.
There isn’t a whole lot to say about Kuechly and Davis that isn’t already known. Despite missing three games in 2015, Kuechly set a career high with six interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns in the postseason while playing with a sore shoulder that required offseason surgery. In Davis’ 10th season, he made his first Pro Bowl with career bests of 5.5 sacks and four interceptions. As the No. 3 linebacker on a unit that mostly plays nickel, Thompson saw just one-third of the possible defensive snaps as a rookie. But he flashed all sorts of potential, and along with Klein and Mayo, the Panthers have
plenty of depth. DEFENSIVE BACKS Starters: LCB Bene’ Benwikere, RCB James Bradberry, SS Kurt Coleman, FS Tre Boston. Backups: CB Robert McClain, CB Teddy Williams, CB Lou Young, CB Leonard Johnson, CB Zack Sanchez, CB Daryl Worley, S Marcus Ball, S Travell Dixon, S Trenton Robinson, S Colin Jones, S Dean Marlowe.
The Panthers shocked the league when they rescinded Josh Norman’s franchise tag in April, setting up a cornerback makeover. They used three straight picks on the position in the draft, and Bradberry spent most of the spring at a starting spot. The Panthers still plan to move Benwikere from No. 1 nickel to a full-time role on the outside, but he may be needed in the slot if Sanchez isn’t ready as a rookie. Safety is a bit thin, too. Coleman was a pleasant surprise last year, and Boston has starting experience, but the secondary could be a weak spot. SPECIAL TEAMS K Graham Gano, P Mike Scifres, P Swayze Waters, KOR Fozzy Whittaker, PR Ted Ginn Jr., LS J.J. Jansen.
What was a sometimes disastrous unit in 2014 improved at least a bit last year. The biggest problem for Gano wasn’t accuracy, but that four of his six missed field goals were blocked. The Panthers let Brad Nortman take more money as a free agent in Jacksonville, so the punter position will be a question mark in camp. Scifres spent the last 13 seasons with San Diego, so he has a leg up on Waters, who has never punted in a regular-season game. Ginn still has juice as a punt returner, but Whittaker doesn’t provide much on kickoffs.
NBA
carolina hurricanes
NC legend speaks up for social change
Hurricanes coach Bill Peters signs extension
Michael Jordan calls for change with $2 million donation to civil rights, communitypolice groups
By Cory Lavalette North State Journal
By Liz Moomey North State Journal HARLOTTE — Michael Jordan, an owner and C chairman of the Charlotte
Hornets, released a statement about the recent shootings of African-Americans and targeting of police officers with a contribution of $2 million to show his support. Released as an open letter on The Undefeated, Jordan said he has been troubled by the shootings: “As a proud American, a father who lost his own dad in a senseless act of violence, and a black man, I have been deeply troubled by the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement and angered by the cowardly and hateful targeting and killing of police officers. I grieve with the families who have lost loved ones, as I know their pain all too well.” He stated he has an appreciation for law enforcement as they protect him and his family, but acknowledges that other people do not have that same experience. Jordan will make a contribution of $1 million each to two organizations, the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s newly founded Institute for Community-Police Relations and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. His reasoning for these two organizations were they were both programs to improve the relationship between law enforcement and communities. “Although I know these contributions alone are not enough
Danny La | USA TODAY SPORTS images
Charlotte Hornets principal owner Michael Jordan watches first half action against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Mercedes-Benz Arena last October.
“Although I know these contributions alone are not enough to solve the problem, I hope the resources will help both organizations make a positive difference.” Michael Jordan
to solve the problem, I hope the resources will help both organizations make a positive difference,” he stated. Jordan concluded the state-
ment saying he knows the problem didn’t happen overnight and will not be solved overnight, but called for working together for change. “We are privileged to live in the world’s greatest country — a country that has provided my family and me the greatest of opportunities,” Jordan said. “The problems we face didn’t happen overnight and they won’t be solved tomorrow, but if we all work together, we can foster greater understanding, positive change and create a more peaceful world for ourselves, our children, our families and our communities.”
RALEIGH — After two seasons of Bill Peters coaching in Raleigh, the Carolina Hurricanes think they have a good thing going. On Wednesday, they committed to Peters by agreeing to a contract extension that keeps him behind the bench through the 2018-19 season. “He’s got just an unending kind of thirst for knowledge,” general manager Ron Francis said Wednesday. “He’s extremely hard-working. He doesn’t take a day off. If anything, it’s me trying to pull him back a little bit here and there.” Peters, 65-72-27 in his first two years in Carolina, is entering the final season of his initial threeyear contract with the team, and is considered a rising star in the NHL coaching ranks. While the Hurricanes failed to make the postseason in his two seasons with the team, Peters guided Carolina to a 15-point improvement in the standings during 2015-16, despite having one of the league’s youngest rosters. “I think when you go back a couple years ago, there was a lot of questions about who we had hired and [he] wasn’t really well known,” Francis said. “But I think in the two years he’s been here, he’s done a tremendous job in coaching. I think that’s being noticed in other places, as well as [his] opportunities with Canada and the World Championships as an assistant coach and a head coach, and now with the World Cup team as well. In May Peters guided Canada to gold at the IIHF World Championships in Russia, and he will be one of Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock’s assistants for Team Canada at the reborn World Cup of Hockey in September.
Peters said his World Cup coaching duties for Canada will include scouting other teams, including perhaps going overseas to watch some pre-tournament games, and being in the press box for games during the tournament. Babcock’s other assistants are all former Jack Adams Trophy winners: Joel Quenneville and Claude Julien, who have both won Stanley Cups, and Barry Trotz, who was the NHL’s coach of the year last season. As for his NHL squad, Peters is excited about his new deal and has an eye on the postseason in Year 3 of his tenure. “Professionally, it’s the right thing for me, and I want to see this thing through and I want to get into the playoffs and I wanna go on a run,” Peters said. Peters praised his young team, particularly his defense. The team should head in to training camp with second-year pro Jaccob Slavin alongside Justin Faulk on its top defensive pairing, he said. That would allow Ron Hainsey to mentor former first-rounder Ryan Murphy, while Carolina’s other two second-year defenders — Noah Hanifin and Brett Pesce — could fill out the D corps. The Canes roster has matured but so has Peters, who said he’s learned a lot in his first two years as an NHL bench boss. The coach understands there is room for growth, however, and cited three specific areas he wants to improve in during 2016-17. “You get a little older, you become a little more patient; that’s something that I can get better at for sure,” Peters said. “The art of communication with the millennials is important. And rest as a weapon.” Francis said the team would revisit the contracts of its assistant coaches — Steve Smith, Rod Brind’Amour and David Marcoux — after the season.
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
B8 MLB
NC teams helped make Fort Bragg game happen By Shawn Krest North State Journal he playing surface at Fort Bragg Stadium received T rave reviews from MLB players,
managers and executives — an accomplishment even more impressive than usual, considering it was an overgrown section of a former golf course just four months earlier. “I was blown away by the quality of the field,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred concurred. “It’s really beyond what I expected.” The field was one of the few topics the players’ union and commissioner’s office agreed on. “The field looks like it’s been here forever,” said Tony Clark, a former player and current executive director of the MLB Players’ Association. “And I saw the pre-pictures. I know what it looked like before they started.” Credit for the construction goes to Murray Cook, the chief field consultant for MLB. “He’s the gentleman who goes around and connects all the dots on the ground,” said Clark. Cook has helped get fields ready in Puerto Rico (where MLB has held regular season games) and Italy (a site for the World Baseball Classic). While he’s used to getting fields ready for MLB play, Cook still needed some last-minute help in a rare situation like Fort Bragg, and for that, he — just like any good Southern man would — relied on some neighbors, including Scott Strickland of the Durham Bulls. Strickland is the Bulls’ Director of Stadium Operations, but he spent 12 seasons as the team’s head groundskeeper. He’s also worked with Cook before, during a 2009 trip to Puerto Rico. “He invited a bunch of guys from the Southeast to help out at Fort Bragg,” Strickland said. “He brought in myself, the head groundskeeper from Gwinnett [the Braves’ Triple-A franchise and a divisional rival of the Bulls], and the head groundskeeper from the Greensboro Grasshoppers [the Marlins’ Sin-
gle-A team]. We went down there for a couple days.” Not only did Cook need their help getting the field ready for the big event, but the local groundskeepers helped with training the stadium’s grassroots grounds crew. “We had about 20 active-duty people with us, and they were going to be our tarp crew,” Strickland said. With rain expected over the weekend, it was a job that took on extra importance, because MLB wanted to make sure the game ended up actually happening. Strickland and his cohorts helped train the soldiers on how to care for a Major League playing field. MLB also reached out to local teams for help with accessories they didn’t have on hand for a one-time-use stadium. “That’s the thing — you build a facility in four months in the middle of nowhere, you don’t have all the equipment you need,” Strickland said. “The batting practice greens [put down in front of home plate to keep the infield from getting chopped up during pregame] came from Cary, from the USA Baseball complex. They needed a few extra batting practice screens, so I took those down bright and early on Saturday. [Bulls general manager] Mike Birling took down some field drags.” The group effort helped lead to the special feelings and emotions surrounding the event. “This was one big community coming together,” Strickland said. “It was the 250,000 people living and working on the base coming together like a neighborhood block party, and there just happened to be a 12,000 seat stadium with a baseball game going on at the center of it.” While the quality of the field was a big surprise to outsiders, it wasn’t a surprise for the professionals who make a living caring for baseball fields. “The field itself wasn’t that big of a surprise to me,” Strickland said. “It’s standard to us. It’s a sand-based field, the same as every MLB field. They use all the
Eamon queeney | north state journal
The Miami Marlins stretch for batting practice before the Major League Baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Miami Marlins at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Sunday, July 3, 2016. The game went down in history as the first regular-season professional game of any sport played on an active military base.
same type of infield dirt, material, sod. So the actual field itself, I knew would be in great shape.” Even with rain in the forecast and a 3 p.m. ET storm forcing the evacuation of the stadium, it was just business as usual in the hours leading up to the game. “Saturday, we were doing a bunch of fine-tuning to the field, to get it ready for the game,” Strickland said. “Sunday was more of a normal game day: fix the bullpens after side sessions, get the field ready for batting practice, and then after batting practice, get the field ready for the game. In terms of standard days, it was no different than it would be at our facility on the day before a homestand and the first day of a homestand.” The work was routine. The setting, anything but. “The experience itself was pretty incredible,” Strickland
3. The Death Lineup, Americanized Krzyzewski has never been afraid to go small, even against the tallest international opponents. In 2012, he frequently deployed a frontline of Durant, Anthony and LeBron James. Now, you won’t receive a courage badge by rolling with a talented trio like that, but throwing up three small forwards against the Spanish twin towers of Marc and Pau Gasol was bold. And, like most things K does, it worked. Anthony has always functioned nicely as a small-ball four in K’s offense — well before that became his adapted position in the NBA. But with Draymond Green on the roster, the Americans now have the same luxury the Golden State Warriors had the last two seasons: they can go small, keep their skill level high and not drop off defensively. Green stands 6-7, but he’s proven him-
for starting lineup introductions, just to film everything secretly.” Even a veteran like Strickland found himself getting caught up in the emotion. “I’ve been struggling to put words to what all it was,” he said. “You’re on a bus or a truck, going down the road, and then you go through a checkpoint to get on the base. Then you’re driving down this narrow road, and straight out of Field of Dreams, they’ve constructed this stadium there.” “We take so much for granted,” he continued. “I did some math. I work 72 Bulls games a year, and then there’s Team USA stuff and Duke games. You get so used to it. I’ve worked probably around 1300 games in my professional career. “I know I’ve never worked anything like that, and I’m confident I’ll never work anything as cool as that again.”
college football
usa from page B1 slash-and-kick international style of play. Jordan is a genetic freak — a 6-11, long-armed menace who leaps like someone his size shouldn’t be able to. He led the NBA in points per possession on rim runs (1.4) and field-goal percentage from within five feet of the basket (73.1 percent), per NBA.com’s player tracking. International basket-interference rules are different than the NBA. When the ball is on the rim, it’s live, which means opponents can swipe it off the rim before it drops through for two points. In the past, Krzyzewski has favored speedier shot blockers to start at center: Dwight Howard (2008), Tyson Chandler (2010, 2012) and Anthony Davis (2014). Jordan’s a horrendous free-throw shooter and that’s being kind. He has the capability to be a fantastic international center, but there are only 40 total minutes for the centers to share, and that number will be reduced even when Coach K decides to downsize. Speaking of which...
said. “There was no difference in the expressions and emotions between the players, the troops that were there, their significant loved ones and their kids. The five-year-old kid had the same expression as the 32-year-old soldier as the 25-year-old player. They were all like they were at Disney World for the first time.” Strickland was at field level for the pregame ceremonies, including the dramatic flyover by four helicopters. “I was in the first-base dugout with the active-duty people on our grounds crew,” he said. “When those helicopters went over, they were all jumping up and down like they’d just won Game Seven of the World Series. They were screaming, pumping their fists. They were fired up! “And on the field, about half the players had their phones with them when they went out
McCrory, Cooper stump for ECU inclusion in Big 12 By R. Cory Smith North State Journal
Joshua Dahl | USA TODAY SPORTS images
USA forward Carmelo Anthony (left) and guard Kevin Durant (middle) and forward Draymond Green (right) look on during a practice at Mendenhall Center in Las Vegas on July 19.
self to be the league’s most versatile defender the last 24 months, guarding point guards, forwards and centers who stand six inches taller than he does. Green will make his international debut in the Olympics, and it will be fascinating to see what Team USA looks like when he lines up as their nominal center.
rie slightly morph his game to become more of a facilitator? Will it even matter? He’s played brilliantly for Team USA in the past: Irving shot 56 percent from the field (61 percent on threes) during the 2014 FIBA World Cup, when he started all nine games and was named the tournament’s MVP.
4. It’s Kyrie’s mic, let him flow
5. Slingshot, engage.
Point guard was once the deepest position in the American pipeline. But injuries and recovery have forced veterans Chris Paul, Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook to sit out the games this summer, which means it’s go time for Irving. Irving is coming off a performance for the ages during the 2016 NBA Finals, where he outplayed Curry and became the sidekick LeBron always dreamed of. With his handles, he’ll be unguardable whenever he has the ball in his hands. However, Coach K will need his former college point guard to run the show and create for his teammates, too. If this team is missing one thing, it’s a distributor. Can Ky-
Thompson already makes catch-and-shoot 3-pointers look like layups, and that’s from behind the NBA’s arc. Even after moving the line back in 2010, the international three-point line is shorter at the top of the key than the NBA’s — 22 feet, 1.7 inches to 23 feet, 9 inches. Gone are the days, like the disastrous 2004 Olympics, when teams could zone Team USA on offense and chop off driving lanes. Thompson and Durant are two of the greatest shooters roaming Earth, and plenty of other players — Melo, Irving, Green, Kyle Lowry and George — can fill it, too. For a few short weeks in August, this will be America’s air force. Look out below.
East Carolina has done everything short of physically showing up to Irving, Texas and throwing itself at the Big 12 to become a member. Now, the Pirates have support from two of the biggest political figures in the state backing them. N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory and Attorney General Roy Cooper both endorsed ECU for the Big 12 on Wednesday. Despite competing with each other on the ballots in November, both parties agreed getting ECU to the Big 12 was a worthy cause to support. Cooper was the first to voice his support in a letter released from his office. “Academically, ECU is an institution of higher education with nationally recognized undergraduate, graduate and medical programs,” Cooper wrote. “It is a critical component of the crown jewel of North Carolina, the University of North Carolina higher education system. In addition, ECU athletics is a source of pride for fans across North Carolina. “I am confident ECU would make for an excellent member institution for the Big 12.” Not to be outdone, McCrory soon followed by endorsing the Pirates. A source with direct knowledge of the request told the North State Journal East Carolina reached out to McCrory for his endorsement of the school joining the Big 12.
“In addition to the 16,828 members of the Pirate Club and the more than 45,000 Pirate fans that attend home football games in Greenville, East Carolina University would provide the Big 12 a substantial presence throughout the ninth largest state in the country and leverage the combined television markets of Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Charlotte,” McCrory wrote. With only a few seats left at the Power-5 Conference table, there has been an all-out assault by the ECU athletics department. Whether it’s pointing out the proximity to other Big 12 universities, touting attendance, annual donations or the huge TV markets, Jeff Compher and his staff have done everything imaginable to paint the Greenville school as a viable candidate. On Thursday, both McCrory and Cooper return to being opponents during the 2016 gubernatorial election. But with issues like H.B. 2, limiting body cameras for police and bringing back the NBA AllStar Game to debate over the next several months, let’s just bask in the fact that ECU can unify the parties. Will ECU become a Big 12 member? Unlikely. Is publicly begging for a bigger piece of the pie the smartest way to do business? Probably not. Does it bring the parties together under one unified cause? Yes. That, my friends, is the power of sports.
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gather “We thought, why not serve White Russians and wear bathrobes?” said event co-planner Molly Matlock on the beginning of The Dude Abides Party honoring the cult classic movie, “The Big Lebowski,” now in its fourth year of fun. See page C4
the good life IN A NORTH STATE OF MIND
techknow
NS J SUNDAY
7.31.16
playlist August 4-6 61st Annual Robbins Farmers Day Robbins Thursday night there is a 5K run/walk and gospel music on the railroad stage. Friday evening events include street dances, a country music show, clogging, square dancing, and a carnival atmosphere. Entertainment, special demonstrations, arts and crafts, and parade begin Saturday at 11 a.m. robbinsfarmersday.com 2016 U.S. Kids Golf Championship Pinehurst The U.S. Kids Golf World Championship is the largest and most prestigious event in the world for players 12 and under. This three-day tournament, held in the setting of tall Southern pines and Donald Ross greens, attracts over 1,450 participants from across the United States and more than 51 countries abroad. Players, ages 6 to 12, qualify for the World Championship through world championship qualifiers, local tours, European and regional championships, and performance in previous World Championships. uskidsgolf.com
August 5-6 PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
From left, brothers Brandon and Jason Arthurs and Andrew Johnson meet at Jubala Coffee to discuss marketing strategies on Friday, July 8. The three founded Neatso, an on-demand app that connects users with home cleaning professionals.
Clean living in a click A new app makes it easier than ever to get your house cleaned, but we wanted to hear more about the creative people behind it. By Samantha Gratton North State Journal
A
new app makes it easier than ever to get your house cleaned, but we wanted to hear more about the people behind the app. Imagine your house is a bit of a mess (for some of us that’s easier to imagine than others), and you have company coming next weekend but a full week ahead of you. Instead of pulling late nights to get it all done in time, you schedule a cleaning from your phone and a vetted cleaning professional gets it done. With the new app, Neatso, this on-demand service is entirely possible. Download the app or sign up on the website to fill in your details and get a quote. Then, simply schedule your cleaning. Cleanings require a two-hour minimum and you can request cleaners either on-demand or on a regular basis. On the other side of the app, the cleaners are able to use the technology as a simple way to connect with clients and get all of the scheduling details in one place. As interesting as it is to sign up for a home cleaning with a few quick finger swipes on your phone, the people behind the app might not be See TECHKNOW, page C6
Inside
Beer, Bourbon, and Barbecue Festival Cary Two days of sixty beers, forty bourbons, and loads of barbecue including the Cary Classic BBQ Competition. Come out and see the teams and their rigs as they smoke out their flavors. Some of the best barbecue vendors will be there if you get hungry while enjoying the seminars in the tasting theater and listening to live music all day. beerandbourbon.com
August 6 6th Annual Mead Day Pittsboro Mead Day is the day set aside by the American Homebrewers Association to make, drink, and celebrate everything mead. Starrlight Mead thinks it’s a great excuse for a miniRenaissance Faire so they are inviting folks to dress up and join them for their biggest event of the year. starrlightmead.com
From left, brothers Jason and Brandon Arthurs put together marketing material about their company Neatso on Friday, July 8.
SUNDAY STORY
This summer the young women at Meredith college writer’s camp have crafted amazing stories, and they’ve been generous enough to share them with us for a special Sunday Story series. See page C7
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
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necessities the engine
history marked
Does your vehicle have an open recall?
August 1, 1952
By Josh Hyatt North State Journal here are over 45 million vehicles that had T safety recalls issued between
2013 and 2015 that are still unrepaired. That number, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data provided by J.D. Power, means there’s roughly one recalled vehicle for every 7th person in the United States. Is one of them yours? Fortunately, it’s easy to figure out. First, you’ll need your ride’s vehicle identification number, or VIN. If you don’t already know how to locate it, here are a few common spots provided by the DMV: • Lower-left corner of dashboard, in front of steering wheel (viewable through windshield) • Front of the engine block (look near front of your engine) • Front of the car frame (usually near your windshield washer fluid container) • Rear wheel well (directly above the tire) • Inside the driver-side doorjamb (under where the sideview mirror would be if the door was shut) • Driver-side doorpost (near where the door latches) •Under the spare tire Your vehicle’s VIN is also commonly listed on your vehicle’s various forms of documentation, including the vehicle title, registration card, insurance documents, and repair records. Armed with your VIN, you can now visit safercar.gov or your vehicle manufacturer’s website, and search for recalls by your vehicle’s own identification number. If your vehicle has any specific needs, there will be instructions for a remedy in the description of the recall provided by the manufacturer. One thing to keep in mind: if you search for recalls by your vehicle’s year, make, and model and your vehicle pops up, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your specific vehicle is affected. Some recalls are limited to very specific populations of vehicles made during a specific year, at a specific facility, or a whole slew of other reasons that may have resulted in a recall. For example, let’s say there’s a recall out for a 2016 Toyota Camry. Well, if that recall was only for the first 200 vehicles made out of thousands, that’s something you could only know if you searched by VIN. Whether you drive a newer or a later model vehicle now you're prepared for a recall.
Voices Contributors to this section this week include: Samantha Gratton Josh Hyatt Alison Miller Liz Moomey Ava Sutton
Tell us Know a North Carolina story that needs telling? Drop us a line at features@nsjonline.com.
Lowe’s Home Improvement was incorporated I. S. Lowe founded the hardware store in North Wilkesboro in 1921. His son, Jim Lowe, and sonin-law, Carl Buchanan, took over the store after his death. Buchanan recognized the post-World War II building boom that was coming to the county, and narrowed Lowe’s focus to selling only hardware, appliances, and building materials.
August 2, 1953
James Larkin Pearson was appointed the second Poet Laureate of North Carolina by Governor William B. Umstead. He would remain in the post until his death at age 102 in 1981. Born in a Wilkes County log cabin in 1879, Pearson showed talent for rhyming despite his limited formal education.
just a pinch it's
than...
Whatever colloquial Southern term you insert here, there’s no denying the oppressive heat is the main deterrent to a successful fall garden. Act like a farmer and rise early or go out late to do your work and enjoy a second growing season. The first step, as always, is to start with your soil. It’s a good time to add compost to your garden, just make sure if you buy composted material that it is thoroughly composted. Otherwise, if it still contains those twigs, barks, and pieces of straw then it will suck the nitrogen out of your soil as it decomposes and you don’t want that—it will have a dark earthy texture and no odor. Hydrate, grab your sunscreen, your best sun hat, and set the stage for fall garden success.
August 5, 1940
Roman Gabriel Jr. was born in Wilmington. Gabriel gained fame as the quarterback for NC State from 1959 to 1961, where he was a two-time All-American and a twotime ACC Player of the Year. His skill as a quarterback led him to set numerous passing records at NC State, and his jersey was retired in 1962. In 1989, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
August 6, 1945
Major Thomas Wilson Ferebee, U.S. Army Air Forces bombardier and Mocksville native, dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. The 12-man crew aboard the B-29 bomber, the Enola Gay, took off for Hiroshima at 2 a.m. from Tinian Island in the Western Pacific. Information courtesy of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
turn the page Quail Ridge Books, a Raleigh independent bookstore icon has moved and settled into a permanent space at 4209-100 Lassiter Mill Road in Raleigh at North Hills. This week they will be hosting a couple of instore events in their new digs to celebrate. Congrats, moving is hard and your new space is lovely. Here’s to many years of brightening minds through the magic of books.
the table Local family serves up a taste of Philly in the Triangle By Liz Moomey North State Journal Philadelphia marks the birthplace of American politics, but more importantly, Philly cheesesteaks. When North Carolina delegates and speakers traveled to the Democratic National Convention, I traveled to Anvil’s Cheesesteaks in Raleigh. Tucked away in a corner of a strip mall, Anvil’s Cheesesteaks offers an authentic Philly cheesesteak that has thinly sliced steak, melted white American cheese, and an option of “wit’ or wit’out” onions packed into a roll from Neomonde Bakery. The walls of Anvil’s show the charm of Philadelphia — with photos of the Liberty Bell, the LOVE statue, Eagles signs, and more — bringing in pieces of Bob “Anvil” Thompson’s hometown. The main piece of his home is the top menu item — the cheesesteak. Barbara Weeks, Thompson’s wife and co-owner, said they wanted to show Raleigh an authentic Philly cheesesteak. “He was never happy with the cheesesteaks around the country, because they are never done right, so we opened a little cheesesteak shop,” Weeks said. Thompson said the key to a good cheesesteak is keeping everything fresh, from the meat to the
peppers. “We slice the steak where most places, even in Philadelphia, buy it from meat packing companies, because it is a lot more labor,” Thompson said. “But we buy the roast and slice the roast every morning so it tastes like steak.” He added every night they have to thaw out the steak, so it is still partially frozen in the morning to slice it thinly. The ingredients are bought twice a week and the produce is bought locally. They offered two cheese options: American or aged provolone cheese, instead of Cheez Whiz. “He generally believes the simpler something is the better,” Weeks said. “We don’t do Cheez Whiz, because he can’t bear to put all that work into the sandwich and then put Cheez Whiz on top of it.” To keep things simple, behind the counter is family. Thompson is in the kitchen and Weeks deals with the business side of things. Their son Dylan cooks, mans the register, and fills in the gaps while their daughter Lindsy helps out in the summers and weekends as she attends East Carolina. “It’s great we’re all doing the same thing,” Weeks said. “But as a family, we also argue about everything. We are always going back and forth of what we want to do, but it is nice we are all working toward the same thing.” Bob "Anvil" Thompson cooks cheesesteaks on the grill at Anvil's Cheesesteaks, the restaurant that he owns with his wife Barbara Weeks, in Raleigh on Thursday, July 28.
Monday, August 1 7:00 p.m.
Thomas Olde Heuvelt author of“Hex” released April 2016
Wednesday, August 3 7:00 p.m.
Randy Johnson author of “Grandfather Mountain: The History and Guide to an Appalachian Icon” released June 2016 MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
stir it up “I wanted to do something with a vegetable on our summer drink list. I love carrot juice, and it’s a natural fit with ginger. Aperol is herbaceous and bitter but has some sweetness too—it plays very well with North Carolina-made Sutler’s Gin. I love bloody marys, but there are just not a lot of drinks in that savory, vegetable-driven category. This one is delicious enough for Saturday night but can also aid in recovery on Sunday morning.” —Seth Sullivan, The Cardinal, Boone
Garden Gnome 1½ ounces Sutler’s Gin ½ ounce Aperol 1½ ounces carrot juice ½ ounce lemon juice 4 - 5 dashes Angostura bitters Ginger beer Combine all ingredients except ginger beer in a shaker. Shake over ice, then strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. Top with ginger beer and stir once. Garnish with a lemon twist or small carrot.
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
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the maker Lawson Hammock Company | Raleigh The Blue Ridge Camping Hammock created by Lawson Hammock combines the comfort of a hammock with the protection of a tent. It is designed to be hung in the trees (as shown) or it can even be used on the ground.
PHOTO COURTESY OF linked ring photography
By Liz Moomey North State Journal
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EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Wes Johnson, owner of Lawson Hammock, poses for a photograph outside of HQ Raleigh downtown, Tuesday, July 26.
world,” Johnson said. “There is a component of it that is inspiring people to get outside more, especially in nature, especially kids these days don’t as much. It’s good for this generation to inspire them to get outside.” Starting his own business has also helped Johnson change his lifestyle. Lawson Hammock first was a side business for Johnson. He was operating it out of his house and using just a few resources for manufacturing, shipping, and promoting. As the business grew organically and the product was sold in retailers, such as Great Outdoor Provision, he was struggling to keep up. “The way I was doing it wasn’t sustainable,” Johnson said. “If they ordered five or six or ten, I was overwhelmed. It’s going to take forever putting all the com-
ponents together, getting it to them, and at the time, it was a little side gig. I had a real job at the time, and I did this for fun.” Johnson was at a crossroads — whether to end Lawson Hammock or get help with the assembly and production. He chose the latter. When Johnson lost his job after the economy tanked, he found himself with another decision to make. He now had the time to concentrate on his business fulltime but needed to decide whether to find a new job or expand Lawson Hammock. “I realized when I started focusing on it full-time, I was like ‘hey there is something to this. I could really potentially turn this into something, like a full-time job or a legitimate outdoor, camping product business,’ so I started to
“There is a component of it that is inspiring people to get outside more, especially in nature, especially kids these days don’t as much. It’s good for this generation to inspire them to get outside.”
© Disney
esigning the prototype, pitching to big name retailers, managing shipping and manufacturing, and talking to customers, Wes Johnson is hanging solo. Lawson Hammock Company, known for its combination tent hammocks, has reached 25 countries since it was founded in 1997. According to Johnson, the business has evolved by accident and difficult decisions. Johnson first discovered hammocks at a festival and quickly learned they weren’t comfortable for a long period of time. “I realized, ‘Hey, this is really cool for hanging out and lounging, but it’s not really conducive for overnight sleeping or camping,’” Johnson said. “It creates a cocoon effect or a banana effect, and it’s comfortable for a short period of time. But for overnight, it’s not spread out enough, and you can’t really roll over on your side or sleep on your side, and at the time, there weren’t accessaries, like for bug netting.” Johnson said he started to tinker with bringing the two together, both a tent off the ground that could protect campers from animals, bugs, and rain as well as a temporary shelter to be able to camp on all terrains or without trees. He said the design has allowed a variety of people to enjoy the outdoors, especially kids who may have been afraid of camping or sleeping outside beforehand. “That’s been fun and exciting to see that well I’m not changing the
do that — focusing on it full-time and I got into additional retailers,” Johnson said. He added Bass Pro Shops and L.L. Bean to his list of retailers. He also started going to HQ Raleigh, at first as a way to work in a different atmosphere. “It would be five or six o’clock in the evening, and I would realize I was wearing what I woke up in,” Johnson said. “I would go in public and feel socially awkward because I hadn’t seen anyone all day. I really need to be around people and living.” Johnson realized HQ Raleigh provided more opportunities for networking, resources, and partnerships like the NC State Entrepreneurship Clinic. Between the support he gets there and a little help with assembly, he is equipped to run the rest of the business all on his own. “I’m really a one-man show — a solo entrepreneur,” Johnson said. “It’s me for the most part.”
AUGUST 16-21
Hurry for Best Seats | New Seats Available at $30
+ taxes & fees
— Wes Johnson, owner of Lawson Hammock
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North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
gather North Carolina Museum of Art | Raleigh
Left, Joshua Lynch, of Elon, impersonates a Nihilist from "The Big Lebowski" during The Dude Abides costume contest at the North Carolina Museum of Art on Saturday, July 23. Right, Jason Hassel, of Garner, offers his support for Lebowski for President.
North Carolina was the first state to establish an art museum using state funds when they opened The North Carolina Museum of Art in their first established home on Morgan Street in downtown Raleigh in 1956, thanks to the idea brought forth by a collective group of arts-minded citizens that came together to form the North Carolina State Arts Society in 1924. Almost 100 years later and now ensconced in their Blue Ridge Road home, the NCMA continues to grow. By the end of this year their expansion is set to bring a new streetscape, dynamic water elements, and landscaping designed to be experienced as art. The staff of event planners make sure their programs reach all ages, engage with visitors, and are accessible. It is one of the foremost destination museums in the Southeast. We visited for one of their summer movie nights for the screening of “The Big Lebowski” and The Dude Abides party—complete with White Russians, local food trucks, life-size bowling, and a costume contest.
Top, Kimberly and Ian Richardson, of Raleigh, take a selfie with a cutout of the Dude himself during "The Big Lebowski " The Dude Abides party at the North Carolina Museum of Art on Saturday, July 23. Left, Lea Woodard, of Durham, waits in line for the costume contest dressed as the rug from the movie.
PHOTOS BY MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Bryan Safrit, of Raleigh, practices his bowling skills while dressed as the Dude during "The Big Lebowski" The Dude Abides party at the North Carolina Museum of Art on Saturday, July 23.
upcoming events The North Carolina Museum of Art will continue to delight and entertain patrons as the heat of summer wanes and fall draws near. Upcoming films and events include:
August 5 and August 6
September 2
9:00 p.m.
8:30 p.m.
“Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens”
“The Martian”
August 12
September 3
9:00 p.m.
8:30 p.m.
“North by Northwest”
“The Princess Bride”
August 19
September 16
8:30 p.m.
8:30 p.m.
“Spotlight”
“The Jungle Book”
August 26
October 31
6:00 p.m.
check website for time
Monster Drawing Rally
"The Big Lebowski" is screened outdoors as part of The Dude Abides party at the North Carolina Museum of Art on Saturday, July 23.
Halloween party and a movie:
An art museum fundraising event created to support programming hopes to make art accessible. Artists will create on-site and auction pieces off immediately with a cap on pricing for the artwork at $50. Come for the art and meet the artists, then stay for the movie. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” will be playing on the big screen at 8:30 p.m.
Complete with photographs from N.C. native Wes Naman and his distorted Scotch tape series along with a Halloween makeup workshop, this is an event you’ll want to put on your calendar now. The night will coincide with a showing of “What We Do In The Shadows.”
August 27
Check ncartmuseum.org to confirm times and details for all events.
8:30 p.m.
“Spectre”
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North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
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the seed
watermelon day | state farmers market Harper Brooke Williams, 2, right, of Bailey, eats watermelon with the North Carolina Watermelon Queen Sarah Lemons, 20, left, during Watermelon Day at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh on Thursday, July 28.
PHOTOS BY MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
By Jennifer Wood North State Journal
JJ
ust about the time July rolls around and our thoughts turn to celebrations of liberty and freedom, watermelon farmers across North Carolina are getting in gear for the height of their harvest. “The season runs from around July 4 into September for certain varieties,” according to Nick Augostini, with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “N.C. watermelons have been excellent so far this year.” He added, “It’s tough to remember now, but there was a short period at the beginning of the summer there where it got cooler, but farmers are really moving their produce now.” Watermelons can grow in a wide range of soil types, but they prefer sandy soil, making our coastal plain the best place to find the highest concentration of watermelon growers in the state. This juicy summer treat packs a vitamin punch since it is high in vitamin B6, C, and potassium. The State Farmers Market hosted Watermelon Day on Thursday, July 28 and invited the public to sample slices,
The first recorded watermelon harvest occurred nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt. Watermelon is 92% water. Watermelon's official name is Citrullus Lanatus of the botanical family Curcurbitaceae.
H.C. Williams, left, of Wilson County, and Larry Boyette, center, of Rock Ridge, measure Boyette's watermelon as Ann Boyette records the measurements before judging for the heaviest watermelon during Watermelon Day at the State Farmers Market on Thursday, July 28. Boyette's watermelon weighed in at 177.5 pounds but was no match for Williams's 200 pound melon.
meet the reigning 2016 Watermelon Queen, and take in the hard work and heft the growers brought in for the largest watermelon contest. In North Carolina more than 950 farms grow watermelons, making us the eighth largest producer of watermelons in the nation.
Information courtesy of the NCDA&CS.
Looking toward August there’s even more watermelon goodness to celebrate. From August 3-6, The Murfreesboro Historical Association will host their annual North Carolina Watermelon Festival, and from August 25-27, Winterville will host the 31st Winterville Watermelon Festival.
TECHKNOW from page C1 whom you would expect. Andrew Johnson and brothers Jason and Brandon Arthurs are business partners, and co-founders of Neatso, but they have no background in cleaning homes nor have they built dozens of apps before this one. Even still, they feel they are the right guys for the job. Why? Because at the core, it all comes down to problem solving. “If you can be calm and collected, it will go well,” said Jason, both in regards to his business and the people he hires. Jason, 35, and Johnson, 27, both graduates of University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, first met in 2008 at the Carolina Photojournalism Workshop. Jason was there as a coach as he had worked for several years as a photojournalist at various North Carolina newspapers, and Andrew was still a student at the time. Within the following few years, Jason had transitioned to working full-time as a freelancer, doing photo and video projects as well as directing and producing documentaries such as “Without a Fight” and “The Last Barn Dance.” Meanwhile, Johnson graduated and traveled to Kenya to also work on the “Without a Fight” documentary before moving to Florida to work as a photojournalist for a newspaper. After some encouragement from Jason and a desire to be closer to the woman who is now his wife, Johnson moved back to Raleigh in early 2013. The two continued to work on various video projects both together and independently, effectively learning the ropes as private contractors and small business owners. From dealing with invoicing to pursuing new work to learning how to best market their strengths and differentiating factors, they were unknowingly building a foundation of business skills for Neatso. Before Neatso came to be they joked that Jason had a couple of good ideas they never acted on. Johnson eventually told Jason that the next time he had an idea they would do something about. When Jason realized that he and several of his friends had a hard
By weight, watermelon is the most consumed melon in the U.S., followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.
MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The Neatso app allows users to schedule times to have their house cleaned.
time finding and scheduling a trusted home cleaner, the idea for an app presented itself and they decided to pursue the possibility. Johnson had always enjoyed coding and web development on the side, so he welcomed the opportunity to learn Swift, a programming language, to build the app. Once it became clear that this was a viable business venture, Jason’s brother, Brandon, began
overseeing the financials for the business. Brandon, who lives in Florida and works in wealth management for Merrill Lynch, had faced similar problems finding a home cleaner. Jason then handled the legal side of setting up the business, the onboarding process with the cleaners, and marketing the app. From the beginning, they have been intentional and cautious with their funds. Between already having the office space from their videography work and the skills to make the business happen, their overhead costs were low. After meeting with a few other on-demand businesses and studying the successes and downfalls of those who have built similar apps, they focused on being profitable from day one of the launch. Other than friends and family, they are self-funded and have not yet taken on investors, although they are set up in a way that may be conducive to that in the future. “We wanted to make sure we could control our growth,” said Jason. After an initial beta test with some apartment buildings in Raleigh, they launched in February with the iOS app in addition to the website. From varying marketing techniques to a day of “going viral” when an Instagram account highlighted their business before they were ready to meet the demand, each new accomplishment is met with new challenges. All the while, Jason and Johnson have continued working with clients doing video, photography, and marketing. Right now, Neatso is in the Triangle area with hopes of expanding, especially to areas like Asheville where there is a number of Airbnbs that need cleaning after each guest. Eventually, they plan to take the app to larger areas around the country. Both are excited for the potential with Neatso and hope to make it their full-time jobs and focus, but until then, they seem to content to continue working on video and photography as well. Despite what it may look like from the outside, perhaps this new app is not so different from what they were already doing after all. At the end of the day, they are still problem solvers.
North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
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Sunday Poem Meredith College Young Writers Series
Summer Day By Ava Sutton (age 11) Editor’s note
We are reviving our Sunday Story series here with a visit to Raleigh’s Meredith College. Every summer for the past decade Meredith College has hosted rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grade young women on their campus for a young writers camp. It is a week for young women to spend in imagination, creativity, and fun with director Ashley Hogan at the helm guiding writing exercises led by published faculty teaching fiction, poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction. We are excited to highlight the emerging talent of these young writers as they polish their craft.
On a summer day, Under a tree as meant, The leaves shapes like a tent, With grass like tiny needles, Moving as fast as beetles, Birds chirping with motivation, I want to hear their conversation, Time is frozen, Like I’ve chosen, And birds diving in a “U”, And I’m stuck here with you.
COMING UP in the good life Tick, tock
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Regardless of your age, August seems to bring with it that back-to-school feeling. We've got a list of all the things to love about August in N.C. and a backto-school series to help you keep your wits about you.
The mountains were calling And we had to go—there are so many wonderful nooks and crannies of North Carolina to explore, so we’re taking a trip to Western N.C. to soak up the rich and expansive culture and agriculture from this beautiful part of the state.
Dog gone
While the world gears up for the Olympic Games in Rio, we’ll join the College of Veterinary Medicine at NCSU for their 25th Annual Dog Olympics this fall.
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North State Journal for Sunday, July 31, 2016
pen & Paper pursuits
Janric classic sudoku
Solutions from 7.24.16
I reckon . . .
Your guide to whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what, where, why, and how to say it.
The Carolina Lily was named for AndrĂŠ Michaux, an 18th century naturalist remembered for his contributions to botany, horticulture, and agriculture. The flower grows from Cherokee to Pamlico County, and in some places the orange bloom reaches up to four feet high. In 2003 the North Carolina General Assembly named the Carolina Lily the official state wildflower.