North State Journal Vol. 9, Issue 22

the BRIEF this week

Secret Service director steps down Washington, D.C.

The director of the Secret Service resigned Tuesday in the aftermath of the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump that unleashed an outcry about how the agency failed in its core mission to protect current and former presidents. Kimberly Cheatle, who had served as Secret Service director since August 2022, faced growing calls to resign and several investigations into how a gunman was able to get so close to the Republican presidential nominee at an outdoor campaign rally in Pennsylvania. Cheatle’s departure was unlikely to end the scrutiny of the longtroubled agency after the failures of July 13, and it comes at a critical juncture ahead of the Democratic National Convention and a busy presidential campaign season. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have promised more investigations. An inspector general probe and an independent and bipartisan e ort launched at President Joe Biden’s behest will keep the agency in the spotlight.

Menendez resigning from Senate after conviction

Trenton, N.J.

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez is resigning from o ce Aug. 20 following his conviction for taking bribes for corrupt acts including acting as an agent of the Egyptian government, The Associated Press reported Tuesday. Menendez had insisted after the July 16 verdict that he was innocent and promised to appeal. The resignation gives New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, the ability to appoint someone to the Senate for the remainder of Menendez’s term, which expires on Jan. 3. The seat was already up for election on Nov. 5. Democrats have nominated U.S. Rep. Andy Kim, who’s in strong position in the Democratic-leaning state. He faces Republican Curtis Bashaw. Menendez, 70, was convicted of charges that he sold the power of his o ce to three New Jersey businessmen who sought a variety of favors. Prosecutors said Menendez used his in uence to meddle in three di erent state and federal criminal investigations to protect his associates. They said he helped one bribe-paying friend get a multimillion-dollar deal with a Qatari investment fund and another keep a contract to provide religious certi cation for meat bound for Egypt.

inside

North State Journal’s annual ranking of the state’s top lobbyists is out. See who made the cut from more than 750 lobbyists who have served as registered lobbyists or legislative liaisons this year. See the rankings on A9.

State Health Plan, Aetna to set out on bene ts road tour

The new third party administrator replaces BCBSNC in 2025

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell announced that the State Health Plan and Aetna, the plan’s new third party administrator, will be hitting the road to meet with members about bene ts and “enhanced programs” that will begin Jan. 1, 2025. Per a press release from Folwell’s o ce, the road tour will give State Health Plan (SHP) members the chance to ask questions and learn more about the transition. Flu shots will be available at road tour stops for members while supplies last.

The road tour will begin in Raleigh at the treasurer’s o ce on July 25. The next stop will include the General Assembly in Raleigh on Aug. 22, followed by stops in Charlotte, Wilmington, Asheville, Winston-Sa-

lem, Fayetteville and other locations. The SHP 2025 open enrollment period is Sept. 30 through Oct. 25, and members will receive information in the mail this summer.

Webinars, telephone town halls and other in-person events will be part of the road tour, with details found at shpnc.org/upcoming-events.

“We’re thrilled to o er teachers, state employees and others who serve our state the ability to meet directly with representatives of Aetna,” Folwell said in a press release.

“With the litigation behind us, we are focusing on providing a seamless transition for members. The new contract re ects a partnership with Aetna not only focusing on transparency and lowering costs, but also providing high-quality and accessible health care.”

The road tour follows the conclusion of legal challenges to the selection of Aetna as the third party administrator (TPA).

Blue Cross and Blue Shield

See AETNA, page A8

Biden bows out, endorses Harris

After weeks of pressure, the president announced he won’t see reelection

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — President Joe Biden bowed out of his reelection campaign, saying in a letter Sunday posted to the social media platform X that he will not seek the Democrat Party’s nomination. He is the rst president to not seek reelection since President Lyndon Johnson in 1968.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden’s letter said. “And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on ful lling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.” Biden, whose campaign had asserted he would not be dropping out of the race as recently as Sunday morning, said he would address the nation this week.

try, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead.”

Speculation on who Harris will pick as her vice presidential running mate has included North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who was with Harris stumping for Biden last week in the state. Cooper supported Biden at a Raleigh campaign rally following the president’s disastrous June debate performance.

“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination.”

Vice President Kamala Harris

In a separate post on X, Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him as the party’s nominee for president. Harris released a statement on X praising Biden’s public service and saying she would pursue the nomination.

“I am honored to have the President’s endorsement and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” her statement said. “Over the past year, I have traveled across the coun-

Other names mentioned as a potential running mate with Harris include Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

A little over an hour after Biden’s letter hit social media, Cooper issued a statement thanking Biden for his service.

“President Biden has cemented his place among our nation’s nest Presidents,” Cooper said.

Cooper later issued another statement endorsing Harris.

“I’ve known @VP going back to our days as AGs, and she has what it takes to defeat Donald Trump and lead our country thoughtfully and with integrity,” Cooper wrote. “I look forward to campaigning for her as we work to win NC up and down the ticket.”

It is unlikely Cooper would step down as governor if selected as Harris’ VP pick. Should he step down, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson would take over

See BIDEN, page A8

NCSBE approves RFK Jr.’s party, denies another

The We The People Party was approved, but Cornel West’s Justice For All Party was denied

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — For the third time in a month, the North Carolina State Board of Elections met about certifying two proposed political parties that have presidential candidates who want to be included on the November election ballot.

The board voted to certify the We The People Party — with candidate Robert Kennedy Jr. — while denying candidate Cornel West’s Justice For All Party.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) voted 4-1 to approve the We The People Party (WTP) but denied certi cation of the Justice For All Party (JFA) in a 3-2 party line vote.

The lone vote against WTP came from Siobhan Millen, who spent several minutes before the vote making the case that the motives of the two parties to gain certi cation were in con ict with state statutes.

Millen said she believed “North Carolina law was being misapplied” when it came to WTP and JFA.

“Our job is to look at the circumstances and see if they actually are parties,” Millen said. “People of good faith can disagree on that question.”

She also described in detail that WTP and JFA both were listed under di erent party names and a liations in other states as a means of underscoring her point.

Millen described two statutes, one on rules for party formation (NC 163-96) and one on the powers and duties of the board of elections (NC 163-122). Millen asserted that the statutes needed to be “read together.”

“I am going to reluctantly vote to recognize We The People, even though I believe there has been subterfuge.”

Alan Hirsch, NCSBE chair

Because the two statutes concern the same subject matter — petitions for ballot access — North Carolina precedent dictates that they must be construed using the Canon of in Pari Materia on the same subject matter,” Millen said.

“Meaning that the two statutes are to be read together.” Millen also claimed this interpretation of the statutes supported the denial of certi cation.

“The purpose and intent of a new party cannot merely be to place a particular candidate on the ballot because that

is the subject matter of GS 163122,” Millen said. “The statutory structure, in other words, makes it clear that a political party is intended to be more than a transitory entity designed to be a vehicle for a single candidate.”

However, the statute for party creation cited by Millen doesn’t include consideration of motives.

“I don’t really think that we need to hunt for, you know, what is a political party? Because the General Assembly has de ned a political party in 163.96,” board member Kev-

See NCSBE, page A2

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

Do I believe the old Book? Do I really believe it? My heart answers that I do. The deepest consciousness of my soul testi es that it is true. I will tell you some of the reasons why I believe it.

The Bible is the oldest, and still the newest, of books. God’s book reaches back not only to the “beginning” of this terrestrial world, but into eternity. It is the book of eternity, and within its folds lie the grandeur and sublimity of the great unknown future.

It never gets out-of-date. Other books have their run of popularity and are forgotten — but the Bible never grows old. To the Christian, it never grows stale — but is always fresh and always satisfying. It reveals new depths that we fail to fathom, new heights that we cannot scale, and new beauties that enrapture our vision.

When we read a book written by man, however interesting it may be, it soon loses its interest and its charm. We do not nd new beauties in it as we do in the Bible. Its treasures are soon exhausted — but the Bible is ever new, The Bible is the most loved of all books. Wherever the Bible goes, people learn to love and to treasure it above all other books combined. It is the one book that people love — it is the treasure that people hold fast even at the risk of their lives.

It is also the most-hated book. I suppose more books have been written against the Bible than against all other books combined. Men do not hate Shakespeare, Milton or Longfellow. They do not hate works on science, books of travel, or other sacred texts of the world. They hate only the Bible. It could be that critics nd in the Bible something they nd nowhere else — a true picture of themselves and the picture is not pleasant to look upon.

The Bible is judged by a standard far more stringent than any other book. No critic would think of treating any other book

signatures and characterized it as a “ shing expedition.”

in Lewis said following Millen’s commentary, adding that both parties obtained the required number of signatures.

Board member Stacey “Four” Eggers echoed Lewis’ comments about signature thresholds, saying, “These parties have the necessary signatures and must be approved.”

Before the vote was taken on WTP, Chairman Alan Hirsch said he agreed with Millen’s take but would vote for certication of that party despite “subterfuge.”

“I am going to reluctantly vote to recognize We The People, even though I believe there has been subterfuge,” said Hirsch. “Fundamentally, because I think that it is such a close call that ultimately a court would have to decide it, and therefore I’m not sure the board should be the one that is standing in the way.”

During the discussion of JFA, Hirsch said the lawyers for JFA, as well as attorneys for groups who helped JFA collect signatures, had “refused to comply” with subpoenas from the NCSBE asking about their collection activities.

JFA North Carolina blasted the “illegal subpoenas” in a post on the social media platform X earlier this month. The post also included the party chair’s response and stated, “This is political persecution orchestrated by Marc Elias and the NC Democrats.”

Hirsch also recapped that sta had looked at a sample of 250 signatures that included phone numbers, only a handful of which sta were able to contact.

Eggers questioned the random sampling of JFA’s petition

“Well, I will say that in the history of my knowledge of this board, have we ever taken a random sample and then extrapolated that polling to try and undo a decision that we’ve had before us?” Eggers asked.

“By my reading of this, we have 30 folks who have told us they did not sign, which still leaves this shing expedition with 3,246 more signatures to go before you get under a threshold,” Eggers said. “I understand that you don’t like independent signature gatherers, but the statute doesn’t limit that.”

The statutory requirement signature threshold to certify a party in North Carolina is a calculation based on the percentage of registered voters in the most recent election. Getting 14,000 or more signatures would meet the requirement, which both groups obtained.

Following the votes, NCGOP Chairman Jason Simmons issued a statement critical of the board.

“The actions today from the Democrat-majority NC State Board of Elections con rms our belief they were explicitly acting out of political expediency for Democrats and Joe Biden,” Simmons said. “By all measures, both parties today should have been approved in June.”

The July 16 certi cation ends more than a month of third parties being denied certi cation to be on the ballot despite receiving the number of required signatures to qualify.

The NCSBE rst voted not to certify the parties at a meeting on June 26; the vote was 3-2 down party lines. The votes denying certi cation came from the three Democrats. At its

as he treats the Bible, nor of requiring of any other book what he requires of the Bible. The more men hate God — the more they hate his Word.

The Bible has withstood all assaults. The greatest intellects of modern times nd themselves ba ed by it. The sharpest arrows forged by unbelief have not pierced it. Countless critical theories — religious, philosophic, scienti c — have only brightened and made it better known. It is the law of nature that error is self-destructive — but that truth cannot be destroyed; and according to this law, the Bible must be true because of its indestructibility.

The Bible tells me of myself. My deepest emotions and longings, my highest thoughts and hopes, are mirrored there. It speaks of my secret ambitions, dearest hopes and deepest fears. No man can know me as the Bible knows me.

The Bible gives comfort. To what book do those in sorrow turn? To Voltaire? to

Ingersoll? Do they turn to poetry or ction?

Scripture is a letter from home to the forlorn wanderer or a mother’s voice to the child. Friends may speak words to comfort us — but they cannot comfort us as does the Book.

It is also the book of hope. Sometimes man despairs, and he looks here and there for hope, nding none — but there is one book in which hope may always be found. In the troubled soul, it brings calm. It lifts up the stricken, strengthens the feeble and restores the courageous.

The Bible is the book of the dying. For what book do the dying call? There is but one book for that hour. There is but one book which can throw light into that shadowy valley. That is the Bible.

The Bible contains the only answer to the enigma of life. The “why” of life is found nowhere else. Other books tell us many truths about life, but Scripture interprets life. Men have sought everywhere for the secret of life and the things that pertain thereto — but everywhere, except in the Bible — they nd only darkness, obscurity and uncertainty.

The Bible outlives all its critics. It has many times been pronounced dead, but still it lives. Those who anchor their faith upon it need not fear what voice is raised against it for it is truth, and those who ght against it ght against God and are themselves ruined.

The Bible is adapted to all people of every race and climate, to the high and the low, the rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant. It is the Book of books.

Charles Wesley Naylor is considered one of the most proli c and inspiring songwriters of the Church of God. He was bedridden for much of his adult life but wrote eight books, a newspaper column and over 150 songs. Many of his writings are in the public domain.

July 9 meeting, NCSBE Chair Alan Hirsch refused to bring a vote to certify the status of the two parties and postponed certi cation again. At the July 9 meeting, the NCSBE did certify one party, unanimously reversing its June 26 decision to keep the Constitution Party o the ballot. Democratic members of the board had questioned the ling address listed on the party’s peti-

tion during the June meeting. The failure to certify the remaining two parties drew national attention and accusations that the Democratic members of the NCSBE were protecting President Joe Biden by keeping other presidential candidates o the ballot.

On July 1, U.S. House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and U.S. House Committee on Administra-

tion Chairman Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wis.) announced a congressional probe into the matter.

Following the congressional probe announcement, the N.C. House Oversight and Reform Committee sent letters to Hirsch, NCSBE Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell and Lewis requesting they appear at a hearing on the issue. The date of the hearing has not yet been announced.

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“Still Life with Bible” by Vincent van Gogh (1885) is a painting in the collection of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., pictured May 24 in Washington, D.C., will be on the ballot in North Carolina after his We The People Party was certi ed by the North Carolina State Board of Elections last week.

NCSBE from page A1

Hudson discusses congressional race, issues facing district, country

The 9th District congressman’s concerns include veteran a airs, military base security, in ation, crime and border crossings

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Congressman Richard Hudson sees several serious economic and security issues for both the nation and the constituents in his district as they head to the ballot box this November.

“I know a lot of people out there are frustrated with the direction of the country, but they should know that they’ve got a congressman who’s working hard for them and better days are coming,” Hudson, North Carolina’s 9th District U.S representative, told North State Journal in an interview about his upcoming reelection prospects.

Hudson has concerns about what is happening in the country, but not among them are his two opponents this fall: una liated candidate Shelane Etchison and Democrat Nigel Bristow.

“I’ve always believed if I do a good job representing the people then the election will take care of itself. And so I’m just focusing on continuing to do my job,” Hudson said. “We’ll communicate with the voters in the fall, but they’ll reelect me or not based on my record.”

Redistricting in the past year changed Hudson’s 8th Congressional District designation to the state’s 9th District. Hudson was rst elected to Congress in 2012.

“I would just say that it’s been an honor to serve as a congressman for the communities I represent,” Hudson said. “And I work very hard to be accessible and to represent the needs of the people of my district.”

Hudson said he’s combined “a very conservative voting record” with the ability to work across the aisle to get things done, making him the “most e ective lawmaker” from North Carolina based on bills he’s been able to pass.

Hudson, 52, said his most important issue is “taking care of the men and women at Fort Liberty and their families,” which includes addressing housing shortages on the base.

“We’ve also been able to secure pay increases in Fiscal Year ’24 and Fiscal Year ’25,” Hudson said. “For this year, it’s a 19% pay raise. It’s higher for our lower enlisted, and so I’m proud of that.”

Hudson said securing $16 billion in the last appropriation cycle for VA mental health pro -

grams shows his commitment to veterans, and military base and infrastructure security are also priorities.

He also addressed increased reports of foreign nationals trying to in ltrate U.S. military installations with colleagues from California and Texas in a June letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Hudson added that the grid attack in Moore County two years ago “really woke a lot of people up to how vulnerable our grid is” and said he’s working on several pieces of legislation to focus the federal government on security and funding modernization of the grid.

“I’ve got a bill that just passed the Senate — it’s already passed the House — called Advanced Nuclear Deployment Act, which reduces red tape for getting U.S. companies able to build advanced nuclear reactors,” said Hudson. “I think that’s kind of the future of grid security is having these small modular nuclear reactors which are much smaller than traditional reactors.”

Hudson said the fuel for the

“I know a lot of people out there are frustrated with the direction of the country, but they should know that they’ve got a congressman who’s working hard for them and better days are coming.”

Congressman Richard Hudson (R-NC-09)

reactors “is not dangerous,” and would allow the U.S. to have microgrids that decrease the vulnerability of a mass outage. He added that former President Donald Trump’s energy secretary came to Fort Liberty to explore the idea of advanced nuclear reactors in that area.

He said the biggest issues facing the nation and the people of his district are high prices and in ation, which he said are a “direct result of President Joe Biden’s policies.”

“It’s out of control spending by the federal government, but it’s also his energy policy,” said Hudson. “He has stopped the production of American sources of energy; stopped us exporting natural gas. He has driven up the price of energy, which is one of the main drivers of in ation.”

He said he thinks the other thing on everybody’s mind is the border.

“You know, Joe Biden took 64 speci c executive actions when he became president that opened our border, and the ow has just been a horri c amount,” said Hudson. “And the result has been a spike in crime, spike in fentanyl deaths, and basically every community in America has become a border community because of it,” Hudson said.

The facility in Greensboro that is supposed to house migrant children is also on Hudson’s mind, and he described calling in the head of Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to a hearing to ask about it.

Hudson said Becerra said under oath that there were no

plans to house any minor children in North Carolina, which turned out to be false.

“The next time he came before my committee, I asked him about it and I said, ‘Were you being clever to deceive me or were you outright lying to me?’ And he gave a politician’s answer,” said Hudson. “But the bottom line is that they have plans to do it.”

When asked about down-ticket races in a presidential election year and the impact of possible voter fatigue, Hudson said everywhere he goes “people are outraged” and Democrat policies are to blame for feeling less nancially secure and less safe.

“I think people are very motivated. I think they’re going to come out and vote and I think we’re going to see a huge change in this country,” Hudson said. “I think President Trump will be reelected. I think we’ll have a Republican Senate, and I think we’ll pick up seats in the House.” For more information on Hudson, visit his campaign site at richardhudson.org or his ofcial congressional website at hudson.house.gov.

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP PHOTO

Rep. Richard Hudson, who is seeking reelection in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, spoke at the Republican National Convention last Thursday in Milwaukee.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Joe Biden is out — now what?

Most voters simply are too busy to pay attention to politics until after Labor Day — or they simply do not care.

REPUBLICANS: Don’t get carried away and spike the football before you cross the goal line into the end zone for sure in November.

Kamala Harris ― or any other Democratic candidate ― can win this election now that enfeebled President Joe Biden has wisely decided to opt out of the campaign.

Democrats can safely count on at least 170 electoral votes in any presidential election from super-blue states such as California, New York and Illinois. Mickey Mouse could be their candidate and he would get at least those 170 votes even if Minnie claimed he was a terrible husband.

Politics can be awfully shallow at times.

One political person told me his grandma, a very conservative and deeply religious person, did not vote for Mitt Romney in 2012 against Barack Obama because Romney was a Mormon who wore “woolen underwear.” She said she couldn’t vote for someone who was “in a cult like that.”

The number of nonsensical reasons to not vote for someone far outweighs the rational for sure.

Even though we are selecting a person to have “The Most Powerful Job on Earth,” most voters simply are too busy to pay attention to politics until after Labor Day ― or they simply do not care. Only 5 million (out of 255 million) citizens over age 18 devour political infotainment talk shows every night on Fox, MSNBC and CNN, which leaves 98% of the voting population disengaged from the daily thrusts and parries of political drama.

To many citizens, selecting a president is not much di erent than voting for “The

Most Popular Person” in high school. A lot of their decision-making process has to do with the candidates’ personal appearance and likeability.

When it comes to casting a vote for a candidate, studies have shown that 65% of the reason is based on how they look on TV. The sound of a candidate’s voice accounts for up to 20%. That leaves a scant 15% of the reason to vote for a candidate to include discussions about political philosophy; worldview; complex tax and budget policy and defending Israel and Ukraine.

All are important issues. Republicans love to beat them to death and talk facts and gures and tables and charts when what most people are looking for is a likable candidate with a charming, melli uous voice like Ronald Reagan.

Many pundits commented on the fact that the pitch and tenor of Hillary Clinton’s voice just drove many people up the wall during the 2016 campaign. Perhaps the cackling laugh of Kamala Harris might be her Achilles’ heel unless some Republican strategist is dumb enough to suggest to President Donald Trump that he conduct a full-scale personal attack on her which will surely back re.

The other determining factor is money. Ninety- ve percent of candidates who raise the most money usually win. It is rare to nd a case of the underfunded candidate winning as Trump did in 2016 when he was vastly outspent by the Clinton Machine.

Progressive socialist Democrats are going to frame this election by begging you “to “be a part of history!” by voting for the rst black female president. They are going to ask

Democrats push conspiracy theories after Trump assassination attempt

Leftist social media users were posting altered photos of Trump’s right ear to suggest he’d never actually been shot.

IN THE AFTERMATH of the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, you’d think Democrats could put aside their Trump Derangement Syndrome tendencies for a little bit and give thanks and say a prayer over the fact that the shooter wasn’t successful.

But after only the briefest pauses to express wishes for a speedy recovery, there are Democrats who wasted no time whatsoever in beginning to push conspiracy theories about how the act was allegedly staged for Trump’s bene t or that he wasn’t really hit by a bullet but instead maybe by some glass shards that ew from the teleprompter.

During last week’s Republican National Convention, longtime MSNBC host Joy Reid suggested there were some “weird” things that happened in the aftermath of the shooting, like the fact the Secret Service allowed Trump to stand up long enough for photographers to take the iconic photos of him raising his st in the air.

one that “we’ll gure that out one day.”

Except… what’s to “ gure out” exactly? Witnesses on the scene — including reporters from established media organizations — have described what they saw, and it wasn’t fake.

Because of the backlash she received, Reid now has her Twitter/X account locked down so that only “approved followers” can see what she posts.

Meanwhile, leftist social media users were posting altered photos of Trump’s right ear to suggest he’d never actually been shot. Others also shared doctored pictures of Trump and members of the Secret Service to make it appear as though they were smiling after the attempted assassination.

Fact-checking organizations have debunked these photos by pointing to actual photos taken by media photographers who were at the rally where the shooting took place.

you to forget she is part of the Biden White House ― and perhaps his biggest cheerleader outside of Dr. Jill Biden ― which has crippled your nances with rampant 20% in ation since taking o ce. They are going to ask you to forget Harris was supposed to be in charge of protecting the border from the ood of 10 million immigrants entering the country illegally ― which has been a catastrophe. They are going to ask you to forget that she has supported violent pro-Palestinian demonstrators screaming “Death to Jews!” and posted bail for protestors jailed for crimes committed during the BLM riots in 2020.

Democrats want you to believe Kamala Harris is the sort of calm, mild-mannered, apolitical leader they wanted everyone to believe Joe Biden was as he was sitting in his basement in the last campaign. She is not. Kamala Harris is politically far to the left of Joe Biden, who will be remembered by future historians as the most progressively socialist president America has ever had ― and he has the dismal record to prove it.

Don’t throw your vote away this time. Be sel sh with your vote. Vote for the candidate who will deliver the best results for your life, your family, your community and your state. Don’t be fooled again.

North Carolina native Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a media analyst and regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection. EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

“We don’t know why, for 9 full seconds, Donald Trump was allowed to stand back up during an active shooting,” Reid proclaimed in a video shared on social media.

“There could have been ve shooters for all they knew,” she went on to say, and “Yet, they allowed him to stand up in the middle of that crisis and pose for a photo, and st pump the air so he could get the iconic photo.”

She then called it a “weird situation” and

And in yet another troubling sign of the times, a Morning Consult poll conducted a mere two days after the assassination attempt showed that “Roughly 1 in 5 voters said they nd it credible that the shooting was staged and not intended to kill Trump, including a third of Biden’s supporters and 12% of those who back Trump.”

“The majority of voters (62%) said the unsubstantiated notion is not credible,” the poll also noted.

These warped opinions have no doubt been in uenced in part by online in uencers and

high-pro le Democrat movers and shakers like Dmitri Mehlhorn, an adviser to far-left megadonors who, per a story from Semafor, urged the press in a letter to consider that the shooting “was encouraged and maybe even staged so Trump could get the photos and bene t from the backlash.”

And as the Free Beacon documented, popular leftist in uencer Je Tiedrich wrote a Substack post with the headline

“Connecting some weird dots: did the extreme right want this to happen?”

As someone who has watched media outlets far and wide devote countless hours of coverage time to conspiracy theorists on the far right and trying to portray them as mainstream, I look forward to seeing the same amount or more attention devoted to crackpots on the left.

I won’t hold my breath on it, of course, but it would be a refreshing change of pace, not to mention extremely timely.

The Republican National Convention speech

Under Trump, we achieved peace through strength.

PRESIDENT TRUMP understands that the world is dangerous and that it takes an enormous e ort to defeat anti-American and anti-freedom forces around the world.

He also understands that when faced with multiple adversaries across the globe, the Reagan principle of peace through strength is the only road to safety for America and the American people.

The contrast between President Trump’s realistic policy of resolute strength in a dangerous world and President Biden’s policies of appeasement, weakness and self-delusion may be the biggest di erence between the Make America Great Again movement and the make America weak ideology of the left.

We must remember that the greatest threat to American safety is not Biden’s brain, it’s Biden’s policies and the people he appoints to implement appeasement and weakness.

The world today is incredibly dangerous.

A growing coalition of dictatorships is actively trying to undermine American power and conquer America’s allies.

A religious dictatorship in Iran which chants “death to America” is on the verge of having nuclear weapons.

Russia’s dictator has unleashed the deadliest European war since World War II. Communist China continues to develop its military power while actively seeking to undermine America through espionage, fentanyl, and the in ltration of our companies and our universities.

Faced with these clear and present dangers, President Biden has adopted failed policy after failed policy.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Echoes of history in this year’s campaign

It should be noted that the Democratic Party is not exactly a welcoming place for Jews right now.

FOR THOSE of a certain age, or with more than a woke education, the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump brings back echoes of history.

Not exactly the history of the abysmal political year of 1968, which saw the murders of Martin Luther King Jr., 39, and Robert F. Kennedy, 42, riots in major cities across the nation — especially violent in Washington, D.C. — and violent demonstrations and a pitched battle during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. But just as Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan of New York noted as Ronald Reagan was recovering from his gunshot wound, this time, the nation could take heart because the assassin’s target survived.

The year 1968 saw an exhausted 59-yearold president, Lyndon Johnson, withdraw his candidacy for reelection, and conventional and (then) not widely disliked 55-year-old Richard Nixon win the election. Neither President Joe Biden, 81, nor Trump, 78, ts into this script.

The more illuminating analogy to the two transcendental events of recent weeks — Biden’s debate performance on June 27 and the attempted assassination of Trump on July 13 — are things that happened some 104 years ago, in the presidential campaign cycle of 1920.

That’s not a campaign cycle much remembered because of its politically incorrect result — the repudiation of Democratic President Woodrow Wilson, a sentimental hero of liberals who applaud his scorn of constitutional limitations and conveniently forget his record as chief presidential enforcer of racial segregation in government.

Those were tumultuous times. Some 116,000 Americans died in 18 months during World War I, and even after the November 1918 armistice, ghting continued in the former Czarist and Ottoman empires, including a temporarily independent Ukraine. There were communist coups in Munich, Berlin and Budapest, and many feared that the totalitarians who turned out to tyrannize Russia for 70 years would do so elsewhere. Including here. Revolutionaries in June 1919 bombed the Washington, D.C., townhouse of Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, threatening his neighbors Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Unknown radicals in September 1920 set o a bomb on Wall Street across from the J.P. Morgan & Co. building, killing dozens.

Wilson’s administration had jailed former Socialist presidential candidate Eugene Debs in 1918 merely for speaking out against the draft, but other targets of the raids organized by the young Justice Department lawyer J. Edgar Hoover were bent on violent overthrow of a system, much as violent pro-Palestinian demonstrators threaten on campuses and in downtowns today.

Other menacing events resemble those of recent years. There were numerous race riots in 1918 and ’19, mostly with whites attacking blacks, just as there were numerous “mostly peaceful” riots, mostly of blacks destroying billions of dollars of property, in 2020 and ’21. There was a worldwide in uenza epidemic, rst experienced in U.S. Army camps, which killed millions here and around the world and resulted in varied restrictive measures — echoes of COVID-19, quite possibly

Where President Trump orchestrated an orderly end to the Afghanistan war with no American killed in nearly two years, Biden ordered a chaotic, panic- lled withdrawal that left 13 American troops and hundreds of Afghans dead.

Where President Trump insisted on keeping Bagram Air Base, which is located within one hour of the Chinese nuclear facilities, President Biden gave it to the Taliban who are now allied with communist China.

Where President Trump brokered the Abraham Accords and was moving the Middle East toward peace and cooperation, President Biden’s weakness and confusion led to a terrible Hamas assault killing more than 1,200 innocent people in Israel.

Under Trump, we achieved peace through strength.

Under Biden, we have war, su ering, death, and a world teetering on the edge of World War III.

Like Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Abraham Lincoln, President Trump understands that only a rm, courageous policy of strength will work in a dangerous world.

The message for this November is clear.

You can vote for weakness and war with President Biden, or you can vote for strength and peace with President Trump.

Let’s make America safe, strong, and proud again with President Donald Trump.

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich’s remarks at Republican National Convention before President Joe Biden withdrew from the campaign.

likely incubated in a U.S.- nanced Chinese laboratory.

The post-WWI economy oscillated between sharp recession and strong in ation, which Americans had not experienced for decades. Meanwhile, the vast Ellis Island immigration in the quarter-century before world war broke out led to demands for barring most newcomers from historically unfamiliar cultures.

Amid this turbulence, the American president was mostly absent. Wilson collapsed in October 1919 on a cross-country train trip to rally support for the Treaty of Versailles he had negotiated, and for months was incapacitated by a stroke. His wife and doctor barred access to Cabinet members, congressional leaders and the press. The required two-thirds majority of the Senate was willing to ratify the treaty only with reservations preserving Congress’s constitutional power to declare war. Edith Wilson told them the president refused.

Wilson had won a second term by only a narrow margin in 1916, and opposition Republicans regained majorities in both houses of Congress in 1918. Theodore Roosevelt, defeated for a comeback third presidential term in 1912 (in a campaign in which he once insisted on delivering a speech after he had been shot in the chest) was back in the Republican fold and, at 60 in 1918, wanted to run again.

Astonishingly, so did the incapacitated Wilson, 62. Had there been polling then — Dr. George Gallup didn’t conduct his rst random sample survey until 1935 — Roosevelt would probably have been running far ahead, but he died suddenly in January 1919. Wilson, in shattered health, was persuaded to retire.

Foreign military involvement, antidemocratic demonstrations, bitter memories of the recent riots and pandemic, dismay with in ation, concern about immigration — even in the jerky lm clips of that era, you can see echoes of the issues concerning American voters today.

How did the 1920 election cycle turn out?

The Democrats nominated a formidable ticket: Ohio Gov. James Cox, a Dayton newspaper owner whose media conglomerate would make his heirs billionaires, and the 38-year-old FDR. But disgust with the Wilson administration weighed them down and helped elect the Republicans — Ohio Sen. Warren Harding, chosen in that smoke- lled room in Chicago’s Blackstone Hotel, and the taciturn Massachusetts Gov. Calvin Coolidge — who won by a 60% to 34% margin, the widest such margin in American history.

Such an outcome seems improbable in our current closely divided partisan politics. But voters’ concerns, echoing those in 1920, combined with Biden’s debate performance and Trump’s gallant recovery, make the Republican ticket the favorite this year, which leads to the question of what lessons the mostly successful Harding and Coolidge administrations of the 1920s have to teach today.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”

Why would any legit Dem presidential prospect jump into this mess?

WHY WOULD ANY LEGITIMATE presidential prospect — outside Vice President Kamala Harris — consider jumping into the unprecedented chaos of 2024?

Right now, Govs. Gretchen Whitmer or Josh Shapiro — or whoever — can sit back for the next four years, bolster his or her credentials governing purple states, build national pro les, reach out to key constituencies and put together organizations in important states. Anyone who gets in now would be compelled to make a convincing case in a condensed time frame, relying on Joe Biden’s terrible campaign people, in what is likely the most tumultuous presidential election in more than a century.

For another thing, one would need to leapfrog the very rst black/Asian American/woman vice president in history for the nomination. Is any white Democrat with a bright political future going to rely on a ash anarchic convention to sideline Harris?

I’ve never met the woman, but the vice president doesn’t seem to have a temperament that would take kindly to being shoved out of the picture. And, to be fair, her only real job is to step in for the president if he’s unable to perform his duties. Democrat voters, twice, picked her for that task.

Then, even if a potential candidate could pull it o , rather than brandishing some fresh and tested political message, that candidate would be thrust into the role of defending the administration’s unpopular record on the border or economy and so on. Does any politician who has built up credentials as an e ective governor want to spend the next three months scaremongering about Project 2025 and the end of democracy?

Seems unlikely to me. But I guess you can never know.

If Democrats lose the White House this year, the Left’s revisionist history is going to blame the debate debacle for sinking Biden’s reelection e orts. And, indeed, the day the media’s gaslighting of the president’s decline was exposed, it changed the dynamics of the race. The president, though, was already struggling to get his message out and running behind Donald Trump on virtually every important issue. Biden almost certainly pushed for an early debate to reset the race.

Boy, that was a disastrous mistake.

If he had waited, the media would have continued hiding his failing mental acuity until the campaign ran out the clock.

As far as Shapiro goes, it should be noted that the Democratic Party is not exactly a welcoming place for Jews right now. The party’s pro-Hamas faction, which Biden had been trying to mollify since Oct. 7, 2023, is still here. Navigating that issue won’t be easy. With the ejection of Hamas apologist Jamaal Bowman from Congress — and hopefully Cori Bush — the dynamics might change in 2028.

If Dems take a beating — and I’m not as sold on that prospect as others seem to be — perhaps Democrats will try to moderate the national ticket.

Sitting it out comes with some risk, of course. Perhaps Harris wins. I happen to believe she’s a weaker candidate than Biden right now. We never really know how the electorate is going to react. In most ways, though, waiting until 2028 makes a lot more sense for any accomplished Democrat.

David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist. Harsanyi is a nationally syndicated columnist and author.

BE IN TOUCH

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Murphy to Manteo Jones & Blount Cooper’s

NC well-represented in 2024 Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics, o cially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, will take place in Paris, France from July 26 to Aug. 11. Check out North Carolina 2024 Olympic Athletes below.

1. CHARLOTTE

Anna Cockrell

Track & Field

Cierra Burdick

Women’s Basketball

Stephen Curry

Men’s Basketball

2. WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

Dearica Hamby

Women’s Basketball

3. UNC CHAPEL HILL

Women’s Soccer

Emily Fox

Crystal Dunn

Katie Bowen

Field Hockey

Ashley Hoffman

Meredith Sholder

Ashley Sessa

Diving

Greg Duncan Aranza Vasquez Montano

Patrick Hussey Swimming (Canada)

Rinky Hijikata Men’s Tennis (Australia)

Ethan Ramos

Wrestling

Naya Tapper Rugby

WEST PIEDMONT

and Blowing Rock, just before 4:30 a.m. USGS data shows the earthquake rumbled approximately 4.3 miles beneath the ground. There were reports of the earthquake being felt in Lenoir, Wilkesboro and Fleetwood in North Carolina.

NSJ Statesville gymnastics coach to be Olympic judge

Iredell County A gymnastics coach in Statesville has been chosen as one of 36 judges for the women’s gymnastic events at the Summer Games in Paris. Arturo Padilla is currently a coach at KPAC Gymnastics in Statesville, a gym owned by retired American Elite Gymnast Kristie Phillips. In 2013, Padilla became a judge for smaller competitions and in 2016, he quali ed for Olympic eligibility as a Category 2 judge, passing several di cult exams and judging at least two World Championships. WBTV

Rare orange lobster found in local Red Lobster delivery Buncombe County A Red Lobster restaurant in Asheville found themselves in possession of one of the rarest lobsters in existence. James Hudson, a general manager at Red Lobster, told local outlets that he is still in shock after the discovery of a rare orange lobster. “It’s always a great day that we can one of nature’s rare things and save it and preserve it. This weekend our regular lobster delivery, we got an orange lobster, and it is a very rare thing to come through,” he said. Genetic mutations can lead to lobsters that are di erent colors, such as blue lobsters, which are 1 out of every 2 million, but to nd a lobster like this is only 1 in 30 million. The orange lobster is now located at Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is the second orange lobster at Ripley’s Aquarium. WLOS

Reynolds HS student drowns in rip current Forsyth County A teenage girl from Winston-Salem drowned in a rip current while visiting Ocean Isle Beach last week. Local outlets report she was a student at Reynolds High School and was with the school’s robotics team. Two other students were also caught in the rip current with her and were rescued. The teen was unresponsive when rescuers got to her, and they could not revive her. “I am heartbroken by this tragic news,” Superintendent Tricia McManus said in a statement.

WXII

Trial begins in HPU student strangling

Guilford County

The trial of a man accused of killing a High Point University student in 2021 before eeing to Tennessee has begun.

Michael Cadogan is accused of killing Gianna Delgado, who was a 19-year-old student. Cadogan was 24 at the time of the killing. Cadogan allegedly admitted to a friend that he had strangled Delgado to death during an argument and needed help disposing of her car and body in Tennessee. Police ultimately found Cadogan with Delgado’s body in the car. WBTV

4. DUKE

Jayson Tatum Men’s Basketball

Chelsea Gray Women’s Basketball

Leah Crouse Field Hockey

Brynn King Track & Field

Morgan Pearson Triathalon

UNCG Millennial Campus vision comes to life

Guilford County

The Millennial Campus is starting to take shape at UNC Greensboro, according to campus leaders who say two unique districts will emphasize creativity across disciplines and within the campus and community. The new space will be made up of two areas: a health and wellness district, and a visual and performing arts district. The visual and performing arts district will be based around Tate Street, a central piece of the UNCG community and home to numerous theaters and creative spaces. The goal is to open up more spaces for collaboration and creativity in a familiar space. Leaders say they hope to create more holistic students and community members through existing spaces on campus or inside new ones. O cials are nalizing plans for the space, but early renderings show theater spaces, meeting rooms, studio o cers and a digital lab.

WGHP

5. NC COURAGE Women’s Soccer

Kerolin Nicoli (Brazil)

Sydney Collins [Canada)

Cortnee Vine [Australia)

Casey Murphy

7. PINETOWN

Ben Adebayo Men’s Basketball

Veronica Fraley Track & Field

Katherine Berkoff

Ryan Held

Bartosz Piszczorowicz (Poland)

Kacper Stokowski (Poland)

Sophie Hansson (Sweden)

Nyls Korstanje (Netherlands)

Andreas Vazaios (Greece)

Track & Field

McKenzie Long

EAST

S.C. man dies after kayak capsized in Outer Banks

Dare County

A South Carolina man is dead after a kayaking incident at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Saturday morning, according to a statement from the National Park Service. O cials say a 72-year-old launched his kayak and then capsized about 50 yards from the beach trying to ride a wave. The bystanders swam out to help the man from the kayak and brought him back to the beach, where CPR was performed unsuccessfully.

WFMY

Pitt County CC announces new president

Pitt County

The State Board of Community Colleges approved Maria A. Pharr to serve as the next president of Pitt Community College, according to a press statement. Pharr, who has been president of South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) for the past seven years, will become the rst woman to serve as the college’s top administrator. She replaces Lawrence Rouse, who retired in June after six years with Pitt CC. Pharr is expected to begin her duties Aug. 13.

WNCT

Teams continue search for missing mom, toddler Halifax County Authorities in Halifax County are searching for a missing mother and her son, o cials said Saturday. A door-todoor search was started just after 1 p.m. Saturday in several areas in Weldon, according to a news release from the Halifax County Sheri ’s O ce. Police in the Northampton County town of Jackson are searching for Sharbrina McGee, 26, and her 3-year-old son, who have been missing for three weeks, the news release said. McGee and her child were reported missing on June 29, according to the news release that also included photos of each. The boy’s name was not included in the information released Saturday. Halifax County search teams assisted Jackson Police on Saturday, visiting the Weldon Housing Complex, East and West 11th streets, Elm and Sycamore streets, and Ransome Circle, o cials said. Halifax County o cials said anyone with information about the location of the pair should contact Jackson Police Chief B. Burnette at 252-554-9779.

WNCN

By A.P. Dillon

“Any money received by the State from Smith eld Foods pursuant to the Agreement must be appropriated by the General Assembly in such a manner as to protect Smith eld Foods’ purpose,” Shirley wrote. “The purpose of these payments is environmental enhancement.”

Citing the state constitution, the order notes such funds “shall be faithfully appropriated by the General Assembly … to be used exclusively for maintaining free public schools.’”

“The Court

AETNA from page A1

of North Carolina (BCBSNC), which has been the TPA for more than 40 years, sued over the change to Aetna, citing issues with the procurement process and criticizing the bidding process, but a judge ruled BCBSNC failed to prove any errors that would have changed the outcome.

In a 72-page order, Administrative Law Judge Melissa Owens Lassiter upheld the decision to award the TPA contract to Aetna, nding that the SHP followed its request for proposal (RFP) policies, methodologies and legal requirements.

“Blue Cross did not demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that, but for the supposed errors by the Plan, Blue Cross would have or would likely have been awarded the TPA Contract,” Lassiter wrote in part of the decision.

Lassiter’s July 8 decision isnal.

Jim Bostian, North Carolina market president for Aetna, said in a statement to North State

Journal that the company is “thrilled to begin serving those who teach, protect and otherwise serve North Carolina.”

“Since the contract decision was rst announced in December 2022, we have been working on the impending, seamless transition at full speed all while demonstrating in court that the transition to Aetna is in the best interests of the State Health Plan and its members,” Bostian said. “To date, over 800 Aetna employees have contributed nearly 60,000 work hours to this implementation.”

The RFP process began in August 2022, and the TPA award was announced months later in mid-December.

United Healthcare also participated in the RFP process and initially protested the decision to award the TPA to Aetna but later dropped its complaint.

Around the time Aetna was named the winner, Folwell’s of-

ce estimated $140 million in administrative savings by making the change.

BCBSNC said in a statement

it would not appeal the ruling.

“While disappointed in the outcome, Blue Cross NC will not appeal the court’s ruling regarding the State Health Plan’s RFP process,” the BCBSNC statement says. “While we will continue to provide the highest level of service throughout the current agreement, we know that our relationship with North Carolina’s teachers, public safety o cers, and state employees is guided by something far more meaningful than a contract.”

Folwell was glad to have the dispute nalized so the state can move forward with Aetna.

“We are pleased that Blue Cross NC is choosing not to appeal the well-reasoned opinion of Judge Melissa Owens Lassiter of the O ce of Administrative Hearings,” he said in a statement. “The members of the State Health Plan and taxpayers like them deserve to have this uncertainty ended. We will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of improving bene ts for teachers and state employees in a cost-effective manner for taxpayers.”

BIDEN from page A1

the job, per the North Carolina Constitution. Robinson is running to become the state’s rst black governor.

The North Carolina Constitution also stipulates that when the governor is out of the state, the lieutenant governor becomes acting governor. If Cooper is picked, it would mean leaving the state regularly to campaign with Harris and put Robinson in charge.

Former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee who has been campaigning for a rematch with Biden, posted on X about Biden’s departure from the race.

“Crooked Joe Biden was not t to run for President, and is certainly not t to serve - And never was!” Trump wrote. “He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) also issued a lengthy statement on X, which in part called on Biden to resign. “If Joe Biden is not t to run for President, he is not t to serve as President. He must resign the o ce immediately,” Johnson said. He also called the move “unprecedented at this juncture in American history” and said, “The Democrat Party forced the Democrat nominee o the ballot, just over 100 days before the election.”

Republican Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) posted on X: “This is a scandal of historic proportions — President Biden is incapacitated, Democrats knew, and they lied to the American people to cover it up. If Biden is mentally unt to campaign, he is mentally un t to have the nuclear codes. Will Democrats now say he should resign?”

Biden, 81, spent the weekend in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, recovering from COVID-19. He returned to the White House on Tuesday afternoon.

Former President Barack Obama, under who Biden served as vice president, thanked Biden in a statement but did not endorse Harris. Obama’s statement appears to imply there will be a nominating process when the Democratic Party converges on Chicago in August.

“We will be navigating uncharted waters in the days ahead. But I have extraordinary con dence that the leaders of our party will be able to create a process from which an outstanding nominee emerges,” wrote Obama.

The Associated Press reported Monday night that its survey of delegates found Harris had enough support to earn the Democrat Party’s nomination.

ERIN SCHAFF / THE NEW YORK TIMES VIA AP Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at her campaign headquarters Monday in Wilmington, Delaware.

JESSICA HILL / AP PHOTO

Aetna will serve as the North Carolina State Health Plan’s third party administrator starting in 2025.

North Carolina’s top lobbyists

North State Journal sta

RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly convened in late April for its short session with more than 300 votes on legislation. The primary work of the short session closed at the end of June with the General Assembly overriding three of Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes but no new state budget. Legislators departed the capital for election season with several major policy priorities, including expansion of the state’s Opportunity Scholarship program and several proposed constitutional amendments.

During this session, more

TOP 10

Sarah Bales Brubaker & Associates

Bales, an attorney and lobbyist, represented 32 clients this year, which included education, technology, health care, manufacturing, insurance, and national and state associations.

Jim Harrell Harrell & Associates, PLLC

Harrel, a former state representative, registered for 36 clients in 2024. His clients included Accenture, NCInnovation, WakeMed and various health care industry groups.

than 1,200 companies and organizations had at least one registered lobbyist and over 750 individuals have served as registered lobbyists or legislative liaisons this year.

During the last month of the legislative session, North State Journal polled the members of the N.C. House and Senate to determine which lobbyists and liaisons are most e ective in in uencing legislation in the state. Of the 170 members of the N.C. General Assembly, 56 members participated in the survey. Notably, 82% of the responsive representatives and senators said they had read a print copy of North State Jour -

Patrick Ballantine Ballantine Company

The former state senator and 2004 Republican nominee for governor represented 11 clients, including the Sports Betting Alliance and various health care industry clients.

Ches McDowell Checkmate Government Relations McDowell leads Checkmate Government Relations, a rm he founded before this year’s session. He registered for 60 clients across diverse industries, including health care, nancial services, entertainment, technology, aviation, municipal government, elections, energy, pharmaceuticals, real estate development, gaming and professional sports.

TOP 25

David Ferrell (Maynard Nexsen), Tom Fetzer (Fetzer Strategic Partners), Nelson Freeman (Checkmate Government Relations), Karson Nelson Hallow (East Carolina University), Bryan Holloway (Holloway Group), Harry Kaplan (McGuireWoods Consulting), Tracy Kimbrell (Tracy Kimbrell Government A airs, LLC), Lewis King (Manning Fulton & Skinner), Anna Scott Marsh (Michael Best Strategies LLC), Ryan Minto (Duke Energy), Dylan Reel (Kilpatrick Townsend), Jackson Stancil (Jones Street Consulting), Christopher Stock (Kairos Government A airs), Susan Vick (Fetzer Strategic Partners), Kevin Wilkinson (The Southern Group)

LIAISONS

Cameron Dawson (N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services), Matthew Dockham (Appalachian State University), Karson Nelson Hallow (East Carolina University), Chris McClure (UNC Chapel Hill), Austen Nowell (The University of North Carolina System), Fred Steen (N.C. Department of Public Instruction)

nal in the past year. The 13-question survey sought to determine the scope, scale and success of each lobbyist nominated by legislators. This fourth edition of the North State Journal’s N.C. Top Lobbyists rankings include, for the rst time, separate categories for lobbyists representing single companies as well as lobbyists representing trade associations and nonpro ts. The rankings also include legislative liaisons, a group of legislative in uencers who advocate for the policies of state institutions, cabinet agencies and Council of State o ces.

In all, 133 individuals re -

Harold Brubaker

Brubaker & Associates

Brubaker, the former Speaker of the House, represented 25 clients, including longtime bluechip companies Amazon, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, Fed Ex, PepsiCo and Nationwide. Brubaker also represents several associations including the American Bail Coalition, NC Bankers Association, N.C. Beer and Wine Wholesalers, N.C. Cable Telecommunications Association and the N.C. League of Municipalities.

David Powers

Powers Strategies, LLC

Powers focuses on representing corporate clients at the General Assembly and state regulatory agencies.

Powers had a 25-year history in corporate government a airs before starting Powers Strategies eight years ago. The rm represents such prominent clients as Reynolds American, Blue Cross Blue Shield, DraftKings, FanDuel, Elevance Health, NCInnovation, Southland Gaming and Imagine Learning. Powers recently ended 12 years as a member of the UNC Board of Governors, and now sits on the NC State University Board of Trustees.

COMPANY LOBBYISTS

ceived at least one vote from legislative members but less than 4% of the registered lobbyists and liaisons made the list.

The alphabetical list includes the Top 10 Lobbyists, Top 25 Lobbyists, Top Liaisons (there was a tie in the liaison rankings that resulted in six liaisons on the list), Top Company Lobbyists and Top Association and Nonpro t Lobbyists.

The lobbyists survey was conducted in June 2024 and was delivered to every member of the General Assembly via email. The names within each category are listed alphabetically.

John J. Cooper Connect C LLC

Cooper has experience at the state and federal government level having served in three presidential administrations. His rm, Connect C, is a full-service government relations and lobbying rm working with 22 clients in the short session, including various agriculture and farming interests, telecommunications and health care rms.

Dana Simpson Smith Anderson Simpson leads the government relations practice at Smith Anderson, the largest law rm in the state capitol. His practice includes representing clients before the General Assembly and state agencies. In 2024, Simpson registered for 39 clients across a diverse range of industries, including telecommunications, health care and energy.

Becki Gray (Blue Cross NC), Laura Kilian (N.C. Farm Bureau), Stephen Kouba (Smith eld Foods), Ryan Minto (Duke Energy), Claudia Shoemaker (Duke Energy)

John Hardin Manning Fulton & Skinner

John represented 45 clients, including major national corporations such as Bayer, Charter, Expedia and national trade associations such as the Pharmaceutical Research Manufacturers Association (PhRMA). He also represents several groups and public organizations, including the Insurance Federation of N.C., the N.C. Railroad Company and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Zane Stilwell Stilwell Group Government A airs

Stilwell represents clients on a broad range of administrative and legislative matters. He registered for 17 clients in 2024, including Carvana, JPMorgan Chase, Charter Schools USA, ITG Brands, J&J Gaming, Penn Entertainment and Veritas Technologies.

ASSOCIATION AND NONPROFIT

LOBBYISTS

Andy Ellen (North Carolina Retail Merchants Association), Marie Hartwell Evitt (North Carolina Sheri s’ Association), John Policastro (North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association), Will Robinson (The Nature Conservancy), Joe Stewart (Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina)

catastrophe

questions about when normal

begin to get back to normal

The 3 big questions nobody

China lied about the origin of the tried to tell the world there were only worldwide panic, economic collapse and being thrown out of work.

shelter-in-place or stay-at-home majority of Americans normal.” end of this month.

taxpayer at least $2.4 trillion in added Reserve backup liquidity to the the U.S. dollar were not the reserve fund any of these emergency of rampant in ation and currency

fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus and the need to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask questions about the data, and when things can start getting back to normal are treated in some circles with contempt.

WALTER E. WILLIAMS

ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after this COVID-19 virus dissipates around the globe and in the United States, China will pay for this catastrophe one way or another.

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”

Cooper stated during know yet” if the asked as to the vague ones like “we of this state who undetermined thousands of cases asked and then questions about asked, there is to treat those start getting back are people who sick. levels become a bad society were supposed course, is my family. I’m worried I will. After 2009 pandemic, of this brings up prefer not to repeat. most everyone has

Fixing college corruption

aberrant ways and decisions through Diplomacy has obviously not worked world of 21st century health, hygiene communist regimes never take the blame remorse, because that is not what take advantage of every weakness pushing until they win or the event happens such as the Chernobyl believe that event, not the Star Wars the dissolution of the Soviet Union Chernobyl. already talking about the possibility debt we owe them as one way to get they have caused the US. Don’t hold your “Jubilee” to happen but ask your elected accountable in tangible nancial ways for expected to operate as responsible citizens of nation.

Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.

They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept without question what the government tells us about when it’s safe to begin the process of returning back to normalcy.

No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those questions. And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about when they can get back to providing for their families, will demand answers.

AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with corruption. The nancial squeeze resulting from COVID-19 o ers opportunities for a bit of remediation. Let’s rst examine what might be the root of academic corruption, suggested by the title of a recent study, “Academic Grievance Studies and the Corruption of Scholarship.” The study was done by Areo, an opinion and analysis digital magazine. By the way, Areo is short for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by John Milton in defense of free speech.

Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer with details that give their statements believability.

U.S. census to conduct test runs throughout South, West, including

Not one little bit.

Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say that something has gone drastically wrong in academia, especially within certain elds within the humanities. They call these elds “grievance studies,” where scholarship is not so much based upon nding truth but upon attending to social grievances. Grievance scholars bully students, administrators and other departments into adhering to their worldview. The worldview they promote is neither scienti c nor rigorous. Grievance studies consist of disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, gender studies, queer studies, sexuality and critical race studies.

business & economy

In order to put the crisis caused by China in perspective, zero worldwide pandemics can trace their source to the United States over our 231-year history. At least four in the 20th century alone can be directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian u,” 1968 “Hong Kong u,” 1977 “Russian u” and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence that the massive 1918 “Spanish u” pandemic also had its origins in China.

Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

The cavalier manner in virus, covered up its spread

We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, ourselves, and our communities safe. But we should also still continue to ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home measures are understandable, they should also have an expiration date.

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, shape, or form. So while we should remain vigilant and stay safe, at the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new normal.”

in N.C.

Six places in the South and West will host practice runs four years before the 2030 U.S. census, a nationwide head count that helps determine political power and the distribution of federal funds.

seriousness of the virus and the need uneasy with how people who simply ask when things can start getting back to with contempt.

In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, Lindsay and Boghossian started submitting bogus academic papers to academic journals in cultural, queer, race, gender, fat and sexuality studies to determine if they would pass peer review and be accepted for publication. Acceptance of dubious research that journal editors found sympathetic to their intersectional or postmodern leftist vision of the world would prove the problem of low academic standards.

Residents of western Texas, tribal lands in Arizona; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Western North Carolina; Spartanburg, South Carolina; and Huntsville, Alabama, will be encouraged to ll out practice census questionnaires starting in the spring of 2026.

a society simply must accept without tells us about when it’s safe to begin the normalcy. us, and we have the right to ask those stay-at-home orders are in place all over the them get in states, such as Michigan, feeling isolated and/or anxious about providing for their families, will demand levels should be as forthcoming as they again, not vague answers, but answer statements believability. what we can to keep our families, safe. But we should also still continue because while reasonable stay-at-home they should also have an expiration date. and it is not normal. Not in any way, remain vigilant and stay safe, at comfortable with this so-called “new

Census Bureau o cials said the statistical agency hopes the practice counts will help it learn how to tally better populations undercounted in the 2020 census, improve methods utilized in 2030, test its messaging, and appraise its ability to process data as it is being gathered.

Several of the fake research papers were accepted for publication. The Fat Studies journal published a hoax paper that argued the term bodybuilding was exclusionary and should be replaced with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive politicized performance.” One reviewer said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article and believe it has an important contribution to make to the eld and this journal.”

under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah RedState and Legal Insurrection.

The six test sites were chosen for various reasons, including the desire to include rural areas where some residents don’t receive mail or have little or no internet service; tribal areas; dorms, care facilities or military barracks; fastgrowing locations with new construction; and places with varying unemployment rates.

Ahead of the last census in 2020, the only start-tonish test of the head count was held in Providence, Rhode Island, in 2018.

According to the 2020 census results, the black population had a net undercount of 3.3%, while it was almost 5% for Hispanics and 5.6% for American Indians and Native Alaskans living on reservations.

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month.

3,341 related deaths has millions of Americans needlessly

THIS WEEK, according to members of and state and local governments, Americans the curve in the novel coronavirus outbreak. muted — after all, trends can easily reverse have abided by recommendations and orders. to stay at home; they’ve practiced social distancing; they’ve donned masks.

Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” if the state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.

There is 100% agreement, outside of China, that COVID-19 originated in Wuhan Province probably from the completely unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. Some believe it came out of a biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army.

Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

People are often stricken with the allergy after a tick bite

By Lauran Neergaard

“Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity Feminism as an Intersectional Reply to Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was accepted for publication by A lia, a feminist journal for social workers. The paper consisted in part of a rewritten passage from Mein Kampf. Two other hoax papers were published, including “Rape Culture and Queer Performativity at Urban Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject was dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape paper eventually forced Boghossian, Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out themselves. A Wall Street Journal writer had gured out what they were doing.

The Associated Press

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Some people who develop a weird and terrifying allergy to red meat after a bite from a lone star tick can still eat pork from a surprising source: Genetically modi ed pigs created for organ transplant research.

Some papers accepted for publication in academic journals advocated training men like dogs and punishing white male college students for historical slavery by asking them to sit in silence on the oor in chains during class and to be expected to learn from the discomfort. Other papers celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life choice and advocated treating privately conducted masturbation as a form of sexual violence against women. Typically, academic journal editors send submitted papers out to referees for review. In recommending acceptance for publication, many reviewers gave these papers glowing praise.

when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

It cannot be found in grocery stores or restaurants. Revivicor, the company that bred these special pigs, shares its small supply, at no cost, with patients suffering from allergies to red meat.

“We get hundreds and hundreds of orders,” said David Ayares, who heads Revivicor, as he opened a freezer jammed with packages of ground pork patties, ham, ribs and pork chops.

The allergy is called alpha-gal syndrome, named for a sugar present in the tissues of nearly all mammals — except for people and some of our primate cousins. It can cause a serious reaction hours after eating beef, pork, red meat or certain mammalian products such as milk or gelatin.

Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran certain grievance studies concepts through the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often they appeared in our press over the years. He found huge increases in the usages of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” All of this is being taught to college students, many of whom become primary and secondary school teachers who then indoctrinate our young people.

I doubt whether the coronaviruscaused nancial crunch will give college and university administrators, who are a crossbreed between a parrot and jelly sh, the guts and backbone to restore academic respectability. Far too often, they get much of their political support from campus grievance people who are members of the faculty and diversity and multicultural administrative o ces.

The best hope lies with boards of trustees, though many serve as yes-men for the university president. I think that a good start would be to nd 1950s or 1960s catalogs. Look at the course o erings at a time when college graduates knew how to read, write and compute, and make them today’s curricula. Another helpful tool would be to give careful consideration to eliminating all classes/majors/minors containing the word “studies,” such as women, Asian, black or queer studies. I’d bet that by restoring the traditional academic mission to colleges, they would put a serious dent into the COVID-19 budget shortfall.

Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University.

But where does organ transplantation come into the picture? There are nowhere close to enough donated human organs to go around, so researchers are working to use organs from pigs instead — and that same al-

Until China adopts rigorous veri able policing and regulation of their food safety and health protocols, American business has no other choice than to build redundant manufacturing plants elsewhere purely for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery reliability concerns.

We need transparency and honesty from our scienti c experts — we need to know what they know, what they don’t and when they hope to know what they don’t.

The crisis has cost the debt plus trillions more in markets and nancial outlets. currency, we would not be measures without immediate depreciation.

If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we must do this out of an abundance of caution.”

The result: a reduction in expected hospitalization

According to the University of Washington Metrics and Evaluation model most oft cited Trump administration, the expected need peak outbreak was revised down by over 120,000, ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the number August by nearly 12,000.

The most direct way to make China “pay” for this disaster is to o er U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of their production back in the United States. There is approximately $120 billion worth of American direct investment in plants and equipment in China. Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by comparison.

It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases are reliable.

To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about the data. State Republican leaders have, too.

An investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing investment to the U.S. would cost the U.S. Treasury $18 billion in tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue is decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now undertaking to save our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the past.

Here’s the problem: We still don’t know questions that will allow the economy to reopen.

Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of hope that we will once again enjoy sporting events, concerts, family gatherings, church services and many more after our own temporary sacri ces are over.

China has to pay for their economic and nancial means. to bring China into the civilized and fair trade. Totalitarian or express sincere regret totalitarian governments they nd in adversaries and adversaries push back. That is, unless an exogenous meltdown in 1986. Some program of Reagan, led directly in 1989.

Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.

First, what is the true coronavirus fatality important because it determines whether be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue more liberalized society that presumes wide ought to lock down further.

“THIS IS in it” (Psalm I know that working from be glad” as the and dad, the have to be thankful pandemic. For me, my making. As I Corinthians a iction, so a iction, with God.” If you are re ect on this God’s example this di cult con dent we In this same neighbors helping In Concord, money to buy health care workers

north STA

for Wednesday, Apr il 15, 20

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.

We’ve seen case fatality rates — the number the number of identi ed COVID-19 cases and the denominator are likely wrong. We people have actually died of coronavirus. number has been overestimated, given that of death, particularly among elderly patients, sources suggest the number is dramatically many people are dying at home.

Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Senators in Washington of China forgiving $1.2 trillion China to “pay” for the damage breath waiting for a Chinese representatives to hold China this disaster. It is about time they are the world like any other modern

Even more importantly, we have no clue actually have coronavirus. Some scientists of identi ed cases could be an order of magnitude number of people who have had coronavirus

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has

China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging American business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that they intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi.

VISUAL VOICE S

The comfort and hope

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”

“THIS IS THE DAY the lord has made, in it” (Psalm 118:24).

Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.

Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” if the

Lenten and

fallen into place. I understand to take precautions, but I’m questions about the data, normal are treated in some

I know that during this challenging time working from home or losing a job, it may be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. However, and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded have to be thankful and hopeful for, even pandemic.

If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we

It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases

They’re treated as though question what the government process of returning back No. The government works questions. And the longer country, and the stricter some the more people, sitting at when they can get back to answers.

For me, my faith is an important part of making. As I celebrated Easter with my family, Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our Lord a iction, so that we may be able to comfort a iction, with the comfort which we ourselves God.”

Separately, pigs with various gene modi cations for xenotransplant research live on a Revivicor farm in Virginia, including a GalSafe pig that was the source for a recent experimental kidney transplant at The New York University Langone Transplant Institute.

To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about

Leaders at the local and can be with those answers with details that give their

And that begs the question: Could the pig be used for meat after removing transplantable organs?

Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.

temporary sacri ces are over.

If you are celebrating the Easter season, re ect on this message and be comforted, God’s example and comfort all those in need this di cult time. Through faith and by helping con dent we will emerge out of this pandemic In this same spirit, I continue to be inspired neighbors helping neighbors.

We should all continue ourselves, and our communities to ask questions about the measures are understandable,

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

pha-gal sugar is a big barrier. It causes the human immune system to destroy a transplanted organ from an ordinary pig immediately. So, the rst gene that Revivicor inactivated as it began genetically modifying pigs for animal-to-human transplants was the one that produces alpha-gal.

transplantation. Nor has it yet found anyone in the agriculture business interested in selling GalSafe pork.

No. “The strong anesthesia used so the animals feel no pain during organ removal means they don’t meet United States Department of Agriculture rules for drug-free food,” said United Therapeutics spokesman Dewey Steadman.

My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. I’m worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.

While xenotransplants are still in the experimental stages, Revivicor’s “GalSafe” pigs won the Food and Drug Administration approval in 2020 to be used as a food source and a potential source for human therapeutics. The FDA determined no detectable alpha-gal level across multiple generations of the pigs.

Revivicor, a subsidiary of United Therapeutics, isn’t a food company — it researches xeno-

In Concord, a high school senior named money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic to health care workers out of his own home.

This is all new to Americans, shape, or form. So while we the same time we shouldn’t normal.”

Not one little bit.

Stacey Matthews has also and is a regular contributor

Still, “this is a research pig that FDA approved, so let’s get it to the patients,” is how Ayares describes beginning the shipments a few years ago.

But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has

Revivicor’s GalSafe herd is housed in Iowa. To keep its numbers in check, some meat is periodically processed in a slaughterhouse certi ed by the U.S. Agriculture Department. Revivicor then mails frozen shipments to alpha-gal syndrome patients who have lled out applications for the pork.

Thank-you letters relating the joy of eating bacon again line a bulletin board near the freezer in Revivicor’s corporate o ce.

Starting $2,501,396,235

Receipts $65,999,161 Disbursements

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Sponsored

Jason

Nor th State Journa l

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior

SHELBY LUM / AP PHOTO

Chief Scienti c O cer David Ayares works at his Revivicor o ce in Blacksburg, Virginia.

SHELBY LUM / AP PHOTO

Revivicor genetically modi

pigs so they no longer carry sugar — which is responsible for alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat.

China lays out roadmap to boost slowing economy

The Communist Party’s latest plan contains more than 300 reforms

By Elaine Kurtenbach The Associated Press

BANGKOK — China’s ruling Communist Party released a 50page roadmap addressing longterm challenges confronting the world’s second-largest economy. At the same time, the central bank cut key interest rates Monday in a surprise move to pep up the struggling property sector.

The action by the People’s Bank of China was a short-term adjustment that appeared to signal a recognition that the economy needs immediate help to complement the party’s broader ambitions of following leader Xi Jinping’s vision for transforming China into a “high-standard socialist market economy in all respects” by 2035.

“If we are to break new ground in advancing Chinese modernization on the new journey in the new era, we must continue to rely on reform and opening up,” Xi said in a written explanation of reforms endorsed last week at a four-day policy-setting meeting.

Overall, the outline of reforms aligns with the ruling party’s longstanding ambitions to cement China’s status as a leading technology and economic power while addressing imbalances in its economy, which ex-

panded at a slower-than-expected 4.7% annual pace in the last quarter, down from 5.3% in January-March. The party’s latest plan, 50 pages long in English, contains more than 300 reforms including promises to beef up social welfare such as pensions and health care, improve local government nances and protect private property rights. It promises a “ rst-rate business environment” that will protect the rights and interests of foreign investors and make it more convenient for people from elsewhere to live in China. It also

pledges equal market access and support for private and stateowned enterprises and better “international coordination” of economic policies.

But the reforms also prioritize national security, Xi said. That may prove troubling to foreign companies operating in China, which say ever-widening de nitions of what might affect national security pose a serious risk to their operations and employees.

The document released Sunday is more detailed than a communique released Thursday after the party meeting ended.

But the reforms it promises are laid out in broad strokes, with constant references to developing “mechanisms” to address every problem — the word mechanism appears 200 times in the English version and 242 times in Chinese.

Actual laws and regulations for achieving the goals of the policy roadmap will come later.

“We think these measures, if well implemented promptly, should help improve resource allocation, contain nancial risks, unleash some growth potential, and underpin investors’ condence, while the actual implementation and policy clarity and sustainability will be the key,” UBS economists Nina Zhang and Tao Wang said in a report.

The party has acknowledged some of the thorniest problems that have slowed China’s recovery from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, chief among them weak consumer demand.

A prolonged slump in the property market after regulators cracked down on excessive developer borrowing unleashed a chain reaction that has pulled housing sales and prices lower and hit many other parts of the economy, such as construction, building materials and home appliances.

The party’s plan includes pledges to provide more a ordable housing, reform nancing of property development, raise rural incomes and “properly

regulate excessive incomes.”

Rural migrants should have the same access to public services as long-term city dwellers, and the government will enact more incentives, including subsidies, to encourage Chinese families to have more children, the document says.

As pressures have mounted in the economy and markets, regulators have been ne-tuning policy tools, relaxing restrictions on property purchases and tinkering with monetary policy.

So far, China’s leaders have avoided the massive stimulus other major economies deployed during the pandemic. But their latest meeting did promise more government spending to help spur growth, said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics.

“While today’s rate cuts o er some reassurance that policymakers are being responsive to the recent loss of economic momentum, the heavy lifting will need to come from scal, not monetary, policy,” he said in a report.

Early Monday, the central bank cut the ve-year loan prime rate, which is a benchmark for mortgages, to 3.85% from 3.95%. The one-year loan prime rate, which a ects most business loans, fell to 3.35% from 3.45%. The PBOC also reduced its required collateral for medium-term loans to banks and injected more funds into the banking system.

EPA awards $4.3B, funds climate projects in 30

The grants are paid for by the 2022 In ation Reduction Act

By Matthew Daly The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency is awarding $4.3 billion in grants to fund projects in 30 states to reduce climate pollution. The money will go to 25 projects targeting greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electric power, commercial and residential buildings, industry, agriculture, and waste and materials management.

The grants are paid for by the 2022 climate law approved by congressional Democrats. The law, o cially known as the Ination Reduction Act, includes nearly $400 billion in spending and tax credits to accelerate the expansion of clean energy, such as wind and solar power, speeding the nation’s transition from oil, coal and natural gas.

The grants include $396 million to Pennsylvania to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions from cement, asphalt and

other materials. EPA Administrator Michael Regan will join Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro in Pittsburgh on Monday to announce grant recipients in his state.

Senior EPA leaders will also join Democratic Sen. Alex Padil-

la of California on Monday to announce nearly $500 million for transportation and freight decarbonization at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The grants will provide incentives for electric charging equipment, zero-emission freight vehicles and

cargo handling equipment conversion to lower emissions.

“President Biden understands that America needs a strong EPA,’’ Regan told reporters Friday, noting the Democratic administration “has made the largest climate investment in history, providing billions of dollars to state, local and tribal governments to tackle climate change with the urgency it demands.’’

The funds “will help implement community-driven solutions that reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice and help accelerate America’s clean energy transition,’’ Regan said.

Shapiro, a Democrat who has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential pick now that Biden has stepped down from the presidential race, said his administration has taken action to address climate change while continuing to create energy jobs.

The grant being announced Monday “is one of the largest federal grants Pennsylvania has ever received,’’ Shapiro said in a statement ahead of Monday’s announcement. The state will work with RISE PA, a new ini-

states

tiative to reduce industrial sector emissions.

O cials said the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy will receive $307 million to boost “climate-smart” agriculture and reduce agricultural waste from livestock. The grant will also fund projects to improve energy e ciency in commercial and industrial facilities and low-income households, deploy solar panels and electrify irrigation wells.

Other grants include nearly $250 million to boost electric vehicle infrastructure along Interstate 95 from Maryland to Connecticut. The project will provide charging infrastructure for commercial zero-emission vehicles and technical assistance for workforce development along the I-95 corridor, one of the most heavily traveled in the nation. Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine will get $450 million to accelerate the adoption of cold-climate heat pumps and water heaters.

Michigan will get $129 million to accelerate the siting, zoning and permitting of renewable energy.

ANDY WONG / AP PHOTO

China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China, cut key interest rates in a surprise move aimed at injecting new life into its ailing property sector.

JOSE LUIS MAGANA / AP PHOTO

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan speaks to employees on June 27.

Throwing heat

Former NC State Wolfpack player Trea Turner, of the Philadelphia Phillies, right, tosses his bat after striking out during the fth inning of the MLB All-Star baseball game against Mason Miller, left, of the Oakland Athletics and Gardner-Webb.

Read pro les on Miller below and Turner on B3

MLS Austin rallies for 2-2 draw with Charlotte

Austin, Texas Austin FC scored late in the second half and rallied for a 2-2 draw with Charlotte FC on Saturday. A penalty-kick goal by Karol Swiderski in the 33rd minute pulled Charlotte (10 -8-7) even. Swiderski’s PK came in his season debut.

Charlotte took a 2-1 lead on Iúri Tavares’ third goal of the campaign, in the 56th minute.

NBA

Bucks sign former Duke, Raptors guard Trent Milwaukee Gary Trent Jr. has left the Toronto Raptors to join the Milwaukee Bucks’ backcourt. The former Duke guard averaged 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 71 games with the Raptors last season. He shot 42.6% from the oor and 39.3% from 3-point range. Trent played with the Blazers from 2018-21 and Toronto from 2021-24.

WNBA

Ogunbowale, Clark

lead WNBA All-Stars to 117-109 win over U.S. Olympic team

Phoenix Arike Ogunbowale set the WNBA All-Star scoring record with 34 points and Caitlin Clark made the most of her All- Star debut as the WNBA team beat the U.S. Olympic team 117-109 on Saturday night. It was the second consecutive win for the WNBA All-Star team over the Olympians.

NFL

Mahomes: ‘I’m done. I’ll say that,’ after third child’s birth

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, recently announced that they were expecting their third child, but don’t expect a fourth. Mahomes was adamant that he is done after the third joins his daughter, Sterling, and his son, Bronze.

The former Gardner-Webb pitcher threw the fastest pitch in All-Star history

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

THE WEEKEND before the All-Star break, the Oakland A’s played the Philadelphia Phillies. Oakland has been one of the worst teams in MLB in recent years, and if the baseball world has paid any attention to the A’s, it’s been due to their attempts to relocate to a new city.

There was one player that caught Phillies star Bryce Harper’s eye, however. Watching reliever Mason Miller warming up in the A’s bullpen, Harper asked an Oakland coach, “Hey, is that Miller?”

When told it was, Harper said, “I kind of want to get in there (to bat) and see what that’s about.”

Miller has burst onto the scene this season, his second in the majors. Despite playing for a team with only 39 wins, he has 15 saves and is allow-

ing 0.857 baserunners per inning. He’s struck out 70 batters in 392⁄3 innings. Nearly half — 46% — of the batters who have faced him have fanned, and the league is hitting just .149 against him.

Videos of his pitches, which combine ungodly movement with blazing speed, have been

going viral on social media since opening day.

Miller came into pitch in the rst game of the series in Philadelphia, and Harper got an eyeful. He threw 21 pitches in retiring the side. Thirteen of them topped 100 mph, including ones that lit up the radar gun at 103.7, 103.6 and a pair of 103.4s.

ECU looking to rebuild, make o ensive improvements in 2024

The Pirates need to right the ship after going 2-10 in 2023

the upward trajectory, it’s time to lead the ship back on the right track.

Last year

Moving fast: Mason Miller’s journey to baseball’s elite 19

Both Harper and Miller made the All-Star team and happened to be on the same ight to Arlington, Texas, after the series had ended. Harper approached Miller’s seat on the plane and introduced himself.

“Hey,” Miller said. “I hear you wanted to get in and see me.” “Nah,” Harper replied. “I’m good. Changed my mind.”

Two days later, Miller took the mound at the All-Star Game and showed the nation what Harper had seen. He threw 12 pitches, topping 100 on eight of them. With the best pitchers in baseball each getting their turn, Miller turned in the six fastest pitches of the game, including one at 103.6, which was the fastest pitch in the history of the All-Star Game.

“That was a loose goal,” he said of the velocity record. He struck out Shohei Ohtani and Trea Turner, both swinging, and ended up earning the win in the game.

“To do it on this stage, in front of this crowd, against these talented players, is something I’ll have forever,” he said.

It’s been a remarkable rise for Miller, who, not too long ago, was pitching for Division II Waynesburg University and throwing much slower. Estimates are that his top speed

at Ole Miss, which had one of the best o enses in the SEC last year.

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

GREENVILLE — Coming o a disappointing 2023 campaign, which turned out to be the second 10-loss season in program history, ECU is once again in rebuild mode. ECU’s sudden and dramatic fallo , especially on the offensive end, has brought many changes on the coach and player level in the o season, leaving sixth-year head coach Mike Houston in a similar position to where he started. However, he isn’t cleaning up someone else’s mess. This time, Houston is cleaning up his own. Just two seasons ago, the Pirates nished with their second straight winning record and a bowl win, and after veering o

It’s one thing to lose to the No. 2 team in the country and eventual national champions (Michigan) at their place to start the season, and it’s another thing to never bounce back. Following the season-opening loss, ECU got blown out in its next two games, exposing glaring issues on the o ensive end.

The Pirates limped into American Athletic Conference play with a 1-4 record and still couldn’t muster enough o ensive production to salvage the season. ECU scored only 19 touchdowns and accumulated 3,327 yards (rushing and passing) all year, which was dead last in the AAC. Things came to a tipping point in a 10-0 loss to Navy on Nov. 18 as the Pi-

Touchdowns scored by ECU last year, fewest in the AAC

rates were shut out for the rst time since Oct. 4, 1997, and major coaching changes immediately followed. ECU nished the season with a 2-10 overall record.

Changes and newcomers

Unsurprisingly, ECU will enter 2024 with a new o ensive coordinator, John David Baker, after the team parted ways with Donnie Kirkpatrick last season. Baker was the co-o ensive coordinator and tight ends coach

Other new coaches for the Pirates include Matt Mattox (offensive line), Rodney Freeman (running backs), Hunter MacKay (tight ends), Rico Zackery (defensive ends and outside linebackers) and Damon Magazu (safeties). On the roster, ECU saw 17 players enter and 33 players exit from the transfer portal this o season. Of the players coming in, most of them are new offensive talent, including three new quarterbacks (Jake Garcia, Katin Houser and Bryson Harrison), multiple o ensive linemen, and a few receivers and tight ends.

Players to watch

Defensive back Shavon Revel Jr. and incoming transfer receiver Winston Wright Jr. were named to the East-West Shrine Bowl Watch List this month. Revel, a senior, earned all-conference honors in 2023 and will look to be a leader in the Pirates’ secondary that should hope for a better year in the interception column this fall. See ECU, page B3

JULIO CORTEZ / AP PHOTO

Mason Miller of the Oakland Athletics walks o the mound after a dominant fth inning in the MLB All-Star Game.

TONY GUTIERREZ / AP PHOTO

TRENDING

Chase Burns:

The Wake Forest pitcher, taken second overall in the MLB Draft, signed with the Cincinnati Reds for a record bonus. Burns received a $9.25 million signing bonus, the highest in MLB history. It broke the record set last year by Paul Skenes, who signed with the Pirates for $9 million after being drafted rst overall in 2023. This year’s top overall pick, Travis Bazzana, still hasn’t signed.

Je Capel:

The former Duke guard and longtime Blue Devils assistant signed a contract extension that will keep him with the Pittsburgh Panthers through at least the 2029-30 season. Capel has a 97-92 record in six years with the Panthers, leading the program to the NCAA Tournament in 2023.

Max Fried:

The Atlanta Braves All-Star left-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list with forearm neuritis, a nerve in ammation. Fried has made 18 starts this season and is a critical member of the Braves’ rotation. Fried initially felt something getting loose before Tuesday’s All-Star Game. He pitched one inning, throwing 10 pitches. Something still felt o on Friday, and an MRI revealed the neuritis.

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

“When we play against teams, it’s the biggest game of their lives.”

National team coach Steve Kerr after Team USA needed a layup with seconds left to beat South Sudan in a pre-Olympics exhibition.

“A couple years ago, I was just one of these guys.”

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson after surprising the Speedway Sparkplugs high school team with new helmets.

PRIME NUMBER

Number of female boxers in the Olympics, a record high and increase of 23 from last Olympics. There will also be 124 men, 63 fewer than last Olympics and the smallest men’s eld since 1908.

NASCAR

Kyle Larson made a late charge through the eld, managed to get his car re red after a red ag and won the nal two restart battles before coasting to his rst Brickyard 400 victory under caution. Larson took the lead when Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel and pulled o the track just before the second-to-last restart and beat pole winner Tyler Reddick at the end with the yellow ag out.

Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor was charged in Florida with failing to update his address on the state’s sex o ender registry. LT turned himself in to the Broward County Sheri ’s O ce and was released with no bail. He entered a not guilty plea. It’s the second time he’s been charged with the o ense.

Tadej Pogacar won six of the 21 individual stages en route to his third career Tour de France victory. The 25-year-old Slovenian previously won the Tour in 2020 and 2021. The race also saw Biniam Girmay win stage three, becoming the rst black African cyclist to win a stage.

Xander Schau ele couldn’t win a major at the start of the year. Now he has two of them. The 30-year-old Californian won the British Open at Royal Troon. He played bogey-free for a 65 to earn the silver claret jug. Schau ele won the PGA Championship in May. His victory gave the Americans a sweep of the four majors for the rst time since 1982.

HOLLOWAY GROUP, INC.

DARRON CUMMINGS / AP PHOTO

Wake Forest aims for bounce-back year

The Demon Deacons

nished at bottom of the ACC standings last year

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

WINSTON-SALEM — Now in his 11th season as Wake Forest’s head football coach, Dave Clawson is hoping that his Demon Deacons can rebound this fall after nishing last in the ACC standings and failing to make a bowl game last year.

Barring the abbreviated 2020 campaign, last season’s 4-8 (1-7 ACC) record was Wake’s rst losing season since 2015. It wasn’t as if the team had struggled heading into the campaign — the Demon Deacons had accumulated a 19-8 combined record in the previous two years leading up to 2023.

Last year

Wake found itself digging out of quicksand last fall after star quarterback Sam Hartman departed for Notre Dame and elite wideout A.T. Perry jumped to the NFL Draft.

Despite the presence of veteran o ensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero, the Deacs’ o ense led by quarterback Mitch Griis fell o a cli as the o ensive line allowed 49 sacks and the team failed to sustain extended drives.

Defensive coordinator Brad Lambert’s unit managed to hold ACC teams to 27.5 points a contest, but Wake consistently struggled to keep up on the scoreboard. A 4-0 start to the season quickly became fool’s gold as Wake sputtered with a tough schedule and ended the campaign with ve consecutive losses.

After a 26-6 home loss to NC State late in the season, Claw-

son admitted that his team had “lost its way” and that the booing crowd inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium was “justi ed.”

Changes and newcomers

Entering their second transitional season in a row, the Demon Deacons are crossing their ngers that Boise State/Louisiana Tech quarterback transfer Hank Bachmeier will get the offense to a gear it couldn’t reach last year; sixth-year senior Michael Kern is considered as the second option for the starting job.

This marks Bachmeier’s sixth season after four years at Boise State and a year in Louisiana. He has totaled 8,663 passing yards, 51 touchdowns and 24 interceptions with a career completion percentage of 63%.

up 11 passes last year at Kent State.

Players to watch

Along with Bachmeier at quarterback, running back Demond Claiborne and receiver Taylor Morin are primed to make up the team’s base o ensive attack, at least on paper.

Claiborne nished the 2023 season with 586 yards and ve touchdowns, leading into Wake’s recent spring camp where he showed signs of possibly having a breakout season this year. When it comes to Wake’s running back corps, the junior rusher is the most experienced and productive player in the room.

Like Claiborne, Morin nds himself embracing a bigger role as the opportunity presents itself. The redshirt senior slot receiver has 2,218 yards and 19 touchdowns heading into his fth full season with the team.

On the other side of the ball, senior defensive lineman Jasheen Davis returns as one of the ACC’s top pass rushers with 7.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss last season.

Best case

Career touchdowns by sixth-year quarterback Hank Bachmeier, who arrived via the transfer portal

Due to the transfer portal, the Deacs will be without three of its top four previous targets: Jahmal Banks (Nebraska), Ke’Shawn Williams (Indiana), and Wesley Grimes (NC State).

Joining Williams, leading running back Justin Ellison also left for Indiana.

Wake will look to get some solid production from corner transfer Capone Blue, who broke

Still the same Trea Turner

Just don’t ask the Phillies All-Star about barbecue

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

PLAYERS NAMED to the MLB All-Star Game have many great experiences during their few days at the Midsummer Classic. Media Day is not one of them.

For close to an hour, the AllStars sit at tables and eld questions from camera-toting questioners, many of whom have prepared a list of wacky questions to try to make sure that they, not the best players in the sport, are the story of the day.

Last week, Trea Turner of the Philadelphia Phillies faced one of those zany questioners the day before he competed in his third MLB All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas.

“I have a couple of Texas-related questions, here,” the reporter said, looking at his handwritten “Texas quiz.”

Turner played along as he was asked if he knew the Texas state ower.

“I absolutely do not,” he said. For those of you scoring along

ECU from page B1

Wright, a graduate student who made previous stops at Florida State and West Virginia, will hope to boost a newlook o ense and add experience to the Pirates’ receiving corps. After missing the 2022 season due to injury, Wright didn’t play much at FSU last year. Yet, in his junior year at WVU in 2021, Wright led the Mountaineers with 63 receptions, 688 yards and ve touchdowns. As long as he stays healthy, Wright could be a key contributor as he looks for a bounce-back year for himself.

Best case

It’ll help if ECU comes out of nonconference play at least at .500 while having built con -

a diving stop during the MLB All-Star Game, Tuesday.

at home, it’s the Bluebonnet.

“I couldn’t even have guessed that,” Turner said.

The next question was about popular Texas food.

“The great debate: Barbecue or tacos?” asked the quizmaster.

Turner took a deep breath as he thought.

“Those are both high up on my list,” he said. “I’m gonna have to go …”

After a long pause, Turner completed the sentence and broke the hearts of an entire state: “Tacos,” he said.

dence and momentum in its offense. If the Pirates can score just over 21 points per game with the same level (or better) of defense as last season, they should be in good shape to exceed last year’s win total and possibly play their way back into bowl contention.

Worst case

If ECU doesn’t nd the answer for its o ense this season, there won’t be much improvement in the win-loss column. Houston may even be on the hot seat after two straight underwhelming seasons.

Key games

Sept. 14 vs. App State — A win over an in-state opponent at home will not only be payback

There you have it: It took a batting title, a World Series ring, three All-Star appearances and a decade in the majors, but Trea Turner, former proud member of the NC State Wolfpack, has ocially gone big league.

Not only did he shun the state food of his college home, but he accepted the premise of the question, rather than arguing that BBQ is not, in fact, a “Texas food” but a North Carolina specialty. This, from a player who gained notoriety for wearing a Wolfpack football helmet

from last year’s loss but also a good early test of how good ECU can be.

Sept. 28 vs. UTSA — As ECU’s rst conference tilt, this game can set the tone and be a con dence builder for this team as it tries to improve last year’s 1-7 conference record.

Nov. 29 vs. Navy — This is another chance to showcase improvement as the Pirates can get revenge for last year’s shutout.

Outlook

For as low as the program reached last year, ECU may not see a complete 180 immediately. As long as it produces better offensive showings, it should nd itself in position to win more games than last year — a major victory for a program that’s building itself back up.

base and program boosters who are now beginning to question the trajectory of the team in this current college football climate.

The depth and talent concerns on both sides of the ball fail to improve as the transfer portal continues to make a big hit after a second straight season without a bowl appearance.

Key games

The team’s schedule isn’t necessarily a killer, but it will be a true test of what this roster is capable of.

Sept. 7 vs. Virginia — Wake’s ACC opener is an opportunity to start the season 2-0 after what should be a season-opening win against North Carolina A&T. While there are winnable games left on the Deacs’ schedule, a potential bowl game is much more likely if they can beat the Cavaliers in Winston-Salem.

Nov. 16 at UNC — Wake is 4-6 in its last 10 games against the Tar Heels and has lost each of the past three matchups. Neither team is in top form heading into the fall, providing a chance for Wake to steal an important conference game in Chapel Hill.

Outlook

The Demon Deacons make 2023 look like a vast outlier by playing competitive football again in the style that Clawson and his sta are accustomed to.

Bachmeier proves to be the answer and true successor to Hartman under center and res up a Wake o ense that — unlike last year — can match the energy of the defense, leading to seven or eight wins and a return to a bowl game.

Worst case

Wake continues to slump without the star power of former years, agitating both the fan

during clubhouse victory celebrations while on his way to the 2019 world title. If his Phillies advance in this year’s playo s — a good possibility since the team currently has baseball’s best record — he’ll likely don a helmet from the NFL Eagles instead. Mr. Big League.

After a few more minutes with Turner, however, it becomes clear that he’s still the same humble kid that helped lead NC State to the 2013 College World Series as a sophomore.

Turner, who missed a total of 24 games over the past four seasons and has played in 92% of his team’s games since 2018, su ered his rst major injury in years, hurting his hamstring on May 3. He su ered a setback while recovering and ended up missing a month and a half — 29 straight games — before returning in mid-June. The Phillies didn’t miss a beat without him — 22-11, .667 when he went down, they went 26-13, .667 without him.

Despite his long absence from the eld, Phillies fans helped elect him to the All-Star starting lineup, the second time he’s won the fan vote.

It’s not like Turner has bene tted from charity in the fan vote, though. Despite missing six weeks, he’s made a case for an All-Star spot, hitting .339

There seems to be a wide range of outcomes and unknowns for the 2024 Demon Deacons. In his near-dozen years at Wake, Clawson has proven to be a formidable leader who can make the most of what he’s been given.

However, it’s unclear what he will make of this roster that is in a continued rebuilding stretch. Tough circumstances combined with a tough schedule made for a dismal showing last year, and now Wake will attempt to improve in its second consecutive transition season.

with 12 home runs and 12 steals.

“It’s a little di erent, getting voted in,” he said. “I’ve missed some time so I feel like, without the fans, I might not be here. So, I appreciate them showing up. I’m going to try to make them proud and have some fun. I’ve been to a couple of these. I enjoy being here and sharing the experience with everyone, and I don’t take it for granted.”

Two years ago, Turner told North State Journal his rst AllStar start was signi cant because of the impact it had on his parents and the rest of his family. That hasn’t changed.

“Just everyone around me,” he said when asked what the honor meant. “I feel like a lot of people have helped me get to where I am. My parents, obviously are right up there, number one. Many of my coaches, my wife, friends, family. There’s so many people that helped me get here, and I appreciate all them. I try to let them know, but de nitely, I’m playing for them.”

So, then, it’s just when it comes to barbecue that Trea Turner has gone big league?

“Dude,” he said. “I love brisket. Pulled pork, mac and cheese, I love. I love barbecue. I almost went barbecue tacos, almost. But yeah, I’ll probably (hear it from NC State people), but it was a lose-lose question. I was gonna lose either way.”

JACOB KUPFERMAN/ AP PHOTO

Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson hopes for a stronger season from his Demon Deacons this year.

JULIO CORTEZ / AP PHOTO

Trea Turner, of the Philadelphia Phillies and NC State Wolfpack, throws to second base after

KATHLEEN BATTEN / AP PHOTO

Winston Wright Jr. (1) makes a long catch for West Virginia against Iowa State in a 2021 game. Wright is nishing his college career at East Carolina this season.

Hornets wrap up successful Summer League

Charlotte nished the summer 7-1 in exhibition play

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Hornets nished up their 2024 Summer League — one where they nearly made the league’s semi nals — this past weekend.

The Hornets were a combined 7-1 in both the Sacramento and Las Vegas Summer League, compiling a 3-0 record in the former and 4-1 record in the latter.

All adding up to one of most successful Hornets summer teams in years, Charlotte came away with reinforced con dence in players who might be contributors in the upcoming 2024-25 season, either in the Queen City or in Greensboro (with the team’s G League a liate, the Swarm).

“I’m so proud of the guys and as an organization — high character, extremely competitive, super together,” said Hornets Summer League coach Joshua Longsta . “This is really the rst group for us as an organization where there’s been a lot of change here. This group represents who we want to be. From top to bottom, ownership, the front o ce and Charles (Lee) as

Concord’s Matt Morgan, shown here in college with Cornell, set a summer-league Charlotte scoring record with 36 points in a game.

a head coach brought in people that think about the players rst, and we want to be a player- rst organization and do everything rst class.”

This summer marked the rst time in 12 years that Charlotte went 4-1 in Las Vegas, as well as the team’s rst winning summer record in six years.

“The Hornets organization did such a good job putting this group together,” Longsta added. “They complement each other well and they push each other. They love each other, and I think that’s really important to us. I have no doubts that they

will continue to grow and get better.”

Players like rising second-year phenom Brandon Miller and likely backup point guard Nick Smith Jr. continued to prove why they will be relied on by Lee in his rst year as Hornets coach.

“I feel like last year was kind of lifeless and we didn’t win a game,” Smith said. “It does feel good to come out here and get some wins with guys who want to compete with one another. Just staying together on the defensive end and rebounding. The shots are going to fall, but we want to continue to take the

open ones and just talk to one another.”

Throughout the Hornets’ eight Summer League matchups, a variety of players emerged as options worthy of a two-way contract with Charlotte or a spot in Greensboro.

Small forward Leaky Black, power forward Mouhamadou Gueye and center Jake Stephens each had explosive bursts, indicating they could factor into the Hornets’ plans, either now or down the road. It was a mixed bag for sixth-overall draft pick Tidjan Salaun, who still has a rawness in his game as the youngest player in the recent draft, in his three appearances. As a project who will continue to hone his basketball fundamentals, it’s unclear at this point if the 18-yearold Frenchman will receive any meaningful action this year.

Across the span of the Summer League, other players who are unlikely to be Hornets still had meaningful moments that are positive signs of their own skills, as well as Charlotte’s viability as an organization.

In a stunning performance, Concord native Matt Morgan had a Charlotte summer-record 36 points o the bench in a win over Portland on July 19, leading to a signing with Italy’s Virtus Segafredo Bologna two days later.

“It’s been an amazing training camp,” Morgan said. “We felt the energy, even with the vets when I met them, you could feel just something di erent. So, it’s been so much fun, especially coming o a good season in London. Just trying to build on that and keep getting better.”

Elsewhere, small forward Zavier Simpson set a new Hornets summer record, averaging eight assists in Las Vegas as he passed Kemba Walker’s old summer record of 5.8 assists per game.

In Charlotte’s nal Summer League game, small forward Brandon Slater exploded for a game-high 30 points on 62.5% shooting from the eld.

“It was just my teammates, my coaches and my support sta telling me to keep playing hard, to play how I play, and the game will come to you,” Slater said. “The whole time, they just kept reminding me that I’m a good player and that I’m supposed to be here. It’s been the experience of a lifetime. I’ll never forget this group.”

With the Hornets’ Summer League in the books, the team can now head into the rest of the summer with perhaps an added feeling of con dence. For a team that has often found wins in short supply, even summer exhibition victories can help to inspire optimism.

MLB Draft looks to North Carolina for next generation

High schools and colleges in the state produced more than 50 selections

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

MAJOR LEAGUE Baseball reached out to its next generation of players with the 20-round MLB Draft last week in Texas. As we reported last week, Wake Forest took center stage in the rst round, with three Demon Deacons — Chase Burns, Nick Kurtz and Seaver King — selected in the rst 10 picks. ECU’s Trey Yesavage and UNC’s Vance Honeycutt were also taken in the rst round.

The rst day of the draft went through the second round, which saw Duke’s Jonathan Santucci and NC State’s Jacob Cozart taken.

The draft went on for two more days, and a total of 46 athletes who played high school or college baseball for a team in the state were selected, with at least one in-state player going in each of the rst 19 rounds.

Here’s a look at the North Carolina-to-MLB pipeline from this year.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOLS:

In addition to Honeycutt (Salisbury) and Cozart (Wesleyan Chrisitan Academy), another 25 alumni of high school baseball across the state were drafted.

Among current high school players, East Rowan shortstop Cobb Hightower was the rst taken, getting drafted by San Diego in the third round, No. 88 overall.

The draft has put a premium on college experience, and only one other high school player from the state was drafted, and it took until round 19. Cox Mill High’s Braylon Whitaker was taken by the Orioles. The out elder was selected No. 579 overall.

The other 23 former N.C. high school players went on to play in college, either in or outside of the state.

Fuquay Varina produced a

MILLER from page B1 was 88 or 89, but that’s not an exact measurement.

Why?

“We didn’t have a radar gun at Waynesburg,” he said. “I had no idea what I was throwing.”

Part of the problem was that he was having trouble keeping weight on, which sapped his strength. When he took a drug

East Carolina’s Ryan McCrystal celebrates a big hit in the NCAA regionals in June. McCrystal was one of two members of the 2021 state champion Fuquay Varina team drafted this year.

pair of draftees. Righthander

Daniel Eagen, who played in college at Presbyterian, was taken in the third round, 102nd overall, by Arizona. Catcher

Ryan McCrystal, who played at ECU, was taken in the ninth round, No. 269, by Cincinnati. The pair were teammates at Fuquay-Varina in the class of 2021, winning a pair of state championships.

Reagan’s Josh Hartle, who pitched at Wake Forest, was taken by Pittsburgh in round three, No. 83.

Cary Green Hope shortstop

Payton Green, who played at Georgia Tech, went No. 184, in the sixth round, to Miami.

Kernersville Glenn’s Garrett Horn, a lefthander who pitched at Liberty University, went to Texas later in the round, at 195.

Here are the rest of the high schoolers:

Luke Craig, LHP, Southern Lee, UNC-W, Round 7, No. 224, Arizona

Jacob Jenkins-Cowart, OF, Southeast Guilford, ECU, Round 8, No. 244, Miami.

Sam Garcia, LHP, E.A. Laney, High Point and Oklahoma State, 8, 245, Milwaukee

test to apply for a summer internship in spring 2018, his blood sample gave the explanation.

“At rst, they thought I was trying to dilute my sample,” he said. “They did further testing, and it showed my blood sugar was o the charts. They sent me to the ER.” He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and began getting treatment. It

RJ Sales, RHP, Pinecrest, UNC-W, 10, 296, Detroit

Merritt Beeker, LHP, North Davidson, Ball State, 11, 320, Washington

Dalton Pence, LHP, Cherryville, UNC, 11, 345, Texas

Brandon Butterworth, SS, Sun Valley, NC State, 12, 360, San Diego

AJ Wilson, LHP, East Surry, East Carolina and Charlotte, 12, 372, Philadelphia

Sam Kulasingam, 3B, Holly Springs, Air Force, 13, 377, Kansas City

Dillon Lewis, OF, Ardrey Kell, Queens, 13, 391, N.Y. Yankees

Austin St. Laurent, 3B, Western Alamance, Appalachian State, 14, 423, Seattle

Jordan Little, RHP, Hickory Grove, Christian, Virginia Tech, 15, 449, Cincinnati

Jonathan Todd, RHP, Rockingham, Western Carolina, 15, 457, Toronto

William Gervase, LHP, Harnett, Wake Forest, 16, 472, L.A. Angels

had an immediate impact.

“I put on 15 pounds in three days in the hospital,” he said. “After that, it was just steady gain, and the velo followed along with the weight.” Soon, he was hitting 98 and 99 mph, which meant he needed to relocate somewhere with radar guns and a higher level of competition. He transferred to Gardner-Webb.

Aidan Haugh, RHP, East Wake, UNC, 16, 488, Minnesota

Jacob Shafer, RHP, SW Guilford, UNC-W, 17, 521, Atlanta

Gus Hughes, RHP, Grimsley, High Point, 18, 541, N.Y. Yankees

Logan Whitaker, RHP, Ledford, NC State, 19, 578, Minnesota

Lefthander Brandon Clarke, a Cary native who played high school and college ball out of state, was taken in round 5, 148 overall, by Boston.

NORTH CAROLINA COLLEGES

In addition to Burns, Kurtz, King, Hartle and Gervase, Wake Forest saw righthander

Michael Massey taken by Detroit in round four, No. 114. UNC had six players taken: Honeycutt, Pence and Haugh, as well as:

Casey Cook, OF, 3, 103, Texas

Anthony Donofrio, OF, 10, 303, Seattle

Shea Sprague, LHP, 13, 387, Boston

“Once I got there, I had a lot of coaches and scouts around, saying, ‘Hey, you’re running it up there a little bit,’” he said. “It was shocking to me to see it continue to go up.” He struck out 121 of the 396 batters he faced in his season at Gardner-Webb, going 8-1 for the Bulldogs. He was drafted in the third round in 2021, the highest G-W player taken in 16 years.

After Santucci in the second round, Duke had four more players taken:

Charlie Beilinson, RHP, 5, 154, Seattle

Nicholas Conte, RHP, 8, 227, Kansas City

Fran Oschell, RHP, 12, 352, L.A. Angels

Jimmy Romano, RHP, 16, 479, Cincinnati

The remaining college players in the state drafted are:

NC State (4 total)

Eli Serrano, OF, 4, 111, N.Y. Mets

East Carolina (6)

Carter Cunningham, OF, 10, 307, Toronto

Wyatt Lunsford-Shenkman, RHP, 16, 483, Seattle

Erik Ritchie, LHP, 19, 582, Philadelphia

High Point (3)

Peyton Carr, 3B, 10, 308, Minnesota

Charlotte (2)

Ryan Degges, RHP, 17, 522, Philadelphia

Campbell (2)

Grant Knipp, 2-way player, 6, 183, Seattle

Cole Peschi, RHP, 15, 458, Minnesota

Davidson (1)

Jacob Friend, C, 6, 179, Cincinnati

NC A&T (1)

Canyon Brown, C, 9, 257, Kansas City

Lenoir-Rhyne (1)

Zach Evans, SS, 9, 270, San Diego

Wingate (1)

Sean Barnett, 2-way player, 11, 330, San Diego

“It feels like a long time ago, but when you put a year on it, like, hey, that was only three, four, ve years ago,” he said of his college experience. “Moments like this, they give you a chance to take perspective and look back at where you’ve come from, all the steps along the way that have gone into it and just really be grateful for that journey.”

BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO

NICK LISI / AP PHOTO

Beloved actor-comedian Bob Newhart dies at 94

He won three Grammys, a Golden Globe and an Emmy in a career that spanned eight decades

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Bob Newhart, the deadpan accountant-turned-comedian who became one of the most popular TV stars after striking gold with a classic comedy album, has died at 94.

Jerry Digney, Newhart’s publicist, said the actor died last Thursday in Los Angeles after a series of short illnesses.

Best remembered as the star of two hit television shows of the 1970s and 1980s that bore his name, Newhart launched his career as a standup comic in the late 1950s. He gained nationwide fame when his routine was captured on vinyl in 1960 as “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” which went on to win the Grammy Album of the Year award.

While other comedians of the time, including Lenny Bruce, Mort Sahl, Alan King, Mike Nichols and Elaine May, frequently got laughs with their aggressive attacks on modern mores, Newhart was an anomaly. His outlook was modern, but he rarely raised his voice above a hesitant, almost stammering delivery.

Newhart was initially wary of signing on to a weekly TV series, fearing it would overexpose his material. Nevertheless, he accepted an o er from NBC, and “The Bob Newhart Show” premiered on Oct. 11, 1961. Despite Emmy and Peabody awards, the half-hour variety show was canceled after one season, which Newhart mined for jokes for decades.

He waited 10 years before undertaking another “Bob Newhart Show” in 1972. This was a situation comedy with Newhart playing a Chicago psychologist living in a penthouse with his schoolteacher wife, Su-

zanne Pleshette. Their neighbors and his patients, notably Bill Daily as an airline navigator, were a wacky, neurotic bunch who provided an ideal counterpoint to Newhart’s deadpan commentary.

Four years later, the comedian launched another show called “Newhart.” This time, he was a successful New York writer who reopened a long-closed Vermont inn. Again, Newhart was the calm, reasonable man surrounded by a group of eccentric locals. Again, the show was a huge hit, lasting eight seasons on CBS.

It bowed out in memorable style in 1990 with Newhart — in his old Chicago psychologist character — waking up in bed with Pleshette, cringing as he tells her about his strange dream: “I was an inn-

keeper in this crazy little town in Vermont. ... The handyman kept missing the point of things, and then there were these three woodsmen, but only one of them talked!”

The stunt parodied a “Dallas” episode in which a key character was killed o and revived when the death was revealed to have been in a dream.

Two 1990s series were comparative duds. Though nominated several times, his only Emmy came for a guest role on “The Big Bang Theory.” “I guess they think I’m not acting. That it’s just Bob being Bob,” he sighed about not winning television’s highest honor during his heyday.

Over the years, Newhart also appeared in several movies, usually comedic. Among them: “Catch 22,” “In and Out,” “Legally Blonde 2” and “Elf,” as the

diminutive dad of adopted fullsize son Will Ferrell. More recent work included “Horrible Bosses” and the TV series “The Librarians” and the “The Big Bang Theory” spin-o “Young Sheldon.”

He vowed in 2003 that he would work as long as he could.

“It’s been so much, 43 years of my life; (to quit) would be like something was missing,” he said. He was especially close with fellow comedian and family man Don Rickles, whose raucous insult humor clashed memorably with Newhart’s droll understatement.

“We’re apples and oranges. I’m a Jew, and he’s a Catholic. He’s low-key, I’m a yeller,” Rickles told Variety in 2012. A decade later, Judd Apatow would pay tribute to their friendship in the short documentary

Fox Business, CNN host Lou Dobbs dies at 78

Dobbs dove into the complex public policy and economic issues that drive society

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Lou Dobbs, the conservative political pundit and veteran cable TV host who was a founding anchor for CNN and later was a nightly presence on Fox Business Network for more than a decade, has died. He was 78.

His death was announced Thursday in a post on his o cial X account, which called him a “ ghter till the very end — ghting for what mattered to him the most: God, his family and the country.” No cause of death was given.

“Lou’s legacy will forever live on as a patriot and a great American. We ask for your prayers for Lou’s wonderful wife, Debi, children and grandchildren,” the post said.

He hosted “Lou Dobbs Tonight” on Fox Business from 2011 to 2021 following two separate stints at CNN.

Fox News Media said that Dobbs’ passing saddened the network.

“An incredible business mind

with a gift for broadcasting, Lou helped pioneer cable news into a successful and in uential industry,” the statement said. “We are immensely grateful for his many contributions and send our heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Dobbs was an early and vocal supporter of Donald Trump during his candidacy for the White House and throughout his presidency. After his death was announced Thursday, Trump wrote on his media platform Truth Social that Dobbs was a friend and a “truly incredible Journalist, Reporter, and Talent.”

“He understood the World and what was ‘happening’ better than others. Lou was unique in so many ways and loved our Country. Our warmest condolences to his wonderful wife, Debi, and family. He will be greatly missed!” Trump wrote on the platform.

Dobbs’ Fox show was titled “Lou Dobbs Tonight,” like the

“Bob and Don: A Love Story.” A master of the gently sarcastic remark, Newhart got into comedy after he became bored with his $5-an-hour accounting job in Chicago. To pass the time, he and a friend, Ed Gallagher, began making funny phone calls to each other. Eventually, they decided to record them as comedy routines and sell them to radio stations. Six of his routines were recorded, and the album, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” was released on April Fools’ Day 1960. It sold 750,000 copies and was followed by “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back!” At one point, the albums ranked Nos. 1 and 2 on the sales charts. The New York Times in 1960 said he was “the rst comedian in history to come to prominence through a recording.”

one he left in 2009 at CNN. Once the most visible television business journalist with his “Moneyline” show in the 1990s, Dobbs dove into the complex public policy and economic issues that drive society. He always wanted to be straight with his viewers.

Dobbs spent more than two decades at CNN, joining at its launch in 1980 and hosting “Moneyline.” He left CNN in 2009 to help media mogul Rupert Murdoch launch Fox Business.

“Lou was one of the CNN originals who helped launch and shape the network,” CNN said in a statement. “We are saddened to hear about his passing and extend our sincerest condolences to his wife, Debi, children and his family.”

When he joined Fox, he said he considered himself the underdog. A few years later, his show was highly rated, and he became a key gure in the network.

“My audience has always expected me to tell them where I’m coming from, and I don’t see any reason to disappoint them,” he said in 2011.

LENNOX MCLENDON / AP PHOTO

Comedian Bob Newhart and his wife, Ginny, arrive at the Golden Globe Awards in 1985. Newhart died July 18 at age 94.

ALEX BRANDON / AP PHOTO

Lou Dobbs, the conservative political pundit and host on CNN and Fox Business, died last week.

Dylan Reel Sr. Government Relations Advisor

‘Twisters’

whips up $80.5M while ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ looms

“Despicable Me 4” added $23.8 million in its third weekend

By Lindsey Bahr

The Associated Press

MOVIEGOERS RAN toward the tornadoes this weekend, propelling “Twisters” to a blockbuster opening. The standalone sequel to the 1996 hit made $80.5 million in ticket sales from 4,151 theaters in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday.

“We had big aspirations for it to begin with, and it certainly exceeded those,” said Jim Orr, who heads distribution for Universal. “We are seriously over-indexing between coasts, which is also fun to see.”

Its overperformance recalled “Oppenheimer’s” debut last year on the same weekend. There are some similarities: the studio, Universal, and the numbers. However, there are also important di erences: “Oppenheimer” was three hours long, R-rated (“Twisters” is PG-13) and historical, not to mention the collective enthusiasm around its release date companion, “Barbie.”

“Twisters,” meanwhile, is a franchise. It may not be a direct sequel to “Twister,” but it bene ts from brand recognition. The original Jan de Bont-directed lm starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton was a nancial hit at the time and has only become more beloved over the years. This lm, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, does not include any original characters and introduces a new crowd of storm chasers.

“This is just further evidence

that when you create something compelling and interesting and has broad appeal, that all across the country people will show up,” said Michael O’Leary, the president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners. “I think the word of mouth on this movie will be exceptional.”

The Universal, Warner Bros. and Amblin production cost $155 million to produce and millions more to promote. Part of the push included a country music-heavy soundtrack, with a new Luke Combs single, “Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma,”

which has racked up more than 56 million audio streams. The soundtrack, featuring the likes of Bailey Zimmerman, Tucker Wetmore, Tanner Adell, Lainey Wilson, Tyler Childers, Thomas Rhett and Miranda Lambert, has over 75 million streams.

Critics were mixed but mostly positive about the 2-hour thriller. Audiences gave it an enthusiastic A- CinemaScore and 4.5 stars on PostTrak. Also of note: 24% of moviegoers polled by PostTrack said actor Glen Powell was a main draw.

“Our director crafted exactly what audiences

want to see in theaters: a very immersive, exciting, mayhem everywhere story with a charming cast,” Orr said. Bob Bagby, the chair of the Theatre Owners Association and the CEO of Kansas City-based B&B Theatres, which has about 580 screens, said their 4DX auditoriums have been nearly sold out all weekend. 4DX is an “immersive” lm presentation format that includes seat-shaking and wind e ects.

Bagby appreciated that there was no “surprise political or social agenda.”

“I’m in the movie business.

We show everything. There’s been many movies about global warming, and that’s important,” he said. “But sometimes you go to the movies and don’t want to be brought back to reality and lose your escape. You just want to have a good time.”

Universal also had the No. 2 movie in the country with “Despicable Me 4,” now in its third weekend. It added $23.8 million from North America, still playing in more than 4,000 theaters, bringing its domestic total to $259.5 million.

Third place went to another animated juggernaut: Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2.” Now, on its sixth weekend, it boasts a global total of $1.4 billion. It is quickly closing in on “Frozen 2” to earn the title of the biggest animated movie ever.

“Things have turned around since May,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore.

Another force is storming theaters next weekend in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” which is tracking to open in the $160 million range. That would be enough to unseat “Inside Out 2” for the year’s biggest opening. Dergarabedian added: “We could be looking at a weekend where people want to see two blockbusters back to back. It’ll give that second weekend of Barbenheimer a run for its money.”

1. “Twisters,” $80.5 million

2. “Despicable Me 4,” $23.8 million

3. “Inside Out 2,” $12.8 million

4. “Longlegs,” $11.7 million

5. “A Quiet Place: Day One,” $6.1 million

6. “Fly Me to the Moon,” $3.4 million

7. “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” $2.7 million

8. “Bad Newz,” $1.1 million

9. “MaXXXine,” $819,242

10. “The Bikeriders,” $700,000

Grateful Dead, Francis Ford Coppola, Apollo Theater among 2024’s Kennedy Center Honors recipients

Bonnie Raitt and jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval will also be honored

By Ashraf Khalil

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — An iconoclastic lmmaking legend and one of the world’s most enduring musical acts headline this year’s crop of Kennedy Center Honors recipients.

Director Francis Ford Coppola and the Grateful Dead will be honored for lifetime achievement in the arts, along with jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, blues legend Bonnie Raitt and the legendary Harlem theater The Apollo, which has launched generations of black artists.

Starting as a folk-infused quintet in psychedelic-era 1960s San Francisco, the Grateful Dead steadily morphed into a cultural phenomenon and one of the most successful touring acts ever.

Fueled by the carnival atmosphere of its traveling Deadhead fanbase and an ethos that encouraged tape trading and emphasized live performance over studio output, the Dead has spanned multiple generations and remains wildly popular. Lead guitarist and founding member Jerry Garcia died in 1995, but the band continues almost nonstop touring in multiple incarnations.

“There are a lot of ingredients that go into it,” drummer Mickey Hart said when asked about the longevity of the music. “The fans say that the shows feel like home. It gives them that feeling of connectedness, community, joy, and love for life and the music.”

Coppola, 85, has established himself as a trailblazing lmmaker, winning ve Academy Awards and earning a reputation as a driven artist willing to risk his reputation and nances for his vision. Even after the massive successes of “The Godfather” and a sequel, Coppola drove himself into near bankruptcy while lming “Apocalypse Now,” another classic.

At times, he wondered whether he had ru ed too many powerful feathers along the way ever to receive Kennedy Center Honors induction.

“I’ve been eligible for the past 20 years, so the fact that I never received it made me feel that maybe I never would,” said Coppola, who participated in fellow director Martin Scorsese’s induction in 2007. “I just assumed I wasn’t going to win it, so to hear that I was chosen was a surprise and a delight.”

Coppola, who has produced wine from his northern California vineyard for more than 40 years, also congratulated another northern California recipient this year.

“And it’s a big treat to be there this year with the Grateful Dead, my San Francisco colleagues,” he said. “I’m very delighted and pleased.”

Sandoval, 74, rose to prominence as a musician in his native Cuba, playing piano and percussion but specializing in the trumpet. His work brought him into contact with jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie, who championed his music and personally helped him defect from Cuba while on tour in Europe in 1990.

“Modestly apart, I do think I deserve it. I worked so hard for so many years,” Sandoval told The Associated Press. “It’s a huge honor, and I feel completely overwhelmed. I have to pinch myself sometimes. I’m just a little farmer from Cuba. God has been so good to me.”

Raitt’s memories of the Kennedy Center Honors go back to the 1970s when she accompanied her father, Broadway performer John Raitt, who was participating in a tribute to

composer Richard Rogers.

“I got to visit the White House and hang out with the Carters,” said Raitt, 74. “I got my rst taste of what this weekend means.”

As an adult performer, Raitt experienced the other side of the Kennedy Center Honors equation: performing as part of tributes to Mavis Staples in 2016 and Buddy Guy in 2012. These performances are frequently kept secret from the honorees themselves, and Raitt said she looks forward to seeing who the planners come up with for her tribute.

“I want to be surprised, and I don’t want to know,” she said. Over a 50-year career, Raitt has received many music awards, including 13 Grammys and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone magazine named

2025

her to its list of the 100 greatest guitarists and singers of all time. But Raitt said the Kennedy Center Honors status holds a special place because it extends to all aspects of the performing arts, encompassing all forms of music, dance and performance.

“The thing that puts (Kennedy Center Honors) at the pinnacle is that it’s culture-wide,” she said. “It’s hard for me even to fathom what this means.”

It’s extremely rare for the Kennedy Center Honors to select a venue rather than a performer.

“It’s not a traditional honoree, for sure,” said Michelle Ebanks, the theater’s president and CEO, who cited the recent induction of the show “Sesame Street” as a similar out-of-thebox selection. “We’re delighted by the honor.”

UNIVERSAL PICTURES VIA AP

Glen Powell, left, and Daisy Edgar-Jones star in “Twisters.”

AP PHOTO

The Grateful Dead, from left to right, Mickey Hart, Phil Lesh, Jerry Garcia, Brent Mydland, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir, is among the 47th Kennedy Center class.

Exploring the Explorer 2025 Ford Explorer

By Jordan Golson North State Journal

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — I have a complicated relationship with the Ford Explorer. I’ve driven a few variants of the venerable SUV over the years. Still, I’ve never come away particularly impressed — too much plastic and not enough pizzazz for an ultra-competitive segment.

Ford’s strengths in the past decade or so lay in the full-size Expedition and its pickup trucks (and the Bronco), not its midsize SUV o ering. But Dearborn’s designers have been busy, and the refreshed 2025 Explorer sitting before me in rural Michigan promises to right those wrongs.

The rst thing that catches my eye isn’t the massive 13.2inch touchscreen dominating the dash (though we’ll get to that). It’s a simple, elegant solution to a problem that’s plagued car designers for years: where to put your phone.

Just below the giant screen sits a divided cubby — wireless charger on the left, regular storage on the right. It’s not revolutionary, but the thoughtful design makes you wonder why it took so long to come up with a good solution.

This attention to detail extends throughout the cabin. The redesigned interior addresses many of the complaints leveled at the current generation. Gone are the awkward ergonomics

and dated tech. Ford has adopted Android Automotive, transforming the Explorer into a rolling computer nearly as smart as the phone in your pocket. This isn’t just another way to mirror your smartphone — it’s a full operating system embedded within the vehicle.

Google Maps, Assistant and even the Play Store are integrated seamlessly into the dash. Want to use Waze instead of Google Maps? Download it directly to your Explorer. It’s a leap forward in automotive tech, though it remains to be seen how extensively this feature will be utilized by consumers and supported by de-

velopers. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still on hand for the phone-faithful, but Ford’s betting big on Google to bring its in-car tech into the 2020s. Under the hood of my tester sits a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine. It’s a peppy little number, capable of hustling this three-row SUV around with surprising verve. But let’s be honest — the real star of the power show is the available 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6, churning out a whopping 400 horsepower. In a family hauler. What a time to be alive. On the road, the Explorer is a mixed bag. The EcoBoost engine provides ample grunt, but it’s

not exactly whisper-quiet. Road noise is more prominent than I’d like, especially with the sportier tire options. Turn up the tunes, though, and you’ll never notice. And, to be fair to the engine, the exhaust note is pretty pleasing. However, my favorite part of the improved Explorer is that it o ers Ford’s BlueCruise handsfree driving system. It’s not autonomous driving, but on premapped highways, you can take your hands o the wheel and let the Explorer handle the steering. The system uses cameras to ensure you’re still paying attention (no napping allowed), but it takes a signi cant amount of stress out of long highway slogs or endless commuter tra c.

Practicality remains a strong suit. With room for seven (though adults might want to avoid that third row for long trips), plenty of cargo space and various drive modes — including some light o -road settings — the Explorer is ready for everything from school runs to weekend camping trips.

Pricing starts around $41,000 for the base model and climbs into the $60,000 range for a fully loaded Platinum trim. This puts the Explorer alongside segment standouts like the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade. Those Korean twins o er compelling packages with longer warranties, but they can’t match the Explorer’s performance options or its new tech suite. The prior Explorer came out nearly at the same time as the Kia and Hyundai, and the ght was over before it began. But things are more evenly matched now.

The 2025 Explorer isn’t a clean-sheet redesign, but it didn’t need to be. Ford has addressed the most glaring issues of the current generation while adding genuinely useful new tech. The addition of BlueCruise and the Android Automotive system puts it at the forefront of tech in its class, while the potent engine options and improved interior make it a strong contender in the midsize SUV segment. Is it perfect? No. The road noise could be better managed, and you’ll pay a premium for the top-end ST and Platinum variants. Privacy concerns around data collection and potential cybersecurity risks are worth considering as vehicles become more connected, but this isn’t an Explorer-speci c quibble — every new car faces these challenges. For families looking for a do-itall SUV that can handle the daily grind and weekend adventures with equal aplomb, the new Explorer makes a strong case for itself.

Ford has sold more than 8 million Explorers since its introduction. This latest iteration proves they aren’t resting on their laurels. The Explorer nameplate might be familiar, but this 2025 model is tech-savvy with plenty of oomph under the hood.

The venerable Explorer (remember the Eddie Bauer edition?) represents a new era where cars aren’t just transportation but extensible platforms that can grow and adapt to our needs over time. It’s not quite the trailblazer the original was, but Ford still has a few tricks to teach the new kids in town.

PHOTOS COURTESY FORD MOTOR COMPANY

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as the EXECUTOR of the Estate of Kathleen S. Davis, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 18th day of October, 2024 (which date is 3 months after day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 8th day of July, 2024 James A Davis, Jr Executor 89 Quercus Circle Little Rock, Arkansas 72223 Executor of the Estate of Kathleen S. Davis

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 24-E-1040 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Virgil Raymond Jones, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before October 18, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 18th day of July, 2024. Jennifer Bradford, Administrator of the Estate of Virgil Raymond Jones NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY, CRAVEN & CORLEY, L.L.P. N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990 COUNSEL FOR ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE

In the General Court Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File # 2024E 001001 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY

ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned having quali ed as EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE of Annie Hobbs deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 25th day of 0ctober 2024,( which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 19th day of July,2024. Betty Hobbs-Madden 3232 Innovative ct. Fayetteville, NC 28312 Administrator of the Estate of Annie Hobbs, Deceased

7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 24E899 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having quali ed as Co-Executor’s of the Estate of Harold Lacy Godwin, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 2225 Winterlochen Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28305, on or before October 11, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 11th day of July, 2024. Christopher Bolton Godwin and Harold Prescott Godwin Co-Executor’s of the Estate of Harold Lacy Godwin, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 07/11/2024, 07/18/2024, 07/25/2024 and 08/01/2024

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMERBLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 23E779 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF ARCHIE LEE

HATCHER ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrator of the estate of Archie Lee Hatcher, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 28th day of October, 2024 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 25th day of July, 2024. Cecil Freeman Hatcher 1001 Fleetwood Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28305 Administrator of the estate of Archie Lee Hatcher, deceased Publication Dates

NOTICE

NOTICE

In The General Court of Justice Superior Court

Division Before the Clerk state File #24 E 850 STATE of NORTH CAROLINA

CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE

The undersigned having quali ed As Executors of the Estate of Mary Alice Doby, deceased, Late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons

Having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 4th day of October, 2024, (which date is three months after the day of rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons Indebted to the estate will be please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 4th day of July, 2024. Executor’s of the Estate of Mary Alice Doby Barbara J. Almendarez 1004 Anarine Rd Fayetteville NC 28303

Email: bjaaz7129@gmail.com Phone: 910-309-6527 Catherine Irene Bell 4176 Ferncreek Dr. Fayetteville NC 28314 Phone: 910-323-1337 Of the Estate of Mary Alice Doby, deceased

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

County of Cumberland

In the General Court of Justice

Superior Court Division Estate FIle Number 24E1057

Administrator’s/ Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Peggy Mitchell Bulla, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 11th day of October, 2024, (which is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 11th day of July, 2024.

JT Bulla Jr, Administrator/Executor 5952 Flintlock Court Hickory, NC 28601 Of the Estate of Peggy Mitchell Bulla, Deceased

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF SUNNY LOBRED

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24 E 1018

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Sunny Lobred, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at HUTCHENS LAW FIRM, LLP, 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 25th day of October, 2024 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above.

This the 18th day of July, 2024.

Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Sunny Lobred

Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311

Run dates: July 25, August 1, August 8 and August 15, 2024

NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Mary Ann McNeill, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 25th day of October 2024, (which is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decendent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 19th day of July, 2024 Paula McNeill, Administrator/Executor P. O. Box 87702 Fayetteville, NC 28304 Of the Estate of Mary A. McNeill, Deceased

ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTICE

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

ESTATE FILE 24E983 State of North Carolina Cumberland County NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having quali ed as the Administrator of the Estate of Michael Kennedy Smith, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 416 Devane Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28305, on or before October 11, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 11th day of July, 2024. len D. Smith Administrator of the Estate of Michael Kennedy Smith, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 07/11/2024, 07/18/2024, 07/25/2024 and 08/01/2024

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrators of the Estate of Charles Lynwood Thaggard, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 18th day of October, 2024, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 10th day of July, 2024. Administrators of the Estate of Charles Lynwood Thaggard: Geneva Thaggard Burcham Charles Lynwood Thaggard, Jr. 3409 Cornell Dr. Fayetteville, NC 28306

NOTICE

In the GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE #24E1026 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Anita Fountain Oliver, deceased, late of Cumberland County North Carolina the undersigned does herby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claim against the estate basis decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 104 Greenway Overlook Cary NC, 27518 on or before October 11, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned Dated this 11th day of July 2024. Charles Oliver, Executor of the Estate of Anita Fountain Oliver, 104 Greenway Overlook Cary NC 27518.

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 21 SP 435 BRADFORD SCOTT HANCOX, ADMINSTRATOR

C.T.A. OF THE ESTATE OF CHARLES LINDBERG UNDERWOOD, Deceased, Petitioner, VS. UNKNOWN HEIRS OF MARTHA A. UNDERWOOD, KENNETH SHAW-UNDERWOOD, LYNETTE UNDERWOOD SMITH a/k/a SAUDA UNDERWOOD SMITH, JILLENE UNDERWOOD a/k/a JILLENE UNDERWOOD-CASTANG, KIM SHAW a/k/a KIM WILLIAMS, WARREN LEE TAYLOR JR., PATRICIA BUSHROD IRONS, CHARLES MATTHEW BUSHROD a/k/a MATT JOHNSTON, ASHLEY VICTORIA CARIELLO, MARK BUSHROD, ANDREA BUSHROD, ALEXANDRIA BUSHROD, JOSEPH BUSHROD, REBEKAH BUSHROD, DAHLENIE BUSHROD, ANTHONY C. DOUGLAS, AUDREY MCRAE RAY, TANYA L. DOUGLAS, CHARLES J. DOUGLAS, MADELINE THIBODEAUX a/k/a MADELINE RAMEY, and L.W. BLAKE, as Trustee Under that Certain Inter Vivos Trust dated January 1, 1994 for John Vance Blackwell, Respondents.

TO: Kim Shaw aka Kim Williams 4721 Duncastle Rd., Apt. 1B Fayetteville, NC 28314

Tanya L. Douglas 10823 108th Ave. SW, Apt. C1 Lakewood, WA 98498 Andrea Bushrod 1023 Blue Sky Drive NW Concord, NC 28027

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: The Plainti in the above entitled action has led a Petition to Partition by Sale and Motion to Appoint a Guardian Ad Litem for three tracts of real property located in Cumberland County having Parcel IDs: 0561-19-5112, 0551-98-6975, 0561-09-5083. You are required to make defense to such pleading no later than August 27 2024 (40 days from the date of rst publication) and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought. This the 12th day of July, 2024. HUTCHENS LAW FIRM LLP By:__________________________ J. Haydon Ellis

N.C. State Bar No.: 50687 Post O ce Box 2505 Fayetteville, NC 28302

Telephone: (910) 864-6888

Facsimile: (910) 867-8732

Attorneys for Plainti

Dates of Publication: 7.18.24, 7.25.24, and 8.1.24

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT

COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY.

address set out below, on or before October 5, 2024, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below. This the 24h day of June, 2024.

CAROL A. UNDERWOOD

EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF ANNE DINA c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Stephen L. Malpass, having quali ed on the 8th day of July 2024, as Executor of the Estate of Margie R. Olive (2024-E-389), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 28th day of October, 2024, or the claims will be forever barred

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Donald Ray Davis aka Donald Ray Davis Sr., late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned Djuana Davis Young at P.O. Box 1134 Oxford, NC 27565 on or before the 02th day of October 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 4th day of July 2024.

Djuana Davis Young Administrator of the Estate of Donald Ray Davis P.O. Box 1134, Oxford NC 27565

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of DAVID LEE HOLLAND, late of Wake County, North Carolina (24E002493-910), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 14th day of October, 2024 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 11th day of July 2024.

Cynthia Jean McGhee

Executor of the Estate of David Lee Holland

c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

(For publication: 07/11, 07/18, 07/25, 08/01/2024)

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Senetria Bryant to Amy Mandart, Trustee(s), which was dated June 30, 2000 and recorded on July 10, 2000 in Book 5300 at Page 0043, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for

Deed of

by James M. King and Dale King a/k/a Constance D. King to Ruth W. Garner, Trustee(s), which was dated June 22, 2012 and recorded on July 5, 2012 in Book 8939 at Page 634, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 24 SP 130 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by John M. Gurley (deceased) and Jannie M. Gurley aka Jannie P. Gurley (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): John M. Gurley and Jannie M. Gurley, Heirs of John M. Gurley: Anne Strong Marshall, Melinda Davis, Cassandra Minter) to Michael Lyon, Trustee(s), dated March 24, 2011, and recorded in Book No. 08625, at Page 0275 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of MICHAEL CHARLES MAZUROSKI, late of Wake County, North Carolina (24E000834-910), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 14th day of October, 2024 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 11th day of July 2024.

Chloe J. Mazuroski

Executor of the Estate of Michael Charles Mazuroski

c/o Lisa M. Schreiner

Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526

(For publication: 07/11, 07/18, 07/25, 08/01/2024)

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DURHAM COUNTY

In the Superior Court

PRIMIS BANK v. Nicholas Kwon 24CV004511-310

To: Nicholas Kwon

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought against is as follows: Money Owed

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than September 5, 2024, and upon your failure to do so the party against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

This, the 23 day of July, 2024. Grady Ingle, The Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 980-771-0717

sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on August 7, 2024 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

Being all of Lot 13, Holly Hill, Section Four, according to a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 28, Page 33, Cumberland County Registry.

This conveyance is made subject to restrictive covenants, easements and rights-of-way of record.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 625 Goodyear Dr, Spring Lake, NC 28390.

A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price,

county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 31, 2024 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, TOWNSHIP OF SEVENTY-FIRST BEING ALL OF LOT 537 IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS DEVONWOOD, SECTION ONE, PART THREE ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF THE SAME DULY RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 38, PAGE 76 CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, REGISTRY.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 337 Mcfadyen Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28314.

A certi ed check only (no personal checks) of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the

location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on July 29, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Tax Id Number(s): 0406-04-0584Land Situated in the Township of Seventy First in the County of Cumberland in the State of NC.

Being all of Lot No. 55 of a subdivision known as Emerald Gardens according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 3 Page 42, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 7326 Hyannis Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Commonly known as: 7326 Hyannis Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28304

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. 45-21.23.

public road and running thence with Mrs. Grubb’s line Northwest 237 feet to an iron stake, J.M. Williams corner; thence with the Williams line S. 64° 30’ West 118 feet to an iron stake J.M. Williams corner; thence South 21° East 230 feet to an iron stake on the West side of the Old Salisbury Road; thence with said road North 65° East 180 feet to the BEGINNING, containing 3/4 of an acre, more or less.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 4942 South NC Highway 150, Lexington, NC 27295.

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DURHAM COUNTY

In the Superior Court

PRIMIS BANK v. Nicholas Kwon 24CV004513-310

To: Nicholas Kwon

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought against is as follows: Money Owed

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than September 5, 2024, and upon your failure to do so the party against you will apply to the court for the relief sought.

This, the 23 day of July, 2024.

Grady Ingle, The Ingle Law Firm, PA 13801 Reese Blvd West Suite 160 Huntersville, NC 28078 980-771-0717

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA DURHAM COUNTY

In the Superior Court

PRIMIS BANK v. Nicholas Kwon 24CV004510-310

To: Nicholas Kwon

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought against is as follows:

You

Take

or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing.

THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s)

time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing.

THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Constance D. King AKA Dale King.

of the property is/are ALL LAWFUL HEIRS OF SENETRIA BRYANT.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater,

A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are All Lawful Heirs of Russell Floyd Varner. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to

DURHAM

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

24SP001457-310

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Kimberly N. Thompson (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Kimberly N. Thompson) to Frances Jones, Trustee(s), dated July 26, 2011, and recorded in Book No. 6767, at Page 72 in Durham County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Durham County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 3:00 PM on August 6, 2024 and will sell to the highest

to

THAT REAL PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE COUNTY OF DURHAM, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA: BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO THE GRANTOR BY DEED RECORDED IN BOOK 439, PAGE 693 DURHAM COUNTY REGISTRY, TO WHICH DEED REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE FOR A MORE PARTICULAR DESCRIPTION OF THIS PROPERTY.

PROPERTY ADDRESS: 414 REYNOLDS AVE PARCEL ID: 134790

And being more particularly described on said Deed as follows:

Being all of Lot 76, Block D, Section I as shown on a map entitled “Hope Valley Forest” property of the Westminster Company as surveyed by George O. Love, Jr., Registered Land Surveyor dated 5-30-72 and recorded in Plat Book 75, page 61, Durham County Registry, to which map reference is hereby made for a more particular description.

bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Durham in the County of Durham, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot #9, as shown by the revised Plat of Lincoln Heights, Block D, and Surveyed and Platted by Floyd E. Womble, R.L.S. November 1942; and duly recorded in Plat Book 14 at Page 98, Durham County Registry to which reference is hereby made for a more particular description. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 105 Barnhill Street, Durham, North Carolina.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes,

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 414 Reynolds Ave,

pursuant to a

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance

“AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is

required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The

Being the same property as conveyed from Ronald Hartzler (unmarried) to Ronald Hartzler (unmarried) and Julie White (unmarried) as joint tenants with rights of survivorship as set forth in Deed Book 3430 Page 1998 dated 10/04/2018, recorded 10/19/2018, FORSYTH County, NORTH CAROLINA.

Being the same property as conveyed from Sing Van Pham and spouse, Phuong Thi Doan, to Ronald Hartzler (unmarried) as set forth in Deed Book 3428 Page 406 dated 10/04/2018, recorded 10/04/2018, FORSYTH County, NORTH CAROLINA.

Forsyth County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on July 31, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Winston Salem in the County of Forsyth, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The Land referred to herein below is situated in the County of FORSYTH, State of NC, and is described as follows: Being all of Lot 147 as shown on a map entitled, “British Woods, Section 1-G,” as per plat thereof recorded in Plat Book 23 Pages 54 and 69 in the O ce of the Register of Deeds of Forsyth. County, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2153 New Castle Drive, Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Being the same property as conveyed from

Christiana Trust, a division of Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Trustee for Normandy Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 20132014, to Sing Van Pham as set forth in Deed Book 3394 Page 3129 dated 03/14/2018, recorded 03/15/2018, FORSYTH County, NORTH CAROLINA. Tax ID: 6824030003000 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out

of $142,100.00, and recorded in Book No. 5321, at Page 203 of the New Hanover County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 1007 Chestnut St, Wilmington, NC 28401 Tax Parcel ID: R04818 0033 010 000 The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Byron Maliek Clark and Estate of Joyce O. Clark c/o Byron M. Clark, administrator. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in,

P.

AND

S. DEMPSEY

MORTGAGE CO.

L. BRUNK,

of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for

23 SP 248 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, RANDOLPH COUNTY

923, Randolph County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default

sale at the courthouse door in New Hanover County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 12:00pm, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of New Hanover, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): R07512-005-020-000 ADDRESS: 757 SILVER LAKE ROAD, WILMINGTON, NC 28412 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): LORI P. DEMPSEY AND JOHN S. DEMPSEY THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 5050, PAGE 1452 AS FOLLOWS: ALL THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE CITY OF WILMINGTON IN THE COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER AND STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, BEING MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN A DEED DATED 09/25/1998 AND RECORDED 09/28/1998, AMONG THE LAND RECORDS OF THE COUNTY AND STATE SET FORTH ABOVE, INC DEED VOLUME 2441 AND PAGE 333.

TAX MAP OR PARCEL ID NO.: R07512-005020-000 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third

or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on August 6, 2024 at 01:00 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Randolph County, North Carolina, to wit:

BEING all of that certain Lot or parcel of land situated in City of Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot No. 13 of WINNINGHAM FOREST SUBDIVISION, Phase 2, as shown by plat recorded in Plat Book 40, Page 95, in the o ce of the Register of Deeds of Randolph County, North Carolina. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 679 Graceland Drive, Asheboro, NC 27205.

A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining

party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee.

amounts are immediately due and owing.

THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Melody J. Huggins and husband, Tony W. Huggins.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or

parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION UNION COUNTY 24sp320 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY WAYNE E. WHITT AND FAYE WHITT DATED MAY 2, 2006 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 4156 AT PAGE 843 IN THE UNION COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in

the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Union County courthouse at 1:00PM on August 1, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Union County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Wayne E. Whitt and Faye Whitt, dated May 2, 2006 to secure the original principal amount of $147,000.00, and recorded in Book 4156 at Page 843 of the Union County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 4421 Pageland Hwy, Monroe, NC 28112 Tax Parcel ID: 04036018 Present Record Owners: The Estate of Wayne E. Whitt The record owner(s) of the property, according

situated in Matthews in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 20, Woodbridge Subdivision, Map 2, as same is shown on map thereof recorded in Plat Cabinet I, File No 24-25, Union County, North Carolina Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 4226 Lawrence Daniel Drive, Matthews, North Carolina.

the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Union County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on August 8, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate

Deed Reference: Book 4228, at Page 297 and Book 4241, page 797. The improvements thereon being known as 4226 LAWRENCE DANIEL DRIVE, Matthews, NC 28104

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Wayne E. Whitt. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property o ered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale.

The property to be o ered

pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this

FOR THEIR DEED.

Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord.

property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including SingleFamily Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on

a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslaw rm.com Firm Case No: 12286 - 53277

Trustee(s),

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 6120 Paducah Drive, Raleigh, NC 27610.

A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing.

THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS

was dated March 23, 2022 and recorded on March 28, 2022 in Book 018969 at Page 0883, Wake County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on August 7, 2024 at 10:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Wake County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING ALL OF LOT 33, BATTLE RIDGE NORTH, PHASE 4 AS SHOWN ON THE PLAT RECORDED IN BOOK OF MAPS 2004, PAGE 988, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY.

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale.

Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Christopher Miller-Williams.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy

Representin’

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Cornel West supporters sue NCSBE

Three registered voters are suing the North Carolina State Board of Elections, alleging that it violated their constitutional rights. At issue is the board’s rejection last week of a petition seeking recognition for a political party that would put Cornel West on the presidential ballot. Democratic board chair Alan Hirsch said he had concerns in part about how a group called People Over Party collected many of the signatures. Republican lawmakers are questioning whether the board’s Democratic majority is trying to keep West o the ballot because he could take votes away from the Democratic presidential nominee.

Free app helps consumers detect PFAS

Two nonpro ts have released a free app and browser extension to help consumers identify PFAS and other toxic ingredients in everyday products. The app, Clearya, is available in Apple and Google Play stores and allows consumers to make informed decisions.

Consumers can analyze labels by taking a photo of the product’s ingredients. The app displays information and warnings about substances that may pose a health risk based on publicly available chemical hazard lists and databases.

Stanly County Senior Services to receive over $500K in grant funding

The approved County Aging Funding Plan runs until June 30, 2025

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Senior Services Department recently received over half a million dollars in grant funding.

Last week, the Stanly County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve the County Aging Funding Plan that will award the department a total of $550,626 from the Home and Community Care Block Grant (HCCBG).

“Two weeks ago, we received our FY25 allocations and Stanly County will receive $550,626 in HCCBG funds,” said Stanly County Senior Services Director Pamela Sullivan. “As required, our HCCBG Advisory Board met, discussed, distributed and voted

on the funding for each of the aging programs for the year.”

Set to run until June 30, 2025, the funding plan directly bene ts the Senior Services Department’s aging programs: In-Home Services Level I (home management) and Lev-

el II (personal care); Congregate Nutrition; Home Delivered Meals; Transportation (medical and general) and Senior Center Operations.

The NC Department of Health and Human Services’ HCCBG consists of fund-

Albemarle City Council approves economic incentive agreement

The company will create 20 new full-time jobs

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — An upcoming Albemarle business that is set to create 20 new full-time jobs and invest over $8 million over the next ve years recently gained some additional nancial traction.

At its meeting on Monday night, the Albemarle City Council unanimously approved an economic incen-

tive agreement for a commercial company in the hospitality and tourism industry.

A public hearing for “Project Suite” was held before Councilmembers Chris Bramlett, Dexter Townsend, Chris Whitley, Benton Dry, David Hunt and Bill Aldridge joined Mayor Pro-Tem Martha Sue Hall in a 7-0 vote in favor of the economic incentive.

The city of Albemarle will now support a 50% business development grant to be paid out over a ve year period from the city’s general fund.

It is estimated that the Al-

bemarle can receive a net increase in revenue of $600,000 in new property taxes, sales tax, and occupancy tax over the next 10 years as a result of this investment. The economic incentive resolution was brought to the council by Albemarle Economic Development Director Lindsey Almond, who elded a question from Hall regarding the nancial situation.

“You’re talking about the 50% development grant,” Hall said. “To be speci c, if it’s going to bring in $600,000 in property taxes, are we think-

ing for in-home and community-based services currently available through the Division of Aging, as well as funding for in-home and community-based services that was

ing that $600,000 would be 300,000?”

“For a 50% property, 50% reimbursement of the grant is of property taxes paid for ve years,” Almond said. “So the $600,000 is the estimation of ad valorem taxes, property taxes and occupancy tax over the next 10 years. It would be a net gain of about $475,000 after the reimbursement.” The Albemarle City Council is set to meet again on Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PHOTO COURTESY OF STANLYTV

The Stanly County Commissioners held their most recent meeting on July 8.

A 300-strong North Carolina delegation attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last week, with several local politicians speaking from the main stage. Above, clockwise from left: Kelcey Shull of Wake County, 17, was the youngest in the North Carolina delegation; Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson spoke on Monday; Rep. Richard Hudson addressed the convention on Thursday.

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP PHOTO

COURTESY NCGOP

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

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MONDAY

Local ling period for municipal o ce concludes

All participants signed up between July 5-19

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — Municipal lings for local elections wrapped up on July 19 over at the Stanly County Board of Elections in Albemarle.

For the city of Albemarle, Mayor Ronnie Michael led to run again, while Benton Dry, Duke Furr, Bob Gruver, and Martha Sue Hall will each compete for the Albemarle City Council at-large seat.

Dexter Townsend, the incumbent, has signed up to run for the council’s District 1 seat;

Bill Aldridge is also seeking re-election in his run for the District 3 seat.

Over in the town of Badin, Demar Huntley has led — along with Gary Rife, Avonda Wilson, and Sawyer Wyrick — for the Badin Town Council atlarge seat.

In the city of Locust, Mayor Steve Huber has led for re-election. Seven candidates are running for Locust City Council: Joseph Abbatiello, Larry Baucom, Je Claiborne, Rusty E rd, Mike Haigler, Mario Miller, and Denise Nathan.

Jamie Hammill and Je rey Watson are both running for Misenheimer Village Council.

In New London, Richard

Kimmer, Bob Lo in Jr. and Bill Peak are running for the town’s board of commissioners. Over in the town of Norwood, Linda Campbell is running for mayor as Robbie Cohen and James Lawrence Lilly are running for town council.

In Oakboro, Rodney Eury and Chris Honeycutt have led to run for mayor. For the Oakboro Board of Commissioners, Joey H. Carpenter, Lisa Cratty, Lanny Hathcock, Fred Smith, and Renee Goodman Watkins have all led for the town’s board of commissioners.

For the town of Red Cross, Lionel H. Hahn led for mayor, while Barbara Carpenter and Mildred Steed led for the

Red Cross Town Council. In Rich eld, Michael Beaver, Barry Byrd, Christie NeCaise, and Deanette Galloway Russell each led for the town’s board of commissioners.

Lastly, Andrew Cave, Karen Faye Love, and Jerry Williams have all led for the Stan eld Board of Commissioners.

Predating Election Day on Nov. 5., the Stanly County Board of Elections will hold early voting this fall in four locations beginning on Oct. 17 and ending on Nov. 2. O cers will be stationed at the Stanly County Commons DSS Auditorium (Albemarle), Locust Town Center Joel Huneycutt Community Room, Norwood Center Rural Fire Department Meeting Room, and the New London Fire Department Meeting Room.

All early voting locations will operate between 8 a,m. and 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, as well as between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Biden’s NC delegates pledge to VP Harris

Biden won all of North Carolina’s DNC delegates in the March presidential primary, although the party ensured that he was running unopposed

By Jordan Golson Stanly County Journal

NORTH CAROLINA’S delegation to the DNC will support the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democrat nominee for president following President Joe Biden’s surprise announcement on Sunday that he will not seek reelection.

The announcement was made by a number of Democrat party leaders, including North Carolina DNC delegate Diana Williams Robinson, who announced in a social media post that the state’s DNC delegation was unanimously supporting Harris. Robinson also endorsed Gov. Roy Cooper as a potential running mate for Harris.

CRIME LOG

July 16

• James Ston Byrd, 51, was arrested for indecent liberties with a child.

July 17

• Ellis Cole Misenheimer, 34, was arrested for possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver Schedule II controlled substances.

GRANT from page 1 previously administered by the NC Division of Social Services. Commissioner Scott E rd asked Sullivan about the current status and waitlist availability of the county’s Meals on Wheels program included in the funding package.

Sullivan con rmed that all 15 Meals on Wheels routes have an active waitlist and that some requested participants have been waiting for service for up to two years; she added

Cooper is among a number of prominent Democrats being considered as a VP pick, and The Wall Street Journal reports the Harris campaign has reached out to Cooper’s team for vetting materials as they consider the pick. Former Attorney General Eric Holder is said to be running the VP vetting.

Others being considered include Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Gov. Josh Shapiro (Pa.), Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Mich.), Gov. J.B. Pritzker (Ill.) and Gov. Tim Walz (Minn.). Currently, Kelly is seen as the frontrunner, but things have been changing quickly. According to Polymarket, a prediction website where investors can place bets on the outcome of political races, Cooper has a 20% chance to be picked, with Kelly at 39% and Shapiro at 19% as of Tuesday evening.

Harris has been tallying endorsements and delegate numbers over the past few days, with the DNC’s complicated nomination rules being scrutinized by lawyers and party in-

siders to ensure a smooth path to Harris’ nomination. The process has been derisively called a “coronation” by some Republicans, but Harris was was endorsed by Biden when he announced he wasn’t running.

Biden won all of North Carolina’s DNC delegates in the March presidential primary, although the party ensured he was running unopposed. North Carolina has 116 pledged DNC delegates and 14 superdelegates.

Biden had won enough states’ primaries and caucuses to secure support of a majority of the pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention. But those delegates had not yet o cially cast their votes when Biden bowed out of the race.

July 19

• Tavaras Lamar Harris, 32, was arrested for a sex o ender violation involving child premises.

July 20

Melissa Dawn Khan, 32, was arrested for felony larceny.

that their location within the county is an ongoing factor in route planning.

She estimated that around 400 meals a month are distributed by the Senior Services routes.

“I work in home health as you know, and our social worker works in several di erent counties,” Commissioner Patty Crump said to Sullivan. “She really brags on Stanly County and what you o er our patients, and she just always says how easy you all are to work

July 21

• Latavia Ornae Sturdivant, 35, was arrested for breaking or entering a motor vehicle.

July 22

Tommy Lopez Chambers, 45, was arrested for driving while impaired.

with.”

“Thank you,” Sullivan responded. “We have a great team at the Senior Center that all have a heart to serve the older adults in our community.”

Board Chair Bill Lawhon added that the county still needs more citizens who can volunteer to help deliver the meals for the Meals on Wheels routes.

Sullivan advised anyone interested in helping to contact Joy Richardson — the Senior

A party’s presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election. Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson, facing criticism because of the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term that year. His announcement came after just a single state’s primary had been held. Biden’s July decision came after more than 14 million Democrats had cast votes supporting him through the primary process.

But throughout U.S. history, political parties have convened numerous conventions amid uncertainty. In 1960, Johnson and John F. Kennedy jockeyed for support from individual state delegations during their party’s convention. Democrats ultimately nominated Kennedy for president and Johnson for vice president.

Biden’s departure frees his delegates to vote for whomever they choose. There are nearly 4,700 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, with varying amounts from each state. That includes nearly 4,000 pledged delegates and about 700 superdelegates, such as current and former elected o cials.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

July 23

• Jermaal Henrique Patterson, 40, was arrested for possession of marijuana greater than 1/2 ounce up to 1 1/2 ounces.

• Christopher Dale Williamson, 36, was arrested for assault on a government o cial or employee.

Services nutrition program supervisor — at 704-986-3769.

“It really is more than just a meal delivery program,” Sullivan added. “For some of those people, it’s the only contact they have on a daily basis; 911 has been called numerous times by our volunteers, so it really is more than just a nutrition program for older adults.”

The commissioners are set to hold their next regular meeting on Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. inside the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | PETER DANIEL

Democrat Ag commissioner candidate

Sarah Taber’s farm plans economically unsound

In 2023, ag had an economic impact of $111.1 billion, surpassing the record of $103.2 billion set the year before.

THIS NOVEMBER , North Carolinians will decide again who will lead the Department of Agriculture for the next four years: current Republican Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, who owns Guilford County’s Troxler Farms, or Democrat Sarah Taber, who has put forward some …unusual views about farming.

North Carolina’s ag sector has boomed during Commissioner Troxler’s tenure. But Taber says she wants transform the entire industry, from the crops we grow to how we grow them (under what legal authority she would do this, we don’t really know).

She launched her campaign with a lengthy opinion piece in the left-wing outlet The Nation, targeting something she calls “farm radicalization.” Taber apparently believes that rural farmers are a threat to democracy.

Here’s what she wrote: “Farm radicalization isn’t just a local problem. Farm out ts that hire undocumented workers put serious money behind hard-right legislators and sheri s who pledge to collaborate with ICE. That means local country politics can get ugly. And those ugly politics don’t stay local. They can undermine democracy for the whole state.”

That’s a wild unsubstantiated accusation.

Having trouble keeping up? So are we.

But that’s not even the most bizarre thing Taber has put forward. On her website, Taber calls for replacing North Carolina staple crops of tobacco, soybeans and corn with alternative crops. While her ideas may look nice to an ivory tower academic sipping tea while reading Taber’s white paper through bifocals, North Carolina farmers already know that the

King Trump

This is not a principled court but an entirely

“WITH FEAR FOR our democracy,”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor concludes in her brilliant dissent in Trump v. United States, “I dissent.”

She is right. Very frighteningly right. After reading what happened at the oral argument, I knew what was coming. The court was looking for a way to carve up the baby, giving some form of immunity to former President Donald Trump without turning him into the absolute monarch. But even I didn’t expect the breadth of Chief Justice John Roberts’ opinion for the court, which e ectively does almost that, with its distinction between o cial acts, which are “presumptively immune” from prosecution, and uno cial acts, which are not. Because the motive of the president in acting illegally cannot be considered, as Sotomayor wrote in dissent, “the category of presidential action that can be deemed ‘uno cial’ is destined to be vanishingly small.” And to take forever, on remand to the district court, and in the endless appeals that will no doubt follow, to de nitively gure out. Certainly, long enough for it to amount to a get-out-of-jailfree card if Trump is the president-elect. Indeed, it is enough to postpone his sentencing for the 34 felony counts of which he’s already been convicted. It took Trump’s lawyers no time at all to claim that paying o a porn star to keep silent about her a air with him before he was president (and thereby rigging the election) was an “o cial act” because he signed the reimbursement

real world of farming is much more complex and her unproven academic ideas will not work.

First, most farmers cannot obtain crop insurance at a reasonable rate to cover these alternative crops if it exists at all, risking the long-term nancial health of family farms.

Second, it seems apparent that Taber’s preferred policy agenda is replacing corn, soybeans and tobacco with alternative crops. Taber claims that if everything goes perfectly her plan would generate $7 billion over a decade, or about $700 million per year.

The problem is the crops she proposes replacing generate way more revenue than that. According to a 2019 study, tobacco alone contributes $688 million annually, corn contributes $456 million annually and soybeans contribute $608 million annually to North Carolina’s economy. It makes no sense to replace $1.7 billion worth of crops for $700 million worth of crops.

No wonder North Carolina farmers haven’t adopted her approach.

It should also go without saying that the commissioner of Agriculture doesn’t just tell farmers what to produce on their farms. It’s not clear to us that Taber knows this.

Finally, Taber doesn’t seem to have a plan to promote North Carolina pork and poultry. Our state leads the nation in hog farming and chicken production. These sectors power North Carolina agriculture’s tremendous growth. Voters deserve to know how the next commissioner of Agriculture plans to interact with these family farmers.

Meanwhile, under Commissioner Troxler’s leadership for the past 20 years, North Carolina’s agriculture sector has grown from $59 billion to record-breaking amounts seen today. In 2023, ag had an economic impact of $111.1 billion, surpassing the record of $103.2 billion set the year before.

The economic data tells one story: North Carolina agriculture is growing and there is room for everyone to bene t from this growth.

A 2017 study found that agriculture supported over 700,000 jobs across the Tar Heel state, employing people in all 100 counties. We’re the top producer of sweet potatoes and ue-cured tobacco. We’re second in poultry and egg production, not to mention all of the cat sh, burley tobacco, peanuts, blueberries, pumpkins, cotton, apples, tomatoes, and many more fruits and vegetables that Americans nd at the supermarket. However, this election cycle, instead of championing policies that led to 188% growth in economic activity, Democrat Sarah Taber is pushing out-of-touch policies that risk agriculture’s future.

North Carolina voters face a choice this November. Stay the course with a family farmer in Commissioner Steve Troxler who has helped growth North Carolina’s agriculture sector ourish.

Or select an academic whose policies may lead to economic catastrophe.

Peter Daniel Sr. is chairman of the NC Ag Partnership.

check to Michael Cohen while he was in the White House. It’s a ridiculous argument which hopefully Judge Juan Merchan will recognize, but not so ridiculous that Merchan wasn’t willing to delay sentencing for another two months. And count on Trump’s lawyers to try to postpone it even longer if the judge does reject it.

And don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is the result of a “conservative” court simply relying on the intent of the founders. Sotomayor made clear that they were doing no such thing. “The Framers clearly knew how to provide for immunity from prosecution,” she writes, “They did provide a narrow immunity for legislators in the Speech or Debate Clause (of the Constitution).”

But nothing about the president, a point the chief justice simply ignores, as he does the part of the Constitution that says that an o cial impeached and convicted by the Senate “shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.” The impeachment clause “clearly contemplates that a former President may be subject to criminal prosecution for the same conduct that resulted (or could have resulted) in an impeachment judgment — including conduct such as ‘Bribery,’ which implicates o cial acts almost by de nition.”

As for the Founding Fathers, the chief justice also ignores Alexander Hamilton’s commentary in the Federalist Papers that former presidents should be “liable to prosecution and punishment in the ordinary course of law.” The Founding Fathers knew full well about the power of monarchs, and in Hamilton’s words, distinguished between “the king of Great

Britain,” who was “sacred and inviolable,” and the “President of the United States,” who “would be amenable to personal punishment.” The majority opinion recognizes no such distinction.

As Sotomayor sees it, the majority’s approach is clear: “Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.” Roberts ignores the examples cited by his dissenting colleagues as thoroughly as he ignores the originalism that he and his colleagues purport to be guided by.

No, this is not a principled court but an entirely partisan one, and a chief justice who has failed in whatever mission he once pretended to have to protect the legitimacy of the court. This is Bush v. Gore, the opinion that did the most to undermine the court in public polls of any decision in recent history. This is an utterly partisan court, doing its best to elect a president on a 6-3 vote.

I was once one of those who was skeptical of Democratic proposals to tinker with the court’s composition (also known as courtpacking) or its lifetime terms (also known as term limits) because I clung to the belief that the court should be protected from ideological manipulation.

No longer. I’m for anything that would shake up a court that has, with utter disregard for ethical constraints and the need to retain public trust, engaged in ideological manipulation of its own.

Susan Estrich is a lawyer, professor, author and political commentator.

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

partisan one.

STANLY SPORTS

Uwharrie Wampus Cats fall short in playo s

The team made its inaugural appearance in the SCBL playo s

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — Earlier this week, the Uwharrie Wampus Cats wood-bat collegiate baseball team wrapped up its second season as a team and rst campaign as a member of the Southern Collegiate Baseball League (SCBL).

Playing at Queens University’s Stick Williams Dream Field in Charlotte, the sixth-seeded Wampus Cats (11-20) fell 7-4 to the third-seeded Queen City Corndogs (18-13) on Monday night in the rst round of the 2024 SCBL playo s.

Established in 1999, the North Carolina-headquartered SCBL is partially funded by the MLB as a member of the National Alliance of College Summer Baseball.

With the rst two rounds of the league’s playo s being single elimination — and thenals being a best-of-three series — Uwharrie’s postseason came to a quick end.

“Tough loss after an early lead against the Corndogs to

“Tough loss after an early lead against the Corndogs to end the season. We hope to see you back at the Don next season.”

Uwharrie Wampus Cats

end the season. We hope to see you back at the Don next season,” the Cats posted on social media after the game, referencing Don Montgomery Park in Albemarle.

Among the eight teams in the SCBL, Uwharrie nished the season in sixth place in the league’s standings, topping the Lake Norman Copperheads (10-20) and Concord Athletics (9-21) but trailing the Statesville Owls (22-8), Mooresville Spinners (22-9), Corndogs, Regulators Baseball Club (14-14) and Carolina Disco Turkeys (15-16).

In the Wampus Cats’ inaugural season last year, they nished with a 18-17 winning record playing independently of a league. This year, they played their rst season in the SCBL under the leadership

of general manager Jayson James and coach Josh Kent.

At the Albemarle City Council meeting on Monday night, Albemarle Mayor ProTem Martha Sue Hall spoke on the Wampus Cats’ season and thanked everyone who has assisted the team nancially.

“There are a lot of people within the city and outside the city of Albemarle who were sponsors,” Hall said. “For anyone that did that, they are grateful — as am I — and I will just give a shoutout to Albemarle Parks and Recreation because the guys that were taking care of the eld and the eldhouse were fabulous.”

While Uwharrie fell short of both a winning regular-season record and a league playo run, the team still featured individual accolades.

In elder Aiden Wilson ranked sixth in the league with three home runs, while catcher Nick Morris nished sixth in total RBIs with 19. On the pitching front, Sawyer Smith led the entire league in the ERA category with 0.89 and also nished sixth in overall strikeouts (42).

The Uwharrie Wampus Cats are set to return to action for Year 3 in May 2025.

Makaylah Barger

North Stanly, softball

Makaylah Barger is a rising senior third baseman on the North Stanly girls’ softball team.

The Comets won the Yadkin Valley Conference with an undefeated league record and went 21-5-1, overall, on the year. Barger was a big reason why. She led the team in doubles and was in the top three in average, on-base percentage, slugging, homers, hits and RBIs. She’s continued to rake in the summer, going deep on a regular basis for the Knockouts-Martinez 18U team.

Barger was named to the North Carolina Softball Coaches Association’s all-district team for District 6 at the 2A classi cation. She was also named to the NCSCA 2A all-state team.

EA Sports College Football 25, among most anticipated sports video games in history, hits the market

Wildly popular game makes its return for the rst time in 12 years

By Ryan Kryska The Associated Press

EA SPORTS College Football 25, among the most highly anticipated sports video games of all time, has ooded the market as gamers who waited more than a decade for the franchise’s next installment rush to play.

The game o cially launched Friday, with EA Sports increasing its server capacity ahead of time to handle the crush. More than 2.2 million people had already played the game during an early-access period before launch.

“To say we’ve been blown away by the excitement, energy and anticipation around College Football 25 over the past few months would be an understatement,” EA Sports said in a blog post this week. “Just like you, our team has had July 19 circled for months as the culmination of so much work and

dedication to build this game, and the chance to see it in players’ hands for the rst time.”

EA Sports’ college football games used to be released an-

nually, a cultural icon in American sports for much of the franchise’s existence. The company froze future editions in 2013 when athletes began question-

ing why they weren’t getting paid to be featured in the games.

With athlete compensation rights sorted out in court and now allowed by the NCAA, EA Sports announced in 2021 it would be reviving the franchise.

The video-game developer offered Bowl Subdivision players a minimum of $600 and a copy of the game to have their likeness included in it. More than 11,000 players accepted o ers.

EA Sports has said its goal for the game was “to feel like a love letter to college football and its fans.”

UCLA, Mississippi State, San Diego State and Colorado were among the schools hosting College Football 25 events this week. Across social platforms, athletes such as LeBron James, Tim Tebow and Michael Vick — even comedians Shane Gillis and Dan Soder — were live-streaming head-to-head matches in the game.

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, one of the cover athletes, said in May some of the best moments of his childhood involved playing EA

Sports college football with his best friend.

“Just for it to be back, as well as to be on the cover of it, it’s an awesome feeling,” he said.

The game’s other standard-edition cover athletes are Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Colorado two-way player Travis Hunter. The deluxe edition features the backs of numerous players in a stadium tunnel, including Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins.

EA Sports’ college football franchise dates to the 1990s. It grew in popularity in the early 2000s as gaming systems became more advanced, allowing for revolutionary game modes such as the popular Race for the Heisman create-a-player that was introduced in NCAA Football 06.

That edition also featured historic teams, including the 1992 Alabama squad that Clemson coach Dabo Swinney played on.

“Sleeping on me a little bit,” Swinney joked about the 70 overall rating for his player, “WR No. 88,” which did, however, have a 91 speed rating. “They must have my going down the Hill speed. I appreciate the love they gave me on that.”

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP PHOTO

Colorado running back Kam Mikell, front right, and wide receiver Kaleb Mathis, front left, face o during the EA Sports College Football 25 video game release party on Friday.

SIDELINE REPORT

MLS Chicago Fire o er vouchers for fans if Messi doesn’t play

Chicago The Chicago Fire said they will o er vouchers for fans if Inter Miami star Lionel Messi doesn’t play when the teams meet at Soldier Field on Aug. 31. Messi injured a ligament in his right ankle during Argentina’s win over Colombia in the Copa America nal on July 14. If he can’t play, the team will o er single-match buyers who purchase between now and game day $250 o two or more new 2025 Chicago Fire season-ticket memberships or $100 o two or more single match tickets for the 2025 home match against Inter Miami.

WNBA

Bird Barbie: Mattel honors WNBA great with signature doll

El Segundo, Calif. WNBA great Sue Bird has been honored with a signature Barbie doll. Mattel announced it has issued a replica Barbie doll based on the basketball career of Bird. Bird played 21 seasons with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, helping the franchise to four league titles. She also has won ve Olympic gold medals with the U.S. national team. Bird retired after the 2022 season and is now part of Seattle’s ownership. Mattel said the Sue Bird Barbie is part of its Role Model series as the doll celebrates its 65th anniversary.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Clemson gives men’s basketball coach Brownell new contract

Clemson, S.C. Clemson men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell received a new, ve-year contract worth $20 million after leading the Tigers to the Elite Eight this past season. Brownell’s deal was among several for Clemson head coaches and assistants by the university’s board of trustees. Brownell’s agreement keeps him through the 2028-29 season. He’ll make $3.5 million next season, an increase over the $3 million he was scheduled to make under the old deal. Others with new agreements were men’s soccer coach Mike Noonan, who won two of the past three NCAA College Cup titles and baseball coach Erik Bakich.

MLB

Myers’ opportunity at extra playing time ends after injury

Miami Miami Marlins rookie out elder Dane Myers could miss the remainder of the season after he fractured his left ankle kicking a door out of frustration. The Marlins placed Myers on the injured list, and it is uncertain if he will return in 2024. Myers was called out on strikes on a check swing without an appeal to the base umpire.

Myers questioned the call, got into a heated exchange with the umpire and was ejected. He then kicked the door. Before his injury, Myers had two home runs and 14 RBI in 40 games.

Larson races to his 1st Brickyard 400 victory

The win gives Larson three of NASCAR’s four crown jewel races

By Michael Marot The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle

Larson made a late charge through the eld, managed to get his car re red after a red ag and won the nal two restart battles Sunday before coasting to his rst Brickyard 400 victory under caution.

Larson took the lead when Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel and pulled o the track just before the second-to-last restart and beat pole winner Tyler Reddick at the end with the yellow ag out.

“Today was de nitely meant to be for us with the way the strategy was working out and all that fell into place,” Larson said. “Thankfully, it did. I just

can’t believe it. It’s just surreal to win here.”

Larson won in his rst trip back to the speedway since he tried to become the fth driver to complete 1,100 miles of racing on the same May day, at Indy and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Larson won for the fourth time this season and took the points lead from Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott.

The 31-year-old Californian charged back from 12th over the nal 32 laps as many drivers attempted to save fuel in the rst Cup race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s historic 2.5-mile oval since 2020, with the last three being run on the facility’s 14-turn road course.

Larson has won three of NASCAR’s crown jewel races, missing only the Daytona 500. And his return to Indy was every bit

as exciting as it was in May.

When Keselowski pulled o the track before taking the green ag with three to go, he ceded the inside lane to Larson, who take advantage of a clean shot to pass Ryan Blaney’s second-place car just before a vecar pileup that began when Daniel Hemric and John Henry Nemechek made contact.

The crash brought out the red ag and Larson needed an assist in getting his No. 5 Chevrolet stated. Once he did, though, he again had the inside lane, and again beat Blaney o the restart and held on for the victory.

“That’s a heartbreaker. We did everything right today,” said Blaney, who was upset that Larson essentially went from third into the line Keselowski had chosen to restart. “He was in prime position to win and it just didn’t work out for us.”

Denny Hamlin won the rst

stage, his rst ever at Indianapolis, and Bubba Wallace took the second stage, giving him 10 points as he tries to make the playo s. It was Wallace’s rst stage win since 2022.

Blaney wound up third, Elliott was fourth and Todd Gilliland was fth.

Quick switch

The race was scheduled to be broadcast on NBC, but viewers who tuned into the network found something else — breaking news about President Joe Biden withdrawing from the presidential race.

NBC made the decision to brie y switch the telecast to USA Network, which also covered some of the weekend’s festivities then went back to Cup coverage at the start of the race. The race also nished on USA Network after the red ag stoppage, again because of the breaking news.

Back home again

Before the race, speedway owner Roger Penske and PPG announced they have extended and expanded their partnership for both the Cup and IndyCar Series.

Wake-up call for the US men’s basketball arrives

LeBron James hit a layup with seconds left to help avoid an upset

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

SOUTH SUDAN is the 33rdranked team in the FIBA world rankings, by far the lowest of any of the 12 nations that will be vying for men’s basketball gold in the Paris Olympics that start this week.

The U.S. is ranked No. 1. South Sudan nearly beat the Americans anyway. The wake-up call for the U.S. Olympic team seems to have arrived. A 101-100 win over South Sudan on Saturday in London came on a day when plenty went wrong for the Americans — tra c getting to the arena was brutal and Anthony Davis said arriving late threw o players’ routines, South Sudan shot lights-out from 3-point range and outscored the U.S. 42-21 from deep and the U.S. struggled in plenty of aspects.

“There’s great teams all over the place and nothing is guaranteed at this point for USA Basketball,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said earlier this summer. “We know that well, I know it personally. We won the gold medal in Tokyo, but we lost three games along the way. Our gold-medal game against France went right down to the wire. So, this is an entirely di erent competition than it was in 1992.” There was no doubt who was winning gold in 1992: The rst U.S. Dream Team overpowered every team in its path. Chuck Daly coached a roster that included 11 future Hall of Fam-

ers; Kerr loves relaying the story that Daly never had to call a timeout that whole summer, because no game was ever in any sort of jeopardy.

Kerr had to call one on Saturday with 20 seconds left to get LeBron James the ball and set up what became the winning, embarrassment-saving basket for the one-point win against South Sudan, a nation that is set to make its Olympic debut and doesn’t have a suitable indoor facility for national team-level basketball training.

“A lot of these teams we’re playing have been practicing either one month or months in advance,” James said. “We’re

like maybe two weeks into it, together. So, every game, every lm session, every opportunity we have to try to make the most of it.”

“We’ve got a great 12 guys,” U.S. guard Stephen Curry said. “Basketball is such an interesting sport that if you don’t play the right way, if you don’t come with the right energy and the right focus to go play defense, rebound, not turn the ball over, you can be beat. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. So, it’s a good reminder of that.” Saturday was also a good reminder of this: Nobody seems intimidated by the U.S. Not even 17-year-olds.

“We can be beat if we don’t play our brand of basketball and our brand of basketball is playing defense,” Curry said. “They made some tough shots in the rst half and they’re a skilled team with a lot of shooting, so if they get hot, they’re tough. But we didn’t make them uncomfortable at all in the rst half and they took advantage of it.

“But we also learned we have that gear. If we can nd it, no matter who’s out there on the court, we can overwhelm teams for 40 minutes. And it’s a great reminder of both. If we don’t play our game, we can be beat. We’re not invincible.”

KIN CHEUNG / AP PHOTO

United States forward LeBron James, left and U.S. guard Stephen Curry shake hands during a closer-than-expected exhibition win over South Sudan in London.

DARRON CUMMINGS / AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson drives into a turn on his way to a win at the Brickyard 400 in in Indianapolis.

Paris using AI, jets, police squadrons to secure upcoming Olympic Games

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump raised security concerns

By John Leicester

The Associated Press

PARIS — A year ago, the head of the Paris Olympics boldly declared that France’s capital would be “the safest place in the world “when the Games open this Friday. Tony Estanguet’s con dent forecast looks less farfetched now with squadrons of police patrolling Paris’ streets, ghter jets and soldiers primed to scramble, and imposing metal-fence security barriers erected like an iron curtain on both sides of the River Seine that will star in the opening show.

France’s vast police and military operation is in large part because the July 26-Aug. 11 Games face unprecedented security challenges. The city has repeatedly su ered deadly extremist attacks and international tensions are high because of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Rather than build an Olympic park with venues grouped together outside of the city center, like Rio de Janeiro in 2016 or London in 2012, Paris has chosen to host many of the events in the heart of the bustling capital of 2 million inhabitants, with others dotted around suburbs that house millions more.

Putting temporary sports arenas in public spaces and the unprecedented choice to stage a river-borne opening ceremony stretching for miles along the Seine makes safeguarding them more complex.

Olympic organizers also have cyberattack concerns, while rights campaigners and Games critics are worried about Paris’ use of AI-equipped surveillance technology and the broad scope and scale of Olympic security.

a temporary camp in southeast Paris housing 4,500 soldiers from the Sentinelle force.

will police Paris skies, which will be closed during the opening ceremony by a no- y zone extending for 93 miles around the capital. Cameras twinned with arti cial intelligence software — authorized by a law that expands the state’s surveillance powers for the Games — will ag potential security risks, such as abandoned packages or crowd surges, France is also getting help from more than 40 countries that, together, have sent at least 1,900 police reinforcements.

Armed military patrols aboard vehicles and on foot have become common in crowded places in France since gunmen and suicide bombers acting in the names of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group repeatedly struck Paris in 2015. They don’t have police powers of arrest but can tackle attackers and restrain them until police arrive.

Rafale ghter jets, airspace-monitoring AWACS surveillance ights, Reaper surveillance drones, and helicopters that can carry sharpshooters and equipment to disable drones

A Games-time force of up to 45,000 police and gendarmes is also backed up by a 10,000-strong contingent of soldiers that has set up the largest military camp in Paris since World War II, from which soldiers should be able to reach any of the city’s Olympic venues within 30 minutes.

Attacks by lone individuals are a major concern, a risk driven home most recently to French o cials by the assassination attempt against Donald Trump.

Some involved in the Olympic security operation were stunned that the gunman armed with an AR-style ri e got within range of the former U.S. president.

“No one can guarantee that there won’t be mistakes. There, however, it was quite glaring,” said Gen. Philippe Pourqué, who oversaw the construction of

In France, in the last 13 months alone, men acting alone have carried out knife attacks that targeted tourists in Paris and children in a park in an Alpine town, among others. A man who stabbed a teacher to death at his former high school in northern France in October had been under surveillance by French security services for suspected Islamic radicalization. With the long and bitter experience of deadly extremist attacks, France has armed itself with a dense network of police units, intelligence services and investigators who specialize in ghting terrorism, and suspects in terrorism cases can be held longer for questioning.

Hundreds of thousands of background checks have scrutinized Olympic ticket-holders, workers and others involved in the Games and applicants for passes to enter Paris’ most tightly controlled security zone, along the Seine’s banks. The checks blocked more than 3,900 people from attending, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. He said some were agged for suspected Islamic radicalization, left- or right-wing political extremism, signi cant criminal records and other security concerns.

The demonstrations are against a quota system for government jobs

By Julhas Alam and Sheikh Saaliq

The Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Police imposed a strict curfew with a “shoot-on-sight” order across Bangladesh as military forces patrolled parts of the capital over the weekend after scores were killed and hundreds injured in clashes over the allocation of civil service jobs.

The demonstrations — called for mainly by student groups— started weeks ago to protest a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. Violence erupted Tuesday, with the Daily Prothom Alo newspaper reporting the death of at least 103 people.

Friday was likely to be the deadliest day so far; Somoy TV reported 43 killed, while an Associated Press reporter saw 23 bodies at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, but it was not immediately clear whether they all died on Friday. On Thursday, 22 others were reported dead

as protesting students attempted to “completely shut down” the country.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka said Friday that reports indicated “hundreds to possibly thousands” were injured across Bangladesh. It said the situation was “extremely volatile.”

Bangladeshi authorities haven’t shared any o cial numbers of those killed and injured.

O cials said the curfew was to quell further violence after

police and protesters clashed in the streets and at university campuses in Dhaka and other cities across the South Asian country. Authorities blocked online communications by banning mobile and internet services. Several television news channels also went o the air, and the websites of most local newspapers were down. Meanwhile, some key government websites, including Bangladesh’s central bank and the

prime minister’s o ce, appeared to have been hacked and defaced.

Local media also reported that some 800 inmates ed from a prison in Narsingdi, a district north of the capital, after protesters stormed the facility and set it on re Friday.

The chaos highlights cracks in Bangladesh’s governance and economy and the frustration of youths who lack good jobs upon graduation. They also represent the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in o ce after January’s elections, boycotted by the main opposition groups.

Protesters argue the quota system is discriminatory and bene ts supporters of Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, saying it should be replaced with a merit-based system. Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions in the war against Pakistan, regardless of their political a liation. Representatives from both sides met late Friday in an attempt to reach a resolution. At least three student leaders were present and demanded the re -

form of the current quota system, the reopening of student dormitories shut by the police following the clashes and for some university o cials to step down after failing to protect campuses from the violence. Law Minister Anisul Huq said late Friday the government was open to discussing their demands.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has backed the protests, vowing Friday to organize its own demonstrations as many of its supporters joined the students’ protests. However, BNP said in a statement its followers were not responsible for the violence and denied the ruling party’s accusations of using the protests for political gains.

The Awami League and the BNP have often accused each other of fueling political chaos and violence, most recently ahead of the country’s national election, which was marred by a crackdown on several opposition gures. Hasina’s government had accused the opposition party of attempting to disrupt the vote.

In 2018, the government halted the job quotas following mass student protests. But in June, Bangladesh’s High Court nullied that decision and reinstated the quotas after relatives of 1971 veterans led petitions. The Supreme Court suspended the ruling, pending an appeal hearing, and said in a statement it will take the issue up Sunday.

Hasina has called on protesters to wait for the court’s verdict.

THOMAS PADILLA / AP PHOTO

A security o cer watches people taking photographs in front of the Ei el Tower on Saturday in Paris.

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye

Dwight Farmer

James Roseboro

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

John B. Kluttz

Jerome (Jerry) Edward Maslowski II

April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023

Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.

March 22, 1949 – July 19, 2024

Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor.

Jerome (Jerry) Edward Maslowski, II 75, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, in his home. Jerry never met a stranger and loved making personal connections. He lived life big and touched many lives along the way.

Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Gar eld.

Following graduation from High School, Jerry joined the United States Marine Corps. He was proud to have served his country in Vietnam and had a successful 20 years in the military until his retirement in Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.

Jerry graduated from Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii with a Masters in Business. He and his wife lived in Kailua, Hawaii, for 13 years after his retirement and returned to Stanly County in 1998. Jerry began his second career at Stanly Community College where he taught Business Law, and served as the BLET Director, and Director of Business and New Industries. He also worked at Montgomery Community College and was one of the founding owners of Uwharrie Technology. Jerry served as a former VFW president and served as former board chairman for the Stanly Red Cross.

Jerry enjoyed playing golf, reading, collecting knives, and having a good cigar. He was happiest watching Jeopardy, sitting on his porch having his daily cigar, and his 4:00 cocktail.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 46 years, Teresa Lynn Maslowski, of Albemarle, NC one daughter, Monica Douglas (Will) of Alabama; sisters, Christine Yingling, Albemarle, NC, and Mary Weed, Atlanta, GA and brothers, Mark Maslowski of Croatia, and Michael Maslowski of Marietta, GA.

Jerry is also survived by two grandchildren, Ryan Seimer (Samantha) of Kailua, HI, and Jacob Douglas of Alabama, and three great-grandchildren. Jerry was preceded in death by his mother and father, and one daughter, Missy White.

The family would like to thank Edward Kepp, MD, and Tillery Compassionate Care for their care and support.

Memorials may be o ered in memory of Jerry to Tillery Compassionate Care, 960 North First Street, Albemarle, NC 28001. Private Service will be held for the family.

Wesley Emory Womack

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.

November 3, 1989 –June 29, 2024

Bobby Glenn Rowe

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.

September 22, 1940 –June 21, 2024

Wesley Emory Womack, 34, of Albemarle passed away on June 29, 2024. A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, July 15, 2024, at 2 PM in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel o ciated by Pastor Ron Lo in. A visitation for friends is scheduled prior to the hour of service from 1 – 2 PM.

Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran. He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheri ’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.

Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.

Emory was born November 3, 1989, in Lee County to Wesley Womack and Glenda Duncklee. Wesley is lovingly survived by his wife, Karen Womack, a daughter, Laynie Womack, two sisters, Kelly Womack and Lesley Thompson, and many nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.

Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.

It is with saddened hearts, that we lost our Bobby Glenn Rowe on July 21, 2024. But rejoice that he is no longer in pain or su ering. He is gone to visit with our lord and the family members he lost too soon.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.

William “Bill” Greene

March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023

March 28, 1945 –June 20, 2024

Adam McDaniel Honeycutt

October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023

December 14, 1934 –July 15, 2024

He was preceded in death by his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty. Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.

Emory was known for work ethic. He was honored to work in the re protection industry where he knew his work was keeping others safe. He loved horses, especially his horse named Benson. He loved music and building model cars. He loved spending time with his wife and their 3 dogs, Ezio, Senu, and Abby. Emory also loved spending time at the beach, especially in Eastern North Carolina where he and his wife were married. He also loved shing and playing his Xbox.

Emory is preceded in death by Harper and Millie Womack, Grandparents Joyce and Halford Womack and William and Elizabeth Dail, and a niece Riley Rochelle. In lieu of owers, donations may be made to Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care.

Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Womack family.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Bobby was born on September 22, 1940 to the late Arnold Quentin Rowe and Loucille Orthalene Rowe in Russellville, Alabama. He grew and went to school there until his family moved to Charleston, SC when his father went to work in the Naval shipyard. As a teenager, he always had a job delivering newspapers or working at a gas station. Later he got into the textile industry, which eventually led him to North Carolina where he stayed until his retirement from Snyder’s in Albemarle.

He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Sharon Cowart Rowe of the family home in Rich eld, daughter, Wanda Gail Rowe of Charleston, SC and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents, brother, Charles Rowe, and sisters, Marie, Edith and Gaylene. Sadly, he lost three of his children before he passed – Timothy, Christopher and Annette – Which is hardship parents should not have to endure.

Bobby loved to go- whether on a scooter, motorcycle, car, truck or boat. He so enjoyed being out on the water in Badin Lake, trying to catch those sometime elusive sh. At home, he enjoyed keeping up his yard, tinkering on the truck or boat and spending time with Sharon and the pets he loved so much.

Darrick

Baldwin

January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023

Services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday July 24, 2024 at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle.

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.

He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.

He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.

He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.

John grew up in the Millingport community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.

When John purchased his rst Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!

At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily. While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.

William “Bill” Greene passed away on July 20, 2024, at Atrium Health Cabarrus of Concord, NC. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care-Albemarle Chapel conducted by Reverand Ray Sipe, former President of the Stanly County Amateur Radio Club. Military rights will be conducted by the US Army before the service. William Greene was born on March 28, 1945, to Cornelius Greene and Cynthia Dionne in Boston, Su olk County, MA. Bill graduated from Milton High School in Milton, MA. After high school, Bill joined the Navy, then was honorably discharged to join the Army in heavy equipment. He was sent to Vietnam, Thailand, and Panama. He was also a member of the Metrolina Vietnam Veteran Association of Charlotte, NC. After, the military, Bill enrolled at Pfei er University and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree. Bill had always wanted to drive big rigs, which he did for many years. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles, learning and practicing Morse code, and being a HAM radio operator as a member of the Stanly County Amateur Radio Club.

Adam McDaniel Honeycutt, 89, of Kannapolis, passed away Monday, July 15, 2024, at his residence in Kannapolis, North Carolina.

Mr. Honeycutt was born December 14, 1934, in Stanly County, North Carolina to the late Adam McDaniel Honeycutt Sr. and the late Hester Smith Honeycutt.

Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long ght in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away ghting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.

He was also preceded in death by his beloved wife Peggy Roberts Honeycutt, stepson Marvin Whitaker, Stepdaughter Theresa Goodman and stepgranddaughters SherryGardner and Mellicha Goodman and seven sisters and one brother. Survivors include Son Adam (Lisa) Honeycutt of Kannapolis, NC, daughter Sharon Honeycutt of Kannapolis, NC, daughter, Tammy (John) Meyers of Kannapolis, NC, daughter, Susan (Dwayne) Price of Kannapolis, NC, daughter Angela Taylor of Kannapolis, NC and stepdaughter Donna (Jerry) Gardner. Also surviving are, 12 grandchildren, 9 great-grand and 11 step-grandchildren.

Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC. Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.

John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level.

Bill is survived by his wife of fty-four years Dianne Greene, and two daughters Pamela Greene (Ian Pain) of Matthews, NC, and Victoria Greene Sites (Kim Jay) of Concord, NC, along with stepson, John Burkett (Debbie) of Gold Hill. He is also survived by four grandchildren Spencer Curlee, Keaton Burkett, Austin Greene, and Emily Pain as well as one great-granddaughter, Harper Curlee.

Bill is predeceased by his parents Cornelius F. Greene and Cynthia M. Dionne. Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Greene family.

This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Rich eld, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; ve great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.

Adam served in the Army as a Special Forces o cer during the Korean War. He served for 6 years. Adam and Peggy were married for 46 years. Adam worked in the security eld for most of his career, working full-time until his mid-eighties. Adam was a member of the Kannapolis Church of God for 35 years where he served as an elder at the church. Adam enjoyed spending time with his family, reading his Bible, watching football, and watching westerns with John Wayne being his favorite. He also enjoyed playing horseshoes and corn hole with his family. Adam was a jokester and enjoyed joking around with his family and friends. His favorite holiday was Christmas when he had all his children and grandchildren around him. Adam is now in heaven with Jesus and his beloved wife Peggy.

Doris was a gentle and sweet spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left you feeling uplifted after talking with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was sel ess, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.

She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, out ts for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 1- 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Kannapolis Church Of God, 2211 West. A. Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary and will be o ciated by the Rev. Greg Sloop. Burial will follow at the Carolina Memorial Park, 601 Mt. Olivet Road, Concord, NC 28025. Memorials may be made to Kannapolis Church of God located at 2211 W. A St., Kannapolis, NC 28081. Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Honeycutt family.

Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.

Doris Jones Coleman

STATE & NATION

3K migrants headed for US border

People from about a dozen countries left southern Mexico on foot in a new caravan

By Edgar H. Clemente

The Associated Press

CIUDAD HIDALGO, México

— About 3,000 migrants from around a dozen countries left from Mexico’s southern border on foot Sunday, as they attempt to make it to the U.S. border.

Some of the members of the group said they hoped to make it to the U.S. border before elections are held in November because they fear that if Donald Trump wins he will follow through on a promise to close the border to asylum-seekers.

“We are running the risk that permits (to cross the border) might be blocked,” said Miguel Salazar, a migrant from El Salvador. He feared that a new Trump administration might stop granting appointments to migrants through CBP One, an app used by asylum seekers to enter the U.S. legally — by getting appointments at U.S. bor-

der posts, where they make their cases to o cials. The app only works once migrants reach Mexico City, or states in northern Mexico.

“Everyone wants to use that route” said Salazar, 37. The group left Sunday from the southern Mexican town of Ciudad Hidalgo, which is next to

a river that marks Mexico’s border with Guatemala.

Some said they had been waiting in Ciudad Hidalgo for weeks for permits to travel to

Trump campaign releases update on injury, treatment after assassination attempt

The former president did not require stitches to his ear

By Jill Colvin and Bernard Condon

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Donald Trump’s campaign released an update on the former president’s health Saturday, one week after he survived an attempted assassination at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The memo, from Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, a staunch supporter who served as Trump’s White House physician, o ers new details on the nature of the GOP nominee’s injuries and the treatment he received in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

It is the most thorough accounting to date of the former president’s condition since the night of the shooting, which also left one rally-goer dead and injured two others.

According to Jackson, Trump sustained a gunshot wound to the right ear that came “less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head, and struck the top of his right ear.”

The bullet track, he said, “produced a 2 cm wide wound that extended down to the cartilaginous surface of the ear. There was initially signi cant bleeding, followed by marked swelling of the entire upper ear.”

While the swelling has re-

solved and the wound “is beginning to granulate and heal properly,” he said Trump is still experiencing intermittent bleeding, requiring the dressing that was on display at last week’s Republican National Convention.

“Given the broad and blunt nature of the wound itself, no sutures were required,” Jackson wrote.

Trump was initially treated

by medical sta at Butler Memorial Hospital. According to Jackson, doctors “provided a thorough evaluation for additional injuries that included a CT of his head.”

Trump, he said, “will have further evaluations, including a comprehensive hearing exam, as needed. He will follow up with his primary care physician, as directed by the doctors that initially evaluated him,” he wrote.

“In summary, former President Trump is doing well, and he is recovering as expected from the gunshot wound sustained last Saturday afternoon,” he added.

Jackson said in the letter that, as Trump’s former doctor, he was worried and traveled to Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump had own late Saturday after he returned from Pennsylvania, “to personally check on

towns further to the north.

Migrants trying to pass through Mexico in recent years have organized large groups to try to reduce the risk of being attacked by gangs or stopped by Mexican immigration o cials as they travel. But the caravans tend to break up in southern Mexico, as people get tired of walking for hundreds of miles.

Recently, Mexico has also made it more di cult for migrants to reach the U.S. border on buses and trains.

Travel permits are rarely awarded to migrants who enter the country without visas and thousands of migrants have been detained by immigration o cers at checkpoints in the center and north of Mexico, and bused back to towns deep in the south of the country.

Oswaldo Reyna a 55-yearold Cuban migrant crossed from Guatemala into Mexico 45 days ago and waited in Ciudad Hidalgo to join the new caravan announced on social media.

He criticized Trump’s recent comments about migrants and how they are trying to “invade” the United States.

“We are not delinquents” he said. “We are hard-working people who have left our country to get ahead in life, because in our homeland we are su ering from many needs.”

him, and o er my assistance in any way possible.”

He said he has been with Trump since that time, evaluating and treating his wound daily, and would remain with Trump through the weekend, including traveling to Michigan, where Trump held his rst rally since the shooting, joined by his new running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. At Saturday’s rally, the white gauze on Trump’s ear was replaced by a skin-colored bandage.

Trump’s campaign and federal law enforcement had released little information on his condition or treatment in the days after the attack, declining to disclose medical records or hold brie ngs with the doctors who treated him at the hospital.

Trauma surgeon Babak Sarani, who said he has been treating more patients with wounds from AR-15-style assault ri es, said the description in the letter was “exactly in line with what you would expect from a bullet wound.”

While the indirect damage is still usually minor, he said the risk of extensive damage is greater than if another gun were used.

“If a bullet whizzes by your ear from a low-caliber handgun, it’s not a big deal. ... You get a headache or feel dizzy like a bad concussion,” said Sarani, chief of trauma at George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. “But if the bullet is from an assault ri e, the energy is bigger, broader, and you’re more likely to develop bruises.”

He added, “in Trump’s case, he got very lucky. The majority of the energy was released in the air. If it had hit him in the head, we would be having a completely di erent conversation.”

EDGAR H. CLEMENTE / AP PHOTO

Migrants walk along the highway Sunday through southern Mexico during their journey north toward the U.S. border.

EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Saturday in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Representin’

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Cornel West supporters sue NCSBE

Three registered voters are suing the North Carolina State Board of Elections, alleging that it violated their constitutional rights. At issue is the board’s rejection last week of a petition seeking recognition for a political party that would put Cornel West on the presidential ballot. Democratic board chair Alan Hirsch said he had concerns in part about how a group called People Over Party collected many of the signatures. Republican lawmakers are questioning whether the board’s Democratic majority is trying to keep West o the ballot because he could take votes away from the Democratic presidential nominee.

Free app helps detect PFAS

Two nonpro ts have released a free app and browser extension to help consumers identify PFAS and other toxic ingredients in everyday products. The app, Clearya, is available in Apple and Google Play stores and allows consumers to make informed decisions. Consumers can analyze labels by taking a photo of the product’s ingredients. The app displays information and warnings about substances that may pose a health risk based on publicly available chemical hazard lists and databases.

Salt Lake City to host 2034 Winter Olympics

Salt Lake City has been formally awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics following a vote by the International Olympic Committee in Paris. The decision gives Utah its second Games after hosting in 2002. Salt Lake City was the lone contender the Olympic committee was considering.

Biden’s North Carolina delegates pledge to Harris

The vice president has enough to clinch the Democratic nomination

By Jordan Golson Twin City Herald

NORTH CAROLINA’S delegation to the DNC will support the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democrat nominee for president following President Joe Biden’s surprise announcement on Sunday that he will not seek reelection. The announcement was made by a number of Democrat party leaders, including North Carolina DNC delegate Diana Williams Robinson, who announced in a social media post that the state’s DNC delegation was unanimously supporting Harris. Robinson also endorsed Gov.

Roy Cooper as a potential running mate for Harris.

Cooper is among a number of prominent Democrats being considered as a VP pick, and The Wall Street Journal reports the Harris campaign has reached out to Cooper’s team for vetting materials as they consider the pick. Former Attorney General Eric Holder is said to be running the VP vetting.

Others being considered include Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Gov. Josh Shapiro (Pa.), Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Mich.), Gov. J.B. Pritzker (Ill.) and Gov. Tim Walz (Minn.). Currently, Kelly is seen as the frontrunner, but things have been changing quickly. According to Polymarket, a prediction website where investors can place bets on the outcome of political races, Cooper has a 20% chance to be picked, with Kelly

at 39% and Shapiro at 19% as of Tuesday evening.

Harris has been tallying endorsements and delegate numbers over the past few days, with the DNC’s complicated nomination rules being scrutinized by lawyers and party insiders to ensure a smooth path to Harris’ nomination. The process has been derisively called a “coronation” by some Republicans, but Harris was was endorsed by Biden when he announced he wasn’t running.

Biden won all of North Carolina’s DNC delegates in the March presidential primary, although the party ensured he was running unopposed. North Carolina has 116 pledged DNC delegates and 14 superdelegates.

Biden had won enough states’ primaries and caucuses to secure support of a majority of the pledged delegates to

the Democratic National Convention. But those delegates had not yet o cially cast their votes when Biden bowed out of the race.

Biden’s departure frees his delegates to vote for whomever they choose. There are nearly 4,700 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, with varying amounts from each state. That includes nearly 4,000 pledged delegates and about 700 superdelegates, such as current and former elected o cials.

A party’s presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election.

Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson, facing criticism because of the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term that year. His announcement came after just a single state’s primary had been held. Biden’s July decision came after more than 14 million Democrats had cast votes supporting him through the primary process. But throughout U.S. history,

See HARRIS, page 2

NC State’s Woodson announces retirement

The longtime chancellor will step down June 30, 2025

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Another chancellor in North Carolina’s public university system has announced plans to step down — this time at the state’s largest university by enrollment.

North Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson declared his retirement plans at the university’s trustees meeting Thursday, capping o nearly 15 years in his role. His term will o cially end June 30, 2025, Woodson said. His departure marks yet another chancellor vacancy in the UNC system that is in the process of lling three other open-

ings: Appalachian State University, Elizabeth City State University and UNC Chapel Hill. Seventeen schools are members of the system.

“I feel good about leaving the institution better than I found it, but I also feel good that the next leader has plenty to do at NC State,” Woodson said during the meeting. “This is a great place.” With his contract ending

See WOODSON, page 2

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson, right, listens to NC State Board of Trustees chair Ed Weisiger, left, during a university trustees meeting last Thursday in Raleigh. Woodson announced he will retire in 2025.

A 300-strong North Carolina delegation attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last week, with several local politicians speaking from the main stage. Above, clockwise from left: Kelcey Shull of Wake County, 17, was the youngest in the North Carolina delegation; Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson spoke on Monday; Rep. Richard Hudson addressed the convention on Thursday.

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP PHOTO

COURTESY NCGOP J. SCOTT

PHOTO

HARRIS from page 1

political parties have convened numerous conventions amid uncertainty. In 1960, Johnson and John F. Kennedy jockeyed for support from individual state delegations during their party’s convention. Democrats ultimately nominated Kennedy for president and Johnson for vice president.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

THURSDAY

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: forsythcommunity@ northstatejournal.com Weekly deadline is

UNC settles open-meetings complaint tied to trustee discussions of athletics nances

Transparency laws require most discussions to be open to the public

The Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill must pay $25,000 and its trustees must a rm a commitment to follow the state’s open-meeting laws as part of a settlement that dismissed a lawsuit over the board’s handling of athletics discussions.

David McKenzie, a lawyer in Wake County, had led a complaint in May in Orange County Superior Court accusing trustees of violating open-meetings laws in previous private-session discussions tied to athletics budgets. It came as UNC trustees weighed in on athletics to highlight growing national tensions with schools jumping from league to league seeking more money tied to TV deals in a football-driven market.

McKenzie told WRAL of Raleigh that he was “satis ed” by the settlement, which had him agree to dismiss the lawsuit and the university would pay $25,000 to cover McKenzie’s expenses and legal costs.

McKenzie’s original complaint came as trustees indicated they would discuss the UNC athletics budget in closed session at a coming meeting, as well as referencing private-session discussions on athletics matters in November. That came amid comments questioning the

nancial picture under the leadership of athletics direc

tor Bubba Cunningham, although UNC’s interim chancellor Lee Roberts publicly backed Cunningham in a public pushback against the trustees.

A judge granted multiple temporary restraining issues against UNC’s trustees going into closed session for athletics nancial discussions that could include future conference alignment.

Doing the French mistake

Charcuterie boards... Ooh la la!

By Erika Ho man For Twin City Herald

I SAW A POST on Facebook that read: Remember when charcuterie boards were called meat and cheese trays, snack trays or hors d’oeuvres trays?

A gal named Karen commented below the picture and the question: “When I heard that word for the rst time, I thought they were referring to something dirty! I think it’s one of those made-up words someone used to confuse us older people.”

I laughed aloud reading that, but then again, I know French, and I know what “charcuterie” means. I also know that folks like to use French words to “gussy up” menus and catering o erings. Even the word “hors d’oeuvres” is just a fancy word for appetizer. As if that is not enough, now, at wedding receptions and the like, they serve us little “pre-hors d’oeuvres,” which they call “amuse bouches.”

French words sound sophisticated. Doesn’t “charcuterie” sound better than a tray of pig products? And isn’t “hors d’oeuvres” more sophisticated than its translation “outside of

WOODSON from page 1

next June, Woodson told reporters it was “just a good time” for him to step away from being chancellor. Retirement was something the 67-year-old said he considered for a while.

Woodson received a twoyear contract extension in 2021 that allowed him to serve until 2025 — something UNC System President Peter Hans said he “twisted his arm at the time to stay.”

“When I think about where NC State was 15 years and where NC State is now, it’s an extraordinary testament to this man’s leadership and the team he has built around him,” Hans told reporters after the meeting.

the works” and “amuse bouche” sounds better than “mouth pleaser.”

It’s this way with our language. English gets spruced up when we use French words! Our common English words have Germanic roots, so “Mann” becomes “man,” “Haus” becomes “house,” and “Mutter” becomes “mother.” On the other hand, our more sophisticated words usually have origins in the Romantic languages derived from Latin roots. So, the French word for house, “maison,” turns into our “mansion.” And their word for “little” becomes our “petite,” and their word “big” becomes our word “grand.” “Valise” sounds bet-

Woodson started in his role as NC State chancellor in 2010. He previously came from Purdue University, where he served as provost, dean of the agriculture college and in various other leadership positions.

Under his long tenure at NC State, Woodson led the university in increasing graduation and retention rates and research funding. The university’s enrollment also has grown to more than 37,000 students as of Fall 2023. He is the university’s third longest-serving chancellor and one of the longest currently serving in the university system.

Although he doesn’t have immediate plans for what’s next after his chancellorship,

ter than a suitcase. And who wouldn’t pay big bucks for an “armoire.” Not so much for a wooden clothes closet!

Of course, the “fancy like Applebee’s on date night” sometimes back res when you use foreign French words. The French word for shower is “douche.” And the word for “ladies” is “dames.” And overweight in French becomes “gross.” And a “cul-de-sac” literally is the bottom of the bag.

A “rendezvous” sounds romantic, but in French, it can be an ordinary, unromantic appointment, like a dental cleaning! Nonetheless, Mardi Gras sounds more festive than Fat Tuesday, and I’d rather swallow

Woodson said he intends to stay in Raleigh. Woodson’s announcement means yet another chancellor search for the UNC system to embark on after lling four openings in the last year.

Those new chancellors now lead four universities: James Martin at NC A&T, Karrie Dixon at NC Central, Bonita Brown at Winston-Salem State and Kimberly van Noort at UNC Asheville. The search for UNC Chapel Hill’s new chancellor — a position opened after former Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz left in January — progressed further last week when search committee members started considering candidates. The chancellorship is currently held by Interim Chancellor

“escargots” than snails; “foie gras” is much more appealing than “liver.” Remember, if you see “cheval” as the “plat de jour,” avoid it. (You don’t want to eat Trigger!) There’s a reason the Beatles interspersed French in their love songs like Mon Cher Amour. And you recall Patti LaBelle’s Lady Marmalade’s famous lyric: “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?” It rhymes and seems more lovey-dovey than its English translation. Being complimented as “the crème de la crème” sounds posher than being designated Top Dog or King of the Hill. Be careful when you guess the meaning of French words. You might deduce that the verb “crapoter” has to do with the “toilette,” but you’d be wrong. “Crapoter” means to smoke without inhaling.

So, when you serve your guests “charcuterie board,” don’t translate! If you do, they’ll realize it’s a plate of sliced pork from the pig butcher’s shop. It’s like sausage making. No one wants to see that done. Devour that delicious Polish hot dog from Costco smothered with mustard and forget how it’s made. Speaking French gives a “je ne sais quoi” charm to everything! And this is true for thin slices of salami, prosciutto and bologna. Enjoy the charcuterie board while you watch the Olympics in the City of Lights — Paris! Bon Appetit! (And moi? I hope les EtatsUnis wins!)

Lee Roberts, who GOP legislative leaders have signaled support in becoming the next chancellor.

The search committee has been “aggressively in the market” for several weeks to nd suitable candidates, but competition with other universities conducting chancellor searches has presented challenges, said Laurie Wilder, head of search rm Parker Executive Search, during the meeting.

Hans told reporters after the meeting that he thought the high turnover of chancellors could be partly attributed to university leaders postponing their departures to ensure administrations ran smoothly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

GERRY BROOME / AP PHOTO

People walk across the campus at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in March 2020.

FRANCISCO SECO / AP PHOTO

A couple stand next to a security fence placed around Notre Dame cathedral ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics on Monday in Paris.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Historic week in politics

How on Earth is he capable of serving the next six months?

THIS HAS BEEN a truly exciting week in the realm of politics. You may be tired of hearing about it all, but I must weigh in. I can’t help myself. An assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump killed an innocent rally attendee and injured two others. There are many questions about security at the event. The questions are numerous, and so far there have been no answers. Obviously, something went terribly wrong. The details of the horrendous act reveal a failure of security measures, and one wonders how this could possibly happen. Security 101 would have prevented this tragedy.

The Republican National Convention was amazing. It was uplifting and inspiring, and there was a uni ed atmosphere like we have never seen. Patriotism was displayed and love of this country was exhibited in full display.

As I write this, President Biden has just announced that he is ending his campaign for reelection. We knew he was experiencing tremendous pressure from Democrats to get out of the race. He nally relented and endorsed his Vice President Kamala Harris.

I have no idea what the rules are regarding this turn of events, but it sure seems strange. Let’s see if I have this straight. President Biden went through the process of a primary season in which he was vetted and received millions of votes. After the candidate is selected, through the established process, the party can decide to throw the candidate to the curb. The party has stated that “polling indicates the candidate will lose.” I didn’t know we could make this change based on polling

This is not a principled court but an entirely partisan

“WITH FEAR FOR our democracy,”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor concludes in her brilliant dissent in Trump v. United States, “I dissent.”

She is right. Very frighteningly right. After reading what happened at the oral argument, I knew what was coming. The court was looking for a way to carve up the baby, giving some form of immunity to former President Donald Trump without turning him into the absolute monarch. But even I didn’t expect the breadth of Chief Justice John Roberts’ opinion for the court, which e ectively does almost that, with its distinction between o cial acts, which are “presumptively immune” from prosecution, and uno cial acts, which are not. Because the motive of the president in acting illegally cannot be considered, as Sotomayor wrote in dissent, “the category of presidential action that can be deemed ‘uno cial’ is destined to be vanishingly small.” And to take forever, on remand to the district court, and in the endless appeals that will no doubt follow, to de nitively gure out. Certainly, long enough for it to amount to a get-out-of-jailfree card if Trump is the president-elect. Indeed, it is enough to postpone his sentencing for the 34 felony counts of which he’s already been convicted. It took Trump’s lawyers no time at all to claim that paying o a porn star to keep silent about her a air with him before he was president (and thereby rigging the election) was an “o cial act” because he signed the reimbursement

data. I thought the Democrat Party was the party that’s so concerned about “losing democracy.” This is not democracy.

Some will argue that the president made the decision to end his campaign. We all know that isn’t true. Just two short days before, he was discussing his eagerness to get back out on the campaign trail. He has been adamant that he was moving forward because he was the best candidate to beat Donald Trump.

There has been a huge conspiracy played on the American public for at least four years. The Democrats and the mainstream media have all played along, and now they must reap what they have sown. Many of us knew the president was experiencing cognitive issues before the 2020 election. It was evident for anyone who paid attention and wanted to see it. We were lied to, and President Biden was allowed to hide in his basement, in 2020, without being truly vetted by the American people.

Throughout his presidency, there have been many incidents revealing the president’s cognitive failures. Still, the Democrats and the media covered up. They even went so far as to call these reports “cheap fakes” and claim the lms were edited. Of course, they were not.

After the June debate, there was no denying there were serious problems with the president’s capabilities. The world had nally seen what many had known since the beginning of his campaign. We cannot UNSEE it.

Now Biden is out, Kamala Harris is in, and we have no idea if others will be joining the fray. An open convention could be

exciting, but it would not likely bring much unity to the party. My guess is the party will coalesce behind the Harris ticket. It will be interesting to see who she names as her vice presidential candidate. Perhaps Gov. Roy Cooper. It will also be interesting to see the campaign strategy. Likely, the names will be changed, but the failed policies will still be front and center. I rst thought I would be anxious to see if they would change just a little to try to talk about the record they have over the last four years. Then I realized they have no successes to talk about. So far, the campaign has run on the fact that they’re not Donald Trump. They also are running on Jan. 6 and abortion. The American people are focused on failed immigration policies, out of control in ation, escalating crime, etc. These are the issues that most Americans are dealing with daily, and they want to hear what the plans are to x them.

The real question is looming. If Biden is not competent to run for reelection, how on Earth is he capable of serving the next six months? This is scary to think that someone who is lacking cognizance has access to the nuclear codes. No worries? He can’t remember them.

The American people have been lied to, and Vice President Kamala Harris was the biggest ally to the lie. What’s next? Hang on tight. This might be a wild ride.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec has represented Forsyth County and the 31st District in the North Carolina Senate since 2014. She lives in Kernersville.

check to Michael Cohen while he was in the White House. It’s a ridiculous argument which hopefully Judge Juan Merchan will recognize, but not so ridiculous that Merchan wasn’t willing to delay sentencing for another two months. And count on Trump’s lawyers to try to postpone it even longer if the judge does reject it.

And don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is the result of a “conservative” court simply relying on the intent of the founders. Sotomayor made clear that they were doing no such thing. “The Framers clearly knew how to provide for immunity from prosecution,” she writes, “They did provide a narrow immunity for legislators in the Speech or Debate Clause (of the Constitution).”

But nothing about the president, a point the chief justice simply ignores, as he does the part of the Constitution that says that an o cial impeached and convicted by the Senate “shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.” The impeachment clause “clearly contemplates that a former President may be subject to criminal prosecution for the same conduct that resulted (or could have resulted) in an impeachment judgment — including conduct such as ‘Bribery,’ which implicates o cial acts almost by de nition.”

As for the Founding Fathers, the chief justice also ignores Alexander Hamilton’s commentary in the Federalist Papers that former presidents should be “liable to prosecution and punishment in the ordinary course of law.” The Founding Fathers knew full well about the power of monarchs, and in Hamilton’s words, distinguished between “the king of Great

Britain,” who was “sacred and inviolable,” and the “President of the United States,” who “would be amenable to personal punishment.” The majority opinion recognizes no such distinction.

As Sotomayor sees it, the majority’s approach is clear: “Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.”

Roberts ignores the examples cited by his dissenting colleagues as thoroughly as he ignores the originalism that he and his colleagues purport to be guided by.

No, this is not a principled court but an entirely partisan one, and a chief justice who has failed in whatever mission he once pretended to have to protect the legitimacy of the court. This is Bush v. Gore, the opinion that did the most to undermine the court in public polls of any decision in recent history. This is an utterly partisan court, doing its best to elect a president on a 6-3 vote.

I was once one of those who was skeptical of Democratic proposals to tinker with the court’s composition (also known as courtpacking) or its lifetime terms (also known as term limits) because I clung to the belief that the court should be protected from ideological manipulation.

No longer. I’m for anything that would shake up a court that has, with utter disregard for ethical constraints and the need to retain public trust, engaged in ideological manipulation of its own.

Susan Estrich is a lawyer, professor, author and political commentator.

TRIAD STRAIGHT TALK | JOYCE KRAWIEC

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

King Trump

one.

Forsyth SPORTS

EA Sports College Football 25, among most anticipated sports video games in history, released

The wildly popular game makes its return for the rst time in 12 years

By Ryan Kryska

The Associated Press

EA SPORTS College Football

25, among the most highly anticipated sports video games of all time, has ooded the market as gamers who waited more than a decade for the franchise’s next installment rush to play.

The game o cially launched Friday, with EA Sports increasing its server capacity ahead of time to handle the crush. More than 2.2 million people had already played the game during an early-access period before launch.

“To say we’ve been blown away by the excitement, energy and anticipation around College Football 25 over the past few months would be an understatement,” EA Sports said in a blog post this week. “Just like you, our team has had July 19 circled for months as the culmination of so much work and dedication to build this game, and the chance to see it in players’ hands for the rst time.”

EA Sports’ college football games used to be released annually, a cultural icon in American sports for much of the franchise’s existence. The company froze future editions in 2013 when athletes began questioning why they weren’t getting paid to be featured in the games.

With athlete compensation rights sorted out in court and now allowed by the NCAA, EA Sports announced in 2021 it would be reviving the franchise.

The video-game developer offered Bowl Subdivision players

a minimum of $600 and a copy of the game to have their likeness included in it. More than 11,000 players accepted o ers.

EA Sports has said its goal for the game was “to feel like a love letter to college football and its fans.”

UCLA, Mississippi State, San Diego State and Colorado were among the schools hosting College Football 25 events this week. Across social platforms, athletes such as LeBron James, Tim Tebow and Michael Vick — even comedians Shane Gillis and Dan Soder — were live-streaming head-to-head matches in the game.

Michigan running back Donovan Edwards, one of the cover athletes, said in May some of the best moments of his childhood involved playing EA Sports college football with his best friend.

“Just for it to be back, as well as to be on the cover of it, it’s an awesome feeling,” he said.

The game’s other standard-edition cover athletes are Texas quarterback Quinn Ew-

ers and Colorado two-way player Travis Hunter. The deluxe edition features the backs of numerous players in a stadium tunnel, including Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins.

EA Sports’ college football franchise dates to the 1990s. It grew in popularity in the early 2000s as gaming systems became more advanced, allowing for revolutionary game modes such as the popular Race for the Heisman create-a-player that was introduced in NCAA Football 06.

That edition also featured historic teams, including the 1992 Alabama squad that Clemson coach Dabo Swinney played on.

“Sleeping on me a little bit,” Swinney joked about the 70 overall rating for his player, “WR No. 88,” which did, however, have a 91 speed rating. “They must have my going down the Hill speed. I appreciate the love they gave me on that.”

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Garrett Horn

Glenn, baseball

Garrett Horn is a 2021 graduate of Glenn High School. He was a member of the school’s baseball and swim teams.

As a freshman, Horn threw a no-hitter for the Bobcats, and he made all-conference and all-state as a senior. A two-way player, he hit .333 in his nal high school season while pitching with a 1.25 ERA. He went on to pitch at Liberty University, earning Freshman All-America honors in 2022 and becoming a two-time second-team ASUN All-Conference player.

Horn was selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, going in the sixth round, number 195 overall, to the Texas Rangers.

Kuznetsov clears unconditional waivers, has his NHL contract terminated by the Hurricanes

The mutual termination clears nearly $4 million in salary cap space

By Stephen Whyno

The Associated Press

EVGENY KUZNETSOV had his contract terminated after clearing unconditional waivers, bringing an abrupt end to the talented but inconsistent center’s NHL career, at least for the time being.

Kuznetsov by agreeing to the mutual termination walks away from the $6 million salary owed to him in the nal season of his $64.2 million, seven-year deal originally signed in 2017.

“Ultimately both sides agreed this was the best course of action for both the player and the team,” general manager Eric Tulsky said Wednesday. “We thank Evgeny for his time with the team and wish him and his family the best.”

Reports emerged earlier in the week that Kuznetsov was planning to mutually terminate his contract and go home to Russia to play for SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL. He and his camp had to agree to such a move for this to happen now, unless the Hurricanes waited for a buyout window to open later this summer.

While an arbitration hearing remains on the docket for Martin Necas, Carolina re-signed Jack Drury to a two-year contract worth $3.45 million and must still get a contract done for fellow forward Seth Jarvis with just under $14 million in salary cap space to spend.

“Jack took tremendous steps last season to solidify himself as a key part of our forward

Carolina Hurricanes center Evgeny Kuznetsov skates o as the New York Rangers celebrate in the background following Game 6 of their playo series in May. The Hurricanes and Kuznetsov mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

group,” Tulsky said upon announcing the deal with Drury. “He is an extremely hard worker at both ends of the ice who can be relied upon at all situations, and we are excited to watch his continued growth in Carolina.”

Carolina acquired Kuznetsov from Washington before the trade deadline in March, with the Capitals agreeing to retain half of his $7.8 million cap hit. His departure from North America removes the $3.9 million cap obligation for each team.

Kuznetsov was the leading

scorer and Conn Smythe runner-up on the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup run but has been up and down since, the constant subject of trade rumors and speculation. He had 13 points in 30 games in a limited role with the Hurricanes as they reached the second round, and coach Rod Brind’Amour even made Kuznetsov a healthy scratch for a game in the playo s.

The inconsistency was not lost on Kuznetsov, who after an early season game in October 2018 said he did not care about being a top- ve player in hock-

ey. “To be MVP, you have to work hard 365 (days) in a year, but I’m not ready for that,” Kuznetsov said. “I want to have fun, and I want to make those risky plays when sometimes you don’t have to play and you guys don’t understand every time those plays. It’s not easy to make. But to be MVP in this league, you have to play even better. You have to go next level. It’s not easy. More importantly, you have to stay focused 365 (days), but that’s not my style.” His trouble was not just on

the ice. The league in September 2019 suspended Kuznetsov three games without pay for “inappropriate conduct,” less than a month after he was banned from playing for Russia for four years because of a positive test for cocaine.

Kuznetsov more recently entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in February. Upon him being cleared by program administrators to practice, the Capitals put him on waivers with the hope of giving him a fresh start and subsequently sent him to the minors.

KARL B DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP PHOTO

Colorado running back Kam Mikell, front right, and wide

receiver Kaleb Mathis, front left, face o during the EA Sports College Football 25 video game release party on Friday.

SIDELINE REPORT

MLS

Chicago Fire o er vouchers for fans if Messi doesn’t play

Chicago

The Chicago Fire said they will o er vouchers for fans if Inter Miami star Lionel Messi doesn’t play when the teams meet at Soldier Field on Aug. 31. Messi injured a ligament in his right ankle during Argentina’s win over Colombia in the Copa America nal on July 14. If he can’t play, the team will o er single-match buyers who purchase between now and game day $250 o two or more new 2025 Chicago Fire season-ticket memberships or $100 o two or more single match tickets for the 2025 home match against Inter Miami.

WNBA

Bird Barbie: Mattel honors WNBA great with signature doll

El Segundo, Calif. WNBA great Sue Bird has been honored with a signature Barbie doll. Mattel announced it has issued a replica Barbie doll based on the basketball career of Bird. Bird played 21 seasons with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, helping the franchise to four league titles. She also has won ve Olympic gold medals with the U.S. national team. Bird retired after the 2022 season and is now part of Seattle’s ownership. Mattel said the Sue Bird Barbie is part of its Role Model series as the doll celebrates its 65th anniversary.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Clemson gives men’s basketball coach Brownell new contract

Clemson, S.C. Clemson men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell received a new, ve-year contract worth $20 million after leading the Tigers to the Elite Eight this past season. Brownell’s deal was among several for Clemson head coaches and assistants by the university’s board of trustees. Brownell’s agreement keeps him through the 2028-29 season. He’ll make $3.5 million next season, an increase over the $3 million he was scheduled to make under the old deal. Others with new agreements were men’s soccer coach Mike Noonan, who won two of the past three NCAA College Cup titles and baseball coach Erik Bakich.

MLB

Myers’ opportunity at extra playing time ends after injury

Miami Miami Marlins rookie out elder Dane Myers could miss the remainder of the season after he fractured his left ankle kicking a door out of frustration. The Marlins placed Myers on the injured list, and it is uncertain if he will return in 2024. Myers was called out on strikes on a check swing without an appeal to the base umpire. Myers questioned the call, got into a heated exchange with the umpire and was ejected. He then kicked the door. Before his injury, Myers had two home runs and 14 RBIs in 40 games.

Larson races to his 1st Brickyard 400 victory

gives Larson three of NASCAR’s four crown jewel races

By Michael Marot The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle

Larson made a late charge through the eld, managed to get his car re red after a red ag and won the nal two restart battles Sunday before coasting to his rst Brickyard 400 victory under caution. Larson took the lead when Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel and pulled o the track just before the second-to-last restart and beat pole winner Tyler Reddick at the end with the yellow ag out.

“Today was de nitely meant to be for us with the way the strategy was working out and all that fell into place,” Larson said. “Thankfully, it did. I just

can’t believe it. It’s just surreal to win here.”

Larson won in his rst trip back to the speedway since he tried to become the fth driver to complete 1,100 miles of racing on the same May day, at Indy and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Larson won for the fourth time this season and took the points lead from Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott.

The 31-year-old Californian charged back from 12th over the nal 32 laps as many drivers attempted to save fuel in the rst Cup race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s historic 2.5-mile oval since 2020, with the last three being run on the facility’s 14-turn road course.

Larson has won three of NASCAR’s crown jewel races, missing only the Daytona 500. And his return to Indy was every bit

as exciting as it was in May. When Keselowski pulled o the track before taking the green ag with three to go, he ceded the inside lane to Larson, who take advantage of a clean shot to pass Ryan Blaney’s second-place car just before a vecar pileup that began when Daniel Hemric and John Henry Nemechek made contact.

The crash brought out the red ag and Larson needed an assist in getting his No. 5 Chevrolet stated. Once he did, though, he again had the inside lane, and again beat Blaney o the restart and held on for the victory.

“That’s a heartbreaker. We did everything right today,” said Blaney, who was upset that Larson essentially went from third into the line Keselowski had chosen to restart. “He was in prime position to win and it just didn’t work out for us.”

Denny Hamlin won the rst

stage, his rst ever at Indianapolis, and Bubba Wallace took the second stage, giving him 10 points as he tries to make the playo s. It was Wallace’s rst stage win since 2022.

Blaney wound up third, Elliott was fourth and Todd Gilliland was fth.

Quick switch

The race was scheduled to be broadcast on NBC, but viewers who tuned into the network found something else — breaking news about President Joe Biden withdrawing from the presidential race.

NBC made the decision to brie y switch the telecast to USA Network, which also covered some of the weekend’s festivities then went back to Cup coverage at the start of the race. The race also nished on USA Network after the red ag stoppage, again because of the breaking news.

Back home again

Before the race, speedway owner Roger Penske and PPG announced they have extended and expanded their partnership for both the Cup and IndyCar Series.

Wake-up call for the US men’s basketball arrives

James hits layup with seconds left to avoid losing to upset

By Tim Reynolds

The Associated Press

SOUTH SUDAN is the 33rdranked team in the FIBA world rankings, by far the lowest of any of the 12 nations that will be vying for men’s basketball gold in the Paris Olympics that start this week.

The U.S. is ranked No. 1.

South Sudan nearly beat the Americans anyway.

The wake-up call for the U.S. Olympic team seems to have arrived. A 101-100 win over South Sudan on Saturday in London came on a day when plenty went wrong for the Americans — tra c getting to the arena was brutal and Anthony Davis said arriving late threw o players’ routines, South Sudan shot lights-out from 3-point range and outscored the U.S. 42-21 from deep and the U.S. struggled in plenty of aspects.

“There’s great teams all over the place and nothing is guaranteed at this point for USA Basketball,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said earlier this summer.

“We know that well, I know it personally. We won the gold medal in Tokyo, but we lost three games along the way. Our gold-medal game against France went right down to the wire. So, this is an entirely different competition than it was in 1992.”

There was no doubt who was winning gold in 1992: The rst U.S. Dream Team overpowered every team in its path. Chuck Daly coached a roster that in-

cluded 11 future Hall of Famers; Kerr loves relaying the story that Daly never had to call a timeout that whole summer, because no game was ever in any sort of jeopardy.

Kerr had to call one on Saturday with 20 seconds left to get LeBron James the ball and set up what became the winning, embarrassment-saving basket for the one-point win against South Sudan, a nation that is set to make its Olympic debut and doesn’t have a suitable indoor facility for national team-level basketball training.

“A lot of these teams we’re playing have been practicing either one month or months in

advance,” James said. “We’re like maybe two weeks into it, together. So, every game, every lm session, every opportunity we have to try to make the most of it.”

“We’ve got a great 12 guys,” U.S. guard Stephen Curry said.

“Basketball is such an interesting sport that if you don’t play the right way, if you don’t come with the right energy and the right focus to go play defense, rebound, not turn the ball over, you can be beat. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. So, it’s a good reminder of that.” Saturday was also a good reminder of this: Nobody seems intimidated by the U.S. Not

even 17-year-olds.

“We can be beat if we don’t play our brand of basketball and our brand of basketball is playing defense,” Curry said. “They made some tough shots in the rst half and they’re a skilled team with a lot of shooting, so if they get hot, they’re tough. But we didn’t make them uncomfortable at all in the rst half and they took advantage of it.

“But we also learned we have that gear. If we can nd it, no matter who’s out there on the court, we can overwhelm teams for 40 minutes. And it’s a great reminder of both. If we don’t play our game, we can be beat. We’re not invincible.”

KIN CHEUNG / AP PHOTO

United States forward LeBron James, left and U.S. guard Stephen Curry shake hands during a closer-than-expected exhibition win over South Sudan in London.

The win

DARRON CUMMINGS / AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson drives into a turn on his way to a win at the Brickyard 400 in in Indianapolis.

Paris using AI, jets, police squadrons to secure upcoming Olympic Games

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump raised security concerns

By John Leicester

The Associated Press

PARIS — A year ago, the head of the Paris Olympics boldly declared that France’s capital would be “the safest place in the world “when the Games open this Friday. Tony Estanguet’s con dent forecast looks less farfetched now with squadrons of police patrolling Paris’ streets, ghter jets and soldiers primed to scramble, and imposing metal-fence security barriers erected like an iron curtain on both sides of the River Seine that will star in the opening show.

France’s vast police and military operation is in large part because the July 26-Aug. 11 Games face unprecedented security challenges. The city has repeatedly su ered deadly extremist attacks and international tensions are high because of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Rather than build an Olympic park with venues grouped together outside of the city center, like Rio de Janeiro in 2016 or London in 2012, Paris has chosen to host many of the events in the heart of the bustling capital of 2 million inhabitants, with others dotted around suburbs that house millions more.

Putting temporary sports arenas in public spaces and the unprecedented choice to stage a river-borne opening ceremony stretching for miles along the Seine makes safeguarding them more complex.

Olympic organizers also have cyberattack concerns, while rights campaigners and Games critics are worried about Paris’ use of AI-equipped surveillance technology and the broad scope and scale of Olympic security.

a temporary camp in southeast Paris housing 4,500 soldiers from the Sentinelle force.

In France, in the last 13 months alone, men acting alone have carried out knife attacks that targeted tourists in Paris and children in a park in an Alpine town, among others. A man who stabbed a teacher to death at his former high school in northern France in October had been under surveillance by French security services for suspected Islamic radicalization.

The demonstrations are against a quota system for government jobs

By Julhas Alam and Sheikh Saaliq

The Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Police imposed a strict curfew with a “shoot-on-sight” order across Bangladesh as military forces patrolled parts of the capital over the weekend after scores were killed and hundreds injured in clashes over the allocation of civil service jobs.

The demonstrations — called for mainly by student groups— started weeks ago to protest a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. Violence erupted Tuesday, with the Daily Prothom Alo newspaper reporting the death of at least 103 people.

Friday was likely to be the deadliest day so far; Somoy TV reported 43 killed, while an Associated Press reporter saw 23 bodies at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, but it was not immediately clear whether they all died on Friday. On Thursday, 22 others were reported dead

Armed military patrols aboard vehicles and on foot have become common in crowded places in France since gunmen and suicide bombers acting in the names of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group repeatedly struck Paris in 2015. They don’t have police powers of arrest but can tackle attackers and restrain them until police arrive.

Rafale ghter jets, airspace-monitoring AWACS surveillance ights, Reaper surveillance drones, and helicopters that can carry sharpshooters and equipment to disable drones

A Games-time force of up to 45,000 police and gendarmes is also backed up by a 10,000-strong contingent of soldiers that has set up the largest military camp in Paris since World War II, from which soldiers should be able to reach any of the city’s Olympic venues within 30 minutes.

will police Paris skies, which will be closed during the opening ceremony by a no- y zone extending for 93 miles around the capital. Cameras twinned with arti cial intelligence software — authorized by a law that expands the state’s surveillance powers for the Games — will ag potential security risks, such as abandoned packages or crowd surges, France is also getting help from more than 40 countries that, together, have sent at least 1,900 police reinforcements.

Attacks by lone individuals are a major concern, a risk driven home most recently to French o cials by the assassination attempt against Donald Trump.

Some involved in the Olympic security operation were stunned that the gunman armed with an AR-style ri e got within range of the former U.S. president.

“No one can guarantee that there won’t be mistakes. There, however, it was quite glaring,” said Gen. Philippe Pourqué, who oversaw the construction of

With the long and bitter experience of deadly extremist attacks, France has armed itself with a dense network of police units, intelligence services and investigators who specialize in ghting terrorism, and suspects in terrorism cases can be held longer for questioning.

Hundreds of thousands of background checks have scrutinized Olympic ticket-holders, workers and others involved in the Games and applicants for passes to enter Paris’ most tightly controlled security zone, along the Seine’s banks. The checks blocked more than 3,900 people from attending, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. He said some were agged for suspected Islamic radicalization, left- or right-wing political extremism, signi cant criminal records and other security concerns.

as protesting students attempted to “completely shut down” the country.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka said Friday that reports indicated “hundreds to possibly thousands” were injured across Bangladesh. It said the situation was “extremely volatile.”

Bangladeshi authorities haven’t shared any o cial numbers of those killed and injured.

O cials said the curfew was to quell further violence after

police and protesters clashed in the streets and at university campuses in Dhaka and other cities across the South Asian country. Authorities blocked online communications by banning mobile and internet services. Several television news channels also went o the air, and the websites of most local newspapers were down. Meanwhile, some key government websites, including Bangladesh’s central bank and the

prime minister’s o ce, appeared to have been hacked and defaced.

Local media also reported that some 800 inmates ed from a prison in Narsingdi, a district north of the capital, after protesters stormed the facility and set it on re Friday.

The chaos highlights cracks in Bangladesh’s governance and economy and the frustration of youths who lack good jobs upon graduation. They also represent the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in o ce after January’s elections, boycotted by the main opposition groups.

Protesters argue the quota system is discriminatory and bene ts supporters of Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, saying it should be replaced with a merit-based system. Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions in the war against Pakistan, regardless of their political a liation. Representatives from both sides met late Friday in an attempt to reach a resolution. At least three student leaders were present and demanded the re -

form of the current quota system, the reopening of student dormitories shut by the police following the clashes and for some university o cials to step down after failing to protect campuses from the violence. Law Minister Anisul Huq said late Friday the government was open to discussing their demands.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has backed the protests, vowing Friday to organize its own demonstrations as many of its supporters joined the students’ protests. However, BNP said in a statement its followers were not responsible for the violence and denied the ruling party’s accusations of using the protests for political gains.

The Awami League and the BNP have often accused each other of fueling political chaos and violence, most recently ahead of the country’s national election, which was marred by a crackdown on several opposition gures. Hasina’s government had accused the opposition party of attempting to disrupt the vote.

In 2018, the government halted the job quotas following mass student protests. But in June, Bangladesh’s High Court nullied that decision and reinstated the quotas after relatives of 1971 veterans led petitions. The Supreme Court suspended the ruling, pending an appeal hearing, and said in a statement it will take the issue up Sunday.

Hasina has called on protesters to wait for the court’s verdict.

THOMAS PADILLA / AP PHOTO

A security o cer watches people taking photographs in front of the Ei el Tower on Saturday in Paris.

STATE & NATION

3K migrants headed for US border

People from about a dozen countries left southern Mexico on

By Edgar H. Clemente

The Associated Press

CIUDAD HIDALGO, México

— About 3,000 migrants from around a dozen countries left from Mexico’s southern border on foot Sunday, as they attempt to make it to the U.S. border.

Some of the members of the group said they hoped to make it to the U.S. border before elections are held in November because they fear that if Donald Trump wins he will follow through on a promise to close the border to asylum-seekers.

“We are running the risk that permits (to cross the border) might be blocked,” said Miguel Salazar, a migrant from El Salvador. He feared that a new Trump administration might stop granting appointments to migrants through CBP One, an app used by asylum seekers to enter the U.S. legally — by getting appointments at U.S. bor-

der posts, where they make their cases to o cials.

The app only works once migrants reach Mexico City, or states in northern Mexico.

“Everyone wants to use that route” said Salazar, 37. The group left Sunday from the southern Mexican town of Ciudad Hidalgo, which is next to

a river that marks Mexico’s border with Guatemala.

Some said they had been waiting in Ciudad Hidalgo for weeks for permits to travel to

Trump campaign releases update on injury, treatment after assassination attempt

The former president did not require stitches to his ear

By Jill Colvin and Bernard Condon

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Donald Trump’s campaign released an update on the former president’s health Saturday, one week after he survived an attempted assassination at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The memo, from Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, a staunch supporter who served as Trump’s White House physician, o ers new details on the nature of the GOP nominee’s injuries and the treatment he received in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

It is the most thorough accounting to date of the former president’s condition since the night of the shooting, which also left one rally-goer dead and injured two others.

According to Jackson, Trump sustained a gunshot wound to the right ear that came “less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head, and struck the top of his right ear.”

The bullet track, he said, “produced a 2 cm wide wound that extended down to the cartilaginous surface of the ear. There was initially signi cant bleeding, followed by marked swelling of the entire upper ear.”

While the swelling has re-

solved and the wound “is beginning to granulate and heal properly,” he said Trump is still experiencing intermittent bleeding, requiring the dressing that was on display at last week’s Republican National Convention.

“Given the broad and blunt nature of the wound itself, no sutures were required,” Jackson wrote.

Trump was initially treated

by medical sta at Butler Memorial Hospital. According to Jackson, doctors “provided a thorough evaluation for additional injuries that included a CT of his head.”

Trump, he said, “will have further evaluations, including a comprehensive hearing exam, as needed. He will follow up with his primary care physician, as directed by the doctors that initially evaluated him,” he wrote.

“In summary, former President Trump is doing well, and he is recovering as expected from the gunshot wound sustained last Saturday afternoon,” he added.

Jackson said in the letter that, as Trump’s former doctor, he was worried and traveled to Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump had own late Saturday after he returned from Pennsylvania, “to personally check on

towns further to the north.

Migrants trying to pass through Mexico in recent years have organized large groups to try to reduce the risk of being attacked by gangs or stopped by Mexican immigration o cials as they travel. But the caravans tend to break up in southern Mexico, as people get tired of walking for hundreds of miles.

Recently, Mexico has also made it more di cult for migrants to reach the U.S. border on buses and trains.

Travel permits are rarely awarded to migrants who enter the country without visas and thousands of migrants have been detained by immigration o cers at checkpoints in the center and north of Mexico, and bused back to towns deep in the south of the country.

Oswaldo Reyna a 55-yearold Cuban migrant crossed from Guatemala into Mexico 45 days ago and waited in Ciudad Hidalgo to join the new caravan announced on social media.

He criticized Trump’s recent comments about migrants and how they are trying to “invade” the United States.

“We are not delinquents” he said. “We are hard-working people who have left our country to get ahead in life, because in our homeland we are su ering from many needs.”

him, and o er my assistance in any way possible.”

He said he has been with Trump since that time, evaluating and treating his wound daily, and would remain with Trump through the weekend, including traveling to Michigan, where Trump held his rst rally since the shooting, joined by his new running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. At Saturday’s rally, the white gauze on Trump’s ear was replaced by a skin-colored bandage.

Trump’s campaign and federal law enforcement had released little information on his condition or treatment in the days after the attack, declining to disclose medical records or hold brie ngs with the doctors who treated him at the hospital.

Trauma surgeon Babak Sarani, who said he has been treating more patients with wounds from AR-15-style assault ri es, said the description in the letter was “exactly in line with what you would expect from a bullet wound.”

While the indirect damage is still usually minor, he said the risk of extensive damage is greater than if another gun were used.

“If a bullet whizzes by your ear from a low-caliber handgun, it’s not a big deal. ... You get a headache or feel dizzy like a bad concussion,” said Sarani, chief of trauma at George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. “But if the bullet is from an assault ri e, the energy is bigger, broader, and you’re more likely to develop bruises.”

He added, “in Trump’s case, he got very lucky. The majority of the energy was released in the air. If it had hit him in the head, we would be having a completely di erent conversation.”

foot in a new caravan

EDGAR H. CLEMENTE / AP PHOTO

Migrants walk along the highway Sunday through southern Mexico during their journey north toward the U.S. border.

EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Saturday in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

the stream

‘Ghostbusters’ is back, Bob Marley doc hits Prime, ‘Futurama’ makes returns

Guy Ritchie tells a true historical tale in “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”

The Associated Press

THE LONG-AWAITED debut album from Ice Spice and the movie Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, with new and old franchise stars, are some new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming offerings worth your time include Wayne Brady’s new reality series and Kate Upton’s new competition series “Dress My Tour,” where fashion and music intersect.

MOVIES TO STREAM

It’s been 40 years since the original “Ghostbusters,” some might argue it’s time to move on. I ain’t afraid of no ghosts, but I am of needlessly prolonged lm franchises. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” which began streaming on Net ix on Monday, has some things going for it. Namely, Kumail Nanjiani, who steals the movie as the reluctant “Fire Master.”

But there’s a pleasant-enough kid-friendly-ish vibe to “Frozen Empire,” in which the Spengler family (Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace) returns to New York. OG Ghostbusters Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson and Dan Aykroyd are still on hand. In my review, I wrote that the movie has “a modest charm as an ‘80s-tinged family adventure.”

“Bob Marley: One Love,” streaming Tuesday on Prime Video, is the latest in a medley of music biopics. The lm, which rst debuted in theaters in February, stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as the reggae legend. It’s a muddled but sincere and textured approach to capturing one of the most potent

COLUMBIA PICTURES/NETFLIX / LIONSGATE VIA AP

“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” left, “The Decameron,” center, and “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” are streaming this week.

musical forces of the 20th century. In my review, I wrote that “the power and complexity of Marley is out of reach for ‘One Love,’ which takes a typical biopic framework.”

Guy Ritchie tells a true historical tale in “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” (streaming Thursday on Prime Video), albeit with plenty of amped-up, action-movie exaggeration. During World War II, a small band led by an ex-criminal (Henry Cavill) sails to the West African islands to sabotage a eet of German U-boats.

The tale boasts plenty of real-life intrigue, including James Bond author Ian Fleming. I praised Ritchie’s jauntily entertaining lm in my review but lamented that the real-life stealth mission “would have been thrilling enough if it had been told with a little historical accuracy.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

The Australian electronic duo Empire of the Sun will return on Friday with “Ask That God,” their fourth studio album and rst in eight years since 2016’s “Two Vines.” Fans

will remember Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore for their 2008 psychedelic dance-pop smash “Walking on a Dream” — and now, there’s new, similarly colorful and maximalist music to enjoy: Start with the shimmery “Cherry Blossom.” Each year, around the world and in the U.S., KCON – a convention that celebrates K-pop, K-drama, K-food, K-beauty, and everything under the umbrella of “Hallyu,” a term used to describe the growing global popularity of Korean popular culture — takes place. It began 12 years ago in Irvine, California, and has grown exponentially in the years since. The 2024 Los Angeles KCON returns to the LA Convention Center and http://Crypto.com Arena and will take place July 26 through July 28, with a lineup boasting NCT 127, P1Harmony, BOYNEXTDOOR, Taemin and more. For those who can’t make it in person: Each night’s performances will be streamed live on KCON’s ocial YouTube channel. The concert will also air live on the CW Networks on Sunday, July 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT for the rst time.

SHOWS TO STREAM

What would happen if the “Love Island” cast caught the plague while sequestered in their villa? That’s one way to describe “The Decameron” on Netix, a black comedy set in Florence, Italy. Loosely based on stories from the 14th century, the series follows a collection of mis ts hiding out and partying through the 1348 pandemic at a countryside villa. The eightpart series debuted Thursday and stars comedy pros like Tony Hale, Zosia Mamet and Saoirse-Monica Jackson in a romp full of sex, booze, love and mortality. Fashion and music intersect in the new competition series “Dress My Tour” for Hulu. Hosted by Kate Upton, 11 contestants are challenged to design looks for a di erent recording artist who will judge their creations in each episode. The musicians who take part include JoJo Siwa, Toni Braxton and Ty Dolla $ign. The winner gets $100,000. “Dress My Tour” premiered Tuesday. We’ve seen Wayne Brady in front of the camera as an ac-

tor, comedian and host of “Let’s Make a Deal.” Now, he’s inviting cameras into his life o -screen with a reality series following his unconventional, blended family. Brady, who came out as pansexual last year, co-parents daughter Maīle’ Masako Brady with his ex-wife and business partner, Mandie Taketa. Taketa has moved on with partner Jason Fordham, and they have a young son, Sundance-Isamu. Brady is the godfather of the boy and helps to raise him. “Wayne Brady: The Family Remix” premiered on Freeform on Wednesday and will stream the next day on Hulu.

Matt Groening’s sci- animated comedy “Futurama” is back for its 12th season on Hulu. The streamer revived the show last year and has ten new episodes ready to roll out. In “Futurama,” Billy West voices Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy who accidentally gets cryogenically frozen on the eve of Y2K in 1999. He defrosts one thousand years later and befriends a robot named Bender (John DiMaggio). The series is a workplace comedy following Fry, Bender and their colleagues at a delivery company called Planet Express.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Fans of the original Legend of Zelda are sure to nd Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure cozily familiar, with a green-clad protagonist ghting monsters and nding treasure across a 2D map. The gimmick here is that every time the intrepid Jemma moves, part of the landscape moves in the same direction. The developers promise a “playful sense of chaos and a regular stream of small, thoughtful puzzles.” It’s the debut title from an indie studio, Furniture & Mattress, with peppy graphics by the artist who illustrated the cult

Braid. The

and

classic

journey began Thursday, July 25, on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

PC.

DANIEL SMITH / LIONSGATE VIA AP

“The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” starring from left, Alex Pettyfer, Henry Cavill, foreground center, Alan Ritchson, background center, Hero Fiennes Ti n and Henry Golding came to Prime Video on Thursday.

Randolph record

Representin’

A 300-strong North Carolina delegation attended the Republican National Convention

Above, clockwise from

Kelcey

addressed the convention on Thursday.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Cornel West supporters

sue NCSBE

Three registered voters are suing the North Carolina State Board of Elections, alleging that it violated their constitutional rights. At issue is the board’s rejection last week of a petition seeking recognition for a political party that would put Cornel West on the presidential ballot. Democratic board chair Alan Hirsch said he had concerns in part about how a group called People Over Party collected many of the signatures. Republican lawmakers are questioning whether the board’s Democratic majority is trying to keep West o the ballot because he could take votes away from the Democratic presidential nominee.

Free app helps detect PFAS

Two nonpro ts have released a free app and browser extension to help consumers identify PFAS and other toxic ingredients in everyday products. The app, Clearya, is available in Apple and Google Play stores and allows consumers to make informed decisions. Consumers can analyze labels by taking a photo of the product’s ingredients. The app displays information and warnings about substances that may pose a health risk based on publicly available chemical hazard lists and databases.

Salt Lake City to host 2034 Winter Olympics

Salt Lake City has been formally awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics following a vote by the International Olympic Committee in Paris. The decision gives Utah its second Games after hosting in 2002. Salt Lake City was the lone host city being considered for 2034.

last week,

Store closing reduces shopping options in Asheboro Mall

Rue21 went out of business and left a vacant mall space

Randolph Record sta

ASHEBORO — There’s another vacant store space in Asheboro Mall.

Rue21, a store specializing in teen apparel, led for bankruptcy this spring and closed its stores. Asheboro Mall was previously called Randolph Mall.

The spot previously occupied by Rue21 has been vacant for weeks.

The mall’s website has about 30 businesses listed on its directory, including standalone outparcels. There are at

least 15 businesses that formerly operated out of the mall, though there appears to be few vacant spaces this summer.

Gorilla Pizza, with a storefront near the cinema, is closed Mondays.

Across from Gorilla Pizza, there’s an empty store with signage that reads: “Asheboro’s Next Great Pop-Up Shop.”

Calls for comment to the local mall management o ce and of the corporate management operators, Hull Property Group, haven’t been returned.

There were 540 Rue21 stores closing based on the spring announcement for a company that once had about 1,200 locations.

Biden’s NC delegates pledge to VP Harris

Biden won all of North Carolina’s DNC delegates in the March presidential primary, although the party ensured that he was running unopposed

By Jordan Golson Randolph Record

NORTH CAROLINA’S delegation to the DNC will support the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democrat nominee for president following President Joe Biden’s surprise announcement on Sunday that he will not seek reelection.

The announcement was made by a number of Democrat party leaders, including North Carolina DNC delegate Diana Williams Robinson, who announced in a social media post that the state’s DNC delegation was unanimously supporting Harris. Robinson also

endorsed Gov. Roy Cooper as a potential running mate for Harris.

Cooper is among a number of prominent Democrats being considered as a VP pick, and The Wall Street Journal reports the Harris campaign has reached out to Cooper’s team for vetting materials as they consider the pick. Former Attorney General Eric Holder is said to be running the VP vetting.

Others being considered include Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Gov. Josh Shapiro (Pa.), Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Mich.), Gov. J.B. Pritzker (Ill.) and Gov. Tim Walz (Minn.). Currently, Kelly is seen as the frontrunner, but things have been changing quickly. According to Polymarket, a prediction website where investors can place bets on the outcome of political races, Cooper has a 20% chance to be picked, with Kelly at 39% and Shapiro at

19% as of Tuesday evening. Harris has been tallying endorsements and delegate numbers over the past few days, with the DNC’s complicated nomination rules being scrutinized by lawyers and party insiders to ensure a smooth path to Harris’ nomination. The process has been derisively called a “coronation” by some Republicans, but Harris was was endorsed by Biden when he announced he wasn’t running.

Biden won all of North Carolina’s DNC delegates in the March presidential primary, although the party ensured he was running unopposed. North Carolina has 116 pledged DNC delegates and 14 superdelegates.

Biden had won enough states’ primaries and caucuses to secure support of a majority of the pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention. But those delegates had not yet o cially cast their

votes when Biden bowed out of the race.

Biden’s departure frees his delegates to vote for whomever they choose. There are nearly 4,700 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, with varying amounts from each state. That includes nearly 4,000 pledged delegates and about 700 superdelegates, such as current and former elected o cials.

A party’s presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election.

BOB SUTTON / RANDOLPH RECORD Rue21 has closed at the Asheboro Mall.

in Milwaukee

with several local politicians speaking from the main stage.

left:

Shull of Wake County, 17, was the youngest in the North Carolina delegation; Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson spoke on Monday; Rep. Richard Hudson

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP PHOTO

COURTESY NCGOP J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

North State

Candidates line up for Archdale, Trinity councils

There’s no opponent for Archdale mayor in November

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Archdale

mayor Lewis Dorsett will run unopposed in November, but in Trinity as well as Archdale there will be contested races for city council.

Multiple candidates for several spots after the ling period ended last week.

Dorsett was also unopposed the 2022 election to continue into a role that he

CRIME LOG

July 16

• Nicholas Kane Conner, 30, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for violation of a domestic violence protective order.

• Steven Matthew Kearns, 35, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for assault with a deadly weapon.

• Melissa Ann Lineberry, 34, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline. com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

• Frances Landonia Myers, 56, of Pleasant Garden, was arrested by Asheboro PD (APD) for habitual larceny, larceny by anti-inventory device, misdemeanor conspiracy, and possession of stolen goods.

July 17

• Courtney McKenzie Green, 23, of Asheboro, was arrested by APD for felony possession of Schedule I controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver Schedule II controlled substance, and driving while license revoked.

• Bobby Lee Hall, 48, of Trinity, was arrested by RCSO for violation of a domestic violence protective order.

• Mark Lee Hall, 55, of Trinity, was arrested by RCSO for assault on a female and communicating threats.

July 18

• Jareem Linjuan Chavis, 34, of Asheboro, was arrested by APD for misdemeanor

HARRIS from page 1

held since the summer of 2021, when he shifted from mayor pro tem to major when a vacancy occurred upon the retirement of Bert Stone. Dorsett is seeking another two-year term.

Also in Archdale, candidates for an at-large spot on the city council are Alvin Battle and William Wood.

In Ward 2, Roger Blackwell is unopposed, while in Ward 3 Trey Gray III is the only candidate to le. Blackwell and Gray are incumbents.

So it’s much like two years ago in Archdale when there were three city council spots on the ballot and only one was

larceny and possession of stolen goods.

• Justin Marvin Michael Gardner, 33, of Seagrove, was arrested by RCSO for felony larceny, possession of stolen goods, and injury to real property.

• Gerrell Depree Horsley, 28, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for assault on a female.

• Barbara Ann Barnes Mashburn, 54, of Archdale, was arrested by RCSO for assault and battery.

July 19

• Sara Elizabeth Adams, 34, of Ramseur, was arrested by RCSO for misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen goods.

• Jacob Austyn Hicks, 22, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for assault on a female, simple assault, and assault causing serious bodily injury.

• Jeremie Kashindi, 33, of High Point, was arrested by Archdale Police Department for identity theft.

• Ashley Loree Ray, 34, of Seagrove, was arrested by RCSO for felony larceny, possession of stolen goods, and injury to real property.

• Joshua Eric Sanders, 36, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for rst degree murder.

July 20

• Chadwick Bryant Allen, 31, of Franklinville, was arrested by RCSO for simple assault.

a contested race. Archdale’s city council positions are for four years. In Trinity, there are four candidates for the city council’s Ward 3, with incumbent Jack Carico, Chuck Marsh, Barry Allison and Josh Fish.

In Ward 1, only Paul Welborn led to be on the ballot, while incumbent Bob Hicks didn’t le.

Candidates for an at-large position on city council are Debrorah Jacky and incumbent Tommy Johnson. In 2021, there were multiple candidates for both seats on Trinity ballot. Election Day is Nov. 5.

Randolph Guide

The Randolph Guide is a quick look at what’s going on in Randolph County.

July 26

Asheboro ZooKeepers

Baseball

6 p.m.

The nal home game for the Asheboro ZooKeepers will be a double-header against the Martinsville Mustangs.

July 28

• Terry Lee Jackson, 65, of Asheboro, was arrested by APD for criminal contempt.

• Isaiah Alexander Mays, 25, of High Point, was arrested by APD for possession of a rearm by a felon, larceny of a rearm, possession of a stolen rearm, two counts of assault by pointing a gun, and assault on a child under 12.

• Nicholas Longworth Newsom, 23, of Ramseur, was arrested by Ramseur Police Department for resisting a public o cer, assault and battery, assault on a government o cial, injury to personal property, breaking or entering, injury to real property, and attempted breaking and entering.

July 21

• Michael Andrew Swain, 36, of Ramseur, was arrested by APD for two counts of assault on emergency personnel, resisting a public o cer, simple possession of Schedule IV controlled substance, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and disorderly conduct.

• Reyna Patricia Valencia, 48, of Asheboro, was arrested by APD for second degree trespass.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. THURSDAY JULY 25 FRIDAY JULY 26 SATURDAY JULY 27

SUNDAY JULY 28 MONDAY JULY 29 TUESDAY JULY 30 WEDNESDAY

Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson, facing criticism because of the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term that year. His announcement came after just a single state’s primary had been held. Biden’s

July decision came after more than 14 million Democrats had cast votes supporting him through the primary process.

But throughout U.S. history, political parties have convened numerous conventions amid uncertainty. In 1960, Johnson and John F. Kenne -

July 22

• Tony Dwayne Mashburn, 56, of Archdale, was arrested by RCSO for assault in icting serious injury.

• Tony Dwayne Mashburn, 24, of High Point, was arrested by RCSO for assault by strangulation, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault in icting serious injury.

dy jockeyed for support from individual state delegations during their party’s convention. Democrats ultimately nominated Kennedy for president and Johnson for vice president.

Bantum Rooster Presents Party in the Park

6:30 p.m.

Bantum Rooster’s 17th Annual Party in the Park. Free hot dogs at 6:30 p.m. The event supports Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen. Bicentennial Park in Downtown Asheboro.

Aug. 2

Randleman Market & Music

6 p.m.

Marsha Morgan headlines the nal Market & Music event in Randleman for the summer. Food trucks roll in around 5:30 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m. Commerce Square Park, 120 Commerce Square in Randleman

Aug. 6

Randolph Arts Guild Gallery Opening

5:30 p.m.

The Arts Guild is hosting an open gallery with the theme of Nature and Wildlife. The opening night reception is 5:307:30 p.m. 123 Sunset Ave. in Asheboro.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@ randolphrecord.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

Guide THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Election integrity, consumer choice and the Trump assassination

Noncitizens continue to unlawfully register to vote and then cast their vote — diluting the votes of American citizens.

THE RIGHT to vote is among the most sacred rights we have as Americans. It is fundamental to our democracy and the cornerstone of our freedom.

Ensuring only American citizens are able to vote in our elections is critical to protecting the integrity of our electoral process and, in turn, our democracy. We have laws in the books that make it illegal for noncitizens to vote in U.S. federal elections. However, noncitizens continue to unlawfully register to vote and then cast their vote — diluting the votes of American citizens like you and potentially allowing foreign interference in our elections.

With millions of illegal migrants coming into our country under President Biden’s open border policies, it is vital we safeguard election integrity by preventing noncitizens — including these illegals — from voting. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which House Republicans recently passed, strengthens our election laws by requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

American democracy depends on electoral integrity. Sadly, President Biden and the Democrats don’t share this same

King

This is not a principled court but an entirely partisan one.

“WITH FEAR for our democracy,”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor concludes in her brilliant dissent in Trump v. United States, “I dissent.”

She is right. Very frighteningly right. After reading what happened at the oral argument, I knew what was coming. The court was looking for a way to carve up the baby, giving some form of immunity to former President Donald Trump without turning him into the absolute monarch. But even I didn’t expect the breadth of Chief Justice John Roberts’ opinion for the court, which e ectively does almost that, with its distinction between o cial acts, which are “presumptively immune” from prosecution, and uno cial acts, which are not. Because the motive of the president in acting illegally cannot be considered, as Sotomayor wrote in dissent, “the category of presidential action that can be deemed ‘uno cial’ is destined to be vanishingly small.” And to take forever, on remand to the district court, and in the endless appeals that will no doubt follow, to de nitively gure out. Certainly, long enough for it to amount to a get-out-of-jailfree card if Trump is the president-elect. Indeed, it is enough to postpone his sentencing for the 34 felony counts of which he’s already been convicted. It took Trump’s lawyers no time at all to claim that paying o a porn star to keep silent about her a air with him before he was president (and thereby rigging the election) was an “o cial

view. In fact, 198 House Democrats voted against our common-sense legislation and President Biden threatened to veto it.

I’m committed to preserving the integrity of our elections and to upholding your trust in our government. The SAVE Act reinforces the foundation upon which our nation’s democracy stands, helping to foster a system that truly re ects the will of the people.

In addition to protecting our democracy, the House recently took action to protect your freedom to choose what is best for your family in your own home.

President Biden’s Department of Energy is attempting to impose burdensome mandates on your refrigerators and dishwashers just to advance their radical, anti-energy agenda. These overreaching rules would take away consumer choice and hurt families like yours by forcing you to use appliances that are more expensive or do not perform as well.

Big Government has become too big, too unaccountable, and too outof-touch with the will and priorities of the American people. However, House Republicans are working to x this.

act” because he signed the reimbursement check to Michael Cohen while he was in the White House. It’s a ridiculous argument which hopefully Judge Juan Merchan will recognize, but not so ridiculous that Merchan wasn’t willing to delay sentencing for another two months. And count on Trump’s lawyers to try to postpone it even longer if the judge does reject it.

And don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is the result of a “conservative” court simply relying on the intent of the founders. Sotomayor made clear that they were doing no such thing. “The Framers clearly knew how to provide for immunity from prosecution,” she writes, “They did provide a narrow immunity for legislators in the Speech or Debate Clause (of the Constitution).”

But nothing about the president, a point the chief justice simply ignores, as he does the part of the Constitution that says that an o cial impeached and convicted by the Senate “shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.” The impeachment clause “clearly contemplates that a former President may be subject to criminal prosecution for the same conduct that resulted (or could have resulted) in an impeachment judgment — including conduct such as ‘Bribery,’ which implicates o cial acts almost by de nition.”

As for the Founding Fathers, the chief justice also ignores Alexander Hamilton’s commentary in the Federalist Papers that former presidents should be “liable to prosecution and punishment in the ordinary course of law.” The Founding Fathers knew full well about the power

We passed legislation to prevent unelected D.C. bureaucrats from implementing these unnecessary and costly regulations on your family. I will continue ghting to protect your consumer choice and keep Big Government out of your home. Under one-party rule in Washington, our government has strayed away from its duty to put you and your family rst. I will continue working to change that and help reestablish a Congress that serves the people rather than itself.

Finally, Renee and I continue to pray for President Donald Trump and all those who were shot and a ected in the recent assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, and we send our gratitude to the brave law enforcement o cers who quickly responded at the scene. This horri c act of political violence is un-American and has no place in our country. Rest assured, House Republicans are committed to getting the truth you deserve and ensuring this never happens again.

Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

of monarchs, and in Hamilton’s words, distinguished between “the king of Great Britain,” who was “sacred and inviolable,” and the “President of the United States,” who “would be amenable to personal punishment.” The majority opinion recognizes no such distinction.

As Sotomayor sees it, the majority’s approach is clear: “Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.”

Roberts ignores the examples cited by his dissenting colleagues as thoroughly as he ignores the originalism that he and his colleagues purport to be guided by.

No, this is not a principled court but an entirely partisan one, and a chief justice who has failed in whatever mission he once pretended to have to protect the legitimacy of the court. This is Bush v. Gore, the opinion that did the most to undermine the court in public polls of any decision in recent history. This is an utterly partisan court, doing its best to elect a president on a 6-3 vote.

I was once one of those who was skeptical of Democratic proposals to tinker with the court’s composition (also known as court-packing) or its lifetime terms (also known as term limits) because I clung to the belief that the court should be protected from ideological manipulation. No longer. I’m for anything that would shake up a court that has, with utter disregard for ethical constraints and the need to retain public trust, engaged in ideological manipulation of its own.

COLUMN | RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

Trump

RandolpH SPORTS

Southwestern Randolph’s Popp cherishes tennis success, NCHSAA award

A conference doubles championship helped cap her prep sports career

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Allie Popp’s senior year at Southwestern Randolph was her best on the tennis courts and beyond.

Even with her playing days done, she was reaping awards.

Popp was presented with the Pat Gainey Award, which is a student scholarship in memory of Pat Gainey of Dunn. The criteria includes at least a cumulative GPA of 3.2, possess a strong work ethic, demonstrate athletic success during the high school career and demonstrate respect for coaches and teammates.

Popp was an ideal t for that honor.

“She is a natural leader who leads by example, inspiring her teammates with her positive attitude, integrity, and unwavering commitment to excellence,” Cougars girls’ tennis coach Lori Lagrama said. “Allie’s leadership extends beyond the tennis court, as evidenced by her involvement in various extracurricular activities and community service initiatives.”

Popp was pleased with how her nal tennis season turned

out. She was the Player of the Year in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

For the PAC Tournament, she chose doubles with partner Lindsi Brown. They won the league championship.

“We switched to play doubles together,” Popp said. “One of the best tennis days we ever had.” Popp and Brown went on to compete in the Class 2A regionals.

Having a stellar senior season didn’t happen by accident.

“My goal mainly was just to have fun and let go a little more,” Popp said. “My junior year was a little rocky with condence.”

That changed last o season. She trained at Asheboro Racquet and Swim Club.

“We worked the whole o season,” she said. “I worked so hard and I was not going to let anybody down.”

Popp applied for the Pat Gainey Award and that process included letters written by teammates. Those came from Brown and Caeley Laine (Class of 2021).

The male winner of the award was Ragan Shields, a basketball and baseball player at Pamlico.

Popp received top student honors for the Class of 2024 at Southwestern Randolph.

“I spent a lot of time in the library,” she said.

She’s heading for the University of North Carolina, where she said she plans to study neuroscience on a pre-med track.

Tennis was Popp’s only sport with the Cougars. She participated with a dance club through middle school, but wanted a sport in high school.

She chose tennis.

“I had to work my way up,” she said, holding a top-six spot in Southwestern Randolph’s lineup as a freshman. “I kept going with it. Now, it’s sad that it’s over. My season would be starting soon and I’m not going to be there.”

Messner plays on winning soccer team

The defender from Wheatmore contributed to the West team’s shutout

Randolph Record sta GREENSBORO — Maggie Messner, a defender from Wheatmore, was on the winning team for the North Carolina East-West Game for girls’ soccer last week.

The West edged the East 1-0 at Jamieson Stadium on the Greensboro Grimsley campus.

The only goal was scored about two minutes into the game by Hough’s Kylee Thompson, who was voted as the game’s Most Valuable Player. Goalkeepers Reese DeJong of Cox Mill and Elizabeth Navola of Christ the King combined to make ve saves for the shutout.

The East’s attack kept West defenders busy, particularly with an overwhelming edge in second-half possession time. Messner was Wheatmore’s

rst-ever participant in the game. It was the rst time the West defeated the East in girls’ soccer since 2015. That pushed the West into the all-time lead in the series for girls’ soccer with a 12-11-9 record.

The East won the boys’ soccer game 3-2. Adam Trusky of Chapel Hill was picked as the MVP after posting a goal and an assist.

The game was tied 1-1 at halftime.

Trusky and Greenville Rose’s Finn Peters scored goals in the rst ve minutes of the second half. Lee County’s Irvin Gutierrez had the East’s rst goal. Charlotte Independence’s Aaron Zhu scored both goals for the West, with his second-half tally coming on a penalty kick in the 71st minute. In the all-time series, the East leads the West 16-11-5.

The West’s last victory came in 2019. The N.C. State East-West All-Star Games are for recent

BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Logann Beaver

Eastern Randolph volleyball/softball

Beaver played multiple sports with the Wildcats and was a key contributor along the way.

She was an All-Piedmont Athletic Conference selection for volleyball and softball as a senior. In volleyball, Beaver led the team in aces and was in the top two among the Wildcats in hitting percentage and kills per set. She was a key o ensive contributor in softball.

Beaver, an outside hitter and middle hitter, has committed to play volleyball for Davidson-Davie Community College.

Beaver had been a three-sport athlete for the Wildcats but didn’t play for the basketball team during the past season.

During the summer, we recognize seniors from the past school year.

Drivers endure long race card at Caraway

Ron Mock claimed a rain-shortened feature in one division

Randolph Record sta

seniors. Soccer and basketball games are played each summer, while the football showcase has moved to December.

The July games are held in conjunction with the North Carolina Coaches Association’s annual summer clinics in Greensboro.

Basketball recap

A night before the soccer games, basketball matchups were held at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex’s eldhouse.

Trinity’s Dominic Payne was on the winning team when the West defeated the East 108-92 in the boys’ game.

The West has won the past three boys’ games for a 39-36 all-time series lead.

The East girls won 84-68 despite 11 points from Randleman’s Audra Petty that made her the second-leading scorer for the West.

The East holds a 26-23 series edge in girls’ basketball.

SOPHIA — It was largely an endurance test for drivers during the weekend at Caraway Speedway. Saturday’s race card wasn’t completed until Sunday afternoon. It ended with Jason Garwood in front of Rudy Hartley for the Mod 4s feature as thenal event of the card that was extended because of weather problems.

In Challengers, pole sitter Enoch McNeill placed rst ahead of Brody Duggins across 35 laps. Duggins stayed in the division’s points lead, while Bryson Pickard was in third place followed by Cody Gri n and Je rey Wood. In 602 Modi eds, Jaxson Casper was the race winner ahead of Mitchell Wright and Rich Hunter. In UCARs, Ron Mock won a rain-shortened feature. The scheduled 20-lap race was reduced to 17 laps. The runner-up was Justin Smith, with Jeremy Moose, Josh Phillips and Steven Col-

lins in the next three spots. The Bootleggers race was won by Allen Vance, who was ahead of Bentley Black, with the top ve also consisting of Corey Rose, Bobby Bescher and Joe Robertson.

The next big race night for Caraway Speedway is scheduled for Aug. 3, with Challenges, Mod 4s, UCARs and Bootleggers on the docket in addition to an Enduro / any car race, demolition derby, trailer / boat race and a gure-8 race.

Schedule updates

The Sam Ard Memorial for the Late Models that on original schedules Saturday was nixed prior to last weekend because of scheduling con icts for several teams in the division. That will be rescheduled for later in the season.

The Sam Ard Memorial is a tribute a former Late Models, Busch Grand National and Modi eds driver.

“With some teams committed to other events, we felt it would be best to reschedule the event to later in the season,” Caraway Speedway owner Darren Hackett said. “We felt it would be a disservice to Sam’s memory to host an event that was short on cars.”

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

Audra Petty of Randleman shoots the ball in front of East’s Audra Hillman from Wake Forest during the July 15 game in Greensboro.

RANDOLPH RECORD

Logann Beaver of Eastern Randolph makes a spike at the net during her nal volleyball season for the Wildcats.

COURTESY NCHSAA

Allie Popp NCHSAA award recipient

Brannon re ects on life changes early in pro career

The

former Randleman catcher gains traction in the Red Sox organization

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

SALEM, Va. — About two years since Brooks Brannon was drafted by the Boston Red Sox, the former Randleman slugger is inclined to talk plenty about changes.

Don’t worry, he still projects as a power-hitting prospect as he’s in the early stages of what he hopes will be a climb in the Red Sox organization.

He categorizes alterations in his life as positives, a list that includes immersion in faith and a recent engagement.

That’s a lot going on in addition to trying to swat sliders from hard-throwing professional right-handers.

“I want to get better every single day,” he said after a game with the Salem Red Sox on a sticky Sunday afternoon. “Not only being a baseball player but a human being and a teammate. You can always be better.”

That’s the mission as he spread positive vibes with family and young admirers after a hitless outing.

Sure enough, plenty can happen in a couple of years.

Brannon’s pro debut came in the 2022 season in the Florida Complex League for rookies and continued there in the spring of 2023. Then he made the move to Class A Salem.

There was a setback during this year’s spring training with a meniscus injury, so knee surgery resulted in a two-month recovery period. Then, it was back to Salem.

“I love Salem. I love being here,” he said. “I’m just happy to play ball again, with success or with failure, just happy to be here, being in front of a crowd.”

His path in the Red Sox system could include stops in Greenville, South Carolina, Portland, Maine, and Worcester, Massachusetts — and Boston.

The bene ts in Salem include the convenience of trips home to Kernersville on o days.

Last week’s All-Star break provided another notable occasion.

“I got engaged,” he said. “So that’s cool.”

His ancée is Bethany Dobias, a 2021 Randleman graduate and current softball player at Western Carolina. A wedding is being planned for November 2025.

Before swinging for the fences in his personal life, Brannon, 20, homered in two of his rst ve games with Salem this year. He entered July with a .328 batting average, though that took a dip with a recent six-game patch at 0-for-22.

“It has been a rough stretch,” he said. “The process has been good, but the result has not been what I want it to be. Maturing is being process-oriented and not result-oriented. You can’t come here and hit .600 with 20 home runs in 30 games. It’s not possible, you can’t do that.”

Next week, Salem begins a six-game series in Kannapolis on Tuesday night.

Brannon was Randleman’s catcher on two Class 2A state championship teams. His 20 home runs as a senior matched the single-season state record that had been set by his father, Paul Brannon. Recently, the younger Brannon has been logging some time as a rst baseman.

“Kind of going back and forth,” he said. “Still behind the plate.”

So there’s ebbs and ows. Brannon’s spot in the lineup uctuates and sometimes he doesn’t have a place in the eld. He was the designated hitter in two games in a recent series.

“Getting healthy and stay-

ing healthy has been the main thing,” he said. “Whenever I get an opportunity, just playing. Just being healthy has been the highlight.”

Brannon is regularly on the receiving end of attention, perhaps to a di erent degree from the head-turning home runs he smacked during high school.

“To me, it’s the same,” he said. Now there’s an entire fanbase of Red Sox rooters prone to check on minor leaguers and express enthusiasm for Brannon’s potential. So he said he’s ne with the scrutiny.

“All glory to God,” he said. “The more attention, the more opportunities I get to praise Him.”

He said he has loosened up since that nal high school season when he was under the watchful eyes of pro scouts. He points to a source of the relaxation.

“I got saved about a year ago,” Brannon said. “In high school, I was a little bit sporadic. Get-

ting saved changed my life and changed my perspective on a lot of things. It allowed me to chill out a little bit and relax a little bit on things. Getting saved is the biggest thing and the most important thing that has ever happened to me.”

From his days with the Randleman Tigers, that quest to be a perfect teammate never stops.

“I still try to be,” he said. “I’ve changed a lot, but I haven’t changed at the same time. I’m a lot di erent than I used to be. Hopefully, God is sanctifying me every day and making me a better version of myself. I’m not who I want to be, but hallelujah, I’m not who I was.”

Going into that 2022 draft, Brannon was a UNC signee if he chose the college route. The Red Sox cut a deal for a nice signing bonus when they picked him in the ninth round.

So far, no complaints.

“I love every second of it,” he said.

Former teammates view Tyler McPeak in a di erent capacity

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Tyler McPeak found so much to appreciate about the Asheboro ZooKeepers that he came back for another season.

But he’s a coach now instead of one of the best players.

McPeak is making the transition during the Coastal Plain League season after nishing his nal collegiate season in the spring for Lenoir-Rhyne.

“I was fortunate to play for Coach (Korey) Dunbar last summer,” McPeak said. “I gured I’d give coaching a shot.”

McPeak was second-team All-South Atlantic Conference rst baseman for Lenoir-Ryne this year. He regularly dealt with injuries during his time in college, which began at Campbell. He had converted from a catcher to an in eld spot.

He just felt it was the right time to change his baseball focus.

“It was di cult,” he said. “Obviously giving up a dream I had as long as I can remember. I gave it everything I had. I probably could have found some sort of Indy ball team.”

Dunbar said McPeak’s maturity and baseball knowledge made him a logical t for a sta position.

“He wanted to be still involved with the team,” Dunbar said. “This will get his feet wet in coaching.”

McPeak, has played with a

few returning ZooKeepers, plus Lenoir-Rhyne has Zach Evans, Owen Blackledge, Caleb Cockerham and Spencer Floyd on the Asheboro team. “Crazy. I love it. He was kind of a player-coach for me at L-R,” Blackledge said. “He kind of mentored me a little bit. So it has kind of rolled right into ‘now, I’m going to be your coach this summer.’ It was a little odd for like the rst week. So I need to coach him ‘Coach?’ I’ve been calling him ‘Bro’ and ‘McPeak,’ ‘Peak’ all of these for however long. … He was a teammate everywhere. A teammate here, a teammate at L-R. It’s hilarious.” Evans, a shortstop who played two Lenoir-Rhyne seasons with McPeak, was selected by the San Diego Padres in this month’s amateur draft. Before departing, he noted the unique nature of McPeak’s new role.

“I was playing with him and now I’m looking at him down the third-base coaching box,” Evans

said. “He was coaching me when I was still playing with him (at Lenoir-Rhyne).”

McPeak said as he was arranging for a di erent type of role in Asheboro, he didn’t tell Lenoir-Rhyne players who were considering ZooKeepers for their summer plans because he didn’t want to in uence them either way.

“I waited until guys already decided before I told them,” he said. “I have great relationships with those guys.”

Blackledge o ered an endorsement.

“He’s doing what he loves to do with coaching, so who am I to stay in the way?” he said.

McPeak homered 12 times in his last season for Lenoir-Rhyne after belting a single-season school-record 23 long balls in 2023. This year, he batted a team-best .388.

“I think I was a little more complete of a hitter,” he said.

McPeak, 23, is seeking a coaching position on the college level. Ideally that would involve hitting instruction and assisting with catchers.

“Just kind of trusting what God has in store for me,” he said. About the games

The ZooKeepers posted a 3-1 record last week.

The stretch began with a 9-4 road victory against the High Point-Thomasville HiToms as Sal Laimo had three hits and Yariel Diaz homered and Owen Simmons pitched 82⁄3 innings.

RJ Jimerson homered among his three hits, and Alex LaCoste and Laimo also each provided

three hits in a 12-1 road ripping of the Macon Bacon, while Peter Mullen and Ryan Nielson combined on a four-hitter in what became a seven-inning game. The ZooKeepers failed to protect a seven-run lead in a 13-8 road loss to the Boone Bigfoots. Jimerson knocked in ve runs in Saturday night’s 17-9 triumph against the visiting Forest City Owls. Jimerson and Jackson Hu-

gus each scored three runs. Nielson was the winning pitcher with 22⁄3 innings of shutout relief. Asheboro in elder Hunter Atkins had two-hit outings in the nal three games of the week.

The ZooKeepers and visiting Martinsville Mustangs were postponed in a game last week and that’s reset as part of a doubleheader Friday night at McCrary Park in the nal games on Asheboro’s home schedule. Also, pitcher Noah Samol, who was a CPL all-star for the ZooKeepers, has moved on to the Cape Cod League.

BOB SUTTON / RANDOLPH RECORD

Paris using AI, jets, police squadrons to secure upcoming Olympic Games

By John Leicester The Associated Press

PARIS — A year ago, the head of the Paris Olympics boldly declared that France’s capital would be “the safest place in the world “when the Games open this Friday. Tony Estanguet’s con dent forecast looks less farfetched now with squadrons of police patrolling Paris’ streets, ghter jets and soldiers primed to scramble, and imposing metal-fence security barriers erected like an iron curtain on both sides of the River Seine that will star in the opening show.

France’s vast police and military operation is in large part because the July 26-Aug. 11 Games face unprecedented security challenges. The city has repeatedly su ered deadly extremist attacks and international tensions are high because of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Rather than build an Olympic park with venues grouped together outside of the city center, like Rio de Janeiro in 2016 or London in 2012, Paris has chosen to host many of the events in the heart of the bustling capital of 2 million inhabitants, with others dotted around suburbs that house millions more.

Putting temporary sports arenas in public spaces and the unprecedented choice to stage a river-borne opening ceremony stretching for miles along the Seine makes safeguarding them more complex.

Olympic organizers also have cyberattack concerns, while rights campaigners and Games critics are worried about Paris’ use of AI-equipped surveillance technology and the broad scope and scale of Olympic security.

A Games-time force of up to 45,000 police and gendarmes is also backed up by a 10,000-strong contingent of soldiers that has set up the largest military camp in Paris since World War II, from which soldiers should be able to reach

55K

Police, gendarmes and soldiers who will patrol Paris during the Summer Olympics

any of the city’s Olympic venues within 30 minutes.

Armed military patrols aboard vehicles and on foot have become common in crowded places in France since gunmen and suicide bombers acting in the names of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group repeatedly struck Paris in 2015. They don’t have police powers of arrest but can tackle attackers and restrain them until police arrive.

Rafale ghter jets, airspace-monitoring AWACS surveillance ights, Reaper surveillance drones, and helicopters that can carry sharpshooters and equipment to disable drones

will police Paris skies, which will be closed during the opening ceremony by a no- y zone extending for 93 miles around the capital. Cameras twinned with arti cial intelligence software — authorized by a law that expands the state’s surveillance powers for the Games — will ag potential security risks, such as abandoned packages or crowd surges, France is also getting help from more than 40 countries that, together, have sent at least 1,900 police reinforcements.

Attacks by lone individuals are a major concern, a risk driven home most recently to French o cials by the assassination attempt against Donald Trump.

Some involved in the Olympic security operation were stunned that the gunman armed with an AR-style ri e got within range of the former U.S. president.

“No one can guarantee that there won’t be mistakes. There, however, it was quite glaring,” said Gen. Philippe Pourqué, who oversaw the construction of

Curfew, ‘shoot-on-sight order’ imposed in Bangladesh following deadly protests

The demonstrations are against a quota system for government jobs

By Julhas Alam and Sheikh Saaliq

The Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Police imposed a strict curfew with a “shoot-on-sight” order across Bangladesh as military forces patrolled parts of the capital over the weekend after scores were killed and hundreds injured in clashes over the allocation of civil service jobs.

The demonstrations — called for mainly by student groups— started weeks ago to protest a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. Violence erupted Tuesday, with the Daily Prothom Alo newspaper reporting the death of at least 103 people.

Friday was likely to be the deadliest day so far; Somoy TV reported 43 killed, while an Associated Press reporter saw 23 bodies at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, but it was not immediately clear whether they all died on Friday. On Thursday, 22 others were reported dead

as protesting students attempted to “completely shut down” the country.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka said Friday that reports indicated “hundreds to possibly thousands” were injured across Bangladesh. It said the situation was “extremely volatile.”

Bangladeshi authorities haven’t shared any o cial numbers of those killed and injured.

O cials said the curfew was to quell further violence after

police and protesters clashed in the streets and at university campuses in Dhaka and other cities across the South Asian country. Authorities blocked online communications by banning mobile and internet services. Several television news channels also went o the air, and the websites of most local newspapers were down. Meanwhile, some key government websites, including Bangladesh’s central bank and the

prime minister’s o ce, appeared to have been hacked and defaced.

Local media also reported that some 800 inmates ed from a prison in Narsingdi, a district north of the capital, after protesters stormed the facility and set it on re Friday.

The chaos highlights cracks in Bangladesh’s governance and economy and the frustration of youths who lack good jobs upon graduation. They also represent the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in o ce after January’s elections, boycotted by the main opposition groups.

Protesters argue the quota system is discriminatory and bene ts supporters of Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, saying it should be replaced with a merit-based system. Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions in the war against Pakistan, regardless of their political a liation.

Representatives from both sides met late Friday in an attempt to reach a resolution. At least three student leaders were present and demanded the re -

a temporary camp in southeast Paris housing 4,500 soldiers from the Sentinelle force.

In France, in the last 13 months alone, men acting alone have carried out knife attacks that targeted tourists in Paris and children in a park in an Alpine town, among others. A man who stabbed a teacher to death at his former high school in northern France in October had been under surveillance by French security services for suspected Islamic radicalization. With the long and bitter experience of deadly extremist attacks, France has armed itself with a dense network of police units, intelligence services and investigators who specialize in ghting terrorism, and suspects in terrorism cases can be held longer for questioning.

Hundreds of thousands of background checks have scrutinized Olympic ticket-holders, workers and others involved in the Games and applicants for passes to enter Paris’ most tightly controlled security zone, along the Seine’s banks. The checks blocked more than 3,900 people from attending, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. He said some were agged for suspected Islamic radicalization, left- or right-wing political extremism, signi cant criminal records and other security concerns.

form of the current quota system, the reopening of student dormitories shut by the police following the clashes and for some university o cials to step down after failing to protect campuses from the violence. Law Minister Anisul Huq said late Friday the government was open to discussing their demands.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has backed the protests, vowing Friday to organize its own demonstrations as many of its supporters joined the students’ protests. However, BNP said in a statement its followers were not responsible for the violence and denied the ruling party’s accusations of using the protests for political gains.

The Awami League and the BNP have often accused each other of fueling political chaos and violence, most recently ahead of the country’s national election, which was marred by a crackdown on several opposition gures. Hasina’s government had accused the opposition party of attempting to disrupt the vote.

In 2018, the government halted the job quotas following mass student protests. But in June, Bangladesh’s High Court nullied that decision and reinstated the quotas after relatives of 1971 veterans led petitions. The Supreme Court suspended the ruling, pending an appeal hearing, and said in a statement it will take the issue up Sunday.

Hasina has called on protesters to wait for the court’s verdict.

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump raised security concerns

RAJIB DHAR / AP PHOTO

Students clash with riot police during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, last week against a quota system for government jobs.

Je rey Clyde Stutts

March 1, 1962 – July 20, 2024

Je rey Clyde Stutts, age 62, of Asheboro, passed away on July 20th at his home surrounded by family. Je was born in Asheboro on March 1, 1962 to Clyde Curtis Stutts and Jean Wright Stutts. He attended Trinity High School, Class of 1980, where he met the love of his life Kim Farrington Stutts. Upon graduation from Trinity he attended the University of North Carolina where he earned a degree in education. He spent his career teaching and coaching at Jordan Matthews High School in Siler City.

In addition to the thousands of students and athletes whose lives he enriched, Je raised 4 boys, Andrew Thomas Stutts, Matthew Farrington Stutts, John Christopher Stutts, and William James Stutts. Je had 4 Grandchildren who he adored. Juniper Stutts, Chase Stutts, Kinsley Stutts, and Izzy Stutts.

It is hard to describe the quality of a person Je was in just words. He was a Hall-ofFamer and State Champion Coach of the Jordan Matthews Lady Jets, a mentor to not only his family but also countless students in his three decades of teaching, and a teacher to not just his students but to everyone that would get pulled into many of stories he had in his arsenal.

His family and friends would describe him as a passionate historian, a collector of books, a neverending spring of stories. He was a source of wisdom and unwavering support for his family, full of practical advice and always willing to celebrate any accomplishment and console any setback. He loved reading and could often be found setting up one of his numerous strategy board games. He was preceded in death by his father, and is survived by his mother, his wife, his sons, his brother Barry Joseph Stutts, and his sisters Gina McMillian and Della Swider. He leaves behind four grandchildren who he cherished.

While his illness and passing is a tragedy he was secure in his faith in God and his hope in Jesus and wanted everyone he met during his ght to know and to see the blessings he had received. He was always giving praise for what God had given him and was able to use his gifts to touch the lives of his family, and countless students, and players. It was truly a life of impact and fullness and one worthy of celebration.

The family will receive friends on Friday, July 26, 2024 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro NC. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 11:00 am at Central Church, 300 South Main Street, Asheboro NC 27203.

Thomais “Tammy” Antoniou

June 7, 1940 – July 19, 2024

Thomais (Tammy) Antoniou, age 84, passed away peacefully July 19, 2024 in her home with her loved ones. At her request, the family will have a private service later at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in High Point. Thomais Antoniou was born June 7, 1940 to the late Georgia and Nicolas Vakakis of Kondeika, Samos Greece. She worked as a seamstress at Belk, was an artist with needle point, and was an active member of the St. George Ladies Philoptochos Society until her health failed. She loved spending time in the kitchen, planning, and hosting dinner parties and celebrations. She cherished the Greek Orthodox Community of High Point and her love for the church never faltered.

Thomais Antoniou was preceded in death by her brothers Milton, Andreas, and Aristide (Eddie) Vakakis. She is survived by her husband, John Antoniou and only son Emmanuel Antoniou (Dana). She leaves behind four grandchildren that she considered her greatest blessings.

In lieu of owers, donate to St. George Greek Orthodox Church memorial fund in High Point.

Derek Allen Campbell

October 14, 2006 –July 18, 2024

Derek Allen Campbell, 17, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 18, 2024 surrounded by family at Brenner Children’s Hospital.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 24, 2024 from 1:00 pm to 1:55 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 600 S. Main St, Randleman, NC. Services will follow at 2:00 pm in the Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Level Cross United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Pugh Funeral Home is serving the Campbell family.

Bobby Jean Maness

April 23, 1930 – July 17, 2024

Bobby Jean Maness, age 94, of Ramseur passed away on July 17, 2024 at his home.

Mr. Maness was born in Randolph County on April 23, 1930 to Asa and Nora Jordan Maness and attended Seagrove School. Bobby served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Korean Con ict. He retired from Sara Lee Corporation. Bobby was a good Christian man and was a member of Amity Hills Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 70 years, Lena King Maness, grandchild, Jason Brady Walden, great great grandchildren, Ezra Mae Walden and Baby Walden, brothers, Otis, Alton, and Dennie, half-brothers, Donald and Glen, sisters, Eva and Gladys, and half-sister, Kathleen, and son-in-law, Phil Gallimore. He loved his family and was a good husband, father, and provider. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bobby loved his Pepsi and chewing tobacco. He loved being at home, only leaving to go to the store or church.

He is survived by his daughters, Jean Maness of Randleman and Belinda (BB) M. Gallimore of Ramseur; grandchildren, Je rey Allen Thomas (Becky), Joey Lane Thomas (Amber), Jamie Dunn, and John Phillip Gallimore (Shiloh); great grandchildren, Tanner Thomas (Felicity), Miah Dunn (Landon), Robert John Walden (MeKayla), Jayde Dunn (Skylar), Jared (Hayley), Paige, Malachi, Chloe, and Zephaniah; great great grandchildren, Ariel, Waylon, Jensen, Callippe, Chandler, and Jace; and half-sister, Betty Maness of Robbins.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Amber, Rosemary, and Cindy with Hospice of Randolph for the care and compassion given to Bobby.

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 22, 2024 from 12 noon-1:45 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. Funeral services will follow on Monday at 2:00 pm at the Pugh Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Paul Mustian and Rev. Barry Wall o ciating. Interment will be held at the Asbury Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors by the Randolph County Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Drive, Asheboro, NC 27203.

Marie Garner Dunn

June 5, 1940 – July 16, 2024

Marie Garner Dunn, age 84, passed away peacefully with her family and friends by her side on July 16, 2024, at Randolph Hospital. A celebration of life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Oakhurst Baptist Church with Dr. Rob Roberts and Dr. Randy Sherron o ciating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

Born in Seagrove, North Carolina, on June 5, 1940, Marie was the daughter of Howard and Mary Etta Garner. Marie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, neighbor, and friend. She attended Oakhurst Baptist Church, where she was an active choir member for much of her life. Marie was a teacher assistant at Guy B. Teachey Elementary School, where she deeply cared for each child she taught. Post-retirement, Marie was employed at J.C. Penney and the Christianâ s United Outreach Center, where she loved to shop as well as work. Marie was an avid reader, seamstress, and gardener. Her passion for history ignited the same love in others. She loved memoirs, colorful clothing, sweets, and long sunny days spent outside with family. A just and kindhearted person, Marie was known for her candid nature and straightforward sense of humor. Known as â Sweet Marie,â she lived a faithful and compassionate life, loving and respecting Jesus Christ and all of His people as they loved and respected her. Marie is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Jimmy Dunn, Jr.; and siblings, Rosa Garner and Betty (J.R.) Hinshaw.

She is survived by her husband, James Dunn, Sr.; her son, Matt (Ginny) Dunn of Asheboro, North Carolina; grandchildren Jeremy Loman and Maggie and Susie Dunn; and siblings Doug (Gail) Garner, Roby (Diane) Garner, Tommy Garner, and Julia (Marsden) Kitley; and a host of loving friends and neighbors on Green Valley Rd. Memorial contributions may be made either to the Christians United Outreach Center, PO Box 784, Asheboro or Oakhurst Baptist Church, 2225 South Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, NC 27203.

March 20, 1928 –July 16, 2024

Harold Marvin Smith, age 96, of Randleman passed away Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro, NC. He was born March 20, 1928 in Alloway, NJ to Lester Smith and E e Mae Butcher. He spent most of his life in Alloway and Salem NJ. Upon his retirement in the early 90s he and his wife, Sakae, relocated to NC.

He was a Sta Sergeant in the Air Force and served his country during the Korean con ict. He was an electrician by trade and a longtime employee of Dupont in Deepwater, NJ. After moving to North Carolina, he learned to play golf and could be found playing at Walnut Woods and Green Acres and various other courses around the area.

Harold is survived by his daughter, Florence Smith and her husband, Charles Guest of Greensboro, NC; son, Harold Lester Smith (Jan) of Concord NC; grandchildren, Ashley Shull, Charles Smith (Lydia), Cory Smith (Lauren), Meredith Smith; great-grandchildren, Kelcey Shull, Greyson Smith, Emilia Smith.

Harold was never far from his best buddy, Willy the cat. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wives, Sakae Smith and Marie Smith.

The family would like to thank his longtime caregiver Phyllis Hayes for her dedicated caring of our dad.

The family will receive friends at 1:30 pm Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Whitehall Community Church, 3335 Wesleyan Rd Randleman, NC 27317. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm with Dr. Harold Thompson o ciating. Interment will be at Whitehall Community Church Cemetery. Pugh Funeral Home in Randleman is serving the Smith family.

DEATH NOTICES

• Tammy Lynn Weidman, 47, of Randolph County, died July 9, 2024.

• Matthew James Stewart, age 34, of Star, died July 9, 2024

• Vaden Oleta Hughes Surratt, 74, of Farmer, died July 12, 2024.

• Raymond “Ray” Duane Hodgin, 67, of Randolph County, died July 12, 2024.

• Serena Joyce Garlock Vannostrand, age 60, of Sophia, died July 13, 2024.

• Shirley Ann Davis Gelsomino, 87, of Asheboro, died July 15, 2024.

Harold Marvin Smith

pen STATE & NATION

3K migrants headed for US border

People from about a dozen countries left southern Mexico on

By Edgar H. Clemente

The Associated Press

CIUDAD HIDALGO, México

— About 3,000 migrants from around a dozen countries left from Mexico’s southern border on foot Sunday, as they attempt to make it to the U.S. border.

Some of the members of the group said they hoped to make it to the U.S. border before elections are held in November because they fear that if Donald Trump wins he will follow through on a promise to close the border to asylum-seekers.

“We are running the risk that permits (to cross the border) might be blocked,” said Miguel Salazar, a migrant from El Salvador. He feared that a new Trump administration might stop granting appointments to migrants through CBP One, an app used by asylum seekers to enter the U.S. legally — by getting appointments at U.S. bor-

der posts, where they make their cases to o cials.

The app only works once migrants reach Mexico City, or states in northern Mexico.

“Everyone wants to use that route” said Salazar, 37. The group left Sunday from the southern Mexican town of Ciudad Hidalgo, which is next to

a river that marks Mexico’s border with Guatemala.

Some said they had been waiting in Ciudad Hidalgo for weeks for permits to travel to

Trump campaign releases update on injury, treatment after assassination attempt

The former president did not require stitches to his ear

By Jill Colvin and Bernard Condon

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Donald Trump’s campaign released an update on the former president’s health Saturday, one week after he survived an attempted assassination at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The memo, from Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, a staunch supporter who served as Trump’s White House physician, o ers new details on the nature of the GOP nominee’s injuries and the treatment he received in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

It is the most thorough accounting to date of the former president’s condition since the night of the shooting, which also left one rally-goer dead and injured two others.

According to Jackson, Trump sustained a gunshot wound to the right ear that came “less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head, and struck the top of his right ear.”

The bullet track, he said, “produced a 2 cm wide wound that extended down to the cartilaginous surface of the ear. There was initially signi cant bleeding, followed by marked swelling of the entire upper ear.”

While the swelling has re-

solved and the wound “is beginning to granulate and heal properly,” he said Trump is still experiencing intermittent bleeding, requiring the dressing that was on display at last week’s Republican National Convention.

“Given the broad and blunt nature of the wound itself, no sutures were required,” Jackson wrote.

Trump was initially treated

by medical sta at Butler Memorial Hospital. According to Jackson, doctors “provided a thorough evaluation for additional injuries that included a CT of his head.”

Trump, he said, “will have further evaluations, including a comprehensive hearing exam, as needed. He will follow up with his primary care physician, as directed by the doctors that initially evaluated him,” he wrote.

“In summary, former President Trump is doing well, and he is recovering as expected from the gunshot wound sustained last Saturday afternoon,” he added.

Jackson said in the letter that, as Trump’s former doctor, he was worried and traveled to Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump had own late Saturday after he returned from Pennsylvania, “to personally check on

towns further to the north.

Migrants trying to pass through Mexico in recent years have organized large groups to try to reduce the risk of being attacked by gangs or stopped by Mexican immigration o cials as they travel. But the caravans tend to break up in southern Mexico, as people get tired of walking for hundreds of miles.

Recently, Mexico has also made it more di cult for migrants to reach the U.S. border on buses and trains.

Travel permits are rarely awarded to migrants who enter the country without visas and thousands of migrants have been detained by immigration o cers at checkpoints in the center and north of Mexico, and bused back to towns deep in the south of the country.

Oswaldo Reyna a 55-yearold Cuban migrant crossed from Guatemala into Mexico 45 days ago and waited in Ciudad Hidalgo to join the new caravan announced on social media.

He criticized Trump’s recent comments about migrants and how they are trying to “invade” the United States.

“We are not delinquents” he said. “We are hard-working people who have left our country to get ahead in life, because in our homeland we are su ering from many needs.”

him, and o er my assistance in any way possible.”

He said he has been with Trump since that time, evaluating and treating his wound daily, and would remain with Trump through the weekend, including traveling to Michigan, where Trump held his rst rally since the shooting, joined by his new running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. At Saturday’s rally, the white gauze on Trump’s ear was replaced by a skin-colored bandage.

Trump’s campaign and federal law enforcement had released little information on his condition or treatment in the days after the attack, declining to disclose medical records or hold brie ngs with the doctors who treated him at the hospital.

Trauma surgeon Babak Sarani, who said he has been treating more patients with wounds from AR-15-style assault ri es, said the description in the letter was “exactly in line with what you would expect from a bullet wound.”

While the indirect damage is still usually minor, he said the risk of extensive damage is greater than if another gun were used.

“If a bullet whizzes by your ear from a low-caliber handgun, it’s not a big deal. ... You get a headache or feel dizzy like a bad concussion,” said Sarani, chief of trauma at George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. “But if the bullet is from an assault ri e, the energy is bigger, broader, and you’re more likely to develop bruises.”

He added, “in Trump’s case, he got very lucky. The majority of the energy was released in the air. If it had hit him in the head, we would be having a completely di erent conversation.”

foot in a new caravan

EDGAR H. CLEMENTE / AP PHOTO

Migrants walk along the highway Sunday through southern Mexico during their journey north toward the U.S. border.

EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Saturday in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

pen & paper pursuits

this week in history

Charles marries Diana, NASA founded, WWI begins

The Associated Press

JULY 25

1866: Ulysses S. Grant was named General of the Army of the United States, the rst o cer to hold the rank.

1960: A Woolworth’s store in Greensboro that had been the scene of a sit-in protest against its whites-only lunch counter dropped its segregation policy.

2000: An Air France Concorde crashed outside Paris shortly after takeo , killing all 109 people on board and four people on the ground; it was the rst crash of the supersonic jet.

JULY 26

1775: The Continental Congress established a Post O ce and appointed Benjamin Franklin as Postmaster-General.

1956: Italian liner Andrea Doria sank o New England, some 11 hours after colliding with the Swedish liner Stockholm; at least 51 people died from both vessels.

JULY 27

1789: President George Washington signed a measure establishing the Department of Foreign A airs, the forerunner of the Department of State.

1909: Orville Wright ew himself and a passenger, Lt. Frank Lahm, above Fort Myer, Virginia, for one hour and 12 minutes during the rst o cial test of the U.S. Army’s rst airplane.

1953: Fidel Castro began his revolt against Fulgencio Batista with an unsuccessful attack on an army barracks in eastern Cuba. Castro ousted Batista in 1959.

1996: Terror struck the Atlanta Olympics as a pipe bomb exploded at Centennial Olympic Park, directly killing one person and injuring 111. Anti-government extremist Eric Rudolph later pleaded guilty to the bombing.

JULY 28

1609: The English ship Sea Venture, commanded by Adm. Sir George Somers, ran ashore on Bermuda, where the passengers and crew founded a colony.

1914: World War I began as Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.

1976: An earthquake devastated northern China, killing at least 242,000 people.

JULY 29

1890: Vincent van Gogh, 37, died of a self-in icted gunshot wound in Auverssur-Oise, France.

1914: Transcontinental telephone service in the U.S. became operational with the rst test conversation between New York and San Francisco.

1921: Adolf Hitler became the leader (“fuehrer”) of the National Socialist German Workers Party.

1957: Jack Paar debuted as host of NBC’s “The Tonight Show.”

1958: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act, creating NASA.

1967: An accidental rocket launch on the deck of the supercarrier USS Forrestal in the Gulf of Tonkin resulted in a re and explosions that killed 134 servicemen. Among the survivors was future Arizona Sen. John McCain.

1981: Britain’s Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in a ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

JULY 30

1619: The rst representative assembly in America convened in Jamestown in the Virginia Colony.

1729: Baltimore, Maryland, was founded.

1916: German saboteurs blew up a munitions plant on Black Tom, an island near Jersey City, New Jersey, killing about a dozen people.

JEFF CHRISTENSEN / AP PHOTO

Vincent Van Gogh took his life on July 29, 1890, at age 37.

JOHN ROONEY / AP PHOTO

Italian luxury liner Andrea Doria sank o the Nantucket coast on July 26, 1959.

‘Feh’ explores toxic storyline of religious education

Shalom Auslander was inspired by his friendship with actor Philip Seymor Ho man

By Ann Levin The Associated Press

A FEW YEARS AGO, Shalom Auslander was hospitalized with a potentially fatal case of pancreatitis after taking a banned performance-enhancing drug to lose weight. His psychiatrist said he was trying to kill himself. Auslander, then unemployed, in his 40s, with a wife and two children, disagreed. He said he did it because he was tired of hating himself for being fat and believed that if he were thinner, it might be easier to nd work and provide for his family.

Auslander relates this tale at the beginning of his latest memoir, “Feh,” a poignant, profane and scabrously funny exploration of the way that organized religion conspires to teach us that we are “feh,” a Yiddish expression of contempt. If you don’t believe this, he argues, consider that according to Genesis, the rst human was called Adam, whose name derives from “adamah,” the Hebrew word for dirt.

Auslander says he was inspired to write this sequel of sorts to his acclaimed 2007 memoir, “Foreskin’s Lament,” by his friendship with Philip Seymour Ho man, who died of a drug overdose in 2014. In the Irish Catholic actor, Auslander perceived a kindred soul raised with the same story of “feh” that was drilled into him by the rabbis in charge of his religious education in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community of Mon-

sey, New York (Auslander originally wrote the since-canceled Showtime series, “Happyish,” for Ho man).

As Auslander attempts to exorcise his demons and rewrite his origin story in a more positive light, the book takes on a “meta” avor, in line with the narrative we humans have been telling ourselves lately about how we use storytelling to make sense of our lives.

One of his favorite storytellers is Franz Kafka. He recalls falling in love with his stories, the way he laughed at shame and mocked his accusers. “Critics … claimed he was attacking bureaucracy, government, or the justice system, but I knew he wasn’t. He was attacking `feh.’ Kafka was the inmate in the cell beside mine, tapping on our shared wall, letting me know I wasn’t alone. This, I had thought, is writing. This is the secular, the free, the accepting.”

For now, Auslander’s story seems to have a happier ending than Ho man’s, transformed and redeemed by his love for his family and desire to see his boys grow up without the self-loathing he has carried around since he rst learned at age 6 that God created man out of dirt and the angels said “feh.”

Tenacious D tour ends after band member’s Trump shooting comment

The video of Kyle Gass was widely circulated on social media

By Maria Sherman The Associated Press

THE COMEDY ROCK duo

Tenacious D — made up of Jack Black and Kyle Gass — has canceled the rest of their tour after Gass’ remarks about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.

While onstage at a concert in Sydney on Sunday, Gass was presented with a birthday cake and asked to “make a wish” by Black. Gass responded, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” an apparent reference to the rally shooting a day before that left the former president with an injured ear. The video of Gass was widely circulated on social media.

“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black said in a statement last Tuesday on Instagram. “After much re ection, I no longer feel it is appro-

The band recently completed dates in the U.S. and Europe. Their “Spicy Meatball Tour” was slated to continue two nights later in Newcastle. This month, they will hit most major cities in Australia and New Zealand before returning to the U.S. for a select few dates in October.

“Frontier Touring regrets to advise that Tenacious D’s concert tonight at Newcastle Entertainment Centre has been postponed,” their touring company announced in a statement on Instagram Tuesday. “Ticket holders are asked to hold onto their tickets until further information is available.”

priate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”

Following Black’s statement, Gass apologized on Instagram.

“The line I improvised Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” he wrote Tuesday. “I don’t condone violence in any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgment.”

Tenacious D developed a dedicated fan base in the early 1990s before Jack Black’s acting career gained momentum. In the late 1990s, Black and Gass had a series on HBO. In 2006, they starred in a feature-length lm called “Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny.”

When asked for further comment, a band representative directed The Associated Press back to Black’s statement. Details on refunds for the remaining tour dates were not immediately available.

AMY HARRIS / AP PHOTO

Kyle Gass, left, and Jack Black of Tenacious D ended their world tour amid backlash from Gass’s Trump shooting comment.

RIVERHEAD VIA AP “Feh” by Shalom Auslander.

famous birthdays this week

Mick Jagger is 81, Arnold Schwarzenegger hits 76, Ken Burns turns 70

The Associated Press

July 26: Actor Robert Colbert (“The Time Tunnel,” “Maverick”) is 93. Singer Darlene Love is 83. Singer Brenton Wood is 83. Singer Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones is 81. Actor Helen Mirren is 79. Actor Kevin Spacey is 65. Actor Sandra Bullock is 60. Actor Jeremy Piven is 59.

July 27: Actor John Pleshette (“Knots Landing”) is 82. Actor-director Betty Thomas (“Hill Street Blues”) is 77. Singer Maureen McGovern is 75. Singer Pete Yorn is 50.

July 28: Cartoonist Jim Davis (“Gar eld”) is 78. Actor Linda Kelsey (“Lou Grant”) is 77. Singer Jonathan Edwards is 77. Actor Sally Struthers is 76.

July 29: Actor Robert Fuller (“Laramie,” ″Emergency!”) is 90. Actor Roz Kelly (“Happy Days”) is 81. Actor Mike Starr (“Ed,” ″Goodfellas”) is 73. Documentary maker Ken Burns is 70. Singer-bassist Geddy Lee of Rush is 70. Actor Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Stand By Me”) is 51. Actor Stephen Dor is 50. Singer Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men is 50.

July 30: Blues guitarist Buddy Guy is 87. Actor-turned-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger is 76. Singer-songwriter Kate Bush is 65. Director Richard Linklater (“Boyhood,” “Dazed and Confused”) is 63. Actor Laurence Fishburne is 62. Actor Lisa Kudrow (“Friends”) is 60. Ac-

Thursday.

Sandra

tor Tom Green is 52. Actor Jaime Pressly (“Mom,” “My Name Is Earl”) is 46. Singer-guitarist Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers is 43.

July 31: Actor Susan Flannery (“Bold and the Beautiful”) is 84. Drummer Bill Berry (R.E.M.) is 65. Actor Wesley Snipes is 61. Musician Fatboy Slim is 60. “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling is 58.

Aug. 1: Singer Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is 92. Blues musician Robert Cray is 70. Rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy is 63. Singer Adam Duritz of Counting Crows is 59. Director Sam Mendes (“Skyfall,” “American Beauty”) is 58.

Blues legend Buddy Guy turns 87 on

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO Mick Jagger, pictured performing in 2024, turned 81 on

JORDAN STRAUSS / AP PHOTO Actor

Bullock, pictured in 2022, turned 60 on Thursday.

AMY HARRIS / AP PHOTO

Tuesday.

the stream

‘Ghostbusters’ is back, Bob Marley doc hits Prime, ‘Futurama’ makes returns

Guy Ritchie tells a true historical tale in “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”

The Associated Press

THE LONG-AWAITED debut album from Ice Spice and the movie Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, with new and old franchise stars, are some new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming offerings worth your time include Wayne Brady’s new reality series and Kate Upton’s new competition series “Dress My Tour,” where fashion and music intersect.

MOVIES TO STREAM

It’s been 40 years since the original “Ghostbusters,” some might argue it’s time to move on. I ain’t afraid of no ghosts, but I am of needlessly prolonged lm franchises. “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” which began streaming on Net ix on Monday, has some things going for it. Namely, Kumail Nanjiani, who steals the movie as the reluctant “Fire Master.” But there’s a pleasant-enough kid-friendly-ish vibe to “Frozen Empire,” in which the Spengler family (Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace) returns to New York. OG Ghostbusters Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson and Dan Aykroyd are still on hand. In my review, I wrote that the movie has “a modest charm as an ‘80s-tinged family adventure.”

“Bob Marley: One Love,” streaming Tuesday on Prime Video, is the latest in a medley of music biopics. The lm, which rst debuted in theaters in February, stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as the reggae legend. It’s a muddled but sincere and textured approach to capturing one of the most potent

COLUMBIA PICTURES/NETFLIX / LIONSGATE VIA AP

“Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” left, “The Decameron,” center, and “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” are streaming this week.

musical forces of the 20th century. In my review, I wrote that “the power and complexity of Marley is out of reach for ‘One Love,’ which takes a typical biopic framework.”

Guy Ritchie tells a true historical tale in “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” (streaming Thursday on Prime Video), albeit with plenty of amped-up, action-movie exaggeration. During World War II, a small band led by an ex-criminal (Henry Cavill) sails to the West African islands to sabotage a eet of German U-boats. The tale boasts plenty of real-life intrigue, including James Bond author Ian Fleming. I praised Ritchie’s jauntily entertaining lm in my review but lamented that the real-life stealth mission “would have been thrilling enough if it had been told with a little historical accuracy.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

The Australian electronic duo Empire of the Sun will return on Friday with “Ask That God,” their fourth studio album and rst in eight years since 2016’s “Two Vines.” Fans

will remember Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore for their 2008 psychedelic dance-pop smash “Walking on a Dream” — and now, there’s new, similarly colorful and maximalist music to enjoy: Start with the shimmery “Cherry Blossom.” Each year, around the world and in the U.S., KCON – a convention that celebrates K-pop, K-drama, K-food, K-beauty, and everything under the umbrella of “Hallyu,” a term used to describe the growing global popularity of Korean popular culture — takes place. It began 12 years ago in Irvine, California, and has grown exponentially in the years since. The 2024 Los Angeles KCON returns to the LA Convention Center and http://Crypto.com Arena and will take place July 26 through July 28, with a lineup boasting NCT 127, P1Harmony, BOYNEXTDOOR, Taemin and more. For those who can’t make it in person: Each night’s performances will be streamed live on KCON’s ocial YouTube channel. The concert will also air live on the CW Networks on Sunday, July 28, at 8 p.m. ET/PT for the rst time.

SHOWS TO STREAM

What would happen if the “Love Island” cast caught the plague while sequestered in their villa? That’s one way to describe “The Decameron” on Netix, a black comedy set in Florence, Italy. Loosely based on stories from the 14th century, the series follows a collection of mis ts hiding out and partying through the 1348 pandemic at a countryside villa. The eightpart series debuted Thursday and stars comedy pros like Tony Hale, Zosia Mamet and Saoirse-Monica Jackson in a romp full of sex, booze, love and mortality.

Fashion and music intersect in the new competition series “Dress My Tour” for Hulu. Hosted by Kate Upton, 11 contestants are challenged to design looks for a di erent recording artist who will judge their creations in each episode. The musicians who take part include JoJo Siwa, Toni Braxton and Ty Dolla $ign. The winner gets $100,000. “Dress My Tour” premiered Tuesday.

We’ve seen Wayne Brady in front of the camera as an ac-

tor, comedian and host of “Let’s Make a Deal.” Now, he’s inviting cameras into his life o -screen with a reality series following his unconventional, blended family. Brady, who came out as pansexual last year, co-parents daughter Maīle’ Masako Brady with his ex-wife and business partner, Mandie Taketa. Taketa has moved on with partner Jason Fordham, and they have a young son, Sundance-Isamu. Brady is the godfather of the boy and helps to raise him. “Wayne Brady: The Family Remix” premiered on Freeform on Wednesday and will stream the next day on Hulu.

Matt Groening’s sci- animated comedy “Futurama” is back for its 12th season on Hulu. The streamer revived the show last year and has ten new episodes ready to roll out. In “Futurama,” Billy West voices Philip J. Fry, a pizza delivery boy who accidentally gets cryogenically frozen on the eve of Y2K in 1999. He defrosts one thousand years later and befriends a robot named Bender (John DiMaggio). The series is a workplace comedy following Fry, Bender and their colleagues at a delivery company called Planet Express.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Fans of the original Legend of Zelda are sure to nd Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure cozily familiar, with a green-clad protagonist ghting monsters and nding treasure across a 2D map. The gimmick here is that every time the intrepid Jemma moves, part of the landscape moves in the same direction. The developers promise a “playful sense of chaos and a regular stream of small, thoughtful puzzles.” It’s the debut title from an indie studio, Furniture & Mattress, with peppy graphics by the artist who illustrated the cult

Braid. The journey began Thursday, July 25, on

and PC.

classic

PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch

DANIEL SMITH/LIONSGATE VIA AP

“The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” starring from left, Alex Pettyfer, Henry Cavill, foreground center, Alan Ritchson, background center, Hero Fiennes Ti n and Henry Golding came to Prime Video on Thursday.

HOKE COUNTY

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Cornel West supporters sue NCSBE

Three registered voters are suing the North Carolina State Board of Elections, alleging that it violated their constitutional rights. At issue is the board’s rejection last week of a petition seeking recognition for a political party that would put Cornel West on the presidential ballot. Democratic board chair Alan Hirsch said he had concerns in part about how a group called People Over Party collected many of the signatures. Republican lawmakers are questioning whether the board’s Democratic majority is trying to keep West o the ballot because he could take votes away from the Democratic presidential nominee.

Free app helps consumers detect PFAS

Two nonpro ts have released a free app and browser extension to help consumers identify PFAS and other toxic ingredients in everyday products. The app, Clearya, is available in Apple and Google Play stores and allows consumers to make informed decisions. Consumers can analyze labels by taking a photo of the product’s ingredients. The app displays information and warnings about substances that may pose a health risk based on publicly available chemical hazard lists and databases.

Salt Lake City to host 2034 Winter Olympics

Salt Lake City has been formally awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics following a vote by the International Olympic Committee in Paris. The decision gives Utah its second Games after hosting in 2002. Salt Lake City was the lone contender the Olympic committee was considering.

Biden’s North Carolina delegates pledge to Harris

The vice president has enough to clinch the Democratic nomination

By Jordan Golson North State Journal

NORTH CAROLINA’S delegation to the DNC will support the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democrat nominee for president following President Joe Biden’s surprise announcement on Sunday that he will not seek reelection. The announcement was made by a number of Democrat party leaders, including North Carolina DNC delegate Diana Williams Robinson, who announced in a social media post that the state’s DNC delegation was unanimously supporting Harris. Robinson also endorsed Gov. Roy Cooper as a potential running mate for Harris. Cooper is among a number

of prominent Democrats being considered as a VP pick, and The Wall Street Journal reports the Harris campaign has reached out to Cooper’s team for vetting materials as they consider the pick. Former Attorney General Eric Holder is said to be running the VP vetting.

Others being considered include Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Gov. Josh Shapiro (Pa.), Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Mich.), Gov. J.B. Pritzker (Ill.) and Gov. Tim Walz (Minn.). Currently, Kelly is seen as the frontrunner, but things have been changing quickly. According to Polymarket, a prediction website where investors can place bets on the outcome of political races, Cooper has a 20% chance to be picked, with Kelly at 39% and Shapiro at 19% as of Tuesday evening.

Harris has been tallying endorsements and delegate numbers over the past few days, with

the DNC’s complicated nomination rules being scrutinized by lawyers and party insiders to ensure a smooth path to Harris’ nomination. The process has been derisively called a “coronation” by some Republicans, but Harris was was endorsed by Biden when he announced he wasn’t running.

Biden won all of North Carolina’s DNC delegates in the March presidential primary, although the party ensured he was running unopposed. North Carolina has 116 pledged DNC delegates and 14 superdelegates.

Biden had won enough states’ primaries and caucuses to secure support of a majority of the pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention. But those delegates had not yet o cially cast their votes when Biden bowed out of the race.

Biden’s departure frees his delegates to vote for whomever they choose. There are near-

ly 4,700 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, with varying amounts from each state. That includes nearly 4,000 pledged delegates and about 700 superdelegates, such as current and former elected o cials.

A party’s presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election.

Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson, facing criticism because of the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term that year. His announcement came after just a single state’s primary had been held. Biden’s July decision came after more than 14 million Democrats had cast votes supporting him through the primary process.

But throughout U.S. history, political parties have convened numerous conventions amid uncertainty. In 1960, Johnson and John F. Kennedy jockeyed for support from individual state delegations during their party’s convention. Democrats ultimately nominated Kennedy for president and Johnson for vice president.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

NC State’s Woodson announces retirement

The longtime chancellor will step down June 30, 2025

By Makiya Seminera Twin City Herald

Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson declared his retirement plans at the university’s trustees meeting Thursday, capping o nearly 15 years in his role. His term will o cially end June 30, 2025, Woodson said. His departure marks yet another chancellor vacancy in the UNC system that is in the process of lling three other open-

ings: Appalachian State University, Elizabeth City State University and UNC Chapel Hill. Seventeen schools are members of the system.

“I feel good about leaving the institution better than I found it, but I also feel good that the next leader has plenty to do at NC State,” Woodson said during the meeting. “This is a great place.” With his contract ending

See WOODSON, page 2

$2.00

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

NC State Chancellor Randy Woodson, right, listens to NC State Board of Trustees chair Ed Weisiger, left, during a university trustees meeting last Thursday in Raleigh. Woodson announced he will retire in 2025.

Representin’

A 300-strong North Carolina delegation attended the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee last week, with several local politicians speaking from the main stage.

Above, clockwise from left: Kelcey Shull of Wake County, 17, was the youngest in the North Carolina delegation; Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson spoke on Monday; Rep. Richard Hudson addressed the convention on Thursday.

CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP PHOTO

COURTESY NCGOP J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

31

The Hoke County Sheri ’s O ce is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect following an armed robbery at the Golden Café at 2070 Club Pond Rd. in Raeford. The suspect allegedly put a rearm on an employee and demanded money before leaving in a light blue Mazda 3 car. If you have any information about this suspect or this incident, contact Detective Graham with HCSO at 910-875-5111 or call the Tip Line at 910-878-1100.

next June, Woodson told reporters it was “just a good time” for him to step away from being chancellor. Retirement was something the 67-year-old said he considered for a while.

Woodson received a two-year contract extension in 2021 that allowed him to serve until 2025 — something UNC System President Peter Hans said he “twisted his arm at the time to stay.”

“When I think about where NC State was 15 years and where NC State is now, it’s an extraordinary testament to this man’s leadership and the team he has built around him,” Hans told reporters after the meeting.

Woodson started in his role as NC State chancellor in 2010. He previously came from Purdue University, where he served as provost, dean of the agriculture college and in various other leadership positions.

Under his long tenure at NC State, Woodson led the university in increasing graduation and retention rates and research funding. The university’s enrollment also has grown to more than 37,000 students as of Fall 2023. He is the university’s third longest-serving chancellor and one of the longest currently serving in the university system. Although he doesn’t have immediate plans for what’s next after his chancellorship, Woodson said he intends to stay in Raleigh.

Woodson’s announcement means yet another chancellor search for the UNC system to embark on after lling four openings in the last year. Those new chancellors now lead four universities: James Martin at NC A&T, Karrie Dixon at NC Central, Bonita Brown at Winston-Salem State and Kimberly van Noort at UNC Asheville.

The search for UNC Chapel Hill’s new chancellor — a position opened after former Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz left in January — progressed further last week when search committee members started considering candidates. The chancellorship is currently held by Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts, who GOP legislative leaders have signaled support in becoming the next chancellor.

The search committee has been “aggressively in the market” for several weeks to nd suitable candidates, but competition with other universities conducting chancellor searches has presented challenges, said Laurie Wilder, head of search rm Parker Executive Search, during the meeting.

Hans told reporters after the meeting that he thought the high turnover of chancellors could be partly attributed to university leaders postponing their departures to ensure administrations ran smoothly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Election integrity, consumer choice and the Trump assassination

Noncitizens continue to unlawfully register to vote and then cast their vote — diluting the votes of American citizens.

THE RIGHT to vote is among the most sacred rights we have as Americans. It is fundamental to our democracy and the cornerstone of our freedom.

Ensuring only American citizens are able to vote in our elections is critical to protecting the integrity of our electoral process and, in turn, our democracy. We have laws in the books that make it illegal for noncitizens to vote in U.S. federal elections. However, noncitizens continue to unlawfully register to vote and then cast their vote — diluting the votes of American citizens like you and potentially allowing foreign interference in our elections.

With millions of illegal migrants coming into our country under President Biden’s open border policies, it is vital we safeguard election integrity by preventing noncitizens — including these illegals — from voting. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which House Republicans recently passed, strengthens our election laws by requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

American democracy depends on electoral integrity. Sadly, President Biden and the Democrats don’t share this same

King Trump

This is not a principled court but an entirely partisan one.

“WITH FEAR for our democracy,”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor concludes in her brilliant dissent in Trump v. United States, “I dissent.”

She is right. Very frighteningly right.

After reading what happened at the oral argument, I knew what was coming. The court was looking for a way to carve up the baby, giving some form of immunity to former President Donald Trump without turning him into the absolute monarch.

But even I didn’t expect the breadth of Chief Justice John Roberts’ opinion for the court, which e ectively does almost that, with its distinction between o cial acts, which are “presumptively immune” from prosecution, and uno cial acts, which are not. Because the motive of the president in acting illegally cannot be considered, as Sotomayor wrote in dissent, “the category of presidential action that can be deemed ‘uno cial’ is destined to be vanishingly small.” And to take forever, on remand to the district court, and in the endless appeals that will no doubt follow, to de nitively gure out. Certainly, long enough for it to amount to a get-out-of-jailfree card if Trump is the president-elect. Indeed, it is enough to postpone his sentencing for the 34 felony counts of which he’s already been convicted. It took Trump’s lawyers no time at all to claim that paying o a porn star to keep silent about her a air with him before he was president (and thereby rigging the election) was an “o cial

view. In fact, 198 House Democrats voted against our common-sense legislation and President Biden threatened to veto it.

I’m committed to preserving the integrity of our elections and to upholding your trust in our government. The SAVE Act reinforces the foundation upon which our nation’s democracy stands, helping to foster a system that truly re ects the will of the people.

In addition to protecting our democracy, the House recently took action to protect your freedom to choose what is best for your family in your own home.

President Biden’s Department of Energy is attempting to impose burdensome mandates on your refrigerators and dishwashers just to advance their radical, anti-energy agenda. These overreaching rules would take away consumer choice and hurt families like yours by forcing you to use appliances that are more expensive or do not perform as well.

Big Government has become too big, too unaccountable, and too outof-touch with the will and priorities of the American people. However, House Republicans are working to x this.

act” because he signed the reimbursement check to Michael Cohen while he was in the White House. It’s a ridiculous argument which hopefully Judge Juan Merchan will recognize, but not so ridiculous that Merchan wasn’t willing to delay sentencing for another two months. And count on Trump’s lawyers to try to postpone it even longer if the judge does reject it.

And don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is the result of a “conservative” court simply relying on the intent of the founders. Sotomayor made clear that they were doing no such thing. “The Framers clearly knew how to provide for immunity from prosecution,” she writes, “They did provide a narrow immunity for legislators in the Speech or Debate Clause (of the Constitution).”

But nothing about the president, a point the chief justice simply ignores, as he does the part of the Constitution that says that an o cial impeached and convicted by the Senate “shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.” The impeachment clause “clearly contemplates that a former President may be subject to criminal prosecution for the same conduct that resulted (or could have resulted) in an impeachment judgment — including conduct such as ‘Bribery,’ which implicates o cial acts almost by de nition.”

As for the Founding Fathers, the chief justice also ignores Alexander Hamilton’s commentary in the Federalist Papers that former presidents should be “liable to prosecution and punishment in the ordinary course of law.” The Founding Fathers knew full well about the power

We passed legislation to prevent unelected D.C. bureaucrats from implementing these unnecessary and costly regulations on your family. I will continue ghting to protect your consumer choice and keep Big Government out of your home.

Under one-party rule in Washington, our government has strayed away from its duty to put you and your family rst. I will continue working to change that and help reestablish a Congress that serves the people rather than itself. Finally, Renee and I continue to pray for President Donald Trump and all those who were shot and a ected in the recent assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, and we send our gratitude to the brave law enforcement o cers who quickly responded at the scene. This horri c act of political violence is un-American and has no place in our country. Rest assured, House Republicans are committed to getting the truth you deserve and ensuring this never happens again.

Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

of monarchs, and in Hamilton’s words, distinguished between “the king of Great Britain,” who was “sacred and inviolable,” and the “President of the United States,” who “would be amenable to personal punishment.” The majority opinion recognizes no such distinction.

As Sotomayor sees it, the majority’s approach is clear: “Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.”

Roberts ignores the examples cited by his dissenting colleagues as thoroughly as he ignores the originalism that he and his colleagues purport to be guided by.

No, this is not a principled court but an entirely partisan one, and a chief justice who has failed in whatever mission he once pretended to have to protect the legitimacy of the court. This is Bush v. Gore, the opinion that did the most to undermine the court in public polls of any decision in recent history. This is an utterly partisan court, doing its best to elect a president on a 6-3 vote.

I was once one of those who was skeptical of Democratic proposals to tinker with the court’s composition (also known as court-packing) or its lifetime terms (also known as term limits) because I clung to the belief that the court should be protected from ideological manipulation. No longer. I’m for anything that would shake up a court that has, with utter disregard for ethical constraints and the need to retain public trust, engaged in ideological manipulation of its own.

COLUMN | RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

HOKE SPORTS

NCHSAA reports increase in overall participation

New member schools and sports programs helped lift participation

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

THE NORTH CAROLINA

High School Athletic Association reported a 4.73 percent increase in overall student athlete participation during the 2023-24 season, per a release sent out Monday.

Based on the information reported to the NCHSAA by its member schools, a total of 208,722 student athletes participated in NCHSAA sanctioned sports last year which is over 10,000 more student athletes than the 2022-23 sports season (198,025 athletes).

Every sport, except for baseball, saw an increase in participation.

Although the ve new baseball programs were added to the NCHSAA, the sport saw 153 less players (a 1.4% drop) participate in 2024.

Many of the reported increases were helped by the addition of schools and programs across the state. The NCHSAA added four member schools from 2022-23 (432 schools) to 2023-24 (436 schools).

Winter Spirit saw the largest increase in reported participation. There were 60 more reported Winter Spirit teams in the 2023-24 season, creating an increase of 1,628 athletes.

Boys’ and girls’ indoor track were also signi cantly a ected by the addition of new programs as 21 schools added girls’ teams and 14 schools added boys’ teams. Boys’ indoor track saw a nearly 13% participation increase from the 2022-23 sea-

son while the girls saw a 16% increase.

Boys’ golf and boys’ lacrosse also saw increases of 7% and 6%, respectively.

Wrestling saw an increase in participation, too, as 11,317 boys and girls wrestled in the 2023-24 season compared to 9,988 in 2022-23.

In the rst year of girls’ wrestling being a sanctioned sport, 248 schools elded a girls’ wrestling program with a total of 1,432 girls participating.

Here’s the full breakdown of the participation numbers across the two school years:

Fall Sports

Football: 29,075 athletes in 2023-24 (383 schools); 27,809 athletes in 2022-23 (382)

Boys’ cross country: 5,821 athletes in 2023-24 (395); 5,311 athletes in 2022-23 (385)

Boys’ soccer: 12,916 athletes in 2023-24 (407); 11,816 athletes in 2022-23 (402)

Spirit: 9,776 athletes in 2023-24 (386); 9,568 athletes in 2022-23 (386)

Volleyball: 10,303 athletes in 2023-24 (432); 9,779 athletes in 2022-23 (427)

Girls’ cross country: 4,279 athletes in 2023-24 (382); 4,084 athletes in 2022-23 (377)

Girls’ golf: 1,573 athletes in 2023-24 (282); 1,404 athletes in 2022-23 (270)

Girls’ tennis: 4,318 athletes in 2023-24 (340); 4,006 athletes in 2022-23 (337)

Total fall sports: 78,061 athletes in 2023-24; 73,777 athletes in 2022-23

Winter Sports

Boys’ basketball: 11,409 athletes in 2023-24 (434); 11,243 athletes in 2022-23 (431)

Boys’ indoor track: 7,331 athletes in 2023-24 (304); 6,498 athletes in 2022-23 (290)

Boys’ swimming: 3,338 ath-

letes in 2023-24 (305); 3,303 athletes in 2022-23 (300)

Boys’ wrestling: 9,885 athletes in 2023-24 (342)

Spirit: 9,709 athletes in 2023-24 (414); 8,081 athletes in 2022-23 (354)

Girls’ basketball: 7,663 athletes in 2023-24 (429); 7,470 athletes in 2022-23 (425)

Girls’ indoor track: 5,912 athletes in 2023-24 (306); 5,076 athletes in 2022-23 (285)

Girls’ swimming: 4,487 athletes in 2023-24 (306); 4,305 athletes in 2022-23 (304)

Girls’ wrestling: 1,432 athletes in 2023-24 (248)

Wrestling (boys and girls): 9,988 athletes in 2022-23 (346)

Total winter sports: 61,166 athletes in 2023-24; 55,964 athletes in 2022-23

Spring Sports

Baseball: 10,574 athletes in 2023-24 (414); 10,727 athletes in 2022-23 (409)

Boys’ golf: 3,278 athletes in 2023-24 (371); 3,062 athletes in 2022-23 (371)

Boys’ lacrosse: 4,219 athletes in 2023-24 (121); 3,976 athletes in 2022-23 (118)

Boys’ tennis: 3,833 athletes in 2023-24 (319); 3,750 athletes in 2022-23 (314)

Boys’ track: 15,932 athletes in 2023-24 (408); 15,911 athletes in 2022-23 (408)

Softball: 7,017 athletes in 2023-24 (402); 6,912 athletes in 2022-23 (398)

Girls’ lacrosse: 2,726 athletes in 2023-24 (101); 2,700 athletes in 2022-23 (99)

Girls’ soccer: 10,507 athletes in 2023-24 (396); 10,164 athletes in 2022-23 (389)

Girls’ track: 11,409 athletes in 2023-24 (409); 11,082 athletes in 2022-23 (409)

Total spring sports: 69,495 athletes in 2023-24; 68,284 athletes in 2022-23

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

The Hoke County 12U All-Stars

Baseball

The Hoke County 12U All-Stars ended their successful summer season in Mount Holly.

The Stars won the Diamond Youth District 11 championship earlier this month, earning a trip to the tournament for the state title in Mount Holly.

The trip started o well, with two-time Athlete of the Week Justin Womack winning the state Home Run Derby with 36 blasts. However, the Hoke All-Stars fell short of a state crown. They lost their rst game of the double-elimination event, 2-0, to Burgaw. They then fell to Stanly the next day, 5-2, ending their run. The team is made up of: Tristan Bullard, Gri y Getty, Brayden Jacobs, Mason Lee, Takobi Locklear, Caelum Pevia, Malik Sawyer, Silas Walker, Jason Williams, Justin Womack, Ronald Womack and coaches Jeremiah Hurst, Samuel McNair III and Gri th Ryan Getty.

Kuznetsov clears unconditional waivers, has NHL contract terminated by Hurricanes

The mutual termination clears nearly $4 million in salary cap space

By Stephen Whyno

The Associated Press

EVGENY KUZNETSOV had his contract terminated after clearing unconditional waivers, bringing an abrupt end to the talented but inconsistent center’s NHL career, at least for the time being.

Kuznetsov by agreeing to the mutual termination walks away from the $6 million salary owed to him in the nal season of his $64.2 million, seven-year deal originally signed in 2017.

“Ultimately both sides agreed this was the best course of action

for both the player and the team,” general manager Eric Tulsky said Wednesday. “We thank Evgeny for his time with the team and wish him and his family the best.” Reports emerged earlier in the week that Kuznetsov was planning to mutually terminate his contract and go home to Russia to play for SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL. He and his camp had to agree to such a move for this to happen now, unless the Hurricanes waited for a buyout window to open later this summer. While an arbitration hearing remains on the docket for Martin Necas, Carolina re-signed Jack Drury to a two-year contract worth $3.45 million and must still get a contract done for fellow forward Seth Jarvis with just under $14 million in

salary cap space to spend.

“Jack took tremendous steps last season to solidify himself as a key part of our forward group,” Tulsky said upon announcing the deal with Drury. “He is an extremely hard worker at both ends of the ice who can be relied upon at all situations, and we are excited to watch his continued growth in Carolina.”

Carolina acquired Kuznetsov from Washington before the trade deadline in March, with the Capitals agreeing to retain half of his $7.8 million cap hit. His departure from North America removes the $3.9 million cap obligation for each team.

Kuznetsov was the leading scorer and Conn Smythe runner-up on the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup run but has been up and

down since, the constant subject of trade rumors and speculation.

He had 13 points in 30 games in a limited role with the Hurricanes as they reached the second round, and coach Rod Brind’Amour even made Kuznetsov a healthy scratch for a game in the playo s.

The inconsistency was not lost on Kuznetsov, who after an early season game in October 2018 said he did not care about being a top- ve player in hockey.

“To be MVP, you have to work hard 365 (days) in a year, but I’m not ready for that,” Kuznetsov said. “I want to have fun, and I want to make those risky plays when sometimes you don’t have to play and you guys don’t understand every time those plays. It’s not easy to make. But to be MVP in this league, you have to

play even better. You have to go next level. It’s not easy. More importantly, you have to stay focused 365 (days), but that’s not my style.” His trouble was not just on the ice. The league in September 2019 suspended Kuznetsov three games without pay for “inappropriate conduct,” less than a month after he was banned from playing for Russia for four years because of a positive test for cocaine.

Kuznetsov more recently entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in February. Upon him being cleared by program administrators to practice, the Capitals put him on waivers with the hope of giving him a fresh start and subsequently sent him to the minors.

SIDELINE REPORT

MLS

Chicago Fire o er vouchers for fans if Messi doesn’t play

Chicago The Chicago Fire said they will o er vouchers for fans if Inter Miami star Lionel Messi doesn’t play when the teams meet at Soldier Field on Aug. 31. Messi injured a ligament in his right ankle during Argentina’s win over Colombia in the Copa America nal on July 14. If he can’t play, the team will o er single-match buyers who purchase between now and game day $250 o two or more new 2025 Chicago Fire season-ticket memberships or $100 o two or more single match tickets for the 2025 home match against Inter Miami.

WNBA Bird Barbie: Mattel honors WNBA great with signature doll

El Segundo, Calif.

WNBA great Sue Bird has been honored with a signature Barbie doll. Mattel announced it has issued a replica Barbie doll based on the basketball career of Bird. Bird played 21 seasons with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, helping the franchise to four league titles. She also has won ve Olympic gold medals with the U.S. national team. Bird retired after the 2022 season and is now part of Seattle’s ownership. Mattel said the Sue Bird Barbie is part of its Role Model series as the doll celebrates its 65th anniversary.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Clemson gives men’s basketball coach Brownell new contract

Clemson, S.C. Clemson men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell received a new, ve-year contract worth $20 million after leading the Tigers to the Elite Eight this past season. Brownell’s deal was among several for Clemson head coaches and assistants by the university’s board of trustees. Brownell’s agreement keeps him through the 2028-29 season. He’ll make $3.5 million next season, an increase over the $3 million he was scheduled to make under the old deal. Others with new agreements were men’s soccer coach Mike Noonan, who won two of the past three NCAA College Cup titles and baseball coach Erik Bakich.

MLB

Myers’ opportunity at extra playing time ends after injury

Miami Miami Marlins rookie out elder Dane Myers could miss the remainder of the season after he fractured his left ankle kicking a door out of frustration. The Marlins placed Myers on the injured list, and it is uncertain if he will return in 2024. Myers was called out on strikes on a check swing without an appeal to the base umpire. Myers questioned the call, got into a heated exchange with the umpire and was ejected. He then kicked the door. Before his injury, Myers had two home runs and 14 RBI in 40 games.

Larson races to his 1st Brickyard 400 victory

four crown jewel races

By Michael Marot The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle

Larson made a late charge through the eld, managed to get his car re red after a red ag and won the nal two restart battles Sunday before coasting to his rst Brickyard 400 victory under caution. Larson took the lead when Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel and pulled o the track just before the second-to-last restart and beat pole winner Tyler Reddick at the end with the yellow ag out.

“Today was de nitely meant to be for us with the way the strategy was working out and all that fell into place,” Larson said. “Thankfully, it did. I just

can’t believe it. It’s just surreal to win here.”

Larson won in his rst trip back to the speedway since he tried to become the fth driver to complete 1,100 miles of racing on the same May day, at Indy and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Larson won for the fourth time this season and took the points lead from Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott.

The 31-year-old Californian charged back from 12th over the nal 32 laps as many drivers attempted to save fuel in the rst Cup race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s historic 2.5-mile oval since 2020, with the last three being run on the facility’s 14-turn road course.

Larson has won three of NASCAR’s crown jewel races, missing only the Daytona 500. And his return to Indy was every bit

as exciting as it was in May. When Keselowski pulled o the track before taking the green ag with three to go, he ceded the inside lane to Larson, who take advantage of a clean shot to pass Ryan Blaney’s second-place car just before a vecar pileup that began when Daniel Hemric and John Henry Nemechek made contact.

The crash brought out the red ag and Larson needed an assist in getting his No. 5 Chevrolet stated. Once he did, though, he again had the inside lane, and again beat Blaney o the restart and held on for the victory.

“That’s a heartbreaker. We did everything right today,” said Blaney, who was upset that Larson essentially went from third into the line Keselowski had chosen to restart. “He was in prime position to win and it just didn’t work out for us.”

Denny Hamlin won the rst

stage, his rst ever at Indianapolis, and Bubba Wallace took the second stage, giving him 10 points as he tries to make the playo s. It was Wallace’s rst stage win since 2022. Blaney wound up third, Elliott was fourth and Todd Gilliland was fth.

Quick switch

The race was scheduled to be broadcast on NBC, but viewers who tuned into the network found something else — breaking news about President Joe Biden withdrawing from the presidential race.

NBC made the decision to brie y switch the telecast to USA Network, which also covered some of the weekend’s festivities then went back to Cup coverage at the start of the race. The race also nished on USA Network after the red ag stoppage, again because of the breaking news.

Back home again

Before the race, speedway owner Roger Penske and PPG announced they have extended and expanded their partnership for both the Cup and IndyCar Series.

Wake-up call for the US men’s basketball arrives

LeBron James hit a layup with seconds left to avoid an upset

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

SOUTH SUDAN is the 33rdranked team in the FIBA world rankings, by far the lowest of any of the 12 nations that will be vying for men’s basketball gold in the Paris Olympics that start this week.

The U.S. is ranked No. 1.

South Sudan nearly beat the Americans anyway.

The wake-up call for the U.S. Olympic team seems to have arrived. A 101-100 win over South Sudan on Saturday in London came on a day when plenty went wrong for the Americans — tra c getting to the arena was brutal and Anthony Davis said arriving late threw o players’ routines, South Sudan shot lights-out from 3-point range and outscored the U.S. 42-21 from deep and the U.S. struggled in plenty of aspects.

“There’s great teams all over the place and nothing is guaranteed at this point for USA Basketball,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said earlier this summer.

“We know that well, I know it personally. We won the gold medal in Tokyo, but we lost three games along the way. Our gold-medal game against France went right down to the wire. So, this is an entirely different competition than it was in 1992.” There was no doubt who was winning gold in 1992: The rst U.S. Dream Team overpowered every team in its path. Chuck Daly coached a roster that in-

cluded 11 future Hall of Famers; Kerr loves relaying the story that Daly never had to call a timeout that whole summer, because no game was ever in any sort of jeopardy. Kerr had to call one on Saturday with 20 seconds left to get LeBron James the ball and set up what became the winning, embarrassment-saving basket for the one-point win against South Sudan, a nation that is set to make its Olympic debut and doesn’t have a suitable indoor facility for national team-level basketball training.

“A lot of these teams we’re playing have been practicing either one month or months in

advance,” James said. “We’re like maybe two weeks into it, together. So, every game, every lm session, every opportunity we have to try to make the most of it.”

“We’ve got a great 12 guys,” U.S. guard Stephen Curry said.

“Basketball is such an interesting sport that if you don’t play the right way, if you don’t come with the right energy and the right focus to go play defense, rebound, not turn the ball over, you can be beat. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. So, it’s a good reminder of that.” Saturday was also a good reminder of this: Nobody seems intimidated by the U.S. Not

even 17-year-olds.

“We can be beat if we don’t play our brand of basketball and our brand of basketball is playing defense,” Curry said. “They made some tough shots in the rst half and they’re a skilled team with a lot of shooting, so if they get hot, they’re tough. But we didn’t make them uncomfortable at all in the rst half and they took advantage of it.

“But we also learned we have that gear. If we can nd it, no matter who’s out there on the court, we can overwhelm teams for 40 minutes. And it’s a great reminder of both. If we don’t play our game, we can be beat. We’re not invincible.”

KIN CHEUNG / AP PHOTO

United States forward LeBron James, left and U.S. guard Stephen Curry shake hands during a closer-than-expected exhibition win over South Sudan in London.

The win gives Larson three of NASCAR’s

DARRON CUMMINGS / AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson drives into a turn on his way to a win at the Brickyard 400 in in Indianapolis.

Paris using AI, jets, police squadrons to secure upcoming Olympic Games

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump raised security concerns

By John Leicester

The Associated Press

PARIS — A year ago, the head of the Paris Olympics boldly declared that France’s capital would be “the safest place in the world “when the Games open this Friday. Tony Estanguet’s con dent forecast looks less farfetched now with squadrons of police patrolling Paris’ streets, ghter jets and soldiers primed to scramble, and imposing metal-fence security barriers erected like an iron curtain on both sides of the River Seine that will star in the opening show.

France’s vast police and military operation is in large part because the July 26-Aug. 11 Games face unprecedented security challenges. The city has repeatedly su ered deadly extremist attacks and international tensions are high because of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Rather than build an Olympic park with venues grouped together outside of the city center, like Rio de Janeiro in 2016 or London in 2012, Paris has chosen to host many of the events in the heart of the bustling capital of 2 million inhabitants, with others dotted around suburbs that house millions more. Putting temporary sports arenas in public spaces and the unprecedented choice to stage a river-borne opening ceremony stretching for miles along the Seine makes safeguarding them more complex.

Olympic organizers also have cyberattack concerns, while rights campaigners and Games critics are worried about Paris’ use of AI-equipped surveillance technology and the broad scope and scale of Olympic security.

A Games-time force of up to 45,000 police and gendarmes is also backed up by a 10,000-strong contingent of soldiers that has set up the largest military camp in Paris since World War II, from which soldiers should be able to reach

55K

Police, gendarmes and soldiers who will patrol Paris during the Summer Olympics

any of the city’s Olympic venues within 30 minutes.

Armed military patrols aboard vehicles and on foot have become common in crowded places in France since gunmen and suicide bombers acting in the names of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group repeatedly struck Paris in 2015. They don’t have police powers of arrest but can tackle attackers and restrain them until police arrive.

Rafale ghter jets, airspace-monitoring AWACS surveillance ights, Reaper surveillance drones, and helicopters that can carry sharpshooters and equipment to disable drones

will police Paris skies, which will be closed during the opening ceremony by a no- y zone extending for 93 miles around the capital. Cameras twinned with arti cial intelligence software — authorized by a law that expands the state’s surveillance powers for the Games — will ag potential security risks, such as abandoned packages or crowd surges, France is also getting help from more than 40 countries that, together, have sent at least 1,900 police reinforcements.

Attacks by lone individuals are a major concern, a risk driven home most recently to French o cials by the assassination attempt against Donald Trump.

Some involved in the Olympic security operation were stunned that the gunman armed with an AR-style ri e got within range of the former U.S. president.

“No one can guarantee that there won’t be mistakes. There, however, it was quite glaring,” said Gen. Philippe Pourqué, who oversaw the construction of

Curfew, ‘shoot-on-sight order’ imposed in Bangladesh following deadly protests

The demonstrations are against a quota system for government jobs

By Julhas Alam and Sheikh Saaliq

The Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Police imposed a strict curfew with a “shoot-on-sight” order across Bangladesh as military forces patrolled parts of the capital over the weekend after scores were killed and hundreds injured in clashes over the allocation of civil service jobs.

The demonstrations — called for mainly by student groups— started weeks ago to protest a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. Violence erupted Tuesday, with the Daily Prothom Alo newspaper reporting the death of at least 103 people.

Friday was likely to be the deadliest day so far; Somoy TV reported 43 killed, while an Associated Press reporter saw 23 bodies at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, but it was not immediately clear whether they all died on Friday. On Thursday, 22 others were reported dead as protesting students attempted to “completely shut down” the country.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka said Friday that reports indicated “hundreds to possibly

thousands” were injured across Bangladesh. It said the situation was “extremely volatile.”

Bangladeshi authorities haven’t shared any o cial numbers of those killed and injured. O cials said the curfew was to quell further violence after police and protesters clashed in the streets and at university campuses in Dhaka and other cities across the South Asian country. Authorities blocked online communications by banning mobile and internet services. Several television news channels also went o the air, and the websites of most lo -

cal newspapers were down. Meanwhile, some key government websites, including Bangladesh’s central bank and the prime minister’s o ce, appeared to have been hacked and defaced.

Local media also reported that some 800 inmates ed from a prison in Narsingdi, a district north of the capital, after protesters stormed the facility and set it on re Friday.

The chaos highlights cracks in Bangladesh’s governance and economy and the frustration of youths who lack good jobs upon graduation. They also represent

a temporary camp in southeast Paris housing 4,500 soldiers from the Sentinelle force.

In France, in the last 13 months alone, men acting alone have carried out knife attacks that targeted tourists in Paris and children in a park in an Alpine town, among others. A man who stabbed a teacher to death at his former high school in northern France in October had been under surveillance by French security services for suspected Islamic radicalization.

With the long and bitter experience of deadly extremist attacks, France has armed itself with a dense network of police units, intelligence services and investigators who specialize in ghting terrorism, and suspects in terrorism cases can be held longer for questioning.

Hundreds of thousands of background checks have scrutinized Olympic ticket-holders, workers and others involved in the Games and applicants for passes to enter Paris’ most tightly controlled security zone, along the Seine’s banks. The checks blocked more than 3,900 people from attending, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. He said some were agged for suspected Islamic radicalization, left- or right-wing political extremism, signi cant criminal records and other security concerns.

a liation. Representatives from both sides met late Friday in an attempt to reach a resolution. At least three student leaders were present and demanded the reform of the current quota system, the reopening of student dormitories shut by the police following the clashes and for some university o cials to step down after failing to protect campuses from the violence. Law Minister Anisul Huq said late Friday the government was open to discussing their demands.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has backed the protests, vowing Friday to organize its own demonstrations as many of its supporters joined the students’ protests. However, BNP said in a statement its followers were not responsible for the violence and denied the ruling party’s accusations of using the protests for political gains.

the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in o ce after January’s elections, boycotted by the main opposition groups. Protesters argue the quota system is discriminatory and bene ts supporters of Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, saying it should be replaced with a merit-based system. Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions in the war against Pakistan, regardless of their political

The Awami League and the BNP have often accused each other of fueling political chaos and violence, most recently ahead of the country’s national election, which was marred by a crackdown on several opposition gures. Hasina’s government had accused the opposition party of attempting to disrupt the vote.

In 2018, the government halted the job quotas following mass student protests. But in June, Bangladesh’s High Court nullied that decision and reinstated the quotas after relatives of 1971 veterans led petitions. The Supreme Court suspended the ruling, pending an appeal hearing, and said in a statement it will take the issue up Sunday.

Hasina has called on protesters to wait for the court’s verdict.

RAJIB DHAR / AP PHOTO

Students clash with riot police during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, last week against a quota system for government jobs.

Dacia Marie Sura Bell

September 11, 1978 –July 15, 2024

She lived in Raeford, NC, and was born and raised in Plymouth, PA.

Dacia was born on September 11, 1978, daughter of Maryann Sura and Timothy Bellas.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Mariah Noon; and uncle, Gene Sura.

She was very outgoing, wore her heart on her sleeve, and always put others before herself. Dacia was the mother of the world. She loved her grandkids. She was a shoulder you could lean on, and someone you could always count on. She took care of everybody. Her smile lit up a room.

Dacia is survived by her loving husband of 20 years, Christophor; children, Brionna Sura, Dakotah Belles, and Jaden Belles; grandchildren, Jayce Sura, Julian Eck, Myalla Belles, Isabelle Hughes, Hunter Hower, Noah Hower; nephew, Terrence Schell III; nieces, Adrionna Noon, Mariah Burke, and Kaydence Schell; and many close friends.

A memorial service will be held on her birthday, September 11, 2024, at Myrtle Beach. The time will be announced at a later date.

Online condolences may be made on the Crumpler Funeral Home Website.

Raymond McPhatter

April 12, 1943 – July 17, 2024

Mr. Raymond (Boot) McPhatter age, 81 went home to rest with his Heavenly Father on July 17, 2024. He was the son of the late Elder Raymond & Bertha McPhatter. Raymond was preceded in death by his wife Sennie McPhatter.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories his children: Daryl A. McPhatter Sr., Duane A. McPhatter, Devona Graham (Dedrick), Donovan McPhatter (Marquite), Adrienne McPhatter (Special Daughter); aunt, Minnie Bridges, brotherin-law, John Brown; thirteen grandchildren, six greatgrandchildren, ve special great-grandchildren along with a host of other family and friends. Raymond (Boot) will be greatly missed.

The Celebration of Life will held on Wednesday, July 24, at 1:00 p.m. at St. James United Church of God.

Reuben Raynor

November 29, 1961 –July 20, 2024

Mr. Reuben E. Raynor age, 62 transitioned from Earth to Glory on Saturday, July 20, 2024. He leaves to cherish his loving memories his wife, Ruby Raynor; children: Rebecca Raynor, Reuvina Raynor; father, James Bernice Raynor JR., sisters: Michelle Taylor, Florence Renee McCullum, Tammy Tutor, Julie McLaughlin; brothers: Anise Raynor, James Raynor, Lafonde Raynor, James Raynor; two grandchildren along with a host of other family and friends. Reuben will be greatly missed. A Memorial Service to honor his life and legacy will be held on Friday, July 26, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pauline T. Buie Chapel.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@northstatejournal.com

STATE & NATION

3K migrants headed for US border

People from about a dozen countries left southern Mexico on foot in a new caravan

By Edgar H. Clemente

The Associated Press

CIUDAD HIDALGO, México

— About 3,000 migrants from around a dozen countries left from Mexico’s southern border on foot Sunday, as they attempt to make it to the U.S. border.

Some of the members of the group said they hoped to make it to the U.S. border before elections are held in November because they fear that if Donald Trump wins he will follow through on a promise to close the border to asylum-seekers.

“We are running the risk that permits (to cross the border) might be blocked,” said Miguel Salazar, a migrant from El Salvador. He feared that a new Trump administration might stop granting appointments to migrants through CBP One, an app used by asylum seekers to enter the U.S. legally — by getting appointments at U.S. bor-

der posts, where they make their cases to o cials.

The app only works once migrants reach Mexico City, or states in northern Mexico.

“Everyone wants to use that route” said Salazar, 37.

The group left Sunday from the southern Mexican town of Ciudad Hidalgo, which is next to

a river that marks Mexico’s border with Guatemala.

Some said they had been waiting in Ciudad Hidalgo for weeks for permits to travel to

Trump campaign releases update on injury, treatment after assassination attempt

The former president did not require stitches to his ear

By Jill Colvin and Bernard Condon

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Donald

Trump’s campaign released an update on the former president’s health Saturday, one week after he survived an attempted assassination at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The memo, from Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, a staunch supporter who served as Trump’s White House physician, o ers new details on the nature of the GOP nominee’s injuries and the treatment he received in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

It is the most thorough accounting to date of the former president’s condition since the night of the shooting, which also left one rally-goer dead and injured two others.

According to Jackson, Trump sustained a gunshot wound to the right ear that came “less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head, and struck the top of his right ear.”

The bullet track, he said, “produced a 2 cm wide wound that extended down to the cartilaginous surface of the ear. There was initially signi cant bleeding, followed by marked swelling of the entire upper ear.”

While the swelling has re-

solved and the wound “is beginning to granulate and heal properly,” he said Trump is still experiencing intermittent bleeding, requiring the dressing that was on display at last week’s Republican National Convention.

“Given the broad and blunt nature of the wound itself, no sutures were required,” Jackson wrote.

Trump was initially treated

by medical sta at Butler Memorial Hospital. According to Jackson, doctors “provided a thorough evaluation for additional injuries that included a CT of his head.”

Trump, he said, “will have further evaluations, including a comprehensive hearing exam, as needed. He will follow up with his primary care physician, as directed by the doctors that initially evaluated him,” he wrote.

“In summary, former President Trump is doing well, and he is recovering as expected from the gunshot wound sustained last Saturday afternoon,” he added.

Jackson said in the letter that, as Trump’s former doctor, he was worried and traveled to Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump had own late Saturday after he returned from Pennsylvania, “to personally check on

towns further to the north.

Migrants trying to pass through Mexico in recent years have organized large groups to try to reduce the risk of being attacked by gangs or stopped by Mexican immigration o cials as they travel. But the caravans tend to break up in southern Mexico, as people get tired of walking for hundreds of miles.

Recently, Mexico has also made it more di cult for migrants to reach the U.S. border on buses and trains.

Travel permits are rarely awarded to migrants who enter the country without visas and thousands of migrants have been detained by immigration o cers at checkpoints in the center and north of Mexico, and bused back to towns deep in the south of the country.

Oswaldo Reyna a 55-yearold Cuban migrant crossed from Guatemala into Mexico 45 days ago and waited in Ciudad Hidalgo to join the new caravan announced on social media.

He criticized Trump’s recent comments about migrants and how they are trying to “invade” the United States.

“We are not delinquents” he said. “We are hard-working people who have left our country to get ahead in life, because in our homeland we are su ering from many needs.”

him, and o er my assistance in any way possible.”

He said he has been with Trump since that time, evaluating and treating his wound daily, and would remain with Trump through the weekend, including traveling to Michigan, where Trump held his rst rally since the shooting, joined by his new running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. At Saturday’s rally, the white gauze on Trump’s ear was replaced by a skin-colored bandage.

Trump’s campaign and federal law enforcement had released little information on his condition or treatment in the days after the attack, declining to disclose medical records or hold brie ngs with the doctors who treated him at the hospital.

Trauma surgeon Babak Sarani, who said he has been treating more patients with wounds from AR-15-style assault ri es, said the description in the letter was “exactly in line with what you would expect from a bullet wound.”

While the indirect damage is still usually minor, he said the risk of extensive damage is greater than if another gun were used.

“If a bullet whizzes by your ear from a low-caliber handgun, it’s not a big deal. ... You get a headache or feel dizzy like a bad concussion,” said Sarani, chief of trauma at George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. “But if the bullet is from an assault ri e, the energy is bigger, broader, and you’re more likely to develop bruises.”

He added, “in Trump’s case, he got very lucky. The majority of the energy was released in the air. If it had hit him in the head, we would be having a completely di erent conversation.”

EDGAR H. CLEMENTE / AP PHOTO

Migrants walk along the highway Sunday through southern Mexico during their journey north toward the U.S. border.

EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Saturday in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

MOORE COUNTY

Representin’

Moore County’s Kay Wildt was a North Carolina delegate to the RNC in Milwaukee last week. The 300-strong state delegation wore matching seersucker suits to the festive event.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Cornel West supporters sue NCSBE

Three registered voters are suing the North Carolina State Board of Elections, alleging that it violated their constitutional rights. At issue is the board’s rejection last week of a petition seeking recognition for a political party that would put Cornel West on the presidential ballot. Democratic board chair Alan Hirsch said he had concerns in part about how a group called People Over Party collected many of the signatures. Republican lawmakers are questioning whether the board’s Democratic majority is trying to keep West o the ballot because he could take votes away from the Democratic presidential nominee.

Free app helps consumers detect PFAS

Two nonpro ts have released a free app and browser extension to help consumers identify PFAS and other toxic ingredients in everyday products. The app, Clearya, is available in Apple and Google Play stores and allows consumers to make informed decisions. Consumers can analyze labels by taking a photo of the product’s ingredients. The app displays information and warnings about substances that may pose a health risk based on publicly available chemical hazard lists and databases.

Salt Lake City to host 2034 Winter Olympics

Salt Lake City has been formally awarded the 2034 Winter Olympics following a vote by the International Olympic Committee in Paris. The decision gives Utah its second Games after hosting in 2002. Salt Lake City was the lone contender the Olympic committee was considering.

Biden’s North Carolina delegates pledge to Harris

The vice president has enough to clinch the Democratic nomination

By Jordan Golson North State Journal

NORTH CAROLINA’S delegation to the DNC will support the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democrat nominee for president following President Joe Biden’s surprise announcement on Sunday that he will not seek reelection. The announcement was made by a number of Democrat party leaders, including North Carolina DNC delegate Diana Williams Robinson, who announced in a social media post that the state’s DNC delegation was unanimously supporting Harris. Robinson also endorsed Gov. Roy Cooper as a potential running mate for Harris. Cooper is among a number

of prominent Democrats being considered as a VP pick, and The Wall Street Journal reports the Harris campaign has reached out to Cooper’s team for vetting materials as they consider the pick. Former Attorney General Eric Holder is said to be running the VP vetting.

Others being considered include Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Gov. Josh Shapiro (Pa.), Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Mich.), Gov. J.B. Pritzker (Ill.) and Gov. Tim Walz (Minn.). Currently, Kelly is seen as the frontrunner, but things have been changing quickly. According to Polymarket, a prediction website where investors can place bets on the outcome of political races, Cooper has a 20% chance to be picked, with Kelly at 39% and Shapiro at 19% as of Tuesday evening.

Harris has been tallying endorsements and delegate numbers over the past few days, with

the DNC’s complicated nomination rules being scrutinized by lawyers and party insiders to ensure a smooth path to Harris’ nomination. The process has been derisively called a “coronation” by some Republicans, but Harris was was endorsed by Biden when he announced he wasn’t running.

Biden won all of North Carolina’s DNC delegates in the March presidential primary, although the party ensured he was running unopposed. North Carolina has 116 pledged DNC delegates and 14 superdelegates.

Biden had won enough states’ primaries and caucuses to secure support of a majority of the pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention. But those delegates had not yet o cially cast their votes when Biden bowed out of the race.

Biden’s departure frees his delegates to vote for whomever they choose. There are near-

ly 4,700 delegates to the Democratic National Convention, with varying amounts from each state. That includes nearly 4,000 pledged delegates and about 700 superdelegates, such as current and former elected o cials.

A party’s presumptive presidential nominee has never stepped out of the race so close to the election.

Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson, facing criticism because of the Vietnam War, announced in March 1968 that he would not seek another term that year. His announcement came after just a single state’s primary had been held. Biden’s July decision came after more than 14 million Democrats had cast votes supporting him through the primary process.

But throughout U.S. history, political parties have convened numerous conventions amid uncertainty. In 1960, Johnson and John F. Kennedy jockeyed for support from individual state delegations during their party’s convention. Democrats ultimately nominated Kennedy for president and Johnson for vice president.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

NC State’s Woodson announces retirement

The longtime chancellor will step down June 30, 2025

By Makiya Seminera The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Another chancellor in North Carolina’s public university system has announced plans to step down — this time at the state’s largest university by enrollment.

North Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson declared his retirement plans at the university’s trustees meeting Thursday, capping o nearly 15 years in his role. His term will o cially end June 30, 2025, Woodson said. His departure marks yet another chancellor vacancy in the UNC system that is

in the process of lling three other openings: Appalachian State University, Elizabeth City State University and UNC Chapel Hill. Seventeen schools are members of the system.

“I feel good about leaving the institution better than I found it, but I also feel good that the next leader has plenty to do at NC State,” Woodson said during the meeting. “This is a great place.”

With his contract ending next June, Woodson told reporters it was “just a good time” for him to step away from being chancellor. Retirement was something the 67-year-old said he considered for a while.

Woodson received a twoyear contract extension in 2021 that allowed him to serve until 2025 — something UNC System President Peter Hans

said he “twisted his arm at the time to stay.”

“When I think about where NC State was 15 years and where NC State is now, it’s an extraordinary testament to this man’s leadership and the team he has built around him,” Hans told reporters after the meeting. Woodson started in his role as NC State chancellor in 2010. He previously came from Purdue University, where he served as provost, dean of the agriculture college and in various other leadership positions. Under his long tenure at NC State, Woodson led the university in increasing graduation and retention rates and research funding. The university’s enrollment also has grown to more than 37,000 students as of Fall 2023.

He is the university’s third longest-serving chancellor and one of the longest currently serving in the university system. Although he doesn’t have immediate plans for what’s next after his chancellorship, Woodson said he intends to stay in Raleigh. Woodson’s announcement means yet another chancellor search for the UNC sys -

See WOODSON, page 2

PAUL SANCYA / AP PHOTO

“Join the conversation”

North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

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P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer

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UNC settles open-meetings complaint tied to trustee discussions of athletics nances

Transparency laws require most discussions to be open to the public

The Associated Press

CHAPEL HILL — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill must pay $25,000 and its trustees must a rm a commitment to follow the state’s open-meeting laws as part of a settlement that dismissed a lawsuit over the board’s handling of athletics discussions.

David McKenzie, a lawyer in Wake County, had led a complaint in May in Orange County

WOODSON from page 1

We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

tem to embark on after lling four openings in the last year. Those new chancellors now lead four universities: James Martin at NC A&T, Karrie Dixon at NC Central, Bonita Brown at Winston-Salem State and Kimberly van Noort at UNC Asheville. The search for UNC Chapel Hill’s new chancellor — a position opened after former Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz

Superior Court accusing trustees of violating open-meetings laws in previous private-session discussions tied to athletics budgets. It came as UNC trustees weighed in on athletics to highlight growing national tensions with schools jumping from league to league seeking more money tied to TV deals in a football-driven market.

McKenzie told WRAL of Raleigh that he was “satis ed” by the settlement, which had him agree to dismiss the lawsuit and the university would pay $25,000 to cover McKenzie’s expenses and legal costs.

McKenzie’s original complaint came as trustees indicated they would discuss the UNC

left in January — progressed further last week when search committee members started considering candidates. The chancellorship is currently held by Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts, who GOP legislative leaders have signaled support in becoming the next chancellor.

The search committee has been “aggressively in the market” for several weeks to nd suitable candidates, but competition with other univer -

athletics budget in closed session at a coming meeting, as well as referencing private-session discussions on athletics matters in November. That came amid comments questioning the nancial picture under the leadership of athletics director Bubba Cunningham, although UNC’s interim chancellor Lee Roberts publicly backed Cunningham in a public pushback against the trustees. A judge granted multiple temporary restraining issues against UNC’s trustees going into closed session for athletics nancial discussions that could include future conference alignment.

sities conducting chancellor searches has presented challenges, said Laurie Wilder, head of search rm Parker Executive Search, during the meeting. Hans told reporters after the meeting that he thought the high turnover of chancellors could be partly attributed to university leaders postponing their departures to ensure administrations ran smoothly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

moore happening

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

July 25

Moore County Farmer’s Market

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Cost: Free Entrance 604 West Morganton Road (Armory Sports Complex) in Southern Pines.

JTC Summer Theater Festival –They’re Playing Our Song

7 p.m.

Cost: $38

Book by three-time Tony Award winner Neil Simon Music by Oscar and Tony Award winner Marvin Hamlisch

Share

deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: moorecommunity@ northstatejournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

July 16

• Angela Dominique Berry, 29, was arrested by the Robbins Police Department (RPD) for misdemeanor larceny.

July 17

• Juan Carlos GonzalezFrias, 40, was arrested by the Moore County Sheri ’s O ce (MCSO) for domestic criminal trespass.

• Christopher Jonathan Dudley, 43, was arrested by the Pinehurst Police Department (PPD) for hit and run, leaving the scene with property damage.

July 18

• David Michael Owens, 36, was arrested by MCSO for failure to report new

address as a sex o ender.

• Angela Susan Morrison, 48, was arrested by MCSO for forgery of instrument.

• Christine Faye Leonhardt, 48, was arrested by MCSO for possession of a Schedule II controlled substance.

• Uriel Hernandez Betancourt, 25, was arrested by MCSO for statutory rape of a child <= 15.

July 19

• Anthony Lee Furr, 67, was arrested by MCSO for going armed to the terror of people.

July 20

• Steven Darrell Boutot, 37, was arrested by MCSO for

driving while impaired.

July 21

• Savannah Rose Williams, 27, was arrested by RPD for possession of heroin.

• Henry Van Lambert, 68, was arrested by MCSO for misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

Christopher Ray Brock, 38, was arrested by RPD for possession of heroin.

July 22

• Amanda Lynn Taylor, 37, was arrested by PPD for possession of methamphetamine.

• Jeremy Shaun Brewer, 48, was arrested by MCSO for breaking and entering.

Lyrics by Oscar and Grammy Award winner Carol Bayer Sager. America’s premier funny man and the Tony Award-winning composer of A Chorus Line collaborated on this hit musical; a funny, romantic show about a wisecracking composer nding a new, o beat lyricist. Professionally, their relationship works beautifully, but personally, romance blossoms, con ict rears its head, and comic sparks y. The story is based on the real-life relationship of Hamlisch and Sager. They’re Playing Our Song opened at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre on Feb. 11, 1979, where it ran for 1,082 performances.

July 27

Peach Grass Festival

6 p.m.

Cost: Tickets are $10 and kids under 12 are free!

The Weymouth Center, 555 E Connecticut Ave. in Southern Pines Southern Pines’ favorite, Ice Cream for Breakfast, will open with their folk/ indie rock fusion followed by Pocket Change and their bluesy ri s featuring well-known music instructor Ryan Book. The main event is the Low Tide String Band featuring PHS 1982 valedictorian, Brad Brectelsbauer, and his BlueGrass trio which is gaining some traction in the Southeast.

Korean Peach BBQ o ered by Cooking with Kyong. Peach Ice Cream and Peach Drinks will be o ered at the Cash Bar.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Election integrity, consumer choice and the Trump assassination

Noncitizens continue to unlawfully register to vote and then cast their vote — diluting the votes of American citizens.

THE RIGHT to vote is among the most sacred rights we have as Americans. It is fundamental to our democracy and the cornerstone of our freedom.

Ensuring only American citizens are able to vote in our elections is critical to protecting the integrity of our electoral process and, in turn, our democracy. We have laws in the books that make it illegal for noncitizens to vote in U.S. federal elections. However, noncitizens continue to unlawfully register to vote and then cast their vote — diluting the votes of American citizens like you and potentially allowing foreign interference in our elections.

With millions of illegal migrants coming into our country under President Biden’s open border policies, it is vital we safeguard election integrity by preventing noncitizens — including these illegals — from voting. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which House Republicans recently passed, strengthens our election laws by requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

American democracy depends on electoral integrity. Sadly, President Biden and the Democrats don’t share this same

King Trump

This is not a principled court but an entirely partisan one.

“WITH FEAR for our democracy,”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor concludes in her brilliant dissent in Trump v. United States, “I dissent.”

She is right. Very frighteningly right.

After reading what happened at the oral argument, I knew what was coming. The court was looking for a way to carve up the baby, giving some form of immunity to former President Donald Trump without turning him into the absolute monarch. But even I didn’t expect the breadth of Chief Justice John Roberts’ opinion for the court, which e ectively does almost that, with its distinction between o cial acts, which are “presumptively immune” from prosecution, and uno cial acts, which are not. Because the motive of the president in acting illegally cannot be considered, as Sotomayor wrote in dissent, “the category of presidential action that can be deemed ‘uno cial’ is destined to be vanishingly small.” And to take forever, on remand to the district court, and in the endless appeals that will no doubt follow, to de nitively gure out. Certainly, long enough for it to amount to a get-out-of-jailfree card if Trump is the president-elect. Indeed, it is enough to postpone his sentencing for the 34 felony counts of which he’s already been convicted. It took Trump’s lawyers no time at all to claim that paying o a porn star to keep silent about her a air with him before he was president (and thereby rigging the election) was an “o cial

view. In fact, 198 House Democrats voted against our common-sense legislation and President Biden threatened to veto it.

I’m committed to preserving the integrity of our elections and to upholding your trust in our government. The SAVE Act reinforces the foundation upon which our nation’s democracy stands, helping to foster a system that truly re ects the will of the people.

In addition to protecting our democracy, the House recently took action to protect your freedom to choose what is best for your family in your own home.

President Biden’s Department of Energy is attempting to impose burdensome mandates on your refrigerators and dishwashers just to advance their radical, anti-energy agenda. These overreaching rules would take away consumer choice and hurt families like yours by forcing you to use appliances that are more expensive or do not perform as well.

Big Government has become too big, too unaccountable, and too outof-touch with the will and priorities of the American people. However, House Republicans are working to x this.

act” because he signed the reimbursement check to Michael Cohen while he was in the White House. It’s a ridiculous argument which hopefully Judge Juan Merchan will recognize, but not so ridiculous that Merchan wasn’t willing to delay sentencing for another two months. And count on Trump’s lawyers to try to postpone it even longer if the judge does reject it.

And don’t make the mistake of thinking that this is the result of a “conservative” court simply relying on the intent of the founders. Sotomayor made clear that they were doing no such thing. “The Framers clearly knew how to provide for immunity from prosecution,” she writes, “They did provide a narrow immunity for legislators in the Speech or Debate Clause (of the Constitution).”

But nothing about the president, a point the chief justice simply ignores, as he does the part of the Constitution that says that an o cial impeached and convicted by the Senate “shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.” The impeachment clause “clearly contemplates that a former President may be subject to criminal prosecution for the same conduct that resulted (or could have resulted) in an impeachment judgment — including conduct such as ‘Bribery,’ which implicates o cial acts almost by de nition.”

As for the Founding Fathers, the chief justice also ignores Alexander Hamilton’s commentary in the Federalist Papers that former presidents should be “liable to prosecution and punishment in the ordinary course of law.” The Founding Fathers knew full well about the power

We passed legislation to prevent unelected D.C. bureaucrats from implementing these unnecessary and costly regulations on your family. I will continue ghting to protect your consumer choice and keep Big Government out of your home. Under one-party rule in Washington, our government has strayed away from its duty to put you and your family rst. I will continue working to change that and help reestablish a Congress that serves the people rather than itself.

Finally, Renee and I continue to pray for President Donald Trump and all those who were shot and a ected in the recent assassination attempt in Pennsylvania, and we send our gratitude to the brave law enforcement o cers who quickly responded at the scene. This horri c act of political violence is un-American and has no place in our country. Rest assured, House Republicans are committed to getting the truth you deserve and ensuring this never happens again.

Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

of monarchs, and in Hamilton’s words, distinguished between “the king of Great Britain,” who was “sacred and inviolable,” and the “President of the United States,” who “would be amenable to personal punishment.” The majority opinion recognizes no such distinction.

As Sotomayor sees it, the majority’s approach is clear: “Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.”

Roberts ignores the examples cited by his dissenting colleagues as thoroughly as he ignores the originalism that he and his colleagues purport to be guided by.

No, this is not a principled court but an entirely partisan one, and a chief justice who has failed in whatever mission he once pretended to have to protect the legitimacy of the court. This is Bush v. Gore, the opinion that did the most to undermine the court in public polls of any decision in recent history. This is an utterly partisan court, doing its best to elect a president on a 6-3 vote.

I was once one of those who was skeptical of Democratic proposals to tinker with the court’s composition (also known as court-packing) or its lifetime terms (also known as term limits) because I clung to the belief that the court should be protected from ideological manipulation.

No longer. I’m for anything that would shake up a court that has, with utter disregard for ethical constraints and the need to retain public trust, engaged in ideological manipulation of its own.

COLUMN | RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

MOORE SPORTS

NCHSAA reports increase in overall participation, lower participation in baseball across last 2 years

New member schools and sports programs helped lift participation

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association reported a 4.73 percent increase in overall student athlete participation during the 2023-24 season, per a release sent out Monday.

Based on the information reported to the NCHSAA by its member schools, a total of 208,722 student athletes participated in NCHSAA sanctioned sports last year which is over 10,000 more student athletes than the 2022-23 sports season (198,025 athletes).

Every sport, except for baseball, saw an increase in participation.

Although the ve new baseball programs were added to the NCHSAA, the sport saw 153 less players (a 1.4% drop) participate in 2024.

Many of the reported increases were helped by the addition of schools and programs across the state. The NCHSAA added four member schools from 2022-23 (432 schools) to 2023-24 (436 schools).

Winter Spirit saw the largest increase in reported participation. There were 60 more reported Winter Spirit teams in the 2023-24 season, creating an increase of 1,628 athletes.

Boys’ and girls’ indoor track were also signi cantly a ected by the addition of new programs as 21 schools added girls’ teams and 14 schools added boys’ teams. Boys’ indoor track saw a nearly 13% participation increase from the 2022-23 season while the girls saw a 16% increase.

Boys’ golf and boys’ lacrosse also saw increases of 7% and 6%, respectively.

Wrestling saw an increase in participation, too, as 11,317 boys and girls wrestled in the 2023-24 season compared to 9,988 in 2022-23.

In the rst year of girls’ wrestling being a sanctioned sport, 248 schools elded a girls’ wrestling program with a total of 1,432 girls participating.

Here’s the full breakdown of the participation numbers across the two school years:

Fall Sports

Football: 29,075 athletes in 2023-24 (383 schools); 27,809 athletes in 2022-23 (382)

Boys’ cross country: 5,821 athletes in 2023-24 (395); 5,311 athletes in 2022-23 (385)

Boys’ soccer: 12,916 athletes in 2023-24 (407); 11,816 athletes in 2022-23 (402)

Spirit: 9,776 athletes in 2023-24 (386); 9,568 athletes in 2022-23 (386)

Volleyball: 10,303 athletes in 2023-24 (432); 9,779 athletes in 2022-23 (427)

Girls’ cross country: 4,279 athletes in 2023-24 (382); 4,084 athletes in 2022-23 (377)

Girls’ golf: 1,573 athletes in 2023-24 (282); 1,404 athletes in 2022-23 (270)

Girls’ tennis: 4,318 athletes in 2023-24 (340); 4,006 athletes in 2022-23 (337)

Total fall sports: 78,061 athletes in 2023-24; 73,777 athletes in 2022-23

Winter Sports

Boys’ basketball: 11,409 athletes in 2023-24 (434); 11,243 athletes in 2022-23 (431)

Boys’ indoor track: 7,331 athletes in 2023-24 (304); 6,498 athletes in 2022-23 (290)

Boys’ swimming: 3,338 athletes in 2023-24 (305); 3,303

athletes in 2022-23 (300)

Boys’ wrestling: 9,885 athletes in 2023-24 (342)

Spirit: 9,709 athletes in 2023-24 (414); 8,081 athletes in 2022-23 (354)

Girls’ basketball: 7,663 athletes in 2023-24 (429); 7,470 athletes in 2022-23 (425)

Girls’ indoor track: 5,912 athletes in 2023-24 (306); 5,076 athletes in 2022-23 (285)

Girls’ swimming: 4,487 athletes in 2023-24 (306); 4,305 athletes in 2022-23 (304)

Girls’ wrestling: 1,432 athletes in 2023-24 (248)

Wrestling (boys and girls): 9,988 athletes in 2022-23 (346)

Total winter sports: 61,166 athletes in 2023-24; 55,964 athletes in 2022-23

Spring Sports

Baseball: 10,574 athletes in 2023-24 (414); 10,727 athletes in 2022-23 (409)

Boys’ golf: 3,278 athletes in 2023-24 (371); 3,062 athletes in 2022-23 (371)

Boys’ lacrosse: 4,219 athletes in 2023-24 (121); 3,976 athletes in 2022-23 (118)

Boys’ tennis: 3,833 athletes in 2023-24 (319); 3,750 athletes in 2022-23 (314)

Boys’ track: 15,932 athletes in 2023-24 (408); 15,911 athletes in 2022-23 (408)

Softball: 7,017 athletes in 2023-24 (402); 6,912 athletes in 2022-23 (398)

Girls’ lacrosse: 2,726 athletes in 2023-24 (101); 2,700 athletes in 2022-23 (99)

Girls’ soccer: 10,507 athletes in 2023-24 (396); 10,164 athletes in 2022-23 (389)

Girls’ track: 11,409 athletes in 2023-24 (409); 11,082 athletes in 2022-23 (409)

Total spring sports: 69,495 athletes in 2023-24; 68,284 athletes in 2022-23

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

RJ Sales

Pinecrest, baseball

RJ Sales is a 2021 graduate of Pinecrest and played for the school’s baseball team.

Sales won Athlete of the Week earlier this year while pitching for UNC Wilmington. He went 11-3 in his second season with the Seahawks (he redshirted in 2023), striking out 93 and posting a 3.41 ERA.

In high school, Sales led Pinecrest to a Sandhills Conference title in his senior season and was named conference player of the year.

Sales was selected in last week’s MLB Draft, getting taken in the 10th round, No. 296 overall, by the Detroit Tigers.

Kuznetsov clears unconditional waivers, has NHL contract terminated by Hurricanes

The mutual termination clears nearly $4 million in salary cap space

By Stephen Whyno

The Associated Press

EVGENY KUZNETSOV had his contract terminated after clearing unconditional waivers, bringing an abrupt end to the talented but inconsistent center’s NHL career, at least for the time being.

Kuznetsov by agreeing to the mutual termination walks away from the $6 million salary owed to him in the nal season of his $64.2 million, seven-year deal originally signed in 2017.

“Ultimately both sides agreed this was the best course of action for both the player and the team,” general manager Eric Tulsky said Wednesday. “We thank Evgeny for his time with the team and wish him and his family the best.” Reports emerged earlier in the week that Kuznetsov was planning to mutually terminate his contract and go home to Russia to play for SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL. He and his camp had to agree to such a move for this to happen now, unless the Hurricanes waited for a buyout window to open later this summer.

While an arbitration hearing remains on the docket for Martin Necas, Carolina re-signed Jack Drury to a two-year contract worth $3.45 million and must still get a contract done for fellow forward Seth Jarvis with just under $14 million in

salary cap space to spend. “Jack took tremendous steps last season to solidify himself as a key part of our forward group,” Tulsky said upon announcing the deal with Drury. “He is an extremely hard worker at both ends of the ice who can be relied upon at all situations, and we are excited to watch his continued growth in Carolina.”

Carolina acquired Kuznetsov from Washington before the trade deadline in March, with the Capitals agreeing to retain half of his $7.8 million cap hit. His departure from North America removes the $3.9 mil-

lion cap obligation for each team. Kuznetsov was the leading scorer and Conn Smythe runner-up on the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup run but has been up and down since, the constant subject of trade rumors and speculation. He had 13 points in 30 games in a limited role with the Hurricanes as they reached the second round, and coach Rod Brind’Amour even made Kuznetsov a healthy scratch for a game in the playo s.

The inconsistency was not lost on Kuznetsov, who after an early season game in Octo -

ber 2018 said he did not care about being a top- ve player in hockey.

“To be MVP, you have to work hard 365 (days) in a year, but I’m not ready for that,” Kuznetsov said. “I want to have fun, and I want to make those risky plays when sometimes you don’t have to play and you guys don’t understand every time those plays. It’s not easy to make. But to be MVP in this league, you have to play even better. You have to go next level. It’s not easy. More importantly, you have to stay focused 365 (days), but that’s not my style.”

Carolina Hurricanes center Evgeny Kuznetsov skates o as the New York Rangers celebrate in the background following Game 6 of their playo series in May. The Hurricanes and Kuznetsov mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

His trouble was not just on the ice. The league in September 2019 suspended Kuznetsov three games without pay for “inappropriate conduct,” less than a month after he was banned from playing for Russia for four years because of a positive test for cocaine. Kuznetsov more recently entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in February. Upon him being cleared by program administrators to practice, the Capitals put him on waivers with the hope of giving him a fresh start and subsequently sent him to the minors.

KARL B DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

SIDELINE REPORT

MLS

Chicago Fire o er vouchers for fans if Messi doesn’t play

Chicago The Chicago Fire said they will o er vouchers for fans if Inter Miami star Lionel Messi doesn’t play when the teams meet at Soldier Field on Aug. 31. Messi injured a ligament in his right ankle during Argentina’s win over Colombia in the Copa America nal on July 14. If he can’t play, the team will o er single-match buyers who purchase between now and game day $250 o two or more new 2025 Chicago Fire season-ticket memberships or $100 o two or more single match tickets for the 2025 home match against Inter Miami.

WNBA Bird Barbie: Mattel honors WNBA great with signature doll

El Segundo, Calif.

WNBA great Sue Bird has been honored with a signature Barbie doll. Mattel announced it has issued a replica Barbie doll based on the basketball career of Bird. Bird played 21 seasons with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, helping the franchise to four league titles. She also has won ve Olympic gold medals with the U.S. national team. Bird retired after the 2022 season and is now part of Seattle’s ownership. Mattel said the Sue Bird Barbie is part of its Role Model series as the doll celebrates its 65th anniversary.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Clemson gives men’s basketball coach Brownell new contract

Clemson, S.C. Clemson men’s basketball coach Brad Brownell received a new, ve-year contract worth $20 million after leading the Tigers to the Elite Eight this past season. Brownell’s deal was among several for Clemson head coaches and assistants by the university’s board of trustees. Brownell’s agreement keeps him through the 2028-29 season. He’ll make $3.5 million next season, an increase over the $3 million he was scheduled to make under the old deal. Others with new agreements were men’s soccer coach Mike Noonan, who won two of the past three NCAA College Cup titles and baseball coach Erik Bakich.

MLB

Myers’ opportunity at extra playing time ends after injury

Miami Miami Marlins rookie out elder Dane Myers could miss the remainder of the season after he fractured his left ankle kicking a door out of frustration. The Marlins placed Myers on the injured list, and it is uncertain if he will return in 2024. Myers was called out on strikes on a check swing without an appeal to the base umpire. Myers questioned the call, got into a heated exchange with the umpire and was ejected. He then kicked the door. Before his injury, Myers had two home runs and 14 RBI in 40 games.

Larson races to his 1st Brickyard 400 victory

four crown jewel races

By Michael Marot The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle

Larson made a late charge through the eld, managed to get his car re red after a red ag and won the nal two restart battles Sunday before coasting to his rst Brickyard 400 victory under caution. Larson took the lead when Brad Keselowski ran out of fuel and pulled o the track just before the second-to-last restart and beat pole winner Tyler Reddick at the end with the yellow ag out.

“Today was de nitely meant to be for us with the way the strategy was working out and all that fell into place,” Larson said. “Thankfully, it did. I just

can’t believe it. It’s just surreal to win here.”

Larson won in his rst trip back to the speedway since he tried to become the fth driver to complete 1,100 miles of racing on the same May day, at Indy and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Larson won for the fourth time this season and took the points lead from Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott.

The 31-year-old Californian charged back from 12th over the nal 32 laps as many drivers attempted to save fuel in the rst Cup race on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s historic 2.5-mile oval since 2020, with the last three being run on the facility’s 14-turn road course.

Larson has won three of NASCAR’s crown jewel races, missing only the Daytona 500. And his return to Indy was every bit

as exciting as it was in May. When Keselowski pulled o the track before taking the green ag with three to go, he ceded the inside lane to Larson, who take advantage of a clean shot to pass Ryan Blaney’s second-place car just before a vecar pileup that began when Daniel Hemric and John Henry Nemechek made contact.

The crash brought out the red ag and Larson needed an assist in getting his No. 5 Chevrolet stated. Once he did, though, he again had the inside lane, and again beat Blaney o the restart and held on for the victory.

“That’s a heartbreaker. We did everything right today,” said Blaney, who was upset that Larson essentially went from third into the line Keselowski had chosen to restart. “He was in prime position to win and it just didn’t work out for us.”

Denny Hamlin won the rst

stage, his rst ever at Indianapolis, and Bubba Wallace took the second stage, giving him 10 points as he tries to make the playo s. It was Wallace’s rst stage win since 2022. Blaney wound up third, Elliott was fourth and Todd Gilliland was fth.

Quick switch

The race was scheduled to be broadcast on NBC, but viewers who tuned into the network found something else — breaking news about President Joe Biden withdrawing from the presidential race.

NBC made the decision to brie y switch the telecast to USA Network, which also covered some of the weekend’s festivities then went back to Cup coverage at the start of the race. The race also nished on USA Network after the red ag stoppage, again because of the breaking news.

Back home again

Before the race, speedway owner Roger Penske and PPG announced they have extended and expanded their partnership for both the Cup and IndyCar Series.

Wake-up call for the US men’s basketball arrives

LeBron James hit a layup with seconds left to avoid an upset

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

SOUTH SUDAN is the 33rdranked team in the FIBA world rankings, by far the lowest of any of the 12 nations that will be vying for men’s basketball gold in the Paris Olympics that start this week.

The U.S. is ranked No. 1.

South Sudan nearly beat the Americans anyway.

The wake-up call for the U.S. Olympic team seems to have arrived. A 101-100 win over South Sudan on Saturday in London came on a day when plenty went wrong for the Americans — tra c getting to the arena was brutal and Anthony Davis said arriving late threw o players’ routines, South Sudan shot lights-out from 3-point range and outscored the U.S. 42-21 from deep and the U.S. struggled in plenty of aspects.

“There’s great teams all over the place and nothing is guaranteed at this point for USA Basketball,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said earlier this summer.

“We know that well, I know it personally. We won the gold medal in Tokyo, but we lost three games along the way. Our gold-medal game against France went right down to the wire. So, this is an entirely different competition than it was in 1992.” There was no doubt who was winning gold in 1992: The rst U.S. Dream Team overpowered every team in its path. Chuck Daly coached a roster that in-

cluded 11 future Hall of Famers; Kerr loves relaying the story that Daly never had to call a timeout that whole summer, because no game was ever in any sort of jeopardy. Kerr had to call one on Saturday with 20 seconds left to get LeBron James the ball and set up what became the winning, embarrassment-saving basket for the one-point win against South Sudan, a nation that is set to make its Olympic debut and doesn’t have a suitable indoor facility for national team-level basketball training.

“A lot of these teams we’re playing have been practicing either one month or months in

advance,” James said. “We’re like maybe two weeks into it, together. So, every game, every lm session, every opportunity we have to try to make the most of it.”

“We’ve got a great 12 guys,” U.S. guard Stephen Curry said.

“Basketball is such an interesting sport that if you don’t play the right way, if you don’t come with the right energy and the right focus to go play defense, rebound, not turn the ball over, you can be beat. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing. So, it’s a good reminder of that.” Saturday was also a good reminder of this: Nobody seems intimidated by the U.S. Not

even 17-year-olds.

“We can be beat if we don’t play our brand of basketball and our brand of basketball is playing defense,” Curry said. “They made some tough shots in the rst half and they’re a skilled team with a lot of shooting, so if they get hot, they’re tough. But we didn’t make them uncomfortable at all in the rst half and they took advantage of it.

“But we also learned we have that gear. If we can nd it, no matter who’s out there on the court, we can overwhelm teams for 40 minutes. And it’s a great reminder of both. If we don’t play our game, we can be beat. We’re not invincible.”

KIN CHEUNG / AP PHOTO

United States forward LeBron James, left and U.S. guard Stephen Curry shake hands during a closer-than-expected exhibition win over South Sudan in London.

The win gives Larson three of NASCAR’s

DARRON CUMMINGS / AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson drives into a turn on his way to a win at the Brickyard 400 in in Indianapolis.

Paris using AI, jets, police squadrons to secure upcoming Olympic Games

By John Leicester

The Associated Press

PARIS — A year ago, the head of the Paris Olympics boldly declared that France’s capital would be “the safest place in the world “when the Games open this Friday. Tony Estanguet’s con dent forecast looks less farfetched now with squadrons of police patrolling Paris’ streets, ghter jets and soldiers primed to scramble, and imposing metal-fence security barriers erected like an iron curtain on both sides of the River Seine that will star in the opening show.

France’s vast police and military operation is in large part because the July 26-Aug. 11 Games face unprecedented security challenges. The city has repeatedly su ered deadly extremist attacks and international tensions are high because of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Rather than build an Olympic park with venues grouped together outside of the city center, like Rio de Janeiro in 2016 or London in 2012, Paris has chosen to host many of the events in the heart of the bustling capital of 2 million inhabitants, with others dotted around suburbs that house millions more.

Putting temporary sports arenas in public spaces and the unprecedented choice to stage a river-borne opening ceremony stretching for miles along the Seine makes safeguarding them more complex.

Olympic organizers also have cyberattack concerns, while rights campaigners and Games critics are worried about Paris’ use of AI-equipped surveillance technology and the broad scope and scale of Olympic security.

A Games-time force of up to 45,000 police and gendarmes is also backed up by a 10,000-strong contingent of soldiers that has set up the largest military camp in Paris since World War II, from which soldiers should be able to reach

55K

Police, gendarmes and soldiers who will patrol Paris during the Summer Olympics

any of the city’s Olympic venues within 30 minutes.

Armed military patrols aboard vehicles and on foot have become common in crowded places in France since gunmen and suicide bombers acting in the names of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group repeatedly struck Paris in 2015. They don’t have police powers of arrest but can tackle attackers and restrain them until police arrive.

Rafale ghter jets, airspace-monitoring AWACS surveillance ights, Reaper surveillance drones, and helicopters that can carry sharpshooters and equipment to disable drones

will police Paris skies, which will be closed during the opening ceremony by a no- y zone extending for 93 miles around the capital. Cameras twinned with arti cial intelligence software — authorized by a law that expands the state’s surveillance powers for the Games — will ag potential security risks, such as abandoned packages or crowd surges, France is also getting help from more than 40 countries that, together, have sent at least 1,900 police reinforcements.

Attacks by lone individuals are a major concern, a risk driven home most recently to French o cials by the assassination attempt against Donald Trump.

Some involved in the Olympic security operation were stunned that the gunman armed with an AR-style ri e got within range of the former U.S. president.

“No one can guarantee that there won’t be mistakes. There, however, it was quite glaring,” said Gen. Philippe Pourqué, who oversaw the construction of

Curfew, ‘shoot-on-sight order’ imposed in Bangladesh following deadly protests

The demonstrations are against a quota system for government jobs

By Julhas Alam and Sheikh Saaliq

The Associated Press

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Police imposed a strict curfew with a “shoot-on-sight” order across Bangladesh as military forces patrolled parts of the capital over the weekend after scores were killed and hundreds injured in clashes over the allocation of civil service jobs.

The demonstrations — called for mainly by student groups— started weeks ago to protest a quota system that reserves up to 30% of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence in 1971. Violence erupted Tuesday, with the Daily Prothom Alo newspaper reporting the death of at least 103 people.

Friday was likely to be the deadliest day so far; Somoy TV reported 43 killed, while an Associated Press reporter saw 23 bodies at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, but it was not immediately clear whether they all died on Friday. On Thursday, 22 others were reported dead

as protesting students attempted to “completely shut down” the country.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka said Friday that reports indicated “hundreds to possibly thousands” were injured across Bangladesh. It said the situation was “extremely volatile.”

Bangladeshi authorities haven’t shared any o cial numbers of those killed and injured.

O cials said the curfew was to quell further violence after

police and protesters clashed in the streets and at university campuses in Dhaka and other cities across the South Asian country. Authorities blocked online communications by banning mobile and internet services. Several television news channels also went o the air, and the websites of most local newspapers were down. Meanwhile, some key government websites, including Bangladesh’s central bank and the

prime minister’s o ce, appeared to have been hacked and defaced.

Local media also reported that some 800 inmates ed from a prison in Narsingdi, a district north of the capital, after protesters stormed the facility and set it on re Friday.

The chaos highlights cracks in Bangladesh’s governance and economy and the frustration of youths who lack good jobs upon graduation. They also represent the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina since she won a fourth consecutive term in o ce after January’s elections, boycotted by the main opposition groups.

Protesters argue the quota system is discriminatory and bene ts supporters of Hasina, whose Awami League party led the independence movement, saying it should be replaced with a merit-based system. Hasina has defended the quota system, saying that veterans deserve the highest respect for their contributions in the war against Pakistan, regardless of their political a liation.

Representatives from both sides met late Friday in an attempt to reach a resolution. At least three student leaders were present and demanded the re -

a temporary camp in southeast Paris housing 4,500 soldiers from the Sentinelle force.

In France, in the last 13 months alone, men acting alone have carried out knife attacks that targeted tourists in Paris and children in a park in an Alpine town, among others. A man who stabbed a teacher to death at his former high school in northern France in October had been under surveillance by French security services for suspected Islamic radicalization.

With the long and bitter experience of deadly extremist attacks, France has armed itself with a dense network of police units, intelligence services and investigators who specialize in ghting terrorism, and suspects in terrorism cases can be held longer for questioning.

Hundreds of thousands of background checks have scrutinized Olympic ticket-holders, workers and others involved in the Games and applicants for passes to enter Paris’ most tightly controlled security zone, along the Seine’s banks. The checks blocked more than 3,900 people from attending, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said. He said some were agged for suspected Islamic radicalization, left- or right-wing political extremism, signi cant criminal records and other security concerns.

form of the current quota system, the reopening of student dormitories shut by the police following the clashes and for some university o cials to step down after failing to protect campuses from the violence. Law Minister Anisul Huq said late Friday the government was open to discussing their demands.

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has backed the protests, vowing Friday to organize its own demonstrations as many of its supporters joined the students’ protests. However, BNP said in a statement its followers were not responsible for the violence and denied the ruling party’s accusations of using the protests for political gains.

The Awami League and the BNP have often accused each other of fueling political chaos and violence, most recently ahead of the country’s national election, which was marred by a crackdown on several opposition gures. Hasina’s government had accused the opposition party of attempting to disrupt the vote.

In 2018, the government halted the job quotas following mass student protests. But in June, Bangladesh’s High Court nullied that decision and reinstated the quotas after relatives of 1971 veterans led petitions. The Supreme Court suspended the ruling, pending an appeal hearing, and said in a statement it will take the issue up Sunday.

Hasina has called on protesters to wait for the court’s verdict.

The assassination attempt on Donald Trump raised security concerns

RAJIB DHAR / AP PHOTO

Students clash with riot police during a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, last week against a quota system for government jobs.

obituaries

Freeman Isaac Petty

October 11, 1943 –July 18, 2024

Mr. Freeman Isaac Petty, age 80 years, of Pineblu , earned his wings on Thursday, July 18, 2024. He passed at First Health Hospice House in Pinehurst.

Mr. Petty, a ectionately known as Fip was born October 11, 1943, the son of Freeman A. Petty and Fannie Mae Butler of Dublin, Georgia. He had been disabled since 1970. He was a long-distance truck driver for Dewitt Company. He had also served in the Army.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 45 years, Doris, who passed recently in March, his parents, a sister, Joy Mills, a brother, Deemer, and a grandson, Kyle McRae.

He is survived by his children: Debra Loggins (Joe) of Thomasville, Teresa Wheeler (Allan), Billy McRae of Eagle Springs, Jimmy McRae (Marcie) of Aberdeen, Jerry McRae of Vass, Nita Stuber (Jimmy) of Wilmington, and Freeman I. Petty, Jr. (Ashley) of Whispering Pines.

Also surviving are his siblings: 3 sisters: Martha Butler of Groveland, Florida, Della Lowe of Mascotte, Florida, Lois Ryan of Mascotte, Florida and one brother, John Petty, also of Mascotte. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 11 nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held at Bethesda Cemetery in Aberdeen on July 22, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with military honors.

Special thanks to First Health Hospice House of Pinehurst.

Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines, NC.

Edwin Howell Matthewson

April 14, 1926 – July 20, 2024

Edwin Howell Matthewson died of old age at his home near Pinehurst, North Carolina, on July 20, 2024. He was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, on August 14, 1926. His parents, Edwin L. and Frances L. Matthewson were part of a signi cant oral business in Sheboygan, which included a large greenhouse and downtown retail store. When the great depression caused the loss of the oral business and their home, Mrs. Matthewson, her daughter Jane and son Edwin moved to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Howell, who lived on a farm near Coopersville, Michigan.

Edwin loved his new place on the farm and rst attended the Lillie School, a one-room schoolhouse about a mile from home. Edwin then attended and graduated from Coopersville High School where he was very active in football, basketball, baseball and track, as well as receiving scholastic honors. Edwin was only 16 years old upon graduating from high school in 1943. This resulted from an action by the teacher at the Lillie School, Mrs. Bliss, who advanced Edwin to the 6th grade since he was the only student in the 5th grade at that time.

Edwin enlisted in the Navy V-5 o cer training program on his 17th birthday but spent a semester at Michigan State College in East Lansing because he would not be called to active duty until early 1944. His rst active-duty training assignment was at Western Michigan College in Kalamazoo. In November of 1944, he was transferred to the Navy V-12 o cer training program at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and was commissioned from there in June 1946. Following his commission, he served as the gunnery o cer on a naval destroyer, the USS Macomb. After his military service, he returned to Michigan, where he helped build a home for his grandparents in the city of Coopersville so they could leave the farm.

When the home was

complete, Edwin married Shirley Anne Hughes of Muskegon, and the couple moved to South Bend to complete his education at Notre Dame. Their son Charles was born during Edwin’s junior year. Charles’ birth enabled them to move onto the university campus in an area known as Vetville, with housing exclusively for veterans with children. The rst visitor to the new Matthewson family home was Rev. Theodore Hesburg, who would later become the president of Notre Dame for 35 years, but at that time was the chaplain for Vetville.

Following graduation at Notre Dame, Edwin returned to Coopersville with his degree in mechanical engineering and started work at Air Control Products, where his grandfather now worked. The company was then headed by Mr. Robert L. Leigh, who became Edwin’s great mentor. After this work experience, Edwin had several other manufacturing management positions in Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, and Battle Creek, Michigan, but found his great career love, and eventually retirement, as the president of Pullman Industries of Troy, Michigan.

During the early manufacturing years, Edwin’s family grew with the birth of Mary Frances, Deborah Faye, and James Edwin. James was lost in a car accident in December of 1979. The remaining three children had eight children of their own, and to date those children have had 23 great grandchildren for Edwin’s family. During Edwin’s tenure with the HiLex Corporation of Battle Creek, he met and married his recently deceased wife, Mary Ann. He was living in their home in West End, North Carolina, at the time of his death.

Edwin is survived by his son Charles Matthewson and wife Edie of Tucson, Arizona; his daughter Mary Frances Matthewson also of Tucson; his daughter Deborah Faye Shaw and husband William of Frankfort, Michigan; Mary Ann’s daughter Judy Spivey and husband Je rey of West End; and as mentioned, 8 grandchildren and 23 greatgrandchildren.

Edwin was a life member of the Lisbon-Crescent Masonic Lodge #229 of Michigan, a member of Post #12 of the American Legion at Carthage, North Carolina, and a member of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Seven Lakes, North Carolina.

A graveside burial service with military honors for this World War II veteran will be held at the Seven Lakes Cemetery tentatively on August 17, 2024. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Seven Lakes.

Neil Robert Schubert Jr.

July 17, 1940 – July 18, 2024

Neil Robert Schubert, Jr., of Pinehurst, NC, passed away peacefully at his home on July 18, 2024. He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years Linda (Loring), son Neil (Anna Ferreira Schubert) of Wilmington, NC, daughters Christine Lane (Edward) of Hagerstown, MD, Dina Mauger of San Juan Capistrano, CA, Letitia Vasquez, of Temecula, CA, and Randalyn Vasquez of Corona, CA, brother Richard (Linda), and sister Carol Wilson (Stan), 15 grandchildren, and 6 greatgrandchildren.

Neil, Jr. was born on July 17, 1940, in Chicago, IL, to parents Neil and Dorothy (Dauphinais) Schubert. He graduated high school from DePaul Academy in Chicago in 1958. He married Penney Kircho in 1961 and became a door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman. Their son, Neil, III, was born in 1962 and soon after the family moved to Orange County, CA. Neil graduated from California State University

Thomas Alan McLaurin

July 17, 2024

Thomas Alan McLaurin passed peacefully at home on Wednesday, July 17th, 2024. Thomas studied Mechanical Engineering at Central Carolina Technical College and went on to work for the North Carolina Parks & Recreation Department, from which he eventually retired. He was a gifted mechanic who often crafted his own tools if none were readily available. Thomas is survived by his devoted wife, sister, brother-inlaw, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, as well as many cousins and friends.

Throughout his life, Thomas was a passionate lover of animals. In lieu of owers, donations may be made to the Moore County Humane Society.

at Fullerton in 1966 with a degree in accounting and in 1970 began work at Lear Siegler Inc., Electronics Instrumentation Division in Anaheim, CA. He rose through the company to become the Vice President of Finance. It was at Lear Siegler where he found friendship with a group of men and women whom he cherished for the rest of his life. It was also there that he met Linda, and they were married in 1984. He left Lear Siegler in 1990 and went on to work at Ricoh DTG before retiring in 1993. In 2005, Neil and Linda moved from southern California to Pinehurst, NC. Along the way, Neil took up golf and became an avid golfer. He and Linda were members of Los Coyotes Country Club in Buena Park, CA, and lived in a beautiful house that backed up to the course. In North Carolina, they became members of Whispering Pines Country Club. Besides golf, Neil and Linda loved to travel together. They cruised to Alaska, the Tahitian Islands, England and Denmark, French canals in Champagne, and the Panama Canal. They had several trips to Europe, including trips to Italy and France with their children and their friends, and they traveled to Brazil with family. He was a fan of baseball and he loved to read, particularly history. But what he loved most was to enjoy an evening of ne food and ne wine with family and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the dedicated sta of First Health Hospice of Pinehurst, NC. In lieu of owers, please consider a donation to the Foundation of FirstHealth.

STATE & NATION

3K migrants headed for US border

People from about a dozen countries left southern Mexico on foot in a new caravan

By Edgar H. Clemente

The Associated Press

CIUDAD HIDALGO, México

— About 3,000 migrants from around a dozen countries left from Mexico’s southern border on foot Sunday, as they attempt to make it to the U.S. border.

Some of the members of the group said they hoped to make it to the U.S. border before elections are held in November because they fear that if Donald Trump wins he will follow through on a promise to close the border to asylum-seekers.

“We are running the risk that permits (to cross the border) might be blocked,” said Miguel Salazar, a migrant from El Salvador. He feared that a new Trump administration might stop granting appointments to migrants through CBP One, an app used by asylum seekers to enter the U.S. legally — by getting appointments at U.S. bor-

der posts, where they make their cases to o cials.

The app only works once migrants reach Mexico City, or states in northern Mexico.

“Everyone wants to use that route” said Salazar, 37.

The group left Sunday from the southern Mexican town of Ciudad Hidalgo, which is next to

a river that marks Mexico’s border with Guatemala.

Some said they had been waiting in Ciudad Hidalgo for weeks for permits to travel to

Trump campaign releases update on injury, treatment after assassination attempt

The former president did not require stitches to his ear

By Jill Colvin and Bernard Condon

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Donald

Trump’s campaign released an update on the former president’s health Saturday, one week after he survived an attempted assassination at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

The memo, from Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, a staunch supporter who served as Trump’s White House physician, o ers new details on the nature of the GOP nominee’s injuries and the treatment he received in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

It is the most thorough accounting to date of the former president’s condition since the night of the shooting, which also left one rally-goer dead and injured two others.

According to Jackson, Trump sustained a gunshot wound to the right ear that came “less than a quarter of an inch from entering his head, and struck the top of his right ear.”

The bullet track, he said, “produced a 2 cm wide wound that extended down to the cartilaginous surface of the ear. There was initially signi cant bleeding, followed by marked swelling of the entire upper ear.”

While the swelling has re-

solved and the wound “is beginning to granulate and heal properly,” he said Trump is still experiencing intermittent bleeding, requiring the dressing that was on display at last week’s Republican National Convention.

“Given the broad and blunt nature of the wound itself, no sutures were required,” Jackson wrote.

Trump was initially treated

by medical sta at Butler Memorial Hospital. According to Jackson, doctors “provided a thorough evaluation for additional injuries that included a CT of his head.”

Trump, he said, “will have further evaluations, including a comprehensive hearing exam, as needed. He will follow up with his primary care physician, as directed by the doctors that initially evaluated him,” he wrote.

“In summary, former President Trump is doing well, and he is recovering as expected from the gunshot wound sustained last Saturday afternoon,” he added.

Jackson said in the letter that, as Trump’s former doctor, he was worried and traveled to Bedminster, New Jersey, where Trump had own late Saturday after he returned from Pennsylvania, “to personally check on

towns further to the north.

Migrants trying to pass through Mexico in recent years have organized large groups to try to reduce the risk of being attacked by gangs or stopped by Mexican immigration o cials as they travel. But the caravans tend to break up in southern Mexico, as people get tired of walking for hundreds of miles.

Recently, Mexico has also made it more di cult for migrants to reach the U.S. border on buses and trains.

Travel permits are rarely awarded to migrants who enter the country without visas and thousands of migrants have been detained by immigration o cers at checkpoints in the center and north of Mexico, and bused back to towns deep in the south of the country.

Oswaldo Reyna a 55-yearold Cuban migrant crossed from Guatemala into Mexico 45 days ago and waited in Ciudad Hidalgo to join the new caravan announced on social media.

He criticized Trump’s recent comments about migrants and how they are trying to “invade” the United States.

“We are not delinquents” he said. “We are hard-working people who have left our country to get ahead in life, because in our homeland we are su ering from many needs.”

him, and o er my assistance in any way possible.”

He said he has been with Trump since that time, evaluating and treating his wound daily, and would remain with Trump through the weekend, including traveling to Michigan, where Trump held his rst rally since the shooting, joined by his new running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance. At Saturday’s rally, the white gauze on Trump’s ear was replaced by a skin-colored bandage.

Trump’s campaign and federal law enforcement had released little information on his condition or treatment in the days after the attack, declining to disclose medical records or hold brie ngs with the doctors who treated him at the hospital.

Trauma surgeon Babak Sarani, who said he has been treating more patients with wounds from AR-15-style assault ri es, said the description in the letter was “exactly in line with what you would expect from a bullet wound.”

While the indirect damage is still usually minor, he said the risk of extensive damage is greater than if another gun were used.

“If a bullet whizzes by your ear from a low-caliber handgun, it’s not a big deal. ... You get a headache or feel dizzy like a bad concussion,” said Sarani, chief of trauma at George Washington Hospital in Washington, D.C. “But if the bullet is from an assault ri e, the energy is bigger, broader, and you’re more likely to develop bruises.”

He added, “in Trump’s case, he got very lucky. The majority of the energy was released in the air. If it had hit him in the head, we would be having a completely di erent conversation.”

EDGAR H. CLEMENTE / AP PHOTO

Migrants walk along the highway Sunday through southern Mexico during their journey north toward the U.S. border.

EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Saturday in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Murphy to Manteo Jones & Blount

NC well-represented in 2024 Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics, o cially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, will take place in Paris, France from July 26 to Aug. 11. Check out North Carolina 2024 Olympic Athletes below.

1. CHARLOTTE

Anna Cockrell

Track & Field

Cierra Burdick

Women’s Basketball

Stephen Curry

Men’s Basketball

2. WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY

Dearica Hamby Women’s Basketball

3. UNC CHAPEL HILL

Women’s Soccer

Emily Fox

Crystal Dunn

Katie Bowen Field Hockey

Ashley Hoffman

Meredith Sholder

Ashley Sessa Diving

Greg Duncan

Aranza Vasquez Montano

Patrick Hussey Swimming (Canada)

Rinky Hijikata Men’s Tennis (Australia)

Ethan Ramos Wrestling

Naya Tapper Rugby

WEST PIEDMONT

Games in Paris. Arturo Padilla is currently a coach at KPAC Gymnastics in Statesville, a gym owned by retired American Elite Gymnast Kristie Phillips. In 2013, Padilla became a judge for smaller competitions and in 2016, he quali ed for Olympic eligibility as a Category 2

told local outlets that he is still in shock after the discovery of a rare orange lobster. “It’s always a great day that we can one of nature’s rare things and save it and preserve it. This weekend our regular lobster delivery, we got an orange lobster, and it is a very rare thing to come through,” he said. Genetic mutations can lead to lobsters that are di erent colors, such as blue lobsters, which are 1 out of every 2 million, but to nd a lobster like this is only 1 in 30 million. The orange lobster is now located at Ripley’s Aquarium in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is the second orange lobster at Ripley’s Aquarium. WLOS

Reynolds HS student drowns in rip current Forsyth County A teenage girl from Winston-Salem drowned in a rip current while visiting Ocean Isle Beach last week. Local outlets report she was a student at Reynolds High School and was with the school’s robotics team. Two other students were also caught in the rip current with her and were rescued. The teen was unresponsive when rescuers got to her, and they could not revive her. “I am heartbroken by this tragic news,” Superintendent Tricia McManus said in a statement.

WXII

Trial begins in HPU student strangling

Guilford County The trial of a man accused of killing a High Point University student in 2021 before eeing to Tennessee has begun.

Michael Cadogan is accused of killing Gianna Delgado, who was a 19-year-old student. Cadogan was 24 at the time of the killing. Cadogan allegedly admitted to a friend that he had strangled Delgado to death during an argument and needed help disposing of her car and body in Tennessee. Police ultimately found Cadogan with Delgado’s body in the car.

WBTV

7. PINETOWN

Ben Adebayo Men’s Basketball 4. DUKE

Jayson Tatum Men’s Basketball

Chelsea Gray Women’s Basketball

Leah Crouse Field Hockey

Brynn King Track & Field

Morgan Pearson Triathalon

UNCG Millennial Campus vision comes to life Guilford County

The Millennial Campus is starting to take shape at UNC Greensboro, according to campus leaders who say two unique districts will emphasize creativity across disciplines and within the campus and community. The new space will be made up of two areas: a health and wellness district, and a visual and performing arts district. The visual and performing arts district will be based around Tate Street, a central piece of the UNCG community and home to numerous theaters and creative spaces. The goal is to open up more spaces for collaboration and creativity in a familiar space. Leaders say they hope to create more holistic students and community members through existing spaces on campus or inside new ones. O cials are nalizing plans for the space, but early renderings show theater spaces, meeting rooms, studio o cers and a digital lab.

WGHP

5. NC COURAGE

Women’s Soccer

Kerolin Nicoli (Brazil)

Sydney Collins [Canada)

Cortnee Vine [Australia)

Casey Murphy

RALEIGH

Veronica Fraley Track & Field

NC STATE

Swimming

Katherine Berkoff

Ryan Held

Bartosz Piszczorowicz (Poland)

Kacper Stokowski (Poland)

Sophie Hansson (Sweden)

Nyls Korstanje (Netherlands)

Andreas Vazaios (Greece)

Track & Field

McKenzie Long

EAST

S.C. man dies after kayak capsized in Outer Banks

Dare County

A South Carolina man is dead after a kayaking incident at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Saturday morning, according to a statement from the National Park Service. O cials say a 72-year-old launched his kayak and then capsized about 50 yards from the beach trying to ride a wave. The bystanders swam out to help the man from the kayak and brought him back to the beach, where CPR was performed unsuccessfully.

WFMY

Pitt County CC announces new president Pitt County The State Board of Community Colleges approved Maria A. Pharr to serve as the next president of Pitt Community College, according to a press statement. Pharr, who has been president of South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) for the past seven years, will become the rst woman to serve as the college’s top administrator. She replaces Lawrence Rouse, who retired in June after six years with Pitt CC. Pharr is expected to begin her duties Aug. 13.

WNCT

Teams continue search for missing mom, toddler Halifax County Authorities in Halifax County are searching for a missing mother and her son, o cials said Saturday. A door-todoor search was started just after 1 p.m. Saturday in several areas in Weldon, according to a news release from the Halifax County Sheri ’s O ce. Police in the Northampton County town of Jackson are searching for Sharbrina McGee, 26, and her 3-year-old son, who have been missing for three weeks, the news release said. McGee and her child were reported missing on June 29, according to the news release that also included photos of each. The boy’s name was not included in the information released Saturday. Halifax County search teams assisted Jackson Police on Saturday, visiting the Weldon Housing Complex, East and West 11th streets, Elm and Sycamore streets, and Ransome Circle, o cials said. Halifax County o cials said anyone with information about the location of the pair should contact Jackson Police Chief B. Burnette at 252-554-9779. WNCN

environmental grant program controlled by Stein’s o ce. The Randolph-brought case is part of a series of legal challenges to the use of these funds, with previous attempts to direct the funds to schools rejected by the state Supreme Court. Multiple requests for comment on the ruling went unreturned by Stein’s