North State Journal — Vol. 2., Issue 56

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 56

|

WWW.NSJONLINE.COM |

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

Inside Understanding Duke’s annual January lull, Sports

LAUREN ROSE | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The marching band from Bear Grass Charter School opened Tuesdays School Choice Week rally by playing the national anthem at North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh on Jan. 23.

the Wednesday

NEWS BRIEFING

2 students dead, 12 others wounded by gunfire in Kentucky high school Benton, Ky. A 15-year-old boy opened fire with a handgun in his high school Tuesday, killing two fellow students and wounding a dozen other students before being arrested, the state’s governor and police said. The shooting began shortly before 8 a.m. at Marshall County High School, about 130 miles northwest of Nashville.

Authorities offered no information on the motive behind the shooting. The teen, who faces multiple charges of murder and attempted murder, knew the victims.

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

Trump signs solar panel tariff Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump signed into law a 30 percent tariff on imported solar panels on Tuesday. The tariff is among the first unilateral trade restrictions imposed by the administration as part of a broader protectionist agenda intended to help U.S. businesses struggling to compete with companies producing lower-priced goods overseas. China, the world’s biggest solar panel producer, complained the decision would undermine global trade. The administration also introduced a tariff on imported washing machines.

Magnitude-7.9 quake off Alaska sparks brief West Coast tsunami fears Anchorage Tsunami alerts were lifted on Tuesday for the West Coast after a magnitude-7.9 earthquake struck in the Gulf of Alaska shortly after midnight, sending the state’s coastal residents inland to seek shelter from possible tidal waves. Officials had warned residents as far south as San Francisco to be ready to evacuate coastal areas, but by 5:15 a.m. the U.S. National Weather Service had lifted all tsunami advisories.

Families, teachers rally at state capital for school choice Parents and policymakers come together to advocate for N.C.’s educational options

By Donna King North State Journal RALEIGH — The rain on Tuesday morning did not dampen the spirits of more than 100 parents, students, teachers, and other supporters of school choice in N.C. Just as the skies were clearing, the crowd piled into the auditorium at the N.C. Museum of History for a rally to recognize national School Choice Week. The event was one of 1,025 events across the state this week to raise awareness and celebrate the growing prominence of charter and magnet schools across the state.

“We participate in Nation-

al School Choice Week to bring awareness to those who live in our seven-county service area.

NSCW is a great way for schools to market themselves and show communities that they do have a choice in educating their children,” said Jason K. Wynne, head of school at Lawrence Academy, a private independent school serving 231 students in grades K-12 in Merry Hill, NC. N.C. is among the states with the fastest growing public charter school system, particularly after a cap on the number of public charter schools was lifted last year. At the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year, 90,000 of N.C.’s students attend one of the state’s 173 public charter schools. Organizers of School Choice Week say the week is not political and not just about public charter schools, but See SCHOOL CHOICE, page A2

JOSHUA ROBERTS | REUTERS

Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Jan. 23.

U.S. Attorney General orders probe of FBI agents’ texts Lawmakers call for a second special counsel as FBI loses key part of investigation timeline

By Donna King North State Journal WASHINGTON, D.C. — While much of the nation turned its attention to the 3-day government shutdown over the weekend, members of Congress were stunned to find out that the Federal Bureau of Investigation has lost about five months’ worth of text messages between two staffers under congressional investigation. The controversy triggered a Department of Justice investigation announced by Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday.

The two FBI staffers, agent

Peter Strzok and lawyer Lisa Page, worked on probes into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's emails and possible collusion between Russia and President Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Congressional investigators have focused on them in recent weeks after learning the two had exchanged more than 50,000 texts, many of them anti-Trump, on their work-issued cell phones during the time they were assigned to the cases.

Republicans have said earlier batches of texts, which referred to Trump as an "idiot" and a "loathsome human," raised concerns of bias against Trump and favorable treatment for Clinton.

Some messages alluded to a “secret society” within the bureau See FBI, page A2

LAUREN ROSE | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Parents showed their support at a rally organized by the N.C. Association for Public Charter Schools.

INSIDE N.C. lawmakers say they will appeal redistricting order to the U.S. Supreme Court Jones & Blount

5

20177 52016 $2.00

8

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 24, 2018

A2 WEDNESDAY

FBI from page A1

1.24.18 #112

“The whole state.

The whole story.”

Visit North State Journal online! nsjonline.com jonesandblount.com nsjsports.com carolinabrewreview.com chickenbonealley.com

We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Donna King Editor Cory Lavalette Managing/Sports Editor Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor

Published each Wednesday

by North State Media, LLC 819 W. Hargett Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27603 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $25.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 819 W. Hargett Street Raleigh, N.C. 27603.

Get in touch!

www nsjonline.com

North State Journal

@nsjnews

JOSHUA ROBERTS | REUTERS

The U.S. Capitol is seen from behind treesi n Washington, D.C., Jan. 20.

Democrats withdraw offer to fund Trump’s border wall A day after federal Trump’s signing of the bill allowed the government to reopen government reopens, immigration debate heats up fully on Tuesday and keep the

By NSJ Staff WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats on Tuesday withdrew an offer to fund President Donald Trump’s border wall despite negotiations, many of them in public, that said the deeper debate on immigration and border security would continue after the spending bill vote ended a three-day government shutdown.

Tough negotiations lay ahead for both parties over the future of young illegal immigrants.

A day after the end of a government shutdown linked to wrangling over immigration, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he pulled the offer because of what he said was Trump’s failure to follow through on the outlines of an agreement the two men discussed last Friday.

“So we’re going to have to start on a new basis and the wall offer is off the table,” Schumer told reporters.

The announcement comes after Congress voted on Monday to end a three-day U.S. government shutdown, approving the latest short-term funding bill as Democrats relent on demands for a DACA deal, a program for illegal immigrants due sunset on March, in exchange for a broad debate on immigration.

The fourth temporary funding bill since October easily passed the Senate and the House of Representatives. Trump later in the evening Monday signed the measure, largely a product of negotiations among Senate leaders.

The House approved the funding bill by a vote of 266150, just hours after it passed the Senate by a vote of 81-18.

lights on through Feb. 8. Both parties took heat for the shutdown, but Democrats struggled with messaging on prioritizing illegal immigrants over federal employees’ paychecks, including military, disaster relieve and entitlements.

“I am pleased that Democrats in Congress have come to their senses,” Trump said in a statement. “We will make a long-term deal on immigration if, and only if, it’s good for the country.”

The shutdown and blame for it has left Democrats in a difficult corner — Democratic leftists wanted Schumer to drive a harder bargain on helping the “Dreamers,” young people brought to the United States illegally as children who face the threat of deportation under an order issued last year by Trump.

But moderate Senate Democrats facing re-election challenges this year feared that prolonging the shutdown over the immigration issue would hurt them in November’s congressional elections. In the end, Schumer sided with them.

By opting to placate senators crucial to his drive to seize control of the Senate from Republicans, Schumer angered the party’s left, potentially complicating already difficult efforts to craft legislation to help the Dreamers.

His predicament underscored deep ambivalence among Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, on immigration.

Fifty-five percent of Americans in a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Monday said the government should not shut down, even if that means letting the Dreamers get deported.

Among Republicans on immigration, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)

SCHOOL CHOICE from page A1 to raise awareness among parents and policy makers of the various educational options in N.C. to help families customize their child’s education.

“We use our technology to personalize our news, our social media… you can even personalize your fast food order…. It’s time we personalize education,” said Mark Johnson, superintendent of the N.C. Department of Public Schools.

“School choice means charter schools, it means private schools, it also means magnet schools… whether students choose to go to a school that focuses on arts, or STEM courses; it means our cooperative and innovative high schools, it means homeschool and online options like N.C. Virtual Public Schools,” he added.

“We are working hard in your N.C. Department of Public Instruction to bring those options and choices to all students across the entire state.”

Supporters say the increased options will help N.C. students and families find the right educational environment for them.

“We are focused on providing those opportunities for students because we know that not all students learn the same way,’ said Rhonda Dillingham, executive director of the N.C. Association

LAUREN ROSE | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

DPI Superintendent Mark Johnson addresses parents, teachers at students at a school choice rally in Raleigh.

for Public Charter Schools. “And every child deserves an effective, challenging education so that “We use our technology they can be equipped to achieve to personalize our news, their dreams.”

Jacob Vaughan, a junior at our social media… you can Bear Grass Charter School in even personalize your fast Bear Grass, N.C. was enjoying the trip to N.C.’s capital with food order…. It’s time we the rest of his school’s march- personalize education,” ing band, excited to kick off the event by playing the national an- — Mark Johnson, state them. He hopes to study music at ECU after graduation from superintendent his 350-student public charter school. inclusive experience,” said “I feel like we have a more Vaughan. “We are smaller so ev-

warned after the Senate vote on Monday to end the shutdown that it would be a “serious mistake” to provide “amnesty and a path to citizenship for millions of people here illegally.”

The roughly 700,000 young people were brought to the United States illegally as children, mainly from Mexico and Central America. A larger percentage of them came after Former President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, executive order granted them protection.

Some liberal groups were infuriated by the decision to reopen the government.

“Today’s cave by Senate Democrats — led by weak-kneed, right-of-center Democrats — is why people don’t believe the Democratic Party stands for anything,” said Stephanie Taylor, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

When Congress voted for the spending stop-gap measure, tens of thousands of federal workers had already begun closing down operations for lack of funding on Monday, the first weekday since the shutdown, but essential services such as security and defense operations had continued.

The U.S. government cannot fully operate without funding bills that are voted in Congress regularly. Washington has been hampered by frequent threats of a shutdown in recent years as the two parties fight over spending, immigration and other issues. The last U.S. government shutdown was previously in 2013.

Markets have absorbed the shutdown drama over the past week.

U.S. stocks advanced on Monday as each of Wall Street’s main indexes touched a record intraday level after the shutdown deal.

eryone knows each other and everyone is nice to each other. Everyone intertwines and we don’t really have cliques.”

Dillingham said that part of the goals of the week are to open the dialogue on school choice among supporters of all kinds of education options. The advocates will also be talking to legislators about improving transportation funding for charter schools and other key issues.

She also said that they have some supporters in state government, like Johnson and Lt. Governor Dan Forest whose goal is to have 20 more public charters open in low-income areas across the state, but she said they were disappointed in the response from Gov. Roy Cooper’s office when they asked for a proclamation in honor of School Choice Week.

“About three weeks ago I was informed by the governor’s office that he had no plans to do that,” she said in an interview.

“Of course, the people that I represent in the state were upset to hear that so I encourage them to reach out to the governor’s office and let him know that charter schools are a viable option here in N.C. and we aren’t going anywhere. In fact we are only growing and we expect to exceed 200 charter schools in the state by 2019.”

and seemed to indicate that Clinton would not be charged months before that decision was supposedly made. In May, FBI Director James Comey decided not to recommend criminal charges in connection with the probe into her use of a private email system while she was secretary of state.

Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee, says the FBI reported a “technical problem” that failed to record messages between them from mid-December 2016 through mid-May of 2017. That time includes Trump’s inauguration, the release of the Fusion GPS dossier, the Michael Flynn investigation, the firing of James Comey and other key parts of the 2017 timeline. The recorded text messages pick back up on May 17, when Meuller was appointed to the Russia investigation.

"I am pleased to hear that Attorney General Jeff Sessions is going to launch an investigation into what happened to those texts, and I hope they are uncovered ... They illustrate a conspiracy on the part of some people and we want to know a lot more about that," said Republican Representative Bob Goodlatte in an interview with Fox News Channel.

A spokesman for the FBI and a spokeswoman for the Justice Department declined to comment, but Strzok has been reassigned and Page left the Meuller team earlier in 2017.

"The loss of records from this period is concerning because it is apparent from other records that Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page communicated frequently about the investigation," Johnson wrote in a response letter to the FBI. Johnson asked that FBI Director Chris Wray follow up with more details about the scope of the lost records, whether other bureau phones had “technical problems,” and to tell the committee whether

“Americans deserve to know if there was rampant anti-Trump bias at the FBI, and certainly if there was an effort to cover it up.”

—Rep. Mark Meadows (R- N.C.) it has conducted searches of their non-government issued devices.

On Tuesday, Congressional investigators said they have lost trust in the FBI and Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who was interviewed by the bureau’s team investigating claims of Russian collusion, said they will leave “no stone unturned” to find out what happened to the missing data.

Short-lived shutdown spurs deal-making While revelations and investigations regarding the lost texts were unfolding on Capitol Hill over the past few days, the majority of the nation and Congress were focused on the government shutdown. On Friday, Senate Democrats refused to vote for a Continuing Resolution or spending bill to keep the federal government operating, holding out for a deal on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. After public criticism that military and other federal employees would be furloughed in a shutdown, Democrats relented and supported a measure to keep the government open until February 8.

While the spending bill passed the Senate 81-18, Sen. Richard Burr, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, spoke objecting to a provision inserted into the “must-pass” bill that he said would strip Congress of its authority to oversee some White House spending on intelligence.

Burr, and vice-chair Mark Warner (D-VA), called the provision “troublesome” speaking on the Senate floor as the spending bill was headed for a vote on Monday.

"We want every tool in our basket that we can to give the American people the assurance that we know exactly what's going on, and that we are at least in agreement that (intelligence operations) proceed forward, not that they have a free rein, Burr said.

The committee chair asked that the language be replaced, but it was not, and the bill was signed.

Now, with the immediate shutdown crisis averted, the missing texts are garnering more attention. Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) tweeted Tuesday, “This is a ‘dog ate my homework’ level excuse. Americans deserve to know if there was rampant anti-Trump bias at the FBI, and certainly if there was an effort to cover it up. We need a second special counsel. “

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 24, 2018

A3

BUSINESS The Apple Campus 2 is seen under construction in Cupertino, California in this aerial photo taken Jan. 13, 2017.

NOAH BERGER | REUTERS | FILE

n.c.

FAST FACTS Sponsored by

The Economic Snapshot series from the N.C. Department of Commerce provides a look into the condition of North Carolina’s economy, based on 14 indicators.

The Snapshots also compare North Carolina to other states. There are currently four indicators available: State GDP, Occupational Mix, Industry Mix and Labor Force.

Raleigh remains on Amazon HQ2 short list as Apple announces U.S. expansion N.C.’s capitol city being considered along with nation’s top metropolitan areas; Apple also eyeing expansion campus and committed U.S. investment in wake of recent tax reforms

Approved Logos

This week, NSJ focuses on the Industry Mix snapshot:

While North Carolina experienced a downturn in one of its largest industries, Manufacturing, from 20072012, recent changes in manufacturing trends, including “on-shoring” or repatriating manufacturing operations, suggest that future declines in the manufacturing industry may be mitigated.

Additionally, the transition of North Carolina’s economy from labor-intensive traditional industries to knowledge based or service-related industries such as health care and educational services suggests that training in these areas could better prepare North Carolina’s workforce to succeed in the future. Over the last 10 years, Health Care and Social Assistance accounted for the largest share of gross job gains at nearly 30 percent.

The Government sector had the largest share of total employment in North Carolina and accounted for more than 17 percent of employment in recent years. Government employment includes military, state government, and local government employees.

By Donna King and Emily Roberson North State Journal RALEIGH – Amazon.com has short-listed 20 cities and regions for the construction of a second headquarters that it says will generate 50,000 new, high-paying jobs. Raleigh made the cut as the only city from N.C. and as Amazon selected from 238 initial applicants.

The list includes Toronto in Canada, but major U.S. centers including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington D.C. made up the list announced on Thursday, along with smaller cities such as Raleigh and Columbus, Ohio. Notably absent from the list were Charlotte, High Point, and the Winston-Salem area, all N.C. cities to submit proposals for the Amazon HQ2.

The Research Triangle Regional Partnership was tasked with bringing Amazon to the Triangle. RTRP Executive Director Ryan Combs said “…we are excited to be a finalist for Amazon’s second headquarters.

We have a dedicated team of regional experts, economic developers, and community partners ready to make Amazon’s HQ2 a reality in one of the best places to live and work in the world.”

Combs highlighted both existing and proposed advantages of the Raleigh area: “With more than $4 billion dedicated to new transit investment ($1 billion in new local funds) by 2028, affordable cost of doing business, a business-friendly tax climate, and access to the best talent in the world, the Research Triangle region has invested in its

growing future. This is an ideal location for this transformational opportunity.”

The others cities still in the running are Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, Miami, Montgomery County in Maryland, Nashville, Newark, Northern Virginia, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.

Cutting down the list from more than 200 locations, the announcement was broadly in line with expectations and is the first stage in a fight over the thousands of jobs and billions in secondary investment and revenue the “HQ2” will bring.

Amazon promised when it launched bidding in September that the new headquarters, an equal of its Seattle head office, would create up to 50,000 jobs averaging more than $100,000 in annual compensation over the next 10 to 15 years.

Some bidders have already gone public with promises of billions of dollars in tax breaks for the tech giant if they were chosen. However most cities, including those in N.C., have kept the details of such incentive packages private.

New Jersey proposed $7 billion in potential credits against state and city taxes if the company chooses Newark and sticks to hiring commitments.

The mayor of the Atlanta suburb of Stonecrest, Jason Lary, said his city could use 345 acres of industrial land to create a new city called Amazon and make Chief Executive Jeff Bezos its mayor for life.

Amazon said on Thursday it expected to make a decision this year and would work with each of the candidate locations to get more information and evaluate the feasibility of a future partnership.

Apple pledges increased investment in U.S. Just prior to Amazon’s publication of their 20 finalists, Apple announced that it would build a new campus, creating 20,000 new jobs,

“We have a dedicated team of regional experts, economic developers, and community partners ready to make Amazon’s HQ2 a reality in one of the best places to live and work in the world.”

— RTRP Executive Director, Ryan Combs and will make about $38 billion in one-time tax payments on its overseas cash, one of the largest corporate spending plans announced since the passage of a tax cut signed

by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The company has been under increasing pressure to make U.S. investments since the 2016 presidential campaign, when Trump targeted the iPhone maker for making products in Asian factories.

While Apple has announced no plans to change that practice and experts say it would be economically impractical to make iPhones in the United States, the company has begun to emphasize its U.S. economic impact, from developers who sell software on its App Store to the tens of billions of dollars per year it spends with U.S. suppliers.

Between the spending plan, hiring 20,000 people, tax payments and business with U.S.-based suppliers, Apple on Wednesday estimated it would spend $350 billion in the United States over the next five years.

Apple Inc said on Thursday that it will not hold a bidding process when it chooses the site for a planned new U.S. campus, marking a stark difference from the public contest that Amazon.com Inc has held for its second headquarters.

Reuters contributed to this story.

Listen Live Weekdays 9am - 11am

CHADADAMSSHOW.COM

Listen to the north state journal staff every monday at 10:05am

n.c.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Sponsored by

An Oyster Roast for the Birds Did you know that North Carolina is home to the largest collection of waterfowl in the world? It’s true.

Head east to the Sylvan Heights Bird Park in the public power town of Scotland Neck, and you can see them for yourself.

A visit to Sylvan Heights Bird Park isn’t just about watching birds. It’s about experiencing them — all 2,000 or so of them. As you make your way through the park’s 18-acre wetland ecosystem, you’ll be educated about and entertained by more than 200 bird species from six continents.

You will also learn about the importance of preserving them.

This Saturday, Jan. 27, you can help support the park’s conservation and education efforts by attending the Sylvan Heights Bird Park Oyster Roast.

A ticket gets you oysters, shrimp, slaw, hush puppies, beer, wine and entertainment. After the roast, park staff will grind up the oyster shells and serve them to the park’s nesting birds, providing them with critical calcium. All that, plus funds raised, makes this event a win-win-win!

Learn more about Sylvan Heights Bird Park and the Oyster Roast at http://shwpark.com.

North State Journal for Wednesday, January X, 2018

A4

North State Journal for Wednesday, January X, 2018

Murphy to Manteo

Jones & Blount jonesandblount.com @JonesandBlount

It’s National Blood Donor Month

Lawmakers will appeal federal court order to adopt maps drawn

by Stanford professor

By NSJ Staff

One donation can help more than one person.

As of Jan. 23, the Red Cross had a critical need of O Negative, B Negative and Platelet donors.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.

Nearly 21 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S.

TINT OF CORN: COUNTY NAMES: C: 0 Benton Sans Bold, WEST Cherokee tribe sues opioid makers M: 12 Western N.C. towns listed among 12pt.

Haywood County national top 30 spots The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Y: 59.4 has filed a federal lawsuit seeking Buncombe and Lenoir counties damages from 23 companies that K: 6 Asheville and Hickory have made manufacture or distribute opioids. The National Geographic’s list of 30 best small towns in America. Issuing the list as a recommendation for tourists wanting a taste of the state, the publication citied Asheville’s thriving craft beer industry and art community as a big draw. Editors called Hickory “hipster-friendly” because of its vintage clothing boutiques, tattoo parlors and the Hickory Hops Festival.

National Geographic said they judged the towns based on green space, community event, and “Instagrammable moments.”

CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

Owen wrestling coach fired after altercation with parent Buncombe County The Buncombe County Board of Education last week upheld the school system’s decision to fire Owen High School’s wrestling coach. Lucas Pokorny had the support of a dozen students and their families at the school board meeting, but the members decided to fire him based on a zerotolerance policy. Student witnesses said the coach was in the school gym during a practice and corrected the push-up technique of a student athlete. A parent objected, argued and an altercation ensued.

BLACK MOUNTAIN NEWS

A5

suit alleges violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act as well as negligence, conspiracy, fraud and creation of a public nuisance.

The 161-page complaint seeks money for costs incurred to provide treatment, counseling, rehabilitative services, care for the children of addicted parents and law enforcement for opioid addiction. The tribe says that its new treatment center in Snowbird costs $13 million and it has so far spent $35 million on a planned crisis stabilization unit. Buncombe County and Catawba County had already filed similar legal action.

SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS

Jackson County is a good place to be a cat Jackson County Jackson County passed a milestone in 2017. For the first time in 36 years, the Jackson County Animal Shelter did not have to euthanize a healthy, adoptable cat due to a lack of space at the shelter.

The shelter Facebook pages says they are at capacity for dogs. The shelter says that they charge $70 to adopt a dog and $55 to adopt cats. The fee includes a voucher for spay or neuter and a housing fee.

SYLVA HERALD

represents Red Cross chapter locations. These locations offer first aid and CPR classes and allows people to donate blood.

BLACK RULE: Solid black, .5 pt weight PIEDMONT Escaped inmate returned to custody Forsyth County Forsyth Correctional Center said Bobby Abraham returned to custody Monday morning just hours after he walked away from a work assignment in Winston-Salem. Officials say he will face charges for his escape. Abraham, 28, is a minimum custody inmate serving a sentence for attempted trafficking of a Schedule 2 drug in Mecklenburg County.

He was due to be released in April 2019.

NC DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Evernham inducted in NASCAR Hall of Fame Mecklenburg County Ray Evernham, 60, was inducted on the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte Friday. As Jeff Gordon’s longtime crew chief, Evernham served for three of Gordon’s four NASCAR Cup Series championships at Hendrick Motorsports before owning a flagship team himself that led to some of the sport’s great crowning moments.

Under Evernham’s leadership with the famed “Rainbow Warriors” No. 24 Chevrolet team, Gordon rolled to 47 Cup wins in seven full seasons. Fellow Hall of Famer Bill Elliott later earned Evernham Motorsports its inaugural victory in that 2001 season finale at Homestead, Fla. FIELD LEVEL MEDIA

Western region: Piedmont Green Piedmont region: NState EASTRed Truck driver charged in traffic Eastern Navy named N.C. VGCC President death of Salisbury familyregion: NState Rowan County An Illinois truck driver has been charged in the deaths of four members of a Salisbury family stemming from an interstate crash in southern West Virginia. The Gilley family — David and Christine Gilley and their children, Jack and Grace — were killed in April when a tractor-trailer crossed the median on I-77, striking their SUV, which rolled and caught fire. The driver of the tractor-trailer, Bertram Copeland of Rockford, Ill., was arraigned Monday on four counts of negligent homicide and reckless driving. He is free on bond according to West Virginia State Police.

WNCN

** All counties have a 1.5 pt. white stroke Vidant nurse named NC School Nurse of Year

President of the Year

Vance County Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of Vance-Granville Community College, has been named President of the Year for 2018 by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges. She is the first leader in VGCC history to receive the honor. The President of the Year Award, sponsored by Wells Fargo, was established by the State Board in 2001.

This award encourages, identifies, and rewards outstanding leadership and commitment to the community college mission among the presidents of the 58 institutions of the North Carolina Community College System.

Pitt County The School Nurse Association of North Carolina (SNANC) recently named Terri L. Joyner, MSN, RN, NCSN, its School Nurse Administrator of the Year. Joyner, who has served Vidant Medical Center in a variety of roles in her 30-year career, has been a member of the hospital’s School Health team for 15 years. Vidant’s School Health Program began in March 1996, with its growth attributed in part to Terri’s contributions and leadership.

Her oversight of 20 school nurses who serve 37 schools in Pitt County has a wide-reaching impact on the care students receive every day.

VIDANT MEDICAL CENTER

VANCE-GRANVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Wright to receive Friday Award

Commission meets on fate of Confederate statues Wake County The North Carolina Historical Commission held its first meeting on studying whether to move three Confederate statues from the State Capitol grounds. The five-member commission was petitioned by the N.C. Department of Administration under Gov. Roy Cooper in September requesting that the monuments be moved to a Civil War battlefield 50 miles outside of Raleigh. State law only allows monuments to be moved to places of similar honor and prominence.

Fire blocks both directions of LeJeune Blvd.

Onslow County A main highway in Jacksonville was shut down much of Tuesday as firefighters battled a major fire at Sam’s Furniture.

Highway 24, or Lejeune Boulevard, was closed in both directions between New River Drive and Hargett Street.

Authorities say the fire started around 1:30 p.m. Ladder trucks from Camp LeJeune, Jacksonville and Onslow County volunteer firefighters were all working on the blaze. Police say everyone in the building and adjoining businesses evacuated safely.

WFMY

New Hanover County North Carolina State University will present the 2018 William C. Friday Award to Amy Wright for her leadership and entrepreneurship as an advocate for people with disabilities. Wright is the Founder and CEO of Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, an award-winning coffee shop in Wilmington that employs 40 intellectually disabled people. Wright was recently named 2017 CNN Hero of the Year. The Award is presented annually to individuals that carry on Mr. Friday’s dedication to leadership, scholarship, service, and character. The award ceremony will be held on Jan. 31.

RALEIGH — A federal three-judge panel issued an opinion on Friday ordering the state of North Carolina to adopt the new state legislative election maps modified at the court’s direction by Stanford University professor Nathaniel Persily. State lawmakers say they will appeal the order to the U.S. Supreme Court. N.C. House Rep. David Lewis (R-Harnett) and Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell), chairmen of the General Assembly’s redistricting committees, called the maps a “thinly veiled political operation” designed to give Democrats an electoral advantage.

The court had previously concluded in 2016 that the legislature relied too much on race in drawing the lines of 28 districts in their 2011 maps. Subsequently, the court gave the General Assembly until Sept. 1, 2017, “to enact new House and Senate districting plans remedying the constitutional deficiencies” with the districts found unconstitutional in 2016.

In August 2017, the General Assembly adopted new maps they said did not rely on race as a factor in the map lines. Still, the plaintiffs in the Covington v. North Carolina case objected again to the maps drawn by the General Assembly. Prior to ruling on the constitutionality of the newly drawn districts, the three-judge panel named a “special master” — Persily — to draw his own set of House and Senate districts.

The court’s Friday ruling orders the General Assembly to adopt the maps recommended by the special master.

The primary holding of the three-judge panel was: “We sustain Plaintiffs’ objections to the Subject Districts and approve and adopt the State’s 2017 Plan, as modified by the Special Master’s Recommended Plan, for use in future North Carolina legislative elections. Accordingly, this Court’s previous injunction against the State from conducting any elections for State House and State Senate offices, Order and Judgment, Aug. 15, 2016, is dissolved. We direct the Defendants to implement the Special Master’s Recommended Plans.”

Hise and Lewis issued a joint statement after the order was filed: “It is a shocking move for one of the same judges just reined in by a bipartisan U.S. Supreme Court less than 24 hours ago to again attempt to create chaos and confusion in an election process set to begin in just three weeks. The legislature has repeatedly asked this court to provide guidance, citing the urgency of the upcoming candidate filing period. Contrary to our pleas and fresh off yesterday’s stinging rebuke from the high court, this panel has unleashed another bout of uncertainty that could harm North Carolina voters who are entitled to free and fair elections. We will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.”

The Republican-led legislature had already received a victory in the country’s highest court this week after the Supreme Court issued a stay blocking a separate three-judge panel — that also includes Judge James A. Wynn Jr. from legislative maps decision — that had ordered North Carolina to redraw its congressional maps.

Judicial redistricting discussion focused on maps, judicial workload

By NSJ Staff RALEIGH — Judicial redistricting was back on the agenda this week as a joint committee for judicial redistricting held meetings on Monday. A newly drawn map was rolled at the Joint Select Committee on Judicial Reform and Redistricting as legislators from both chambers continued to discuss judicial workloads and the possibility of merit-based selection of judges.

Democrats continued to attack the maps — drawn by GOP members — as lacking criteria, including race, party and incumbency. Rep. Justin Burr (R-Stanly) said the judicial districts were based on geography and workload along with population. “We are working to make these districts reflect the current workload rather than the workload of the 1960s and ’80s,” said Burr.

The committee spent significant time discussing the workloads of judges and how time on the bench

NCSU

WITN

The

98 % of ALL Farms Truth are Family Farms

About Ag

ncfb.org

and time in chambers affects the number of judges needed. The committee also discussed multicounty districts which can affect the availability of judges and prosecutors in sparsely populated areas.

Little time was spent on potential merit-based selection of judges, which has been a hot topic for incumbent judges and members of the General Assembly in both the House and Senate.

While the newly unveiled maps were the primary focus, committee co-chair Rep. David Lewis (R-Harnett) said the maps were not final and signaled that further changes were likely. “There continues to be suggestions from the public that help improve the maps,” said Lewis.

In another sign that the maps will changed, Burr said, “We requested feedback on the maps and will take those comments into consideration as we continue to finalize a potential plan for the committee to consider.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 24, 2018

A6

north STATEment Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor | Troy Kickler, deputy opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Is this really an Obama economic expansion?

President Trump came in and changed economic perceptions and expectations of the U.S. business community right away.

SOME NEWS MEDIA OUTLETS and liberal politicians are claiming that the expanding U.S. economy is “really due to the wonderful economy and policies President Barack Obama passed on to President Donald Trump!”

Really?

There is only one thing different from an economic standpoint today than before the 2016 election: Trump is in the White House and Obama and his preferred successor, Hillary Clinton, are not.

We have the same workers in America now as we did in 2016 before the election.

The same level of low interest rates. The same expectations of low inflation amidst international economic competition. The same control of Congress and the Senate.

Yet we now have economic growth projections of up to 4 percent per year whereas the Congressional Budget Office projected 1.9 percent GDP growth rates for years to come in their 2016 update before the election.

What happened?

President Trump came in and changed economic perceptions and expectations of the U.S. business community right away. He is a businessman; President Obama was not.

He talks about the bright potential of the U.S. economy whereas President Obama only saw the negative side of American businesses.

As a result, American businesses and workers have responded to this new freedom from overregulation and over-taxation in a very positive manner.

Think leadership and freedom don’t make a

huge difference?

Consider what happened in San Francisco with the Golden State Warriors. In 2014, Steph Curry was in his fifth year and Klay Thompson was in his third season. They had turned things around modestly from a disastrous string of seasons previously but were not really going anywhere under Coach Mark Jackson, who was described as being temperamental, mercurial and ‘heavy-handed’ at times.

The Warriors fired Jackson and brought in Steve Kerr to coach the same players in the same city and in the same stadium with a more up-tempo, free-flowing and, from all outside observations, a more fun way of playing basketball at any level.

In 2015, the Warriors won their first NBA title in 40 years. Great talent was unleashed and given the freedom to do what they knew how to do: shoot the ball from everywhere and run the other team ragged.

President Obama’s economic policies were ‘heavy-handed’ as well and government-first centric. Businessmen complained about his use of the heavy coercive hand of the federal government to “solve” any problem at hand.

The over-regulation of Dodd-Frank legislation frustrated financial lending institutions, and Obama’s $1 trillion in a “shovel-ready” infrastructure stimulus package didn’t stimulate much of anything but more national debt.

And the ACA. If there ever was a poster child for government overreach, it was Obamacare.

Had any of President Obama’s economic

policies worked, we would have seen explosive GDP growth in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 or 2016 up to Election Day 2016. Eight years of a presidential term is a long time to see if policies work or not.

Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman said on election night 2016: “If the question is when will markets recover (from the Trump election), the answer is NEVER!” “DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN!” comes to mind immediately.

Due to the recently passed tax cuts, 125 million households will start to see up to $200 per month more in their paychecks starting in February.

Three million-plus employees and counting will receive $1,000 bonuses or more from employers that are passing along the benefits of the lower corporate tax cuts to them this year.

Apple is bringing back $350 billion of profits from overseas to invest in 20,000 new jobs here in America on top of paying $38 billion in repatriated profits that alone will reduce the federal budget deficit by close to 10 percent all by itself this year.

We can only hope that this freedom and economic good news continues as long as the Warriors continue winning NBA Championships. It might be awhile.

EDITORIAL | TROY KICKLER

Should newspapers return to their partisan roots?

A return to an admittedly and identifiably partisan press might not be a bad idea. At least, Americans would know what they are getting.

LATELY whenever I watch press conferences, I often hear reporters making statements in the form of a question. Sometimes, reporters even become argumentative. Of course, there are the accusations of “fake news” because we’ve come to expect “objective” reporting.

When The Associated Press was formed during the 1840s, reporting moved more and more to “objective” reporting. By 1900, that was the expected norm.

During the first hundred years or so of our nation, however, the press was openly partisan. The public expected such commonplace partisanship. It was not always welcomed, however, as evidenced by the lengthy Sedition Bill debate in 1798.

Sometimes public officials wanted to limit the freedom of the press. Editors could stymie governmental efforts.

Nathaniel Macon, a leading statesman from North Carolina and U.S. Speaker of the House (1801-1807), subscribed to both Federalist and Republican (a.k.a. Democratic-Republican) papers. He needed to read one, he claimed, to counter the lies in the other and vice versa.

In North Carolina, the press was commonly divided along party lines. New Bern was known to have a press that produced “colorful political conflicts.” In fact, dueling was outlawed in the Old North State after John Stanly killed Richard Dobbs Spaight. The two men had engaged in a vicious war of words in 1802, and both had offended the other’s sense of honor. After four rounds were fired

(neither was a marksman), Spaight was fatally wounded. During the War of 1812, New Bern newspapers included the Federal Republican that supported “Madison’s War,” and the True Republican that promoted a Jeffersonian opposition.

In Raleigh, two partisan presses were William Boylan’s Minerva and Joseph Gales’ Raleigh Register. Gales and Boylan did more than use the editorial pages to engage in an ideological war. One day, they met on the street. After a few words that escalated the situation (I’m sure), a fight ensued. Gales sued Boylan for damages and won. Gales donated the amount to the Raleigh Academy.

During the 1830s, many Raleigh papers were admittedly pro-John C. Calhoun or pro-Andrew Jackson. The Raleigh Star was an issue-driven paper, however. The publishers and editors promoted internal improvements (transportation infrastructure) but only by “North Carolina herself.” The national government, they argued, did not have the authority to “interfere with the state government in this way.”

In 1829, William Swaim, the grandfather of the famous author O. Henry, took over the Greensborough Patriot. “The fighting editor” was known as “an erratic genius” who turned the paper into “one of the most unusual newspapers in the South.” Swaim wanted the paper to collect and disseminate facts, but to do so in “favor of public education, the encouragement of Manufactures in the

Southern States, … and a total overthrow of that system of electioneering which has disgraced the character of our country.” He advocated for the gradual emancipation of slaves, and he fought against laws restricting what was deemed “incendiary publications.”

Readers sent him threatening letters, and he published them for all to read.

The Western Carolinian started in Salisbury in 1820. An influential paper, its editors advocated for a new state constitution (an 1835 convention drastically revised the 1776 document), and they unsurprisingly promoted the interests of western North Carolina.

The paper later opposed Jackson during the nullification crisis. Meanwhile, the editors of the Carolina Watchman endorsed Jackson’s actions and pledged to oppose the “newly propagated doctrine of nullification.”

A study of the newspapers in early North Carolina reveals that partisan presses abounded. Larger towns such as Wilmington and Fayetteville had them. Even villages such as Blakely in Montgomery County and Milton in Caswell County had a partisan press.

A return to an admittedly and identifiably partisan press might not be a bad idea. At least, Americans would know what they are getting.

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 24, 2018

A7

GUEST OPINION | JOHN MCNABB

Shutdown and fight against Trump’s economic plan are a detriment to the American people Xxx

As the political elites and the Washington establishment rage-on, the president has kept focused on the economic agenda he promised the American people.

THE SPECTACLE of the government shutdown underscores the failure of the political class to grasp the depth of contempt with which working Americans view them. To understand the pure intensity of this contempt they need only look at the person America has sent to Washington to drain the swamp.

With President Trump, the Washington establishment has nowhere to hide. Over the arch of President Trump’s business career, every sort of monster crawled out of the Washington swamp and up to New York to pitch businessman Donald Trump. He knows their game because he’s seen their PowerPoint.

Last year’s presidential campaign was a prime indicator of just how out of touch the Washington establishment — and the political elites who fund them — had become. Trump took on all comers in the GOP primary while Hilary Clinton coasted along with an insider’s confidence that the fix was in. As Trump crisscrossed the country shaking hands and holding rallies in America’s industrial and agricultural regions, Clinton shuttled from New York to Hollywood raising money preaching to the choir.

To Clinton and the liberal elites who filled her coffers, the rest of America was just fly-over country.

As Trump promised to restore American dominance, Clinton dismissed the idea of American greatness as quaint and jingoistic.

Backed by a zombie media, she used Trump’s call to “Make America Great Again” as a sharp knife to parse and divide America — fomenting economic and racial tension and conflict.

In the end, the ruling class was toppled but the carefully built political-industrial complex remains and is in a fight for its life.

As the political elites and the Washington establishment rageon, the president has kept focused on the economic agenda he promised the American people.

The Trump administration has implemented top-down regulatory reform, demanding regulators follow the law, regulations be science-based and that regulators conduct real cost-benefit analysis to ensure the most efficient, effective means of enforcing the law. Congress has followed suit, using the Congressional Review Act to permanently repeal the worst

So what if President Trump is a jerk?

RESIDENT DONALD TRUMP is under fire and we’re all “shocked” that his s---hole P mouth called the (predominantly black) nations

YURI GRAPAS | REUTERS

President Trump waves as he walks on South Lawn of the White House upon his return in Washington from Pittsburgh on Jan. 18.

examples of regulatory abuse.

Trade reform is another component of the Trump economic plan. Despite the hysteria of self-interested elites who sold-out America’s industrial base, trade reform is not protectionism. It’s been 25 years since NAFTA’s enactment.

President Trump’s approach to trade is rooted in the simple fact that America must modernize trade policies and agreements to reflect current realities. This will create new opportunities for all Americans instead of only those with a sweet deal in the status quo.

Tax reform is at the core of President Trump’s economic plan. Despite the dishonest hysteria coming from political and social elites and the press zombies, the Trump tax cut provides desperately needed tax relief focused on working families and job-creating businesses. The standard deduction is doubled for both individuals and families — from $6,500 to $13,000 and from $12,000 to $24,000, respectively.

The child tax credit is doubled.

The highly regressive Obamacare tax that targeted working families and young people was eliminated.

Both the small business and corporate tax rates have been substantially reduced, making America more competitive at home and abroad. For the next five years businesses can deduct 100 percent of their costs for new equipment and other investments.

These new deductions combined with competitive business tax rates means American businesses

now have incentive to invest and grow and the cash to do it. That means new jobs and higher wages as businesses compete for workers.

Yet the Washington establishment fights on. When considering the government shutdown three hurdles are important.

Jan. 19: The now-passed deadline for Congress to avert a government shutdown.

March 5: Nearly 6 weeks from now, which is the deadline for Congress to pass legislation protecting young people brought here illegally when their parents skipped the legal immigration process.

60 votes: Which are require under Senate rules to pass a spending bill. That means Democrats have to play ball for the country to win.

Instead Congressional Democrats chose to abandon compromise and shut down government over a problem Congress still has more than a month to solve. That’s the kind of thinking that can only come from someone completely detached from the reality. While Hilary Clinton’s delusions lead to her political demise, the Democrats and the Washington establishment fight on at the expense and detriment of the American people.

John T. McNabb is vice chairman of the American Leadership Council, co-founder of the Trump Leadership Council and former chairman and CEO of Willbros Group.

COLUMN | WALTER E. WILLIAMS

We don’t need bad law

There’s a question about reputation that never crosses even the sharpest legal minds.

Does one’s reputation belong to him?

TED RALL

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP said, “We are going to take a strong look at our country’s libel laws so that when somebody says something that is false and defamatory about someone, that person will have meaningful recourse in our courts.” The president was responding to statements made in Michael Wolff’s new book, “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House.”

Our nation does not need stronger laws against libel. To the contrary, libel and slander laws should be repealed. Let’s say exactly what libel and slander are. The legal profession defines libel as a published false statement that is damaging to a person’s reputation. Slander is making a false spoken statement that is damaging to a person’s reputation.

There’s a question about reputation that never crosses even the sharpest legal minds. Does one’s reputation belong to him? In other words, if one’s reputation is what others think about him, whose property are other people’s thoughts? The thoughts I have in my mind about others, and hence their reputations, belong to me.

One major benefit from decriminalizing libel and slander would be that it would reduce the value of gossip. It would reduce the value of false statements made by others. Here’s a Gallup Poll survey question: “In general, how much trust and confidence do you have in the mass media — such as newspapers, TV and radio — when it comes to reporting the news fully, accurately and fairly — a great deal, a fair amount, not very much or none at all?” In 1976, 72 percent of Americans trusted the media, and today the percentage has fallen to 32. The mainstream media are so biased and dishonest that more and more Americans are using alternative news sources, which have become increasingly available electronically.

While we’re talking about bad laws dealing with libel and slander, let’s raise some questions about other laws involving speech — namely, blackmail laws. The legal profession defines blackmail as occurring when someone demands money from a person in return for not revealing compromising or injurious information. I believe that people should

not be prosecuted for blackmail. Let’s examine it with the following scenario. It’s 5 o’clock in the morning. You see me leaving a motel with a sweet young thing who’s obviously not Mrs. Williams.

You say to me, “Professor Williams, the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees me the right to broadcast to the entire world your conduct that I observed.” I believe that most would agree that you have that right. You then proposition me, “If you pay me $10,000, I will not exercise my right to tell the world about your behavior.”

Now the ball is in my court. I have a right to turn down your proposition and let you tell the world about my infidelity and live with the consequences of that decision. Or I can pay you the $10,000 for your silence and live with the consequences of that decision. In other words, blackmail fits into the category of peaceable, noncoercive voluntary exchange, just like most other transactions. If I’m seen voluntarily giving up $10,000, the only conclusion a third party could reach is that I must have viewed myself as being better off as a result. That’s just like an instance when you see me voluntarily give up money for some other good or service — be it food, clothing, housing or transportation. You come to the same conclusion.

What constitutes a crime can be divided into two classes — mala in se and mala prohibita.

Homicide and robbery are inherently wrong (mala in se). They involve the initiation of force against another. By contrast, blackmail (mala prohibita) offenses are considered criminal not because they violate the property or person of another but because society seeks to regulate such behavior.

By the way, married people would tend to find blackmail in their interest. Extra eyes on their spouse’s behavior, in pursuit of money, would help to ensure greater marital fidelity.

Those who would like to dig deeper into blackmail should read “The Encyclopedia of Public Trust.”

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

of Africa “s---holes,” helpfully comparing them to (predominantly blonde) Norway to make sure nobody missed the point. To drive home just how angry people are about this (and rightly so), Trump’s comment overshadowed news that the government accidentally told the citizens of Hawaii they were about to get nuked.

As George W. Bush would say, “that’s some weird s---.”

This is a big deal unless you’re reading this more than a few days after this writing, at which point Trump will have raised more hell with some new idiotic utterance that makes us forget about this one.

Speaking of hell raising — I managed to raise a few social media hackles recently when I posted the following: “I honestly don’t understand why people are so depressed about Trump. Policy-wise, he isn’t much different than Obama. Trump is truth in advertising: he is a jerk, our country acts like a jerk. No need for phony smiles, PC rhetoric.”

This led to a discussion comparing Trump not just to Barack Obama, but to other American presidents. There were lots of great comments. Still, I was struck by something that few people seem to be aware of — America’s rich history of presidential contemptibility.

Given how wicked smart my readers are, I was surprised to hear some of them refer favorably to Trump’s predecessors.

Trump is a lying turd. In that respect, he is as presidential as it gets. Going back to day one, the United States has been led by white males behaving badly.

Trump gets attacked for using the presidency to line his pockets, and rightfully so. Yet The Donald has nothing on the Father of Our Country.

Going back to day one, the United States has been led by white males behaving badly.

George Washington was worth more than half a billion in today’s dollars — riches he accumulated in large part by exploiting his political influence to loot federal coffers. He joined the Masons, married well, scored a few lucky inheritances and invested the loot in real estate along what was then the Colonies’ western frontier in Indian territory that he came across as a young land surveyor.

GW’s acreage was on the wrong side of the Appalachian mountains — but not for long.

Talk about conflict of interest: as commander of the revolutionary army and president, he promoted settlement of the west by whites that pumped up the value of his early investments.

The fact that those whites were engaged in genocide bothered Washington not one bit.

Even on the Left, some Americans point to Lincoln as a pillar of moral rectitude. But Honest Abe suspended the ancient writ of habeas corpus; in 2006, a militaristic jerk named George W. Bush relied on Lincoln’s 1863 precedent to abolish it altogether.

Since nothing in the Constitution bans secession, Southern states enjoyed the legal right to leave the Union. Defying the Constitution, Lincoln went to war — illegally — to bring them back. Not only was the Civil War a bloodbath, it left us with a nation that remains politically and culturally fractured to this day. Blacks were 13 percent of the population of the Confederacy. Had Lincoln chosen peace, a slave uprising might have brought down the Old South — and killed a lot of racists.

Lincoln cheated in the 1864 election by playing both sides of the secession. To justify the war, he claimed the breakaway states were still part of the Union, yet didn’t count Southern electoral votes because they would have cost him re-election.

You name the president, I’ll name at least one unforgiveable sin.

FDR? The New Deal was a grand achievement. But if trying to stack the Supreme Court isn’t impeachable, what is? When World War II broke out, Roosevelt played footsies with Vichy France while snubbing the Resistance.

He turned away Jewish refugees and refused to bomb the Nazi infrastructure used to murder Jews. He dragged his feet taking on Hitler so that the Soviet Union would take the brunt of Nazi savagery.

Folks are already saying: “Barack Obama will be inducted into the league of Great Presidents.” Obama, most Democrats have already forgotten, broke his promise to try for a “public option” in the Affordable Care Act. He went on languid vacations while the global economy was collapsing, handed trillions to bankers no strings attached, and did nothing to help the unemployed and people whose homes were stolen by the banks.

If that’s a great president, give me a bad one.

Ted Rall is co-author, with Harmon Leon, of “Meet the Deplorables: Infiltrating Trump America,” an inside look at the American far right, out now.

Measures of a great university Head of the class

No. 1 in North Carolina and No. 2 in the nation for producing medical school graduates who choose to practice family medicine

Standard of care

No. 1 in producing new nurses for North Carolina

Something to smile about

Breaking barriers

Novel approach

Science-minded

Educational excellence

Reproductive research

Salute to service

Expanding horizons

50,000 patients treated at 8 School of Dental Medicine community service learning centers and on-campus clinics

43% of student body is enrolled in a health-care or STEM degree program

Professor achieves world record-breaking 10-meter particle pull with a laser, opening up a world of possibilities for space exploration

A 5-year, nearly $1.2 million National Science Foundation Noyce Grant to help the College of Education provide scholarships for math and science teachers in eastern North Carolina

ECU is the 1st university in the country and the only employer in North Carolina to receive the U.S. Department of Defense Extraordinary Employer Support Award

Celebrating diversity

Global experience

6 straight years of earning the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for innovation in diversity and inclusion on campus

Global Academic Initiative partners with 62 institutions in 33 countries to provide an interactive, student-driven global experience for about 300 ECU students each semester

Top honors

Healthy start

College of Business MBA students earn 2nd place in the world in the Collegiate EDGE Marketing Challenge by creating and pitching a real-world marketing campaign

$1.18 million federal grant to help universities create a model program for blending health-promotion and science-education programs

Potential therapies Doctoral student discovers a way to grow and replicate T-cells, which could lead to treatments for autoimmune diseases

5-year, $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to research groundbreaking methods of teaching computer science

5-year, $1.45 million National Institutes of Health grant through the Brody School of Medicine to explain the earliest stages of reproduction and the effects of cell balance on stem cells

A record enrollment of 29,000 students in fall 2017 and largest undergraduate business enrollment in North Carolina

Fostering success

4-year, $158,000 grant to analyze data as part of a national project to improve outcomes for children in foster care

These are hallmarks of a great university.

These are hallmarks of ECU.

www.ecu.edu C.S. 18-677

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

ROB KINNAN | USA TODAY SPORTS

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski talks to freshmen Marvin Bagley III and Wendell Carter Jr. during the Blue Devils’ 96-85 loss at NC State on Jan. 6.

the Wednesday SIDELINE REPORT

SPORTS

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Duke lost two of its first three ACC games, hitting a New Year slump for the fifth straight year

Duke at No. 4, UK out of poll for first time in four years Kentucky fell out of The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time in nearly four years, snapping a 68-week stretch in the poll. Coach John Calipari’s Wildcats were No. 18 last week but lost to South Carolina on Tuesday and then to Florida on Saturday night to end a 30-game home winning streak in Southeastern Conference play at Rupp Arena. Kentucky was last out of the AP poll in March 2014. Villanova (18-1) maintained its hold on No. 1 for the third straight week, receiving 63 of 65 first-place votes in the poll released Monday. No. 2 Virginia (18-1) and No. 3 Purdue (19-2) split the remaining first-place votes. The Cavaliers have won 10 consecutive games, and the Boilermakers have won 15 straight. Duke (17-2) moved up a spot to No. 4, and reigning national champion North Carolina (16-4) came in at No. 10. Clemson, at No. 18, was the other ACC school to make the poll. Miami, ranked 25th last week, fell just outside the Top 25 after a home loss to Duke and road win at NC State. Florida State also received votes.

SOCCER

N.C. well-represented at MLS SuperDraft Major League Soccer’s Super­Draft saw eight players selected from North Carolina colleges and two more N.C. natives chosen by MLS teams.

Wake Forest and Duke each had three people selected. The Demon Deacons had forward Jon Bakero (fifth overall) and midfielders Ema Twumasi (11th) and Luis Argudo (67th) selected, while Duke saw forward Brian White (16th) and defenders Carter Manley (23rd) and Markus Fjortoft (45th) picked. UNC forward Alan Winn was chosen 25th overall, and NC State defender Caleb Duvernay, of Cary, N.C., was selected at No. 61. Second overall pick Tomas HillardArce, a native of Matthews, N.C., who plays at Stanford, went to the LA Galaxy, and Virginia goalie Jeff Caldwell, from Todd, N.C., was selected 19th by New York City FC.

A closer look at Duke’s annual January slump

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

ROB KINNAN | USA TODAY SPORTS

NC State guard Markell Johnson returned from suspension and has added another dimension at both ends of the court for the Wolfpack.

Wolfpack benefiting from Johnson’s return Previously suspended point guard gives NC State’s postseason hopes a boost

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal RALEIGH — One thing went through Markell Johnson’s mind as he watched on television from his home in Cleveland, Ohio, as his NC State basketball teammates upset then-No. 2 Duke on Jan. 6.

As good as the Wolfpack already were, he knew that the team could be even better once — or, more accurately, if — his indefinite suspension was lifted and he returned to action.

“Them beating Duke,” Johnson said, “made me think we can be a really good team on defense and on offense.”

Johnson’s return was anything but certain at the time. He was being held out of action while his lawyers dealt with a felonious assault accusation brought against him because of an incident that took place in Cleveland last October.

The charges were dismissed on Jan. 11, clearing the way for Johnson to be reinstated. He got back to Raleigh in time to sit on the bench for State’s win against Clemson later that day.

After one game to get his rhythm back in a loss at Virginia, the sophomore point guard has quickly regained his form. And just as he predicted, the Wolfpack has become a better team on both ends of the court because of it.

“He’s been great,” State coach Kevin Keatts said. “Anytime you go through some adversity, it kind of helps you grow up in a way, and he’s been a pleasure to be around.

He’s worked hard. Obviously, he’s not in great shape. He’s one of the only guys who will put his hand up and say he’s tired. But he’s coming along. His conditioning is getting better.”

His performance has already reached a high level.

Against Wake Forest last Thursday, Johnson contributed 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and a blocked shot in 27 minutes. He was also involved in two of the game’s biggest plays, See JOHNSON, page B4

DUKE FOUND itself in a familiar position this January, looking up at the rest of the ACC. The Blue Devils dropped two of their first three ACC games, losing at Boston College and NC State, prompting cries of “What’s wrong with Duke?” that have become as much a January tradition as cold weather and New Year’s Eve hangovers.

With a 1-2 start to ACC play, Duke has opened with a .500 or worse ACC record each of the last five seasons. The team stood at 3-4 last year, 3-3 in 2016. The 2015 title team opened ACC play at 2-2, and the 2014 squad lost two of its first three.

That’s a combined 9-13 record to open ACC play. After that? Duke went a combined 46-10 in conference the rest of the way.

The January struggles go back farther than that, however. The last time Duke was undefeated in January was 10 years ago. In the decade since then, the Blue Devils have gone 58-22 in January, a .725 winning percentage.

In all other months over that span, Duke has gone 227-43 (.840).

Duke has put together a four-game win streak since the slow start — albeit a win streak aided by a pair of games against Pitt — so perhaps the answer to “What’s wrong with Duke?” is the same as it is every year: Noth-

“I’ve always heard the older guys telling me the ACC is a different season.”

— Duke guard Gary Trent Jr.

See DUKE, page B4

INSIDE

JAMES GUILLORY | USA TODAY SPORTS

Hurricanes forward Lee Stempniak missed the first 43 games of the 2017-18 season, battling a lower body injury throughout training camp and the first month of the campaign, then breaking his collarbone on the first shift of his conditioning stint with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers.

Now back, the well-traveled veteran is looking to be the reliable and consistent player he has been throughout his 13 years in the NHL. B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 24, 2018

B2 WEDNESDAY

1.24.17

TRENDING

Jim Johannson: The general manager of the 2018 U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team and a two-time Olympian, has died, USA Hockey said on Sunday. He was 53. The assistant executive director of hockey operations with USA Hockey, Johannson was part of the management team for every Olympic Games since 2002 and served on the U.S. staff for 18 world championship teams.

Malek Young: The Miami Hurricanes cornerback will undergo career-ending neck surgery, stemming from the serious injury he suffered against Wisconsin during the Orange Bowl. The school didn’t reveal the extent of Young’s injury on Sunday while making the announcement.

Young, who just finished his sophomore season, will remain on scholarship. “After discussions with my family and the UM medical staff we have determined that my football career should come to an end,” Young said in a statement. “I look forward to getting healthy, working toward my degree and continuing to support my teammates, as I know they will continue to support me.”

Donte Grantham: The Clemson senior forward, who is the Tigers’ second-leading scorer and rebounder, will miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL, the team announced Sunday. Grantham suffered the injury in the second half of a 67-58 win over Notre Dame on Saturday when his right knee buckled after getting fouled from behind. He scored 11 points and had three rebounds in 23 minutes before the injury. The 6-foot-8 Grantham averaged 14.2 points and 6.9 rebounds for the 20th-ranked Tigers (16-3, 5-2 ACC) this season.

beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

NFL

The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles have set up a second Super Bowl showdown after both teams won their respective conference championships with contrasting victories on Sunday. The reigning NFL champion Patriots overcame a stubborn Jacksonville Jaguars 24-20 in the AFC title game, while the Eagles crushed the Minnesota Vikings 38-7 in the NFC decider to set up a Feb. 4 clash in Minneapolis.

MATT CASHORE | USA TODAY SPORTS

“I was back there clapping behind them, going ‘Yea, yea, they did it.

That’s good.’”

Theo Pinson on fellow Tar Heel Joel Berry and ref Ted Valentine clearing the air on Saturday after an incident between the two on Jan. 3.

GREG M. COOPER | USA TODAY SPORTS

EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

NFL

GYMNASTICS

“NC stay off the roads today/ tonight. 5 minutes after helping these folks I center punched a pine tree.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. urged people to stay off N.C.’s snowy roads after he crashed into a tree on Wednesday.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

.713 Shooting percentage of Wake Forest junior center Doral Moore heading into Tuesday night’s home game against Duke.

The 7-foot-1 Moore was averaging 9.8 points and 8.4 rebounds through 19 games for the Demon Deacons. In Wake’s first matchup with the Blue Devils, Moore was limited to just 17 minutes due to foul trouble, but still finished with nine points and six rebounds in an 89‑71 loss.

BRENDAN MCDERMID | REUTERS

CHUCK COOK | USA TODAY SPORTS

Three USA Gymnastics board members resigned Monday in the wake of its former team physician Larry Nassar sexually abusing female gymnasts, the organization said.

The resignations include the board chairman Paul Parilla, vice chairman Jay Binder and treasurer Bitsy Kelley, the statement said.

Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, and Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson are the three finalists for the 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year award, the league announced Sunday. The award is given annually to honor a player’s volunteer and charity work, as well as his excellence on the field.

NFL

The Tennessee Titans named 42-year-old Mike Vrabel, who was the Houston Texans’ defensive coordinator last season, their new coach on Saturday. He replaces Mike Mularkey, who guided the Titans to the playoffs and won a playoff game before getting fired. A former NFL linebacker, Vrabel has ties to general manager Jon Robinson from their time together with the New England Patriots when Vrabel was a player and Robinson was a rising executive.

ERIK WILLIAMS | USA TODAY SPORTS

Always Dry. Always Comfortable.

w w w . a l b e m a r l e b o at s . c o m

Find us on

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 24, 2018

B3

Cardinals hire Panthers DC Wilks as new coach his assistant head coach role.

He also coached with the Chicago Bears and Chargers. He has coached in two Super Bowls, one each with the Bears and Panthers.

Field Level Media Wilks’ departure means PanTHE ARIZONA Cardinals thers coach Ron Rivera will be named Carolina Panthers defen- replacing both of his coordinasive coordinator Steve Wilks as tors this offseason. The team their next head coach on Mon- replaced departing offensive coordinator David Shula with day.

Wilks, 48, signed a four-year veteran coach Norv Turner last contract with a team option for week.

“I’m fired up for Steve,” Rivera a fifth season. A news conference officially introducing Wilks will said in a statement. “Steve and I be Tuesday, the team announced. have been fortunate to work toAfter a strong first inter- gether at three different stops, view, Wilks had a second in- and at all three stops we’ve had terview Friday with Cardinals a tremendous amount of success, president Michael Bidwill and and Steve’s been a big part of the success we’ve had. general manager Steve Keim.

“I believe he’s going to do the “This is not really a rebuild, this same thing in Arizois a retool,” Wilks told na because of the type the team’s website on of person he is. High Monday. “We have the character, high morculture of winning “I believe al values, tremendous here. We just have to be football person and a able to sustain it. It’s all he’s going great leader.” about trying to get to to do the The Cardinals the next level and the echoed that assessconsistency you need to same thing ment of Wilks. get to the next level. in Arizona “In our research, “I believe building a they talked about what culture based on three because a passionate coach things: Trust, commit- of the type (Wilks) is on the field ment and accountabil- of person and what a terrific ity.” leader he is,” Bidwill Wilks just complet- he is.” said in a statement. ed his first year as the “Players love playing Panthers’ defensive co— Panthers for him.” ordinator.

The Cardinals reThe Panthers were coach Ron portedly planned to seventh in total de- Rivera on conduct second interfense, 11th in points al- Steve Wilks views this week with lowed, third in rush deNew England Patriots fense and third in sacks linebackers coach Brian Flores this season.

Wilks has been coaching since and Philadelphia Eagles quar1995 and has been an NFL assis- terbacks coach John DeFilippo tant since 2006. The Panthers but called those off after Wilks’ hired Wilks in 2012 as defensive strong second interview.

“I understand it’s a privibacks coach, adding assistant head coach to his title in 2014. lege,” Wilks said. “I’m humbled He was promoted to defensive and honored to be the head coordinator in 2017, along with coach.”

Carolina will be replacing both coordinators this offseason

JASEN VINLOVE | USA TODAY SPORTS

NC State offensive lineman Tony Adams (50) clears a path for Team East running back D’Ernest Johnson from South Florida during the 2018 East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field in Tampa, Fla.

Local players look to stand out at postseason showcases East-West Shrine Game, NFLPA Collegiate Bowl offer seniors a chance to impress pro scouts

By Brett Friedlander North State Journal BRADLEY CHUBB has been the center of attention on the NC State defense for the past three seasons and for good reason. The senior end, who set a school record with 26 career sacks, won the Bronko Nagurski Award as the best defensive player in college football and is expected to be one of the first players selected in this year’s NFL draft.

Lost in Chubb’s considerable shadow is the fact that teammate Kentavius Street was actually a higher-rated recruit when the two became part of coach Dave Doeren’s first full recruiting class in 2014.

Street put together a solid career playing on the opposite side of the line from Chubb. But it took until last week at the East-West Shrine Game in Tampa, Fla., for him to get a chance to shine on his own and remind people — especially the NFL scouts in attendance — how talented he is. The 6-foot-2, 282-pound Greenville native recorded 1.5 sacks in the 93rd annual all-star game played Saturday at Tropicana Field. He started for the East team, which lost 14-10 to the West.

As good as he was in the game, Street was even better during the week of practice leading up to it.

He earned rave reviews from observers such as NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who wrote that “Street had a great week of practice and the best get-off of any lineman in the game.

“The stats won’t bear it out, but he was very disruptive on Saturday.

He did a lot of his damage coming off the edge, which adds to his val-

ue, but I think he’ll end up rushing from the inside once he gets to the next level. He’s a strong guy, but his game is more about his quickness.

He was a little bit overshadowed playing on the same D-line with the more highly touted Bradley Chubb, but Street made the most of his opportunity in the spotlight at the Shrine Game.”

Street was one of two Wolfpack alumni playing for the East in Tampa. Offensive guard Tony Adams opened some eyes while being described by Eric Galko of OptimumScouting.com as a “plug-andplay NFL lineman.”

“Adams’ ability to win quickly in the short area bodes well for his fit in likely a zone-blocking scheme in the NFL,” Galko wrote. “Playing with toughness as well as composure speaks to his tenacity as a blocker.”

Galko was also impressed with Wake Forest tight end Cam Serigne, who played for the East but didn’t catch a pass in the game.

“Serigne shows a good feel for space and how to get open,” Galko wrote. “He’s a smooth, agile player who can weave in and out of zone coverages, as well as make some acrobatic catches in traffic.”

In addition to the East-West Shrine Game, the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl was also played Saturday, with several players from state schools looking to play their way onto the radar of the pro scouts.

The seventh annual game, played at the Rose Bowl, has become a showcase for lower-profile college stars looking to display their skills. A year ago, the Collegiate Bowl became the springboard that helped NC A&T’s Tarik Cohen become a rookie sensation with the Chicago Bears.

Among those looking to follow in Cohen’s footsteps is another FCS running back, Western Carolina’s Detrez Newsome. Playing for the National squad, Newsome gained 20 yards on seven carries behind an offensive line that in-

“He’s a strong guy, but his game is more about his quickness.”

— NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah on Kentavius Street cluded Appalachian State guard Beau Nunn. Newsome also caught two passes and returned a kickoff in his team’s 23-0 victory.

North Carolina wide receiver Austin Proehl contributed to the win with an 18-yard reception that helped set up a field goal while showing his value as a special teams player by recovering a fumble on punt coverage.

Defensively for the National team, Appalachian State safety A.J. Howard stood out by making four tackles and breaking up a pass. East Carolina wide receiver Davon Grayson and NC State defensive back Mike Stevens both saw action for the American team, though neither compiled any statistics.

The postseason college all-star game season continues this Saturday with the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. The roster for that game includes UNC cornerback M.J. Stewart, the NC State trio of all-purpose back Jaylen Samuels and defensive linemen B.J. Hill and Justin Jones, Appalachian State offensive guard Colby Gossett and NC A&T offensive tackle Brandon Parker. Fayetteville native Harold Landry, a defensive end from Boston College, and former ECU quarterback Kurt Benkert are also among those playing.

Chubb, meanwhile, is not scheduled to participate in any all-star game, choosing instead to wait for the NFL Combine in Indianapolis next month to perform for the scouts.

Duke, UNC combine for a half-dozen McDonald’s All-Americans Four future Blue Devils and two Tar Heel signees join long list of high school elites

By Shawn Krest North State Journal THE ROSTERS for the 2018 McDonald’s High School All-American Game will have a Duke and UNC flavor — again.

The two Triangle rivals have signed more McDonald’s All-Americans than any other college program, and they continued to add to their lead with the 2018 selections.

Duke will have four players in the game, giving the Blue Devils 76 McDonald’s players in their history.

With the additions to the 2017-18 Duke roster, coach Mike Krzyzewski will have added at least one All-American to his teamfor the last 34 years.

North Carolina has signed two

players who will compete in the McDonald’s game, giving the Tar Heels 73 All-Americans in their history. The next closest school to the two Tobacco Road rivals is Kentucky, whose two recruits in this year’s game bring the Wildcats to 62 over their history.

UNC had multiple players selected for the first time since 2014, when Theo Pinson, Joel Berry II and Justin Jackson all played in the McDonald’s game.

The ACC team with the next highest total of McDonald’s All-Americans in its history is Louisville, with 22. This year, Syracuse was the only ACC team other than Carolina or Duke with a recruit selected for the game — Darius Bazley — bringing the Orange to 19 all-time.

In North Carolina, NC State has signed 13 and Wake Forest eight.

The game will take place in Atlanta on March 28. Here’s a look at the future Tar Heels and Blue Devils that were chosen:

R.J. Barrett The 6-foot-7, 200-pound small forward out of Monteverde, Fla., signed with Duke in November. He’s considered the No. 1 prospect in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite Index. A Canadian and member of Canada’s junior national team, Barrett reclassified from the class of 2019 to enter college a year early. He won MVP at the Jordan Brand Classic International Game in 2016 and the FIBA Under-19 World Cup last year. Barrett was chosen for the East team.

Cameron Reddish A 6-foot-7, 211-pound small forward out of Norristown, Pa., Reddish is the No. 2 prospect in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite Index. Reddish put on a show in December’s National HoopFest, scoring 53 points in one game. He also signed with Duke in November and will play for the West team in the McDonald’s Game.

MARK J. REBILAS | USA TODAY SPORTS

Steve Wilks speaks after being introduced as the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals during a Tuesday press conference.

Zion Williamson

Coby White

The consensus No. 3 player in the nation, Williamson was still uncommitted at the time the rosters were unveiled. On Saturday night, however, the 6-foot-6, 275-pounder out of Spartanburg, S.C., announced that he was also planning to play at Duke. Williamson chose the Blue Devils over UNC and Clemson, as well as South Carolina, Kentucky and Kansas. His commitment gives Duke the top three players in the nation in what might go down as the best recruiting class in history.

He’ll join Barrett on the East team.

The 6-foot-5, 170-pound combination guard out of Wilson, N.C., is a scoring machine who signed with the Tar Heels in November. He’s the No. 25 player in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite Index and the No. 3 combo guard in the class. In December’s John Wall Classic, White scored 46, 32 and 41 points to break the tournament’s scoring record, set 27 years earlier by former Tar Heel Donald Williams. White also has 3,000 career points and could break the North Carolina high school career scoring record. He’ll play for the East team.

Tre Jones The 6-foot-2, 175-pound point guard out of St. Paul, Minn., is the younger brother of Tyus Jones, himself a McDonald’s All-American who led Duke to the 2015 national championship. It’s no surprise that Jones followed his big brother to Duke, signing with the Blue Devils in November. He’s the consensus No. 8 player in the nation and the top point guard in the class. In December’s GEICO High School Showcase, Jones was matched against Jalen Suggs, the top point guard in the 2020 class, and had 39 points with 10 rebounds and nine assists.

He joins Reddish on the West team.

Nassir Little A 6-foot-7, 205-pound small forward from Orlando, Fla., Little signed with the Tar Heels in November, becoming the first top-10 prospect to join the Tar Heels in more than three years. He’s the consensus No. 7 player in the class and will play for the West team.

Matched up with Barrett in a nationally televised December showcase game, Little scored 24 points.

He was connected to the FBI college basketball investigation, but he and his family have denied any wrongdoing.

B4

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Reliable Stempniak back for the Hurricanes Hurricanes forward Lee Stempniak has overcome two injuriesto return to the ice.

Two injuries and 43 missed games later, veteran winger already contributing

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal RALEIGH — Lee Stempniak is often the first name mentioned when discussing well-traveled NHL players. It’s deserved — Carolina is the 10th stop of the West Seneca, N.Y., native’s 13-year, nearly 900-game career.

What’s not mentioned enough is Stempniak’s durability and consistency. Four times he’s played a full 82-game schedule — including last year, his first with the Hurricanes on a two-way contract he signed during the 2016 offseason — and he’s averaged 74 games played since his first full season in 2006-07, a number brought down by two years in Calgary when he totaled just 108 games. Along the way, he’s been counted on as a consistent 40-point secondary scorer.

That Stempniak, 35 on Feb. 4, could be relied on to both play and produce year after year, in city after city, made the injuries that cost him the first 43 games of the 2017-18 season that much more frustrating.

“It’s hard because you train all summer and you’re ready, and you get hurt in training camp and then come back from that,” Stempniak said. “I felt like I was close, and I got hurt again.”

Stempniak battled a lower body injury throughout training camp and into the start of the season before accepting a conditioning assignment to the Charlotte Checkers. He suited up Nov. 10 in Utica, N.Y., for his first AHL game since April 24, 2006.

On his first shift, he took a hit away from the puck and knew something wasn’t right.

“It was a fluke,” Stempniak said. “I didn’t have the puck, was turning and someone just sort of popped me. Completely unexpected, didn’t have the puck and just something felt off. I played the rest of that shift, played another shift

RAJ MEHTA | USA TODAY SPORTS

and just felt like I had no strength.”

The diagnosis: A broken collarbone.

Instead of missing just the first month of the season, Stempniak was shelved even longer with a completely new injury.

“I think they thought it was more minor at first, at least in Utica; thought it was going to be a three- to 10-day issue,” he said. “I don’t know how long I was out — maybe 10 weeks. So that part was frustrating for sure. You try not to get too down on that, let that get you down on life. (Just) try to use the time wisely to make sure when I came back I was feeling good.”

Stempniak finally returned to the lineup Jan. 12 for Game 44 of the season, Carolina’s heartbreaking 4-3 loss at home to Washington. By the third period, Stempniak said, he felt like his old self.

In a 4-1 loss to Calgary two nights later, Stempniak was the Hurricanes’ lone goal scorer in an otherwise dismal effort.

Hurricanes coach Bill Peters credited Stempniak for putting in the hard work needed to come

“I expect myself to play well and contribute, and it’s nice to be back in the swing of things.”

— Lee Stempniak, Hurricanes forward back from the two injuries and jump into the playoff push midseason.

“The reports back, the two from our strength coach and our assistant coaches, is that this guy has put in some serious time here, and he’s done a good job,” Peters said.

“He looks quicker, to be honest with you. I think he’s picked up a little bit of a half step, maybe a step.”

Stempniak didn’t say he is faster, but he does feel good on the ice.

“I think that a lot of credit goes to (Hurricanes strength coach) Bill Burniston,” Stempniak said. “We spent a lot of time to-

gether. He spoke to my trainer in Toronto, Matt Nichol, and devised a plan to use the time not just for conditioning and not just to rehab, but to try and target lower body strength, explosiveness —just using the time wisely so when you come back you’re the best version of yourself you can be.

“Then when I got on the ice, I’ve been skating a lot with (Hurricanes assistant coach) Rod (Brind’Amour), a lot of game situations, a lot of quick feet things … rather than just the traditional conditioning skate, and I think those all contributed to feeling good on the ice.”

Heading into Tuesday night’s game in Pittsburgh, Stempniak had two points in four games — just what you’d expect from a guy who’s averaged 0.53 points per game in his NHL career.

If he can bring that consistency the rest of the way, perhaps he can help the Hurricanes snap their eight-season playoff drought.

If not, some GM in an 11th city would know what they were getting at the trade deadline.

Kemba Walker copes with trade rumors Hornets’ All-Star point guard could be headed elsewhere

By Shawn Krest North State Journal IN MONDAY’S five-point win over Sacramento, Charlotte point guard Kemba Walker scored 26 points and dished out nine assists, both game highs. He also scored seven of the team’s final 11 points as the Hornets held off the Kings at home.

Not bad for a player who, it’s safe to say, has been a little bit distracted off the court.

According to reports by ESPN and other outlets, the Hornets are considering trading the All-Star and team leader who has played his entire career in Charlotte and is having a home built in the area.

“This is where I got my opportunity,” an emotional Walker said.

“I’m seven years in now. I do a lot with the community. I’ve gotten to know a lot of the fans. Of course I’m going to be tied to this place.

This is where I’ve grown up. This is home.”

Walker doesn’t know what to make of the rumors, which have him being packaged in deals to New York, Detroit, Cleveland and other destinations.

“I don’t know,” he said, repeating a phrase he would use 10 times in a nine-minute interview. “I’ve seen (the rumors). This is the first time I’ve really been in this kind of

JOHNSON from page B1 helping to force the Deacons into a pivotal 10-second violation, then hitting a tie-breaking jumper to lead State to a 72-63 victory.

Even though he was held scoreless in Saturday’s loss to then-No. 25 Miami, Johnson handed out a career-high 14 assists — his third double-figure effort of the season — to help his team shoot 54.4 percent from the floor.

He’s also, in the words of sophomore center Omer Yurtseven, “defensively killing whoever he’s playing. He’s locking guards up and going 100 percent on every play.”

Johnson missed seven games during his suspension, which was

situation. What can I do? I’m still here. I’ve been here.

“I’ve got no control over those kind of things. I try to keep my mind off of it.”

Coach Steve Clifford and owner Michael Jordan have both tried to tap the brakes on the public trade talks involving Walker.

“I find it hard to believe,” Clifford said. “I think it would be hard to trade him. I don’t know a thing about what (ESPN) reported. Look, I’ve been in this league 18 years. There are rumors everywhere. I’ll tell you the same thing I’ve told the players: Nobody has said anything about it here. It’s a rumor.”

Clifford believes he would be consulted before any deal was consummated, and his feelings on the matter are clear. “I think the same thing as everybody else,” he said. “He’s our best player. He’s the face of the franchise. I think it would be very difficult to find a scenario where he’d get traded.”

That doesn’t mean the scenario isn’t out there, however, nor that the Hornets aren’t testing the waters.

Jordan’s vote of confidence also didn’t fully quell the talk.

He told The Charlotte Observer that Walker wasn’t being shopped around the league and that, “I would not trade him for anything but an All-Star player.”

One rumored deal ESPN discussed had Cavs guard Isaiah Thomas coming to Charlotte, which would definitely meet Jor-

announced an hour before State’s Dec. 16 loss to UNC Greensboro.

Although his return was anything but guaranteed, the former four-star recruit said he never lost faith that his legal situation would eventually be resolved favorably.

To that end, he never stopped working on his game, even though he wasn’t allowed to be around his teammates.

“I just played basketball,” Johnson said. “I’m a basketball player, so I’m going to play ball every day. … It’s just good being back with my team.”

The other members of the Wolfpack are just as happy to have him back, especially two in particular.

“The guy who has benefited

SAM SHARPE | USA TODAY SPORTS

Hornets guard Kemba Walker shoots as he is defended by two Sacramento Kings players during Charlotte’s 112-107 win Monday at the Spectrum Center.

dan’s criteria.

Even with the front office offering support, until the Feb. 8 deadline, Walker will remain in limbo.

“I’ve got no control over those kind of things,” he said. “I try to keep my mind off it. That’s it.”

The best way to do that, he’s

“Anytime you go through some adversity, it kind of helps you grow up in a way, and he’s been a pleasure to be around.”

— NC State coach Kevin Keatts on Markell Johnson more with Markell Johnson being back is probably (backcourt mate) Braxton Beverly, because we can free him up from having to handle

found, is on the court.

“I’m a pro, man,” he said. “This is what I do. I play basketball and go hard every day, regardless of what’s going on in my life. I never bring it to the basketball court. …

Basketball is what helps me cope with everything.”

the basketball. Also, I think he’s helped Omer,” Keatts said. “If you look at it before Markell left, he was our leading assist guy. He can find people.”

In fact, Johnson’s 6.8 assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.6 would be leading the ACC if he had enough assists to qualify.

His ability to penetrate has opened things up for Yurtseven — this week’s ACC Player of the Week — as well as giving State’s perimeter shooters more space to find open looks at the basket.

“He’s a guard who can attack bigs off the pick and roll,” Yurtseven said. “When bigs have to stay on the ball, it creates an opportunity for me.”

DUKE from page B1 ing. But why do the Blue Devils seem suffer the New Year slump each season?

It’s the true road games Duke’s nonconference schedule has long been criticized by rivals, due to coach Mike Krzyzewski’s seeming reluctance to play true road games.

Krzyzewski defends the practice by pointing to the fact that Duke plays a tough nonconference schedule each year — he just prefers to face marquee foes at neutral sites, instead of on the road. After all, he points out, the NCAA tournament is played on neutral sites.

ACC regular season games, however, are not. And when the Blue Devils enter a hostile environment like NC State’s PNC Arena or travel to Notre Dame, they seem to struggle.

Duke’s two ACC losses this year both came in true road games — at Boston College and at PNC. In the three years prior, however, Duke’s 10 January losses included four home games: NC State and Notre Dame both won at Cameron, as did Miami and Syracuse.

Plus, it’s hard to make a case that Duke’s nonconference schedule failed to prepare the team for a trip to Florida State or Virginia Tech. Duke has played the No. 2 team in the nation three of the last four years, winning twice. Since the 2012-13 season, Duke has played seven top-five teams in nonconference, going 5-2.

Duke has a dozen nonconference games against ranked teams over that span, an average of two a year.

It’s the freshmen Duke has built its team around a core of one-and-done freshman stars over the past few years, and the younger a Duke team is, the bigger the January wall seems to be.

While Duke has a .725 January winning percentage over the past decade, the years when the Blue Devils are led by a one-and-done — 2012 (Austin Rivers), 2014 (Jabari Parker), 2015 (Jahlil Okafor, Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow), 2016 (Brandon Ingram) and 2017 (Jayson Tatum, Harry Giles) — the team is just 28-14 (.667) in January.

“For those four freshmen, who are very talented, that was their first time in an ACC game in Cameron,” Krzyzewski said after Duke’s win over Florida State this year. “When we get on a run, and that crowd goes nuts, that’s the first time they’ve had that. Being 18 and 19, you’d be dancing around out there. It would be tough after that to get on to the next play. Those are things you have to learn.”

To a man, the Duke players say that ACC play is just different.

“I’ve always heard the older guys telling me the ACC is a different season,” freshman guard Gary Trent Jr. said. “It’s hard. There are some tough teams, great players and everybody knows everybody.”

Krzyzewski talks frequently about the yearlong challenge of developing a team, and he’s more than willing to sacrifice an early-season loss for the greater good.

When he left Trevon Duval in against Florida State, despite foul troubles, Krzyzewski said, “You have to learn to play like you have no fouls and be a man. Be mature. The best way to learn is through experience.

You have to use the regular season to put these guys through those situations.

“Today we were fortunate to win,” Krzyzewski added. “If we had lost, still putting them in those situations is what you have to do. You cannot practice it.”

January seems to be the time to get in that practice.

At 13-7 (3-4 ACC), State is still a longshot to play its way into either an NCAA tournament or NIT bid. But with a resume that includes wins against Arizona and Duke, both of which were ranked No. 2 at the time, and another upset of current No. 18 Clemson, the opportunity is there for the taking if the Wolfpack can finish strong.

It’s a goal that became much more realistic when Johnson went from being a spectator watching on television to an active participant again.

“It was very hard watching them playing without me,” Johnson said. “But I got back and just got right in the rhythm. Now I’m ready to roll.”

WEDNESDAY

1.24.18

“Three Billboards” gives N.C. something to root for at the Oscars, Page 7

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL PHOTO BY GARY AYERS

Billboards are cheering for the billboard movie. A billboard in Sylva, NC on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018.

the good life IN A NORTH STATE OF MIND

play list

Jan. 25-Jan. 28 Blowing Rock WinterFest Main Street, Blowing Rock Celebrate this winter season at the 20th Annual Blowing Rock WinterFest. You will not want to miss the Polar Plunge in Chetola Lake, Ice Skating in Memorial Park, all you can eat Pancake Breakfast at Sunny Rock Eggs and Things and Winter Jam at Twigs.

Jan. 26-Jan. 27 Atlantic Coast Trampoline & Tumbling Invitational Greensboro Coliseum Field House, Greensboro Discover the incredible sport of trampoline and tumbling at the Atlantic Coast Trampoline & Tumbling Invitational (ACTTI).

Athletes of all ages and skill level from across the country will compete on the trampoline, double mini, and tumbling the Ultimate Air Trampoline & Tumbling Team.

Jan. 26-Jan. 28 “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)” Hart Theatre, Waynesville See one of London’s longestrunning comedies, “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).” The 97-minute show features all 37 of Shakespeare’s works and is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

JEFFREY DASTIN | REUTERS

Customers browse packaged wraps, sandwiches and salads at Amazon’s new “grab-and-go” store in Seattle, on Jan. 18.

American Kennel Club: Dog Agility Trial Agricultural Center, Fletcher Cheer on more than 300 dogs from around the southeast as they compete at the American Kennel Club Dog Agility Trial.

Tensions will be high as the dogs’ navigate various level obstacle courses and race against each other and the clock. The trial begins at 8:00 a.m. each day.

Goodbye grocery line Amazon’s automated grocery store of the future opened Monday

Jan. 27 Oyster Roast “For the Birds” Sylvan Heights Bird Park, Scotland Neck Did you know crushed oyster shells are a good source of calcium for shore birds and waterfowl? The Sylvan Heights Bird Park does and will teach you more at its second annual Oyster Roast fundraiser. Tickets are available online and include a delicious meal of oysters, shrimp, slaw, hush puppies, beer and wine.

By Reuters SEATTLE — Amazon.com opened its checkout-free grocery store to the public on Monday after more than a year of testing, the company said, moving forward on an experiment that could dramatically alter brickand-mortar retail.

The Seattle store, known as Amazon Go, relies on cameras and sensors to track what shoppers remove from the shelves, and what they put back. Cash registers and checkout lines beare billed after leaving the store For grocers, the store’s opening heralds another potential disruption at the hands of the world’s largest online retailer, which bought high-end supermarket chain Whole Foods Market last year for $13.7 billion.

Long lines can deter shoppers, how to eradicate wait times will have an advantage.

Amazon did not discuss if or when it will add more Go locations, and reiterated it has no plans to add the technology to the larger and more complex Whole Foods stores.

The convenience-style store opened to Amazon employees on Dec. 5, 2016, in a test phase. At the time, Amazon said it expected members of the public could begin using the store in early 2017.

But there have been challenges, according to a person familiar with the matter. These included correctly identifying shoppers

JEFFREY DASTIN | REUTERS

with similar body types, the person said. When children were brought into the store during the trial, they caused havoc by moving items to incorrect places, the person added.

Gianna Puerini, vice president of Amazon Go, said in an interview that the store worked very well throughout the test phase, thanks to four years of prior legwork.

“This technology didn’t exist,” Puerini said, walking through the Seattle store. “It was really advancing the state of the art of computer vision and machine learning.”

“If you look at these products, you can see they’re super similar,” she said of two near-iden-

tical Starbucks drinks next to each other on a shelf. One had light cream and the other had regular, and Amazon’s technology learned to tell them apart.

How it works The 1800-square-foot store building. To start shopping, customers must scan an Amazon Go smartphone app and pass through a gated turnstile.

Ready-to-eat lunch items greet shoppers when they enter.

Deeper into the store, shoppers cery items, including meats and meal kits. An Amazon employee checks IDs in the store’s wine

and beer section.

Sleek black cameras monitoring from above and weight sensors in the shelves help Amazon determine exactly what people take.

If someone passes back through the gates with an item, his or her associated account is charged. If a shopper puts an item back on the shelf, Amazon removes it from his or her virtual cart.

Much of the store will feel familiar to shoppers, aside from the check-out process. Amazon, famous for dynamic pricing online, has printed price tags just as traditional brick-and-mortar stores do.

Comedian: Joe Rogan Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham Delight in a performance by stand-up comedian Joe Rogan at DPAC. Rogan has been entertaining live audiences around the world for more than 20 years, and hosts the popular podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience.” The show begins at 10:30 p.m. and is for mature audiences.

Jan. 28 Bridal Expo at The Farm The Farm, Selma The 2018 Bridal Expo at The Farm is an event you don’t want to miss. Brides-to-be can tour The Farm venue throughout the day and explore wedding photographers, entertainers, and more.

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 24, 2018

B6

NeCessities! history marked Jan. 25, 1990

Johnston County native Ava Gardner died Johnston County native and world-famous actress Ava Gardner died in her London apartment. Born on a Grabtown farm, Gardner moved around North Carolina as a child, graduated from high school in Wilson County and began a program in secretarial studies at what PHOTO COURTESY OF IISG is now Barton College.

Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner at a restaurant in Amsterdam Discovered by chance on December 13, 1951. after her brother-in-law posted a photograph in the window of his New York City studio, Gardner was offered a contract with MGM Studios.

Since her mother would not allow her to head to Hollywood alone, both Garner and her sister moved to the West Coast in 1941. Appearing in mostly minor and nonspeaking roles during the first five years of her career, Gardner saw her profile raised significantly after her 1946 performances in “Whistle Stop” and “The Killers.” Gardner went on to make at least 55 movies, including “On the Beach” (1959), “The Night of the Iguana” (1964) and “Earthquake” (1974). She also achieved notoriety for her marriages to Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw and Frank Sinatra. Gardner moved to Spain in 1955 to escape constant hounding from the press, and after nearly decade there, moved to London, where she spent the final years of her life. The Ava Gardner Museum in downtown Smithfield holds an extensive collection of artifacts from Gardner’s career and private life.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NASA

Crew members of mission STS-51L stand in the White Room at Pad 39B following the end of the Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test. From left to right they are: Teacher in Space Participant, Sharon “Christa” McAuliffe, Payload Specialist, Gregory Jarvis, Mission Specialist, Judy Resnik, Commander Dick Scobee Mission Specialist, Ronald McNair, Pilot, Michael Smith and Mission Specialist, Ellison Onizuka.

Jan. 28, 1986

Beaufort native Michael Smith died in shuttle explosion The space shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after its 11:38 a.m. launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The seven crew members, including the pilot, U.S. Navy Cpt. Michael John Smith of Beaufort, died in the disaster. Investigators later determined that cold weather caused a seal in the craft’s right solid rocket booster to fail, allowing pressurized hot gas from the solid rocket motor to reach the external fuel tank. The spacecraft broke apart and disintegrated PHOTO COURTESY OF COURTESY OF PINEHURST RESORT

Jan. 26, 1918

Miniature golf rooted in Pinehurst James Barber and his wife gave a garden tea and held a miniature golf tournament for the local ladies of the Advertising Golf League.

According to the following week’s edition of the Pinehurst Outlook, which termed the game “Miniature Golf” in its headline, the course could be “negotiated with a wellpitched mashie shot, and bends and curves calling for nice and discriminating slices and pulls.” The Sandhills golf mecca, Pinehurst, is widely believed by many to be the ancestral home of miniature golf in the United States, and the January 1918 game may be one of the first mini golf games played in the country.

Jan. 28, 1934

Fire destroyed much of Wrightsville Beach A devastating fire destroyed much of Wrightsville Beach, including the legendary Oceanic Hotel. Just after noon on that Sunday, smoke poured out of the Kitty Cottage, a boarding house on the north end of the island. In less than three hours, more than 100 buildings were leveled as the westerly wind took the fire from building to building via wooden-shingled roofs. The handful of permanent residents and the tiny volunteer fire department formed bucket

Barber, a wealthy New Jersey shipping magnate, built one of the country’s first, if not the earliest, “Lilliputian” golf courses at his Pinehurst home. Called “Thistle Dhu,” by its owner, the course was constructed sometime between 1916 and 1918. It was designed by amateur architect Edward H. Wiswell and was located on the west side of the Barber’s stately mansion amidst its formal gardens.

Pinehurst has since expanded and moved Thistle Dhu, relocating it to the front steps of the main clubhouse and surrounding the famed Putter Boy statue. The 18-hole putting course now spans 75,000 square feet, making it one of the largest Bermuda grass greens in the country. Thistle Dhu is free to play and open to the public.

brigades and pushed carts laden with hoses through the sand but, with no fire hydrants, it was a lost cause. Once the wind shifted to the southwest, the flames roared to more than 50 feet high and were so hot they could be felt on Harbor Island, between Wrightsville and the mainland. The Wilmington Fire Department was called to assist but, with no vehicular bridge to the island, the heavy equipment was placed onto a trolley and, once on the island, sank into the sand as the wooden boardwalks had been burned as well.

All that was left of the north end of the island was chimneys, iron bed frames and dead crabs littering the beach.

Jan. 30, 1940

Icebergs and icebreakers on the N.C. Coast An iceberg was spotted off shore at Salter Path. A Works Progress Administration worker reported that the iceberg was the size of a small island, extending 6 feet above the surface of the ocean, and on a westerly trajectory. Others reported that at Atlantic Beach, ice floes had piled up so high in the Bogue Sound at the Atlantic Bridge that gulls were landing on them. The Harkers Island ferry had to break through ice to continue

Jan. 30, 1956

Ice hockey’s Southern debut Professional ice hockey debuted in North Carolina. A week earlier, a fire destroyed the home arena of the Baltimore Clippers, an Eastern Hockey League team. Charlotte representatives convinced the team to play five of their remaining home games at the Charlotte Coliseum. The Clippers’ Charlotte debut, in which they played the New Haven Blades, drew 10,363 people to the 9,500-seat venue with more than 3,000 being turned away at the gate. An article in The Charlotte Observer described the response: “Thousands of people who didn’t

in a plume of white smoke over the Atlantic Ocean. The fatal mission (Flight STS-51L), which was to have deployed two satellites into orbit, received much media attention because it marked the first time a civilian, high school teacher Christa McAuliffe, was allowed to travel in space. After the disaster, NASA suspended shuttle flights for two years.

The Challenger’s remains were recovered from the ocean floor nearly two months after the explosion. Smith was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on May 3, 1986. There is a monument to Smith on the waterfront in Beaufort and the town’s Michael J. Smith Airport is named in his honor.

its run, and a man in Beaufort pulled frozen fish from the water. He got the surprise of his life when he returned from fetching a knife to find that they had thawed and were still alive. That January had been so cold that The Beaufort News declared it the “Ice Age.” Temperatures, though cold, were not of record levels. The thermometer dipped down to 18 degrees on Jan. 20 and to 16 degrees on Jan. 27-28, though it did rebound to a balmy 21 degrees on Jan. 29. Farther north, at Lake Mattamuskeet, so many birds were stranded by the ice-bound conditions that they had to be fed by the superintendent.

know a goalie from a dasher board lined up their cars a mile or so on Independence Boulevard and all the other streets around the Coliseum, trying to get into the place.”

The crowd sang “Dixie” before the opening faceoff and cheered the Clippers on to a 6-2 victory. The city’s enthusiastic response prompted the Clippers to relocate to Charlotte permanently the following season, and they soon changed their name to the Charlotte Checkers. Hockey historian Jim Mancuso calls the relocation of the Clippers “the birth of professional hockey in the South” and credits it with paving the way for the expansion of other hockey leagues into the Southern market.

VENUE - DAT

VENUE - DATE AdamTrent.com

THURS

Hurry for Best Seats.

Seats Start at $35

AdamTrent.com

+ ticket fees

GROUPS of 12 or More : Groups@DPACnc.com

FEB 15

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 24, 2018

B7

ENTERTAINMENT Oscar nominations announced Academy Award nominations MARIO ANZUONI | REUTERS

PHOTOS BY MERRICK MORTON | TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX FILM

Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson in the film “Three Billboards”

Highlights of the Oscar nominations are below.

“Three Billboards” gives NC a horse in the race

Timothée Chalamet in “Call Me by Your Name” Daniel Day-Lewis in P”hantom Thread” Daniel Kaluuya in “Get Out” Gary Oldman in “Darkest Hour” Denzel Washington in “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”

Actor in a Supporting Role Abbie Cornish and Woody Harrelson in the film “Three Billboards”

Mountain and Maggie Valley were used to create the backdrops. Visitors can visit the Jackson County Historic Courthouse, which now serves as the public library. Climb the 107 steps for a picturesque view of the town.

Stop by Sassy Frass, a home décor store that was transformed into the Ebbing Police Department.

Travel down North Fork Lift Road, which circles Black Mountain, to see the route featured in the film as housing the infamous billboards.

North Carolina is connected with 10 other Oscar-nominated films, including 1985’s “The Color Purple” which was filmed in Anson, Mecklenburg, Rowan and Union counties. Baseball enthusiasts remember 1988’s “Bull

Durham,” which was filmed in Burlington, Greensboro, Raleigh, Wilson and Durham.

If you travel to the coastal regions of North Carolina, including Wilmington, Southport and the Outer Banks, you’ll find these cities have served as locations for the film adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks novels. Though Sparks’ books-turned-films such as “The Lucky One,” “The Notebook” and “Nights in Rodanthe” haven’t won awards, they’ve been extremely popular love stories among filmgoers.

The other films and actors competing with “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” for Academy Awards were announced on Tuesday.

Willem Dafoe in “The Florida Project” Woody Harrelson in “Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri” Richard Jenkins in “The Shape of Water” Christopher Plummer in “All the Money in the World” Sam Rockwell in “Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri”

Actress in a Leading Role Sally Hawkins in “The Shape of Water” Frances McDormand in “Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri” Margot Robbie in “I, Tonya” Saoirse Ronan in “Lady Bird” Meryl Streep in “The Post” Actress in a Supporting Role

Coroner: Tom Petty died due to accidental drug overdose

By Dan Whitcomb Reuters LOS ANGELES — Rocker Tom Petty died in October due to “multisystem organ failure” brought on by an accidental overdose of seven medications, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office said on Friday.

The coroner’s office attributed Petty’s death at the age of 66 to a “mixed toxicity” of fentanyl, oxycodone, generic Restoril, generic Xanax, generic Celexa, acetyl fentanyl, and despropionyl fentanyl.

The medical examiner’s report lists the manner of death as “accidental.”

Petty, whose ringing guitar riffs, distinctive vocals and well-wrought everyman lyrics graced such hits as “Refugee,” “Free Fallin’” and “American Girl,” was found unconscious at his home in Malibu on Oct. 2 and died at a hospital later that night.

He had been engaged on a 40th anniversary tour of the United States with his band the Heartbreakers at the time and had just played three dates at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

“We knew before the report was shared with us that he was prescribed various pain medications for a multitude of issues including fentanyl patches and we feel confident that this was, as the coroner found, an unfortunate accident,” Petty’s wife, Dana, and daughter Adria, said in a Facebook post.

Actress Kristen Bell speaks at the 24th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards show in Los Angeles, on Jan. 21.

Screen Actors Guild awards all about women Women and their stories dominated the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) awards on Sunday in the second big Hollywood ceremony this year aimed to transform the sexual misconduct scandal sweeping the United States into a celebration of female empowerment.

The annual show in Los Angeles, celebrating acting achievements in film and television, was a femalepowered affair, with women presenting all 13 of the awards.

Actor in a Leading Role

By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal KINSTON — Any North Carolinian knows of the state’s natural beauty from the coastal regions to the mountain peaks. The state is home to tree-lined highway drives, small towns with charm, and lush lakes amid the mountains making the state a favorite location for filmmakers.

Western N.C. has served as the backdrop for several of the film industry’s cult classics including “Dirty Dancing,” “Hunger Games,” “The Fugitive” and “Forrest Gump.”

The film “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” transformed Sylva, N.C., into Ebbing, Mo., and received seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Frances McDormand, and Best Supporting Actor for both Sam Rockwell and Woody Harrelson.

The critically acclaimed film showcases a mother’s quest to call attention to her daughter’s murder through the purchasing of three billboards outside of the city, as the film’s name suggests. The mother, portrayed by McDormand, implores the community to uncover the secrets of her daughter’s violent death.

While Ebbing is a fictional town, sites in Sylva, Dillsboro, Black

The nominations for the 90th annual Academy Awards were announced Tuesday. Fox Searchlight’s fantasy drama “The Shape of Water” led the Oscar nominations with 13 nods, including Best Picture.

World War II film “Dunkirk” received eight nominations, including Best Picture and director Christopher Nolan was nominated for Best Director. “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” received seven nominations and is looking to complete a sweep of the top awards after receiving the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture — Drama and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Mary J. Blige in “Mudbound” Allison Janney in “I, Tonya” Lesley Manville in “Phantom Thread” Laurie Metcalf in “Lady Bird” Octavia Spencer in “The Shape of Water”

Animated Feature Film “The Boss Baby” “The Breadwinner” “Coco” “Ferdinand” “Loving Vincent”

Directing Christopher Nolan for “Dunkirk” Jordan Peele for “Get Out” Greta Gerwig for “Lady Bird” DANNY MOLOSHOK | REUTERS

Musician Tom Petty arrives for the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, on Sept. 6, 2012.

Dana and Adria Petty said the veteran musician was suffering from emphysema, knee problems and most significantly a fractured hip that he was treating with medication so that he could continue touring.

“On the day he died he was informed his hip had graduated to a full-on break and it is our feeling that the pain was simply unbearable and was the cause for his over use of medication,” Dana and Adria Petty said.

A 2015 biography of Petty revealed for the first time that he was addicted to heroin in the 1990s.

Petty, who was born in Florida in 1950 and was best known for his

roots-infused rock music, carved a career as a solo artist as well as with his band the Heartbreakers and as part of supergroup the Traveling Wilburys.

He and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, when they were described by organizers as “the quintessential American individualists,” capturing the voice of the American everyman.

Bob Dylan, a bandmate of Petty’s in the Traveling Wilburys and considered by many to be rock music’s greatest songwriter, called Petty’s death “shocking, crushing news” in a statement to Rolling Stone magazine at the time.

Paul Thomas Anderson for “Phantom Thread” Guillermo del Toro for “The Shape of Water”

Best Picture “Call Me by Your Name” “Darkest Hour” “Dunkirk” “Get Out” “Lady Bird” “Phantom Thread” “The Post” “The Shape of Water” “Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri”

‘Fast & Furious’ star Diesel brings highoctane live show to London The roaring engines and burning rubber of “The Fast & The Furious” films — one of cinema’s highest-grossing franchises — are skidding off the screen and into the real world, as a live stunt show based on the movies opens in London on Thursday. “Fast & Furious Live,” held in London’s O2 arena, aims to recreate the elaborate stunts for which the films are known.

Kim Kardashian names new baby girl Chicago And the name is .... Chicago West. Kim Kardashian’s new baby daughter with rapper husband Kanye West has been named Chicago, the reality star announced on her app on Friday.

‘Jumanji’ stays strong, topping ‘12 Strong,’ ‘Den of Thieves’ with $20 million Sony’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” has won its third weekend box office title with ease, topping newcomers “12 Strong” and “Den of Thieves,” with $20 million at 3,704 North American locations.

Afghan war drama “12 Strong” took second with $16.5 million at 3,002 sites for Warner Bros. and STXfilms’ “Den of Thieves” followed with $15.3 million from 2,432 venues.

Fox’s “The Post” finished fourth with $12 million at 2,851 venues and its fifth weekend of “The Greatest Showman” remained a solid draw in fifth with $11 million at 2,823 screens.

British singer Ed Sheeran gets engaged to school friend Cherry Seaborn British singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran said on Saturday he is engaged to long-time friend Cherry Seaborn, whom he first met at school at the age of 11.

“Got myself a fiancé just before new year,” he wrote on an Instagram photo of him and Seaborn. “We are very happy and in love, and our cats are chuffed as well xx.”

North State Journal for Wednesday, January 24, 2018

B8

pen & Paper pursuits JANRIC CLASSIC SUDOKU

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

The whole state.

The whole story.

SOLUTIONS FROM 01.17.17

Every Wednesday.

To subscribe visit nsjonline.com or call 866-458-7184

WAKE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAKE NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS FILE NO. 17 E 2956 Having qualified on the 8th day of November, 2017, as the Co-Administrators of the estate of Rosemary Suszynski, deceased, late of Wake County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to Barbara Lavalette and Cory Lavalette, Co-Administrators, on or before April 3, 2018, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment to the above named Co-Administrators.

This is the 3rd day of January, 2018.

Barbara Lavalette and Cory Lavalette, Co-Administrators 4200 Mallory Glen Circle Raleigh, NC 27616 1/3, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24 CL

Experience It All. All In One Place. #AllinOnePlace 50 Years of NC Arts Council in All 100 Counties State Parks and Recreation Areas North Carolina Aquariums Historic Sites North Carolina ZOO Museums of History, Art and Science Libraries and Archives North Carolina Symphony

dncr.nc.gov/AllinOnePlace

Happy New Year!

I wish you all the best in 2018 as you experience everything North Carolina has to offer.

Secretary Susi H. Hamilton

NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

NC DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES