North State Journal — Vol. 2., Issue 16

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VOLUME 2 ISSUE 16

www.NSJONLINE.com |

SATURDAY, April 22, 2017

Inside NSJ lauded for photo excellence, C4

Aaron P. Bernstein | reuters

President Donald Trump speaks before signing a directive ordering an investigation into the impact of foreign steel on the American economy in the Oval Office on April 20.

the weekend

News BRIEFing Bill O’Reilly out at Fox after harassment allegations New York Twenty-First Century Fox has parted ways with star cable news host Bill O’Reilly following allegations of sexual harassment, the company said on Wednesday. “After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the company and Bill O’Reilly have agreed that Bill O’Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel,” the conservative network’s parent said in a statement. Reports say O’Reilly could receive as much as a year’s salary — estimated at $25 million — in the breakup. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” will move in to O’Reilly’s 8 p.m. time slot on Fox News, the network said.

Commissioners vote on Durham-Orange light rail next week Durham Local officials will decide next week whether to continue to seek federal funding for half of the cost of the proposed $3.3 billion light rail that will span from NC Central University to UNC Hospital.

If the 17-mile project is approved for an FTA New Starts grant, local residents can still expect to pick up a $1.9 billion share of the costs, while the public-private partnership has pledged to raise $100 million for the new transit line. The Durham County commissioners will vote on Tuesday, April 24; the Orange County commissioners will vote Thursday, April 27.

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

General Assembly looks to solve classroom size rules caused by budget House Bill 13 would reinstitute class size flexibility that helped fund specials teachers

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal RALEIGH — While hundreds rallied Wednesday at Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh in support of House Bill 13, members of the General Assembly continued to work on the issue regarding flexibility of K-3 class size in public schools.

Last year’s state budget dictated that starting with the 2017-18 school year, kindergarten through third grade class sizes will be lowered to 19 to 21 students from the current 24, eliminating the class-size flexibility that was used by many schools to fund teachers of “specials” like physical education, art, foreign language and music.

“What’s happened is this was a very good intended thought with the way that this was structured, but it created a ripple where it affected things that you didn’t necessarily realize on the surface it would affect,” Rep. Jeff Elmore (R-Wilkes) said.

For Elmore, the ripple effect follows him back home, where he is an elementary school art teacher when he’s not in Raleigh with the legislature.

“As a teacher serving down here, I get to see actually what’s happening in the school building,” he said.” And you see effects of this, and how the decision at the state level affects it, but then the decision at the local level affects it, too. And how that’s playing off one another.”

He said in the mid-1990s the state collapsed those “specials” teachers’ funding into classroom teacher allotment.

See h.b. 13, page A2

INSIDE Sports

Campus free speech on the docket at NCGA. Jones & Blount

20177 52016 $2.00

christine T. Nguyen | North State Journal

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President targets China, other countries that export to United States

By Mike Stone and Steve Holland Reuters WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump moved on Thursday against China and other exporters of cheap steel into the U.S. market, launching a federal investigation to determine whether foreign-made steel threatens U.S. steelmakers and national security.

Winning praise from U.S. companies that are constantly fighting with foreign competitors,Trump invoked a rarely used trade law that raises the possibility of new tariffs. The action triggered a rally in U.S. steel stocks.

At a White House ceremony where he was surrounded by U.S. steel executives, Trump signed a memorandum ordering the U.S. Commerce Department to probe the impact of steel imports on the U.S. defense industrial base.

“Steel is critical to both our economy and our military,” said Trump. “This is not an area where we can afford to become dependent on foreign countries.”

The global steel market is in surplus. China is the largest national producer and makes far more steel than it consumes. To find buyers for its excess output, China sells steel cheap overseas, often undercutting domestic producers.

“Everything they export is dumping,” said Derek Scissors, Asia economist at the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington think tank.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross cast the decision to initiate the probe as a response to Chinese exports of steel into the United States reaching the point where they now account for 26 percent of the U.S. market.

Chinese exports have risen “despite repeated Chinese claims that they were going to reduce their steel

Rep. Jeffrey Elmore (R-Wilkes) listens to discussion during a House Education-Universities committee meeting on April 19.

“Steel is critical to both our economy and our military.

This is not an area where we can afford to become dependent on foreign countries.”

President Donald Trump

See steel, page A3

Davidson College Republicans spark debate on climate change Many right-leaning students more open to accepting what has traditionally been a liberal cause

By Mollie Young North State Journal

N.C. players abound in NFL Draft. B4

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Trump launches trade probe targeting Chinese steel

DAVIDSON — Davidson College has fewer than 2,000 students — small enough that the presidents of the College Republican and College Democrats clubs count each other as friends. They disagree on some political issues, but an unusual one unites them: they both believe climate change is a serious problem.

“Climate change is really real and really alarming to me personally,” said Grace Woodward, the College Republicans’ president.

University students — and Republicans in particular — “need to do a better job of talking about cli-

mate change,” she said.

Woodward is well aware that her views differ from those of many older Republican leaders. ”[But] we shouldn’t just be blindly loyal to a party,” she said. “In 20 years maybe we’ll hold those positions and we can make changes to the party.”

In national party politics, beliefs about climate change often match party membership: Democrats believe it is a largely man-made problem and needs aggressive action, while a share of Republicans — including President Donald Trump — have questioned the very validity of the science.

But a younger generation of Republicans — many on college campuses today — increasingly say they believe climate change is a problem that Americans have a reSee Davidson, page A8

North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

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EDA grant to boost workforce training in Western NC

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Mayland Community College receives $394,500

By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal

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SPRUCE PINE — A grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce is enabling Mayland Community College to continue bolstering workforce training in Western North Carolina.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $394,500 grant to Mayland Community College for the renovation and expansion of an existing facility that will allow the American Welding Society to provide advance welding certification to students.

“EDA investments help to ensure that the training of American workers is not overlooked,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Affairs Dennis Alvord.

“This EDA investment will allow MCC to train additional welding students to support the needs of the region’s business community.”

The mission of the EDA is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.

Mayland Community College President Dr. John C. Boyd added, “Our mission is workforce development. We are preparing the workforce for existing industries and in particular, boosting the economy of the three counties we serve — Mitchell, Avery and Yancey. Community colleges are all the workforce trainers of the state economy in North Carolina.”

Mayland Community College offers a welding technology diploma, and basic and advanced welding technology certificates.

The curriculum provides students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the science,

courtesy of Mayland Community College

Students complete projects as part of the welding program at Mayland Community College. The College received a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to expand the program and build the workforce in Western North Carolina.

“This EDA investment will allow MCC to train additional welding students to support the needs of the region’s business community.”

Dennis Alvord, deputy assistant secretary for regional affairs

technology and applications essential for employment in the welding and metals industry — an industry in high demand in the western part of North Carolina.

For example, Altec Industries is one of Mayland Community Col-

H.B. 13 from page A1

“When they did that, they created the flexibility with the funding, meaning we’re going to fund you at 1-to-18 ratio in kindergarten, but you can have as many as five additional kids,” Elmore said. “Where when you put three or five or however many you put in there, you do that in several classes, what that opens up is dollars to pay for your phys ed teacher, your art teacher, your second language teacher.”

The rollback to smaller class sizes in last year’s budget — intended to help schools reach the goal of having all of that state’s third-graders reading at grade level — eliminated that flexibility.

Further complicating the problem, Elmore said, is many schools are not following the original classroom size limits.

“There are systems that have massive classes,” Elmore said. “They have just basically thumbed their nose up to the state law. We would see in the second grade

lege’s biggest industrial partners.

Offering a range of services — including the fabrication of truck beds to the tools, equipment and technicians needed to get trucks up and running — the company has a big demand for welders.

“They are one of our biggest industrial partners,” said Boyd. “Altec recently invested $15 million in expansion which added 150 jobs that includes the needs for welders.”

With the backing of the EDA grant, an estimated 50 additional students are expected to be trained in welding at Mayland and the welding facility will receive a much needed upgrade.

“We currently have a small, outdated facility,” said Boyd.

“This grant allows us to add a classroom as well as gut and rebuild the existing facility to increase the educational experience

classroom, for example — and I won’t name the county — that had four in one elementary school and it was 31 kids, 33 kids, 32 kids, 31 kids.”

While the House has focused on the problem of classrooms with too many students, the Senate — where H.B. 13 is currently stuck in rules committee after passing 114-0 in the House — is looking at the related fiscal issues.

Advocacy groups like the North Carolina Association of Educators are pushing for H.B. 13 to pass, warning parents that specials teachers could be laid off if flexibility isn’t returned to K-3 classroom size.

That scenario would not only deprive children of classes like art and P.E., but would impact normal classroom teachers as well.

“They utilize the special teachers not only to help basically teaching the whole child, but they’re used in the rotation of the school,” Elmore said. “Meaning the classroom teacher, in most places,

of our students and to continue to produce high-level certifications in welding.”

The facility will provide high-level welding training to support existing industry expansion. The increased space will allow for more classes to be offered, allowing MCC to expand its program to offer a two-year degree program in welding that provides skills and competencies needed by regional employers.

In addition to welding bringing a large population of students to Mayland Community College, other students are coming to the institution to earn degrees in nursing and applied engineering services. Mayland Community College is made up of three campuses: the Main Campus in Spruce Pine, the Avery Learning Center in Newland, and the Yancey Learning Center in Burnsville.

they’re getting a 45-minute planning period. And how they get that planning period is through that class going to phys ed or going to the art class for the day.”

Both the House and Senate are looking to solve the problem while also finding a way to hold accountable schools that aren’t in compliance of classroom size mandates.

“So how do you create an accountability model that everybody doesn’t suffer, but it can pinpoint that 10 percent that is just outright not following the law,” Elmore said. “And that’s what we’re trying to figure out now: how do you balance the flexibility with proper accountability.”

Elmore is optimistic the General Assembly will find a solution, which is needed soon due to year-round schools beginning their 2017-18 years in the coming months.

“I feel like there is a solution that we will come up with to help with it,” he said.

“As a teacher serving down here, I get to see actually what’s happening in the school building.”

Rep. Jeff Elmore (R-Wilkes)”

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North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

BUSINESS John McNabb talks life, business and Trump Leadership Council at Duke University The successful businessman, a Duke alumnus, faced a millennial crowd still searching for answers of Trump’s win and what it means

By Jeff Moore North State Journal DURHAM — Since 1984, the dean’s office of The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University has hosted the Distinguished Speaker Series, bringing a variety of corporate leaders to Duke’s campus.

The speakers share their insights on current business issues and corporate strategies while also drawing Duke’s business students closer with leading corporations.

Dean of Fuqua School of Business Bill Boulding on Tuesday hosted business leader John McNabb, who attended Duke University, was an All-America football player for the Blue Devils, and eventually received his MBA there before embarking on an impressive business career running and building companies ranging from banking to energy. Despite his global business successes, McNabb had another role that dominated the discussion: politics.

“I told you that the day after the election that people were surprised here, just as they were surprised in many places, and I promised students that we’d bring someone in to help explain why [Donald] Trump won the election and what we can expect from Trump,” said Boulding to lead off the discussion.

McNabb served as chairman of the Trump Leadership Council, formed to bring the best and brightest leaders of nearly a dozen different disciplines together to assess and offer solutions for the myriad policy areas that then-candidate Trump hoped to tackle.

“We put together a group of about 50 men and women filled with 10 different disciplines in-

Steel from page A1

capacity,” Ross said.

He said if the U.S. steel industry is deemed to be suffering from too much steel imports, he will recommend retaliatory steps that could include tariffs. Trump ordered a probe under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which lets the president impose restrictions on imports for reasons of national security.

News of the move triggered a rally for steel stocks, including Steel Dynamics, AKSteel, U.S. Steel, Nucor, Cliffs Natural Resources, and Allegheny Technologies.

By Donna King North State Journal RALEIGH — These police pooches were sniffing out way more than just snacks at the State Bureau of Investigation Detector Dog Trials in Raleigh recently.

More than 100 professional K-9 units from all over the U.S. and Canada competed in the the United States Police Canine Association‘s National Detector Dog Trials to see which team was the best at identifying narcotics and assisting in other law enforcement or search and rescue operations.

A variety of breeds of police dogs including Labrador retrievers, German shepherds, Belgium malinois and even a springer spaniel showed off their ability to sniff and detect narcotics, explosives, accelerants or cadavers. Dogs serving in the armed forces and correction departments were there to compete as well. For the narcotics competition organizers set up five

U.S. regulator knocks its own handling of Wells Fargo sales scandal Washington, D.C. Wells Fargo and its U.S. bank regulator discussed complaints of high-pressure sales tactics as early as 2010 but officials took no action for years, according to a regulator’s review of the scandal. Bank examiners “failed to followup on significant complaint management and sales practices issues,” according to an unpublished, internal review by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The report ends a seven-month evaluation of how the OCC failed to halt a scandal in which thousands of Wells Fargo employees created as many as 2 million customer accounts without their consent.

Lawsuit claims Bose headphones spy on listeners

Christine t. Nguyen | North State Journal

John McNabb, former chairman and CEO of Willbros Group, speaks during the school’s Distinguished Speakers Series event Tuesday, April 18, 2017 in Durham. McNabb served as a member of the Trump Leadership Council.

cluding agriculture, defense, trade, banking and finance, transportation, manufacturing, health care, etc., etc.,” said McNabb of the council. “These are CEOs, world class people. It was a very big-time group of people.”

McNabb grew up poor in West Virginia and attended Duke University on a football scholarship and became an all-star while there, but upon graduation he was drafted, not to the NFL, but to Vietnam. The fighter pilot had come from a long line of military service and earned multiple medals during his tour.

He worked for N.C. Gov. Terry Sanford for a while, got into regional banking and eventually found great success in the energy

The United States has nearly 100 plants that make millions of tons of steel annually. The U.S. government attempts to shield them from cheap foreign steel chiefly by filing anti-dumping actions with the World Trade Organization, but the Trump administration said these have had little impact.

“The artificially low prices caused by excess capacity and unfairly traded imports suppress profits in the American steel industry,” the administration said in a statement.

The Defense Department’s annual steel requirements comprise less than 0.3 percent of the industry’s output by weight.

services industry.

“I was in Libya, the Middle East, Africa — West Africa as well as North Africa — pretty much everywhere except for Antarctica,” said McNabb. “Willbros was one of the largest energy contractors in the world at that time; we were a $2 billion company with maybe about 13,000 employees.”

It was billionaire and founder Harold Hamm of Continental Resources, where McNabb served as a board member, that asked him to form the leadership council.

After some initial resistance, McNabb agreed to spearhead the effort and is proud of the foundation they laid.

“They had worked together for about a month to put together

“There is no doubt that steel plays a role in our national security and the manufacturing of U.S. weapons systems,” said Jeff Bialos, a partner at law firm Eversheds Sutherland, who has worked on steel trade cases in the past.

“But the Department of Defense only consumes a small portion of domestic steel output, and this has decreased over the past decade as composites technology has advanced,” Bialos said.

One of the military’s largest consumers of steel are U.S. Navy shipbuilders Huntington Ingalls Industries and Lockheed Martin.

Scissors questioned the administration’s invoking of Section 232.

their view of what’s going on in their discipline in America,” said McNabb. “And it was posed as this isn’t about politics; it was posed as this is what’s going on in the U.S. and it was incredible.”

McNabb went on to describe why he thought Trump won the election and batted away criticisms from Duke students during the Q&A session insisting that Trump connected better with the people of the country.

“I got to know him a little bit,” said McNabb. “He was not like I thought he was advertised. He was quiet, charming, funny, a great listener, thoughtful — all these things you don’t believe about Donald Trump. He’s an amazing guy.”

He said the United States has other ways to take on China over steel trade issues, other than invoking national security.

“Talking about it as a national security issue — I don’t think it’s necessary and I don’t think it’s justified,” he said.

In October 2001, a Commerce Department investigation found “no probative evidence” that imports of iron ore and semi-finished steel threaten to impair U.S. national security.

Use of Section 232 could send another political message. “It does say we are not the same kind of administration as previous administrations,” he added.

Keeping paw and order K-9 units from across the nation came to Raleigh recently to see who was the best at sniffing out trouble

the BRIEF

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identical cars and hid narcotics in two. Cpl. Matt Chism and his K-9, Ajk, of Brunswick County won that challenge, finding both items in two minutes and six seconds.

Judges based the scores on speed and the communication between the handler and K-9.

“Proper training means that handlers have full control of their dogs, and a properly trained dog will listen to any command the handler gives,” said SBI’s criminal specialist and K-9 Unit coordinator Ken Mathias. “Dogs at this trial level should perform flawlessly.”

For certification dogs must pass tests of obedience, agility, suspect search-scent discrimination, article search, apprehension and calloff skills, false start control, apprehension with gunfire, and ability to protect the handler. It takes approximately 12 weeks or more to properly train a police service dog.

The dogs often start in training between 12 and 15 months old and work until age 9 or 10, when they often retire as a family pet in their handler’s home.

Mathias knows the challenge and the blessing of a K-9 partner.

He says he owes his life to a police dog. One of the police dogs he

madeline gray | North State Journal

Jip, a 2-year-old drug dog with the State Bureau of Investigation, walks around a pile of debris where he previously found a case containing drugs during a demonstration at the NC State School of Veterinary Medicine on April 1.

trained while working for the Raleigh Police Department was with him while tracking a serial burglar on June 3, 1992. His dog, Meta, grabbed the arm of the suspect, who was hiding in a clump of azalea bushes. The man was holding a cocked gun and ready to fire at Mathias, and Meta would not let go until the man was apprehended.

When Mathias retired from the Raleigh Police Department in 2008 he became the SBI’s dog handler. He trains SBI’s detector dogs

and travels statewide each year to 100 or more bomb or cadaver cases. The dogs trained by Mathias and other trainers like him are professionals and a key part of the law enforcement community. They are trained to chase and apprehend suspects. One of the factors judged is their bite work, lunge and strategic chase skills. All of it is part of their certification process.

“USPCA is the gold standard of police dog certification,” said Mathias. “They have some of the

Chicago Bose spies on its wireless headphone customers by using an app that tracks the music, podcasts and other audio they listen to, and violates their privacy rights by selling the information without permission, a lawsuit charged.

The complaint filed on Tuesday in federal court in Chicago seeks an injunction to stop Bose’s “wholesale disregard” for the privacy of customers who download its free Bose Connect app from Apple or Google Play stores to their smartphones.

Trump’s EPA to reconsider oil and gas emissions rule Washington, D.C. The Environmental Protection Agency will reconsider a rule on greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas operations and delay its compliance date, the agency said on Wednesday in the Trump administration’s latest move to reduce regulations. Oil interest groups had petitioned the EPA a year ago to reconsider the rule limiting emissions of methane and other pollutants from new and revamped oil and gas wells and systems.

UnitedHealth plans for costly Obamacare tax in 2018 Minnetonka, Minn.

UnitedHealth Group reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results on Tuesday and said it was coping with uncertainty in U.S. health care laws by pricing its 2018 insurance plans to include a costly Obamacare tax.

President Donald Trump and other Republicans have vowed but been unable to repeal the Affordable Care Act. That means the 3 percent tax collected on all health insurance plans, currently on a hiatus, is due to take effect again next year.

most rigorous standards in our profession, and this is a very prestigious competition.”

The detector dogs must recertify every year as their human partners are often forced to put their life in their paws. While it’s an honor to compete in this annual challenge, it’s no fun run. For this competition, dogs must prequalify at regional events to enter the more difficult national competition. Awards will be given from first to 15th places.

While dogs from across the nation competed in Raleigh, the N.C. SBI had eight of its 17 detector dogs compete in the national trials.

N.C.’s home team dogs were two SBI drug dogs, Labradors named Jip and Reesi; a Dutch shepherd named Rayne, and a Belgian malinois named Cajun. The SBI’s two bomb dogs are Mayo and Tony, both Labrador retrievers. The cadaver dogs are Bart, a German shepherd, and Stash, a springer spaniel.

Once the challenges were met and the winners crowned, the K-9 teams took in a Hurricanes game at PNC Arena in Raleigh. The competitions continue thoughout the year, each focused on different regions and different skills, but all recognizing the irreplaceable talent and companionship of the nation’s police dogs.

North State Journal for Sunday, April 22, 2017

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North State Journal for Sunday, April 22, 2017

Murphy to Manteo

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Jones & Blount jonesandblount.com @JonesandBlount

Campus free speech bill stalls in committee

By Jeff Moore North State Journal

Berry fine pickins Grab your boots, sunblock and a small basket because it’s officially strawberry pickin’ season throughout North Carolina. Timing is key — due to weather, geographical location of the farm and other factors, two weeks can make or break the season. Typically, North Carolina’s strawberry season ranges from mid-April to early June with some farms in the Piedmont and coastal region already open.

Since timing is everything, North Carolina Strawberry Association features a farm locator on its website to find one near your. From enjoying berries right off the vine to making jams, sauces, or addins for a sweet strawberry shortcake, there’s multiple uses for freshly picked strawberries. Both children and adults love the experience of picking their own, with a dose of nostalgia and a combined novelty of visiting the farm.

west 30th annual MerleFest scheduled for April 27-30 Wilkes County An estimated 75,000 people will gather this month at Wilkes Community College Campus for the 30th annual MerleFest. The milestone celebration will feature former MerleFest artists for new collaborations and events. The Saturday Reunion Jam at the Watson Stage will feature three-fourths of the legendary Newgrass Revival including 30-year MerleFest veteran Sam Bush. The 2017 lineup aims to focus on artists who have performed with Doc Watson throughout the past 30 years of the festival. MerleFest will begin April 27, at 2:30 p.m., and run through Sunday, April 30.

Watauga Democrat

Auto supplier to add 160 jobs Burke County Automotive supplier Continental announced plans to invest $40 million and create 160 jobs at its brake systems manufacturing plant in Morganton.

The development is expected to happen over the next five years. The German company is also eligible to receive up to $1.6 million from a state Job Development Investment Grant if job and investment targets are met.

Currently, 400 people work at the Morganton facility and it is one of the largest employers in Burke County.

PIEDMONT

Bear warning issued at Nantahala National Forest Jackson County With spring in full force, black bears are out roaming. Rangers have issued a warning in Panthertown Valley in the Nantahala National Forest after a tent was shredded and bears have stolen food from campers and hikers. Due to numerous sightings, rangers suggest not camping in the area until June 1. If approached by a bear, never run away, instead back away slowly making loud noises.

Former police officer found dead

5 N.C. flu deaths reported after season Wake County North Carolina health officials reported this week five flu-related deaths throughout the state, including one pediatric death. Latest data by the state Department of Health and Human Services shows the 2016-2017 flu season death toll is now at 179.

It’s the fewest deaths in a week since eight were reported during the week of March 25.

ABC 11

100 bunnies rescued from Asheville home Buncombe County Brother Wolf Animal Rescue saved more than 120 rabbits after receiving a tip from a neighbor of the property owner. The nonprofit animal welfare group initially rescued 60 bunnies from the home, with 30 pregnant resulting in 65 babies being born after.

Brother Wolf founder Denise Bitz said many of the rabbits arrived with poor medical conditions from bad diet and overcrowding. Several rabbits died after the rescue. Bitz said the property owner didn’t have the funds to get the rabbits spayed and neutered and was “in over their head.”

Asheville Citizen-Times

Iredell County Former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer Michael Scott Bell, 40, was found dead Thursday after his family reported him missing. Bell had last contacted his family Wednesday. Due to recent medical issues, the family was concerned for his safety. Bell’s body was found in Mooresville on his usual walking path. Police in Mooresville reported initial signs he might have died from a medical issue. Bell joined CMPD Sept. 14, 2009, and served until this past December.

Associated Press

Restaurant owners plead guilty to fraud Guilford County The owners of Beck’s and Mary’s Restaurant pleaded guilty Wednesday to fraud in Federal Court. Rebecca Ingram and Mary Frances Ingram could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The owners used more than 180 SNAP Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, known as EBT cards, to purchase food for the restaurant. When federal agents raided the restaurant in November, they found 21 EBT cards along with a notebook of names, card and PIN numbers. The restaurant stays consistently busy and has been on East Washington Drive for decades. The owners will be sentenced Aug. 22.

Fox8 WGHP

College works to consider student demands Forsyth County After a week of protests, Salem College President Lorraine Sterritt sent an email to students, faculty and staff outlining steps the college is taking to ease student demands. Last week, a group of more than 100 students started a demonstration claiming the historic, predominately female school established a culture of elitism, racism and sexism. Other students also noted poor living conditions and lack of campus internet. For more than a week, many students occupied the first floor Main Hall in protest. Sterrit’s email came a few hours before students ended the protest.

EAST

Hackers possibly accessed hotel data

Kindergarten lotteries closed at two schools New Hanover County A state mandate to shrink class sizes for K-3 has resulted in Codington Elementary and Eaton Elementary closing their kindergarten lottery. The popular year-round schools formerly accepted students from throughout the county to apply for admission.

Siblings of current students were also guaranteed a seat once reaching kindergarten age. Both schools are now forced to accept fewer students leaving room for only siblings of current students. More than 300 families will now have to make new plans and arrangements. Deputy Superintendent Rick Holliday said about 150 families per school were turned away.

Multiple counties The parent company of Holiday Inn Express, InterContinental Hotels Groupbrands, announced Monday malware was discovered on some computers of public and privately owned properties along the Outer Banks. Hackers may have retrieved access to credit and debit card information from last fall at one of the hotel’s chain locations. The company has contacted law enforcement. Nags Head police chief Kevin Brinkley and his agency are not involved in the case.

While stolen information has yet to be confirmed, guests and customers are advised to check their accounts for suspicious activity.

The Outer Banks Voice

Wilmington Star News

Wild animals displaying strange behavior

Wilson teacher wins national award Wilson County Out of six teachers nationwide, Covey Denton of the Greenfield School in Wilson won the Robert Yagar Award.

The national science teaching award honors teachers who show a passion for education. Denton said she likes to display “home science” experiments that her students can easily replicate for friends and family.

Winston-salem journal

News & Observer

WITN

Pitt County Greenville Animal Protective Services has issued a warning about wild animals displaying strange behavior throughout the area, leading to four foxes and 10 raccoons being euthanized. Nocturnal animals have been spotted during the middle of the day having seizures, walking in circles and displaying no fear of humans.

While there have been no confirmed reports of rabies, they are warning of the possible risk. Only animals that come into contact with humans or pets are tested for rabies.

RALEIGH — A House education committee Wednesday considered legislation to reinforce and codify free speech protections on campuses of the University of North Carolina System.

House Bill 527, titled Restore/Preserve Campus Free Speech, requires the UNC Board of Governors to develop free expression policy that states “it is not proper for any constituent institution to shield individuals from speech protected by the First Amendment, including, without limitation, ideas and opinions they find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even deeply offensive” among other provisions.

The bill was crafted with input from Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, a Republican, as he has spearheaded an effort to push back against the proliferation of “safe spaces” and “free speech zones,” as well as other practices that conservatives worry limit free speech on campus.

With a couple members not in attendance due to conflicting committee schedules, the vote on issuing a favorable report on H.B. 527 ended in stalemate along party lines, tied 6-6. Rep. Chris Millis (R-Onslow), a primary sponsor of the bill, was unfazed by the roadblock and confident the bill will get a second chance before next week’s crossover deadline.

“There’s no question that the legislation is not dead,” said Millis in an interview.

“I wanted a vote just so the public can very clearly see who stands for the First Amendment and who doesn’t, and it’s very clear. The legislation will put in place front-end checks and balances to pre-empt violations of one’s free speech rights.”

The legislation also includes provisions that require the UNC System to create an 11-member “Free Speech Committee” that will report annually to the Board of Governors on barriers to or disruptions of free speech on constituent campuses, descriptions of how those colleges are administrating disciplinary action of such infractions, and the status of maintaining administrative and institutional neutrality on controversial political and social issues.

During the hearing committee members heard from UNC General Counsel Thomas Shanahan, who shared concerns over sections of the bill that give legal recourse to those who feel the their free speech rights have been infringed, requiring payment of legal fees and damages by the university should it be found guilty of the allegation under the proposed law, as well as language that protects a person’s right to protest on campus.

“We worry that that language coupled with the cause of action would then create uncertainty and murkiness in the law where we will have protesters who have disrupted meetings and who were removed for that could sue the university claiming that they have some additional right to protest and demonstrate created by this statute,” Shanahan said.

Shanahan stated the system’s concern with frivolous lawsuits and assured the committee that

“A 17-year-old taking civics in high school could discern the unconstitutionality of some of these [campus] policies.”

UNCW professor Mike Adams the institution already enshrines speech protections in university code.

“The university has a firm and wellestablished commitment to freedom of expression and First Amendment principles,” said Shanahan. “It’s actually reflected in the code of the the university.”

Mike Adams, a UNC Wilmington professor of criminology and advocate for campus free speech movements, asserted in an interview that recent evidence suggests system campuses have had demonstrable issues with free speech protection despite university code.

“There are policies that we’ve had to sue to get around like Appalachian State’s that said people had a right to attend the school without being offended, intimidated, belittled or subjected to challenging speech,” said Adams. “In 2013 a woman was upset with the way they were handling her sexual assault allegations and they actually prosecuted her for criticizing them under the speech code, and that’s when it blew up in the court of public opinion. That’s when you knew something was wrong and the universities couldn’t be trusted.”

Further, Adams is encouraged by provisions of the bill that would require its explanation during freshmen orientations.

“We’ve had for a couple of years, this is fairly new thing, this micro-aggression training occurring during freshmen orientations, and that is particularly dangerous because it’s teaching kids to really go after one another and attack one another and try to assert this right to be unoffended over another person’s speech,” said Adams. “Too frequently we refer to these people as snowflakes, but the fact of the matter is we’re producing narcissists.”

Adams, who advised legislators on the crafting of the bill, is encouraged by the attention being paid to the issue by Forest and other lawmakers.

“I’m just thrilled that something is being done,” Adams said. “I mean it’s just fantastic. It actually should be an embarrassment to the system that this was necessary.”

Millis said he will work to get another hearing before crossover deadlines and believes the committee vote offered a clear dividing moment on what he considers a common-sense measure.

“I’m for diversity of thought regardless of opinions that I may or may not agree with, and this is exactly what is reflected in this legislation,” said Millis.

The bill remains in committee, having to clear it and one other before reaching the House floor. Crossover deadline for legislation to pass from one chamber to the other is next Thursday, April 27.

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North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

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north STATEment Neal Robbins, publisher | Drew Elliot, opinion editor | Ray Nothstine, deputy opinion editor

Visual Voices

EDITORIAL | Drew Elliot

Different stimulus, same response Whatever you think of the Senate’s tax plan, it’s certainly not a generic Republican tax cut.

They say the definition of insanity is repeating the same action and expecting a different result. A corollary would be that offering the same response to different stimuli is just as flawed. The left’s response to the state Senate’s tax cut plan is an example of the latter version of mental instability — or, at least, political unoriginality.

This page has detailed the Senate’s plan, which would benefit families in North Carolina and help the economy. The plan would expand the zero-income tax bracket, increasing the amount of income everyone can earn before it is taxed, and drop the personal income tax rate and the corporate rate. Other changes include switching the current per-child tax credit to a deduction, making it more generous, and phasing it out for families at higher incomes (it would start at $2,500 but falls to $0 for families who earn more than $120,000).

As shown by both the expansion of the zero bracket and the income-based child tax credit, the plan was geared toward families and those who earn lower incomes. Nonpartisan research estimates that under the plan, 94,000 more North Carolina families will owe no state income taxes at all.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper called it “tax giveaways to corporations and the wealthiest” that would “punch a hole in the budget.” The left-wing N.C. Justice Center called it “more tax cuts for the wealthy.” In other words, the same old stuff.

But the problem is that, whatever you think of the Senate’s plan, it’s certainly not a generic

Republican tax cut. The General Assembly has passed those in the past few years, but this isn’t one.

For one thing, expanding the zero tax bracket is not in the conservative playbook. In fact, conservative think tanks rate it very low as a pro-growth tax strategy. Only as a waypoint on the drive to the full-scale elimination of the state’s income tax would it be an attractive policy for traditional, pro-growth reformers.

Two other aspects of the plan go against standard conservative thought. The changes to the flat per-child credit, as well as adding income phase-outs to the mortgage interest and property tax deduction, add complexity (and therefore compliance costs) to the tax code, something conservative tax reformers tend to avoid.

But those on the left aren’t letting any of those facts infiltrate their political response to the plan. Instead, they are trotting out the same class-warfare rhetoric that lost big-league in November.

All of this is not to say that the Senate plan is either a political or a policy winner. Politically, it was certainly smart to blunt Cooper’s reinstatement of the child and dependent care credit with the expanded child tax deduction.

Likewise, the expansion of the zero bracket is a move that voters can easily understand will help those on the margin, no matter how the left tries to spin it.

But in one important way, the political messaging of both the left and the right is similarly backward on the tax plan. The left

talks about the “rich” getting more of the benefit of the tax plan, and calculate statistics by looking at how those in upper brackets would benefit as a percentage of the overall cuts. The right talks about the plan being a “Billion Dollar Middle Class Tax Cut” (the title of the bill).

Both messages are crafted from the point of view of the government, not the taxpayer.

Citizens don’t care all too much what the overall or percentage revenue reduction for the state is.

They care how the bill would affect them and the people they care about. Or as my colleague Ray Nothstine artfully joked on Twitter when he saw the bill title, “I’ll take my billion in twenties.”

Regardless of the messaging, Republicans in the General Assembly have already won, at least partially. Due to good budgeting and strong economic growth, Cooper is boxed in.

Instead of talking about which taxes to raise, he’s arguing about who should get tax cuts and who shouldn’t.

Senate leader Phil Berger and his allies have narrowed the range of what is politically possible in North Carolina, and the state will benefit. And the canned responses from the left? Berger should take them as a comforting sign: the game is over, we just don’t know the final score yet.

EDITORIAL | Ray Nothstine

On the expanding campus censorship crisis A university once championed for its commitment to free expression in the 1960s now seems destined to babysit the next generation of proto-fascists.

Out of all the current cultural and social absurdity in America, censorship of speech on college campuses ranks near the top. “When speakers need police escort on and off college campuses, an alarm bell should be going off that something has gone seriously awry,” wrote Heather Mac Donald of the Manhattan Institute last week.

In what is sadly becoming more of the norm, the mere presence of Mac Donald, whose topic “Blue Lives Matter” (as in police officers), was just too much for many students at Claremont McKenna College in California.

Mac Donald was able to deliver an address on campus via telecast in early April, but only answered a few questions before being ushered off the premises because of safety concerns.

(Her essay of the entire affair, published online at City Journal, is worth reading). “The day before, she says, event organizers told her they were considering changing the venue to a building with fewer glass windows to break,” wrote Bill McGurn in the Wall Street Journal.

“Such are the considerations these days on the modern American campus.”

On top of that, UC Berkley just announced the cancellation of a scheduled talk by commentator Ann Coulter. This in the wake of violent riots that resulted in the cancellation of Milo Yiannopoulos’s address at the same school in February. A university once championed for its commitment to free expression in the 1960s now seems destined to babysit the next generation of proto-fascists.

While I’m not a fan of some of Coulter’s

blathering, she deserves credit for ignoring Berkley’s edict and has vowed to speak anyway. Berkley, like many schools, cites inability to guarantee the safety of speakers who dissent from campus group-think as the reason for cancellation. This is known as the “the heckler’s veto,” as the campus censorship mob mobilizes rapidly to squelch what it deems “offensive.” The mobs are sometimes further encouraged by campus overseers and academics who churn out their own diatribes on victimhood.

Some administrators threaten discipline.

But ironically, because of a need to appease perceived grievance groups, speech disruptors and rioters are often treated less like criminals than those who dare to engage in what the rioters consider thought crimes.

One wonders if a country that once had to send in the National Guard and even the 101st Airborne to integrate schools in the American South will one day be compelled to send in troops to enforce the First Amendment at public colleges and universities.

At a deeper level, as Mac Donald pointed out so well, the more serious concern is the rising number of “students who lack all understanding of the principles of the American Founding.” As James Madison noted, free speech is “the only effectual guardian of every other right.” And even more disturbing is not just the lack of understanding, but the outright rejection of an inherent right. For the mob, the American Framers are merely racist uniformed relics

from the past.

As news clips can testify, even conservatives elected to Congress are shouted down on some campuses. Amazingly, these same lawmakers seem to have no problems when addressing supposedly less intellectually advanced high schoolers.

Americans and students not yet brainwashed by campus mobs and their enablers must push back and stand up for their rights. Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has a long track record of successfully defending citizens against free speech violators. “Unless the campus zest for censorship is combatted now, the country could look quite different in a few years,” wrote Mac Donald.

FIRE reports that campuses across America have over 230 “bias response teams” to compel cultural group-think. The full-frontal assault on speech on campuses shouldn’t be taken lightly. As some students and leftist mobs spiral further and further towards anarchy and violence, it’s not only dumbing down generations of students, but ushering in tyranny. Colleges and universities would be wise to reexamine who they enroll in their schools, and then recheck the principles and ideals they teach.

North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

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Guest Opinion | Allen Gant

cal thomas

What next with North Korea? here was a moment at Press Secretary Sean Spicer’s White House T briefing recently that was significant. Asked

North State Journal file photo

Improving the fishing economy in N.C.

Year after year, our fish populations shrink, and regulatory actions make the problem worse. After two decades of failure, it’s time to fix the law.

What if I told you that North Carolina could have the best fishing waters in the country? We already know that our unique coastal fisheries are a great source for local seafood and an excellent place for recreational anglers. But to answer the above question, we now have a chance to exponentially improve all parts of our state’s fishing economy for years to come.

A group of lifelong fishermen has formed in North Carolina who are committed to restoring our position as one of the best places in the country to fish. This legislative session, we will be looking for common-sense solutions to help our state’s fishing economy become stable, sustainable, and enable long-term economic benefits. If we improve our fisheries as a resource, everyone will be better off.

The state’s management of our publicly owned fisheries is based on laws from 1997 that could use some updating. Although the number of fish in our waters steadily declined over the years, we now have the chance to pursue policies that maximize the economic benefits of our sounds and create more jobs. And while many aspects of the fishing economy are struggling, we can now push for solutions that benefit everyone for future generations.

To know where we are going, we can’t forget where we’ve been. For years, commercial and recreational fishermen argue over short-term fixes that do not allow dwindling fisheries to properly recover or increase in population. Commercial fishermen benefit directly from their catches, meet consumer demands, and provide jobs. Recreational anglers create travel, tourism, and manufacturing jobs. It’s time that our state looks at what is working and not working in the way that our state and others are managing their fisheries. From Murphy to Manteo, and Shallotte to Corolla, we can all agree that the state must grow the resources in our sounds and increase its economic benefits.

Throughout the next few weeks we hope that citizens of our state will join groups like NC Sound Economy to advocate for common-sense solutions to fix a struggling fishing economy. Here’s why: First, North Carolina has outdated fishery

management laws that must be updated. Secondly, we should prioritize the growth and sustainability of our fisheries and their economic impacts. Finally, the decision-making process for marine fisheries must be streamlined and more efficient.

Twenty years ago, the legislature passed a major reform law meant to protect the fish populations and sustain the fishing economy. But year after year, our fish populations shrink, and regulatory actions mandated by the law make the problem worse. After two decades of failure, it’s time to fix the law.

Our fishery management laws must focus on growing our fisheries as not only a resource but also a major economic staple to recreational and commercial fisherman. In contrast, these dated laws focus on maintaining fish populations to fill harvest production. This approach prohibits growth of the resource and keeps alive only enough fish to divide up for the taking. With proper management, the entire fishing economy should thrive, and the state’s top priority should be sustainable economic growth.

Hundreds of factors can quickly and suddenly impact our fish populations. By prioritizing total resource growth and jobs, the state can more efficiently respond to sudden declines in the number of fish. The General Assembly shouldn’t be in the business of managing fisheries. Instead, regulatory decision-making should be based on research, including peer reviewed fish population reports, the best economic models, and input from North Carolina scientists.

The state is clearly not getting the most possible economic benefit out of its sounds. We now have solid research that shows that major economic opportunities are within reach. NC Sound Economy is urging legislators to act now to grow our fishing economy.

Allen Gant is founding member and chairman of the board of directors for NC Sound Economy, an expanding coalition of fishermen, business leaders, and concerned citizens who want to end the unproductive fights over a shrinking number of fish.

column | susan estrich

What it takes to cure voter apathy

Many of my students shake their heads in disbelief.

Others are fierce defenders. But no one raises their hand and says they don’t care.

For years, I have been trying to figure out what it will take to make my students care about politics, to believe that elections do matter. I don’t take sides in the classroom; I don’t play the “politically correct” game.

I’ll take whatever position the students don’t take: I think the only way to state your own position persuasively is to spend as much time listening and analyzing the other side as you do convincing yourself of your own case.

I do my politics outside the classroom, not inside. I have too much respect for my students to think that I can persuade them of my views, and too much respect for the learning experience even to try. In my book, that would be wrong.

But I do believe in civic literacy. I believe it is just as important as computer literacy.

A healthy democracy depends on its people’s caring, understanding and participating in politics.

Sometimes I despair, not because students are Republicans instead of Democrats, but because they don’t care at all. Year after year, I have visited colleges and universities across the country

and seen half the students raise their hands when I ask who didn’t vote in the last election. And if half are raising their hands, you know the real number is even higher. And these are students who have voluntarily come to hear me speak.

What will it take? I have asked myself over and over.

I have finally found the answer.

It took Donald Trump.

The election of Donald Trump has changed the nature of the political debate in America, and that applies with perhaps greater force to young people.

As my former boss Michael Dukakis, who has been teaching at Northeastern University for many years, recently wrote to me: “Trump in an interesting kind of way has really turned my students on to public service.

They now really believe that elections matter.”

Many of my students shake their heads in disbelief. Others are fierce defenders. But no one — literally no one — raises their hand and says they don’t care.

Having believed the media, and even some Trump supporters, that the president couldn’t possibly win, that Hillary Clinton

had this in the bag, that no one would elect a reality show host as president, many young people simply did not vote. That will not be the case in the next election.

And it’s not just young people.

People literally stop me to tell me they are addicted to the news. To be honest, I listen to music more than I ever have before, simply because it has become difficult to hear the same troubling stories over and over. But for people who have never followed politics, who have dismissed public service, who have been saying for years that we have two parties but not two different points of view, reality has finally bitten.

In the short run, I wish it were otherwise. I wish we could have woken up a generation without the price I believe we will pay in the short run. But the irony is that Donald Trump may have unintentionally inspired a generation in much the same way John F. Kennedy did, if not for the same reasons.

Susan Estrich is an author and law professor, and was campaign manager for 1988 Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis.

by a reporter about North Korea’s missile launch, Spicer said the administration was aware of the launch and that “it failed.” End of story. Next question, please.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the former Conservative foreign secretary in Britain, might provide an explanation for Spicer’s tight-lipped response. Rifkind told the BBC Sunday that ”...there is a very strong belief that the U.S. — through cyber methods — has been successful on several occasions in interrupting these sorts of tests and making them fail.”

At present, there are no direct links to a cyberattack on North Korea from the U.S., but that hasn’t stopped media outlets from reporting the possibility of one.

Last month, the U.S. began sending the first elements of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system to South Korea, though China opposed the move. When it becomes operational will it, along with cyberattacks, be enough to deter North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un from conducting new missile tests capable of hitting the U.S. with a nuclear warhead, which he has repeatedly threatened to do? Kim has said he will conduct missile tests “weekly” in response to U.S. threats.

On a recent visit to South Korea, Vice President Mike Pence vowed that “the era of strategic patience is over,” a strategy adopted by the Obama administration to explain its long-term view on global conflict resolution.

Pence added, “North Korea would do well not to test (President Trump’s) resolve — or the strength of the armed forces of the United States in this region.”

Kim, his father and grandfather have established such an atmosphere of complete control and cult-like obedience with North Koreans who have been cut off from all outside information that it is hard to predict how the people would react.

How much of this is bluster on both sides no one can say for sure. After President Trump’s meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping, there is some optimism that China might be able to exert sufficient pressure on its unpredictable ally to pull back from a direct confrontation with the U.S. Of greatest concern for the Trump administration, in addition to South Korean civilians who would likely suffer massive casualties should there be a North Korean invasion, are the more than 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea. Kim has threatened to attack them and flood South Korea with his ground forces.

What is our goal with North Korea? Is it regime change? If so, who and what would follow if Kim is ousted? Kim, his father and grandfather have established such an atmosphere of complete control and cult-like obedience with North Koreans who have been cut off from all outside information that it is hard to predict how the people would react. It’s a good bet political prisoners in North Korea’s prison camps would be overjoyed if the regime fell and they were set free.

Humanrights.gov estimates between “80,000 and 120,000 political prisoners and family members are detained in these camps, where starvation, forced labor, executions, torture, rape, forced abortion and infanticide are commonplace.”

Those who wish to hold off on further challenges to North Korea must ask themselves a question. Given the erratic behavior of Kim Jong-Un and his bellicose promises to strike the U.S. with a nuclear missile, is it better to take him seriously and stop him now, or wait until he has the capability to carry out his threat?

Last week, Hawaii’s House public safety committee passed a resolution calling for the state’s defense agency to repair hundreds of fallout shelters that have not been updated since the 1980s and restock them with medical supplies, food and water.

We haven’t yet reached the tension level of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, but the current tension between the U.S. and North Korea could quickly spiral downward.

Will the “peace through strength” doctrine of the Reagan administration, which suggested that military power could help preserve peace, work today? During the Reagan years, Soviet leaders were not unstable, as Kim Jong-Un appears to be, and a nuclear confrontation was avoided. Perhaps a demonstration of what the U.S can do with cyberwarfare, a missile defense system and help from China will be enough.

One can only hope.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist.

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North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

Nation & WORLD

week in images

the BRIEF Paris gunman’s criminal past in focus as police hunt second suspect Paris The man who shot dead a French policeman in an Islamist militant attack had served time for armed assaults on law enforcement officers, police sources said on Friday, as authorities sought a second suspect flagged by Belgian security services. The gunman, identified as Karim Cheurfi, opened fire on a police vehicle parked on the Champs Elysees in Parislate on Thursday, killing one officer and injuring two others before being shot dead.

Shamil Zhumatov | reuters

An Orthodox priest conducts a blessing in front of the Soyuz MS-04 spacecraft set on the launchpad ahead of its upcoming launch, at the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on April 19.

Thomas Peter | reuters

A man walks through a cloud of dust whipped up by wind at the construction site near newly erected office skyscrapers in Beijing on April 20.

Benoit Tessier | reuters

A man rides a bicycle on an early morning Spring day in Paris on April 20.

Marko Djurica | reuters

An Iraqi girl stands on a hill close to her house in eastern Mosul, Iraq, on April 19.

France’s presidential candidates make last-minute appeals before vote Macron, Le Pen lead, Fillon and Melenchon close behind

Emmanuel Macron, head of the political movement En Marche!, or Onwards!, and candidate for the 2017 presidential election attends a campaign political rally in Saint-Herblain near Nantes, France, on April 19.

Reuters PARIS — Candidates in France’s presidential election made last-ditch appeals to sway undecided voters this week as the third and fourth placed contenders kept up the pressure on the two hopefuls leading opinion polls.

Voters will cast ballots on Sunday in what has turned into the most unpredictable French election in memory, with four of the 11 candidates within reach of the two places for the runoff on May 7.

Pollsters see centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right Marine Le Pen taking the top two places on Sunday and so going head-to-head in the runoff. That would break the normal rotation of power in France between the center-left and center-right.

Polls on the race to succeed the deeply unpopular socialist President Francois Hollande are so

davidson from page A1

sponsibility to act on it, according to a Thomson Reuters Foundation review of college Republican clubs across the United States.

That shift appears to be the result of a range of differences in the Grand Old Party, differences that young conservative leadership in North Carolina see as a positive.

“There is no doubt in my mind that our party and conservative ideals are growing stronger and more popular,” said Kyle Hall, a 26-year-old state representative from Stokes County. “Unlike the Democratic Party, the Republican Party is one that fosters free speech, open dialogue and respectful debate.”

But the climate generation gap may also herald the start of a party-wide shift among Republicans with skepticism about the problem dissolving, young campus leaders say.

“I think that there will be a big change in the [Republican] Party,” said Kent Haeffner, president of the Harvard University Republican Club, whose members are firm believers in man-made climate change. “Demographically, the ‘Trump coalition’ will not last.

I think that the folks that are our age are going to have to reshape the party and take it in a different direction,” he said.

stephane mahe | reuters

close that gaps between candidates fall within the margin of error.

A Harris Interactive poll showed Macron and Le Pen leading, with the gap wider than before. The centrist inched ahead to 24.5 percent while Le Pen was weaker at 21 percent.

Conservative former prime minister Francois Fillon scored 20 percent, meaning he was now gaining on Le Pen. Jean-Luc Melenchon, a far left

And climate change is not the only issue in recent years that many college Republicans have broke rank on. Several chapters refused to endorse Donald Trump for president, including clubs at the liberal-leaning campuses of Cornell, Princeton and UNC Chapel Hill.

According to the Thomson Reuters Foundation, almost half of the 21 College Republican clubs they surveyed said their members believe climate change is predominantly human-caused. Another quarter said their members held a mix of opinions on the issue.

On the Ohio State University campus, “you’d be hard pressed to find someone who thought that climate change is not occurring at all”, according to Nick Frankowski, chairman of the university’s College Republicans. But at other schools, college conservative groups include a more diverse variety of opinions on climate change.

Colin Duffy, chairman of Duke’s College Republicans in Durham, for instance, said he hopes to foster that “big tent” feeling by leaving specific policy out of their platform. “In a broad sense, Duke College Republicans want to find the right balance between being environmentally responsible and economically friendly,” he said.

Many of today’s college stu-

politician propelled from wild card to genuine contender thanks to feisty television performances and smart social media campaign, was stable on 19 percent. An Ifop-Fiducial poll showed roughly the same breakdown.

The outcome will be watched closely by France’s allies given its role as a nuclear-armed permanent veto-wielding member of the U.N. Security Council and its military and diplomatic clout in the

“In many instances, there is an indoctrination taking place and unfortunately these kids are not getting both sides of the story.”

Rep. Bob Steinburg (R-Chowan)

dents have grown up more aware of environmental and sustainability issues.

Woodward, of the Davidson College Republicans, said her generation’s easy access to information on climate impacts has shaped its understanding of the problem.

“We’ve grown up in sort of a globalized world where we’ve seen the impacts that global warming has,” she said. “The people that are in power right now, for whatever reason, don’t have that same global view.”

But critics say children today are not being exposed to the whole truth.

“I think most of us realize that when it comes to certain issues, academia is anything but objective,” said state lawmaker Bob Steinburg (R-Chowan). “In many instances, there is an indoctri-

Middle East and West Africa.

Macron, a former banker who quit as economy minister last August to set up his independent “En Marche!” (“Onwards!”) movement, would beat Le Pen or any other candidate in the runoff, the Harris poll showed, echoing other polls.

On Thursday evening, Macron won the support of former prime minister Dominique de Villepin, a conservative Gaullist who won global celebrity by dramatically opposing U.S. plans for war in Iraq.

Fillon, 63, was seen to be on an easy ride to the Elysee Palace at the beginning of the year but his campaign hit the rocks following nepotism allegations that he has denied. His ratings have gradually recovered and on Thursday he redoubled attempts to dissuade his core voters from straying to Macron’s camp.

“In the fight against militant Islam, like on everything else, Emmanuel Macron’s stance is blurry,” Fillon told Le Figaro newspaper, adding he would take a much harder line with extremists.

Melenchon, in an interview with BFM TV, pressed his criticism of European Union institutions — a position that has increasingly worried investors as his support has grown.

nation taking place and unfortunately these kids are not getting both sides of the story.”

Will Rierson, the current chairman of UNC College Republicans, reinforced that pressure exists.

“Millennial-aged Republicans and those younger have grown up in a world of climate change fear,” he said. “We have witnessed a great deal of debate on this issue, and because we’re young and still in school, some of us may hold more critical views.”

Haeffner, of Harvard University, said he believes it will eventually become politically unviable for Republicans to dismiss climate change. “Part of the word ‘conservative’ is to ‘conserve,’” he said.

“To preserve the environment and natural resources that provide so much bounty and utility for our country. ... I think that’s a conservative value.”

Steinburg, a staunch conservative from Edenton, believes these students are doing themselves a disservice by blindly following what they’ve been taught at schools like Davidson. While Woodward, a student at the private school outside of Charlotte, predicts, “When our generation is in power, we will take climate change much more seriously.”

Reuters News Service contributed to this story.

U.S. says Iran complies with nuke deal but orders review on lifting sanctions Washington, D.C. The Trump administration said on Tuesday it was launching an inter-agency review of whether the lifting of sanctions against Iran was in the United States’ national security interests, while acknowledging that Tehran was complying with a deal to rein in its nuclear program. In a letter to U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Iran remained compliant with the 2015 deal, but said there were concerns about its role as a state sponsor of terrorism.

UK’s May says early election will boost her in EU talks London Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday an early election would strengthen her at the “most crucial point” in Britain’s divorce talks with the EU, as she prepared to ask parliament to approve a vote in just seven weeks’ time. May surprised allies and opponents on Tuesday when she announced her plan to bring forward an election that was not due until 2020.

World Bank ready to help Venezuela if asked Venezuela The World Bank Group stands ready to assist Venezuela, a member and shareholder of the institution, if the government asks for help in dealing with a punishing economic crisis, the bank’s top executive for Latin America said. Jorge Familiar, World Bank vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean, told Reuters in an interview on Monday that the bank has had no engagement with Venezuela since it paid off past loans in 2008 under the late former President Hugo Chavez.

North Korean mock-up birthday video shows missiles blowing up U.S. Pyongyang North Korea put on a musical show to mark the birthday of founding father Kim Il Sung, which ended with a mock-up video of missiles engulfing the United States in flames, prompting cheers from the audience and smiles from current leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea’s state television aired footage of a performance attended by Kim Jong Un, the elder Kim’s grandson, on Sunday, a day after a huge military parade in Pyongyang in honor of the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung.

China’s Xi restructures military, consolidates control Beijing Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced a military restructure of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to transform it into a leaner fighting force with improved joint operations capability, state media said. Centered around a new, condensed structure of 84 military units, the reshuffle builds on Xi’s efforts to modernize the PLA with greater emphasis on new capabilities including cyberspace, electronic and information warfare.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017

SPORTS

NASCAR Power Rankings Page 3

Kim Klement | USA TODAY SPORTS

2017 NFL Schedule Released “I’m excited to open our home schedule with a familiar face in Sean McDermott. He knows our team well, is an excellent coach and will have the Bills ready to play. It will certainly be a challenge for us, and I’m looking forward to it.”

JIM DEDMON | USA TODAY SPORTS

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs towards the goal line as Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (93) defends.

— Panthers coach Ron Rivera on facing off against his old defensive coordinator in Week 2 when the Buffalo Bills come to town

By Shawn Krest North State Journal The 2017 sets up as an important one for the Carolina Panthers after a disappointing attempt to defend their 2016 NFC championship. The schedule will not be easy despite a down year, however. It’s highlighted by two home primetime games, an early matchup with a former coach and a grueling October, which was released by the NFL on Thursday night.

Here are five things to know about the Panthers’ upcoming season.

Ready for prime time The Panthers host a pair of prime-time games this season. The Eagles visit Bank of America Stadium for a Thursday night game on Oct. 12, and the Dolphins travel to Charlotte for a Monday night game on Nov. 13. The Panthers get their bye the week after the Miami game, avoiding a short week following the Monday contest. It’s the sixth straight year the Panthers will appear on Monday Night Football and the fifth year in a row

that Carolina will host a Monday night game.

Carolina also appears on Thursday night for the fifth time in six seasons. The Panthers were shut out of Thursday games in 2015.

This will also be the third straight Panthers Thursday night game played at Bank of America Stadium. Barring a Sunday game getting flexed to prime time, the Panthers will not appear on Sunday Night Football for the first time since the 2012 season.

October death march The Panthers will play five games in the month of October, but season ticket holders won’t be as busy as the players. That’s because four of the team’s games will be played on the road. The Panthers open the month with trips to New England and Detroit, then host Philadelphia on a short week.

Carolina closes out the month with trips to Chicago and Tampa Bay. It will be the first time the Panthers have had four road games in a month since January, 2006, when the team played three road playoff games in its run to the NFC Conference Championship Game. Carolina last played four of five games on the road in November/December 2015.

See PANTHERS, page B8

Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman (24) after the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Redskins defeat the Bears 41-21.

Five things to know about the Washington Redskins schedule

Five things to know about the Carolina Panthers schedule Date with McDermott, long October highlight the slate

JEROME MIRON | USA TODAY SPORTS

“I’m the villain every time, so it doesn’t matter.

I’m accepting it and I’m stepping into my role. Of course, I’m going to be the ‘Dark Knight.’ I’m going to kill it.”

— Redskins cornerback Josh Norman, previously describing how he goes up against Odell Beckham, who Norman will face off against when the Redskins host the Giants on Thanksgiving, the first time in franchise history Washington hosts a game on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving hosting duties, brutal October highlight Skins’ 2017 slate

By R. Cory Smith North State Journal After winning the division in 2015, Washington fell just short of the postseason in 2016. With a brutal schedule this season, here are a few highlights to look forward to as the Skins look to get back to playing January football.

Home for Turkey Day For the first time in franchise history, there will be a home game at FedEx Field on Thanksgiving Day. Washington will play host to the New York Giants, pitting one of the league’s best offenses from 2016 against one of the strongest defenses down the stretch.

The Thanksgiving night game features the matchup of Josh Norman and Odell Beckham Jr. again.

And another chance for Norman to portray his role as Batman.

“I’m the villain every time, so it doesn’t matter,” Norman said. “I’m accepting it and I’m stepping into my role. Of course, I’m going to be the ‘Dark Knight.’ I’m going to kill it.”

The Thursday night game will be a massive feast for NFL fans given

Kirk Cousins’ huge arm against a secondary full of young talent in Eli Apple and Landon Collins. Sprinkle in a little Beckham and Brandon Marshall on the other side of the ball and this one has the makings of an all-out brawl.

Daunting October Every year, playoff teams are created or destroyed by difficult stretches in the season. Carrying the seventh-hardest strength of schedule into 2017, the Skins have several tough stretches, the first of which comes from the end of September through the start of November.

During that stretch, Washington starts with a showdown against Oakland on Sunday Night Football before traveling to Kansas City for a Monday Night Football. The extra day is nice but the AFC West opponents are brutal.

The bye week and the 49ers will help the Skins recover before another rough stretch. They head to Philadelphia, then host Dallas before traveling to Seattle. Four of those six teams made the playoffs last year and Philly on a Monday night is a brutal draw for an “easy” game.

Good luck with that.

Redskins Under the Lights See REDSKINS, page B8

North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

B2 SATURDAY

04.22.17 Trending

Phil Simms: CBS Sports broadcaster will be headed to the studio to join the set of “The NFL Today” after being replaced by former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo in the booth of NFL on CBS games.

Shareef O’Neal: Son of NBA Hall of Famer and TNT broadcaster Shaquille O’Neal committed to play basketball for Arizona this week. O’Neal spurned UCLA, Southern California and his father’s LSU Tigers to join Sean Miller and the Wildcats.

Andre Johnson: Former Houston superstar receiver signed a one-day deal with the Texans in order to retire as a member of the franchise. Johnson also played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans briefly before retiring.

James White: Patriots running back, who scored three touchdowns in Super Bowl LI and broke a Super Bowl record for most receptions in a game, received a threeyear contract extension from the club.

LaVar Ball: Father of future NBA star and former UCLA freshman standout Lonzo Ball reportedly isn’t a very popular man in shoe circles, with one unnamed Nike executive saying that Ball is the “worst thing to happen to basketball in the last hundred years.”

Tom Savage: Texans quarterback drew attention when he said that the he believed the Houston quarterback room would be more “fun” in 2017, which coincides with the timeframe of Brock Osweiler being traded to the Browns.

beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

nfl

On Wednesday the New England Patriots became the first professional sports team to visit the White House since Donald Trump was elected president of the United States of America. A minimal number of Patriots attended, but those who were there brought a gift for Trump in the form of a No. 45 Patriots jersey with the POTUS’ name on the back.

Troy Taormina | Usa Today Sports

“He’s farther along than I was at that point in the process. He’s a lot better player than I was at that time.”

Texans DE J.J. Watt on his younger brother and 2017 NFL Draft prospect T.J. Watt.

Geoff Burke | Usa Today Sports

nfl

nfl

Derick E. Hingle | Usa Today Sports

“How do you put a time limit on something like that?”

Kevin Garnett explaining to the Associated Press that he still feels animosity toward the Minnesota Timberwolves because they traded him after he spent most of his career there.

nhl

7 Number of Carolina Hurricanes chosen to represent various countries in the World Championships, taking place May 5-21 in Paris and Cologne, Germany.

The Hurricanes chosen: Noah Hanifin (USA), Sebastian Aho (Finland), Jeff Skinner (Canada) and four Swedish players in Joakim Nordstrom, Victor Rask, Elias Lindholm and Eddie Lack.

via twitter | @abc

The time the media has spent with Press Secretary Sean Spicer has been ... spicy. It got taken to a new level when Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski popped in during New England’s White House visit and asked him if he needed “any help.”

mlb

via twitter | @jbrissett12

Former NC State quarterback turned Patriots rookie Jacoby Brissett was part of a group that visited the White House on Wednesday. While there he took a picture with a picture of Barack Obama and penned a note to the exPres, thanking him for inspiring him.

Baseball is a sport that has long been full of hijinx, both on and off the field. Astros mascot Orbit, a green fuzzy space type of animal with odd horns and an Astros hat, pulled a fast one on Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout during Tuesday night’s game, managing a sneak attack the two-time MVP and attaching a sign to his uniform that read “I love the Astros” while giving Trout a hug.

Trout appeared less than enthused but definitely played along. via twitter | @astros

North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

B3

NASCAR power rankings

By R. Cory Smith | North State Journal

Jerome Miron | USA TODAY SPORTS

Seven races into the season, there have already been six different winners.

That’s made picking one top dog pretty difficult as only Brad Keselowski has multiple checkered flags, but stands at fourth in the overall standings.

So the lone two-time winner has to be at the top of the Power Rankings, right? Wrong.

Despite being at the front at the end of two races, Kes has been far from the most consistent driver this season. Here’s a look at the top 10 drivers in NASCAR following the first off weekend, starting with one of the top young guns in the sport.

Michael Thomas Shroyer | USA TODAY SPORTS

1. Kyle Larson

2. Brad Keselowski

3. Chase Elliott

4. Martin Truex Jr.

5. Joey Logano

All Kyle Larson has done this season is finish first or second in five of the first seven races.

Had it not been for running out of gas on the penultimate lap of the Daytona 500, Larson would be tied with Keselowski at this point with two wins.

Yeah, that’s domination.

Larson also has a stage win and has led 159 laps this season. All of this has culminated in a 17-point lead over Chase Elliott in the NASCAR standings at the break. It may have taken four years, but Larson is finally proving he’s not only the top Chip Ganassi Racing driver, but the best in the sport.

Outside of an abysmal finish in the Daytona 500, Brad Keselowski has a top-five finish in nearly every other race this season. The lone finish outside of the top five since Daytona?

A sixth-place result at Texas, putting his average finish in the last six races at 3.33.

Don’t expect Keselowski to slow down anytime soon, though. Kes has four top-10 finishes in his last six races at Richmond and two wins in the last five at Talladega. With his spot already sealed for the playoffs, Keselowski is clearly on track for another late run in 2017.

Had it not been for the rise of Larson through the first seven races, Chase Elliott would likely be the biggest story in the sport. But three top fives and five top 10s over that span will certainly land him inside the top three in the opening power rankings.

Elliott, much like Larson, also happened to run out of gas in the final laps of the Daytona 500 with the lead.

After leading a total of 359 laps last season, Elliott already has 169 heading into Bristol. Let’s just say the No. 24 machine still has a championship pedigree two years after Jeff Gordon’s retirement.

There is no slow in the Martin Truex Jr. train. Three years after shocking the NASCAR world with a run to the Championship Four, Truex is crushing it again for a third straight season with a win and four more top-10 finishes.

Looking for proof of Truex’s continued dominance with Toyota? Look no further than the Las Vegas race. Truex not only won both stages, but won the race and led 150 laps in that race alone. While he isn’t especially strong at Bristol, expect Truex to be a frontrunner at Richmond again.

Ho hum, Joey Logano is embroiled in controversy again this season. Also in the predictable department, he’s near the top of the points standings again with a top 10 in nearly every race this season — the lone finish outside the top 10 resulted in a punch from Kyle Busch at Phoenix.

Logano gets lost in the mix of the “young guns” discussion now because he’s been at the top level since 2009. But at just 26 years old, Logano is on the hunt for a fifth straight playoff appearance and has the team and talent for a championship run.

6. Ryan Blaney

7. Kevin Harvick

8. Jimmie Johnson

9. Clint Bowyer

10. Kyle Busch

Speaking of young guns under the Team Penske umbrella, Ryan Blaney has carve out a spot in the top 10 in points for the Wood Brothers heading into Bristol. After leading 148 laps in his last race at Texas, a win doesn’t look far off for Blaney — which would seal the Wood Brothers’ first checkered flag since 2011.

Kevin Harvick hasn’t won, has just one top five and is outside the top 10 in points after the first seven races. So why on earth is he at No. 7 in the Power Rankings? Aside from two off races and a wreck, he’s still looked strong. That’s evident by his 419 laps led, which currently leads all of NASCAR.

The biggest difference between Harvick and Jimmie Johnson right now is that Seven-Time finished a race on top. Johnson is coming off his seventh title and was hearing questions about whether he still had “it” or not.

C’mon, people. Don’t question greatness.

Two years ago, it appeared Clint Bowyer’s career was dead in the water. After his former team folded and he separated himself from a team that reportedly didn’t pay him in 2016, Bowyer is back on top again. With an average finish of 9.2 since the Daytona 500, Bowyer is the latest contender for Stewart-Haas Racing.

Joe Gibbs Racing is obviously down this season, but Kyle Busch is still showing some championship pedigree. He has two top-three finishes and 388 laps led in his last four races. Gibbs might have plenty of work to do, but Busch is close to clinching his spot in the playoffs.

B4

North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

B5

2017 NFL Draft The NFL Draft is once more upon us and once again there is a loaded class of talent coming from the state of North Carolina. It is primarily the North Carolina Tar Heels bringing the thunder to this draft class, with a top-tier quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky and a pair of quality wide receivers in Ryan Switzer and Mack Hollins (Bug Howard did not make the cut below but will likely be drafted).

North Carolina State is also well represented with running back Matthew Dayes and safety Josh Jones as standouts in this class, both of whom could end up going early in this draft.

But there are other pieces from around the state, especially from smaller schools, including Charlotte’s Larry Ogunjobi and NC A&T’s Tarik Cohen. In a draft class filled with defenders and running backs, North Carolina’s ability to stand out at those positions is truly impressive.

Let’s look at some of the standouts who could have their names called early in the draft.

JERRY LAI | USA TODAY SPORTS

Kamil Krzaczynski | USA TODAY SPORTS

Ezekiel Elliott takes a selfie with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell at the 2016 NFL Draft (above) and Vernon Butler poses with Goodell after being selected by the Carolina Panthers (left).

Mitchell Trubisky

Matthew Dayes

UNC, QB

NC State, RB

T.J. Logan

Tarik Cohen

Zay Jones

UNC, RB

North Carolina A&T, RB

East Carolina, WR

Despite sitting for a year behind Marquise Williams and causing consternation in the scouting community about the number of NFL starts he has under his belt (just 13 in a single season with the Tar Heels), Mitchell (nay, Mitch) Trubisky is largely considered the consensus No. 1 quarterbac in the 2017 NFL Draft class.

An Ohio native and someone who grew up as a diehard Cleveland Browns fan, Trubisky is causing quite the headache for the Browns as well. They sit at No. 1 overall but simply cannot pass on Myles Garrett with that pick despite badly needing a franchise QB. Trubisky headlines a draft class that does not feature a strong group of quarterbacks; he is ahead of or tied with Deshaun Watson of Clemson and Patrick Mahomes of Texas Tech on most boards.

Matthew Dayes was likely leaving school after a strong 2015 season were it not for an injury suffered while lining up as a wide receiver against Clemson late in the year.

Dayes won’t get mentioned with Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey or Dalvin Cook as a first-round prospect, and it would be surprising to hear his name called before the third round.

But Dayes has an all-around game that should adapt well to the NFL. He’s smaller but fully capable of running between the tackles and became the first NC State back since 2002 to break 1,000 yards in a season when he returned in 2016. He can line up and catch passes, hauling in 56 receptions over the past two years.

One of the biggest concerns for NFL teams when looking at running backs is tread on the tires. And Cohen flat got wore out during his time playing for North Carolina A&T. His 966 career touches are a ton, especially for a running back of his size (5’6”, 175 pounds).But there is no doubting the production he put forth for the Aggies, as Cohen lead the MEAC in rushing four straight seasons and set the conference’s record for most rushing yards all time with 5,619.

The statistics for Cohen display someone who would be fed the ball as a power back, but his style of play might be better used as a pass catcher. Cohen’s admitted being motivated by being overlooked.

“Being on this stage and being from a small school adds another chip on my shoulder,” Cohen said at the combine.

One of the most prolific receivers in college football history, Jones leaves Greenville as a near-winner of the coveted Biletnikoff Award, losing out to Oklahoma’s Dede Westbrook in 2016..

The loss was a surprise considering the statistical production Jones put up in his final year with East Carolina: Jones caught 158 passes (not a typo) in his senior season with the Pirates, recording 1,746 yards and 8 touchdowns.

The monster season gave Jones 4,279 receiving yards for his career as well as an absurd 399 receptions in his four years playing under multiple coaching staffs in Greenville.

What the experts say

The speedy running back did not get the majority of the carries nor the majority of the attention while playing for the Tar Heels, instead ceding most of both to Elijah Hood.

Hood is also headed to the NFL, but did not work out at the combine and as of right now Logan profiles as a better option at the next level.

The combine, incidentally, helped to propel Logan’s stock, as the running back posted the fastest 40-yard dash time of any running back at 4.37.

Logan may have rushed just 120 times in 2016, but he made the most of them, piling up 675 yards and seven touchdowns on those carries. He also caught 29 passes for 244 yards (and three touchdowns) and returned 21 kickoffs for 690 yards while scoring twice.

He profiles as a value pickup who can affect the game in multiple ways.

Trubisky has outstanding mobility for his size and doesn’t receive enough credit for his ability to move the pocket and buy extra half-seconds. While he doesn’t have elite arm strength, Trubisky can easily make all the necessary throws and does so with proper placement and timing, not forcing passes. He doesn’t have many glaring weaknesses on film, but his inexperience reading defenses post-snap will show up at times.

- Dane Brugler, NFL Draft Scout/CBS Sports

He fits best in a zone-blocking scheme to make the most of his vision and change of direction strengths.

Dayes has good hands and has been productive as a receiver, particularly on screens to get him into space. He has shown improvement in pass protection over the past three years, but still has some work to do to maximize potential playing time as a receiving or third-down back. He will likely find a home as a backup who will can an impact as a receiver out of the backfield and spell some carries.

- Pro Football Focus

What the experts say

Cohen uses a bounding, bouncing approach to the line of scrimmage reminiscent of Le’Veon Bell, but he’s far less likely to finish downhill and instead looks to break it wide and out-race defenders. He’s an electric playmaker who needs touches, but he’s too small and unpredictable to handle much of an NFL carry count.

Cohen gets easy separation as a receiver out of the backfield or from the slot and he will likely be used as an updated version of Darren Sproles 2.0.

- Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

What the experts say

Sleek athlete with excellent short area burst and the finishing speed to hit home runs in all three phases if the opportunity is right. Logan will likely be considered flex player on the roster who can compete for duties as a kick returner and third down back.

While he lacks size to handle the heavy lifting as a running back, his play speed should not be discounted.

- Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

What the experts say

What the experts say He’ll drop a pass on one play and then go make a great block on the next play. He doesn’t get down, and he always plays hard. Yes, I love his ability and his numbers — 158 catches for 1,746 yards and eight touchdowns last season — but his attitude and approach are what make him fun to watch. He lit up the combine (4.45 40 and a 36.5-inch vertical at 6-2, 201) and was one of the best prospects at Senior Bowl practices, too.

- Mel Kiper, ESPN.com

Mack Hollins

Ryan Switzer

UNC, WR

UNC, WR

Larry Ogunjobi

Nazair Jones

Josh Jones

UNCC, DL

UNC, DT

NC State, S

Hollins career with the Tar Heels was impressive, but his production was relatively limited throughout his three years as a starter.

After catching 65 passes for more than 1,300 yards in his first two seasons as a starter with Larry Fedora’s team, Hollins was limited to just seven games and 16 receptions in 2016. The production on a limited number of touches was still pretty impressive: he managed more than 300 yards on those 16 catches, for an average 19.3 yards per catch.

The math should be pretty easy, because it displays Hollins as a big-play, downfield threat who can also help in a big way on special teams.

A fiery thorn in the side of his opponents for several years, Switzer produced the finest season of an impressive four-year career in 2016.

The diminutive wideout caught 96 passes for 1,112 receiving yards and six touchdowns after totaling 1,791 receiving yards in his first three years alone.

Switzer was also a terror on special teams, recording 502 yards and five touchdowns on punt returns as a freshman and continuing to contribute throughout his career in that arena.

Coming out of the fairly new and fairly small program that is the Charlotte 49ers, Ogunjobi did a heck of a job making a name for himself as the 2017 NFL Draft approaches.

Ogunjobi, who produced just 5.5 sacks in his two seasons with Charlotte, but who was oftentimes a dominant run stopper (29 tackles for loss in those two years) showcased himself as a powerful force on the defensive line who could end going as high as the second round according to Mike Mayock of the NFL network.

Jones was never part of an elite defense at North Carolina, largely because it didn’t exist, even when former defensive coordinator Gene Chizik made big strides with the team in his last year there.

But give Jones credit for improving throughout his time with the Tar Heels, especially considering he had to redshirt while in Chapel Hill and missed time during his high school years with a disease called complex regional pain syndrome.

As a result, Jones is less polished than some other defenders, but does have the strength necessary to succeed as a big body inside at the next level.

The hard-hitting safety made himself a pile of money at the 2017 NFL Combine, starring in multiple arenas, including the 40-yard dash, where he ran an impressive 4.41-second time. He also posted 20 reps on the bench press and showed off a 37.5 vertical jump, while producing a 132-inch broad jump.

The performance sent scouts scrambling back to check out Jones tape and likely pushed him into the discussion for a second-day pick, possibly as high as the second round.

What the experts say At 6-4 and 221 pounds, Hollins is one of the biggest receivers in the class. But he also has phenomenal straightaway speed. He effortlessly blew by defenders throughout his career, evidenced by his 20 career touchdowns on just 71 receptions. Hollins was also a workhorse on special teams, a captain who played on every single unit.

- Bryson Vesnaver, Pro Football Focus

What the experts say Wes Welker and Julian Edelman have become go-to comparisons for undersized slot receivers who utilize option routes to torment defenders underneath, but Switzer isn’t quite on that level. However, he’s able to create separation underneath and shows quality release quickness. Switzer is a slot-only target with punt return skills, but he has to find the right scheme fit to become a factor in the NFL. - Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

What the experts say Watching Ogunjobi play is like watching a more raw version of Sheldon Rankins and with a little less efficiency of movement. Like Rankins, Ogunjabi uses leverage, quickness, and strong hands to counter his average size. Size and below-average length will work against him for some teams, but others who covet disruptive defensive tackles who can play in the backfield and generate some pressure will be studying him closely. Has starting NFL potential.

- Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

What the experts say Phone booth defender who has good length and the power to fight for control at the point of attack. Jones’ strength is his ability to play the run and he could be a physical fit for 3-4 teams looking to add a run defender to their linemen corps. His inability to get the quarterback will cap his draft slotting but he does have pro potential.

- Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

What the experts say Jones is a frustrating player to evaluate because he’ll show flashes of the athleticism he put on display, only to make a number of mental errors that result in big plays for the offense. When focused in man coverage, his speed and physicality allows him to run with most receivers in space, and he does an excellent job of locating balls and outplaying his man in the air for the break-up. However, in zone situations he appears to freelance at times, a problem that generally appears to worsen the closer he is to the line of scrimmage.

- Pro Football Focus

North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

B6

Finding quarterback pivotal for could-be contenders The importance of landing a quarterback cannot be overstated

By Frank Cooney The Sports XChange his happened two or three decades ago, and the exT act names and timing are lost to Ed mulholland | USA TODAY SPORTS

Anderson Silva (red gloves) celebrates after his victory against Derek Brunson (blue gloves) during UFC 208 at Barclays Center.

Wilmington’s Derek Brunson to return to UFC cage in July Middleweight contender will fight in New Zealand as co-main event

By Shawn Krest North State Journal Wilmington fighter Derek Brunson will return to the UFC Octagon on June 10.

Brunson has spent the last year in the top 10 of the UFC Middleweight ratings as he attempts to get a title shot against champion Michael Bisping.

Currently ranked No. 8, Brunson will reportedly take on No. 14 middleweight Daniel Kelly in Auckland, New Zealand as the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 110.

The fight was officially announced by the UFC earlier this month, after being rumored since late March.

Brunson will attempt to break a two-fight losing streak. After winning five straight, four by first-round knockout, Brunson was stopped by Robert Whittaker in November. Brunson hurt Whittaker early in the bout and blamed his loss on being too aggressive and running into a knockout punch while rushing in to finish the fight.

In a bout with UFC legend Anderson Silva in February, Brunson was perhaps too cautious, going the distance in a three-round fight. Brunson appeared to have the advantage, but the judges ruled in favor of Silva.

The bout with Kelly will be the second time in three fights that Brunson has traveled halfway around the world to fight close to the opponent’s home turf. The bout with Whittaker, a New Zealander, took place in Melbourne, Australia. Kelly, Brunson’s July opponent, is a native Australian.

Kelly represented Australia in four Summer Olympic games, most recently in 2012, competing in judo. He has a 13-1 record as an MMA fighter, including 6-1 since joining the UFC. Kelly has won his last four fights, three by decision, one by knockout. Most recently, he beat former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Rashad Evans in March by split decision.

“Dan is a good fighter and he’s compiled a strong record in the UFC,” Brunson told MMA website Flo Combat. “He’s a very game and solid opponent and I’m definitely going in there to take him out in New Zealand. This is definitely going to be a big fight because the middleweight division is stacked with legends and contenders. Look at Dan Kelly. … When you are talking about sports overall it’s tough to find anything bigger than the Olympics. To have competed in the Olympics four times is pretty serious business.”

history but the point of it is not, and it is applicable to the NFL draft next week.

George Young, the late general manager of the New York Giants, was being criticized after one draft was over for choosing a player in the first round when that player generally had been rated as a second-round pick by most of the so-called experts.

Typically, Young did not mince words in defending his choice.

“I wanted the guy,” he said, “and I didn’t have a second-round pick.”

Such conviction and such candor is relatively rare in the NFL today, but even beyond that, the point is inescapable. If you need something, you better go get it, and that’s a lesson that would apply to the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears as they head into the draft with the first three selections.

There are others in the same situation as those three but since those teams are starting things off, they are in the driver’s seats.

And regardless of anything that has happened this off-season, including the Bears throwing a fortune at a quarterback named Mike Glennon whose work at Tampa Bay does not quite scream, “Hall of Fame,” all three teams need a legitimate starting quarterback for the long term.

They don’t have to get it in this draft, of course.

A quarterback could fall out of the sky during minicamp. Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers could force the Patriots or Packers to release him so he could sign with one of the league’s dogmeat teams.

Brian Hoyer could suddenly turn into Peyton Manning. Or Joe Montana could make a comeback.

But, seriously, there are two imperatives at work here.

One is that the best chance of getting a long-term, so-called franchise quarterback comes when you are at the bottom of the league and the top of the draft.

The other is that if you — meaning the coach and general manager of these crummy teams — don’t get that quarterback when you have the chance, the odds are that some other coach and general manager will be in your chairs before long.

It might be worth noting that teams who know what they are doing have been known to get another quarterback even if they already have one. It’s called insurance. It also can be part of a smart plan of succession, knowing that someday the incumbent would have to be replaced and it’s always better to do that with a plan rather than with a panic.

GREG M. COOPER | USA TODAY SPORTS

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws out the first pitch before the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

It may be going on right now, for example, in New England, where the Patriots are hanging onto Jimmy Garoppolo.

It happened in Indianapolis a couple years ago when the Colts drafted Andrew Luck although Peyton Manning was not quite finished. It happened in Green Bay a decade ago when the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers while Brett Favre was still going strong.

It happened in San Francisco years before that when the 49ers got Steve Young while Joe Montana was in his prime. And it is such a well-established principle that it happened a half-century ago, when the Pittsburgh Steelers chose Terry Bradshaw a year after drafting Terry Hanratty. The second Terry worked out much better than the first.

In other words, teams have prepared for quarterback transitions forever but the three teams at the top of the draft, Cleveland, San Francisco and Chicago, are there in large measure because the people running the franchises today did not prepare, forcing them into a most unenviable position.

In Cleveland, Sashi Brown and Hue Jackson are in their second season together as coach and geneeral manager. So far, they have done a magnificent job of collecting a lot of draft picks. They have not yet done much in the way of turning those picks into productive players.

Last year, the Browns had the second pick in the draft. They traded down to the eighth spot.

They finally wound up picking 15th, choosing a wide receiver, Corey Coleman. He caught 33 passes as a rookie. Meanwhile, Philadelphia chose quarterback Carson Wentz with the second pick and Dallas got running back

Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth pick.

Wentz started 16 games for the Eagles and showed promise, although he clearly has a ways to go. Elliott led the league in rushing with a margin over 300 yards more than the second-leading rusher. (And, of course, Dallas also found a quarterback later in the draft, Dak Prescott).

In fairness, the Browns did draft a quarterback, Cody Kessler, in the third round last year, and he started eight games though without apparent distinction.

San Francisco has a new coach-GM tandem, Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch, and did not retain a single quarterback from the old regime. The 49ers signed a couple of stopgaps but need so much help there is open talk of letting the quarterback decision wait a year, until Shanahan might be able to pry Kirk Cousins from his old team, Washington, or find another option in the draft. Of course, if the 49ers are drafting this high again next year, Shanahan and Lynch might not find their six-year contracts to be of much comfort.

And in Chicago, coach John Fox and GM Ryan Pace are beginning their third year together, having taken a painfully long time to come to an overdue conclusion about Jay Cutler. They threw a ton of money at Glennon but it’s hard to believe they think he is really a long-term solution to their problem.

Keep this in mind next week.

In the last quarter-century, 15 winning Super Bowl quarterbacks were first-round draft picks and, of the other 10, five were a freak named Tom Brady. You don’t have to get your Super Bowl winner in the first round, but history proves it’s not a bad idea.

Such conviction and candor is relatively rare in the NFL today, but even beyond that, the point is inescapable.

If you need something, you better go get it.

Keatts blueprint waiting on Henderson’s status Following loss of Rowan and commitment from Freeman, Wolfpack still missing its glue from behind the arc for Keatts’ first season

By R. Cory Smith North State Journal RALEIGH — The student-athlete carousel continued to spin in the past week for the Wolfpack as Maverick Rowan announced he would exit the program and Al Freeman, a Baylor graduate, is transferring into NC State.

First-year coach Kevin Keatts has plugged holes as they come open, but there’s still one void the Wolfpack is hoping to fill this offseason. That void, of course, is the pending extra year of eligibility for shooting guard Terry Henderson.

The Raleigh native requested an extra year of availability due to a season-ending knee injury he suffered seven minutes into his first competitive season with NC State.

Being granted that extra season would be a huge addition for a program in transition under Keatts.

One of the leaders of a downtrodden NC State team last year, Henderson was still the glue as a vocal leader for the young team. Granted, the 2016-17 results also sealed Mark Gottfried’s firing, but Abdul-Malik Abu said Henderson was far from the reason for that lack of success.

“Man, I’m hoping we get my man T back,” Abu said of Henderson during Keatts’ introductory press conference. “We’re praying we get him back. He’s an experienced guy.

I feel like we have the pieces to do what we need to do. ... We just need him to get there.”

The loss of Rowan leaves a glaring hole from behind the arc.

Not only was Rowan the team’s third-leading scorer with 12 points per game, but he also ranked second on the team in three-point percentage (36.1) last season.

So who was the one player who was ahead of Rowan in both of those departments? Terry Henderson.

Henderson had career-highs in points (13.8), three-point shooting percentage (38.4) and made 3-pointers (78). Prior to last season, he had never made more than 50 treys in a year, but blossomed in Gottfried’s system when he was finally healthy enough to play.

Why would Henderson’s loss be so debilitating for Keatts? Well, let’s just say his entire offense thrives off having a multitude of shooters and athletic players in the fold. How athletic? Keatts made that pretty obvious from day one.

With the team front and center, Kevin Keatts, left, speaks for the first time as North Carolina State University’s new men’s basketball coach during an event at Reynolds Coliseum.

EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

“We’re going to pride ourselves on being the best conditioned team in the country,” Keatts said.

Not the best conditioned team in a loaded state. Not the best conditioned team in the ACC, the best conference in college basketball.

That’s not good enough. Keatts intends on being the best conditioned team in the entire NCAA. Henderson checks off both boxes on Keatts’ checklist. After breaking a school record at UNCW last year

with 336 3-pointers made, Henderson gives Keatts a great outside shooter. With a slender frame and ability to create his own shot and defend, he’s the exact athlete Keatts needs, too.

Sure, the addition of Freeman gives the Wolfpack outside shooting with a player who shot 38.9 percent from behind the arc last season.

But he attempted more than five 3-pointers only five times compared to 19 such games for Henderson,

despite Freeman’s season last three games longer in the NCAA Tournament.

So while there’s room for NC State fans to rejoice with the addition of Freeman and freshman commit Lavar Batts, there’s still a huge question mark surrounding the program. Until the NCAA announces whether or not Henderson can play, Keatts will have to simply hope that Henderson will be a key piece to next year’s puzzle.

North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

mlb notebook

B7

NFL notebook

Pirates Marte suspended, Kershaw rips Rockies The Sports XChange Pirates Marte suspended 80 games for PEDs Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Starling Marte was suspended 80 games without pay after testing positive for the performance-ending substance Nandrolone, the commissioner’s office announced Tuesday.

Marte’s suspension begins immediately.

The use of Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid, violatesMLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.

“The Pittsburgh Pirates fully support MLB’s Joint Drug Agreement, including the very tough penalties for violations of its prohibitions,” Pirates president Frank Coonelly said in a statement. “We are disappointed that Starling put himself, his teammates and the organization in this position.

“We will continue to fight for the division title with the men who are here and will look forward to getting Starling back after the All-Star break.”

Marte, who was placed on the restricted list, said the mistake wasn’t intentional but occurred because he wasn’t educated.

Kershaw rips Rockies’ Anderson for ‘disrespectful’ actions Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw expressed his displeasure at the “disrespectful” actions of Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tyler Anderson at the start of the Wednesday’s game.

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ ace was ready to deliver the first pitch of the game but had to halt as Anderson meandered in from the bullpen. Anderson threw a few extra pitches and finished his pregame routine a bit late and was heading to the dugout.

“That was one of the more disrespectful things I’ve been a part of in a game,” Kershaw told reporters. “I really didn’t appreciate that. The game starts at 7:10 (p.m. PT), it started at 7:10 here for a long time. Just go around or finish earlier.

“That wasn’t appreciated, for sure. Not going to say any more, I’ll get in trouble.”

Giants Bochy undergoes heart procedure San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy underwent a heart procedure on Tuesday and will miss the team’s two-game series in Kansas City.

The Giants said Bochy underwent an ablation, a procedure to address an abnormal heart rhythm. The condition was causing Bochy discomfort.

Bench coach Ron Wotus is serving as San Francisco’s manager while Bochy is away.

Also, the Giants activated catcher Buster Posey from the seven-day concussion list prior to Tuesday’s game.

Posey was hit in the head by a pitch on April 10 and experienced concussion-like symptoms.

Pirates Kang waiting on overseas DUI hearing Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang has an appeals hearing set for May 25 in South Korea regarding his drunk driving conviction, multiple outlets reported.

Kang received a suspended eight-month jail sentence in March for his third DUI conviction in South Korea since 2009.

Kang was unable to secure a work visa in the United States due to the situation. If the sentence is reduced, Kang might be able to gain entry to the U.S and rejoin the Pirates.

Kang is currently on the restricted list and isn’t being paid.

Blue Jays battling more injuries The Blue Jays were just 2-10 entering Tuesday’s action, as they announced that left-hander J.A. Happ has been placed on the 10-day disabled list because of a sore left elbow.

Earlier in the day it was reported that Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson, who was placed on the disabled list April 14 after reinjuring his right calf, will miss at least two more weeks and maybe up to four.

On Sunday, the Blue Jays put righthander Aaron Sanchez on the 10-day disabled list because of a blister on his right middle finger.

The Blue Jays recalled right-hander Danny Barnes and infielder Ty Kelly from Triple-A Buffalo.

Cardinals put Peralta on DL The St. Louis Cardinals placed infielder Jhonny Peralta on the 10-day disabled list Thursday with upper respiratory issues.

The move is retroactive to Sunday.

The 34-year-old Peralta has struggled mightily to begin the season, batting just .120 with three singles in 25 at-bats.

St. Louis also activated left-hander Tyler Lyons from the disabled list.

Lyons was recovering from a right knee stress reaction that ended his 2016 campaign in July. He has appeared in three rehabilitation games with Triple-A Memphis, posting a 1.29 ERA in three starts.

GEOFF BURKE | USA TODAY SPORTS

L-R) New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick , President Donald Trump , Patriots owner Robert Kraft, and Patriots president Jonathan Kraft stand with Patriots players as President Trump holds a team Super Bowl LI helmet.

Pats-Chiefs to open season, Manning denies memorabilia claims The Sports XChange Patriots to open NFL season against Chiefs The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots will kick off the 2017 NFL season at home on Sept. 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The game between the Chiefs and Patriots is the league’s annual season kickoff game.

Commissioner Roger Goodell announced at the league’s owners meeting last month that he plans to attend the season opener. His appearance at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., would be his first since the Deflategate situation and the league’s battle to uphold a four-game suspension of quarterback Tom Brady.

New England is slated to play the Atlanta Falcons in a Super Bowl LI rematch this season, but the NFL held that game for a Sunday night in October.

Cowboys-Giants will open up Sunday Night Football For the second time in three years the Giants will travel to Dallas for a Week 1 matchup and for the third season in a row the two NFC East rivals will square off to open up the season according to the NFL’s schedule release.

The Giants beat the Cowboys by one point in the 2016 opener (and the Cowboys would not until the next matchup against the Giants in Week 14) while the Cowboys squeaked out a one-point win over the Giants in Week 1 on Sunday Night Football in 2015.

Giants QB Manning denies fakememorabilia claims

Caylor arnoldI | USA TODAY SPORTS

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Starling Marte (6) makes a catch during the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning denied accusations Thursday that he knowingly provided fake game-used memorabilia to collectors.

“I’ve done nothing wrong and I have nothing to hide,” Manning said.

The two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback turned over a potentially incriminating email earlier this month in connection with a lawsuit that claims Manning, the Giants and a team equipment manager knowingly provided memorabilia that was not worn in games.

Manning claims that the emails were “taken out of context” and that he’s “more angry than anything” that his character is being called into question. The 36-year-old then said that because of pending litigation that he would not be able to answer questions or get into specific details about the lawsuit.

“I will say that I’ve never done what I’ve

been accused of doing,” Manning said. “I have no reason, nor have I ever had any reason, to do anything of that nature. ...

And I know that when this is all done, everybody will see it the same way.”

Lions, Colts to hold joint practice sessions The Detroit Lions will hold joint practices with the Indianapolis Colts leading up to the preseason opener for both teams at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The two teams will spend two days practicing against each other on Aug 10-11 at the Colts’ Indianapolis headquarters. The Lions and Colts then kick off the preseason on Sunday, Aug. 13 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

It is the second straight year the Lions will have joint practices after traveling to Latrobe, Pa., for two days of work with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell called the joint sessions with the Steelers valuable evaluation for the team.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano succeeded Caldwell in Indianapolis as head coach in 2012.

The Colts held joint practices with the Chicago Bears in 2015, leading into a preseason home game at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“It’s a great way to create competition,” new Colts general manager Chris Ballard said of the practices with the Lions. “Camp gets hard and it can start to get a little old, practicing against each other. I think it’s a great opportunity to get with another team, create competition.”

Lawyer: Medical examiner has not released Hernandez’s brain One day after former New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez allegedly committed suicide, his defense team and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner are battling over his brain.

The Hernandez family plans to donate the brain to Boston University to undergo testing as part of the university’s concussion research but lawyer Jose Baez said the medical examiner is “illegally” holding the brain.

The medical examiner released Hernandez’s body to a funeral home on Thursday but didn’t include the brain.

“It is our position that they are holding Aaron Hernandez’s brain illegally,” Baez told reporters. “There is a fixing procedure to prepare these specimens. It is their position that they are going to be the ones to do the fixing procedure. The family does not have confidence in the medical examiner’s office.”

The medical examiner’s office declined comment.

Kaepernick, Brady land on TIME 100 Most Influential People List The Sports XChange New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James were among seven sports figures named to Time Magazine’s annual list of the world’s most influential people, which was announced Thursday.

While Brady and James have ample championships on their resume, polarizing NFL free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick also appeared on the list that included pioneers, artists and leaders.

Chicago Cubs general manager Theo Epstein, 2016 Olympic gold-medal gymnast Simone Biles, UFC light heavyweight champion Conor McGregor and Barcelona superstar forward Neymar were also included on the list.

Brady collected his fifth Super Bowl ring in February after helping the Patriots overcome a 25-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime of Super Bowl LI. “The mic was dropped,” talkshow host Conan O’Brien wrote of the victory over the Falcons. “But

ROBERT HANASHIRO | USA TODAY SPORTS

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) pumps his fist as he acknowledges the cheers from the 49ers’ fans.

Tom’s real achievement is that he willed himself to be (the best).”

James also was instrumental in helping his team rally from a 3-1 series deficit to upend the Golden

State Warriors in the NBA Finals.

“By making good on his pledge to bring a championship to the Cleveland Cavaliers and by investing in the promise of future generations

through his foundation, LeBron James has not only bolstered the self-esteem of his native Ohio but also become an inspiration for all Americans — proof that talent combined with passion, tenacity and decency can reinvent the possible. Poetry in motion, indeed,” wrote Rita Dove, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former U.S. poet laureate.

Kaepernick’s initial refusal to stand for the national anthem as part of his protest for racial injustice led others around the NFL to follow suit.

“I thank Colin, for all he has contributed to the game of football as an outstanding player and trusted teammate,” Kaepernick’s former coach Jim Harbaugh wrote. “I also applaud Colin for the courage he has demonstrated in exercising his guaranteed right of free speech. His willingness to take a position at personal cost is now part of our American story.”

North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

B8

Cavs devastate Pacers with record-setting comeback James, who has won 20 consecutive first-round playoff games, scored 28 second-half points and completely dominated the fourth quarter.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dunks against the Indiana Pacers in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Cleveland defeats Indiana 119-114.

The Cavaliers probably put an end to the Pacers first round hopes with a monster 26-point comeback in Indiana

By Jeff Washburn The Sports XChange INDIANAPOLIS — LeBron James recorded 41 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, and the Cleveland Cavaliers rallied from a 26-point deficit to stun the Indiana Pacers 119-114 on Thursday night in Game 3 of their opening-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

Cleveland grabbed a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

James, who has won 20 consecutive first-round playoff games, scored 28 second-half points and completely dominated the fourth quarter. Channing Frye’s clutch 3-pointer with 54.8 seconds to play gave the Cavaliers a 114-107 lead.

Cleveland outscored Indiana 70-40 in the second half. Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, Kyrie Irving and Frye each scored 13 points for the Cavs, and Kyle Korver added 12.

Paul George scored 36 points, including 21 during a dominating second quarter, but Indiana could not stop James and Cleveland in the final 24 minutes.

Jeff Teague added 15 for Indiana, and Lance Stephenson scored 13 for the Pacers. George also compiled 15 rebounds and nine assists.

The 74 first-half points are the Pacers’ most this season, topping the 68 they scored during the first two quarters April 8 at Orlando.

Indiana shot 56.8 percent during the opening half, including 10 of 17 from 3-point range.

In addition to George’s 23 firsthalf points, Pacers’ non-starters outscored the Cavaliers’ reserves 28-8.

The Pacers led by 10 after one quarter, then increased their lead to 50-36 with 5:54 remaining in the second quarter.

A little more than a minute later, it was 59-40. Indiana finished the first 24 minutes with a 74-49 lead.

James had 13 first-half points, and Irving added 10, but Cleveland was outrebounded 26-17 and shot only 36.7 percent in the first

BRIAN SPURLOCK | USA TODAY SPORTS

two quarters.

The Cavaliers got to within 7762 early in the third quarter, but the Pacers quickly pushed their lead back to 20. However, Cleveland outscored Indiana 35-17 in the period and was within 91-84 with 12 minutes to go. The Pacers made only 5 of 26 third-quarter field goal attempts, and George failed to score.

Cleveland closed the gap to 9691 with 9:24 remaining. A James basket cut the deficit to 98-96 with 7:16 to go.

Despite George making only 1 of 5 field goal attempts, Indiana led 37-27 after the first 12 minutes, getting nine points from Kevin Seraphin and seven from Thaddeus Young.

The Pacers shot 66.7 percent in the first quarter, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range. George scored only two first-quarter points but had four assists.

Elsewhere in the NBA For years, Zach Randolph dominated games for the Memphis Grizzlies as a starter. This season, first-year coach David Fizdale asked Randolph to embrace a sixth-man role.

The veteran power forward did so, and with good results. However, after the Grizzlies lost the first two games of their first-round Western Conference playoff series to the San Antonio Spurs, Fizdale had a new assignment for Randolph: start Game 3 on Thursday night and try to change the game.

“He was like a secret weapon tonight,” Memphis point guard Mike Conley said after Randolph scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the Grizzlies’ 105-94 win over the Spurs at FedExForum.

The Grizzlies snapped their streak of 10 consecutive postsea-

son losses to the Spurs.

Randolph had help from Conley, who contributed 24 points and eight assists, and center Marc Gasol, who finished with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists.

“Z-Bo was fantastic,” Fizdale said, using Randolph’s nickname.

[Winning] just matters so much to him.”

The Spurs jump-started the Grizzlies’ second-half effort by committing two turnovers in the first minute.

“Like we were out on a picnic someplace,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

Popovich was angry enough that after calling a timeout, he benched all five starters.

“That’s the type of coach he is,” said Kawhi Leonard, who led the Spurs with 18 points. “He wants us to understand what’s going on and how important the opportunity is for us.”

SEASON SCHEDULE: REDSKINS

SEASON SCHEDULE: PANTHERS Date

Week Opponent

Time

Station

Date

Week Opponent

Time

Station

Sun., Sept. 10

1

@49ers

4:25 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Sept. 10

1

Eagles

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Sept. 17

2

Bills

1:00 p.m. ET

CBS

Sun., Sept. 17

2

@Rams

4:25 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Sept. 24

3

Saints

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Sept. 24

3

Raiders

8:30 p.m. ET

NBC

Sun., Oct. 1

4

@Patriots

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Mon., Oct. 2

4

@Chiefs

8:30 p.m. ET

ESPN

Sun., Oct. 8

5

@Lions

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

BYE

5

BYE

BYE

BYE

Thurs., Oct. 12

6

Eagles

8:25 p.m. ET

CBS/NFLN

Sun., Oct. 15

6

49ers

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Oct. 7

7

@Bears

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Mon., Oct. 23

7

@Eagles

8:30 p.m. ET

ESPN

Sun., Oct. 14

8

@Buccaneers

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Oct. 29

8

Cowboys

4:25 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Nov. 5

9

Falcons

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Nov. 5

9

@Seahawks

4:05 p.m. ET

FOX

Mon., Nov. 13

10

Dolphins

8:30 p.m. ET

ESPN

Sun., Nov. 12

10

Vikings

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

BYE

11

BYE

BYE

Thurs., Nov. 19

11

@Saints

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Nov. 26

12

@Jets

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Nov. 23

12

Giants

8:30 p.m. ET

NBC

Sun., Dec. 3

13

@Saints

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Thurs., Nov. 30

13

@Cowboys

8:25 p.m. ET

NBC/NFLN

Sun., Dec. 10

14

Vikings

1:00 p.m. ET

CBS

Sun., Dec. 10

14

@Chargers

4:05 p.m. ET

CBS

Sun., Dec. 17

15

Packers

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Dec. 17

15

Cardinals

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Dec. 24

16

Buccaneers

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Dec. 24

16

Broncos

1:00 p.m. ET

CBS

Sun., Dec. 31

17

@Falcons

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

Sun., Dec. 31

17

@Giants

1:00 p.m. ET

FOX

PANTHERS from page B1 Home for the holidays Carolina reaps the benefits of the long October road trip in December when it begins to battle through the holidays. The Panthers play three straight home games late in the season — Dec. 10 against Minnesota, Dec. 17 against Green Bay and Christmas Eve against Tampa. Before that, Carolina has two games at home to start November off (Atlanta and Miami) before their bye, which is followed by a trip to play the Jets and then a road trip to New Orleans. A matchup against the Falcons in Atlanta on New Year’s Eve also give the Panthers three divisional games in the final five.

On the road yet again For the seventh time in the last eight seasons the Panthers will be playing their opener on the road. And this time it’s a particular stinger, since the Panthers will return to the scene of their Super Bowl 50 loss in Week 1, when Carolina opens the season at the San Francisco 49ers.

The good news is that the Panthers will get the 49ers, a team that isn’t expected to

provide a lot of competition in 2017. Since coach Ron Rivera took the helm, the Panthers have started the season on the road six times in seven years. It’s the first time since 2011 that the Panthers open the season on the West Coast.

Welcome back, Sean In Week 2, the Panthers host the Buffalo Bills in their home opener. Buffalo fired coach Rex Ryan in the offseason, and replaced him with Sean McDermott, who served as the Panthers defensive coordinator from 2011 to 2016.

“I’m excited to open our home schedule with a familiar face in Sean McDermott,” Rivera said. “He knows our team well, is an excellent coach and will have the Bills ready to play. It will certainly be a challenge for us, and I’m looking forward to it.”

McDermott gives the Bills a pretty nice advantage with his ability to have a head start on diagnosing how the Panthers will operate on both sides of the ball. He’ll focus on his Week 1 matchup against the Jets, obviously, but that second week homecoming will probably loom large as well this offseason.

REDSKINS from page B1 For those who haven’t figured it out yet, the Skins have a ton of games on primetime this season. Five to be exact, with two different sets of back-to-back matchups on the big stage thanks to the Thanksgiving home game.

As you can guess from the primetime placement, none of the games are easy. No game in the NFL is easy, but those matchups typically tend to feature a pair of quality teams. We’ve already alluded to the games with the Raiders, Chiefs, Eagles and Giants, but the final one is a doozy — a rivalry showdown in Dallas. That makes three of the five matchups under the lights on the road. Not exactly ideal for a team that narrowly made it to above .500 last season.

Defensive December The other tough stretch comes in December. Following a date with the Los Angeles Chargers — yeah, that still feels weird — the Skins head home to face the Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos. Both teams ranked top five in 2016 in overall defense and passing defense, Washington’s bread and butter.

Then it all wraps up with that pesky Giants team again, which could mean the difference between a playoff berth or staying home in January for both franchises. There’s also the fact that New York ranked second in the league last year in points allowed (17.8 ppg) against one of the toughest divisions in football. That a stingy string of games.

Win the West In most years, the Redskins would need to worry solely about winning the NFC East to make it to the playoffs. But much of Washington’s success in 2017 will rely on taking down teams from the two West divisions with all eight AFC and NFC West teams on the docket.

It’s always nice to see the likes of the Rams, 49ers and Chargers on the schedule, but two of those will be road games in Los Angeles. As for facing the Raiders, Chiefs, Seahawks, Cardinals and Broncos — who have a combined 10 playoff appearances, two Super Bowl appearances and one Super Bowl win in the last three seasons — pulling out a winning record against the West is not for the faint of heart.

NSJ photo team brings home awards, Page 4

SATURDAY

04.22.17

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL

play list

April 26 Lauryn Hill (Concert) Fayetteville Grammy Award-winning R&B singer performs at Crown Coliseum. crowncomplexnc.com or (910) 438 – 4100

April 26-30 MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Best in show, Miss Warsaw Middle School Zequoia Sanderson sits on top of a car for the 96th annual Warsaw Veterans Day parade as her mom Cathy Barden, left, and Zena Bell, in the car, prepare to ride in the parade as well.

the good life

Five days of tastings, seminar, dinners, live and silent auctions and more. Talent from around the world descends on Beaufort to be paired up with some of the Crystal Coast’s best restaurants for an unforgettable experience. beaufortwineandfood.org or (252) 515-0708

April 27 Drinks With Washington Raleigh

IN A NORTH STATE OF MIND

ben’s friends | raleigh

Sober, serving and giving support

By Liz Moomey North State Journal cott Crawford wants to eliminate the shame of alcoholism S or drug abuse by providing a safe space

for those struggling with addiction.

Crawford, of Crawford and Son restaurant in downtown Raleigh, started a Raleigh chapter of Ben’s Friends, a support group for people battling addiction in the hospitality industry.

“We have lots of people who want to change their lifestyle and feel like they have to leave the industry to do so,” Crawford said. “We want to shatter that notion. I want to speak as loudly and clearly as I can if you are working in this industry and struggling there is a place you can go and there are people that can help you.”

Ben’s Friends started in honor of Ben Murray, who died last year when he took his life after an addiction relapse. Crawford, Steve Palmer and Mickey Bakst had helped Murray open a restaurant.

“It was a magical team, and it was funny that we were just all sober and clean,” Crawford said. “We had a lot of funs conversations about that and what life was like before and what it’s like now. Ben suffered a relapse shortly after that opening and didn’t make it through the relapse. He took his own life, and it really affected all of us, especially Steve Palmer, who really just wished he could’ve helped him somehow.”

Palmer and Bakst started Ben’s Friends in Charleston. After attending a meeting, speaking out about his struggles with addiction and community members asking for help, Crawford knew it was time to start a chapter in Raleigh.

“I knew a couple people in my area who were asking for help, so I decided the time was right to make a chapter in Raleigh,” Crawford said. “To do that, it just takes getting it out there, so people know that it exists and then providing that space. Well, I have the space.

I put it out there, and we’ve had some incredible meetings so far, and I’ve met some incredible people.”

Crawford said he leaves the meetings feeling positive, and he knows attendees feel the same.

“It feels beyond good. It feels necessary at this point, because Ben is the only one who gets to be honored in this way,” Crawford said. “I’ve lost lots of friends since I started using at a very young age, I’ve lost so many friends.

I’m sitting at these meetings speaking for those who are gone. I don’t want to lose anymore.”

He said unlike other alcohol and drug addiction support groups, Ben’s Friends has two differences — being

13th Annual Beaufort Wine and Food Festival Beaufort

George Washington is in town and he wants to meet you for drinks at the Capitol! Join the festivities for a casual evening reception with the first President in honor of the Capitol’s newest exhibit “George Washington is Here!

Images of the Founding Father in the North Carolina State Capitol.” Drinks and hors d’oeuvres in the rotunda followed by a curator’s tour of the exhibit will round out this special evening. Tickets are $20 each. https://www.visitnc.com/event/ drinks-with-washington Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs (Concert) Durham The award-winning television and Broadway performer comes to DPAC with his acclaimed cabaret that The New York Times cheered “an emotional firestorm.” dpacnc.com or (919) 680-2787

April 28 Fluidity of Vision (Watercolor) FINAL DAY! Southern Pines The Arts Council of Moore County and Poyner Spruill Attorneys at Law Present Fluidity of Vision showcasing works by The Watercolor Society of North Carolina. mooreart.org or (910) 692-ARTS.

April 28-29 Christine T. Nguyen | North State Journal

Chef Scott Crawford, owner of Crawford and Sons, hopes a support group called Ben’s Friends will help people in the food and beverage industry who battle substance abuse and alcohol addiction. Crawford, who has been sober for 12 years, will hold weekly meetings at his restaurant.

public and catering to those in the food and beverage industry. The hospitality industry attracts a “certain personality that might be somewhat edgy or night owls, work hard and play hard.”

“When you’re in the trenches of an intense service with your team, it’s almost expected that you will be in the bar doing shots with them afterwards celebrating that you survived that service,” Crawford said. “It’s very intense work — whether it’s on the line in the kitchen or on the floor. It’s just intense.

Dinner service is intense, and it’s an adrenaline rush, so it’s just become normal practice just to go out afterwards and blow off steam.”

See Ben’s Friends, page C7

Ben’s Friends when Sundays at 11 a.m. where Crawford & Son 618 N Person St. Raleigh, NC 27604

24th Annual Arbor Day Festival Norwood Featuring the Blackwater Rhythm & Blues Band. norwoodgov.com

inside

contact scrawford1340@gmail.com info bensfriendshope.com

Let’s talk turkey.

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North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

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necessities the cinema

history marked

The calm before the blockbuster storm

April 23, 1929

While this weekend’s new films are not tent pole features, the local multiplex should have something for everyone as we prepare for a huge May which includes Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the longawaited Baywatch film, a new Alien movie (Covenant) and the fifth Pirates of the Caribbean.

For Kids OZZY (Rated G) – A friendly beagle has life turned upside when he finds himself at a pet spa that turns out to be a prison for dogs. Ozzy makes new friends as he tries to escape prison to return to his owners.

Featuring the voices of Jeff Foxworthy (The Smurfs) and Rob Schneider (Norm of the North) and directed by Alberto Rodríguez (Marshland).

For Adults Free Fire (Rated R) – Brie Larson (Kong: Skull Island) stars as Justine, who brokers a meeting in a deserted warehouse for the purpose of an arms deal. But when shots fire during the handover, complete pandemonium ensues, with everyone at the scene suddenly thrust into a heart-stopping game of survival.

R.J. Reynolds opens in Winston-Salem The new, 22-story office building for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company opened in Winston-Salem. The lower level allowed public access to retail and commercial shops including a restaurant, pharmacy, barber shop, telegraph and railway ticket office. The Reynolds Company occupied half the building with the other portion rented by attorneys, brokerage firms and developers. The building was commissioned by Reynolds President Bowman Gray Sr. and designed in the popular art deco style by New York City architects R. H. Shreve and William F. Lamb. The building was the tallest in the south.

April 27, 1584 First English expedition lands in N.C. The first English expedition of New World began as Cpts.

Arthur Barlowe and Philip Amadas sailed from the west coast of England in two ships.

Commissioned by Sir Walter Raleigh, the group arrived to present-day North Carolina between Ocracoke Island and the Oregon Inlet. The expedition was able to develop friendly relations with Native Americans and the relationships fostered led Algonquian Indians Manteo and Wanchese to return to England when the group departed at the end of the year. John White, who would later govern the “Lost Colony” also joined in the expedition.

Tops at the Box Office

April 25, 1908

The Fate of the Furious (Rated PG-13) – The eighth installment in The Fast and the Furious franchise opened to huge numbers last weekend and will likely be the big draw this weekend. The star-studded film, follows Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), who has settled down with his wife Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), until cyber terrorist Cipher (Charlize Theron) coerces him into working for her and turns him against his team, forcing them to find Dom and take down Cipher.

Edward R. Murrow born in Greensboro Edward R. Murrow, a legendary and famous journalist, was born in Greensboro.

When Murrow was young, his family moved to Washington State. In 1935, Murrow became the “director of talks” for CBS Radio. Two years later he was in Europe during Hitler’s annexation of Austria. During the Battle of Britain, his broadcasts that began each evening with “This is London” are considered legendary. In 1951, his series “See It Now” concluded with the famous, “Good night and good luck.” His March 1954 episode “taking down” Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy is noted to have significantly contributed to McCarthy’s downfall.

flawless Step into spring with your best face forward Great skincare is the first step to complexion perfection. Try these top 10 tips to step into spring with your best face forward.

By Dana Reason North State Journal Layer skincare products thinnest to thickest.

Applying dense creams first will prevent products, like serums, from being absorbed into the skin.

Apply SPF every day to protect your skin!

Choose a night cream with retinol to increase collagen production.

For optimal results from your skincare products, apply within 3-4 minutes of showering to lock in moisture.

If your makeup seems to disappear by the end of the day, most likely your skin is dehydrated. To help your makeup last all day, start with a moisturizer prior to applying foundation and finish your day with a rich, quality night cream to replenish the moisture.

When applying your skincare products, use a circular motion.

Regular exfoliation will give your skin a beautiful, natural glow.

All skin types need moisture.

If you have oily skin, opt for an oil free moisturizer.

Vitamins make a difference!

Vitamin A is one of the most effective anti-aging skincare ingredients, Vitamin C improves clarity and is

MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

used to activate collagen production and Vitamin E protects skin against free radicals and environmental factors.

There is no substitute for hydrating from the inside out. Drinking water all

day long can dramatically improve your skin’s tone, texture and overall appearance.

There you go! All the tips you need for a great, effective skincare routine that will help you look your very best!

Harry S. Truman (left) and Edward R. Murrow, a journalist, (right) read a newspaper in an undated file photo.

Information courtesy of N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Photo Courtesy of University of MAryland library

BEAUTFUL VIEWS. EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES.

norwoodgov.com

B c North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

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the brew | New Sarum Brewing A flight of New Sarum Brewing Company’s seasonal beer Vincent Man-Go IPA and four of the core beers: ​Old Stone House IPA, ​Hurley Park Blood Orange Wheat, Roundhouse Robust Porter and High Rock Red Ale.

Photos By CHRISTINE T. NGUYEN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

New Sarum Brewing embodies Southern beer to its core

By R. Cory Smith North State Journal ver the last five years, New Sarum Brewing has been brewing and O perfecting multiple beers for the people of

the two flavors behind a well-hidden 6.0 ABV. While it doesn’t offer the unmistakable flavor of grits like the blonde ale (that might not work with a wheat beer), its palpable distinction between sweetness and tart aftertaste makes this an unforgettable beer.

Salisbury. In that time, it has produced and bottled five beers with distinctly different tastes to please the taste buds of all North Carolinians.

To say that New Sarum is tucked away in downtown Salisbury would be a lie. Over that five-year span, the brewery has blossomed into a fledgling part of Lee Street with two large silos visible from the street level.

As for the beer, New Sarum delivers on its self-described old meets new style. We tried all five beers, broke them down and bring to our readers a full look inside each bottled brew from this five-year-old brewery.

New Sarum doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel when it comes to red ales, but sticks to a more traditional blueprint with a Southern flair. The red ale includes English hops and spicy notes while invoking a flaky biscuit aftertaste — which tastes like it has a hint of Grandma’s Molasses mixed in.

The red ale is thicker and darker than the aforementioned beers while also carrying a malty, hoppy scent and flavor. It also loses the bitterness and packs plenty of sweet tones for a during or after dinner brew in the fall or winter.

Blonde Ale

IPA

Want to know why New Sarum was tabbed as the embodiment of Southern brewing? Look no further than the blonde ale infused with — wait for it — grits.

Does it get any more Southern than that?

No. The answer is no.

It’s one thing to say your beer includes grits, and completely different to make it work. New Sarum’s blonde ale — distinctly named “Blonde Ale with Grits” — has a distinct aftertaste of buttered grits in with every swig.

Look, grits aren’t for everyone and maybe this light summer beer isn’t your style either. But with an ABV of 5.5, this easy-todrink blonde is ripe for any trip to the North Carolina coast.

Very few craft breweries master the IPA right away. While I haven’t had New Sarum prior to this year, I can attest to the fact that the Old Stone House IPA is perfected already.

It offers a great blend of citrus flavor similar to the blood orange wheat beer, but comes with that same bitterness of your standard IPA. It might not have any remarkable flavors that make it stand out from other IPAs, but Old Stone is a solid brew that hides its 7.8 ABV well.

Blood Orange Wheat Speaking of Summer beers, this one is perfect for a day on the beach or a long summer night. New Sarum’s Hurley Park Blood Orange Wheat carries the title of one of Salisbury’s most beautiful parks with class.

Blood orange has been all the rage over the past few years, with several breweries infusing it into ales and IPAs. New Sarum chose to go with a more traditional wheat beer, making the perfect contrast between

Red Ale

Porter OK, not going to lie, this one was a personal favorite. I’m a sucker for a good porter — regardless of flavor — so this one was a winner for me. So I saved the best for last.

The aptly named “Roundhouse Robust Porter” brings exactly that: a roundhouse straight to your palate. No, that’s not where the name came from — it’s referring to the railroad buildings for repairing locomotives — but it’s a stark contrast from the previous brews.

Loaded down with caramel and toffee notes when it hits your mouth, the Roundhouse tastes like a smooth black coffee going down. This is a dark beer lover’s dream.

Brian Moffitt of Kannapolis drinks 11th Hour Session Pale Ale infused with hibiscus at the New Sarum Brewing Co. taproom.

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North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

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Sports feature, second place, Christine T. Nguyen Lincoln Sadler, a huntsman with the Moore County Hounds, leads a pack of Penn-Marydel hounds during the the Thanksgiving Day opening meet on Nov. 24, 2016.

North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

Spot news, honorable mention, Eamon Queeney Chris Blackman wades through flooded Cedar Street in Lumberton, N.C., as he heads to his family home of 54 years, Oct. 12, 2016.

Feature story, first place, Madeline Gray Chad and Katie Coleman, center, hug their adopted daughters Safi, 6, left, and Sifa, 5, right, for the first time at the Charlotte airport on June 8, 2016..

Portrait, third place, Christine T. Nguyen Bruce Adams of Boiling Springs turns himself into “Chico” before taking part in one of his final rodeos before retiring on May 7, 2016.

NSJ photographers win big at statewide awards

Sports photograher of the year, runner up, Eamon Queeney Seen in a double exposure created in camera, North Carolina State forward AbdulMalik Abu (0) poses for a photograph at the Dail Basketball Center in Raleigh, Nov. 15, 2016.

By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal ALEIGH — Photographs. Some visually depict the magnitude of despair, the triumph in winning, the R eccentric measures of a personality or the unusualness

one might otherwise miss. For the North State Journal photography team, capturing the diverse lives of North Carolinians with a camera has brought storytelling to life and garnered them statewide recognition.

Photojournalists Madeline Gray, Christine Nguyen and Eamon Queeney earned 21 awards from the N.C. Press Photographers Association’s 2016 Awards, including Photo Staff of the Year, Photographer of the Year Runner-Up, and Sports Photographer of the Year Runner-Up. “Our goal is capture the diversity and heart of North Carolina in our photographs,” said Nguyen, who received 10 individual awards. “We hope to provide readers with a greater understanding of how small moments in people’s lives and big events shape our state.”

Queeney, who was the runner-up for Sports Photographer of the Year, added, “We want to give readers a look inside the everyday lives of their neighbors — ordinary North Carolinians — through times of happiness, sadness and everything in between.”

Gray won runner-up for Photographer of the Year.

“As a team we work really well together to find the images that best tell a complete story,” Gray said. “The process is very collaborative and we continually strive to improve our photography. We challenge each other to push ourselves. Then working closely with the design team allows us to present our images in a dynamic way and further collaborate with the entire team at the newspaper.

“Most importantly, we hope to shed light on stories that shape the diverse lives of North Carolinians,” she added.

Each member of the photography team brings together varied backgrounds and photography styles to create the depth of visuals displayed in print.

“I find beauty in intimate moments that provide insight into a person’s personality and story,” said Nguyen. “I strive to capture these moments creatively.”

“In photography I value compassionate storytelling, personal moments and creative image making,” Gray said. “If I’m shooting a seemingly mundane scene, I try to find something unexpected to create a photograph that shows the situation in a different way. But most of all I aim to show the emotion, passion, sadness and wonder that people express every day in so many unique ways.”

Queeney added, “It is hard for me to call my photography a style, since I think it develops on a near constant basis, but if I had to narrow down the themes it would be classic photojournalism with a bent for the weird or humorous.”

The team brings varied styles together for the common purpose of showcasing the people of North Carolina.

“While we certainly do not do the job for the awards; when they do come, it is a nice affirmation that someone else can think we are on the right track,” Queeney said.

The North State Journal photography team received the following awards from the North Carolina Press Photographer's Association: Photo Staff of the Year: Madeline Gray, Christine Nguyen, Eamon Queeney Photographer of the Year Runner-Up: Madeline Gray Sports Photographer of the Year Runner-Up: Eamon Queeney Spot News: Honorable Mentions — Eamon Queeney and Madeline Gray Feature Single: 1st place — Madeline Gray; 3rd Place — Christine Nguyen Sports Feature: 2nd place — Christine Nguyen; Honorable Mention — Eamon Queeney Portrait: 3rd place — Christine Nguyen Pictorial: 1st Place — Christine Nguyen; 2nd place — Christine Nguyen; 3rd place — Eamon Queeney; Honorable Mention — Christine Nguyen Campaign 2016: 2nd place — Christine Nguyen News Photo Story: 3rd place — Christine Nguyen; Honorable Mention — Madeline Gray Feature Story: 1st place — Madeline Gray; 2nd place — Christine Nguyen; 3rd place — Madeline Gray Sports Story: 3rd place — Christine Nguyen Best in Show: Madeline Gray

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Pictorial, first place, Christine T. Nguyen

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune on Sept. 28, 2016.

2nd Lt. Luke Klena watches artillery fire during a training exercise at

Photographer of the year, runner up, Madeline Gray Gage McClenny, of Clinton, dances with other members of the Coharie tribe during the American Indian Heritage Celebration at the North Carolina Museum of History on Nov. 19, 2016.

North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

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carolina outdoors | hunting

Talking turkey The majority of turkeys are harvested within the first hour or two of daylight — Josh Pelletier of Pitt County

By Neal Robbins North State Journal ASHEBORO — Wild turkey season is underway in North Carolina and hunters around the state are enjoying the fruits of a thriving population of the bird that Benjamin Franklin called one of courage and a true original native of America.

According to Christopher Kreh, an upland game bird biologist with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, the state’s “restoration efforts first began in the 1920s, evolved through time, but have never really ceased completely.” Since the state stopped releasing new birds into the wild in 2005, the Old North State’s overall flock has grown to more than 260,000 birds from just 2,000 wild birds in 1970.

This growth has occurred while annual takes of wild turkeys have exceeded 15,000 each of the past four years, with over 120,000 birds harvested in the past decade.

Those efforts have led to happy hunters around the state like Josh Pelletier of Pitt County, who said 2017’s wild turkey season “has started off really well in Martin, Edgecombe, Pitt and Halifax counties” where he hunts.

Pelletier said a late cold snap in February halted early nesting and has gobblers on the prowl at just the right time for the statewide spring season that began on April 1 for youth hunters and extends through May 6.

North Carolina’s wild turkeys range from Murphy to Manteo, but our neighbors in Dare County took just one wild turkey in 2016, the fewest of any county. Other coastal plain counties like Pender, Bladen and Duplin each had more than 400 turkeys harvested.

Across the state, 16 counties had 300 or more turkeys harvested in 2016.

North Carolina wildlife laws allow only male turkeys, or toms, be harvested.

Mature males are gobblers and immature males are called jakes.

“The majority of turkeys are harvested within the first hour or two of daylight,” said Pelletier, who leads hunts for Combat Warriors Inc., a nonprofit that focuses on outdoor activities for active and retired military. But early afternoon hunting can pick up later

Photo Courtesy of Tyler Hawley

Gobblers in full display in Wilson County.

in the season once more females are on the nest and males must search harder for mates.

“If you get a lone tom to answer you in a bottom or on a field edge during midday, chances are you’ll be toting him back to the truck in short order,” said Pelletier.

For hunters who want to begin the search for a North Carolina gobbler, a shotgun is essential because pistols, rifles and black powder rifles are prohibited. Baiting is not allowed, and the use of electronic or recorded calls are also off-limits. One item that many hunters are now accustomed to wearing — blaze orange hats or outerwear — is not required for wild turkey hunting since the turkeys must be taken at relatively close range and they are able to distinguish the bright orange color unlike other big game.

Top 15 counties for turkey harvests Pender 487 Rockingham 484 Halifax 426 Bladen 424 Duplin 419

In the equipment category, Pelletier recommends a 12-gauge shotgun with an aftermarket choke tube. He hunts with a Browning Maxus semi-automatic shotgun paired with a Federal 3rd Degree load that is a mix of 5, 6 and 7 shot.

“There are many types of turkey ammo out there that can get the job done,” he added.

Beyond the lethal technology, he said a good turkey vest and a good seat

Northhampton 404 Craven 381 Onslow 370 Stokes 368 Caswell 353

are essential equipment for a successful and comfortable hunt because “the more comfortable you are, the less you move, and the more likely you are to wait out an old stubborn tom.”

Once you’ve bagged your prize, Pelletier said there are many ways to prepare your bird. His favorite is buttermilk-soaked, fried filets of the turkey breast.

“Shew, that’s hard to beat.”

Supporting teachers and students.

Empowering our community.

Your electric cooperative does more than keep the lights on. By investing in scholarships, grants and other educational opportunities, we power and empower the people we serve.

Learn more at ncelectriccooperatives.com.

CEC CR 25817 (10.25x10) NorthState Mar2017.indd 1

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North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

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the shop | raleigh

Homegrown goodness featured at Southern Women’s Show this weekend

By Laura Ashley Lamm North State Journal

he Southern Women’s Show, a three-day event T showcasing shopping and

workshops on food, fashion, beauty and health is taking place at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds this weekend. North Carolinians and their home-grown products and recipes will be taking center stage. We’ve rounded up three of the finest in cooking and cuisine you’ll see this weekend.

Carolina Kettle

A senior at North Carolina State University, Josh Monahan, has spent the last year selling kettle cooked potato chips and given proceeds from each bag sold to the Central and Eastern NC food banks.

“One in six people do not know where their next meal will come from and aren’t getting the food they need. This is a way to help. I give a nickel from every two ounce bag sold and a dime from every five ounce bag sold to the food bank,” said Monahan.

He’s donated $2,300 to the food bank while North Carolinians are picking potato chips up as a snacks at one of the 140 locations they are sold.

Carolina Kettle Cooked Potato Chips comes in six flavors centered around North Carolina including Outer Banks Sea Salt, Down East Carolina BBQ, and the “Mama Gin” Dill Pickle.

“Chips are something you can eat anytime of the day and are a great snack food. They go well with beer and sandwiches. Our Sea Salt chips are our best seller and aren’t too terribly salty. Our salt and vinegar chips offer a little bit of twang while the bbq chips are sweeter than most,” said Monahan.

Bertie County Peanuts A small-family owned company in Windsor, Bertie County Peanuts have been serving up one of the state’s favorite snacks since 1919. The company crafts and packages their peanuts by hand, taking approximately 16 hours to generate one case of peanuts.

“People love the taste of peanuts. Our regular salted

Ben’s Friends from page C1 He said the drinking culture can become unhealthy for some.

“It can end up going to a little partying rut to a real serious problem pretty quickly,” Crawford said. “How serious is it? It’s life and death serious sometimes for people. That’s our reality.”

Crawford said he knows how bad it can get with losing countless friends and his own struggles with drugs and alcohol, but he wants

Madeline Gray | North State Journal | File

Josh Monahan, a senior at NC State, showcases his line of potato chips at Liquid State in Raleigh. For every bag of chips that is purchased, Monahan donates a nickel to a North Carolina food pantry.

cocktail nuts have no added flavoring other than salt. We make these peanuts taste as natural as possible,” said Jon Powell, marketing manager and member of the Powell family who’s in its fourth generation of company ownership.

“Being in Windsor and eastern North Carolina, we have sandy soil located near the rivers that is perfect for growing peanuts.

Bertie County is the largest grower of peanuts in North Carolina,” he added.

Bertie County Peanuts brings peanut-lovers a variety of flavors from roasted, salted and seasoned to raw, spicy or fried. It takes the company anywhere from a year to two years to perfect the taste before a new flavor is introduced to the public.

“Peanuts are healthy. They carry a vitamin punch, protein and are a good snack that’s locally grown,” said Powell.

Bertie County Peanuts derived its name for the county in which it resides in hopes of increasing recognition and visitors to the community.

“We named our product “Bertie County” because we’ve always been such a poor county. We hoped with the name it would draw attention and interest to the county. We think this has been positive for the county and has brought a lot of visitors to our

the community to know there is a way out.

“Life is messy, and I’m not afraid to talk about how messy it was, how difficult, how dark it may have been, because it doesn’t have to stay that way,” he said. “And it didn’t for me, fortunately. When I speak about my life now having a family and a business, it’s beyond amazing.”

So at 11 a.m. on Sundays, Crawford and other members of the food and beverage industry who need

support meet at his restaurant to discuss acceptance, resentment, anger and gratitude and share their experiences in a friendly environment.

“Because it’s industry-focused when people come to this meeting and they sit down, there’s immediately a camaraderie,” he said.

“There is a trust, and there’s a common thread in all the people. That sometimes in recovery takes a long time to establish with a group. It’s almost immediate in this group.”

Photo Courtesy of Bertie County Peanuts

Bertie County Peanuts, shown on the left, will be available at the Southern Women’s Show.

store,” said Powell.

In addition the company has named their peanuts after historic landmarks in town – Weeping Mary’s Ghost Pepper is named after a road and Batchelor Bay Seasoned is after a Civil War battle.

Chef Jenny Brule A classically trained chef, food writer and restaurant consultant, Jenny Brule of Davidson, knows her way around the kitchen.

“My love of food and cooking came from my parents. When I was 16 or 17 years old, they both took three months off work and lived in Paris taking cooking classes,” said Brule. “The taught up until they were 83 years old.”

At the age of 10, she ate the German dish of pig knuckles.

She was hooked on cuisines of varying tastes and regions, and the Southern food landscape is right up her alley. She recently released the cookbook, “Learn to Cook 25 Southern Classics 3 Ways.”

“There are hundreds of recipes special to Southerners and it was hard to narrow down recipes, but I wanted it to be a teaching cookbook. For example - fried chicken. You can learn to make classic Southern fried chicken, crispy oven-fried chicken, or spicy baked piri piri wings,” said Brule.

Brule will participate in the Chopped Challenge on the Food Lion Kitchen Stage where she will compete with fellow chefs in preparing a meal with surprise ingredients in a quickly-timed event. A wiz in the whisking up recipes and in competition, Brule offered tips to help the home cook become successful in the kitchen.

“Repetition in the bedrock of learning how to cook,” she said. “I only have tools and gadgets that serve more than one purpose.

One tool I use every day is the mircoplane, which is used to finely grate cheese and chocolate, and to zest citrus. I purchased it for about $12 at the grocery store.”

Other top items Brule recommends for the kitchen include an immersion blender, a rubber heat-proof spatula, a paring knife, an 8-inch chef’s knife, and a bread knife.

“Invest in three quality knives and they will last you for years. I am bringing these knives with me to the Food Lion stage and they are the same ones I purchased in 1994 when I was in culinary school,” she said. “And nothing replaces a good cast iron pot.

Cast iron is a good conductor of heat and though expensive, they can last for generations. I am using my father’s which he gave to me a few years ago.”

For more information of the event lineup of the Southern Women’s Show visit www. southernshows.com.

“When you’re in the trenches of an intense service with your team, it’s almost expected that you will be in the bar doing shots with them afterwards celebrating that you survived that service. It’s very intense work — whether it’s on the line in the kitchen or on the floor. It’s just intense.”

— Scott Crawford

98% of ALL Farms are Family Farms

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North State Journal for Saturday, April 22, 2017

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pen & Paper pursuits

Janric classic sudoku

Solutions from 4.19.17