North State Journal Vol. 9, Issue 10

the BRIEF this week

Early voting for primary runo s underway

Raleigh Early in-person voting started last Thursday across North Carolina for next month’s runo elections, including one congressional and two statewide primary contests. Voters are choosing this fall’s Republican nominees for lieutenant governor, state auditor and the 13th Congressional District seat. These May 14 runo s, also known as second primaries, occurred because the candidate with the most votes in the March 5 primaries for these races failed to receive more than 30% of the vote. The second-place candidate had to formally ask for a runo . The lieutenant governor’s GOP runo is between Hal Weatherman and Jim O’Neill, while the nomination for state auditor is between Jack Clark and Dave Boliek. Kelly Daughtry and Brad Knott are seeking the 13th District nomination. These GOP primary runo s are open to all registered Republicans in the state, or in the case of the congressional race, registered Republicans within the 13th District. Una liated voters who either didn’t vote or voted Republican in the March primaries also can participate. Early voting in all 100 counties continues through May 11.

Service held for late N.C. Chief Judge Martin

Raleigh A memorial service was held Friday for former North Carolina Court of Appeals Chief Judge John C. Martin, who died earlier this month at age 80. Martin died peacefully at his Raleigh home on April 9, according to an obituary from the Brown-Wynne Funeral Home working with the family. Gov. Roy Cooper ordered that North Carolina and U.S. ags be lowered at state facilities starting Thursday until Friday night in Martin’s honor. A Durham native who attended Wake Forest University law school and served brie y on the Durham City Council, Martin was rst appointed as a Superior Court judge in 1977. He was elected to the intermediatelevel Court of Appeals in 1984 and ultimately served on the court for more than 24 years, including 10 as chief judge from 2004 until he retired in 2014. Martin also had served as chairman of the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission and president of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal. Martin is survived by his wife, ve children and nine grandchildren.

NCInnovation res back at right-leaning think tank

The John Locke Foundation has been critical of NCInnovation for more than a year

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Over the past year, a nonpro t organization funded by the General Assembly to focus on “accelerating commercialized innovation from North Carolina’s universities” has been receiving criticism from a fellow nonpro t. NCInnovation (NCI) was established in 2020 and given $500 million in nonrecurring funding across the biennium through the “NCInnovation Reserve Fund” as part of the 2022-23 budget. Of the appropriation, NCI may use $50 million of the endowment as investment income in the 2023-2024 scal year and $90 million in the 2024-2025 scal year.

NCI, per its website, wants to address North Carolina being ranked 20th in the nation when it comes to innovation despite having a “world-class university system” as well as ranking “near the top of peer states in re -

search and development funding,” and has attracted top talent.

The initial Senate bill proposed funding the initiative with $1.425 billion in nonrecurring funds. Following the Senate’s proposal, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon offered strong support.

“With business all over the world we understand that innovation and scale begins locally, which is why we thought it especially important to support North Carolina’s entrepreneurial development through NCInnovation,” Dimon said. “This model holds great promise to expand North Carolina’s technology commercialization and serve as a blueprint to expand American innovation.”

The John Locke Foundation (JLF), a conservative think tank and nonpro t in Raleigh, has essentially accused the funding of being an example of government picking winners and losers.

JLF has been critical of taxpayer dollars being used to “acquire equity in private companies,” claiming it will “certainly blur the lines between

See LOCKE, page A2

By Erik Verduzco and Peter Smith

The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — Four law o cers serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a rearm were killed and four other ocers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a Charlotte home, police said.

Some of the ocers who rushed to the Charlotte neighborhood to rescue the rst wave of downed o cers were wounded as a second shooter began ring on them after they killed the wanted man, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said.

cles smashed into it, ripping o windows and entire doorways that were left broken. Several armored vehicles were parked across yards, some with tree branches dangling o them. The U.S. Marshals Task Force was red on by the wanted suspect as they approached the house and the man was killed in the front yard, Jennings said. His name was not released, but the chief said he was wanted as a felon illegally possessing a weapon.

“Today we lost some heroes that are out there simply trying to keep our community safe.”

Johnny Jennings, CMPD police chief

“Today we lost some heroes who were out simply trying to keep our community safe,” Jennings said at a news conference.

After a three-hour stando , the suburban Charlotte home was torn open. Armored vehi-

A second person then red on o cers from inside the home where a high-powered ri e was found, Jennings added. A woman and a 17-year-old male were found in the home after the stando . The two are being questioned, Jennings said. The Marshal’s Service con rmed one of its agents was killed. Two o cers from the state Department of Adult Correction also were killed, said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. The governor was in Charlotte and was

See

page A3

The outgoing governor plans more than $34.5 billion in spending

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper released the nal budget proposal of his twoterm tenure on April 24.

The 223-page proposal is for FY 2024-2025 and has more than $34.5 billion in appropriations.

“This budget is an opportunity to build on our state’s momentum and make up ground in areas like public education, quality child care and clean drinking water, where legislators have fallen short,” Cooper said in a press

release. “As the number one state to do business in the country for two years in a row, we have the formula for success in our high-quality public schools, talented workforce and thriving economy,” Cooper said. “We must make targeted investments strengthening public education, boosting economic development, and

MELISSA MELVIN-RODRIGUEZ / THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER VIA AP

Multiple law enforcement vehicles respond in the neighborhood Monday where several o cers were shot in Charlotte.

The U.S. Marshals Task Force was attempting to serve a warrant

See COOPER, page A2

SHOOTING,

CHRIS SEWARD / NEWS AND OBSERVER VIA AP

The Sermon on the Mount tells us the kind of people Christians should be. The Beatitudes with which it opens, show us pictures of the character that is like God.

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the over ow of his heart — his mouth speaks.” The temple rose in silence on Mount Moriah; no noise of hammer or ax being heard in the building all the time it was in rising, because down in the quarries under the hill, and in the shops in the valley, every stone and every piece of timber was shaped and tted perfectly, before it was brought to be laid in its place.

Our hearts are the quarries and the workshops, and our thoughts are the blocks of stone and the pieces of timber which are prepared and are then brought up and laid in silence upon the temple-wall of our character.

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” It is not enough to honor Christ before men, praying to Him and ascribing power and glory to Him. Jesus tells us that those alone shall enter heaven — who on earth obey the will of the Father who is in heaven. Every confession of Christ — must be con rmed and approved by obedience and holiness.

“Simply to Your cross I cling” is not all of the gospel of salvation; it is only half of it. No one is really clinging to the cross — who is not at the same time faithfully following Christ and doing whatever He commands. We never can enter heaven — unless heaven has rst entered our heart. We shall do God’s will in heaven when we get there; but we must learn to do it here on earth — or we never shall get there.

“I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a ood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice, is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” All turns on the doing — or not doing of Christ’s words. Both the men hear the words of Christ — but one of them obeys, and thus builds upon the rock-foundation. The other hears — but does not obey, and builds upon the sand.

Both men built houses which were probably very much alike, so far as the appearance was concerned. But there were two kinds of ground in that vicinity. There was a wide valley which was dry and pleasant in the summer. Then there were high, rocky blu s. One man decided to build in the valley. It would cost less. The digging was easy, and the blu s were hard to

Congressional delegation wants to bring 2027 World Military Games to NC

The state’s federally elected o cials urged the U.S. Defense secretary to support their bid

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s Congressional delegation, led by Republican Sen. Ted Budd, is seeking to bring the 2027 World Military Games to the Tarheel State.

The North Carolina delegation expressed interest in hosting the event in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

“We write to you today expressing our support and requesting your initiation of the bid process of hosting the World Military Summer Games during the summer of 2027 in the great state of North Carolina,” the letter reads. “The World Military Games (WMG) is a sporting event hosted every four

LOCKE from page A1

nonpro t and for-pro t organizations.” JLF has also criticized NCI’s spending on lobbyists and sta .

JLF has also claimed taxpayers would be “forced to bail them out” through future appropriations if NCI’s return on investment falters. The right-leaning think tank has also claimed industrial policies under “Bidenomics” as “eerily similar to NCInnovation.” Through its blog, Carolina Journal, the most recent criticism is that Gov. Roy Cooper’s budget does not include NCI, writing that “Cooper’s elimination of further NCI funding could be foreboding for the nonpro t.”

One of NCI’s board members is Art Pope, who was appointed by House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) under the related budget provision. He is chairman of the John William Pope Foundation, “a private grant-maker supported by the Variety Wholesalers, Inc. and the Pope family.” Pope launched JLF in 1990 and is a former board member of the organization.

As a member of NCI’s board, through an email to the state

North Carolina is “strategically suited to host the WMG with our plentiful sporting venues, colleges, and transportation infrastructure.”

years which brings our world’s militaries together to promote friendly international sporting competition. The showcase of militaries from across the globe competing in sports is a noble cause and opportunity to highlight United States values and national pride.”

The letter says North Carolina is “strategically suited to host the WMG with our plentiful sporting venues, colleges, and transportation infrastructure.”

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC)

auditor, Pope initiated an inquiry into NCI’s nancial reporting, accusing the nonpro t of not maintaining its records, accounts and nancial reporting in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The email also claimed NCI lacked internal controls to determine the status of claimed multiyear charitable pledges, resulting in overstatement of revenue and assets. Lawmakers were copied on Pope’s email to the auditor. NCI employees, however, were not.

On April 2, NCI’s Vice President Corporate A airs Erica Shrader issued a letter regarding “inaccurate information” about the organization published by JLF and its media arm, Carolina Journal. The letter describes JLF admitting to basing its original opposition to the organization on an old bill draft that never became law, leading to a correction stating that NCInnovation’s funding is limited to grants for university researchers.

Shader’s letter also asserts JLF has “pivoted” and now opposes NCInnovation because of its merit-based grant process.

“If applied research funding is not to be distributed based

“The

reach. The other man looked farther ahead, and decided to build on high ground. It would cost far more — but it would be safer. The two homes went up at the same time, only the one in the valley was nished long before the other. Two families had settled in the two residences and were happy.

But one night there was a storm. The rain poured down in torrents, and oods swept down o the mountain. The house that was built in the valley was carried away with its dwellers. The house on the blu was unharmed.

The illustration explains itself. He who has built in the valley is the man who has only professions — but has really never given his life to Christ, nor built on Him as a foundation. The man who built on the rock is the man who has true faith in Christ, con rmed by living obedience. The storms that burst — are earth’s trials, and the tempest of death and judgment. He who is truly in Christ is secure; for no storm can reach the shelter of Christ’s love. It is a terrible thing to cherish a false hope of salvation throughout life, only to nd in the end — that one has built upon the sand.

J.R. Miller (1840-1912) was a pastor and former editorial superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication from 1880 to 1911. His works are now in the public domain.

COOPER from page A1

protecting our natural resources to secure a bright future for North Carolina.”

$251.8M

also signed the letter along with Reps. Dan Bishop, David Rouzer, Richard Hudson, Deborah Ross, Patrick McHenry, Greg Murphy, Virginia Foxx, Chuck Edwards, Alma Adams, Don Davis, Wiley Nickel and Je Jackson.

North Carolina is home to seven military bases, and the state has the fth-highest population of veterans in the country with nearly 621,000 as of 2022.

The International Military Sports Council, a sports association founded in 1948, is responsible for organizing and holding the games, which occur every four years. The council’s motto is “Friendship through sport!”

The 2025 games will be held in Bern, Switzerland.

The last World Military Games were held in Wuhan, China, in 2019. The 2022 games were to be held in Germany, however, the event was canceled following the pandemic.

on merit, then it is unclear to us how it should be distributed,” Shrader wrote. “NCInnovation’s legislative mandate is to fund university applied research that has commercial promise. We are executing on that mandate.”

Shrader’s letter underscored that NCInnovation lls a crucial gap in funding between proof of concept and entry to the private market, supporting the commercialization of university research and contributing to American prosperity.

“Hundreds of millions of public dollars already fund university applied research,” wrote Shrader. “Our role is to support applied research at the critical R&D phase between proof of concept and entry to the private market. We will not shy away from this core premise: It is good when university applied research is commercialized.”

NCI announced a new private funding commitment of $500,000 from The Huntington National Bank on April 10. By April 23, NCI had announced it had surpassed its $25 million funding target through recent pledges from SAS, Pinnacle Financial Partners and the Huntington Bank investment.

Cooper’s budget prioritizes child care and early education, o ers salary increases and retention bonuses for state employees, and invests in workforce training and economic development. Additionally, the budget allocates funds for clean drinking water initiatives, natural resource preservation and disaster resilience e orts.

The proposal includes an 8.5% raise for teachers, a more than $1 billion investment in public schools, and “$10 million to restore master’s pay.”

In the details of the teacher pay proposal, Cooper calls for “increasing pay for over 80,000 existing teachers by an average of 8.5%, including raises of 10% to 19.5% for those in their rst nine years of teaching and more frequent raises for veteran educators.”

The governor also wants starting teacher pay to be “the highest in the Southeast” by “increasing it to over $47,500 (including state and local supplements).” As of the most recent state budget, starting teacher pay will increase from $37,000 to $41,000 over the biennium, an increase of 10.8%.

Cooper also calls for a moratorium on the Opportunity Scholarship program that provides funding for students to attend the private school of their choice. House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) has signaled a budget adjustment to add $300 million to the program during the short session. Unlike teachers, most state employees will get a 5% raise and variable one-time retention bonuses, the size of which is dependent on what the employee currently earns. Cooper has allotted $40 million for the retention bonuses. A $1,500 bonus will go to state employees making $75,000 per year or less, and a $1,000 bonus is allocated for all state employees making more than $75,000 per year. The bonuses will not be a lump sum but instead paid in two equal installments on Oct. 1, 2024, and in April 2025. The top spending line items include:

Cost of a salary increase for state employees in Gov. Roy Cooper’s proposed budget.

• $2.5 billion: Proposed General Obligation Bond for public school construction and renovation.

• $1 billion: Investment in North Carolina’s public schools to fuel economic growth and position students for success.

• $745 million: Investment in child care and early education for working families.

• $730.3 million: Investment in public school students and teachers to secure North Carolina’s future, including raising teacher pay by 8.5%.

• $251.8 million: Investment to guarantee at least a 5% across-the-board salary increase for state-funded employees.

• $197 million: To raise N.C. pre-K slot reimbursement rates in all settings to cover the full cost of care and raise the administrative rate from 4% to 10%.

• $195.8 million: Funding for the Enhanced Labor Market Adjustment Reserve to address labor market challenges.

• $100 million: Establishment of a fund to help communities clean their water from pollutants such as PFAS.

• $148 million: To conserve the state’s land and water resources and to build community resilience to natural disasters

• $400 million: Retention bonus for all state-funded employees.

In other education-related spending, the governor also wants to extend the Read to Achieve program “through grade 8,” and he allotted $44.6 million for school counselors, nurses, social workers and psychologists.

In a statement, North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton praised the proposal.

“It invests over $1 billion in public education instead of wasting more money on taxpayer-funded private school vouchers and supports strong economic development to continue our historic growth,” Clayton said of Cooper’s nal budget proposal.

Monk by the Sea” by Caspar David Friedrich (circa 1810) is a painting in the collection of the Alte Nationalgalerie in Berlin.

THE

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Nearly 200 students from across the state came to Raleigh for the 2024 Youth Legislative Assembly, an event where education and politics intersected from April 19-21.

Participants of the Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA) spent two days attending committee meetings, doing team-building exercises, and debating and passing bills in each chamber. The event ended with a dance and games on Saturday evening.

Committees spanned a wide range of topics including education, environment, judicial, public safety, homeland security and protecting energy sources in the state.

North State Journal went inside YLA during oor debate and passage of bills. What we found was a legion of motivated high school and early college students excited to participate in the legislative process.

Erica Gallion, coordinator of YLA since 2015, told North State Journal that setting up the event takes the better part of a year and she couldn’t be prouder of the students attending.

“To watch the children feel that self-con dence and watch how they feel and see how they grow. … It’s just so amazing just to watch them try to be the top cream of the crop for their peers,” Gallion said.

The average cost to attend is about $400 and includes meals, lodging, supplies, transportation and a T-shirt, according to Gallion.

The 2024 event was the 54th session of YLA. The 50th celebration was unable to be commemorated due to the pandemic shutdown.

NSJ spoke with some of the students, all of whom said they were happy to be there. Those who were attending for the rst time said they would de nitely come back.

Kamari Jones, a junior in early college in Sanford who was participating as a member of the Senate, said she was there to try out something new after YLA had been recommended to her.

“The most interesting thing (about YLA) is getting to know everybody and watch everybody

Youth is served

The Youth Legislatice Assembly was an intersection of education and politics for nearly 200 students

and learn so I can get the experience and know what I’m doing,” Jones told NSJ. Jones’ seatmate, Washington County’s Shenasia Stevens, is also an early college student and told NSJ it was her third year at YLA. She said the event is good practice for her as she wants to be a lawyer.

“I like getting to know the people. It’s really easy here,” Stevens said. “Everybody’s friendly and welcoming.”

Participating in the House proceedings, Henry Davis, a student at the Highland School of Technology in Belmont in Gaston County, was a rst-timer at YLA.

“I’ve grown up around politics a little bit. My dad has run for two elections and won, and so that was one of my interests,” Davis told NSJ about why he came to YLA. “Number one, I just wanted to know what that looks like in Raleigh, and number two, I just want to see how our … legislature works.”

Carson Rhoades, a junior at Holly Springs High School in Wake County, said he has a “keen interest in politics.”

“I really like politics and I’m studying politics,” said Rhoades. “Like Henry said, I’ve grown up around politics as well, and it’s always been something that’s been interesting to me.”

Jose Garcia Lopez, a second-year YLA attendee from Kinston in Lenoir County, said he was also drawn to the program due to an interest in politics.

“I’m interested in politics, to

SHOOTING from page A1 speaking to the families of the o cers killed and hurt. Their names have not been released.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police o cer Joshua Eyer died a few hours later at the hospital, Jennings said. Eyer was named the o cer of the month for the force for April a few weeks ago, the chief said.

“He certainty gave his life and dedicated his life to protecting our citizens,” Jennings said.

One other member of the task force, which is made up of federal agents and other o cers from across the region was injured.

Three other Charlotte-Mecklenburg police o cers who responded to the scene were shot while trying to rescue the wounded o cers.

Neighbors said gun re lasted for several minutes.

WSOC-TV said their helicopter captured an armored vehicle driving through yards and knocking over recycling bins before o cers removed a person with blood on their shirt who was then loaded into an ambulance.

After the home was cleared, the helicopter pilot said he couldn’t show the front lawn of the home because the scene was too graphic and disturbing.

“A lot of the questions that need to be answered, we don’t even know what those questions are now,” Jennings said, somberly brie ng reporters less than four hours after the shooting. “We have to get a full understanding of why this occurred and also uphold the integrity of the investigation.”

Many roads in the area including Interstate 77 were closed so ambulances could get

learn more about government and how the system works,” said Garcia Lopez. “I think this was a great opportunity to actually become a politician for 48 hours. I think it’s pretty cool.”

Sitting a row ahead of the three young men were Chloe Cookson — a sophomore at Thales Academy in Rolesville — and Wake County high school freshman Margaret Mann.

Cookson has been to YLA before and said she came back because she “loved the program so much.”

“Originally what drew me (to YLA) had to have been getting more involved in the process,” said Cookson. “Because I, as everyone before me, they’ve all been interested in politics, and I love the eld of political science. And being in here and getting to see and meet other like-minded individuals and getting to learn about more about political science in the real world with them really means a lot to me.”

Mann said she came to YLA because her mother talks a lot about politics, making her want to learn more about it. She also said meeting new people was a highlight of the program.

The YLA program has been expanded beyond K-12 to the community college level.

Cameron Stewart, a Rockingham Community College graduate, is a former attendee of YLA and was chaperoning the event for the rst time.

Stewart said she would love to be working in politics and learned about YLA through her

involvement in the North Carolina Community College Student Government Association.

“As vice president and parliamentarian, I connected with other student government members who informed me about it,” said Stewart. “That’s how I met Erica Gallion, and collaborating with her has been fantastic.”

Stewart said YLA gives students hands-on experience and event organizers are focused on the students’ futures.

“I would say they encourage growth,” she said. “They help students network and build the connections that they need.”

Reps. John Torbett (R-Gaston) and Donna White (R-Johnston) were on hand to observe and assist where needed.

“It builds hope for the future,” Torbett said of why he volunteers at the YLA, “because I don’t always get that same hope when I deal with my own colleagues and my peers.

“We’re concerned about the future of our children’s educational level, and this gives us insight into where that is. There’s a tremendous amount of well-educated, thoughtful individuals in this room today.”

White, whose granddaughter Esther Franklin has been an attendee for four years, said YLA is a program she’s been involved with since her children attended. This year, Franklin was presiding over Senate proceedings as lieutenant governor and told NSJ it was an honor to serve.

“And you know, when I look — I just know that that lived experience that I’ve had with YLA, my goal is just to give back as long as I have the opportunity to give back,” said White. “And I have just been so surprised at the participation, the involvement, the knowledge base, and the fact that they’re just so hyped and interested.”

White remarked that the Health and Human Services Senate Committee was “absolutely amazing” to watch.

“And it makes me feel so happy because there’s so much negative about politics and politicians, and it’s just amazing that they would come here and have a desire to continue to improve things and to be involved in the political Arena,” White said.

“It’s amazing.”

to hospitals faster. TV footage showed ambulances speeding to hospitals escorted by vehicles both in front and behind with their sirens wailing.

Rissa Reign was cleaning her house when she heard the rst shots ring out. There was a pause, then a second set of shots and then a third. She stepped outside.

“When we came outside, there were no cops at all, then cops started rushing, rushing, rushing, rushing in,” she said, adding armored SWAT trucks quickly followed and they “were going over the grass, everything, and they started shooting again.”

Four Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools were placed on lockdown around afternoon dismissal, but that was lifted in the late afternoon, the district said.

Police urged people to stay

away from the neighborhood and asked residents to remain inside their homes until the all clear was given.

President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting and spoke with Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles to express his condolences and support for the community.

“They are heroes who made the ultimate sacri ce, rushing into harm’s way to protect us,” Biden said in a statement late Monday. “We mourn for them and their loved ones. And we pray for the recoveries of the courageous o cers who were wounded.”

The last marshal shot and killed in the line of duty was in November 2018. Chase White was shot in Tucson, Arizona, by a man wanted for stalking local law enforcement o cers, the agency said. The Carolinas Regional Fu-

gitive Task Force is headquartered in Charlotte and comprised of 70 federal, state and local agencies. Fugitive task forces are collaborations between agencies to nd and arrest suspects in crimes.

In March 2007, two Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police ocers were killed while responding to a domestic dispute by someone not directly involved in the ght. Demeatrius Antonio Montgomery is serving a life sentence in the killings of ocers Je rey Shelton and Sean Clark.

An initial post by CMPD said there was an “active investigation” near Galloway Road in Charlotte, but the street was later identi ed as Galway Drive, about 10 miles south. North State Journal contributed to this report.

PHOTOS BY A.P. DILLON / NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Members of the House get ready to debate bills during the 2024 Youth Legislative Assembly earlier this month

Left, Esther Franklin, granddaughter of state Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston), presided over the YLA Senate.

Right, Senate members Shenasia Stevens, left, and Kamari Jones await the start of bill presentation during the 2024 Youth Legislative Assembly.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Alex McMillan, Statesman

It was the exercise of political power in the purest sense in our democratic republic.

FORMER CONGRESSMAN Alex McMillan passed away April 19 at age 91.

To those who knew him, he was a great friend. He was one of the last true statesmen from an era when serious people went to Congress to get serious things done ― and then go back home to lead normal lives.

To me, he was my boss who became my mentor, instructor, role model, big brother/ father gure and friend. He was the epitome of a citizen-politician who left his role as CEO of Harris-Teeter Supermarkets at age 52 to run for Congress. He didn’t have to leave such a prestigious job to join the Republican minority party in the House which had held little power since 1952 ― but he did.

When I asked him why he did it, he replied without any sense of egotism or pomposity: “It never occurred to me NOT to run”. He came from the generation whose fathers and older brothers fought in World War II. A sense of public service was not a frivolous option but a matter of personal honor and duty.

He won by a scant 321 votes in 1984 to join the Republican minority in Congress during the second Reagan administration. He served during the George H.W. Bush 41 term but retired having never served in the majority before Republicans took control of Congress in the tidal wave of 1994.

However, everyone in Congress knew who Alex McMillan was. Democratic sta directors told me McMillan was the one person their side was most afraid of simply because he knew far more about everything in the business world than they and their bosses did, including powerful chairmen such as John Dingell, Henry Waxman and Leon Panetta. We, as his sta , hardly ever had to write questions for him to ask in hearings because he knew what he wanted to ask and didn’t need our input.

Former Congressman Alex McMillan died last month at age 91.

It was the exercise of political power in the purest sense in our democratic republic ― using reason, experience and facts to persuade people with civil discourse. He understood what it took to work with Democrats to get to 218 votes in the House ― a rare talent that has disappeared from Congress for most of the 21st century.

He didn’t sign pledges. He knew they would hamstring his e orts to forge the very compromises he knew were the foundation of our representative democracy since inception. The only oath he took was to support and defend the Constitution on the rst day of each new Congress. He didn’t clamor to get on TV ― there were show horses who never saw a camera or microphone they didn’t speak into, but he preferred to be a workhorse doing the hard work behind the scenes.

The amazing thing was that he was able to do it without forfeiting his values of decorum, dignity and his legendary dry sense of humor. A person could disagree with him on an issue, but he was such a Southern gentleman and so

likable as a person they could not dislike him. He was widely respected on both sides of the aisle.

He was part of the negotiating team at Andrews Air Force Base which produced the seminal Budget Agreement of 1990 that set the stage for controlling spending for the next decade. As the second-ranking Republican member of the House Budget Committee, he called for speci c line-item spending reductions in the 1993 “Cutting Spending First” Republican budget alternative which simply had never been done in such a political setting. When the bulk of these recommendations were included in the 1997 Balanced Budget Act signed by President Bill Clinton, the federal budget was not only balanced for the next four years but more than $600 billion of national debt was paid o and retired due to recurring budget surpluses. He made his mark as a statesman by voting in the best interests of the country rst and virtually ignoring his personal political prospects. He could talk about the intricacies of a telecom reform bill or textile legislation during a legislative brie ng and then shift easily into lengthy expositions about Thomas Je erson, Winston Churchill and the Civil War. One of his favorite subjects was the complicated yet brilliant Alcibiades, which sent us all to our history books to learn more about the Peloponnesian War. He loved his wife, Caroline, and family dearly and foremost. Alex and Caroline made everyone feel like part of their extended family. Alex McMillan must have dozens of people who can claim him as their godfather because their parents respected him so much, including our rst son.

He helped form The Institute for the Public Trust which I now run. In each class during the rst session, I tell them about Alex McMillan and how we are looking for great people to run and serve “in the public trust” just as he did. He wanted to serve his country, and he did it well.

Media’s treatment of anti-Israel protesters reveals much — about the media

These folks with their hateful rhetoric and calls for “intifada” are far more deserving of the description “hateful/ bigoted” label than the Tea Party.

IT IS WITHOUT FAIL that any time a conservative march or rally is held, the mainstream media searches long and hard for that one lone person in the crowd who is carrying a Confederate ag. They then proceed to use that one person to portray the whole movement as hateful/racist/bigoted/whatever their word for the day might be.

And if they manage to nd a few people among them who genuinely are bad apples, the same rule applies.

Strangely, those rules don’t apply when it comes to left-wing agitators, though, which we’ve seen over the last decade or so when it comes to protests held by left-wing groups like Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street and now the anti-Israel marches on college campuses.

Vandalism, looting, rioting, arson and sometimes even assault are commonplace at hardcore left-wing gatherings. Though we haven’t seen the anti-Israel campus encampments devolve into that yet, what we have seen is a whole lot of antisemitism on display, with some demonstrators openly chanting support for Hamas terrorists in the Israel-Hamas war.

At some, there have even been death threats, which we saw last week when one anti-Israel marcher was caught on tape multiple times expressing how he would like to kill a male counterdemonstrator. He also used homophobic

slurs and encouraged the man to perform a sexual act on him.

There was also Columbia University antiIsrael student Khymani James, one of the leaders of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest movement, a movement that also includes Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) daughter, Isra Hirsi.

In January during a disciplinary video session with campus administrators, James repeatedly talked about his barely repressed desire to murder Jews.

“Be glad, be grateful, that I’m not just going out and murdering Zionists. I’ve never murdered anyone in my life, and I hope to keep it that way,” James said at the time.

“I feel very comfortable, very comfortable, calling for those people to die,” he also said.

Incredibly, he was not disciplined, let alone expelled, for his remarks. Instead, he was allowed to continue his “education” at the university, where Jews have increasingly felt unsafe and unsupported by those in leadership positions, including Minouche Sha k, the university’s president.

It was only when the video resurfaced in light of James’ prominent role in the Columbia encampment, a role that included leading his fellow occupiers to form a human wall to push Jews o campus, that he was “barred” from returning. It is unclear if he’s actually been expelled, though.

With Democrat leaders across the country expressing support for their right to protest, with some including Omar standing in solidarity with the radical protesters, the mainstream media has been quick to reserve judgment and withhold labeling, simply referring to them as “peaceful protesters” and “pro-Palestinian” students.

Why is that, exactly?

These folks with their hateful rhetoric and calls for “intifada” are far more deserving of the description “hateful/bigoted” label than the Tea Party and related conservative groups ever were.

But don’t hold your breath waiting on the mainstream media to hold them to the same standards they’ve held conservatives. That’s because, unlike the Tea Party, there are a signi cant number of newsrooms that are deeply divided on how to cover the Israel-Hamas war and the protests here at home because some of them, just like the protesters, also have antiIsrael sentiments.

Once again, the anti-Israel left and their media allies are showing us who they really are, and we should respond accordingly in the court of public opinion every single chance we get.

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

COURTESY PHOTO

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

A turning point for American foreign policy?

Republican members who voted against aiding Ukraine seem to represent only a minority of Republican voters.

WAS THE PASSAGE by the House last Saturday and the Senate on Tuesday of the foreign aid package with money for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan a turning point in American foreign policy?

It certainly was a turnabout in rhetoric and in partisan behavior. House Speaker Mike Johnson led the narrowly Republican House to pass by resounding margins bills to aid Ukraine (311-112), Israel (36658) and Taiwan (385-34), and to sanction Iran and force the sale of TikTok (360-58). The narrowly Democratic Senate passed the whole kit and caboodle by a similarly lopsided margin (79-18).

These results are broadly in sync with public opinion. Republican members who voted against aiding Ukraine seem to represent only a minority of Republican voters. And, thanks to Johnson’s adopting former President Donald Trump’s suggestion of calling the aid a loan rather than a grant, they’re more skeptical of helping Ukraine than the former president.

The vocal and, on campuses, violent left-wingers who oppose aid to Israel have got President Joe Biden worried enough that he felt obliged, after condemning the “antisemitic protests,” to also condemn “those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians.” It’s a comment that deserves the treatment that Trump got for talking, without specifying exactly whom he meant, about “very ne people on both sides” at Charlottesville, Virginia.

As Walter Russell Mead wrote in The Wall Street Journal, “Friends and foes who thought America was paralyzed by internal dissension are taking another look.”

But that is no reason for complacency. Bipartisan agreement on an aid package does not make a dysfunctional foreign policy functional. As Mead writes, the Biden administration’s “failures to deter Russia in Ukraine and Iran in the Middle East, and fears of what a similar failure of deterrence could mean in the Indo-Paci c, have created bipartisan majorities for a more activist, better-armed American presence on the world scene.”

The failures go back a ways. Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama not gauging Russian President Vladimir Putin’s potential for evil, the collapse during Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s incumbency of the plausible hopes that trade ties would make China a “responsible stakeholder” in world trade and politics, the Obama administration’s inexplicable cozying up to the mullahs of Iran — these initial failures have only now become clear.

Just as Nazi Germany made a pact with Joseph Stalin’s Soviet Union in 1939 and

COLUMN | MARY SUMMA

formed the Axis with Japan and Italy in 1940, America is faced now with a working alliance of revanchist dictatorial powers determined to alter the balance of power in their favor. The historian Niall Ferguson has no compunction about comparing aid opponents’ complaints about Ukraine with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s 1938 description of Adolf Hitler’s demands on Czechoslovakia as “a quarrel in a faraway country, between people of whom we know nothing.”

Republican aid opponents have their own history to cite. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) argues that the establishment is presenting “the same exact talking points 20 years later” as those for the invasion of Iraq in 2002-03. But aid is not invasion, Ukraine is not Iraq, and Vance’s arguments are no more compelling than the arguments made in 1990-91 that the Gulf War would be another Vietnam.

Ferguson seems more persuasive in saying we are now in Cold War II, only this time with China united with Russia and in possession of an advanced economy intertangled with ours.

The Biden administration, in its latest move to cut o Chinese bank nancing of the Russian war e ort, seems to recognize this, as does Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who complained last month that China is building “overcapacity” in solar energy and lithium-ion batteries.

But just saying “don’t,” as Biden said to Israel before it launched its retaliatory strikes against Iran last week, is not enough.

In the wake of the Hitler-Stalin pact, which gave those two totalitarian allies control of most of the Eurasian landmass by the summer of 1940, President Franklin Roosevelt persuaded Congress to vastly increase military spending, allow aid to Winston Churchill’s Britain and institute a military draft — at a time when more than 80% of Americans opposed going to war.

As hard as it may be to imagine Biden or Trump carrying out such an enterprise, there’s a strong case that some signi cant military buildup and some demonstrated determination to resist aggression is necessary to deter this Cold War’s axis of evil from plunging into war with damage — destruction of lives, of economies, of human rights — far greater than the horrors in icted on Ukraine and Israel.

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

Parental notification of name change in school isn’t enough

Most children (up to over 85%) su ering from gender dysphoria will feel comfortable with their biological gender once they complete puberty.

IMAGINE, AS A PARENT, receiving a call from your child’s school counselor notifying you that your child is proceeding forward with a life-altering decision. You don’t have the right to object. You are simply allowed to watch it happen. That’s what is going on in North Carolina public schools.

In an attempt to stop secret gender transitioning at school, the Parents’ Bill of Rights, recently passed by the legislature, requires these schools to notify parents about a child’s desire to change his/her name and pronouns. Parents can’t stop this rst step in transitioning. They are simply given a ticket to the spectator box and told to sit down and shut up. Beyond noti cation about the name and pronoun change, schools are not required to include parents in the gender transition. At least three counties — Buncombe, Orange and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools — spell out a gender-transitioning plan where parents are not required to be included. Teachers and other students must “get with the program” or possibly face harassment charges. Orange County speci cally classi es refusing to refer to a person by the preferred name or pronouns as a form of “harassment” and requires other school personnel to report a teacher or student if the preferred names and pronouns are not used or that employee, himself, will be brought up for disciplinary action.

Critical to social transitioning is a change in dress, names and pronouns. Once thought to be nebulous, research now dictates otherwise.

In 2022, following an extensive review of the evidence, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), once champions of gender transitioning, changed course. The new NHS guidelines, except for research, end all gender transitioning for minors and strongly discourage social transitioning because of its psychological e ects on the minor. Another 2022 study, published in The Journal of Pediatrics, mirrored the impact of social transitioning, nding that ve years after

social transitioning, 94% of minors identi ed as transgender.

We know that most children (up to over 85%) su ering from gender dysphoria (G.D.) will feel comfortable with their biological gender once they complete puberty. We know that most of these children who su er from G.D. also su er from other unaddressed mental comorbidities. We also know that medical and surgical transitioning medicalizes a person for life. Shouldn’t parents have a right to say “no” to sending them down this path?

Strong churches and strong families are the backbone of a free society. When totalitarian governments take over, they seek to destroy them because they are the two institutions that demand allegiance to something other than the State.

The family cannot survive without strong parental rights. These rights are the brick and mortar of that wall that separates the family from the overarching power of government. Once that wall weakens, the government will step in and seize more and more parental authority in the areas of education, welfare, health and morality.

The transgender movement is one of the greatest assaults on our children, on parental rights and, ultimately, on our freedom. Schools should not be allowed to run interference for a gender-confused child and block the loving hand of a parent.

To ensure real parental rights in North Carolina, the law needs to be amended to require parental consent, not simply noti cation, before a child can be socially transitioned to be transgender at school. A parent in North Carolina should never, again, receive a call from school personnel sending them to the spectator booth to watch the destruction of their own child through transgenderism.

Mary Summa is general counsel of the NC Values Coalition.

Biden administration defeminizes Title IX

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Secretary Miguel Cardona and his colleagues celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX legislation on April 19 by blowing up the de nition of sex to legitimize gender identity and sexual orientation for the purpose of discrimination.

First signed into law in 1972, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the bene ts of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal nancial assistance.” In 1978, Title IX speci ed athletic and other scholarly endeavors to allow participation indiscriminately. Additional protections were given and penalties meted out for formal allegations of rape, harassment and discrimination through the Department of Education, O ce of Civil Rights.

Then came the famous “Dear Colleague” letter from the Obama administration in 2011. This guidance letter expanded the regulation to include sexual violence, sexual battery and coercion perpetrated without consent of the victim and occurring generally within the school’s prevue. Title IX coordinators were given full, and often sole, authority to investigate allegations, determine guilt and assign punishment. In 2020, The Trump administration, amended the regulations to provide more protections for the accused, demanding a strict burden of proof and allowing the accused to review evidence and participate in live cross-examination.

The 50th-anniversary gift delivered by the Biden administration has reframed Title IX language to include gender identity and sexual orientation as a basis for litigation. By reframing the narrative, the purpose of the regulation has shifted from “educational opportunities for everyone to changing the way we think about sex, gender and sexuality, changing the culture, not (just) punishing the bad actor,” according to R. Shep Melnick, author of “The Transformation of Title IX.” This is a brave new world in which gender confusion and disorientation are fostered every time a child enters a federally funded institution. Public kindergarten through secondary institutions are the cornerstones, but Head Start, daycare centers, Boys & Girls Clubs and health care facilities expand the sphere of in uence. The impact of this regulation ripples through every social and academic agency.

Left out of the newly amended Title IX is the issue of eligibility in sports. The Biden administration intends to include policy forbidding schools from enacting outright bans on trans athletes’ eligibility in sports, but that is currently on hold. According to The Associated Press, the delay is “widely seen as a political maneuver during an election year.” However, the amended edition of Title IX makes clear that the intent for equal participation is embedded in the regulation, requiring no additional language.

The new rules ensure that treating transgender students di erently from other students is sexual discrimination. Adjustments to bathroom facilities, locker rooms and other privacy and safety issues are no longer relevant in the world of public institutions. Tampons in boys’ bathrooms are yesterday’s concern — all bathrooms will be unisex. Men and women using the same locker room, no problem, nothing to see there.

“This nal rule dumps kerosene on the already raging re that is Democrats’ contemptuous culture war that aims to radically rede ne sex and gender,” stated Rep Virginia Foxx (R-NC), chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

“The new regulation threatens decades of advancement for women and girls.”

No matter. Women are being marginalized in the same way men have been neutralized in the last 60 years. Men are portrayed as toxic and a drag on our economy, living in basements and unable to embrace a long-term commitment. Social media has objecti ed women into TikTok toys or man-eating matriarchs. This is absurd, but it is also useful to sow the seeds of doubt and disorientation in a culture worn thin by constant chaos.

Con dence in our faith and integrity is our protection against those who wish to control our minds and bodies. We can respect the rights of all people without sacri cing our values or subjugating our belief in what it is to be a man or a woman.

Speak up. Women and men have equal rights in America. Sexual orientation and gender identi cation are supported but not preferential in sports or any other endeavor. We embrace a system of justice. Men competing against women on an unequal playing eld is not a competition, it is a foolish, dangerous game of chicken.

The portal for public opinion on the issue of Title IX amendments remains open until Aug. 1. Speak to your representatives, and check in with the board of education in your county and state. Let them know how you feel about this issue and how you will vote in November. There is time for us to impact the outcome of Title IX, allowing for equal protection under the law for everyone.

Lovell lives in Pinehurst.

Connie

Murphy to Manteo Jones & Blount

Sip into summer

North Carolina’s wine industry ranks among the top 10 nationally in production, and each May, the 190-plus wineries come together to celebrate across the state by hosting special events and promotions throughout the month. N.C. Wine Month gives wine lovers, along with those who enjoy cider and mead, an opportunity to connect with this growing segment of North Carolina’s craft beverage culture. As the industry has grown, so has the variety and quality of wines produced in the state from the Piedmont, the coast and the mountains. In 2023, a rosé from JOLO Vineyards & Winery in Pilot Mountain was named the “best rosé on the planet” at the prestigious Rosé Competition during the American Fine Wine Competition. Sanctuary Vineyards in Jarvisburg on the Outer Banks has captured numerous national awards for its wines in recent years by embracing a variety of grapes; and earlier this year, Marked Tree Vineyards in Flat Rock earned two high scores from a prestigious wine critic for its regular and reserve label o erings. Visit ncwine.org/ncwinemonth for more information on May tastings and promotions.

NC WINE REGIONS

Pastor faces federal charges for 10K child

Caldwell County A Granite Falls pastor accused of having child sexual abuse materials has now been federally charged. Ashley James Crouse was arrested Nov. 3, 2023, following an investigation based on a tip from the cloud storage service Dropbox, which reported one of its users possessed child pornography. Investigators reported they found more than 10,000 images depicting child sexual abuse across devices found in Crouse’s home and church o ce, including his church computer.

Number of homeless climbs near Asheville Buncombe County The number of homeless people around Asheville has grown nearly 29% in the last year, according to the Point-InTime Count which attempts to estimate the number of unhoused people in the area. Emily Ball, the city of Asheville’s homeless strategy division manager, said a new methodology is likely responsible for the increase — the total increased from 573 people last year to 739 in January 2024. This year’s count identi ed 520 people as “sheltered” and 219 as “unsheltered.” In 2023, those numbers were 402 and 171, respectively.

2-year-old airlifted after home invasion

Union County A 2-year-old boy had to be airlifted after he and a woman were injured during a home break-in in Union County last week. During the break-in, the woman was robbed, and both she and the boy were burned. Police said the boy sustained second-degree burns to his face and head. Police said the woman was taken to the hospital for treatment, and the boy was airlifted to Charlotte. The investigation is still ongoing, according to local reports.

Growth groups merge in Winston-Salem

Forsyth County

Greater Winston-Salem, Inc. and the Winston-Salem Alliance are going to merge, according to reports. The Board of Directors of the Winston-Salem Alliance voted to approve the merger last week, and leaders say Greater Winston-Salem will assume the projects and responsibilities carried out by the Alliance going forward. Also as a part of this transition, Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines will retire as president of the Alliance. The Alliance began in 2000 to enhance private sector involvement in the city’s growth.

River rescue leads to man’s drowning

Yadkin County

O cials with the Yadkin County Emergency Services said they are conducting a search and recovery for a missing man on the Yadkin River after an incident on Sunday afternoon.

In a news conference, o cials said rst responders were informed that a 44-year-old male was trying to help family members struggling on the river.

WXII

Rangers urge caution after coyote attacks

Montgomery County North Carolina Forest Service rangers are urging people to use extra caution after a reported coyote attack at Uwharrie National Forest. Rangers say the coyote attack happened early Saturday morning on the Uwharrie trail near Big Island Creek. Two people su ered minor injuries as a result of the attack, and rangers and state o cials are working to nd the coyote involved. Rangers say that encountering coyotes and other wildlife is a common occurrence when visiting the forest, and the results of such encounters can be unpredictable. They caution the public to never approach any wildlife when in the forest, and if an animal appears to be in distress, contact the District Ranger’s o ce or county animal control. When camping, make sure all food and trash are secure to avoid attracting wildlife. Prepare food at least 100 yards away from sleeping areas.

WGHP

The man was able to help the family members but never resurfaced. EMS said the search is a multiagency response between o cials in Yadkin and Surry counties.

WBTV

Pedestrian hit after man swerves to avoid animal

Lenoir County O cers with the Kinston Police Department responded to a scene on Sunday where a 50-year-old Dover man was hit by a car. The pedestrian was walking on Towerhill Road when Anthony Belcher, 50, of Snow Hill, struck him with his vehicle. O cials said Belcher swerved to avoid hitting an animal, leaving the roadway and hitting the pedestrian. The pedestrian was taken to ECU Health Medical Center. Belcher was cited for exceeding the posted speed and failure to maintain lane control and left of center.

ECU to o er course on Taylor Swift

Pitt County

“English 1500: Taylor’s Version” is coming to ECU this fall, according to ECU News Services. The news release notes professors’ goals for students: “The underlying idea is to get people to think critically about a loved object, a loved text. We are going to be looking at di erent variations of fan studies including some of the Swifties’ fan behavior. Students will also have a music video-focused project where they demonstrate the link between music videos and words.”

WCTI

Fort Liberty o cer found guilty of weapons tra cking to Ghana

Cumberland County A Fort Liberty Army major was convicted of smuggling guns to Ghana in barrels of rice and home goods, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ said Kojo Owusu Dartey, 42, was convicted on charges of smuggling goods from the United States, dealing in rearms without a license, delivering rearms without notice to the carrier, illegally exporting rearms without a license, making false statements to a U.S. agency, making false declarations before the court, and conspiracy. Dartey will be sentenced in July and could spend up to 20 years in prison, according to reports. The DOJ investigation uncovered a scheme in which Dartey hid purchased rearms, including multiple handguns, an AR-15, 50-round magazines, suppressors and a combat shotgun inside blue barrels underneath rice and household goods and smuggled the barrels out of the Port of Baltimore, Maryland, on a container ship to Ghana.

WNCN

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

that felons could be charged with a felony if they knew their voting rights had not been restored.

Despite the changes in SB 747, Biggs still found it unconstitutional, and her ruling appears to agree with the plainti s’ arguments that the law obligated them to invest resources, time and money in advising felons about their voting rights. This ruling does not a ect another law, N.C. General Statute 13-1, which allows felons to vote under certain conditions such as being unconditionally discharged from prison, probation or parole, if the felon receives an unconditional pardon, or the felon ful lls all conditions of a conditional pardon. Additionally, conditions for federal crimes include felons who are unconditionally

NC General Statute 163-275(5), created a felony for convicted felons attempting to vote without restored rights.

Senate Bill 747, enacted in 2023 after a successful veto override, included language

NSJ

NATION & WORLD

Sanford man sentenced to 6 years in Jan. 6 attack

The 31-year-old was convicted of assaulting police o cers

By Michael Kunzelman

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A North Carolina man who became a fugitive after a federal jury convicted him of assaulting police o cers during the U.S. Capitol riot was sentenced last week to six years in prison.

David Joseph Gietzen, 31, of Sanford, struck a police o cer with a pole during a mob’s Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

Gietzen told U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols that he didn’t intend to hurt anybody that day. He didn’t, however, express any regret or remorse for his actions on Jan. 6 when he joined Donald Trump supporters in interrupting the joint session of Congress to certify President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory.

“I have to make it explicitly known that I believe I did the right thing,” he said before learning his sentence.

The judge said Gietzen made it clear during his trial testimony — and his sentencing hearing — that he clings to his beliefs that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump.

“Mr. Gietzen essentially was unapologetic today about his conduct,” Nichols said.

Last August, a jury convicted Gietzen of eight counts, including assault and civil disorder charges. After his trial conviction, Gietzen disregarded a court order to report to prison on Oct. 20, 2023, while awaiting sentencing. He missed several hearings for his case before he was arrested at his mother’s home in North Carolina on Dec. 12, 2023.

“This pattern of outing rules and laws and doing what he wants, regardless of the consequences, is how Gietzen operates,” prosecutors wrote in a

court ling.

Defense attorney Ira Knight said Gietzen apparently remained at his house, “just waiting to be picked up,” and wasn’t on the run from authorities or trying to hide after his conviction.

Prosecutors recommended a prison term of 10 years and one month for Gietzen, who worked as a computer programming engineer after graduating from NC State in 2017 with bachelor’s degrees in computer engineering and electrical engineering.

“Clearly, Gietzen is bright

“I have to make it explicitly known that I believe I did the right thing.”

David Joseph Gietzen, Sanford man convicted of assaulting police on Jan. 6, 2021

and able to get something done when he puts his mind to it — be it a college degree or assaulting o cers as part of a violent mob,” prosecutors wrote.

Gietzen’s attorneys requested a four-year prison sentence.

“David’s current philosophy is that he no longer wishes to be engaged with the political process,” defense attorneys wrote.

“His involvement with politics has concluded and should be an indication to the Court that he is no longer interested in being a threat to the public or political process.”

Gietzen traveled to Washington, D.C., with his brother from their home in North Carolina. He attended then-President Donald Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House on Jan. 6 before marching to the Capitol.

As the mob of Trump supporters overwhelmed a police line on the Capitol’s West Plaza, Gietzen shoved a police ocer, grabbed another o cer’s gas mask and struck an o cer with a pole.

Gietzen later bragged about participating in the riot in messages to friends and relatives, saying he had “never been prouder to be an American.”

NC’s refusal to cover transgender care ruled discriminatory

A federal appeals court’s ruling against North Carolina and West Virginia is likely headed to the U.S. Supreme Court

By Leah Willingham The Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — North Carolina’s and West Virginia’s refusal to cover certain health care for transgender people with government-sponsored insurance is discriminatory, a federal appeals court ruled Monday in a case likely headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 8-6 in the case involving coverage of gender-a rming care by North Carolina’s state employee health plan and the coverage of gender-a rming surgery by West Virginia Medicaid.

Speci cally, North Carolina’s policy bars treatment or studies “leading to or in connection with sex changes or modi cations and related care,” while West Virginia’s bars coverage of “transsexual surgery.”

“The coverage exclusions facially discriminate on the basis of sex and gender identity, and are not substantially related to an important government interest,” Judge Roger Gregory, rst appointed by former President Bill Clinton and reappointed by former President George W. Bush, wrote in the majority opinion.

Similar cases are under consideration in courts across the country, but Monday’s is the rst U.S. Court of Appeals decision to consider government-sponsored coverage exclusions of gender-a rming medical care — and whether those exclusions are lawful.

North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell, whose department oversees the state’s health plan, said in a news release that Monday’s majority decision was in “direct con ict” with other decisions from federal appeals courts and hopefully will be corrected by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Folwell said the State Health Plan is threatened by nancial challenges as the plan’s

members grow older and their health declines.

“Accordingly, the Plan cannot be everything for everyone,” Folwell said. “Untethered to the reality of the Plan’s scal situation, the majority opinion opens the way for any dissatis ed individual to override the Plan’s reasoned and responsible decisions and drive the Plan towards collapse.”

In the majority opinion, judges said the cost of treatment is not a su cient argument to support upholding a policy found to be discriminatory.

“Especially where government budgets are involved, there will frequently be a ‘rational’ basis for discrimination,” Judge Gregory wrote.

Both states appealed separate lower court rulings that found the denial of gender-afrming care to be discriminatory and unconstitutional. Two panels of three 4th Circuit judges heard arguments in both cases last year before deciding to intertwine the two cases and

see them presented before the full court.

In June 2022, a North Carolina trial court demanded the state plan pay for “medically necessary services,” including hormone therapy and some surgeries, for transgender employees and their children. The judge had ruled in favor of the employees and their dependents, who said in a 2019 lawsuit that they were denied coverage for gender-a rming care under the plan. Folwell had sought legal representation from the N.C. Department of Justice after the lawsuit was led, but Attorney General Josh Stein refused.

North Carolina’s state insurance plan provides medical coverage for more than 750,000 teachers, state employees, retirees, lawmakers and their dependents.

In August 2022, a federal judge ruled West Virginia’s Medicaid program must provide coverage for gender-a rming care for transgender residents.

The states’ lawyers argued that treatments for gender dys-

Man charged after shooting at person on Shaw

campus

Raleigh

An argument between two men on the Shaw University campus led to shots being red and one of the men’s subsequent arrest last Tuesday, police said. A 74-year-old man was arrested and charged after he was accused of shooting at the man he was disagreeing with in front of the International Studies Building at Shaw, according to the Raleigh Police Department. No one was injured in the shooting, police said. The man was a regular guest at the building, which houses a mosque and classes inside, but he was not a student or sta member at the university, according to police.

US o cial: Putin likely didn’t order Navalny’s death

Washington, D.C.

U.S. intelligence o cials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely didn’t order the death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in February, according to an o cial familiar with the determination. While U.S. o cials believe Putin was ultimately responsible for the death of Navalny, who endured brutal conditions during his con nement, the intelligence community has found “no smoking gun” that Putin was aware of the timing of Navalny’s death — which came soon before the Russian president’s reelection — or directly ordered it, according to the o cial.

NASA’s Webb telescope gets up-close view of horse-shaped nebula

Dallas

NASA’s Webb Space Telescope has revealed the sharpest images yet of a portion of a horse-shaped nebula, showing the “mane” in ner detail. The Horsehead Nebula, in the constellation Orion, is 1,300 light-years away. A light-year is nearly 6 trillion miles. Discovered over a century ago, its nickname derives from its striking appearance — a wispy pillar of gas and dust that resembles a horse rearing its head. Webb’s latest infrared images released Monday captured the top of Horsehead in greater detail, illuminating clouds of chilly hydrogen molecules and soot-like chemicals.

Scotland’s leader resigns amid weakened government

phoria — all treatments in North Carolina and surgical treatments in West Virginia — are excluded from coverage for everyone, regardless of their gender identity. They claimed only a subset of transgender people suffer from gender dysphoria, a diagnosis of distress over gender identity that does not match a person’s assigned sex.

Before o ering pharmaceutical or surgical intervention, medical guidelines call for thorough psychological assessments to con rm gender dysphoria before starting any treatment.

In his opinion, Gregory said that in his view, gender dysphoria is “so intimately related to transgender status as to be virtually indistinguishable from it.”

“We hold that gender dysphoria, a diagnosis inextricable from transgender status, is a proxy for transgender identity,” the judge wrote. “And coverage exclusions that bar treatments for gender dysphoria bar treatments on

der

by

basis of

London

Scotland’s rst minister, Humza Yousaf, resigned on Monday, triggering a leadership contest as the governing Scottish National Party seeks to heal internal divisions and strengthen its position ahead of U.K.wide parliamentary elections expected later this year. Yousaf, whose proindependence party has been weakened by a campaign nance scandal and divisions over transgender rights, was brought down by his decision to oust the Green Party from his governing coalition because of di erences over climate change goals. He was unable to persuade other parties to back his minority government in Scotland’s regional parliament. With no prospect of victory in two con dence votes that had been scheduled for later this week, Yousaf quit rather than be forced out.

the

transgen-

identity

proxy.”

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE VIA AP

David Joseph Gietzen, circled in yellow, pushes at an o cer’s shield at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The Sanford man was sentenced to six years in prison last week.

JONATHAN DREW / AP PHOTO

Connor Thonen-Fleck addresses reporters while his parents stand by his side during the 2019 announcement of a lawsuit against North Carolina o cials over the state’s refusal to cover transgender care in the government health plan.

catastrophe

questions about when normal

we begin to get back to normal

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

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

Cooper stated during know yet” if the asked as to the vague ones like “we of this state who undetermined thousands of cases asked and then questions about asked, there is people to treat those start getting back are people who sick. levels become a bad society were supposed

taxpayer at least $2.4 trillion in added Reserve backup liquidity to the the U.S. dollar were not the reserve fund any of these emergency of rampant in ation and currency aberrant ways and decisions through Diplomacy has obviously not worked world of 21st century health, hygiene communist regimes never take the blame remorse, because that is not what take advantage of every weakness pushing until they win or the event happens such as the Chernobyl believe that event, not the Star Wars the dissolution of the Soviet Union Chernobyl. already talking about the possibility debt we owe them as one way to get they have caused the US. Don’t hold your “Jubilee” to happen but ask your elected accountable in tangible nancial ways for expected to operate as responsible citizens of nation.

WALTER E. WILLIAMS

How China will pay for this COVID-19 catastrophe

The comfort

The 3 big questions nobody

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

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

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

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

Fixing college corruption

Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.

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

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

course, is my family. I’m worried I will. After 2009 pandemic, of this brings up prefer not to repeat. most everyone has

business & economy

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

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

Solar panel manufacturer plans manufacturing facility in Greenville

Not one little bit.

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

GREENVILLE — A Vietnamese-based company will build its rst North American solar panel manufacturing plant in eastern North Carolina, creating more than 900 jobs, o cials announced Friday.

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

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

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

Boviet Solar along with state government o cials revealed at an East Carolina University news conference the company’s plans to invest $294 million in a 1 million-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility in Greenville.

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

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

Founded in 2013, Boviet makes solar panels and photovoltaic cells that are already used in the U.S., according to a state news release. Boviet also has o ces in Germany, China and the U.S., according to a company fact sheet. Boviet is owned by Boway Alloy, a Chinese global company founded in 1993 and publicly traded at Shanghai Stock exchanges since 2011.

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

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

The facility will produce Boviet’s TOPCon N-Type cells, and other produces for residential, commercial, industrial and utility-scale clients in the U.S. market. Phase one of the project will utilize an existing building to manufacture solar modules. A second phase will include constructing a new factory on 34 acres. The facility is expected to output 2 gigawatts of solar panels and 2 gigawatts of photovoltaic cells. Solar panels are made of multiple, interconnected photovoltaic cells.

under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah RedState and Legal Insurrection.

The plant in Greenville, located 85 miles east of Raleigh, is scheduled to open in the rst quarter of 2025.

The United Auto Workers had threatened to strike

Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing?

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

“We are proud of bringing our manufacturing excellence to our most important solar market, creating jobs, and making a positive impact on North Carolina’s economy,” said Boviet CEO Zhaochun Xie in a press release from the state. “We are committed to expanding solar as a widely used renewable energy source in the U.S. and delivering locally made, topperforming PV modules to accelerate the advent of the global renewable revolution.”

The 908 jobs, expected to be in place by 2028, on average will pay $52,879 annually, which is slightly above the Pitt County average, a state Commerce Department document said.

Boviet also considered alternative sites for the plant in Phoenix and Atlanta, the document said.

The Associated Press

That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.

NEW YORK — The United Auto Workers union announced it reached a last-minute tentative agreement with truck and bus manufacturer Daimler Truck, averting a potential strike of more than 7,000 workers in North Carolina.

The union struck a four-year agreement with the German company on Friday evening just before the expiration of the previous contract, which was enacted six years ago. It covers workers at various plants in North Carolina — where Daimler makes Thomas Built Buses, Freightliner and Western Star trucks — as well as distribution centers in Atlanta and Memphis, Tennessee. In an online speech, UAW

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

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

Earlier Friday, a state panel approved cash incentives to Boviet of up to $8.3 million over 12 years if it meets job creation and capital spending thresholds. In all, Boviet is poised to receive $34.6 million in combined state and local incentives for the project, according to the commerce document.

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Regulators are struggling to balance consumer need and economics

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

By Rebecca Boone The Associated Press

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

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

BOISE, Idaho — Months after a catastrophic re burned more than 2,200 homes in Hawaii, some property owners are getting more bad news — their property insurance won’t be renewed because their insurance company has deemed the risk too high. It’s a problem that has played out in states across the United States. Insurance providers, state regulators and researchers are grappling with how to keep the insurance companies in business while keeping residents and their properties insured and protected.

The cavalier manner in virus, covered up its spread

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

3,341 related deaths has millions of Americans needlessly

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

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

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

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

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

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

“THIS IS in it” (Psalm I know that working from be glad” as the and dad, the have to be thankful pandemic.

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

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

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

For me, my making. As Corinthians a iction, so a iction, with God.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you are re ect on this God’s example this di cult con dent we In this same neighbors helping In Concord, money to buy health care workers

north STA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The comfort and hope

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

Union reaches deal with Daimler Truck in NC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

President Shawn Fain said the new contract includes wage increases of more than 25% over the next four years, including a 10% raise after the deal is ratied. Fain said the deal also includes the end of wage tiers at the company as well as cost-ofliving adjustments and “profit sharing for the rst time in Daimler history.”

“When that deadline came closer, the company was suddenly ready to talk. So tonight, we celebrate.”

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

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

Shawn Fain, UAW president

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

“When that deadline came closer, the company was suddenly ready to talk,” Fain said. “So tonight, we celebrate.”

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

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

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

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

Union members still need to approve the agreement.

“The UAW members at these locations will now be asked to vote on the new contracts, and we hope to nalize them soon, for the mutual bene t of all parties,” Daimler said in a statement. The heavy-duty manufacturer was once the same company as Mercedes-Benz before it split o in 2021.

amid a broad campaign by the UAW to organize Southern auto assembly plants following lucrative new contracts in a confrontation with Detroit’s automakers. A Volkswagen AG plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, chose to join the UAW on April 19. It was the union’s rst in a Southern assembly plant owned by a foreign automaker. A group of Southern governors lobbied workers to oppose the union effort in Tennessee. The governors, from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas said in a statement last Tuesday that they have worked to bring good-paying jobs to their states.

In this same spirit, I continue to be inspired neighbors helping neighbors.

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

want to do.” The governors expressed concern that unionization could lead to jobs leaving their states. “We’ve seen it play out this way every single time a foreign automaker plant has been unionized; not one of those plants remains in operation,” said the governors in a joint statement.

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

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

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

Not one little bit.

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

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

The Daimler deal comes

“We are seeing in the fallout of the Detroit Three strike with those automakers rethinking investments and cutting jobs,” the statement said. “Putting businesses in our states in that position is the last thing we

Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley said in February that his company will “think carefully” about where it will build new vehicles after the UAW’s strike last year. If the UAW organizes other automakers, it could raise their costs, leading them to build more vehicles outside the United States.

Stacey Matthews has also and is a regular contributor

“I think it’s unwise to put your future in somebody else’s hands,” said Tennessee Gov.

See UNION, page A12

“I think most of the insurers, you know, I’m very grateful that they’re committed to the Hawaii market, so we haven’t seen wholesale withdrawals,” after the Aug. 8, 2023, re burned through Lahaina and killed 101 people, Hawaii Insurance Commissioner Gordon Ito said during a Wild re Risk Forum for insurance commissioners held at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. But one or two insurance companies have stopped renewing policies for wood structures like townhomes that are in wild re risk areas, Ito said Monday, in part because the companies have seen their

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

Jason

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior

CAROLYN KASTER / AP PHOTO

Vice President Kamala Harris toured Thomas Built Buses in High Point in 2021. Harris is joined by EPA Administrator Michael Regan (left), Gov. Roy Cooper and Leslie Kilgore, vice president of engineering.

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Growing paychecks could contribute to higher in ation

Wage increases are good for workers but could cause price increases

By Christopher Rugaber

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

Pay and bene ts for America’s workers grew more quickly in the rst three months of this year, a trend that could contribute to higher in ation and raise concerns about the future path of price increases at the Federal Reserve.

Compensation as measured by the government’s Employment Cost Index rose 1.2% in the January-March quarter, up from a 0.9% increase in the previous quarter, the Labor Department said Tuesday. Compared with the same quarter a year earlier, compensation growth was 4.2%, the same as the previous quarter.

The increase in wages and bene ts is good for employees, to be sure, but could add to concerns at the Fed that in-

ation may remain too high in the coming months. The Fed is expected to keep its key shortterm rate unchanged after its latest policy meeting concludes Wednesday.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell and other o cials have recently backed away from signaling that the Fed will necessarily cut rates this year after several months of higher-than-expect-

ed in ation readings. Big price increases for rents, car insurance and health care have kept in ation stubbornly above the Fed’s 2% in ation target. As a result, Fed o cials said they will wait until there is evidence that in ation is steadily declining toward 2% before making any moves.

The pace of worker compensation plays a big role in businesses’ labor costs. When pay accelerates especially fast, it increases the labor costs of companies, which often respond by raising their prices. This cycle can perpetuate ination.

However, companies can oset the cost of higher pay and bene ts by becoming more ecient, or productive. In the past three quarters, productivity has increased at a healthy pace, which, if sustained, would enable companies to pay workers more without necessarily having to raise prices.

The rst quarter’s increase in compensation growth was driven by a big rise in benets, which jumped 1.1%, up from 0.7% in last year’s fourth quarter. Wages and bene ts at the state and local government level also drove the overall increase, rising 1.3% in the rst quarter from 1% in the fourth, while private-sector compensation growth rose by a smaller amount, to 1.1% from 0.9%.

Norfolk Southern CEO vows to ght takeover attempt

Activist investors seeking to replace the board and management at the Atlanta-based railroad have gained the backing of a major proxy advisory rm

By Josh Funk The Associated Press

NEW YORK — The activist investors trying to take control of Norfolk Southern’s board are picking up key support, but the railroad’s CEO promised Monday to ght the takeover attempt until a May 9 shareholder vote because he believes his strategy is the best in the long run for investors, customers and workers.

Ancora Holdings’ bid to elect seven new directors and replace management at the Atlanta-based railroad has gained the backing of one of the major proxy advisory rms, one of the railroad’s biggest customers and two of its largest labor unions in recent days.

But CEO Alan Shaw said he believes he still has the support of most of the railroad’s workers, investors and customers.

“The choice really couldn’t be any more clear for our shareholders,” Shaw said an interview with The Associated Press.

“We make promises and we’ve continued to keep our promises, and we will continue to deliver.

And we’ve got a long-term vision for Norfolk Southern where shareholders win, as opposed to the activists who’ve got a shortterm and erratic approach where shareholders lose.”

The main issue is whether Shaw’s strategy of keeping additional resources on hand during a downturn and his investments in safety are the best course for the railroad that has been in the spotlight ever since a ery derailment in eastern Ohio in February 2023. Ancora — and the former UPS and CSX railroad executives the investors nomi-

NCDOT CASH REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIL 25

Beginning Cash

$2,354,905,979

Receipts (income)

$375,762,684 Disbursements

$205,297,586 Cash Balance

$2,525,396,036

nated to lead Norfolk Southern — argue that a dramatic overhaul of the railroad’s operations is needed to streamline the way its trains move and bring Norfolk Southern’s pro ts in line with its peers.

Proxy advisory rm Glass Lewis said in a report Monday that shareholders should vote for six of Ancora’s seven nominees, including proposed CEO Jim Barber, the former chief operating o cer at UPS, because “Ancora has presented a compelling case for supporting a substantial overhaul of the company’s current leadership” after the railroad delivered results that have been “consistently worse than its peers for an extended period.”

Norfolk Southern’s pro ts in the rst three months of the year fell short of Wall Street expectations again, even exclud-

UNION from page A9

Bill Lee following the vote. “But those workers made that decision based on the individual circumstances of that plant. I think it was a mistake, but that’s their choice.”

Following the win in Tennessee, Fain indicated his group’s continued push for unionization in the South. “You guys are leading the way. We’re going to carry this ght on to Mercedes and everywhere else,” said Fain. Workers at Mercedes factories in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, will vote on UAW representation in May. Southern states are responding to increased union activity

ing the $600 million settlement it recently announced for people who live near the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment. Shaw said he believes the railroad is on track to improve its bottom line over the next couple years, particularly after last month’s hiring of new Chief Operating O cer John Orr.

Barber has said he doesn’t think the changes Orr is making to streamline Norfolk Southern’s railyards will be enough, and he questions the $25 million Shaw agreed to pay a competing railroad to get the right to hire Orr.

Steel producer Cleveland-Cli s, which is one of the railroad’s biggest customers, also endorsed Ancora’s plan in a letter CEO Lourenco Goncalves wrote to the investors.

“We believe in shareholder activism when the activist has a

by passing laws that could claw back economic incentive dollars if companies recognize unions without requiring a secret ballot election. Every major Southern auto plant has received state economic development assistance.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed such a law Monday, and Lee signed one in Tennessee last year. Alabama lawmakers are advancing such a measure. Supporters believe unions can unfairly pressure workers into signing cards, while employers have a better chance of defeating unions in secret ballot elections. Federal law also allows employers to recognize unions if a majority of workers

Microsoft will invest $1.7B in Indonesia

Microsoft will invest $1.7 billion over the next four years in new cloud and arti cial intelligence infrastructure in Indonesia — the single largest investment in Microsoft’s 29-year history in the country. That’s according to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who was visiting the country and met Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Tuesday. Nadella said the company will also invest in AI training for 840,000 people, as well as the support to Indonesia’s growing developer community. The company sees Southeast Asia as a growing market and potential location for more AI product development. Widodo proposed building an AI research center and a Microsoft data center in Indonesia.

EPA bans consumer use of chemical used as a paint stripper

plan and knows how to execute the plan. That seems to be the case of your current e ort, and therefore you have my support,” Goncalves wrote.

Both the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division unions broke with the rest of rail labor last week to endorse Ancora after meeting with Barber and his proposed operations chief Jamie Boychuk.

The 11 other rail unions reiterated their support for Shaw in a statement Friday, saying they believe Ancora’s cost-cutting plan will “jeopardize the safety and service improvements Norfolk Southern has made since the 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.”

Those union endorsements became controversial over the weekend after documents surfaced online detailing an agreement the BLET made with Ancora where the investors promised to make a number of changes in work rules that would bene t the engineers if they prevail in the vote.

“This is a backroom deal where Ancora signed an agreement illegally binding Norfolk Southern to an agreement with BMWED and with BLET, and they’re just giving away shareholder value to win votes. And that’s not the right thing for our shareholders,” Shaw said.

Both sides accuse each other of getting desperate in the nal stages of this campaign. Shaw said Norfolk Southern remains open to a possible settlement with Ancora, but not on the terms the investors are demanding to replace management and overhaul the railroad’s strategy.

Ancora said in a statement that “it’s disingenuous for Mr. Shaw and his board to chastise us for not having stakeholder support on one hand — and then lash out at us for appropriately obtaining support on the other hand.”

return signed cards authorizing unions to represent them, a process known as a card check. But those who support unions argue the laws violate the National Labor Relations Act, which allows voluntary recognition.

U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su said she’s not sure if the Labor Department will seek to challenge the laws, noting the National Labor Relations Board, which oversees union a airs, has primary responsibility. But she said that “there are federal standards beneath which no worker should have to live and work.”

North State Journal sta contributed to this report.

The Environmental Protection Agency has nalized a ban on consumer uses of methylene chloride, a chemical widely used as a paint stripper but known to cause liver cancer and other health problems. The EPA said Tuesday its action will protect Americans from health risks while allowing certain commercial uses to continue with robust worker protections. Methylene chloride emits a toxic vapor the EPA says has killed 88 workers since 1980. Wendy Hartley’s son Kevin died from methylene chloride poisoning after re nishing a bathtub at work in Tennessee. Hartley calls the new EPA rule “a huge step that will protect vulnerable workers.” The chemical industry argues the EPA overstates the risks of methylene chloride.

Boycotts weigh on McDonald’s sales

McDonald’s said higher U.S. sales in the rst quarter helped it overcome weakness in the Middle East and other markets where consumers have been boycotting the brand over its perceived support for Israel. The Chicago burger giant said its same-store sales rose 1.9% worldwide in the JanuaryMarch period. That was slightly below Wall Street’s forecast of a 2.1% increase. In the U.S., same-store sales rose 2.5% as the company raised prices and saw higher demand for delivery. But sales fell slightly in McDonald’s international franchised markets. McDonald’s said its revenue rose 5% to $6.2 billion in the January-March period. That was in line with Wall Street’s estimates.

Europe’s economy shows signs of life

Europe’s economy perked up slightly at the start of the year, recording 0.3% growth in the January-March quarter as the in ation burden on consumers eased and the stagnating German economy, the continent’s biggest, started to show modest signs of life. The 20-country eurozone recorded its strongest performance since the third quarter of 2022 and improved on shrinkage of 0.1% in each of the last two quarters of 2023. Germany saw 0.2% growth, an improvement on recent performance.

GENE J. PUSKAR / AP PHOTO

Norfolk Southern locomotives operate at the Conway Terminal in Pennsylvania.

NAM Y. HUH / AP PHOTO

A construction worker cuts boards while working on a building.

BMW i7

Bavarian behemoth takes on Tesla’s throne

By Jordan Golson North State Journal

BOSTON — Let’s get one thing straight: The BMW i7 isn’t just another luxury sedan with an electric heart. It’s a declaration of war against the Tesla Model S, and it’s coming armed with a level of opulence and technology that might make Elon do a double take.

As with many BMWs these days, the rst thing you notice is the enormous kidney grille, which is large enough to swallow a small village. This is a BMW hallmark, but the 7 Series’ almost severe design gives it a presence that the decade-old Model S can’t match.

BMW’s decision to make its agship EV a mere variant of the regular 7 series — the interior is nigh-identical and the outside distinguished only by badging and little else — turns the choice to go electric into just that: A choice. Aha, sir would like a 7 Series. Electric or petrol?

Step inside, and you’ll be transported to a futuristic cocktail lounge. It doesn’t make you feel like you’re on the bridge of the Enterprise like the Mercedes EQS does; rather, it feels like you’re at the controls of the Heart of Gold, the immaculately designed ship from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.”

The doors close themselves because it’s far too much work to do it manually (and because this is a superlux feature borrowed from BMW stablemate Rolls-Royce), and you slip into

some of the most comfortable seats around. Wrapped in a fabric so soft that it makes cashmere feel like sandpaper, these thrones offer massage functions that can turn even the most stressful commute into a spa day. And if you’re lucky enough to snag a ride in the back, you’ll be treated to airline-style reclining seats and a 31-inch drop-down screen bigger than some TVs that is, coincidentally, the best place to sit while the thing recharges for half an hour.

from page A9

2025. Other states like California, Louisiana and Florida have also resorted to providing their own state-a liated “insurers of last resort,” which can ll in the gap when the private insurance market abandons an area because of natural disaster risk.

The economic e ects of a catastrophic re last for years, said Ito. Insurance companies in Hawaii have already paid roughly 80% of the claims led for personal property, nearly 100% of the claims led for motor vehicles and about half of the commercial insurance claims, he said. Commercial insurance claims typically take longer because additional records are needed to document the losses

sustained by a business. In North Carolina, property insurance companies have canceled policies or stopped writing policies in certain areas. In late 2023, Nationwide did not renew policies for more than 10,000 homeowners in North Carolina. Earlier this year, North Carolina’s top insurance regulator denied an industry request to raise homeowners’ insurance premiums by an average of 42% — and to almost double them in parts of coastal counties.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey set a hearing for October to evaluate the request and determine what is reasonable.

“People said that they were struggling with the higher cost

of groceries and fuel, taxes have gone up in their localities,” Causey told reporters after the meeting. “So I heard loud and clear what the public said.”

An executive with the North Carolina Rate Bureau, a state-created entity representing insurance companies, said the industry has to account for in ation — which a ects building material costs — and the increased frequency and severity of major storms.

“The very real cost of insuring homes in North Carolina has impacted what we all pay for insurance,” Chief Operating Ocer Jarred Chappell wrote in an email. “Our bureau is responsible for collecting data on claims, and that data shows rates need to increase in order to maintain

But don’t let all that luxury fool you. The i7 is still a BMW, and that means it’s the Ultimate Driving Machine. The electric drivetrain pumps out enough power to make the i7 scoot to 60 mph in a swift 4.5 seconds, and the adaptive suspension keeps you from being disturbed by anything from the outside world. Even better, thanks to the rear-wheel steering, this Bavarian barge drives far smaller than it actually is.

As always with a 7 Series, the i7 is also packed with an eye-watering amount of tech, most of which will be ignored, but BMW has done an excellent job making the smarts unobtrusive. They’re there if you want them, or ignore all of it and just drive.

With a 300-mile range, the i7 is comparable with many of the EVs in this price bracket, but it’s not quite as good as the Lucid or the Model S — but that may not matter. BMW is spending a fortune developing its electric cars and is the only brand, aside from Tesla, it seems, seeing real sales success.

I think a lot of this success comes from BMW not treating its electrics like they’re something weird and di erent. The Mercedes-Benz EQS is downright ugly, shaped like a swoopy UFO in a quest for maximum aerodynamic e ciency. Mean-

while, BMW takes its elegant sledgehammer of a new 7 Series design and o ers it to buyers with whatever powertrain they wish. That’s smart. Just make it a car; don’t get weird with it. Now, all this luxury and tech does come with a hefty price tag, starting in the $125,000 range and rising quickly from there, but that’s a 7 Series for you. At the end of the day, the BMW i7 isn’t just a car. It’s a statement piece, a rolling work of art that happens to be emission-free. It’s got the luxury of a Rolls-Royce, the tech of a spaceship and the performance of a sports car.

And while the Tesla Model S may have had a head start, the i7 is here to show that BMW isn’t just catching up, it’s ready to take the lead.

I don’t write this to say it’s a Tesla killer. It isn’t, and I don’t think anyone will be for quite a while. However, it is a worthy competitor, which is more than can be said for most cars that have been absurdly touted as potential Tesla killers. The 7 Series has consistently been one of the nest automobiles in the world for decades, and that continues here — only now you can get it with an electric powertrain.

Bavarian bravery? Nah. Just a logical progression into the future.

a healthy market in the state.”

The average increases sought by the bureau range from just over 4% in parts of the mountains to 99% in the beach areas within Brunswick, Carteret, New Hanover, Onslow and Pender counties. Proposed increases in the state’s largest cities in the Piedmont were roughly 40%.

Causey said he also empathizes with the homeowners’ insurance industry. He said one insurance agent told him that $112 in claims were being issued for every $100 in premiums taken in. But he said the industry must do more to tighten its belt and address insurance fraud.

Causey said he’ll preside over an evidentiary hearing starting Oct. 7, and if he nds the pro -

posed rates excessive, he can then issue an order that sets new rates. That order could be appealed. And Chappell noted Tuesday that many rate negotiations over the years have been settled before the hearing. During the last round on homeowners’ policies, the bureau sought an overall average increase of 24.5% before a November 2021 settlement resulted in a 7.9% average increase.

“I’m willing to listen if they want to come back with some numbers that are more reasonable to the people because the majority of people can’t stand this,” Causey said.

Associated Press writer Gary Robertson contributed to this report.

Tobacco road basketball lls holes through portal, B4

NHL

Fast out for Canes, Pesce may still return

Raleigh Forward Jesper Fast, injured in the nal game of the regular season, will miss the playo s with a neck strain. Coach Rod Brind’Amour said, “It doesn’t look like he’s going to be back. Not good news for us or him.” The news wasn’t quite as dire for defenseman Brett Pesce, injured in Game 2 against the Islanders. Immediately after the game, Brind’Amour said the lower body injury was “not looking good,” but a day later, he said he was hopeful Pesce would return during the playo s.

MLS Charlotte FC loses in stoppage time

Alonso Martínez scored in the third minute of second-half stoppage time and New York City FC beat Charlotte FC 2-1 at Yankee Stadium. Charlotte scored in the 3rd minute when Kerwin Vargas hit a rightfooted shot from the left side of the box to the bottom left corner of the net. Mid elder Nikola Petkovic notched his rst career assist on Vargas’ second goal of the season. New York City (4-4-2) tied it before halftime and beat Charlotte (3-5-2) for the rst time in the series.

AUTO RACING

Larson’s Indy 500 qualifying attempt could derail NASCAR All-Star plans

Kyle Larson will become the fth driver ever to attempt to complete “The Double” and run 1,100 miles in one day, starting with the Indianapolis 500 and then ying to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600. Larson will stay in Indianapolis May 17 to practice for the 500 rather than travel to North Wilkesboro to practice and qualify for the May 21 NASCAR All-Star race. He’s expected to qualify on May 18 then travel to compete in an All-Star heat race that night.

Maye, Barton highlight NC’s 2024 NFL Draft picks

UNC and Duke were the only North Carolina colleges to have a player picked in the rst round

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

THE STATE of North Carolina was well represented in the 2024 NFL Draft with selections both in the top and bottom of the rst round.

The rst player taken from North Carolina was UNC quarterback Drake Maye, who was selected by the New England Patriots with the third-overall pick.

Maye, who became UNC’s fth-highest drafted player and just the second Tar Heels quarterback selected in the rst round (Mitchell Trubisky; 2nd overall in 2017), had been viewed as a consensus top- ve

pick all season with plenty of debate being made for him to go anywhere within that range.

“This is such a special moment for me,” Maye said in his introductory press conference in Gillette Stadium. “Getting that call last night on the old phone, the old buzzer, was pretty sweet. My mom ended up carrying down the old ring down phone out of the green room as a souvenir. Just a special moment for me. Glad I’m coming to an organization that knows how to win and has done it before. I’m ready to get that back on track and just ready to get things going.”

The 6-foot-4, Huntersville native was a two-year starter at UNC, where he threw for 8,018 yards and 63 touchdowns.

In his freshman season, Maye set the single-season school record for passing yards (4,321) and tied the single-sea-

“He’s a player that elevates those around him and that’s really all you can ask for at the quarterback position.”

New England director of scouting Eliot Wolf on Drake Maye

son record for passing touchdowns (38) while leading the Tar Heels to the ACC Championship Game and Holiday Bowl. He was also named the ACC Player of the Year.

While Maye’s sophomore season saw him take a bit of a step back from his outstanding rookie showing, he still impressed and made enough of an impression on NFL scouts to go third overall.

“He’s a player that elevates those around him, and that’s really all you can ask for at the quarterback position,” said New England director of scouting Eliot Wolf on draft night. “Obviously he’s got a lot of talent, he’s athletic, he’s big, he’s strong, he’s young and we feel like there’s a lot of upside to his game.”

Maye will have the chance to compete for the starting job in a quarterback room consisting of former NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett, Bailey Zappe and fellow 2024 draftee Joe Milton III from Tennessee. New England has been searching for a new face of the franchise ever since the departure of Tom Brady and they’re hoping Maye can be just that.

The second local product taken in the rst round of the

See NFL DRAFT, page B4

Panthers go south of the border to take Legette

Carolina addresses needs in draft, starting with South Carolina product

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

WHILE SEVERAL rst rounders were wearing custom-made suits and shaking hands with the commissioner on draft night, Xavier Legette was at the Mullins, SC town hall with his grandmother.

“It was really the only spot we had in Mullins,” he said.

Legette estimated that 65 people were in attendance at his draft party. That may not sound like much, but it means that more than one out of every 60 people in Legette’s hometown packed into the town hall to celebrate with him. Granted, some of them may have also been dropping o property tax payments or responding to a jury duty summons.

With an accent dripping with peach syrup and Frogmore stew, Legette arrives at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium straight from South Caro-

cer as a freshman and his father to a heart attack weeks before graduation. He went on to battle injuries, including a motorcycle crash as a sophomore, while playing for the South Carolina Gamecocks. COVID gave him a fth year, and he made the most of it. Legette had nine catches for 178 yards in the season opener, at Bank of America Stadium, against UNC, topping his yardage total for each of his previous four seasons in one game. He nished the year with 71 catches, 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns.

“A year ago, I wasn’t on anybody’s board,” he said, “but I never let that get to me. I knew I had another year, I knew this was a do or die season”

The Panthers were intrigued by Legette’s physical play.

lina’s version of Mayberry. At his introductory press conference, he described the one Panthers game he attended as a kid, saying, “When we wanted to go someplace big, we either came here (to Charlotte) or Atlanta.”

While Legette may have humble beginnings, it didn’t stop him from developing into a

talented pass catcher who captured the Panthers’ attention during the draft preparation process.

“We loved him,” said coach Dave Canales. “I’m not going to sit here and lie.”

Legette lost both of his parents to separate ailments in high school—his mother to can-

“What really got me noticed were all those 50/50 catches I was making,” he said. “It’s a grown-man’s game.”

Carolina traded into the rst round to take Legette, who gives quarterback Bryce Young a target in the passing game, some-

CHRIS CARLSON / AP PHOTO

Carolina Panthers rst round draft pick Xavier Legette beats the team’s Keep Pounding drum before his introductory press conference.

PAUL SANCYA / AP PHOTO

UNC quarterback Drake Maye takes a sel e while celebrating with fans after being chosen by the New England Patriots with the third overall pick during the rst round of the NFL Draft.

TRENDING

Bailey Ober:

The Huntersvilleborn Charlotte Christian graduate continued his hot start to the season with the Minnesota Twins. The righthander took a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the Angels despite battling a stomach virus.

Ober has allowed 11 hits and struck out 24 in his last four starts, winning two of them. “He didn’t look sick. That’s for sure,” said manager Rocco Baldelli, a former Durham Bull.

Stephen Curry:

The Charlotte native and Davidson product won the NBA’s second annual Clutch Player of the Year Award. Curry beat out Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Former UNC player Coby White nished second to Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey for Most Improved Player, and former Hornet Malik Monk was runner-up to Minnesota’s Naz Reid for the Sixth Man of the Year.

Luke McCa rey:

The brother of 49ers running back, and former Carolina Panther, Christian McCa rey was drafted at the end of the third round by the Washington Commanders.

McCa rey, a wide receiver from Rice, was the 100th overall selection in the draft. He is also the son of former star receiver Ed McCa rey and brother of former Duke Blue Devil Max.

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

“At the end of the day, it’s just basketball.”

LeBron James after his Lakers fell behind 3-0 in their rst-round series against the Nuggets.

“He got very intense, very speci c feedback from major league pitching.”

Orioles GM Mike Elias after sending top prospect Jackson Holliday (pictured) back to the minor leagues. Holliday hit .059 in 10 games and struck out in half of his 36 plate appearances.

PRIME NUMBER

775K

Number of fans to attend the NFL Draft in Detroit, a new record. Detroit set a Day One record on Thursday with 275,000 people in attendance. A similar number attended on Friday to set the two-day record. The previous three-day record of 600,000 was set in Nashville in 2019.

NASCAR

Denny Hamlin held o Kyle Larson over the nal laps and wiggled through lapped tra c to win Sunday’s NASCAR Cup race by about a quarter of a second at Dover Motor Speedway. Hamlin’s third win of the season tied William Byron for the most. Larson was second. Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott completed the top ve.

Arizona’s Zac Gallen left a start against Seattle after feeling tightness in his right hamstring, but manager Torey Lovullo said he hopes Gallen won’t miss any time. The former Tar Heel and starter in last season’s MLB All-Star Game felt a spasm in the hamstring and was pulled as a precaution.

Kris Jenkins (right, in 2004), an All-American defensive tackle for Michigan, was drafted by the Bengals in the second round. His father, Kris (left), was a two-time All-Pro defensive tackle during seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He was also a second-rounder, in 2001. His son was born later that year.

Days after former Tar Heel Dontrez Styles transferred to NC State, a football player moved in the opposite direction. Defensive tackle Joshua Harris will play for UNC. After four years at State, Harris spent last season at Ole Miss. He’s the rst football player to join UNC after playing for the Wolfpack since Fred Miller and Eddie Teague in 1943.

MLB NFL

DAVID ZALUBOWSKI / AP PHOTO CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

DEMPSEY / AP PHOTO

RYAN SUN / AP PHOTO

DERICK HAMILTON / AP PHOTO

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

KARL B. DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

Linebacker instincts help new GM Morgan manage NFL Draft

The Panthers general manager was able to read and react while in pursuit

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

THE BOOK on Dan Morgan was that he was competitive and aggressive, able to move well in tra c and hit holes with a burst.

That scouting report is nearly two dozen years old and described his linebacker skills coming out of Miami, when the Panthers drafted him in the rst round. They were just as accurate in helping make sense of the rst draft Morgan ran as Carolina’s general manager.

“It was really cool in the draft room just seeing the process,” said Panthers head coach Dave Canales, ”really just seeing (Morgan’s) patience, just working through.”

Shows solid eld awareness and moves uidly towards the ball.

The Panthers had traded away their rst round pick, long before Morrgan took the job. They entered the NFL Draft with no picks on Thursday night but the rst pick in Friday’s second round, where Morgan planned to take a wide receiver and expected several to be available.

Then, as Thursday’s rst round wore on, demand for the position seemed to explode.

“Once the wideouts were taken—Brian Thomas was taken (by Jacksonville at pick 23, 10 spots before the Panthers’ would pick on Friday) I felt like there was going to be a little run on wideouts after that,” Morgan

said. “And then Xavier Worthy got taken (by the Chiefs, at 28). We liked some of those guys. We don’t want to put ourselves in a bad situation where we don’t get the guy we want to get.”

It was almost time to make a move.

Displays the body control needed to tackle in open eld. Canales was ready to pull the trigger and move into the rst round with a trade, but Morgan wasn’t going to fall for the rst couple of jukes. Linebackers know to watch the target’s

hips and ignore the super uous moves.

“Seeing the guys coming o the board and he’s just saying, ‘Not yet. Not yet,’” said Canales. The rst round came down to the nal pick, and, instead of the Chiefs making it, as was the case entering the evening, the Bu alo Bills were on the clock, having swung a trade to pick one spot ahead of the Panthers.

Bills GM Brandon Beane, a former assistant GM of the Panthers and Morgan’s boss in Buffalo for a few years, was also

believed to be seeking help at wide receiver.

It was an unexpected move, and Morgan had to read and react.

“I wasn’t sure what they were going to do,” he said.

In his analysis, it was time to make his move.

Hurls his body around in reckless abandon, doing anything that he can to make the play.

“In Dan Morgan fashion, there was daylight and he went ‘Bang!’” said Canales, clapping

his hands for emphasis. “He hit the hole, just like we’ve all seen him do in his career.” Morgan o ered to swap picks with Beane, sweetening the deal by giving Bu alo a fthround pick in exchange for their sixth-rounder.

Suddenly, the Panthers were in the rst round and chose the receiver they’d been eying all along, South Carolina’s Xavier Legette. It was a player that Morgan had been interested in throughout the draft prep process.

Weaknesses: Can tend to over pursue on some plays.

Legette had no doubt the Panthers were going to take him. While the draft process is lled with smoke screens and false starts, Morgan and Carolina were very straightforward in their interest, displaying that straight-line pursuit skill that Morgan was known for coming out of college.

“I just got the vibe from them,” he said. “If it wasn’t going to be them, I didn’t know where I’d go … At the Senior Bowl, we had three days to meet with teams, and each day, I had a meeting with the Panthers. That’s when I realized, ‘They really want me! They like me!’ Then, I just kept meeting with them. At the Combine, I met with them. They had four or ve folks from the sta at my pro day, and I was like, ‘OK, these guys (are) serious.’”

As for Bu alo, they used the Panthers’ pick, at the start of the second round, to take the receiver they were targeting—Florida State’s Keon Coleman.

“Everybody’s boards are different,” said Morgan. “You become paranoid. You think guys are jumping up to get your guy. It doesn’t always turn out that way. Thank God, we got our guy.” And if he hadn’t? Well, the old, yellowing scouting report had one more line under strengths. Bounces back quickly when knocked down.

Charlotte hires Reed as next women’s basketball coach

Tomekia Reed had a 125-54 record at Jackson State

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

CHARLOTTE — With a head coaching vacancy at the top of their women’s basketball team, it only took the Charlotte 49ers eight days to announce a new coach following the departure of Cara Consuegra, who decided to take a job at Marquette earlier in the month.

Last Thursday, the Niners’ athletic department revealed that former Jackson State coach Tomekia Reed has been named the ninth head coach for Charlotte’s women’s basketball program.

“Tomekia Reed is a proven winner whose passion for developing young people through the game of basketball is inspiring,” Charlotte athletic director Mike Hill said in a press release. “Her enthusiasm is contagious and will translate into even more success for her on the recruiting trail and in the community. She shares our vision for greatness, and we are ecstatic to have her lead our program!” Charlotte marks Reed’s second NCAA Division I head coaching gig as she inherits a Niners team that went 16-15 last year but has had some key departures to the transfer portal following Consuegra’s exit.

The rst-year American Athletic Conference school won nine conference games on its way to earning the sixth seed in the AAC Tournament following the 2023-24 regular season.

PANTHERS from page B1

thing that was at the top of the Panthers’ to do list entering the weekend.

The Panthers were far from done, however: Round 2, No. 46 overall: Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas

The Panthers traded up again in the second round to take the rst running back selected in the 2024 draft. Brooks rushed for more than 1100 yards with the Longhorns last season but is recovering from a torn ACL.

During six seasons leading the JSU Tigers starting in 2018, Reed’s teams had a 125-54 overall record (95-10 Southwestern Athletic Conference record), ve consecutive SWAC regular season titles, and three SWAC tournament titles leading to NCAA appearances (2021, 2022, 2024).

Over the last ve seasons, her teams have had the fourth-highest conference winning percentage in the nation at 95.4%. JSU had a school-best 26 wins last season, including an undefeated 18-0 record in the SWAC.

On Monday, she was o cially introduced by Charlotte during her debut press conference in the Niners’ Halton Arena.

“I must say that I am one blessed woman to stand before you as your next head women’s basketball coach,” Reed said after beginning her comments with an excited yell into the microphone.

“I am so thankful for God’s grace and mercy because he is the reason that I am here today. I’d like to thank Chancellor (Sharon) Gaber, Director of Athletics Mike Hill, and Executive Associate Athletics Director Ragean Hill for entrusting me with the future of Charlotte women’s basketball.”

Prior to her time at JSU, Reed also spent time as a recruiting coordinator at Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, Louisiana Tech and New Orleans after initially beginning her head coaching career at Hinds (Mississippi) Community College, her alma mater.

“Tomekia Reed is one of the most talented young coaches in college basketball today,” Gaber said in a team statement.

He joins a position where the Panthers currently have plenty of depth, with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders on the roster. So Brooks will have the luxury of making a full recovery before being counted on to make an impact. Round 3, No. 72: Trevin Wallace, LB, Kentucky Carolina added a potential replacement for Frankie Luvu, who left in free agency. Wallace is an aggressive tackler who will get the opportunity to contribute as a rookie. GM Dan Morgan

“I must say that I am one blessed woman to stand before you as your next head women’s basketball coach.”

Tomekia Reed

“Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence, both on and

said he wanted to bring in “dogs” and Wallace ts the bill.

“So dog mentality, to me—it might sound crazy—is you don’t care if you go out there and hurt somebody,” Wallace said. “It’s part of the game. You go in there and hurt somebody, you be like, ‘I did this and I’ma do it again.’

That’s what dog mentality is. You don’t go in there being soft. You go in there like, ‘I’ma hurt you every play. I want you to be scared of me.’” Round 4, No. 101: Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

o the court. We are delighted to welcome Tomekia to Niner Nation.” Reed is a three-time HBCU National Coach of the Year (2021, 2022, 2024) and a fourtime SWAC Coach of The Year (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024) who has coached two players (Angel Jackson and Ameshya Williams-Holliday) that were later drafted by WNBA teams.

She recently drew the respect of legendary UConn coach Geno Auriemma, who gave her a strong recommendation in

In addition to a receiver, the Panthers were expected to add a pass catching tight end, and Sanders was one of the two we highlighted in our draft preview for the team last week. He joins teammate Brooks in the Carolina draft class of 2024 and will also get the chance to play early.

Round 5, No. 157: Chau SmithWade, CB, Washington State Cornerback depth was another priority for the Panthers, and Smith-Wade o ers a versatile option at the spot. While somewhat small for a corner, Smith-Wade

his postgame interview at the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship after his third-seeded Huskies defeated the No. 14 Tigers.

“The Gold Standard: What a powerful slogan for a university on the rise,” Reed said in Charlotte’s initial media release. “I could not be more thrilled to become a Niner. I am inspired and excited to continue the standard of excellence that is this women’s basketball program.

“This leadership’s strategic comprehensive plan aligns with my standards and plans for sustained success at the highest level. I am more motivated than ever to capitalize on the opportunity at hand in leading a winning team for both our student-athletes and the great city of Charlotte. It is a great day to be a Niner!” Reed con rmed Monday that Charlotte was not the only job that she had interviewed for after JSU’s 2024 season ended, also meeting with Tulane and Tennessee before landing with the 49ers.

Going forward into her rst season in the Queen City, she will bring her Tigers assistant coaching sta of Chase Campbell, Jonathan Williams and LaShonda Cousin with her, while also adding sta . As the Niners adjust to Year 2 in the AAC, they will now start a new phase in the program’s history following 13 years with Consuegra leading the team.

“I want more trophies and more championships,” Reed said. “This will be the new location for where the rings reside.”

has lined up inside, outside and even at safety.

Round 6, No. 200: Jaden Crumedy, DT, Mississippi State Like Legette, Crumedy bene tted from a breakout year in his fth, COVID season. He provides depth on the Panthers’ defensive line.

Round 7, No. 240: Michael Barrett, LB, Michigan Like Smith-Wade, he is undersized but versatile. He should provide linebacker depth and special teams

for Carolina as a rookie.

play

MICHAEL CONROY / AP PHOTO

Panthers GM Dan Morgan looks intense as he meets with the media during the heart of the NFL Draft preparation process, at the NFL Combine. He already had future Carolina rst-round pick, Xavier Legette, in his sights at this point.

MATTHEW HINTON/AP PHOTO

Tomekia Reed, then coach of Jackson State, calls a play during an NCAA Tournament game in 2022. Reed is taking over as head coach at Charlotte.

NC’s Big Four ll holes through transfer portal

After losing players early in the o season, good news trickles in

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

AFTER A FEW weeks of “taketh away,” the transfer portal is nally starting to giveth a little bit.

Since players have to leave their old school before signing with a new one, it makes sense that the bad news would be front-loaded during college basketball’s o season. It’s just easy to forget as each new day brings another departure for fans of teams across the state to mourn.

After deciding to leave en masse, players are now making up their minds on where to continue their college careers, and that means that good news is trickling in for the four ACC teams that call North Carolina home.

Here’s a look at the latest portal developments, still subject to change as the o season wears on.

Duke

It’s easier to list everyone that didn’t leave the Blue Devils—Tyrese Proctor, Caleb Foster and walk-on Stanley Borden. Everyone else on the roster either used up their eligibility (Ryan Young, Neal Begovich, walk-on Spencer Hubbard), declared for the draft (Kyle Filipowski and Jared McCain) or entered the transfer portal (deep breath … Jeremy Roach, Jaylen Blakes, Mark Mitchell, Sean Stewart, TJ Power, Jaden Schutt and Christian Reeves).

Joining Proctor, Foster and the six incoming freshmen are Maliq Brown, who transferred from Syracuse, and Mason Gillis, who arrives from Purdue.

Brown is a 6-foot-8, 222-pound rising junior who made the ACC All-Defensive Team for the Orange last season. He led the league in steals and was also among the leaders in rebounding and blocks while averaging a near dou-

ble-double (9.5 points, 7.2 rebounds). He also was one of the most e cient shooters in the nation.

While Brown will do the dirty work in the post on both ends of the oor, Gillis, who arrives fresh o the Final Four, will help shore up the perimeter. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward will play his fth, COVID year for Duke. He averaged 6.5 points for Purdue last season, winning Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year. He also hit .468 from three, good for sixth in the country. He also ranked sixth in KenPom o ensive e ciency.

North Carolina

The Tar Heels have scaled back the transfer portal drama from last season, when they set a precedent Duke seems to be imitating this oseason. The only players to hit the portal exit were James Okonkwo, who was essentially a practice player for the departed Armando Bacot, and Seth Trimble, who reversed course and decided that he’s going to stay with the Tar Heels after all.

There are also widespread rumors that RJ Davis, who won ACC Player of the Year as a senior last season, is also going to return for his COVID year, instead of transferring or heading to the NBA. Nothing has been o cially con rmed as of press time, however, despite the story getting widespread social media play for nearly a week.

In addition to trying to retain his own guys, coach Hubert Davis is trying to bring in transfers to ll holes on the roster, and thus far, he’s landed one. Belmont’s Cade Tyson committed to the Heels.

The 6-foot-7 Monroe native has two years of eligibility left. He hit .465 from three last season and averaged 16.2 points.

NC State

Team Transfer is at it again. After making the Final Four with ve starters added through the portal, Kevin Keatts has brought in four more

newcomers. Former Tar Heel Dontrez Styles announced his arrival, by way of Georgetown, last week, joining Brandon Huntley-Hat eld, who announced in early April that he was transferring from Louisville.

This week, two more incoming transfers joined the pair in Marcus Hill, who arrives from Bowling Green, and another Louisville player in Mike James. Hill, a 6-foot-4, 185-pound guard, averaged 20.5 points last year, earning rst team All MAC. He has a year of eligibility left.

James arrives with two years of eligibility. He averaged 12.6 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Cardinals last year. At 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, he has the ability to drive the basket and draw fouls, something the Pack lacked last year. He joins Huntley-Hat eld, who started his college career at Tennessee. The 6-foot-10, 240-pound post player averaged 12.6 points and 8.4 boards for Louisville last year.

Styles, a 6-foot-6 Kinston product, averaged 12.2 points for the Hoyas last year after transferring away from UNC to get more playing time.

Wake Forest

The Deacs had a large number of players hit the portal immediately after the season, adding App State transfer Tre’Von Spilliers. Over the past two weeks, Wake has added two more incoming transfers in Alabama’s Davin Cosby and Iowa State’s Omaha Billiew.

Cosby is a 6-foot-5 shooting guard who didn’t play much as a freshman this past season. He averaged just 3.6 points in eight minutes of playing time a night. He shoots almost exclusively from threepoint range, although he hit just 35% of his attempts from three.

Billiew is a 6-foot-8 power forward who also didn’t play much as a freshman, The former McDonald’s All-American averaged just 2.4 points and 1.3 rebounds in 7.4 minutes.

Landing spots for local NFL prospects in draft’s later rounds

NFL teams drafted and signed many local prospects after day one

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

FOR MOST of the NFL prospects coming out of North Carolina’s college programs, the chance to play at the next level just had to wait a day or two. Outside of UNC’s Drake Maye and Duke’s Graham Barton being selected in the rst round, nine other players from North Carolina’s local colleges were drafted between rounds two and seven. Former Duke defensive tackle DeWayne Carter was the rst of the group to be selected on day two. The Bu alo Bills picked him late in the third round with the 95th pick. The rst three-year captain in Duke football history will join a playo -caliber team alongside a talented, yet aging defensive line that features Ed Oliver, 32-year-old DaQuan Jones and a 31-year-old DeShawn Williams. Although the Bills already have established starters at his position, Carter adds much needed depth to their defensive line.

Just three picks later, the Pittsburgh Steelers used their third round selection on former NC State linebacker Payton Wilson. Wilson’s drop in the draft came with a bit of surprise as he was projected to be one of the rst linebackers selected as a second or early third round pick. His elite play in both the run and pass game was well received by pro scouts and analysts, however his lengthy injury history, including signi cant injuries to his shoulder and knee, likely contributed to his late selection.

In the fourth round, the Tennessee Titans took former UNC linebacker Cedric Gray o the board with the 106th pick. Gray was initially projected to be a late day two prospect, but he ts a need for the Titans and could nd some early playing time at the inside linebacker position. Leading all of Power 5 in tackles (279) in the last two seasons, Gray is another versatile, athletic defender with strengths in the run game and in pass coverage.

board just about where he was expected to, joining a well-established defense that needed some depth in the safety position.

Former Duke center Jacob Monk got picked in the fth round (163rd pick) by the Green Bay Packers. Monk will look to be another piece of the Packers’ updated o ensive line as they used their rst round pick on former Arizona o ensive tackle Jordan Morgan.

The Dallas Cowboys grabbed former Wake Forest cornerback Caelen Carson in the same round at pick 174, adding a young, healthy asset to its cornerback depth chart. With the 190th pick in the sixth round, the Philadelphia Eagles took former NC State o ensive guard Dylan McMahon, and in the seventh round, the Minnesota Vikings took center Michael Jurgens from Wake Forest.

draft was Duke center Graham Barton, who went 26th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Barton became the ninth Blue Devil to be taken in the rst round and just the third this millennium.

“I’m sitting in the living room, got some family and friends around, got some friends outside and the later you get in the draft, the quieter and more tense the room gets, so I just decided to go step outside,” Barton said in his introductory press conference, recounting the moment he was drafted. “Some of my bud-

dies were just out there watching the TV outside, messing around. So I just stood out there, got some fresh air and wanted to relax and laugh at them for a second and then, all of a sudden, I look down at my phone and it says ‘Tampa, Florida,’ and so I ran back inside, sat down and took the call and the wave of emotions came front and center. Years and years and years of work and dedication kind of culminates in that moment. It was pretty surreal and it’s still setting in.”

The 6-foot-5, 314-pound interior o ensive lineman earned All-American honors as well as being named to the All-ACC rst team as the an-

chor for a Duke o ense that put up over 4,500 yards of total o ense and allowed just 1.31 sacks per game.

“He’s the epitome of what we look for in this culture that we’re building here to not only lead our draft class, but to lead our team,” said Buccaneers GM Jason Licht. “We’re all depending on that O-line room, so the addition of him to it is going to help us out tremendously.”

The Buccaneers have high hopes for Barton and see him as a big piece in helping to protect quarterback Baker Mayeld, who Tampa Bay just signed to a three-year, $100 million contract.

The Baltimore Ravens selected Gray’s former college teammate, Devontez Walker, also in the fourth round with the 113th pick. Analysts weren’t always too high on his route running, however, Walker’s speed and ability to take the top o of defenses didn’t go unnoticed. He was one of three wide receivers in the 2024 combine to record a sub-4.4 40-yard dash and a 40-inch vertical. For a team that needs a deep-ball threat to take attention away from Lamar Jackson’s running ability, Walker could be a valuable asset for the Ravens.

Former Wake Forest safety Malik Mustapha was selected in the fourth round by the San Francisco 49ers at the 124th pick. Mustapha came o the

Players from North Carolina high schools who left for college also heard their names called, including Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright (Southern Durham), drafted by Miami in the fourth round (120 overall). Clemson RB Will Shipley (Weddington), taken at 127 by Philadelphia, Maryland DT Delmar Glaze (West Mecklenburg) to Las Vegas in the third (77), Here’s a rundown of where the undrafted local prospects have signed as of Sunday: Myles Murphy (UNC, DE, Arizona Cardinals); Joe Shimko (NC State, LS, Arizona Cardinals); Julius Wood (East Carolina, S, Dallas Cowboys); Jason Calhoun (Duke, WR, Detroit Lions); Chelen Garnes (Wake Forest, S, Detroit Lions); Porter Wilson (Duke, P, Green Bay Packers); British Brooks (UNC, RB, Houston Texans); Trent Pennix (NC State, TE, Indianapolis Colts); David White Jr. (Western Carolina, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars); Andrew Parker Jr. (App State, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars); Tomari Fox (UNC, DL, Las Vegas Raiders); Amari Gainer (UNC, LB, Las Vegas Raiders); Tyler Smith (Western Carolina, OT, Los Angeles Chargers); Bucky Williams (App State, OL, Los Angeles Chargers); Savion Jackson (NC State, DE, Los Angeles Chargers); Robert Kennedy (NC State, CB, Los Angeles Chargers); Spencer Roland (UNC, OL, Minnesota Vikings); William Barnes (UNC, OL, New York Giants); Shyheim Battle (NC State, CB, New York Jets); Jake Roberts (Wake Forest, LB, Philadelphia Eagles); Julius Welschof (Charlotte, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers); Kameron Johnson (Barton College, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers); Tyrek Funderbirk (App State, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers); Don Chapman (UNC, S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers); Jordan Terrell (Barton College, RB, Tennessee Titans); Rob Gattison (Western Carolina, CB, Tennessee Titans); Brayden Narveson (NC State, K, Tennessee Titans); Eyabi Okie-Anoma (Charlotte, DL, Kansas City Chiefs)

JEFFREY T. BARNES / AP PHOTO

Bu alo Bills third-round draft pick and former Duke Blue Devil DeWayne Carter addresses the media at his introductory press conference.

RICK SCUTERI / AP PHOTO

Belmont guard Cade Tyson (10) draws a foul on Arizona during a game last November. Tyson now joins the Tar Heels as one of the best outside shooters in the nation.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ “Dueling Dinos” exhibit opened last weekend.

‘Dueling Dinosaurs’ exhibit opens in Raleigh

Tyrannosaur and triceratops fossils from 67 million years ago will be worked on in public daily

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The “Dueling Dinosaurs” fossil exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh opened to the public on April 27.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper made an appearance to congratulate the museum sta and scientists on their work in making the exhibit a reality. During his ceremony remarks, Cooper praised the eight years of work that went into making the exhibit happen and said that North Carolina was the best around a lot of areas, “but now we’re the best in dinosaurs.”

The governor participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the exhibit alongside o cials from the museum using a tyrannosaur skull painted bright orange that housed a set of “tyrannoscissors” used to cut the ribbon.

The bones of a tyrannosaur and a triceratops, which were found buried together in the Hell Creek Formation of Montana, are the centerpiece of the exhibit. The pair of uniquely preserved 67-million-year-old dinosaur bones will be worked on in the new cutting-edge SECU DinoLab. It’s the museum’s rst major expansion in a decade.

“This fossil is a scienti c frontier,” said Lindsay Zanno, head of paleontology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and associate research professor at NC State. “The preservation is phenomenal, and we plan to use every technological innovation available to reveal new information on the biology of the world’s favorite dinosaurs.”

The “Dueling Dinosaurs” exhibit has several interactive kiosks where visitors can build their own dinosaur or view and interact with a CT scan of a dinosaur skull. Various educational videos, bone replicas, habitat and ecosystem information, and details about paleontology as a science are also part of the experience.

N.C. Department of Natural

“The whole thing is a grand experiment; nothing like this has ever been tried before with allowing the public to come in doing the research transparently in front of them.

Lindsay Zanno, head of paleontology at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences

and Cultural Resources Secretary D. Reid Wilson called the exhibit a “must-see destination for dinosaur lovers everywhere.”

Wilson praised the General Assembly and its leaders, House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) and Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden), for prioritizing funding for the project. He also thanked various corporate entities for their sponsorship of the project, including SECU Foundation, Bank of America, Duke Energy, Wake County and the Friends of the

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF PEARLIE ALSTON, JR. CUMBERLAND COUNTY

All persons, rms, and corporations having claims against Pearlie Alston, Jr., now deceased, are noti ed to exhibit them to Antonio Americus Alston, Administrator of the decedent’s estate, on or before the 10th day of July, 2024, at Post O ce Box 2290, Burlington, North Carolina 27216, or be barred from their recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment to the above-named Administrator.

Antonio Americus Alston Administrator of the Estate of Pearlie Alston, Jr. (24 E 504) C. Thomas Steele, Jr. Pittman & Steele, PLLC Post O ce Box 2290 Burlington, NC 27216 336-270-4440

The North State Journal April 10, 17, and 24 and May 1, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 24-E-505

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

Having quali ed as Co-Executors of the Estate of Anna Jean Bass, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before July 24, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 24th day of April, 2024.

Sabrina Bass Gibson & James M. Bass, II, Co-Executors of the Estate of Anna Jean Bass

NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY, CRAVEN & CORLEY, L.L.P. N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990

COUNSEL FOR CO-EXECUTORS

Natural Sciences. SECU Foundation’s Chris Ayers told attendees at the ribbon-cutting event that the exhibit is “history in the making right here in Raleigh.”

A unique aspect of “Dueling Dinosaurs” is its live video feeds and regular research updates that can be accessed on-site and online. The live feeds will give the public unprecedented access to view the progress of the project.

“The whole thing is a grand experiment; nothing like this has ever been tried before with allowing the public to come in doing the research transparently in front of them,” Zanno told North State Journal. “We have a lot to learn as scientists and as a museum community about how to do transparent science, and I think we’re just going to be forging the way.”

Zanno said everyone on the project is “really thrilled” that kids worldwide “can experience the joy of discovery” through the live feeds of the work being done.

Zanno has more than 20 years of global experience in the eld and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Donald Grey Beard Sr, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 24 day of July, 2024, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 22 day of April, 2024 Donald Grey Beard Jr, Executor 513 Harlow Drive Fayetteville, NC 28314 Of the Estate of Donald Grey Beard Sr, Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF ANIL J. CALEB CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 22 E 1540

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Anil J. Caleb, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Ryan Caleb, Administrator, at 620 Rohnert Park Expressway, Apt. 167, Rohnert Park, CA 94928,

New Mexico and a master’s and doctorate from the University of Utah.

Working alongside Zanno on the museum’s Paleo Team are SECU DinoLab manager Eric Lund and Jennifer Anné, assistant manager of the SECU DinoLab. Paleopathology, chemistry and bone history are Anné’s focus, while Lund has degrees in geology and geophysics.

Bolstering the educational value of the exhibit is “Cretaceous Creatures,” a project by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences aimed at middle school students. Participants of the program, guided by eighth grade science teachers, will sift through sediment from the Hell Creek Formation in Montana where the “Dueling Dinosaurs” were found and identify microfossils of ancient animals.

Cretaceous Creatures provides free lessons and materials to eligible classrooms, thanks to support from The Bank of America Charitable Foundation. For more information or to register, visit cretaceouscreatures.org or contact project coordinator Elizabeth Jones at elizabeth_jones@ncsu.edu.

IN THE

ADMINISTRATOR CTA

COURT OF

COURT DIVISION

State of North Carolina Cumberland

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having quali ed as the Administrator CTA of the Estate of Omer Eustace Paquette aka Omer E Paquette, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at PO Box 53555, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28305, on or before July 17, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 17th day of April, 2024.

J. Duane Gilliam, Jr. Administrator CTA of the Estate of Omer Eustace Paquette aka Omer E. Paquette, Deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC J. Duane Gilliam, Jr., Attorney PO Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305

4/17/24, 4/24/24, 5/1/24 and 5/8/24

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Robert Mark Danell, having quali ed on the 13th day of March 2024, as Executor of the Estate of Joan B. Naylor-Danell (2024-E-421), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111

Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 22nd day of July, 2024, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 17th day of April 2024.

Robert Mark Danell Executor ESTATE OF JOAN B. NAYLOR-DANELL David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411

Publish: April 17, 2024 April 24, 2024 May 1, 2024 May 8, 2024

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Neena Kellie Beasley, having quali ed on the 26th day of March 2024, as Administrator of the Estate of Elizabeth P. Williams (2024-E-494), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 5th day of August, 2024, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

This 1st day of May 2024.

Neena Kellie Beasley

Administrator ESTATE OF ELIZABETH P. WILLIAMS

David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Edwin M. Robertson, III, having quali ed on the 15th day of March 2024, as Administrator of the Estate of Edwin Mason Robertson, Jr. (2024-E437), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 5th day of August, 2024, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address.

This 1st day of May 2024.

Edwin M. Robertson, III

Administrator ESTATE OF EDWIN MASON ROBERTSON, JR. David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411

174.65 feet to a set rebar; thence Second, North 57-45-14 East 450.22 feet (passing a set rebar in line at 209.62 feet) to a set rebar in the rear line of Moose, a new corner in the line of Melvin E. Dixon

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

THE UNDERSIGNED, Ann S. Curtis AKA Ann Marie Shepley Curtis, having quali ed on the 12th day of March 2024, as Executor of the Estate of Pansy L. Shepley (2024E-82), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 5th day of August, 2024, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 1st day of May 2024.

Ann S. Curtis AKA Ann Marie Shepley Curtis Executor ESTATE OF PANSY L. SHEPLEY David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, MARY H. RENDANO, having quali ed as the Executor of the Estate of ALFONSO N. RENDANO, JR. AKA ALFONSO NICHOLAS RENDANO, Deceased, hereby noti es all persons, rms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said MARY H. RENDANO, at the address set out below, on or before July 11, 2024, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below. This the 3RD day of April 2024.

MARY H. RENDANO EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF ALFONSO N. RENDANO, JR. AKA ALFONSO NICHOLAS RENDANO c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of Georgene Benke Kerr, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them, duly veri ed, to the undersigned, care of their attorney, on or before July 19, 2024 (which date is at least three (3) months from the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned, care of their attorney. This the 17th day of April, 2024.

Stephanie R. Smith, Administrator of the Estate of Georgene Benke Kerr c/o Randall S. Hoose, Jr. Hoose Law, PLLC 705 Princess Street Wilmington, NC 28401-4146

Please publish 04/17, 04/24, 05/01, 05/08

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

North Carolina New Hanover County NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, Timothy W. Johnson, having quali ed on the 11th day of March 2024, As the Executor of the Estate of Barbara Easom Johnson (24E398), Deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to Timothy W Johnson, Executor, at the address set out below on or before July 25, 2024, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of the same. All persons, rms or corporations indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address below. This is the 16th day of April 2024. Timothy W. Johnson 3671 Pandora Drive Mt. Pleasant, SC. 29466

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Probate #___24-E-214___________ All persons, rm and corporations having claims against Anne Loving Maddry, late of Orange County, North Carolina are hereby noti ed to present them to Valerie Smith Potter, as Executrix of the decedent’s estate in care of Kendall H. Page, Attorney, 210 N Columbia Street, Chapel Hill,

(PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Randolfo Sorto Godoy and Diana Medina Barahona) to James D. Johnson, Jr., Trustee(s), dated August 19, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 6326, at Page 85 in Johnston County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Johnston County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Smith eld, Johnston County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 11:00 AM on May 7, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Four Oaks in the County of Johnston, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 3, 1.00 acre, more or less, according to a map entitled, “Property of MOOT DAVE, LLC,” drafted by W. Stanton Massengill, PLS, and recorded in Plat Book 77, Page 383, Johnston County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 9769 NC Highway 210, Four Oaks, North Carolina.

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 24 SP 23 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by BUDDY JUNIOR NETTLES AND PAMELA S. NETTLES payable to AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC, A NEW JERSEY CORPORATION, lender, to TIMIOS INC., Trustee, dated March 22, 2013, and recorded in Book RE2331, Page 1502 of the Randolph County Public Registry by Anthony Maselli or Genevieve Johnson, either of whom may act, Substitute Trustee, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anthony Maselli or Genevieve Johnson, either of whom may act, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O cial Records of Randolph County, North Carolina, in Book 2894, Page 817, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 12:00pm, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 7783707683 ADDRESS: 1333 NEVIT LN., FRANKLINVILLE, NC 27248 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): PAMELA S. NETTLES THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF RANDOLPH,

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being

in Plat Cabinet 3, Slide 390, entitled “Pinewild Country Club of Pinehurst”. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 11 Abington Drive, Pinehurst, NC 28374. Tax ID: 00027865 Third party purchasers must pay any land transfer tax, costs of recording the commissioner’s deed, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale,

AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK RE2331, PAGE 1502 AS FOLLOWS: ALL THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN FRANKLINVILLE TOWNSHIP, RANDOLPH COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, WHICH IS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT AN IRON PIN SET IN THE WESTERN LINE OF THE RIGHT-OF-WAY OF NEVIT LANE, WHICH POINT IS LOCATED NORTH 18 DEGREES 1 MINUTES 31 SECONDS WEST APPROXIMATELY 1,316.1 FEET FROM THE INTERSECTION OF NEVIT LANE AND N. C. S. R. 2226, KNOWN LOCALLY AS CEDAR FALLS ROAD; AND RUNNING THENCE SOUTH 32 DEGREES 21 MINUTES 54 SECONDS WEST 750.61 FEET TO AN IRON PIN AT THE MOUTH OF A BRANCH IN THE EASTERN BANK OF BUSH CREEK; THENCE UP THE VARIOUS COURSES OFBUSH CREEK THE FOLLOWING COURSES AND DISTANCES; NORTH 42 DEGREES 30 MINUTES 36 SECONDS WEST 164.28 FEET; NORTH

62 DEGREES 45 MINUTES 41 SECONDS WEST 39.97 FEET; SOUTH 79 DEGREES 57 MINUTES 12 SECONDS WEST 105.74 FEET; NORTH 46 DEGREES 37 MINUTES

42 SECONDS WEST 328.04 FEET; NORTH S5 DEGREES 55 MINUTES 50 SECONDS WEST 150.55 FEET; NORTH 35 DEGREES 18 MINUTES 30 SECONDS WEST 112.09 FEET; NORTH 34 DEGREES 4 MINUTES 42 SECONDS WEST 153.74 FEET TO A POINT NOT SET IN THE EASTERN BANK OF BUSH CREEK AND THE SOUTHERN LINE OF THE GROVER LUCK PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN BOOK 1150, PAGE 838; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 43 MINUTES 18 SECONDS EAST 162.27 FEET TO AN IRON PIN IN THE LINE OF THE JEFFREY SCOTT PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN BOOK 1323, PAGE 824; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 40 MINUTES 13 SECONDS EAST 197.82 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 53 SECONDS EAST 201.22 FEET TO AN IRON PIN; THENCE SOUTH 88 DEGREES 41 MINUTES 21 SECONDS

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

transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS.

There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property are the heirs of Theodore Shebs and Beverly Shebs. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §1-339.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by

EAST 211.6 FEET TO AN IRON PIN, THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF THE DORIS J. MANESS PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN BOOK 668, PAGE 469; THENCE NORTH 89 DEGREES 40 MINUTES 12 SECONDS EAST 393.87 FEET TO THE POINT AND PLACE OF THE BEGINNING, CONTAINING 9.332 ACRES, MORE OR LESS. THE ABOVE DESCRIPTION IS TAKEN FROM A PLAT PREPARED FOR RANDOLPH INDUSTRIES BY TRITECH CIVIL ENVIRONMENTAL, PC, DATED JULY 13, 1998, AND DESIGNATED AS JOB NO. 98523 TOGETHER WITH A MANUFACTURED HOME WITH MODEL NUMBER MANSION, DEMENSIONS 58X27, AND SERIAL NUMBER - 49995500328290 PARCEL: 7783707683; BEING THE SAME PROPERTY CONVEYED TO BUDDY (NMN) NETTLES, JR. AND WIFE, PAMELA S. NETTLES BY DEED FROM RANDOLPH INDUSTRIES, INC., A NORTH CAROLINA CORPORATION RECORDED 06/07/1999 IN DEED BOOK 1611 PAGE 284, IN THE REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE OF RANDOLPH COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of FortyFive Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered

providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.16A(b) (2) or other applicable statute). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of termination. If the Commissioner is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Commissioner. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Commissioner, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return

for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws.

A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S.

321-7112, Ext. 204 Fax: 1-919-800-3528 RAS File Number: [22-037131]

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 23 SP 710

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Mario S. Ascoli (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Mario S. Ascoli, Heirs of Mario S. Ascoli: Robin Ascoli Torres, Richard Ascoli; Heirs of Richard Ascoli: Traci Ascoli a/k/a Traci Trimarchi, Richard Ascoli a/k/a Richard Ascoli, Jr.) to Milestone Settlement, LLC, Trustee(s), dated January 25, 2022, and recorded in Book No. 08388, at Page 0875 in Union County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Union County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on May 16, 2024 and will sell to the

NC 28163 Tax Parcel ID: 10971 Present Record Owners: The Heirs of Kris A. Vangilder The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Kris A. Vangilder.

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property o ered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or

whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset

due under the agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is April 18, 2024. Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Aaron Gavin, NCSB# 59503 Attorney for LLG Trustee,

highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Monroe in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot No. 89 of Rich eld, Phase Two, according to Subdivision Map, recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds of Union County in Plat Cabinet C, File 652, reference being made thereto and the same being incorporated herein for a more particular description, along with the Joint Use and Right in Common with other Property Owners to use the Right in any Easement for Egress, Regress and Ingress on any Subdivision Streets serving the Property and providing access to Public Road. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1217 Sand Dollar Court, Monroe, North Carolina. Parcel ID: 09381094A Commonly known as: 1217 Sand Dollar Ct, Monroe, NC 28112

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by

N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole

remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 4521.29 in favor of the purchaser

Ann LaSalle a/k/a Lesley LaSalle Haddow: Christopher William Haddow, Christopher Chase Haddow) to Uwharrie Mortgage Inc., A North Carolina Corporation, Trustee(s), dated July 12, 2017, and recorded in Book No. 06972, at Page 0150 in Union County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Union County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the Judicial Center in Monroe, Union County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:00 PM on May 9, 2024 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Monroe in the County of Union, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 109 of CHARLESTOWN, Phase 2, as same is shown on a map thereof recorded in Plat Cabinet J. at File 366 & 367, Union County Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 4548 Tradd Circle, Monroe, North Carolina.

Parcel ID: 09363392 Property Address: 4548 Tradd Circle, Monroe, NC 28110 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1).

the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on May 9, 2024, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Francis L. John, dated April 26, 2021 to secure the original principal amount of $321,000.00, and recorded in Book 18486 at Page 486 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 5300 Daleview Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610 Tax Parcel ID: 0105918 Present Record Owners: The Heirs of Francis L. John The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Francis L. John.

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

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property o ered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen

WHAT’S HAPPENING

NC spending on public schools lags behind North Carolina spent $12,298 per student on public schools according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than $3,000 behind the national average of $15,633. The state ranks in the bottom 20 states in terms of K-12 public school spending.

This is up from the past few years, though spending growth is blunted by in ation. The bulk of the spending growth came in the Instruction category, which includes teacher salaries and similar items. Adjusted for in ation over the past decade, spending per pupil has grown slightly in North Carolina.

Former Congressman McMillan dead at 91

Former Congressman John B. McMillian died last month at age 91. McMillan, CEO of HarrisTeeter, ran for Congress in 1984, winning his seat by just 321 votes. He had 50 years of experience representing clients in courtrooms and at the NC General Assembly as a lobbyist. He was also a former president of the NC State Bar.

He served on a litany of statewide boards and was instrumental in the planning and construction of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences building, the Nature Research Center and the State Bar Building.

Protesters raise Palestinian ag on UNC agpole

The provocation follows early morning arrests at the Chapel Hill “Gaza Solidarity Encampment”

By Jordan Golson and A.P. Dillon Stanly County Journal

MIDDAY ON Tuesday, a confrontation between police and protesters at UNC Chapel Hill was broadcast live on national news networks CNN and Fox News, with objects being thrown at o cers who were protecting a agpole at the center of Polk Place.

Police had rushed into the center of the protests after an enormous American ag ying

on a campus ag pole was lowered and replaced with a Palestinian Flag, according to press reports and a post on X from Students for Justice in Palestine, a student group at UNC Chapel Hill.

Previously, in a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday, law enforcement agencies detained 30 individuals participating in the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” at Polk Place on the UNC Chapel Hill campus.

The encampment lasted around three days and the arrests followed a warning issued by Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts and Provost Chris Clemens at 5:37 a.m., urging the demonstrators to disperse or face consequences.

Only six of the 30 detained were arrested, according to a report from The Daily Tar Heel, the student newspaper at UNC Chapel Hill. All were later released. The operation began around 7 a.m. and involved multiple agencies such as the UNC Chapel Hill Campus Police, the Orange County Sheri ’s O ce and North Carolina State Highway Patrol o cers. Reports from the scene claim o cers from the N.C. State University, UNC Wilmington, and Appalachian State University were also present.

University o cials had previously informed protesters the encampment’s tents were in violation of school policies. Those arrested have allegedly been tak-

en to the Orange County Detention Center for processing.

UNC Students for Justice in Palestine organized the protest as a means to pressure the university to sever nancial ties with companies tied to Israel.

In a statement, Roberts and Clemens emphasized the need to prioritize the safety of students, faculty, sta , and campus visitors, particularly with quickly approaching nal exams and graduation ceremonies.

“This group has now made it clear they will no longer even consider our requests to abide by University policies and have ended our attempts at constructive dialogue,” Roberts and Clemens’ said in a statement. “We must consider the safety of all of our students, faculty and sta , as well as visitors to this campus. Our students are preparing for nal exams and end-of-year activities, including graduation, and we will continue to promote an educational environment where they can do so safely and

See PROTESTORS , page 2

City of Albemarle investment returns up 172%

The city has seen a $500,000 di erential between budget and earnings

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — At the City Council meeting on April 15, Albemarle council members received a nancial report detailing year-to-date budget, revenue and expenditure gures. The report showed that as of March 31, the city had $1,243,621 year-to-date earnings from a $719,548 budget, adding up to an investment collected of 172.8%. With Albemarle’s investment returns coming back quite a bit higher than expected, Mayor Pro Tem Martha Sue Hall said she was excited about the extra money in the budget.

“One thing that was very interesting dealing with nance, it looks like our investment earnings — our percent collected — was 172.8%,” Hall said. “That caught my eye, so tell me how in the world that is. I love it… I guess I have not seen that here. When we’re looking at the budget moving forward for 2024-25, we’re $500,000 in the good there that we had not budgeted for thus far.”

Responding to Hall’s observation, Jacob Weavil, the City of Albemarle’s nance director, reiterated that 2024 has been a good year so far for the city’s investment earnings.

“As the federal government keeps ratcheting up interest rates to keep in ation down, we’re seeing the bene t of that on our investment earnings,” Weavil explained. “Our primary depository account with Uwharrie Bank, we get the fed-

eral prime rate minus 75 basis points. So at any given month now, we’re getting about 4.5 to 5% of interest.”

Three years ago, the City of Albemarle hired Weavil and brought him on the sta as he became the youngest department head in the city at the then-age of 31. Under his leadership, the city has continued to be recognized for its nancial reporting.

This past December, it was announced that Albemarle had once again been awarded the Certi cate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance O cers Association (GFOA). The GFOA gives that honor as the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and nancial reporting.

“Receiving this award for the sixth year in a row is proof

of the City of Albemarle’s dedication to sound management, transparency, and good stewardship of resources as outlined in the city’s mission statement,” Weavil said in a press release. “We thank the GFOA for recognizing the work of our Finance Department and the entire City of Albemarle as an organization to achieve this honor.”

The Albemarle City Council is set to meet again on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers.

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

Students work on assignments and listen to organizers as they sit inside the encampment protest in Polk Place at UNC Chapel Hill on Monday.

County’s rst lymphatic clinic celebrates ribbon-cutting event

Healthy Lymphatics is now open at Burleson Square in Albemarle

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

ALBEMARLE — Those seeking treatment for lymphedema, a medical condition where swelling is caused by a buildup of lymph uid in the body between the skin and muscle, now have an option in Stanly County.

In early April, Healthy Lymphatics opened up at Albemarle’s Burleson Square, where occupational therapists Lindsey Saltmarsh and Anik Tabor specialize in lymphatic swelling and wound treatment.

The county’s rst-ever lymphatic clinic, celebrated its ribbon-cutting open house event with the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce on April 25.

“We’re here today with Healthy Lymphatics, located at 1548 NC Hwy 24/27 in Albemarle,” said Erica Church, president and CEO of the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce.

“We’re here today with own-

STANLY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Healthy Lymphatics sta and Stanly Chamber of Commerce representatives stand at the April ribbon-cutting event.

er Carmen Albu, who opened this location on April 1. Thank you, Carmen, for your investment in our community and putting your business in Albemarle,” Church continued. “I’d also like to thank our chamber ambassadors who are here today. We have a board member here today — Charlie Lentz — and we appreciate him being here.”

Within the state, Albu’s clin-

April 24

• Alicia Christine Schweizer, 41 years-old, was arrested on a charge of contempt of court.

• Tommy Lopez Chambers, 45 years-old, was arrested on charges of assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

April 25

• Daniel Dupres Terhune, 34 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of driving while license revoked due to impaired driving.

• Elijah Nathaniel Walters, 27 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on charges of resisting

PROTESTORS from page 1

without disruption.”

The statement also says those who refused to comply with the university’s directive faced potential arrest, suspension, or expulsion. Reports indicate that more than two dozen individuals were arrested, with at least one person sustaining injuries during the arrests.

Columbia University in New York City remains the most visible encampment, with university faculty going so far as to link arms to protect protesters. But the movement, which generally includes requests for universities to divest from any company doing business with Israel, has

a public officer, fleeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, reckless driving to endanger, failure to heed light or siren, speeding, reckless driving with wanton disregard, and failure to maintain lane control.

April 26

• Naing Za Aung, 44 yearsold, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of driving while impaired.

• Tyler Wayne Morgan, 27 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of statutory sexual offense with a child aged 15 years old or younger.

• Tony James Dupree, 55 years-old, was arrested

spread to schools around the country with varying amounts of permissiveness and consequences. Police moved in quickly to disperse protesters at University of Texas at Austin, while USC cancelled its main graduation ceremony. North Carolina schools have been somewhat quieter, at least compared to the activities at Columbia, which have drawn the attention of members of Congress, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), who spoke at the school last week.

It is not yet clear what consequences or charges those arrested at UNC Chapel Hill will face.

ic now has locations at Boone, Elkin, Mt. Airy, North Wilkesboro and, most recently, Albemarle. Healthy Lymphatics also has out-of-state clinics in Galax, VA, and Port St. Lucie, FL.

“We have several clinics in North Carolina — this is going to be the fth one here,” Albu said at the ribbon-cutting event. “We do treatment for swelling and we treat the

by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of being a fugitive from justice.

• Jamarion Ty’rell McCoy, 21 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on charges of maintaining a vehicle/dwelling/place for controlled substances, possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

April 27

• Cameron Kenneth Ligon, 22 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on charges of driving while impaired, reckless driving with wanton disregard, expired registration card/tag, speeding,

patient from beginning to end, wherever the swelling is and whatever they need. We try to keep it in-house, and we have a lot of di erent vendors that we use for that and we do the best we can.”

For the past 24 years, Albu’s treatment facilities have used complete decongestive therapy as a noninvasive method to treat lymphedema and help patients regain movement and healing.

The four-stage therapy process starts with manual lymph drainage, which is a speci c pattern of light stretching of the skin in circular movements to stimulate the lymphatic vessels and nodes; that method creates alternative pathways by bringing stagnant uid to healthy lymphatic vessels and nodes.

After the initial drainage step, the lymphatics clinic uses compression bandaging to prevent the re-accumulation of lymphatic uid, followed by motion exercises and a skin care and hygiene session.

“The whole point is that if you have swelling, you can get rid of it and you can control it for the rest of your life if you come to Healthy Lymphatics,” Albu said.

The new clinic in Albemarle is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and accepts appointment requests at 828-355-9584 and healthylymphaticsgroup.com.

failure to heed light or siren, reckless driving to endanger, failure to stop at a steady red light, possession of an open container/consumption of alcohol in a passenger area, and fleeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle.

April 28

• Felicia Ann Reynolds, 25 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on charges of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and child abuse.

• Barret Wade Strickland, 50 years-old, was arrested by the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of domestic criminal trespass.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@stanlyjournal.com | Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

CRIME LOG

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Trump faces 34 felonies at trial. But was there a crime?

This trial showcases something rich men and big corporations have been doing for years.

I CAN’T TELL YOU how many people I know who do not like former President Donald Trump yet nonetheless smell prosecutorial overreach in Manhattan.

District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged the former president with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

The case began with Michael Cohen, Trump’s onetime xer, making a “hush money” payment to the former adult lm actress known as Stormy Daniels to keep her from revealing information about an apparent sexual relationship with Trump in 2006. Bragg used the fact that Cohen paid $130,000 to Daniels in 2016, when Trump was running for president, as a pretext to turn a moldy misdemeanor o ense into a felony.

But is it even illegal? This trial showcases something rich men and big corporations have been doing for years — paying o mistresses or wronged sta ers with cash settlements with little public scrutiny thanks to nondisclosure agreements.

I don’t like it, but it’s not a crime.

On Tuesday, National Enquirer editor David Pecker testi ed that during a 2015 meeting in Trump Tower, he told Trump, Cohen and campaign stalwart Hope Hicks that he wanted to help the Trump campaign, if behind the scenes.

What followed was “catch and kill,” the term for the scheme of paying to get dirt on a public gure, then killing

the story, as happened with another alleged Trump gal pal, Karen McDougal. The National Enquirer paid her $150,000 for a story that never ran.

Trump has denied that anything extramarital occurred with McDougal and Daniels.

But as Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, told CNN, “You don’t pay someone $130,000 not to have sex with you.”

Back to Cohen. He’s a awed witness to be sure, who in 2018 pleaded guilty to charges that included tax evasion and lying to Congress when he testi ed about Trump, his former master. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison.

Then, last year, Cohen claimed that he lied when he admitted to tax evasion. A more careful prosecutor would not hang a case on an accomplished liar.

Given his capacity for self-pity and self-sabotage, it’s no surprise that Trump told reporters after the second day of trial, “I’m not allowed to defend myself.”

Trump also continued to throw shade at Judge Juan Merchan, whose gag order, Trump maintained, robbed him of his “right to free speech.” Trump also o ered that Merchan “should recuse himself.”

Pecker testi ed that he was glad to help by running “positive stories about Mr. Trump,” as well as negative stories about his campaign rivals.

I’m guessing many Big Media hot shots feel the same way — about Biden.

Justice delayed is justice denied

In Clinton v. Jones in 1997, the Supreme Court unanimously held that a sitting president could be sued for alleged sexual harassment.

JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO thinks presidents are kings and must be protected against those who would disrupt their peaceful retirement.

What planet is he living on?

In his questioning on Thursday in the Trump immunity case, he made perfectly clear whose side he was on.

“If an incumbent who loses a very close, hotly contested election knows that a real possibility after leaving o ce is not that the president is going to be able to go o into a peaceful retirement, but that the president may be criminally prosecuted by a bitter political opponent, will that not lead us into a cycle that destabilizes the functioning of our country as a democracy?”

That is exactly what did NOT happen.

An incumbent lost a close, hotly contested race and he did not go o into a peaceful retirement. Instead, the embittered loser brought one failed lawsuit after another trying to overturn the election, and when that didn’t work, he resorted to fake electors, pressuring state o cials, trying to subvert the democratic process and fomenting a riot.

Oh, yes, and delaying a trial that could and should cost him the election in the hopes that he will win the election and order that the charges against him be dropped or preemptively pardon himself.

Talk about destabilizing the functioning of our country as a democracy.

Alito sounded like a man ready to recognize a king who is above the law.

Even if he can’t nd ve votes for the absolute immunity Trump came asking for, from the sound of things on Thursday, he’ll come close enough. The chances that Trump will actually stand trial before the election seemed to be slipping away as the conservative Trump majority got into the weeds of what kind of quali ed immunity would adequately protect a felonious former president from a threat that has never happened, as opposed to protecting our democracy from the conspiracy that did.

What Trump has been playing for — his best defense — has always been delay. Justice delayed is justice denied,

especially if you can delay long enough to pardon yourself and make a mockery of the whole e ort to hold him accountable. In Clinton v. Jones in 1997, the Supreme Court unanimously held that a sitting president could be sued for alleged sexual harassment.

“The president is subject to judicial process in appropriate circumstances,” Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for the court, adding, “We have never suggested that the president, or any other o cial, has an immunity that extends beyond the scope of any action taken in an o cial capacity.”

But what about actions taken in an o cial capacity? And when we’re talking about felonious actions, what counts as o cial actions and what counts as the actions of a candidate? As the conservatives droned on about the lines that must be drawn, and what the jury could and could not be told about o cial actions in an “integrated conspiracy,” you could hear the chances of a speedy trial slipping away. Will the court draw these lines itself in dueling opinions that will take months to write? Or will it ultimately send the task back to the trial court to do so in the rst instance and then to be appealed again?

Remember, it was Jack Smith who initially sought to have the Supreme Court preemptively decide these issues before the rst round of appeals from the trial judge’s ruling rejecting the absolute immunity claim urged by Trump. If the court thought these issues required a ruling for the ages, it could have heard them then. Instead, they sent it back to the appellate court to rule rst, and now they seem primed to ignore that ruling in favor of a timeconsuming trip through hypothetical weeds.

The rule of law has always been tinged by politics. But increasingly, this court appears not only tinged by politics but ruled by it. The justices’ questions suggested two di erent views of what is at stake. Public con dence in the court is at an all-time low. I would like nothing more than to be wrong about what the court is going to do. But I fear that the public is right to see this court in purely political terms, and this decision — ultimately, a decision to delay — may prove it so.

COLUMN | DEBRA SAUNDERS

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

STANLY SPORTS

Former West Stanly track star re ects on marathon experience

Le er McManus has continued her running journey

By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

FOR COMPETITIVE run-

ners, the grind never truly stops.

Former West Stanly track and cross-country MVP Le er McManus has trekked many miles since she began running over a decade ago.

Now a labor and delivery nurse at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital in Washington, N.C., the 24-year-old Oakboro native works night shifts but spends a lot of her downtime running and marathon training.

McManus, 24, told SCJ that she started running in 2013 and “hasn’t really stopped since,” usually running four to ve times a week.

The fruits of her labor are evident in her recent performances in the New York City Marathon in November and Boston Marathon in April — two famous entries amidst the six World Marathon Majors.

After making all-state as a Colts runner twice in high school, McManus went on to run track and eld at both Tennessee and UNC Wilmington, where she attended nursing school before moving to Greenville for her career.

“I loved cross-country at West Stanly because we bonded so well with one another,” McManus said, re ecting on her high school running days. “We would have pasta parties and di erent fun events with one another, so we were able to be a team on the course but also outside the course.”

Following years of preparation and training, she ran her rst marathon in early 2023 at the Run Oak Island Marathon, ful-

Le er McManus crosses the nish line at the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15.

lling a dream of hers to cross the nish line of a 26.2-mile journey. It didn’t take long for McManus to ramp up the stakes for her next chapter.

At the New York City Marathon in November, she turned in a time of 3:16:40 to nish with 401st among more than 22,000 women runners. Overall, she nished 17th for her age group and landed in the top 6% of more than 51,000 runners.

“That was so cool because it was my rst world major marathon,” McManus said. “I knew kind of what to expect with the crowd support, but it was unreal — there’s really no words to describe how awesome it was. Each city that we ran through had thousands of people lined up on the sides of the street. You’d have kids with their hands hanging out and you’d be giving them highves, just feeding o that crowd.”

Her next step was the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15, where she nished with a time of 3:13:06 — more than 3.5 minutes faster than her New York time.

She placed No. 5,257 overall out of more than 29,000 entrants and in the top 6% (No. 699) among women.

“With the nish line, that stretch right there was incredible,” McManus said. “With the history of the Boston Marathon, with it being America’s oldest marathon or the race with the rst woman to run a marathon, it was just so cool because I was surrounded by so many people — not only men but so many women — so accomplishing that goal was just so surreal.”

It was a full-circle moment dating back to 2019, when her family took a road trip up the East Coast and stopped in Boston. Posing for a picture at the nish line then, she remembers telling her family she’d be back there one day to run the marathon.

Five years later, her dream became a reality.

Now that she has two of the world majors in the bag, McManus says she hopes to one day compete in the Chicago, London, Berlin and Japan races.

“With racing itself, not everyone has the ability to run or even to walk. I’m really thankful for that gift that I have and the ability to just get out there and to have a body that’s capable of being pushed to new limits.”

West Stanly, girls’ soccer

Kennedy Foxx is a sophomore on the West Stanly girls’ soccer team.

The Colts are 10-4-2 on the year and are in rst in the Rocky River Conference at 9-0-1. West Stanly dominated its two games last week, beating Monroe and Forest Hills in league matches by a combined 21-0 score.

Foxx came up big in both games, scoring three goals with three assists against Forest Hills and four goals against Monroe.

On the year, Foxx is second on the Colts in goals and assists.

Here are 14 players to watch next season across the Atlantic Coast Conference

By Pete Iacobelli

The Associated Press

A SPRING LOOK at ACC poised to have breakout seasons this fall:

Boston College: DB Ryan Turner came to the Eagles from Ohio State, where he played very little in two seasons. The thirdyear sophomore made an early impression with his new team. He broke up a pass and had the hit of the spring game in disrupting a screen pass.

Clemson: WR Bryant Wesco is a ve-star freshman who enrolled early and is drawing comparisons to Sammy Watkins and Tee Higgins. Wesco, at 6-2,

could be the stretch-the- eld receiver Clemson’s been seeking the past few seasons.

Duke: QB Maalik Murphy, the Texas transfer, got the start at the spring game and knows he’s got work ahead if he hopes to make a winning impression with the Blue Devils.

Florida State: RB Roydell

Williams is an Alabama transfer who ran for 560 yards and ve touchdowns last season. He has looked good in the spring for a team that saw its leading rusher, Trey Benson, head to the NFL.

Georgia Tech: WR Chris Elko is a redshirt freshman who had two touchdown catches to highlight a ve-reception, 143-

yard performance in the spring game. Elko, redshirted last season, has shown con dence to be a strong target for returning passer Haynes King.

Louisville: QB Tyler Shough looks like he will get a chance to take over for Jack Plummer. Slough is a grad transfer who threw for 2,922 yards and 20 touchdowns in three seasons at Texas Tech.

Miami: LB Raul Aguirre Jr. enters his second season with a chance for more playing time after a strong spring. Aguirre saw action in all 13 games as a freshman and will look to work his way into the rotation.

UNC: WR Jordan Shipp is the

Tar Heels’ highest-ranked recruit. He had a 16-yard TD catch in the nal spring scrimmage. NC State: TE Justin Joly should be a big help to new quarterback Grayson McCall this season. Joly is a junior transfer from UConn, who has not yet played up to expectations.

Pittsburgh: LB Rasheem Biles tied a program record with three blocked kicks as a freshman last year. This season, Biles is hoping to get into the defensive mix. He had a spring gamebest seven tackles, two for loss including a sack and a pass breakup.

Syracuse: QB Kyle McCord is an Ohio State transfer

who gures to have the chance to light things up in the o ense of rst-year coach Fran Brown. McCord went 11-1 as a starter with the Buckeyes.

Virginia: DE Chico Bennett Jr. enters his sixth year as healthy as he was two years ago when he led the Cavaliers with seven sacks. Bennett was slowed last season by shoulder problems but was dominant in the spring game with seven tackles and three tackles for loss, including two sacks.

Virginia Tech: DL Keyshawn Burgos is a junior who took some steps forward as he made six starts. He was a disrupter throughout spring. He forced an interception in the spring scrimmage.

Wake Forest: WR Horatio Fields could nally be ready for a breakout season as a fourth-year junior. He led the Demon Deacons with three catches including a 46-yard TD catch.

PHOTO COURTESY LEFLER MCMANUS

SIDELINE REPORT

NFL

NFL to allow players to wear protective soft-shell helmet covers during games

New York

The NFL will allow players to wear protective softshell helmet covers known as Guardian caps during games next season. The league is also expanding the use of the devices during practices. Defensive backs and receivers have joined the position groups now required to wear the caps during all contact practices. The NFL has mandated the caps’ use at practices for some players since 2022. Quarterbacks, kickers and punters are the only remaining position groups not required to wear them during practice. No players will be required to wear the caps during games but now have the option to do so.

NBA

76ers All-Star center

Embiid says he has Bell’s palsy

Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis. Embiid wore sunglasses to the podium after he scored 50 points in the Sixers’ Game 3 win over the New York Knicks and said he’s dealt with various symptoms such as blurred vision and dry eyes. Embiid rst noticed the a iction a “day or two” before the Sixers played the Miami Heat on April 17 in the play-in tournament. Embiid had 23 points, 15 rebounds in the win that sent the Sixers to the playo s.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Moore, Augustus headline Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Knoxville, Tenn.

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame had a Minnesota feel, with the induction of Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus getting enshrined. Moore and Augustus helped the Minnesota Lynx win four WNBA championships and the U.S. to Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 16. Augustus was also part of the 2008 Olympic team that won gold. Other inductees include former players Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who played her nal two years with the Lynx, and Rita Gail Easterling; former o cial Violet Palmer, the rst woman to referee an NBA game; and coaches Sue Phillips and Roonie Scovel.

TRIPLE CROWN

Fierceness is 5-2 morning line favorite for 150th Kentucky Derby

Louisville Fierceness was named the 5-2 morning line favorite for the upcoming 150th Kentucky Derby and will look to make history in the milestone race as the rst entrant to win in 45 attempts from the No. 17 post position. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt enters the 1¼-mile opening leg of the Triple Crown races on May 4 o a dominating 13½-length win in last month’s Florida Derby and has a third-place nish as a 3-year-old. Also, Brad Coxtrained lly Tarifa is the 7-2 morning line favorite for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks after drawing the No. 8 post.

Hamlin holds o Larson late to claim NASCAR Cup race at Dover

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver picked up his third win of year

By Dan Gelston The Associated Press

DOVER, Del.— Denny Hamlin held o a hard-charging Kyle Larson over the nal, thrilling laps and wiggled through lapped tra c to win the NASCAR Cup race by about a quarter of a second Sunday at Dover Motor Speedway.

Hamlin’s third win of the season tied William Byron for most this season in the series. Hamlin also picked up his 54th career Cup win, all with Joe Gibbs Racing. He’s tied with Lee Petty for 12th on the career Cup list.

“It’s just fantastic,” Hamlin said. “I couldn’t hold Lee Petty’s helmet.” Larson nished second and

Four

nipped at Hamlin’s bumper for most of the nal 25 laps and seemed on the brink of passing the Toyota. Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet just couldn’t close the deal on the mile concrete track. Hamlin took the lead o a restart with about 79 laps left and never let it go, repeatedly closing o Larson at the top of the track.

“I just couldn’t really do anything,” Larson said. “Nothing could generate enough speed to get close enough to do anything.”

Hamlin was soundly booed as he grabbed the checkered ag — boos louder than usual at the track because of a big crowd. He led 136 of the 400 laps.

After rainouts forced Monday races each of the last two years, the sun came out Sunday — and so did the fans. The grandstands were packed and the track came close to its 54,000 capacity.

While NASCAR tracks do not release attendance numbers, the crowd was easily the largest at Dover since before the pandemic.

Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott completed the top ve.

The big one

There was a multi-car wreck with 71 laps left in the race that took out Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace and William Byron. Coming o a restart, Zane Smith appeared to get into the left rear of Wallace’s Toyota which sent him into tra c and into Byron and Bell. Wallace was running 11th at the time of the wreck. Bell was 16th and Byron 18th.

All-Star sub

Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup

Series champion who retired at the end of last season, will drive the No. 5 Chevrolet in place of Kyle Larson in practice and qualifying for the NASCAR AllStar race.

Larson will stay in Indianapolis on May 17 to practice for the Indianapolis 500 rather than travel to North Wilkesboro Speedway to practice and qualify for the NASCAR All-Star race. He will become the fth driver in history to attempt to complete “ The Double ” and run 1,100 miles in one day, starting with the Indianapolis 500 in an Indy car and then ying to Charlotte to drive in the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race of the year.

Up next

The Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway where Hamlin is the defending race winner.

months after being red by Atlanta, Smith hitting reset button in Pittsburgh

As Steelers’ o ensive coordinator, Smith will build around Russell Wilson and draft picks

By Will Graves The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH— Arthur Smith walked in and sat down, a microphone in front of him and a Pittsburgh Steelers baseball cap pulled tight on his head.

Four months after being red in Atlanta, Smith is returning to his play-calling roots — and hoping to hit the reboot button on his career — as the o ensive coordinator in Pittsburgh. Smith did little to articulate what exactly the Steelers will look like in the fall. Considering what Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan did in the rst two rounds of the NFL draft, maybe Smith didn’t have to. Khan selected o ensive tackle Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall pick on Thursday. On Friday, he added center Zach Frazier from West Virginia. They will join a line that includes tackle Broderick Jones, the Steelers’ rst-round selection a year ago, and veteran guards Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels.

For a team with serious needs at wide receiver and cornerback, a team very much in “win now” mode with Russell Wilson taking

Former Falcons coach Arthur Smith reacts during a game last season. Smith is rebooting his career as the o ensive coordinator for the Steelers, who used their early picks in the NFL Draft on o ensive linemen hoping Smith can replicate the success he had calling plays in Tennessee earlier in his career.

over at quarterback, the approach couldn’t be more apparent. Or, on the surface anyway, more suited for Smith.

Five years after turning Tennessee into a top-10 o ense behind Derrick Henry’s churning legs and Ryan Tannehill’s playmaking outside the pocket, Smith is tasked with doing the same in Pittsburgh in hopes of ending a playo victory drought currently at seven years. The similarities are startling.

The Steelers have one of the best running back tandems in the league in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. They believe Wilson can still summon some of that “Let Russ Cook” magic from his prime in Seattle. And they have given Smith a line that they hope one day rivals the ones led by perennial Pro Bowlers Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro a decade ago. Asked to describe his philosophy, a soft-spoken Smith got

straight to the point.

“There’s a certain style of play and intent we want that ts this team and the history here and the Steelers and the brand of football, a shared vision,” Smith said.

It’s a vision that never fully came to fruition for Smith in Atlanta, where he coached the Falcons to three straight 7-10 seasons while overseeing an o ense that never cracked the top 14 in yards or points. It took Smith less than a month to land on his feet in Pittsburgh. He might not be ready to talk about his exit in Atlanta or what brought him to the Steelers. But when it comes to Fautanu and Frazier, Smith is, in a word — one Smith used 10 times in 10 minutes — “excited.”

“They’re two really physical players who play with high e ort level, high football IQ,” Smith said. “So you know they check a lot of boxes for us.”

There is a sense of urgency in an organization that for decades has been de ned by success and stability. There have been seismic changes on the roster and the coaching sta of late. The Steelers are no longer committed to business as usual, and Smith knows it.

“We’re not going to get stale,” Smith said. “There are going to be schemes you add every year, wrinkles. We’re going to have our core philosophy, but you have to stay on top of that.”

CHRIS O’MEARA / AP PHOTO

DERIK HAMILTON / AP PHOTO

Denny Hamlin celebrates with the checkered ag after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway for this third victory of the season

US colleges try threats, force to clear protest encampments as commencements near

Schools are using di erent tactics — including force and ultimatums — to end the protests

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — As upcoming commencement ceremonies grew closer Tuesday, universities across the U.S. grappled with how to clear out encampments of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, with some continuing negotiations and others turning to force and ultimatums that have resulted in arrests and clashes with police.

Dozens of people were arrested Monday during protests at universities in Texas and Virginia, while Columbia University in New York said it began suspending students.

Demonstrators are sparring over the Israel-Hamas war and its mounting death toll, and the number of arrests at campuses nationwide is approaching 1,000 as the nal days of class wrap up. The outcry is forcing colleges to reckon with theirnancial ties to Israel as well as their support for free speech.

Some Jewish students say the protests have veered into antisemitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus.

At the University of Texas at Austin, an attorney said at least 40 demonstrators were arrested Monday. The confrontation was an escalation on the

53,000-student campus in the state’s capital, where more than 50 protesters were arrested last week.

The plight of students who have been arrested has become a central part of protests, with the students and a growing number of faculty demanding amnesty for protesters. At issue is whether the suspensions and legal records will follow students through their adult lives.

The Texas protest and others — including in Canada and Europe — grew out of Columbia’s early demonstrations that have

continued. On Monday, student activists on the school’s Manhattan campus de ed a 2 p.m. deadline to leave an encampment of around 120 tents. Instead, hundreds of protesters remained. A handful of counterdemonstrators waved Israeli ags, and one held a sign reading, “Where are the anti-Hamas chants?”

While the university didn’t call police to roust the demonstrators, school spokesperson Ben Chang said suspensions had started but could provide few details. Protest organizers

said they were not aware of any suspensions as of Monday evening.

Columbia’s handling of the demonstrations also has prompted federal complaints.

A class-action lawsuit on behalf of Jewish students alleges a breach of contract by Columbia, claiming the university failed to maintain a safe learning environment despite policies and promises. It also challenges the move away from in-person classes and seeks quick court action requiring Columbia to provide security for the students.

Meanwhile, a legal group representing pro-Palestinian students is urging the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights o ce to investigate Columbia’s compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for how they have been treated.

A university spokesperson declined to comment on the complaints.

In a rare case, Northwestern University said it reached an agreement with students and faculty who represent the majority of protesters on its campus near Chicago. It allows peaceful demonstrations through the June 1 end of spring classes and, in exchange, requires removal of all tents except one for aid, and restricts the demonstration area to allow only students, faculty and sta unless the university approves otherwise.

At the University of Southern California, organizers of a large encampment sat down with uni-

versity President Carol Folt for about 90 minutes on Monday. Folt declined to discuss details but said she heard the concerns of protesters and talks were set to continue Tuesday.

USC sparked a controversy April 15 when o cials refused to allow the valedictorian, who has publicly supported Palestinians, to make a commencement speech, citing nonspeci c security concerns for their rare decision. Administrators then scrapped the keynote speech by lmmaker Jon M. Chu, who is an alumnus, and declined to award any honorary degrees.

The backlash, as well as Columbia’s demonstrations, inspired the encampment and protests on campus last week where 90 people were arrested by police in riot gear. The university has canceled its main graduation event.

Administrators elsewhere tried to salvage their commencements, and several have ordered the clearing of encampments in recent days. When those e orts have failed, ocials threatened discipline, including suspension, and possible arrest.

But students dug in their heels at other high-pro le universities, with stando s continuing at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale and others. Police in riot gear at Virginia Commonwealth University sought to break up an encampment there late Monday and clashed with protesters.

Ukraine’s army chief reports tactical retreat in east, warns of front-line pressure

Russian forces are expected to “make signi cant tactical gains in the coming weeks”

By Susie Blann The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s troops have been forced to make a tactical retreat from three villages in the embattled east, the country’s army chief said Sunday, warning of a worsening battle eld situation as Ukrainian forces wait for much-needed arms from a huge U.S. aid package to reach combat zones. Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Russian forces continue to attack “along the entire front line” of more than 620 mile, with pitched battles raging west of Avdiivka, the eastern city they took in February after a grueling, monthslong ght.

“The most di cult situation is in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions, where erce battles continue,” Syrskyi’s said in an update posted to the Telegram messaging app, referencing two Ukrainian-held cities in the war-torn Donetsk region, once a hub of industry.

“The enemy has engaged up to four brigades in these directions, is trying to develop an o ensive west of Avdiivka and Marinka, making its way to Pokrovsk and Kurakhove,” Syrskyi added. “Units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, preserving the lives and health of our defenders, moved to new frontiers west of Berdychi, Semenivka and Novomykhailivka.”

Two of these front-line villages lie less than 31 miles east of Pokrovsk, while the third is located just over 19 miles by road from Kurakhove.

A Washington-based think

tank predicted late Saturday that Russian forces “will likely make signi cant tactical gains in the coming weeks,” as acute ammunition shortages continue to hobble Ukraine’s defense efforts. In its latest operational assessment, the Institute for the Study of War said that Moscow’s forces have opportunities to push forward around Avdiivka, and also threaten nearby Chasiv Yar. Its capture would give Russia control of a hilltop from which it can attack other key cities forming the backbone of Ukraine’s eastern defenses. Despite this, the think tank assessed that neither of these e orts by Moscow are likely to cause Kyiv’s defensive lines to collapse “in the near term.”

The Russian Defense Ministry on Sunday con rmed that Moscow’s troops had taken a village about nine miles north of Avdiivka, days after the war

institute reported on its likely capture early on Thursday. That day’s assessment described Moscow’s gains as “relatively quick but still relatively marginal,” adding that Russian troops had advanced by no more than three miles over the previous week.

U.S. President Joe Biden promised last Wednesday that U.S. weapons shipments would begin making their way into Ukraine within hours, as he signed into law a $95 billion measure — $61 billion of which was allocated for Ukraine — that also included assistance for Israel, Taiwan and other global hot spots. The announcement marked an end to the long, painful battle with Republicans in Congress over assistance for Ukraine.

Elsewhere, Russian drones struck the Ukrainian Black Sea city of Mykolaiv early Sunday, setting a hotel ablaze and dam-

aging infrastructure, according to local o cials.

Vitaliy Kim, the governor of Ukraine’s southern Mykolaiv province, said that the drones “seriously damaged” a hotel in its namesake capital, sparking a re that was later extinguished. Kim also reported that the strike damaged heat-generating infrastructure in the city. He added that there were no casualties.

Russian state agency RIA reported that the strike on Mykolaiv targeted a shipyard where naval drones are assembled, as well as a hotel housing “English-speaking mercenaries” who have fought for Kyiv. The RIA report cited Sergei Lebedev, described as a coordinator of local pro-Moscow guerrillas. His comments couldn’t be independently veri ed.

Also on Sunday morning, the Russian Defense Ministry said that 17 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight over four regions in the country’s southwest. Three drones were intercepted near an oil depot in Lyudinovo, an industrial town about 143 miles north of the Ukrainian border, Gov. Vladislav Shapsha said.

AARON E. MARTINEZ / AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN VIA AP

A pro-Palestinian protester yells “Free Palestine” as she is handcu ed by University of Texas at Austin police on the campus Monday.

FRANCISCO SECO / AP PHOTO

A young man walks past a building damaged from Russian attacks in Borodyanka, north of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Saturday.

(Taylor) Drye

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

Timothy Lee Brattain

April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023

Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.

July 27, 1950 — April 20, 2024

Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor.

Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Gar eld.

Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.

Timothy Lee Brattain, 73, of Harrisburg, NC, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at home, surrounded by his loving family. Tim was born in Charlotte, NC, on July 27, 1950, to his late parents Sebron Lee Brattain and Dorothy Louise Harkey Brattain. At a young age, Tim began his career working at Southern Bell also known as BellSouth. This is where Tim met his dearly beloved wife Mary. That day, Tim laid eyes on Mary and he knew she would be his wife. The two were married in Gatlinburg, TN, on June 29, 1996. Tim referred to his beloved wife as “The Boss” from that day until his last day. Nicknames meant something to Tim and all those loved by him earned their unique nickname from him over time. Whatever nickname Tim gave you, it stuck, and everyone loved it.

Tim is survived by his beloved wife Mary; brother, Steve, and his wife, Suha, of Charlotte, NC; daughter, Alana Holli eld, and her husband, Jerry, of Sherrills Ford, NC; son, Don Walsh, and his wife, Sandi, of Polkton, NC; daughter, Julia Haferman, and her husband, Pete, of Harrisburg, NC; 12 grandchildren, Tyler, Austin, Alex, Amber, Brittany, Alyssa, Josh, Gracyn, Jake, Nellie, Carlie, and Sophia; and 5 great-grandchildren, C.J., Eliana, McKinlee, Kasen, and Blakelee.

Betty Jean Burnett

January 26, 1936 — April 22, 2024

Betty Jean Burnett, 88, of Charlotte, passed away Monday, April 22, 2024, at her residence in Charlotte. Ms. Burnett was born January 26, 1936 in Raleigh, North Carolina to the late Luther Wilbert Pullen and the late Kathleen Smith Pullen. Survivors include sons, Steve Readling and Je Readling; sister, Joyce Wells; niece, Heather Adcock; nephew, Lee Wells. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren.

Thomas Edison Wainwright, Sr.

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

Peggy K. Morton

Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.

August 13, 1934 — April 21, 2024

Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran.

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.

December 27, 1936 — April 25, 2024

He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheri ’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.

Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.

Thomas Edison Wainwright, 89, of Albemarle, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2024, at home in Albemarle. Thomas was born August 13, 1934 in Georgia to the late Henry Jack Wainwright and the late Vera Sweat Wainwright. He was also preceded in death by wife, Shirley Wainwright; and also 11 brothers and sisters. Thomas was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather. He dedicated his life to working with and supporting the Boy Scouts of America, professionally and in leadership.

He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.

Survivors include daughter, Angela (Doug) Dick of Albemarle, NC, daughter, Sherry (Greg) Russell of Albemarle, NC; son, Thomas Edison (Sonja) Wainwright, Jr. of North Wilkesboro, NC; son, Barry Jay (Tracey) Wainwright, Sr. of Concord, NC; son, Hugh (Debbie) Wainwright of Albemarle, NC; sister, Marjory (Robert) Lindsey of Tybee Island, GA; 16 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty. Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.

Victoria Lynn Clark

October 18, 1951 — April 23, 2024

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Victoria Lynn Clark, 72, of Concord, NC passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at her home in Concord. Vicki was born October 18, 1951 in Marietta, OH to the late Virgil Ray Sparks and the late Mary Lucille Sparks. She was also pr1951,ed in death by her husband, Kenneth Clark; and sister, Pamela Gordon. Survivors include daughter, Sarah Nicole Clark of Concord, NC; daughter, Rebecca Crabtree and husband Robby; son, Andrew Clark and wife Casey; grandchildren, Tyler Crabtree (Hannah), Andy Clark (Kimberly), Austin Crabtree (Megan), Nicholas Clark, Emilia Bradley and Addison Bradley; great grandsons, Tucker, Tate and Easton Crabtree; sisters, Teresa Porter (Tom), Debbie Gordon and Brenda Baker; brothers, Paul Sparks (Diane) and Je Sparks (Brenda).

Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.

Peggy Kepley Morton, 87, of Albemarle, passed away on Thursday, April 25, 2024. Mrs. Morton was born on December 27, 1936, to the late J.V. and Corinthia Lambert Kepley. Survivors include husband of 67 years, Glenn Morton; daughter, Glenda M. Corl; granddaughters, Keisha Corl, Candace Clarke; greatgrandchildren, Audrey Walker, Vance Walker; sister, Rachel Turner; sister-in-law, Louvine Bowers.

He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.

Ruth Ann Lewis Alexander

July 14, 1959 - April 19, 2024

Ruth Ann Lewis Alexander, 64, of Kannapolis, NC, passed away on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Novant Medical Center In Huntersville. Ruth was born on July 14, 1959 in Je erson City, TN. She was the daughter of the late Rev. Jack Monroe Lewis & Mary Ann Hurley Lewis.

Darrick Baldwin

January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.

He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.

He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.

Her passion & greatest joy, however, was her home & her children. Ruth was married to Billy Frank Alexander on September 20, 1986, at Oakhurst Baptist Church in Charlotte. On December 10, 1988, she & Billy were blessed with the arrival of their triplets who were her pride & joy. She loved being their mother & fought ercely to provide whatever they may need. Ruth is survived by her loving husband, Billy Frank Alexander of Kannapolis, NC, & her children, Brianna Alexander of Kannapolis, Brian Alexander of Charlotte, & Brent Alexander (Kellie) of Wellford, SC; her brother, Tim Lewis & sisters Sarah Beachum (Charles), & Rachel Lewis, all of Oakboro, In addition, she leaves behind nieces Emily Musick (Brandon) of Mebane, NC, & Maddie Stephens (Carson) of Oakboro, & a nephew, Daniel Beachum of Oakboro as well as some very special cousins from Knoxville, TN.

He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.

March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023

Michael Lee Bost, Sr.

July 17, 1947 — April 25, 2024

John grew up in the Millingport community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.

Stephen Douglas Gri n

October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023

October 18, 1950 — April 27, 2024

Michael Lee Bost, 76, of Concord, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis. Born on July 17, 1947, in North Carolina, Michael was the cherished son of the late Marvin Lee Bost and Billie Leona Bost. He was a beloved brother, husband, father, and grandfather who brought joy and laughter to all who knew him. Michael was preceded in death by his sister, Linda Jo Harvell, and brother, Gary Franklin Bost. He leaves behind his loving wife of 58 years, Betsy Joann Bost; his sister, Hilda Deal; his children, Michael Bost Jr. (Jennifer), Kimberly Horne (Je ), and Melissa Miller (Chad); as well as his adored grandchildren, Crystal Bost, Jordan Bost, Josh Bost, Chad Miller, Dawson Miller, Ashlyn Bost, Lexie Simpson, Gracie Simpson, and Garrett Horne, along with several greatgrandchildren.

When John purchased his rst Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!

At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily.

Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long ght in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away ghting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.

Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC.

Stephen Douglas Gri n, 73, of Marshville, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2024, at his home. Stephen was born October 18, 1950 in North Carolina to the late Jiles Vander Gri n Jr. and the late Julia Belle Meggs Gri n. He was also preceded in death by wife, Debra Kay Gri n; and stepfather, Marshall Boyce Godwin. Stephen was a wonderful husband, dad, paw-paw, and patriot. He was a Vietnam War veteran who served his nation with honor. He enjoyed bird watching, bowling, mowing the yard, and going shing. Survivors include son; John William (Adrianne) Galliher; daughter, Tamara (Terry) Bedford; son, Ryan Galliher, daughter, Deidra Galliher-Harris; son, Ian (Angelique) Gri n; 13 grandchildren and 4 greatgrandchildren; sisters-in-law, Karen Moore and Brenda Godwin; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40

While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.

his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level.

Harriet Wilson Sanders

Myrna Clodfelter Davis

May 19, 1949 — April 26, 2024

It is with a heavy heart to announce that Harriet W. Sanders of Midland, at age 74, passed away with her daughters Cindy Burry and Maggie Sanders by her side on Friday, April 26, 2024.Harriett was born May 19, 1949, in Concord, NC, to the late Johnny and Agnes White.

Harriett, often known to many as ‘Mimi’, deeply loved and cherished each and every one of her family members. From the inside out, Harriett always had so much love to give.

This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Rich eld, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; ve great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.

In addition to her parents, Harriet was preceded in death by siblings Je White and Kay White Brindle, as well as beloved husband Elmer Sanders, and cherished cat, Mittens. Survivors include beloved daughters, Cindy (Duane) Burry and Maggie Sanders; granddaughter, Caitlyn Burry; grand-cat, Milo; brother, Ken (Janice) White; as well as her nieces and nephews.

March 17, 1928 - April 13, 2024

spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left with her. She would often claim that immediate family, and honestly, she the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was sel ess, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.

She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, out ts for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.

Myrna Clodfelter Davis, 96 of Alcoa Tennessee passed away peacefully on April 13. She was born on St. Patrick’s Day 1928, the year after her father was transferred from the Aluminum Company of America’s Badin Operations to the Tennessee Operations. She was a 1946 graduate of Alcoa High School and retired from a long career with the Alcoa Electric Department. She loved her Forrest and Clodfelter relatives in North Carolina and was especially close to her late aunt, Kate Forrest Swaringen. Myrna was preceded in death by her parents N.T. and Willie Forrest Clodfelter, and her grandparents George and Emily Russell Clodfelter and William J. and Mary Ann Parker Forrest. She is survived by her son and daughter-inlaw Barry and Sylvia Davis of Louisville Tennessee and her beloved brother James A. Clodfelter of Nashville Tennessee.

STATE & NATION

United Methodists prep for votes on gay marriage, LGBTQ clergy

The church’s General Conference is taking place in Charlotte

By Peter Smith The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their rst legislative gathering in ve years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church’s longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy.

After a day o on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, being held in Charlotte, resumed their work Monday and will meet all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on Friday.

They’ve already begun making historic changes: On Thursday, delegates overwhelmingly endorsed a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the rst time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to t local situations.

That measure — subject to local rati cation votes — is seen as a way the U.S. churches could have LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage while the more conservative overseas areas, particularly the large and fast-growing churches of Africa, could maintain those bans.

But whether that measure maintains church unity remains to be seen. The General Conference comes as the American portion of the United Meth-

NC

MARK SCHIEFELBEIN / AP PHOTO

The church’s 11-day General Conference, taking place in Charlotte, is the denomination’s rst legislative gathering since a special session in 2019.

odist Church, long the nation’s third-largest denomination, has shrunk considerably. One-quarter of its U.S. churches left between 2019 and 2023 amid conservative dismay over the church’s failure to enforce its LGBTQ bans amid widespread de ance.

A proposal to overturn those bans is headed to the delegates this week, and progressives are optimistic that they have the votes to realize their long-held dream.

Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area, the rst openly lesbian bishop ordained in the church, said the tenor of the current conference is

positive.

“The delegates are listening to each other, learning from each other, really providing a foundation for the work this week,” she said. “There have been hard conversations, but again this tone that we’re in this together. And we have a witness to make to the world that’s uni ed even in the midst of cultural di erences.”

The denomination has debated homosexuality for more than half a century. Its Book of Discipline bans “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from the clergy and forbids clergy from presiding at same-sex marriages. It also forbids church funding of any ad-

vocacy for the “acceptance of homosexuality.”

But legislative committees last week overwhelmingly approved several proposals liberalizing the church’s stance on sexuality. They included one committee that voted 43-9 to overturn the ban on LGBTQ clergy.

The delegates will also vote on a new set of Social Principles — a wholesale revision of an existing set of nonbinding statements — which also received overwhelming committee approval last week. The new version omits the previous version’s declaration that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.”

And it de nes marriage as a sacred covenant between “two people of faith,” without specifying gender.

Such changes could portend a further fragmentation of the international church. Delegates last week approved the departure of a small but notable part of the body — about 30 churches in Russia and other former Soviet countries, where conservative views on LGBTQ issues are strong.

Some are proposing that African and other churches be given the same chance that U.S. churches recently had to disafliate under favorable terms, including U.S. churches that missed the earlier deadline to do so, but a committee vote recommended against such measures.

Opponents say they already have mechanisms to depart, as some have recently done, but proponents say existing rules are burdensome.

Jerry Kulah of the advocacy group Africa Initiative said that while it will be up to individual conferences in Africa to decide whether to stay or leave the denomination, he believes it’s time to leave.

“We cannot remain in this marriage,” he said. “We can’t be one church preaching di erent gospels.”

A large majority of African bishops, while a rming their opposition to LGBTQ ordination or marriage, have said in a joint statement they are committed to remaining in the United Methodist Church.

The denomination had until recently been the third largest in the United States, present in almost every county. But its 5.4 million U.S. membership in 2022 is expected to drop once the 2023 departures are factored in.

The denomination also counts 4.6 million members in other countries, mainly in Africa, though earlier estimates have been higher.

ight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl

The 36-year-old Charlotte man tried to secretly lm a 14-year-old in an airplane bathroom

By Steve LeBlanc

The Associated Press

BOSTON — An American Airlines ight attendant was indicted last week after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.

Police have also alleged that Estes Carter Thompson III, 36, of Charlotte, had recordings of four other girls using lavatories on an aircraft where he worked.

Thompson was indicted on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor.

Thompson was charged and arrested in January 2024 in Lynchburg, Virginia. He has been in federal custody since.

A lawyer for Thompson said af-

ter the indictment by a federal grand jury that he was unable to comment.

Investigators said that about midway through a Sept. 2, 2023, ight from Charlotte to Boston, the 14-year-old got up to use the main cabin lavatory nearest to her seat but found it was occupied.

Thompson then told her the rst-class lavatory was unoccupied and escorted her there, investigators said. Before she entered the bathroom, Thompson allegedly told her he needed to wash his hands and that the toilet seat was broken, they said.

After he left, the teen entered the bathroom and she saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid, which was in the open position, o cials said.

Beneath the stickers, Thompson had concealed his iPhone to record a video, investigators said.

The girl used her phone to take a picture of the stickers and concealed iPhone before leaving.

Prosecutors also allege hundreds of images of child sexual abuse generated through ar-

ti cial intelligence were found stored on Thompson’s iCloud account.

Attempted sexual exploitation of children carries a sentence of 15-30 years in prison, while possessing images of sexual abuse of a prepubescent minor can mean up to 20 years in prison.

Both charges also provide for at least ve years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a ne of up to $250,000 and restitution.

American Airlines previously issued a statement saying the ight attendant was “immediately withheld from service” and hasn’t worked since the phone was discovered.

A search of Thompson’s iCloud account revealed four additional instances between January and August 2023 in which Thompson recorded a minor using the lavatory on an aircraft, according to investigators.

Those depicted in the recordings were 7, 9, 11 and 14 years old at the time, they said. Their families have been contacted by police, investigators said.

BLUE RIDGE REGIONAL JAIL AUTHORITY VIA AP

Estes Carter Thompson III of Charlotte, an American Airlines ight attendant, has been indicted after being accused of attempting to secretly record a 14-year-old female passenger.

Randolph record

Awareness raised

Randolph County Department of Social Services led community members and other county and city departments through downtown Asheboro for the second annual Child Abuse Prevention walk on Friday. The walk advocated for prevention, building community

and raising awareness to prevent child abuse and neglect, strengthen families, and foster healthy children and youth.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Grand opening for sportsplex signals next step for major project

RCC to o er basic course for EMTs

A basic course for Emergency Medical Technicians will be conducted by Randolph Community College beginning later this month..

The sessions will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays from May 18-Aug. 24 at Allied Health Center. There will be additional online components.

This is designed to learn basic skills to launch a career as an EMT or related elds. Instruction will be provided in emergency care procedures, operational aspects of an EMT’s role and developing emergency care skills. Successful completion of the course makes students eligible to take state and national exams.

Course registration fees are waived for students a liated with a re department, rescue squad or law enforcement agency. Otherwise, the cost ranges from $70-$180.

Theatre Department to present “Frozen, Kids” at AHS

Students from Asheboro High School’s extended content class will present the musical “Frozen, Kids” next week. Performances at scheduled for 10:15 a.m. May 7 and 2:15 p.m. May 8 at the school’s Performing Arts Center. It will be presented for families, sta , students and the board of education.

This production is di erent than what has been done in the past at Asheboro City Schools. This production will combine general education students in Honors Theatre and Advanced Chorus with the Extended Content students to allow for everyone’s talent to shine through. The idea stemmed Krista Stewart, Asheboro High School’s drama teacher. This is not a general public event.

Largest park in Asheboro will o er various activities

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO – A years-long process of creating a multi-purpose athletic complex is close to the nishing stage.

Zoo City Sportsplex has been part of a vision for many city o cials, gradually coming to fruition with about six years of construction.

“People have been so excited to see and use the sportsplex and they’ve waited patiently,”

Asheboro mayor David Smith said. “It’s time to let everyone enjoy it.”

A ribbon cutting and grand opening will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday on Rotary Field 1. The

sportsplex is located at 2981 Zoo Parkway (along Old Cox Road).

“To be able to be open full time instead of here and there and confusing people,” said Jonathan Sermon, recreation services director for the City of Asheboro. “This is a relief.”

A grand opening had been tagged for last fall before another delay.

Property acquisition for the project began in 2007. More than 85 acres have been acquired.

There are eight elds with arti cial turf, six beach volleyball courts, four pickleball courts, a tness court, a playground, paved walking paths, nature trails and pavilions. A dog park is still in the works and some trail work remains in progress, though all paved areas and bridges have been installed.

“I shake my head and can’t believe it. Just the size and scope of the entire project.”

Jonathan Sermon, recreation services director

The facility has been long-awaited as a venue to serve city residents. It also could have more far-reaching impacts.

“The Zoo City Sportsplex truly demonstrates this community’s commitment to the promotion of athletics, health, and tourism,” Smith said.

Smith said many groups and businesses provided various sources of support and sponsor-

ships to assist in the creation of the park.

Recently, various city departments became involved to assist in completing projects. For instance, city crews installed some speed bumps and also aided in overseeding and mulching.

“We kicked into overdrive and got that done,” Sermon said. Trevor Nuttall, Asheboro’s community development director, said contributions to the sportsplex have totaled about $22.8 million. Of that, approximately $20.4 million came from the city’s general fund appropriations. There were $1.2 million in state grants.

Nuttall also provided information that shows more than $848,000 in donations from an array of groups, including civic

Protesters raise Palestinian ag on UNC agpole

The provocation follows early morning arrests at the Chapel Hill ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’

By Jordan Golson and A.P. Dillon Randolph Record

MIDDAY ON Tuesday, a confrontation between police and protesters at UNC Chapel Hill was broadcast live on national news networks CNN and Fox News, with objects being thrown at o cers who were protecting a agpole at the center of Polk Place.

Police had rushed into the center of the protests after an enormous American ag ying on a campus ag pole was lowered and replaced with a Palestinian Flag, according to press reports and a post on X from Students for Justice in Palestine, a student group at UNC Chapel Hill.

Previously, in a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday, law enforcement agencies detained 30

An enormous American ag was lowered and replaced with a Palestinian ag on the pole.

individuals participating in the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” at Polk Place on the UNC Chapel Hill campus. The encampment lasted around three days and the arrests followed a warning issued by Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts and Provost Chris Clemens at 5:37 a.m., urging the demonstrators to disperse or face consequences.

Only six of the 30 detained were arrested, according to a report from The Daily Tar Heel, the student newspaper at UNC Chapel Hill. All were later released.

The operation began around 7 a.m. and involved multiple agencies such as the UNC

Chapel Hill Campus Police, the Orange County Sheri ’s O ce and North Carolina State Highway Patrol o cers. Reports from the scene claim o cers from the N.C. State University, UNC Wilmington, and Appalachian State University were also present.

University o cials had previously informed protesters the encampment’s tents were in violation of school policies. Those arrested have allegedly been taken to the Orange County Detention Center for processing.

UNC Students for Justice in Palestine organized the protest as a means to pressure the university to sever nancial ties with companies tied to Israel.

In a statement, Roberts and Clemens emphasized the need to prioritize the safety of students, faculty, sta , and campus visitors, particularly with quickly approaching nal exams and graduation ceremonies.

“This group has now made it clear they will no longer even consider our requests to abide

by University policies and have ended our attempts at constructive dialogue,” Roberts and Clemens’ said in a statement. “We must consider the safety of all of our students, faculty and sta , as well as visitors to this campus. Our students are preparing for nal exams and end-of-year activities, including graduation, and we will continue to promote an educational environment where they can do so safely and without disruption.”

The statement also says those who refused to comply with the university’s directive faced potential arrest, suspension, or expulsion. Reports indicate that more than two dozen individu-

See HAMAS, page 2

capacity,

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

We stand corrected

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

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HAMAS from page 1

als were arrested, with at least one person sustaining injuries during the arrests.

Columbia University in New York City remains the most visible encampment, with university faculty going so far as to link arms to protect protesters. But the movement, which generally includes requests for

SUNDAY MAY 1

MONDAY MAY 1

universities to divest from any company doing business with Israel, has spread to schools around the country with varying amounts of permissiveness and consequences.

Police moved in quickly to disperse protesters at University of Texas at Austin, while USC cancelled its main graduation ceremony. North Carolina schools have been

TUESDAY MAY 1

somewhat quieter, at least compared to the activities at Columbia, which have drawn the attention of members of Congress, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), who spoke at the school last week.

It is not yet clear what consequences or charges those arrested at UNC Chapel Hill will face.

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

Students work on assignments and listen to organizers as they sit inside the encampment protest in Polk Place at UNC Chapel Hill on Monday.

SPORTSPLEX from page 1

organizations, associations, units of local governments, businesses, foundations and individuals.

In the largest donation level were Terry’s Plumbing & Utilities, The Edward M. Armeld Sr. Foundation and the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. Also, three area Rotary Clubs became involved with donations totaling more than $1,51,000.

April 11

• Christopher Wayne Shelton, 50, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for felony larceny. He was issued a $2,500 secure bond.

April 15

• Luis Roberto AmadorAguirre, 21, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on charges of felony possession stolen firearm, misdemeanor carrying concealed gun, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana up to ½ oz. He received a $3,000 secured bond.

April 17

• Brantley Joseph Norman, 35, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on charges of felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He received no bond.

• Cody Scott Gurley, 32, was arrested by the Invictus Task Force on ten counts of seconddegree exploitation of a minor. The magistrate issued a $150,000 secured bond.

Turf elds will be available for football, lacrosse, soccer and other recreational activities. This weekend marks the rst full-scale opening for the facility. Last fall, Uwharrie Charter Academy used the main soccer eld for games, youth football teams were on some elds and the Randolph-Asheboro YMCA held sessions for its challenge soccer program at the sportsplex. This will be by far the larg-

April 19

• Christopher Shane Brundage, 37, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on charges of felony possession of methamphetamines, felony possession of heroin, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. He was issued a $10,000 secured bond.

April 20

• Grayson Thor Miller, 36, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on charges of felony possession of a stolen motor vehicle. He was also served outstanding warrants for two counts of felony habitual larceny, felony larceny of motor vehicle, and misdemeanor probation violation.

April 21

• Timothy Rahine Saunders, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on charges of felony possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, and misdemeanor resist, obstruct, and delay a public official. He was issued a $5,000 secured bond.

est park in Asheboro, with North Asheboro Park, at about 26 acres, likely the biggest park until Zoo City Sportsplex was put together, Sermon said. Sermon, who has regularly viewed the progress at the new facility, said standing on the hill overlooking the sportsplex o ers an impressive viewpoint. “I shake my head and can’t believe it,” he said. “Just the size and scope of the entire project.”

April 22

• Veronica Kyrene Morrison, 34, was charged by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on charges of felony breaking and/or entering, two counts of felony larceny after break/ enter, and felony possession of stolen goods/property.

April 23

• Faith Keeter Brickman, 27, was arrested by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office on charges of two counts of felony malicious conduct by prisoner, felony assault inflicting serious injury on law enforcement, and one count of communicating threats. She was held in the Randolph County Detention Center with a $40,000 secured bond.

• Jahmel Fuquan Roberts, 27, was arrested by the Asheboro Police Department on charges of possessing cocaine and possessing drug paraphernalia. He was also served a warrant for failure to appear. No bond was given for the two charges, and a $40,000 secure bond was set for the warrant.

The Randolph Guide is a quick look at what’s going on in Randolph County.

May 2

Thrifty Thursday –Senior Movies presents ‘Funny Face’ 12 p.m.

The City of Asheboro presents ‘Funny Face’ (1957, G (1957) 1h 43m) as its movie for this month’s Thrifty Thursday Senior Movie at the Sunset Theater. Doors open at noon, movie starts at 1 p.m. OVER 50 FREE! – Admission includes popcorn and a small soda. Door prizes are given away before each movie.

May 3

Randleman Music and Market –Megan Doss Band

7 p.m.

Randleman’s Music and Market returns this year with the Megan Doss Band at Commerce Square Park. Food trucks arrive between 5-5:30 p.m., the concert starts at 7 p.m. Event is free and open to the public.

Asheboro Friday Rock’n the Park – On the Border 6:30 p.m.

The city of Asheboro kicks o its summer concert series with Friday Rock’n the Park featuring On the Border (The Ultimate Eagles Tribute Band) with opening act: Javier Batista, Cory Luetjen & The Traveling Blues Band. Admission is free, bring your own lawn chair, food trucks will be on site. Fore more information visit downtownasheboro.com

May 4

The Katie Bunch Memorial 5K Run/Walk 8:15 a.m.

You’re invited to participate in the 6th annual, The Katie Bunch Memorial 5k Run/ Walk. Held at Memorial Park in Asheboro, the event raises money to go toward The Katie Bunch Servant Leader Scholarship at Asheboro High School. Signup online, adults $30, virtual $30, kids/students $20. For more information email the race director at thekatiebunchmemorial5k@ gmail.com

Adopt & Play Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Randolph County Animal Services is hosting its monthly Adopt & Play Event, on the rst Saturday of each month from 10 am – 2 pm. There will be fun activities and plenty of furry friends looking for forever homes. Adoption fees on speci c animals have been reduced for this event. Adopts and Play Saturdays is an ongoing event, hosted at the Animal Services Adoption Center, located at 1370

Guide THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Focused on the issues impacting you

President Biden could x this crisis today the same way he created it: with a stroke of a pen.

IT WAS SO GREAT to be back home during the recent district work period and hear from folks about the issues most important to them and their families. As I traveled around, I heard story after story of how the current situation in our country has negatively impacted people’s lives. From higher living expenses to illegal criminals and drugs coming across our border, communities in our region and across our country are facing real challenges.

Whether it’s food, rent, electricity, or even car insurance, just about everything has gotten more expensive since President Biden took o ce. Right now, North Carolinians are paying over $990 more a month because of skyrocketing in ation, caused by Biden and the Democrats’ out-of-control spending. Our communities are also being impacted by President Biden’s failed open border and amnesty policies. More deadly drugs, especially fentanyl, are being smuggled across our border and into our country, putting our safety and security at risk. Recently, a man in Lee County was busted tra cking enough fentanyl to kill 250,000 people, enough to kill everyone in Lee County three times over.

President Biden could x this crisis today the same way he created it: with a stroke of a pen. But he refuses

to act. Meanwhile, House Republicans passed a bill over nine months ago to secure our border and keep our communities safe.

As a member of the Health Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I often hear from seniors and those in rural communities like ours struggling with long travel times to and from doctor appointments or lack of regular access to transportation. However, we saw during the pandemic how telehealth services make it easier for folks to get the care they need in a faster and more e cient way.

The Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing last week to address ways we can support patients’ access to telehealth so they can continue to bene t from these services. While expanding access to telehealth is critically important, I’m also focused on making sure proper protections are in place to ensure the best patient outcomes and high-quality care.

As Congress prepares for another busy week ahead, rest assured I’ll continue ghting for the best interests of our region.

Richard Hudson represents the 9th Congressional District.

Justice delayed is justice denied

In Clinton v. Jones in 1997, the Supreme Court unanimously held that a sitting president could be sued for alleged sexual harassment.

JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO thinks presidents are kings and must be protected against those who would disrupt their peaceful retirement.

What planet is he living on?

In his questioning on Thursday in the Trump immunity case, he made perfectly clear whose side he was on.

“If an incumbent who loses a very close, hotly contested election knows that a real possibility after leaving o ce is not that the president is going to be able to go o into a peaceful retirement, but that the president may be criminally prosecuted by a bitter political opponent, will that not lead us into a cycle that destabilizes the functioning of our country as a democracy?”

That is exactly what did NOT happen.

An incumbent lost a close, hotly contested race and he did not go o into a peaceful retirement. Instead, the embittered loser brought one failed lawsuit after another trying to overturn the election, and when that didn’t work, he resorted to fake electors, pressuring state o cials, trying to subvert the democratic process and fomenting a riot.

Oh, yes, and delaying a trial that could and should cost him the election in the hopes that he will win the election and order that the charges against him be dropped or preemptively pardon himself.

Talk about destabilizing the functioning of our country as a democracy.

Alito sounded like a man ready to recognize a king who is above the law.

Even if he can’t nd ve votes for the absolute immunity Trump came asking for, from the sound of things on Thursday, he’ll come close enough. The chances that Trump will actually stand trial before the election seemed to be slipping away as the conservative Trump majority got into the weeds of what kind of quali ed immunity would adequately protect a felonious former president from a threat that has never happened, as opposed to protecting our democracy from the conspiracy that did.

What Trump has been playing for — his best defense

— has always been delay. Justice delayed is justice denied, especially if you can delay long enough to pardon yourself and make a mockery of the whole e ort to hold him accountable. In Clinton v. Jones in 1997, the Supreme Court unanimously held that a sitting president could be sued for alleged sexual harassment.

“The president is subject to judicial process in appropriate circumstances,” Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for the court, adding, “We have never suggested that the president, or any other o cial, has an immunity that extends beyond the scope of any action taken in an o cial capacity.”

But what about actions taken in an o cial capacity? And when we’re talking about felonious actions, what counts as o cial actions and what counts as the actions of a candidate? As the conservatives droned on about the lines that must be drawn, and what the jury could and could not be told about o cial actions in an “integrated conspiracy,” you could hear the chances of a speedy trial slipping away. Will the court draw these lines itself in dueling opinions that will take months to write? Or will it ultimately send the task back to the trial court to do so in the rst instance and then to be appealed again?

Remember, it was Jack Smith who initially sought to have the Supreme Court preemptively decide these issues before the rst round of appeals from the trial judge’s ruling rejecting the absolute immunity claim urged by Trump. If the court thought these issues required a ruling for the ages, it could have heard them then. Instead, they sent it back to the appellate court to rule rst, and now they seem primed to ignore that ruling in favor of a time-consuming trip through hypothetical weeds.

The rule of law has always been tinged by politics. But increasingly, this court appears not only tinged by politics but ruled by it. The justices’ questions suggested two di erent views of what is at stake. Public con dence in the court is at an all-time low. I would like nothing more than to be wrong about what the court is going to do. But I fear that the public is right to see this court in purely political terms, and this decision — ultimately, a decision to delay — may prove it so.

COLUMN | RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

RandolpH SPORTS

UCA dethrones Cougars to claim softball crown

Wheatmore soccer player adds to record total

Randolph Record

ASHEBORO – Uwharrie Charter Academy scored two seven-inning runs to edge host Southwestern Randolph 4-3 in a game to determine the Piedmont Athletic Conference regular-season softball champion Thursday night.

At 11-1 in PAC play, the Eagles nished a game ahead of defending champion Southwestern Randolph. It’s the school’s rst PAC softball title.

Aubrie Kau man’s two-run bloop single provided the tying and go-ahead runs.

UCA pitcher Mollie Bulla struck out 10 batters. Kenzie Hill and Jayla Hurley both scored two runs.

Macie Crutch eld struck out eight for Southwestern Randolph.

Earlier in the week, Bulla and Katelyn West blanked visiting Wheatmore 7-0. Bulla homered as well.

Then the Eagles tied 0-0 in a nine-inning matchup with non-league foe North Stanly.

• Randleman’s Savannah Roman homered in a 3-2 victory against visiting Providence Grove.

Randleman split a non-conference doubleheader with McMichael, losing 9-0 and wining 7-6 in 10 innings. Kaylie St. John homered twice. The Tigers ended the week with an 11-1 non-league loss at West Stanly.

• Eastern Randolph won 1511 at Providence Grove despite Ruby Caudle scoring four runs.

• Providence Grove topped host Northern Guilford 15-8 as Devon Kelly drove in three runs and Kolbi Jo Lineberry and Leela Von Der Hey both had three hits.

• Wheatmore’s Kylie Hemric drove in ve runs in a 21-1 PAC rout of visiting Trinity.

Brian Gusa, then baseball coach at Southwestern Randolph, watches a game in early April at McCrary Park in Asheboro.

State playo s begin next week in baseball and softball, while boys’ golfers will be in regional competition.

Baseball

Asheboro ended the regular season by defeating visiting Montgomery Central 6-1 in a Mid-Piedmont Conference game as Cohen Caviness had three hits and Adam Curry pitched ve innings for the victory.

That completed a two-game sweep of the Timberwolves after winning earlier in the week by 9-0 as Curry, Amare Godwin and Shane Immel all drove in two runs.

• Uwharrie Charter Academy won 8-7 at home and 14-2 on the road against Southwestern Randolph to nish in second place in the PAC.

Jake Hunter and Brett Smith were the winning pitchers.

Trey Kennedy homered and Walker Wilkins scored three runs in the rematch.

UCA began the week with Alex Carver’s ve-inning no-hitter in a 10-0 trouncing of visiting Akins in non-league play.

• Third-place Wheatmore edged host Providence Grove 2-1 as Parker Kines pitched six innings and Jonathan Heraldo nished on the mound. Providence Grove pitcher Andrew Thomas gave up two unearned runs.

The Patriots got revenge later in the week with a 6-1 road victory as Jacob Flinchum homered and Logan Fox drove in two runs. Jayten Beasley pitched six innings.

• Trinity and Eastern Randolph split one-run games, with Trinity winning 9-8 at home and Eastern Randolph prevailing 10-9 as the home team won each time. Eastern Randolph wiped

out a 7-1 de cit to win, aided by Bryson Marley scoring three runs.

Trinity also posted a 9-5 nonleague triumph against visiting Eastern Guilford.

• PAC champion Randleman had two non-conference games, falling 16-3 to visiting Wesleyan Christian Academy before edging visiting Greensboro Grimsley 2-1.

Girls’ soccer

Wheatmore won three games last week, with Ellie Garrison’s eight goals and three assists against visiting Thomasville in a non-league game.

Garrison, the all-time leading goal scorer in state history, had ve goals when the Warriors whipped Eastern Randolph in a PAC home game. In a 7-0 blanking of host Randleman, Bowman had three goals and two assists and Garrison scored twice.

• Asheboro’s Bridgett Diaz Lopez and Jaira Arellano scored in a 2-0 Mid-Piedmont Conference victory at Montgomery Central. The Blue Comets won again, nipping visiting Oak Grove 2-1 with two goals for Arellano and Carlisle Dozier’s 17 saves.

Asheboro then edged visiting Southwestern Randolph 2-1 on Friday night in non-conference action on Arellano’s winning goal.

Boys’ tennis

Silas Jessup of Wheatmore captured the PAC Tournament championship by winning three matches at Asheboro Memorial Park.

Jessup topped Trinity’s Dominic Payne 6-3, 6-4 in the nal.

Southwestern Randolph’s Rodolfo Fiscal defeated Wheatmore’s Avery Plummer 6-0, 6-2 for third place.

The doubles title went to Providence Grove’s Carson Jones and Jackson Lawyer, who defeated Trinity’s Spencer May and Kwame Mathole 8-3 in the nal.

Baseball tourney coming to Asheboro

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO – The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association will hold its Class 2-A state nals for baseball at McCrary Park next month. That best-of-3 series is scheduled for May 17 and 18.

There’s one game May 17 and Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 3 on May 18. The Burlington School is the two-time reigning state champion. Last year’s title series was held at Truist Point in High Point, with the Spartans toppling Westchester Country Day School in three games. The same teams met in the 2022 championship series, with The Burlington School needing two games for that series held in Rocky Mount.

BEST OVERALL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Ayanna Mears

PJ WARD-BROWN/RANDOLPH RECORD

Ayanna Mears of Eastern Randolph takes a swing during a softball game earlier this season.

Eastern Randolph, softball

Mears has been an important part of the Wildcats’ lineup as the team has put together another winning record.

Mears, a senior shortstop, has been among the leading hitters for Eastern Randolph. She’s in her fourth season with the team.

Eastern Randolph won ve of its last six games in the regular season heading into this week’s Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament.

Mears, who’s also a past member of the volleyball and basketball programs at Eastern Randolph, has committed to play softball at North Carolina A&T.

RACING

Top drivers split Challengers races

Randolph Record

Coaching change at Southwestern Randolph

Southwestern Randolph had a coaching change with its baseball team recently. Assistant coach Edwin Lagrama became interim head coach as of April 17.

Brian Gusa, who had been in his rst season with the Cougars, is no longer with the program. Athletics director Chris Chapman didn’t provide a reason for the change.

Southwestern Randolph was 6-11 under Gusa. Since Lagrama took over, the Cougars went 2-2 prior to this week’s Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament. They nish tied for fourth place in the PAC, though were seeded fth for the league tournament.

SOPHIA – Brody Duggins improved one spot in the second Challengers feature from the earlier race and that was enough to claim a victory Saturday night at Caraway Speedway. Duggins placed second behind top quali er Daniel Schadt, who prevailed by less than one second in the rst 20lap feature. In the second race, Schadt was nished after a lap when Bryson Pickard spun out and took out Schadt as well. Duggins gained the lead by the ninth lap and cruised to the victory ahead of runner-up Blake Cox.

Todd Garren’s third-place nish in the rst race marked his best outing at the speedway. Blake Shupe was third in the second race.

• Daniel Hughes was tops in a 21-car eld for UCARs, winning the race that lasted 20 laps.

Justin Smith charged late to challenge Hughes, while Jason Richmond was third and Jeremy Kidd and Tito Clapp rounded out the top ve.

• In 602 Modi eds, the winner was Josh Lowder for a wireto-wire victory. Cody Norman was the runner-up, with Mitchell Wright, Jaxson Casper and Bill Gregg in the next three spots. Wright had missed track time after a wreck in March, and this was his rst time back since then.

• The Mod 4 winner was Dalton Miller, who edged Jimmy Crigger in a ve-car dash. It marked the rst race won by Miller in the division.

• In Bootleggers, teammates Bentley Black and Corey Rose split a pair of 10-lap races. The racing season resumes May 11 for the David Saunders Memorial with Challengers, Mod 4s, UCARs, 602 Modi eds and Bootleggers. Saunders was a longtime ocial at Caraway Speedway and on the CARS Tour.

Southwestern Randolph has coaching change

RANDOLPH RECORD FILE PHOTO

UCA’s Alston proves strong in nationals

Mixed results come for Randolph County entrants

Randolph Record

SOPHOMORE Loren-

zo Alston of Uwharrie Charter Academy turned in one of the best nishes of any wrestler from North Carolina in the National High School Coaches Association’s national tournament in April.

Alston placed fourth in the sophomore division at 145 points at Virginia Beach Sports Center.

Alston reached the seminals before losing 11-3 to Kross Cassidy of Fairfax, Va. He won a consolation-round bout by 4-2 against Jordan Thompson of Bradford, Pa., before falling in the third-place match by 7-2 to Zeno Moore of Orlando, Fla.

Only Northern Guilford’s Jack Harty, who placed third in the freshman class at 160, had a better nish than Alston among all the high school boys’ divisions. In two high school seasons for UCA, Alston is undefeated with two Class 1-A state championships.

Alston opened the NHSCA tournament with a 29-second pin of Xavier Rodgers of Due West, S.C., before he had a tight second-round match with a 3-2 decision against Cole Gibbons of Mt. Lebanon, Pa. he followed that by sticking Ryan Everhart of Cherokee Trail, Colo., in 1:12 and pinning New York’s George Johnson in 2:36.

In the quarter nals, Alston defeated Max Wirnsberger of Watsontown, Pa., by 8-5.

Trinity 285-pound sophomore Joseph Trahan won three matches. Trahan was pinned in 55 seconds by New Hartford, N.Y.’s Christopher Belmonte in the round of 32. Trahan had a better start to the tournament by defeating Kyle Terrell of Adel, Ga., by 10-2.

After the loss, Trahan handled Jahlil Settles of Bear, Del., by 7-0 and pinned Ellerslie, Ga.’s Wesley Sappington in 1:58 before he was eliminated via a pin by Turlock, Calif.’s Troy Ceja.

Also in the sophomore bracket, Wheatmore’s Dominic Hittepole posted a 1-2 mark at 182 pounds. He began the tournament by pinning Donnie Tibbitt of Englishtown, N.J. in 3:40.

Then came a 13-8 loss to Billy Edmonston of Denham Springs, La., and a 4-0 setback to Tyler Palumbo of Little Silver, N.J. • In the senior division at 220 pounds, Trinity’s Gavin Hardister won three matches. Hardister, a Class 2-A state champion, had a 21-13 opening-round victory against Elijah Austin of Zephyrhills, Fla., and then attened Divesh Thapa of Klein, Texas, in 1:46. He was derailed with a 9-6 setback to Jerameel Vazquez, of West Spring eld, Mass., before a 5-1 triumph against instate opponent Kmauri Morgan of Richmond County. Hardister was done when Kyle Oliveira of Hoover, Ala., pinned him in 2:39. Bradyen Hall of Trinity claimed two victories before su ering two defeats at 120 pounds. The victories came with a pin in 2:56 of Mackiah

Claudio of Parkersburg, W. Va., and a attening in 1:46 of Austin Je rey of Powhatan, Va.

Then Hall was defeated via technical fall by Miami’s Gabriel Tellez and by a 4-0 count by Jackson Township, N.J.’s Joseph Weikel.

Trinity 120-pound senior Spencer May went 1-2, falling to McDonough, Ga.’s Mason Moody by 7-3 and to Edgewater, Colo.’s Enquire Soto by 4-0, while in between those results he pinned Claudio in 3:23. • There were several Randolph County juniors competing.

Southwestern Randolph’s Jose Flores, who won a state title as a sophomore but lost to Hardister in February’s state tournament, won his rst two matches at 220 pounds. He ended up 2-2.

Flores pinned Jordan Folmer of LaGrange, Ohio, in 3:40

and edged Michael Diorio of Providence, R.I., by 8-6. Then his losses came by 6-3 to Bowie, Md.’s Jamil Morrow and via a pin 3:34 to Lewes, Del.’s Patrick Donahue. Trinity 170-pounder Lawson Coltrane went 2-2, beginning when he was pinned by Jackson Davis of Signal Mountain, Tenn., in 2:20. Coltrane followed that by defeating UCA’s Caden Thorne by a 5-0 decision, sending to 0-2 record. Coltrane went on to a 6-4 overtime victory against Ismael Youla of Bronx, N.Y., before falling by 6-4 to Brody Kountouris of Lanoka Harbor, N.J. Randleman’s Braxton Walker began the 195 bracket with a 5-2 decision against Mitchell Knepp of Travelers Rest, S.C. Then came a loss by pin in 3:58 to Teaneck, N.J.’s Kaleb Jackson and a 2-1 defeat to Fort Mill, S.C.’s Derek Bylone van Sandwyk.

Dunbar relishes dual roles with ZooKeepers

Coach adds front-o ce duties for college summer team

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO – Korey Dunbar saw the advantages of adding the title of general manager with the Asheboro ZooKeepers.

He’ll combine that role with his duties as the team’s second-year coach for the Coastal Plain League team, which begins play later this month.

Melissa Godwin stepped away from the general manager’s role after one year in the position.

Last fall, Dunbar became interested in an expanded role.

“We talked through some things,” he said. “It was a way for me to stay here full-time.”

That means more o - eld responsibilities with the collegiate summer baseball team for Dunbar, a former University of North Carolina standout as a catcher.

“The ability to build that side of things,” he said. “All aspects of the organization, I’m overseeing.” Following the pandemic and three seasons of construction or renovations at McCrary Park, Dunbar said he’s expecting smoother operations. Last year’s home schedule was altered, with games played at UNC Greensboro and others moved to road games before the ballpark was ready for fans.

Now, it should be full speed ahead.

“It’s such an important year for us,” Dunbar said. “It’s all heading in the right direction. We’re super-appreciative of the city and the workers who’ve gotten us this far.”

Dunbar, who lives in Garner

with wife, Megan, began general manager duties in January. That includes putting together a roster of players along with sales and marketing.

“Coaching and recruiting, that’s sales,” he said. “It’s second nature to me. It’s baseball in all di erent aspects.”

Dunbar, who turned 30 in April, said he and Godwin collaborated on putting together the 2023 roster. This year, his role became heightened.

With McCrary Park renovations done in phases across multiple years, there’s still work going on. Parking areas should be upgraded and areas paved by the beginning of the season.

New LED stadium lights were installed in mid-April, something that Dunbar said makes a noticeable di erence. ZooKeepers games are live streamed through FloSports, something that Dunbar said should be enhanced for better viewing this year.

“This place can be so special, making this Asheboro’s team,”

Dunbar said. “I thoroughly enjoy being part of something that is bigger than myself and this is one of those things.”

The o - eld sta includes Jennifer Marion as director of operations. Dunbar said the team plans to ll the game-day operations role as well.

Godwin moves on

After relinquishing the general manager’s role, Godwin re-

mained with the ZooKeepers as director of game-day operations until departing this spring.

She has taken a position at Spartanburg (S.C.) High School.

She’s married to Billy Godwin, who stepped down as UNC Greensboro’s baseball coach in December to take a scouting position with the New York Yankees. Godwin said that allowed more exibility in where to live, so she’ll be closer to family in South Carolina.

NFL

NFL to allow players to wear protective soft-shell helmet covers during games

New York

The NFL will allow players to wear protective softshell helmet covers known as Guardian caps during games next season. The league is also expanding the use of the devices during practices. Defensive backs and receivers have joined the position groups now required to wear the caps during all contact practices. The NFL has mandated the caps’ use at practices for some players since 2022. Quarterbacks, kickers and punters are the only remaining position groups not required to wear them during practice. No players will be required to wear the caps during games but now have the option to do so.

NBA

76ers All-Star center

Joel Embiid says he has Bell’s palsy

Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers AllStar center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis. Embiid wore sunglasses to the podium after he scored 50 points in the Sixers’ Game 3 win over the New York Knicks and said he’s dealt with various symptoms such as blurred vision and dry eyes. Embiid rst noticed the a iction a “day or two” before the Sixers played the Miami Heat on April 17 in the playin tournament. Embiid had 23 points, 15 rebounds in the win that sent the Sixers to the playo s.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus headline Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Knoxville, Tenn. The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame had a Minnesota feel, with the induction of Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus getting enshrined. Moore and Augustus helped the Minnesota Lynx win four WNBA championships and the U.S. to Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 16. Augustus was also part of the 2008 Olympic team that won gold. Other inductees include former players Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who played her nal two years with the Lynx, and Rita Gail Easterling; former o cial Violet Palmer, the rst woman to referee an NBA game; and coaches Sue Phillips and Roonie Scovel.

TRIPLE CROWN

Fierceness is 5-2 morning line favorite for 150th Kentucky Derby

Louisville Fierceness was named the 5-2 morning line favorite for the upcoming 150th Kentucky Derby and will look to make history in the milestone race as the rst entrant to win in 45 attempts from the No. 17 post position. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt enters the 1 1/4-mile opening leg of the Triple Crown races on May 4 o a dominating 13 1/2-length win in last month’s Florida Derby and has a third-place nish as a 3-year-old. Also, Brad Coxtrained lly Tarifa is the 7-2 morning line favorite for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks after drawing the No. 8

RANDOLPH RECORD FILE PHOTO

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Lorenzo Alston, here holding down Avery County’s Mason Bentley in the state tournament in February, reached the semi nals in a national tournament.

BOB SUTTON / RANDOLPH RECORD

Here’s Asheboro ZooKeepers general manager/coach Korey Dunbar outside the new ticket booth at McCrary Park.

US colleges try threats, force to clear protest encampments as commencements near

Schools are using di erent tactics — including force and ultimatums — to end the protests

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — As upcoming commencement ceremonies grew closer Tuesday, universities across the U.S. grappled with how to clear out encampments of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, with some continuing negotiations and others turning to force and ultimatums that have resulted in arrests and clashes with police.

Dozens of people were arrested Monday during protests at universities in Texas and Virginia, while Columbia University in New York said it began suspending students.

Demonstrators are sparring over the Israel-Hamas war and its mounting death toll, and the number of arrests at campuses nationwide is approaching 1,000 as the nal days of class wrap up. The outcry is forcing colleges to reckon with theirnancial ties to Israel as well as their support for free speech.

Some Jewish students say the protests have veered into antisemitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus.

At the University of Texas at Austin, an attorney said at least 40 demonstrators were

arrested Monday. The confrontation was an escalation on the 53,000-student campus in the state’s capital, where more than 50 protesters were arrested last week.

The plight of students who have been arrested has become a central part of protests, with the students and a growing number of faculty demanding amnesty for protesters. At issue is whether the suspensions and legal records will follow students through their adult lives.

The Texas protest and others — including in Canada and Europe — grew out of Columbia’s early demonstrations that have continued. On Monday, student

activists on the school’s Manhattan campus de ed a 2 p.m. deadline to leave an encampment of around 120 tents. Instead, hundreds of protesters remained. A handful of counterdemonstrators waved Israeli ags, and one held a sign reading, “Where are the anti-Hamas chants?”

While the university didn’t call police to roust the demonstrators, school spokesperson Ben Chang said suspensions had started but could provide few details. Protest organizers said they were not aware of any suspensions as of Monday evening.

Columbia’s handling of

the demonstrations also has prompted federal complaints.

A class-action lawsuit on behalf of Jewish students alleges a breach of contract by Columbia, claiming the university failed to maintain a safe learning environment despite policies and promises. It also challenges the move away from in-person classes and seeks quick court action requiring Columbia to provide security for the students.

Meanwhile, a legal group representing pro-Palestinian students is urging the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights o ce to investigate Columbia’s compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for how they have been treated.

A university spokesperson declined to comment on the complaints.

In a rare case, Northwestern University said it reached an agreement with students and faculty who represent the majority of protesters on its campus near Chicago. It allows peaceful demonstrations through the June 1 end of spring classes and, in exchange, requires removal of all tents except one for aid, and restricts the demonstration area to allow only students, faculty and sta unless the university approves otherwise.

At the University of Southern California, organizers of a large encampment sat down with university President Carol Folt for about 90 minutes on Monday.

Ukraine’s army chief reports tactical retreat in east, warns of front-line pressure

Russian forces are expected to “make signi cant tactical gains in the coming weeks”

By Susie Blann The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s troops have been forced to make a tactical retreat from three villages in the embattled east, the country’s army chief said Sunday, warning of a worsening battle eld situation as Ukrainian forces wait for much-needed arms from a huge U.S. aid package to reach combat zones. Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Russian forces continue to attack “along the entire front line” of more than 620 mile, with pitched battles raging west of Avdiivka, the eastern city they took in February after a

grueling, monthslong ght.

“The most di cult situation is in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions, where erce battles continue,” Syrskyi’s said in an update posted to the Telegram messaging app, referencing two Ukrainian-held cities in the wartorn Donetsk region, once a hub of industry.

“The enemy has engaged up to four brigades in these directions, is trying to develop an o ensive west of Avdiivka and Marinka, making its way to Pokrovsk and Kurakhove,” Syrskyi added. “Units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, preserving the lives and health of our defenders, moved to new frontiers west of Berdychi, Semenivka and Novomykhailivka.”

Two of these front-line villages lie less than 31 miles east of Pokrovsk, while the third is located just over 19 miles by road from Kurakhove.

A Washington-based think tank predicted late Saturday that Russian forces “will likely make signi cant tactical gains in the coming weeks,” as acute ammunition shortages continue to hobble Ukraine’s defense e orts.

In its latest operational assessment, the Institute for the Study of War said that Moscow’s forces have opportunities to push forward around Avdiivka, and also threaten nearby Chasiv Yar. Its capture would give Russia control of a hilltop from which it can attack other key cities forming the backbone of Ukraine’s eastern defenses.

Despite this, the think tank assessed that neither of these e orts by Moscow are likely to cause Kyiv’s defensive lines to collapse “in the near term.”

The Russian Defense Ministry on Sunday con rmed that Moscow’s troops had taken a village about nine miles north of Avdiiv-

ka, days after the war institute reported on its likely capture early on Thursday. That day’s assessment described Moscow’s gains as “relatively quick but still relatively marginal,” adding that Russian troops had advanced by no more than three miles over the previous week.

U.S. President Joe Biden promised last Wednesday that U.S. weapons shipments would begin making their way into Ukraine within hours, as he signed into law a $95 billion measure — $61 billion of which was allocated for Ukraine — that also included assistance for Israel, Taiwan and other global hot spots. The announcement marked an end to the long, painful battle with Republicans in Congress over assistance for Ukraine.

Elsewhere, Russian drones struck the Ukrainian Black Sea city of Mykolaiv early Sunday,

Folt declined to discuss details but said she heard the concerns of protesters and talks were set to continue Tuesday.

USC sparked a controversy April 15 when o cials refused to allow the valedictorian, who has publicly supported Palestinians, to make a commencement speech, citing nonspeci c security concerns for their rare decision. Administrators then scrapped the keynote speech by lmmaker Jon M. Chu, who is an alumnus, and declined to award any honorary degrees.

The backlash, as well as Columbia’s demonstrations, inspired the encampment and protests on campus last week where 90 people were arrested by police in riot gear. The university has canceled its main graduation event.

Administrators elsewhere tried to salvage their commencements, and several have ordered the clearing of encampments in recent days. When those e orts have failed, ocials threatened discipline, including suspension, and possible arrest.

But students dug in their heels at other high-pro le universities, with stando s continuing at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale and others. Police in riot gear at Virginia Commonwealth University sought to break up an encampment there late Monday and clashed with protesters.

setting a hotel ablaze and damaging infrastructure, according to local o cials.

Vitaliy Kim, the governor of Ukraine’s southern Mykolaiv province, said that the drones “seriously damaged” a hotel in its namesake capital, sparking a re that was later extinguished. Kim also reported that the strike damaged heat-generating infrastructure in the city. He added that there were no casualties.

Russian state agency RIA reported that the strike on Mykolaiv targeted a shipyard where naval drones are assembled, as well as a hotel housing “English-speaking mercenaries” who have fought for Kyiv. The RIA report cited Sergei Lebedev, described as a coordinator of local pro-Moscow guerrillas. His comments couldn’t be independently veri ed.

Also on Sunday morning, the Russian Defense Ministry said that 17 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight over four regions in the country’s southwest. Three drones were intercepted near an oil depot in Lyudinovo, an industrial town about 143 miles north of the Ukrainian border, Gov. Vladislav Shapsha said.

AARON E. MARTINEZ / AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN VIA AP

A pro-Palestinian protester yells “Free Palestine” as she is handcu ed by University of Texas at Austin police on the campus Monday.

Ora McDowell Clark

April 20, 1932 — April 18, 2024

Ora McDowell Clark, age 91, of Asheboro passed away on April 18, 2024, after a short stay at the Randolph Hospice House. Mrs. Clark was born in the Jackson Creek Community of Randolph County on April 20,1932, to Arthur and Ocia Small McDowell. She retired from Black & Decker and was a homemaker. Ora was a faithful servant of the Lord her entire life and was a member of Pleasant Union Community Church. In addition to her parents, Ora was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Ernest Leroy Clark, 3 brothers, and 6 sisters. Ora had a calm spirit, and was a loving, giving, compassionate, and strong-willed lady her whole life. She was a dedicated wife and mother. Ora loved gardening her owers, especially her begonias. Ora enjoyed crocheting and craft making until losing her eyesight. She is survived by her daughter, Gale Clark Hasty and husband Timmy of Randleman, and sister, Louise M. Lambeth of Thomasville.

Elda Ruth Mo tt King

August 3, 1944 — April 23, 2024

Elda Ruth Mo tt King, age 79, of Asheboro passed away on April 23, 2024, at Moses Cone Hospital. Mrs. King was born in Asheboro on August 3, 1944, to Fred and Addie Yow Mo tt. She was formerly employed at Seagrove Elementary School and was a member of Asbury Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, Elda was preceded in death by her husband, Don King, her daughter, Melynda Wilson, and she was the last of 9 children. Elda enjoyed shopping at thrift stores and yard sales. She loved painting and doing crafts. She is survived by her sons, Chris King (Erika) of Asheboro and Brandon King (Jennifer Kiser) of Asheboro; grandchildren, Dillon King, Adam Wilson (Sabrina), Sarah Mclane, and Kylie Zimpfer; and great grandchildren, Everly Mclane and Wesley Wilson.

Buck Ryan Howell

March 13, 1984 — April 19, 2024

Buck Ryan Howell, 40, of Asheboro passed away Friday, April 19, 2024. He was born March 13, 1984, in Greensboro, NC to Bobby Randall Howell and Diane Allred Howell. Buck was loved by his family and friends and will be missed by those closest to him. He was a graduate of Randleman High School and a fork truck driver for Technimark. He will be remembered for his love of sports, always smiling, and never letting those around him be unhappy. Buck admired and looked up to his grandfather, Bob Howell and his father, Randall. He was so proud of his daughter, Emma, and loved her so very much. Buck is survived by his father and stepmother, Randall and Beth Howell of Sophia; daughter, Emma Briggs of Randleman; brothers, Greg Davis (Dianna) of Liberty, Nick Howell of Sophia. In addition to his mother, Diane Allred Howell, he is preceded in death by his grandparents, Bob and Lib Howell and Winfred and Margaret Allred.

Frankie "Bobbie" Bowman McNeill King

July 12, 1934 — April 24, 2024

Frankie “Bobbie” Bowman McNeill King, age 89, of Seagrove passed away on April 24, 2024, at her home. Mrs. King was born in Surry County on July 12, 1934 to Robert and Annie Bowman. She retired from Jockey International. In addition to her parents, Bobbie was preceded in death by her husband, Grady King, her half-sister, Dot McNeill and half-brother, Bernie Stevens. Bobbie was a very caring and compassionate lady who was always there for her children. Bobbie had a green thumb and loved to work in her vegetable garden and cook. She enjoyed sewing, shing, and being outdoors. She is survived by her sons, Ronald McNeill and wife Wanda of Seagrove and Roger D. McNeill and wife Dana of Fancy Gap, VA; daughter, Bonnie Ellis and husband Tom of Nashville, NC; 3 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Roberta-Rae Nelson Jordan

October 30, 1941 — April 20, 2024

Roberta-Rae Nelson Jordan, 82, of Asheboro, went into eternity on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Alpine Health and Rehab in Asheboro. The daughter of Robert and Minnie Nelson, she was born October 30, 1941 in Lincoln, NE. She was a retired hair dresser and was of the Wesleyan faith. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 50 years, E. David Jordan, son, Robert “Op” Jordan, and sisters, Illa-Dean Ward, and Theresa Louise Adams. She is survived by her son, David L. Jordan, and wife, Lesia of Asheboro. Grandsons, Richard L. and wife Erin of Greensboro, and Rev. Daniel A. and wife Rebecca of Asheboro and great-grandchildren, Vivian, Cecelia, Leland, Ledgy, and Emrys. Also by brothers, Raymond Nelson and wife Iris of Pahrump, NV, James Nelson and wife Bonnie of Homer, AK, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kenneth Alford Thomas

June 3, 1946 — April 27, 2024

Mr. Kenneth Alford Thomas age 77 of Asheboro passed away Saturday morning, April 27th. 2024 at the Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro. Mr. Thomas was a truck driver for R&H Transportation for over 35 years. He was drafted by the U.S. Army in 1965 being deployed to Vietnam where he served until 1967 leaving with the rank of Sergeant. Mr. Thomas was a godly man loving his church and the church family. He loved playing golf with his "gol ng buddies". Mr. Thomas is survived by his wife of over 50 years Ameryles Thomas of the home, one daughter Delane (Basher) Pierce Jr. of Sophia, one Brother Dexter Joseph Thomas of Logan West Virginia, one Sister Margaret Ann Spencer of Asheboro, two grandchildren Basher Pierce 3rd. and Brandy Pierce Macon. one great-grandchild Adalynn Jane Macon. Special Nephew Kread Solesbee of the home and special niece Jennifer (Shane) Hunt of Greensboro. Several other nieces and nephews.

Robin Renee Butcher Duke

January 31, 1970 — April 22, 2024

Robin Renee Butcher Duke, age 54, of Asheboro passed away on April 22, 2024, at her home. Mrs. Duke was born in Asheboro on January 31, 1970 to Robert and Carolyn Bolick Butcher. In addition to her parents, Robin was preceded in death by her brother, Tony Butcher. Robin liked to lay in the sun and ride down the river. Robin loved all animals. She is survived by her husband, Lee Duke; stepson, Zachary Duke and wife Ashley of Asheboro; and grandchild, Keegan Duke.

Deborah Kay Williams

December 12, 1962 - April 21, 2024

Deborah Kay Williams, born on December 12, 1962, in Randolph County, peacefully passed away on April 21, 2024, in Randolph County. She was 61 years old. Deborah dedicated many years of her life as a sewist at Lassiter Hosiery, where her craftsmanship and dedication shone through. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life, such as watching Christmas movies all year round, with Christmas being her favorite time of the year. She cherished spending quality time with her brother, nephews, and family at the carnival, creating precious memories together. One of Deborah’s favorite pastimes was being at the beach and shing o the bridge in Pensacola, FL, especially with her beloved nephews. Deborah is survived by her brother, Paul Roberts; stepfather Hoyt Russell and his wife, Louise; father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Ida Williams; sistersin-law Pamela (Glenroy) Cole and Donna (Judge) Robinson; brothers-in-law John (Annie) Williams and Bobby (Monica) Williams; nephews Jeremy Roberts and wife Kammie Bauer, Michael Roberts and wife Jennifer, and Josh Hughes; niece Angela Hughes; great niece Jewelya Roberts; and great nephews Dylan Sykes, Devin Roberts, and Dallas Roberts. She was preceded in death by her rst husband, Lee Moore and second husband, James Arnaz Williams, mother, Jewel Dean Russell, and sister, Susan Hughes. Deborah’s kindness extended beyond her immediate family, as she also helped raise her great niece and nephews. Her loving nature and generous spirit touched the hearts of many, earning her a special place in the lives of those who knew her. Deborah will be dearly missed and remembered for her big heart and the love she shared with all those around her.

Francisco Larios Moreno

February 11, 1968 - April 20, 2024

Francisco Larios Moreno, age 56, of Asheboro passed away April 20, 2024, at Randolph Hospital in Asheboro, North Carolina. He was born February 11, 1968, in Nicaragua the son of Francisco Larios Cano and the late Maria Larios Moreno. Francisco enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, enjoyed cleaning his home, cooking for his friends and family or sharing meals with loved ones. He worked diligently throughout his life in construction. Most of all, he cherished his family. Left to honor his memory are his daughter, Darling Larios; father, Francisco Larios Cano; sisters, Julieta Larios, Carolina Larios, and Karla Larios; brothers, Jose Larios Moreno, Alberto Larios, Hector Larios and Marlon Larios; and a host of other beloved family and friends.

Thomas Murphy Coley

August 29, 1954 - April 21, 2024

Thomas Murphy Coley, age 69, of Seagrove passed away April 21, 2024, at his home. He was born August 29, 1954, in Chatham County, North Carolina the son of the late Euma Cleo Coley and Margaret Helena Wright Coley. Also preceding him in death are his brothers, Euma “Buck” Cleo Coley Jr. and Jesse Raymond Coley; and sisters, Margaret Ann Shore and Martha Kinney. Thomas graduated from Eastern Randolph High School and following his education he gained certi cation for operating a forklift. He retired after years of employment with Structural Wood as a truck driver. Thomas took pride in his yard and enjoyed mowing, loved baseball, enjoyed the companionship of his dogs and most of all spending time with family and close friends. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 29 years, Sharon Coley; sons, William “Doug” Coley and Michael Coley; grandchildren, Thomas Coley, Madison Miller, and Mason Coley; sisters, Phyllis Overman and Kaye Joyce Smith; brothers, Raeford Monroe Coley and David Elton Coley; canine companions, Lizzie, Whitey, Skunk, Brownie, Blackie and Rusty; and numerous other beloved family and friends.

STATE & NATION

United Methodists prep for votes on gay marriage, LGBTQ clergy

The church’s General Conference is taking place in Charlotte

By Peter Smith The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their rst legislative gathering in ve years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church’s longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy.

After a day o on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, being held in Charlotte, resumed their work Monday and will meet all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on Friday.

They’ve already begun making historic changes: On Thursday, delegates overwhelmingly endorsed a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the rst time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to t local situations.

That measure — subject to local rati cation votes — is seen as a way the U.S. churches could have LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage while the more conservative overseas areas, particularly the large and fast-growing churches of Africa, could maintain those bans.

But whether that measure maintains church unity remains to be seen. The General Conference comes as the American portion of the United Meth-

The church’s 11-day General Conference, taking place in Charlotte, is the denomination’s rst legislative gathering since a special session in 2019.

odist Church, long the nation’s third-largest denomination, has shrunk considerably. One-quarter of its U.S. churches left between 2019 and 2023 amid conservative dismay over the church’s failure to enforce its LGBTQ bans amid widespread de ance.

A proposal to overturn those bans is headed to the delegates this week, and progressives are optimistic that they have the votes to realize their long-held dream.

Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area, the rst openly lesbian bishop ordained in the church, said the tenor of the current conference is

positive.

“The delegates are listening to each other, learning from each other, really providing a foundation for the work this week,” she said. “There have been hard conversations, but again this tone that we’re in this together. And we have a witness to make to the world that’s uni ed even in the midst of cultural di erences.”

The denomination has debated homosexuality for more than half a century. Its Book of Discipline bans “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from the clergy and forbids clergy from presiding at same-sex marriages. It also forbids church funding of any ad-

vocacy for the “acceptance of homosexuality.”

But legislative committees last week overwhelmingly approved several proposals liberalizing the church’s stance on sexuality. They included one committee that voted 43-9 to overturn the ban on LGBTQ clergy.

The delegates will also vote on a new set of Social Principles — a wholesale revision of an existing set of nonbinding statements — which also received overwhelming committee approval last week. The new version omits the previous version’s declaration that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.”

And it de nes marriage as a sacred covenant between “two people of faith,” without specifying gender.

Such changes could portend a further fragmentation of the international church. Delegates last week approved the departure of a small but notable part of the body — about 30 churches in Russia and other former Soviet countries, where conservative views on LGBTQ issues are strong.

Some are proposing that African and other churches be given the same chance that U.S. churches recently had to disafliate under favorable terms, including U.S. churches that missed the earlier deadline to do so, but a committee vote recommended against such measures.

Opponents say they already have mechanisms to depart, as some have recently done, but proponents say existing rules are burdensome.

Jerry Kulah of the advocacy group Africa Initiative said that while it will be up to individual conferences in Africa to decide whether to stay or leave the denomination, he believes it’s time to leave.

“We cannot remain in this marriage,” he said. “We can’t be one church preaching di erent gospels.”

A large majority of African bishops, while a rming their opposition to LGBTQ ordination or marriage, have said in a joint statement they are committed to remaining in the United Methodist Church.

The denomination had until recently been the third largest in the United States, present in almost every county. But its 5.4 million U.S. membership in 2022 is expected to drop once the 2023 departures are factored in.

The denomination also counts 4.6 million members in other countries, mainly in Africa, though earlier estimates have been higher.

NC ight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl

The 36-year-old Charlotte man tried to secretly lm a 14-year-old in an airplane bathroom

By Steve LeBlanc

The Associated Press

BOSTON — An American Airlines ight attendant was indicted last week after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.

Police have also alleged that Estes Carter Thompson III, 36, of Charlotte, had recordings of four other girls using lavatories on an aircraft where he worked.

Thompson was indicted on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor.

Thompson was charged and arrested in January 2024 in Lynchburg, Virginia. He has been in federal custody since.

A lawyer for Thompson said af-

ter the indictment by a federal grand jury that he was unable to comment.

Investigators said that about midway through a Sept. 2, 2023, ight from Charlotte to Boston, the 14-year-old got up to use the main cabin lavatory nearest to her seat but found it was occupied.

Thompson then told her the rst-class lavatory was unoccupied and escorted her there, investigators said. Before she entered the bathroom, Thompson allegedly told her he needed to wash his hands and that the toilet seat was broken, they said.

After he left, the teen entered the bathroom and she saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid, which was in the open position, o cials said.

Beneath the stickers, Thompson had concealed his iPhone to record a video, investigators said.

The girl used her phone to take a picture of the stickers and concealed iPhone before leaving.

Prosecutors also allege hundreds of images of child sexual abuse generated through ar-

ti cial intelligence were found stored on Thompson’s iCloud account.

Attempted sexual exploitation of children carries a sentence of 15-30 years in prison, while possessing images of sexual abuse of a prepubescent minor can mean up to 20 years in prison.

Both charges also provide for at least ve years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a ne of up to $250,000 and restitution.

American Airlines previously issued a statement saying the ight attendant was “immediately withheld from service” and hasn’t worked since the phone was discovered.

A search of Thompson’s iCloud account revealed four additional instances between January and August 2023 in which Thompson recorded a minor using the lavatory on an aircraft, according to investigators.

Those depicted in the recordings were 7, 9, 11 and 14 years old at the time, they said. Their families have been contacted by police, investigators said.

MARK SCHIEFELBEIN / AP PHOTO

BLUE RIDGE REGIONAL JAIL AUTHORITY VIA AP

Estes Carter Thompson III of Charlotte, an American Airlines ight attendant, has been indicted after being accused of attempting to secretly record a 14-year-old female passenger.

this week in history

Studio 54 opens in New York pen & paper pursuits

Washington takes oath of o ce

The Associated Press

APRIL 25

404 B.C.: The Peloponnesian War ended as Athens surrendered to Sparta.

1507: A world map produced by German cartographer Martin Waldseemueller contained the rst recorded use of the term “America,” in honor of Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci.

1859: Ground was broken for the Suez Canal.

1990: The Hubble Space Telescope was deployed in orbit from the space shuttle Discovery.

2022: Elon Musk reached an agreement to buy Twitter for roughly $44 billion.

APRIL 26

1977: The legendary nightclub Studio 54 had its opening night in New York.

1986: An explosion and re at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine caused radioactive fallout to begin spewing into the atmosphere.

APRIL 27

1521: Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed by natives in the Philippines.

1810: Ludwig van Beethoven wrote one of his most famous piano compositions, the Bagatelle in A-minor.

2018: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made history by crossing over to South Korea to meet with President Moon Jae-in; it was the rst time a member of the Kim dynasty had set foot on southern soil since the end of the Korean War in 1953.

APRIL 28

1788: Maryland became the seventh state to ratify the Constitution of the United States.

1945: Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and his mistress, Clara Petacci, were executed by Italian partisans as they attempted to ee the country.

APRIL 29

1429: Joan of Arc entered the besieged city of Orleans to lead a French victory over the English.

2011: Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton were married in an opulent ceremony at London’s Westminster Abbey.

APRIL 30

1789: George Washington took the oath of o ce in New York as the rst president of the United States.

1803: The United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for 60 million francs, the equivalent of about $15 million.

1812: Louisiana became

the 18th state of the Union.

1900: Engineer John Luther “Casey” Jones of the Illinois Central Railroad died in a train wreck near Vaughan, Mississippi, after staying at the controls in a successful effort to save the passengers.

1975: The Vietnam War ended as the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to Communist forces.

MAY 1

1707: The Kingdom of Great Britain was created as a treaty merging England and Scotland took e ect.

1960: The Soviet Union shot down an American U-2 reconnaissance plane over Sverdlovsk and captured its pilot, Francis Gary Powers.

1991: Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers threw his seventh no-hitter at age 44, shutting out the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0.

2011: The U.S. announced the death of Osama bin Laden during a U.S. commando operation. (Because of the time di erence, it was early May 2 in Pakistan, where the al-Qaida leader met his end.)

RICHARD DREW / AP PHOTO

Crowds linger outside the entrance to Studio 54 in New York on Nov. 6, 1979.

AP PHOTO/TASS

Left, an aerial view of the Chernobyl nuclear power reactor in Chernobyl, Ukraine, after an explosion and re on April 26, 1986. Right, Newlyweds Prince William and Princess Kate leave Westminster Abbey after their wedding ceremony.

ALASTAIR GRANT / AP PHOTO

‘Crow Talk’ is a meditative and hopeful novel on grief

By Donna Edwards

Associated Press

The

CROWS have long been associated with death, but Eileen Garvin’s novel “Crow Talk” offers a fresh perspective; creepy, dark and morbid becomes beautiful, wondrous and transformative.

“Crow Talk” provides a path for healing in a meditative and hopeful novel on grief, largely set in secluded Beauty Bay on idyllic Lake June. It’s where Frankie spent the long summer days of her childhood, where she rst learned to listen to birds and began her lifelong pursuit of studying them with her handy eld book of Paci c Northwest birds — a gift from her beloved father — always at her side.

Now she’s well past the eld guide and working on her master’s thesis. But between problems at school, her mother’s icy distance, and no longer being able to con de in her father and get his advice, Frankie is adrift. She seeks refuge at the family’s little cabin in the Washington woods.

Meanwhile, Anne is dealing with her own loss. Finding herself unable to write music and on leave from her teaching job, she goes with her husband and their son for a late-season stay

at their cabin on Beauty Bay. There, they nervously await the results of a study on their 5-year-old, Aiden, who has mysteriously stopped talking.

Doors begin to open when Frankie takes in an injured crow, drawing Aiden and Anne’s intrigue.

The novel begins like a meditation, bringing you to a calm place and gently exposing the roots and depths of Anne’s and Frankie’s predicaments. Unready to face their sorrow and unable to share their grief, it’s not until almost halfway in that Frankie and Anne nally reveal exactly what they’re mourning.

Flipping between the three, Aiden’s chapters are the most beautiful and intriguing. The short, often mythical interpretations of what’s going on around him draw on his beloved fairy tale book, o ering a peek into the way he sees himself and the world, drawing comparisons between Aiden and the crows.

Like Aiden, crows are incredibly smart and have a lot to say, if only we could understand them.

The author freely mixes ction and reality, like the madeup June Lake at the foot of the real Mount Adams in Washington. She also writes from experience, inspired by her own childhood lake house and forest adventures. Garvin’s sister, Margaret, was diagnosed with autism, and the secluded cabin provided her and her family some comfort. This personal experience shines in the love and care for Aiden’s character, who is written as more than his diagnosis and always fully human and capable.

“Crow Talk” is a study of grief, friendship and navigating loss; a cottagecore book that is at once cozy reading and emotionally challenging. Garvin rewards readers with an uplifting ending for a uniquely comforting novel.

The Rolling Stones show no signs of slowing down

The legendary rock ’n’ roll band is starting a new tour with a Texas show

By Juan A. Lozano

The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Time marches on and all good things must come to an end. But don’t tell that to The Rolling Stones.

What many believe to be the greatest rock ’n’ roll band in the world showed no signs of slowing down anytime soon as they kicked o their latest tour Sunday night at Houston’s NRG Stadium.

The Stones have been touring for more than 60 years. Frontman Mick Jagger and lead guitarist Keith Richards are both 80, with guitarist Ronnie Wood not far behind at 76. Their tour is being sponsored in part by AARP.

But during a vibrant twohour show, the Stones played with the energy of a band that was on tour for the rst time.

“It’s great to be back in the

Lone Star State,” Jagger told the packed stadium, lled with longtime fans, many wearing faded concert shirts from previous tours.

Jagger often strutted up and down the stage with seemingly boundless energy while Richards and Wood played many familiar guitar ri s beloved by fans. Jagger often led the audience in sing-alongs.

The Stones have hit the road

to support the release of their latest album, “Hackney Diamonds,” the band’s rst record of original music since 2005.

Houston was the rst stop on the band’s 16-city tour across the U.S. and Canada. The closest stops to North Carolina are Orlando on June 3 and Atlanta on June 7. The tour ends on July 17 in Santa Clara, California.

During Sunday’s 18-song concert set list, the Stones played several tracks o the new record, including lead single “Angry.” They also played classics including “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Gimmer Shelter,” Honky Tonk Women” and “Start Me Up.”

After playing “Beast of Burden,” Jagger said that concertgoers in Houston had voted to include it on the set list.

Before Sunday’s concert, Jagger spent time on Friday touring NASA’s Johnson Space Center in suburban Houston, posting photos on his Instagram account of him with astronauts inside Mission Control.

“I had an amazing trip to the space center,” Jagger said.

DUTTON VIA AP

Eileen Garvin’s book “Crow Talk” is set in the Paci c Northwest.

AMY HARRIS / INVISION VIA AP

Mick Jagger, left, and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones perform.

famous birthdays this week

The Associated Press

April 28: Former “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno is 74. Actor Bridget Moynahan (“Blue Bloods”) is 53. Actor Penelope Cruz is 50. Actor Jessica Alba is 43.

April 29: Country singer Duane Allen of The Oak Ridge Boys is 81. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is 70. Actor Daniel Day-Lewis is 67. Actress Michelle Pfei er is 66. Singer Carnie Wilson of Wilson Phillips is 56. Rapper Master P is 54. Actress Uma Thurman is 54.

April 30: Singer Willie Nelson is 91. Singer Akon is 51. Actor Johnny Galecki (“The Big Bang Theory,” “Roseanne”) is 49. Rapper Lloyd Banks is 42. Actress Kirsten Dunst is 42. Rapper Travis Scott is 33.

May 1: Country singer Tim McGraw is 57. Director Wes Anderson is 55.

May 2: Singer Engelbert Humperdinck is 88. Country singer Larry Gatlin is 76. Actress Christine Baranski is 72. Wrestler-actor Dwayne Johnson is 52. Singer Je Gutt of Stone Temple Pilots is 48.

May 3: Singer Frankie Valli is 90. Sports announcer Greg Gumbel is 78. Actress Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”) is 49. Country singer Eric Church is 47.

May 4: Country singer Randy Travis is 65. Actor Will Arnett (“Arrested Development,” “Blades of Glory”) is 54. Sports reporter and TV personality Erin Andrews is 46.

Actress Uma Thurman, pictured in 2006, turned 54 Monday.

MARK J. TERRILL / AP PHOTO Jerry Seinfeld, at the Oscars in 2007, turned 70 Monday.

MATT SAYLES / AP PHOTO

Christina Hendricks, pictured at the 2008 Emmy Awards, turns 49 Friday.

the stream

Jerry Seinfeld hits Net ix with loads of talent

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney continue their grand experiment of owning a football club on season three of FX’s “Welcome to Wrexham”

The Associated Press

THE RETURN OF “HACKS ” and a new Jerry Seinfeld movie are some of the new television, movies, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also among the streaming o erings worth your time: New episodes of “Behind the Music,” Selena Gomez taking her cooking skills to restaurants and a video game for political junkies.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Jerry Seinfeld has been very picky about his post-“Seinfeld” projects, but the comedian stars in, co-writes and directs the new Net ix comedy “Unfrosted” (streaming Friday). The lm, an origin story for the Pop-Tart, is as stocked with comic talent as it is ridiculousness. Melissa McCarthy, Jim Ga gan, Amy Schumer, Hugh Grant and many others co-star in Seinfeld’s satire of Kellogg’s and Post in a heated race to create a new breakfast treat. If you missed “The Holdovers,” Alexander Payne’s Oscar-winning ’70s-set boarding school comic drama, the lm arrives Monday on Prime Video. The lm was nominated for ve Oscars, including best actor for Paul Giamatti, and went home with one: best supporting actress for Da’Vine Joy Randolph. Giamatti stars as a curmudgeonly teacher tasked with watching a student (Dominic Sessa) over Christmas break.

MUSIC TO STREAM

First came “Houdini,” a club-banger with new edge. Then the lively ambitiousness of “Training Season,” and the elastic bass of “Illusion.” The English-Albanian pop superstar Dua Lipa’s third album, “Radical Optimism,” is built of her longstanding pop sensibilities. But she’s shifted slightly away from the disco-pop of 2020’s “Future Nostalgia” and instead, has embraced pop-psychedelia in in uences like Primal Scream and Mas -

sive Attack, at least partially thanks to a new collaborator in Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker. It’s a euphoric ride straight to the club and a reminder of the necessity of danceable music in resilience.

In the late ’90s and carrying into the 2010s, VH1’s documentary series “Behind the Music” o ered in-depth insight into the top performers of the past and present — highlighting their path to success and obstacles faced in the process. For music obsesses, it was an education. If you missed it, or if you’re missing it right now, long no more: Paramount+ will debut new episodes of “Behind the Music” on Wednesday, spotlighting Bell Biv DeVoe, Trace Adkins and Wolfgang Van Halen. And while you wait: There are episodes from the original

series available to stream on Paramount+ right now, featuring everyone from Boy George and Busta Rhymes to Jennifer Lopez and New Kids on the Block.

SHOWS TO STREAM

The long-awaited third season of “Hacks,” starring Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder, returns May 2 on Max. The show picks up about a year after the nale of season two, with its two stars seemingly worlds apart. Smart’s Deborah Vance is at the top of her standup game in Las Vegas and Einbinder’s Ava is busy working as a writer in Los Angeles. The separation doesn’t last long as the two can’t seem to quit each other. Another reason to tune in? The comedic duo Paul

W. Downs and Megan Stalter (playing agent Jimmy and his not-at-all-trusty assistant, Kayla) have been bumped up to series regulars. Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds continue their grand experiment of owning a football club on season three of FX’s “Welcome to Wrexham.”

We begin with a rewind to last summer — with the Red Dragons on a high, touring America and enjoying the perks of upgrades to their facility. “Welcome to Wrexham” season three debuts Thursday on FX and streams the next day on Hulu.

While fans wait for the sixth and nal season of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a new Elisabeth Moss series called “The Veil” is coming to Hulu from FX. The series takes place in the high-

stakes world of international espionage with Moss portraying an MI6 agent. “I can change into anything, become 100 strangers,” Moss says in the show’s trailer. “The Veil” began streaming on Hulu Tuesday. We watched Selena Gomez learn to cook over Zoom for four seasons of “Selena + Chef,” and now she’s ready to say “Yes, Chef!” in restaurant kitchens. In her new Food Network series “Selena + Restaurant,” Gomez and her bestie Raquelle Stevens visit popular LA-area restaurants to try to create a dish that would make the menu. The show premieres Thursday on Food Network and streams on Max.

The best-selling book “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris has been adapted as a limited series for Peacock. It tells the true story of a Slovakian Jewish man named Lale Sokolov, sent to Auschwitz and given the job of tattooing fellow prisoners. He ends up falling in love with a girl named Gita. The story is told through ashbacks and Harvey Keitel plays an older Lale, recounting the experience to Morris — played by Melanie Lynskey. The series debuts Thursday on Peacock.

The comedy festival Netix is a Joke is upping the ante by o ering some events live on the streamer. Katt Williams, known for his no-holdsbarred commentary, is set to go live with a stand-up set called “Woke Folk” on Saturday. And Kevin Hart will host “The Roast of Tom Brady” on May 5. “I played in the NFL, so I’m not worried about a bunch of comedians, trust me,” taunted the seven-time Super Bowl winner in a video shared with NBC’s “Today.” Brady says he does not know who will appear to roast him.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Judging from the polls, a lot of Americans aren’t happy with their choices in this fall’s presidential election. Thank goodness for The Political Machine 2024, which lets you create your own White House candidate from scratch. Sure, you can play as Donald Trump, Joe Biden, or an also-ran like Ron DeSantis or Nikki Haley, but why not try to get yourself or your grandma or your favorite teacher elected? Publisher Stardock, best known for intergalactic strategy epics like Sins of a Solar Empire, has cranked up The Political Machine every four years since 2004, and this season’s edition adds primaries, debates and action cards that “undermine your opponents and bolster your campaign.” Hit the stump Thursday on PC.

WARNER VIA AP

“Radical Optimism” is Dua Lipa’s third album.

NETFLIX VIA AP

Melissa McCarthy, from left, Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Ga gan star in “Unfrosted.”

HOKE COUNTY

The Hoke County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday morning for a special meeting following the ling of a lawsuit regarding public records requests that were allegedly ignored.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

NC spending on public schools lags behind North Carolina spent $12,298 per student on public schools according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than $3,000 behind the national average of $15,633. The state ranks in the bottom 20 states in terms of K-12 public school spending.

This is up from the past few years, though spending growth is blunted by in ation. The bulk of the spending growth came in the Instruction category, which includes teacher salaries and similar items. Adjusted for in ation over the past decade, spending per pupil has grown slightly in North Carolina.

Former Congressman McMillan dead at 91

Former Congressman John B. McMillian died last month at age 91. McMillan, CEO of Harris-Teeter, ran for Congress in 1984, winning his seat by just 321 votes. He had 50 years of experience representing clients in courtrooms and at the NC General Assembly as a lobbyist. He was also a former president of the NC State Bar. He served on a litany of statewide boards and was instrumental in the planning and construction of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences building, the Nature Research Center and the State Bar Building.

Hoke commish blusters, defends county in lawsuit meeting

Though promising “the truth,” very little of consequence was actually said

By Jordan Golson North State Journal

The Hoke County Board of Commissioners held an eventful public meeting Tuesday morning complete with grandstanding by elected o cials and threats to have law enforcement remove citizens from the hearing room.

The special meeting was called after Hoke County was sued by The News-Journal newspaper over submitted public record requests that were al-

legedly ignored by the county.

The requests related to the use of county funds for construction projects, commissioner stipends and travel expenses, and advertisements on Hoke County property, all seemingly standard requests from a news organization to a government entity.

“When these requests are ignored and disregarded, it is not a reporter or journalist that government o cials are ‘sticking it to,’” said News-Journal Publisher Jessica Hendrix Brown in a statement. “It’s the people. The taxpayers. The voters.”

Before going into executive session to hire R. Jonathan Charleston as outside counsel, a lawyer the county has used

before in other legal matters, Chairman James Leach gave a speech thanking Hoke County sta for the “great job they’ve done for the county” and claiming “millions” of dollars in savings thanks to the work of sta members.

Though the speech appeared to be addressing matters relating to the public records request, Leach spoke in broad generalities and it wasn’t always clear to what he was referring.

“If you do good, folks don’t like it. If you do bad, folks don’t like it,” Leach said. “But I’m glad this morning that you have the board up here that works good. Does good. An honest board. They don’t mind doing what’s right for all the citizens of Hoke County.” He thanked the state of North Carolina for providing grants to build projects, seemingly claiming that Hoke taxpayer funds weren’t used on the projects in question.

HCS to implement parentteacher conference day

The district will set aside time for parents and teachers to meet on Oct. 25

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

THE HOKE County Schools Board of Education will set aside a day next school year for parents and teachers to meet.

The board approved the move at its April 16 meeting, changing Oct. 25 from a mandatory teacher work day to a parent-teacher conference day.

“During [Superintendent Kenneth] Spells’ recent visits to various schools across the county as part of his listening tours, one of the recurring concerns

voiced by our teachers was the absence of a dedicated day for parent conferences,” said assistant superintendent Dawn Ramseur. “In response to that, our leadership team brainstormed a potential solution while considering the current proposed calendar.”

The board was given an update on how the district is working to address some vacancy concerns.

“At our job fair in March, several of our schools were able to pick up some candidates at that event,” said director of human resources Tuwanda McNeill.

“We have also just nished our Educational Partners International interviews. Our EPI is our international teachers and the organization that we work with actually set up Zoom in-

terviews for our principals to get on to actually interview those individuals so we’re fortunate already that several of our schools are excited about picking up or bringing some of those people aboard.”

A legislative class size waiver request for Upchurch Elementary was approved.

“Each year, kindergarten through third grade classes should comply with the class size maximums,” said director of testing and accountability Melissa Ward. “For kindergarten that is 21 students, rst grade is 19 students and for second and third grade it is 20 students. This is monitored twice a year in PowerSchool by the legislative class size report. In the Fall, there were no errors, but for the spring, we had errors

“I hope other states and counties listen, to nd out why Hoke County is number one in many, many ways. Not only this board says that, they say it around the state of North Carolina; how well we’ve been doing it in Hoke County,” he continued. “For that reason, we’ve come to set the facts and the record straight.” Through all the bluster, not much was actually set straight. When a citizen stood up, in-

due to teacher turnover.”

According to Ward, Upchurch lost a second grade teacher position which as of the meeting had not been lled by another teacher or long-term sub. As such, the children from that class were distributed to other classes which now requires the submission of a waiver. In other business, the board also approved the 2024-2025 Child Nutrition Renewal Bids for vendor supplies.

The board approved renewal bids from Sysco Raleigh, Foster Caviness Co., Franklin Baking Co., MDVA Milk Producers Cooperative Association, SFS Pac Food Safety & Sanitation, Dar-

MEETING from page1

terrupting Leach to ask if any members of the public would be heard during the meeting, he was rebu ed.

“No sir, it’s not about citizens getting the chance to speak today. We’ve come to set the record straight,” Leach said before threatening the citizen with removal from the proceeding.

“I’m going to have to ask you to leave if you don’t hush,” Leach said as Vice Chairman Harry Sutherland asked for the sheri to join proceedings.

“Bring the sheri in. … Who else wants to go?” Southerland asked the crowd.

“That’s not why we’re here. You say you want the truth, we come to talk about it,” Leach said. “If you’re not willing to let us talk about it and tell the truth … let us tell you what’s not in the newspaper.”

But the board didn’t share much of anything aside from Leach touting Hoke County as “one of the greatest counties in North Carolina” before the crowd was reminded that there would be no question-and-answer and no public comment allowed in the meeting.

The board then moved into executive session before announcing the appointment of Charleston to represent the board in the lawsuit.

After the meeting concluded, Southerland promised to ”give them everything they asked for, and more!”

SCHOOLS from page 1

ryl Gourmet Specialties, The Master Exterminators and Ken Smith’s Wash on Wheels.

According to Deborah Carpenter, child nutrition executive director for the district, all the renewal bids were agreed upon for the same price as last year. The board also approved the submittal of bids for two other needed services: cafeteria cooking equipment repair services and grease trap pumping and dumping

The Hoke County Schools Board of Education will next meet May 14.

WEDNESDAY

Hillcrest re chief injured in fall, recovering at home

Chief Michael Scott fell and su ered a head injury on the job

North State Journal Sta

Hillcrest Fire Chief Michael Scott is now resting at home after su ering a head injury from a fall o a re engine on April 23. The incident occurred while the Chief was assisting with vehicle washing and maintenance.

Following the accident, Chief Scott received medical attention and was sub -

sequently transferred to a specialty facility for further treatment. In a Facebook post, the Hillcrest Fire Department expressed gratitude for the support received from their partners and the community during this challenging time.

On April 25, the Fire Department provided an update, stating that the Chief was recovering well and hoped to be released within a couple of days.

That was followed by an update on Friday, April 26, when the department an-

nounced that Chief Scott had been released from the hospital and was resting at home. The Chief expressed his thankfulness for the thoughts and prayers he received. The department requested that well-wishers show their support in the comments section on Facebook, allowing the Chief time to recuperate before receiving visitors in person. The Hillcrest community wishes Fire Chief Michael Scott a speedy recovery and looks forward to his return to serving the public.

April 23

• Harry Lamont Gadson, 42, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on charges of possessing a stolen firearm and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. Bond amount was set at is $175,000.

April 25

• Brittany Leann Chavis, 32, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on charges of motor vehicle theft and a probation violation. Bond amount was set at $40,000.

• Jonathan Omar Sturdivant, 28, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge of simple assault. Bond amount was set at $500.

April 26

• Todd Alan Frazier, 47, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge of motor vehicle theft. Bond amount was set at $2,500.

• John Magadan, 28, was booked into the Hoke County Jail for resisting, hindering, and/or delaying arrest. Bond amount was set at $1,000.

• Shannon Shearer, 45, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge of felony breaking and entering. Bond amount is $2,500.

• Telford Ray Cummings, 48, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on charges of felony breaking and entering with force and without larceny. Bond amount is $5,000.

• Shane Allen Locklear, 29, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on charges of firstdegree burglary, felony possession of schedule II controlled substance, felony possession of schedule I controlled substance, and probation violation. Bond amount was set at $80,000.

• Scott Allen Vaughan, 43, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge of motor vehicle theft. No bond was set.

April 27

• Donte Guy Riccardo, 27, was booked into the Hoke County Jail on a charge of assault on a law enforcement officer, probation officer, or other serious injury. Bond amount was set at $25,000.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Focused on the issues impacting you

President Biden could x this crisis today the same way he created it: with a stroke of a pen.

IT WAS SO GREAT to be back home during the recent district work period and hear from folks about the issues most important to them and their families. As I traveled around, I heard story after story of how the current situation in our country has negatively impacted people’s lives. From higher living expenses to illegal criminals and drugs coming across our border, communities in our region and across our country are facing real challenges.

Whether it’s food, rent, electricity, or even car insurance, just about everything has gotten more expensive since President Biden took o ce. Right now, North Carolinians are paying over $990 more a month because of skyrocketing in ation, caused by Biden and the Democrats’ out-of-control spending. Our communities are also being impacted by President Biden’s failed open border and amnesty policies. More deadly drugs, especially fentanyl, are being smuggled across our border and into our country, putting our safety and security at risk. Recently, a man in Lee County was busted tra cking enough fentanyl to kill 250,000 people, enough to kill everyone in Lee County three times over.

President Biden could x this crisis today the same way he created it: with a stroke of a pen. But he refuses

to act. Meanwhile, House Republicans passed a bill over nine months ago to secure our border and keep our communities safe.

As a member of the Health Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I often hear from seniors and those in rural communities like ours struggling with long travel times to and from doctor appointments or lack of regular access to transportation. However, we saw during the pandemic how telehealth services make it easier for folks to get the care they need in a faster and more e cient way.

The Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing last week to address ways we can support patients’ access to telehealth so they can continue to bene t from these services. While expanding access to telehealth is critically important, I’m also focused on making sure proper protections are in place to ensure the best patient outcomes and high-quality care.

As Congress prepares for another busy week ahead, rest assured I’ll continue ghting for the best interests of our region.

Richard Hudson represents the 9th Congressional District.

Justice delayed is justice denied

In Clinton v. Jones in 1997, the Supreme Court unanimously held that a sitting president could be sued for alleged sexual harassment.

JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO thinks presidents are kings and must be protected against those who would disrupt their peaceful retirement.

What planet is he living on?

In his questioning on Thursday in the Trump immunity case, he made perfectly clear whose side he was on.

“If an incumbent who loses a very close, hotly contested election knows that a real possibility after leaving o ce is not that the president is going to be able to go o into a peaceful retirement, but that the president may be criminally prosecuted by a bitter political opponent, will that not lead us into a cycle that destabilizes the functioning of our country as a democracy?”

That is exactly what did NOT happen.

An incumbent lost a close, hotly contested race and he did not go o into a peaceful retirement. Instead, the embittered loser brought one failed lawsuit after another trying to overturn the election, and when that didn’t work, he resorted to fake electors, pressuring state o cials, trying to subvert the democratic process and fomenting a riot.

Oh, yes, and delaying a trial that could and should cost him the election in the hopes that he will win the election and order that the charges against him be dropped or preemptively pardon himself.

Talk about destabilizing the functioning of our country as a democracy.

Alito sounded like a man ready to recognize a king who is above the law.

Even if he can’t nd ve votes for the absolute immunity Trump came asking for, from the sound of things on Thursday, he’ll come close enough. The chances that Trump will actually stand trial before the election seemed to be slipping away as the conservative Trump majority got into the weeds of what kind of quali ed immunity would adequately protect a felonious former president from a threat that has never happened, as opposed to protecting our democracy from the conspiracy that did.

What Trump has been playing for — his best defense

— has always been delay. Justice delayed is justice denied, especially if you can delay long enough to pardon yourself and make a mockery of the whole e ort to hold him accountable. In Clinton v. Jones in 1997, the Supreme Court unanimously held that a sitting president could be sued for alleged sexual harassment.

“The president is subject to judicial process in appropriate circumstances,” Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for the court, adding, “We have never suggested that the president, or any other o cial, has an immunity that extends beyond the scope of any action taken in an o cial capacity.”

But what about actions taken in an o cial capacity? And when we’re talking about felonious actions, what counts as o cial actions and what counts as the actions of a candidate? As the conservatives droned on about the lines that must be drawn, and what the jury could and could not be told about o cial actions in an “integrated conspiracy,” you could hear the chances of a speedy trial slipping away. Will the court draw these lines itself in dueling opinions that will take months to write? Or will it ultimately send the task back to the trial court to do so in the rst instance and then to be appealed again?

Remember, it was Jack Smith who initially sought to have the Supreme Court preemptively decide these issues before the rst round of appeals from the trial judge’s ruling rejecting the absolute immunity claim urged by Trump. If the court thought these issues required a ruling for the ages, it could have heard them then. Instead, they sent it back to the appellate court to rule rst, and now they seem primed to ignore that ruling in favor of a time-consuming trip through hypothetical weeds.

The rule of law has always been tinged by politics. But increasingly, this court appears not only tinged by politics but ruled by it. The justices’ questions suggested two di erent views of what is at stake. Public con dence in the court is at an all-time low. I would like nothing more than to be wrong about what the court is going to do. But I fear that the public is right to see this court in purely political terms, and this decision — ultimately, a decision to delay — may prove it so.

COLUMN | RICHARD HUDSON

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

HOKE SPORTS

Playo s loom as regular seasons come to an end

North State Journal Sta

IT’S CRUNCH TIME for high school spring sports. Girls’ soccer, with a week to go in the regular season, is the only sport preparing for playo s already. Baseball and softball have wrapped up the regular season, and playo elds have already been announced in golf and tennis.

Boys’ tennis

Hoke went 0-6 in the regular season, which means that the Bucks didn’t receive a bid from the NCHSAA for postseason play.

Boys’ golf

The Hoke County boys’ golf team will be competing in the NCHSAA’s regional championships. The Bucks are headed to

A look at Pinehurst No. 9, where the Hoke County boys’ golf team will be competing for the NCHSAA regional title this weekend.

Pinehurst for the 4A Mideast Regional on May 6.

Softball

Hoke County snapped a four-game losing streak with a win over Pinecrest, 11-0. The Bucks closed the regular season with a game Monday at Southern Lee. They are 11-9 on the season and will nish the regular season with a winning record. They’re also 4-8 in the Sandhills. Since Hoke’s string of four straight winning seasons ended following 2017-18, the Bucks have nished with a winning record just one other time in a full season.

Baseball

Hoke County ended the season with a 5-3 road loss at Purnell Swett. They close the regular season at 2-20, 0-12 in

the Sandhills conference. The Bucks ended on an eight-game losing streak that put them at the 20-loss mark for just the second time in the last decade.

The team will say goodbye to departing seniors Reynell Capellan Reyes, Zai Stephens-McIntosh, Caleb Slocumb, Kel Jacobs, Khaled Rentas Rivera, Jakob Evans and Harvey Locklear.

Girls’ Soccer

The season enters its nal week. Hoke County won one of three last week. After falling, 3-1, at Southern Lee, they evened up the series at home, 3-2. The busy week ended with a 5-1 home loss to Union Pines.

This week, the Bucks will play a home-and-home series with Pinecrest, then close the regular season at home against Scotland.

Hoke County, softball team

McKenzie Freeman is a freshman catcher on the Hoke County softball team.

Freeman went 2-for-3 in Hoke’s win over Pinecrest this week. She scored two runs and drove in three.

For the season, Freeman is second on the team in batting average, slugging, RBIs, doubles, triple and runs and leads the Bucks in hits.

Here are 14 players to watch next season across the Atlantic Coast Conference

By Pete Iacobelli

Associated Press

The

A SPRING LOOK at ACC poised to have breakout seasons this fall:

Boston College: DB Ryan Turner came to the Eagles from Ohio State, where he played very little in two seasons. The thirdyear sophomore made an early impression with his new team. He broke up a pass and had the hit of the spring game in disrupting a screen pass.

Clemson: WR Bryant Wesco is a ve-star freshman who enrolled early and is drawing comparisons to Sammy Watkins and Tee Higgins. Wesco, at 6-2,

could be the stretch-the- eld receiver Clemson’s been seeking the past few seasons.

Duke: QB Maalik Murphy, the Texas transfer, got the start at the spring game and knows he’s got work ahead if he hopes to make a winning impression with the Blue Devils.

Florida State: RB Roydell Williams is an Alabama transfer who ran for 560 yards and ve touchdowns last season. He has looked good in the spring for a team that saw its leading rusher, Trey Benson, head to the NFL.

Georgia Tech: WR Chris Elko is a redshirt freshman who had two touchdown catches to highlight a ve-reception, 143-

yard performance in the spring game. Elko, redshirted last season, has shown con dence to be a strong target for returning passer Haynes King.

Louisville: QB Tyler Shough looks like he will get a chance to take over for Jack Plummer. Slough is a grad transfer who threw for 2,922 yards and 20 touchdowns in three seasons at Texas Tech.

Miami: LB Raul Aguirre Jr. enters his second season with a chance for more playing time after a strong spring. Aguirre saw action in all 13 games as a freshman and will look to work his way into the rotation.

UNC: WR Jordan Shipp is the

Tar Heels’ highest-ranked recruit. He had a 16-yard TD catch in the nal spring scrimmage.

NC State: TE Justin Joly should be a big help to new quarterback Grayson McCall this season. Joly is a junior transfer from UConn, who has not yet played up to expectations.

Pittsburgh: LB Rasheem Biles tied a program record with three blocked kicks as a freshman last year. This season, Biles is hoping to get into the defensive mix. He had a spring gamebest seven tackles, two for loss including a sack and a pass breakup.

Syracuse: QB Kyle McCord is an Ohio State transfer

who gures to have the chance to light things up in the o ense of rst-year coach Fran Brown. McCord went 11-1 as a starter with the Buckeyes.

Virginia: DE Chico Bennett Jr. enters his sixth year as healthy as he was two years ago when he led the Cavaliers with seven sacks. Bennett was slowed last season by shoulder problems but was dominant in the spring game with seven tackles and three tackles for loss, including two sacks.

Virginia Tech: DL Keyshawn Burgos is a junior who took some steps forward as he made six starts. He was a disrupter throughout spring. He forced an interception in the spring scrimmage.

Wake Forest: WR Horatio Fields could nally be ready for a breakout season as a fourth-year junior. He led the Demon Deacons with three catches including a 46-yard TD catch.

PINEHURST

SIDELINE REPORT

NFL

NFL to allow players to wear protective soft-shell helmet covers during games

New York

The NFL will allow players to wear protective softshell helmet covers known as Guardian caps during games next season. The league is also expanding the use of the devices during practices. Defensive backs and receivers have joined the position groups now required to wear the caps during all contact practices. The NFL has mandated the caps’ use at practices for some players since 2022. Quarterbacks, kickers and punters are the only remaining position groups not required to wear them during practice. No players will be required to wear the caps during games but now have the option to do so.

NBA 76ers All-Star center

Embiid says he has Bell’s palsy Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis. Embiid wore sunglasses to the podium after he scored 50 points in the Sixers’ Game 3 win over the New York Knicks and said he’s dealt with various symptoms such as blurred vision and dry eyes. Embiid rst noticed the a iction a “day or two” before the Sixers played the Miami Heat on April 17 in the play-in tournament. Embiid had 23 points, 15 rebounds in the win that sent the Sixers to the playo s.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Moore, Augustus headline Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Knoxville, Tenn.

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame had a Minnesota feel, with the induction of Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus getting enshrined. Moore and Augustus helped the Minnesota Lynx win four WNBA championships and the U.S. to Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 16. Augustus was also part of the 2008 Olympic team that won gold. Other inductees include former players Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who played her nal two years with the Lynx, and Rita Gail Easterling; former o cial Violet Palmer, the rst woman to referee an NBA game; and coaches Sue Phillips and Roonie Scovel.

TRIPLE CROWN

Fierceness is 5-2 morning line favorite for 150th Kentucky Derby

Louisville Fierceness was named the 5-2 morning line favorite for the upcoming 150th Kentucky Derby and will look to make history in the milestone race as the rst entrant to win in 45 attempts from the No. 17 post position. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt enters the 1¼-mile opening leg of the Triple Crown races on May 4 o a dominating 13½-length win in last month’s Florida Derby and has a third-place nish as a 3-year-old. Also, Brad Coxtrained lly Tarifa is the 7-2 morning line favorite for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks after drawing the No. 8 post.

Hamlin holds o Larson late to claim NASCAR Cup race at Dover

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver picked up his third win of year

By Dan Gelston The Associated Press

DOVER, Del.— Denny Hamlin held o a hard-charging Kyle Larson over the nal, thrilling laps and wiggled through lapped tra c to win the NASCAR Cup race by about a quarter of a second Sunday at Dover Motor Speedway.

Hamlin’s third win of the season tied William Byron for most this season in the series. Hamlin also picked up his 54th career Cup win, all with Joe Gibbs Racing. He’s tied with Lee Petty for 12th on the career Cup list.

“It’s just fantastic,” Hamlin said. “I couldn’t hold Lee Petty’s helmet.” Larson nished second and

nipped at Hamlin’s bumper for most of the nal 25 laps and seemed on the brink of passing the Toyota. Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet just couldn’t close the deal on the mile concrete track. Hamlin took the lead o a restart with about 79 laps left and never let it go, repeatedly closing o Larson at the top of the track.

“I just couldn’t really do anything,” Larson said. “Nothing could generate enough speed to get close enough to do anything.”

Hamlin was soundly booed as he grabbed the checkered ag — boos louder than usual at the track because of a big crowd. He led 136 of the 400 laps.

After rainouts forced Monday races each of the last two years, the sun came out Sunday — and so did the fans. The grandstands were packed and the track came close to its 54,000 capacity.

While NASCAR tracks do not release attendance numbers, the crowd was easily the largest at Dover since before the pandemic.

Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott completed the top ve.

The big one

There was a multi-car wreck with 71 laps left in the race that took out Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace and William Byron. Coming o a restart, Zane Smith appeared to get into the left rear of Wallace’s Toyota which sent him into tra c and into Byron and Bell. Wallace was running 11th at the time of the wreck. Bell was 16th and Byron 18th.

All-Star sub

Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup

Series champion who retired at the end of last season, will drive the No. 5 Chevrolet in place of Kyle Larson in practice and qualifying for the NASCAR AllStar race.

Larson will stay in Indianapolis on May 17 to practice for the Indianapolis 500 rather than travel to North Wilkesboro Speedway to practice and qualify for the NASCAR All-Star race. He will become the fth driver in history to attempt to complete “ The Double ” and run 1,100 miles in one day, starting with the Indianapolis 500 in an Indy car and then ying to Charlotte to drive in the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race of the year.

Up next

The Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway where Hamlin is the defending race winner.

Four months after being red by Atlanta, Smith hitting reset button in

As Steelers’ o ensive coordinator, Smith will build around Russell Wilson and draft picks

By Will Graves The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH— Arthur Smith walked in and sat down, a microphone in front of him and a Pittsburgh Steelers baseball cap pulled tight on his head.

Four months after being red in Atlanta, Smith is returning to his play-calling roots — and hoping to hit the reboot button on his career — as the o ensive coordinator in Pittsburgh. Smith did little to articulate what exactly the Steelers will look like in the fall. Considering what Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan did in the rst two rounds of the NFL draft, maybe Smith didn’t have to.

Khan selected o ensive tackle Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall pick on Thursday. On Friday, he added center Zach Frazier from West Virginia. They will join a line that includes tackle Broderick Jones, the Steelers’ rst-round selection a year ago, and veteran guards Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels.

For a team with serious needs at wide receiver and cornerback, a team very much in “win now” mode with Russell Wilson taking

Pittsburgh

O’MEARA

Former Falcons coach Arthur Smith reacts during a game last season. Smith is rebooting his career as the o ensive coordinator for the Steelers, who used their early picks in the NFL Draft on o ensive linemen hoping Smith can replicate the success he had calling plays in Tennessee earlier in his career.

over at quarterback, the approach couldn’t be more apparent. Or, on the surface anyway, more suited for Smith.

Five years after turning Tennessee into a top-10 o ense behind Derrick Henry’s churning legs and Ryan Tannehill’s playmaking outside the pocket, Smith is tasked with doing the same in Pittsburgh in hopes of ending a playo victory drought currently at seven years. The similarities are startling.

The Steelers have one of the best running back tandems in the league in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. They believe Wilson can still summon some of that “Let Russ Cook” magic from his prime in Seattle. And they have given Smith a line that they hope one day rivals the ones led by perennial Pro Bowlers Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro a decade ago. Asked to describe his philosophy, a soft-spoken Smith got

straight to the point.

“There’s a certain style of play and intent we want that ts this team and the history here and the Steelers and the brand of football, a shared vision,” Smith said.

It’s a vision that never fully came to fruition for Smith in Atlanta, where he coached the Falcons to three straight 7-10 seasons while overseeing an o ense that never cracked the top 14 in yards or points. It took Smith less than a month to land on his feet in Pittsburgh. He might not be ready to talk about his exit in Atlanta or what brought him to the Steelers. But when it comes to Fautanu and Frazier, Smith is, in a word — one Smith used 10 times in 10 minutes — “excited.”

“They’re two really physical players who play with high e ort level, high football IQ,” Smith said. “So you know they check a lot of boxes for us.”

There is a sense of urgency in an organization that for decades has been de ned by success and stability. There have been seismic changes on the roster and the coaching sta of late. The Steelers are no longer committed to business as usual, and Smith knows it.

“We’re not going to get stale,” Smith said. “There are going to be schemes you add every year, wrinkles. We’re going to have our core philosophy, but you have to stay on top of that.”

CHRIS

/ AP PHOTO

DERIK HAMILTON / AP PHOTO

Denny Hamlin celebrates with the checkered ag after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover Motor Speedway for this third victory of the season

US colleges try threats, force to clear protest encampments as commencements near

Schools are using di erent tactics — including force and ultimatums — to end the protests

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — As upcoming commencement ceremonies grew closer Tuesday, universities across the U.S. grappled with how to clear out encampments of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, with some continuing negotiations and others turning to force and ultimatums that have resulted in arrests and clashes with police.

Dozens of people were arrested Monday during protests at universities in Texas and Virginia, while Columbia University in New York said it began suspending students.

Demonstrators are sparring over the Israel-Hamas war and its mounting death toll, and the number of arrests at campuses nationwide is approaching 1,000 as the nal days of class wrap up. The outcry is forcing colleges to reckon with theirnancial ties to Israel as well as their support for free speech.

Some Jewish students say the protests have veered into antisemitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus.

At the University of Texas at Austin, an attorney said at least 40 demonstrators were arrested Monday. The confrontation was an escalation on the

53,000-student campus in the state’s capital, where more than 50 protesters were arrested last week.

The plight of students who have been arrested has become a central part of protests, with the students and a growing number of faculty demanding amnesty for protesters. At issue is whether the suspensions and legal records will follow students through their adult lives.

The Texas protest and others — including in Canada and Europe — grew out of Columbia’s early demonstrations that have

continued. On Monday, student activists on the school’s Manhattan campus de ed a 2 p.m. deadline to leave an encampment of around 120 tents. Instead, hundreds of protesters remained. A handful of counterdemonstrators waved Israeli ags, and one held a sign reading, “Where are the anti-Hamas chants?”

While the university didn’t call police to roust the demonstrators, school spokesperson Ben Chang said suspensions had started but could provide few details. Protest organizers

said they were not aware of any suspensions as of Monday evening.

Columbia’s handling of the demonstrations also has prompted federal complaints.

A class-action lawsuit on behalf of Jewish students alleges a breach of contract by Columbia, claiming the university failed to maintain a safe learning environment despite policies and promises. It also challenges the move away from in-person classes and seeks quick court action requiring Columbia to provide security for the students.

Meanwhile, a legal group representing pro-Palestinian students is urging the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights o ce to investigate Columbia’s compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for how they have been treated.

A university spokesperson declined to comment on the complaints.

In a rare case, Northwestern University said it reached an agreement with students and faculty who represent the majority of protesters on its campus near Chicago. It allows peaceful demonstrations through the June 1 end of spring classes and, in exchange, requires removal of all tents except one for aid, and restricts the demonstration area to allow only students, faculty and sta unless the university approves otherwise.

At the University of Southern California, organizers of a large encampment sat down with uni-

versity President Carol Folt for about 90 minutes on Monday. Folt declined to discuss details but said she heard the concerns of protesters and talks were set to continue Tuesday.

USC sparked a controversy April 15 when o cials refused to allow the valedictorian, who has publicly supported Palestinians, to make a commencement speech, citing nonspeci c security concerns for their rare decision. Administrators then scrapped the keynote speech by lmmaker Jon M. Chu, who is an alumnus, and declined to award any honorary degrees.

The backlash, as well as Columbia’s demonstrations, inspired the encampment and protests on campus last week where 90 people were arrested by police in riot gear. The university has canceled its main graduation event.

Administrators elsewhere tried to salvage their commencements, and several have ordered the clearing of encampments in recent days. When those e orts have failed, ocials threatened discipline, including suspension, and possible arrest.

But students dug in their heels at other high-pro le universities, with stando s continuing at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale and others. Police in riot gear at Virginia Commonwealth University sought to break up an encampment there late Monday and clashed with protesters.

Ukraine’s

army chief reports tactical retreat in east, warns of front-line pressure

Russian forces are expected to “make signi cant tactical gains in the coming weeks”

By Susie Blann

The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s troops have been forced to make a tactical retreat from three villages in the embattled east, the country’s army chief said Sunday, warning of a worsening battle eld situation as Ukrainian forces wait for much-needed arms from a huge U.S. aid package to reach combat zones. Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Russian forces continue to attack “along the entire front line” of more than 620 mile, with pitched battles raging west of Avdiivka, the eastern city they took in February after a grueling, monthslong ght.

“The most di cult situation is in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions, where erce battles continue,” Syrskyi’s said in an update posted to the Telegram messaging app, referencing two Ukrainian-held cities in the war-torn Donetsk region, once a hub of industry.

“The enemy has engaged up to four brigades in these directions, is trying to develop an o ensive west of Avdiivka and Marinka, making its way to Pokrovsk and Kurakhove,” Syrskyi added. “Units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, preserving the lives and health of our defenders, moved to new frontiers west of Berdychi, Semenivka and Novomykhailivka.”

Two of these front-line villages lie less than 31 miles east of Pokrovsk, while the third is located just over 19 miles by road from Kurakhove.

A Washington-based think

tank predicted late Saturday that Russian forces “will likely make signi cant tactical gains in the coming weeks,” as acute ammunition shortages continue to hobble Ukraine’s defense efforts. In its latest operational assessment, the Institute for the Study of War said that Moscow’s forces have opportunities to push forward around Avdiivka, and also threaten nearby Chasiv Yar. Its capture would give Russia control of a hilltop from which it can attack other key cities forming the backbone of Ukraine’s eastern defenses. Despite this, the think tank assessed that neither of these e orts by Moscow are likely to cause Kyiv’s defensive lines to collapse “in the near term.”

The Russian Defense Ministry on Sunday con rmed that Moscow’s troops had taken a village about nine miles north of Avdiivka, days after the war

institute reported on its likely capture early on Thursday. That day’s assessment described Moscow’s gains as “relatively quick but still relatively marginal,” adding that Russian troops had advanced by no more than three miles over the previous week.

U.S. President Joe Biden promised last Wednesday that U.S. weapons shipments would begin making their way into Ukraine within hours, as he signed into law a $95 billion measure — $61 billion of which was allocated for Ukraine — that also included assistance for Israel, Taiwan and other global hot spots. The announcement marked an end to the long, painful battle with Republicans in Congress over assistance for Ukraine.

Elsewhere, Russian drones struck the Ukrainian Black Sea city of Mykolaiv early Sunday, setting a hotel ablaze and dam-

aging infrastructure, according to local o cials.

Vitaliy Kim, the governor of Ukraine’s southern Mykolaiv province, said that the drones “seriously damaged” a hotel in its namesake capital, sparking a re that was later extinguished. Kim also reported that the strike damaged heat-generating infrastructure in the city. He added that there were no casualties.

Russian state agency RIA reported that the strike on Mykolaiv targeted a shipyard where naval drones are assembled, as well as a hotel housing “English-speaking mercenaries” who have fought for Kyiv. The RIA report cited Sergei Lebedev, described as a coordinator of local pro-Moscow guerrillas. His comments couldn’t be independently veri ed.

Also on Sunday morning, the Russian Defense Ministry said that 17 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight over four regions in the country’s southwest. Three drones were intercepted near an oil depot in Lyudinovo, an industrial town about 143 miles north of the Ukrainian border, Gov. Vladislav Shapsha said.

AARON E. MARTINEZ / AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN VIA AP

A pro-Palestinian protester yells “Free Palestine” as she is handcu ed by University of Texas at Austin police on the campus Monday.

FRANCISCO SECO / AP PHOTO

A young man walks past a building damaged from Russian attacks in Borodyanka, north of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Saturday.

Malcolm Bruce Culbreth, Jr.

August 8, 1946 - April 24, 2024

Malcolm B Culbreth, Jr (Mac), sailed away on April 24, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family at the age of 77. Mac Jr. was born August 8, 1946 to the late Malcolm B Culbreth, Sr and Marie Maxwell Culbreth. He retired from the City of Raleigh in 2008 and loved never wearing a watch again. He was preceded in death by parents and the love of his life, Brenda V Culbreth and his younger brother Larry Ray Culbreth. Mac Jr. is survived by his son, Malcolm “Mac” Culbreth III and his wife Susan of Smith eld. His beloved grandchildren, Caleb, Katee Grace and Elizabeth “Izzy” Culbreth. His sister June Melvin and husband David of Greenville along with their children, Neil (Erinn) and Raeanna.

Henrietta Graham

November 3, 1946 - April 24, 2024

Ms. Henrietta Graham age, 77 went home to rest with her Heavenly Father on April 24, 2024. She leaves to cherish her loving memories her husband, Robert Lee Graham; children: Robert A. Graham, Roscoe P. Graham; daughters in law: Francisca Graham, Charlotte Graham; sisters: Betty Blackwell, Mary Ivy; brother, Homer (Gus) Bethea, twelve grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren along with a host of other family and friends. Henrietta will be greatly missed.

Michael Rookie McGregor

November 26, 1953 - April 25, 2024

Mr. Micheal "Rookie" McGregor age, 70 went home to rest with his Heavenly Father on April 25, 2024.

Alafay (Revels) Newton

April 10, 1951 - April 28, 2024

Ms. Alafay (Fay) Revels Newton was born April 10, 1951 and transitioned to her heavenly home at the age of 73. Her parents were the late Mrs. Mary Sue Locklear Trogdon and step father, Mr. Austin Ray Trogdon, and father Timothy Revels in Robeson County. Ms. Newton was preceded in death by her husband, Duncan Newton; her son, Robbie Wayne Revels; and one brother, Earnest Revels. Sister Fay was a C.N.A worker who loved taking care of her patients. Her hobbies included yard work, baking, xing candy, craft making (along with her husband, Duncan’s wood working skills), going out to eat, and relaxing at home with her exceptional two dogs, Harley and Princess. Most importantly, she loved to testify about the love of family and friends at her church, Macedonia Holiness Methodist Church. Ms. Newton is survived by two sisters, Debora Revels and Theresa Byrd (Robin); three brothers, Kenneth Revels (Harvelene), Mitchell Locklear (Thea), and Ronnie Locklear (Nancy); four grandchildren; two great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a special nephew that she loved to visit on Saturdays, Kenneth Wayne Revels, Jr. (Papa); many cousins; and a host of other relatives, friends, and church family to cherish her memories.

Archie Wayne Simmons

June 27, 1934 - April 21, 2024

Archie Wayne Simmons, of Raeford, NC passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at the age of 89. He was born in Dodge City, Kansas on June 27th, 1934, to the late Marion and Pearl Simmons. Archie grew up working on farms and ranches in Kansas. He was a true Kansas cowboy. Archie proudly served in the U.S Army's 82nd Airbourne Division at Fort Bragg, NC before enjoying a long and successful career in construction. He started with small construction projects and through hard work and determination, he worked his way up to overseeing and directing all aspects of major construction sites such as, apartments, hospitals, heat plants, hotels, and Caribbean resorts. He was a self taught man and always looked to learn something new. Archie is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Shelby Simmons; son, Bobby Simmons (Valerie); daughter, Bonnie Schultz; three grandchildren, Robert (KC), Andrew (Chelsea), and Samantha; three great grandchildren, Tristan, Solei, Lorelai; and two sisters, JoAnn and Marilyn. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, M.J and Gene Simmons, and his sister, Beulah Mae Diehl.

Inez (Black) Craigmiles

October 6, 1943 - April 21, 2024

Ms. Inez Craigmiles age, 80 went home to rest with her Heavenly Father on April 21, 2024. She leaves to cherish her loving memories her children: Anthony Craigmiles, William A. Craigmiles III, Tara CraigmilesSimmons, Michael Craigmiles, Kimberly Craigmiles Farrow; sister, Myrtle Andrews, eleven grandchildren along with a host of great grandchildren and other family. Inez will be greatly missed.

STATE & NATION

United Methodists prep for votes on gay marriage, LGBTQ clergy

The church’s General Conference is taking place in Charlotte

By Peter Smith The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their rst legislative gathering in ve years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church’s longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy.

After a day o on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, being held in Charlotte, resumed their work Monday and will meet all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on Friday.

They’ve already begun making historic changes: On Thursday, delegates overwhelmingly endorsed a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the rst time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to t local situations. That measure — subject to local rati cation votes — is seen as a way the U.S. churches could have LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage while the more conservative overseas areas, particularly the large and fast-growing churches of Africa, could maintain those bans.

But whether that measure maintains church unity remains to be seen. The General Conference comes as the American portion of the United Meth-

NC

ight

MARK SCHIEFELBEIN / AP PHOTO

The church’s 11-day General Conference, taking place in Charlotte, is the denomination’s rst legislative gathering since a special session in 2019.

odist Church, long the nation’s third-largest denomination, has shrunk considerably. One-quarter of its U.S. churches left between 2019 and 2023 amid conservative dismay over the church’s failure to enforce its LGBTQ bans amid widespread de ance.

A proposal to overturn those bans is headed to the delegates this week, and progressives are optimistic that they have the votes to realize their long-held dream.

Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area, the rst openly lesbian bishop ordained in the church, said the tenor of the current conference is

positive.

“The delegates are listening to each other, learning from each other, really providing a foundation for the work this week,” she said. “There have been hard conversations, but again this tone that we’re in this together. And we have a witness to make to the world that’s uni ed even in the midst of cultural di erences.”

The denomination has debated homosexuality for more than half a century. Its Book of Discipline bans “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from the clergy and forbids clergy from presiding at same-sex marriages. It also forbids church funding of any ad-

vocacy for the “acceptance of homosexuality.”

But legislative committees last week overwhelmingly approved several proposals liberalizing the church’s stance on sexuality. They included one committee that voted 43-9 to overturn the ban on LGBTQ clergy.

The delegates will also vote on a new set of Social Principles — a wholesale revision of an existing set of nonbinding statements — which also received overwhelming committee approval last week. The new version omits the previous version’s declaration that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.”

And it de nes marriage as a sacred covenant between “two people of faith,” without specifying gender.

Such changes could portend a further fragmentation of the international church. Delegates last week approved the departure of a small but notable part of the body — about 30 churches in Russia and other former Soviet countries, where conservative views on LGBTQ issues are strong.

Some are proposing that African and other churches be given the same chance that U.S. churches recently had to disafliate under favorable terms, including U.S. churches that missed the earlier deadline to do so, but a committee vote recommended against such measures.

Opponents say they already have mechanisms to depart, as some have recently done, but proponents say existing rules are burdensome.

Jerry Kulah of the advocacy group Africa Initiative said that while it will be up to individual conferences in Africa to decide whether to stay or leave the denomination, he believes it’s time to leave.

“We cannot remain in this marriage,” he said. “We can’t be one church preaching di erent gospels.”

A large majority of African bishops, while a rming their opposition to LGBTQ ordination or marriage, have said in a joint statement they are committed to remaining in the United Methodist Church.

The denomination had until recently been the third largest in the United States, present in almost every county. But its 5.4 million U.S. membership in 2022 is expected to drop once the 2023 departures are factored in.

The denomination also counts 4.6 million members in other countries, mainly in Africa, though earlier estimates have been higher.

attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl

The 36-year-old Charlotte man tried to secretly lm a 14-year-old in an airplane bathroom

By Steve LeBlanc

The Associated Press

BOSTON — An American Airlines ight attendant was indicted last week after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.

Police have also alleged that Estes Carter Thompson III, 36, of Charlotte, had recordings of four other girls using lavatories on an aircraft where he worked.

Thompson was indicted on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor.

Thompson was charged and arrested in January 2024 in Lynchburg, Virginia. He has been in federal custody since.

A lawyer for Thompson said af-

ter the indictment by a federal grand jury that he was unable to comment.

Investigators said that about midway through a Sept. 2, 2023, ight from Charlotte to Boston, the 14-year-old got up to use the main cabin lavatory nearest to her seat but found it was occupied.

Thompson then told her the rst-class lavatory was unoccupied and escorted her there, investigators said. Before she entered the bathroom, Thompson allegedly told her he needed to wash his hands and that the toilet seat was broken, they said.

After he left, the teen entered the bathroom and she saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid, which was in the open position, o cials said.

Beneath the stickers, Thompson had concealed his iPhone to record a video, investigators said.

The girl used her phone to take a picture of the stickers and concealed iPhone before leaving.

Prosecutors also allege hundreds of images of child sexual abuse generated through ar-

ti cial intelligence were found stored on Thompson’s iCloud account.

Attempted sexual exploitation of children carries a sentence of 15-30 years in prison, while possessing images of sexual abuse of a prepubescent minor can mean up to 20 years in prison.

Both charges also provide for at least ve years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a ne of up to $250,000 and restitution.

American Airlines previously issued a statement saying the ight attendant was “immediately withheld from service” and hasn’t worked since the phone was discovered.

A search of Thompson’s iCloud account revealed four additional instances between January and August 2023 in which Thompson recorded a minor using the lavatory on an aircraft, according to investigators.

Those depicted in the recordings were 7, 9, 11 and 14 years old at the time, they said. Their families have been contacted by police, investigators said.

BLUE RIDGE REGIONAL JAIL AUTHORITY VIA AP

Estes Carter Thompson III of Charlotte, an American Airlines ight attendant, has been indicted after being accused of attempting to secretly record a 14-year-old female passenger.

WHAT’S

HAPPENING

NC spending on public schools

lags behind North Carolina spent $12,298 per student on public schools according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than $3,000 behind the national average of $15,633. The state ranks in the bottom 20 states in terms of K-12 public school spending. This is up from the past few years, though spending growth is blunted by in ation. The bulk of the spending growth came in the Instruction category, which includes teacher salaries and similar items.

Adjusted for in ation over the past decade, spending per pupil has grown slightly in North Carolina.

Former Congressman McMillan dead at 91

Former Congressman John B. McMillian died last month at age 91. McMillan, CEO of HarrisTeeter, ran for Congress in 1984, winning his seat by just 321 votes. He had 50 years of experience representing clients in courtrooms and at the NC General Assembly as a lobbyist. He was also a former president of the NC State Bar.

He served on a litany of statewide boards and was instrumental in the planning and construction of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences building, the Nature Research Center and the State Bar Building.

Protesters raise Palestinian ag on UNC agpole

The provocation follows early morning arrests at the Chapel Hill ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’

By Jordan Golson and A.P. Dillon Twin City Herald

MIDDAY ON Tuesday, a confrontation between police and protesters at UNC Chapel Hill was broadcast live on national news networks CNN and Fox News, with objects being thrown at o cers who were protecting a agpole at the center of Polk Place.

Police had rushed into the center of the protests after an enormous American ag ying on a campus ag pole was low-

ered and replaced with a Palestinian Flag, according to press reports and a post on X from Students for Justice in Palestine, a student group at UNC Chapel Hill.

Previously, in a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday, law enforcement agencies detained 30 individuals participating in the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” at Polk Place on the UNC Chapel Hill campus.

The encampment lasted around three days and the arrests followed a warning issued by Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts and Provost Chris Clemens at 5:37 a.m., urging the demonstrators to disperse or face consequences.

Only six of the 30 detained were arrested, according to a

report from The Daily Tar Heel, the student newspaper at UNC Chapel Hill. All were later released.

The operation began around 7 a.m. and involved multiple agencies such as the UNC Chapel Hill Campus Police, the Orange County Sheri ’s O ce and North Carolina State Highway Patrol o cers. Reports from the scene claim o cers from the N.C. State University, UNC Wilmington, and Appalachian State University were also present.

University o cials had previously informed protesters the encampment’s tents were in violation of school policies. Those arrested have allegedly been taken to the Orange County Detention Center for processing.

UNC Students for Justice in Palestine organized the protest as a means to pressure the university to sever nancial ties with companies tied to Israel.

In a statement, Roberts and Clemens emphasized the need to prioritize the safety of students, faculty, sta , and campus visitors, particularly with quickly approaching nal exams and graduation ceremonies.

“This group has now made it clear they will no longer even consider our requests to abide by University policies and have ended our attempts at constructive dialogue,” Roberts and Clemens’ said in a statement. “We must consider the safety of all of our students, faculty and sta , as well as visitors to this campus. Our students are preparing for nal exams and end-of-year activities, including graduation, and we will continue to promote an educational environment where they can do so safely and without disruption.”

The statement also says those who refused to comply with the

Commissioner McDaniel got engaged after the meeting, in front of everyone

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

THE FORSYTH County Board of Commissioners met Thursday, April 18, but what happened after the meeting overshadowed everything else for one board member.

Commissioner Tonya McDaniel was recognized for it being her birthday, but she was also proposed to — and said yes, of course.

“I’ve been on this board for a long time and before that, used to cover the county commissioners, and I’ve never, ever seen a man come in front of a group like this and ask a beautiful girl like that to marry him and she said, ‘yes,’” said Commissioner David Plyler. “There’s a rst time for every-

thing,” replied chair Don Martin.

In less exciting business, the board denied a pair of land use requests on the same property related to a billboard on the north side of US 421 and west of Dalton Road

“This is a request for a sign o premise, more commonly known as a billboard,” said county/city planner Chris Murphy. “That’s the only use that’s being requested in this light industrial limited use request. The site is currently inaccessible from any of the surrounding roads and access is dependent upon approval of an elected body special use permit.”

The primary reason for denial given by the commissioners was the lack of t for a potential billboard in a primarily rural and agricultural area.

“The proposed limited use zoning map amendment is inconsistent with the recommendations of the legacy comprehensive plan and is neither

reasonable nor in the public interest,” said Commissioner Dan Besse. In other business, the board approved ve budgetary items including an amendment to the 2016 schools capital projects ordinance to appropriate $175,000 in interest earnings to pay for the yield reduction payment owed to the IRS related to the 2019 A and B general obligation public improvement bonds, an amendment to the FY 23-24 budget ordinance to appropriate $232,000 from the NC Department of Health and Human Services to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines, an amendment to the FY 23-24 budget ordinance to appropriate $74,000 from the NC Health and Human Services to support any food and lodging sanitation programs and activities, a resolution approving the community-based juvenile delinquency, substance abuse, and gang prevention funding plan for FY 24-25 and a resolution approving a second

revision to the 2023-24 Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Funding Plan. In addition, the board approved two grant and 10 contractual matters.

The rst grant was the application for an America 250 North Carolina County Committee Grant to support eligible activities of the committee, including strategic planning, a public art project, a wayside, a local marker, a local or online exhibit, research, educational outreach, event expenses, or archaeology and the second was for a res-

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

Students work on assignments and listen to organizers as they sit inside the encampment protest in Polk Place at UNC Chapel Hill on Monday.

“Join the conversation”

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

Justice delayed is justice denied

In Clinton v. Jones in 1997, the Supreme Court unanimously held that a sitting president could be sued for alleged sexual harassment.

JUSTICE SAMUEL ALITO thinks presidents are kings and must be protected against those who would disrupt their peaceful retirement.

What planet is he living on?

In his questioning on Thursday in the Trump immunity case, he made perfectly clear whose side he was on.

“If an incumbent who loses a very close, hotly contested election knows that a real possibility after leaving o ce is not that the president is going to be able to go o into a peaceful retirement, but that the president may be criminally prosecuted by a bitter political opponent, will that not lead us into a cycle that destabilizes the functioning of our country as a democracy?”

That is exactly what did NOT happen.

An incumbent lost a close, hotly contested race and he did not go o into a peaceful retirement. Instead, the embittered loser brought one failed lawsuit after another trying to overturn the election, and when that didn’t work, he resorted to fake electors, pressuring state o cials, trying to subvert the democratic process and fomenting a riot.

Oh, yes, and delaying a trial that could and should cost him the election in the hopes that he will win the election and order that the charges against him be dropped or preemptively pardon himself.

can delay long enough to pardon yourself and make a mockery of the whole e ort to hold him accountable. In Clinton v. Jones in 1997, the Supreme Court unanimously held that a sitting president could be sued for alleged sexual harassment.

“The president is subject to judicial process in appropriate circumstances,” Justice John Paul Stevens wrote for the court, adding, “We have never suggested that the president, or any other o cial, has an immunity that extends beyond the scope of any action taken in an o cial capacity.”

But what about actions taken in an o cial capacity? And when we’re talking about felonious actions, what counts as o cial actions and what counts as the actions of a candidate? As the conservatives droned on about the lines that must be drawn, and what the jury could and could not be told about o cial actions in an “integrated conspiracy,” you could hear the chances of a speedy trial slipping away. Will the court draw these lines itself in dueling opinions that will take months to write? Or will it ultimately send the task back to the trial court to do so in the rst instance and then to be appealed again?

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Talk about destabilizing the functioning of our country as a democracy.

Alito sounded like a man ready to recognize a king who is above the law.

Even if he can’t nd ve votes for the absolute immunity Trump came asking for, from the sound of things on Thursday, he’ll come close enough. The chances that Trump will actually stand trial before the election seemed to be slipping away as the conservative Trump majority got into the weeds of what kind of quali ed immunity would adequately protect a felonious former president from a threat that has never happened, as opposed to protecting our democracy from the conspiracy that did.

What Trump has been playing for — his best defense — has always been delay. Justice delayed is justice denied, especially if you

PROTESTORS from page 1

university’s directive faced potential arrest, suspension, or expulsion. Reports indicate that more than two dozen individuals were arrested, with at least one person sustaining injuries during the arrests. Columbia University in New

Remember, it was Jack Smith who initially sought to have the Supreme Court preemptively decide these issues before the rst round of appeals from the trial judge’s ruling rejecting the absolute immunity claim urged by Trump. If the court thought these issues required a ruling for the ages, it could have heard them then. Instead, they sent it back to the appellate court to rule rst, and now they seem primed to ignore that ruling in favor of a timeconsuming trip through hypothetical weeds.

The rule of law has always been tinged by politics. But increasingly, this court appears not only tinged by politics but ruled by it. The justices’ questions suggested two di erent views of what is at stake. Public con dence in the court is at an all-time low. I would like nothing more than to be wrong about what the court is going to do. But I fear that the public is right to see this court in purely political terms, and this decision — ultimately, a decision to delay — may prove it so.

York City remains the most visible encampment, with university faculty going so far as to link arms to protect protesters. But the movement, which generally includes requests for universities to divest from any company doing business with Israel, has spread to schools around the country with varying amounts of permissiveness and consequences.

Police moved in quickly to disperse protesters at University of Texas at Austin, while USC cancelled its main graduation ceremony. North Carolina schools have been somewhat quieter, at least compared to the activities at Columbia, which have drawn the attention of members of Congress, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (RLA), who spoke at the school last week.

It is not yet clear what consequences or charges those arrested at UNC Chapel Hill will face.

COMMISSIONER from page 1

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO

Forsyth SPORTS

SIDELINE REPORT

NFL

NFL to allow players to wear protective soft-shell helmet covers during games

New York

The NFL will allow players to wear protective soft-shell helmet covers known as Guardian caps during games next season. The league is also expanding the use of the devices during practices. Defensive backs and receivers have joined the position groups now required to wear the caps during all contact practices. The NFL has mandated the caps’ use at practices for some players since 2022. Quarterbacks, kickers and punters are the only remaining position groups not required to wear them during practice. No players will be required to wear the caps during games but now have the option to do so.

NBA

76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid says he has Bell’s palsy

Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers AllStar center Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis. Embiid wore sunglasses to the podium after he scored 50 points in the Sixers’ Game 3 win over the New York Knicks and said he’s dealt with various symptoms such as blurred vision and dry eyes. Embiid rst noticed the a iction a “day or two” before the Sixers played the Miami Heat on April 17 in the play-in tournament. Embiid had 23 points, 15 rebounds in the win that sent the Sixers to the playo s.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus headline Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Knoxville, Tenn. The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame had a Minnesota feel, with the induction of Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus getting enshrined. Moore and Augustus helped the Minnesota Lynx win four WNBA championships and the U.S. to Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 16. Augustus was also part of the 2008 Olympic team that won gold. Other inductees include former players Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who played her nal two years with the Lynx, and Rita Gail Easterling; former o cial Violet Palmer, the rst woman to referee an NBA game; and coaches Sue Phillips and Roonie Scovel.

Hamlin holds o Larson late to claim NASCAR Cup race at Dover

The Joe Gibbs Racing driver picked up his third win of year

“I just couldn’t really do anything.”

Kyle Larson, who nished second

By Dan Gelston

The Associated Press

DOVER, Del.— Denny

Hamlin held o a hardcharging Kyle Larson over the nal, thrilling laps and wiggled through lapped trafc to win the NASCAR Cup race by about a quarter of a second Sunday at Dover Motor Speedway.

Hamlin’s third win of the season tied William Byron for most this season in the series. Hamlin also picked up his 54th career Cup win, all with Joe Gibbs Racing. He’s tied with Lee Petty for 12th on the career Cup list.

“It’s just fantastic,” Hamlin said. “I couldn’t hold Lee Petty’s helmet.”

Larson nished second and nipped at Hamlin’s bumper for most of the nal 25 laps and seemed on the brink of passing the Toyota. Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet just couldn’t close the deal on the mile concrete track. Hamlin took the lead o a restart with about 79 laps left and never let it go, repeatedly closing o Larson at the top of the track.

“I just couldn’t really do anything,” Larson said. “Nothing could generate enough speed to get close enough to do anything.”

Hamlin was soundly booed as he grabbed the checkered ag — boos louder than usual at the track because of a big crowd. He led 136 of the 400 laps.

After rainouts forced Monday races each of the last two years, the sun came out Sunday — and so did the fans. The grandstands were packed and the track came close to its 54,000 capacity.

While NASCAR tracks do not release attendance numbers, the crowd was easily the largest at Dover since before the pandemic.

Martin Truex Jr., Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott completed the top ve.

The big one

There was a multi-car wreck with 71 laps left in the race that took out Christopher Bell, Bubba Wallace and William Byron.

Coming o a restart, Zane Smith appeared to get into the left rear of Wallace’s Toyota which sent him into trafc and into Byron and Bell. Wallace was running 11th at the time of the wreck. Bell was 16th and Byron 18th.

All-Star sub

Kevin Harvick, the 2014 Cup Series champion who retired at the end of last season, will drive the No. 5 Chevrolet in place of Kyle Larson in practice and qualifying for the NASCAR All-Star race. Larson will stay in Indianapolis on May 17 to practice for the Indianapolis 500 rather than travel to North Wilkesboro Speedway to practice and qualify for the NASCAR All-Star race. He will become the fth driver in history to attempt to complete “ The Double ” and run 1,100 miles in one day, starting with the Indianapolis 500 in an Indy car and then ying to Charlotte to drive in the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race of the year.

Up next

The Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway where Hamlin is the defending race winner.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Cooper Walker

East Forsyth, boys’ lacrosse

Cooper Walker is a senior on the East Forsyth boys’ lacrosse team.

The Eagles are 13-6, 8-4 in the Central Piedmont, and Walker is tied for the team lead in goals per game. He also leads the squad in shots on goal and is third in shooting percentage and points.

Last week, the Eagles went 1-1, beating Mount Tabor, 11-3, and losing to Reagan, 13-10.

Walker had three goals in six shots on goal in the Mount Tabor win, then had a half dozen scores in the showdown with Reagan, getting six goals in nine shots on goal.

Four months after being red by Atlanta, Smith hitting reset button in Pittsburgh

As Steelers’ o ensive coordinator, Smith will build around Russell Wilson and draft picks

By Will Graves The Associated Press

PITTSBURGH— Arthur

Smith walked in and sat down, a microphone in front of him and a Pittsburgh Steelers baseball cap pulled tight on his head.

Four months after being red in Atlanta, Smith is returning to his play-calling roots — and hoping to hit the reboot button on his career — as the o ensive coordinator in Pittsburgh.

Smith did little to articulate what exactly the Steelers will look like in the fall. Considering what Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan did in the rst two rounds of the NFL draft, maybe Smith didn’t have to.

Khan selected o ensive tackle Troy Fautanu with the 20th overall pick on Thursday. On Friday, he added center Zach Frazier from West Virginia. They will join a line that includes tackle Broderick Jones, the Steelers’ rst-round selection a year ago, and veteran guards Isaac Seumalo and James Daniels. For a team with serious needs at wide receiver and cornerback, a team very much in “win now” mode with Russell Wilson taking

over at quarterback, the approach couldn’t be more apparent. Or, on the surface anyway, more suited for Smith.

Five years after turning Tennessee into a top-10 o ense behind Derrick Henry’s churning legs and Ryan Tannehill’s playmaking outside the pocket, Smith is tasked with doing the same in Pittsburgh in hopes of ending a playo victory drought currently at seven years. The similarities are startling.

The Steelers have one of the best running back tandems in the league in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. They believe Wilson can still summon some of that “Let Russ Cook” magic from his prime in Seattle. And they have given Smith a line that they hope one day rivals the ones led by perennial Pro Bowlers Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro a decade ago. Asked to describe his philosophy, a soft-spoken Smith got

straight to the point.

“There’s a certain style of play and intent we want that ts this team and the history here and the Steelers and the brand of football, a shared vision,” Smith said.

It’s a vision that never fully came to fruition for Smith in Atlanta, where he coached the Falcons to three straight 7-10 seasons while overseeing an o ense that never cracked the top 14 in yards or points. It took Smith less than a month to land on his feet in Pittsburgh. He might not be ready to talk about his exit in Atlanta or what brought him to the Steelers. But when it comes to Fautanu and Frazier, Smith is, in a word — one Smith used 10 times in 10 minutes — “excited.”

“They’re two really physical players who play with high e ort level, high football IQ,” Smith said. “So you know they check a lot of boxes for us.”

There is a sense of urgency in an organization that for decades has been de ned by success and stability. There have been seismic changes on the roster and the coaching sta of late. The Steelers are no longer committed to business as usual, and Smith knows it.

“We’re not going to get stale,” Smith said. “There are going to be schemes you add every year, wrinkles. We’re going to have our core philosophy, but you have to stay on top of that.”

CHRIS O’MEARA / AP PHOTO

Former Falcons coach Arthur Smith reacts during a game last season. Smith is rebooting his career as the o ensive coordinator for the Steelers, who used their early picks in the NFL Draft on o ensive linemen hoping Smith can replicate the success he had calling plays in Tennessee earlier in his career.

STATE & NATION

United Methodists prep for votes on gay marriage, LGBTQ clergy

The church’s General Conference is taking place in Charlotte

By Peter Smith The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — United Methodist delegates are heading into the homestretch of their rst legislative gathering in ve years — one that appears on track to make historic changes in lifting their church’s longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ clergy.

After a day o on Sunday, delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, being held in Charlotte, resumed their work Monday and will meet all this week before wrapping up their 11-day session on Friday.

They’ve already begun making historic changes: On Thursday, delegates overwhelmingly endorsed a policy shift that would restructure the worldwide denomination into regional conferences and give the U.S. region, for the rst time, the same right as international bodies to modify church rules to t local situations. That measure — subject to local rati cation votes — is seen as a way the U.S. churches could have LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage while the more conservative overseas areas, particularly the large and fast-growing churches of Africa, could maintain those bans.

But whether that measure maintains church unity remains to be seen. The General Conference comes as the American portion of the United Meth-

NC

ight

odist Church, long the nation’s third-largest denomination, has shrunk considerably. One-quarter of its U.S. churches left between 2019 and 2023 amid conservative dismay over the church’s failure to enforce its LGBTQ bans amid widespread de ance.

A proposal to overturn those bans is headed to the delegates this week, and progressives are optimistic that they have the votes to realize their long-held dream.

Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Episcopal Area, the rst openly lesbian bishop ordained in the church, said the tenor of the current conference is

positive.

“The delegates are listening to each other, learning from each other, really providing a foundation for the work this week,” she said. “There have been hard conversations, but again this tone that we’re in this together. And we have a witness to make to the world that’s uni ed even in the midst of cultural di erences.”

The denomination has debated homosexuality for more than half a century. Its Book of Discipline bans “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from the clergy and forbids clergy from presiding at same-sex marriages. It also forbids church funding of any ad-

vocacy for the “acceptance of homosexuality.”

But legislative committees last week overwhelmingly approved several proposals liberalizing the church’s stance on sexuality. They included one committee that voted 43-9 to overturn the ban on LGBTQ clergy.

The delegates will also vote on a new set of Social Principles — a wholesale revision of an existing set of nonbinding statements — which also received overwhelming committee approval last week. The new version omits the previous version’s declaration that homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.”

And it de nes marriage as a sacred covenant between “two people of faith,” without specifying gender.

Such changes could portend a further fragmentation of the international church. Delegates last week approved the departure of a small but notable part of the body — about 30 churches in Russia and other former Soviet countries, where conservative views on LGBTQ issues are strong.

Some are proposing that African and other churches be given the same chance that U.S. churches recently had to disafliate under favorable terms, including U.S. churches that missed the earlier deadline to do so, but a committee vote recommended against such measures.

Opponents say they already have mechanisms to depart, as some have recently done, but proponents say existing rules are burdensome.

Jerry Kulah of the advocacy group Africa Initiative said that while it will be up to individual conferences in Africa to decide whether to stay or leave the denomination, he believes it’s time to leave.

“We cannot remain in this marriage,” he said. “We can’t be one church preaching di erent gospels.”

A large majority of African bishops, while a rming their opposition to LGBTQ ordination or marriage, have said in a joint statement they are committed to remaining in the United Methodist Church.

The denomination had until recently been the third largest in the United States, present in almost every county. But its 5.4 million U.S. membership in 2022 is expected to drop once the 2023 departures are factored in.

The denomination also counts 4.6 million members in other countries, mainly in Africa, though earlier estimates have been higher.

attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl

The 36-year-old Charlotte man tried to secretly lm a 14-year-old in an airplane bathroom

By Steve LeBlanc

The Associated Press

BOSTON — An American Airlines ight attendant was indicted last week after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.

Police have also alleged that Estes Carter Thompson III, 36, of Charlotte, had recordings of four other girls using lavatories on an aircraft where he worked.

Thompson was indicted on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor.

Thompson was charged and arrested in January 2024 in Lynchburg, Virginia. He has been in federal custody since.

A lawyer for Thompson said af-

ter the indictment by a federal grand jury that he was unable to comment.

Investigators said that about midway through a Sept. 2, 2023, ight from Charlotte to Boston, the 14-year-old got up to use the main cabin lavatory nearest to her seat but found it was occupied.

Thompson then told her the rst-class lavatory was unoccupied and escorted her there, investigators said. Before she entered the bathroom, Thompson allegedly told her he needed to wash his hands and that the toilet seat was broken, they said.

After he left, the teen entered the bathroom and she saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid, which was in the open position, o cials said.

Beneath the stickers, Thompson had concealed his iPhone to record a video, investigators said.

The girl used her phone to take a picture of the stickers and concealed iPhone before leaving.

Prosecutors also allege hundreds of images of child sexual abuse generated through ar-

ti cial intelligence were found stored on Thompson’s iCloud account.

Attempted sexual exploitation of children carries a sentence of 15-30 years in prison, while possessing images of sexual abuse of a prepubescent minor can mean up to 20 years in prison.

Both charges also provide for at least ve years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a ne of up to $250,000 and restitution.

American Airlines previously issued a statement saying the ight attendant was “immediately withheld from service” and hasn’t worked since the phone was discovered.

A search of Thompson’s iCloud account revealed four additional instances between January and August 2023 in which Thompson recorded a minor using the lavatory on an aircraft, according to investigators.

Those depicted in the recordings were 7, 9, 11 and 14 years old at the time, they said. Their families have been contacted by police, investigators said.

MARK SCHIEFELBEIN / AP PHOTO

The church’s 11-day General Conference, taking place in Charlotte, is the denomination’s rst legislative gathering since a special session in 2019.

BLUE RIDGE REGIONAL JAIL AUTHORITY VIA AP

Estes Carter Thompson III of Charlotte, an American Airlines ight attendant, has been indicted after being accused of attempting to secretly record a 14-year-old female passenger.

MOORE COUNTY

On the attack

After starting at goalkeeper all season for Pinecrest girls’ lacrosse, Sam Lineback got to start at attacker for the Patriots’ regular season nale. She promptly scored her rst career goal.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

NC spending on public schools

lags behind North Carolina spent $12,298 per student on public schools according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than $3,000 behind the national average of $15,633. The state ranks in the bottom 20 states in terms of K-12 public school spending.

This is up from the past few years, though spending growth is blunted by in ation. The bulk of the spending growth came in the Instruction category, which includes teacher salaries and similar items.

Adjusted for in ation over the past decade, spending per pupil has grown slightly in North Carolina.

Former Congressman McMillan dead at 91

Former Congressman John B. McMillian died last month at age 91. McMillan, CEO of HarrisTeeter, ran for Congress in 1984, winning his seat by just 321 votes. He had 50 years of experience representing clients in courtrooms and at the NC General Assembly as a lobbyist. He was also a former president of the NC State Bar.

He served on a litany of statewide boards and was instrumental in the planning and construction of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences building, the Nature Research Center and the State Bar Building.

School board signs o on preliminary budget for 2024-2025 scal year

The board declined to defy North Carolina law on school calendar for 2025

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

The Moore County Schools Board of Education met Monday, April 15, discussing the preliminary budget for scal year 2024-2025. Superintendent Tim Locklair, who briefed the board, said the proposed budget would total $166.5 million with almost $39 million coming from Moore County, an increase of some $3.7 million.

Assistant Superintendent for Budget and Finance Tina Edmonds reported that district sta found budget e ciencies

of $632,800 by freezing out various vacant positions as well as a local technology grant.

“There’s been a lot of hard work and I believe it’s a good budget,” said board chair Robert Levy. “I believe it’s an excellent budget and a responsible budget. It takes into account ination and it takes into account our needs and it’s a conservative budget. Given the money that the county commissioners are appropriating for us, we are doing a great job and our students are doing a great job. One last thing is that we’re meeting the goals of our strategic plan with this budget.”

Following discussion, the board approved the budget with board member David Hensley being the lone dissent.

The board then moved on to

the 2025-26 school calendar. There had been long discussions amongst the board on potentially overruling North Carolina’s school calendar law in order to move the start date up a couple of weeks, but the board voted 4-3 in order to keep a traditional calendar for the 202526 school year that followed the law.

“The law is crystal clear,” Levy said. “The law says that you can’t open school before a certain date and you cannot close it before a certain date.

I wish it were di erent. I believe the law is wrong, but if every person could decide for his or her own self what laws were right or wrong, we’d have anarchy. We have to obey the law until the law is changed.” The dissenting votes were

those of Hensley, Philip Holmes and Pauline Bruno.

“I don’t understand why 19 other counties have changed their school dates and Lee County is one of them right next door to us,” Bruno said. “I don’t understand why we’re going along with what Phil Berger wants in the Senate. I just don’t get it. There’s a lot of money involved in this, he’s listening to the tourism industry, they’re lobbying and that’s what this whole thing is about. It has nothing to do with how well our children will do, it has nothing to do with the families. School still has to go the same number of days, so what is the di erence if they get out earlier and go back to school earlier. There’s

Protesters raise Palestinian ag on UNC agpole

The provocation follows early morning arrests at the Chapel Hill “Gaza Solidarity Encampment”

By Jordan Golson and A.P. Dillon North State Journal

MIDDAY ON Tuesday, a confrontation between police and protesters at UNC Chapel Hill was broadcast live on national news networks CNN and Fox News, with objects being thrown at o cers who were protecting a agpole at the center of Polk Place.

Police had rushed into the center of the protests after an enormous American ag ying on a campus ag pole was lowered and replaced with a Palestinian Flag, according to press reports and a post on X from Students for Justice in Palestine, a student group at UNC Chapel Hill. Previously, in a pre-dawn operation on Tuesday, law en-

forcement agencies detained 30 individuals participating in the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” at Polk Place on the UNC Chapel Hill campus.

The encampment lasted around three days and the arrests followed a warning issued by Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts and Provost Chris Clemens at 5:37 a.m., urging the demonstrators to disperse or face consequences.

Only six of the 30 detained were arrested, according to a report from The Daily Tar Heel, the student newspaper at UNC Chapel Hill. All were later released.

The operation began around 7 a.m. and involved multiple agencies such as the UNC Chapel Hill Campus Police, the Orange County Sheri ’s O ce and North Carolina State Highway Patrol o cers. Reports from the scene claim o cers from the N.C. State University, UNC Wilmington, and Appalachian State University were also present.

o cials had pre-

informed protesters the encampment’s

MAKIYA SEMINERA / AP PHOTO Students work on assignments and listen to organizers as they sit inside the encampment protest in Polk Place at UNC Chapel Hill on Monday.

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

We stand corrected

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

Moore County Edition of North State Journal Get in touch

CRIME LOG

April 24

• Kayla Annette Wall, 26 years old, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of possessing drug paraphernalia.

April 25

• Daniel Bennett Kemp, 39 years old, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office as a wanted person awaiting extradition as a fugitive from another state.

• Hope Katherine Kemp, 33 years old, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office as a wanted person awaiting extradition as a fugitive from another state.

• Jacques Alexander McGregor, 25 years old, was arrested by the Aberdeen Police Department on a charge of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Christopher Ray Ring, 48 years old, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office as a wanted person awaiting extradition as a fugitive from another state.

April 26

• Anderson Lee McLaughlin, 71 years old, was arrested by the Southern Pines Police Department on a charge of possessing marijuana paraphernalia.

• Maurice Bernard Wilkins, 51 years old, was arrested by the Moore County Sheriff’s Office on a charge of felony possession of cocaine.

WEDNESDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

COLUMN | RICHARD HUDSON

Focused on the issues impacting you

President Biden could x this crisis today the same way he created it: with a stroke of a pen.

IT WAS SO GREAT to be back home during the recent district work period and hear from folks about the issues most important to them and their families. As I traveled around, I heard story after story of how the current situation in our country has negatively impacted people’s lives. From higher living expenses to illegal criminals and drugs coming across our border, communities in our region and across our country are facing real challenges.

Whether it’s food, rent, electricity, or even car insurance, just about everything has gotten more expensive since President Biden took o ce. Right now, North Carolinians are paying over $990 more a month because of skyrocketing in ation, caused by Biden and the Democrats’ out-of-control spending.

Our communities are also being impacted by President Biden’s failed open border and amnesty policies. More deadly drugs, especially fentanyl, are being smuggled across our border and into our country, putting our safety and security at risk. Recently, a man in Lee County was busted tra cking enough fentanyl to kill 250,000 people, enough to kill everyone in Lee County three times over.

President Biden could x this crisis today the same way he created

tion Center for processing.

UNC Students for Justice in Palestine organized the protest as a means to pressure the university to sever nancial ties with companies tied to Israel.

In a statement, Roberts and Clemens emphasized the need to prioritize the safety of students, faculty, sta , and campus visitors, particularly with quickly approaching nal exams and graduation ceremonies.

“This group has now made it clear they will no longer even consider our requests to abide by University policies and have ended our attempts at constructive dialogue,” Roberts and Clemens’ said in a statement. “We must consider the safety of all of

no di erence.” Bruno declared it “a very bad law” and said “Raleigh should not be determining how Moore County children

it: with a stroke of a pen. But he refuses to act. Meanwhile, House Republicans passed a bill over nine months ago to secure our border and keep our communities safe.

As a member of the Health Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I often hear from seniors and those in rural communities like ours struggling with long travel times to and from doctor appointments or lack of regular access to transportation. However, we saw during the pandemic how telehealth services make it easier for folks to get the care they need in a faster and more e cient way.

The Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing last week to address ways we can support patients’ access to telehealth so they can continue to bene t from these services. While expanding access to telehealth is critically important, I’m also focused on making sure proper protections are in place to ensure the best patient outcomes and highquality care.

As Congress prepares for another busy week ahead, rest assured I’ll continue ghting for the best interests of our region.

Richard Hudson represents the 9th Congressional District.

our students, faculty and sta , as well as visitors to this campus. Our students are preparing for nal exams and end-of-year activities, including graduation, and we will continue to promote an educational environment where they can do so safely and without disruption.”

The statement also says those who refused to comply with the university’s directive faced potential arrest, suspension, or expulsion. Reports indicate that more than two dozen individuals were arrested, with at least one person sustaining injuries during the arrests.

Columbia University in New York City remains the most visible encampment, with university faculty going so far as to link arms to protect protesters. But the movement, which generally

go to school. We’ve done the questionnaire online and the teachers are for it, the parents are for it.”

“I agree 100% and we’re all probably on the same page, but my issue is breaking the law,”

includes requests for universities to divest from any company doing business with Israel, has spread to schools around the country with varying amounts of permissiveness and consequences.

Police moved in quickly to disperse protesters at University of Texas at Austin, while USC cancelled its main graduation ceremony. North Carolina schools have been somewhat quieter, at least compared to the activities at Columbia, which have drawn the attention of members of Congress, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), who spoke at the school last week. It is not yet clear what consequences or charges those arrested at UNC Chapel Hill will face.

said board member Stacey Caldwell. “I just don’t want to set that example for our children.”

The Moore County Schools Board of Education will next meet May 13.

MOORE CITIZENS FOR FREEDOM

MOORE COUNTY

Remember that we live in the best country, the best state, and by far the best county.

moore happening

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

May 3

Cameron Spring Antiques Street Fair

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The annual Cameron Spring Antiques Street Fair takes place in Historic Downtown Cameron. Enjoy shopping at antique stores plus the over 100 vendors. It is a favorite Moore County event that includes shopping, great food, and fun for the whole family. This event will be held rain or shine.

Moore County Library: Pre-School Storytime 10 a.m.

The Moore County Library in Carthage hosts a free PreSchool Storytime each Friday at 10:00 a.m. For additional information, call 910-9475335.

Big Top Circus in Carthage 5 p.m.– 7 p.m.

The Big Top Circus will be at the Carthage Fairgrounds on Friday, May 3rd for two shows ( 5 p.m. & 7 p.m.). Enjoy a 90-minute performance under the Big Top from the Zerbini Family Circus For full details and ticket purchases visit zerbinifamilycircus.com

May 4

2024 Naturalist Day Hike

8 – 10 a.m.

Join Three Rivers Land Trust for the 2024 Naturalist Day Hike at the Smith property in Troy. Expect to see warblers, vireos, tanagers, waterthrush and more on this great walk through the woods. An ornithologist will be present to help with species identi cation. Limit to 20 people. This is an approximately 3-mile hike and is of easy-moderate di culty. Be sure to bring binoculars and a camera. More information at threeriverslandtrust.org

Moore County Farmers Market - Downtown Southern Pines

8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Held each Saturday running March 16th-November 23rd at the Downtown Southern Pines Park green space, located at 145 SE Broad Street. Enjoy shopping from fresh and locally grown produce, meats, honey, eggs, seasonal items and more. Many vendors will be set up each week, some providing free samples. Live music is provided 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Yard Sale Fundraiser for Missions Trips

8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

A Yard Sale Fundraiser for Missions is taking place at New Life Tabernacle in Aberdeen. Support by donating and purchasing. Proceeds will bene t international mission trips. For additional information or to make a donation, call 910-

North State Journal Sta

IT’S CRUNCH time for high school spring sports. Girls’ soccer, with a week to go in the regular season, is the only sport preparing for playo s already. Baseball and softball have wrapped up the regular season, and playo elds have already been announced in golf, lacrosse and tennis.

Boys’ tennis

North Moore nished the regular season with a 3-9 record and received the No. 10 seed in the 1A bracket. The Mustangs received a rst round bye and will take on No. 7 Chatham Charter (12-6) in the second round.

At 12-1, Pinecrest earned a No. 5 seed in 4A and will face No. 24 Riverside (7-9) in the rst round.

Union Pines enter the postseason at 8-4. That gets the Vikings a No. 10 seed at 3A and a date with No. 26 Jacksonville (6-8).

Lacrosse

Pinecrest’s boys split their last

two regular season games, beating Jack Britt, 13-2, then losing, 13-10, at Willow Spring to snap a 15 game winning streak. The Patriots are 17-3 and won the conference with a 10-0 record.

That earned them a No. 6 seed in the 4A bracket and a rst-round bye. They’ll play the winner of No. 11 Athens Drive and No. 22 Millbrook.

The Pinecrest girls beat Jack Britt, 20-6, and end the season with a seven-game unbeaten streak and ve wins in a row.

The Patriots are 13-3-1, 6-2 in conference. They also earned a No. 6 seed and rst round bye in the 4A

bracket. They’ll face the winner of No. 11 Laney and No. 22 Corinth Holders.

The Union Pines girls beat Middle Creek, 20-14, to wrap up a 13-0 regular season and a conference title at 8-0. They earned the top seed in the 1A/2A/3A girls’ bracket and will face No. 16 Havelock.

The Union Pines boys’ team took a 10-4 win over Garner to end the regular season with a 10-6 mark, 8-2 in the league, and a ve-game winning streak. The Vikings earned a No. 4 seed in 3A and will receive a bye. They’ll play the winner of No. 13 Swansboro and No. 20 Fike.

Boys’ Golf

North Moore, Pinecrest and Union Pines will all compete in the NCHSAA regional championships. North Moore will head to Goldsboro’s Lane Tree Country Club for the 1A Mideast Regional on May 6. Pinecrest is in action on the same day at Pinehurst Country Club in the 4A Mideast Regional. Union Pines is at Fayetteville’s Highland Country Club for the 3A Mideast Regional, also on May 6.

Peyton Page is a senior for the Pinecrest girls’ lacrosse team.

The Patriots head to the playo s on a seven-game unbeaten streak after beating Jack Britt, 20-6 to close the regular season.

Page had four goals in the win, tying for tops on the Patriots. For the season, she is second on Pinecrest in goals, assists and points. She’s also third in turnovers forced and second in ground balls.

obituaries

Dr. Newton "Bud" Jackson

April 28, 1940 - April 15, 2024

Dr. Newton “Bud” Jackson, age 83, died on April 15, 2024 of congestive heart failure and multi-lobal pneumonia. As Bud transcended this earth he was holding hands with the love of his life, Mary. Much could be written about Bud’s intellect, his illustrious career in the eld of Forensic and Clinical Psychology. But better it be to know Bud has a most winning smile, disarming personality and gentle spirit. Bud loved his wife, kids and grandkids and enjoyed chess, tennis, golf and was an avid reader. He also treasured the time he and Mary played pinochle with their more relaxed rules of play. Bud is preceded in death by his parents and older sister. Those he left behind, his wife Mary, children David and Debra, stepson (though never treated like one) Aaron (wife Emilie); three grandkids, a nephew, niece and one cousin. In true Bud style he has written his own epitaph. He helped women get through school. He wanted to aid the desperate. Sometimes he succeeded, more often he failed. He tried to keep hope alive.

Sandra Judith Studer

January 8, 1939 - April 19, 2024

Sandra Judith Studer, 85, of Pinehurst, NC passed away peacefully on Friday, April 19, 2024, at her residence. Judy was born January 8, 1939, in Detroit, MI to the late Leroy and Ruth Lake Allen. She is survived by her loving companion, Joseph Murphy; stepdaughter, Sara Studer; stepson, David Studer; and nephew, John Holder. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Wayne Studer.

David Michael Wilson

October 12, 1937 - April 14, 2024

David Michael Wilson, 86, of West End, passed peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, April 14th at the FirstHealth Hospice House. A life long resident of Moore County, he was born October 12, 1937 to the late David Henderson and Helen Windle Wilson.

`On April 13, 1968, he married Emma Jean Lawrence. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son David Mark Wilson, daughter Cheryl Denise Oestry and grandson Nicholas Mabe. He was the husband of 56 years to Emma Wilson. He was the father of John Michael Wilson, wife Natalie, and Lawrence Matthew Wilson, wife Layla. David was a father gure to Joe Burdick.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: John David Wilson, Amanda Jill Wilson, Nathan Oestry, and Meagan Oestry, husband Dan Nelson. David is also survived by his great – grandson Benjamin. Three life – long friends, Dwayne, Doyle and Dwight Parsons hand built a pine casket for his nal journey, a tting tribute for a man that loved his pine trees.

David Earl Williams, III

January 16, 1954 - April 20, 2024

David Earl Williams III, age 70, of Rockingham, NC passed away at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital on April 20, 2024. David was born in Wake County, NC January 16, 1954 to David Earl Williams Jr. and Sallie Ann Young.

David is survived by his sister, Pamela Williams Cooper and husband Robert, along with several cousins and dear friends. David was preceded in death by his parents, David Earl Williams and Sallie Williams Thompson.

Nancy Jane Mathieu Davis

November 21, 1934 - April 15,

2024

Nancy Jane Mathieu Davis,

age 89, entered eternal rest on Monday, April 15, 2024, in Southern Pines, NC. Nancy was born on Nov 21st in Owaneco, Illinois to Gladys McShea Mathieu. Nancy was married to Ronald M Davis, who passed away in 2019, proud residents and active volunteers in the Pinehurst area for over 30 years.

Nancy will be remembered as a beloved wife, devoted mother, grandmother and a dear friend. Nancy was often referred to as Saint Nancy with her kind soul and infectious smile and was blessed with an adventurous and independent spirit. She is survived by her two daughters, Jeannine Davis Harris & Charlene Davis Mathis (Mark), Grandchildren: Leigh, Reid and Brad Harris and Ryan Mathis.

Leonard "Lenny" Angel

August 23, 1930 - April 26, 2024

Leonard “Lenny” Angel, 93 of Aberdeen, passed away on April 26, 2024, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. Born on August 23, 1930, in Washington, D.C. to the late Jack and Regina Angel. He was beloved by too many to count. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Caroline Webb; brothers, Conrad and Albert Angel; and his daughter, Sherrie Butler. He is survived by his brother, Edward Angel of Washington, D.C; two sons, Jack and Michael Angel; grandchildren, Katie Butler, Beth Raub, and Zac Angel; great grandchildren, Chloe and Liam Raub; also survived by his loving companion of 33 years, Rivan Harter.

Marjorie Arlene Kennedy Ritter

May 19, 1928 - April 20, 2024

Marjorie Arlene Kennedy Ritter, 95, passed away Saturday, April 20, 2024, at her home in Southern Pines with her children by her side. Mrs. Ritter was a native of Moore County, born to the late Alexander McKinley and Mary Belle M. Kennedy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey L. Ritter, Jr; and siblings, Willie Kennedy, Anne K. Bryant, Louise Kennedy, Maxine K. Blue and Walter Kennedy. She is survived by her son, Dewey L Ritter, III; daughter, Rebecca Ritter Shands; brother, Mack Kennedy; grandchildren, Philip Shands and Amanda Ritter; great-grandchildren, Cohen and Kiley; and many nieces and nephews. A graduate of Pinehurst High School, Mrs. Ritter worked in banking for much of her life and retired from Wells Fargo in Southern Pines. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Southern Pines. An avid walker, she enjoyed gardening, beach trips, and spending time with her family. She was a much beloved wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother and sister. She will be sorely missed.

Max R Livengood

July 18, 1938 - April 25, 2024

Max R. Livengood, 85, passed away peacefully at First Health Hospital on April 25, 2024, while surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Rita; daughters Catherine Livengood Palmer (William) of Havelock, NC; Susan Livengood Barwick (Byron) of Seven Springs, NC; Mendy Lewis of Aberdeen, NC; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his son, Nathan Livengood.

Eileen Mary Lucy Gardner

March 4, 1945 - April 22, 2024

Eileen Mary Lucy Gardner, 79, of Sanford passed away peacefully on Monday, April 22, 2024, at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst. She was born March 4, 1945, in New Windsor, NY to the late Patrick and Olga Wolovidge Lucy. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Charles John Gardner; her siblings, Patricia Brown, James Lucy, and Mary Lucy; and a grandson Anthony Rodriguez. She is survived by her son, Sean Gardner; daughters, Sharon Gieseke (husband Keith) and Mary Frances Gardner; four grandsons, Nicholas Rodriguez, Ryan Rodriguez, Charles James Gieseke, Sean Ryan Gardner; and one granddaughter Ren Morales.

Gilbert Douglas Smith

July 29, 1942 - April 22, 2024

Gilbert Douglas (Doug) Smith passed away peacefully on a beautiful sunlit day in Pinehurst, NC, surrounded by family at the age of 81. He was born on July 29, 1942, to the late Shelby Lee Smith and Ruth Ballard Smith in Asheville, NC. He was predeceased by his parents and younger brother, Tedd Smith. Family was important in his life, and those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 45 years, Nancy Smith of Pinehurst, and daughters, Stephanie (John) Bleakley, Jennifer Archer, and Melissa (Bonnie) Boles of Georgia. Doug is also survived by ve grandchildren, Lauren (Nick) Saye, Logan Bleakley, Thomas Bleakley, Maddie Archer, and Abbie Archer; great granddaughter Mollie Sale; sister-in-law, Gail Smith, and nieces Mary Catherine (Josh) Pisano and Shelly (Jeremy) Cloninger.