North State Journal Vol. 7, Issue 44

Year in review: a look back at 2022

By Matt Mercer North State Journal

NEARLY 365 DAYS have passed since the last year in review. After coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftershocks throughout 2021, what did 2022 bring?

The first part of 2022 can’t be about anything other than Ukraine. After months of posturing, Russia launched an invasion of its neighbor to the west on Feb. 24. For the first time in the social media age a major country had launched a fullscale military invasion of another country. Condemnation was swift from the United States and allies around the world, rallying support for Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The invasion of Ukraine came on the heels of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and the Chinese alliance with Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, signaled that the act of aggression by non-western powers may not be its last.

Images of Ukrainian cities bom-

barded with missiles and Russian ground forces moving into the country was shocking – but it was the Ukranian President’s defiance in the face of the invasion that would prove enduring.

Leandro, learning loss, masks, safety: NC K-12 year in review

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Over the course of 2022, K-12 public education was marked by fights over required masking, continued protests over inappropriate materials, plummeting test scores, the flipping of school boards in the general election, and multiple movements to revamp state education policy.

Public education in North Carolina began 2022 with K-12 students as the only subset of the state’s pop-

ulation being forced to wear masks while in school. Parents and students alike had been pushing back on forced masking for months and, in February, North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) sent a letter to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper asking for an end to the practices.

Legislation titled “Free the Smile Act” was passed in February by the General Assembly with bipartisan support, however, Cooper

Seeking to decapitate the nation’s government, Russia sent forces into the capital city of Kyiv to assassinate Zelenskyy. Offered a way out of the city by the United States, the president reportedly told them,

“I need ammunition, not a ride,” displaying bravery the face of very real attempts on his life. Millions of Ukrainians evacuated the country to Poland, the rest of Europe, and across the world and the brutality of Russia’s act of aggression continues to unfold. Yet as the invasion faded from the nonstop initial coverage, the resilience of Ukraine’s military and its people has continued. They have beat the large Russian army into a stalemate.

At home, the rise of inflation and the inability of government leaders to curb its effects is still a problem for millions of Americans. Since January 2021, a U.S. Senate report showed that inflation has cost households nearly $8,500 per year. This month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks costs for food and energy at double-digit increases in the last 12 months. Yet despite those trends, Democrats in Washington, D.C. did not pay a political price for the economic hardships. The inability of Republicans to

A look back at the NCGA in 2022

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — As the new year rolled in, the North Carolina General Assembly was faced with the ongoing masking of K-12 school children as well as Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s continuing statewide state of emergency order.

Mounting pressure from the public and parents to end quarantine and masking policies took center stage in February when House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) issued a letter to Cooper asking for an end to those policies.

“Throughout the pandemic, it has been our young children who have paid the heaviest price for the Governor’s endless state of emergency and ongoing mandates and restrictions,” Moore said in a statement. “It is time to end the policies that have disrupted classrooms and hindered student achievement. The science does not support these onerous restrictions that continue to harm our children.”

The Senate acted, creating the “Free the Smiles Act” in an effort to unmask the state’s K-12 stu-

dents. The governor would later veto the bill, stating that “Passing laws for political purposes that encourage people to pick and choose which health rules they want to follow is dangerous and could tie the hands of public health officials in the future.”

An override of Cooper’s veto in the Senate failed. Two Cumberland County Democrats who originally voted to pass the bill flip-flopped and voted to uphold Cooper’s veto.

During a COVID-19 press briefing held prior to his veto, Cooper had put the onus on schools and local governments to end mask mandates while calling the bill allowing parents to choose whether or not their child is masked “frantic,” and “politically motivated.”

With regard to the governor’s ongoing statewide state of emergency order, Cooper passed the buck on ending it in March, stating, “We presented to the General Assembly laws that they can pass so that they can end it. So, not a big deal.” Cooper’s emergency order would persist for five more months, reaching the 888

unseat a Democratic incumbent in any U.S. Senate race allowed President Joe Biden’s party to secure a 51-49 majority in the chamber. U.S. House Republicans, meanwhile, did modestly better, winning 222 seats and they will lead the chamber once again in January.

Election results in North Carolina, meanwhile, was a red wave compared to most national results. Three-term Republican U.S. Rep. Ted Budd defeated former Democratic state Supreme Court Justice Cheri Beasley by a nearly four-point margin to hold the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Richard Burr. Republicans also swept statewide judicial races for the second consecutive election cycle and will hold a 5-2 majority on the Supreme Court. The GOP also clinched a supermajority in the state Senate and will need just one Democratic state House member to vote with them for a “working supermajority” in the state House.

PHOTOS VIA AP

Clockwise from top: Rep. Ted Budd, R-N.C., greets supporters after winning his U.S. Senate race against Cheri Beasley at his election night watch party in WinstonSalem; King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort and other members of the Royal family follow the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried into Westminster Abbey ahead of her State Funeral, in London; In this image from video provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office and posted on Facebook, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks in Kyiv, Ukraine; North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis, right, shakes hands with Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE | AP PHOTO

Members of the Supreme Court sit for a photo at the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.

BRYAN ANDERSON | AP PHOTO

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt speaks in Raleigh, in this file photo.

“We have a handful of Democrats who will work with us.”

House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain)

day mark in August.

Legislators also tackled a number of education-related issues such as the growing scrutiny of controversial and ideological topics like Critical Race Theory in K-12 schools.

In late May, Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) along with other legislators unveiled House Bill 755, titled “The Parents’ Bill of Rights.” The measure sought to “enumerate the rights of parents to direct the upbringing, education, healthcare and mental health of their children.” The bill also sought to expand transparency in curriculum and barred the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in Kindergarten through Third-grade.

Cooper signaled he would veto the bill and LGBT activists attempted to label the bill as the next “Don’t say gay” bill, referring to similar legislation signed by Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Likely seeing no way to override Cooper’s likely veto, after passing both chambers

The Parents’ Bill of Rights ended up being referred to the House Rules Committee and never reemerged. The core topic of the bill may not be dead with Berger indicating there is interest in the Senate for introducing a similar bill next year.

At the end of July lawmakers announced a new subcommittee had been formed to investigate the mishandling of the state’s hurricane recovery and response to Hurricanes Matthew and Florence.

The subcommittee has met twice so far in 2022, both times grilling Cooper’s head of the N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency Laura Hogshead over the abysmal lack of progress.

During the first hurricane subcommittee meeting held in September, it was learned Hogshead’s office had only completed 789 out of 4,100 projects with time running out on federal disaster funds. Additionally, lawmakers heard testimony from citizens who had been living out of temporary accommodations for years.

The subcommittee met again on Dec. 14 and focused on the continued slow progress and accountability for work left undone. During questioning, Sen. Danny Britt (R-Robeson) harshly criticized Hogshead’s lack of progress, telling her she had “failed as a director” and “You should resign from your position.”

One of the major milestones of the 2022 session included the enactment of the 2022 ABC Omnibus bill repealing the current

Dear Heavenly Father, May the peace that only you can give fill our hearts in this upcoming new year. We thank you that we can guard our hearts and minds in Christ against the schemes of the enemy. Let us look forward to the horizon, knowing that you have great blessings ahead. Amen.

We will turn the page in a few days and find ourselves in a new year. Many will be busy making new year’s resolutions. Others starting over…again. Some will decide there is so much negative news and chaos in this world; why bother? In the Bible, there were many accounts where the people were expectant. We are currently in the Christmas season. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was expecting his arrival, the promised Messiah, the king. The Bible says, “But in keeping with his promise, we

definition of “private bar” and creating a new one that eliminated a membership requirement.

Another major win was the passage of a $27.9 billion state budget. The measure received heavy bipartisan support in both chambers and Cooper signed the budget in July. He had vetoed all previous budgets presented to him during his two-term tenure.

Along with signing the budget, the governor also racked up four new vetoes and brought his total veto count to a record-breaking 75.

Vetoes may not be a weapon in Cooper’s arsenal heading into 2023 as the midterm elections turned out favorably for Republicans in both chambers of the legislature. The Senate captured a supermajority and the House came within one seat of that goal.

In a post-election press release, Moore said he wasn’t worried the House fell one seat short.

“We have a handful of Democrats who work with us,” Moore said. “We have some new members coming in, and I feel completely confident that should we need to override vetoes, we’ll be able to do our part in the House as well.”

By the end of 2022, lawmakers had enacted 275 pieces of legislation on a wide range of topics, with a large number of bills addressing education and pandemic-related items, as well as addressing health, behavioral and opioid addiction issues.

Despite the large number of bills passed, some of the high-profile work was left unfinished, including sports wagering bills, medical cannabis legalization, and Medicaid expansion.

Medicaid expansion had been a “non-starter” for both Berger and Moore in the past, but over the past year both spoke positively about the subject and both chambers introduced their own version of a Medicaid expansion bill but neither made it out of their respective committees.

In a post-election press conference, Moore said it would wait until 2023 and Berger didn’t disagree that “waiting until next year is the right thing to do.”

Heading into 2023 and a brand-new long session, Moore confirmed in a recent interview with North State Journal that Medicaid expansion is likely to be revisited.

Moore, who was elected speaker for a fifth consecutive term, also said he’d like to see more action on behavioral health issues and expects to see legislation with an eye toward more transparency in K-12 education matters.

The election marked a defeat for Democratic judicial priorities following a year in which the outgoing 4-3 liberal majority played a major role in nearly every major issue in the state.

This year’s Supreme Court ordered a redraw of the state’s congressional map to ensure a 7-7 majority, authorized the spending of money from state coffers to satisfy its own Leandro ruling, and struck down yet another voter ID law passed by the General Assembly.

Any discussion of courts and 2022 wouldn’t be complete without the historic overturning of Roe v. Wade. On June 24, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 1972 decision that provided federal protection over abortion and sent the decision back to the states to sort out.

Controversy began before the decision was announced as an unprecedented leak of a draft opinion in early May led to protests both at the Supreme Court and the homes of the justices. A man was arrested for intent to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh in a story that largely went unmentioned by many mainstream media outlets.

As of this writing, the person who leaked the draft opinion is still not publicly known.

Another worldwide event altered the landscape of Great Britain as Queen Elizabeth II died on Sept. 8 in Scotland. Queen Elizabeth ruled for 70 years and 214 days, the longest of any British monarch. Her tenure was notable just as political chaos saw the United Kingdom cycle through three Prime Ministers this year.

are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless blameless, and at peace with him” (2 Peter 3:13,14). Jesus is our hope, our promise of a new heaven and earth, a peace that passes all understanding. Have a blessed, prosperous new year in Christ.

By Anita V. Presnell

This was also a tragic year for the city of Raleigh, where this newspaper is headquartered, and many are still struggling with the fragility of life – and how a few moments can cause unimaginable pain.

Wake County Sheriff’s Deputy Ned Byrd was murdered in August in southeastern Wake County by suspected illegal immigrants. Byrd was unfortunately not the only law enforcement officer shot and killed in the line of duty this year. The National Fraternal Order of Police called this year one of the most dangerous in recent history.

On Oct. 13, a teenager would kill five in the Hedingham neighborhood of northeast Raleigh, including an off-duty Raleigh police offer, and the subsequent manhunt and capture garnered national attention. Though mass shootings feel all too common, when it happens

somewhere close, it feels different. Many in the Triangle have at one point or another walked on part of the Neuse River Greenway.

Raleigh’s latest tragedy occurred during what should have been a happy occasion. During the annual Raleigh Christmas Parade on Nov. 19, an 11 year-old girl was killed when she was hit by an out of control truck during a performance. The parade, which was being broadcast live, was canceled.

At times, it can feel as though the news of the day is overwhelming. Some years undisputedly have more tragedies than triumphs. What does a great life look like? We don’t have the answers, but we do our best to provide hope and truth, if you read The Word on page 2 each week. We believe He is in control. Going into a new year, that is the best news we can tell you.

PUBLIC DOMAIN IMAGE

PHOTO

In this photo provided by China’s Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, holds talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China.

AP PHOTO

North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Eden, right, speaks about a budget agreement reached with House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Kings Mountain, center, at a Legislative Building news conference in Raleigh, in June 2022.

School choice continued to thrive in 2022

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — 2022 kicked off with an unusual announcement: Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper issuing his first-ever proclamation in support of School Choice Week.

The proclamation surprised most school choice advocates as the governor has been clear during his tenure he believes public charter schools “steal” money from public education.

Cooper has also repeatedly tried to end the Opportunity Scholarship Program for low-income students to attend private schools through legal and budget recommendations. During the pandemic year of 2020 when he closed the state’s schools, Cooper was quoted saying the program was “an expense we should stop.”

Increasing numbers of parents in North Carolina have been opting for choices other than the traditional district schools for years. When the pandemic school closures and restrictions came along, even more parents headed for the exits.

The leap from public schools to other options brought a steep dip in public education enrollment.

The latest data shows North Carolina’s public school enrollment still hasn’t recovered; however, school choice options have largely maintained their gains in 2022.

Early enrollment data released by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) showed the first month’s average daily membership (ADM) for traditional public school districts only increased by 1.1 percent over the previous year but enrollment was still down 3.2 percent when compared to the year prior to COVID-19.

In comparison, charter school enrollment was up 6.4% over last year and over 19% since the 201920 school year.

“Public charter schools complement, rather than compete with, district schools. We’re all part of the public school family,” Executive Director of the N.C. Coalition for Charter Schools Lindalyn Kakadelis said in a statement. “That charter schools saw yet another sizable increase in enrollment this year hammers home the fact that

parents both want and deserve options in public schooling.”

The demand for charter schools existed prior to the pandemic. A 2020 report to the General Assembly stated that during that school year, 78% of charter schools had a waitlist totaling nearly 76,000 students statewide.

According to a recent report by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) examining school enrollment trends for the years during and after the pandemic (2019-2022), North Carolina was fifth-highest in the nation for charter enrollment gains during the pandemic. During the same period, North Carolina had the ninth-largest public school enrollment drop in the nation.

Traditional district school enrollment went from 1,419,142 to 1,370,859 during the pandemic; a loss of 48,283 students.

NAPCS’s report shows that overall charter growth had been and still is increasing and that minority students are the reason behind that growth both nationally and in North Carolina.

In the years spanning 2019 and 2022, white student enrollment in North Carolina charter schools increased by 7.29% but Black student enrollment was almost double that, coming in at over 14%. Similarly, Hispanic enrollment skyrocketed to over 23%.

Homeschooling and private schools also made gains during the pandemic. The gains appear to be leveling out in the last school year.

Private schools enrolled 102,400 students across 769 schools during the 2018-19 school year. During the 2021-22 year, that number had increased to 115,311 students across 828 schools. That’s a 12.6% jump in student enrollment and an over 7.6% increase in the number of schools.

Homeschooling had the biggest swell in student numbers during the first two years of the pandemic.

During the 2018-19 school year, there were 90,688 registered homeschools and 142,037 students.

Homeschooling saw a steep in-

crease during the 2020-21 school year, likely due to statewide school closures and other pandemic requirement factors. That year, 112,614 schools were registered along with 179,900 students.

A data cleanup by the state’s Department of Nonpublic Instruction scaled down the 202122 numbers to 100,904 schools and 160,528 students.

Despite the popularity of charter schools in the state, various parties over the years have tried to sue over their existence. The most recent case over a municipal charter school law was dismissed this past spring by an N.C. Court of Appeals three-judge panel citing lack of standing and failure to show harm.

On the national level, the Biden administration has issued new regulations for charter schools that critics say will decrease charter school programs and contain “onerous” reporting that is not required of traditional schools. A lawsuit with half a dozen plaintiffs has been mounted to challenge the regulations. Last month, the

N.C. Coalition for Charter Schools joined the lawsuit.

Lawsuits have also plagued the Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) which offers low-income families scholarship funds to attend the private school of their choice.

In October, a 2-1 ruling by the N.C. Court of Appeals sent the case filed against the OSP back to be heard by a three-judge panel in Wake County. That ruling reversed a decision the case should be heard by one judge issued by Wake County Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins.

The N.C. Association of Educators had filed the current lawsuit. A past lawsuit filed in 2013 against the program failed. That case went all the way to the N.C. Supreme Court which ruled in July 2015 that the plaintiffs had failed to prove the program violated the state constitution.

N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law President Jeanette Doran called the lawsuit “meritless” and it is an “attack on religious schools in general.”

“What they’ve done is challenge the way the program is implemented,” said Doran.

She went on to noting the lawsuit has a “big hurdle” in front of it by trying to prove public funds used for the program aren’t accomplishing a public purpose.

“That’s a big hurdle to get past — to say that the choices of parents are blocked or should be blocked because they are attributable to government,” Doran said. “No, they’re not. As a parent if you pick a religious school… you are picking a religious school. No one is forcing these parents or any other parent to choose a religious school.”

The OSP was created by the legislature in 2013. Scholarship awards can total up to $6,168 depending on income thresholds for applicants and other criteria.

Like homeschooling and charter schools, the OSP has seen steady increases in applications and grant awards. Per the NC State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), 22,818 students enrolled in the program during the last school year.

NCSEAA data also shows over $63 million in OSP scholarships offered to students for the 202223 school year. The program has maintained wait lists each year that average between 800-900 students.

vetoed the measure. Cooper’s veto message said the bill was “passed for political purposes” and the public should not be able to “pick and choose” what health rules they follow. The bill would have given parents the ability to opt their child out of masking in school. An override attempt in the Senate fell short with two Democrats voting to uphold the veto who had originally voted to pass the bill.

Around the same time the legislature was trying to unmask students, Cooper began encouraging local government units and school districts to end masking mandates. The governor stopped short of issuing another executive order actually ending the practice.

On Feb. 25, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rolled out a new three-tiered “Community Levels” system which altered recommendations for masking. Most districts in North Carolina had already begun voting to end mask mandates by that time with 60 of the state’s 115 K-12 districts having ended the mandates as of Feb. 17.

It would not be until well after the end of the traditional K-12 school year that the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services would quietly sunset the “StrongSchools NC Public Health Toolkit” that districts had been following during the pandemic.

While the fight over masking had taken center stage, the N.C. Commission for Public Health was considering adding COVID-19 vaccinations to the required schedule of immunization for public education. The petition to add the shots was discussed and eventually unanimously denied.

Another fight that began in 2021 and spilled over into 2022 was the infusion of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in K-12 lessons. North State Journal found multiple districts across the state engaging in teacher training with CRT themes, the latest of which included Chatham County Public Schools. Meanwhile, it was uncovered that the new head of the Office of Equity Affairs in Wake County had given a presentation pushing social and racial justice in teaching high school mathematics.

The outcry by parents turned

into a movement to flip local school board seats.

Republican candidates, many of which were parents, swept nearly half of all district school board races in the Nov. 8 election. A total of 83 out of the state’s 115 school districts had seats up for election. Per data compiled by EducationNC, 41 of the 83 were partisan races with 290 total seats up for grabs with 137 partisan seats being in partisan races. Republicans won 103 or 75% of the partisan race seats and Democrats won 34 or 25%. Republicans swept all seats in 21 of those 41 partisan races while Democrats only swept three.

In Wake County, the largest district in the state, five of the nine incumbents in didn’t seek reelection this November. Only two of the parent-led candidates were elected to the board in those races.

The previous board has seen a series of protests by parents with complaints including pandemic and mask policies, CRT, curriculum, transparency, and issues with the district’s Office of Equity Affairs, as well as vocal opposition to obscene books found in district libraries.

CRT was also taken up at the national level by two of North Carolina’s congressional delegation.

Rep. Dan Bishop (NC-09) introduced a resolution outlining the Marxist roots of the Critical Race Theory (CRT) and threat it poses to the United States while Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-05) was one of 30 Republicans that sent letters to five federal departments questioning expenditures of COVID relief funds for CRT programs.

The pushback over CRT and other complaints by parents in 2021 had resulted in the targeting of those parents by President Biden’s Attorney General Merrick Garland, but it also spawned a bill to affirm parental rights and increase transparency with regard to their child’s education in both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly. Both versions of the parental rights bill passed a first reading in their respective chambers but had almost no Democrat support. The measures eventually died after being referred to committees.

One area parents did gain a voice was with the Parent Advisory Commission formed by N.C. Superintendent Catherine Truitt.

“This Commission is focused on giving parents a seat at the table and strengthening parent and family involvement in education,” Truitt said in the press release accompanying the list of the 48 members selected for the commission.

Following the pandemic, school safety was also on the minds of most parents.

School safety reporting apps and state data had shown an uptick in school violence and threats. In Moore County, dozens of fights at a single middle school in the district were caught on video and posted to social media.

School safety as an issue has persisted into 2022 and this past fall the Department of Public Instruction’s (DPI) Center for Safer Schools awarded over $74 million in School Safety grants to 200 K-12 school districts across the state. The funds will be used for safety equipment, school resource officers, training and services for students in crisis in elementary, middle and charter schools across the state.

Funding for school safety wasn’t the only money talked about in K-12 education this year. The over 20 year old Leandro education funding case wound its way through the state’s legal system and landed in front of the N.C. Supreme Court.

In November, the Democrat majority on the state’s top court issued a ruling on Leandro just prior to the midterm elections that the minority opinion dubbed as “being about power.”

“Fundamentally, and contrary to what plaintiffs, executive branch defendants, and the majority would have the public believe, this case is not about North Carolina’s failure to afford its children with the opportunity to receive a sound basic

education,” wrote Associate Justice Phil Berger, Jr. in the dissent.

“The essence of this case is power — who has the power to craft educational policy and who has the authority to fund that policy.”

In the 4-3 decision, the Democratic majority sided with former Leandro Judge David Lee’s previous decision ordering three state entities — the state controller, state treasurer and the N.C. Office of Budget and Management — to transfer billions from the state’s coffers. The Leandro case now sits in the business court awaiting action.

Berger’s dissent focused on the state constitution’s appropriations clause which clearly states the legislature has the power of appropriations while underscoring the majority’s opinion undermines the court’s own past rulings in the case of Cooper v. Moore. Writing for the majority in that case, Associate Justice Sam Ervin affirmed the General Assembly has “exclusive” control of expenditures under the state’s appropriation clause.

In terms of education policy in the state, the state board of education along with Truitt and members of her agency have made slow but steady headway in revamping both teacher licensing and the state’s A-F school grading model.

An advisory group set up by DPI to revise the A-F model is still exploring ways to improve the model by adding more academic and nonacademic criteria.

On the licensure side, a request for a pilot program of the “Blueprint for Action plan” is headed to legislature per a decision made during state board of education meetings held on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. The plan is a scaled-down of the November version approved by the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission (PEPSC).

Academic achievement and learning loss were also hot topics in 2022.

The Office of Learning and Recovery (OLR) set up by Truitt issued findings showing K-12 academic achievement across the state fell behind by between two and 15 months across various subjects during remote learning imposed on students due to pandemic school closures. OLR’s findings were consistent with presentations on learning loss given to lawmak-

ers by the Department of Public Instruction earlier in the year.

The September release of state testing data from the past school year also showed proficiency levels in all grade levels and content areas had not returned to pre-pandemic levels, save for NC Math 3. Proficiency rates overall rose from 45 percent in 2020-21 to 51 percent in 2021-22. The 2018-19 pre-pandemic proficiency rate was 59 percent.

The impact of learning loss was also seen on national tests.

“The national average score declines in mathematics for fourthand eighth-graders were the largest ever recorded in that subject,” a press release by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) stated.

NA EP math and reading scores in grades four and eight both dropped. Nationally, scores for fourth-graders fell eight points in math – the lowest in 20 years.

North Carolina’s results were not statistically different from the average national results, however, in math the state’s math scores dropped beyond the 20-year lows seen nationally.

Reading scores for North Carolina fourth and eighth graders fell five points and seven points respectively. The percentage of students scoring “below basic” achievement levels in reading hit a 15-year low of 39 percent for fourth-graders and eighth-graders came in at 34 percent; a percentage low last seen 17 years ago.

Scores on the ACT were the lowest in 30 years with the average ACT composite score coming in at 19.8 out of 36, marking the first time since 1991 that the average score was below 20. North Carolina’s composite score declined to 18.5 for 88 percent of those tested.

The State Board of Education saw a surprise resignation this year.

North State Journal broke the story in February that N.C. State Board of Education member Todd Chasteen had resigned, citing the controversial updates to the state’s Social Studies Standards passed in 2021 and a “trajectory away from education and towards activism” by the current board. Cooper quietly filled Chasteen’s vacancy with John M. Blackburn sometime in March.

“The essence of this case is power — who has the power to craft educational policy and who as the authority to fund that policy.”

N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice Phil Berger, Jr.

AP PHOTO

Students are seen participating in a class lesson.

Murphy to Manteo Jones & Blount

The best of Murphy to Manteo News Briefs from 2022

Our complicated relationship with nature

An airplane departing from Raleigh-Durham International Airport returned to the airport shortly after takeoff when the flight crew reported striking a coyote on the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration says Southwest Airlines Flight #1221 had been on its way to Chicago Midway International Airport on Tuesday but returned safely to the North Carolina airport about 8 p.m. for an inspection. The aircraft was later cleared to continue the journey to Chicago. Southwest Airlines spokesperson said 149 passengers and six crew members were on board, no one was injured. The FAA is investigating the incident.

Researchers from the University of Colorado are studying the Great Smoky Mountains’ synchronous fireflies to determine whether understanding the way they communicate could help with developing robot communication. Fireflies need to solve complex problems while communicating in large groups. Researchers hope to learn something from the fireflies that can be applied to man-made systems. Semi-autonomous robots communicating with flashes of infrared light could be used to locate victims after a natural disaster, for example. The coordination it takes for thousands of fireflies to flash together isn’t well understood.

Leo, a seven-year-old Great Pyrenees dog, has earned several citations for his owner Michael Edgins, because he just won’t stop barking. The 120-pound dog has a bark that travels, and when it comes at night, it violates the county’s noise ordinance. Eddings has received more than $750 in fines for violations, and now, the assistant district attorney wants to take drastic action. The county attorney offered to drop all charges, if Eddings has Leo’s vocal cords surgically removed. The D.A. has since said that the suggestion was inappropriate.

At least four animals were poisoned in Rutherford County in June after someone trespassed on a family farm. The co-owner of Sprinkle’s Mobile Petting Zoo said three miniature horses died and a donkey is still fighting for life. The mini horses—Dreamsicle, Mary and Sprinkle—died after someone likely fed them a toxic substance. A fourth horse in the pen who is timid around strangers apparently did not ingest any of the poison. The donkey, also named Mary, is fighting liver failure and is given a 50/50 chance of surviving.

Criminal masterminds

A severed finger left at the scene of an attempted home invasion led investigators to a suspect. Burlington police say a resident encountered an armed man who tried to enter the house. The two struggled and the man’s gun went off before the resident was able to shut the door on his hand. The resident was grazed but not seriously injured. Police investigators found a finger in the suspect’s glove that fell off during the struggle. Investigators used fingerprints to identify a suspect. Police say Vernon Wilson was arrested and charged with first-degree burglary.

The State Highway Patrol says authorities have arrested a man after a county ambulance running with the keys still in it was stolen from a restaurant parking lot and the driver led law enforcement on a chase. The Catawba County ambulance was parked at a restaurant across the street from Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center on Friday morning. Winston-Salem police say the ambulance was unsecured and left running because of refrigerated drugs inside the vehicle. The suspect drove more than 40 miles into Iredell County before he was apprehended, Multiple charges were filed against a 37-year-old Winston-Salem man.

An accused methamphetamine dealer has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after federal prosecutors say investigators used a pizza delivery box with his address on it to track him down. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley says Jerrell Taylor of Kinston was sentenced following an investigation tying him to meth trafficking. In July 2019, Onslow County sheriff’s detectives arranged a

purchase of 449 grams of meth for $6,500. A so-called “middleman” arrived on a motorcycle carrying a pizza box which contained the meth and listed Taylor’s address on the box.

The head of maintenance at a memorial park is accused of stealing more than 200 grave markers. William Allen Shannon Jr., 47, is accused of taking the brass grave markers from Alamance Memorial Park in Burlington. The markers were in storage and discovered missing Dec. 16. There was no break-in, turning the focus of the investigation to employees with access to the storage closets. Shannon was charged with felony larceny by employee and felony obtaining property by false pretense. It’s not clear why the markers were stolen. The cemetery said the flat grave markers cost between $250 and $600.

A police officer is accused of selling cocaine while on duty. Raleigh police officer Keven Rodriguez was taken into custody by the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Rodriguez is charged with distribution of a quantity of cocaine and possession of a firearm. His arrest came after Raleigh police received information from confidential sources in late 2021 that Rodriguez was distributing drugs. On Jan. 24, Rodriguez met with a confidential informant and sold them cocaine for $2,600. He drove to the meeting in his patrol car, while in uniform and carrying his department firearm. Rodriguez is on administrative leave without pay.

Travis Wilson, 43, of Nebo, was arrested in Marion and charged with two felony counts of motorcycle theft.

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of two stolen motorcycles at a home in Marion in late September. The homeowner recovered one of the bikes and saw Wilson, who fled the area on foot and escaped. Police were able to identify him after finding his cell phone, which he dropped in the area. Police were able to arrest Wilson and recover the other missing motorcycle.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office says a woman apparently seeking revenge on her ex-boyfriend tried to set fire to a house owned by someone else. A homeowner in Gold Hill was awakened by a neighbor who saw a woman trying to set fire to the house. There were bundles of wood and a fire on the front porch and deputies found a jug of oil that they say was used to start the fire. Deputies arrested the woman and charged her with felony firstdegree arson, assault with a deadly weapon and larceny of an animal.

Police are looking for three women who stole several scratch-off lottery tickets from a convenience store in Granville County. The theft occurred on S. Main Street in Creedmoor on April 11. One woman distracted the cashier while her accomplices took tickets from the lottery case. A day later, some of the winning tickets were redeemed at a Circle K store in Raleigh.

Higher … and lower … education

The Tuscola High School Mountaineers will be looking for a new logo and mascot, after lawyers from Appalachian State University—whose sports teams are also the Mountaineers—asked them to change their branding, because it was too similar to the college’s.

Tuscola will revert back to its original logo, which had differences in the Mountaineer’s head, ear, nose and pipe. The school isn’t sure how it began using one that was a copy of App State’s.

School superintendent Anthony Jackson apologized for a mock “slave auction” in which white middleschoolers pretended to sell Black classmates. The school board adopted policy changes and will review the student code of conduct and discipline policies involving acts of racism. The mock auction happened in the presence of staff and faculty and was recorded on video. The K-8 school has 195 students, 68% white. The school board unanimously approved Jackson’s proposed policy changes and regulations as part of a comprehensive plan for accountability for racist incidents in schools, support services for students and training for staff.

Officials say a resource officer school has been placed on administrative leave after he got into a fight with a student. Henderson County Public Schools issued a statement saying the principal at Fletcher Elementary School reported the fight, which occurred in May, to system administrators. The statement says administrators reported the incident to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office then asked the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation to look into the matter.

A state audit says staff at a now-closed charter school falsified enrollment numbers to obtain more than $400,000 in state money. State Auditor Beth Wood’s office also said in May’s report that Bridges Academy in Wilkes County misused almost $79,000 in taxpayer funds to support a preschool it had opened in 2020. The academy closed last year amid an investigation. The audit’s findings were referred to the local district attorney, as well as to the IRS and state Revenue Department. The report says the academy didn’t prepare and submit required income forms for contract workers.

A school bus driver is charged with driving while impaired after an accident in which a construction worker was hit. Raleigh police responded to a report in May of an accident west of downtown. There were no children on the bus, but police said the bus hit a construction worker, who suffered injuries to his legs. Officers charged the bus driver with operating a school bus after consuming alcohol and impaired driving in a commercial vehicle. The driver has been removed from driving duties for the Wake County Public School System and is suspended pending an investigation.

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools employees got an unpleasant surprise when their paychecks weren’t direct deposited on Friday in mid-March, like they usually are. The school district’s financial officer said that the money is on the way but got delayed. The payroll file was sent to the bank on Thursday but “for reasons we are still investigating,” funds were not released. Deposits were expected to go through by 2:00 on Monday.

When schools in Madison County reopened in August, new security measures included stocking AR-15 rifles for school resource officers to use in the event of an active shooter. School officials and Madison County Sheriff Buddy Harwood have placed one semiautomatic rifle in each of the county’s six schools. Each of the guns will be locked inside a safe. The action was spurred by the shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that left 19 children and two teachers dead in May.

Officials say three people were taken to a hospital after a fight broke out during a youth sporting event at North Carolina A&T State University. Greensboro police say a fight broke out during the AAU’s Junior Olympic Games track meet on the university’s campus. Eleven patients needed care and three were taken to a hospital with injuries that weren’t considered life-threatening.

Amateur Athletic Union Track and Field says after the fight under the stands, the meet was suspended and resumed Wednesday. Thousands of young athletes from across the country are competing in athletic events around Greensboro.

The basketball game between Swain Middle School and Robbinsville Middle School ended in chaos when a Swain player grabbed a Robbinsville player from behind, picked him up and slammed him to the floor. The player was knocked unconscious and was taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a concussion. The player’s family is now pursuing charges against the student from Swain.

near Highway 52 in Richfield, when the freight train passed, striking the rear of the home. The train was traveling about 10 mph when the crash occurred. No injuries were reported, and traffic on route 52 was not impacted.

Authorities identified the a man whose car was struck by a train and pushed into a river. A Chevrolet was parked near the railroad tracks in January when a train approached, blew its horn and slowed down before impact. The train pushed the car into the Yadkin River and searchers spent hours trying to find it before calling off efforts due to weather. A week later, a car was found in the river, but the owner was missing. On Feb. 26, a fisherman saw a body, identified on Thursday as William Franklin Head, 64, of Greensboro.

A man died after a car he was driving crashed into a moving freight train in Benson. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol identified the man as 27-year-old Christopher Ray Valdez. State Highway Patrol says a train was going north, and the crossing guard was down when a driver went through the crossing guard. It was unclear why Valdez didn’t stop for the crossing guard. State Road 1330 was closed in both directions for several hours as crews cleaned up the crash.

Officials say an employee of restaurant has died after she got her arm trapped in an industrial bread machine for almost 90 minutes. A spokeswoman for the state Occupational Safety and Health Division confirmed Wednesday that 44-year-old Vicky Lopez died Tuesday evening after she was taken by helicopter to Duke University Hospital. Lopez was cleaning the machine when she became trapped. Selma Fire Chief Phillip McDaniel said small tools were needed to free the woman from the machine. McDaniel said it appeared the machine remained on while Lopez tried to clean it.

The U.S. Forest Service put a grate over an abandoned 30-foot-deep pit mine shaft that posed a hazard on a popular biking trail. Nicknamed the “sinkhole,” the shaft is on the Holly Springs Trail in Pisgah National Forest. In the last decade, there had been multiple incidents in which people and animals had fallen into the hole. Several options were considered before officials decided to cover the sinkhole with a 12-foot by 10-foot flat aluminum grate that is safe to walk or ride over and meets safety requirements while maintaining the character of the trail.

Officials in a town on the Outer Banks are pleading with beachgoers to think twice before digging deep holes on the beach. They posted a warning on Facebook just hours before a man died at a New Jersey beach when a hole collapsed on him. The town of Kill Devil Hills on the Outer Banks posted a picture of ocean rescue supervisor David Elder standing in a large hole that he said was as much as 7 feet deep. Elder says because the ocean water is cold, beachgoers tend to look for “alternate entertainment” — such as digging holes.

The Raleigh Fire Department has ordered a wellness company to stop offering an oxygen-rich hyperbaric therapy treatment because of the fire risk. Restore Hyper Wellness is working with city and state fire marshals to bring back the service, called mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The city shut the service down after a fire inspector visited the clinic and said there was no fire suppression system. The business

disputes that one is needed. The treatment halted in Raleigh involves increased oxygen and air pressure, which can increase the risk of severe fire.

Fire officials say a jacket hot from a dryer sparked a fire that damaged a home. Burlington Fire Department responded to a home in December, found a fire in a bedroom. It took about 15 minutes to put it out. Officials say the fire was accidental, caused by “excessively hot” laundry taken from the dryer to the bedroom, where clothes and furniture caught fire. The pile of laundry included a jacket made from synthetic material with tags suggesting hang drying instead of using the dryer. He says the jacket smoldered and eventually the clothes combusted.

Stories that defy a category

No charges will be filed in the shooting death of a woman who was mistaken for a panther. Rachel Buchanan, 19, her boyfriend and another couple were at a home near Hendersonville on Oct. 20. The two men left to retrieve a phone charger and were armed because of reports of a black panther in the woods. Buchanan and the other woman decided to play a prank on the men. The men mistook them for a panther growling and opened fire with a 12-gauge shotgun and a 9 mm pistol, hitting Buchanan in the head and the chest.

Forty-three years is a long time to wait to reclaim stolen property, but that’s how long it took for one Madison County music legend. On April 15, Sheriff Buddy Harwood presented Bobby Hicks with the pistol Hicks lost in 1978 in Greensboro. Hicks is a Marshall resident and former fiddle player with bluegrass music titan Bill Monroe. Harwood returned the handgun, a Browning Hi-Power .9mm short cartridge, after the gun was found in a pawn shop in Greensboro.

A house in the mountains is up for sale at a listed price of $29.75 million, which makes it the most expensive real estate listing in the history of North Carolina. The current record in the state is around $10 million. The house has five bedrooms and 8,750 square feet of space on 5.9 acres. The property includes a fitness center and party house. The main house has a wine cellar, great room with 25 foot ceilings and a collection of art.

Keith Daye is running for Person County Sheriff, and he needed help from law enforcement in September when someone shot his campaign signs. The signs were in his front yard, and Daye says he and his family were home when the gunfire occurred. He showed photos of the holes in his signs on social media. Daye is trying to become the first Black sheriff in the county.

A federal judge says regulators were wrong to reject a beer label that featured a silhouette of a naked man standing next to a campfire. The owners of Marylandbased Flying Dog Brewery argued that the North Carolina Alcohol Beverage Control Commission violated their First Amendment rights by rejecting the label for its Freezin’ Season Winter Ale. The commission said the label was in “bad taste” but later allowed the beer to be sold. A judge ruled in favor of the brewery, finding that the regulation was vague and overbroad. The judge ordered the state to remove the regulation.

Committee on Women in STEM submits recommendations

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The General Assembly’s House Select Committee on Advancing Women in STEM led by Rep. Erin Paré (R-Wake) submitted a its recommendations in a recent report.

Announced in June of this year, the committee was tasked with looking at ways to increase participation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by females and other minorities underrepresented in that area. Another area of focus was the benefits of STEM careers to the state’s economy.

Recommendations include the General Assembly facilitating “more STEM awareness in public education by establishing the Increasing Engagement in STEM Program and appropriating one million dollars for the Program.”

The report also proposes increasing computer science education in public schools across the state. The committee recommends that the legislature encourage more computer courses by offering state-level stipends for educators who participate in professional development for computer science and increasing salaries for educators who teach STEM courses.

The committee found over 800 public school teachers have been trained to teach computer science and over 91 percent of districts already offer a computer science course.

Additionally, while 63 percent of the student population had access to such a course, only 47 percent of individual schools offer a computer science class.

In its recommendations, the committee also addressed STEM in higher education and encouraged the

UNC Board of Governors to study and report back to lawmakers on possibly making computer science a minimum course requirement for admission as an undergraduate student.

Two draft bills were included in the committee’s report, one for a STEM grant program and another for the UNC System to report on the feasibility of a Computer Science credit.

The first draft bill, Increasing Engagement in STEM Grant Program, would have the state superintendent establish a grant program for districts to “engage in experiential science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs.”

The grant program would run during the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium with districts applying on or before Oct. 15, 2023. Recipients would be selected by April of the following year.

Appropriations to fund the grant program would include one million in nonrecurring funds for 2023-2024. Any unused funds would revert at the end of the 2023-2024 fiscal year but remain available until the end of the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

The other draft bill, currently titled UNC Report on Computer Science Credit, would require the UNC Board of Governors to examine the pros and cons of incorporating computer science into the course requirements for admissions. The bill would direct the board to report back to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by Mar. 1, 2023.

The committee also recommended an appropriation of five million dollars to existing programs and grants that have already shown success in “providing the skills, experiences, and critical enrichment opportunities necessary to build a strong, qualified STEM workforce pipeline in the state.”

Poll shows Robinson dominant in GOP primary

By Matt Mercer North State Journal

RALEIGH — A recent poll from Differentiators Data shows Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson dominant in a series of hypothetical matchups in the upcoming 2024 race for governor.

The survey indicated that Robinson would best former Gov. Pat McCrory by a margin of 60% - 21%. He also would defeat former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker with 58% to 7% and leads the only other rumored contender, State Treasurer Dale Folwell, with 60% to 6%.

“Mark Robinson has

spent the last two years working GOP primary voters across North Carolina and the voters have noticed,” a summary of the results read. “Here’s the bottom line: Mark Robinson spent the last two years winning the 2024 Republican primary for governor and anybody who challenges him at this point is going to be a bump on his road to the nomination.”

The poll also floated U.S. Rep. Dan Bishop in as a candidate for Attorney General in 2024 and he would defeat the 2020 candidate, Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill, by seven points.

north STATEment

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Participate in victory — or not at all

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, 1776, General George Washington threw a figurative Hail Mary pass to lead his bedraggled troops cross the Delaware River in a snowstorm and attack Hessian soldiers in Trenton, New Jersey.

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

The code name was “Victory or Death”. Six thousand men were in the Continental Army at the beginning of 1776 but less than 2000 soldiers remained by the end of the year. 80% of them were due to leave in a week when their enlistments were up. The crossing of the Delaware was the last-ditch effort by the newly-declared independent states of America to win a decisive victory against the hated British before the army effectively disbanded and defaulted America back into subservience to the Crown.

They were going to be victorious ― and establish a new sense of confidence in the Revolution ― or they were going to be put to death for rebelling against the Crown.

Before the Durham boats were launched, Washington had Thomas Paine’s most recent pamphlet, “The Crisis” read out loud to the troops included the following now-famous passage:

“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price on its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated”.

There are a lot of people today in 2022 who think it is over for the United States of America. They routinely email, text or call to say they “have had it” with politics and state they will never give money ever again to any political race because they are “tired of losing all the time”.

Here’s one representative quote: “There is no coming back

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

What we need to see in 2023

GREETINGS, EVERYONE! Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah.

In no particular order, here’s what we need to see in 2023.

Definitely need to see the end to cancel culture, which I’ve written about before. It took a big hit in 2022, and here’s to it fading fast into the sunset in 2023.

now from the death spiral of our debt, interest payments on debt, and continued higher deficits and money printing to try and escape the consequences of profligacy. ‘23 will be full of jobs losses, businesses collapsing, and bank crises.”

There is only one answer to such complainers: “Go ahead ― please quit”.

Quitting means no one else ever has to listen to their defeatism again. Once a person stops trying at any endeavor, their opinion on what should or should not happen becomes totally irrelevant. They become like banging gongs or clinging cymbals in the Bible ― an annoying distraction which contributes nothing positive to the ultimate outcome.

General Henry Knox was known affectionately to his close friend George Washington and others as “the Ox” due to his 280-pound girth, gargantuan for the 18th century. Knox was the hero of Ticonderoga when he captured British cannon which later was going to cross the Delaware on that cold, icy night and used against the Hessians in Trenton.

He had this to say about the soldiers under his command: “We want great men who, when fortune frowns, will not be discouraged”.

What we face today in America is peanuts compared to what Washington’s army faced in 1776. Or to what our parents and grandparents faced in the Depression only to be followed by the war against Hitler and the Nazis and Japanese imperialism in World War II.

If people who want America to survive and prosper can’t ― or worse, won’t ― use their collective reason, intelligence, energy and, yes, their financial resources to defeat the likes of leftist socialists such as AOC, Joe Biden, George Soros and Marc Elias, we in the 21st century don’t deserve to be considered the descendants of those who fought for our freedoms in the past.

We can all resolve to do more ― and better ― in 2023.

It’s good to be passionate about the things we care about, but we also need to be willing to listen more.

Wouldn’t it be great to see the Carolina Panthers have a winning 2023-2024 season? I don’t watch much football anymore, but it sure as heck would be a nice surprise for the home team to give themselves and their fans something to brag about for a change.

Ideally, we’ll see no more coronavirus cases and no more RSV cases in 2023. But because that’s highly unlikely, only very mild cases so people can hopefully recover quickly and get back to their daily routines and enjoy their time with family.

I’d like to see less arguing over top of one another and more listening and thoughtfully engaging with family, friends, neighbors, online buddies, etc. It’s good to be passionate about the things we care about, but we also need to be willing to listen more. In the process, maybe we’ll learn more, too.

Relatedly, there should be much fewer knee-jerk reactions in the new year. Social media has really brought out the worst in people by making it super-easy to react first to big news well before they know all the facts. This includes judgmental reactions that oftentimes need to be (or should be, but often aren’t) walked back later once we know more as to the particulars of the situation.

Is it too much to ask that we have some milder seasons? After the bitterly cold weather much of the country saw over the Christmas holiday, it’d be wonderful if we could go into the new year with a milder rest of the winter, and a summer that feels more like springtime. Also, no hurricanes or

tornadoes, please. Or none that make landfall, anyway.

Politically speaking, maybe the GOP can finally get it together in 2023 with less infighting and more eye-on-theball stuff like understanding the common goal is to make Joe Biden a one-term president, with the best way to do being to put on a united front.

It’d be awesome if animal adoptions went up in 2023. It’s been often said that humans don’t deserve dogs and cats, but we need more love and attention bestowed on fur babies in the coming year.

Mom and I are considering it, and in fact, once she’s done with her chemo treatments, the plan is to bring a new fur baby into the Matthews family fold.

And speaking of that, my family would love nothing more than to have mom’s chemo treatments, which start in January, to go well with no bad side effects. We’re praying that by springtime when she’s scheduled to come off of them that they will have been successful in making her cancerfree.

There is no greater gift that can be given to a family than to know that their loved ones are out of harm’s way, and that’s what we want more than anything in 2023.

Here’s to a safe, healthy, and prosperous new year for everyone. Let’s make it a good one by collectively putting our best foot forward, and stopping to smell the roses every once in a while!

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.

US tech sector versus Chinese economic imperialism

UNDER CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING’S first two terms, relations with the West have sharply deteriorated. And now, following Xi’s recent election for a third term, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seems to be working overtime to export its autocratic vision of society to the rest of the world.

One way they are advancing this goal is through technological innovation.

From the Made in China 2025 plan to lead in tech to the Beltand-Road Initiative to support infrastructure and development in other nations, China is laser-focused on becoming the world’s leading superpower, making key economies increasingly reliant on their technology and exports.

With everything from manufacturing to supply chains reliant on tech, China’s leaders know that investing in innovation and their own technology sector will help China lead in the development of critical technologies.

From artificial intelligence to microchips, leveraging these next generation technologies are vital to being competitive in a 21st century economy. China recognizes this and knows the future will be led by those who innovate first and “win the battle in key core technologies.”

That’s why China’s aggressive ambitions and efforts to outinnovate the United States and our allies should concern us all. The stakes of today’s innovation battle are too high. If China gets ahead in the tech race, the security and economic risks will be severe.

Washington has taken steps to curb China’s growing influence in recent months and years. However, more must be done to not only blunt China’s growing competitive threat but also to bolster U.S. companies so we can continue to compete and lead on the world stage.

Despite knowing China’s ambitions and realizing the importance of strengthening U.S. technology companies, Congress is considering anti-innovation bills that would tie the hands of our biggest innovators making it more difficult for U.S. companies to win this innovation battle.

COLUMN | JOHN FEEHERY

If we lose this battle, our robust domestic economy, strong national security, and the world-wide advancement of democratic values through a free and open internet — all of which U.S. tech supports — will be threatened.

The importance of tech for U.S. economic and national security is clear. In 2021, the U.S. tech sector constituted 9.3 percent — around $1.8 trillion — of America’s GDP, represented by both large, established technology companies and startups. These companies have developed tools — largely free to the public — that support efficient day-to-day operations in all sectors, as well as innovations in advanced computing, artificial intelligence, and hypersonics, making technology the very backbone of our nation’s economy and national security.

This is particularly true in North Carolina, where the tech industry has grown at twice the rate of the national average since 2013 and where the Department of Defense (DOD) represents the state’s second largest sector of the economy. North Carolina is pioneering the production of essential technologies, strengthening our economy, and securing our nation. For example, Wolfspeed, a Durham-based manufacturer, has also announced that it plans to build a $5 billion manufacturing campus to produce silicon carbide wafers, a key component of semiconductors. In September, a Duke University professor was named as the White House Coordinator for CHIPS Implementation at the National Economic Council.

But we cannot let our foot off the gas.

As China’s geopolitical and economic agenda become increasingly aggressive, it is more important than ever that we bolster our domestic tech sector that supports our economic and national security advantage. Looking forward, Congress should support policies that foster innovation and nourish the U.S. tech companies that give us our competitive edge over foreign adversaries.

Jake Johnson is a Republican who represents District 113 in the North Carolina House of Representatives

GOP rebels’ intransigence is a huge Christmas gift to the left

DEMOCRACY ONLY REALLY WORKS if the people consent to be governed.

If there is no consent given by the people, first there is chaos and then is tyranny. Human nature abhors a leadership vacuum.

The same is true when it comes to the leadership of the House of Representatives.

Weak leadership is a consequence of bad followership.

Republicans have to decide in the next several weeks whether they want to band together, support Kevin McCarthy and strengthen their hand as they plod forward in divided government, and hopefully improve their chances of keeping control of the People’s House or if they want to descend into chaos and give the Democrats back the keys to the majority kingdom.

This is a not a trivial decision point. The ability to stop the Biden agenda and perhaps recapture the White House in 2024 stands in the balance.

Republican members who sit in opposition to McCarthy’s nomination have to grow up.

Their continued intransigence is a huge Christmas gift to the radical left.

The process of picking leaders is well-established. You run for your party’s nomination and if you get the nomination to be Speaker, you run to be Speaker on the House floor. If you run for the nomination and you don’t get it, you don’t take your football and go home. That is not what people of character do. You accept the will of your colleagues and you support the candidate who they voted to nominate.

Kevin McCarthy doesn’t have to be your ideal candidate. Maybe he will be the greatest Speaker since Sam Rayburn or maybe he will have a short tenure, like Paul Ryan. We don’t know how the next two years will unfold.

We do know that a weakened Speaker will be a boon to the Democrats. We do know that more Republican chaos is good for progressives who want to move the country far to the left. We do know that when the GOP looks silly, unsteady or incapable of effectively government, the voters will overlook the opposition’s radical agenda and give them full control of the House and the Senate again.

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

When it comes to running the country, especially during divided government, it’s all a matter of negotiation. And the team that usually wins has the best gameplan, the sharpest messaging, the best policies and the most unity.

House Republicans already start in the weaker of the two positions. They only barely control the lower chamber. The Democrats have the White House and the Senate. So, unity in support of the Speaker is even more important, because a strong Speaker can deliver results. A weak Speaker made weaker by team members that refuse to support the team, will most likely soon be toppled.

I don’t know what the five conservatives who oppose McCarthy have against him. Maybe it’s a personal beef. Maybe it is a tactical disagreement. Maybe they don’t buy into his strategic vision. Maybe the think he is insufficiently conservative.

It doesn’t matter.

If they continue in their efforts to derail his accession, they will weaken the Republican Party. They will make it more difficult for Republicans to win legislative victories. And they will increase the likelihood that Democrats will recapture the House and that Joe Biden will win a second term as President.

I worked in the House Republican Leadership for 15 years. I saw first-hand how hard it was for those leaders to first build consensus within the conference and then negotiate with other side to deliver tangible results for their constituencies.

The teams that were in most disarray at the beginning of a new session of Congress were typically the ones who didn’t last long in the majority. The leaders that were forced to cater to the whims of the tiniest faction of their caucuses were the ones who had the most trouble proving that they could govern and quickly lost favor with vast bulk of the voters.

The conservatives who think their opposition to Kevin McCarthy will somehow help the conservative cause are wrong. Their continued opposition is only helping the Democrats.

John Feehery served as press secretary to Speaker Denny Hastert. He is the publisher of The Feehery Theory which can be accessed at https://thefeeherytheory.substack.com

Republicans should say no to any budget that funds 87,000 new IRS agents

ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROMISES by Republicans in the 2022 election season was that if they won a majority in the House, they would defund the $80 billion that Biden wants to hire 87,000 new IRS agents.

But now they are about to agree to a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending deal with President Joe Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to fund the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year. That includes the full funding for the IRS expansion.

This 4,000-page end-of-the-year behemoth is a terrible bill on every level. It will add to the deficit, increase the size of government agencies and contains virtually no offsetting spending cuts. Senate Republicans are also preparing to waive Congress’ self-imposed legal limits on government spending — which, if enforced, would require $130 billion of automatic cuts in the budget. Given that the budget has already expanded by $5 trillion over the past two years, cutting 3% of this excess debt spending should be painless and the first important step to returning to fiscal sustainability in Washington. But what is worst about this omnibus spending bill is that it would give the green light to double the size and intrusiveness of the IRS — which is exactly the opposite of what Republicans promised.

This will provide funds so that the IRS can monitor people’s transactions of as little as $600 — the cost of buying a household appliance or a round-trip airline ticket. Given the abuses of the IRS in recent years, this plan will lead to more harassment of law-abiding citizens. We saw when Lois

Lerner was an enforcement official at the IRS under President Barack Obama that the tax collection agency was weaponized against those who held political beliefs not aligned with that administration.

We are especially concerned that the IRS has spent millions of dollars on guns, ammunition and even military-type weapons to be used if necessary against American citizens.

Just to give a sense of how large the IRS would become under this budget, you could fill to capacity most NFL football stadiums with just the added number of tax revenue agents. This is said to be necessary to increase tax compliance and end tax cheating. But as we have argued many times, the best way to increase tax collections and reduce the intimidation power of the IRS would be to vastly simplify the tax code and lower tax rates — for example, by adopting a flat tax. By instituting a fair and simple tax system, Congress would diminish the incentive to underpay taxes owed.

The idea of a tax collection agency with more than 150,000 agents and auditors to snoop on the public is fundamentally at odds with the American ideals of freedom, privacy and prosperity.

Republicans should walk away from any short-term budget deal that helps enable this vast IRS expansion.

Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and an economist with FreedomWorks. His latest book is “Govzilla: How the Relentless Growth of Government is Devouring our Economy.”

Three big surprises of 2022: weakened Russia, weakened China, weakened American economy

2022 WAS A YEAR FULL of surprises.

Important things didn’t work out as many people had expected on just about every point on the political spectrum.

The prime example: Ukraine. When Vladimir Putin’s Russian troops invaded on Feb. 24, it looked like an independent Ukraine was toast. Military experts on cable channels said Russia had overwhelming superiority. It would take Kyiv and occupy the whole country.

The Biden administration evidently shared this view, evacuating the U.S. Embassy and offering a plane to rescue the president (and former comedian) Volodymyr Zelensky, who at this point uttered the immortal words, “I need ammunition, not a ride.”

The Biden administration, to its credit, adjusted to the unexpected reality and provided Ukraine with vital military and economic aid. This week, Zelensky is visiting Washington voluntarily, not as an exile. And it is Putin who is describing his side’s position in Ukraine as “extremely difficult.”

The lesson is that morale can trump material. People will prove braver and more resourceful when protecting their freedom and their nation’s independence than firepower statistics suggest.

That is another way of saying that nationalism — regarded by many in the press and academia as a form of fascism — can be a positive force for human freedom. This is true even in a place that has been a separate nation, except for a few months in post-World War I chaos, for only a single generation.

A second surprise of 2022 has been the decline of China. It wasn’t so long ago that sophisticated soothsayers predicted its economy would soon be larger than America’s and that its centralized and admittedly authoritarian experts were showing the way to plan for the future.

So much for that. The Chinese Communist Party’s rigid lockdown to suppress COVID-19 has done more economic damage than just about anyone deemed possible. This was not the regime’s first unexpected infliction of self-harm. That would be its 1970s one-child policy, which has left China now with a population that has become elderly before it got rich. Maybe this shouldn’t have been unexpected.

And maybe it shouldn’t have been unexpected that even China’s stringent lockdowns couldn’t prevent the spread of a virus transmissible by asymptomatic persons and that, with appropriate vaccines, is seldom fatal except among elderly people with serious risk factors. Unfortunately, the supposedly efficient Chinese used their own inferior vaccine rather than one developed under the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed.

It shouldn’t have been unexpected that China’s lockdowns wreaked enormous economic damage. Here in the U.S., similarly, the harshest lockdowns and masking requirements inflicted self-harm on liberal-run institutions such as unionized public schools and central-city mass transit systems.

China’s economic crash has destroyed the long-held expectation that it would grow ever more prosperous and powerful, just as China’s truculent behavior destroyed the optimistic expectation that its international trade ties would make it a responsible, rules-bound and democratic nation.

The good news about these failed expectations is that Russia’s unexpected failure to conquer Ukraine may have made China’s leaders more cautious about attacking Taiwan.

A third surprise this year is that massive transfers of trillions of dollars, initiated by the Trump administration and vastly increased by Biden Democrats, have not restored the lowinflation economy with growth tilted toward the low-skill — and low-income was chugging along nicely in the Trump years up until February 2020.

The theory behind these enormous infusions is that when demand is down, if you throw enough money out of helicopters (Milton Friedman’s metaphor), growth will result. That’s how it worked in the Detroit of my childhood years: you gave consumers more money through subsidies or tax cuts, demand for cars rose, and GM, Ford and Chrysler recalled all those workers they’d laid off a few months before. Everything was back in place.

But today’s economy is more complicated than the Detroit midcentury model suggests. As maverick economist Arnold Kling argues, the economy is the sum of multiple patterns of sustainable specialization and trade. COVID-19 restrictions disrupted hundreds of thousands of these patterns, and reconstructing them — or constructing new ones — takes time and imaginative effort by many firms and individuals.

So the trillions of dollars injected into the economy have left many people out of jobs, even while employers vainly seek employees — the so-called Great Resignation. These trillions also sparked skyrocketing inflation, which Democrats and the Federal Reserve insisted was transitory but now looks to be out of control.

Economic damage from pandemic restrictions, it turns out, can’t be repaired the same way as economic damage from downward thrusts in the business cycle.

Some surprises, such as the weakening of Russia and the chastening of China, are good news. But others, like America’s current economic conundrums, leave us puzzled and most likely unprepared for the surprises of 2023.

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

You need to find your own

By Jordan Golson North State Journal

DENVER — When Nissan killed off the wonderfully capable Xterra off-road SUV, many a Coloradan cried out in grief.

The Xterra was Nissan’s answer to the Toyota 4Runner: an off-road capable adventure vehicle that looked good on the road or the trail. With a unique style and more than a few quirks, it appealed to a particular segment of outdoorsy types who go outdoors with their hiking, dogs, and all the rest.

Sadly, the Xterra was discontinued after the 2015 model year, and Nissan didn’t have anything with which to replace it. This brings us to the 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, which continues Nissan’s rich tradition of not having a vehicle to replace the Xterra.

Instead, the Pathfinder is a family-friendly, three-row unibody crossover with a sharp exterior design and a comfortable interior. Though Nissan goes out of its way to talk about how rugged and adventurous the Pathfinder is — it has an available “intelligent” 4x4

mode, though it’s only FWD by default — it’s more mall-crawler than off-roader for all but the most determined buyers.

That’s okay because the point of a three-row family SUV is to haul parents, kids, grandparents, a golden retriever, and whatever else you need to take from point A to point B and back again. It’s also a wildly popular and competitive segment, with options like the Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, and, my favorites of the lot, the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride.

The Pathfinder holds its own, even if it won’t top the sales charts. I find myself strangely impressed by the exterior, which has a shape I can only describe as a rounded rectangle a la the computer windows in macOS. The Pathfinder lettering across the rear hatch is pleasing, and I like the head and taillights. It’s just a nice SUV to look at.

Inside, things are more utilitarian, which isn’t a bad thing. An 8- or 9-inch touchscreen sits high atop the center stack, protruding a bit in a rather lovely way. Wire-

less Apple CarPlay is available with the larger screen on higher trims, while wired CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.

There are some clever storage areas, including a cubby beneath the center console, something that’s essential for any family vehicle. The digital shifter is straightforward, and since everyone else is getting away from the old PRNDL system, I can’t fault Nissan for it. Push forward for reverse, pull back for drive, and push the button on top for Park.

Though it looks a bit old school, with some competitors integrating everything into the fancy touchscreen, Nissan keeps a standalone climate control screen with actual knobs to control the temperature for driver and passenger. Prominent buttons for the heated and cooled seats are easy-to-find, which is surprisingly helpful given the difficulty I’ve had in turning those on in some new vehicles.

There’s a solid amount of safety tech on the Pathfinder, including standard automatic emergency braking, rear automatic braking and cross traffic alert, blind spot warning, and lane departure warning. Nissan calls it Safety Shield 360, but it should be called standard on every car.

It also has available ProPILOT

Assist, which helps keep the vehicle in the center of your lane — it’s not fully hands-free, but it combines active lane centering with adaptive cruise control. It’s an excellent help during a highway commute or lengthy family road trip.

The 2022 Nissan Pathfinder is a solid three-row SUV that offers a competitive feature set across both tech and luxury, with a pleasing design and everything you’d expect in a three-row SUV. But it’s also going up against some epic competition, and it’s worth shopping around to see what deals are possible.

The Pathfinder name goes back to 1985 when it was a bodyon-frame off-roader. I wish the new one was more like that truck or the now-departed Xterra, but that’s just the car journalist in me talking. There’s far more demand for a comfortable, unibody family SUV than a body-on-frame truck — but it’s still a bit sad.

Car journalists love cars that regular people don’t want, like diesel wagons with manual transmissions or wildly capable off-road SUVs in niche segments already well-served by existing offerings. The Pathfinder doesn’t blaze its own path, but Nissan knows its customers and has built a car well suited to its buyers.

Florida high court OKs grand jury probe of COVID-19 vaccines

The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Supreme Court will convene a grand jury at Gov. Ron DeSantis’ request to investigate any wrongdoing with respect to the COVID-19 vaccines, the court announced.

The Republican governor, who is often mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2024, earlier this month called for the investigation. He suggested it would be in part aimed to jog loose more information from pharmaceutical companies about the vaccines and potential side effects.

He made the announcement following a roundtable with Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and a panel of scientists and physicians.

“We’ll be able to get the data whether they want to give it or not,” DeSantis said. “In Florida, it is illegal to mislead and misrepresent, especially when you are talking about the efficacy of a drug.”

It seeks a grand jury to investigate, among other things, whether any deceitful information was disseminated about “vaccines purported to prevent COVID-19

infection, symptoms, and transmission.”

Statewide grand juries, usually comprised of 18 people, can investigate criminal activity and issue indictments but also examine systemic problems in Florida and make recommendations. Recent panels have tackled immigration

issues and school safety.

DeSantis noted that Florida recently “got $3.2 billion through legal action against those responsible for the opioid crisis. So, it’s not like this is something that’s unprecedented.” That money came largely through lawsuits, and settlements with drugmakers, retail-

ers and distributors.

DeSantis said he expects to get approval from the Supreme Court for the statewide grand jury to be empaneled, likely in the Tampa Bay area.

“That will come with legal processes that will be able to get more information and to bring legal accountability to those who committed misconduct,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis also announced that he is creating an entity called the “Public Health Integrity Committee,” which will include many of the physicians and scientists who participated in Tuesday’s roundtable. The group includes prominent opponents of lockdowns, federal vaccine mandates, and child vaccinations.

He said that over the course of the pandemic some people have lost faith in public health institutions, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The governor has frequently spoken out against CDC directives, including mask and vaccine mandates, and filed lawsuits to stop many from taking effect in Florida.

Additionally, the governor announced that Ladapo will conduct

research through the University of Florida to “assess sudden deaths of individuals in good health who received a COVID-19 vaccine.” In addition, he said that the Florida Department of Health will use disease surveillance and vital statistics to assess such deaths.

Statewide grand juries, usually comprised of 18 people, can investigate criminal activity and issue indictments but also examine systemic problems in Florida and make recommendations. Recent panels have tackled immigration issues and school safety.

The grand jury will meet for one year.

“We’ll be able to get the data whether they want to give it or not. In Florida, it is illegal to mislead and misrepresent, especially when you are talking about the efficacy of a drug.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis’

AMY BETH BENNETT/SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL VIA AP

Governor Ron DeSantis announces a reduction of tolls for commuters during a news conference held at the Florida Department of Transportation offices in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022.

PHOTOS COURTESY NISSAN

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Hartman throws 3 TDs, Wake beats Missouri in Gasparilla Bowl Tampa, Fla.

Sam Hartman completed 23 of 36 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns in what was expected to be his final game with Wake Forest, a 27‑17 win over Missouri in the Gasparilla Bowl. The redshirt junior now will look at entering the NFL Draft or transfer portal.

Hartman threw his 108th career touchdown pass to set an ACC record on a 5 yard strike to Taylor Morin that made it 7 0 w ith 9:43 left in the first quarter. He had been tied with Clemson’s Tajh Boyd and ended up with 110 TD passes overall.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

UNC returns to men’s Top 25; Duke falls to 17th after loss

Indianapolis Purdue remained atop The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for a third straight week, while preseason No. 1 UNC returned to the rankings. The Boilermakers earned 40 of 60 first place votes in Monday’s latest poll, while fellow unbeaten Connecticut earned the other 20 to sit at No. 2 in an unchanged top. The Tar Heels are back in the poll at No. 25 after a tumultuous opening to the season. UNC started December by becoming only the sixth team to go from preseason No. 1 to unranked since at least the 1961 62 season. That came after a run of four straight losses. But the Tar Heels have won four in a row since, the past two coming against Big Ten teams — Ohio State on Dec. 17 and Michigan last week — to regroup. Duke fell three spots to No. 17 after losing at Wake Forest last Tuesday. No. 3 Houston, No. 4 Kansas and No. 5 Arizona held their positions as the top five remained in place for a second straight week. Texas was next at No. 6, followed by Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas and Gonzaga.

The Duke‑Carolina tipoff at the Final Four

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

UNC AND DUKE had played 257 times. They’d played with ACC championships on the line. They’d played when the teams were the top two in the nation. More than mere bragging rights, seasons were on the line when ever these two shades of blue met on the hardwood, and the rest of college basketball always stopped to watch the drama un fold. More often than not, the game lived up to all the substan tial hype, and then some.

But never were hearts of col lective fan bases in throats more,

never were nonsensical prayers about a basketball game offering up deals to God more, never were the eyes of the sports world more on Duke‑Carolina than when Armando Bacot and Mark Wil liams stood in the center circle in New Orleans and waited for the ball to be tossed up between them.

For the first time in the 102‑year history of the rival ry — and the 83‑year history of the NCAA Tournament — the two rivals met during March Madness. Both teams won their respective regions — Duke beat Arkansas in San Francisco and UNC topped Saint Peter’s in Philadelphia — and moved to New Orleans, along with seem ingly everyone in North Caroli na, to meet in the Final Four.

Tar Heels’ Matson finishes unprecedented run with 4th title

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

FEW COLLEGE athletes in history are as decorated in their sport as UNC field hockey forward Erin Matson.

The senior scored the game w inning goal in the Nov. 20 championship game to lead the Tar Heels to their 10th national championship in field hockey and add to her accolades, which include four national titles, five ACC titles, be ing named ACC Player of the Year five times, and winning the Honda Award for national player of the year three times.

She is UNC’s all time leader in goals (137) and points (337) while ranking third all time in NCAA history for each category.

Matson is also the ACC’s all time leading scorer in both goals and points and is the only five time conference player of the year for any sport in the ACC’s history. She is also North State Journal’s 2022 Athlete of the Year.

“It’s absolutely fair to include her with the all time greats,” said UNC coach Karen Shel ton to GoHeels.com. “In my opinion, and I’ve been doing this for more than 40 years and have seen all the greats play, she is the Michael Jordan of field hockey.”

The praise of a player’s coach may ring hol low to some outsiders, but when they come from the winningest coach in collegiate field hockey history, they carry plenty of clout.

Matson has accumulated other worldly numbers during her Tar Heels career, but she has also shown time and again that she is dy namic in the clutch, a trait exhibited by the greatest of the great. She did it one final time in the national championship game against Northwestern, scoring the game w inning goal with just 1:19 remaining on the clock to again power UNC to victory.

“Erin has the gift of fury,” Shelton said to GoHeels.com. “When she plays, she is just re lentless, and the madder she gets, the better she plays. She just plays her heart out. Techni cally, she has all the skills. She can do an up right reverse, backhand, forehand, can tap it in out of the air, throw it over the top. But she does them at a high level and at the right time.”

Matson has long been regarded as a prodi gy in the sport, just the second player — along with Katie Bam in 2007 — to be named to the U.S. National Team at the age of 16, and she has represented her country multiple times on the international stage.

The bitter rivals finally met in the NCAA Tournament, and it was with the highest stakes imaginable

The UNC field hockey player has piled up award after award during her field hockey career

“Erin has the gift of fury. When she plays, she is just relentless, and the madder she gets, the better she plays.”

Karen

Shelton, UNC field hockey coach

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNC ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

UNC field hockey’s Erin Matson, pictured in 2021, closed out her career with her fifth ACC Player of the Year award and four national titles, including scoring the game‑winning goal in the championship game this season.

DAVID J. PHILLIP | AP PHOTO

Duke center Mark Williams and UNC forward Armando Bacot tip off the Final Four matchup between the rivals on April 2 in New Orleans.

NSJ 2022 PLAY OF THE YEAR

NSJ 2022 ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Replacing a legend, Elko turns Duke around in 1st season

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

FROM 2007 to December 2021, ACC football teams had a total of 45 different head coaches. Through it all, Duke had the same coach.

That changed following the 2021 season, a disappointing one coming on the heels of two similar letdowns. It was time to make a move.

So Duke did just that, parting ways with David Cutcliffe — the man who had built the program up from the rubble — and brought in the North State Journal’s choice for 2022 Coach of the Year: Mike Elko.

A former defensive coordinator, Elko was stepping into his first head coaching job. At ACC media day over the summer, he still seemed to be getting used to his new role, saying, “This used to be the day (on campus) when the head coach left and we were on our own.”

Elko inherited a team that appeared to have stagnated with three straight losing seasons and an apathetic fanbase. He set about not just building up the product on the field but the interest in it among fans and alumni. The latter was a task that no Duke coach, from Spurrier to Cutcliffe, had been able to accomplish consistently.

“We will win championships on the field in the fall,” Elko said in his introductory press conference. “I want to make sure I say that again — we will win championships on the field in the fall.”

He held up Duke’s successful basketball team, which often overshadows the football program, as a model to aspire toward.

“Now it’s time for football to get on that level,” he said. “It’s time for football to hold its end of the bargain and elevate itself to being a national brand and a nationally recognized program.”

Elko preached a coaching philosophy of GRIND, an acronym for “Grit, Relentless effort, Integrity, living in the Now and being Dependable” which was painted on the sidelines at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Elko tried to lower expectations, saying that this was a year to build the foundation for the program he wanted at Duke.

“We want to establish how you want the program to run,” he said.

“How you want the kids to act, how you want the kids to play. If you can establish that in year one,

you build a structure to grow off of.”

Instead of just digging a basement and erecting rebar, however, the team began winning on the field. The Blue Devils won their first three, matching last season’s win total for the entire year.

They pounded Virginia and Miami and put a scare into UNC, losing by three.

On Nov. 4, in their ninth game of the year, the Blue Devils recorded their sixth win, becoming bowl eligible. Even in successful seasons in recent years, Duke seemed to be going down the stretch looking for win six and checking the remaining bowl vacancies to see if five wins and the always-high graduation rate on the Duke team would be enough to get them in. The sixth win also gave them one more than in the previous two seasons combined.

The Blue Devils then added wins over Virginia Tech and Wake Forest to wrap up an 8-4 season.

They were 5-3 in the ACC Coastal, with the three points against Car-

olina keeping them from winning the division title and going to the ACC Championship Game.

Now Duke moves on to its first bowl game since 2018, playing UCF in the Military Bowl.

After beating Wake and wrapping up a season that would result in the ACC Coach of the Year award for Elko, quarterback Riley Leonard, who came to Duke to study at the hand of quarterback whisperer Cutcliffe but blossomed into a star under the defensive guy, explained the change in the Blue Devils.

“The thing that stands out most to me is we go into every single game expecting to win,” said Leonard. “Trusting that if we do our job, we’re going to win. In years past, some guys had predetermined things in their heads, but this year, there was not one game we went into thinking we were going to lose. The winning mentality in this Duke organization is definitely the biggest change this year.”

“Our kids just keep fighting,” Elko said. “I don’t know how many times we can say it. I don’t know how many times they can prove it. They will not blink. They will not stop coming. … We had ups and downs. There were times we looked good and times we didn’t, but we just don’t stop. We keep coming.”

It was a team that had embraced Elko’s GRIND.

The winner would advance to play for the national championship on Monday. The loser would go home and try to live with a defeat in the biggest game in the history of the best rivalry.

As if any more were needed, there were ample storylines on both sides that added drama. The two teams had met a month earlier in Duke’s final home game of the season at Cameron Indoor Stadium. It was a celebration of Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski, retiring after more than four decades with the school. The stands behind the Duke bench were filled with dozens of former Blue Devils players, back to bid their coach farewell.

UNC upset the Blue Devils, 94 -81, earning their coach, Hubert Davis, the most significant win of his first year on the bench. The result cast a pall on the postgame celebration in Krzyzewski’s honor, and New Orleans was a chance for Coach K and the Blue Devils to get revenge.

It was also a chance for Carolina to pile an even more significant win on top of the previous one. A UNC win over Duke would now end Krzyzewski’s career.

It was literally the only game being played. The potential for joy, and unimaginable despair, was never higher for either fanbase. And under the crushing pressure of “don’t lose,” both big men went to midcourt to get things started.

That moment, as the ball soared above them both down on the Bayou, and it was really happening, is the North State Journal’s 2022 Play of the Year.

Everything that happened afterward defies description. It’s impossible to pick one basket, one stop, one moment from the wild, seesaw battle that ensued and point to that as the top mo -

ment. The entire two -plus hours was a blur of back-a nd-forth, punch- counterpunch, desperate action.

As we wrote moments afterward in our coverage of the event, “Haymaker after haymaker. Dagger after dagger. Back and forth they went. It seemed like it might never end, and no one watching would have complained. After 83 years, Carolina and Duke finally delivered a game to the NCAA Tournament, and, on April 2, March got a true understanding of what madness really was. It was desperate. It was ugly at times. It was raw desire. Few things have ever been as beautiful. North Carolina and Duke met for the biggest stakes their rivalry game has ever had, and with all the hype and all the attention, they delivered in spades. There were a dozen ties, 18 lead changes and a win probability graph that spiked up and down like the heart monitor readings for anyone with a vested interest in the outcome.”

In the end, Caleb Love hit the biggest shot of his career, a 3 -pointer that clinched the win for the Tar Heels. Krzyzewski stepped down. Davis’ career was sent into the stratosphere, and all of college basketball was left to sort through the aftermath.

The Blue Devils broke up — only two players from the team would be back for the next season. The Tar Heels led at halftime of the title game, only to see Kansas storm back and take the national championship. It’s a trade no one in their fanbase would have turned down beforehand — a win over Duke for the title — and many likely offered in their pregame prayers.

It all happened. But for one, to borrow a phrase, shining moment, it was all happening. No one who saw it will ever forget the feeling.

First getting into the sport when she was 6 years old, the Pennsylvania native has made field hockey a part of her daily life since.

“I have always taken a lot of pride in the fundamentals and not getting bored with the simple stuff, where I think a lot of other players want to do the flashy and exciting things,” Matson said to GoHeels.com. “They don’t understand you can’t do that if you aren’t a complete master at the simple things. That has helped me because in games I can just whip out a cool move that I never practiced but was a combination of all these skills I’ve practiced over and over again.”

It’s that commitment to the craft that has allowed Matson to reach such lofty ranks within the sport. Many scoff at the notion, thinking there has to be more to the secret of skill than just hard work, but it’s hardly ever the case that there is something else hidden beneath the surface.

“Looking back at freshman year Erin, I’m like, ‘How did we get here?’” Matson told the ACC Network. “But it’s a lot more boring and simple than people think. We practice hard and I tried to be a good leader, and the girls rallied around it.”

Simple, yet effective.

“We’ve won four nattys in the past five years, and three of them have been undefeated,” Matson said in a UNC Athletics video. “It’s remarkable to think back on what we’ve done and everything and to finish it just how we started, together, is something a lot of people don’t get to talk about and reflect upon.”

Matson knew that Chapel Hill was the place for her almost immediately when she first toured the campus, and after a long and prosperous five-year career, she’s carved out a place for herself among the Tar Heels greats, one of the best to ever grace the sport.

“Just being here and ending it on a high,” Matson said on the Carolina Insider Podcast, “there isn’t another way to go out.”

The Blue Devils enter the Military Bowl with an 8-4 record

5Total combined wins in 2020 and 2021 for Duke football

WILFREDO LEE | AP PHOTO

Duke coach Mike Elko and quarterback Riley Leonard congratulate each other after the Blue Devils’

win at Miami on

BEN MCKEOWN | AP PHOTO

Mike Elko, pictured waving to fans after earning his first win as Duke’s coach on Sept. 2, won eight regular season games in his debut season with the Blue Devils.

DAVID J. PHILLIP | AP PHOTO

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, right, leaves the court with his wife, Mickie, after the Blue Devils’ loss to UNC at the Final Four in New Orleans on April 2.

Ensemble cast wins Bulls’ 2nd straight national title

Durham’s Triple-A team continues to be the gold standard of minor league organizations

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

THE DURHAM Bulls have won championships in many different ways over the last 25 years. Since moving to Triple-A and affiliating with the Tampa Bay Rays, the Bulls have won 16 divisional titles, eight International League titles and four national championships.

They’ve won them with dominant pitching. Future American League Cy Young Award winners David Price and Blake Snell were both on national championship teams; Price made eight starts for the 2009 champs and Snell seven, going 5-0, in 2017.

They’ve won with dominant hitting. Future Rookie of the Year Wil Myers was part of the Governors’ Cup champions in 2013. Wander Franco won a national title with the 2021 Bulls.

This year, the Durham Bulls tried something new. Oh, they still filled the trophy case, winning the International League East Division by three games, then beating Nashville in Las Vegas for the International League crown and adding their second straight national title the next day by beating Reno. But this time, the Bulls did it with an ensemble cast, winning by jigsaw puzzle rather than buzz saw.

A thousand pieces were assembled just so to create a mosaic of excellence and win the Bulls yet one more piece of hardware — the North State Journal’s 2022 Pro Team of the Year award.

It didn’t look like another special season in Durham when the Bulls opened the season 8-16. They didn’t reach the .500 mark until May 25, in game 44. They went 64-22 the rest of the way to pull away from the pack.

There were no real dominant pitchers, just a lot of them.

Durham sent 57 different pitchers to the mound in 2022, shattering the team record by eight. Thirty-one different hurlers started a game and 28 finished one, both also setting new team records.

Taj Bradley was the most promising arm on the staff, arriving on

the Bulls from the lower minors at midyear and making 12 starts, going 4-3 as he found his footing at the next step up the minor league ladder. He might eventually be an MLB star, but this year he was struggling to learn the ropes at Triple-A, at times showing flashes of the promise that earned him the opportunity and at others looking like a first-timer.

The ace of the staff, if there was one, was Kevin Herget, who symbolized the grind-it-out squad in Durham. He played at Division III Kean University and was drafted 1,175th overall. Of the three players drafted right before him and the three taken just after, only two even signed with the team that chose them, and only one other one has played a professional game since the pandemic.

In the nine years since, Herget pitched for eight minor league teams in three different MLB organizations, three winter league teams and two independent league teams, never getting promoted to the big leagues. He went 8-1 for the Bulls this year and, on Aug. 20, at age 31, finally got the call he’d been waiting for. Tampa Bay brought him up for a weekend series. The first thing he did was buy plane tickets so his parents could see him in person.

After three days in Tampa, the Rays sent him back down without ever appearing in a game. Herget eventually did make his big-league debut for the Rays, three weeks later.

The Bulls also cobbled together a lineup, using 34 different position players, another team record.

The offense was paced by minor league lifers, including Jonathan Aranda, a member of the Rays organization since 2016 who just reached Triple-A this season for the first time. He was among the International League leaders in average, hits and home runs before getting called up for 32 games in Tampa.

Vidal Brujan, a member of the Rays since 2015 who has bounced between Durham and Tampa the last two years, filling in where needed, was the star of the International League title game, going 4 for 5 with three runs and two RBIs. Miles Mastrobuoni and Tristan Gray also led the team a ll season, with Mastrobuoni finally making his MLB debut after the minor league season was complete.

The symbol of the team on offense was Bligh Madris, who drove in four runs with four hits to win MVP honors in the national championship game … three weeks after he was cut loose by the Pittsburgh Pirates and claimed by the Rays. He played a total of 10 games for the Bulls, but he was in the right place at the right time. The piece that fit just right.

NC

women’s cross-country sets new standard of excellence

The Wolfpack won its second straight national title

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

AT FIRST glance, cross-country doesn’t seem like much of a team sport. Each runner has their individual times recorded, aiming for personal bests while generally not impacting the outcome of their teammates or opponents through their actions.

But a successful cross-country runner is mostly driven by the sense of unity that comes from teamwork. In a way, you are only as strong as your slowest runner, and the drive to work harder for the person next to you pushes you forward and faster.

That’s why cross-country is a team sport.

And it’s that sense of drive that has helped propel the NC State women’s cross-country team to be one of the best teams in the state — and North State Journal’s 2022 College Team of the Year.

“We’re a really tight-knit group,” said junior Katelyn Tuohy, who won an NCAA individual title this year on top of the Wolfpack claiming their second straight NCAA team championship. “We really kind of buy into the team aspect of cross-country. I think it really helps us a lot when we race because we try to find each other and work together and we all do it for each other. Cross-country is very team-oriented for us as we kind of go into every race with the mindset that we’re doing it for each other.”

With back-to-back national titles, the only program in school history to do so, the Wolfpack cross-country team has set a new standard for excellence as one of

the elite programs at the school.

Led by Tuohy, who set a new course record in the national championship race in Stillwater, Oklahoma, with a time of 19:27.7, the Wolfpack finished with 114 points, notably with three top15 finishers — including first and

third — to secure consecutive titles.

Throughout the season the Wolfpack was ranked No. 1 in the polls, yet they never folded under the pressure of being the defending champs.

“There’s been some stress with

it, but I think that understanding what you need to do is not bad either,” said coach Laurie Henes, who was also named ACC women’s coach of the year for a seventh straight season. “A lot of people say they like to be the underdog, but in a way, I think you learn a lot from winning too. Everyone says you learn a lot from losing, but you can learn a lot from winning. Just the fact that things don’t have to be perfect throughout the season, and they certainly weren’t for us, but we reacted to it, managed it and I think it showed.”

Things are also a lot easier for the team when you have the best runner in the country leading the charge.

Tuohy was ACC, Southeast Region and national champion, helping her easily claim the 2023 Honda Award winner for cross-country — an award presented to the top female athlete in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports — and put her in the running for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.

“It is an honor to win The Honda Sports Award for cross-country this year,” Tuohy told GoPack.com. “This award means a lot to me because it not only recognizes my athletic performance but my academic achievement and community involvement. So many amazing women that I look up to have won this award in the past and it is a privilege to be able to join them as a recipient of the award.”

The final results for the Honda Cup will be presented in June.

But it was not only Tuohy who was pulling the rope for the team.

Senior Kelsey Chmiel was also one of the top runners in the country, earning one of the four finalist spots for the Honda Award. She finished as runner-up in the ACC Championships and Southeast Regionals and third in the NCAA championships. Chmiel, Tuohy, senior Sam Bush and graduate Nevada Mareno were all named to the All-American team.

And even after winning the title, the Wolfpack team was back out in the field for practice just a few days later. It’s not much for an elite team like the Wolfpack, but the routine of being a champion starts with the consistency and commitment to doing what needs to be done.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Durham’s Miles Mastrobuoni hits a leadoff home run in the first inning of the Bulls’ game against the Memphis Redbirds on July 8.

State

“Everyone says you learn a lot from losing, but you can learn a lot from winning.”

Laurie Henes, NC State women’s cross-country coach

SUE OGROCKI | AP PHOTO

NC State’s Katelyn Tuohy runs to the finish line to win the individual title in the NCAA cross-country championships in November, also helping the Wolfpack win their second straight team title.

4Minor league national championships over the past quarter century for the Durham Bulls

Beyond the box score

UNC’s Maye proves a worthy replacement

TRENDING

Michael Phelps:

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

The 28-time Olympic medalist will be part of NBC’s Tokyo Games coverage as a correspondent and swimming commentator, the network announced Monday. Phelps — who has won the most medals and gold medals (23) in Olympic history in five Games from 2000-16 — will call selected swimming events and contribute features as a correspondent during primetime coverage.

for the job of filling the huge shoes Howell left behind.

IF DRAKE MAYE didn’t exist, the UNC Athletics marketing department may have had to create him.

Two parts Chip Hilton — the all-American athlete from the 1950s adolescent book series — and one part Andy Griffith — the aw-shucks voice of the state — Maye is Carolina Blue to the core. He’s also our choice for the North State Journal’s 2022 Newcomer of the Year.

Unseld Jr.:

Wes

The son of a former Tar Heels quarterback and the little brother of one of the heroes of the 2017 basketball national champions, Maye is part of the first family of UNC athletics. His younger brother Beau is currently a walk-on for Hubert Davis’ basketball team.

Maye originally planned on making his own name, committing to Alabama as one of the top high school quarterback prospects in the country. He eventually changed his mind and flipped his commitment to the Tar Heels, saying he “didn’t want to miss out on the home state.”

“Obviously my parents always wanted me to go here,” Maye said of Carolina, “but they kind of tried to let me enjoy the process, but my mom and my dad they’re huge Heels fans so it just kind of worked out, kind of meant to be.”

The longtime NBA assistant was named the head coach of the Washington Wizards on Saturday, bringing him full circle with the franchise his father led to its only NBA title. The younger Unseld spent the past six years in Denver after beginning his career with Washington as a scout in 1997 before working his way up to assistant coach, a job he held from 2005-11. Unseld was also an assistant with Golden State and Orlando.

Luke Prokop:

After a year playing behind Sam Howell, the most accomplished quarterback in UNC history, Maye had the chance to win the starting job this offseason and beat out backup Jacolby Criswell

Maye was more than up for the task. He threw five touchdown passes on opening day, becoming the first Tar Heel to do that in his starting debut. He threw four more the next week to set a freshman record for most scoring passes in the first two games. He set a team record for passing yards, becoming the first Tar Heel to pass for more than 4,100 yards — breaking the one major passing record Howell never got around to by passing Mitch Trubisky’s 2016 total.

TIMOTHY D. EASLEY | AP PHOTO

Maye also did something else Howell and Trubisky never accomplished, leading the Tar Heels to an ACC Coastal Division title and an ACC Championship Game showdown with Clemson. Maye was also the Tar Heels’ leading rusher for the season with more than 600 yards. He heads into UNC’s bowl game with 4,115 passing yards, 35 touchdowns against just seven interceptions and 653 rushing yards. He’s already broken most of Howell’s freshman passing records, just needing three Holiday Bowl touchdown throws to catch him in that category. He’s also thrown more touchdown passes than any two other freshman quarterbacks in college football this season.

Hickory native J.T. Poston on his double-bogey 15th hole at the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship that contributed to Seamus Power beating him in a playoff.

4,115

Maye won five ACC Rookie of the Week Awards this season and six ACC Quarterback of the Week honors. He ended up winning the ACC Rookie and Player of the Year Awards. He’s the first Tar Heel to be named the conference’s top player since Lawrence Taylor in 1980, the first UNC Rookie of the Year since Howell in 2019 and only the second player in ACC history to sweep both awards in the same year, joining Jameis Winston, who did it for Florida State in 2013.

Maye also emerged as a dark horse Heisman candidate, even-

tually finishing 10th in the voting.

All of that would have given Maye a spot in the hearts of UNC fans for years to come. But what happened next is what made him a Tar Heels legend — a Paul Bunyan in Carolina Blue.

After the Heels finished the regular season with a thud, dropping three straight, including maddening home losses to Georgia Tech and NC State that likely cost Maye a chance to go to New York as a Heisman finalist, the team saw a

rash of players head for the portal.

A total of 18 Tar Heels eventually filled the transfer portal, and star receiver Josh Downs announced he would opt out from the UNC bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft.

TV talking heads on ESPN and elsewhere speculated on Maye’s future with the Heels, saying he would bring a fortune in NIL money if he looked around. Some of those commentators may have been speaking from inside

He never mentioned Maye by name, but Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi put a number on it, saying he knew of at least two offers of $5 million or more to Maye.

No one would have blamed him for testing the market, but Maye spoke up and turned down the solicitations, posting on social media “Could never leave this place. I’m a Tar Heel.”

“I’m a Carolina kid,” he told the media. “It means something wearing that Carolina blue. … I love this place.”

Soon-to-be Football Hall of Famer and NC State alumnus Bill Cowher on if he will coach again.

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

The Nashville Predators prospect became the first player signed to an NHL contract to come out as gay. The 19-year-old Canadian, who was a third-round pick in the 2020 draft last fall, posted his announcement to Twitter on Monday. Prokop said he hopes his example shows that gay people are welcome in the hockey community. This comes on the heels of Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib becoming the first active NFL player to come out in June.

lege GameDay” visiting Boone for the first time — the scene was the culmination of a memorable three weeks for App State’s football program.

Brad Keselowski announced Tuesday that he is moving to Roush Fenway Racing next season. The 2012 Cup Series champion will also take an ownership stake in the team, which has struggled in recent seasons and hasn’t won a Cup race since 2017. Keselowski has 34 wins in 12 plus seasons at Team Penske.

App State defeats Troy with Hail Mary in wild finish

Collin Morikawa had a bogey free 4‑under 66 and won his British Open debut Sunday at Royal St. George’s in Sandwich, England, beating Jordan Speith by two strokes. He is the first player to win two majors on the first attempt. His first major victory came 11 months ago in the 2020 PGA Championship.

ON SEPT. 17 in Boone, a wild day for Appalachian State ended with an unforgettable Hail Mary and North State Journal’s choice for the 2022 Comeback of the Year.

In front of a sold-out Kidd Brewer Stadium crowd, the Mountaineers were down 28-26 to Sun Belt foe Troy with just two seconds on the clock, leaving only enough time for a last-ditch 53-yard miracle pass.

A 6-foot-4, 218-pound defenseman, Prokop could be a part of Nashville’s youth movement in the coming years.

With all the excitement around App State’s promising start to the season — and ESPN’s “Col-

Just two weeks earlier, the Mountaineers had scored 40 points in the fourth quarter of a back-and-forth Week 1 home loss to UNC. They followed that with an upset win at then-No. 6 Texas A&M. Now, facing the talented Trojans, the Mountaineers were desperate to keep their momentum going as conference play began.

The stage was set for the next crazy chapter in the Mountaineers’ early-season roller coaster as redshirt senior quarterback Chase Brice rolled out in the pocket and heaved up a prayer toward the end zone.

Different NASCAR drivers who have won a Cup Series race this season after Aric Almirola went to Victory Lane at New Hampshire on Sunday. Almirola became the first Stewart Haas driver to earn a win this season and earned a guaranteed spot in the 16 car playoff field with just four races remaining in the regular season.

NFL

It wasn’t a perfect throw by any means, coming down a full five yards short of the goal line. However, the football was tipped into the air by a Trojans defender and proceeded to drop straight into the hands of wide receiver Christian Horn, who ran it in for App’s game-winning score and an unforgettable moment in the 2022 college football season.

“I think God’s a Mountaineer today,” App State coach Shawn Clark said after the win. “You can’t

put a price tag on what ‘College GameDay’ brought to our university, brought to the town of Boone, and brought to our program. We don’t have enough money in this university to pay for that advertisement. … It was, to me, one of the best atmospheres and environments. You have the best of the best in Boone, North Carolina, and I’m just proud of how our guys handled it.”

In retrospect, the big victory proved to be the high-water mark for the Mountaineers and was an unexpected turning point for both App State and Troy.

The Mountaineers’ momentum ended a week later with a road loss to James Madison, the first of five losses in the team’s final nine games as they finished 6-6 with just a 3-5 record in the Sun Belt.

With two of their wins being against FCS members Robert Morris and The Citadel, a season finale double-overtime loss at Georgia Southern meant that — for all the fireworks in September — the Mountaineers weren’t even bowl eligible.

Conversely, the now-No. 23 Trojans went on to record 10 straight wins, claim their record seventh Sun Belt Conference title and finished with an 18-12 Cure Bowl win over Conference USA champion No. 22 UTSA on Dec. 16.

But despite the way that App State’s season turned out, the Hail Mary win over Troy with the national spotlight on Boone will always be a special moment for college football in North Carolina and one of the biggest days in program history.

The Panthers tied up their best offensive lineman last week, signing tackle Taylor Moton to a four‑year, $72 million contract. The Panthers had used their franchise tag on Moton. Moton, who will earn $43 million in guaranteed money, has played right tackle for Carolina, but it’s possible the team will transition him to the left side.

DANIEL COLE | AP PHOTO

GOLF

PETER MORRISON | AP PHOTO

NASCAR

TERRY RENNA | AP PHOTO

“I don’t think I’ll ever come close to going back.”

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ | AP PHOTO

“I just put an awful swing on it.”

DANNY KARNIK | AP PHOTO

Sam Howell’s Heisman campaign never got off the ground last year, but the Tar Heels’ freshman made a dark horse run this season

knowledge, as UNC coach Mack Brown said that other teams were tampering with his players. He spoke of an unnamed player who told him he’d already gotten calls from 15 teams, all of them offering money.

JACOB KUPFERMAN | AP PHOTO

UNC quarterback Drake Maye burst on the scene and quickly made Tar Heels fans forget about Sam Howell, breaking records and winning ACC Player of the Year in his first season as starter.

Passing yards for Drake Maye this season, a UNC record

“College GameDay” visited Boone on Sept. 17, and the Mountaineers put on a show

“I think God’s a Mountaineer today.”

Shawn Clark, App State coach

sudoku solutions

designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on January 9, 2023 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Holly Springs in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 58, Holly Glen East, Phase 2, as shown on map recorded in Book of Maps 2005, Pages 19981999 (1998), Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 101 Rivendell Drive, Holly Springs, North Carolina.

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

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, 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 offered 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified 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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date

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

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 4757 - 44990

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

21 SP 1629

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Dianne Leach (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Dianne Leach, Heirs of Dianne Leach: Gerald Ron Everett, Mary Smith; Heirs of Mary Smith: James Dion Smith, Doris Ann Smith) to Glenn R. Walker, Trustee(s), dated August 26, 1999, and recorded in Book No. 8400, at Page 1015 in Wake 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Wake 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 offer for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake

property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 10313 Ray Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613 Tax Parcel ID: 0110314

Present Record Owners: Vivian C.

Samuel The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Vivian C. Samuel. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, 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 offered 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 five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars

($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certified 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 pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10

days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is November 14, 2022.

Jason K. Purser, NCSB# 28031 Andrew Lawrence Vining, NCSB# 48677 Morgan R. Lewis, NCSB# 57732 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS. com 10-000550

County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on January 9, 2023 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 14A, FOX HOLLOW SUBDIVISION, as shown on plat recorded in Book of Maps 1987, Page 417, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1813 Fox Hollow Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina.

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

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

The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer

unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions

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 officers, 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 offered 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale.

of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are MELISSA MAREK. An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. § 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or

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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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 their sole discretion, if they believe 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.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 22-10004-FC01

renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068

https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 2471 - 5655

Getting ready to celebrate 2023

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Three

Rivers Land Trust transfers 215 acres to Morrow Mountains State Park

In November 2021, Three Rivers Land Trust (TRLT) purchased 215 acres of forest only a half-mile from the Hardaway Site, a National Historic Landmark known for its Native American significance, and just adjacent to Morrow Mountain State Park in Badin. The TRLT’s long-term vision was to expand public lands by transferring the property to Morrow Mountain State Park. Just before Christmas, the TRLT board announced that they would be moving forward with their plan thanks to assistance, in part, from the North Carolina Native Plant Society, the Carolina Bird Club, Duke Energy, the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), the NC Land and Water Fund (LWF), and Fred and Alice Stanback. According to the trust, this project will not only benefit the public by expanding recreational access, but it is also beneficial from an environmental perspective, as the forested stream buffers help to filter a tributary to Mountain Creek, protecting water quality. The TRLT has invited the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony, which is set to take place on Friday, January 6, on Stanly Street in Badin. The event will take place at 10 am.

Salvation Army of Cabarrus and Stanly County named after Bob and Carolyn Tucker

The Salvation Army of Cabarrus and Stanly Counties announced that its new Center of Hope Emergency Shelter would be named the Tucker Center of Hope. This shelter receives its new name in recognition of Bob and Carolyn Tucker, who are both longtime supporters of The Salvation Army in this area. The Tucker Center of Hope is set to open in Spring 2023 following a generous donation from the Tuckers. This new shelter is expected to drastically increase the bed count for families and women who are experiencing homelessness in both counties.

2022 in Review: Stanly voters revamp school board, county commissioners

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

STANLY COUNTY — In both the May primaries and the November midterm elections, local voters made their mark in reshaping the Stanly County Board of Education and Stanly County Board of Commissioners in 2022.

Prior to Election Day, county elections director Kimberly Blackwelder gave SCJ her aspiration for Stanly County’s final numbers: “I hope we will have at least a 45% turnout and even a 50% turnout, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Her statistical hope was met and exceeded.

Over half (53.6%) of registered voters living in Stanly County voted in November, making their voices heard in the ballot box while exceeding the averages of 47.3% in North Carolina and 46% nationally.

Among other factors, the turn-

out was indicative of a county reacting to the policies in the Stanly school district — particularly facemask rules, lengthy quarantining requirements, and critical race theory taught through the staterun Social and Emotional Learning program.

It was a year where established local politicians squared off with political newcomers as well as familiar faces.

The Stanly County Freedom Network — a grassroots conservative movement and Facebook group of nearly 1,800 members — had its sights set on winning four local seats with four Republican candidates who campaigned together throughout the year.

School board candidate Meghan Almond joined county commissioner candidates Levi Greene, Patty Crump, and Thomas Townsend as representatives of the group. School board incumbent Anthony Graves and commission-

er candidate Brandon King were endorsed by the network in their respective races.

Ultimately, one group member (Crump) and one group-endorsed candidate (King) were successful in their election bids.

Two county commissioners — current vice chairman Mike Barbee and Bill Lawhon — held their seats through their reelection bids while former chairman Tommy Jordan and commissioner Lane Furr were both replaced.

Additionally, school board member Dustin Lisk retained his seat while board member Graves suffered a defeat.

In the District 1 commissioners’ race, Barbee notched his second consecutive term with 41% of the votes (3,100), overtaking Levi Greene’s 33.7% (2,553) and Mike Haigler’s 25.3% (1,919) of the votes.

For the District 2 race, Lawhon, a former chairman for the board, secured his third term with 4,114

votes (53.7%) compared to Thomas Townsend’s 2,832 votes (37%) and Jon Ledbetter’s 719 votes (9.4%)

With District 3 being a two-way race between Jordan and King, the latter had 4,548 votes (59.5%), while Jordan tallied 3,116 votes (40.5%).

In the At-Large race, candidate Patty Crump had 44.2% (3,426) of the vote and edged past Furr, who had 39.3% (3,047) in his race to retain his seat; Leon Eugene Warren picked up 16.6% (1,286).

The two school board races featured a landslide victory as well as a tight finish.

In the four-way At-Large race, former school board member Robin Whittaker defeated the seat’s incumbent by nearly 13 percentage points. Whittaker’s 45.1% (3,474) bested Graves’ 32.2% (2,479), Melvin B. Pool’s 15.5% (1,196), and John Wright’s 7.1% (549).

Group files lawsuit against Governor’s School following controversial firing

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A lawsuit has been filed in Wake County against the state’s prestigious Governor’s School by the Alliance for Defending Freedom on behalf of English professor Dr. David Phillips following his “mid-session” termination in 2021.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is a non-profit based in Arizona. ADF describes itself as the “world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights.”

The North Carolina Governor’s School is a summer residential program lasting four weeks for “gifted and talented high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses.”

Its operations are overseen by officials with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, N.C. Governor’s School Coordinator Rodney

Allen, and Director Office of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education Sneha Shah-Coltrane.

According to the lawsuit, Phillips’ firing came after he spoke out about “the harms of the racially divisive ideology embraced by the school.”

The case summary says Phillips had spoken out against the school’s “increasing adoption of critical theory, an ideology that views everyone and everything through the lens of characteristics like race, sex, and religion, labeling people as perpetual oppressors or victims based on group membership alone.”

“After Dr. Phillips delivered three optional seminars critiquing critical theory and the increasing bias and lack of viewpoint diversity in higher education, North Carolina public school officials fired him mid-session without any explanation,” the summary says.

Phillips had taught at the Governor’s School for eight years, as well as teaching English at Wake Tech and Guilford Community

Colleges. In the lawsuit, Phillips also asserts there was “no appeal or other recourse” offered following his firing.

“In an academic environment committed to exploring a wide range of differing viewpoints, as the Governor’s School claims to be, no teacher should be fired for offering a reasoned critique of critical theory. But that’s what happened to Dr. Phillips,” ADF Senior Counsel Hal Frampton said in a press release.

Frampton said there was “no lawful explanation for the way North Carolina public school officials treated Dr. Phillips” and that by firing him, “the Governor’s School violated his constitutional right to free speech and unlawfully retaliated against him for deviating from the Governor’s School’s ideological orthodoxy.”

North Carolina is an at-will state when it comes to employment. That means an employee can be fired at any time so long as

AP PHOTO

The 2023 New Year’s Eve numerals are displayed in Times Square, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in New York. The numerals will be placed atop One Times Square, completing the “2023” sign that will light up at midnight on Jan. 1, 2023.

Neal Robbins Publisher Matt Mercer Editor in Chief Griffin Daughtry Local News Editor Cory Lavalette Sports Editor Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor

Ringing in a North Carolina new year

By Emmie Brooks North State Journal

RALEIGH — Across the state, towns come together to celebrate the new year every December 31st.

Countdowns, ball drops, festivals, and resolutions bring individuals close for this holiday. North Carolina offers numerous ways to celebrate the new year in many different cities; a perfect opportunity for those who are looking for an enjoyable ending to a busy holiday season.

On the Crystal Coast, Morehead City hosts a New Year’s festival featuring two crab pot drops, one earlier in the evening targeted for younger children and families and one at midnight for adults.

“At the earlier event, which this year is from 5 to 7 pm, we will have music and games, glow sticks for kids to wear as the sun goes down, and a face painter,” said Kathryn Metts, Assistant Director for Downtown Morehead City Inc.

The Morehead City Parks and Recreation Department organizes the event each year for locals and visitors to ring in the new year in Carteret County.

“Last year, we had a local artist painting on really big sheets

for picnic tables. She was drawing outlines of sea creatures and area figures like the lighthouse, and kids were sitting around the tables with crayons coloring in her outlines,” Metts said.

At the later event, adults are invited to visit the different bars and restaurants surrounding the Big Rock Landing, where the event takes place. After the crab pot drop at midnight, fireworks begin from Sugar Loaf Island, which is in perfect viewpoint for those who are at the landing celebrating the new year.

Mount Olive, a town well-

known for their delicious pickles, hosts a pickle drop for New Year’s Eve. The Mount Olive pickle drop has been happening since 1999 and has become a tradition for families in Wayne County and beyond. The symbol being dropped for this celebration is a glowing, three feet tall pickle that drops into a jar from one of Mount Olive’s volunteer fire department trucks.

The event includes live music, free pickles courtesy Mt. Olive Pickle, and food truck vendors around the location of the drop.

Across the state towards the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hendersonville features a New Year’s Eve apple rise located at the historic county Courthouse Plaza. Hendersonville has ideal climate conditions for apple growing, which is what makes this symbol so special to individuals in the area.

The event features merchandise giveaways, a DJ dance party, and food and beverages. This celebration is targeted at families with an earlier bedtime, which is why the apple rise is at 7 pm.

The City of Oaks, Raleigh, hosts the acorn drop. Artsplosure has been hosting the iconic First Night Raleigh New Year’s party since 1991. Artist David Benson

created the massive half-ton copper acorn sculpture that has been dropped in the downtown city plaza year after year.

“It’s special to me because I think it’s Raleigh’s most iconic event,” said Cameron Laws, Creative Director at Artsplosure/ First Night Raleigh. “It’s been going on for so long that I actually went as a kid, as a teenager, and really throughout my entire life, so it’s really special for me to be now organizing it.”

This year’s event features a children’s celebration, including activities, performances, and other entertainment geared toward a younger audience. It features two amusement rides, a Ferris wheel and the 90-feet tall Sky Hawk. There are also over a dozen indoor venues featured, which range from live music to comedy shows to interactive art installations.

“The way First Night Raleigh works is anyone that wants to join us would want to buy one of our 12$ all-day passes, and they do exactly what they sound like they do,” Laws said. “They get you into everything happening.”

From Murphy to Manteo, North Carolina is offering New Year’s traditions for families all over the state.

Millennial Money: Prepping to buy a home or invest in 2023?

Meanwhile, Lisk retained his District 1 seat with 3,850 votes — just 67 votes more than challenger Meghan Almond’s 3,783 votes. The final tally came down to a difference of less than one percentage point (50.4% and 49.6%).

When it came time for the November midterm elections, the school board and county commissioner candidates — all registered Republicans — ran and won their seats unopposed with no Democratic challengers.

The winners have since been sworn into office for their fouryear terms, issuing in the latest wave of local government shaped by the will of Stanly County voters.

By Elizabeth Ayoola NerdWallet

IT HAS BEEN QUITE the year. In 2022, we’ve lived through high inflation, stock market lows, housing market frenzies and ongoing Federal Reserve rate hikes. Although we don’t have a crystal ball to predict what will happen to the economy next year, we could use this year’s events as a guide: Things may continue to be rocky.

If homeownership and investing are on your 2023 goals list, here are some questions to ask yourself before whipping out your spreadsheet, money apps or notebooks.

What am I willing to sacrifice in terms of space?

♦ CHRISTOPHER, DONNIE GRANT (W /M/52), ASSAULT ON FEMALE, 12/26/2022, Stanly County Sheriff’s Office

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GOODE, JERMAINE QUARTEZ (W /M/29), SURRENDER BY SURETY, 12/22/2022, Stanly County Sheriff’s Office

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HILL, CHRISTOPHER LEE (W /M/40), FELONY PROBATION VIOLATION, 12/22/2022, Stanly County Sheriff’s Office

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LLOYD, SAMUEL HAROLD (B /M/30), MISD PROB VIOL OUT OF COUNTY, 12/22/2022, Stanly County Sheriff’s Office

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LOWDER, COLTON TYLER (W /M/33), PWIMSD METHAMPHETAMINE, 12/22/2022, Stanly County Sheriff’s Office

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HARTSELL, DEBRA JEAN (W /F/30), PAROLE VIOLATION, 12/21/2022, Stanly County Sheriff’s Office

SMITH, TRAVIS CHARLES (W /M/30), POSS STOLEN GOODS/PROP (F), 12/21/2022, Stanly County Sheriff’s Office

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LEE, PAUL ALLON (W /M/46), OBTAIN PROPERTY FALSE PRETENSE, 12/20/2022, Stanly County Sheriff’s Office

Whether you have a goal of buying a new home or renting a new place next year, there’s a lot to consider. For instance, 30-year fixed mortgage rates went from an average of 3.45% in January to 6.90% in October thanks to inflation and Fed rate increases. The Fed has already raised interest rates 75 basis points four times this year. This, coupled with housing shortages, has driven the national median price of homes above $400,000 for the first time, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Homeownership may still be an attainable goal, but you might have to make some sacrifices, says Zaneilia Harris, a certified financial planner and president of Harris & Harris Wealth Management Group in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

“You need to evaluate what you are willing to give up in space in order to own property,” Harris says. “You may have to gradually get to where you want, as opposed to just going straight into a single-family house.”

This could mean starting off with

a condo or townhouse and then using the equity from the condo to purchase your next property, Harris says.

How can I make homeownership more affordable?

Another portal to homeownership Harris recommends is the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, also known as NACA. It’s a mortgage program that allows working people to purchase a home with no down payment, closing costs, fees or stringent credit prerequisites.

Members can also buy their homes at a below-market interest rate. The program is currently in 28 states and the District of Columbia.

Buying a home in 2023 could also be more attainable if you’re willing to get a roomie, says Jocelyn Wright, a CFP and retirement income certified professional at PF Wealth Management Group in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. This is something she did with her sister in

2017.

“It’s not going to be forever necessarily, but this gave us the opportunity to have our own home, and we can leverage the equity and all of that going forward,” she says.

How diverse is my portfolio?

This year hasn’t been the greenest for investors — at the start of December, the S&P 500 was down more than 15% this year. The market’s volatility could understandably make investors unsure about how to move forward. Financial professionals say a diverse portfolio and taking the right amount of risk might be steps in the right direction.

Keep diversification in mind, says Wright. Diversification is when you invest in a variety of assets to manage risk and market volatility. The FTX and BlockFi collapses that happened in November are a reminder about why to avoid investing too heavily in one area.

“Unfortunately, a lot of newer investors were very excited about Bitcoin, crypto, (and) all of that, and

forgot those lessons,” Wright says. “You don’t put your short-term money into the market, and those rules always apply.”

Wright considers short-term money to be cash you’ll need in 12 months to three years.

Instead of putting all of your money into the stock market, put the amount you’ll need in the near future into an emergency fund, high-yield savings accounts, a certificate of deposit or short-term fixed-income securities like Treasury bills, says Wright.

How much risk can I take?

Ask yourself how much risk you’re comfortable taking, says Harris. That depends a lot on your circumstances, but risk isn’t something to be afraid of when you have enough income, an emergency fund and a diverse portfolio, she says. And risk is worth it when you invest for the long term and can reap those long-term rewards.

Harris says younger people who are further away from retirement can and should be willing to take on more risk. Harris, who identifies as Black, also says some people of color have historically been afraid to take on much risk, but she wants them to remember that risk/reward combo as well.

If you haven’t started investing, or stopped investing due to money being tight, remember you can always invest at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

“You have to invest and become comfortable with that, whether that’s biweekly, bimonthly or monthly,” says Harris.

You can always start with lower-risk investments if you want to play it safe. Some include I bonds, money market funds or Treasury-Inflation Protected Securities, also known as TIPS.

it does not violate the employee’s civil rights enumerated in the N.C. Equal Employment Practices Act or federal laws like Title VII.

North State Journal reached out to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) about the case.

“Mr. Phillips was an employee of Governor’s School during summer 2021,” NCDPI Communications Director Blair Rhoades said in an email response. “The Department of Public Instruction maintains that it fully complied with all

legal requirements. However, as this is a personnel matter, no additional information can be shared at this time.”

The 61-page lawsuit alleges that following the optional lectures, a group of students and staff members showed “open hostility, referencing race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion in their comments and questions.”

Phillips maintains he stayed after class to engage in discussion with students after the lectures.

The filing also claims staff at the school accused Phillips of racism and made comments that “made

it clear they believed the content of Dr. Phillips’ lecture was “worthy of censure.”

Phillips’ lawsuit is seeking his reinstatement, back pay, front pay, and a host of damages for pain, suffering, and reputational harm. The lawsuit is also seeking attorney and court fees.

NCDPI State Superintendent Catherine Truitt is not named in the suit.

The defendants listed in the lawsuit are former Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academy Officer David Stegall and former Coordinator of the North Carolina Gover-

nor’s School Thomas Winton. Stegall left NCDPI in May 2022 to take the position of chief of staff for Blue Ridge Community College.

Current employees named as defendants include the Coordinator of the North Carolina Governor’s School and Site Director for the North Carolina Governor’s School West Campus Rodney K. Allen, and Director of the Division of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education at NCDPI Sneha Shah Coltrane.

Shah-Coltrane is the wife of Gov. Roy Cooper’s main education advisor, Geoff Coltrane.

“Join the conversation”

“[A]nyone that wants to join us would want to buy one of our $12 all-day passes, and they do exactly what they sound like they do,” Laws said. “They get you into everything happening.”

Cameron Laws, Creative Director at Artsplosure/First Night Raleigh

AP PHOTO

An American flag is displayed on the facade of the New York Stock Exchange on June 29, 2022, in New York.

OPINION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | DENNIS PRAGER

Will secular conservatives have conservative grandchildren?

SECULAR CONSERVATIVES have done, and continue to do, great work on behalf of America, liberty and conservatism in general.

But they will not likely have conservative grandchildren — and many will not have conservative children.

I know this because I speak with hundreds of conservatives a year in person and on the radio.

I routinely ask these people these questions:

“How many children do you have?”

After they give me a number, I ask:

“With regard to their holding your conservative values, what’s your batting average?”

On some occasions the answer is “I’m batting a thousand,” but that is the rarest response. Usually, conservative parents have at least one child who has become a leftist — not a liberal, mind you, but a leftist.

To be completely honest, though less common, this is often also true of religious conservatives. Many religious parents have seen at least one child not only reject religion, but conservatism as well.

I will never forget a man who cruised with me years ago on one of my annual listener cruises. He was a successful businessman and a pastor of a church. He told me that he had three sons, each of whom had doctorates — one from Yale, one from Princeton and one from Stanford.

“And they are all leftists,” he sighed.

All three had chosen the values of the university over religious and conservative values.

The great tragedy of American life since World War II is that many Americans failed to explain American values to their children. As I have said since I began lecturing in my early 20s, the World War II generation decided to give my generation — the so-called “baby boomers” — “everything they didn’t have” — such as material comforts, financial security and a college education. And they largely succeeded. The problem is that they failed to give them everything they did have — such as a love of country, commitment to liberty, self-discipline, religion, etc.

The same problem held true among Christians

and Jews. Most Christians failed to explain Christianity to their children and most Jews failed to explain Judaism to theirs.

Secular conservatives see what is happening to some of their children and to many of their friends’ children, yet few draw the conclusion that abandoning God and Judeo-Christian values might be a major factor in these children’s alienation from conservativism.

But it surely is.

God is one of the three components of the American value system. As expressed on every American coin and banknote, those three components are “In God We Trust,” “Liberty” and “E Pluribus Unum” (“From Many One”). And as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, our rights come from the Creator. The notion that the Founders sought to found a secular, let alone a godless, society has no truth. It is true that many of the Founders did not hold specifically Christian theological beliefs. But they believed in God, and they believed America could not succeed without a God-centered and Bible-revering population.

In other words, American conservatism is incompatible with a secular worldview.

Furthermore, secular conservativism doesn’t work. As we saw during the lockdowns and see every day regarding, for example, woke attacks on “binary” sexuality, it is disproportionately religious Americans who hold and fight for conservative values.

It is true that religious Jews and Christians were a disappointment during lockdowns. That most rabbis, priests and ministers closed their synagogues and churches in obedience to irrational secular authority is reason for weeping.

Nevertheless, whatever challenges there were to irrational authority almost all came from religious institutions.

The same holds true for challenges to the premature sexualization of children taking place in American elementary schools and challenges to the nihilistic claims that there are more than two sexes (or “genders”) and that there is no objective

definition to “man” or “woman.”

Such challenges come overwhelmingly from religious America. Conversely, the nihilism comes almost exclusively from secular America.

In sum, it is hard enough for religious conservatives to keep their children and grandchildren conservative. It is far harder for secular conservatives to do so.

I am well aware that many secular conservatives are convinced that they cannot believe in or practice any religion.

To these people, I say: So what?

Once you realize that America’s future depends on Americans affirming “In God We Trust” just as much as they affirm “Liberty” and “E Pluribus Unum,” you have to work on taking God and some religious expression seriously. You should emulate parents who are tone deaf who nevertheless give their children piano lessons.

“Fake it till you make it” is one of the many great insights of 12-step programs. The rule applies to everything good that does not come naturally.

Find a clergyman who shares your values and regularly take your child (or grandchild) to religious services.

Study the Bible with your child or grandchild on a regular basis. Lincoln rarely attended church, but he read the Bible every day. If you need a rational approach to God and the Bible, I suggest beginning with any of my three volumes of Bible commentary, “The Rational Bible.”

Say a blessing before each meal. Even if you’re secular, that shouldn’t be too difficult.

I promise you that whatever discomfort you experience acting religious pales in comparison to the discomfort you will experience if your child or grandchild ends up woke.

Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His commentary on Deuteronomy, the third volume of “The Rational Bible,” his five-volume commentary on the first five books of the Bible, was published in October. He is the co-founder of Prager University.

| DAVID HARSANYI

Abortion is not a Jewish sacrament

“OUR JEWISH BROTHERS AND SISTERS,” squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explained during a recent rant, “are able to have an abortion according to their faith.” Many religions, the congresswoman goes on, do not share the “fundamentalist Christian” definition of life. They too have a right to exercise their faith, and to stand in their way is “authoritarian” and “theocratic.”

These

Ocasio-Cortez is a perfect straw man for this piece because she completely misunderstands not only the Jewish position on abortion but religious freedom, as well.

For one thing, does AOC, who is purportedly Catholic, believe that Pope Francis — who, like every pontiff in history, views abortion as “murder” — is a “Christian fundamentalist”? Perhaps. Until about five minutes ago, even science lovers believed life began at conception. The abortion debate revolved around the ethical question of when life was worth protecting.

These days, science conforms to our politics rather than the other way around. Increasingly, people demand faith do the same. And perhaps the most contemptible achievement of many progressive Jewish groups isn’t that they have cynically trashed a 3,000-year tradition, but that they’ve convinced millions of Americans that radical cultural leftism is synonymous with Judaism.

Nonetheless, AOC’s Jewish brothers and sisters have no genuine theological case to make for abortion on demand as a sacrament. The congresswoman probably got the idea from the Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor — adherents of “cosmic” Judaism, an “all-inclusive, universal, and rational

approach” to faith. The temple recently filed a suit that makes the preposterous claim that Florida’s 15week abortion restriction “prohibits Jewish women from practicing their faith free of government intrusion and this violates their privacy rights and religious freedom.” Three political activists in Kentucky filed similar lawsuits contending that state law infringes on their religious freedom by imposing a “Christian understanding” of life.

Now, I’m not a rabbi, but I feel slightly more qualified to comment on the Jewish faith than Ocasio-Cortez — and, while we’re at it, the “rabbi” of any cosmic shul. It would be misleading to assert that Jews adhere to the “pro-life” position in the way many Evangelicals or Catholics do. But it would be far less misleading than calling the Jewish traditional view on abortion “pro-choice” — a position that, in its contemporary meaning, means on demand throughout nine months for any reason.

The Orthodox Union’s diplomatic reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade is that it is “unable to either mourn or celebrate the news reports of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade” because it does not support “absolute bans on abortion — at any time point in a pregnancy — that would not allow access to abortion in lifesaving situations” or support legislation that does not limit abortion to “situations in which medical (including mental health) professionals affirm that carrying the pregnancy to term poses real risk to the life of the mother.”

Neither the laws of Florida nor Kentucky — nor any state, for that matter — denies abortions for pregnancies that pose a real risk to the life of the

mother. In any situation where abortion is required by Jewish law, it remains legal. Of course, even if we conceded for the sake of argument that the Jewish faith allows for abortion as means of birth control, as AOC suggests, it is certainly not a sin to avoid getting one nor is it a mitzvah or a sacrament to seek one out. Abortion laws do not intrude on anyone’s religious freedom.

With Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court threw abortion back into the democratic process. Americans can now vote on the issue using any moral calculus they desire. Some might turn to Malthus or Marx for moral guidance. Others to Christ. But voting based on your beliefs is not theocratic. A theocratic policy entails things like state-imposed religious tests for office or a state-endorsed church or the state compelling people to praise church doctrine. Try imagining a florist or baker being compelled by the government to create speech that undermines their beliefs. Something like that.

Indeed, Judaism stresses the preservation and celebration of life. Nothing about the contemporary leftist position on abortion — an inherent “right,” not merely used in rare instances when a pregnancy imperils a life, but whenever, and for any reason, a person demands — aligns with that tradition or culture.

David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist. Harsanyi is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of five books — the most recent, “Eurotrash: Why America Must Reject the Failed Ideas of a Dying Continent.”

I promise you that whatever discomfort you experience acting religious pales in comparison to the discomfort you will experience if your child or grandchild ends up woke.

COLUMN

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA Warriors’ Curry out 2 more weeks with left shoulder injury San Francisco

Reigning NBA Finals MVP Stephen Curry will miss at least two more weeks for Golden State as he recovers from a partial dislocation of the left shoulder he suffered Dec. 14 in a game at Indiana. The 34-yearold Curry, who is averaging 30.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists, has missed the past six games for the defending champions. The Warriors said Saturday he was reevaluated and is making good progress, with another exam scheduled in two weeks.

MMA UFC Hall of Famer

Stephan Bonnar dead at age 45

Las Vegas UFC says former fighter Stephan Bonnar, who played a significant role in the UFC’s growth into the dominant promotion in mixed martial arts, has died. The UFC Hall of Famer was 45. UFC announced in a statement that Bonnar died last Thursday from “presumed heart complications while at work.” He was a contestant in 2005 on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC’s long-running reality competition show. Bonnar reached the competition’s finale, where he had a bloody brawl with Forrest Griffin. Griffin won the decision, but the viral attention gained by the bout is widely credited with exposing the littleknown sport to a larger worldwide audience online and on Spike TV, which broadcast it. Bonnar hadn’t fought in the UFC since 2014.

Ex-Clemson QB Uiagalelei transferring to Oregon State

Clemson, South Carolina Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei says he’s transferring from Clemson to Oregon State.

Uiagalelei entered the transfer portal two weeks ago after an up-and-down two seasons as Clemson’s starter. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Uiagalelei announced his decision in a tweet that said “Next stop ... Corvallis” and included a picture showing himself in a Beavers uniform. Over 35 games in three seasons for Clemson, he threw for 5,681 yards and 36 touchdowns with a 59.8% completion rate and 17 interceptions.

SOCCER

Kevin Payne, former executive for 2 MLS teams, dies New York

Kevin Payne, who was an executive with two Major League Soccer teams and was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2021, has died. He was 69. U.S. Soccer, MLS and D.C. United, which won four MLS titles and two U.S. Open Cups during Payne’s tenure, put out statements confirming his death. The Washington Post reported that Payne died in Charleston, South Carolina, from a lung illness. Payne was president and general manager of D.C. United and then president and CEO of the team.

Panthers sign Josh Norman to practice squad

By Steve Reed The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers have signed 35-year-old cornerback Josh Norman to the practice squad because starter Jaycee Horn’s status for Sunday’s crucial game against the Tampa Bay

Buccaneers is up in the air. Horn broke his left wrist in Carolina’s 37-23 win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday and will have surgery Tuesday, interim coach Steve Wilks said. Wilks said it has yet to be determined if Horn will be able to play with a club on his arm or if he is done for the remainder of the season.

The Panthers signed Norman, who used to play for Carolina, to the practice squad with the intention of him playing Sunday against

the Bucs. If Horn is out, Norman will back up Keith Taylor at cornerback.

“He has experience in this league and he brings veteran leadership and, most importantly, he possesses our DNA,” Wilks said of Norman. “I know him personally and he played for me. He understands the culture we are trying to create here and the level of play we are looking for.”

Norman spent four seasons in Carolina (2012-15), helping the Panthers reach the Super Bowl in his final season while earning All-Pro honors. But after initially placing the franchise tag on Norman following the 2015 season, then-general manager Dave Gettleman abruptly rescinded the offer.

Norman went on to sign a fiveyear, $75 million free agent contract with Washington, where he spent five seasons. He also had a season in Buffalo and San Francisco, starting 14 games last season

with the 49ers and forcing a career-high seven fumbles. Norman has not played this season.

“I think it is a great replacement,” said linebacker Shaq Thompson, who was teammates with Norman in 2015. “He brings a veteran presence. And he’s been in big-time moments who has been in big-time games who knows how to play in big games. He knows how to play under pressure and it is good to see him here and good to have him back here in these colors.”

The Panthers (6-9) trail the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) by a game in the NFC South, but still control their own destiny because of head-to-head tiebreakers.

If Carolina beats Tampa Bay and New Orleans to close the season, it will secure its first division title since 2015 despite having a losing record. If the Panthers lose Sunday, their division title hopes are over. The Panthers held Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in a check in a 21-3 win earlier this season.

KATHY WHITWORTH set a benchmark in golf no one has ever touched, whether it was Sam Snead or Tiger Woods, Mickey Wright or Annika Sorenstam. Her 88 victories are the most by any player on a single professional tour.

Whitworth, whose LPGA Tour victories spanned nearly a quarter-century and who became the first woman to earn $1 million for her career on the LPGA, died on Christmas Eve, her longtime partner said. She was 83.

Bettye Odle did not disclose a cause of death, saying only that Whitworth died suddenly Saturday night while celebrating with family and friends.

“Kathy left this world the way she lived her life — loving, laugh and creating memories,” Odle said in a statement released by the LPGA Tour.

Whitworth won the first of her 88 titles in the Kelly Girls Opens in July 1962. She won six majors during her career and broke Mickey Wright’s record of 82 career wins when Whitworth captured the Lady Michelob in the summer of 1982.

Her final victory came in 1985 at the United Virginia Bank Classic.

“Winning never got old,” Whitworth once said.

All that was missing from her career was the U.S. Women’s Open, the biggest of the women’s majors. Upon being the first woman to surpass $1 million in career earnings in 1981, she said, “I would have swapped being the first to make a

million for winning the Open, but it was a consolation which took some of the sting out of not winning.”

Sorenstam referred to her on Twitter as the LPGA’s all-time victory leader and a “total class act” who will be dearly missed.

“Thanks for setting the bar so high, Kathy,” she wrote.

Whitworth was the AP Female Athlete of the Year in 1965 and in 1967, when she easily beat out Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King. Whitworth was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1982.

She was the LPGA player of the year seven times in an eight-year span (1966 through 1973). She won the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average seven times and she

was the leading money winner in eight seasons.

But she was identified by one number — 88.

Snead was credited with a record 82 wins on the PGA Tour, a total Woods has since matched.

Wright won 82 times on the LPGA

Tour, while Sorenstam had 72 wins when she retired after the 2006 season at age 36.

“I think Mickey had the best swing, and was probably the greatest golfer,” Betsy Rawls once told Golf Digest. “But Kathy was the best player of the game that I have ever seen.”

Whitworth was born in Monahans, a small West Texas town, and learned to play golf in New Mexico. She started at age 15 in Jal, New Mexico, on the nine-hole course built for the El Paso Natural Gas employees.

She soon was a two-time winner of the New Mexico State Amateur. After briefly attending Odessa (Texas) College, she turned pro at age 19 and joined the LPGA Tour in December 1958.

Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn is questionable after having wrist surgery

The six-time major winner won her first and last tournament 20 years apart

The Associated Press

CARLOS ORTIZ | DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE VIA AP

Kathy Whitworth responds to the crowd as she prepares to tee off during the 2006 Tournament of Champions in Pittsford, New York. Whitworth, whose 88 victories are the most by any golfer on a single professional tour, died on Saturday at age 83.

PHELAN M. EBENHACK | AP PHOTO

The Panthers signed former cornerback Josh Norman, pictured in 2015, to their practice squad.

Kathy Whitworth, winningest golfer in history, dies at 83

Career LPGA victories for Kathy Whitworth, the most of any golfer on any single pro tour

US to let MLB stars play for Cuba in World Baseball Classic

The best-on-best tournament begins March 8

The Associated Press

HAVANA — The United States will permit Major League Baseball players from Cuba to represent their home country in the World Baseball Classic next year.

The decision announced Saturday in a news release by the Baseball Federation of Cuba (FCB) could be a big step in once again turning Cuba’s national team into heavy hitters on an international stage.

Major League Baseball confirmed Monday that the U.S. granted the license to FCB. It clears the way for MLB stars such as José Abreu, Yordan Alvarez, Randy Arozarena, Yoán Moncada and Luis Robert to play for Cuba in the WBC in March if they choose to accept a potential invitation.

It’s up to each country’s national governing body to pick the players on its WBC team. Final 30-man rosters are due Feb. 7 for the WBC, which begins March 8 with Cuba facing the Nether-

lands in Taiwan.

While the sport of choice for much of Latin America is soccer, baseball dominates in Cuba. The island has gained fame around the world for its baseball talent.

But in recent years, hundreds of those players have defected from Cuba to play professionally elsewhere. Most notably, many have become United States residents and stars with major league teams in the U.S.

The defections are largely due to a not-so-uncommon geopolitical spat between the two seaside neighbors, leaving Cuban players stuck in the middle.

Cuban athletes competing on the island can’t earn a paycheck under the communist government, which prohibited professional sports following the Cuban revolution 60 years ago.

Longtime sanctions by the U.S. make it largely impossible for Cubans to play professionally for an American team without defecting. Meanwhile, Cuba historically has not allowed Cuban players who defected on their national team rosters.

The defections have taken a toll on Cuba’s performance in in-

ternational baseball competitions. For example, the Cuban baseball team failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after years of previously winning medals in the sport.

In November, Cuba changed its tune and invited several top players who defected to represent the country in the World Baseball Classic, a tournament that features some of the sport’s top players competing in Japan, Taiwan and the U.S.

Weeks later, Cuban officials accused the Biden administration of blocking those players from representing Cuba.

In a statement Saturday, FCB President Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo called the permit a “positive step,” and said the Cuban federation should have more information about the team’s WBC roster once it has more details about the license granted by the U.S.

At the same time, Pérez Pardo also criticized the U.S., tweeting Saturday that “it is arbitrary and discriminatory that a permit from the government of this country (the U.S.) is needed to attend” the WBC.

Texas coach Beard’s fiancée says he didn’t strangle her

The Longhorns had suspended him following his Dec. 12 arrest

The Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas — The woman who called police to report a family violence assault by Texas basketball coach Chris Beard said Friday that Beard did not strangle her and she never wanted him arrested or prosecuted.

Beard was suspended indefinitely without pay after his Dec. 12 arrest on a felony charge of strangling his fiancée, Randi Trew, who lives with him.

In a statement sent to The Associated Press by her attorney, Randy Leavitt, Trew said she is “deeply saddened” by the incident and said Beard was acting in self-defense from her.

“Chris and I are deeply saddened that we have brought negative attention upon our family, friends, and the University of Texas, among others. As Chris’ fiancée and biggest supporter, I apologize for the role I played in this unfortunate event. I realize that my frustration, when breaking his glasses, initiated a physical struggle between Chris and myself,” Trew said in the statement.

“Chris did not strangle me, and I told that to law enforcement that evening. Chris has stated that he was acting in self-defense, and I do not refute that. I do not believe Chris was trying to intentionally harm me in any way. It was never my intent to have him arrested or

prosecuted. We appreciate everyone’s support and prayers during this difficult time,” she said.

Leavitt confirmed that Trew, whose name was redacted by police from charging documents, agreed to be named publicly. He declined further comment.

In a statement, the university said: “We are reviewing the statement from Randi Trew. This matter is the subject of an internal investigation and the university does not comment on pending investigations.”

Beard’s attorney, Perry Minton, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

According to the police affidavit in support of Beard’s arrest, Trew initially placed an emergency call from their house and told responding officers Beard had strangled her from behind to the point where she couldn’t breathe for several seconds, and bit her when an argument turned physical. The affidavit listed several visible signs of an altercation, including bite marks on her arm and abrasions on her face and leg.

According to the affidavit, Trew initally told police “he choked me, bit me, bruises all over my leg, throwing me around and going nuts.”

A separate Austin police incident report notes that Beard told police Trew had struck at him and that he had tried to grab her wrists to stop her. When asked if any punches were landed, Beard told police, “I think she was trying to hit my private parts,” according to the incident report.

Texas men’s basketball coach Chris Beard was arrested Dec. 12 on a felony family violence charge after his fiancée, Randi Trew, called the police. Trew has since backtracked on her accusations.

Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin celebrates after scoring the 801st game of his career. Ovechkin scored his 802nd on an emptynet goal later in the game to pas Gordie Howe for the second-most goals in NHL history.

Ovechkin moves to 2nd in NHL goals with 802, passing Howe

802 Friday night to move into second place on the NHL career list. After beating Winnipeg Jets goaltender David Rittich in the first period to match Gordie Howe, Ovechkin almost reluctantly scored from just inside the blue line with a minute left to pass “Mr. Hockey.”

for Ovechkin to challenge Gretzky, moving past Howe warranted plenty of celebration. Fans chanted, “Ovi! Ovi! Ovi!” throughout Washington’s 4-1 win, never louder than after he hit the empty net.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Alex Ovechkin barely looked at the empty net when he shot the puck into it and set off a wild celebration with his teammates and among Washington Capitals fans.

With a no-look empty-net goal, Ovechkin made more history and moved another step closer to breaking one of hockey’s most hallowed records.

Ovechkin scored goals 801 and

Only Wayne Gretzky with 894 has scored more, and Ovechkin is now 93 goals from breaking a record that has long seemed unapproachable.

“Step by step, guys,” Ovechkin said after posing with sons Sergei and Ilya and the milestone pucks. “Still a long way.”

While it will take at least a couple more years to see if it’s possible

Teammates did the same in the locker room during a closed-door celebration, which followed Jets players lining up to shake Ovechkin’s hand at center ice.

“I think it’s just to show respect, and it’s history for them as well,” Ovechkin said. “The game is the game, but as soon as the whistle blows, it’s all about hockey. We respect each other.”

Ovechkin hit the post on his first shot at the empty net and passed up another attempt by giv-

ing the puck to countryman Evgeny Kuznetsov — and getting it back. Even if he didn’t want to make history this way, Washington’s longtime captain was going to do what it took to ice his team’s fourth consecutive victory.

“It’s the kind of situation where if you have a chance to take it, you take it,” Ovechkin said. “I give it to Kuzy and he’s like, ‘I don’t want to take it.’ But after that, it’s special.”

Teammates leapt off the bench in celebration and the arena goal counter flipped to 802. A video tribute from Howe’s son Mark followed.

“On behalf of Gordie Howe, the guy you just passed, and from (my) mother Colleen and the en-

tire Howe family, we just want to congratulate on what a fantastic achievement,” Mark Howe said in representing his father, who died in 2016 at age 88. “You’ve been a pleasure to watch.”

Ovechkin made the hockey community watch him chase Howe for more than a week after recording a hat trick to become just the third player with 800 goals. He endured a four-game goal drought before breaking through Friday.

“Very emotional,” Ovechkin said. “Doing it with the home crowd, it’s special. They give me full support, and this is pretty big. It’s a historic moment. It’s nice to be in this category of players. It’s pretty cool.”

The Capitals captain is no chasing Wayne Gretzky’s 894 goals

The Associated Press

In a decision announced Saturday, the United States will permit Major League Baseball players from Cuba, like Tapa Bay’s Randy Arozarena, to represent their home country in the World Baseball Classic next year.

AP PHOTO

AP PHOTO

AP PHOTO

Kari Lake loses suit over her defeat in Arizona governor’s race

By Jacques Billeaud The Associated Press

PHOENIX — A judge has thrown out Republican Kari Lake’s challenge of her defeat in the Arizona governor’s race to Democrat Katie Hobbs, rejecting her claim that problems with ballot printers at some polling places on Election Day were the result of intentional misconduct.

In a decision Saturday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson, who was appointed by former Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, found that the court did not find clear and convincing evidence of the widespread misconduct that Lake had alleged had affected the result of the 2022 general election. Lake will appeal the ruling, she said in a statement.

The judge said Lake’s witnesses didn’t have any personal knowledge of intentional misconduct.

“The Court cannot accept speculation or conjecture in place of clear and convincing evidence,” Thompson said.

Lake, who lost to Hobbs by just over 17,000 votes, was among the most vocal 2022 Republicans promoting former President Donald Trump’s election concerns, which she made the centerpiece of her campaign. While most of the other

election deniers around the country conceded after losing their races in November, Lake has not. Instead, she asked the judge to either declare her the winner or order a revote in Maricopa County, home to more than 60% of Arizona’s voters.

In the ruling, the judge acknowledged the “anger and frustration” of voters who were inconvenienced in the election and noted that setting aside the results of an election “has never been

done in the history of the United States.”

“But this Court’s duty is not solely to incline an ear to public outcry,” the judge continued. “It is to subject Plaintiff’s claims and Defendants’ actions to the light of the courtroom and scrutiny of the law.”

Lawyers for Lake focused on problems with ballot printers at some polling places in Maricopa County. The defective printers produced ballots that were too

light to be read by the on-site tabulators at polling places. Lines backed up in some areas amid the confusion.

County officials say everyone had a chance to vote and all ballots were counted, since ballots affected by the printers were taken to more sophisticated counters at the elections department headquarters. They are in the process of investigating the root cause of the printer problems.

Lake’s attorneys also claimed the chain of custody for ballots was broken at an off-site facility, where a contractor scans mail ballots to prepare them for processing. They claimed workers at the facility put their own mail ballots into the pile, rather than sending their ballots through normal channels, and also that paperwork documenting the transfer of ballots was missing. The county disputes the claim.

Lake faced extremely long odds in her challenge, needing to prove not only that misconduct occurred, but also that it was intended to deny her victory and did in fact result in the wrong woman being declared the winner.

Her attorneys pointed to a witness who examined ballots on behalf of her campaign and discovered 14 ballots that had 19-inch images of the ballot printed on

20-inch paper, meaning the ballots wouldn’t be read by a tabulator. The witness insisted someone changed those printer configurations, a claim disputed by elections officials.

County officials say the ballot images were slightly smaller as a result of a shrink-to-fit feature being selected on a printer by a tech employee who was looking for solutions to Election Day issues. They say about 1,200 ballots were affected by turning on the feature and that those ballots were duplicated so that they could be read by a tabulator. Ultimately, these ballots were counted, officials said.

A person who takes public opinion polls testified on behalf of Lake, claiming technical problems at polling places had disenfranchised enough voters that it would have changed the outcome of the race in Lake’s favor. But an expert who was called to testify by election officials said there was no evidence to back up the pollster’s claim that 25,000 to 40,000 people who would normally have voted actually didn’t cast ballots as a result of Election Day problems.

Thompson had previously dismissed eight of the 10 claims Lake raised in her lawsuit. Among those was Lake’s allegation that Hobbs, in her capacity as secretary of state, and Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer engaged in censorship by flagging social media posts with election misinformation for possible removal by Twitter. He also dismissed her claims of discrimination against Republicans and that mail-in voting procedures are illegal.

Hobbs takes office as governor on Jan. 2.

Feds order review of power-grid security after attacks

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal regulators ordered a review of security standards at the nation’s far-flung electricity transmission network, following multiple attacks shootings at electric substations in North Carolina and Washington state that damaged equipment and caused tens of thousands of customers to lose power.

The order by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission directs officials to study the effectiveness of existing reliability standards for the physical security of the nation’s power grid and determine whether they need to be improved.

“The security and reliability of the nation’s electric grid is one of FERC’s top priorities,” FERC Chairman Richard Glick said at a recent commission meeting.

“In light of the increasing number of recent reports of physical attacks on our nation’s infrastructure, it is important that we fully and clearly review the effectiveness of our existing physical security standard to determine whether additional improvements are necessary to safeguard the bulk power system,’’ Glick said.

The order comes less than two weeks after one or more people drove up to two substations in central North Carolina, breached the gates and opened fire on them. Outages began shortly after the Dec. 3 nighttime attack and lasted several days before powers was restored to almost all households in Moore County four days later.

Even as power was restored, Duke Energy Corp., which owns the two North Carolina substations, reported gunfire Dec. 7 near another Duke facility in South Carolina.

Law enforcement officials say they have found no evidence linking incidents in the two states, although

multiple state and federal agencies continue to investigate.

At least four electrical substations have been targeted in separate attacks in Oregon and Washington state since November, most recently a fourth electrical substation was vandalized late on Christmas Day in Washington state.

The suspects broke into a fenced area and vandalized equipment, causing a fire, officials said. The fire was extinguished and power was later restored, but no suspects are in custody, officials said.

Grid security experts have said the attacks demonstrate anew the

vulnerability of the nation’s electric grid, which includes more than 50,000 substations and more than 700,000 miles of transmission lines.

Power transformers are highly visible in thousands of sites across the country and “are really vulnerable — sometimes to a drunk with a gun and an attitude,’’ said FERC commissioner Mark Christie. “We have a lot of incidents of that. That’s not unusual. The substations are a different ballgame.’’

He called the North Carolina attack “sophisticated” and noted that it caused outages for more than

40,000 people.

While officials are likely to recommend changes such as high-definition cameras, 24-hour surveillance or opaque walls, “How are we going to pay for all the upgrades?’’ asked Christie, a Republican who has served on the panel since 2020.

The bipartisan infrastructure law includes as much as $15 billion for power grid upgrades and resilience, and Christie said he hopes some of the money is used for “deferring some of the cost of the hardening that we know is going to take place’’ as a result of the recent attacks.

“I hope this does not flow through to ratepayers,’’ he said.

Glick, a Democrat, told reporters after the meeting that while he is always concerned about costs: “How concerned are you about the cost when the power goes out? Would you rather pay now or later?’’

FERC approved a physical security reliability standard in 2014 following a still-unsolved attack on a major substation in California. The new order gives the North American Electric Reliability Corporation 120 days to submit a report on the current standard and recommend possible changes.

AP PHOTO

Kari Lake, Arizona Republican candidate for governor, speaks to supporters at the Republican watch party in Scottsdale, Ariz., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

AP PHOTO

Workers with Randolph Electric Membership Corporation work to repair the Eastwood Substation in West End, Dec. 6, 2022.

obituaries

Edward Paul Farris

July 3, 1938 - December 28, 2022

Edward Paul Farris, 83, of Locust passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2022 at Atrium Health Cabarrus.

Mr. Farris was born July 23, 1938 in Yukon, West Virginia to the late Willie Russell Farris and Lydia Keen Farris. He was a graduate of Benjamin Franklin University receiving his associates degree and George Washington University receiving a bachelor’s degree. With over 44 years of experience in the financial field, Edward retired from Wells Fargo and worked afterward for Andrews Credit Union as a bank auditor. He was a member at First Baptist Church in San Mateo, FL, and also a member of Berea Baptist Church in Stanfield, NC where he served as a choir member and deacon of the church. Mr. Farris was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Edward is survived by his wife Helen Sue Van Dyke Farris of the home; son: Edward Paul Farris, Jr. (April) of Alpharetta, GA; daughters: Paula Farris Gardner (John) of Palatka, FL, and Patricia Farris Saldana of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren: Michael, Kyle, and Cayley Farris of Alpharetta, Ga, Morgan and Connor Saldana of Charlotte, NC; and step granddaughter: Taty Johnson of Maryland.

Richard Leon Edwards

August 11, 1945 - December 26, 2022

Richard Leon Edwards, 77, of Oakboro, NC, passed away Monday December 26, 2022 at Bethany Woods in Albemarle.

He was a 1963 graduate of West Stanly High School and was a 20 year veteran of the Army National Guard, which he retired at the rank of Captain.

Richard was born in Stanly County on August 11,1945 to the late Charles Raymond and Verna Brooks Edwards. He was preceded in death by his wife, Melanie Dowling Edwards in 2021. He is survived by his son Tim Edwards (Danielle) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren: Chloe Edwards, Carter Edwards and Clara Edwards; brother: Harold Edwards (Janice) of The Woodlands, TX; and sister-in-law Aileen Edwards of Norwood. He was also preceded in death by brothers: James Benton Edwards and Charles Allen Edwards; and sisters: Willie Jean Baucom and Doris Ramelle Edwards.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff at Bethany Woods and Hospice of Stanly County for their care and support.

Randall Alan Morton

April 7, 1962 - December 24, 2022

Randall Alan Morton, 60, of Albemarle, passed away on Saturday, December 24, 2022 at his home. Randall was born April 7, 1962 in Stanly County to Beatrice Erving Morton and the late Tommy Allen Morton. He was an active member at Albemarle First Assembly and served on the video ministry team there. Mr. Morton was a 1980 graduate of North Stanly High School and enjoyed playing football. After high school, he attended Stanly Community College and served as Class President. He put his heart and soul into every job that he worked. Randall loved the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Carolina Panthers. Family was his priority and he loved them dearly.

Mr. Morton is survived by his wife of 15 years, Bonnie Boudov Morton of the home; sons: Joel Allen Morton and fiancé (Jessica Conner) of Raleigh, NC, Mark Allan Morton of Albemarle, Theodore “Teddy” Aydon Morton of Albemarle; sisters: Pamela Anne Mayhew (Keith) of Matthews, NC, Suzanne Angela Pressley (Rodney) of Monroe, NC; several nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his brother Joseph Morton.

Claude Wade Lloyd

July 3, 1957 - December 24, 2022

Claude Wade Lloyd, 65, of Richfield, passed away Saturday, December 24, 2022 at Atrium Hospice House of Monroe.

Mr. Lloyd was born July 3, 1957 in Orange County, NC to the late Weston Lloyd and Ruby Kitsinger Lloyd. Mr. Lloyd was self-employed as a Plumber.

Mr. Lloyd is survived by his son, Dana Lloyd of Wisconsin. He is also survived by a brother; Ed Lloyd of Chapel Hill and two grandchildren. Mr. Lloyd is preceded in death by brothers; Robert Lloyd Sr. and Wayne Lloyd.

Jeneece Lowder Smith

October 31, 1930 - December 21, 2022

Jeneece Lowder Smith, 92, of Albemarle, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. She was born on October 31, 1930, to the late Malvern A. Lowder and Bessie Hahn Lowder. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband, Walter L. Smith, Sr, and a brother, Jerry Lawrence Lowder of Turner, Oregon.

Surviving Jeneece are two sons, Walter L. Smith, Jr. of Albemarle, Michael Wayne Smith of Asheboro, and a daughter, Allison Smith McLean of Swannanoa, NC. Two grandsons survive: Stephen McLean of Alexandria, Virginia, (partner Heather) and Michael McLean (wife K.C.), and great granddaughter, Charlotte McLean of Colorado Springs, Colorado. A brother, Ned E. Lowder and wife Diane of Fairplay, SC, also survive.

Frances Bernice Helms Thompson

September 20, 1937 - December 20, 2022

Frances Bernice Helms

Thompson, 85, of Albemarle died peacefully at her home on Tuesday, December 20, 2022.

Jeneece graduated from Albemarle High School in 1948, attended Lenoir Rhyne College and graduated from UNCChapel Hill in 1951. She received a Master’s degree in Counseling from UNC-Charlotte. She taught school for 34 years, the last twenty years were a English teacher and school counselor at Albemarle High School.

The family wishes to thank Pat Whitley and Joyce Swanner for assistance to Jeneece in her final years. They became close friends during their association and care.

Marsha Shue Barringer

Sybil Howell

Hatley

May 3, 1941 - December 19, 2022

Sybil Howell Hatley, 81, of Albemarle passed away on December 19, 2022 in the McWhorter House in Monroe.

Born May 3, 1941 in Stanly County, NC she was the daughter of the late Raymond Howell and Edna Almond Howell. She was a member of Canton Baptist Church and worked as a cake decorator at Ingles. She loved listening to Bluegrass music and was a great singer in her younger days and she loved to draw. Mrs. Hatley loved to cook and enjoyed spending time with her family.

Mrs. Hatley was preceded in death by her husband Bobby Ray Hatley.

Survivors include son Reid Hatley (Terita) of Albemarle and Dana Thompson (Sherrill) of New London, four grandchildren and 13 greatgrandchildren.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Hospice House of Union County, 700 W. Roosevelt Blvd, Monroe, NC 28110.

November 28, 1949 - December 21, 2022

Marsha Shue Barringer, 73, of Richfield, passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2022 in her home.

Mrs. Barringer was born November 28, 1949 in Cabarrus County, NC to the late Paul Shue and Fannie Mae Shoaf. She was a member of Open Door Baptist Church. Marsha was a devoted Christian and wife. She loved her family, church, flowers, but most of all God. She gave unselfishly to others.

Marsha is survived by her husband, Joseph Barringer of the home. She is also survived by two daughters, Cindy Renee Barringer of Denver, NC and Crystal Barringer Davis (Dwayne) of Oakboro, NC; two sisters, Sarah Harkey of Concord, NC and Sue Beaver of Kannapolis, NC; three grandchildren, Christopher Higgins, Carson Davis (MacKenzie) and Halee Davis. Mrs. Barringer was also preceded in death by four brothers, Boyce Shue, Boyd Shue, Tony Shue and Gary Shue and two sisters, Peggy Cranford and Frankie Rowland.

Mary Shields

December 24, 1926 ~ December 20, 2022

Mary Rice Shields, 95, of Norwood, went peacefully into the arms of Jesus, Tuesday night, December 20, 2022 at Stanly Manor.

Mary was born December 24, 1926 in Cabarrus County to the late Charlie and Viola Ross Rice. She was a member of Porter Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George W. Shields; son, Randy Shields; daughter, Wanda Shields Kirk; daughter in law, Gail Shields; great- grandson, Bennett Kirk; sisters, Pat Rice Hough and Barbara Rice Drye; brother, June Rice.

She is survived by her sons, Richard “Dick” Shields and Tommy Shields(Melissa) of Norwood; daughter, Kay Patterson of Albemarle; daughter in law, Sylvia Shields of Albemarle; sisters, Dorothy Sutton of Rhimertown, Abby Upright of Rockwell and Sally Crayton of Mount Pleasant; eight grandchildren, 17 greatgrandchildren and 8 great-greatgrandchildren.

Born September 20, 1937 in Stanly County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Zeb Caldwell Helms and Mary Lois Kiser Helms. She was a member of Union Grove Baptist Church where she was a choir member for many years and was a very active member. Mrs. Thompson worked for many years for Finance Companies and retired with Commercial Credit. She loved to garden and was a very giving person.

Mrs. Thompson was preceded in death by her husband Keith Thompson. Survivors include son Ronald Thompson (Lisa) of Albemarle, brothers Clifford Helms (Gail) of Norwood and Bruce Helms of Stanfield, sisters Bonnie Helms of Midland, and Brenda Kinley (Gary) of Stanfield, grandchildren Taylor Thompson (Sarah) and Matt Thompson (Kristin), and great grandchildren Judah, Caroline, and Norah. She was preceded in death by brothers Robert Helms, Carl Helms, and Buck Helms and sisters Sue Helms and Doris Morton.

The family wishes to express their thanks to Hospice of Stanly County for their love and compassionate care of Mrs. Thompson. A special thanks to her caretakers Penny Hatley, Debbie Thomas and Susie Bowers.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Stony Hill Church, 28996 Stony Hill Road, Albemarle, NC 28001.

Doris Dennis

February 11, 1949 ~ December 23, 2022

Doris Cannon Dennis of Norwood died Friday morning, December 23, 2022 at her home.

Doris was born February 11, 1949 in Loris, SC to the late Hasty Ovelee Cannon and Eunice Doyle Smart.

She will be remembered as a loving person with a great sense of humor. She had a kind and generous heart and a great love for animals.

She is survived by her son, James Kevin Mitchell (Tammy) of Longs, SC. two daughters, Kimberly Suzzanne Vickroy (and) Michelle Kirk (Gerald) both of Norwood. One sister, Robin Garrett of Poquoson, VA. 10 grandchildren and 9 greatgrandchildren and her beloved canine companion “Lizzie”.

STATE & NATION

Biden’s bullish 2024 talk does little to tamp down chatter

By Will Weissert The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden toasted a reelection campaign with his French counterpart. He and the Rev. Al Sharpton talked about the prospect during a photo-op. And, for someone who often meanders through his thoughts, Biden has been notably explicit about his political plans.

“Our intention is to run again,” the president told reporters after the November midterms, noting that his family supports another campaign. He said his wife, first lady Jill Biden, has already counseled him not to “walk away” from the “very important” things he’s doing on the job.2

None of that, however, has silenced a Washington parlor game about whether Biden will follow through with a second presidential campaign. The speculation reflects a persistent, though often privately expressed, skepticism among even some of Biden’s allies that the 80-year-old president will ask voters to keep him in the White House until he’s 86.

Biden is expected to discuss the prospect of another campaign with those closest to him when he departs Washington for a Christmas vacation. If he opts for an announcement next year, he would launch a campaign during a time when his approval ratings remain low and inflation is high. The steady easing

of the pandemic, meanwhile, would add pressure on the president to appear in person before large crowds, an environment where he’s sometimes unsteady.

But Biden’s standing inside his party has improved in the aftermath of the midterms, when Democrats kept the Senate and limited Republican gains in the House. He’s long vowed he’s his party’s

best option against former President Donald Trump, who has already announced his third White House campaign. Trump has been blamed for the GOP’s disappointing November losses in states, including Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania, that will be among the most politically competitive territory in 2024.

“I’m not going to abandon a

president who is winning,” former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile said at a recent party meeting.

The White House’s political staff and top Biden allies aren’t waiting for the official go-ahead, already lining up staff and preparing for a 2024 campaign launch next spring. They’re eyeing the end of the first quarter, thus avoiding the period in which raising money often proves most difficult. Such a timeline would follow the lead of President Barack Obama who, with Biden as his vice president, kicked off his 2012 bid for a second White House term in April 2011.

Biden aides and allies chafe at the speculation he may not run again, saying the president should be taken at his word. They note it’s not uncommon for incumbent presidents to delay formally launching their reelection campaigns as long as possible in order to heighten the contrast with their out-of-power rivals jockeying for primary position.

Federal election law requires candidates to register once they raise or spend $5,000 for an election, triggering disclosure requirements and putting some limitations on how they can work with outside groups — actions Biden is likely trying to put off until next year.

Still, filling the political void have been reports that the first lady told French President Emmanuel Macron that she and her husband are ready for a reelection campaign. The remark is reported to have come before the couple joined Macron in a playful 2024 toast during a recent State Dinner.

The White House hasn’t denied the Macron toast and Sharpton says no one from Biden’s political circle contacted him after word

of the pair’s August chat about reelection began breaking. But Sharpton also now says that what actually happened wasn’t as dramatic as the reports it sparked.

No president has voluntarily left the White House after a single, four-year term since Rutherford B. Hayes in 1881. Biden said during the 2020 campaign that he wanted to be a “bridge” to a future generation of Democratic leaders, but he has struck a far differently tone more recently.

The president said his decision wouldn’t be swayed by polls indicating that most Americans don’t want to see him run for reelection. And he offered a message for anyone worried he couldn’t handle the physical rigors of another campaign: “Watch me.”

Despite having run unsuccessfully for the White House twice before his 2020 victory, Biden also is no stranger to prolonged public vacillating over a presidential run. In 2015, he agonized for months over whether to mount a campaign to succeed Obama as he and Jill coped with the death of their 46-year-old son, Beau, from a brain tumor.

Jesse Harris was a senior adviser in Iowa to Biden’s 2020 campaign and was the early vote and get out the vote director for Obama’s 2008 general election campaign. He said that while Biden can be expected to look on Obama’s reelection campaign as a blueprint for things like the timing of his reelection announcement, there won’t be much overlap on strategy.

“I think him being in office and being president, there’s a lot he wants to accomplish,” Harris said of Biden. “I think he’s willing to run and fight to make sure he can get as much done as possible.”

International migration drove US population growth in 2022

By Mike Schneider The Associated Press

THE U.S. POPULATION expanded by 1.2 million people this year, with growth largely driven by international migration, and the nation now has 333.2 million residents, according to estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Net international migration — the number of people moving into the U.S. minus the number of people leaving — was more than 1 million residents from 2021 to 2022. That represented a growth rate of 168% over the previous year’s 376,029 international migrants, with every state gaining residents from abroad, according to the 2022 population estimates.

Natural growth — the number of births minus the number of deaths — added another 245,080 people to the total in what was the first year-over-year increase in total births since 2007.

This year’s U.S. annual growth rate of 0.4% was a rebound of sorts from the 0.1% growth rate during the worst of the pandemic from 2020 to 2021, which was the lowest since the nation’s founding.

“It’s welcome because we would have been back to almost flatline growth if not for this immigration,” said William Frey, a demographer at The Brookings Institution.

Regionally, the Northeast lost almost 219,000 people in a trend largely driven by domestic resi-

dents moving out of New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts, as well as deaths outpacing births in Pennsylvania. The Midwest also lost almost 49,000 residents, driven in part by people moving out of Illinois and deaths outpacing births in Ohio.

The South gained 1.3 million residents, the largest of any region, driven by population gains in Texas and Florida that exceeded 400,000 residents each. Other

Southern states like North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee had among the largest growth in numbers in the U.S. Texas, the second most populous state in the U.S., surpassed the 30 million-resident mark, joining California as the only other state in this category.

But California lost more than 113,000 residents, and had a population just over 39 million in 2022, in what was the biggest an-

nual decline behind New York’s more than 180,000-resident loss. The population decline was driven by more than 343,000 domestic residents moving out of California, and it helped drag down the West region’s population gain to only 153,000 residents.

Despite the overall population loss, California had the largest growth of any state in international residents, just a hair’s breadth ahead of Florida with more than

125,000 people. California also had the second highest natural increase, only trailing Texas. Births outpacing deaths and the international arrivals made California’s population loss smaller than last year, when it dropped by more than 358,000 residents.

Conversely, Florida had the largest natural decrease of any state, with deaths outpacing births by more than 40,000 people. But gains from international migration, as well the addition of more than 318,000 residents from domestic migration, the most in the nation, gave it the highest growth rate of any U.S. state at 1.9%.

The West region in 2022 lost some of its luster as a magnet for domestic migration. Without international migration and a sizeable natural increase from births outpacing deaths, the West region would have lost population due to domestic residents moving out of California, Oregon and Washington. Western hotspots like Utah, Idaho and Montana also had smaller gains than last year.

Some of the slower growth in the West has to do with the pandemic, which led to fewer people moving, and also the increasing cost of living in places once regarded as cheaper alternatives to California, according to Frey.

“There isn’t as much magnetism for those classic magnets for moving out of California,” Frey said.

Puerto Rico lost 40,000 residents, or 1.3% of its population, due to people moving away and deaths outpacing births, and its population now stands at 3.2 million residents.

AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Sept. 6, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

AP PHOTO, FILE

The skyline of downtown Charlotte is seen in this file photo.

Randolph record

Getting ready to celebrate 2023

2022 marked by issues involving jobs, politics, education in Randolph County

DOT announces

$10.4

million for on-demand transit in rural NC communities

Last Wednesday, The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that the Biden Administration has awarded $10.4 million from the new Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (RURAL) to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to support the Mobility for Everyone, Everywhere in North Carolina (MEE NC) Project. The project will expand on-demand transit services for up to 11 rural communities across North Carolina, including Asheboro. The project is designed to provide improved connectivity for these 11 rural communities by delivering on-demand services that are tailored to each community’s mobility needs. The project will encourage pooled transit trips to reduce emissions, reduce wait times, and improve travel time reliability, as well as extend the useful life of transit vehicles and equipment. It will also further the NCDOT’s goals of creating an interdependent multi-modal transportation network that safely accommodates all users. For more information about the RURAL program, please visit the US DOT’s website at https://www. transportation.gov/.

Two county school students named Park Semi-Finalists

Two Randolph County students have been named semifinalists for the Park Scholarship at NC State University. Kearns Allen Trotter, a senior at Southwestern Randolph, and Hunter Todd Sexton, a senior at Providence Grove, are among the 450 semifinalists for the prestigious merit-based scholarship. The Park Scholarship is named for the late Roy H. Park, a 1931 NC State graduate. Approximately 40 scholarships will be awarded this year for study in any discipline at NC State. The semifinalists were selected from a pool of 3,400 nominees from around the country.

By Bob Sutton North State Journal

ASHEBORO — Looking for big news in Randolph County this year and it was bound to be mega-sized.

As in revolving around the Greensboro-Randolph megasite.

While the announcement that Toyota came late in 2021, the real work involving the megasite and all that will be involved with the battery manufacturing plant seemed to pick up real momentum in 2022.

This will be Toyota’s newest facility in North America.

Toyota has vowed to pour huge investment dollars into the megasite, a move that had the Randolph County Board of Commissioners on board with pushing for the project.

For the months that followed the announcement, the fallout from the news unfolded.

Construction activity at the megasite picked up steam, and that resulted in work on the nearby roadways and increases in traffic. Businesses in the Liberty area, in particular, began planning for a possible uptick in customers.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has been involved in monitoring the situation, realizing the infrastructure in terms of roadways is bound to be impacted.

Jobs, jobs, jobs

They were both coming and going in and around Randolph County.

Layoffs and pending closing of facilities connected to United Furniture Industries were among those that reflected a decline in jobs. That Thanksgiving week development impacted several communities in the Triad.

On the flip side, Randolph County officials were involved in supporting the Wolfspeed Inc. project in nearby Chatham County. A manufacturing project there is projected to boost 1,800 new jobs across the next decade.

Political gains

It was another wave of Republicans retaining offices and moving into offices based on the November election.

Richard Hudson will remain a member of the U.S. House of Representatives after winning the election in a newly drawn district.

School board member Brian Biggs won a seat in the N.C. House.

Among the results, incumbent Sheriff Greg Seabolt won another term in Randolph County.

Turnout for early voting continued to be strong in Randolph County.

NC goes wild for the zoo

The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro reported major increases in attendance.

Not only that, but an announcement was made about the addition of a new Asia exhibit at the zoo. That will involve a 10-acre expansion within a few years.

Zoo officials announced that for the fiscal year ending June 30 that the zoo had more than 1 million visitors. That set a record for a 12-month period.

Technology updates

Making rural areas in the county more up-to-date has been on the radar of county commissioners, and progress has been reported in that area.

For instance, several communities in the county should bene-

Group files lawsuit against Governor’s School following controversial firing

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A lawsuit has been filed in Wake County against the state’s prestigious Governor’s School by the Alliance for Defending Freedom on behalf of English professor Dr. David Phillips following his “mid-session” termination in 2021.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is a non-profit based in Arizona. ADF describes itself as the “world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights.”

The North Carolina Governor’s School is a summer residential program lasting four weeks for “gifted and talented high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses.” Its operations are overseen by officials with the N.C. Department of Pub -

lic Instruction, N.C. Governor’s School Coordinator Rodney Allen, and Director Office of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education Sneha Shah-Coltrane.

According to the lawsuit, Phillips’ firing came after he spoke out about “the harms of the racially divisive ideology embraced by the school.”

The case summary says Phillips had spoken out against the school’s “increasing adoption of critical theory, an ideology that views everyone and everything through the lens of characteristics like race, sex, and religion, labeling people as perpetual oppressors or victims based on group membership alone.”

“After Dr. Phillips delivered three optional seminars critiquing critical theory and the increasing bias and lack of viewpoint diversity in higher education, North Carolina public school officials fired him mid-session without any explanation,” the summary says.

Phillips had taught at the Governor’s School for eight years, as well as teaching English at Wake Tech and Guilford Community Colleges. In the lawsuit, Phillips also asserts there was “no appeal or other recourse” offered following his firing.

“In an academic environment committed to exploring a wide

“In an academic environment committed to exploring a wide range of differing viewpoints, as the Governor’s School claims to be, no teacher should be fired for offering a reasoned critique of critical theory. But that’s what happened to Dr. Phillips.”

ADF Senior Counsel Hal Frampton

AP PHOTO

The 2023 New Year’s Eve numerals are displayed in Times Square, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in New York. The numerals will be placed atop One Times Square, completing the “2023” sign that will light up at midnight on Jan. 1, 2023.

OPINION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | DENNIS PRAGER

Will secular conservatives have conservative grandchildren?

SECULAR CONSERVATIVES have done, and continue to do, great work on behalf of America, liberty and conservatism in general.

But they will not likely have conservative grandchildren — and many will not have conservative children.

I know this because I speak with hundreds of conservatives a year in person and on the radio.

I routinely ask these people these questions:

“How many children do you have?”

After they give me a number, I ask:

“With regard to their holding your conservative values, what’s your batting average?”

On some occasions the answer is “I’m batting a thousand,” but that is the rarest response. Usually, conservative parents have at least one child who has become a leftist — not a liberal, mind you, but a leftist.

To be completely honest, though less common, this is often also true of religious conservatives. Many religious parents have seen at least one child not only reject religion, but conservatism as well.

I will never forget a man who cruised with me years ago on one of my annual listener cruises. He was a successful businessman and a pastor of a church. He told me that he had three sons, each of whom had doctorates — one from Yale, one from Princeton and one from Stanford.

“And they are all leftists,” he sighed.

All three had chosen the values of the university over religious and conservative values.

The great tragedy of American life since World War II is that many Americans failed to explain American values to their children. As I have said since I began lecturing in my early 20s, the World War II generation decided to give my generation — the so-called “baby boomers” — “everything they didn’t have” — such as material comforts, financial security and a college education. And they largely succeeded. The problem is that they failed to give them everything they did have — such as a love of country, commitment to liberty, self-discipline, religion, etc.

The same problem held true among Christians

and Jews. Most Christians failed to explain Christianity to their children and most Jews failed to explain Judaism to theirs.

Secular conservatives see what is happening to some of their children and to many of their friends’ children, yet few draw the conclusion that abandoning God and Judeo-Christian values might be a major factor in these children’s alienation from conservativism.

But it surely is.

God is one of the three components of the American value system. As expressed on every American coin and banknote, those three components are “In God We Trust,” “Liberty” and “E Pluribus Unum” (“From Many One”). And as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, our rights come from the Creator. The notion that the Founders sought to found a secular, let alone a godless, society has no truth. It is true that many of the Founders did not hold specifically Christian theological beliefs. But they believed in God, and they believed America could not succeed without a God-centered and Bible-revering population.

In other words, American conservatism is incompatible with a secular worldview.

Furthermore, secular conservativism doesn’t work. As we saw during the lockdowns and see every day regarding, for example, woke attacks on “binary” sexuality, it is disproportionately religious Americans who hold and fight for conservative values.

It is true that religious Jews and Christians were a disappointment during lockdowns. That most rabbis, priests and ministers closed their synagogues and churches in obedience to irrational secular authority is reason for weeping.

Nevertheless, whatever challenges there were to irrational authority almost all came from religious institutions.

The same holds true for challenges to the premature sexualization of children taking place in American elementary schools and challenges to the nihilistic claims that there are more than two sexes (or “genders”) and that there is no objective

definition to “man” or “woman.”

Such challenges come overwhelmingly from religious America. Conversely, the nihilism comes almost exclusively from secular America.

In sum, it is hard enough for religious conservatives to keep their children and grandchildren conservative. It is far harder for secular conservatives to do so.

I am well aware that many secular conservatives are convinced that they cannot believe in or practice any religion.

To these people, I say: So what?

Once you realize that America’s future depends on Americans affirming “In God We Trust” just as much as they affirm “Liberty” and “E Pluribus Unum,” you have to work on taking God and some religious expression seriously. You should emulate parents who are tone deaf who nevertheless give their children piano lessons.

“Fake it till you make it” is one of the many great insights of 12-step programs. The rule applies to everything good that does not come naturally.

Find a clergyman who shares your values and regularly take your child (or grandchild) to religious services.

Study the Bible with your child or grandchild on a regular basis. Lincoln rarely attended church, but he read the Bible every day. If you need a rational approach to God and the Bible, I suggest beginning with any of my three volumes of Bible commentary, “The Rational Bible.”

Say a blessing before each meal. Even if you’re secular, that shouldn’t be too difficult.

I promise you that whatever discomfort you experience acting religious pales in comparison to the discomfort you will experience if your child or grandchild ends up woke.

Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His commentary on Deuteronomy, the third volume of “The Rational Bible,” his five-volume commentary on the first five books of the Bible, was published in October. He is the co-founder of Prager University.

HARSANYI

Abortion is not a Jewish sacrament

“OUR JEWISH BROTHERS AND SISTERS,” squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explained during a recent rant, “are able to have an abortion according to their faith.” Many religions, the congresswoman goes on, do not share the “fundamentalist Christian” definition of life. They too have a right to exercise their faith, and to stand in their way is “authoritarian” and “theocratic.”

These days, science conforms to our politics rather than the other way around.

Ocasio-Cortez is a perfect straw man for this piece because she completely misunderstands not only the Jewish position on abortion but religious freedom, as well.

For one thing, does AOC, who is purportedly Catholic, believe that Pope Francis — who, like every pontiff in history, views abortion as “murder” — is a “Christian fundamentalist”? Perhaps. Until about five minutes ago, even science lovers believed life began at conception. The abortion debate revolved around the ethical question of when life was worth protecting.

These days, science conforms to our politics rather than the other way around. Increasingly, people demand faith do the same. And perhaps the most contemptible achievement of many progressive Jewish groups isn’t that they have cynically trashed a 3,000-year tradition, but that they’ve convinced millions of Americans that radical cultural leftism is synonymous with Judaism.

Nonetheless, AOC’s Jewish brothers and sisters have no genuine theological case to make for abortion on demand as a sacrament. The congresswoman probably got the idea from the Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor — adherents of “cosmic” Judaism, an “all-inclusive, universal, and rational

approach” to faith. The temple recently filed a suit that makes the preposterous claim that Florida’s 15week abortion restriction “prohibits Jewish women from practicing their faith free of government intrusion and this violates their privacy rights and religious freedom.” Three political activists in Kentucky filed similar lawsuits contending that state law infringes on their religious freedom by imposing a “Christian understanding” of life.

Now, I’m not a rabbi, but I feel slightly more qualified to comment on the Jewish faith than Ocasio-Cortez — and, while we’re at it, the “rabbi” of any cosmic shul. It would be misleading to assert that Jews adhere to the “pro-life” position in the way many Evangelicals or Catholics do. But it would be far less misleading than calling the Jewish traditional view on abortion “pro-choice” — a position that, in its contemporary meaning, means on demand throughout nine months for any reason.

The Orthodox Union’s diplomatic reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade is that it is “unable to either mourn or celebrate the news reports of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade” because it does not support “absolute bans on abortion — at any time point in a pregnancy — that would not allow access to abortion in lifesaving situations” or support legislation that does not limit abortion to “situations in which medical (including mental health) professionals affirm that carrying the pregnancy to term poses real risk to the life of the mother.”

Neither the laws of Florida nor Kentucky — nor any state, for that matter — denies abortions for pregnancies that pose a real risk to the life of the

mother. In any situation where abortion is required by Jewish law, it remains legal. Of course, even if we conceded for the sake of argument that the Jewish faith allows for abortion as means of birth control, as AOC suggests, it is certainly not a sin to avoid getting one nor is it a mitzvah or a sacrament to seek one out. Abortion laws do not intrude on anyone’s religious freedom.

With Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court threw abortion back into the democratic process. Americans can now vote on the issue using any moral calculus they desire. Some might turn to Malthus or Marx for moral guidance. Others to Christ. But voting based on your beliefs is not theocratic. A theocratic policy entails things like state-imposed religious tests for office or a state-endorsed church or the state compelling people to praise church doctrine. Try imagining a florist or baker being compelled by the government to create speech that undermines their beliefs. Something like that.

Indeed, Judaism stresses the preservation and celebration of life. Nothing about the contemporary leftist position on abortion — an inherent “right,” not merely used in rare instances when a pregnancy imperils a life, but whenever, and for any reason, a person demands — aligns with that tradition or culture.

David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist. Harsanyi is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of five books — the most recent, “Eurotrash: Why America Must Reject the Failed Ideas of a Dying Continent.”

I promise you that whatever discomfort you experience acting religious pales in comparison to the discomfort you will experience if your child or grandchild ends up woke.

COLUMN | DAVID

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA Warriors’ Curry out 2 more weeks with left shoulder

injury

San Francisco

Reigning NBA Finals MVP Stephen Curry will miss at least two more weeks for Golden State as he recovers from a partial dislocation of the left shoulder he suffered Dec. 14 in a game at Indiana. The 34-yearold Curry, who is averaging 30.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists, has missed the past six games for the defending champions. The Warriors said Saturday he was reevaluated and is making good progress, with another exam scheduled in two weeks.

MMA UFC Hall of Famer

Stephan Bonnar dead at age 45

Las Vegas

UFC says former fighter Stephan Bonnar, who played a significant role in the UFC’s growth into the dominant promotion in mixed martial arts, has died. The UFC Hall of Famer was 45. UFC announced in a statement that Bonnar died last Thursday from “presumed heart complications while at work.” He was a contestant in 2005 on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC’s long-running reality competition show. Bonnar reached the competition’s finale, where he had a bloody brawl with Forrest Griffin. Griffin won the decision, but the viral attention gained by the bout is widely credited with exposing the littleknown sport to a larger worldwide audience online and on Spike TV, which broadcast it. Bonnar hadn’t fought in the UFC since 2014.

Ex-Clemson QB

Uiagalelei transferring to Oregon State

Clemson, South Carolina Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei says he’s transferring from Clemson to Oregon State. Uiagalelei entered the transfer portal two weeks ago after an up-and-down two seasons as Clemson’s starter. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Uiagalelei announced his decision in a tweet that said “Next stop ... Corvallis” and included a picture showing himself in a Beavers uniform. Over 35 games in three seasons for Clemson, he threw for 5,681 yards and 36 touchdowns with a 59.8% completion rate and 17 interceptions.

SOCCER

Kevin Payne, former executive for 2 MLS teams,

dies

New York

Kevin Payne, who was an executive with two Major League Soccer teams and was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2021, has died. He was 69. U.S. Soccer, MLS and D.C. United, which won four MLS titles and two U.S. Open Cups during Payne’s tenure, put out statements confirming his death. The Washington Post reported that Payne died in Charleston, South Carolina, from a lung illness. Payne was president and general manager of D.C. United and then president and CEO of the team.

Panthers sign Josh Norman to practice squad

By Steve Reed The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers have signed 35-year-old cornerback Josh Norman to the practice squad because starter Jaycee Horn’s status for Sunday’s crucial game against the Tampa Bay

Buccaneers is up in the air. Horn broke his left wrist in Carolina’s 37-23 win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday and will have surgery Tuesday, interim coach Steve Wilks said. Wilks said it has yet to be determined if Horn will be able to play with a club on his arm or if he is done for the remainder of the season.

The Panthers signed Norman, who used to play for Carolina, to the practice squad with the intention of him playing Sunday against

the Bucs. If Horn is out, Norman will back up Keith Taylor at cornerback.

“He has experience in this league and he brings veteran leadership and, most importantly, he possesses our DNA,” Wilks said of Norman. “I know him personally and he played for me. He understands the culture we are trying to create here and the level of play we are looking for.”

Norman spent four seasons in Carolina (2012-15), helping the Panthers reach the Super Bowl in his final season while earning All-Pro honors. But after initially placing the franchise tag on Norman following the 2015 season, then-general manager Dave Gettleman abruptly rescinded the offer.

Norman went on to sign a fiveyear, $75 million free agent contract with Washington, where he spent five seasons. He also had a season in Buffalo and San Francisco, starting 14 games last season

with the 49ers and forcing a career-high seven fumbles. Norman has not played this season.

“I think it is a great replacement,” said linebacker Shaq Thompson, who was teammates with Norman in 2015. “He brings a veteran presence. And he’s been in big-time moments who has been in big-time games who knows how to play in big games. He knows how to play under pressure and it is good to see him here and good to have him back here in these colors.”

The Panthers (6-9) trail the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) by a game in the NFC South, but still control their own destiny because of head-to-head tiebreakers.

If Carolina beats Tampa Bay and New Orleans to close the season, it will secure its first division title since 2015 despite having a losing record. If the Panthers lose Sunday, their division title hopes are over. The Panthers held Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in a check in a 21-3 win earlier this season.

KATHY WHITWORTH set a benchmark in golf no one has ever touched, whether it was Sam Snead or Tiger Woods, Mickey Wright or Annika Sorenstam. Her 88 victories are the most by any player on a single professional tour.

Whitworth, whose LPGA Tour victories spanned nearly a quarter-century and who became the first woman to earn $1 million for her career on the LPGA, died on Christmas Eve, her longtime partner said. She was 83.

Bettye Odle did not disclose a cause of death, saying only that Whitworth died suddenly Saturday night while celebrating with family and friends.

“Kathy left this world the way she lived her life — loving, laugh and creating memories,” Odle said in a statement released by the LPGA Tour.

Whitworth won the first of her 88 titles in the Kelly Girls Opens in July 1962. She won six majors during her career and broke Mickey Wright’s record of 82 career wins when Whitworth captured the Lady Michelob in the summer of 1982.

Her final victory came in 1985 at the United Virginia Bank Classic.

“Winning never got old,” Whitworth once said.

All that was missing from her career was the U.S. Women’s Open, the biggest of the women’s majors. Upon being the first woman to surpass $1 million in career earnings in 1981, she said, “I would have swapped being the first to make a

million for winning the Open, but it was a consolation which took some of the sting out of not winning.”

Sorenstam referred to her on Twitter as the LPGA’s all-time victory leader and a “total class act” who will be dearly missed.

“Thanks for setting the bar so high, Kathy,” she wrote.

Whitworth was the AP Female Athlete of the Year in 1965 and in 1967, when she easily beat out Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King. Whitworth was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1982.

She was the LPGA player of the year seven times in an eight-year span (1966 through 1973). She won the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average seven times and she

was the leading money winner in eight seasons.

But she was identified by one number — 88.

Snead was credited with a record 82 wins on the PGA Tour, a total Woods has since matched.

Wright won 82 times on the LPGA

Tour, while Sorenstam had 72 wins when she retired after the 2006 season at age 36.

Whitworth, winningest golfer in history, dies at 83 88

“I think Mickey had the best swing, and was probably the greatest golfer,” Betsy Rawls once told Golf Digest. “But Kathy was the best player of the game that I have ever seen.”

Whitworth was born in Monahans, a small West Texas town, and learned to play golf in New Mexico. She started at age 15 in Jal, New Mexico, on the nine-hole course built for the El Paso Natural Gas employees.

She soon was a two-time winner of the New Mexico State Amateur. After briefly attending Odessa (Texas) College, she turned pro at age 19 and joined the LPGA Tour in December 1958.

Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn is questionable after having wrist surgery

The six-time major winner won her first and last tournament 20 years apart

The Associated Press

CARLOS ORTIZ | DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE VIA AP

Kathy Whitworth responds to the crowd as she prepares to tee off during the 2006 Tournament of Champions in Pittsford, New York. Whitworth, whose 88 victories are the most by any golfer on a single professional tour, died on Saturday at age 83.

PHELAN M. EBENHACK | AP PHOTO

The Panthers signed former cornerback Josh Norman, pictured in 2015, to their practice squad.

Kathy

Career LPGA victories for Kathy Whitworth, the most of any golfer on any single pro tour

Area hoops teams show big progress

RAMSEUR — The week before Christmas was relatively light for area teams and athletes, but there were some notable achievements anyway.

There was more high-scoring basketball action involving Eastern Randolph.

This time, a chunk of that was on the girls’ side, with Brecken Snotherly pouring in 35 points as the Wildcats defeated visiting Burlington Williams 58-50.

On the boys’ side, Eastern Randolph rang up another big point total with an 84-66 home triumph against Burlington Williams. That pushed the Wildcats to a 7-1 record, with four of the victories coming when they exceeded the

80-point mark.

A season ago, Eastern Randolph won eight total games.

Randleman’s boys entered this week with a 7-4 record, also one victory shy of last season’s victory total.

Dominic Payne racked up 26 points as Trinity trounced visiting West Davidson 76-38 in boys’ basketball. The Bulldogs carried a 10-2 record in this week’s holiday tournament games.

Wheatmore’s Riley Strickland posted 26 points in the Warriors’ 62-40 victory at East Davidson in boys’ basketball.

Southwestern Randolph’s Maddie Small scored 20 points in a 4842 victory at Chatham Central in girls’ basketball.

In boys’ basketball, Sean Atkins

had nearly half of Southwestern Randolph’s points, but the Cougars lost a 47-46 decision at Chatham Central despite his 22 points.

Wrestling

At Ronda, Asheboro won four of five meets in the East Wilkes Foothill Duals on Dec. 17.

The Blue Comets defeated Reagan 51-18, Corvian Community School 66-12, East Wilkes 43-23 and, Wilkes Central 48-36. The Blue Comets fell 39-37 to Starmount.

Xavier Santos (120, 126), Diego Gutierrez (126, 132), and Michael Brady (182) all won five matches for Asheboro. Teammates Bearik Bigelow (106) and Eddie Soto (220) were among the four-time winners.

In last week’s Mallard Creek’s Elizabeth Barry Memorial Tournament, Trinity placed third behind Mooresville and Bandys in the team standings. Edgar Vasquez Mora had the top finish for Trinity with a second-place spot at 106. Levi Dennis was third at 126.

Salem Lee

Asheboro, girls’ basketball

Lee has been a golfer competing at the state level, but she’s also one of the top basketball players for the Blue Comets girls’ team.

The senior forward scored a team-high 16 points last week when Asheboro topped visiting Thomasville 60-9. That outcome snapped a sevengame losing streak for the Blue Comets.

Lee has been the team’s top producer in terms of assists and blocked shots. She also has been the Asheboro leader in field goal percentage.

Asheboro is trying to return to prominence after playing in the Class 3-A state championship game in 2021. The Blue Comets are under the direction of first-year coach Mike Headen.

Championships help define 2022 for county sports

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

HERE’S A RECAP of notable Randolph County-related sports stories for 2022:

Asheboro’s summer collegiate baseball team undergoes a rebranding that includes a name change. The new name is the Asheboro ZooKeepers in a switch from Asheboro Copperheads.

Randleman’s girls’ basketball team goes through an undefeated regular season and completes a 25-1 season. The lone loss came in the Class 2-A West Region semifinals to Shelby.

David Makupson of Trinity captures a state championship in Class 2-A wrestling at 138 pounds to cap a remarkable high school career. Uwharrie Charter Academy underclassmen Aldo Hernandez (132 pounds) and Grayson Roberts (160 pounds) are Class 1-A state titlists.

Also, UCA reaches the Class 1-A dual team state final, where it lost to Avery County in Greensboro.

Steve Luck leaves his position as athletics director at Asheboro High School. Later in the year,

Left, Summer Bowman of Wheatmore reacts after scoring a goal against Clinton in the Class 2-A state championship game.

Right, Randolph County Post 45’s Tyler Parks slides home during an American Legion Southeast Regional game vs. Rock Hill, S.C., in Asheboro. It was one of the games at McCrary Park, where a new field surface was in place this year. Parks is a Southwestern Randolph standout.

he

Wheatmore’s girls’

a

a 25-0-0 record that culminates in a Class 2-A state championship. The Warriors defeat Clinton 4-1 in the title game in Cary.

Randleman’s baseball team repeats as Class 2-A state champion with a dominating regular season and postseason. The Tigers are stocked with college prospects and churn out a 33-1 record, sweeping Whiteville in the bestof-3 state finals in Burlington.

McCrary Park undergoes numerous changes at the beginning of a massive renovation project for the baseball facility in Asheboro. The project is off schedule causing Asheboro High School to play at an alternate site and the Asheboro ZooKeepers to begin the season with extra road games.

Off the field, there are changes announced after the 2022 season, including Melissa Godwin joining the club as general manager for the Coastal Plain League team, which is a summer circuit for college players.

Randleman catcher Brooks Brannon is a ninth-round draft choice of the Boston Red Sox. So, he steps away from a baseball scholarship at North Carolina to launch a professional career.

American Legion baseball is a hot summer topic.

Eastern Randolph Post 81 has a breakthrough season and emerges as a contender in Area 3. Ran-

dolph County Post 45 is the host team for the Southeast Regional, but its bid to reach the national tournament is foiled on the second-to-last day of the regional tournament, so the club finishes with a 31-13 record.

Asheboro’s boys’ soccer program has unprecedented success but falls one victory shy of reaching the Class 3-A state championship game. The Blue Comets post a 23-2-2 record.

Eastern Randolph’s football team goes undefeated in the PAC for the second year in a row. The Wildcats reach the Class 1-A West Region semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Mount Airy.

Tot Hill Farm Golf Club in Asheboro is sold from its original ownership group to a man who runs courses in the Charleston, S.C., area.

Football coach Calvin Brown directs Providence Grove to another winning season. That includes the school’s first-ever football victory in the state playoffs by winning at McMichael. Weeks later, Brown accepts the coaching position at Asheboro High School.

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL Salem Lee of Asheboro goes up for a shot last week against Thomasville.

Randolph Record

becomes commissioner for the Mid-Piedmont Conference.

Eastern Randolph’s Connor Carter is the Class 1-A state runner-up in Class 1-A boys’ golf.

Providence Grove’s softball team racks up an incredible season, going all the way to the Class

2-A West Region’s fourth round before suffering a defeat. The Patriots finish with a 24-1 record.

soccer team turns in

perfect season with

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL Southwestern Randolph senior center Landon Williamson battles between Chatham Central’s Jacob Gilliland, left, and Aiden Johnson during last week’s game.

PHOTOS BY PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Randleman’s girls’ basketball team under the direction of coach Brandon Varner had a stellar season a year ago and the Tigers are off to another strong start this season.

Kari Lake loses suit over her defeat in Arizona governor’s race

By Jacques Billeaud The Associated Press

PHOENIX — A judge has thrown out Republican Kari Lake’s challenge of her defeat in the Arizona governor’s race to Democrat Katie Hobbs, rejecting her claim that problems with ballot printers at some polling places on Election Day were the result of intentional misconduct.

In a decision Saturday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Peter Thompson, who was appointed by former Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, found that the court did not find clear and convincing evidence of the widespread misconduct that Lake had alleged had affected the result of the 2022 general election. Lake will appeal the ruling, she said in a statement.

The judge said Lake’s witnesses didn’t have any personal knowledge of intentional misconduct.

“The Court cannot accept speculation or conjecture in place of clear and convincing evidence,” Thompson said.

Lake, who lost to Hobbs by just over 17,000 votes, was among the most vocal 2022 Republicans promoting former President Donald Trump’s election concerns, which she made the centerpiece of her campaign. While most of the other

election deniers around the country conceded after losing their races in November, Lake has not. Instead, she asked the judge to either declare her the winner or order a revote in Maricopa County, home to more than 60% of Arizona’s voters.

In the ruling, the judge acknowledged the “anger and frustration” of voters who were inconvenienced in the election and noted that setting aside the results of an election “has never been

done in the history of the United States.”

“But this Court’s duty is not solely to incline an ear to public outcry,” the judge continued. “It is to subject Plaintiff’s claims and Defendants’ actions to the light of the courtroom and scrutiny of the law.”

Lawyers for Lake focused on problems with ballot printers at some polling places in Maricopa County. The defective printers produced ballots that were too

light to be read by the on-site tabulators at polling places. Lines backed up in some areas amid the confusion.

County officials say everyone had a chance to vote and all ballots were counted, since ballots affected by the printers were taken to more sophisticated counters at the elections department headquarters. They are in the process of investigating the root cause of the printer problems.

Lake’s attorneys also claimed the chain of custody for ballots was broken at an off-site facility, where a contractor scans mail ballots to prepare them for processing. They claimed workers at the facility put their own mail ballots into the pile, rather than sending their ballots through normal channels, and also that paperwork documenting the transfer of ballots was missing. The county disputes the claim.

Lake faced extremely long odds in her challenge, needing to prove not only that misconduct occurred, but also that it was intended to deny her victory and did in fact result in the wrong woman being declared the winner.

Her attorneys pointed to a witness who examined ballots on behalf of her campaign and discovered 14 ballots that had 19-inch images of the ballot printed on

20-inch paper, meaning the ballots wouldn’t be read by a tabulator. The witness insisted someone changed those printer configurations, a claim disputed by elections officials.

County officials say the ballot images were slightly smaller as a result of a shrink-to-fit feature being selected on a printer by a tech employee who was looking for solutions to Election Day issues. They say about 1,200 ballots were affected by turning on the feature and that those ballots were duplicated so that they could be read by a tabulator. Ultimately, these ballots were counted, officials said.

A person who takes public opinion polls testified on behalf of Lake, claiming technical problems at polling places had disenfranchised enough voters that it would have changed the outcome of the race in Lake’s favor. But an expert who was called to testify by election officials said there was no evidence to back up the pollster’s claim that 25,000 to 40,000 people who would normally have voted actually didn’t cast ballots as a result of Election Day problems.

Thompson had previously dismissed eight of the 10 claims Lake raised in her lawsuit. Among those was Lake’s allegation that Hobbs, in her capacity as secretary of state, and Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer engaged in censorship by flagging social media posts with election misinformation for possible removal by Twitter. He also dismissed her claims of discrimination against Republicans and that mail-in voting procedures are illegal.

Hobbs takes office as governor on Jan. 2.

Feds order review of power-grid security after attacks

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal regulators ordered a review of security standards at the nation’s far-flung electricity transmission network, following multiple attacks shootings at electric substations in North Carolina and Washington state that damaged equipment and caused tens of thousands of customers to lose power.

The order by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission directs officials to study the effectiveness of existing reliability standards for the physical security of the nation’s power grid and determine whether they need to be improved.

“The security and reliability of the nation’s electric grid is one of FERC’s top priorities,” FERC Chairman Richard Glick said at a recent commission meeting.

“In light of the increasing number of recent reports of physical attacks on our nation’s infrastructure, it is important that we fully and clearly review the effectiveness of our existing physical security standard to determine whether additional improvements are necessary to safeguard the bulk power system,’’ Glick said.

The order comes less than two weeks after one or more people drove up to two substations in central North Carolina, breached the gates and opened fire on them.

Outages began shortly after the Dec. 3 nighttime attack and lasted

several days before powers was restored to almost all households in Moore County four days later.

Even as power was restored, Duke Energy Corp., which owns the two North Carolina substations, reported gunfire Dec. 7 near another Duke facility in South Carolina. Law enforcement officials say they have found no evidence linking incidents in the two states, although multiple state and federal agencies continue to investigate.

At least four electrical substations have been targeted in separate attacks in Oregon and Washington state since November, most recently a fourth electrical substation was vandalized late on Christmas Day in Washington state.

The suspects broke into a fenced area and vandalized equipment, causing a fire, officials said. The fire was extinguished and power was later restored, but no suspects are in custody, officials said.

Grid security experts have said the attacks demonstrate anew the vulnerability of the nation’s electric grid, which includes more than 50,000 substations and more than 700,000 miles of transmission lines.

Power transformers are highly visible in thousands of sites across the country and “are really vulnerable — sometimes to a drunk with a gun and an attitude,’’ said FERC commissioner Mark Christie. “We

have a lot of incidents of that. That’s not unusual. The substations are a different ballgame.’’

He called the North Carolina attack “sophisticated” and noted that it caused outages for more than 40,000 people.

While officials are likely to recommend changes such as high-definition cameras, 24-hour surveillance or opaque walls, “How are we going to pay for all the upgrades?’’ asked Christie, a Republican who has served on the panel since 2020.

The bipartisan infrastructure law includes as much as $15 billion for power grid upgrades and resilience, and Christie said he hopes some of the money is used for “deferring some of the cost of the hardening that we know is going to take place’’ as a result of the recent attacks.

“I hope this does not flow through to ratepayers,’’ he said.

Glick, a Democrat, told reporters after the meeting that while he is always concerned about costs: “How concerned are you about the cost when the power goes out? Would you rather pay now or later?’’

FERC approved a physical security reliability standard in 2014 following a still-unsolved attack on a major substation in California. The new order gives the North American Electric Reliability Corporation 120 days to submit a report on the current standard and recommend possible changes.

AP PHOTO

Kari Lake, Arizona Republican candidate for governor, speaks to supporters at the Republican watch party in Scottsdale, Ariz., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022.

AP PHOTO

Workers with Randolph Electric Membership Corporation work to repair the Eastwood Substation in West End, Dec. 6, 2022.

obituaries

Bobby Gene Hall

April 17, 1938 — December 25, 2022

Bobby Gene Hall, 85, passed at home on December 25, 2022. He was born on April 17, 1938 in Harlan County to his parents Hillard and Clementine Vanover Hall.

Bobby was a proud veteran, where he served in the US Coast Guard from 1958-1962. After his time in service he became a proud member of the Randolph County Honor Guard. Bobby loved his wife Rita, all of his children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and family. He enjoyed watching hockey, racing, and wrestling. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Kenneth and Matthew Hall, and sister Lenora Short.

Bobby is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Rita Poirier Hall, 4 sons Jeffrey Hall (Lisa), Bobby Hall (Wendy), Ron Hall (Fiancé, Shirley Knowles), and Donald Hall; 5 grandsons, and 4 granddaughters, and 11 greatgrandchildren, and sister Joyce “Lynda” Miller (Arthur).

Donald Ray Hudson

October 9, 1932 — December 23, 2022

Donald “Ray” Hudson, Sr. of Randleman passed away at his home December 23, 2022 at the age of 90. He was born October 9, 1932 to Rufus and Florence Stagg Hudson.

Ray served in the U.S. Army (Korean War) from 1953-1955 and was stationed in Austria. He also played football and baseball for Randleman High School and was later inducted to the Hall of Fame. He later played baseball for High Point University, The American Legion, Deep River League, Pfeiffer College and the McCrary Eagles. He was predeceased by his parents Rufus and Florence Hudson, brothers Charlie Hudson and Abbie Hudson and sisters Mary Hudson, Pauline Hudson, Grace Hudson, Pearl Allred , Elsie Hudson, Ruth Crater and Jean Taylor and several nieces and nephews.

Ray is survived by his wife of 65 years, Louise Tingen Hudson, his children D. Ray Hudson, Jr. and wife Cindy, Wendy H. Whatley and husband Danny, Greta L. Hudson and Ellen H. Pyrtle and husband Scott all from Randleman. Grandchildren, Erica Ellington of Randleman, Ethan Ellington of Reno, NV, Kelsey Whatley, Brooklyn, NY Austin Whatley and wife Morgan of Bennett, NC and Travis Hudson and wife Jill of Browns Summit and great grandchildren Austin Weatherhead and Raven Hudson.

John Dewey Holt

November 13, 1935 — December 22, 2022

John “Dewey” Holt, 87, of Pleasant Garden passed away at his home on Thursday, December 22, 2022.

He was born on November 13, 1935 to John Henry and Ruby Edwards Holt. He was originally from Lillington, NC then moved to Liberty. He was a graduate of Liberty High School, Class of 1954. He also attended NC State University and served in the National Guard.

Dewey was a faithful member of Jamestown United Methodist Church for many years, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, Stephen Minister and participated in several bible studies. He loved to fish, hunt and camp/travel with his family and friends. Following in his father’s footsteps, he worked as an electrician for all his life. He worked for Bryant Electric for 26 years then worked for TCD (Traffic Control Devices) where he retired from after 24 years of service. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 60 years, Rachel “Tootie” Holt and his K-9 companion, Sir Watford, aka-Wally.

Dewey is survived by his son John Holt (Christie), and granddaughter Allyson Holt.

Betty Louise Miller

October 11, 1932 — December 22, 2022

Betty Louise Miller, age 90, died Thursday December 22, 2022, at the Randolph Hospice House.

Betty was born October 11, 1932, to Elmer and Eugenia Pike Miller who preceded her in death.

Betty was a graduate of Asheboro High School, and she worked until retirement as an office manager for Dr. James Rich. Betty was a member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Lexington, NC.

She enjoyed traveling with friends and attending concerts and plays. When she was at home, she spent time watching movies and reading English mysteries and other books. She brightened the lives of family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Gwendolyn "Gwen" Gardner Millikan

January 5, 1958 — December 22, 2022

Gwendolyn "Gwen" Gardner Millikan, age 64, of Asheboro passed away on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at her home. Mrs. Millikan was born in Randolph County on January 5, 1958 to Charles Hoyle and Iris Hill Gardner. Gwen was a 1976 graduate of Asheboro High School and a graduate of Asheboro Beauty School. She was a member of First Christian Church of Ramseur. Gwen was formerly employed as a hairdresser, worked at Belk for 13 years, and was formerly employed with several banks in the area, including First Southern, RBC, Wachovia, and Capital Bank. In addition to her parents, Gwen was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Douglas Marshall. Gwen loved her nieces and nephews, going to the beach, shopping, her home, and cooking. She is survived by her husband, Mike Millikan; sister, Brenda Marshall; niece, Amy Vestal (Mike); mother-in-law, Lurlene Story Millikan; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bobby Millikan, Lorine Cook (Terry), Susan Delk (David), Jamie Albright (Stuart), and Eddie Millikan; several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

George Elwood Clark

September 8, 1946 — December 19, 2022

George Elwood Clark, 76, passed away on Monday, December 19, 2022, at his home in Seagrove.

November 20, 1939 — December 24, 2022

Darrell Brent Lewis, 83, passed peacefully Friday, Dec. 24, 2022, at his home, Asheboro.

Born Nov. 20, 1939, in West Jefferson, he was a son of the late John Everette Lewis and Edna Harless Lewis. He was educated in North Carolina and Pennsylvania schools.

Darrell received a Horticulture degree from Pennsylvania State University. He was drafted and served two years in the U.S. Army. Darrell was Vice President of J. Franklin Styer Nurseries, Concordville PA and later Owner/ President of Styer’s Wholesale Nursery, West Grove, PA. Upon relocation to North Carolina and worked at Broyhill Nursery, Lenior and Green Thumb Nursery, Ether.

Darrell was a Rotarian and a Phil Harris Fellow, and active with Asheboro Kiwanis until his declining health. He had a servant heart for missions and participated and organized numerous mission trips, served as Region 5 Leader for North Carolina Men’s Disaster Relief and team leader for Randolph County Ramp Building for many years.

He was an active member at First Baptist where he served on numerous committees and his favorite areas were driving the church bus for senior trips, building and grounds chairman, working at mid-week dinners, singing with Joyful Singers and assisting wherever he was needed.

Darrell was a man of many interests—loved roller skating, square dancing, horseback riding, golf, played trombone, loved gospel music, and his perfect evening was home fellowship with good food and games.

Left to cherish his memory as his wife Dorothy Davis Lewis; brother, Clarence Herman Lewis and wife Patricia, Summerfield, FL, nephew Kerry Lewis, Orange, CA, niece Cynthia Briggs and husband Ralph, Summerfield FL and Lisa Lewis, Lady Lake, FL. Darrell loved his precious furry daughter Heidi, who will never be the same without his love.

Brieana Danyle Bailey

September 10, 1992 — December 20, 2022

Brieana Danyle Bailey, age 30, of Sophia passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at UNC-Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

Brieana was born in Virginia on September 10, 1992 and was employed with Subway. She was preceded in death by her mother, Drema Bailey and father, Thomas Bailey. Brieana loved music, animals, and her friend, Allison.

She is survived by her 5 sons, Xander, Silas, Averey, Matthew, and Micha; father and stepmother, John and Cynthia Bailey; brothers, John Bailey II, Tyler Bailey, Joshua Bailey, and Jeremy Bailey; sisters, Candace Looney, Misty Bailey, and Joanie Serra; and cousins, Courtney Martin, Brandon Looney, Zachary Forester, Caleb Gainey, and Madison Holloway.

Memorials may be made to the Randolph County Animal Shelter, 1370 County Land Rd., Randleman, NC 27317.

Johnny Needham

February 7, 1952 — December 18, 2022

Laxter Johnny Needham, age 70, went home to be with his Lord on December 18, 2022, at the Siler City Center in Chatham County.

Johnny was born on February 7, 1952, to Charlie Laxter and Helen Inez DeHart Needham.

Johnny was a native of Randolph County, a member of Antioch Baptist Church and a former employee of Pugh Funeral Home. In addition to his parents, Johnny is preceded in death by his wife: Ruby Carol Brewer Needham and his sister: Brenda Callicutt.

He is survived by stepdaughter: Tammy (Chris) Cromer; cousin and caregiver: Patsy (Ronald) Thompson; brother-in-law: Tommy Callicutt, all of Asheboro; grandchildren: Tanya Kaufman, Tesha (Carl) Tracey, Kristen (Leo) Lopez, Lauren Hooker and 14 great-grandchildren.

George was born on September 8, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri, to Adaline Colter and George Edward Clark. He served 10 years in the United States Army Special Forces, but that was not the end of his military career. Mr. Clark also served 22 years in the United States Marine Corps, where he retired as a First Sergeant. He then led a career in the United States Postal Service for 18 years, retiring as postmaster in Concord, North Carolina.

The indigenous mountain people of Vietnam had a special place in George’s heart. He served as president of Save the Montagnard People for the last 26 years. He was a member of the Special Forces Association as well as the Special Operations Association. In addition, he was a member of the 1072 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Assembly, Council 724.

Furthermore, he was a member of the Marine Corps League. Mr. Clark also loved to hunt and fish. He was incredibly outgoing, having never met a stranger. Most importantly, he loved to watch his grandchildren play. He was a proud pawpaw and adored his family.

George is survived by his loving wife of 28 years, Phyllis Haithcock Clark. He is survived by his children: sons, George Edward Clark, Kevin E. (Beth) Clark, Jimmy Clark, daughters, Tera Sue Clark and Bryan Clark, all of MO. Stepdaughter, Hope (Tony) Baxter of Denton, NC, and 14 grandchildren. He is survived by his 96 year old mother, Adaline Colter Clark, also of MO. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Frances Fritz, brothers Pat (Vicky) Clark and Tim (Becky) Clark, all of MO. He is preceded in death by his father.

Samuel Thomas Cagle

November 11, 1930 — December 18, 2022

Samuel Thomas Cagle, age 92, of Asheboro passed away Sunday, December 18, 2022 at Brookdale Senior Living of Asheboro.

Mr. Cagle was born November 11, 1930 in Randolph County to Rassie and Bertha Cagle. He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and was retired from Burlington Industires. Mr. Cagle was a member of First E & R United Church of Christ where he was active in the men's group. There he helped facilitate the church BBQ suppers and helped start the First E & R chicken pie supper along with his wife, Ann and Bill and Pat Essick.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Cagle was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Davis Cagle; grandson, Tyler Chriscoe; sisters, Anna Lewis Coble, Betty Jean Hill, Maxine Cagle Beane; brothers, Everette Cagle and Odell Cagle.

Mr. Cagle is survived by his daughter, Kathy Chriscoe (Roger) of Asheboro; step-son, Ronnie Hiatt (Joyce) of Sophia; grandchildren, Chad Chriscoe of Matthews, Jenny Hardin (Donny) of Trinity; great grandchildren, Hunter Reece Hardin, Grace Marie Chriscoe, Brody Tyler Chriscoe.

Darrell B. Lewis

STATE & NATION

Biden’s bullish 2024 talk does little to tamp down chatter

By Will Weissert The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden toasted a reelection campaign with his French counterpart. He and the Rev. Al Sharpton talked about the prospect during a photo-op. And, for someone who often meanders through his thoughts, Biden has been notably explicit about his political plans.

“Our intention is to run again,” the president told reporters after the November midterms, noting that his family supports another campaign. He said his wife, first lady Jill Biden, has already counseled him not to “walk away” from the “very important” things he’s doing on the job.2

None of that, however, has silenced a Washington parlor game about whether Biden will follow through with a second presidential campaign. The speculation reflects a persistent, though often privately expressed, skepticism among even some of Biden’s allies that the 80-year-old president will ask voters to keep him in the White House until he’s 86.

Biden is expected to discuss the prospect of another campaign with those closest to him when he departs Washington for a Christmas vacation. If he opts for an announcement next year, he would launch a campaign during a time when his approval ratings remain low and inflation is high. The steady easing

of the pandemic, meanwhile, would add pressure on the president to appear in person before large crowds, an environment where he’s sometimes unsteady.

But Biden’s standing inside his party has improved in the aftermath of the midterms, when Democrats kept the Senate and limited Republican gains in the House. He’s long vowed he’s his party’s

best option against former President Donald Trump, who has already announced his third White House campaign. Trump has been blamed for the GOP’s disappointing November losses in states, including Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania, that will be among the most politically competitive territory in 2024.

“I’m not going to abandon a

president who is winning,” former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile said at a recent party meeting.

The White House’s political staff and top Biden allies aren’t waiting for the official go-ahead, already lining up staff and preparing for a 2024 campaign launch next spring. They’re eyeing the end of the first quarter, thus avoiding the period in which raising money often proves most difficult. Such a timeline would follow the lead of President Barack Obama who, with Biden as his vice president, kicked off his 2012 bid for a second White House term in April 2011.

Biden aides and allies chafe at the speculation he may not run again, saying the president should be taken at his word. They note it’s not uncommon for incumbent presidents to delay formally launching their reelection campaigns as long as possible in order to heighten the contrast with their out-of-power rivals jockeying for primary position.

Federal election law requires candidates to register once they raise or spend $5,000 for an election, triggering disclosure requirements and putting some limitations on how they can work with outside groups — actions Biden is likely trying to put off until next year.

Still, filling the political void have been reports that the first lady told French President Emmanuel Macron that she and her husband are ready for a reelection campaign. The remark is reported to have come before the couple joined Macron in a playful 2024 toast during a recent State Dinner.

The White House hasn’t denied the Macron toast and Sharpton says no one from Biden’s political circle contacted him after word

of the pair’s August chat about reelection began breaking. But Sharpton also now says that what actually happened wasn’t as dramatic as the reports it sparked.

No president has voluntarily left the White House after a single, four-year term since Rutherford B. Hayes in 1881. Biden said during the 2020 campaign that he wanted to be a “bridge” to a future generation of Democratic leaders, but he has struck a far differently tone more recently.

The president said his decision wouldn’t be swayed by polls indicating that most Americans don’t want to see him run for reelection. And he offered a message for anyone worried he couldn’t handle the physical rigors of another campaign: “Watch me.”

Despite having run unsuccessfully for the White House twice before his 2020 victory, Biden also is no stranger to prolonged public vacillating over a presidential run. In 2015, he agonized for months over whether to mount a campaign to succeed Obama as he and Jill coped with the death of their 46-year-old son, Beau, from a brain tumor.

Jesse Harris was a senior adviser in Iowa to Biden’s 2020 campaign and was the early vote and get out the vote director for Obama’s 2008 general election campaign. He said that while Biden can be expected to look on Obama’s reelection campaign as a blueprint for things like the timing of his reelection announcement, there won’t be much overlap on strategy.

“I think him being in office and being president, there’s a lot he wants to accomplish,” Harris said of Biden. “I think he’s willing to run and fight to make sure he can get as much done as possible.”

International migration drove US population growth in 2022

By Mike Schneider The Associated Press

THE U.S. POPULATION expanded by 1.2 million people this year, with growth largely driven by international migration, and the nation now has 333.2 million residents, according to estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Net international migration — the number of people moving into the U.S. minus the number of people leaving — was more than 1 million residents from 2021 to 2022. That represented a growth rate of 168% over the previous year’s 376,029 international migrants, with every state gaining residents from abroad, according to the 2022 population estimates.

Natural growth — the number of births minus the number of deaths — added another 245,080 people to the total in what was the first year-over-year increase in total births since 2007.

This year’s U.S. annual growth rate of 0.4% was a rebound of sorts from the 0.1% growth rate during the worst of the pandemic from 2020 to 2021, which was the lowest since the nation’s founding.

“It’s welcome because we would have been back to almost flatline growth if not for this immigration,” said William Frey, a demographer at The Brookings Institution.

Regionally, the Northeast lost almost 219,000 people in a trend largely driven by domestic resi-

dents moving out of New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts, as well as deaths outpacing births in Pennsylvania. The Midwest also lost almost 49,000 residents, driven in part by people moving out of Illinois and deaths outpacing births in Ohio.

The South gained 1.3 million residents, the largest of any region, driven by population gains in Texas and Florida that exceeded 400,000 residents each. Other

But California lost more than 113,000 residents, and had a population just over 39 million in 2022, in what was the biggest an-

nual decline behind New York’s more than 180,000-resident loss. The population decline was driven by more than 343,000 domestic residents moving out of California, and it helped drag down the West region’s population gain to only 153,000 residents.

Despite the overall population loss, California had the largest growth of any state in international residents, just a hair’s breadth ahead of Florida with more than

125,000 people. California also had the second highest natural increase, only trailing Texas. Births outpacing deaths and the international arrivals made California’s population loss smaller than last year, when it dropped by more than 358,000 residents.

Conversely, Florida had the largest natural decrease of any state, with deaths outpacing births by more than 40,000 people. But gains from international migration, as well the addition of more than 318,000 residents from domestic migration, the most in the nation, gave it the highest growth rate of any U.S. state at 1.9%.

The West region in 2022 lost some of its luster as a magnet for domestic migration. Without international migration and a sizeable natural increase from births outpacing deaths, the West region would have lost population due to domestic residents moving out of California, Oregon and Washington. Western hotspots like Utah, Idaho and Montana also had smaller gains than last year.

Some of the slower growth in the West has to do with the pandemic, which led to fewer people moving, and also the increasing cost of living in places once regarded as cheaper alternatives to California, according to Frey.

“There isn’t as much magnetism for those classic magnets for moving out of California,” Frey said.

Puerto Rico lost 40,000 residents, or 1.3% of its population, due to people moving away and deaths outpacing births, and its population now stands at 3.2 million residents.

Southern states like North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee had among the largest growth in numbers in the U.S. Texas, the second most populous state in the U.S., surpassed the 30 million-resident mark, joining California as the only other state in this category.

AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Sept. 6, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

AP PHOTO, FILE

The skyline of downtown Charlotte is seen in this file photo.

COUNTY

Getting ready to celebrate 2023

The 2023 New Year’s Eve numerals are displayed in Times Square, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in New York. The numerals will be placed atop One Times Square, completing the “2023” sign that will light up at midnight on Jan. 1, 2023.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Hoke EC Academic and AU Coordinator completes doctorate program

Dr. Lea Ann Fernandez, the Exception Children’s Academic and Autism Coordinator at Hoke County Public Schools, recently defended her dissertation and earned her Doctorate in Organizational Leadership for Special Education. Dr. Fernandez has been working for Hoke County Schools since 2003.

Congratulations to Hoke County Schools’ newest doctor!

Hoke man faces assault by strangulation charges

Deputies from the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call about a potential domestic abuse case at the 400 block of Cypress Drive last week. Deputies found a 21-year-old female who claimed that she had been strangled by the suspect. Following an investigation by the sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division, Rashid Rhodes, 21, was arrested and charged with one count of assault by strangulation and one count of assault on an individual with a disability. No bond was given to Rhodes by the magistrate. Anyone with additional information regarding this case has been asked to contact Detective McBryde at (910) 875-5111.

Fayetteville man wins $700,000 after buying $10 scratch-off ticket

Stanford Butler recently purchased a life-changing $10 scratch-off ticket from the Short Stop on Bingham Drive in Fayetteville. His $10 Triple 777 ticket won the first $700,000 top prize in a new lottery game, according to an NC Education Lottery press release. Butler arrived at the lottery headquarters last Monday to collect his prize. After paying the required state and federal taxes, he received just over $497,000.

Growing Hoke County boosts plans for schools, infrastructure

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

RAEFORD — As one of the fastest growing counties in the state, Hoke County has been the site for quite a few major developments over the past year.

An area of focus for the Board of Commissioners has been the proper implementation of utility upgrades to the Rockfish community, specifically the sewer system in order to boost its appeal for economic development.

The board of commissioners pledged a little over $2.6 million for the project in which they predict will in turn be able to grow beyond those costs.

Other areas to receive major funding was $846,000 to the City of Raeford for park improvements from the state, $4 million for broadband internet expansion

from the state.

One of the key policy changes in 2022 for Hoke County was the reduction in the property tax rate from $0.75 cents to $0.73 per $100 evaluation.

That potentially could have been one of the key reasons in why county voters decided to reelect the three incumbents – Allen Thomas, Jr., Harry Southerland, and Tony Hunt – to new terms to the Board of Commissioners.

The commissioners voted Thomas to continue as chairman and James Leach installed as vice chairman.

The Hoke County Board of Education, however, saw a sizable shake up in leadership as the three newly elected members – Angela Southerland, Catherine Blue and Ruben Castellon – formed a coalition and elected Southerland and Blue as Chair and Vice-Chair re-

spectively.

A key development for Hoke County Schools was preliminary plans for the new Hoke High School building drafted, moving the county one step closer to raising the overall capacity of the school as well as improving nearly all facilities.

The current state of Hoke High School sees itself well above capacity and the need for upgrades was critical. The new sources of funding should also help to expedite the process towards completion.

The latest Census Bureau estimates put Hoke County’s population over 53,000 in 2022, continuing steady growth in the Sandhills region. Expansions from federal projects around Fort Bragg, such as the new CORE Innovation Center at the Womack Army Medical Center, continues benefit the counties surrounding the massive base.

Group files lawsuit against Governor’s School following controversial firing

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A lawsuit has been filed in Wake County against the state’s prestigious Governor’s School by the Alliance for Defending Freedom on behalf of English professor Dr. David Phillips following his “mid-session” termination in 2021.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is a non-profit based in Arizona. ADF describes itself as the “world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights.”

The North Carolina Governor’s School is a summer residential program lasting four weeks for “gifted and talented high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses.”

Its operations are overseen by officials with the N.C. Department

Summary of the lawsuit

of Public Instruction, N.C. Governor’s School Coordinator Rodney Allen, and Director Office of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education Sneha Shah-Coltrane.

According to the lawsuit, Phillips’ firing came after he spoke out about “the harms of the racially

divisive ideology embraced by the school.”

The case summary says Phillips had spoken out against the school’s “increasing adoption of critical theory, an ideology that views everyone and everything through the lens of characteristics like race, sex, and religion, labeling people as perpetual oppressors or victims based on group membership alone.”

“After Dr. Phillips delivered three optional seminars critiquing critical theory and the increasing bias and lack of viewpoint diversity in higher education, North Carolina public school officials fired him mid-session without any explanation,” the summary says.

Phillips had taught at the Governor’s School for eight years, as well as teaching English at Wake Tech and Guilford Community Colleges. In the lawsuit, Phillips

FBRI Executive Director Lt. Col. (Ret) Stephen

PA-C, USA, said

the new center, “As a former Special Operations Soldier and medical officer, I’ve dedicated my career to finding solutions to the problems that our warfighters and commanders of these units face. Having a physical location at the CORE Innovation Center will allow us to continue to support innovative medical research toward optimizing military human performance through partnering with like-minded organizations on and off of Fort Bragg.”

In downtown Raeford, new restaurants and shops are breathing new life into the city and even drawing visitors from other counties.

The local government entities in Hoke County will continue to be covered by the North State Journal into the new year.

DeLellis,

of

“After Dr. Phillips delivered three optional seminars critiquing critical theory and the increasing bias and lack of viewpoint diversity in higher education, North Carolina public school officials fired him mid-session without any explanation.”

Ringing in a North Carolina new year

By Emmie Brooks North State Journal

RALEIGH — Across the state, towns come together to celebrate the new year every December 31st. Countdowns, ball drops, festivals, and resolutions bring individuals close for this holiday. North Carolina offers numerous ways to celebrate the new year in many different cities; a perfect opportunity for those who are looking for an enjoyable ending to a busy holiday season.

On the Crystal Coast, Morehead City hosts a New Year’s festival featuring two crab pot drops, one earlier in the evening targeted for younger children and families and one at midnight for adults.

“At the earlier event, which this year is from 5 to 7 pm, we will have music and games, glow sticks for kids to wear as the sun goes down, and a face painter,” said Kathryn Metts, Assistant Director for Downtown Morehead City Inc.

The Morehead City Parks and Recreation Department organizes the event each year for locals and visitors to ring in the new year in Carteret County.

“Last year, we had a local artist painting on really big sheets for

Cameron Laws, Creative Director at Artsplosure/First

picnic tables. She was drawing outlines of sea creatures and area figures like the lighthouse, and kids were sitting around the tables with crayons coloring in her outlines,” Metts said.

At the later event, adults are invited to visit the different bars and restaurants surrounding the Big Rock Landing, where the event takes place. After the crab pot drop at midnight, fireworks begin from Sugar Loaf Island, which is in perfect viewpoint for those who are at the landing celebrating the new year.

Mount Olive, a town well-known for their delicious pickles, hosts a pickle drop for New Year’s Eve. The Mount Olive pickle drop has been happening since 1999 and has become a tradition for families in Wayne County and beyond. The symbol being dropped for this celebration is a glowing, three feet tall pickle that drops into a jar from one of Mount Olive’s volunteer fire department trucks.

The event includes live music, free pickles courtesy Mt. Olive Pickle, and food truck vendors around the location of the drop.

Across the state towards the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hendersonville features a New Year’s Eve apple rise located at the historic county Courthouse Plaza. Hendersonville has ideal climate conditions for apple growing, which is what makes this symbol so special to individuals in the area.

The event features merchandise giveaways, a DJ dance party, and food and beverages. This celebration is targeted at families with an earlier bedtime, which is why the apple rise is at 7 pm.

The City of Oaks, Raleigh, hosts the acorn drop. Artsplosure has been hosting the iconic First Night Raleigh New Year’s party since

1991. Artist David Benson created the massive half-ton copper acorn sculpture that has been dropped in the downtown city plaza year after year.

“It’s special to me because I think it’s Raleigh’s most iconic event,” said Cameron Laws, Creative Director at Artsplosure/First Night Raleigh. “It’s been going on for so long that I actually went as a kid, as a teenager, and really throughout my entire life, so it’s really special for me to be now organizing it.”

This year’s event features a children’s celebration, including activities, performances, and other entertainment geared toward a younger audience. It features two amusement rides, a Ferris wheel and the 90-feet tall Sky Hawk. There are also over a dozen indoor venues featured, which range from live music to comedy shows to interactive art installations.

“The way First Night Raleigh works is anyone that wants to join us would want to buy one of our 12$ all-day passes, and they do exactly what they sound like they do,” Laws said. “They get you into everything happening.”

From Murphy to Manteo, North Carolina is offering New Year’s traditions for families all over the state.

also asserts there was “no appeal or other recourse” offered following his firing.

“In an academic environment committed to exploring a wide range of differing viewpoints, as the Governor’s School claims to be, no teacher should be fired for offering a reasoned critique of critical theory. But that’s what happened to Dr. Phillips,” ADF Senior Counsel Hal Frampton said in a press release.

Frampton said there was “no lawful explanation for the way North Carolina public school officials treated Dr. Phillips” and that by firing him, “the Governor’s School violated his constitutional right to free speech and unlawfully retaliated against him for deviating from the Governor’s School’s ideological orthodoxy.”

North Carolina is an at-will state when it comes to employment. That means an employee can be fired at any time so long as it does not violate the employee’s civil rights enumerated in the N.C. Equal Employment Practices Act or federal laws like Title VII.

North State Journal reached out to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) about the case.

“Mr. Phillips was an employee of Governor’s School during summer 2021,” NCDPI Communications Director Blair Rhoades said in an email response. “The Department of Public Instruction maintains that it fully complied with all legal requirements. However, as this is a personnel matter, no additional information can be shared at this time.”

The 61-page lawsuit alleges

that following the optional lectures, a group of students and staff members showed “open hostility, referencing race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion in their comments and questions.”

Phillips maintains he stayed after class to engage in discussion with students after the lectures.

The filing also claims staff at the school accused Phillips of racism and made comments that “made it clear they believed the content of Dr. Phillips’ lecture was “worthy of censure.”

Phillips’ lawsuit is seeking his reinstatement, back pay, front pay, and a host of damages for pain, suffering, and reputational harm. The lawsuit is also seeking attorney and court fees.

NCDPI State Superintendent Catherine Truitt is not named in the suit.

The defendants listed in the lawsuit are former Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academy Officer David Stegall and former Coordinator of the North Carolina Governor’s School Thomas Winton.

Stegall left NCDPI in May 2022 to take the position of chief of staff for Blue Ridge Community College.

Current employees named as defendants include the Coordinator of the North Carolina Governor’s School and Site Director for the North Carolina Governor’s School West Campus Rodney K. Allen, and Director of the Division of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education at NCDPI Sneha Shah Coltrane.

Shah-Coltrane is the wife of Gov. Roy Cooper’s main education advisor, Geoff Coltrane.

Branch, Ronald (I/M/74), Assault/ Strangulation, 12/26/2022, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office

Roman, Thomas James (W/M/43), Possess Methamphetamine, 12/26/2022, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office

♦ Locklear, Tommy Lynn (I/M/40), Obtain Property by False Pretense, 12/22/2022, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office

♦

Edmiston, Caleb Bryant (W/M/24), Larceny Misdemeanor, 12/22/2022, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office

♦ Florez-Guzman, Rubicel (I/M/43), Cons to Traffic in Amphetamine, 12/21/2022, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office

♦ Bruton, Trequan (B/M/28), Conc Handgun Prohibit Premise, 12/21/2022, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office

♦ Little, Isaiah Tyquan (B/M/20), Cons to Traffic in Amphetamine, 12/21/2022, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office

♦ Jones, Jeffrey Scott (W/M/59), Sell/Deliver Heroin, 12/21/2022, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office

♦ Hernandez-Coronel, Jose (W/M/35), Possess Cocaine, 12/21/2022, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office

♦ Graham, Wendi Diane (W/F/46), Possession of Stolen Vehicles, 12/20/2022, Hoke County Sheriff’s Office

“[A]nyone that wants to join us would want to buy one of our $12 all-day passes, and they do exactly what they sound like they do,” Laws said. “They get you into everything happening.”

Night Raleigh

OPINION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | DENNIS PRAGER

Will secular conservatives have conservative grandchildren?

SECULAR CONSERVATIVES have done, and continue to do, great work on behalf of America, liberty and conservatism in general.

But they will not likely have conservative grandchildren — and many will not have conservative children.

I know this because I speak with hundreds of conservatives a year in person and on the radio.

I routinely ask these people these questions:

“How many children do you have?”

After they give me a number, I ask:

“With regard to their holding your conservative values, what’s your batting average?”

On some occasions the answer is “I’m batting a thousand,” but that is the rarest response. Usually, conservative parents have at least one child who has become a leftist — not a liberal, mind you, but a leftist.

To be completely honest, though less common, this is often also true of religious conservatives. Many religious parents have seen at least one child not only reject religion, but conservatism as well.

I will never forget a man who cruised with me years ago on one of my annual listener cruises. He was a successful businessman and a pastor of a church. He told me that he had three sons, each of whom had doctorates — one from Yale, one from Princeton and one from Stanford.

“And they are all leftists,” he sighed.

All three had chosen the values of the university over religious and conservative values.

The great tragedy of American life since World War II is that many Americans failed to explain American values to their children. As I have said since I began lecturing in my early 20s, the World War II generation decided to give my generation — the so-called “baby boomers” — “everything they didn’t have” — such as material comforts, financial security and a college education. And they largely succeeded. The problem is that they failed to give them everything they did have — such as a love of country, commitment to liberty, self-discipline, religion, etc.

The same problem held true among Christians

| DAVID HARSANYI

and Jews. Most Christians failed to explain Christianity to their children and most Jews failed to explain Judaism to theirs.

Secular conservatives see what is happening to some of their children and to many of their friends’ children, yet few draw the conclusion that abandoning God and Judeo-Christian values might be a major factor in these children’s alienation from conservativism.

But it surely is.

God is one of the three components of the American value system. As expressed on every American coin and banknote, those three components are “In God We Trust,” “Liberty” and “E Pluribus Unum” (“From Many One”). And as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, our rights come from the Creator. The notion that the Founders sought to found a secular, let alone a godless, society has no truth. It is true that many of the Founders did not hold specifically Christian theological beliefs. But they believed in God, and they believed America could not succeed without a God-centered and Bible-revering population.

In other words, American conservatism is incompatible with a secular worldview.

Furthermore, secular conservativism doesn’t work. As we saw during the lockdowns and see every day regarding, for example, woke attacks on “binary” sexuality, it is disproportionately religious Americans who hold and fight for conservative values.

It is true that religious Jews and Christians were a disappointment during lockdowns. That most rabbis, priests and ministers closed their synagogues and churches in obedience to irrational secular authority is reason for weeping.

Nevertheless, whatever challenges there were to irrational authority almost all came from religious institutions.

The same holds true for challenges to the premature sexualization of children taking place in American elementary schools and challenges to the nihilistic claims that there are more than two sexes (or “genders”) and that there is no objective

Abortion is not a Jewish sacrament

“OUR JEWISH BROTHERS AND SISTERS,” squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explained during a recent rant, “are able to have an abortion according to their faith.” Many religions, the congresswoman goes on, do not share the “fundamentalist Christian” definition of life. They too have a right to exercise their faith, and to stand in their way is “authoritarian” and “theocratic.”

These days, science conforms to our politics rather than the other way around.

Ocasio-Cortez is a perfect straw man for this piece because she completely misunderstands not only the Jewish position on abortion but religious freedom, as well.

For one thing, does AOC, who is purportedly Catholic, believe that Pope Francis — who, like every pontiff in history, views abortion as “murder” — is a “Christian fundamentalist”? Perhaps. Until about five minutes ago, even science lovers believed life began at conception. The abortion debate revolved around the ethical question of when life was worth protecting.

These days, science conforms to our politics rather than the other way around. Increasingly, people demand faith do the same. And perhaps the most contemptible achievement of many progressive Jewish groups isn’t that they have cynically trashed a 3,000-year tradition, but that they’ve convinced millions of Americans that radical cultural leftism is synonymous with Judaism.

Nonetheless, AOC’s Jewish brothers and sisters have no genuine theological case to make for abortion on demand as a sacrament. The congresswoman probably got the idea from the Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor — adherents of “cosmic” Judaism, an “all-inclusive, universal, and rational

approach” to faith. The temple recently filed a suit that makes the preposterous claim that Florida’s 15week abortion restriction “prohibits Jewish women from practicing their faith free of government intrusion and this violates their privacy rights and religious freedom.” Three political activists in Kentucky filed similar lawsuits contending that state law infringes on their religious freedom by imposing a “Christian understanding” of life.

Now, I’m not a rabbi, but I feel slightly more qualified to comment on the Jewish faith than Ocasio-Cortez — and, while we’re at it, the “rabbi” of any cosmic shul. It would be misleading to assert that Jews adhere to the “pro-life” position in the way many Evangelicals or Catholics do. But it would be far less misleading than calling the Jewish traditional view on abortion “pro-choice” — a position that, in its contemporary meaning, means on demand throughout nine months for any reason.

The Orthodox Union’s diplomatic reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade is that it is “unable to either mourn or celebrate the news reports of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade” because it does not support “absolute bans on abortion — at any time point in a pregnancy — that would not allow access to abortion in lifesaving situations” or support legislation that does not limit abortion to “situations in which medical (including mental health) professionals affirm that carrying the pregnancy to term poses real risk to the life of the mother.”

Neither the laws of Florida nor Kentucky — nor any state, for that matter — denies abortions for pregnancies that pose a real risk to the life of the

definition to “man” or “woman.”

Such challenges come overwhelmingly from religious America. Conversely, the nihilism comes almost exclusively from secular America.

In sum, it is hard enough for religious conservatives to keep their children and grandchildren conservative. It is far harder for secular conservatives to do so.

I am well aware that many secular conservatives are convinced that they cannot believe in or practice any religion.

To these people, I say: So what?

Once you realize that America’s future depends on Americans affirming “In God We Trust” just as much as they affirm “Liberty” and “E Pluribus Unum,” you have to work on taking God and some religious expression seriously. You should emulate parents who are tone deaf who nevertheless give their children piano lessons.

“Fake it till you make it” is one of the many great insights of 12-step programs. The rule applies to everything good that does not come naturally.

Find a clergyman who shares your values and regularly take your child (or grandchild) to religious services.

Study the Bible with your child or grandchild on a regular basis. Lincoln rarely attended church, but he read the Bible every day. If you need a rational approach to God and the Bible, I suggest beginning with any of my three volumes of Bible commentary, “The Rational Bible.”

Say a blessing before each meal. Even if you’re secular, that shouldn’t be too difficult.

I promise you that whatever discomfort you experience acting religious pales in comparison to the discomfort you will experience if your child or grandchild ends up woke.

Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His commentary on Deuteronomy, the third volume of “The Rational Bible,” his five-volume commentary on the first five books of the Bible, was published in October. He is the co-founder of Prager University.

mother. In any situation where abortion is required by Jewish law, it remains legal. Of course, even if we conceded for the sake of argument that the Jewish faith allows for abortion as means of birth control, as AOC suggests, it is certainly not a sin to avoid getting one nor is it a mitzvah or a sacrament to seek one out. Abortion laws do not intrude on anyone’s religious freedom.

With Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court threw abortion back into the democratic process. Americans can now vote on the issue using any moral calculus they desire. Some might turn to Malthus or Marx for moral guidance. Others to Christ. But voting based on your beliefs is not theocratic. A theocratic policy entails things like state-imposed religious tests for office or a state-endorsed church or the state compelling people to praise church doctrine. Try imagining a florist or baker being compelled by the government to create speech that undermines their beliefs. Something like that.

Indeed, Judaism stresses the preservation and celebration of life. Nothing about the contemporary leftist position on abortion — an inherent “right,” not merely used in rare instances when a pregnancy imperils a life, but whenever, and for any reason, a person demands — aligns with that tradition or culture.

David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist. Harsanyi is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of five books — the most recent, “Eurotrash: Why America Must Reject the Failed Ideas of a Dying Continent.”

I promise you that whatever discomfort you experience acting religious pales in comparison to the discomfort you will experience if your child or grandchild ends up woke.

COLUMN

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA Warriors’ Curry out 2 more weeks with left shoulder injury San Francisco

Reigning NBA Finals MVP Stephen Curry will miss at least two more weeks for Golden State as he recovers from a partial dislocation of the left shoulder he suffered Dec. 14 in a game at Indiana. The 34-yearold Curry, who is averaging 30.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists, has missed the past six games for the defending champions. The Warriors said Saturday he was reevaluated and is making good progress, with another exam scheduled in two weeks.

MMA

UFC Hall of Famer

Stephan Bonnar dead at age 45

Las Vegas UFC says former fighter Stephan Bonnar, who played a significant role in the UFC’s growth into the dominant promotion in mixed martial arts, has died. The UFC Hall of Famer was 45. UFC announced in a statement that Bonnar died last Thursday from “presumed heart complications while at work.” He was a contestant in 2005 on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC’s long-running reality competition show.

Bonnar reached the competition’s finale, where he had a bloody brawl with Forrest Griffin. Griffin won the decision, but the viral attention gained by the bout is widely credited with exposing the little-known sport to a larger worldwide audience online and on Spike TV, which broadcast it. Bonnar hadn’t fought in the UFC since 2014.

Ex-Clemson

QB Uiagalelei transferring to Oregon State

Clemson, South Carolina Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei says he’s transferring from Clemson to Oregon State. Uiagalelei entered the transfer portal two weeks ago after an up-and-down two seasons as Clemson’s starter. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Uiagalelei announced his decision in a tweet that said “Next stop ... Corvallis” and included a picture showing himself in a Beavers uniform. Over 35 games in three seasons for Clemson, he threw for 5,681 yards and 36 touchdowns with a 59.8% completion rate and 17 interceptions.

Panthers sign Josh Norman to practice squad

Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn is questionable after having wrist surgery

By Steve Reed The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers have signed 35-year-old cornerback Josh Norman to the practice squad because starter Jaycee Horn’s status for Sunday’s crucial game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is up in the air.

Horn broke his left wrist in Carolina’s 37-23 win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday and will have surgery Tuesday, interim coach Steve Wilks said. Wilks said it has yet to be determined if Horn will be able to play with a club on his arm or if he is done for the remainder of the season.

The Panthers signed Norman, who used to play for Carolina, to the practice squad with the in-

tention of him playing Sunday against the Bucs. If Horn is out, Norman will back up Keith Taylor at cornerback.

“He has experience in this league and he brings veteran leadership and, most importantly, he possesses our DNA,” Wilks said of Norman. “I know him personally and he played for me. He understands the culture we are trying to create here and the level of play we are looking for.”

Norman spent four seasons in Carolina (2012-15), helping the Panthers reach the Super Bowl in his final season while earning All-Pro honors. But after initially placing the franchise tag on Norman following the 2015 season, then-general manager Dave Gettleman abruptly rescinded the offer.

Norman went on to sign a fiveyear, $75 million free agent contract with Washington, where he spent five seasons. He also had a

season in Buffalo and San Francisco, starting 14 games last season with the 49ers and forcing a career-high seven fumbles. Norman has not played this season.

“I think it is a great replacement,” said linebacker Shaq Thompson, who was teammates with Norman in 2015. “He brings a veteran presence. And he’s been in big-time moments who has been in big-time games who knows how to play in big games. He knows how to play under pressure and it is good to see him here and good to have him back here in

these colors.”

The Panthers (6-9) trail the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) by a game in the NFC South, but still control their own destiny because of head-to-head tiebreakers.

If Carolina beats Tampa Bay and New Orleans to close the season, it will secure its first division title since 2015 despite having a losing record. If the Panthers lose Sunday, their division title hopes are over. The Panthers held Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in a check in a 21-3 win earlier this season.

Kathy Whitworth, winningest golfer in history, dies at 83

KATHY WHITWORTH set a benchmark in golf no one has ever touched, whether it was Sam Snead or Tiger Woods, Mickey Wright or Annika Sorenstam. Her 88 victories are the most by any player on a single professional tour.

Whitworth, whose LPGA Tour victories spanned nearly a quarter-century and who became the first woman to earn $1 million for her career on the LPGA, died on Christmas Eve, her longtime partner said. She was 83.

Bettye Odle did not disclose a cause of death, saying only that Whitworth died suddenly Saturday night while celebrating with family and friends.

“Kathy left this world the way she lived her life — loving, laugh and creating memories,” Odle said in a statement released by the LPGA Tour.

Whitworth won the first of her 88 titles in the Kelly Girls Opens in July 1962. She won six majors during her career and broke Mickey Wright’s record of 82 career wins when Whitworth captured the Lady Michelob in the summer of 1982.

Her final victory came in 1985 at the United Virginia Bank Classic.

“Winning never got old,” Whitworth once said.

All that was missing from her career was the U.S. Women’s Open, the biggest of the women’s majors. Upon being the first woman to surpass $1 million in career earnings in 1981, she said, “I would have swapped being the first to make a million for winning the Open, but

it was a consolation which took some of the sting out of not winning.”

Sorenstam referred to her on Twitter as the LPGA’s all-time victory leader and a “total class act” who will be dearly missed.

“Thanks for setting the bar so high, Kathy,” she wrote.

Whitworth was the AP Female Athlete of the Year in 1965 and in 1967, when she easily beat out Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King. Whitworth was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1982.

She was the LPGA player of the

year seven times in an eight-year span (1966 through 1973). She won the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average seven times and she was the leading money winner in eight seasons.

But she was identified by one number — 88.

Snead was credited with a record 82 wins on the PGA Tour, a total Woods has since matched.

Wright won 82 times on the LPGA Tour, while Sorenstam had 72 wins when she retired after the 2006 season at age 36.

“I think Mickey had the best swing, and was probably the great-

est golfer,” Betsy Rawls once told Golf Digest. “But Kathy was the best player of the game that I have ever seen.”

Whitworth was born in Monahans, a small West Texas town, and learned to play golf in New Mexico. She started at age 15 in Jal, New Mexico, on the nine-hole course built for the El Paso Natural Gas employees.

She soon was a two-time winner of the New Mexico State Amateur. After briefly attending Odessa (Texas) College, she turned pro at age 19 and joined the LPGA Tour in December 1958.

Dr. Tony Santangelo, DC, named NC Chiropractic Association Chiropractor of the Year, based on community service & the profression

The six-time major winner won her first and last tournament 20 years apart

The Associated Press

CARLOS ORTIZ | DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE VIA AP

Kathy Whitworth responds to the crowd as she prepares to tee off during the 2006 Tournament of Champions in Pittsford, New York. Whitworth, whose 88 victories are the most by any golfer on a single professional tour, died on Saturday at age 83.

PHELAN M. EBENHACK | AP PHOTO

The Panthers signed former cornerback Josh Norman, pictured in 2015, to their practice squad.

US to let MLB stars play for Cuba in World Baseball Classic

HAVANA — The United States will permit Major League Baseball players from Cuba to represent their home country in the World Baseball Classic next year.

The decision announced Saturday in a news release by the Baseball Federation of Cuba (FCB) could be a big step in once again turning Cuba’s national team into heavy hitters on an international stage.

Major League Baseball confirmed Monday that the U.S. granted the license to FCB. It clears the way for MLB stars such as José Abreu, Yordan Alvarez, Randy Arozarena, Yoán Moncada and Luis Robert to play for Cuba in the WBC in March if they choose to accept a potential invitation.

It’s up to each country’s national governing body to pick the players on its WBC team. Final 30man rosters are due Feb. 7 for the WBC, which begins March 8 with Cuba facing the Netherlands in Taiwan.

While the sport of choice for much of Latin America is soccer, baseball dominates in Cuba. The island has gained fame around the world for its baseball talent.

But in recent years, hundreds of those players have defected from Cuba to play professionally elsewhere. Most notably, many have become United States residents and stars with major league teams in the U.S.

The defections are largely due to a not-so-uncommon geopolitical spat between the two seaside neighbors, leaving Cuban players stuck in the middle.

Cuban athletes competing on the island can’t earn a paycheck under the communist govern-

ment, which prohibited professional sports following the Cuban revolution 60 years ago.

Longtime sanctions by the U.S. make it largely impossible for Cubans to play professionally for an American team without defecting. Meanwhile, Cuba historically has not allowed Cuban players who defected on their national team rosters.

The defections have taken a toll on Cuba’s performance in international baseball competitions. For example, the Cuban baseball team failed to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after years of previously winning medals in the sport.

In November, Cuba changed its tune and invited several top players who defected to represent the country in the World Baseball Classic, a tournament that features some of the sport’s top players competing in Japan, Taiwan and the U.S.

Weeks later, Cuban officials ac-

cused the Biden administration of blocking those players from representing Cuba.

In a statement Saturday, FCB President Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo called the permit a “positive step,” and said the Cuban federation should have more information about the team’s WBC roster

once it has more details about the license granted by the U.S.

At the same time, Pérez Pardo also criticized the U.S., tweeting Saturday that “it is arbitrary and discriminatory that a permit from the government of this country (the U.S.) is needed to attend” the WBC.

Ovechkin moves to 2nd in NHL goals with 802, passing Howe

802 Friday night to move into second place on the NHL career list. After beating Winnipeg Jets goaltender David Rittich in the first period to match Gordie Howe, Ovechkin almost reluctantly scored from just inside the blue line with a minute left to pass “Mr. Hockey.”

for Ovechkin to challenge Gretzky, moving past Howe warranted plenty of celebration. Fans chanted, “Ovi! Ovi! Ovi!” throughout Washington’s 4-1 win, never louder than after he hit the empty net.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Alex Ovechkin barely looked at the empty net when he shot the puck into it and set off a wild celebration with his teammates and among Washington Capitals fans.

With a no-look empty-net goal, Ovechkin made more history and moved another step closer to breaking one of hockey’s most hallowed records.

Ovechkin scored goals 801 and

Only Wayne Gretzky with 894 has scored more, and Ovechkin is now 93 goals from breaking a record that has long seemed unapproachable.

“Step by step, guys,” Ovechkin said after posing with sons Sergei and Ilya and the milestone pucks. “Still a long way.”

While it will take at least a couple more years to see if it’s possible

Teammates did the same in the locker room during a closed-door celebration, which followed Jets players lining up to shake Ovechkin’s hand at center ice.

“I think it’s just to show respect, and it’s history for them as well,” Ovechkin said. “The game is the game, but as soon as the whistle blows, it’s all about hockey. We respect each other.”

Ovechkin hit the post on his first shot at the empty net and passed up another attempt by giv-

ing the puck to countryman Evgeny Kuznetsov — and getting it back. Even if he didn’t want to make history this way, Washington’s longtime captain was going to do what it took to ice his team’s fourth consecutive victory.

“It’s the kind of situation where if you have a chance to take it, you take it,” Ovechkin said. “I give it to Kuzy and he’s like, ‘I don’t want to take it.’ But after that, it’s special.”

Teammates leapt off the bench in celebration and the arena goal counter flipped to 802. A video tribute from Howe’s son Mark followed.

“On behalf of Gordie Howe, the guy you just passed, and from (my) mother Colleen and the en-

tire Howe family, we just want to congratulate on what a fantastic achievement,” Mark Howe said in representing his father, who died in 2016 at age 88. “You’ve been a pleasure to watch.”

Ovechkin made the hockey community watch him chase Howe for more than a week after recording a hat trick to become just the third player with 800 goals. He endured a four-game goal drought before breaking through Friday.

“Very emotional,” Ovechkin said. “Doing it with the home crowd, it’s special. They give me full support, and this is pretty big. It’s a historic moment. It’s nice to be in this category of players. It’s pretty cool.”

The Associated Press

AP PHOTO

In a decision announced Saturday, the United States will permit Major League Baseball players from Cuba, like Tapa Bay’s Randy Arozarena, to represent their home country in the World Baseball Classic next year.

The Capitals captain is no chasing Wayne Gretzky’s 894 goals

The Associated Press

Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin celebrates after scoring the 801st game of his career. Ovechkin scored his 802nd on an emptynet goal later in the game to pas Gordie Howe for the second-most goals in NHL history.

AP PHOTO

Feds order review of power-grid security after attacks

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal regulators ordered a review of security standards at the nation’s far-flung electricity transmission network, following multiple attacks shootings at electric substations in North Carolina and Washington state that damaged equipment and caused tens of thousands of customers to lose power.

The order by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission directs officials to study the effectiveness of existing reliability standards for the physical security of the nation’s power grid and determine whether they need to be improved.

“The security and reliability of the nation’s electric grid is one of FERC’s top priorities,” FERC Chairman Richard Glick said at a recent commission meeting.

“In light of the increasing number of recent reports of physical attacks on our nation’s infrastructure, it is important that we fully and clearly review the effectiveness of our existing physical security standard to determine whether additional improvements are necessary to safeguard the bulk power system,’’ Glick said.

The order comes less than two weeks after one or more people drove up to two substations in central North Carolina, breached the gates and opened fire on them. Outages began shortly after the Dec. 3 nighttime attack and lasted several days before powers was restored to almost all households in Moore County four days later.

Even as power was restored, Duke Energy Corp., which owns the two North Carolina substations, reported gunfire Dec. 7 near another Duke facility in South Carolina. Law enforcement officials say they have found no evidence linking incidents in the two states, although multiple state and federal agencies continue to investigate.

At least four electrical substations have been targeted in separate attacks in Oregon and Washington state since November, most recently a fourth electrical substation was vandalized late on Christmas Day in Washington state.

The suspects broke into a fenced area and vandalized equipment, causing a fire, officials said. The fire was extinguished and power

was later restored, but no suspects are in custody, officials said.

Grid security experts have said the attacks demonstrate anew the vulnerability of the nation’s electric grid, which includes more than 50,000 substations and more than 700,000 miles of transmission lines.

Power transformers are highly visible in thousands of sites across

the country and “are really vulnerable — sometimes to a drunk with a gun and an attitude,’’ said FERC commissioner Mark Christie. “We have a lot of incidents of that. That’s not unusual. The substations are a different ballgame.’’

He called the North Carolina attack “sophisticated” and noted that it caused outages for more than 40,000 people.

While officials are likely to recommend changes such as high-definition cameras, 24-hour surveillance or opaque walls, “How are we going to pay for all the upgrades?’’ asked Christie, a Republican who has served on the panel since 2020.

The bipartisan infrastructure law includes as much as $15 billion for power grid upgrades and resilience, and Christie said he hopes some of the money is used for “deferring some of the cost of the hardening that we know is going to take place’’ as a result of the recent attacks.

“I hope this does not flow through to ratepayers,’’ he said.

Glick, a Democrat, told reporters after the meeting that while he is always concerned about costs: “How concerned are you about the cost when the power goes out? Would you rather pay now or later?’’

FERC approved a physical security reliability standard in 2014 following a still-unsolved attack on a major substation in California. The new order gives the North American Electric Reliability Corporation 120 days to submit a report on the current standard and recommend possible changes.

AP PHOTO

Workers with Randolph Electric Membership Corporation work to repair the Eastwood Substation in West End, Dec. 6, 2022.

Joy Mary (Devine)

Zomerdyke

August 1, 1945 ~ December 21, 2022

Mrs. Joy Mary Devine Zomerdyke, age 77 of Raeford formerly of NJ went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at her home.

Mrs. Zomerdyke was born in North Bergan, NJ on August 1, 1945, to the late Mary and Edward Devine. She was preceded in death by her husband Daniel Joseph Zomerdyke. She was a member of Ephesus Baptist Church where she sang in the church choir. She was a former kindergarten teacher at Lighthouse Christian Academy in Riveredge, NJ. Joy studied child development education at New York University. She was a children’s book author and also owned her own business, Victorian Designs by Joy. She is survived by a daughter Loren Zomerdyke of Raeford, NC, Memorials may be made to: Hoke County Animal Shelter,353 CC, Steele Rd, Raeford, NC 28376 or to ASPCA.

Master Sgt (Ret) Ray Howard Jones

July 15, 1934 ~ December 21, 2022

Master Sgt (Ret.) Ray Howard Jones, of Raeford NC, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 21, 2022, at Autumn Care of Raeford at the age of 88.

Ray was born in Laurel MS on July 15, 1934, to the late Robert Roy Jones and Gettie Nichols Jones.

Ray was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and a member of the choir. He retired as a Master Sergeant from the Special Forces with the US Army after 28 years of service.

After his military career, Ray retired from the US Postal Service. He was the owner and operator of Ray H. Jones Farm and Livestock feed company. Ray was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Elizabeth Hester Jones; three sons, Roy E. Jones of Roaring Gap, NC, Dr. Ray L. Jones (Joann Register) of Ronceverte, WV, and Ronald H. Jones (Elizabeth McBride) of Raeford, NC.; two grandchildren, Johnathon Jones (Jessica) of Louisburg NC, and Megan E. Jones of Ronceverte, WV; and four great-grandchildren, Naville, Arilyn, Orion, and Rory.

The family will receive visitors afterward in the fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Teresa Taylor Adams

February 22, 1965 ~ December 14, 2022

Teresa Taylor Adams of Raeford, NC was called home on December 14, 2022, surrounded by her family and friends.

She was born in Fayetteville NC on February 22, 1965, to Mr. Jesse James Taylor, Jr. and the late Patricia (Patsy) Taylor.

Teresa was preceded in death by her two nieces, Hannah McBryde and Abigail McBryde; and one nephew, Matthew Rockholt.

Teresa was a take-charge kind of woman but had a humble and soft heart. She loved rescuing animals, especially cats, and adored her pet, Luna. She was an outgoing person and never met a stranger. Teresa enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, often talking on the phone for hours. She was very intelligent and liked to do puzzles in her spare time; anything that would challenge her.

Teresa is survived by her daughter, Chloe Adams; son, Joshua Adams; three siblings, Beverly Rockholt, Jesse (Jimmy) Taylor III (Pamela), Deborah McBryde (Mike); two special friends, Karen English and Kathy Lindquist, and several nieces and nephews.

Samuel Graham

July 7, 1927 ~ December 22, 2022

Mr. Samuel Graham age, 95 went home to rest with his heavenly father on December 22, 2022. He was preceded in death by his son Ardis Graham.

A candlelight memorial service will be held on Friday, December 30; 6:00 PM at Walls Chapel United Methodist Church.

Dorothy Blue

April 10, 1940 ~ December 19, 2022

Ms. Dorothy Blue age, 82 went home to rest with her heavenly father on December 19, 2022.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories her children: Claudinette Blue McPhatter, George Eric Blue, LaShonda Hopkins, David Sterling; sisters: Blanche Farmer, Rovenia McNair along with a host of other family and friends. Dorothy will be immensely missed.

STATE & NATION

Biden’s bullish 2024 talk does little to tamp down chatter

By Will Weissert The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden toasted a reelection campaign with his French counterpart. He and the Rev. Al Sharpton talked about the prospect during a photo-op. And, for someone who often meanders through his thoughts, Biden has been notably explicit about his political plans.

“Our intention is to run again,” the president told reporters after the November midterms, noting that his family supports another campaign. He said his wife, first lady Jill Biden, has already counseled him not to “walk away” from the “very important” things he’s doing on the job.2

None of that, however, has silenced a Washington parlor game about whether Biden will follow through with a second presidential campaign. The speculation reflects a persistent, though often privately expressed, skepticism among even some of Biden’s allies that the 80-year-old president will ask voters to keep him in the White House until he’s 86.

Biden is expected to discuss the prospect of another campaign with those closest to him when he departs Washington for a Christmas vacation. If he opts for an announcement next year, he would launch a campaign during a time when his approval ratings remain low and inflation is high. The steady easing

of the pandemic, meanwhile, would add pressure on the president to appear in person before large crowds, an environment where he’s sometimes unsteady.

But Biden’s standing inside his party has improved in the aftermath of the midterms, when Democrats kept the Senate and limited Republican gains in the House. He’s long vowed he’s his party’s

best option against former President Donald Trump, who has already announced his third White House campaign. Trump has been blamed for the GOP’s disappointing November losses in states, including Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania, that will be among the most politically competitive territory in 2024.

“I’m not going to abandon a

president who is winning,” former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile said at a recent party meeting.

The White House’s political staff and top Biden allies aren’t waiting for the official go-ahead, already lining up staff and preparing for a 2024 campaign launch next spring. They’re eyeing the end of the first quarter, thus avoiding the period in which raising money often proves most difficult. Such a timeline would follow the lead of President Barack Obama who, with Biden as his vice president, kicked off his 2012 bid for a second White House term in April 2011.

Biden aides and allies chafe at the speculation he may not run again, saying the president should be taken at his word. They note it’s not uncommon for incumbent presidents to delay formally launching their reelection campaigns as long as possible in order to heighten the contrast with their out-of-power rivals jockeying for primary position.

Federal election law requires candidates to register once they raise or spend $5,000 for an election, triggering disclosure requirements and putting some limitations on how they can work with outside groups — actions Biden is likely trying to put off until next year.

Still, filling the political void have been reports that the first lady told French President Emmanuel Macron that she and her husband are ready for a reelection campaign. The remark is reported to have come before the couple joined Macron in a playful 2024 toast during a recent State Dinner.

The White House hasn’t denied the Macron toast and Sharpton says no one from Biden’s political circle contacted him after word

of the pair’s August chat about reelection began breaking. But Sharpton also now says that what actually happened wasn’t as dramatic as the reports it sparked.

No president has voluntarily left the White House after a single, four-year term since Rutherford B. Hayes in 1881. Biden said during the 2020 campaign that he wanted to be a “bridge” to a future generation of Democratic leaders, but he has struck a far differently tone more recently.

The president said his decision wouldn’t be swayed by polls indicating that most Americans don’t want to see him run for reelection. And he offered a message for anyone worried he couldn’t handle the physical rigors of another campaign: “Watch me.”

Despite having run unsuccessfully for the White House twice before his 2020 victory, Biden also is no stranger to prolonged public vacillating over a presidential run. In 2015, he agonized for months over whether to mount a campaign to succeed Obama as he and Jill coped with the death of their 46-year-old son, Beau, from a brain tumor.

Jesse Harris was a senior adviser in Iowa to Biden’s 2020 campaign and was the early vote and get out the vote director for Obama’s 2008 general election campaign. He said that while Biden can be expected to look on Obama’s reelection campaign as a blueprint for things like the timing of his reelection announcement, there won’t be much overlap on strategy.

“I think him being in office and being president, there’s a lot he wants to accomplish,” Harris said of Biden. “I think he’s willing to run and fight to make sure he can get as much done as possible.”

International migration drove US population growth in 2022

By Mike Schneider The Associated Press

THE U.S. POPULATION expanded by 1.2 million people this year, with growth largely driven by international migration, and the nation now has 333.2 million residents, according to estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Net international migration — the number of people moving into the U.S. minus the number of people leaving — was more than 1 million residents from 2021 to 2022. That represented a growth rate of 168% over the previous year’s 376,029 international migrants, with every state gaining residents from abroad, according to the 2022 population estimates.

Natural growth — the number of births minus the number of deaths — added another 245,080 people to the total in what was the first year-over-year increase in total births since 2007.

This year’s U.S. annual growth rate of 0.4% was a rebound of sorts from the 0.1% growth rate during the worst of the pandemic from 2020 to 2021, which was the lowest since the nation’s founding.

“It’s welcome because we would have been back to almost flatline growth if not for this immigration,” said William Frey, a demographer at The Brookings Institution.

Regionally, the Northeast lost almost 219,000 people in a trend largely driven by domestic resi-

dents moving out of New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts, as well as deaths outpacing births in Pennsylvania. The Midwest also lost almost 49,000 residents, driven in part by people moving out of Illinois and deaths outpacing births in Ohio.

The South gained 1.3 million residents, the largest of any region, driven by population gains in Texas and Florida that exceeded 400,000 residents each. Other

Southern

Texas,

U.S.,

But California lost more than 113,000 residents, and had a population just over 39 million in 2022, in what was the biggest an-

nual decline behind New York’s more than 180,000-resident loss. The population decline was driven by more than 343,000 domestic residents moving out of California, and it helped drag down the West region’s population gain to only 153,000 residents.

Despite the overall population loss, California had the largest growth of any state in international residents, just a hair’s breadth ahead of Florida with more than

125,000 people. California also had the second highest natural increase, only trailing Texas. Births outpacing deaths and the international arrivals made California’s population loss smaller than last year, when it dropped by more than 358,000 residents.

Conversely, Florida had the largest natural decrease of any state, with deaths outpacing births by more than 40,000 people. But gains from international migration, as well the addition of more than 318,000 residents from domestic migration, the most in the nation, gave it the highest growth rate of any U.S. state at 1.9%.

The West region in 2022 lost some of its luster as a magnet for domestic migration. Without international migration and a sizeable natural increase from births outpacing deaths, the West region would have lost population due to domestic residents moving out of California, Oregon and Washington. Western hotspots like Utah, Idaho and Montana also had smaller gains than last year.

Some of the slower growth in the West has to do with the pandemic, which led to fewer people moving, and also the increasing cost of living in places once regarded as cheaper alternatives to California, according to Frey.

“There isn’t as much magnetism for those classic magnets for moving out of California,” Frey said.

Puerto Rico lost 40,000 residents, or 1.3% of its population, due to people moving away and deaths outpacing births, and its population now stands at 3.2 million residents.

states like North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee had among the largest growth in numbers in the U.S.

the second most populous state in the

surpassed the 30 million-resident mark, joining California as the only other state in this category.

AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Sept. 6, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

AP PHOTO, FILE

The skyline of downtown Charlotte is seen in this file photo.

Getting ready to celebrate

WHAT’S HAPPENING

12 Days of Christmas?

Not in this economy

Inflation has hit everyone this year, including the 12 Days of Christmas. PNC’s 39th annual Christmas Price Index for the items mentioned in the song is up 10.5% over last year, the third highest year-over-year increase in the index’s history.

Buying all 12 gifts mentioned in the song would cost a record $45,523.27 this holiday season.

While the partridge didn’t go up in price at all, the cost of the pear tree to house it was up 28.4% over last year. The two turtle doves and three French hens went up steeply, by 33.3% and 25% respectively.

The five golden rings (up 39.1% to $1,245) and 10 lords a-leaping (up 24.2% to $13,980) were other items to see big increases.

To buy all the gifts mentioned on each day in the song (which repeats all previous gifts each day … for example, the “True Love” would get a total of 12 partridges in pear trees, one each day) would cost $197,071.09, an increase of 9.8% over last year.

Increased costs of fertilizer, precious metals and wages in the service industry are blamed for the large increases.

Feds order review of power-grid security after attacks

Washington, D.C.

Federal regulators ordered a review of security standards at the nation’s far-flung electricity transmission network, following multiple attacks shootings at electric substations in North Carolina and Washington state that damaged equipment and caused tens of thousands of customers to lose power.

The order by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission directs officials to study the effectiveness of existing reliability standards for the physical security of the nation’s power grid and determine whether they need to be improved.

Commissioners approve nearly $1 million in ARPA funding for projects

Public hearing to be held for closing of Roller Ridge Road

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

WINSTON-SALEM — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners met Thursday, December 15, where they listened to three public hearings as well as approve various grants, contracts and budget amendments.

The board kicked off the meeting with three public hearings, two being for rezoning requests and the third being for a text amendment to the UDO.

The first public hearing was a rezoning request to change property from residential single family (RS9) to institutional and public use (IP).

“This is a request from Olivet Moravian Church,” said City/ County Planning Director Chris Murphy. “The site is a 2.68 acre site on the east side of Olivet Church Road, north of Birchdale Drive. The request is to rezone from general use zoning, from RS9 to IP, which is an institutional and public use.”

The need for an IP zoning is to accommodate the need for electronic message board signage at Olivet Moravian Church which wouldn’t be allowed normally in RS9 zoning.

The second public hearing was to amend a previously approved site plan.

“This is a request from RS Parker Homes to rezone 96.22 acres at the north side of Van Hoy Road, north of Fagg Farm Road,” Murphy said. “This is a site plan

amendment to amend the approved site plan to revise the access point location.”

According to the applicant, multiple issues arose from the initial plan, such as higher costs due to there being environmentally sensitive areas.

However, approximately 90% of the relocated access point road is in Guilford County so the request will need to be approved by their board of commissioners as well.

“We do have a revised written consent condition that the petitioner has signed that basically says that if for some reason Guilford County fails to approve the amended plan eliminating that connection, that essentially the plan of record within Forsyth County will revert back to what was previously approved by the

Group files lawsuit against Governor’s School following controversial firing

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A lawsuit has been filed in Wake County against the state’s prestigious Governor’s School by the Alliance for Defending Freedom on behalf of English professor Dr. David Phillips following his “mid-session” termination in 2021.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is a non-profit based in Arizona. ADF describes itself as the “world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights.”

The North Carolina Governor’s School is a summer residential program lasting four weeks for “gifted and talented high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses.”

Its operations are overseen by officials with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, N.C. Governor’s School Coordinator Rodney

Allen, and Director Office of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education Sneha Shah-Coltrane.

According to the lawsuit, Phillips’ firing came after he spoke out about “the harms of the racially divisive ideology embraced by the school.”

The case summary says Phillips had spoken out against the school’s “increasing adoption of critical theory, an ideology that views everyone and everything through the lens of characteristics like race, sex, and religion, labeling people as perpetual oppressors or victims based on group membership alone.”

“After Dr. Phillips delivered three optional seminars critiquing critical theory and the increasing bias and lack of viewpoint diversity in higher education, North Carolina public school officials fired him mid-session without any explanation,” the summary says.

Phillips had taught at the Governor’s School for eight years, as well as teaching English at Wake Tech and Guilford Community

Colleges. In the lawsuit, Phillips also asserts there was “no appeal or other recourse” offered following his firing.

“In an academic environment committed to exploring a wide range of differing viewpoints, as the Governor’s School claims to be, no teacher should be fired for offering a reasoned critique of critical theory. But that’s what happened to Dr. Phillips,” ADF Senior Counsel Hal Frampton said in a press release.

Frampton said there was “no lawful explanation for the way North Carolina public school officials treated Dr. Phillips” and that by firing him, “the Governor’s School violated his constitutional right to free speech and unlawfully retaliated against him for deviating from the Governor’s School’s ideological orthodoxy.”

North Carolina is an at-will state when it comes to employment. That means an employee can be fired at any time so long as

board of commissioners,” Murphy said.

The third hearing was for an ordinance amending chapters 3, 7 , 9 and 10 of the UDO to revise procedures for submitting and approving applications in digital format.

“This is something that basically changes the UDO to reflect what we’ve been doing for a number of years,” Murphy said. “In 2017, Planning and Development Services did move to a new permitting and site plan review software and we never modified our ordinances to catch up with what we are doing.”

According to Murphy, the UDO has multiple references detailing specific requirements regarding the submission of pa-

LAWSUIT from page 1

it does not violate the employee’s civil rights enumerated in the N.C. Equal Employment Practices Act or federal laws like Title VII.

North State Journal reached out to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) about the case.

“Mr. Phillips was an employee of Governor’s School during summer 2021,” NCDPI Communications Director Blair Rhoades said in an email response.

“The Department of Public Instruction maintains that it fully complied with all legal requirements. However, as this is a personnel matter, no additional information can be shared at this time.”

The 61-page lawsuit alleges that following the optional lectures, a group of students and staff members showed “open hostility, referencing race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion in their comments and questions.”

Phillips maintains he stayed after class to engage in discussion with students after the lectures.

The filing also claims staff at the school accused Phillips of racism and made comments that “made it clear they believed the content of Dr. Phillips’ lecture was “worthy of censure.”

Phillips’ lawsuit is seeking his reinstatement, back pay, front pay, and a host of damages for pain, suffering, and reputational harm. The lawsuit is also seeking attorney and court fees.

NCDPI State Superintendent Catherine Truitt is not named in the suit.

The defendants listed in the lawsuit are former Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academy Officer David Stegall and former Coordinator of the North Carolina Governor’s School Thomas Winton.

Stegall left NCDPI in May 2022 to take the position of chief of staff for Blue Ridge Community College.

Current employees named as defendants include the Coordinator of the North Carolina Governor’s School and Site Director for the North Carolina Governor’s School West Campus Rodney K. Allen, and Director of the Division of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education at NCDPI Sneha Shah Coltrane.

Shah-Coltrane is the wife of Gov. Roy Cooper’s main education advisor, Geoff Coltrane.

Abortion is not a Jewish sacrament

“OUR JEWISH brothers and sisters,” squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explained during a recent rant, “are able to have an abortion according to their faith.” Many religions, the congresswoman goes on, do not share the “fundamentalist Christian” definition of life. They too have a right to exercise their faith, and to stand in their way is “authoritarian” and “theocratic.”

Ocasio-Cortez is a perfect straw man for this piece because she completely misunderstands not only the Jewish position on abortion but religious freedom, as well.

For one thing, does AOC, who is purportedly Catholic, believe that Pope Francis — who, like every pontiff in history, views abortion as “murder” — is a “Christian fundamentalist”? Perhaps. Until about five minutes ago, even science lovers believed life began at conception. The abortion debate revolved around the ethical question of when life was worth protecting.

These days, science conforms to our politics rather than the other way around. Increasingly, people demand faith do the same. And perhaps the most contemptible achievement of many progressive Jewish groups isn’t that they have cynically trashed a 3,000-year tradition, but that they’ve convinced millions of Americans that radical cultural leftism is synonymous with Judaism.

Nonetheless, AOC’s Jewish brothers and sisters have no genuine theological case to make for abortion on demand as a sacrament. The congresswoman probably got the idea from the Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor — adherents of “cosmic” Judaism, an “all-inclusive, universal, and rational approach” to faith. The temple recently filed a suit that makes the preposterous claim that Florida’s 15week abortion restriction “prohibits Jewish women from practicing their faith free of government intrusion and this violates their privacy rights and religious freedom.”

Three political activists in Kentucky filed similar lawsuits contending that state law infringes on their religious freedom by imposing a “Christian understanding” of life.

Now, I’m not a rabbi, but I feel slightly more qualified to comment on the Jewish faith than Ocasio-Cortez — and, while we’re at it, the “rabbi” of any cosmic shul. It would be misleading to assert that Jews adhere to the “pro-life” position in the way many Evangelicals or Catholics do. But it would be far less misleading than calling the Jewish traditional view on abortion “pro-choice” — a position

that, in its contemporary meaning, means on demand throughout nine months for any reason.

The Orthodox Union’s diplomatic reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade is that it is “unable to either mourn or celebrate the news reports of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade” because it does not support “absolute bans on abortion — at any time point in a pregnancy — that would not allow access to abortion in lifesaving situations” or support legislation that does not limit abortion to “situations in which medical (including mental health) professionals affirm that carrying the pregnancy to term poses real risk to the life of the mother.”

Neither the laws of Florida nor Kentucky — nor any state, for that matter — denies abortions for pregnancies that pose a real risk to the life of the mother. In any situation where abortion is required by Jewish law, it remains legal. Of course, even if we conceded for the sake of argument that the Jewish faith allows for abortion as means of birth control, as AOC suggests, it is certainly not a sin to avoid getting one nor is it a mitzvah or a sacrament to seek one out. Abortion laws do not intrude on anyone’s religious freedom.

With Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court threw abortion back into the democratic process. Americans can now vote on the issue using any moral calculus they desire. Some might turn to Malthus or Marx for moral guidance. Others to Christ. But voting based on your beliefs is not theocratic. A theocratic policy entails things like state-imposed religious tests for office or a state-endorsed church or the state compelling people to praise church doctrine. Try imagining a florist or baker being compelled by the government to create speech that undermines their beliefs. Something like that.

Indeed, Judaism stresses the preservation and celebration of life. Nothing about the contemporary leftist position on abortion — an inherent “right,” not merely used in rare instances when a pregnancy imperils a life, but whenever, and for any reason, a person demands — aligns with that tradition or culture.

David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist. Harsanyi is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of five books — the most recent, “Eurotrash: Why America Must Reject the Failed Ideas of a Dying Continent.”

per site plans for various approval processes. The amendment would remove those requirements and replace them with more generic language that could remain in place even if the current software evolves over time.

The board approved all three requests following each public hearing.

The board then approved a resolution declaring the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners’ intent to close Roller Ridge Road and set a date for a public hearing for the matter on January 19.

Following the hearings, the board approved four budget amendments: $178,097 for golf operations, $6,700,00 from the Smith Reynolds Airport Capital Project Ordinance of which $740,000 is

airport reserve funds for four new projects, $1,925,698.82 from sales tax revenue and $10,000 for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Public Art Commission.

Two grants were also approved to be applied for, and accepted if received, one for a $24,380 grant from US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, FY 2021 State Criminal Alien Assistance Program Funds and the second for a $400,000 grant from the NC Department of Commerce to aid and encourage the location of a North American headquarters and manufacturing plant for Ziehl-Abegg, Inc.

The board also approved $960,775 in ARPA funding for five projects: bipolar ionization and air conditioning equipment for the Forsyth County Law Enforcement Detention Center, funding Forsyth

County Public Library’s Streamlab Bookmobile, funding Forsyth County Public Library’s Laptops for Digital Literacy Project, funding Forsyth County’s Agricultural Food Produce Box Program, and medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder.

The board then authorized contracts with Aqua Tech Pool Management – Triad for $182,718 for lifeguard services at the Peter S. Brunstetter Aquatic Center at Tanglewood Parks, Avcon Engineers & Planners for $229,787 to provide design and bidding services for the airfield lighting rehabilitation project and for $36,050 for rezoning services and conceptual graphics at Smith Reynolds Airport and The Resource Company for $204,216 Emergency Rental Assistance Program temporary staffing services.

The board also put out contracts for the purchase of furniture for the new courthouse project ($3,088,112.05), the renewal of a maintenance and support agreement for North Carolina Property Tax System (NCPTS) software and to provide cloud hosting services for the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, NCPTS software ($243,095.35 + $143,00).

Finally, the board amended the lease agreement with the Forsyth County Humane Society to terminate on March 31, 2023, in order to provide a transition to county operation of the Forsyth County Animal Shelter. The amendment extends the lease by three months with $350,000 in funding.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will next meet January 5.

ANDREW HARNIK | AP PHOTO

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., center, greets supporters at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., Friday, July 15, 2022.

“Join the conversation”

These days, science conforms to our politics rather than the other way around.

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA

Warriors’

Curry out 2 more weeks with left shoulder injury San Francisco

Reigning NBA Finals MVP Stephen Curry will miss at least two more weeks for Golden State as he recovers from a partial dislocation of the left shoulder he suffered Dec. 14 in a game at Indiana. The 34-yearold Curry, who is averaging 30.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists, has missed the past six games for the defending champions. The Warriors said Saturday he was reevaluated and is making good progress, with another exam scheduled in two weeks.

MMA UFC Hall of Famer

Stephan

Bonnar dead at age 45

Las Vegas

UFC says former fighter Stephan Bonnar, who played a significant role in the UFC’s growth into the dominant promotion in mixed martial arts, has died. The UFC Hall of Famer was 45. UFC announced in a statement that Bonnar died last Thursday from “presumed heart complications while at work.” He was a contestant in 2005 on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC’s long-running reality competition show. Bonnar reached the competition’s finale, where he had a bloody brawl with Forrest Griffin.

Griffin won the decision, but the viral attention gained by the bout is widely credited with exposing the littleknown sport to a larger worldwide audience online and on Spike TV, which broadcast it. Bonnar hadn’t fought in the UFC since 2014.

Ex-Clemson QB

Uiagalelei transferring to Oregon State

Clemson, South Carolina Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei says he’s transferring from Clemson to Oregon State.

Uiagalelei entered the transfer portal two weeks ago after an up-and-down two seasons as Clemson’s starter. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

Uiagalelei announced his decision in a tweet that said “Next stop ... Corvallis” and included a picture showing himself in a Beavers uniform. Over 35 games in three seasons for Clemson, he threw for 5,681 yards and 36 touchdowns with a 59.8% completion rate and 17 interceptions.

SOCCER

Panthers sign Josh Norman to practice squad

By Steve Reed The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers have signed 35-year-old cornerback Josh Norman to the practice squad because starter Jaycee Horn’s status for Sunday’s crucial game against the Tampa Bay

Buccaneers is up in the air. Horn broke his left wrist in Carolina’s 37-23 win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday and will have surgery Tuesday, interim coach Steve Wilks said. Wilks said it has yet to be determined if Horn will be able to play with a club on his arm or if he is done for the remainder of the season.

The Panthers signed Norman, who used to play for Carolina, to the practice squad with the intention of him playing Sunday against

the Bucs. If Horn is out, Norman will back up Keith Taylor at cornerback.

“He has experience in this league and he brings veteran leadership and, most importantly, he possesses our DNA,” Wilks said of Norman. “I know him personally and he played for me. He understands the culture we are trying to create here and the level of play we are looking for.”

Norman spent four seasons in Carolina (2012-15), helping the Panthers reach the Super Bowl in his final season while earning All-Pro honors. But after initially placing the franchise tag on Norman following the 2015 season, then-general manager Dave Gettleman abruptly rescinded the offer.

Norman went on to sign a fiveyear, $75 million free agent contract with Washington, where he spent five seasons. He also had a season in Buffalo and San Francisco, starting 14 games last season

with the 49ers and forcing a career-high seven fumbles. Norman has not played this season.

“I think it is a great replacement,” said linebacker Shaq Thompson, who was teammates with Norman in 2015. “He brings a veteran presence. And he’s been in big-time moments who has been in big-time games who knows how to play in big games. He knows how to play under pressure and it is good to see him here and good to have him back here in these colors.”

The Panthers (6-9) trail the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) by a game in the NFC South, but still control their own destiny because of head-to-head tiebreakers.

If Carolina beats Tampa Bay and New Orleans to close the season, it will secure its first division title since 2015 despite having a losing record. If the Panthers lose Sunday, their division title hopes are over. The Panthers held Tom Brady and the Buccaneers in a check in a 21-3 win earlier this season.

Whitworth, winningest golfer in history, dies at 83

KATHY WHITWORTH set a benchmark in golf no one has ever touched, whether it was Sam Snead or Tiger Woods, Mickey Wright or Annika Sorenstam. Her 88 victories are the most by any player on a single professional tour.

Whitworth, whose LPGA Tour victories spanned nearly a quarter-century and who became the first woman to earn $1 million for her career on the LPGA, died on Christmas Eve, her longtime partner said. She was 83.

Kevin

Payne, former executive for 2 MLS teams,

dies New York

Kevin Payne, who was an executive with two Major League Soccer teams and was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2021, has died. He was 69. U.S. Soccer, MLS and D.C. United, which won four MLS titles and two U.S. Open Cups during Payne’s tenure, put out statements confirming his death. The Washington Post reported that Payne died in Charleston, South Carolina, from a lung illness. Payne was president and general manager of D.C. United and then president and CEO of the team.

Bettye Odle did not disclose a cause of death, saying only that Whitworth died suddenly Saturday night while celebrating with family and friends.

“Kathy left this world the way she lived her life — loving, laugh and creating memories,” Odle said in a statement released by the LPGA Tour.

Whitworth won the first of her 88 titles in the Kelly Girls Opens in July 1962. She won six majors during her career and broke Mickey Wright’s record of 82 career wins when Whitworth captured the Lady Michelob in the summer of 1982.

Her final victory came in 1985 at the United Virginia Bank Classic.

“Winning never got old,” Whitworth once said.

All that was missing from her career was the U.S. Women’s Open, the biggest of the women’s majors. Upon being the first woman to surpass $1 million in career earnings in 1981, she said, “I would have swapped being the first to make a

million for winning the Open, but it was a consolation which took some of the sting out of not winning.”

Sorenstam referred to her on Twitter as the LPGA’s all-time victory leader and a “total class act” who will be dearly missed.

“Thanks for setting the bar so high, Kathy,” she wrote.

Whitworth was the AP Female Athlete of the Year in 1965 and in 1967, when she easily beat out Wimbledon singles champion Billie Jean King. Whitworth was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1982.

She was the LPGA player of the year seven times in an eight-year span (1966 through 1973). She won the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average seven times and she

was the leading money winner in eight seasons.

But she was identified by one number — 88.

Snead was credited with a record 82 wins on the PGA Tour, a total Woods has since matched.

Wright won 82 times on the LPGA

Tour, while Sorenstam had 72 wins when she retired after the 2006 season at age 36.

“I think Mickey had the best swing, and was probably the greatest golfer,” Betsy Rawls once told Golf Digest. “But Kathy was the best player of the game that I have ever seen.”

Whitworth was born in Monahans, a small West Texas town, and learned to play golf in New Mexico. She started at age 15 in Jal, New Mexico, on the nine-hole course built for the El Paso Natural Gas employees.

She soon was a two-time winner of the New Mexico State Amateur. After briefly attending Odessa (Texas) College, she turned pro at age 19 and joined the LPGA Tour in December 1958.

Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn is questionable after having wrist surgery

The six-time major winner won her first and last tournament 20 years apart

The Associated Press

CARLOS ORTIZ | DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE VIA AP

Kathy Whitworth responds to the crowd as she prepares to tee off during the 2006 Tournament of Champions in Pittsford, New York. Whitworth, whose 88 victories are the most by any golfer on a single professional tour, died on Saturday at age 83.

PHELAN M. EBENHACK | AP PHOTO

The Panthers signed former cornerback Josh Norman, pictured in 2015, to their practice squad.

Kathy

Career LPGA victories for Kathy Whitworth, the most of any golfer on any single pro tour

STATE & NATION

Biden’s bullish 2024 talk does little to tamp down chatter

By Will Weissert The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden toasted a reelection campaign with his French counterpart. He and the Rev. Al Sharpton talked about the prospect during a photo-op. And, for someone who often meanders through his thoughts, Biden has been notably explicit about his political plans.

“Our intention is to run again,” the president told reporters after the November midterms, noting that his family supports another campaign. He said his wife, first lady Jill Biden, has already counseled him not to “walk away” from the “very important” things he’s doing on the job.2

None of that, however, has silenced a Washington parlor game about whether Biden will follow through with a second presidential campaign. The speculation reflects a persistent, though often privately expressed, skepticism among even some of Biden’s allies that the 80-year-old president will ask voters to keep him in the White House until he’s 86.

Biden is expected to discuss the prospect of another campaign with those closest to him when he departs Washington for a Christmas vacation. If he opts for an announcement next year, he would launch a campaign during a time when his approval ratings remain low and inflation is high. The steady easing

of the pandemic, meanwhile, would add pressure on the president to appear in person before large crowds, an environment where he’s sometimes unsteady.

But Biden’s standing inside his party has improved in the aftermath of the midterms, when Democrats kept the Senate and limited Republican gains in the House. He’s long vowed he’s his party’s

best option against former President Donald Trump, who has already announced his third White House campaign. Trump has been blamed for the GOP’s disappointing November losses in states, including Georgia, Arizona and Pennsylvania, that will be among the most politically competitive territory in 2024.

“I’m not going to abandon a

president who is winning,” former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile said at a recent party meeting.

The White House’s political staff and top Biden allies aren’t waiting for the official go-ahead, already lining up staff and preparing for a 2024 campaign launch next spring. They’re eyeing the end of the first quarter, thus avoiding the period in which raising money often proves most difficult. Such a timeline would follow the lead of President Barack Obama who, with Biden as his vice president, kicked off his 2012 bid for a second White House term in April 2011.

Biden aides and allies chafe at the speculation he may not run again, saying the president should be taken at his word. They note it’s not uncommon for incumbent presidents to delay formally launching their reelection campaigns as long as possible in order to heighten the contrast with their out-of-power rivals jockeying for primary position.

Federal election law requires candidates to register once they raise or spend $5,000 for an election, triggering disclosure requirements and putting some limitations on how they can work with outside groups — actions Biden is likely trying to put off until next year.

Still, filling the political void have been reports that the first lady told French President Emmanuel Macron that she and her husband are ready for a reelection campaign. The remark is reported to have come before the couple joined Macron in a playful 2024 toast during a recent State Dinner.

The White House hasn’t denied the Macron toast and Sharpton says no one from Biden’s political circle contacted him after word

of the pair’s August chat about reelection began breaking. But Sharpton also now says that what actually happened wasn’t as dramatic as the reports it sparked.

No president has voluntarily left the White House after a single, four-year term since Rutherford B. Hayes in 1881. Biden said during the 2020 campaign that he wanted to be a “bridge” to a future generation of Democratic leaders, but he has struck a far differently tone more recently.

The president said his decision wouldn’t be swayed by polls indicating that most Americans don’t want to see him run for reelection. And he offered a message for anyone worried he couldn’t handle the physical rigors of another campaign: “Watch me.”

Despite having run unsuccessfully for the White House twice before his 2020 victory, Biden also is no stranger to prolonged public vacillating over a presidential run. In 2015, he agonized for months over whether to mount a campaign to succeed Obama as he and Jill coped with the death of their 46-year-old son, Beau, from a brain tumor.

Jesse Harris was a senior adviser in Iowa to Biden’s 2020 campaign and was the early vote and get out the vote director for Obama’s 2008 general election campaign. He said that while Biden can be expected to look on Obama’s reelection campaign as a blueprint for things like the timing of his reelection announcement, there won’t be much overlap on strategy.

“I think him being in office and being president, there’s a lot he wants to accomplish,” Harris said of Biden. “I think he’s willing to run and fight to make sure he can get as much done as possible.”

International migration drove US population growth in 2022

By Mike Schneider The Associated Press

THE U.S. POPULATION expanded by 1.2 million people this year, with growth largely driven by international migration, and the nation now has 333.2 million residents, according to estimates released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Net international migration — the number of people moving into the U.S. minus the number of people leaving — was more than 1 million residents from 2021 to 2022. That represented a growth rate of 168% over the previous year’s 376,029 international migrants, with every state gaining residents from abroad, according to the 2022 population estimates.

Natural growth — the number of births minus the number of deaths — added another 245,080 people to the total in what was the first year-over-year increase in total births since 2007.

This year’s U.S. annual growth rate of 0.4% was a rebound of sorts from the 0.1% growth rate during the worst of the pandemic from 2020 to 2021, which was the lowest since the nation’s founding.

“It’s welcome because we would have been back to almost flatline growth if not for this immigration,” said William Frey, a demographer at The Brookings Institution.

Regionally, the Northeast lost almost 219,000 people in a trend largely driven by domestic resi-

dents moving out of New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts, as well as deaths outpacing births in Pennsylvania. The Midwest also lost almost 49,000 residents, driven in part by people moving out of Illinois and deaths outpacing births in Ohio.

The South gained 1.3 million residents, the largest of any region, driven by population gains in Texas and Florida that exceeded 400,000 residents each. Other

Southern states like North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee had among the largest growth in numbers in the U.S. Texas, the second most populous state in the U.S., surpassed the 30 million-resident mark, joining California as the only other state in this category.

But California lost more than 113,000 residents, and had a population just over 39 million in 2022, in what was the biggest an-

nual decline behind New York’s more than 180,000-resident loss. The population decline was driven by more than 343,000 domestic residents moving out of California, and it helped drag down the West region’s population gain to only 153,000 residents.

Despite the overall population loss, California had the largest growth of any state in international residents, just a hair’s breadth ahead of Florida with more than

125,000 people. California also had the second highest natural increase, only trailing Texas. Births outpacing deaths and the international arrivals made California’s population loss smaller than last year, when it dropped by more than 358,000 residents.

Conversely, Florida had the largest natural decrease of any state, with deaths outpacing births by more than 40,000 people. But gains from international migration, as well the addition of more than 318,000 residents from domestic migration, the most in the nation, gave it the highest growth rate of any U.S. state at 1.9%.

The West region in 2022 lost some of its luster as a magnet for domestic migration. Without international migration and a sizeable natural increase from births outpacing deaths, the West region would have lost population due to domestic residents moving out of California, Oregon and Washington. Western hotspots like Utah, Idaho and Montana also had smaller gains than last year.

Some of the slower growth in the West has to do with the pandemic, which led to fewer people moving, and also the increasing cost of living in places once regarded as cheaper alternatives to California, according to Frey.

“There isn’t as much magnetism for those classic magnets for moving out of California,” Frey said.

Puerto Rico lost 40,000 residents, or 1.3% of its population, due to people moving away and deaths outpacing births, and its population now stands at 3.2 million residents.

AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Sept. 6, 2022, in Washington, D.C.

AP PHOTO, FILE

The skyline of downtown Charlotte is seen in this file photo.

MOORE COUNTY

Getting ready to celebrate 2023

The 2023 New Year’s Eve numerals are displayed in Times Square, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in New York. The numerals will be placed atop One Times Square, completing the “2023” sign that will light up at midnight on Jan. 1, 2023.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Holmes Building Systems catches fire on Christmas Eve

Holmes Building Systems, a modular home building company, located in Robbins, caught fire on the morning of Christmas Eve. The fire, which was reported just after 11:30 am on Saturday, destroyed most of the company’s main building. According to the Moore County fire marshal, Bryan Phillips, the company was closed at the time when the fire broke out, and thankfully, no injuries were reported. Fire crews from Moore County were assisted by responders from Chatham, Montgomery, Lee, and Randolph counties. Jimmy Holmes, the owner of the business, has immediately turned his focus on the reconstruction process and getting his company back into operation.

Woman with four children in car attempts to flee traffic stop

A woman with four children in her car allegedly attempted to flee from a deputy during a traffic stop this past weekend. According to Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields, the deputy “attempted to initiate a traffic stop” in the Southern Pines area following witnessing multiple violations by 25-year-old Valiyah Kelly. Kelly failed to stop for the deputy, and a brief chase ensued. When Kelly was finally apprehended, deputies identified four children under the age of ten in her car, none of whom were wearing seat belts or sitting in child safety seats.

Kelly was arrested and placed at the Moore County Detention Center under a $12,000 secured bond. She is facing charges of four counts of misdemeanor child abuse, two counts of failing to secure passenger under 16, two counts of a child not in a rear seat, two counts of assault on a government official, two counts of resisting a public officer, one count of misdemeanor fleeing to elude arrest, one county of failing to heed lights/siren, one count of reckless driving, and one count of improper passing on the right.

Moore County ends year on a hectic note

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

CARTHAGE — Perhaps the biggest stories of Moore County this year came within the last two months: November elections and the December substation attack.

On December 3, two substations were damaged by gunfire, leaving nearly 40,000 residents in the dark for nearly a week. During a press conference, Sheriff Ronnie Fields –who won reelection in November –said that the attacks were “targeted” and not random.

The attacks raised a lot of eyebrows due to the nature of their proximity to military installations, as well as due to the nature and severity of the damage.

The investigation into the attacks is still ongoing.

Moore County also witnessed

considerable changes with local elections this November.

Nick Picerno returned to the Board of Commissioners in March of 2022 to fill the unexpired District II seat and then promptly won reelection in November and was then voted in as chairman of the board. He was joined by three greenhorn commissioners, all elected to their first terms in office, those being Jim Von Canon, John L. Ritter, and Kurt Cook.

All four were republican backed candidates.

Frank Quis, who is currently serving in a second term, was elected as Vice-Chair after serving as Chairman this past year.

The most significant shakeup this November, however, was within the Moore County Board of Education, as Board Chair Pam Thompson lost her bid for reelec-

tion to challenger Shannon Davis.

In addition, Libby Carter and Ed Dennison - who each decided not to run again for reelection - saw their seats flip to Republican-backed candidates, Pauline Bruno and Kenneth Benway, giving the board a much stronger conservative backing.

Diminishing test scores, frustration over mask mandates, inappropriate books, and student violence

were just some of the reasons for the drastic changes in command.

Following the power flip, current board members Robert Levy and David Hensley were elected as Board Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively.

Notably, both Levy and Hensley are strong proponents of a more conservative and cautious approach to how the board of education is spending funds. Both have promised a more transparent and accountable approach to spending this upcoming year.

One major thing that the board of education did manage this prior year was the adoption of a new, three-year strategic plan with a mission statement stating, “All students will graduate with the skills, knowledge, character, and education to become proud and successful citizens of the United States of America.”

The plan also came with a few keys focused mainly on raising test scores and proficiencies around the entire district.

The local education changes and ensuing substation investigation will continue to be covered by the North State Journal into the new year.

Group files lawsuit against Governor’s School following controversial firing

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A lawsuit has been filed in Wake County against the state’s prestigious Governor’s School by the Alliance for Defending Freedom on behalf of English professor Dr. David Phillips following his “mid-session” termination in 2021.

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is a non-profit based in Arizona. ADF describes itself as the “world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights.”

The North Carolina Governor’s School is a summer residential program lasting four weeks for “gifted and talented high school students, integrating academic disciplines, the arts, and unique courses on each of two campuses.” Its operations are overseen by officials with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, N.C. Governor’s School Coordinator Rodney Allen, and Director Office of Advanced Learning and Gift-

ed Education Sneha Shah-Coltrane.

According to the lawsuit, Phillips’ firing came after he spoke out about “the harms of the racially divisive ideology embraced by the school.”

The case summary says Phillips had spoken out against the school’s “increasing adoption of critical theory, an ideology that views everyone and everything through the lens of characteristics like race, sex, and religion, labeling people as perpetual oppressors or victims based on group membership alone.”

“After Dr. Phillips delivered three optional seminars critiquing critical theory and the increasing bias and lack of viewpoint diversity in higher education, North Carolina public school officials fired him mid-session without any explanation,” the summary says.

Phillips had taught at the Governor’s School for eight years, as well as teaching English at Wake Tech and Guilford Community Colleges. In the lawsuit, Phillips also asserts there was “no appeal or other recourse” offered following his firing.

“In an academic environment

committed to exploring a wide range of differing viewpoints, as the Governor’s School claims to be, no teacher should be fired for offering a reasoned critique of critical theory. But that’s what happened to Dr. Phillips,” ADF Senior Counsel Hal Frampton said in a press release.

Frampton said there was “no lawful explanation for the way North Carolina public school officials treated Dr. Phillips” and that by firing him, “the Governor’s School violated his constitutional right to free speech and unlawfully retaliated against him for deviating from the Governor’s School’s ideological orthodoxy.”

North Carolina is an at-will state when it comes to employment. That means an employee can be fired at any time so long as it does not violate the employee’s civil rights enumerated in the N.C. Equal Employment Practices Act or federal laws like Title VII.

North State Journal reached out to the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) about

The local education changes and ensuing substation investigation will continue to be covered by the North State Journal into the new year.

A session of the N.C.

Governor’s School takes place at High Point University in 2019.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG

♦ MICHAEL, SHAWN LEE, 53, W, M, 12/27/2022, Pinehurst PD

♦ PATTERSON, DARRIET DEON, 35, B, M, 12/26/2022, Moore County Sheriff’s Office

♦ DIAMOND, AMANDA LEIGH, 41, W, F, 12/24/2022, Moore County Sheriff’s Office

♦ CONE, RICHARD SHELDON, 79, W, M, 12/24/2022, Moore County Sheriff’s Office

♦

♦

LAMBERT, AARON DEXTER, 32, W, M, 12/23/2022, Moore County Sheriff’s Office

HARRIS, PHILIP SCOTT, 37, W, M, 12/23/2022, Out of County Agency

♦ GARNER, DYLAN MICHAEL, 27, I, M, 12/23/2022, Southern Pines PD

♦

DEY, WILLIAM NMN, 56, W, M, 12/23/2022, Robbins PD

♦

♦

CARLYLE, GERALD WAYNE, 46, W, M, 12/22/2022, Aberdeen PD

BAUZA, RODOLFO EMANUEL, 25, H, M, 12/22/2022, Aberdeen PD

LAWSUIT from page 1 the case.

“Mr. Phillips was an employee of Governor’s School during summer 2021,” NCDPI Communications Director Blair Rhoades said in an email response. “The Department of Public Instruction maintains that it fully complied with all legal requirements. However, as this is a personnel matter, no additional information can be shared at this time.”

The 61-page lawsuit alleges that following the optional lectures, a group of students and staff members showed “open hostility, referencing race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion in their comments and questions.”

Phillips maintains he stayed after class to engage in discussion with students after the lectures.

The filing also claims staff at the school accused Phillips of racism and made comments that “made it clear they believed the content of Dr. Phillips’ lecture was “worthy of censure.”

Phillips’ lawsuit is seeking his reinstatement, back pay, front pay, and a host of damages for pain, suffering, and reputational harm. The lawsuit is also seeking attorney and court fees.

NCDPI State Superintendent Catherine Truitt is not named in the suit.

The defendants listed in the lawsuit are former Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academy Of-

ficer David Stegall and former Coordinator of the North Carolina Governor’s School Thomas Winton.

Stegall left NCDPI in May 2022 to take the position of chief of staff for Blue Ridge Community College.

Current employees named as defendants include the Coordinator of the North Carolina Governor’s School and Site Director for the North Carolina Governor’s School West Campus Rodney K. Allen, and Director of the Division of Advanced Learning and Gifted Education at NCDPI Sneha Shah Coltrane.

Shah-Coltrane is the wife of Gov. Roy Cooper’s main education advisor, Geoff Coltrane.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Moore County:

Dec. 29

Open Mic Night at the Coffee Shoppe

5:30pm

Come down to Swank Coffee Shoppe for Open Mic Night with their host, Laura Rose! Open Mic night is open to all performers! Swank Coffee Shoppe is located at 232 NW Broad St. in Southern Pines.

Trivia Thursday at the Brewery 6pm

Come out for Trivia at the Southern Pines Brewery! Enjoy fun and prizes each Thursday.

Southern Pines Brewing Company is located at 565 Air Tool Dr., Southern Pines, NC.

Dec. 30

Winter Coat Drive 11am – 3pm

The Father’s House Closet of Robbins Free Mission is holding a Winter Coat Drive now through January 15. New and gentle used clean coats are being collected, as well as clothing and household items. Donations can be dropped off at 536 Bascom Chapel Rd. in Robbins.

Comic Bowling 6pm

Enjoy fun for the whole family with Cosmic Bowling at Sandhills Bowling Center, which is located at 1680 NC Highway 5 in Aberdeen! The cost is $5.50 per game or $17 for two hours of unlimited bowling.

Dec. 31

First Eve Celebration 6pm – 8pm

Celebrate the New Year a bit early in downtown Southern Pines at the annual First Eve Celebration! The Southern Pines Pinecone drops at 8pm! There will be live music from Whiskey Pines, games, and many family-friendly activities! This event takes place on the street and in the greenspace by Sunrise Theater.

FILE PHOTO

OPINION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

COLUMN | DENNIS PRAGER

Will secular conservatives have conservative grandchildren?

SECULAR CONSERVATIVES have done, and continue to do, great work on behalf of America, liberty and conservatism in general.

But they will not likely have conservative grandchildren — and many will not have conservative children.

I know this because I speak with hundreds of conservatives a year in person and on the radio.

I routinely ask these people these questions:

“How many children do you have?”

After they give me a number, I ask:

“With regard to their holding your conservative values, what’s your batting average?”

On some occasions the answer is “I’m batting a thousand,” but that is the rarest response. Usually, conservative parents have at least one child who has become a leftist — not a liberal, mind you, but a leftist.

To be completely honest, though less common, this is often also true of religious conservatives. Many religious parents have seen at least one child not only reject religion, but conservatism as well.

I will never forget a man who cruised with me years ago on one of my annual listener cruises. He was a successful businessman and a pastor of a church. He told me that he had three sons, each of whom had doctorates — one from Yale, one from Princeton and one from Stanford.

“And they are all leftists,” he sighed.

All three had chosen the values of the university over religious and conservative values.

The great tragedy of American life since World War II is that many Americans failed to explain American values to their children. As I have said since I began lecturing in my early 20s, the World War II generation decided to give my generation — the so-called “baby boomers” — “everything they didn’t have” — such as material comforts, financial security and a college education. And they largely succeeded. The problem is that they failed to give them everything they did have — such as a love of country, commitment to liberty, self-discipline, religion, etc.

The same problem held true among Christians

| DAVID HARSANYI

and Jews. Most Christians failed to explain Christianity to their children and most Jews failed to explain Judaism to theirs.

Secular conservatives see what is happening to some of their children and to many of their friends’ children, yet few draw the conclusion that abandoning God and Judeo-Christian values might be a major factor in these children’s alienation from conservativism.

But it surely is.

God is one of the three components of the American value system. As expressed on every American coin and banknote, those three components are “In God We Trust,” “Liberty” and “E Pluribus Unum” (“From Many One”). And as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, our rights come from the Creator. The notion that the Founders sought to found a secular, let alone a godless, society has no truth. It is true that many of the Founders did not hold specifically Christian theological beliefs. But they believed in God, and they believed America could not succeed without a God-centered and Bible-revering population.

In other words, American conservatism is incompatible with a secular worldview.

Furthermore, secular conservativism doesn’t work. As we saw during the lockdowns and see every day regarding, for example, woke attacks on “binary” sexuality, it is disproportionately religious Americans who hold and fight for conservative values.

It is true that religious Jews and Christians were a disappointment during lockdowns. That most rabbis, priests and ministers closed their synagogues and churches in obedience to irrational secular authority is reason for weeping.

Nevertheless, whatever challenges there were to irrational authority almost all came from religious institutions.

The same holds true for challenges to the premature sexualization of children taking place in American elementary schools and challenges to the nihilistic claims that there are more than two sexes (or “genders”) and that there is no objective

Abortion is not a Jewish sacrament

“OUR JEWISH BROTHERS AND SISTERS,” squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez explained during a recent rant, “are able to have an abortion according to their faith.” Many religions, the congresswoman goes on, do not share the “fundamentalist Christian” definition of life. They too have a right to exercise their faith, and to stand in their way is “authoritarian” and “theocratic.”

These days, science conforms to our politics rather than the other way around.

Ocasio-Cortez is a perfect straw man for this piece because she completely misunderstands not only the Jewish position on abortion but religious freedom, as well.

For one thing, does AOC, who is purportedly Catholic, believe that Pope Francis — who, like every pontiff in history, views abortion as “murder” — is a “Christian fundamentalist”? Perhaps. Until about five minutes ago, even science lovers believed life began at conception. The abortion debate revolved around the ethical question of when life was worth protecting.

These days, science conforms to our politics rather than the other way around. Increasingly, people demand faith do the same. And perhaps the most contemptible achievement of many progressive Jewish groups isn’t that they have cynically trashed a 3,000-year tradition, but that they’ve convinced millions of Americans that radical cultural leftism is synonymous with Judaism.

Nonetheless, AOC’s Jewish brothers and sisters have no genuine theological case to make for abortion on demand as a sacrament. The congresswoman probably got the idea from the Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor — adherents of “cosmic” Judaism, an “all-inclusive, universal, and rational

approach” to faith. The temple recently filed a suit that makes the preposterous claim that Florida’s 15week abortion restriction “prohibits Jewish women from practicing their faith free of government intrusion and this violates their privacy rights and religious freedom.” Three political activists in Kentucky filed similar lawsuits contending that state law infringes on their religious freedom by imposing a “Christian understanding” of life.

Now, I’m not a rabbi, but I feel slightly more qualified to comment on the Jewish faith than Ocasio-Cortez — and, while we’re at it, the “rabbi” of any cosmic shul. It would be misleading to assert that Jews adhere to the “pro-life” position in the way many Evangelicals or Catholics do. But it would be far less misleading than calling the Jewish traditional view on abortion “pro-choice” — a position that, in its contemporary meaning, means on demand throughout nine months for any reason.

The Orthodox Union’s diplomatic reaction to the overturning of Roe v. Wade is that it is “unable to either mourn or celebrate the news reports of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v Wade” because it does not support “absolute bans on abortion — at any time point in a pregnancy — that would not allow access to abortion in lifesaving situations” or support legislation that does not limit abortion to “situations in which medical (including mental health) professionals affirm that carrying the pregnancy to term poses real risk to the life of the mother.”

Neither the laws of Florida nor Kentucky — nor any state, for that matter — denies abortions for pregnancies that pose a real risk to the life of the

definition to “man” or “woman.”

Such challenges come overwhelmingly from religious America. Conversely, the nihilism comes almost exclusively from secular America.

In sum, it is hard enough for religious conservatives to keep their children and grandchildren conservative. It is far harder for secular conservatives to do so.

I am well aware that many secular conservatives are convinced that they cannot believe in or practice any religion.

To these people, I say: So what?

Once you realize that America’s future depends on Americans affirming “In God We Trust” just as much as they affirm “Liberty” and “E Pluribus Unum,” you have to work on taking God and some religious expression seriously. You should emulate parents who are tone deaf who nevertheless give their children piano lessons.

“Fake it till you make it” is one of the many great insights of 12-step programs. The rule applies to everything good that does not come naturally.

Find a clergyman who shares your values and regularly take your child (or grandchild) to religious services.

Study the Bible with your child or grandchild on a regular basis. Lincoln rarely attended church, but he read the Bible every day. If you need a rational approach to God and the Bible, I suggest beginning with any of my three volumes of Bible commentary, “The Rational Bible.”

Say a blessing before each meal. Even if you’re secular, that shouldn’t be too difficult.

I promise you that whatever discomfort you experience acting religious pales in comparison to the discomfort you will experience if your child or grandchild ends up woke.

Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His commentary on Deuteronomy, the third volume of “The Rational Bible,” his five-volume commentary on the first five books of the Bible, was published in October. He is the co-founder of Prager University.

mother. In any situation where abortion is required by Jewish law, it remains legal. Of course, even if we conceded for the sake of argument that the Jewish faith allows for abortion as means of birth control, as AOC suggests, it is certainly not a sin to avoid getting one nor is it a mitzvah or a sacrament to seek one out. Abortion laws do not intrude on anyone’s religious freedom.

With Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court threw abortion back into the democratic process. Americans can now vote on the issue using any moral calculus they desire. Some might turn to Malthus or Marx for moral guidance. Others to Christ. But voting based on your beliefs is not theocratic. A theocratic policy entails things like state-imposed religious tests for office or a state-endorsed church or the state compelling people to praise church doctrine. Try imagining a florist or baker being compelled by the government to create speech that undermines their beliefs. Something like that.

Indeed, Judaism stresses the preservation and celebration of life. Nothing about the contemporary leftist position on abortion — an inherent “right,” not merely used in rare instances when a pregnancy imperils a life, but whenever, and for any reason, a person demands — aligns with that tradition or culture.

David Harsanyi is a senior editor at The Federalist. Harsanyi is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of five books — the most recent, “Eurotrash: Why America Must Reject the Failed Ideas of a Dying Continent.”

I promise you that whatever discomfort you experience acting religious pales in comparison to the discomfort you will experience if your child or grandchild ends up woke.

COLUMN

Delores Ann Collins

February 20, 1945 - December 22, 2022

Delores Ann Collins, 77, of West End and formerly Robbins, went home to her Lord on Thursday, Dec. 22nd.

Born in February of 1945, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Callie Caviness Williams. Delores grew up in Robbins and was a graduate of Elise High School. Shortly after her high school graduation, she took a job with Fidelity Bank in Robbins, a career that lasted over 30 years. Delores was a talented organist and piano player and had played at the First Wesleyan Church in Robbins. In the early 1990’s she moved to West End, joining the Beulah Hill Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member.

Delores was the loving wife of Chris Collins. She is survived by her son Michael Stephen Kivett, wife Lisa; and her grandsons: Brendan Kivett, Shannon Foster, and Derek Kivett, fiancé Karlie Tighe.

Donald Roy Koeze

June 19, 1928 - December 22, 2022

Donald Roy Koeze passed peacefully on Thursday, December 22, 2022 at Fox Hollow Assisted Living Facility in Pinehurst.

Don was born in Grand Rapids Michigan to Johanna and Roy Koeze on June 19, 1928. He was preceded in death by his first wife Charlotte Koeze and three sisters, Dorothy Huizenga, Theda Waalkes, and Gertrude Depenhouse.

His career and passion was in grocery stores. He visited such stores no matter what state or country his travels took him.

He later owned an inventory business. After moving to Pinehurst he worked part-time in, of course, grocery stores.

He is survived by his five children, Philip Koeze (Barbara), Sandee Wheeler, Marcy Koeze, Tim Koeze (Pam), and Scott Koeze, and also 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

He is also survived by his wife of thirty years, Trudy Koeze.

He sang with the Golf Capital Chorus and with the Community Presbyterian Church.

Nelson Wyatt Parker

November 28, 1951 - December 21, 2022

Nelson Wyatt Parker, 71 of West End, passed away on December 21, 2022 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst.

Born on November 28, 1951 in Wadesboro, North Carolina to the late Joseph and Margaret Parker. He was such an inspiration to a lot of people and set the best example of an amazing husband, father and grandfather.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mamie Parker; and two brothers, Joseph W. “Joe” Parker and Harold Parker (Shirley).

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Lolita Parker; one son, Shane Wyatt Parker and his wife, Jessica; grandson, Gavin Andrew Parker; two sisters, Martha Austin and her husband, Ray of Albermarle and Freida Donohue of Raleigh; aunt and uncle, Jimmy and Joyce Parker of Matthews; also survived by many other family, friends and his beloved dog, Carley.

William Hall Wetmore, III

January 23, 1921 - December 21, 2022

William Hall Wetmore, 101, passed peacefully December 21, 2022 at Hospice House.

Born January 23, 1921, in Richmond, VA, Bill attended school in Pittsburgh, PA. At Dormont High School, he was President of his senior class and Captain of the basketball team.

At Duke University, Bill played basketball under Coach Eddie Cameron and in the first game in Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Bill served in the Navy in WW II as an engineering officer and achieved the rank of Lt. Commander.

In 1954, Bill married Jane Lee Knaebel. In 2004, Jane died after a valiant battle with cancer.

Later, Bill married Nancy Marie Olson, a literature teacher and women's Bible studies and prayer groups leader. They were married 18 years.

Bill leaves behind William Hall Wetmore IV, former attorney for the VA, in DC, Benjamin Thomas Wetmore, an architect, in Pittsburgh, PA, and Catherine Anne Ponzio, former Technical Recruiter, in Horseshoe Bay, TX.

Grandchildren: Daniel Louis Wetmore, Joshua William Wetmore, Christopher Brinton Hirsch, William Hall Wetmore V, Joshua Douglas Wetmore and Sarah Anne Read.

Thomas Ernest "Ernie" Martin

May 17, 1925 - December 18, 2022

Thomas Ernest Martin died of natural causes on December 18, 2022 in Pinehurst, NC at the age of 97.

Ernie was born in Huntsville, AL, son of the late Howard A. and Lueberta Neal Martin. He was also predeceased by his brothers, Howard E. Martin of Marion, NC and Joseph R. Martin of Charleston, SC.

Ernie loved no one or thing more than his beloved wife of 69 years, Lucy Dunn Guion of Charlotte, NC. ‘Till the day he died, he still thought she was the most beautiful person he’d ever known. Other survivors include a brother, James Martin of Jackson, MS; a daughter, Leigh M. Lowe (Henry) of Baltimore; two sons, Eric B. Martin (Jean) of Greensboro and Alan R. Martin (Karen), of Titusville, FL; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Also dear to him was Anne Weiber of Lund, Sweden, a foreign exchange student who remained a devoted “daughter” for all of Ernie’s life.

Captain Paul Andrew O'Donnell

April 26, 1966 - December 18, 2022

Captain Paul Andrew O’Donnell, beloved former resident of Moore County, passed away suddenly on December 18, 2022, in his home on St. Thomas USVI.

Paul enjoyed a long and happy career as a SCUBA dive instructor and charter boat captain in the US and British Virgin Islands. He served Moore County as a member of the Aberdeen Rescue Squad, (Unit 4) and the Malcom Blue Junior Historians and as a member of the Pinecrest High School marching band. He served his country for four years in the United States Air Force. He served his faith community as an active member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and by composing and playing contemporary Christian music. Most importantly, served his family and fellow man with kind humility and easy-going goodness by leaving this world a better place for having been here.

Jack Owen Fairbanks

January 11, 1957 - December 17, 2022

Jack Owen Fairbanks, age 65 of West End, NC passed away at his home on December 17, 2022.

Jack was born in Springfield, MA on January 11, 1957, to the late Donald Fairbanks and Thelma Joyce Rose. Jack spent about 20 years of his life in upstate New York, 20 in Cape Coral, FL and about 20 years in Sarasota, FL.

Jack is survived by his wife, Sheri Fairbanks; children, Rachel Perez-Fairbanks, Jennifer Fairbanks, and Beverly Genty. Brothers and Sisters; Kathy Hilpertshauser, Steve Fairbanks, Beth Mabie, and Amy Harrington. Along with grandkids; Brissa, Alina, Tori, and Levi. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins to name. Lastly, Jack was loved and cherished by his Publix Supermarket Family.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and everything else to those he met and interacted with. He was known as Daddy Jack to so many. He will be forever in our hearts and missed beyond measure. Rest in Peace.

Almerinda Gaskill

December 4, 1943 - December 18, 2022

Almerinda Gaskill, 79 of Southern Pines, passed away on December 18, 2022 at FirstHealth Hospice House.

She was a very strong and independent woman who was very sensitive to family, friends and others in need of help. A person who wanted absolutely no interference in her own life and would rather bear her burden than expose it to public view.

She was my closest friend and is now and forever my closest spiritual friend, my dearest wife you will be in my heart forever.

Let me close by praying! God, please help us all as we travel along our path in life. Amen.

William "Bill" Snyder Saulsbury

January 3, 1950 - December 19, 2022

William “Bill” Snyder

Saulsbury, 72, of Pinehurst, passed away at his home on Monday, Dec. 19th.

Born in State College, PA, he was the son of the late Edward and Barbara Ann Saulsbury.

After high school graduation, he joined the international group “Up With People”, traveling the world and helping those in need. Eventually teaching English at the school of Berlitz in Madrid, Spain, where he met Mercedes Garcia - Ontiveros. They married on Dec. 29, 1971 and soon started a family after returning to America.

He is preceded in death by his father Edward, mother Barbara and brother Eddie.

He is survived by his wife Mercedes Saulsbury, son William “Joe” Saulsbury and daughter Mercedes Anne Saulsbury. He is also survived by his brother, John “Bobby” Saulsbury (Linda), his niece Diana, nephew JD Maull, grandnieces Jaidyn and Gabriel “Gabby”. He also leaves behind his faithful companion Shadow, his beloved black lab, and the late Nyla.

Marie Batten 1934 ~ 2022

Marie Batten of West End passed away at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, December 18, 2022, at the age of 88.

Marie was born in Montgomery County on January 10, 1934, to the late Leo and Lorena Christenbury Coble.

She is preceded in death by her son, Joe Batten; her granddaughter, Erica Batten; her grandson, Ricky Wayne Poindexter; her siblings, Almeta, Roy, Bernice, and Jerry; She is survived by her son, Rodney Batten (Nancy) of West End; her grandchildren, Shannon McDonald (Scott) of Fletcher, Stefanie Batten of Aberdeen, Beth Gabriel (Darrion) Nederland, TX, Becky Durrance of West End; 12 great-grandchildren; her siblings, Carolyn McNeill (Johnny) of Candor, LD Coble (Betty) of Mount Gilead, Eugene Coble (Martha) of Count Gilead, and Derwin Coble (Linda) of Gold Hill.