Early voting is underway in North Carolina. Registered voters in the state were able to begin casting their votes at sites set up by local county boards of election on Thursday and may do so until Nov. 2. Election Day is Nov. 5. Early voting sites can be found at vt.ncsbe.gov/EVSite.
Biden approves $750M to Wolfspeed in Chatham County
Washington, D.C.
The Biden administration announced plans to provide up to $750 million in direct funding to Wolfspeed, with the money supporting its new silicon carbide factory in Chatham County that makes the wafers used in advanced computer chips and its factory in Marcy, New York. The new Wolfspeed facility in Siler City could be a critical symbol in this year’s election.
Democrats call on corporations to keep DEI programs
New York
A group of Congressional Democrats appealed to the largest U.S. companies to hold onto their diversity, equity and inclusion programs in a letter emailed Tuesday to the leaders of the Fortune 1000. Forty-nine House members signed the letter, including Congresswoman Alma Adams (N.C.-12). She was the only of seven N.C. Democratic representatives to sign the letter. The move follows several major corporations, including Ford, John Deere and Harley-Davidson, saying in recent months that they would end or curtail their DEI initiatives.
The State Board of Education is seeing better K-3 performance
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — At its October meeting, the North Carolina State Board of Education heard an update on the state’s Read to Achieve program results for the 2023-24 academic year.
This year’s report on Read to Achieve to the General Assembly, which was changed to be part of the Excellent Pub-
lic Schools Act, shows steady improvement in reading proficiency for students in grades 1-3 over the past few years. The report parallels statewide test score gains presented at the September board meeting.
For grades 1 and 2, the percentage of students at or above benchmark increased from 2020-21 to 2023-24, with Grade 1 improving from 39% to 70% and Grade 2 from 43% to 65%.
For Grade 3, the overall proficiency rate (including Begin-
See READING, page A2
N.C. Congressional Republicans requested the empty 800-bed migrant facility be utilized
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — North Carolina Congressional Republicans’ request to the Biden administration to allow a migrant facility in Greensboro to be used to help aid Hurricane Helene efforts was granted.
The Greensboro Influx Care Facility (ICF) was deemed operational March 15, but no children have been placed at the facility. HHS entered a nearly $50 million, five-year contract on June 9, 2022, that expires in 2027 with an option to renew.
North Carolina’s Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09) and Sen. Thom Tillis led a letter making the request, which was sent to Department of Health and
Legislative leaders said the funding, which passed unanimously, is just the first step
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — The General Assembly approved a $273 million Hurricane Helene relief package that leadership says will be just the first of many, as recovery efforts from the storm will likely span years into the future.
House Bill 149 will serve as the vehicle for the package. The bill’s original language will be stripped and replaced with the funding items, and the bill will be retitled to the “Disaster Recovery Act of 2024.” Both chambers passed the bill unanimously last Wednesday and was signed by Gov. Roy Cooper the following day.
During a press conference Wednesday morning before the votes on the measure, Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) unveiled the funding package that includes $250 million to provide state agencies with spending flexibility to address critical needs. That is the exact figure requested by State Budget Director Kristin Walker in an Oct. 7 letter to the legislature.
See RELIEF, page A8
“Based on our understanding of this facility, we think that it could be incredibly useful in supporting the people of western North Carolina as the region recovers from Hurricane Helene.”
NC Congressional Republicans letter to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra
Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Oct. 5. “Based on our understanding of this facility, we think that it could be incredibly useful in supporting the people of western North Carolina as the region recovers from Hurricane Helene,” the
“The recovery that is going to have to be done is going to be something that is a Herculean task, but it is something that we will get done.” House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain)
Sen. JD Vance carries his son Vivek on his shoulders while walking to pit row during a visit to Charlotte Motor Speedway before Sunday’s NASCAR Royal 400 in Concord. Kyle Larson snagged his sixth victory of the season at the Roval. For more, turn to Page B1.
the word | My daddy won’t let you
We stand corrected
To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@ nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.
A little boy was walking along a road one day when he met two larger boys. They sought to have some fun with the little boy by teasing him. One began to frighten him by threatening him. The boy was startled at first but in a moment had composed himself. He braced up, looked his tormentors in the face, and said positively, “No you won’t!”
“Yes I will,” said one of the larger boys menacingly.
“No you won’t,” said the little fellow. “My daddy won’t let you!”
There was the secret to his courage. His father was not in sight, but the boy was confident of one thing — his father would protect him and let no ill befall him. This childlike confidence gave him courage to face the danger that seemed very real to him, and to meet it without shrinking.
This little fellow knew the situation was too difficult for him. His opponents were superior to him in strength and could easily harm him, but his courage did not falter. He made no effort to run away. He faced the situation with confidence.
“My daddy won’t let you!” In the same way, every Christian has a Father who is loving, tender, and powerful — infinitely greater than the father of this boy. If only we, with the same simplicity of heart, could meet threatening situations with the same calm trust the little boy showed. Is there not far more reason for us to be confident than the boy? Our God is present — he is not out of sight nor of hearing.
Our God is all powerful and loves us. There is ample ground for our confidence in God’s multitude of promises, every one of which is as safe to trust as his most sacred oath.
“Our Father won’t let you” said the three Hebrew children, and they walked unscathed through the fiery furnace.
“My Father won’t let you!” was Daniel’s confidence in the face of the roaring lions.
The same words in different form were in the hearts of Isaiah and Hezekiah when Jerusalem was surrounded by the armies of Assyria. The leader of the enemies of Judah told them they trusted in their God in vain. He claimed God could do no more than the gods of other nations, who had not saved their countries from Assyria. But these embattled armies marched away and left Jerusalem untouched.
“Oh, it just happened that way. It was just a combination of circumstances,” says the unbeliever. Yes, it was a combination of circumstances, but who combined the circumstances? Isaiah knew; Hezekiah knew; the men of Jerusalem knew.
Nearly eight hundred years later, Jerusalem was again surrounded. This time it was the Roman army. Jesus warned his disciples about the impending destruction of the city and the temple, advising them to flee when they saw specific signs. The Romans were bent on destroying the Jews within the city, but the Christians, looked upon the Roman armies without fear. They knew Jerusalem was to be destroyed and of the famine, pestilence, and bloodshed to follow. With a confidence born of trust in God, they said, “My Father will not let you!” and were saved through their trust in God.
Luther stood calm and bold before his enemies because he believed in God. The weapons of faith triumphed over the weapons of an empire.
Spain sent the celebrated Spanish Armada to conquer England. But that mighty fleet melted away, as it were, like frost before the rising sun, and only a small remnant of it reached home again. God works among the nations and in individual lives. All the resources of his kingdom are behind his promises.
Moses feared not the king’s wrath, for his heart said, “My Father will not let you!”
How many times has that simple trust in the heart of a helpless saint of God been mightier than the armies of kings, more
powerful than the wills of monarchs? This is well illustrated in the case of David and Saul.
Saul was a powerful monarch with a large, loyal army which protected him. Yet he was afraid — not of external threats, but of David, a man who meant him no harm. Why? “Because the Lord was with him.” (1 Samuel 18:12) David trusted in the Lord; that was the source of his faith. His faith protected him against the king’s wrath, struck terror in his enemies’ hearts, and triumphed.
You and I have access to the same God. The power of a living faith in God in us will be the same as in those illustrious examples of past ages. You may find the courage to say, “My Father won’t let you!” and believe it in your heart so surely that you can face whatever threatens with unwavering confidence, knowing that the mighty hand of God will not fail to protect and keep you, whatever may come.
Charles Wesley Naylor is considered one of the most prolific and inspiring songwriters of the Church of God. He was bedridden for much of his adult life but wrote eight books, a newspaper column and over 150 songs. Many of his writings are in the public domain.
FEMA from page A1
lawmakers letter continued. “To the best of our knowledge, GCC has hundreds of beds, as well as extensive facilities for medical care, meals, and education. We believe that this ICF could be repurposed to support the state’s rescue and recovery efforts.”
The letter suggests the site could be used as a staging area for relief and aid workers or even house citizens displaced by the storm.
Sen. Ted Budd and Reps. Chuck Edwards (NC-11), David Rouzer (NC-07), Dan Bishop (NC-08), Virginia Foxx (NC05), Greg Murphy (NC-03) and Patrick McHenry (NC-10) all signed the letter.
In response to the letter, FEMA issued a press release through a spokeswoman indicating the site would be used for Helene efforts.
“FEMA continues to lead a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to assist communities impacted by Hurricane Helene,” the statement reads. “As part of our effort to ensure that every available resource is mobilized, FEMA will
READING from page A1
ning of Grade, End of Grade, and Retest) increased from 44% in 2020-21 to 49% in 202324. When including alternative pathways and good cause exemptions, the proficiency rate rose from 37% to 47% over the same period.
The presentation also included information on reading camps for Grades 2 and 3. In 2023-24, 27% of eligible Grade 2 students attended reading camp, with 13% achieving proficiency afterward. For Grade 3, 36% of eligible students attended reading camp, with 22% reaching proficiency after the camp. The figures show a slight improvement from the previous year, particularly for Grade 2 students.
The noted attendance at these camps has decreased, with only 7.9% of eligible first graders and
soon sign an agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services to transfer the Greensboro Facility in North Carolina, previously operated by HHS, to FEMA. The Greensboro facility will be another re-
27% of eligible second graders participating. Reading camp enrollment of third graders eligible for priority enrollment was 21.4%, but only 36.3% of those students attended.
The report also states that nearly 20% of all third-grade students in the state were retained or placed in transitional classes because they did not demonstrate reading proficiency.
“Grade ones and two — yes, they are progressing” said Amy Rhyne, senior director of the Office of Early Learning at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction in an interview with North State Journal.
Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS), the phonics-based program picked by State Superintendent Catherine Truitt and the Department of Public Instruction as part of the Science of Reading dictates in the Ex-
source to ensure that FEMA has access to a wide array of assets and resources should they be needed for the recovery.”
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) fact sheet on the ICF has had the same update
“That we’re moving slowly means we’re moving in the right direction.”
Amy Rhyne, N.C. Department of Public Instruction
cellent Public Schools Act, has enabled teachers to intervene more quickly to help students, Rhyne said.
She also noted that 50% of the districts had just finished Volume Two of LETRS training.
“That we’re moving slowly means we’re moving in the right direction,” Rhyne said, likening the progress to a ship that makes small changes in direction to keep from capsizing.
She acknowledged the reading camp attendance was declining but said despite fewer students
since the March 15 announcement, which in part says, “No children have been in care at the Center since it became operational in March. It will continue to have no children in care but must be ready to resume operations and accept children eight weeks after being notified by ORR.”
Following the March 15 announcement, Hudson and Tillis also sent a letter to Becerra criticizing HHS for failing to respond to multiple past congressional inquiries for information about the ICF.
“Our offices were notified late afternoon on Friday, March 1, 2024, despite repeated, outstanding requests for answers about plans for operationalizing the facility,” the lawmakers wrote in a March 7 letter to Becerra. “We are frustrated by this sudden announcement and the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) lack of transparency to Congress and the State of North Carolina related to this issue.”
The ICF is the former American Hebrew Academy (AHA) campus, a sprawling 100-acre property with $26 million in
enrolled, proficiency levels had increased for those who attended.
“They are compared to what we’ve seen in the past,” Rhyne said when asked if the reading camps were moving the needle for proficiency. “So it’s still up to parents to make the decision on whether or not their child attends camp, and so that’s still in their hands. But I think as it’s more engaging and it’s more innovative, you also hopefully will see that change as we continue moving forward there too.”
Rhyne also mentioned that summer office hours were held to allow districts to “spotlight and highlight” what they were doing in their summer reading camps and share what worked and what didn’t.
Another aspect of the Excellent Public Schools Act is the use of the DIEBELS 8 reading screener, which measures various aspects of literacy in a short
original loans attached to it. North State Journal found the loans have changed hands several times between multiple entities and individuals with ties to China. Two of the companies involved are registered in the British Virgin Islands.
The campus operated from 2001 through 2019 before it closed due to financial issues. There was a brief window in 2020 when AHA rebranded as an “International School” following the $26 million loan from Puxin Ltd., a Chinese company. The rebranded school was supposed to reopen in 2021 but never did.
In December 2023, North State Journal attempted to find out why the facility was still empty but was turned away at the gate by contracted security forces that said no one there would speak with a reporter.
Following North State Journal’s visit to the ICF, nearby residents said there had been activity at the site in summer 2023. One resident provided images of multiple charter buses with blacked-out windows coming and going from the ICF’s side gate.
test. The screener is given multiple times a year to students in K-3 to search for gaps that a teacher can then use to provide interventions.
Rhyne said the screener has “absolutely” affected rising proficiency rates. She added that while it’s meant for K-3 students, many districts have expanded its use to fourth and fifth grade.
“Just because you hit third grade doesn’t mean your gaps go away,” Rhyne said.
“North Carolina is definitely moving in the right direction based on the data that we are seeing and recognizing the fact that we are shifting an entire system of large-scale system. It’s going to move at a slow pace.
“And so we celebrate that progress and that hard work that’s going into that and that we’re heading in the right direction, but we also recognize we’re not there yet.”
PUBLIC DOMAIN
“The Defeat of Sennacherib” by Peter Paul Rubens (circa 1612) is a painting in the collection of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, pictured last month, was among the Republican lawmakers who requested FEMA use the unoccupied Greensboro Influx Care Facility for Hurricane Helene relief.
Portrait of a politician
The life and careers of Dale Folwell
Folwell prepares to leave office and have more time for his family and motorcycles
This is the final story in a five‑week
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
RALEIGH — As the end of Dale Folwell’s run as a public servant inches closer, the state treasurer still has the citizens of his state and country on his mind.
“Too often, people talk about this as the most important election of our lifetime,” said Folwell, “and they talk about that in terms of politics. We need to start thinking about that in terms of mathematics. … (there are) people who are making billions of dollars in this country keeping us divided.
“The world is coming at us in a way that we never anticipated and at a speed we never anticipated, and we’ve got some huge mathematical challenges that we’re going to have to overcome. And I say all that to you because, at the end of the day, whether it’s COVID, whether it’s the great financial crisis, no matter what it is, it’s normally low-income and fixed-income people who get hurt the worst.
“I’m sure that there are a lot of people in power on the Republican and Democrat side who don’t want to see the problems fixed because then they can’t make money on them. They don’t want the problems fixed because if the problem is fixed, what do they have to complain about or raise money on?”
Fowlell said he believes confidence in government is at an all-time low, and that is “why the majority of people in this country don’t want any one of the individuals who are running for president.”
While much of Folwell’s life has been about his work, nothing has been more important to him than his family, including his wife of 36 years, Synthia.
“She’s an amazing spouse and mother and friend, and I’ll describe her this way: There’s some things in life that are so beautiful they don’t have to draw any attention to themselves. They just are,” said Folwell. “And that’s what she is.
“You would find a connection anytime she walks into a room. That’s the effect she has on people because she does not draw attention to herself. There are a lot of women who are attractive and there are women who are attracting, and she’s both.”
He also called her “the most beautiful 250-year-old woman you’ve ever met,” referring to her work in Old Salem dressed in period attire. “She’s the reason,” he said, “I work so hard.”
And Folwell’s time spent in Raleigh was about one thing: the work.
“I did not come to Raleigh to create a separate life for myself,” he said.
“In nearly 19 years, I’ve not had a kitchen or TV because I don’t want to be comfortable here. I want to work and I want to exercise an hour a day, and then I want to rest.
“And my life, my home, where I want to be comfortable, is in Winston-Salem. Not to come to Raleigh and create a separate life for myself. Which I have not.”
Most people might not realize he and his wife had three children, not
“I’m going to try my best not to let things get between me and God, to love my wife and family, and ride my motorcycles.”
State Treasurer Dale Folwell
NC
two. When asked about his children, Folwell went slightly quiet for a moment.
“Because that’s all I have remaining,” Folwell explained while looking over his shoulder at a picture behind him. “So that’s the third one.”
Folwell did not speak his name but nodded at a picture of a young, blonde-haired boy on a shelf behind his desk. The picture was of his son, Dalton.
Dalton was tragically killed in May 1999 when he was struck by a car while trying to get on the bus to school when a driver passed the stopped school bus. The Folwell family donated their son’s organs, including his liver, which saved the life of 9-year-old Annette Stidham.
The woman who hit and killed Dalton received a misdemeanor charge and 100 hours of community service.
In 2015, when he served in the House of the General Assembly, Folwell spearheaded legislation to change that, with the backing of the
Winston-Salem/Forsyth School District. It is now a Class I felony for willfully passing a stopped school bus under North Carolina law. Anyone doing so that results in the striking and/or death of a person is guilty of a Class H felony.
Folwell’s free time, meanwhile, has often been consumed by his love of motorcycles and racing.
“I’ve been racing for 47 years, and earlier in the interview, we talked about some four people,” Folwell said of his love of motorbikes. “Motorcycles gave me a way of life to make a living with my hands, and there’s a lot of things I do at the Treasurer’s Office; there’s a lot of connections between an engine and a motorcycle and running an operation.
“But I digress and not telling you that it’s a motorcyclist who worked with me, showed me examples when I was in a fatherless house of motorcyclists. The people who ride motorcycles, who taught me the ways to operate, respect women, work hard, dress nicely — which I didn’t quite get that one.”
Now Folwell is ready for his next act, away from the bustle of politics.
“I’m going to try my best not to let things get between me and God, to love my wife and family, and ride my motorcycles,” said Folwell. “And I’ll just pair it with what Jamie Dimon recently said, as he’s talking about leaving JP Morgan — that he’s not quite sure what jersey is going to fit him next. And that’s where I am.”
series on the life and career of outgoing North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell.
PHOTOS COURTESY DALE FOLWELL
Dale Folwell sits on his Honda motorcycle outside the North Carolina Department of State Treasurer building in Raleigh.
Dale Folwell and his wife, Synthia, have been married for 36 years.
Dale Folwell has worked on and raced motorcycles throughout his life.
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL
Late-blooming elections
Kamala Harris is having a devil of a time getting white men, black men and Hispanic men to like her first and then vote for her.
THE INCUMBENT PRESIDENT was sure he was going to lose reelection.
Three long years had passed and hundreds of thousands of soldiers had died due to wounds or, more likely, infection and gangrene after being treated in ramshackle battlefield hospitals. The nation had grown weary of the war and all of the dislocations of food and commerce that went along with it.
Then came news Atlanta had fallen to Gen. Sherman’s troops on Sept. 2, 1864.
Republican President Abraham Lincoln and voters in the North could finally see that his prosecution of the Civil War was going to succeed in saving the Union.
Lincoln won comfortably. He garnered 212 of the 233 electoral votes, all cast by the 24 states which remained in the Union.
Voters could vote early back in 1864 similar to today. And by mail. Hundreds of thousands of Union soldiers and veterans voted en masse for Lincoln and turned a tight election into a landslide.
Conversely in 1980, an incumbent president presided over a desultory economy and repeated embarrassing foreign policy disasters overseas. Somehow, the beleaguered president maintained a solid 8% lead in the Gallup Poll taken two weeks before the November election.
Ronald Reagan beat President Jimmy Carter 489-49 in the Electoral College in the largest electoral wipeout of an incumbent president in U.S. history.
What happened? How could a nation of 18.5 million people (North only) in 1864 and more than 226 million in 1980 essentially change their collective mind like a massive
EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS
school of fish and switch their political preferences in tidal wave fashion?
Not everyone changed their mind overnight. Just a significant few ― but enough few to get their candidate over the 50%-plus-one majority hurdle in each state to garner their electoral votes.
It is basic math.
It doesn’t take a lot to turn a presidential election into an Electoral College rout. All it takes to win all of a state’s Electoral College votes (except in Nebraska and Maine) is to win the state by one measly vote. Donald Trump or Kamala Harris could win every state and D.C. by one vote and achieve the grand slam of winning the presidency by 538-0 in the Electoral College and by only 51 votes in the popular vote, as inconceivable as it sounds.
It is the way our founders decided to give control to the winning candidate and party so they could effectively govern “with a mandate” from the people.
Small deviations in voter turnout and performance versus projections based on polls can have devastating impacts on the outcome of an election.
Men represented 48% of the final count nationwide in 2020. Women represented 52%. Donald Trump won the male vote 53% to 45% over Joe Biden. Biden won the female vote 57-42 over Trump.
Any small change upward in the male turnout percentage of the final popular vote could turn a close race into a solid victory for Trump in 2024.
Any change upward in the female turnout percentage over 53% because more women
put abortion rights above every other consideration could ensure a safe election for Harris to be the next president of the United States of America.
However, as noted by long-term political expert Alex Castellanos nearby, Harris is having a devil of a time getting white men, black men and Hispanic men to like her first and then vote for her. She has been a driving force in the emasculation of men in America along with her progressive Democratic socialist cohorts who have routinely tried to marginalize and ostracize men simply because they embody “toxic masculinity.”
Remember her unfounded attacks on Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch?
Every man does.
The Democrats know men don’t like her complete about-face on every issue ― they think she is dishonest. She reminds men of school teachers who used to get on them all the time for acting up in class. Her condescending nasal voice and incessant cackling come across as unserious to men. To many men, that is enough to disqualify her long before they get to her dangerous, extreme, uber-left-wing politics and policies.
Those same manly black, Hispanic and white men have seen Trump survive one bloody assassination attempt ― and one other attempt ― plus endure years of coordinated fabricated opposition by the media, lawyers, judges, Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi. They see a brave man willing to stand up to all of the injustice and oppression from the Government State and say to themselves: “If they can do that to him, they can do that to me one day!”
If men make up 49% of the final vote instead of 48%, 1.56 million more men will have cast their vote than in 2020. That is how close elections turn into blowouts.
Hurricane politics in the 2024 presidential election
Kamala Harris chose to politicize Hurricane Milton by attacking DeSantis 48 hours before the storm.
LIKE JUST ABOUT everything else, the recent hurricanes that have hit the southeastern United States have been fertile ground for presidential politicking.
Florida has experienced three hurricanes since August: Hurricane Debby in August, Hurricane Helene in September and Hurricane Milton in October.
One of them, Helene, left a wide path of destruction, with western North Carolina being particularly hard hit by what was left of the storm after it traveled up from Florida.
During all of them, the Sunshine State’s governor, Ron DeSantis, has been at the helm, making sure his state was well prepared and also making sure to keep its residents informed and up to date before and after they hit.
DeSantis, along with Florida Division of Emergency Management director Kevin Guthrie, “are a well-oiled machine” when it comes to these things, as acknowledged by Weather Channel storm-reporting legend Jim Cantore during a broadcast amid Hurricane Milton’s arrival on the Florida coast.
So with all of that in mind, it was rather perplexing and yet predictable to see the mainstream media launch a hurricanerelated hit piece in DeSantis’ direction just a few days before Milton made landfall.
In the anonymously sourced story, NBC News claimed without evidence that DeSantis “refused” to take Democratic presidential
nominee Kamala Harris’ call after Helene hit the state in late September.
They reported that an aide supposedly told them, “Kamala was trying to reach out, and we didn’t answer.”
My first thought when I read this story was, “Why would Kamala Harris be trying to connect with DeSantis over these storms?” Vice presidents have little to nothing to do with hurricane preparations/relief efforts, as it is the president who is typically involved in getting the ball rolling as far as federal help goes.
This was confirmed by DeSantis himself, who, when first asked about it, said he wasn’t aware she had even tried to call him. Further, in another interview, he noted how Harris had never reached out to him before or after prior storms that his state faced, and was doing so now only because she was running for president.
In response to the report, Harris predictably took the bait, proclaiming that “playing political games with this moment in these crisis situations, these are the height of emergency situations, it’s just utterly irresponsible and it is selfish.”
Except it’s Harris who has been “playing political games” and acting “selfish,” not DeSantis.
You don’t even have to be a DeSantis fan to know that when storms are headed to Florida, he’s the guy you want in your corner.
He’s inarguably one of the most visible governors in the aftermath of these weather events and is unquestionably one of the most active state leaders in getting what is needed from the feds while cutting through the red tape at the state level to get things running again and to get people the things they need to move forward.
That he would be called “selfish” by someone like Harris, who desperately wants voters to view her as presidential material, is pretty rich.
Fortunately, the attacks have backfired, as Joe Biden himself has repeatedly praised DeSantis’ leadership and has said how “gracious” DeSantis has been when they’ve talked.
When Americans take to the polls next month, one of many things they should take into consideration is that Harris chose to politicize Hurricane Milton by attacking DeSantis some 48 hours before the storm, which had been predicted to be devastating, began lashing Florida.
DeSantis was prioritizing his state and its residents. Harris was prioritizing herself and her presidential campaign. Think about it.
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.
North Carolina will benefit from President Trump’s Made in America pledge
Republican leaders have made historic investments in infrastructure and broadband, particularly in our rural areas.
OVER THE PAST DECADE , North Carolina has solidified its reputation as one of the most business-friendly states in the nation. Consequently, Americans are fleeing more progressive states with their burdensome regulations and higher cost of living and finding refuge from the disastrous Harris-Biden economy right here in North Carolina.
This is not by chance, nor did we become a business-friendly powerhouse overnight. After decades of Democrat leadership in North Carolina, Republicans gained control of the legislature in 2010 and have been laser-focused on creating an environment where businesses can thrive and families can prosper.
While our state’s natural beauty, from our beaches to the mountains, certainly plays a role in drawing new residents, it’s clear that policies encouraging economic growth and stability are the real driving force. With nearly a million new residents since 2010, North Carolina stands as a testament to what conservative leadership can achieve, even amid challenges like the pandemic and skyrocketing inflation. Central to North Carolina’s rise is our commitment to reducing personal and corporate taxes. Republicans have slashed the corporate tax rate to the lowest in the country, allowing businesses to keep more of their earnings and reinvest in their operations. This has created a fertile ground for job creation and economic expansion, attracting companies and entrepreneurs from across the nation. Looking ahead, we have even more reason for optimism. President Trump, who helped create nearly half a million manufacturing jobs in his first three years in office, is poised to bring even more jobs back to America — and North Carolina stands to benefit. His “Made in America” Pledge, which cuts the business tax rate to 15% for employers producing goods in the U.S., will be a boon to our manufacturing sector. Add to this his pledge to place tariffs on companies that outsource jobs overseas, and it’s clear that North Carolina’s probusiness tax policies will pair perfectly with national efforts to make America more competitive.
The success of any business is also built on strong infrastructure, and North Carolina has been making smart investments to support its growing
COLUMN | GEORGE WASHINGTON
population and industries. The Old North State is home to well-developed transportation networks, from highways to railroads and airports, which make it easy to move goods and people efficiently across the state and beyond. The expansion of broadband internet has also been a top priority, particularly in rural areas, allowing businesses to thrive and remote work opportunities to flourish. Year after year, Republican leaders have made historic investments in infrastructure and broadband, particularly in our rural areas.
These infrastructure improvements are not only making North Carolina more accessible but also positioning it as a leader in industries like tech, logistics and advanced manufacturing. Our competitive edge attracts both new companies and talented workers who want to enjoy life in a state that’s constantly growing and evolving.
A streamlined regulatory environment is another critical component of North Carolina’s success. Unlike the progressive strongholds of California and New York, businesses in our state don’t have to contend with the bureaucratic red tape and endless hurdles found in other parts of the country. The Republican-led legislature has worked tirelessly to cut through these barriers, creating a space where businesses can innovate, expand and hire without being bogged down by excessive regulation.
President Trump’s vision aligns with our state’s efforts to reduce regulations. His pledge to cut 10 existing regulations for every new one will create even more opportunity for North Carolina businesses to operate freely and efficiently. This kind of forward-thinking leadership is exactly what’s needed to supercharge the growth of industries across our state.
The bottom line? North Carolina Republicans have set the stage for continued economic success, and with President Trump’s bold vision and proven track record bringing jobs back to America, the future looks even brighter. Together, we have created a state that not only attracts businesses but also keeps them thriving. North Carolina is a place where opportunity meets quality of life, and with the right leadership, we will continue to be a beacon for growth and prosperity.
Jason Simmons is NCGOP chairman.
The foundations of the American Democratic Republic
At this auspicious period, the United States came into existence as a nation, and if their citizens are not be completely free and happy, the fault will be entirely their own.
THE CITIZENS OF AMERICA, placed in the most enviable condition, as the sole lords and proprietors of a vast tract of Continent are now acknowledged to be possessed of absolute freedom and Independency.
They are from this period to be considered as the actors, on a most conspicuous theatre, which seems to be peculiarly designated by Providence for the display of human greatness and felicity. Here they are not only surrounded with everything which can contribute to the completion of private and domestic enjoyment, but Heaven has crowned all its other blessings by giving a fairer opportunity for political happiness, than any other nation has ever been favored with.
Nothing can illustrate these observations more forcibly than a recollection of the happy conjuncture of times and circumstances under which our republic assumed its rank among the nations — the foundation of our empire was not laid in the gloomy Age of ignorance and superstition but at a period of history when the rights of mankind were better understood and more clearly defined, than at any former period. The researches of the human mind after social happiness have been carried to a great extent; the treasures of knowledge acquired by the labors of philosophers, sages and legislators, through a long succession of years, are laid open for our use. Their collected wisdom may be happily applied in the establishment of our forms of Government. The free cultivation of letters; the unbounded extension of commerce; the progressive refinement of manners; the growing liberality of sentiment; and, above all, the pure and benign light of Revelation, have had a meliorating influence on Mankind and increased the blessings of society.
At this auspicious period, the United States came into existence as a nation, and if their citizens are not be completely free and happy, the fault will be entirely their own. There are four things essential to the
well-being and the existence of the United States as an independent power:
First — An indissoluble Union of the States under one federal head.
Secondly — A sacred regard to public justice.
Thirdly — The adoption of a proper peace establishment
Fourthly — The prevalence of that pacific and friendly disposition among the people of the United States, which will induce them to forget their local prejudices and policies; to make those mutual concessions which are requisite to the general prosperity; and, in some instances, to sacrifice their individual advantages to the interest of the community.
These are the pillars on which the glorious fabric of our independency and national character must be supported — liberty is the basis — and whoever would dare to sap the foundation or overturn the structure under whatever specious pretexts he may attempt it, will merit the bitterest condemnation and the severest punishments which can be inflicted by his injured country.
I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the state over which you preside, in his holy protection, that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.
And particularly for their brethren who have served in the field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper and mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.
Adapted and modernized from Gen. George Washington’s Circular to the States. June 8, 1783, upon his retirement from the Continental Army.
Only sheep need shepherds
THE UNITED STATES is not yet a banana republic, despite liberal efforts to the contrary. The successors to the long-haired, tie-dyed lefty protestors of the ’60s have finally done it: They’ve taken over. Yesterday’s counterculture has become today’s establishment. They’ve traded their beads and sandals for Zoom meetings and climbed to office cubicles from the streets.
Inconveniently for our woke ruling class, it appears their hold on power will be short-lived. In about three weeks, there is an election, and a storm has brought a new wind. We pretend campaigns are about issues, but there are forces more powerful than policy.
Culture is upstream of issues. Culture is upstream of the economy. Culture is upstream of everything — because who we are is always more important than what we have.
Culture, not just economics, is driving an epochal gender gap. A culture of strength, nationalism and values that respect manliness is at war with the Biden/Harris culture of weakness and accommodation.
Whoever wins, we know this: Post-election, America will be sleeping in separate bedrooms. Culture, not just painful inflation, is driving Donald Trump’s growing support among Hispanics, young black men, Gen Z men and union workers. They see strength as the alternative to the chaos at home, abroad and in their own lives — strength that is a welcome alternative to the erosion of our national character and their own masculine identities.
When men work hard, play by the rules and still can’t afford to buy groceries, much less a home for their families, we don’t just have an economic problem: We produce an erosion of masculinity.
American men want to regain their grip.
Comedian Bill Maher, recently infected with an understanding of American culture, has confronted the reality of gender. He tells us, “The Democrats are always bitching to me about their kids, who are like in their 20s, and they are super, uber-woke and driving their parents crazy.” These kids, Maher notes, roll their eyes at the cultural glue that holds our society together, telling their parents, “You don’t get it, Mom, that’s old thinking!”
Maher, who tapes his show in LA’s Television City, near the drippy, bleeding heart of the woke Hollywood establishment, explains, “Get what? Abolish the police? Tear down statues of Lincoln? Maybe give communism another shot? Gender is always just a social construct? It’s OK to have penises in women’s swimming pools and women’s sports? It’s not that I’m old. It’s that your ideas are stupid.”
Kamala Harris’s campaign can sense it is taking on water. It programs Harris to prove she is not a woke opponent of the culture she derided seconds ago. They tell us she is one of us because she grew up in a “middle-class family.” She is establishing that she believes in nothing — and will support anything that might win her a ballot.
The candidate of nothing intends to erase your identity, too.
A country is outlined by geography, but a nation is defined by its culture. Our culture is our national identity.
Our culture is the assemblage of spoken and unspoken norms and values that all of us hold true in common. Culture is what we care about and fight for collectively. Culture is what unites us as one people and defines us as distinctly American.
America’s culture is special.
From our founding, our culture has been rooted in the principles of individual liberty and self-governance. We rejected being governed by others. A commanding idea undergirded the disruptive American experiment: With a strong work ethic constrained by a shared sense of right and wrong, grounded in religious faith, we could live in freedom. And every American would have equal opportunity to achieve their best.
The enemy of American culture is nihilism, the soulless pursuit of money, pleasure and convenience. The alternative to a uniting culture is division and social disintegration. The loss of cultural order invites despotism and totalitarianism. The postmodern substitute for culture is the belief that we can each have our own “individual truths” instead of a shared understanding of who we are — and who we should be.
We have no need for shepherds if we are not sheep; our culture of self-governance blocks their way.
We’ve had enough.
The people’s surge is growing. Trump’s faith in our freedom to govern ourselves is expanding the Republican Party like your waistline at a cruise ship buffet.
This is not just an election; it’s a realignment that will shape our political parties for decades. America’s culture of self-governance is making a comeback.
Young black men are standing beside old white union workers. Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and New Frontier dreamers are flying the same flag as plumbers who drive an F-150. Women who seek fulfillment in sports, Wall Street mavericks and Hispanic immigrants are all taking up arms together.
As Steve Jobs once said, “It’s more fun to be a pirate than to join the Navy.”
Don’t be surprised if these buccaneers win.
Alex Castellanos is a political consultant in Washington, D.C., and a native of North Carolina.
Murphy to Manteo Jones & Blount
Haunted NC
Disaster relief temporarily halted due to threats to FEMA workers
Rutherford County A Bostic man faces charges after a threat was made against Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) workers responding to the Helene disaster. The Rutherford calls about a white male with an assault employees working in the hard-hit Lake Lure/Chimney Rock area. The suspect, 44-year-old William Parsons, made the threat at a gas station, and comments were relayed to nearby soldiers and authorities. Authorities say other agencies with relief workers in the area were made aware of the threat and temporarily halted disaster
contrar y to initial reports, and was initial repor t stated there was a truck load of militia that was involved,” a
“However, after further investigation, it was determined Parsons acted alone.”
NSJ
hallway and the urged parents to follow social media accounts for updates on the remediation process timeline.
WFMY
Preschool teacher charged with assault, placed on leave Forsyth County A preschool teacher ha s been arrested after alleged ly assaulting a child at Old Tow n Elementar y School, according to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools WS/FCS reported last week that Winston-Salem police charged Kezia h Gibbons with misdemeanor assault on a child under 12 She was immediately put on paid leave and s suspended with pay pending the results of an internal investigation. In a statement , Superintendent Tricia McManus said, “We hold our teachers to the highest standards when t comes to creating a safe and welcoming environment in our classrooms We are exploring what we must do to ensure that ever y teacher is supported and understands our policies and appropriate strategies for managing student behav ior.” Gibbons worked for the district a s a teacher assistant at the Special Children’s School from 2018 unti August when she became a preschool teacher at Old Town Elementar y School. She ha s no pr ior disciplinar y actions in WS/FCS. WGHP
EAST
alarm over pedestrian deaths
Craven County A concerning rise in pedestrian crashes ha s law enforcement on high aler t in New Ber n following three crashes in the past week Police are urging drivers and pedestrians to be more cautious, reminding drivers to slow dow n and stay alert, and asking pedestrians to use crosswalk s and wear visible clothing at night “Just be cognizant of your surroundings,” Donald Mcinnis, New Ber n PIO said The three recent incidents with one fatality, remain under investigation a s police stress the importance of road safet y for everyone. WNCT changes for ENC hospitals Carteret County hospitals and health centers across the nation are experiencing after Helene lef t a major manufacturing company n Mar ion that
from page A1
“Areas of many towns are unrecognizable; some even washed away completely,” said Berger. “Roads have been obliterated. Power is still needed in many places. Recovering from Hurricane Helene will be no small task. But I believe we, the state of North Carolina, the people of North Carolina, are up to that task.”
“As Sen. Berger mentioned, we know many have lost their lives,” Moore said. “We know the numbers unaccounted for. ... The recovery that is going to have to be done is going to be something that is a Herculean task, but it is something that we will get done.”
Berger and Moore both underscored multiple times that this round of funds was just a first step. The lawmakers indicated the $273 million will be pulled from the Savings Reserve, also known as the “Rainy Day Fund.”
The state has several reserve funds available to help with the impacts of Helene. According to the Sept. 27 state Cash Watch report, the State Emergency and Disaster Relief Fund has nearly $733 million that can be tapped, and the state’s Savings Reserve has more than $4.75 billion available.
The funding also contains $166 million for public school-related needs — $16 million of those funds is tied to federal matching dollars for lost compensation for school nutrition programs, and $50 million is for water and sewer issues. Another $2 million will provide technical assistance for FEMA grants for affected counties, and $5 million will go to the NC State Board of Elections (NCSBE) for voter outreach and communication in the affected areas.
The NCSBE had asked for $2 million for voting needs, but Moore said lawmakers were expanding the funding by $3 million to include all 25 counties plus tribal areas that are under the emergency declaration instead of just the 13 selected by the NCSBE in a resolution passed by the board on Oct. 7.
“We felt that it was necessary to not only provide the state board with adequate resources to do what they’re needing to do based on the changes that are taking place,” Moore said, “but also some flexibility so that local boards could get some of that money and assist some of the cash flow issues and some of the shortfalls that they might have.”
Moore said finding both people to work the polls and viable polling sites were part of the consideration for more funds.
“They’re trying to find people to work. ... When you have poll sites that literally no longer exist, I mean, they’re not there, right?”
Moore said. “Like a fire department or a church or that community building. That building is no longer there. And I know that you all have shown the photos of what’s happened and how just dramatic it is in these areas, but even just seeing the photos does not fully capture the extent of it.”
Moore and Berger said the General Assembly will reconvene Oct. 24 to address more Helene recovery needs.
Several legislators in districts that were hardest hit spoke of the devastation but also zthe resilience of the people in those communities and how thankful they are for the support and supplies that have come from all corners of the state and across the country.
Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) was among the handful of legis-
lators who gave brief remarks. He represents portions of nine of the 25 counties hit by the story and flooding; Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, Yancey.
“This is by far the most devastating thing I’ve ever experienced as a community,” said Sen. Ralph Hise, who represents nine of the 25 counties hit by the story and flooding: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey.
He went on to describe the majority of areas having no water, power, sewer, or cell service coupled with some areas being inaccessible.
“In Mitchell county, the water treatment system for the entire county, both towns, is gone,” said an emotional Hise.” It does not exist and it’s unsalvageable. That’s a four-year process to put a water treatment plant back in. We don’t have a temporary solution for these things right now.”
“I promised I wouldn’t cry, but people are still needing help, even though we didn’t ask for it,” said Rep. Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson). “This is just a start. This is a start to give people what they need.”
Like Hise, Rep. Dudley Greene (R-Burke) appeared to choke up talking about the devastation.
“There was not a corner of my district that was unimpacted, if not decimated by this, by this storm,” he said. Greene said with colder temperatures coming, it’s becoming critical to make sure those in shelters have what they need.
“This morning, the lows were in the 40s. Next week, they’ll be in the 30s,” Greene said, adding “things like kerosene heaters, blankets, warm coats” will be needed.
“I can’t say enough thanks to the folks of North Carolina for what you’ve done, but specifically the folks that are in the moun-
tains right now,” said Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood). “There were some challenges initially that could not be met for reasons that we will determine. But the folks stepped up.”
Pless, co-chairman of the Disaster Recovery and Homeland Security Committee, said he has concerns “just like everyone else” that some things were not done correctly.
“I’m not going to dismiss everything I’ve heard as being misinformation, but I am going to say there’s a time and there is a place for us to figure out what went wrong,” said Pless. “I’ve sat in on hearings for Matthew, Florence and Tropical Storm Fred. There’s no one in this room that’s perfect and there’s no agency in this state that’s perfect. But we need to figure out what didn’t work.”
To get more information on NC’s Hurricane Helene Recovery and Resources, visit tinyurl.com/nc-helene
CORY LAVALETTE / NORTH STATE JOURNAL
A makeshift shrine placed atop debris stands in front of Riverview Station in the River Arts District of Asheville on Oct. 10.
CORY LAVALETTE / NORTH STATE JOURNAL
A woman with a towel on her head walks from an American Red Cross Disaster Relief site that was providing laundry and showers to people in Swannonoa on Oct. 10.
IZZY LAVALETTE FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL
An American flag is hung between signs at a gas station in Swannanoa.
IZZY LAVALETTE FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The darkened facade of Riverview Station in Asheville shows how high the floodwaters from the French Broad River rose during Hurricane Helene.
Top, a corvette coverered in mud damaged during Hurricane Helene rests in front of a home near Old Highway 70 in Swannanoa on Oct. 10. Bottom, a repurposed bus owned by nearby White Duck Taco on Riverside Drive in Asheville was carried more than 100 yards into the old Planters Tobacco Warehouse during the flooding of the French Broad River.
IZZY LAVALETTE FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL
CORY LAVALETTE / NORTH STATE JOURNAL
catastrophe
questions about when normal
shelter-in-place or stay-at-home
majority of Americans “new normal.” end of this month.
China lied about the origin of the tried to tell the world there were only worldwide panic, economic collapse and being thrown out of work.
taxpayer at least $2.4 trillion in added Federal Reserve backup liquidity to the the U.S. dollar were not the reserve to fund any of these emergency fear of rampant in ation and currency
we begin to get back to normal
The 3 big questions
The comfort
How China will pay for this COVID-19 catastrophe
WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”
ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after this COVID-19 virus dissipates around the globe and in the United States, China will pay for this catastrophe one way or another.
fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus and the need to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask questions about the data, and when things can start getting back to normal are treated in some circles with contempt.
WALTER E. WILLIAMS
Cooper stated during don’t know yet” if the asked as to the vague ones like “we of this state who undetermined thousands of cases asked and then had questions about get asked, there is people to treat those can start getting back or are people who sick. levels become a bad society were supposed course, is my family. I’m worried I will. After the 2009 pandemic, all of this brings up prefer not to repeat. most everyone has
Fixing college corruption
aberrant ways and decisions through Diplomacy has obviously not worked world of 21st century health, hygiene communist regimes never take the blame remorse, because that is not what They take advantage of every weakness pushing until they win or the event happens such as the Chernobyl believe that event, not the Star Wars to the dissolution of the Soviet Union Chernobyl. already talking about the possibility debt we owe them as one way to get they have caused the US. Don’t hold your “Jubilee” to happen but ask your elected accountable in tangible nancial ways for expected to operate as responsible citizens of nation.
Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl.
They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept without question what the government tells us about when it’s safe to begin the process of returning back to normalcy.
No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those questions. And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, the more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about when they can get back to providing for their families, will demand answers.
AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with corruption. The nancial squeeze resulting from COVID-19 o ers opportunities for a bit of remediation. Let’s rst examine what might be the root of academic corruption, suggested by the title of a recent study, “Academic Grievance Studies and the Corruption of Scholarship.” The study was done by Areo, an opinion and analysis digital magazine. By the way, Areo is short for Areopagitica, a speech delivered by John Milton in defense of free speech.
Sponsored
by
business & economy
In order to put the crisis caused by China in perspective, zero worldwide pandemics can trace their source to the United States over our 231-year history. At least four in the 20th century alone can be directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian u,” 1968 “Hong Kong u,” 1977 “Russian u” and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence that the massive 1918 “Spanish u” pandemic also had its origins in China.
Since when did questioning government at all levels become a
Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but answer with details that give their statements believability.
We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, ourselves, and our communities safe. But we should also still continue to ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home measures are understandable, they should also have an expiration date.
N.C. maker of high-purity quartz back operating post-Helene
Not one little bit.
This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, shape, or form. So while we should remain vigilant and stay safe, at the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new normal.”
Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A. Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say that something has gone drastically wrong in academia, especially within certain elds within the humanities. They call these elds “grievance studies,” where scholarship is not so much based upon nding truth but upon attending to social grievances. Grievance scholars bully students, administrators and other departments into adhering to their worldview. The worldview they promote is neither scienti c nor rigorous. Grievance studies consist of disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, gender studies, queer studies, sexuality and critical race studies.
Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.
SPRUCE PINE — One of the two companies that manufacture high-purity quartz used for making semiconductors and other high-tech products from mines in a western North Carolina community severely damaged by Hurricane Helene has resumed operations.
Sibelco announced last Thursday that production has restarted at its mining and processing operations in Spruce Pine in Mitchel County.
the seriousness of the virus and the need uneasy with how people who simply ask when things can start getting back to circles with contempt. as a society simply must accept without tells us about when it’s safe to begin the normalcy. us, and we have the right to ask those stay-at-home orders are in place all over the them get in states, such as Michigan, feeling isolated and/or anxious about providing for their families, will demand levels should be as forthcoming as they and again, not vague answers, but answer statements believability. what we can to keep our families, safe. But we should also still continue because while reasonable stay-at-home they should also have an expiration date. and it is not normal. Not in any way, should remain vigilant and stay safe, at comfortable with this so-called “new
In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, Lindsay and Boghossian started submitting bogus academic papers to academic journals in cultural, queer, race, gender, fat and sexuality studies to determine if they would pass peer review and be accepted for publication. Acceptance of dubious research that journal editors found sympathetic to their intersectional or postmodern leftist vision of the world would prove the problem of low academic standards.
Sibelco and The Quartz Corp. both shut down operations in the area ahead of the storm that swept away whole communities in the western part of the state, including Chimney Rock, and across the border in East Tennessee. The small town is home to mines that produce some of the world’s highest quality quartz. With increasing global demand, Sibelco announced last year that it would invest $200 million to double capacity at Spruce Pine.
Since the devastation to the community from Helene, Sibelco and The Quartz had simply been working to confirm that all of its employees were safe and accounted for, according to a statement, as some were “unreachable due to ongoing power outages and communication challenges.”
It’s
okay
written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah RedState and Legal Insurrection.
Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.
Several of the fake research papers were accepted for publication. The Fat Studies journal published a hoax paper that argued the term bodybuilding was exclusionary and should be replaced with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive politicized performance.” One reviewer said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article and believe it has an important contribution to make to the eld and this journal.”
Mining production and shipments are now progressively ramping up to full capacity, the company said in a news release. “While the road to full recovery for our communities will be long, restarting our operations and resuming shipments to customers are important contributors to rebuilding the local economy,” Sibelco CEO Hilmar Rode said.
Following the storm, which destroyed countless homes and businesses, both companies said that all of their employees were accounted for and safe.
The Quartz Corp. had said last week that it was too early to know exactly when it would resume operations, adding it would depend on the rebuilding of local infrastructure.
The drugstore chain reported $3 billion in quarterly losses
By Tom Murphy The Associated Press
“Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity Feminism as an Intersectional Reply to Neoliberal and Choice Feminism,” was accepted for publication by A lia, a feminist journal for social workers. The paper consisted in part of a rewritten passage from Mein Kampf. Two other hoax papers were published, including “Rape Culture and Queer Performativity at Urban Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject was dog-on-dog rape. But the dog rape paper eventually forced Boghossian, Pluckrose and Lindsay to prematurely out themselves. A Wall Street Journal writer had gured out what they were doing.
Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing?
WALGREENS WILL close about 1,200 locations over the next three years as the drugstore chain seeks to turn around a struggling U.S. business that contributed to a $3 billion quarterly loss.
That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.
The company said Tuesday that about 500 store closures will come in the current fiscal year and should immediately support adjusted earnings and free cash flow. Walgreens didn’t say where the store closings would take place.
Some papers accepted for publication in academic journals advocated training men like dogs and punishing white male college students for historical slavery by asking them to sit in silence on the oor in chains during class and to be expected to learn from the discomfort. Other papers celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life choice and advocated treating privately conducted masturbation as a form of sexual violence against women. Typically, academic journal editors send submitted papers out to referees for review. In recommending acceptance for publication, many reviewers gave these papers glowing praise.
Spruce Pine quartz is used around the world to manufacture the equipment needed to make silicon chips. An estimated 70% to 90% of the crucibles used worldwide in which polysilicon used for the chips is melted down are made from Spruce Pine quartz, according to Vince Beiser, the author of “The World in a Grain.”
The high-tech quartz is also used in manufacturing solar panels and fiber-optic cables.
A Spruce Pine council member said recently that an estimated three-quarters of the town has a direct connection to the mines, whether through a job, a job that relies on the mines or a family member who works at the facilities.
Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month.
Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” if state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.
We need transparency and honesty from our
There is 100% agreement, outside of China, that COVID-19 originated in Wuhan Province probably from the completely unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. Some believe it came out of a
Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of
THIS WEEK, according to members and state and local governments, Americans the curve in the novel coronavirus outbreak. muted — after all, trends can easily reverse have abided by recommendations and orders. to stay at home; they’ve practiced social they’ve donned masks.
Walgreens operates about 8,500 stores in the United States and a few thousand overseas. All of the stores that will be closed are in the United States.
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. leaders said in late June that they were finalizing a turnaround plan for its U.S. business, and that push could result in the closing of hundreds of underperforming stores.
The plan announced Tues-
Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran certain grievance studies concepts through the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often they appeared in our press over the years. He found huge increases in the usages of “white privilege,” “unconscious bias,” “critical race theory” and “whiteness.” All of this is being taught to college students, many of whom become primary and secondary school teachers who then indoctrinate our young people.
I doubt whether the coronaviruscaused nancial crunch will give college and university administrators, who are a crossbreed between a parrot and jelly sh, the guts and backbone to restore academic respectability. Far too often, they get much of their political support from campus grievance people who are members of the faculty and diversity and multicultural administrative o ces.
The best hope lies with boards of trustees, though many serve as yes-men for the university president. I think that a good start would be to nd 1950s or 1960s catalogs. Look at the course o erings at a time when college graduates knew how to read, write and compute, and make them today’s curricula. Another helpful tool would be to give careful consideration to eliminating all classes/majors/minors containing the word “studies,” such as women, Asian, black or queer studies. I’d bet that by restoring the traditional academic mission to colleges, they would put a serious dent into the COVID-19 budget shortfall.
Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University.
If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like must do this out of an abundance of caution.”
It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of
The result: a reduction in expected hospitalization According to the University of Washington Metrics and Evaluation model most oft Trump administration, the expected need peak outbreak was revised down by over ventilators by nearly 13,000 and the number
To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about
Here’s the problem: We still don’t know questions that will allow the economy to
First, what is the true coronavirus fatality important because it determines whether be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue more liberalized society that presumes wide
Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.
AStruggling Walgreens to close 1,200 US stores
day includes the closing of 300 stores that had been approved under a previous cost-cutting plan.
“THIS IS in it” (Psalm I know that working from be glad” as and dad, the have to be pandemic. For me, making. As Corinthians a iction, so a iction, with God.” If you are re ect on this God’s example this di cult con dent we In this same neighbors In Concord, money to buy health care
, April 15,
Since when did questioning government at all levels become a thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed
My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.
We’ve seen case fatality rates — the number the number of identi ed COVID-19 cases and the denominator are likely wrong. We people have actually died of coronavirus. number has been overestimated, given that of death, particularly among elderly patients, sources suggest the number is dramatically many people are dying at home.
The cavalier manner virus, covered up its spread 3,341 related deaths has millions of Americans needlessly The crisis has cost the debt plus trillions more markets and nancial outlets. currency, we would not measures without immediate depreciation. China has to pay for their economic and nancial to bring China into the and fair trade. Totalitarian or express sincere regret totalitarian governments they nd in adversaries adversaries push back. That is, unless an exogenous meltdown in 1986. Some program of Reagan, led Perhaps COVID-19 is Senators in Washington of China forgiving $1.2 China to “pay” for the damage breath waiting for a Chinese representatives to hold It is about time they are the world like any other
But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone
Hill, senio
Even more importantly, we have no clue actually have coronavirus. Some scientists of identi ed cases could be an order of magnitude number of people who have had coronavirus
to ask questions about when we begin to get back to normal
The comfort and hope
WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders thanks to local or state governments, a majority of Americans are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.”
$3 billion in the final quarter of 2024. The company said a softer U.S. retail and pharmacy performance hurt. It also booked some hefty charges tied to opioid litigation settlements the company had recognized in previous quarters and an equity investment in China.
Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. Virginia’s stay-at-home orders go into June.
Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth said in a statement that fiscal 2025, which began last month, will be an important “rebasing year” for the drugstore chain.
“THIS IS THE DAY the lord has made, in it” (Psalm 118:24).
Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during a recent coronavirus press brie ng that “we just don’t know yet” if the state’s stay-at-home orders will extend into May.
“This turnaround will take time, but we are confident it will yield significant financial and consumer benefits over the long term,” he said.
“This turnaround will take time, but we are confident it will yield significant financial and consumer benefits over the long term.”
Walgreens CEO Tim Wentworth
Walgreens, like its competitors, has been struggling for years with tight reimbursement for the prescriptions it sells as well as other challenges like rising costs to operate its stores. Plus, drugstore chains have been dealing with more competition from Walmart, Target and online retail giant Amazon.
I know that during this challenging time working from home or losing a job, it may be glad” as the Bible tells us to do. However, and dad, the Easter holiday has reminded have to be thankful and hopeful for, even pandemic.
The performance topped Wall Street expectations. Analysts expect, on average, earnings of 36 cents per share on $35.75 billion in revenue in the fiscal fourth quarter, according to FactSet.
If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked as to the justi cation for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we must do this out of an abundance of caution.”
It will need to be explained in detail to the people of this state who are being told to remain jobless and at home for an undetermined amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands of cases are reliable.
fallen into place. I understand to take precautions, but questions about the data, normal are treated in some They’re treated as though question what the government process of returning back No. The government questions. And the longer country, and the stricter the more people, sitting when they can get back answers.
For me, my faith is an important part making. As I celebrated Easter with my Corinthians 1:4, which reminds us our Lord a iction, so that we may be able to comfort a iction, with the comfort which we ourselves God.”
The company also said it expects adjusted earnings in the new fiscal year to fall between $1.40 and $1.80 per share, with growth in its U.S. health care and international businesses countering the U.S. retail pharmacy decline.
To date, I’ve gone along with what the state has asked and then mandated that we do, but along the way I’ve also had questions about the data. State Republican leaders have, too.
some of its stores after launching an aggressive expansion under previous CEO Rosalind Brewer.
Lenten and Easter seasons provide a message of hope that we will once again enjoy sporting events, concerts, family gatherings, church services and many more after our own temporary sacri ces are over.
If you are celebrating the Easter season, re ect on this message and be comforted, God’s example and comfort all those in this di cult time. Through faith and by con dent we will emerge out of this pandemic
For the fiscal 2025, analysts expect adjusted earnings of $1.72 per share.
Unfortunately, when certain types of questions get asked, there is sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who otherwise don’t care if they get themselves or others sick.
Leaders at the local and can be with those answers with details that give their We should all continue ourselves, and our communities to ask questions about the measures are understandable,
In this same spirit, I continue to be inspired neighbors helping neighbors.
Rival CVS Health Corp. is wrapping up a three-year plan to close 900 stores. Another major chain, Rite Aid Corp., emerged from a bankruptcy reorganization earlier this year after whittling its store count down to about 1,300 locations.
The Deerfield, Illinois, company said in August that it was reviewing its U.S. health care business, and it might sell all or part of its VillageMD clinic business. That announcement came less than two years after the company said it would spend billions to expand the business.
Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad thing? That is what free citizens living in a free society were supposed to do, last I checked.
My rst concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. I’m worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After su ering from the H1N1 virus (swine u) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat.
The company started 2024 by cutting the dividend it pays shareholders to get more cash to grow its business. The drugstore chain then slashed its forecast for fiscal 2024 in June.
Walgreens has also been backing away from a plan to add primary care clinics next to
Walgreens said Tuesday that its net loss swelled to more than
Permits for Tenn. natural gas power plant pipeline on hold
The 32-mile pipeline would pass through Dickson, Houston and Stewart counties
By Jonathan Mattise The Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A federal appeals panel has temporarily halted two permits needed to begin construction on a pipeline project in Tennessee that will supply a natural gas plant.
In a split 2-1 decision, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel delivered a ruling Friday that, for now, prevents Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company from starting to build its 32mile pipeline through Dickson, Houston and Stewart counties. The project would fuel the Tennessee Valley Authority’s combined-cycle natural gas facility at the site of the coal-fired Cumberland Fossil Plant that is being retired. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Com-
But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has
Leerink Partners analyst Michael Cherny said in a research note the company’s fourth-quarter performance and 2025 forecast were not as bad as they could have been. But the information released Tuesday “does not answer any of the big questions surrounding the (Walgreens Boots Alliance) story and the improved operating path forward under still new CEO Tim Wentworth.” Walgreens shares rose almost 4% Tuesday before the opening bell.
This is all new to Americans, shape, or form. So while the same time we shouldn’t normal.”
In Concord, a high school senior named money to buy a 3-D printer and plastic health care workers out of his own home.
Not one little bit.
Stacey Matthews has also and is a regular contributor
The stock had shed nearly two-thirds of its value so far this year.
pany could have begun construction as soon as Tuesday, according to the court records.
TVA, meanwhile, plans to mothball its two-unit coal plant in two stages — one, by the end of 2026, to be replaced the same year by the 1,450-megawatt natural gas plant; and the second, shuttered by the end of 2028, with options still open on its replacement.
“This pause is a crucial opportunity to rethink the risks of fossil fuel development and prioritize the health and environment of Cumberland and our region,” said Emily Sherwood, a Sierra Club senior campaign organizer, in a news release.
TVA’s plans to open more natural gas plants have angered advocates who want a quick redirection away from fossil fuels and into solar and other renewables as TVA plans to retire its entire coal fleet by the mid2030s.
The case is set for oral arguments on Dec. 10.
“We do not agree with the court’s temporary stay and are evaluating our options to ensure this project can be constructed in a timely manner,” the pipeline firm’s parent company, Kinder Morgan, said in a statement.
COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON
GENE J. PUSKAR / AP PHOTO
Walgreens has been struggling for years with tight reimbursement for the prescriptions it sells, as well as other challenges.
JOHN AMIS / AP PHOTO
An IRS application reveals OpenAI’s journey from nonprofit to multibilliondollar artificial intelligence giant.
OpenAI’s long journey from nonprofit to $157B valued cutting-edge company
Documents offer a view back to the origins of the artificial intelligence giant
By Thalia Beaty The Associated Press
IN 2016, a scientific research organization incorporated in Delaware and based in Mountain View, California, applied to be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt charitable organization.
Called OpenAI, the nonprofit told the IRS its goal was to “advance digital intelligence in the way that is most likely to benefit humanity as a whole, unconstrained by a need to generate financial return.”
Its assets included a $10 million loan from one of its four founding directors and now CEO, Sam Altman.
The application, which nonprofits are required to disclose and OpenAI provided, offers a view back to the origins of the artificial intelligence giant that has since grown to include a for-profit subsidiary recently valued at
“We do not agree with the court’s temporary stay and are evaluating our options to ensure this project can be constructed in a timely manner.”
Kinder Morgan, parent company
$157 billion by investors.
It’s one measure of the vast distance OpenAI — and the technology it researches and develops — has traveled in under a decade.
In the application, OpenAI indicated it did not plan to enter into any joint ventures with for-profit organizations, which it has since done. It also said it did “not plan to play any role in developing commercial products or equipment,” and promised to make its research freely available to the public.
A spokesperson for OpenAI, Liz Bourgeois, said in an email that the organization’s missions and goals have remained constant, though the way it’s carried out its mission has evolved alongside advances in technology. She also said the nonprofit does not carry out any commercial activities.
Attorneys who specialize in advising nonprofits have been watching OpenAI’s meteoric rise and its changing structure closely. Some wonder if its size and the scale of its current ambitions have reached or exceed-
PIPELINE from page A9
Spokespeople for the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers declined to comment.
The Southern Environmental Law Center and Appalachian Mountain Advocates, on behalf of Appalachian Voices and the Sierra Club, asked the appeals court in August 2023 to reconsider a water quality permit issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for the pipeline. In September, the groups requested an appellate review of another permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
In the ruling, Judges Eric Clay and Karen Moore argued that the groups risk irreparable harm if pipeline construction begins before the judges decide their case. The company’s plans would cross streams and wetlands, where construction could do long-lasting damage to waterways and wildlife, the plaintiffs contend.
Judge Amul R. Thapar, in dissent, contended the court lacks jurisdiction for the state agency claim and that the plaintiffs haven’t shown they would suffer irreparable harm or that their case would likely succeed.
TVA’s plans for expanding its natural gas fleet have drawn additional lawsuits, including over the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of the Cumberland pipeline.
Another lawsuit claims that TVA’s environmental review of the Cumberland plant was perfunctory, in violation of the law. A separate challenge contests the decision-making for a planned 1,500-megawatt natural gas facility with 4 megawatts of solar and 100 megawatts of battery storage at the Kingston Fossil Plant, the site of a massive 2008 coal ash spill. Late last month, a judge dismissed a different lawsuit that challenged TVA’s process to approve plans for gas turbines at a retired coal plant in New Johnsonville.
The groups suing over gas expansion plans note that TVA is off track to meet the Biden administration’s goal of eliminating carbon pollution from power plants by 2035, even with a majority of the board appointed by President Joe Biden. TVA CEO Jeff Lyash has said repeatedly that gas is needed because it can provide power regardless of whether the sun is shining or the wind is blowing.
At inception, OpenAI’s research plans look quaint in light of the race to develop AI that was in part set off by its release of ChatGPT in 2022.
ed the limits of how nonprofits and for-profits may interact. They also wonder the extent to which its primary activities advance its charitable mission, which it must, and whether some may privately benefit from its work, which is prohibited. In general, nonprofit experts agree that OpenAI has gone to great lengths to arrange its corporate structure to comply with the rules that govern nonprofit organizations. OpenAI’s application to the IRS appears typical, said Andrew Steinberg, counsel at Venable LLP and a member of the American Bar Association’s nonprofit organizations committee.
If the organization’s plans
and structure changed, it would need to report that information on its annual tax returns, Steinberg said, which it has.
“At the time that the IRS reviewed the application, there wasn’t information that that corporate structure that exists today and the investment structure that they pursued was what they had in mind,” he said. “And that’s OK because that may have developed later.”
At inception, OpenAI’s research plans look quaint in light of the race to develop AI that was in part set off by its release of ChatGPT in 2022.
OpenAI told the IRS it planned to train an AI agent to solve a wide variety of games. It aimed to build a robot to perform housework and to develop a technology that could “follow complex instructions in natural language.”
Today, its products, which include text-to-image generators and chatbots that can detect emotion and write code, far exceed those technical thresholds.
The nonprofit OpenAI indicated on the application form
that it had no plans to enter into joint ventures with for-profit entities.
It also wrote, “OpenAI does not plan to play any role in developing commercial products or equipment. It intends to make its research freely available to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.”
OpenAI spokesperson Bourgeois said the organization believes the best way to accomplish its mission is to develop products that help people use AI to solve problems, including many products it offers for free. But they also believe developing commercial partnerships has helped further their mission, she said.
OpenAI reported to the IRS in 2016 that regularly sharing its research “with the general public is central to the mission of OpenAI. OpenAI will regularly release its research results on its website and share software it has developed with the world under open-source software licenses.”
It also wrote it “intends to retain the ownership of any intellectual property it develops.”
The value of that intellectual property and whether it belongs to the nonprofit or for-profit subsidiary could become important questions if OpenAI decides to alter its corporate structure, as Altman confirmed in September it was considering.
STIP Project U-6073
CUMBERLAND COUNTY - The N.C. Department of Transportation is holding a public meeting to discuss the proposed widening of Fisher Road in Cumberland County, from Strickland Bridge Road to Bingham Drive. The meeting aims to introduce the project to the community and gather feedback on the proposed design concepts.
The proposed project, State Transportation Improvement Program Project No. U-6073, would widen 2.1 miles of Fisher Road S.R. (1107) from Strickland Bridge Road (S.R. 1104) to Bingham Drive (N.C. 162).
Project details, including maps of the proposal(s), can be found on the NCDOT public meetings web page (www.ncdot.gov/news/public-meetings).
The meeting will be held 5-7 p.m. October 24th at John Griffin Middle School in Fayetteville. Interested residents can drop in any time to learn more about the proposal, have questions answered and talk with NCDOT representatives. There will not be a formal presentation.
People may also submit comments by phone, email or mail by 11/8/2024
For more information, contact NCDOT Division 6 Project Engineer Sean Matuszewski at 910-364-0688: spmatuszewski@ncdot.gov.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled people who wish to participate in this workshop. Anyone requiring special services should contact Ronald Coleman, Environmental Analysis Unit, at 1598 Mail Service Center in Raleigh; 919-707-7050; or rcoleman2@ncdot.gov as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.
Lawsuit: TikTok aware of risks kids, teens face on platform
Company estimates show 95% of smartphone users under 17 used TikTok at least monthly
By Haleluya Hadero
The Associated Press
TIKTOK WAS AWARE that its design features are detrimental to its young users and that publicly touted tools aimed at limiting kids’ time on the site were largely ineffective, according to internal documents and communications exposed in lawsuit filed by the state of Kentucky.
Kentucky’s lawsuit was filed last week, alongside separate complaints brought forth by attorneys general in a dozen states as well as the District of Columbia. TikTok is also facing another lawsuit from the Department of Justice and is itself suing the Justice Department over a federal law that could ban it in the U.S. by mid-January.
The redacted information — which was inadvertently revealed by Kentucky’s attorney general’s office and first reported by Kentucky Public Radio — touches on a range of topics, most importantly the extent to which TikTok knew how much time young users were spending on the platform and how sincere it was when rolling out tools aimed at curbing excessive use.
Beyond TikTok use among minors, the complaint alleges the short-form video-sharing app has prioritized “beautiful people” on its platform and has noted internally that some of the content-moderation metrics it has publicized are “largely misleading.”
When reached for com-
ment, TikTok spokesperson
Alex Haurek said: “It is highly irresponsible of the Associated Press to publish information that is under a court seal. Unfortunately, this complaint cherry-picks misleading quotes and takes outdated documents out of context to misrepresent our commitment to community safety.”
“We have robust safeguards, which include proactively removing suspected underage users, and we have voluntarily launched safety features such as default screentime limits, family pairing, and privacy by default for minors under 16,” Haurek said in a prepared statement.
The complaint alleges that TikTok has quantified how long it takes for young users to get hooked on the platform and shared the findings internally in presentations aimed at increasing user retention rates.
The “habit moment,” as TikTok
calls it, occurs when users have watched 260 videos or more during the first week of having a TikTok account. This can happen in under 35 minutes since some TikTok videos run as short as 8 seconds.
Kentucky’s lawsuit also cites a spring 2020 presentation from TikTok that concluded the platform had already “hit a ceiling” among young users. At that point, the company’s estimates showed at least 95% of smartphone users under 17 used TikTok at least monthly, the complaint notes.
TikTok tracks metrics for young users, including how long young users spend watching videos and how many of them use the platform every day. The company uses the information it gleans from these reviews to feed its algorithm, which tailors content to people’s interests and drives user engagement, the complaint says.
TikTok does its own internal studies to find out how the platform is impacting users. The lawsuit cites one group within the company, called “TikTank,” which noted in an internal report that compulsive usage was “rampant” on the platform.
“But I think we need to be cognizant of what it might mean for other opportunities. And when I say other opportunities, I literally mean sleep, and eating, and moving around the room, and looking at somebody in the eyes,” the unnamed executive said, according to the complaint.
TikTok has a 60-minute daily screen time limit for minors, a feature it rolled out in March 2023 with the stated aim of helping teens manage their time on the platform. But Kentucky’s complaint argues that the time limit — which users can easily bypass or disable — was intended more as a public relations tool than anything else.
The lawsuit says TikTok measured the success of the time limit feature not by whether it reduced the time teens spent on the platform but by three other metrics — the first of which was “improving public trust in the TikTok platform via media coverage.”
Reducing screen time among teens was not included as a success metric, the lawsuit said. In fact, it alleged the company had planned to “revisit the design” of the feature if the time-limit feature had caused teens to reduce their TikTok usage by more than 10%.
TikTok ran an experiment and found the time-limit prompts shaved off just a minute and a half from the average time teens spent on the app — from 108.5 to 107 minutes per day, according to the complaint. But despite the lack of movement, TikTok did not try to make the feature more effective, Kentucky officials say. They allege the ineffectiveness of the feature was, in many ways, by design.
Murder trial begins in death of Cash App founder
Bob Lee was chief product officer of cryptocurrency platform MobileCoin
By Janie Har The Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco prosecutors made opening statements Monday in the murder trial of a tech consultant charged in the stabbing death of Cash App founder Bob Lee, previewing a timeline of events before the death and attempts afterward by the defendant to hide what he did.
Robert Lee’s death at age 43 — after staggering on a deserted street in downtown San Francisco seeking help — stunned the tech community, and fellow executives and engineers with whom Lee had worked penned tributes to his generosity and brilliance. Lee was the chief product officer of cryptocurrency platform MobileCoin when he was brutally murdered. He was a father to two children.
San Francisco Prosecutors say Nima Momeni, 40, had planned the vicious April 4 attack after a falling out over his younger sister, Khazar, with whom Lee was friends. They say Momeni took a knife from a unique set in his sister’s condo, drove Lee to a secluded area and stabbed him three times, then fled the scene of the crime.
“Stabbed through his heart and left to die,” said Omid Talai, assistant district attorney, “our victim was stabbed repeatedly, once in his chest, once in his hip and literally one puncturing his heart. Robert Lee. Known as Bob.” Defense lawyers disagree, and they say that Lee, while high on drugs, attacked Momeni.
“Our theory is that Bob had the knife, and that Nima acted in self-defense,” attorney Saam Zangeneh told The Associated Press last week.
He said his client is eager to tell his side of the story, but they haven’t decided whether
Momeni will testify in his defense. Momeni, who lives in nearby Emeryville, California, has been in custody since his arrest days after Lee died at a San Francisco hospital.
On Monday, Momeni was seated with his lawyers, wearing a dark suit.
His mother, who has been a steadfast presence at hearings, was in court alone Monday morning. On the other side of the courtroom sat members of Lee’s family, including his exwife, father and brother. Talai, the assistant district attorney, said jurors will hear from a friend of Lee’s, who spent time with him and Momeni’s sister the day before Lee was stabbed.
They say the friend will testify that Momeni angrily grilled Lee on the phone that night over his sister, drugs and “girls getting naked,” acting like “an overprotective, wannabe tough guy” while Lee was being mellow and happy, Talai said.
Surveillance video of Lee’s
final night shows him entering the posh Millennium Tower downtown, where Momeni’s sister lives with her husband, a prominent San Francisco plastic surgeon. Talai said jurors will see video of Lee and Momeni leaving the building after 2 a.m. and driving off together in Momeni’s car. Other video will show the two men getting out of the car in an isolated spot by the Bay Bridge, and then Momeni stabbing Lee three times, tossing the knife from his sister’s kitchen set and quickly driving away. Talai said the prosecution will share text messages in which Momeni, the following morning, tells his sister he did not know what happened to Lee that night.
The lawyer said video recorded by a San Francisco police detective trailing Momeni before his arrest shows him reenacting the three stabbing motions outside his previous lawyer’s office, but no reenactment of a struggle over the
Stellantis makes leadership changes Hoofddorp, Netherlands Stellantis, which makes Jeep and Chrysler vehicles, announced several significant leadership changes, including the timing of CEO Carlos Tavares’ retirement and the departure of its chief financial officer as it struggles to revive sales in North America. Chief Financial Officer Natalie Knight will be replaced by Doug Ostermann, the company’s CFO in China. In addition to naming Ostermann’s replacement in China, Stellantis appointed a new chief operating officer in Europe. Stellantis slashed its earnings forecast last month, saying it needed to make larger investments to turn around its U.S. operations amid a broader industry slump and increased competition from China.
JPMorgan’s net income falls, bank allots bad loans money
New York
JPMorgan says its net income fell to $12.9 billion in the third quarter from $13.2 billion a year ago. However, the New York bank’s earnings per share rose to $4.37 from $4.33 because there are fewer outstanding shares in the latest quarter. That beat Wall Street analysts’ forecasts, which called for a profit of $3.99 a share, according to FactSet. JPMorgan set aside $3.1 billion to cover credit losses, up from $1.4 billion in the same period a year ago. JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon said Friday that the bank continues to monitor geopolitical tensions that he called “treacherous and getting worse.”
TD Bank to pay $3B in money-laundering settlement
Washington, D.C. TD Bank will pay approximately $3 billion in a historic settlement with U.S. authorities who say the financial institution’s lax practices allowed significant money laundering. Merrick Garland said that TD Bank pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and is the largest bank in U.S. history to do so. Prosecutors say the bank’s failure to prevent money laundering made it convenient for criminals. Prosecutors say money laundering networks collectively transferred hundreds of millions of dollars through TD Bank accounts over the years. The CEO of the bank says, “This is a difficult chapter in our Bank’s history.”
U.S. consumer sentiment slips in October
knife that his attorneys say Lee wielded first.
Police recovered a knife with a 4-inch blade in the secluded area where Lee was stabbed. Prosecutors said lab tests showed Momeni’s DNA on the weapon’s handle and Lee’s DNA on the bloody blade. But the defense has said police should have tested the handle for fingerprints, namely Lee’s. Lee was found around 2:30 a.m. in the Rincon Hill neighborhood of San Francisco, which has tech offices and condominiums but little activity in the early morning hours. He called 911 as he staggered, bleeding out and begging dispatch for help, Talai said.
Family members for Momeni and Lee declined to comment Monday afternoon. Momeni, who has pleaded not guilty, faces 26 years to life in federal prison if convicted. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Alexandra Gordon has told jurors the trial could last until mid-December.
Washington, D.C. Americans’ outlook on the economy soured a bit after two months of small gains, according to the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index released last Friday. The index slipped to 68.9 in October from 70.1 in September, its highest reading since May. “Consumers continue to express frustration over high prices,” said Joanne Hsu, director of consumer surveys at the University of Michigan.
NCDOT CASH REPORT FOR THE WEEK ENDING OCT 11
Beginning Cash $2,722,581,780
Receipts (income) $48,006,031
Disbursements
$203,650,520 Cash Balance
$2,566,916,836
MATT SLOCUM / AP PHOTO
A lawsuit filed by the state of Kentucky alleges TikTok was aware of detrimental features for young people.
GABRIELLE LURIE / SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE VIA AP
Opening statements in the murder trial of Nima Momeni, the man charged in the fatal stabbing of Cash App founder Bob Lee, began Monday in San Francisco.
‘not because they are easy’
Elon
Musk’s pursuit of the impossible
By Jordan Golson North State Journal
IN LESS THAN a week, I watched with teary-eyed excitement as SpaceX caught its massive Super Heavy rocket with a pair of mechanical chopsticks (really!) and saw Tesla unveil its long-awaited robotaxi. It makes me wonder whether folks in the ’60s realized what a monumental achievement they were watching as NASA ticked off milestones one by one in pursuit of President John F. Kennedy’s vision of putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade.
This week’s achievements, spearheaded by Elon Musk, represent more than just technological advancements. They embody a spirit of innovation and ambition that harkens back to the early days of the republic when the founding fathers sought to reshape the world through ingenuity, perseverance and, perhaps most crucially, sheer determination.
The parallels between Musk and Benjamin Franklin, in particular, are striking. Both are polymaths with interests spanning multiple disciplines. Franklin, curiously my first cousin many times removed, was a writer, scientist, inventor and statesman. Musk, similarly, has left his mark on electric vehicles, space exploration, solar energy, artificial intelligence and, most recently, the world of politics.
But it’s not just their breadth of interests that connects these two figures across centuries: It’s their unwavering commitment to pursuing seemingly impossible goals.
Franklin’s experiments with
electricity and inventions like the lightning rod were once considered outlandish, as are — were? — Musk’s plans to colonize Mars. Yet both men shared a vision of the future that drove them to push beyond the boundaries of what was thought possible in their time.
Walter Isaacson’s biography of Musk reveals a man constantly focused on his ultimate goal. In meetings or when faced with seemingly minor problems, Musk often responds with pleas about how we’d never land a man on Mars if costs weren’t cut and schedules weren’t accelerated.
This laser focus on a grand vision, even in the face of day-today challenges, is reminiscent of the founding fathers’ persistent pursuit of a new form of government despite the numerous obstacles they faced.
The successful test flight of SpaceX’s Starship rocket is a testament to this persistence. The idea of landing and reusing rockets was once dismissed as science fiction, even (and especially) by industry veterans. Nevertheless, he persisted. Now, with over 300 successful landings of the Falcon 9 rocket and the breathtaking development pace of Starship, SpaceX is poised to revolutionize space travel and bring us closer to Musk’s dream of making humanity a multiplanetary species.
Similarly, Tesla’s unveiling of its self-driving Cybercab (and Robovan) represents a significant step toward Musk’s vision of reshaping urban transportation. While self-driving cars have been discussed for years, Tesla’s approach to integrating this technology into a ride-sharing platform (including by allow-
ing privately owned Teslas to be “sent out” to generate money for their owners) could fundamentally alter how we think about car ownership and city planning.
Yes, companies like Waymo have limited ride-hailing services today, but Tesla is approaching it from a different direction — one that could prove as significant as reusable rockets to aerospace.
So, we ask, where are the founding fathers of today? In Musk, we see a figure who, like the innovators of America’s early days, is not content with incremental progress. Instead, he sets audacious goals and works tirelessly to achieve them, often in the face of skepticism, ridicule and a government determined to reestablish its own relevance.
The founding fathers envisioned a new form of government that many thought impossible. Today, Musk envisions a future where humans live on Mars and artificial intelligence transforms our daily lives. Both visions required (and require) immense effort, innovation and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
It’s also worth noting that Musk’s endeavors, somewhat unlike those of the founding fathers, are driven mainly by private enterprise rather than government initiative. This shift represents a new paradigm in how society approaches grand challenges and innovations. While government-led programs like NASA’s Apollo missions once captured the world’s imagination, private companies like SpaceX and Tesla are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible today.
While today’s achievements are a marvel, their full impact may not be immediately apparent. Just as the true significance of the printing press or the telephone only became evident decades after their invention, the long-term effects of reusable rockets and autonomous vehicles may take years to manifest fully.
What is clear, however, is that we are living in an age of rapid technological advancement, where ideas that once seemed like science fiction are becoming reality. Musk’s persistent pursuit of his Mars goal, even
when dealing with more mundane challenges, serves as a reminder of the power of visionary thinking and unwavering determination.
As we look to the future, we should take inspiration from this spirit of innovation. Whether it’s addressing climate change, revolutionizing health care or exploring the depths of space, the examples set by American visionaries like Franklin and Musk (who, while an immigrant, is a longtime American citizen) remind us that no challenge is too great when met with creativity, perseverance and a willingness to pursue the seemingly impossible.
In 50 years, we may look back on this period as a pivotal moment in human history — a time when the groundwork was laid for humanity’s expansion into space and the transformation of life on Earth through artificial intelligence. Or perhaps these achievements will be steppingstones to even more significant innovations we can’t yet imagine.
In a time of great uncertainty, of this we are certain: The same spirit of innovation and belief that drove the founding fathers now propels visionaries like Elon Musk to reshape our world in profound and exciting ways.
As we witness these historic moments, we’re reminded that the future is not a thing that simply happens — it’s something we actively create through our ambition, innovation and unwavering pursuit of the impossible.
There has never, by any reasonable measure, been a better time to be alive. Humans are more prosperous and healthier, more peaceful and technologically enriched than ever in our brief history on Earth.
And, within a decade, perhaps we’ll add Mars (and the moon!) to our history — if we can follow our dreams long enough to pull it off.
@ELONMUSK / X PHOTOS
@SPACEX / X
Left, Starship’s Super Heavy booster uses all 33 engines to lift off, but only three are needed when it returns to Earth.
Michael Jordan sues NASCAR, B3
the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT
NCAA FOOTBALL
Wake Forest covers Ole Miss cancellation fee with new Oregon State deal
Winston-Salem
Wake Forest’s fee for canceling next year’s football game at No. 9 Mississippi is essentially covered by its new deal for a home-and-home series against Oregon State. Wake Forest’s deal with Ole Miss signed in 2014 requires the school to pay $750,000 for the cancellation of the September 2025 game. That matches the amount Oregon State will pay Wake Forest for an October 2025 home game and the return trip in September 2029.
NBA Magic agree to contract extension with center Carter
Orlando The Orlando Magic have agreed to a contract extension with center Wendell Carter Jr. Carter averaged 11 points in 55 games last season to help the Magic reach the postseason. Carter, the No. 7 pick in the 2018 NBA draft, is set to make $12 million this season. The 6-foot-10 Carter played one season at Duke. He has averaged 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in 315 career games.
MLB Rehak makes LCS debut
Los Angeles North Carolina resident Jamie Rehak made his MLB League Championship Series umpiring debut on Sunday. A big-league ump since 2021, Rehak worked his first postseason game in the 2022 ALDS. The 36-yearold was assigned to the Mets-Dodgers NLCS this season and was the home plate umpire in Sunday’s Game 1. Also assigned to the seven-man crew working that series is North Carolina resident David Rackley. The 43-year- old is an 11-year MLB umpiring vet and is working his second LCS.
Larson dominates at The Roval
By Jenna Fryer
The Associated Press
CONCORD — Kyle Larson raced to his Cup Series-high sixth victory of the season Sunday to easily advance to the third round of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, winning on The Roval — the hybrid road course/oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Larson led a race-high 62 laps in the No. 5 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports to win in a runaway. He beat longtime rival and title contender Christopher Bell by 1.511 seconds.
“It was good to have a little bit of a stress-free weekend,” Larson said.
It was Larson’s second victory of the playoffs, but he’s the first championship-eligible driver to win in the round of 12. The elimination race cut the field from 12 drivers to eight, with Team Penske drivers of Joey Logano and Austin Cindric, Daniel Suarez of Trackhouse Racing and Chase
Briscoe of Stewart-Haas Racing kncoked out.
All four Hendrick drivers — Larson, William Byron, Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott — would have advanced into the round of eight. However, Bowman was disqualified for failing a post-race inspection. Bowman’s disqualification was for not meeting minimum weight, NASCAR said. It knocked him out of the playoffs and moved Logano back into title contention.
Joining them for the next three-race series are reigning Cup champion Ryan Blaney of Penske, Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Bell and Denny Hamlin in Toyotas, and Tyler Reddick, the regular-season champion who squeezed through in a Toyota for 23XI Racing.
Reddick won the first stage but was involved in a spin with Austin Dillon in the second stage that dropped him to 37th in position and below the cutline. He had to scramble the
rest of the race to finish 11th and preserve his spot in the playoffs. Michael Jordan, Hamlin’s business partner in ownership of 23XI Racing, embraced both Hamlin and Reddick on pit lane for advancing.
First driver eliminated
Briscoe was eliminated when he went to the garage with 66 laps remaining with mechanical damage that officially ended Stewart-Haas Racing’s shot at a championship. The team is scaling back from four cars to one next year without Tony Stewart as part of the ownership group, and Briscoe will drive for Gibbs in 2025.
“I wish we were racing for a championship still. It stings,” Briscoe said. “Not even really for myself, just all the employees at Stewart-Haas. They were all kind of living through the 14 car, and the environment we have had these last few weeks has been really exciting to be a part of.
“I hate that it is coming to an end. I know what that means for Stewart-Haas not to be racing
See NASCAR , page B3
Tar Heels look to find right recipe in ’24-25
UNC enters the season with a talent-packed roster
By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal
ENTERING YEAR four under coach Hubert Davis, UNC garnered attention in numerous discussions this offseason regarding their incoming recruiting class, their deep arsenal of veteran and rookie guards and, also, their lack of what most would consider an “elite” frontcourt after the departure of Armando Bacot.
With a mix of established and moving pieces to put together ahead of the 2024-25 season, the Tar Heels are looking to be the blue blood they’ve always been. But in similar fashion to last year, the reasons behind anticipated success may come with surprises. Last season, the unexpected catalysts for the Tar Heels were the versatility of transfer forward Harrison Ingram and freshman Elliot Cadeau’s playmaking ability.
Cadeau’s ability to create open looks, Ingram’s emergence as a key scorer, defender and rebounder and a historic season from RJ Davis pushed UNC to a 29-8 overall record (17-3 in the ACC) and a finish as the ACC’s top team in the regular season.
The Tar Heels didn’t achieve the ACC title as they lost to NC State in the conference tournament final, but they made a run to the Sweet 16 and fell just short of an Elite Eight appearance after an 89-87 defeat to Alabama.
That loss marked the end to the UNC careers for the program’s all-time rebound leader Bacot, sharpshooters Cormac Ryan and Paxon Wojcik, and Ingram, who was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs.
To help replace the void that Bacot left, the Tar Heels brought in transfer forwards Ty Claude (previously at Georgia Tech) and Ven-Allen Lubin (previously at Vanderbilt), who don’t have the most size but are solid rebounders.
UNC also welcomed transfer forward Cade Tyson from
Belmont, where he shot 44.6 % from three in two seasons. Yet, arguably, the most anticipated newcomers are the freshmen. Five-star Ian Jackson looks to be an elite scorer with athleticism, while the other five-star, Drake Powell, appears to bring a strong de-
presence and another
fensive
versatile offensive option. Freshman James Brown, who stands at 6-foot-10, could work his way into the rotation behind forward Jalen Washington, giving the Tar Heels an-
Three Hendrick cars advanced into the next round of the Cup playoffs
CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO
Kyle Larson drives on Turn 3 during a NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Roval course on Sunday.
CHRIS CARLSON / AP PHOTO
UNC guard Seth Trimble speaks at ACC basketball media day.
CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO
Kyle Larson, center, celebrates in Victory Lane after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Roval course.
TRENDING
Vince Carter:
The former Tar Heel and NBA star was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday. Carter entered with another Tar Heel great, the late Walter Davis, who was also part of the 13-member class of 2024. Carter was best known in his early career for his dunks, but he remained productive for nearly a two-decade career in the NBA.
Luis Tiant:
The charismatic Cuban pitcher with a horseshoe mustache and mesmerizing windup died at age 83 Tiant pitched the Red Sox to the World Series and himself to 226 wins and 2,416 strikeouts.
“El Tiante” was a three-time All-Star who went 14-9 with the Carolina League Burlington Indians in 1963.
Jon Cooper:
The Tampa Bay Lightning coach spent more time than expected in the Triangle last weekwhen the tea came to Raleigh early due to Hurricane Milton The storm also postponed the two teams’ game in Tampa, originally scheduled for Saturday. Cooper used the extra time to tour Cameron Indoor Stadium and meet retired Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski courtesy of Blue Devils lacrosse coach John Danowski, who was Cooper’s lacrosse coach at Hofstra in the late 1980s.
Beyond the box score
POTENT QUOTABLES
“Any time you’re smelling like champagne, it means you’re doing something good.”
Mookie Betts after the Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the NLCS.
“Well, I guess this means I’m not getting in a s a player.”
Actor and long time Clippers fans Billy Crystal was honored, with Spike Lee and Jack Nicholson, as an NBA SuperFan at Sunday’s Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony.
NFL
more than Jacoby Brissett, whom he supplanted a s New England Patriots starter, pick out of UNC this year, wa s 20 of 33 for 243 yards in New England’s loss to Houston He also had two interceptions.
Dalla s Cowboys owner Jerr y Jones (right) and Roger Penske have teamed up on a new street race that will be added to IndyCar’s 2026 calendar. The IndyCar Arlington Grand Pri x will run on a 2.73-mile circuit at the entertainment venue adjacent to Globe Life Field called Texas Live!
Cameron and Cayden Boozer, twin sons of Duke great Carlos Boozer, announced their commitment to -star players in nex t season’s freshman class. Cameron is a 6-foot-9 power forward rated No. 2 overall by ESPN. Cayden (pictured) is a 6-foot-5 guard rated No 17.
Number of March Madness wins by ACC teams in the la st 10 years, 28 more than any other conference. The ACC also has 10 more Sweet 16s (31) and eight more Elite Eights (19) than any other conference over that time, but it ha s received fewer tournament bids than the Big Ten or Big 12.
Danny Green, the sharpshooting guard who won an NCAA championship at UNC before helping three NBA championships, announced his retirement. Green won NBA titles with San Antonio in 2014, Toronto in 2019 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, and wa s a starter on all three of those clubs. He averaged 8.7 points over parts of 15 pro seasons.
CHARLES KRUPA /
Go west, young Wolfpack: NC State hoping for first conference win in California
NC State is still searching for its first conference win of the season as they prepare to face Cal Berkeley
By Ryan Henkel North State Journal
THE NC STATE Wolfpack is still searching for its first conference win of the season as they head into Week 8.
The Wolfpack followed up a tough collapse against Wake Forest with a loss against Syracuse over the weekend, a game in which they committed three red-zone turnovers.
On the one hand, the Wolfpack’s (3-4, 0-3 ACC) next opponent, the California, Berkeley Golden Bears (3-3, 0-3 ACC) haven’t won one either, but on the other, they’ll have to travel more than 2,400 miles to the other side of the country to play.
It’s the first time the Wolfpack have played in the state since 1960. They made a trip to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego at the end of the 2021 season, but the game was canceled due to COVID.
“It’s a long road trip to California,” said NC State coach Dave Doeren on Monday. “It’ll be different in a couple of ways. It’ll be a normal practice Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, but we will leave town Thursday after practice. Normally, we would travel on a Friday,
so we’re going to get out there a day early just to acclimate a little bit more to the time change, and then we’ll have our Friday routine we’d usually do here out there.”
Remember when the Atlantic Coast Conference was on the … well, Atlantic coast? Anyway, with ACC expansion happening this offseason, the conference added Cal, Stanford and SMU, and the Wolfpack will be facing the first of the new faces this week.
And this isn’t just the first time the Wolfpack have faced the Golden Bears as conference opponents, it’s the first time they’ve faced them at all. Cal has been impressive in
“It’s a long road trip to California.”
NC State coach Dave Doeren
their ACC debut, leading the league in turnover margin, but it’ also gotten the full ACC experience with some tough losses and some questionable game-deciding calls.
“Very competitive team,” Doeren said of the Golden Bears “They’ve lost three one-possession games in a row that were down to the wire. Really impressed with their defense. I really like watching their two
linebackers. They’re good football players. They’re active, they can run, hit, make a lot of plays in the defense. They’re playing hard. They lead the league in turnover margin. They don’t turn the football over offensively, and they create a bunch of turnovers on defense.”
Offensively, Cal is led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who’s thrown for 1,449 yards and eight touchdowns in six games but also has three interceptions and been sacked a staggering 24 times.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebackers Teddye Buchanan, Cade Uluave and Xavier Carlton have combined for 132 tackles and nine sacks, while defensive back Nohl Williams leads the NCAA with six interceptions alone.
While the Golden Bears have been dominating in terms of turnover margin, the Wolfpack have been the complete opposite.
NC State currently has the most turnovers in the ACC and are tied for the ninth-most in FBS with six interceptions thrown and seven fumbles lost.
“We’re turning the ball over too much,” Doeren said. “We lead the ACC in turnovers. It’s the first thing that has to get fixed if we want to win games. We have to stop beating ourselves in that manner.”
The defense has been showing up — it ranks in the top third of the nation for turnovers with five fumbles recovered and
2 teams suing NASCAR ask court to recognize them as chartered while antitrust case proceeds
Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing is one of the teams filing suit, calling NASCAR “monopolistic bullies”
By Jenna Fryer The Associated Press
CHARLOTTE — The two teams suing NASCAR asked a judge for a preliminary injunction Wednesday so they can compete next season under the charter system they are challenging as their antitrust case moves through federal court.
23XI Racing, which is owned by Michael Jordan, veteran driver Denny Hamlin and Curtis Polk, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins, sued NASCAR and chairman Jim France last week in the Western District of North Carolina. The two teams accused NASCAR of being “monopolistic bullies” after refusing to sign new charters proposed by the stock car series.
The charter system is a revenue-sharing model that is similar to a franchise in other professional sports. Although charters can be sold and leased, the charters have contractually binding terms, expiration dates and can be revoked by NASCAR. Teams fought to have them made permanent, but NASCAR would not consider the issue and the newest extension runs through 2031.
23XI and Front Row allege in their suit that the agreement that goes into effect next season limits competition by unfairly binding teams to the series, its tracks and its suppliers. 23XI and Front Row were the only two organizations out of 15 that refused to sign; almost every other team has said they
NASCAR from page B1 for a championship anymore. That was keeping a lot of people, honestly, in the building.”
Vance stops by NASCAR race
Bob
signed on deadline only because NASCAR threatened to do away with the charter system entirely.
A hearing was initially set for Oct. 16 in federal court in Charlotte, but NASCAR asked for a delay since its Daytona Beach, Florida, offices closed for Hurricane Milton. The judge moved the hearing to Nov. 4.
23XI and Front Row have hired Jeffrey Kessler, a top antitrust attorney who has represented the players in all four major professional North American sports. Kessler said the two teams would sign the 2025 agreements if they receive a court order that would release them from a clause that prohibits teams from suing NASCAR.
“A court order will prevent (NASCAR) from enforcing that release term, and that way we can compete with the charters while we litigate against you going forward,” Kessler said. “We would sign them if they cannot
enforce the antitrust release. If we don’t win the motion, then (the teams) will have to compete open.”
Jenkins told AP the two teams stand to miss out on $45 million in combined revenue if they compete as unchartered teams. But he’s willing to do so for Front Row because he believes the case against NASCAR is winnable.
“We’re pretty confident about this lawsuit or we wouldn’t be doing it,” Jenkins said. “There’s a lot of money out there. I’m hoping NASCAR won’t fight the injunction and we can move forward.”
Polk, who is Jordan’s longtime right-hand man and part of the 23XI ownership group, told The Associated Press he hoped last Wednesday’s filing “highlights for Cup teams, their drivers, employees, sponsors and fans how restrictive is the economic system that we operate under.”
“The system is what enabled a take-it-or-leave offer, coupled with the threat of losing our charters on Sept. 6,” he said.
The court filing included back-and-forth communications between 23XI and NASCAR President Steve Phelps, including a Sept. 18 letter in which he defended the charter proposal.
“It appears after 2+ years of negotiations with teams, both collectively and individually, compromise and concession on both sides up until the last minute, we firmly believe that we have come up with a document that is fair and equitable to the industry,” Phelps wrote to Jordan and Hamlin. “You suggest that NASCAR somehow has ‘monopoly power’ and that 23XI and other teams ‘depend on (NASCAR) for a competitive opportunity’ and have been presented with a ‘take-itor-leave-it offer.’ We feel — and our attorneys have confirmed — that this contention is misplaced — and similar types of claims have already been rejected by courts.”
23XI and Front Row currently field two cars each in the elite Cup Series and intend to compete in 2025 as threecar teams with or without the charters. Front Row in May purchased an additional charter from Stewart-Haas Racing, and 23XI in August entered a purchase agreement with SHR for a charter.
Tyler Reddick of 23XI was the regular-season champion, and he and Hamlin, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, are still in contention for this year’s Cup title following last Sunday’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The latest filing asks for im-
six interceptions — but the offense needs to find a way to protect the football.
However, the Wolfpack’s defense will more than likely be having a bit of a tougher time as they’ll be without starting middle linebacker and leading tackler Caden Fordham, who was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
“He’ll be a leader wherever he is,” Doeren said. “In the building, on the sideline, in the meeting rooms, in the locker room. Part of it will depend on his recovery with how much he’s on the sideline because he is going to have to have surgery, but once he gets back to being healthy, he’ll be as active as he’s allowed to be. That guy cares deeply about his teammates, his coaches, his team, his university. He’ll do anything he can to help this place, I know that.”
In Fordham’s place, senior Devon Betty slid into the middle while freshman Kamal Bonner will have the chance to be a starter.
The Wolfpack will need a full-team effort on Saturday from the offense to the defense and even on special teams if they want to get themselves out of the hole they’ve dug through eight weeks of football.
“We have to do a better job with finishing games, taking care of the football, getting the turnover margin the way it needs to be and continuing to play really hard,” Doeren said.
mediate access to documents and files from six NASCAR executives, three of whom are members of the series-owning France family. NASCAR was founded in 1948 by the late Bill France Sr. and is currently run by his son, Jim, while his granddaughter Lesa France Kennedy and great-grandson, Ben Kennedy have senior executive roles.
Kessler is also seeking documents from Phelps, chief operating officer Steve O’Donnell and Scott Prime, the senior vice president of global strategy.
NASCAR’s final offer was presented to the teams less than 48 hours before the September playoff-opening race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Teams were initially given a deadline of one hour to sign the 100-plus page document, but after they balked, the deadline was extended until midnight.
“NASCAR’s dominant control over racing is not because of its superior skill or business acumen, but rather its history of exclusionary acts and restrictive agreements that have stifled competition through its monopoly power,” Kessler said. “We believe our expedited discovery requests of NASCAR and the France family will shed light on their anticompetitive practices and support a preliminary injunction ruling that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports have a legally protected right to race next year while our antitrust case proceeds in court.”
Among the items requested are documents surrounding NASCAR’s contracts with independently owned racetracks that have hosted Cup Series races since 2016; NASCAR’s acquisitions of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA); and the charter agreement provisions that restrict teams from competing in non-NASCAR events and from using Next Gen parts and cars in non-NASCAR events.
The race was attended by Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance, who was accompanied by Donald Trump Jr. at both the pre-race driver meeting and on the starting grid. Former President Donald Trump attended the Coca-Cola 600 at the same track in May.
Turtles changed NASCAR announced another course change ahead of the race Sunday race when Charlotte officials replaced the 4-inch “turtles” on the track with 2.25-inch curbing.
The smaller curbing should help lessen the impact Cup Series drivers feel when going over the speed bump with the car bottoming out when it lands.
Up next
The Cup Series opens the third round of the playoffs Sunday at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where Kyle Larson is not only the defending race winner but also won in the spring.
Some drivers complained Saturday after practice and qualifying that the impact after their car launched over the turtle was too hard, with Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch saying they felt like they suffered a concussion when the car landed. NASCAR also sent out a reminder about track limits when it comes to penalties for cutting the chicane. NASCAR reiterated that cars must run the full course at all times and going straight at the chicane(s) may result in a stop-and-go penalty in an assigned location for the violation.
SCOTT KINSER / AP PHOTO
NC State will have to play the rest of the season without leading tackler Caden Fordham after he was ruled out with an injury.
BUTCH DILL / AP PHOTO
Jenkins, owner of Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan talk before the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega on Oct. 6.
A weekly look at NC college football
By Shawn Krest North State Journal
IT WAS A ROUGH WEEK in the Old North State. Four of the state’s FBS teams played, and all of them — UNC, NC State, Wake Forest and App State — lost. Overall, the state was eight games under .500 for the week as the teams with a bye week were thanking their lucky stars.
• North Carolina’s record: 9-17 (90-104 overall)
Last week’s winners (ranked in order of impressiveness of the victory—a combination of opponent and performance):
1. NC Central: 68-0 over Virginia Lynchburg
2. Wingate: 50-0 over Barton
3. Brevard: 42-9 over Greensboro
4. UNC Pembroke: 67-20 over West Liberty
5. Lenoir Rhyne: 24-3 over Newberry
6. Winston-Salem State: 34-14 over Shaw
7. Western Carolina: 30-16 over The Citadel
8. Chowan: 31-27 over Shorter
9. Livingstone: 24-19 over Fayetteville State
Last week’s losers (ranked in order of impressiveness, despite the result)
1. Davidson: 16-14 at Dayton
2. Mars Hill: 28-27 to Carson Newman
3. Catawba: 36-33 to Limestone in double overtime
4. Fayetteville State: 24-19 at Livingstone
5. App State: 34-24 at Louisiana
6. Elon: 17-10 to New Hampshire
7. NC State: 24-17 to Syracuse
8. UNC: 41-34 to Georgia Tech
9. Shaw: 34-14 at Winston-Salem State
10. Elizabeth City State: 30-0 at Virginia Union
11. Barton: 50-0 at Wingate
12. Greensboro: 42-9 at Brevard
13. St. Andrews: 21-0 to Union Commonwealth
14. NC Wesleyan: 31-9 to LaGrange
15. Wake Forest: 49-14 to Clemson
16. Guilford: 63-0 at Randolph-Macon
UNC from page B1
other big man who can use his size to impact both sides of the floor. As far as the returners, Washington and Jae’Lyn Withers will look to step into bigger roles this season with Bacot and Ingram moving on. At 6-foot-9, Withers can match up well against taller opponents and be of more help on the boards, similar to how Ingram played last year. With the mix of returners, freshmen and transfers, Davis
17. M ethodist: 42-0 to Huntingdon
Off: Duke, Charlotte, ECU, Campbell, Gardner-Webb, NC A&T, Johnson C. Smith
Remaining unbeatens (1 remaining): Johnson C. Smith: 6-0
Wingate moved into a tie for first with a win over Barton, while Livingstone moved up with a win over Fayetteville State, knocking FSU out of the logjam at 2-0.
• 2-0: Duke, Guilford, Wake Forest, Wingate, Livingstone
• 1-1: NC State, Campbell, Catawba, Barton, Winston-Salem State
• 1-2: Methodist, NC A&T, Elon, Western Carolina, Shaw
• 1-3: Elizabeth City State
• 0-1: Gardner-Webb, Mars Hill
• 0-2: ECU, Chowan, UNC Pembroke
• 0-3: Greensboro
will have to make some tough decisions on who gets playing time and what lineups work best. The best case for UNC will be to establish chemistry amongst its key lineups by the start of ACC play. There will be lots of new faces in new roles for the Tar Heels, and its nonconference slate will be a good opportunity for certain lineups to learn how to play together in various situations against various opponents. This will be especially crucial for the guards as
Local teams hope to salvage season with bowl appearance
Multiple in-state teams are looking to hit the six-win mark for bowl eligibility
By Jesse Deal North State Journal
CHARLOTTE — With the college football campaign passing the midpoint of the 2024 season, a handful of local teams are sitting right at the border of possibly notching a bowl appearance if current trends continue.
Unlike the Duke Blue Devils (5-1, 1-1 ACC), who are now just one victory away from a locked-in bowl bid, these in-state teams have their work cut out for them if they want to play in a postseason matchup.
State title games this week:
• Lenoir-Rhyne at Barton
• Winston-Salem State at Livingstone
• Shaw at Johnson C. Smith
Out of state battles for Week Eight:
Florida State at Duke (Friday), Wake Forest at UConn, NC State at Cal, Charlotte at Navy, ECU at Army, Campbell at William & Mary, Stetson at Davidson, Western Carolina at Furman, Elon at Albany, Lindenwood at Gardner-Webb, Hampton at NC A&T, Wingate at Limestone, Newberry at Catawba, West Florida at Chowan, Virginia State at Elizabeth City State, Tusculum at Mars Hill, UNC Pembroke at Fairmont State, LaGrange at Brevard, Belhaven at Greensboro, Washington and Lee at Guilford, Southern Virginia at Methodist, Point at St. Andrews Off: UNC, App State, NC Central, Fayetteville State, NC Wesleyan
Bad neighbors: Virginia schools are now 21-10 against N.C. schools. North Carolina has a winning record against South Carolina (10-8) and is break-even (4-4) against Georgia.
All-state performances for Week Seven:
Quarterback: Colin Johnson, UNC Pembroke, 29-for43, 514 yards, 7 TD, Running backs; Kanye Roberts, App State, 26 carries for 148 yards, Mason Sheron, Davidson, 22 rushes for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns, Receiver: Zion Booker, Western Carolina, 6 catches, 102 yards, touchdown, Jakobe Lane, Chowan, 11 catches, 151 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Defensive line: Matthew Leavelle, NC Central, after starting the season as a tight end, he had 6 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Josh Johnson, Elon, 5 tackles, 4 solos, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble.
Defensive back: Dominic Njoku, Davidson, 15 tackles, 11 solo stops, 1 TFL, Nic Cheeley, Lenoir-Rhyne, 6 tackles, 4 solo, interception and 30-yard return Special teams: Bryson Sims, Catawba, 4 field goals and 15 points.
Cadeau, Davis and Jackson can all be dangerous with the ball in their hands.
The problem is there’s only one ball, and roles may have to adjust to maintain a constantly moving offense.
But with moving roles may come a surprise breakout year similar to Ingram. Withers, Trimble and Powell come to mind as guys who can provide a much-needed spark on both sides of the floor while also doing the dirty work with hustle plays. However, making the many
pack (Nov. 30) could have major bowl implications for all teams involved.
Both Wake and NC State have lost three of the past four games and stand at risk of losing more ground with respective road contests at UConn and California awaiting them this upcoming weekend.
Both teams have struggled to keep opposing teams out of the end zone: The Deacs have the nation’s 128th-ranked defense, while the Wolfpack have the 90th-ranked defense.
UNC (3-4, 0-3 ACC), NC State (3-4, 0-3 ACC) and Wake Forest (2-4, 1-2 AAC) are each set to battle through the rest of ACC play as they try to hit the six-win mark for bowl eligibility.
Meanwhile, Charlotte (3 -3, 2-0 AAC) and East Carolina (3-3, 1-1 AAC) could soon be fighting for their first bowl bid since 2019 and 2022, respectively.
Over in the Sun Belt, Appalachian State (2-4, 0-3 SBC) will need to flip the downward momentum in the second half of their season in order to avoid their first twoyear bowl drought since moving from the FCS to the FBS in 2014.
In Chapel Hill, the once 3-0 Tar Heels are now reeling after four straight losses, opening the door for UNC to snap its streak of reaching a bowl game in each of its past five campaigns since Mack Brown’s return to the program.
“They’re all coming down to a play,” Brown said of his team’s tough stretch of luck following its recent 41-34 home loss to Georgia Tech.
“There’s a thin line between winning and losing, and this team’s had a load put on them. So what we’ve got to do is just keep getting better. … There are so many things we can fix that give us a chance to be a better team and win the last five games, and that’s what we’ll do.”
The Tar Heels now have a bye week before traveling to face Virginia on Oct. 26, rounding out their season with Florida State, Wake Forest, Boston College and NC State.
The Heels’ looming home matchups with the Demon Deacons (Nov. 16) and Wolf-
“For us, playing well and learning how to win, it starts with learning how not to lose,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said in his weekly Monday press conference. “Beating yourself is the fastest way to lose a football game. We’ve learned the hard way how precious winning is and how hard it is to win football games. When you’re used to it, when you start taking that stuff for granted, sometimes the football gods come back and remind you how hard it really is to win a game.”
Representing the state in the American Athletic Conference, the aforementioned Niners and Pirates will both need to win at least half of their remaining six games in order to reach a bowl game. In their recent head-to-head matchup, Charlotte throttled ECU in a 55-24 home finish as second-year coach Biff Poggi’s team had one of its biggest victories in years.
The Niners will now take on a difficult trio of opponents — Navy, Memphis and Tulane, with a combined 14-3 record — before playing an easier trio of teams — South Florida, Florida Atlantic and UAB have combined for a 5-13 record. Despite entering the 2024 season with noted deficiencies in team depth, both ECU coach Mike Houston and App State coach Shawn Clark have begun to draw increasing fire from their fan bases as their seats get hotter with each loss.
In Boone, quarterback Joey Aguilar has led the Mountaineers to the 19thbest passing offense in the country, but App’s 113thranked defense has thwarted the team’s progression on a weekly basis.
The final months of the year will not only determine which teams make a bowl game but could indicate which direction these local programs are heading going into 2025.
picture, the Pirates and 49ers are in better position than most of their other in-state rivals.
pieces fit together won’t be the biggest concern for the Tar Heels.
As they begin to play elite teams with more size in the frontcourt, opponents will try to go at Washington, who hasn’t yet shown to be a consistent force against other big men of his size.
Washington and the rest of the UNC frontcourt will be put to the test in key games against Kansas (Nov. 8 away), Alabama (Dec. 4 at home), Duke (Feb. 1 away and March 8 at home),
Clemson (Feb. 10 away) and NC State (Feb. 19 at home). The Tar Heels’ date with the Jayhawks at their place will be an early indicator of how Washington can silence the noise when he goes up against 7-foot-2 center Hunter Dickinson.
As much as the frontcourt is a question mark, the Tar Heels have plenty of talent to be a really good team come March. They just have to put the pieces together in enough time for the squad to jell as one when it matters.
NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO
East Carolina defenders swarm to tackle Charlotte wide receiver Jairus Mack (3) earlier this month. When it comes to the bowl
CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO
Georgia Tech running back Jamal Haynes (11) outruns North Carolina defensive back Alijah Huzzie (28) to score the winning touchdown in Chapel Hill.
NC eats
Diversity, quality highlight State Fair food offerings
The new menu items shy away from deep-fried junk and appeal to foodies
By Shawn Krest North State Journal
WHEN PEOPLE THINK of state fair food, they’re likely to ask, “What are they going to try to deep fry this year?” However, the 2024 North Carolina State Fair, which opens this week at the Raleigh fairgrounds, offers far more than just junk food and batter.
The State Fair will have 72 new food items this year, and diversity seems to be the theme surrounding the new offerings. Foodies and vegans alike will see their needs taken into consideration as vendors are rolling out a dazzling array of dining options.
Fine dining at the fair
Oak City Fish and Chips, whose colossal shrimp skewers won the prize as last year’s top new State Fair food item, is back and pushing the envelope with giant Alaskan King Crab Pop: giant skewers of crab meat, oil fried but not battered. Admittedly a high-end item made with the connoisseur in mind, it’s something that will allow fairgoers to sit down and savor their food.
Other strong options for diners looking for taste first include Brazilian Bowls’ pineapple bowl, which was very popular at media sampling day. Las Gringas has a trompo al pastor stick that offers a large skewer of flavorful chicken with a slightly spicy sauce.
The biggest surprise was Neomonde Mediterranea’s Kale Me Shawarma. With beets and kale as leading ingredients, it will turn off the deep-fried and red meat crowd. Those willing to give it a chance, however, will be rewarded. It’s sweet potato fries topped with beef/lamb shawarma, pickled red onion, feta crumbles, pickled jalapenos, kale crisps and beet barbeque sauce. Somehow, it all comes together and offers a roller coaster of taste and texture.
Niche dining
Even people who tend to roll their eyes when they hear the phrase “vegan options” will be surprised by two of the new cruelty-free dishes being served. Ethio-Indi Alkaline Cuisine offers Granddaddy Nat’s Fufu plate, which tastes like a spicy Salisbury steak but is entirely plant-based and served with greens that have a kick. Fresh AF Vegan has its take on a Crabcake Sammie. Fry me to the moon
There were some deep-fried options for fans of classic fair food. Cheese seemed to be the most popular base, with a deep-fried cheese pie (kind of
like an empanada filled with cheese) and a mozzarella dog among the offerings. Both dishes coated the outside in honey butter for an interesting combination of tastes, albeit one that might be difficult to manage while on the move at the fair. Be sure to bring some wet wipes.
La Farm also has a cheese-filled croissant that it deep fries. They also offered another fried croissant dessert, with a spread similar to Nutella replacing the cheese.
Ezzell’s Something Good serves deep-fried spaghetti topped with marinara sauce and cole slaw. Although it sounds like a mess, it was one of the pleasant surprises of the new food menu.
Lawrence & Perry Barbecue has deep-fried ribs that aren’t battered but are coated with a BBQ sauce, making them a strong competitor in the best new food competition.
The Busy Beaver has two funnel cake offerings topped with hot Cheetos. One has a chocolate sauce, while the other goes with nacho cheese sauce. It’s the type of item that state fairs are made for, but it felt like it was trying a bit too hard and didn’t hit.
The winner
Cool Runnings Jamaican won the media vote for best new food item
this year with their Jerk Pork Belly Bao. It’s a fusion of Asian and Jamaican that was very tasty but seemed difficult to eat without spilling in a fair setting.
Our vote
Nosing out the Jerk Pork Belly Bao and Kale Me Shawarma on our ballot was Waypoint Oyster Bar’s NC Crab and Shrimp Bomb, crusted in hot Cheetos. It was the 32nd food item we tried, and we still ate the whole thing. Try ’em
If you just want something tasty, creative and easy to eat on the run, we recommend Woody’s Wing Wagon’s sausage and pepper egg roll. Also, pick up Spudtastic Potato’s Mexican Street Corn Potato, which didn’t have the over-the-top presentation to stand out in the media vote but would be a good companion while taking the family through the fair.
Also worth your time are Granny’s Country Kitchen’s battered Bologna Fries, Hot Chix’s Monster Tots, which come in Buffalo chicken or bacon chive, and Bubba’s Bacon’s Big Bacon Wrapped in Cheese on a Stick, which seems like the stereotypical state fair food. But there’s a reason things become classics.
Fairgoers may want to drink their desserts
This year’s new North Carolina State Fair food menu offerings lean heavily toward savory. Fairgoers with a sweet tooth will not feel left out, however, as a selection of new desserts will be on display as well.
D’oh
The ingredient of choice for the new state fair dessert cart items is cookie dough. At least three vendors are offering their take on a cookie-dough dish.
Kora’s Cookie Dough offers Birthday Cake Cookie Dough on a stick, which deep fries the flavored dough and then coats it with sprinkles. It earned our vote for the best new dessert on the media ballot, although it didn’t take home the top prize when all the votes were tallied.
There is also a strawberry shortcake deep-fried cookie dough dessert, and Minneapple Pie has a Minnie Cookie Dough Pie.
Liquid calories
The other big theme with this year’s dessert menu is sweet drinks. Moose Joose Slush offers a Summerween Slush, which is an orange slushie in a pumpkinthemed cup that includes an entire orange creamsicle as a garnish. And it comes with a Halloweenthemed rubber duckie.
Fluffy’s Hand Cut Doughnuts is a coffee-infused chocolate drink that comes with a mini-doughnut garnish. They also have a strawberry lemonade doughnut for the solid food crowd. It comes with a small tube filled with lemonade to allow you to inject the doughnut when you’re ready to eat it.
Tiki Tea wins the garnish war, offering three chocolate-dipped strawberries atop their huge chocolate-dipped strawberry iced tea.
The winner
Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes won the best new sweet item, overpowering the competition with their Granny Cone. A chimney cake is a Hungarian pastry baked rotisserie style, looking like a hunk of Greek gyro meat. That serves as the ice cream cone in this dish, which has layers of corn cake, candied bacon ice cream, corn crunchies and whipped cream.
Raleigh’s Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes won best new dessert item with the delightful Granny Cone.
ALL PHOTOS BY SHAWN KREST / NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes (right) and Cool Runnings won the best new food item awards. Here, they pose with N.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler (left).
Above, the chocolate-dipped strawberry iced tea comes with a garnish of three chocolate-covered strawberries.
Top right, an entire creamsicle garnishes the Summerween Slush.
Bottom right, the funnel cake, topped with nacho cheese and hot Cheetos, was an interesting offering.
Tim Heidecker brings introspective songcraft to latest record, ‘Slipping Away’
The eccentric comedic artist continues his serious musicianship with his new album
By Dan Reeves North State Journal
TIM HEIDECKER’S “acquired taste” comedy style splashed onto the scene in the early 2000s with the Abbott to his Costello, Eric Wareheim, when “Tom Goes to the Mayor” followed by 2007’s “Tim and Eric: Awesome Show, Great Job!” hit alternative animation program “Adult Swim.”
Heidecker himself would laugh at any critic who referred to his comedy as “offbeat” or “irreverent,” but to put it delicately, his style is some insane-yet-brilliant confluence of purposeful low-brow, obnoxious potty humor, razor-sharp wit and satire with a twist of camp psychedelia. One must be “in” on the joke so as not to instantly dismiss it as childish nonsense. But his performance in 2012’s “The Comedy,” a dramatic film focusing on the nihilism of entitled hipsters, changed the public’s perception. He could be serious. Never for one moment has Heidecker abandoned his singular brand of humor, but his foray into making serious music has served him well. A musician at heart, this passion had been expressed, but mostly in a collaborative setting.
With the release of 2016’s “In Glendale,” Heidecker again gave pause to his viewing — or listening — audience. His lyrical prowess and soulful, in-
trospective depth had proven there is more than laughs in his quiver. Follow-ups “What the Broken-Hearted Do,” “Fear of Death” and “High School” found Heidecker cutting his teeth on the road playing to audiences with a live band. At the same time, the indie set embraced his efforts alongside comedy fans, who’d go see Heidecker for any reason. What fans, old and new, have discovered is an unmistakable talent with true reverence for creating art that speaks with stark honesty.
“Slipping Away,” out Friday on Bloodshot Records, is Heidecker’s most ambitious release to date. It captures not only his well-developed craftsmanship as a songwriter but also his knack for tapping into universal themes that connect with listeners.
Within the album’s 10 tracks, Heidecker, backed by a stellar lineup of backing musicians, maintains a delicate balance of vulnerability without a heavy-handed dose of “woe is me.” He sings about anxiety,
fatherhood, celebrity and the
apocalypse — themes that could come off as scattered and even cliché but nuanced such that the message hits home with every bar. Deep inside the creative pulses of most comedic artists lives a musician or actor — or both — dying to get out. But it rarely sticks. Adam Sandler is funny. He’s a decent musician and
Tim Heidecker’s “Slipping Away” drops
passable dramatic actor, but to most, and regardless of his work on serious films, he’s always going to be Billy Madison singing about red-hooded sweatshirts. It’s a blessing and a curse, an unshakable sense of humor to the public eye.
What Heidecker signals in “Slipping Away” is the furthest point from goofy comedian but instead a bright light in music.
Mimis Plessas, beloved giant of modern Greek music, dies at 99
His work defied genre, blending traditional Greek music with elements of jazz and classical
By Derek Gatopoulos
The Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece — Mimis Plessas, a beloved Greek composer whose music featured in scores of films, television shows and theatrical productions and who provided the soundtrack to millions of Greeks’ lives, has died just a
week shy of his 100th birthday. His death was confirmed Saturday by his wife, Loukila Carrer. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis paid tribute to Plessas, writing, “A leading composer, a great scholar and a kind man has left us.”
Born in Athens on Oct. 12, 1924, Plessas began his musical journey at a young age. He became a piano soloist at state radio before entering international piano competitions while still in his 20s. His gift for composition would cement his legacy.
Plessas became a constant
presence on Greek television, his mild manner and sing-along melodies endearing him to generations. Often seated at the piano, accompanying renowned Greek stars, he was a fixture of musical moments and celebrations for decades, his music becoming intertwined with the nation’s cultural fabric. His 1969 composition, “O Dromos” (The Street), remains one of the highest-selling albums in Greek history. He collaborated with a constellation of Greek music icons, including Nana Mouskouri,
Vicky Leandros, Giannis Poulopoulos, Marinella and lyricist Lefteris Papadopoulos, shaping the landscape of Greek music.
His work defied genre, blending traditional Greek music forms with elements of jazz and classical, creating an easy-on-the-ear signature sound — softer than the hard jangle of many of his contemporaries.
“His ‘Road’ was rich, full of melodies that start from jazz and permeate Greek song, as well as Greek cinema,” Mitsotakis said. “Mimis Plessas was unique, just like the moments he will
forever give us with his music.” Plessas’ contributions extended beyond composing. He produced a popular radio quiz show, “In 30 Seconds,” and served as a judge on numerous Greek and international music competition panels. He was also a member of prestigious artistic societies, including the Greek Society of Theatrical Authors and the Society of Greek Composers and Lyricists.
Plessas is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. Funeral arrangements were not immediately known.
of James Eltion Barlow Jr., Deceased.
Notice To Creditors I, Matonia Moore, have been appointed as the Personal Administrator for the Estate of Sharon Rena Pipkin Smith. This letter serves notice that any person or organization that has a valid claim against the estate must serve a copy of the claim to 3333 N. Main Street, Ste 150 #146, Hope Mills, NC 28348. The claim must include the basis of the claim, the amount of the claim, the date the claim is due and any property that secures the claim. All claims must be submitted by January 17, 2025 to the address of 3333 N. Main Street, Ste 150 #146 Hope Mills, NC 28348 Matonia Moore Personal Administrator
NOTICE
The undersigned, having qualified as Executer of the Estate of Janice M. Beaufort, deceased, late of Cumberland County, herby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 26th day of December, 2024. (which date is three months after the publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in the bar of their recovery. All person indebted to the descendent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 26th day of September, 2024. Virginia M. Beaufort 6458 Rockford Drive Fayetteville NC 28304 Of the Estate of Janice M. Beaufort, Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF DOROTHY LOUISE BLUE
CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 23 E 1288 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Dorothy Louise Blue, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Claudinette Blue, Administrator, at 1316 Skyline Dr., Fayetteville, NC 28314, on or before the 4th day of December, 2024 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 24th day of September, 2024. Claudinette Blue Administrator of the Estate of Dorothy Louise Blue Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 3, October 10, October 17 and October 24, 2024
NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA County of Cumberland In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate file #24E1653 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having qualified as executor of the estate of Joyce J. Duncan, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations, having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of January, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 17th day of October, 2024. Daniel G. Duncan Executor 11196 Windjammer Dr. Frisco, TX 75036
Earnest Bohannon Sr., deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 26th day of December, 2024, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication
does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before January 17, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 17th day of October, 2024. Jamaine Pearson, Administrator of the Estate of Eula Leola Pearson NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY, CRAVEN & CORLEY, L.L.P. N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990 COUNSEL FOR ADMINISTRATOR
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF ROBERT LEE CRAWFORD, JR. Cumberland County Estate File No. 24 E 89 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Robert Lee Crawford, Jr., deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Ronda Baker, Executor, at 31 Holly Dr., New Castle, DE 19720, on or before the 27th day of December, 2024 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to
Notice
County Estate of James Norwood Canady Estate File No. 24E1562 The undersigned, having qualified as Trustee/Executor of the estate of James Norwood Canady, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 3rd day of January, 2025 or same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 3rd day of October, 2024 Timothy W Canady 3329 Wrightsville Ave Ste D Wilmington, NC 28403 Trustee/Executor of the Estate of James Norwood Canady Publication Dates
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF JAMES M. BUTLER, JR Cumberland County Estate File No. 24 E 1589 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against James M. Butler, Jr., deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Larry G. Dickens, Executor, at 212 Crescent Dr., Dunn, NC 28334, on or before the 11th day of January, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor named above.
This the 30th day of September, 2024. Larry G. Dickens Executor of the Estate of James M. Butler, Jr. Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 10, October 17, October 24 and October 31, 2024
NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File: #24E1490 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice
The undersigned, having qualified as Melissa McNeill Fisher of the Estate of Joyce Gardner Ingram, deceased, late of Cumberland County, at this moment notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 10th day of January 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 10th day of October 2024. Melissa McNeill Fisher Administrator/Executor 1841 Roxie Avenue Address Fayetteville, NC 28304 City, State, Zip Of the Estate of Joyce Gardner Ingram, Deceased
NOTICE
State of North Carolina County of Cumberland Estate File # 24-E-1559
The undersigned having qualified as Administrator for the Estate of Hilda Faircloth Utley, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 26th day of December, 2024, (which date is three (3) months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bare of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 22 day of September, 2024 Christopher D. Ultey, Administrator 472 Shep Drive Fayetteville, NC 28311
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF CHARLES DAY HALSEY Cumberland County Estate File No. 24 E 1438 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Charles Day Halsey, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 4th day of January, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 24th day of September, 2024. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Charles Day Halsey Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 3, October 10, October 17, and October 24, 2024
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF WILLIAM EDDIE HALL
CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24 E 1544
All persons, firms and corporations having claims against William Eddie Hall, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 18th day of January, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above.
This the 10th day of October, 2024. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of William Eddie Hall Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 17, October 24, October 31 and November 7, 2024
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE
SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION
ESTATE FILE NO. 22-E-1983 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
Having qualified as Co-Executors of the Estate of Betty Cobbs Guy, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before January 17, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 17th day of October, 2024. Michael Guy and Daniel Guy, Co-Executors of the Estate of Betty Cobbs Guy NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY, CRAVEN & CORLEY, L.L.P. N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD
FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990
COUNSEL FOR CO-EXECUTORS
NOTICE
Before The Clerk Estate File #2024 E 001201
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The unsigned having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Monica Danielle Thibeault, deceased, late of Cumberland County. This is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 3254 Dorian Rd Fayetteville, NC 28306 on or before December 26th, 2024, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the unsigned. This is the 23rd day of September, 2024. Administrator of the Estate of Monica Danielle Thibeault, Dimas G. Thibeault
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF STACEY EARL THOMPSON SR
CUMBERLAND County
Estate File No. 24 E 1461
All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Stacey Earl Thompson, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Davis W. Puryear, Administrator, at 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311, on or before the 18th day of January, 2025 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 10th day of October, 2024. Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Stacey Earl Thompson Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 17, October 24, October 31 and November 7, 2024
NOTICE
sTATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
County of Cumberland
The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Pamela Vargas, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 26th day of December, 2024, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.
This 20th day of September, 2024.
Tiffany Dunlap-Banks 6123 Hilco Drive Fayetteville NC, 28314 Of the Estate of Pamela Vargas, Deceased
NOTICE
Estate File # 24E1639
The undersigned, having qualified as administrator of the Estate of Virginia Foster aka Virginia Davis Foster, deceased, late of Cumberland Couty, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 17th day of January, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in the bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the dependent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 17th day of October, 2024. Tiffany Q. Davis 3484 Wilmington Hwy. Fayetteville, NC 28306 Of the Estate of Virginia Foster aka Virginia Davis Foster, deceased
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF Felicia Rose Flanigan CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24 E 756 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Felicia Rose Flanigan, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Joseph T. Tesoriero, Executor, at 10206 Caldwell Forest Dr., Charlotte, NC 28213, on or before the 27th day of December, 2024 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor named above. This the 20th day of September, 2024. Joseph T. Tesoriero Executor of the Estate of Felicia Rose Flanigan Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm
Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: September 26, October 3, October 10 and October 17, 2024
NOTICE
NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY 24-SP-221 UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power and authority contained in that Deed of Trust by Gomrzarroyocastro LLC (“Borrower”), dated November 29, 2023 securing an indebtedness to GTR NV LLC in the original principal amount of $20,000.00 and recorded on November 30, 2023, in Book No. 11866, at Page 267 of the Cumberland County Public Registry (the “Deed of Trust”); and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness secured thereby and failure to carry out and perform the stipulations and agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will place for sale, at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at Cumberland County Courthouse, in Fayetteville North Carolina, on Monday October 28, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. those parcels of land, including all of Borrower’s right, title and interest now owned or hereafter acquired in and to the property, including all estates, rights, tenements, hereditaments, privileges, easements, and appurtenances of any kind benefitting the property, all means of access to and from the property, whether public or private and all water and mineral rights, situated, lying and being in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Present Record Owner: Gomezarroyocastro LLC The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold for cash to the highest bidder. The sale of the personal property is made in accordance with G.S. § 25-9-604 (a) and (b). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid 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. In the event that the Holder or its intended assignee is exempt from paying the same, the successful bidder shall be required to pay revenue stamps on the Trustee’s Deed, and any Land Transfer Tax. The real property hereinabove described is being offered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS” and will be sold subject to
liens, unpaid taxes, and special assessments. Other conditions will be announced at the sale. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as by law required. 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 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 declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice Where the Real Property is Residential With Less Than 15 Rental Units: 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 upon 10 days’ written notice to the landlord. 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. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a bona fide lease or tenancy may have additional rights Dated: October 2, 2024
Cameron D. Scott Attorney for Trustee 24 Hour Closing
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ESTATE OF Gabriele Auguste New, aka Gabriele Keifer New CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 24 E 1440 All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Gabriele Auguste New, aka Gabriele Keifer New, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are notified to present their claims to Gisela Jackson, Administrator, at 501 Durhams Corner Rd., Reevesville, SC 29471, on or before the 27th day of December, 2024 (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 19th day of September, 2024. Gisela Jackson Administrator of the Estate of Gabriele Auguste New aka Gabriele Keifer New Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates:September 26, October 3, October 10, and October 17, 2024
NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 2024 E 1511 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: CHARLIE DAVIS MURPHY ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTICE
The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator of the estate of Charlie Davis Murphy, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 4th day of January, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 3rd day of October, 2024. Cynthia M.
late of Cumberland County, hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 10th day of January, 2025, (which date is three months after the day of the first publication of this notice) or this notice
Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Janie C. Vann Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: October 3, October 10, October 17 and October 24, 2024
DURHAM
TO:
Beltran, the putative biological father of Unborn Baby Canales, expected to be born on October 16, 2024.
Take notice that a Petition for Pre-Birth Determination of Right to Consent was filed with the Clerk of Superior Court for Durham County, North Carolina in the above entitled special proceeding. The Petition relates to Unborn Baby Canales, expected to be born on October 16, 2024 to Glenda Xiomara Giron Canales. Ms. Canales reports that the identity of the putative biological father is Jose Angel Estrada Beltran and that his whereabouts are unknown. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you are required to file a response to such pleading not later than 40 days from the first day of publication of this notice, that date being October 10, 2024, and upon your failure to do so the Petitioner will apply to the Court for relief sought in the Petition. Any parental rights you may have will be terminated upon the entry of the decree of adoption. Kelly T. Dempsey, Attorney for Petitioner, 101 S. Tryon Street, Suite 1700, Charlotte, NC 28280.
NEW HANOVER
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, George T. Burch, having qualified on the 11th day of September 2024, as Administrator of the Estate of Betty Sue Burch (2024-E-973), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 30th day of December, 2024, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 26th day of September 2024. George T. Burch Administrator ESTATE OF BETTY SUE BURCH David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: September 26, 2024 October 3, 2024 October 10, 2024 October 17, 2024
NOTICE
All persons, firms and corporations having claims against Kenneth Edward Grady (aka Kenneth E. Grady), deceased, of New Hanover County, North Carolina, New Hanover County Estate File 24-E-1315, who died on August 28, 2024, are notified to exhibit the same to undersigned on or before the 27th day of December, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. This 26th day of September 2024. Taylor Gregory Potter, Executor, c/o Andrew W. Blair, Adams, Howell, Sizemore & Adams, P.A., 1600 Glenwood Ave, Suite 101, Raleigh, North Carolina 27608. North State Journal: September 26, October 3, 10, 17, 2024
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against William Watkins Merriman III, deceased, of New Hanover County, N.C., are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before January 5, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 3rd day of October, 2024. John Milton Merriman and David Morrison Merriman, Executors, 3300 Ridgecrest Court, Raleigh, NC 27607
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Lisa Farmer Macpherson, having qualified on the 19th day of September 2024, as Executor of the Estate of William Charles Macpherson (2024E-1330), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite A, Wilmington, North Carolina, 28411, on or before the 20th day of January, 2025, or the claims will be forever barred thereafter, and this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 17th day of October 2024. Lisa Farmer Macpherson Executor ESTATE OF WILLIAM CHARLES MACPHERSON David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411
Publish: October 17, 2024 October 24, 2024 October 31, 2024 November 7. 2024
Notice to Creditors
New Hanover County The undersigned, JAMIE LYNN CRIST
having qualified as the Administrator of the Estate of JAMES DERRICK HARRELSON Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms, or corporations having claims against the Decedent, to exhibit same to the said JAMIE LYNN CRIST at the address set below, on or before January 11, 2025, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below. This is the 10th day of Oct 2024.
JAMIE LYNN CRIST Administer of the Estate of JAMES DERRICK HARRELSON
Jamie Lynn Crist 1505 Crooked Run Rd Willard, NC 28478
NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, MARTIN EDWARD ORENDT, having qualified as the EXECUTOR of the Estate of MARTIN ERNST ORENDT, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said MARTIN EDWARD ORENDT, at the address set out below, on or before January 3, 2025, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below. This the 3rd day of October, 2024.
MARTIN EDWARD ORENDT EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF MARTIN ERNST ORENDT c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405
NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The undersigned, DONNA WITTNEBEN and GUY PALAZZO, having qualified as COEXECUTORS of the Estate of BEATRICE PALAZZO, Deceased, hereby notifies all persons, firms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said DONNA WITTNEBEN or GUY PALAZZO, at the address set out below, on or before January 11, 2025, or this notice may be pleaded in bar of any payment or recovery of same. All persons indebted to said Decedent will please make immediate payment to the undersigned at the address set out below.
This the 17h day of October, 2024.
DONNA WITTNEBEN and GUY PALAZZO
CO-EXECUTORS OF THE ESTATE OF BEATRICE PALAZZO
c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR.
219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS
Having qualified as the Administrator of the Estate of Roy Scott Parrish, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the offices of Culp Elliott & Carpenter, PLLC, 6801 Carnegie Boulevard, Suite 400, Charlotte, NC 28211, before the 26th day of December, 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.
This the 26th day of September, 2024. Martha Jane Anderson, Administrator of the Estate of Roy Scott Parrish
Attorney: Stanton P. Geller Culp Elliott & Carpenter, PLLC 6801 Carnegie Boulevard, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28211 01412820.DOCX
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having qualified as executor on the estate of Richard Eaton Bailey, deceased, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned at 917 Thornburg Road, Asheboro, North Carolina 27205, (address of the executor), on or before the 10th day of January, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment.
This the 3rd day of October, 2024
William M. Neely
Executor of the Estate of Richard Eaton Bailey
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Angelamaria Duff, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at P.O. Box 5994, Greensboro, North Carolina 27435, on or before the 26th day of December 2024, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 26th day of September 2024.
Gregory Stripling Executor of the Estate of Angelamaria Duff Jonathan M. Parisi Attorney at Law Spangler Estate Planning P.O. Box 5994 Greensboro, NC 27435
WAKE
Notice to Creditors
Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of JOEY DWAYNE ASHWORTH, late of Wake County, North Carolina (24E002518910), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 29th day of December 2024 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.
This the 26th day of September 2024.
Linda Funke Johnson Administrator Estate of Joey Dwayne Ashworth P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
(For publication: 9/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17/2024)
Notice to Creditors
Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of BILLY EDWIN STROUP, late of Wake County, North Carolina (24E003750-910), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 13th day of January 2025 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.
This the 10th day of October 2024.
Jonathan Scott Stroup Executor of the Estate of Billy Edwin Stroup c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of JOHN ERIC LANGBEIN, late of Wake County, North Carolina (24E003535910), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 29th day of December 2024 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.
This the 26th day of September 2024.
Kathleen D’Heron Administrator of the Estate of John Eric Langbein c/o Lisa M. Schreiner
Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
(For publication: 09/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17/2024)
Notice to Creditors
Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of WENDELL KUNTZ, III, late of Wake County, North Carolina (24E003584-910), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 29th day of December 2024 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.
This the 26th day of September 2024.
Rebecca S. Meckley Executor of the Estate of Wendell Kuntz, III c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526
(For publication: 09/26, 10/3, 10/10, 10/17/2024)
NOTICE 24SP001694-910 NORTH CAROLINA WAKE COUNTY
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Under and by virtue of a Power of
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 24 SP 506 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by South Dogwood Partners LLC (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): South
LAST WEEK
all of Lot 2 in a subdivision known as Acorn Ridge, Section One, a “zero Lot Line” Development according to plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 111, Page 61, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 2363 Chasewater Road, Fayetteville NC 28306. Tax ID: 0415-75-5070 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owners of the property are Todd D. Archer and Julie S. Archer. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued
Eastwardly at a right angle with said U. S. Highway No. 15A 150 feet to the BEGINNING point, being lots Nos. 3 and 4, as per plat of West Butler Heights, a map of which was prepared by W. J. Lambert, Registered Surveyor, on September 18, 1947, which is duly registered in Book of Plats No. 11 , pate 74 , Cumberland County Registry, and being part of the land described in the deed dated May 12, 1915, from Rogers C. Butler to Mamie Bertha Butler, which is duly recorded in Book 183, Page 226, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2721 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Property Address: 2721 Ramsey St, Fayetteville, NC 28301 PID: 0438-69-5890 Tract Two: BEGINNING at the intersection of the northern margin of West Avenue with the western margin of U. S. Highway #15A, said point being 50 feet from the center of the paved portion of said U. S. Highway #15A, and running thence with the western margin of U. S. Highway #15A, North 5 degrees 10 minutes East 100 feet to the corner of Lot #3; thence with the dividing line between Lots 2 and 3 North 84 degrees 50 minutes West 150 feet to a stake, & common corner of Lots 2, 3, 13 and 14: thence South 5 degrees 10 minutes West 100 feet to a stake in the northern line of West Avenue; thence with the northern margin of West Avenue South 84 degrees 50 minutes East 150 feet to the beginning point, being Lots Nos. 1 and 2 of the W. Butler Heights Subdivision, a map of which was prepared by W. J. Lambert, Registered Surveyor, on September 18, 1947, which is duly registered in the office of the of Deeds of Cumberland, County in Book of Plats 11, page 74, and being the same property described in a deed dated April 1, 1948, from F. T. Draughon and wife, Maggie C. Draughon, to T. R. Weeks and wife, Aline Haywood Weeks, of record in afore, said public registry in Book 517, Page 61. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2717 Ramsey Street and 106 Northwest Avenue,
BEGINNING at the intersection of the Northern margin of West Avenue with the Eastern margin of Rowland Circle, and running thence with the Northern margín of West Avenue, South 84 degrees 50 minutes East 150 feet to the corner of Lot No. 1; thence North 5 degrees 10 minutes East 100 feet to a stake, a common corner of Lots Nos. 2, 3, 13 and 14; thence with the dividing line between Lots Nos. 13 and 14, North 84 degrees 50 minutes West 150 feet to a stake in the Eastern margin of Rowland Circle; thence with the Eastern margin of Rowland Circle, South 5 degrees 10 minutes West 100 feet to the beginning point, being Lots Nos. 12 and 13, in the West Butler Heights Subdivision, map of which is duly recorded in Book of Plats 11, Page 74, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 110 Northwest Avenue, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Property Address: 110 Northwest Ave., Fayetteville, NC 28301 PID: 0438-69-4741 Tract Four: BEGINNING at a point in the eastern margin of Rowland Circle Northwardly 100 feet measured along the eastern margin of the said Rowland Circle with its intersection with the northern margin of West Avenue, the same being the Northwest corner of Lot No. 13; thence with the dividing line between Lot Nos. 13 and 14 and parallel with West Avenue 150 feet to a stake, a common corner of Lots Nos. 2, 3, 13. and 14; thence with the Northern line of Lots 3 and 4 and
of
of
with
and with the
Southwardly 48 feet to the point of beginning and being Lot No. 14 of the Butler Heights Subdivision, a plat of which
pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §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,
provided
is duly recorded In the office of the Register of Deeds for Cumberland County in Book of Plate No. 11, Page 74, which plat and the calls and distances therein mentioned are taken and made a part hereof as if copied herein and being one of two lots conveyed by Lacy S. Collier and wife, to L. B. Brignan, and wife, by deed dated January 7, 1948, duly recorded in Book 510, Page 240. See also Book 183, Page 226. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located 116 Rowland Circle, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Property Address: 116 Rowland Circle, Fayetteville, NC 28301 PID: 0438-69-4850 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
Petty politics
Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance talks with NASCAR legend Richard Petty during the Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Harris criticizes Trump on hurricane response comments
Kamala Harris used an appearance before a largely black church audience in Greenville to call out Donald Trump for spreading misinformation about the federal government’s hurricane response. The Democratic presidential nominee didn’t speak Trump’s name on Sunday. But the former president is most prominent among those promoting false claims that the government isn’t helping Republican storm victims. The vice president later held a rally in Raleigh on Sunday to encourage early voting. “There are some who are not acting in the spirit of community,” Harris said. “And I am speaking of these who have been literally not telling the truth, lying about people who are working hard to help the folks in need, spreading disinformation when the truth and facts are required.”
Republicans sue over N.C. overseas ballots
Lawsuits filed by the Republican National Committee argue that Michigan and North Carolina should not be allowing overseas voters who have never lived in their state to vote. Now is not the time to raise objections to state law that has been in place for 13 years, said Patrick Gannon, a spokesman for the North Carolina State Board of Elections. “This lawsuit was filed after voting had already begun in North Carolina for the general election,” Gannon said in a statement. “The time to challenge the rules for voter eligibility is well before an election, not after votes have already been cast.”
Albemarle Police chief resigns, interim appointed
By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal
ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle Police Department announced Tuesday that Police Chief Jason Bollhorst has resigned after three years with the department.
Bollhorst previously served with the City of Newport News (Virginia) Police Department for more than 26 years — including five years as a captain — before joining APD in October 2021. Penny Dunn has now been
selected to serve as APD’s interim chief as the department immediately begins the search for its next police chief. She began her law enforcement career in 1986 and joined the San Marcos (Texas) Police Department in 1989, eventually rising to the rank of assistant police chief.
In 2017, Dunn was appointed as the police chief for the Davidson Police Department, where she served until her retirement last year.
“Dunn brings a wealth of experience in law enforcement, including work in criminal investigations, overseeing day and night shifts, leading specialized units such as the K-9 unit, narcotics enforcement, recruiting employees, and handling cold
case investigations,” APD wrote in a press release. “The Albemarle Police Department remains committed
to fairness, compassion, and excellence in delivering police services that uphold the law and are sensitive to the community’s priorities and needs.”
Dunn was the founder and board president for the Friends of the Family Justice Center Foundation, and has experience serving on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Family Justice Center Steering Committee, the North Carolina League of Municipalities Chief’s Advisory Committee, and the board of the North Carolina Police Executives Association.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in applied arts and sciences from Texas State University and became a Certified Public Manager in 2011.
Oktoberfest festivities coming to downtown Albemarle
The festival will be on Saturday from noon to 8 p.m.
By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal
ALBEMARLE — The seasonal Oktoberfest event will be making an appearance in Stanly County this weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, the Badin Brews taphouse in downtown Albemarle is scheduled to host its fourth-annual, all-day fall street festival that will take place from noon to 8 p.m.at 124
S. 1st St.
“We can’t wait to see you at the Fall Street Festival,” event coordinator Nikki Clatterbuck said in a promotional advertisement. “Gather your friends and family for a day full of fun, food, and entertainment. Whether you’re enjoying the music, exploring local vendors, or taking part in activities, it’s an
event you won’t want to miss!”
Co-presented along with Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation and Young Country Customs LLC, Oktoberfest will feature more than 70 vendors that range from local breweries to food trucks, along with live music, gem mining and other activities for all ages.
Admission and parking for the festival are both free of charge; attendees can also purchase beer tokens for $5.
Previous fall street festivals have featured vendor appearances from Southern Range Brewing Company, Sycamore Brewing, Victory Brewing Company, Cabarrus Brewing Company, Four Saints Brewing Company, Lenny Boy Brewing Company, Wise Man Brewing, Legal Remedy Brewing and Catawba Brewing Company.
Food options at the festival have previously included Wildfire Pizza, Mana4U, Kasen’s
Krab Shack, Mike’s Vegan Cookout, Trixi’s Mexican Street Food, Sweeter Than Honey Concessions, Duck Donuts, Golden Gals Funnel Cakes, Nomad Coffee and The Boba Tea Bar.
Badin Brews opened in the summer of 2021 and has continued to expand the scope of its entertainment outreach in the downtown Albemarle area, including with this latest festival.
Local political officials in Albemarle have taken notice of the business’ success.
“Badin Brews single-handedly as a business has brought more people to the streets of downtown Albemarle for a festival than any festival that the city of Albemarle ever sponsored could generate traffic for,” Albemarle Councilmember Dexter Townsend said of the taphouse at a recent council meeting. “We’ve put a lot of investment in downtown, and we’ve
established a social district.” Any interested vendor applicants can still sign up to attend the festival with a $75 payment for a 10-by-10-foot spot; applications are available at the Oktoberfest social media pages. All event sponsorship proceeds will assist in funding police and firefighter presence, permits and licenses, marketing and advertising, as well as music and entertainment. The street festival isn’t the only fall-themed event coming up in Albemarle — Downtown
THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Penny Dunn is the department’s new interim police chief
Jason Bollhorst
Albemarle receives financial reporting award
The city was honored by the Government Finance Officers Association
North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)
Neal Robbins, Publisher
Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers
Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor
Jordan Golson, Local News Editor
Shawn Krest, Sports Editor
Dan Reeves, Features Editor
Jesse Deal, Reporter
P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer
BUSINESS
David Guy, Advertising Manager
Published each Thursday as part of North State Journal
1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite
We stand corrected
To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline. com with “Correction request” in the subject line.
By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal
ALBEMARLE — The City of Albemarle Finance Department has been recognized for the quality of its reporting for the seventh consecutive year.
At the Albemarle City Council’s meeting on Oct. 7, the department was awarded with the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
The honor was given for Albemarle’s annual comprehensive report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2023.
“We’ve first received this award for fiscal year 2018 and we are very proud to receive it again for the city,” said Jacob Weavil, Albemarle’s finance director.
“This is a group effort as always,
Albemarle Finance Director Jacob Weavil was presented with an award for his department at the city council’s Oct. 7 meeting.
Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@ stanlyjournal.com
Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon
and it takes all departments but also the council. Thank you for your continued support — we’re very happy to be here tonight.”
Weavil served as the city’s assistant finance director beginning in 2018 and was hired on as Albemarle’s full-time director in 2021, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of former Finance Director Colleen Conroy.
Founded in 1906, GFOA promotes excellence in government finance by providing practices, professional development, resources and practical research for over 21,000 members and their respective communities.
The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence is the association’s highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, representing a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
The award acknowledges the collective work of the Albemarle City Council, city management and the city’s finance depart-
ment in instilling full accountability of Albemarle’s financial health.
“The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive ‘spirit of full disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report,” GFOA wrote in a press release.
With five responsibilities shared between two divisions, Albemarle’s finance department is tasked with administration, accounting, financial reporting, treasury management, and revenue collection.
Led by Weavil, the department’s first division is responsible for maintaining the accounting and reporting system, paying financial obligations, purchasing equipment, conducting the bidding process for all contracts, providing fiscal management for all city funds, preparing payroll and working with auditors
in preparation of statements.
The department’s secondary division — led by Richard Lanzillotti, Albemarle’s revenue and collections supervisor — provides administrative and clerical services for the collections of all funds related to the city.
This category includes utility bills and related costs, water, sewer, street assessments, parking tickets, grant revenue, licenses, permits, tax revenue, parks and recreation admissions, and landfill dumping fees. Together with the accounting division, both departments aim to help reconcile subsidiary ledgers with general ledger and they maintain customer accounts.
Albemarle residents are encouraged to review the city’s current and past financial reports at albemarlenc.gov/departments/ finance.
The Albemarle City Council is set to meet again on Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
Oct. 10
Oct. 8
• Jordan McKay Fritz, 24, was arrested for abduction of children and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Oct. 9
• Marie Susan Brown, 49, was arrested for larceny by removing/destroying/ deactivating a component, identity theft, misdemeanor larceny, and second-degree trespass.
OKTOBERFEST from page A1
Trick or Treat is set to take place on Oct. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
A costume contest at 5 p.m. will be open to children ages 10 and under at Courthouse Square, while a trick-or-treat session will be happening at businesses along North Street and West Main Street. Participating businesses and organizations include the City of Albemarle Fire Department, Albemarle Police Department, CrossFit Albemarle, Albemarle Music Store, Armadillo Axe Throwing, Inc, BoHo Goddess of Albemarle, Divine Real Estate Boutique, Five Points Public House, and GloryBeans CoffeeHouse.
All upcoming holiday-related events in downtown Albemarle can be found at albemarledowntown.com.
• Patrick Troy Mabry, 31, was arrested for attempted breaking and entering of a motor vehicle, multiple counts of felony larceny, possession of methamphetamine, and felony probation violation out of county.
Oct. 11
• Aaron Scott Wheeler, 53, was arrested for damage to property and communicating threats.
Oct. 13
• Jeremie Thomas Johnson, 40, was arrested for driving while impaired.
Oct. 14
• Briana Nicole Weaver, 33, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, expired registration card/ tag, driving while license revoked not impaired, possession of marijuana up to 1/2 ounce, possession of drug paraphernalia, carrying a concealed gun, and possession of stolen goods/ property.
Badin Brews has been in operation in Albemarle since 2021.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BADIN BREWS
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF ALBEMARLE
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
| CHRIS TOWNER
We should
get serious about the federal budget deficit
WITH CAMPAIGN SEASON in full swing and an election less than a month away, we are hearing nonstop about the topics our political leaders consider most important, from military conflicts abroad to the rising cost of living at home. But we’ve heard very little about our irresponsible federal budget deficit and the tough road ahead, which are far more worrisome.
I visited the Research Triangle recently to speak with civic leaders and college students on a topic that my nonpartisan national organization, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, believes should get far more attention: the unsustainable rise of our national debt.
Our gross national debt (including the money the federal government owes itself) is $35 trillion and growing, with debt held by the public at $28 trillion. We borrow an additional $5 billion every day, and we borrowed an estimated $1.8 trillion in the fiscal year that just ended.
The U.S. is projected to borrow more than $22 trillion over the next decade, resulting in debt reaching a new record high — larger as a share of our gross domestic product than during World War II — by 2027, then climbing further. This will come with serious ramifications for families, businesses and the overall economy.
In many ways, we are already feeling the impact of a series of Congresses and presidents who have refused to pay for their policies, recklessly passing the costs to future generations in the form of a growing
national debt.
When interest rates were near zero, some suggested the debt didn’t matter and that we could borrow indefinitely without consequence. They were wrong. In just the last few years, our federal debt has helped drive interest rates and inflation to the highest levels in a generation, punishing would-be home buyers and small businesses in need of capital.
The results for our national government have been equally troubling. Federal interest payments now make up the second-largest piece of the budget, behind only Social Security. Servicing our debt cost us nearly $900 billion this past fiscal year — exceeding what we spent on our national defense or Medicare and equaling the total spending on various federal programs for children.
Some of the policies that drove the debt have been effective or at least can be justified. For example, no one questions the need to borrow to head off an economic catastrophe or to fight a worldwide pandemic.
What we’ve lost sight of, however, is the principle that if something is worth doing and has enough support in Congress to become law, we should pay for it by cutting other parts of the budget, raising taxes or both. Anything else is irresponsible.
American voters used to demand as much, and their elected representatives responded. Politicians in both major political parties won federal elections in the 1990s by presenting fiscally responsible spending plans and enacting a series of compromise agreements
that ultimately balanced the budget at the turn of the 21st century. Unfortunately, that progress is long gone, replaced by structural budget deficits that will take more than a decade to correct.
But my reception in the Triangle gives me hope that, when sensible people are made aware of just how bad our dependence on debt has become, they understand the implications of the deep hole we’ve dug ourselves into — and our dire need to stop digging.
This aligns with recent polling data from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which found that 52% of likely voters in North Carolina consider it “very important” that the presidential candidates address the issue — making it a higher priority than foreign policy or climate change. When the scale and consequences of the debt were made clear, that number rose to 69%.
The bright business school students I spoke with at Campbell University in Buies Creek certainly seemed sobered by the reality of what unchecked deficit spending would mean for their future financial prospects.
And the civic and political leaders I met with in Raleigh, many of whom long for the budgetary discipline of decades past, made clear that they want to see our political leaders step up to this crucial challenge and put our nation on stronger long-term economic footing.
This will require a pragmatic, everything-on-the-table approach that considers changes to costly government programs such as Social Security and Medicare, the likely need to raise new revenue, and cutting spending elsewhere to tighten our government’s bloated belt.
It also hinges on voters rewarding policymakers who are willing to face reality and take strong stands on these issues. The time for action is now — and the stakes couldn’t be higher for us all.
Chris Towner is policy director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget in Washington, D.C.
What the census can tell us about swing states
JONATHAN DRAEGER, reporter for RealClearPolitics, wrote Tuesday that “the 2024 presidential contest couldn’t be tighter.” Unless, of course, it turns out not to be nearly as close as this season’s run of polls suggests it is.
One indication that it might not be was a New York Times-Siena poll released this week showing Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris in Florida 55% to 41%. That’s quite a switch from the 48.85% to 48.84% by which George W. Bush carried the state in 2000, or the 48.6% to 47.4% there for Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016.
As the Times’ brilliant and painstaking poll analyst Nate Cohn wrote, this result could just turn out to be an outlier: Polling theory says one in 20 polls is outside the margin of error. Or it could represent a continuation of the 2022 off-year results, which showed Republicans doing much better in Florida than in the current target states, such as Pennsylvania and Michigan.
But it could also have resulted, he explained, from population change. According to Census Bureau estimates, Florida’s population grew by 4.7% between July 2020 and July 2023 (the latest available), a greater percentage increase than any other state except much less populous Idaho. That’s a population increase of more than 1 million people in just three years, with many newcomers perhaps attracted by Florida’s famously less restrictive COVID-19 policies.
As Cohn noted, many other polls may miss the effects of interelection demographic changes by weighting results according to respondents’ recollections of previous votes. Since voters historically have overreported supporting election winners, this tends to overstate support for the previously losing party and, in this case, for Trump. However, pollsters take that risk for fear of understating his support, as so many 2016 and 2020 polls did.
Cohn’s analysis raises the question of whether population shifts may affect the balance, which seems exquisitely close, in the seven target states. So let’s look at the changes in the 2020 and 2023 census estimates by county. Nationally, the period saw movement away from central cities and toward exurbs and salubrious rural areas.
This analysis reveals little about Nevada, where 69% of 2020 votes and 79% of the 2020-23 population
increase were in Las Vegas-centered Clark County.
A little more can be said about Arizona, where Phoenix-centered Maricopa County had 61% of 2020 votes and 58% of the 2020-23 population increase. Among smaller counties, those leaning Republican grew by 83,000 people (all totals rounded off), and those leaning Democratic, including Tucson’s Pima County, grew by 21,000. Advantage: Republicans.
The picture is mixed in fast-growing and excruciatingly marginal Georgia and North Carolina.
North Carolina’s population grew by 3.7% overall and by 4% in the six counties, including those with Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro and Winston-Salem, which voted 56% to 75% for Joe Biden. The other 94 counties (mostly Republican) grew by 3.5%. That slight edge, plus the weakness of the Republican nominee for governor, gives Democrats reason to hope Harris can win the one target state Biden lost by 49.9% to 48.6% in 2020.
Georgia, which Trump lost 49.5% to 49.2%, looks different. Metropolitan Atlanta’s three central counties, heavily Democratic, grew by only 7,000 people, and four Democratic-trending ring counties with diverse populations increased by 44,000. But 12 mostly white exurban counties, which vote overwhelmingly Republican, increased by 100,000, and with polls showing black voters trending Republican, Trump is likely to reduce Democratic margins in black-majority exurban counties whose population increased by 22,000.
The three northern “blue wall” states, in contrast, had less than 1% population loss (Pennsylvania and Michigan) or gain (Wisconsin). If, as many expect, Trump carries Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona, Harris must win all three “blue wall” states to be elected president.
In Pennsylvania, Democrats depend heavily on big margins in Philadelphia, and in 2020, turnout increased to 743,000, a 40-year high. But Philadelphia’s population fell by 50,000 people in 2020-23, and a Philadelphia Inquirer report detailed that Hispanic and black voters in Philadelphia have been trending Republican. The city’s four suburban county populations rose by just 27,000. Not enough to offset the city decline and the likely increased Hispanic support in five blue-collar counties beyond metropolitan Philadelphia.
In western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh’s Allegheny County, with trendy inner-city neighborhoods and upscale suburbs, lost 25,000 people, while nearby Butler County, where Trump was shot July 13 and returned two Saturdays ago, gained 4,000. Overall, the state beyond metropolitan Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where Biden carried only eight of 57 counties, gained 19,000 people. In Michigan, the picture is similar. The three counties, including or touching on Detroit, lost 46,000 people in 2020-23, and the industrial belt from Flint to Bay City, where Democrats are struggling, lost another 8,000. The three counties with large universities, which delivered a higher Biden percentage than either of the two blue-collar areas, lost 6,000. The state’s other 74 counties, which voted 58% to 40% for Trump over Biden, gained 26,000.
Wisconsin seems slightly more favorable for Democrats. The historic Democratic powerhouse, Milwaukee County, lost 22,000 people, but the three suburban WOW counties, historically Republican but a little less so in the Trump era, gained just 8,000. That is overmatched by the 13,000 gained by Madison’s Dane County, which, with its state capital and flagship university, exceeded Milwaukee’s Democratic percentage and almost equaled its Democratic vote margin in 2020.
Let me close with a perhaps unscientific observation. Looking at the target state polls reported by RealClearPolitics with all or the bulk of interviews conducted since Sept. 25, I note that 14 show Trump leading, along with one for Harris and one tie. It’s less one-sided if you look at the target state polls reported by Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin, but still with 15 for Trump, six for Harris and six ties. Note that there are almost no target state polls conducted since the vice presidential debate on Oct. 1.
Have the vibes run out for Harris, as my Washington Examiner colleague W. James Antle suggests?
Seems like a fair question.
Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”
COLUMN
COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE
Fla. neighbors band together in recovery from Helene, Milton
The hurricanes struck the state within two weeks of each other
By Russ Bynum and Laura Bargfeld
The Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — When ankle-deep floodwaters from Hurricane Helene bubbled up through the floors of their home, Kat Robinson-Malone and her husband sent a latenight text message to their neighbors two doors down: “Hey, we’re coming.”
The couple waded through the flooded street to the elevated front porch of Chris and Kara Sundar, whose home was built on higher ground, and handed over their 8-year-old daughter and a gas-powered generator.
The Sundars’ lime-green house in southern Tampa also became a refuge for Brooke and Adam Carstensen, whose house next door to Robinson-Malone also flooded.
The three families met years earlier when their children became playmates, and the adults’ friendships deepened during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. So when Helene and Hurricane Milton struck Florida within two weeks of each other, the neighbors closed ranks as one big extended family, cooking meals together, taking turns watching children and clean-
i ng out their damaged homes. And as Milton threatened a direct strike on Tampa last week, the Malones, Sundars and Carstensens decided to evacuate together. They drove more than 450 miles in a caravan to metro Atlanta — seven adults, six children, four dogs and teenage Max Carstensen’s three pet rats.
“Everyone has, like, the chainsaw or a tarp,” Robinson-Malone said Sunday. “But really the most important thing for us was the community we built. And that made all the difference for the hurricane rescue and the recovery. And now, hopefully, the restoration.”
Recovery efforts continued Sunday in storm-battered communities in central Florida, where President Joe Biden surveyed the devastation. Biden said he was thankful the damage from Milton was not as severe as officials had anticipated. But he said it was still a “cataclysmic” event for people caught in the path of the hurricane, which has been blamed for at least 11 deaths.
The number of homes and businesses in Florida still without electricity dropped to about 500,000 on Sunday, according to Poweroutage.us. That was down from more than 3 million after Milton made landfall Wednesday as a Category 3 storm.
Fuel shortages also appeared
to be easing as more gas stations opened, and lines at pumps in the Tampa area looked notably shorter. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced nine sites where people can get 10 gallons each for free.
While recovery efforts were gaining steam, a full rebound will take far longer.
DeSantis cautioned that debris removal could take up to a year, even as Florida shifts nearly 3,000 workers to the cleanup. He said Biden has approved 100% federal reimbursement for those efforts for 90 days.
“The (removal of) debris has to be 24/7 over this 90-day period,” DeSantis said while speaking next to a pile of furniture, lumber and other debris in Treasure Island, an island city near St. Petersburg that has been battered by both recent hurri-
canes. “That’s the way you get the job done.”
National Weather Service meteorologist Paul Close said rivers will keep rising for the next several days and result in flooding, mostly around Tampa Bay and northward. Those areas got the most rain, which came on top of a wet summer that included several hurricanes.
Meanwhile, residents unable to move back into their damaged homes were making other arrangements.
Robinson-Malone and her husband, Brian, bought a camper trailer that’s parked in their driveway. They plan to live there while their gutted home is repaired and also improved to make it more resilient against hurricanes.
“These storms, they’re just
going to keep happening,” she said. “And we want to be prepared for it.”
The Carstensens plan to demolish what’s left of their flooded, low-slung home, which was built in 1949, and replace it with a new house higher off the ground. For the time being, they are staying with Brooke Carstensen’s mother.
Chris Sundar said he’s questioning his plan to remain in Tampa until his children have all graduated from high school a decade from now. His house remains the home base for the families’ kids, ages 8 to 13. On the wall is a list of chores for them all, from folding laundry to emptying wastebaskets. Brooke Carstensen, a teacher, has helped the children through an extended period without school.
US to send missile defense system to Israel
Troops will also be deployed to operate the technology
By Lolita C. Baldor
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it, the Pentagon said Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden. He said the system will help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s ballistic
missile attacks on Israel in April and October.
The delivery of the sophisticated missile defense system risks further inflaming the conflict in the Middle East despite widespread diplomatic efforts to avoid an all-out war. The Iranian warning came in a post on the social platform X long associated with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who noted the earlier reports that the U.S. was considering the deployment.
Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have been clashing since Oct. 8, 2023, when the Lebanese militant group began firing rockets over the border in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza. Late last month, Israel launched a ground invasion into Lebanon.
Israel is widely believed to be preparing a military response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack when it
fired roughly 180 missiles into Israel.
In a brief exchange with reporters before leaving Florida on Sunday, Biden said he agreed to deploy the THAAD battery “to defend Israel.” Biden spoke at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa after making a quick visit to see the damage caused by Hurricane Milton and meet with first responders, residents and local leaders.
Ryder, in his statement, said the deployment “underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran.”
It was not immediately apparent where the THAAD battery was coming from or when it will arrive. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli army spokesman, declined to provide any timeline
for its arrival but thanked the U.S. for its support.
The U.S. deployed one of the batteries to the Middle East along with additional Patriot battalions to bolster protections for U.S. forces in the region late last year after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas militants. Ryder also said the U.S. sent a THAAD battery to Israel in 2019 for training.
It also is not unusual for the U.S. to have a limited number of troops in Israel, which the U.S. considers a key regional ally. There generally has been a small number of forces there consistently, as well as routine rotational deployments for training and exercises.
The THAAD will add another layer to Israel’s already significant air defenses, which include separate systems designed to intercept long-range,
medium-range and shortrange threats. Israel recently retired its U.S.-made Patriot systems after decades of use. According to an April report by the Congressional Research Service, the Army has seven THAAD batteries. Generally, each consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment, and requires 95 soldiers to operate.
The THAAD is considered a complementary system to the Patriot but can defend a wider area. It can hit targets at 93 to 124 miles and is used to destroy short-range, medium-range and limited intermediate-range ballistic missile threats that are either inside or outside the atmosphere.
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is responsible for developing the system, but it is operated by the Army. An eighth system has been funded and ordered and is expected to be in the field sometime next year.
STAFF SGT. CORY D. PAYNE / U.S. AIR FORCE VIA AP
The U.S. is sending a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launching station to Israel to aid in its defense against missile attacks from Iraq.
CHRIS O’MEARA / AP PHOTO
Chris Sundar measures the depth of floodwaters from Hurricane Milton in his garage in Tampa, Florida.
STANLY SPORTS
South Stanly slides past Albemarle in 26-20 road win
Two other Stanly teams lost their recent conference matchups
By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal
SOUTH STANLY got its first Yadkin Valley Conference victory of the season with a 26-20 win in Albemarle over the weekend.
Trailing 20-19 in the third quarter, the Rebel Bulls (4 -2 1-1 YVC) engineered a goahead drive that was capped off by a touchdown pass from quarterback Kaleb Richardson to wide receiver Kylan Dockery.
The Bulldogs (2-5, 0-2 YVC) were unable to score again as they were saddled with their third loss in their past four matchups.
South initially led the contest 13-0 before Albemarle responded with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns to make it a 14-13 Bulldogs lead at halftime. Richardson finished with 188 passing yards and three touchdowns from his 10 -for -14 passing performance, while running back I'key Holt rushed the ball 18
times for 122 yards; wide receiver Jasiah Holt finished with a team -h igh 93 receiving yards.
For Albemarle, running back Kaine McLendon (76 yards, two touchdowns) and wide receiver Shoddy Pergee (85 yards, one touchdown) were the two Bulldogs who did the most damage to South’s defense.
This weekend, the Bulls will travel to North Stanly (4-3, 1-1 YVC), while the Bulldogs will head to Mount Pleasant (6-1, 2-0 YVC).
Forest Hills 35, West Stanly 9
On Friday, the West Stanly Colts (1-6, 1-1 RRC) followed up their Rocky River Conference-opening win over Piedmont — still their only victory in 2024 — with a 26-point home loss to Forest Hills.
The Yellow Jackets (4-3, 1-1 RRC) climbed to an early 21-3 lead and never had much to worry about as they added two more touchdowns to expand their lead.
The Colts have now been outscored 222-117 in their first seven games of the season, adding up to one of West’s
worst seven-game stretches in years.
The Colts are set to host the Parkwood Wolf Pack (1-6, 0-2 RRC), who have lost four consecutive games and sit with West as the only two one-win teams in the conference.
Lake Norman Charter 22, North Stanly 10
Looking to start their YVC campaign with a 2-0 record, the North Stanly Comets (4 - 3 1-1 YVC) fell short of that goal on Friday as they suffered a 22-10 road loss to the undefeated Lake Norman Charter Knights (6-0, 2-0 YVC).
After winning their first two games of the year, the Comets have now lost three of their past five contests.
They trailed 9-3 at halftime in their loss to the Knights but were unable to slow LNC which added touchdowns in both the third and fourth quarters.
North will look to bounce back into the win column this weekend when it welcomes the R ebel Bulls to New London. Last season, the Comets came away from Norwood with a 42-12 victory over South.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Rory Huneycutt
West Stanly, volleyball
Rory Huneycutt is a senior on the West Stanly volleyball team.
The Colts are 20-2 and wrapped up an unbeaten 12-0 season in the Rocky River conference. They beat Piedmont, Parkwood and Anson last season, all in 3-0 sweeps, to roll into the postseason. Huneycutt had 28 kills, 28 digs and 26 receptions in the three games and had a three-ace, eight-block performance against Anson to close the regular season.
Huneycutt is third in N.C. Division 2A in hitting percentage and led the Rocky River in hitting and blocks.
ACC seeks more tournament berths
League has improved nonconference scheduling rather than relying on past March success
By Aaron Beard The Associated Press
CHARLOTTE
— It wasn’t that long ago that the Atlantic Coast Conference was hoping to earn 10 bids to the NCAA Tournament.
Things have since gotten tricky for a league that proclaims itself as college basketball’s best.
The Final Four trips, even titles in the past decade, keep coming. So too do March Madness wins, and not just from one or two teams carrying the load for deadweight members.
Yet the league is also getting its lowest bid totals since
expanding beyond 12 teams.
“We have to get a fair amount of teams into the tournament for that national respect,” Syracuse coach Adrian Autry said. “Which is crazy to me because every time we get into the tournament, our teams all do well. So that should be enough credibility.
“It’s not been one year. It’s been several years of this narrative. ... As you start the following year, you would think that (NCAA success) would account for something. But obviously it doesn’t.”
The league keeps winning in March in spite of having three straight seasons with just five bids.
“It’s become so frustrating to see teams left out at the end of the year — teams like Pittsburgh and Wake Forest (last year), or Clemson (in 2023),
when to me and to others, it just made so much sense for them to be in there,” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips told The Associated Press.
“But I got it, you can’t be so stubborn. I think you have to adjust and you have to change some of your ways in how you’re attacking it and that’s what we did this season.”
It was difficult to envision this scenario after the ACC added Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame from the Big East ahead of the 2013-14 season. The record then was seven tournament bids, but the target soon became 10.
The league twice got to nine (2017, 2018) during a run that included Duke winning the 2015 title, UNC reaching the 2016 final then winning the 2017 crown, and Virginia winning its first NCAA title in 2019.
Yet bids have dried up since the COVID-19 pandemic even as the success kept coming.
Since 2015, the ACC has 10 more Sweet 16 appearances (31) and eight more Elite Eights (19) than the Big 12 as the next closest league, while its nine Final Fours and three titles are the most in the country. Its 111 tournament wins in that span is 28 more than the next-closest league.
And that success has been spread across the membership: 10 different programs have reached at least one Elite Eight, six going to the Final Four.
Yet the ACC’s 60 bids trailed the Big Ten (65) and Big 12 (61) in that time, and the conference hasn’t ranked higher than fifth in KenPom’s efficiency rankings dating to the 2020-21 season.
That’s why league coaches and athletics directors have
been studying how to enhance NCAA resumes, notably by strengthening nonconference schedules.
That work has already begun, such as NC State scheduling a series with national power Kansas, Wake Forest with Michigan, and Pittsburgh with Ohio State, all starting this season.
“Obviously we heard everything at the end about why we didn’t make the tournament, with strength of schedule,” Pitt coach Jeff Capel said of visiting the Buckeyes on Nov. 29.
“So this year we just looked at it and said, ... ‘What can we control?’ .. It’s a Big Ten team. We know their stuff will be high like it is every year, their metrics, so hopefully that helps us.”
The work now turns to the final step in changing the narrative: winning, from November to March.
CHRIS CARLSON / AP PHOTO
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips speaks at the conference’s basketball media day last week in Charlotte.
Holding Super Bowl outside US a possibility, NFL commisioner says
The league hopes to double the number of international game
By Ken Maguire
The Associated Press
LONDON — The NFL’s aggressive international growth plan could include holding a Super Bowl outside the United States for the first time, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday. Goodell has shot down the idea in the past, but he told a fan forum in London that it’s a possibility.
“We’ve always traditionally tried to play a Super Bowl in an NFL city — that was always sort of a reward for the cities that have NFL franchises,” he said in response to a question about moving the neutral-site game internationally. “But things change. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that happens one day.”
Goodell floated the idea as he outlined a plan that could include playing 16 international games every year if the regular season expands to 18 games.
He added that he has “no doubt” that Ireland will host a game soon. He named Rio de Janeiro as a likely new host and said the Jacksonville Jaguars are considering increasing the number of games they play in London during their stadium renovations at home.
This season’s Super Bowl — the 59th edition — will be played in New Orleans. In 2026, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, will host, followed by SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California, in 2027. Kansas City’s 25-22 overtime victory over San Francisco in
the last Super Bowl was the most-watched program in U.S. television history. Team owners already have authorized up to eight international games, but Goodell said they could double that number — creating a scenario where all 32 teams could play an in-
ternational game each year.
The key is expanding the regular season by one game and reducing the number of preseason games to two.
“If we do expand our season — our regular season — to an 18-and-two structure, I see us going to 16 of those games be -
ing in international markets,” Goodell said.
He added that the plan could include a second bye week in the schedule.
“A lot of that depends on — can we continue to make the game safer, can we continue to modify the way we conduct the offseason as well as the training camp and as well as the season, so that these guys feel comfortable being able to play that period of time,” Goodell said.
Under that scenario, he said, the season would start around Labor Day and conclude around Presidents Day — the third Monday of February.
Moving to an 18th game is seen as inevitable. The players union has indicated it is open to an agreement before the current labor deal expires after the 2030 season. There are five international games this season, and Goodell said the league wants to increase to eight “quickly.”
Dublin has been seen as the next likely host — after Madrid gets its first game in 2025.
“I have no doubt that we’re going to be playing in Ireland. I don’t know if it will be next year, but it’s coming soon,” Goodell said at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
He cited Rio de Janeiro as the possible host of the next Brazil game — Sao Paulo staged one this season.
London, which could get a night game at some point, has hosted regular-season games since 2007 and Germany since 2022.
“We’re looking at other markets in the other direction, toward Asia,” he said. “There’s probably more interest than we can handle.”
Study: Widespread social media harassment of NCAA athletes, coaches
Female athletes were three times more likely to suffer online abuse than males
By Pete Iacobelli
The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. — An NCAA study on social media abuse of athletes, coaches and other officials during championship events found nearly one in five posts that were flagged by an AI-based algorithm and determined to be abusive involved sexual harassment and 12% were related to sports betting, according to results of the pilot study released Thursday.
The college athletics governing body’s findings of its first online harassment study using Signify Group’s Threat Matrix examined more than 72,000 messages flagged by an algorithm. Over 5,000 of those posts were confirmed to contain abusive, discriminatory or threatening content and were reported to social media companies.
The study conducted during 2023-24 examined social media posts related to championship-level events in six sports: baseball, basketball, gymnastics, football, softball and volleyball.
Of the abusive posts, the study found 80% were direct-
“Toxic online fans resorted to racist mockery, comparing players to monkeys and labelling them as thugs.” NCAA study on social media harassment
ed at March Madness athletes, with female basketball players receiving about three times more abusive messages than their male counterparts.
The study cited one unidentified athlete who received more than 1,400 harassing messages in a two-week span.
“The risks and mental health challenges associated with being a victim of online abuse or threats are real and have a direct and immediate effect on athletes, coaches, officials, and their families,” the NCAA wrote in its report. “This can impact them on both a personal and professional level, and ultimately affect their wellbeing and ability to perform at their best.”
The NCAA said sports-betting harassment was spread across all the championships covered in the study.
Racial comments made up about 10% of the abusive messages studied, but the survey found the men’s and women’s
NCAA basketball tournaments were a focus of such content.
“Toxic online fans resorted to racist mockery, comparing players to monkeys and labelling them as thugs,” the NCAA’s study found.
Women’s basketball players, teams and officials received such treatment, the NCAA said.
“The level of Dogwhistle content during the (basketball) Women’s championships should be highlighted as well
in connection with racism,” the governing body said in the report.
The study monitored the accounts of 3,164 student-athletes, 489 coaches, 197 game officials, 165 teams and 12 NCAA official channels using Signify Group’s artificial intelligence Threat Matrix. It identified varying areas of online abuse and threats.
Violence was found to be the subject of 6% of all verified abusive and threatening content, according to the study.
College football at the FBS level, the men’s basketball tournament and volleyball all received “high proportions of violent, abusive or threatening content.”
Other threatening messages were connected to homophobia and transphobia, doping and steroid use and match officials.
The NCAA said risks come across all sports, saying in some instances volleyball and gymnastics generated more “concerning” abusive messages than March Madness or the College Football Playoff.
The NCAA report said social media abuse and threats can have a significant effect on athletes and others involved in college sports.
Even if an athlete who is the target of such abuse says they are fine, “this should not be assumed to be the case,” NCAA said.
Such targeting can continue after a welfare check, “which is why action needs to be taken to protect them long-term,” the organization said.
NCAA president Charlie Baker said the study is evidence of what some athletes deal with as they go through their time in college.
“We will exhaust all options to reduce the harassment and vitriol student-athletes are experiencing too often today,” he said in a statement.
LYNNE SLADKY / AP PHOTO
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell walks on the field before a game between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills last month.
MARK HUMPHREY / AP PHOTO
People talk with each other following a panel discussion at an NCAA Convention meeting in Nashville.
Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye
Clifton Eugene Carter
Dwight Farmer
Gerald Vance Morgan
January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023
June 27, 1932 – Oct. 12, 2024
April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023
Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.
Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor.
Clifton Eugene Carter, 92, of New London passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Trinity Place. A graveside service is scheduled at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery, officiated by Rev. Carroll Flack. Mr. Carter will lie in state on Monday, October 14, 2024, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle.
Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Garfield. Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.
James Roseboro
Rebecca
June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023
Aug. 11, 1932 – Oct. 11, 2024
Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.
Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran.
Gerald Vance Morgan, 92, of Albemarle passed away on Friday, October 11, 2024, at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center, Salisbury, NC.
“Sue”
John B. Kluttz
Isenhour Honeycutt
James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.
A private service is scheduled for the family. There is no formal visitation scheduled.
He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheriff’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.
Clifton was born on June 27, 1932, in Stanly County to the late Charlie and Opal Carter. He is lovingly survived by his wife, Julia Hahn Carter, of 67 years. Those also left to cherish his memory are a special niece, Crystal Simpson (Brian) of New London, NC, Hailey, Meredith, and many nieces, nephews, brothers-inlaw, and sisters-in-law.
Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.
He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.
Clifton was the last of the Carter family, having been preceded in death by brothers, Charlie “Jr.” Carter, Wade Carter, and Howard Carter, and sisters, Carol Louise Faulkner, and Judy Swaringen.
Clifton, affectionately known by his family as “Uncie” was a soft-hearted, humble man. He was a giver to all who knew him. Clifton served in the US Army during the Korean War and retired from Collins & Aikman. Prior to his declining health, he enjoyed gardening, watching baseball, and traveling to the Sandhills in search of sweet potatoes. He will be dearly missed by all those who knew him.
Mr. Morgan was born August 11, 1932, in Stanly County to the late Cannie and Elizabeth Morgan. He is lovingly survived by his wife, Sue Morgan, of 69 years. Those also left to cherish his memory are children Cynthia Lynn Morgan of Columbia, SC, and Lori Ann Thompson of Murrells Inlet, SC; grandchildren Catherine Smith, Kristen Thompson (Leen Remmelzwall), Megan Hall (Deonne), and Ryan Thompson; and greatgrandchildren William, Hudson, and Summer.
Mai Koth Douangkham
March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023
April 22, 1962 – Oct. 7, 2024
October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023
Sept. 4, 1941 – Oct. 7, 2024
Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.
Mr. Morgan is preceded in death by a grandson, Zachary Morgan.
He was preceded in death by his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty.
Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.
The family would like to express a sincere “Thank you” to those who cared for him over the last several months, Crystal, Marlene, Debbie, and the staff at Trinity and Tillery Compassionate Care.
Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Carter family.
Mr. Morgan was a proud US Veteran of the US Air Force and the US Army, where he worked as a Military Police Officer and in Criminal Investigations and was on the Army rifle team. He was known for his stubborn behavior but was loved by all. He was also an avid bird watcher and a huge fan of NASCAR, and he was honored to have been past President of the International Ford Retractable Club.
He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.
Rebecca “Sue” Isenhour Huneycutt, 83, of New London, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Spring Arbor of Albemarle. A memorial service, officiated by Rev Craig Saltzer, is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Richfield, NC. Visitation will be Friday, October 11, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care in Albemarle. Mrs. Huneycutt was born September 4, 1941, in Cabarrus County to the late Clyde and Catherine Isenhour. Mrs. Huneycutt is lovingly survived by her Husband, Wayne Huneycutt of the home. Those also left to cherish her memory are, son Michael Huneycutt (Nancy McRae) of New London, NC, daughter Susan Quinn (Alex) of Supply, NC, and granddaughter Samantha Summerlin (Camren) of Mt. Pleasant, NC.
John grew up in the Millingport community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.
Mai Koth Douangkham, 62, of Troy, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Atrium Health Stanly surrounded by her family. Funeral Services will be held at noon on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel in Albemarle, NC. Burial will follow at Stanly Gardens of Memory.
The family will receive guests from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Saturday prior to the service at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care in Albemarle, NC.
When John purchased his first Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!
Sue was an all-conference basketball player while in High School at New London High School. She also worked at New London Elementary School as a tutor and Cafeteria worker. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, who will be dearly missed by all. Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Huneycutt family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to VFW Post 2908 in honor of Gerald Morgan (119 Anderson Rd, Albemarle, NC 28001)
Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Morgan family.
Darrick Baldwin
January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023
Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.
He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.
He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.
He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.
At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily. While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.
Mai was born on April 22, 1962, in Laos to the late Kio Khampath and Mai Douangkham. She is lovingly survived by her husband, Souck Phoumynavong of the home. Those also left to cherish her memory are children, Katie Phoumynavong, Sam Phoumynavong (Marena), Charles Phoumynavong (Anna), Ben Phoumynavong, Alize Douangkham, and Jr. Douangkham, grandchildren, Jadon, Jacob, Maddox, Jace, Adalyn, Penelope, Natalie, Eli, and Kenzo, and siblings, Kham, Khem, Kheuang, Boun, Niew, Chanh and Thongvanh.
Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long fight in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away fighting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.
Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC. Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.
Mai was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Lae Chanthavong, and aunt, One Khaoone Mai was a great wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved to garden and to cook meals for her family. She enjoyed playing cards. Her treasure was looking after the grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to correct their behavior. She will be dearly missed by all those who knew her.
John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level.
Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Douangkham-Phoumynavong family.
This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Richfield, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; five great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.
Doris was a gentle and sweet spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left you feeling uplifted after talking with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was selfless, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.
She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, outfits for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.
Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.
Doris Jones Coleman
STATE & NATION
Man with gun arrested at checkpoint near Trump rally
The Las Vegas man was released on bail Saturday
By Christopher Weber
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — A Neva-
da man with a shotgun, loaded handgun, ammunition and several fake passports in his vehicle was arrested at a security checkpoint outside Donald Trump’s rally Saturday night in the Southern California desert, authorities said. He was released the same day on $5,000 bail.
The suspect, a 49-year-old resident of Las Vegas, was driving an unregistered black SUV with a “homemade” license plate that was stopped by deputies assigned to the rally in Coachella, east of Los Angeles, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.
The driver claimed to be a journalist, but it was unclear if he had the proper credentials. Deputies noticed the interior of the vehicle was “in disarray” and a search uncovered the weapons and ammo, along with multiple passports and driver licenses with different names, Bianco said.
The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine, the department said in a statement.
“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the
event,” the Saturday statement said. Trump had not yet arrived at the rally at the time of the arrest, the sheriff said Sunday. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 2, 2025, according to online records.
Bianco declined to speculate about the suspect’s motives or frame of mind. “We know we
prevented something bad from happening, and it was irrelevant what that bad was going to be,” Bianco said.
The man made it past an outer security boundary and was stopped at an inner perimeter patrolled by the sheriff’s department, Bianco said. Another security checkpoint closer to the ral-
Historic Jersey Shore amusement park closes after generations of family thrills
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier was founded in 1929
By Wayne Parry The Associated Press
OCEAN CITY, N.J. — For generations of vacationers heading to Ocean City, the towering “Giant Wheel” was the first thing they saw from miles away.
The sight of the 140-foot-tall ride let them know they were getting close to the Jersey Shore town that calls itself “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” with its promise of kid-friendly beaches, seagulls and sea shells, and a bustling boardwalk full of pizza, ice cream and cotton candy.
And in the heart of it was Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, an amusement park that was the latest in nearly a century-long line of family-friendly amusement attractions operated by the family of Ocean City’s mayor.
But the rides fell silent and still Sunday night, as the park, run by Ocean City’s mayor and nurtured by generations of his ancestors, closed down, the victim of financial woes made worse by the lingering aftereffects of the
COVID-19 pandemic and Superstorm Sandy.
Gillian and his family have operated amusement rides and attractions on the Ocean City Boardwalk for 94 years. The latest iteration of the park, Wonderland, opened in 1965.
“I tried my best to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, through increasingly diffi-
cult challenges each year,” Mayor Jay Gillian wrote in August when he announced the park would close. “It’s been my life, my legacy and my family. But it’s no longer a viable business.”
Gillian did not respond to numerous requests for comment over the past week.
Sheryl Gross was at the park for its final day with her two chil-
ly site was operated by the Secret Service.
“The U.S. Secret Service assesses that the incident did not impact protective operations and former President Trump was not in any danger,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement Sunday. “While no federal arrest has been made at this time,
dren and five grandchildren, enjoying it one last time.
“I’ve been coming here forever,” she said. “My daughter is 43, and I’ve been coming here since she was 2 years old in a stroller. Now I’m here with my grandchildren.”
She remembers decades of bringing her family from Gloucester Township in the southern New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia to create happy family memories at Wonderland.
“Just the excitement on their faces when they get on the rides,” she said. “It really made it feel family-friendly. A lot of that is going to be lost now.”
There were long lines Sunday for the Giant Wheel, the log flume and other popular rides as people used the last of ride tickets many had bought earlier in the year, thinking Wonderland would go on forever.
A local nonprofit group, Friends of OCNJ History and Culture, is raising money to try and save the amusement park, possibly under a new owner who might be more amenable to buying it with some financial assistance. Bill Merritt, one of the nonprofit’s leaders, said the group has raised more than $1 million to help meet what could be a $20-million price tag for the property.
“Ocean City will be fundamentally different without this attraction,” he said. “This town relies on being family-friendly. The park has rides targeted at
“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event.”
Riverside County Sheriff
the investigation is ongoing.”
Media members, as well as VIP ticket holders, were routed through a number of intersections manned by state and local law enforcement officers before arriving at a large, grassy area where drivers were asked to open hoods and trunks, and each vehicle was searched by a K-9 officer.
Other general ticket holders were directed to a site roughly 3 miles away from the rally, where they were boarded onto buses and driven to the site.
Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the arrest.
Security is very tight at Trump rallies following two recent assassination attempts. Last month, a Greensboro man was indicted on an attempted assassination charge after authorities said he staked out the former president for 12 hours and wrote of his desire to kill him. The Florida arrest came two months after Trump was shot and wounded in the ear in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
kids; it’s called ‘Wonderland’ for a reason.”
The property’s current owner, Icona Resorts, previously proposed a $150-million, 325-room luxury hotel elsewhere on Ocean City’s boardwalk, but the city rejected those plans.
The company’s CEO, Eustace Mita, said earlier this year he would take at least until the end of the year to propose a use for the amusement park property. He bought it in 2021 after Gillian’s family was in danger of defaulting on bank loans for the property.
At a community meeting last month, Gillian said Wonderland could not bounce back from Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the pandemic in 2020 and an increase in New Jersey’s minimum wage that doubled his payroll costs, leaving him $4 million in debt.
Mita put up funds to stave off a sheriff’s sale of the property and gave the mayor three years to turn the business around. That deadline expired this year.
Mita did not respond to requests for comment.
Merritt said he and others can’t imagine Ocean City without Wonderland.
“You look at it with your heart, and you say, ‘You’re losing all the cherished memories and all the history; how can you let that go?’” he said. “And then you look at it with your head and you say, ‘They are the reason this town is profitable; how can you let that go?’”
WAYNE PARRY / AP PHOTO
People ride the Giant Wheel and flying chair ride at Gillian’s Wonderland, the popular amusement park on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey, during its final day of operation Sunday before shutting down for good.
ALEX BRANDON / AP PHOTO
Former President Donald Trump gestures to the audience as he departs a campaign rally Saturday at the Calhoun Ranch in Coachella, California.
Petty politics
Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance talks with NASCAR legend Richard Petty during the Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Harris criticizes Trump on hurricane response comments
Kamala Harris used an appearance before a largely black church audience in Greenville to call out Donald Trump for spreading misinformation about the federal government’s hurricane response. The Democratic presidential nominee didn’t speak Trump’s name on Sunday. But the former president is most prominent among those promoting false claims that the government isn’t helping Republican storm victims. The vice president later held a rally in Raleigh on Sunday to encourage early voting. “There are some who are not acting in the spirit of community,” Harris said. “And I am speaking of these who have been literally not telling the truth, lying about people who are working hard to help the folks in need, spreading disinformation when the truth and facts are required.”
Republicans sue over N.C. overseas ballots
Lawsuits filed by the Republican National Committee argue that Michigan and North Carolina should not be allowing overseas voters who have never lived in their state to vote. Now is not the time to raise objections to state law that has been in place for 13 years, said Patrick Gannon, a spokesman for the North Carolina State Board of Elections. “This lawsuit was filed after voting had already begun in North Carolina for the general election,” Gannon said in a statement. “The time to challenge the rules for voter eligibility is well before an election, not after votes have already been cast.”
Board of Education approves contract for customized strategic planning support
The board approved a $96,500 contract with RTI International to help form a new strategic plan for the district
By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald
WINSTON-SALEM — The Winston-Salem Forsyth County Board of Education will be bringing in outside help to assist it in forming a new strategic plan.
At its Oct. 8 meeting, the board approved a $96,500 contract with Research Triangle Institute International for customized strategic planning support.
“Why RTI International?” said Executive Director of Systems Coherence and Strategic Planning Alexandra Hoskins.
“They come to us with wonderful processes and research ex-
perience. In the last five years, they’ve worked in Virginia, Wake County, Durham County, Johnston County. They’ve been in multiple states and worked with districts of comparable size to us as well as those considerably larger so they really do have wonderful expertise in this space.”
According to Hoskins, RTI International proposes to facilitate a structured strategic planning process to produce a high-quality plan, assist the district in setting their direction and vision and to focus on operational effectiveness to align district systems and processes.
The ultimate goal of the partnership is to prepare a new strategic plan that will guide WSFCS for the next five years.
“I appreciate that we’re going with RTI,” said board member Sabrina Coone. “I went to a convention and was able to sit
in on Wake County discussing how they used RTI to do their strategic plan and how I took so many notes because it was just done so well and with so much intentionality from the community and staff and the board. It was a very nice, cohesive plan. So I’m glad we’re choosing them.”
However, not everyone on the board was for the contract though as Leah Crowley, Susan Miller and Steve Wood all voted against it.
“I’m really happy with the plan that we’re working from,” said board member Leah Crowley. “I feel like it is incredibly well thought through, comprehensive and I honestly don’t see a need to spend $96,000 to change it when we’re still working from it and we still have goals to achieve from it.”
The board then approved seven facility contracts totaling approximately $380,000.
Wolfspeed gets $750M government grant, $1.75B in investments, tax credits
Much of the funding will go toward its Siler City silicon carbide factory
By Josh Boak The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. —
The Biden administration announced plans Tuesday to provide up to $750 million in direct funding to Wolfspeed, with the money supporting its new silicon carbide factory in Siler City that makes the wafers used in advanced computer chips and its factory in Marcy, New York. Wolfspeed’s use of silicon carbide enables the computer chips used in electric vehicles and other advanced technologies to be more efficient. The North Carolina-based company’s two proj-
ects are estimated to create 2,000 manufacturing jobs as part of a more than $6 billion expansion plan.
“Artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and clean energy are all technologies that will define the 21st century, and thanks to proposed investments in companies like Wolfspeed, the Biden administration is taking a meaningful step towards reigniting U.S. manufacturing of the chips that underpin these important technologies,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement.
The new Wolfspeed facility in Siler City could be a critical symbol in this year’s election, as it opened earlier this year in a swing state county that is undergoing rapid economic expansion in large part due to in-
centives provided by the Biden administration.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, is making the case to voters that the administration’s mix of incentives are increasing factory work, while former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, says the threat of broad tariffs will cause overseas factories to relocate in the United States. In 2023, President Joe Biden spoke at Wolfspeed to promote his economic agenda, saying it would help the United States outcompete China. Trump narrowly won North Carolina during the 2020 presidential election and has talked about bringing back the state’s furniture manufacturing sector.
The Biden administration’s
Those items included design contracts for the Jefferson Middle School boiler replacement, the Hanes Magnet Middle School gym HVAC, the Parkland High School kitchen renovation, the Glenn High School ERV replacement, the Southwest Elementary gym HVAC and contracts for the Parkland High School generator installation and the Winston Salem Preparatory generator replacement.
The board also approved two additional contractual items including an amendment to the agreement with North State Company Police to modify the current schedule and rate of pay for the nighttime security services, saving an approximate $138,000 annually, a $37,500 contract with Education Resource Group for individual observations at
argument is that the government support encourages additional private investments, a case that appears to apply to Wolfspeed.
In addition to the government grant, a group of investment funds led by Apollo, The Baupost Group, Fidelity Management & Research Company and Capital Group plan to provide an additional $750 million to Wolfspeed, the company said. Wolfspeed also expects to receive $1 billion from an advanced manufacturing tax credit, meaning the company in total will have access of up to $2.5 billion.
North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)
News Editor
Shawn Krest, Sports Editor
Dan Reeves, Features Editor
Ryan Henkel, Reporter
P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer
BUSINESS
David Guy, Advertising Manager
Mount Tabor High School.
In addition, the board approved the allocation of $46 million in additional capacity bond funds for the construction of the new Ashley Elementary School.
With the allocation, the district has around $8 million remaining to allocate to other capital projects from the 2016 bond rubric.
Finally, the board approved the renaming of RJ Reynolds Greenhouse to the Glenn Perryman Greenhouse
Per the board’s agenda, “Perryman, along with his students, built the greenhouse and propagated, and sold plants from the greenhouse circa 1991 until his retirement. The greenhouse is currently being revitalized and the school staff and multiple community members are excited to honor this teacher.”
The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education will next meet Oct. 22.
Wolfspeed CEO Gregg Lowe told The Associated Press that the United States currently produces 70% of the world’s silicon carbide — and that the investments will help the country preserve its lead as China ramps up efforts in the sector.
Lowe said “we’re very happy with this grant” and that the Commerce Department staff awarding funds from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act was “terrific.” THURSDAY
Volunteers bring solar power to Helene’s disaster zone
Microgrids of solar paired with batteries provides essential lifeline
By Gabriela Aoun Angueira The Associated Press
BAKERSVILLE — Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Helene downed power lines and washed out roads all over North Carolina’s mountains, the constant din of a gas-powered generator is getting to be too much for Bobby Renfro.
It’s difficult to hear the nurses, neighbors and volunteers flowing through the community resource hub he has set up in a former church for his neighbors in Tipton Hill, a crossroads in the Pisgah National Forest north of Asheville. Much worse is the cost: he spent $1,200 to buy it and thousands more on fuel that volunteers drive in from Tennessee.
Turning off their only power source isn’t an option. This generator runs a refrigerator holding insulin for neighbors with diabetes and powers the oxygen machines and nebulizers some of them need to breathe.
The retired railroad worker worries that outsiders don’t understand how desperate they are, marooned without power on hilltops and down in “hollers.”
“We have no resources for nothing,” Renfro said. “It’s going to be a long ordeal.”
“The crews aren’t doing what they typically do, which is a repair effort. They’re rebuilding from the ground up,” said Kristie Aldridge, vice president of communications at North Carolina Electric Cooperatives.
Residents who can get their hands on gas and diesel-powered generators are depending on them, but that is not easy. Fuel is expensive and can be a long drive away. Generator fumes pollute and can be deadly. Small home generators are designed to run for hours or days, not weeks and months.
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About 23,500 of the 1.5 million customers that lost power in western North Carolina still lacked electricity on Sunday, according to Poweroutage.us. Without it, they can’t keep medicines cold or power medical equipment or pump well water. They can’t recharge their phones or apply for federal disaster aid.
Crews from all over the country and even Canada are helping Duke Energy and local electric cooperatives with repairs, but it’s slow going in the dense mountain forests, where some roads and bridges are completely washed away.
Now, more help is arriving. Renfro received a new power source this week, one that will be cleaner, quieter and free to operate. Volunteers with the nonprofit Footprint Project and a local solar installation company delivered a solar generator with six 245-watt solar panels, a 24-volt battery and an AC power inverter. The panels now rest on a grassy hill outside the community building.
Renfro hopes his community can draw some comfort and security, “seeing and knowing that they have a little electricity.”
The Footprint Project is scaling up its response to this disaster with sustainable mobile infrastructure. It has deployed
dozens of larger solar microgrids, solar generators and machines that can pull water from the air to 33 sites so far, along with dozens of smaller portable batteries. With donations from solar equipment and installation companies as well as equipment purchased through donated funds, the nonprofit is sourcing hundreds more small batteries and dozens of other larger systems and even industrial-scale solar generators known as “Dragon Wings.”
Will Heegaard and Jamie Swezey are the husband-andwife team behind Project Footprint. Heegaard founded it in 2018 in New Orleans with a mission of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of emergency responses. Helene’s destruction is so catastrophic, however, that Swezey said this work is more about supplementing generators than replacing them.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Swezey said as she stared at a whiteboard with scribbled lists of requests, volunteers and equipment. “It’s all hands on deck with whatever you can use to power whatever you need to power.”
Down near the interstate in Mars Hill, a warehouse own-
er let Swezey and Heegaard set up operations and sleep inside. They rise each morning triaging emails and texts from all over the region. Requests for equipment range from individuals needing to power a home oxygen machine to makeshift clinics and community hubs distributing supplies.
Local volunteers help. Hayden Wilson and Henry Kovacs, glassblowers from Asheville, arrived in a pickup truck and trailer to make deliveries this week. Two installers from the Asheville-based solar company Sundance Power Systems followed in a van.
It took them more than an hour on winding roads to reach Bakersville, where the community hub Julie Wiggins runs in her driveway supports about 30 nearby families. It took many of her neighbors days to reach her, cutting their way out through fallen trees. Some were so desperate, they stuck their insulin in the creek to keep it cold.
Panels and a battery from Footprint Project now power her small fridge, a water pump and a Starlink communications system she set up. “This is a game changer,” Wiggins said.
The volunteers then drove to Renfro’s hub in Tipton Hill before their last stop at a Bakersville church that has been running two generators. Other places are much harder to reach. Heegaard and Swezey even tried to figure out how many portable batteries a mule could carry up a mountain and have arranged for some to be lowered by helicopters.
They know the stakes are high after Heegaard volunteered in Puerto Rico, where Hurricane Maria’s death toll rose to 3,000 as some mountain communities went without power for 11 months. Duke Energy crews also restored infrastructure in Puerto Rico and are using tactics learned there, like using helicopters to drop in new electric poles, utility spokesman Bill Norton said.
The hardest customers to help could be people whose homes and businesses are too damaged to connect, and they are why the Footprint Project will stay in the area for as long as they are needed, Swezey said.
“We know there are people who will need help long after the power comes back,” she said.
Henry Kovacs, left, and Hayden Wilson, volunteers with the Footprint Project, load two Tesla Powerwall batteries to deliver to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
PHOTOS BY GABRIELA AOUN ANGUERIA / AP PHOTO
Hayden Wilson, left, Jonathan Bowen, second from left, Alexander Pellersels second from right, and Henry Kovacs, right, install a mobile power system.
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
Random ramblings
PHOENIX BUSINESS OWNERS have won a legal battle at the Court of Appeals. The court upheld a lower court order that requires the municipality to clean up a homeless encampment known as “The Zone.” Business owners claim the area surrounding their businesses is soaked with urine and feces, and public nudity is commonplace. The court said, “Municipalities are responsible for enforcing public nuisance laws on land they own or are responsible for.”
An illegal immigrant from El Salvador was arrested for having two boys chained to a post near a sleeping cot in Virginia. The boys were aged 7 and 9. The perpetrator had been deported in 2018 but wandered back in across our open border. No report on who the boys are and where they are from.
Jefferson County Public Schools in Colorado is facing a lawsuit for forcing a girl to sleep with a boy on a trip to Philadelphia and Washington. The school had communicated that “girls will be roomed together on one floor and boys together on a different floor.” The lawsuit claims that the school redefined the definition of “girl” and “boy” to align with a student’s gender identity.
Some small towns in our country are being overrun with a huge influx of immigrants. Charleroi, Pennsylvania, has had a staggering 2,000% increase in migrants. Springfield, Ohio, is dealing with a similar issue. Small-town economies can not deal with
this type of influx. It’s a tremendous burden on the residents.
Mark Zuckerberg, the gazillionaire who owns Meta, is a true hypocrite. He lectures against climate emissions and tries to have us peons limit our output. He has purchased a $300 million yacht. That will likely emit more than some small nations.
If Bidenomics is working, why is there such an increase in bankruptcies? Bankruptcies for businesses are up 61% and 15% for individuals, the highest since the 2008 crash.
The administration keeps touting the number of jobs created. What they don’t tell you is that those jobs are mostly part time. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that year over year, the U.S. lost 1.02 million full-time jobs and added 1.06 million part-time jobs. We do know that many of the full-time jobs created were government jobs, 87,000 new IRS agents, for example.
Democrat John Kerry thinks the First Amendment is a problem. He said, “Our First Amendment stands as a major block to the ability to be able to hammer (disinformation) out of existence.” Of course, you and I won’t be the ones deciding what is “disinformation.” We now know that censorship was alive and well during the COVID pandemic, with government and Big Tech deciding what was “disinformation.”
Food prices have skyrocketed, and meat and
poultry have seen the biggest increases. The EPA is poised to issue new regulations that will put many meat processing companies out of business and will cause even higher prices. The changes are a result of lawsuits filed by a coalition of 13 environmental organizations.
A University of Kansas professor is under fire for some recent comments. Since they’re on tape in his own words, there’s no chance it was taken out of context or misreported. He told his classroom that any men not voting for Kamala Harris think that “women are not smart enough to be president.” He then said these people should be lined up and shot because they “clearly don’t know how the world works.” What has happened to our institutions of higher learning? That’s not the kind of instructor who should be in any classroom. He has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation. I feel certain it’s with full pay, and he will be back in the classroom as soon as this blows over. Shameful.
Please continue to keep the hurricane victims in your prayers. The General Assembly reconvened this week to appropriate emergency funding for the relief effort. As the damage is assessed and needs are identified, we will be going back on Oct. 24 for another round of appropriations. The needs are extensive, and our citizens have been amazing to step up and help our western neighbors. Please continue to donate if you can with your time and resources.
Sen. Joyce Krawiec has represented Forsyth County and the 31st District in the N.C. Senate since 2014. She lives in Kernersville.
What the census can tell us about swing states
JONATHAN DRAEGER, reporter for RealClearPolitics, wrote Tuesday that “the 2024 presidential contest couldn’t be tighter.” Unless, of course, it turns out not to be nearly as close as this season’s run of polls suggests it is.
One indication that it might not be was a New York Times-Siena poll released this week showing Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris in Florida 55% to 41%. That’s quite a switch from the 48.85% to 48.84% by which George W. Bush carried the state in 2000, or the 48.6% to 47.4% there for Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016.
As the Times’ brilliant and painstaking poll analyst Nate Cohn wrote, this result could just turn out to be an outlier: Polling theory says one in 20 polls is outside the margin of error. Or it could represent a continuation of the 2022 off-year results, which showed Republicans doing much better in Florida than in the current target states, such as Pennsylvania and Michigan. But it could also have resulted, he explained, from population change. According to Census Bureau estimates, Florida’s population grew by 4.7% between July 2020 and July 2023 (the latest available), a greater percentage increase than any other state except much less populous Idaho. That’s a population increase of more than 1 million people in just three years, with many newcomers perhaps attracted by Florida’s famously less restrictive COVID-19 policies.
As Cohn noted, many other polls may miss the effects of interelection demographic changes by weighting results according to respondents’ recollections of previous votes. Since voters historically have overreported supporting election winners, this tends to overstate support for the previously losing party and, in this case, for Trump. However, pollsters take that risk for fear of understating his support, as so many 2016 and 2020 polls did.
Cohn’s analysis raises the question of whether population shifts may affect the balance, which seems exquisitely close, in the seven target states. So let’s look at the changes in the 2020 and 2023 census estimates by county. Nationally, the period saw movement away from central cities and toward exurbs and salubrious rural areas.
This analysis reveals little about Nevada, where
69% of 2020 votes and 79% of the 2020-23 population increase were in Las Vegas-centered Clark County.
A little more can be said about Arizona, where Phoenix-centered Maricopa County had 61% of 2020 votes and 58% of the 2020-23 population increase. Among smaller counties, those leaning Republican grew by 83,000 people (all totals rounded off), and those leaning Democratic, including Tucson’s Pima County, grew by 21,000. Advantage: Republicans.
The picture is mixed in fast-growing and excruciatingly marginal Georgia and North Carolina.
North Carolina’s population grew by 3.7% overall and by 4% in the six counties, including those with Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro and Winston-Salem, which voted 56% to 75% for Joe Biden. The other 94 counties (mostly Republican) grew by 3.5%. That slight edge, plus the weakness of the Republican nominee for governor, gives Democrats reason to hope Harris can win the one target state Biden lost by 49.9% to 48.6% in 2020.
Georgia, which Trump lost 49.5% to 49.2%, looks different. Metropolitan Atlanta’s three central counties, heavily Democratic, grew by only 7,000 people, and four Democratic-trending ring counties with diverse populations increased by 44,000. But 12 mostly white exurban counties, which vote overwhelmingly Republican, increased by 100,000, and with polls showing black voters trending Republican, Trump is likely to reduce Democratic margins in black-majority exurban counties whose population increased by 22,000.
The three northern “blue wall” states, in contrast, had less than 1% population loss (Pennsylvania and Michigan) or gain (Wisconsin). If, as many expect, Trump carries Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona, Harris must win all three “blue wall” states to be elected president.
In Pennsylvania, Democrats depend heavily on big margins in Philadelphia, and in 2020, turnout increased to 743,000, a 40-year high. But Philadelphia’s population fell by 50,000 people in 2020-23, and a Philadelphia Inquirer report detailed that Hispanic and black voters in Philadelphia have been trending Republican. The city’s four suburban county populations rose by just 27,000. Not enough to offset the city decline and the likely increased Hispanic support in five blue-collar counties beyond
metropolitan Philadelphia.
In western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh’s Allegheny County, with trendy inner-city neighborhoods and upscale suburbs, lost 25,000 people, while nearby Butler County, where Trump was shot July 13 and returned two Saturdays ago, gained 4,000. Overall, the state beyond metropolitan Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where Biden carried only eight of 57 counties, gained 19,000 people.
In Michigan, the picture is similar. The three counties, including or touching on Detroit, lost 46,000 people in 2020-23, and the industrial belt from Flint to Bay City, where Democrats are struggling, lost another 8,000. The three counties with large universities, which delivered a higher Biden percentage than either of the two blue-collar areas, lost 6,000. The state’s other 74 counties, which voted 58% to 40% for Trump over Biden, gained 26,000. Wisconsin seems slightly more favorable for Democrats. The historic Democratic powerhouse, Milwaukee County, lost 22,000 people, but the three suburban WOW counties, historically Republican but a little less so in the Trump era, gained just 8,000. That is overmatched by the 13,000 gained by Madison’s Dane County, which, with its state capital and flagship university, exceeded Milwaukee’s Democratic percentage and almost equaled its Democratic vote margin in 2020.
Let me close with a perhaps unscientific observation. Looking at the target state polls reported by RealClearPolitics with all or the bulk of interviews conducted since Sept. 25, I note that 14 show Trump leading, along with one for Harris and one tie. It’s less one-sided if you look at the target state polls reported by Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin, but still with 15 for Trump, six for Harris and six ties. Note that there are almost no target state polls conducted since the vice presidential debate on Oct. 1.
Have the vibes run out for Harris, as my Washington Examiner colleague W. James Antle suggests?
Seems like a fair question.
Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”
TRIAD STRAIGHT TALK | SEN. JOYCE KRAWIEC
COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE
Fla. neighbors band together in recovery from Helene, Milton
The hurricanes struck the state within two weeks of each other
By Russ Bynum and Laura Bargfeld
The Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — When ankle-deep floodwaters from Hurricane Helene bubbled up through the floors of their home, Kat Robinson-Malone and her husband sent a latenight text message to their neighbors two doors down: “Hey, we’re coming.”
The couple waded through the flooded street to the elevated front porch of Chris and Kara Sundar, whose home was built on higher ground, and handed over their 8-year-old daughter and a gas-powered generator.
The Sundars’ lime-green house in southern Tampa also became a refuge for Brooke and Adam Carstensen, whose house next door to Robinson-Malone also flooded.
The three families met years earlier when their children became playmates, and the adults’ friendships deepened during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. So when Helene and Hurricane Milton struck Florida within two weeks of each other, the neighbors closed ranks as one big extended family, cooking meals together, taking turns watching children and clean-
i ng out their damaged homes. And as Milton threatened a direct strike on Tampa last week, the Malones, Sundars and Carstensens decided to evacuate together. They drove more than 450 miles in a caravan to metro Atlanta — seven adults, six children, four dogs and teenage Max Carstensen’s three pet rats.
“Everyone has, like, the chainsaw or a tarp,” Robinson-Malone said Sunday. “But really the most important thing for us was the community we built. And that made all the difference for the hurricane rescue and the recovery. And now, hopefully, the restoration.”
Recovery efforts continued Sunday in storm-battered communities in central Florida, where President Joe Biden surveyed the devastation. Biden said he was thankful the damage from Milton was not as severe as officials had anticipated. But he said it was still a “cataclysmic” event for people caught in the path of the hurricane, which has been blamed for at least 11 deaths.
The number of homes and businesses in Florida still without electricity dropped to about 500,000 on Sunday, according to Poweroutage.us. That was down from more than 3 million after Milton made landfall Wednesday as a Category 3 storm.
Fuel shortages also appeared
to be easing as more gas stations opened, and lines at pumps in the Tampa area looked notably shorter. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced nine sites where people can get 10 gallons each for free.
While recovery efforts were gaining steam, a full rebound will take far longer.
DeSantis cautioned that debris removal could take up to a year, even as Florida shifts nearly 3,000 workers to the cleanup. He said Biden has approved 100% federal reimbursement for those efforts for 90 days.
“The (removal of) debris has to be 24/7 over this 90-day period,” DeSantis said while speaking next to a pile of furniture, lumber and other debris in Treasure Island, an island city near St. Petersburg that has been battered by both recent hurri-
canes. “That’s the way you get the job done.”
National Weather Service meteorologist Paul Close said rivers will keep rising for the next several days and result in flooding, mostly around Tampa Bay and northward. Those areas got the most rain, which came on top of a wet summer that included several hurricanes.
Meanwhile, residents unable to move back into their damaged homes were making other arrangements.
Robinson-Malone and her husband, Brian, bought a camper trailer that’s parked in their driveway. They plan to live there while their gutted home is repaired and also improved to make it more resilient against hurricanes.
“These storms, they’re just
going to keep happening,” she said. “And we want to be prepared for it.”
The Carstensens plan to demolish what’s left of their flooded, low-slung home, which was built in 1949, and replace it with a new house higher off the ground. For the time being, they are staying with Brooke Carstensen’s mother.
Chris Sundar said he’s questioning his plan to remain in Tampa until his children have all graduated from high school a decade from now. His house remains the home base for the families’ kids, ages 8 to 13. On the wall is a list of chores for them all, from folding laundry to emptying wastebaskets. Brooke Carstensen, a teacher, has helped the children through an extended period without school.
US to send missile defense system to Israel
Troops will also be deployed to operate the technology
By Lolita C. Baldor
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it, the Pentagon said Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden. He said the system will help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s ballistic
missile attacks on Israel in April and October.
The delivery of the sophisticated missile defense system risks further inflaming the conflict in the Middle East despite widespread diplomatic efforts to avoid an all-out war. The Iranian warning came in a post on the social platform X long associated with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who noted the earlier reports that the U.S. was considering the deployment.
Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have been clashing since Oct. 8, 2023, when the Lebanese militant group began firing rockets over the border in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza. Late last month, Israel launched a ground invasion into Lebanon.
Israel is widely believed to be preparing a military response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack when it
fired roughly 180 missiles into Israel.
In a brief exchange with reporters before leaving Florida on Sunday, Biden said he agreed to deploy the THAAD battery “to defend Israel.” Biden spoke at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa after making a quick visit to see the damage caused by Hurricane Milton and meet with first responders, residents and local leaders.
Ryder, in his statement, said the deployment “underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran.”
It was not immediately apparent where the THAAD battery was coming from or when it will arrive. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli army spokesman, declined to provide any timeline
for its arrival but thanked the U.S. for its support.
The U.S. deployed one of the batteries to the Middle East along with additional Patriot battalions to bolster protections for U.S. forces in the region late last year after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas militants. Ryder also said the U.S. sent a THAAD battery to Israel in 2019 for training.
It also is not unusual for the U.S. to have a limited number of troops in Israel, which the U.S. considers a key regional ally. There generally has been a small number of forces there consistently, as well as routine rotational deployments for training and exercises.
The THAAD will add another layer to Israel’s already significant air defenses, which include separate systems designed to intercept long-range,
medium-range and shortrange threats. Israel recently retired its U.S.-made Patriot systems after decades of use. According to an April report by the Congressional Research Service, the Army has seven THAAD batteries. Generally, each consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment, and requires 95 soldiers to operate.
The THAAD is considered a complementary system to the Patriot but can defend a wider area. It can hit targets at 93 to 124 miles and is used to destroy short-range, medium-range and limited intermediate-range ballistic missile threats that are either inside or outside the atmosphere.
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is responsible for developing the system, but it is operated by the Army. An eighth system has been funded and ordered and is expected to be in the field sometime next year.
STAFF SGT. CORY D. PAYNE / U.S. AIR FORCE VIA AP
The U.S. is sending a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) launching station to Israel to aid in its defense against missile attacks from Iraq.
CHRIS O’MEARA / AP PHOTO
Chris Sundar measures the depth of floodwaters from Hurricane Milton in his garage in Tampa, Florida.
Forsyth SPORTS
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips speaks at the conference’s basketball media day last week in Charlotte.
ACC seeks more tournament berths
The league has improved nonconference scheduling rather than relying on past March success
By Aaron Beard The Associated Press
CHARLOTTE — It wasn’t that long ago that the Atlantic Coast Conference was hoping to earn 10 bids to the NCAA Tournament.
Things have since gotten tricky for a league that proclaims itself as college basketball’s best.
The Final Four trips, even titles in the past decade, keep coming. So too do March Madness wins, and not just from one or two teams carrying the load for deadweight members.
Yet the league is also getting its lowest bid totals since expanding beyond 12 teams.
“We have to get a fair amount of teams into the tournament for that national respect,” Syracuse coach Adrian Autry said. “Which is crazy to me because every time we get into the tournament, our teams all do well. So that should be enough credibility.
“It’s not been one year. It’s been several years of this narrative. ... As you start the following year, you would think that (NCAA success) would account for something. But obviously it doesn’t.”
The league keeps winning in March in spite of having three straight seasons with just five bids.
“It’s become so frustrating to see teams left out at the end of the year — teams like Pittsburgh and Wake Forest (last year), or Clemson (in 2023), when to me and to others, it just made so much sense for them to be in there,” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips told The Associated Press.
“But I got it, you can’t be so stubborn. I think you have to adjust and you have to change some of your ways in how you’re attacking it and that’s what we did this season.”
It was difficult to envision this scenario after the ACC added Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame from the Big East ahead of the 2013-14 season. The record then was seven tournament bids, but the target soon became 10.
The league twice got to nine (2017, 2018) during a run that included Duke winning the 2015 title, UNC reaching the 2016 final then winning the 2017 crown, and Virginia winning its first NCAA title in 2019.
Yet bids have dried up since the COVID-19 pandemic even as the success kept coming.
Since 2015, the ACC has 10 more Sweet 16 appearances (31) and eight more Elite Eights (19) than the Big 12 as the next closest league, while its nine Fi-
nal Fours and three titles are the most in the country. Its 111 tournament wins in that span is 28 more than the next-closest league.
And that success has been spread across the membership: 10 different programs have reached at least one Elite Eight, six going to the Final Four.
Yet the ACC’s 60 bids trailed the Big Ten (65) and Big 12 (61) in that time, and the conference hasn’t ranked higher than fifth in KenPom’s efficiency rankings dating to the 2020-21 season.
That’s why league coaches and athletics directors have been studying how to enhance NCAA resumes, notably by strengthening nonconference schedules.
That work has already begun, such as NC State scheduling a series with national power Kansas, Wake Forest with Michigan, and Pittsburgh with Ohio State, all starting this season.
“Obviously we heard everything at the end about why we didn’t make the tournament, with strength of schedule,” Pitt coach Jeff Capel said of visiting the Buckeyes on Nov. 29.
“So this year we just looked at it and said, ... ‘What can we control?’ .. It’s a Big Ten team. We know their stuff will be high like it is every year, their metrics, so hopefully that helps us.”
The work now turns to the final step in changing the narrative: winning, from November to March.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Lane Albright
Mount Tabor, football
Lane Albright is a senior quarterback on the Mount Tabor football team.
Albright lit it up in Mount Tabor’s win over Davie last week. He completed 24‑of 31 passing for 356 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed seven times for 62 yards and two more touchdowns.
Albright, who committed to Davidson last month, is eighth in N.C. Division 4A with 1,643 total yards, good for second in the Central Piedmont conference. His 1,246 passing yards are also second in the conference.
Study: Widespread social media harassment of NCAA athletes, coaches
Female athletes were three times more likely to suffer online abuse than males
By Pete Iacobelli The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. — An NCAA study on social media abuse of athletes, coaches and other officials during championship events found nearly one in five posts that were flagged by an AI-based algorithm and determined to be abusive involved sexual harassment and 12% were related to sports betting, according to results of the pilot study released Thursday.
The college athletics governing body’s findings of its first online harassment study using Signify Group’s Threat Matrix examined more than 72,000 messages flagged by an algorithm. Over 5,000 of those posts were confirmed to contain abusive, discriminatory or threatening content and were reported to social media companies.
The study conducted during 2023-24 examined social media posts related to championship-level events in six sports: baseball, basketball, gymnastics, football, softball and volleyball.
Of the abusive posts, the study found 80% were directed at March Madness athletes, with female basketball players receiving about three times more abusive messages than their male counterparts.
The study cited one unidentified athlete who received more than 1,400 harassing messages in a two-week span.
“The risks and mental health challenges associated with being a victim of on-
“Toxic online fans resorted to racist mockery, comparing players to monkeys and labelling them as thugs.” NCAA study on social media harassment
line abuse or threats are real and have a direct and immediate effect on athletes, coaches, officials, and their families,” the NCAA wrote in its report. “This can impact them on both a personal and professional level, and ultimately affect their wellbeing and ability to perform at their best.”
The NCAA said sports-betting harassment was spread across all the championships covered in the study.
Racial comments made up about 10% of the abusive messages studied, but the survey found the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments were a focus of such content.
“Toxic online fans resorted to racist mockery, comparing players to monkeys and labelling them as thugs,” the NCAA’s study found.
Women’s basketball players, teams and officials received such treatment, the NCAA said.
“The level of Dogwhistle content during the (basketball) Women’s championships should be highlighted as well in connection with racism,” the governing body said in the report.
The study monitored the accounts of 3,164 student-athletes, 489 coaches, 197 game officials, 165 teams and 12 NCAA official channels using
Signify Group’s artificial intelligence Threat Matrix. It identified varying areas of online abuse and threats.
Violence was found to be the subject of 6% of all verified abusive and threatening content, according to the study.
College football at the FBS level, the men’s basketball tournament and volleyball all received “high proportions of violent, abusive or threatening content.”
Other threatening messages were connected to homophobia and transphobia, dop -
ing and steroid use and match officials.
The NCAA said risks come across all sports, saying in some instances volleyball and gymnastics generated more “concerning” abusive messages than March Madness or the College Football Playoff.
The NCAA report said social media abuse and threats can have a significant effect on athletes and others involved in college sports.
Even if an athlete who is the target of such abuse says they are fine, “this should not be as -
sumed to be the case,” NCAA said.
Such targeting can continue after a welfare check, “which is why action needs to be taken to protect them long-term,” the organization said.
NCAA president Charlie Baker said the study is evidence of what some athletes deal with as they go through their time in college.
“We will exhaust all options to reduce the harassment and vitriol student-athletes are experiencing too often today,” he said in a statement.
MARK HUMPHREY / AP PHOTO People talk with each other following a panel discussion at an NCAA Convention meeting in Nashville.
CHRIS CARLSON / AP PHOTO
SIDELINE REPORT
NCAA FOOTBALL
UNC football player Craft dies from rare lung cancer at 23
Chapel Hill
UNC football player Tylee Craft has died from a rare form of lung cancer. Coach Mack Brown made the announcement following the Tar Heels’ loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday. Craft was 23. Brown said he didn’t learn of Craft’s death until after the game. The team had honored Craft during Saturday’s game by wearing shirts bearing Craft’s name and number. UNC had honored Craft’s family on the field. Receiver J.J. Jones also wore Craft’s jersey during the game. Craft played a reserve role in 2020 and 2021 before his diagnosis in March 2022.
NFL
The 49ers fined $100K by NFL after Greenlaw shoved opponent on sideline Santa Clara, Calif.
The San Francisco 49ers were fined $100,000 as punishment for an inactive player getting involved in a sideline scuffle. Niners
cornerback Charvarius Ward was engaged near the sideline with Cardinals tight end Trey McBride at the end of a play. McBride blocked Ward into the San Francisco bench area and Ward grabbed his face mask. Dre Greenlaw, who is on the physically unable to perform list, then shoved McBride away from Ward. There were no penalties called on the play, but all three players were issued fines. The Niners were fined because Greenlaw joined the fray as an inactive player.
NCAA SPORTS
DI Council approves cutting football, basketball portal windows to 30 days Indianapolis
The NCAA’s Division I Council approved changes to shorten the transfer portal windows for football and basketball from 45 to 30 days while keeping an additional 30-day window in all sports after the departure of a head coach. The new fall window will be 20 days after Bowl Subdivision conference championships from Dec. 9-28, with the remaining 10 days occurring from April 16-25 next spring. Basketball’s current window of March 17-April 30, 2025, will shorten to 30 days after the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The changes took effect last week.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Pitino makes surprise visit to Kentucky to support Pope Lexington, Ky. Rick Pitino was wildly cheered in a surprise return to Rupp Arena, with the Hall of Fame coach saying “I am so happy to be back” in a show of support for first-year Kentucky coach and former captain Mark Pope at the Big Blue Madness public practice. Pitino, who guided Kentucky back from NCAA sanctions to the 1996 national championship before later becoming an enemy to the fan base for coaching rival Louisville, dropped in near the end of the exhibition and received a standing ovation. Pitino, who coaches St. John’s, wore a blue pullover with the white UK logo.
Rays say it may take ‘weeks’ to fully assess damage at Tropicana Field
Storm shredded the roof of Tampa Bay’s domed stadium
By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press
THE TAMPA BAY Rays said it may take weeks to fully assess how much damage was done to Tropicana Field, which saw its roof ripped to shreds by the force of Hurricane Milton as the deadly storm barreled across much of Florida.
The team said no one was injured when the St. Petersburg ballpark was struck by the storm last Wednesday night. A handful of “essential personnel” were inside Tropicana Field as the roof panels were blown apart, much of the debris falling on the field and seats below.
“Over the coming days and weeks, we expect to be able to assess the true condition of Tropicana Field,” the Rays said last Thursday. “In the meantime, we
Holding
are working with law enforcement to secure the building. We ask for your patience at this time, and we encourage those who can to donate to organizations in our community that are assisting those directly impacted by these storms.”
Milton was the second hurricane to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast in the span of two weeks, preceded by Hurricane Helene, which flooded streets and homes on that same side of the state and left at least 230 people dead across the South.
The Rays aren’t scheduled to play in the ballpark again until March 27, when they are supposed to play host to the Colorado Rockies to open the 2025 season.
For as bad as the damage was, the situation at Tropicana Field could have been worse.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had said earlier in the week that there were plans for the ballpark to serve as a “temporary base camp” to support debris
Super Bowl outside US a possibility, NFL commisioner says
The league hopes to double the number of international game
By Ken Maguire
The Associated Press
LONDON — The NFL’s aggressive international growth plan could include holding a Super Bowl outside the United States for the first time, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday.
Goodell has shot down the idea in the past, but he told a fan forum in London that it’s a possibility.
“We’ve always traditionally tried to play a Super Bowl in an NFL city — that was always sort of a reward for the cities that have NFL franchises,” he said in response to a question about moving the neutral-site game internationally. “But things change. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that happens one day.”
Goodell floated the idea as he outlined a plan that could include playing 16 international games every year if the regular season expands to 18 games.
He added that he has “no doubt” that Ireland will host a game soon. He named Rio de Janeiro as a likely new host and said the Jacksonville Jaguars are considering increasing the number of games they play
in London during their stadium renovations at home.
This season’s Super Bowl — the 59th edition — will be played in New Orleans. In 2026, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, will host, followed by SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California, in 2027. Kansas City’s 2522 overtime victory over San Francisco in the last Super Bowl was the most-watched program in U.S. television history.
Team owners already have authorized up to eight international games, but Goodell said they could double that number — creating a scenario where all 32 teams could play an international game each year.
The key is expanding the regular season by one game and reducing the number of preseason games to two.
“If we do expand our season — our regular season — to an 18-and-two structure, I see us going to 16 of those games being in international markets,” Goodell said.
He added that the plan could include a second bye week in the schedule.
“A lot of that depends on — can we continue to make the game safer, can we continue to modify the way we conduct the offseason as well as the training camp and as well as the season, so that these guys feel comfortable being able to play that period of time,” Goodell said.
cleanup operations and temporarily house some first responders. But those plans were changed as the storm neared, amid concerns that the roof simply would not survive Milton’s wrath.
“They were relocated,” DeSantis said at last Thursday morning’s news conference.
“Tropicana Field is a routine staging area for these things.
The roof on that ... I think it’s rated for 110 mph and so the forecast changes, but as it became clear that there was going to be something of that magnitude that was going to be within the distance, they redeployed them out of Tropicana.
There were no state assets that were inside Tropicana Field.”
The team previously said that Tropicana Field features the world’s largest cable-supported domed roof, with the panels made of “translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass” supported by 180 miles of cables connected by struts.
The roof was designed to withstand wind of up to 115 mph, according to the Rays. The stadium opened in 1990 at an initial cost $138 million and is due to be replaced in time for the 2028 season with a $1.3 billion ballpark.
Unlike two years ago when Hurricane Ian caused extensive damage that shut down the Tampa Bay Rays’ spring home in Port Charlotte, there were no reports of Milton causing serious issues that might impact operations this winter. The Rays continue to assess the situation at their training complex and stadium in Port Charlotte. The damage from Hurricane Ian cost more than $17 million to fix and forced the Rays to split workouts and spring training games between Disney World, near Orlando, and St. Petersburg in 2023. The Port Charlotte complex, which includes Charlotte Sports Park, reopened in time for spring training last winter.
“We’re
looking at other markets in the other direction, toward Asia. There’s probably more interest than we can handle.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell
Under that scenario, he said, the season would start around Labor Day and conclude around Presidents Day — the third Monday of February. Moving to an 18th game is seen as inevitable. The players union has indicated it is open to an agreement before the current labor deal expires after the 2030 season.
There are five international games this season, and Goodell said the league wants to increase to eight “quickly.” Dublin has been seen as the next likely host — after Madrid gets its first game in 2025.
“I have no doubt that we’re going to be playing in Ireland. I don’t know if it will be next year, but it’s coming soon,” Goodell said at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
He cited Rio de Janeiro as the possible host of the next Brazil game — Sao Paulo staged one this season.
London, which could get a night game at some point, has hosted regular-season games since 2007 and Germany since 2022.
“We’re looking at other markets in the other direction, toward Asia,” he said. “There’s probably more interest than we can handle.”
LYNNE SLADKY / AP PHOTO
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell walks on the field before a game between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills last month.
MIKE CARLSON / AP PHOTO
The roof of the Tropicana Field was damaged after Hurricane Milton hit the region.
the stream
Travis Kelce plays celebrity games,
‘Shrinking’ returns, ‘Dating Game’ frightens
Lin-Manuel Miranda releases his first full post-”Hamilton” musical
The Associated Press
TRAVIS KELCE adds game show host to his growing resume with “Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?” and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Warriors,” a musical concept album inspired by the 1979 cult classic film, are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time include Anna Kendrick starring in a movie about the time a serial killer made his way onto the television show “The Dating Game” and “NCIS” looking back at character Leroy Jethro Gibbs in “NCIS: Origins.”
MOVIES TO STREAM
In 1978, a serial killer made his way onto the television show “The Dating Game.” Rodney Alcala was already a murderer by the time he appeared on the show as one of three bachelors seeking a date with a woman named Cheryl Bradshaw. Had they done a background check, they might have discovered that he’d been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and already been imprisoned for violent crimes against an 8-year-old
In the new Netflix film “Woman of the Hour,” streaming Friday, Anna Kendrick stars as the woman on the show and puts the attention back on the victims.
If fake serial killers are more your style, “MaXXXine” starts streaming on MAX on Friday. The third film in Ti West and Mia Goth’s unlikely trilogy (following “X” and “Pearl”) takes the audience to the sleazy underground of 1980s Hollywood. Goth’s Maxine Minx is an adult film star hoping for a big break in mainstream movies. She gets a shot from Elizabeth Debicki’s refined director. But she’s also running from her past and a killer terrorizing the town. It’s very stylized and a little silly and underdeveloped, but it’s a fun watch with a fun, extended Lily Collins cameo.
And for those looking for a comedy, Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage play brother, and former partners in crime in a starry new movie coming to Prime Video on Thursday. Brolin is the one trying for a more normal life when Dinklage convinces him to embark on a road trip to a promised big score. “Brothers,” directed by Max Barbakow (who made the delightful time loop romantic comedy “Palm Springs”), also
features Marisa Tomei, Glenn Close, Brendan Fraser and Taylour Paige.
MUSIC TO STREAM
On Friday, Lin-Manuel Miranda — in his first full post-”Hamilton” musical — and the award-winning actor and playwright Eisa Davis will release “Warriors,” a musical concept album inspired by the 1979 cult classic film that follows a street gang as they make their way from the Bronx to their home turf of Coney Island amid an all-out blitz. There are some notable departures here, including some gender-flipping and inventive genre-melding, no doubt an extension of its allstar cast, which features everyone from Lauryn Hill and Marc Anthony to Colman Domingo, Busta Rhymes and more.
SHOWS TO STREAM
Austin Stowell plays a younger version of Mark Harmon’s “NCIS” character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, in “NCIS: Origins,” a series set 25 years before the orig-
inal. We meet this Gibbs as he’s beginning his career as a naval investigator. “NCIS: Origins” is available on CBS and streams on Paramount+. A new Peacock docuseries digs into the wild but true story of Elizabeth Finch, a former writer on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” Finch wrote storylines she claimed were inspired by her own life and medical history, including a battle with bone cancer. She later admitted to lying. The three-part docuseries also tells the story of Finch’s ex-wife, who was the one to expose her deceit in the first place. “Anatomy of Lies” is streaming on Peacock. Travis Kelce adds game show host to his growing resume. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end hosts “Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?” on Prime Video. On the show, adult contestants answer elementary-grade questions with a pool of celebrities on standby, ready to help.
In the Apple TV+’s dramedy “Shrinking,” Jason Segel plays Jimmy, a therapist grieving the death of his wife and trying to navigate being a single parent to
a teen daughter. In season one, he begins to give his patients unorthodox advice, like inviting one (Luke Tennie) to move into his home. We also saw a new kind of family blossom between Jimmy, his colleagues (Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams) and neighbor (Christa Miller). Season two of the heartwarming comedy premieres Wednesday on the streamer.
In season three of Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer,” Mickey Haller is rocked by the murder of his former client Gloria Days (Fiona Rene), but he also agrees to defend the man accused of killing her. The story is based on No. 5 of Michael Connelly’s The Lincoln Lawyer book series called “The Gods of Guilt.” It premieres Thursday on Netflix. The “Sheldon-verse” continues with “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” debuting Thursday on CBS. The series stars Montana Jordan as Sheldon’s older brother, George “Georgie” Cooper, and his new bride, Mandy, played by Emily Osment. It’s a sequel to “Young Sheldon,” which wrapped last May after seven
seasons. Episodes also stream on Paramount+. Coming to Peacock on Friday, “Hysteria!” follows members of a high school band who pretend to be in a Satanic cult for attention. Their plan falls apart when town members target the teens in a witch hunt. The series stars Julie Bowen of “Modern Family” and “Evil Dead” star Bruce Campbell.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
The holiday season is almost here, and for Nintendo fans, there’s no party like a Mario Party. Super Mario Party Jamboree follows the classic formula: It’s a virtual board game in which most of the spaces lead to a multiplayer contest. Up to four people can play in-person or online, though one online mode lets up to 20 compete in a hectic “Koopathlon.” There are 22 characters, seven different boards and more than 110 minigames covering the gamut of Mario Party silliness, from races to brawls to minigolf. The festivities start Thursday on Switch.
“NCIS: Origins,” “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity” and “Shrinking” are streaming this week.
LEAH GALLO / NETFLIX VIA AP
Tony Hale, from left, Anna Kendrick, Matt Visser, Jedidiah Goodacre and Daniel Zovatto star in “Woman of the Hour,” streaming on Netflix.
STATE & NATION
Man with gun arrested at checkpoint near Trump rally
The Las Vegas man was released on bail Saturday
By Christopher Weber
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — A Neva-
da man with a shotgun, loaded handgun, ammunition and several fake passports in his vehicle was arrested at a security checkpoint outside Donald Trump’s rally Saturday night in the Southern California desert, authorities said. He was released the same day on $5,000 bail.
The suspect, a 49-year-old resident of Las Vegas, was driving an unregistered black SUV with a “homemade” license plate that was stopped by deputies assigned to the rally in Coachella, east of Los Angeles, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.
The driver claimed to be a journalist, but it was unclear if he had the proper credentials. Deputies noticed the interior of the vehicle was “in disarray” and a search uncovered the weapons and ammo, along with multiple passports and driver licenses with different names, Bianco said.
The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine, the department said in a statement.
“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the
event,” the Saturday statement said. Trump had not yet arrived at the rally at the time of the arrest, the sheriff said Sunday.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 2, 2025, according to online records.
Bianco declined to speculate about the suspect’s motives or frame of mind. “We know we
prevented something bad from happening, and it was irrelevant what that bad was going to be,” Bianco said.
The man made it past an outer security boundary and was stopped at an inner perimeter patrolled by the sheriff’s department, Bianco said. Another security checkpoint closer to the ral-
Historic Jersey Shore amusement park closes after generations of family thrills
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier was founded in 1929
By Wayne Parry The Associated Press
OCEAN CITY, N.J. — For generations of vacationers heading to Ocean City, the towering “Giant Wheel” was the first thing they saw from miles away.
The sight of the 140-foot-tall ride let them know they were getting close to the Jersey Shore town that calls itself “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” with its promise of kid-friendly beaches, seagulls and sea shells, and a bustling boardwalk full of pizza, ice cream and cotton candy.
And in the heart of it was Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, an amusement park that was the latest in nearly a century-long line of family-friendly amusement attractions operated by the family of Ocean City’s mayor.
But the rides fell silent and still Sunday night, as the park, run by Ocean City’s mayor and nurtured by generations of his ancestors, closed down, the victim of financial woes made worse by the lingering aftereffects of the
ly site was operated by the Secret Service.
“The U.S. Secret Service assesses that the incident did not impact protective operations and former President Trump was not in any danger,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement Sunday. “While no federal arrest has been made at this time,
dren and five grandchildren, enjoying it one last time.
“I’ve been coming here forever,” she said. “My daughter is 43, and I’ve been coming here since she was 2 years old in a stroller. Now I’m here with my grandchildren.”
She remembers decades of bringing her family from Gloucester Township in the southern New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia to create happy family memories at Wonderland.
“Just the excitement on their faces when they get on the rides,” she said. “It really made it feel family-friendly. A lot of that is going to be lost now.”
There were long lines Sunday for the Giant Wheel, the log flume and other popular rides as people used the last of ride tickets many had bought earlier in the year, thinking Wonderland would go on forever.
“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event.”
Riverside County Sheriff
the investigation is ongoing.”
Media members, as well as VIP ticket holders, were routed through a number of intersections manned by state and local law enforcement officers before arriving at a large, grassy area where drivers were asked to open hoods and trunks, and each vehicle was searched by a K-9 officer.
Other general ticket holders were directed to a site roughly 3 miles away from the rally, where they were boarded onto buses and driven to the site.
Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the arrest.
Security is very tight at Trump rallies following two recent assassination attempts. Last month, a Greensboro man was indicted on an attempted assassination charge after authorities said he staked out the former president for 12 hours and wrote of his desire to kill him. The Florida arrest came two months after Trump was shot and wounded in the ear in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
kids; it’s called ‘Wonderland’ for a reason.”
The property’s current owner, Icona Resorts, previously proposed a $150-million, 325-room luxury hotel elsewhere on Ocean City’s boardwalk, but the city rejected those plans.
The company’s CEO, Eustace Mita, said earlier this year he would take at least until the end of the year to propose a use for the amusement park property. He bought it in 2021 after Gillian’s family was in danger of defaulting on bank loans for the property.
At a community meeting last month, Gillian said Wonderland could not bounce back from Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the pandemic in 2020 and an increase in New Jersey’s minimum wage that doubled his payroll costs, leaving him $4 million in debt.
COVID-19 pandemic and Superstorm Sandy.
Gillian and his family have operated amusement rides and attractions on the Ocean City Boardwalk for 94 years. The latest iteration of the park, Wonderland, opened in 1965.
Gillian did not respond to numerous requests for comment over the past week.
Sheryl Gross was at the park for its final day with her two chil-
“I tried my best to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, through increasingly difficult challenges each year,” Mayor Jay Gillian wrote in August when he announced the park would close. “It’s been my life, my legacy and my family. But it’s no longer a viable business.”
A local nonprofit group, Friends of OCNJ History and Culture, is raising money to try and save the amusement park, possibly under a new owner who might be more amenable to buying it with some financial assistance. Bill Merritt, one of the nonprofit’s leaders, said the group has raised more than $1 million to help meet what could be a $20-million price tag for the property.
“Ocean City will be fundamentally different without this attraction,” he said. “This town relies on being family-friendly. The park has rides targeted at
Mita put up funds to stave off a sheriff’s sale of the property and gave the mayor three years to turn the business around. That deadline expired this year.
Mita did not respond to requests for comment.
Merritt said he and others can’t imagine Ocean City without Wonderland.
“You look at it with your heart, and you say, ‘You’re losing all the cherished memories and all the history; how can you let that go?’” he said. “And then you look at it with your head and you say, ‘They are the reason this town is profitable; how can you let that go?’”
WAYNE PARRY / AP PHOTO
People ride the Giant Wheel and flying chair ride at Gillian’s Wonderland, the popular amusement park on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey, during its final day of operation Sunday before shutting down for good.
ALEX BRANDON / AP PHOTO
Former President Donald Trump gestures to the audience as he departs a campaign rally Saturday at the Calhoun Ranch in Coachella, California.
Rolling into town
Scores of bikers — the self-propelled sort — made their way through Randolph County last week as part of the Cycle North Carolina Mountains to Coast Ride. The seven-day, fully supported bicycle tour travels scenic back roads that showcase rural North Carolina, from Spruce Pine to Ocean Isle Beach.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Harris criticizes Trump on hurricane response comments
Kamala Harris used an appearance before a largely black church audience in Greenville to call out Donald Trump for spreading misinformation about the federal government’s hurricane response. The Democratic presidential nominee didn’t speak Trump’s name on Sunday. But the former president is most prominent among those promoting false claims that the government isn’t helping Republican storm victims. The vice president later held a rally in Raleigh on Sunday to encourage early voting. “There are some who are not acting in the spirit of community,” Harris said. “And I am speaking of these who have been literally not telling the truth, lying about people who are working hard to help the folks in need, spreading disinformation when the truth and facts are required.”
Republicans sue over N.C. overseas ballots
Lawsuits filed by the Republican National Committee argue that Michigan and North Carolina should not be allowing overseas voters who have never lived in their state to vote. Now is not the time to raise objections to state law that has been in place for 13 years, said Patrick Gannon, a spokesman for the North Carolina State Board of Elections. “This lawsuit was filed after voting had already begun in North Carolina for the general election,” Gannon said in a statement. “The time to challenge the rules for voter eligibility is well before an election, not after votes have already been cast.”
Asheboro, RCC expand career academy offerings
The high school’s partnership with the community college is expanding
By Bob Sutton Randolph Record
ASHEBORO HIGH’S list of career academies in partnership with Randolph Community College has grown.
The offerings have expanded to include light duty diesel, zoo horticulture, advanced manufacturing and community support services in addition to collision repair academy. The partnership between the high school and RCC began in 2018 with the automotive academy,
which has been redesigned into a collision repair academy.
“It helps them step right into a job,” said Sarah Beth Cox, who career technical education director for Asheboro City Schools.
That brings the total to five different programs. The additional offerings, which are available for juniors and seniors, begin with the spring semester.
The advanced manufacturing program is geared toward technology and robotics. The community support services academy is designed to prepare students for careers in social services and community outreach.
The academy partnership between Asheboro High School and RCC was suspended during
the pandemic before returning during the past school year.
Students are offered handson experience and specialized training in these fields, with the goal of preparing them for immediate entry into the workforce or post-secondary education. RCC provides free tuition to Asheboro students enrolled in these academies. The city school system supplies free transportation.
“We felt we should see about maximizing these opportunities,” Cox said. “We have a lot of students interested in these pathways. Our goal is that every student graduate with a plan.”
Students can earn a diploma or certificate recognizing their participation in the skills development.
Cox said the program “opens doors to meaningful and well-paying careers. By partnering with RCC, we are setting our students up for success in industries that need skilled workers.”
There have been 10 participants in the program when it was limited to automotive academy.
Cox said it probably will take time to build enrollment in the other programs, but she said the total could grow to 60 students.
“I can imagine it will take time to build that up,” she said.
The past automotive academy had been open to sophomores, but the restructured programs are for juniors and seniors.
Generally, a student will take two classes in the academy in each semester in order to qualify for a certificate.
Cox said RCC works to hold classes that fit into convenient time frames for the high school students.
Asheboro Council tackles busy October agenda
The council held multiple public hearings and discussed various economic and transportation items.
By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record
ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Council met for its monthly meeting on Oct. 10 with quite the busy agenda.
The council first held three legislative hearings, with the first being for an application to apply initial city zoning on over 2,200 acres of N.C. Zoological Park and N.C. Zoological Society property recently annexed into the city limits.
“The property was relatively recently annexed into the city limits by an act of the General Assembly and under state law, the city has to apply city zoning to all property within its jurisdiction,” said Assistant City Manager Trevor Nuttall. According to Nuttall, the property will be divided into two zonings: Low-Density Residential (R40) for the more rural or vacant areas and City
Tourism and Hospitality for the areas that are actively used as part of the zoo’s operations or are of close proximity to the zoo.
The second hearing was to rezone 0.7 acres of property located at 223 Brewer St. from Office-Apartment (OA6) to Medium-Density Residential (R7.5).
The final hearing was to rezone 61 acres of property located at the western terminus of Ferrari Drive and northwest of Old Humble Mill Road from general zoning (R40) to a conditional zoning for the purpose of developing a 21-lot manufactured home park.
“As we look 20 years down the road and probably even less than that, as this county grows by 100,000 people, this is an area where we’re going to develop and we need to look down the road,” said council member Eddie Burks. “This will be contiguous at some point. It’s going to happen because this is one of the few areas in which we can grow our city.”
The council also held a public hearing for the allocation of $20,000 to Downtown Ashe -
“We would not have this wonderful asset here in our backyard if we flattened it, built a mall and tried to recreate it.”
boro Inc. for the PRESERVE Asheboro grant program.
preservation consultant to help them get through the state and federal paperwork that would potentially be a barrier to historic preservation.
Following the hearings, the council approved each item.
Addie Corder, Asheboro Downtown Development manager See COUNCIL, page A2
“Asheboro is a designated North Carolina Main Street Community, and what that means is that we’re dedicated to economic development through historic preservation,” said Downtown Development Manager Addie Corder. “We would not have this wonderful asset here in our backyard if we flattened it, built a mall and tried to recreate it. So the purpose of this is to encourage thoughtful preservation as economic development in our downtown district.”
According to Corder, the purpose of the grant is to encourage downtown property owners to leverage a historic
The council also authorized city staff to prepare an agreement with NCDOT for approximately $587,000 in Carbon Reduction Program grant funding in regards to the proposed Zoo City Loop.
“This is one-time funding to help with startup costs for the service,” Nuttall said. “The funding will be used to purchase four electric light vehicles. Those are what are necessary when the city is ready to start the Zoo City Loop fixed route service.”
According to Nuttall, the city will have to contribute lo -
THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD
Local News Editor
Shawn Krest, Sports Editor
Dan Reeves, Features Editor
Bob Sutton, Randolph Editor
Ryan Henkel, Reporter
P.J. Ward-Brown, Photographer
BUSINESS
David Guy, Advertising Manager Published
Wolfspeed gets $750M government grant, $1.75B in investments and tax credits
Much
the funding will
toward its Siler City
By Josh Boak The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. —
The Biden administration announced plans Tuesday to provide up to $750 million in direct funding to Wolfspeed, with the money supporting its new silicon carbide factory in Siler City that makes the wafers used in advanced computer chips and its factory in Marcy, New York.
Wolfspeed’s use of silicon carbide enables the computer chips used in electric vehicles and other advanced technologies to be more efficient. The North Carolina-based company’s two projects are estimated to create 2,000 manufacturing jobs as part of a more than $6 billion expansion plan.
“Artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and clean energy are all technologies that will define the 21st century, and thanks to proposed investments in companies like Wolfspeed, the Biden administration is taking a meaningful step towards reigniting U.S. manufacturing of the chips that underpin these important technologies,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimon-
Oct. 8
We stand corrected To report an error or a suspected error, please email: corrections@nsjonline. com with “Correction request” in the subject line.
THURSDAY OCT 17
FRIDAY OCT 18
• Courtenay Marie Hineline, 32, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for misdemeanor larceny.
• Dasean Antonio Nicholson, 28, of Mount Gilead, was arrested by Asheboro PD for defrauding an innkeeper.
• Anthony Curtis Smith, 58, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for seconddegree trespass.
Oct. 9
• Donavon Andrew Hebert, 34, of Reidsville, was arrested by Asheboro PD for failure to appear, possession of methamphetamine, resisting a public officer, driving while license revoked, driving while impaired, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Jeffrey Wayne Owens, 43, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for intoxicated and disruptive behavior, false ambulance request, and resisting a public officer.
• Malcon Orlando Palacios-
SATURDAY OCT 19
SUNDAY OCT 20
MONDAY OCT 21
TUESDAY OCT 22
WEDNESDAY
Wolfspeed also expects to receive $1 billion from an advanced manufacturing tax credit, meaning the company in total will have access of up to $2.5 billion.
do said in a statement.
The new Wolfspeed facility in Siler City could be a critical symbol in this year’s election, as it opened earlier this year in a swing state county that is undergoing rapid economic expansion in large part due to incentives provided by the Biden administration.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, is making the case to voters that the administration’s mix of incentives are increasing factory work, while former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, says the threat of broad tariffs will cause overseas factories to relocate in the United States.
In 2023, President Joe Biden spoke at Wolfspeed to promote his economic agenda, saying it would help the United States
Vargas, 30, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for no operator’s license, resisting a public officer, failure to maintain lane control, and exceeding posted speed.
• Vanessa Dawn Taylor, 42, of Franklinville, was arrested by RCSO for second-degree trespass.
Oct. 10
• David Wayne Evans, 47, of Trinity, was arrested by RCSO for violating a domestic violence protective order.
• William Noel Whittington, 28, of Franklinville, was arrested by RCSO for felony probation violation and interfering with an electronic monitoring device.
Oct. 11
• Charles Eugene Saunders, 41, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for possession of methamphetamine and carrying a concealed weapon.
outcompete China. Trump narrowly won North Carolina during the 2020 presidential election and has talked about bringing back the state’s furniture manufacturing sector.
The Biden administration’s argument is that the government support encourages additional private investments, a case that appears to apply to Wolfspeed.
In addition to the government grant, a group of investment funds led by Apollo, The Baupost Group, Fidelity Management & Research Company and Capital Group plan to provide an additional $750 million to Wolfspeed, the company said. Wolfspeed also expects to receive $1 billion from an advanced manufacturing tax credit, meaning the company in total will have access of up to $2.5 billion.
Wolfspeed CEO Gregg Lowe told The Associated Press that the United States currently produces 70% of the world’s silicon carbide — and that the investments will help the country preserve its lead as China ramps up efforts in the sector.
Lowe said “we’re very happy with this grant” and that the Commerce Department staff awarding funds from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act was “terrific.”
Oct. 12
• Daren Ray Biddix, 27, of Franklinville, was arrested by RCSO for failure to appear and false ambulance request.
• Randy Lee Turner, 35, of Archdale, was arrested by Archdale PD for assault on a female.
Oct. 14
• Ethan Dell Harvell, 26, of Archdale, was arrested by RCSO for possession of stolen goods and resisting a public officer.
• Francisco Ismael ReynaNiebles, 20, of Thomasville, was arrested by Archdale PD for possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana.
• Jose David Uribe-Casanova, 20, of Thomasville, was arrested by Archdale PD for possession with intent to sell/deliver marijuana and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
Randolph Guide
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Randolph County:
Oct. 19
Annual Hospice of Randolph’s Auction & Barbecue
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunset Avenue Church of God, 900 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro
The 39th Annual Hospice Auction & Barbecue will include $10 plates with a generous portion of BBQ prepared by the Randolph Livestock and Poultry Improvement Association, beans, hushpuppies, slaw, and a homemade dessert.
For more, visit hospiceofrandolph.org/ events
Oct. 21
TeenZone
4 to 5 p.m.
Asheboro Public Library
201 Worth St.
Every Monday at 4 p.m., teens take over the TeenZone at the Asheboro Public Library! Asheboro Public Library TeenZone hosts programs for ages 12-plus, including arts and crafts, book clubs, tutoring nights and more. Free programs, no registration required.
For more information, call 336-318-6804.
Oct. 22
Randolph County Farmers Market
2 to 6 p.m.
214 Park Dr., Archdale
Asheboro Downtown Farmers Market
7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
134 S Church St.
This is a growers-only market where you will find local, homegrown and home-processed products from Randolph County. The farmers featured are from diverse and minority backgrounds.
For more information, call 336-626-1240.
COUNCIL from page A1 cal funds as well and the anticipated annual cost of the service would be around $200,000.
“Once we initiate it, those ongoing operational costs will be there and will be steady moving forward,” Nuttall said.
The city would be partnering with Randolph Senior Adults Association for this project if the council decides to go through with the final agreement.
In addition, the council approved a $650,000 loan for a 48-unit multifamily affordable housing development for the elderly titled Memorial Square.
According to Finance Director Deborah Reaves, the loan has a 4% interest rate with payments of $26,000 annually and a maturity date of Dec. 31, 2046. The Asheboro City Council will next meet Nov. 7.
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
Neighbors helping neighbors
Now is the time for agencies like FEMA to work efficiently and support — not hinder — the recovery effort in North Carolina.
IT BREAKS MY HEART to see the devastation brought to our beautiful state and all those impacted by Hurricane Helene. The damage is unbelievably catastrophic and communities across western North Carolina face a long road to recovery, but we will be with them every step of the way.
Our North Carolina congressional delegation is working together to ensure these communities have the federal support they need as they recover and rebuild, and my staff and I are in close communication with federal, state and local partners.
Recently, I led Republican members of our delegation in urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to utilize the unoccupied Greensboro Influx Care Facility (ICF) to assist in western North Carolina’s recovery efforts. After my repeated requests, FEMA told us it will have the facility available, but more needs to be done. Countless North Carolinians are now tragically displaced or without basic supplies because of Hurricane Helene, and they must be taken care of and offered every resource available.
My team and I are continuing to receive briefings from FEMA, HHS, North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) and other agencies on their ongoing efforts to help western North Carolina. While I am extremely frustrated by how slow the federal response has been, I am grateful for the service of the first responders, troops, charitable organizations, and individuals across the state and nation who are stepping up and saving lives. I will keep pushing to get more resources and support on the ground quickly because these communities need help.
In support of these efforts, I joined several of my House Republican
COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE
colleagues in demanding the Biden-Harris administration remove as many federal barriers as possible to make it easier for communities to rebuild homes and businesses. Western North Carolina and all regions affected by Helene do not have the time to deal with burdensome, unnecessary regulations as they work to rebuild from the ground up. The clock is ticking, and if bureaucratic red tape gets in the way, it will be a serious failure by the federal government.
Additionally, I’ve been in contact with our hospitals and health care providers to ensure they have all they need to take care of patients. I’ve been working with HHS to make sure hospitals are open and they have sufficient resources, including medicines and surgical tools, to treat patients throughout the impacted region.
Now is the time for agencies like FEMA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work efficiently and support — not hinder — the recovery effort in North Carolina and across the Southeast. Countless lives have been uprooted, and the last thing they need is government interference.
While this tragedy is a once in a lifetime event, we are reminded that we are Carolina Strong. Back home in our region, I saw firsthand all the people that have stepped up to help collect supplies and send them to our neighbors in western North Carolina. It was truly inspiring to see neighbors helping neighbors, and I’m thankful for all those who are lending a hand.
We continue to pray for everyone affected by this storm. Should you or a family member need assistance, please visit my website for Hurricane Helene resources and information: hudson.house.gov/hurricane-heleneresources. The road ahead will be incredibly tough, but North Carolinians are resilient.
Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District.
What the census can tell us about swing states
If Trump carries Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona, Harris must win all three “blue wall” states to be elected president.
JONATHAN DRAEGER, reporter for RealClearPolitics, wrote Tuesday that “the 2024 presidential contest couldn’t be tighter.” Unless, of course, it turns out not to be nearly as close as this season’s run of polls suggests it is.
One indication that it might not be was a New York Times-Siena poll released this week showing Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris in Florida 55% to 41%. That’s quite a switch from the 48.85% to 48.84% by which George W. Bush carried the state in 2000, or the 48.6% to 47.4% there for Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016.
As the Times’ brilliant and painstaking poll analyst Nate Cohn wrote, this result could just turn out to be an outlier: Polling theory says one in 20 polls is outside the margin of error. Or it could represent a continuation of the 2022 offyear results, which showed Republicans doing much better in Florida than in the current target states, such as Pennsylvania and Michigan. But it could also have resulted, he explained, from population change. According to Census Bureau estimates, Florida’s population grew by 4.7% between July 2020 and July 2023 (the latest available), a greater percentage increase than any other state except much less populous Idaho. That’s a population increase of more than 1 million people in just three years, with many newcomers perhaps attracted by Florida’s famously less restrictive COVID-19 policies.
As Cohn noted, many other polls may miss the effects of interelection demographic changes by weighting results according to respondents’ recollections of previous votes. Since voters historically have overreported supporting election winners, this tends to overstate support for the previously losing party and, in this case, for Trump. However, pollsters take that risk for fear of understating his support, as so many 2016 and 2020 polls did.
Cohn’s analysis raises the question of whether population shifts may affect the balance, which seems exquisitely close, in the seven target states. So let’s look at the changes in the 2020 and 2023 census estimates by county. Nationally, the period saw movement away from central cities and toward exurbs and salubrious rural areas.
This analysis reveals little about Nevada, where 69% of 2020 votes and 79% of the 202023 population increase were in Las Vegascentered Clark County.
A little more can be said about Arizona, where Phoenix-centered Maricopa County had 61% of 2020 votes and 58% of the 202023 population increase. Among smaller counties, those leaning Republican grew by 83,000 people (all totals rounded off), and those leaning Democratic, including Tucson’s Pima County, grew by 21,000. Advantage: Republicans.
The picture is mixed in fast-growing and excruciatingly marginal Georgia and North Carolina.
North Carolina’s population grew by 3.7% overall and by 4% in the six counties, including those with Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro and Winston-Salem, which voted 56% to 75% for Joe Biden. The other 94 counties (mostly Republican) grew by 3.5%. That slight edge, plus the weakness of the Republican nominee for governor, gives Democrats reason to hope Harris can win the one target state Biden lost by 49.9% to 48.6% in 2020.
Georgia, which Trump lost 49.5% to 49.2%, looks different. Metropolitan Atlanta’s three central counties, heavily Democratic, grew by only 7,000 people, and four Democratic-trending ring counties with diverse populations increased by 44,000. But 12 mostly white exurban counties, which vote overwhelmingly Republican, increased by 100,000, and with polls showing black voters trending Republican, Trump is likely to reduce Democratic margins in black-majority exurban counties whose population increased by 22,000.
The three northern “blue wall” states, in contrast, had less than 1% population loss (Pennsylvania and Michigan) or gain (Wisconsin). If, as many expect, Trump carries Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona, Harris must win all three “blue wall” states to be elected president.
In Pennsylvania, Democrats depend heavily on big margins in Philadelphia, and in 2020, turnout increased to 743,000, a 40-year high. But Philadelphia’s population fell by 50,000 people in 2020-23, and a Philadelphia Inquirer report detailed that Hispanic and black voters in Philadelphia have been trending Republican. The city’s four suburban county populations rose by just 27,000. Not enough to offset the city decline and the likely increased Hispanic
support in five blue-collar counties beyond metropolitan Philadelphia.
In western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh’s Allegheny County, with trendy inner-city neighborhoods and upscale suburbs, lost 25,000 people, while nearby Butler County, where Trump was shot July 13 and returned two Saturdays ago, gained 4,000. Overall, the state beyond metropolitan Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where Biden carried only eight of 57 counties, gained 19,000 people.
In Michigan, the picture is similar. The three counties, including or touching on Detroit, lost 46,000 people in 2020-23, and the industrial belt from Flint to Bay City, where Democrats are struggling, lost another 8,000. The three counties with large universities, which delivered a higher Biden percentage than either of the two blue-collar areas, lost 6,000. The state’s other 74 counties, which voted 58% to 40% for Trump over Biden, gained 26,000. Wisconsin seems slightly more favorable for Democrats. The historic Democratic powerhouse, Milwaukee County, lost 22,000 people, but the three suburban WOW counties, historically Republican but a little less so in the Trump era, gained just 8,000. That is overmatched by the 13,000 gained by Madison’s Dane County, which, with its state capital and flagship university, exceeded Milwaukee’s Democratic percentage and almost equaled its Democratic vote margin in 2020.
Let me close with a perhaps unscientific observation. Looking at the target state polls reported by RealClearPolitics with all or the bulk of interviews conducted since Sept. 25, I note that 14 show Trump leading, along with one for Harris and one tie. It’s less one-sided if you look at the target state polls reported by Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin, but still with 15 for Trump, six for Harris and six ties. Note that there are almost no target state polls conducted since the vice presidential debate on Oct. 1. Have the vibes run out for Harris, as my Washington Examiner colleague W. James Antle suggests? Seems like a fair question.
Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”
COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON
Fla. neighbors band together in recovery from Helene, Milton
The hurricanes struck the state within two weeks of each other
By Russ Bynum and Laura Bargfeld
The Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — When ankle-deep floodwaters from Hurricane Helene bubbled up through the floors of their home, Kat Robinson-Malone and her husband sent a latenight text message to their neighbors two doors down: “Hey, we’re coming.”
The couple waded through the flooded street to the elevated front porch of Chris and Kara Sundar, whose home was built on higher ground, and handed over their 8-year-old daughter and a gas-powered generator.
The Sundars’ lime-green house in southern Tampa also became a refuge for Brooke and Adam Carstensen, whose house next door to Robinson-Malone also flooded.
The three families met years earlier when their children became playmates, and the adults’ friendships deepened during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. So when Helene and Hurricane Milton struck Florida within two weeks of each other, the neighbors closed ranks as one big extended family, cooking meals together, taking turns watching children and clean-
i
ng out their damaged homes.
And as Milton threatened a direct strike on Tampa last week, the Malones, Sundars and Carstensens decided to evacuate together. They drove more than 450 miles in a caravan to metro Atlanta — seven adults, six children, four dogs and teenage Max Carstensen’s three pet rats.
“Everyone has, like, the chainsaw or a tarp,” Robinson-Malone said Sunday. “But really the most important thing for us was the community we built. And that made all the difference for the hurricane rescue and the recovery. And now, hopefully, the restoration.”
Recovery efforts continued Sunday in storm-battered communities in central Florida, where President Joe Biden surveyed the devastation. Biden said he was thankful the damage from Milton was not as severe as officials had anticipated. But he said it was still a “cataclysmic” event for people caught in the path of the hurricane, which has been blamed for at least 11 deaths.
The number of homes and businesses in Florida still without electricity dropped to about 500,000 on Sunday, according to Poweroutage.us. That was down from more than 3 million after Milton made landfall Wednesday as a Category 3 storm.
Fuel shortages also appeared
to be easing as more gas stations opened, and lines at pumps in the Tampa area looked notably shorter. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced nine sites where people can get 10 gallons each for free.
While recovery efforts were gaining steam, a full rebound will take far longer.
DeSantis cautioned that debris removal could take up to a year, even as Florida shifts nearly 3,000 workers to the cleanup. He said Biden has approved 100% federal reimbursement for those efforts for 90 days.
“The (removal of) debris has to be 24/7 over this 90-day period,” DeSantis said while speaking next to a pile of furniture, lumber and other debris in Treasure Island, an island city near St. Petersburg that has been battered by both recent hurri-
canes. “That’s the way you get the job done.”
National Weather Service meteorologist Paul Close said rivers will keep rising for the next several days and result in flooding, mostly around Tampa Bay and northward. Those areas got the most rain, which came on top of a wet summer that included several hurricanes.
Meanwhile, residents unable to move back into their damaged homes were making other arrangements.
Robinson-Malone and her husband, Brian, bought a camper trailer that’s parked in their driveway. They plan to live there while their gutted home is repaired and also improved to make it more resilient against hurricanes.
“These storms, they’re just
US to send missile defense system to Israel
Troops will also be deployed to operate the technology
By Lolita C. Baldor
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it, the Pentagon said Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden. He said the system will help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s ballistic
missile attacks on Israel in April and October.
The delivery of the sophisticated missile defense system risks further inflaming the conflict in the Middle East despite widespread diplomatic efforts to avoid an all-out war. The Iranian warning came in a post on the social platform X long associated with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who noted the earlier reports that the U.S. was considering the deployment.
Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have been clashing since Oct. 8, 2023, when the Lebanese militant group began firing rockets over the border in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza. Late last month, Israel launched a ground invasion into Lebanon.
Israel is widely believed to be preparing a military response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack when it
fired roughly 180 missiles into Israel.
In a brief exchange with reporters before leaving Florida on Sunday, Biden said he agreed to deploy the THAAD battery “to defend Israel.” Biden spoke at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa after making a quick visit to see the damage caused by Hurricane Milton and meet with first responders, residents and local leaders.
Ryder, in his statement, said the deployment “underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran.”
It was not immediately apparent where the THAAD battery was coming from or when it will arrive. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli army spokesman, declined to provide any timeline
for its arrival but thanked the U.S. for its support.
The U.S. deployed one of the batteries to the Middle East along with additional Patriot battalions to bolster protections for U.S. forces in the region late last year after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas militants. Ryder also said the U.S. sent a THAAD battery to Israel in 2019 for training.
It also is not unusual for the U.S. to have a limited number of troops in Israel, which the U.S. considers a key regional ally. There generally has been a small number of forces there consistently, as well as routine rotational deployments for training and exercises.
The THAAD will add another layer to Israel’s already significant air defenses, which include separate systems designed to intercept long-range,
going to keep happening,” she said. “And we want to be prepared for it.”
The Carstensens plan to demolish what’s left of their flooded, low-slung home, which was built in 1949, and replace it with a new house higher off the ground. For the time being, they are staying with Brooke Carstensen’s mother.
Chris Sundar said he’s questioning his plan to remain in Tampa until his children have all graduated from high school a decade from now. His house remains the home base for the families’ kids, ages 8 to 13. On the wall is a list of chores for them all, from folding laundry to emptying wastebaskets. Brooke Carstensen, a teacher, has helped the children through an extended period without school.
medium-range and shortrange threats. Israel recently retired its U.S.-made Patriot systems after decades of use.
According to an April report by the Congressional Research Service, the Army has seven THAAD batteries. Generally, each consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment, and requires 95 soldiers to operate.
The THAAD is considered a complementary system to the Patriot but can defend a wider area. It can hit targets at 93 to 124 miles and is used to destroy short-range, medium-range and limited intermediate-range ballistic missile threats that are either inside or outside the atmosphere.
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is responsible for developing the system, but it is operated by the Army. An eighth system has been funded and ordered and is expected to be in the field sometime next year.
CHRIS O’MEARA / AP PHOTO
Chris Sundar measures the depth of floodwaters from Hurricane Milton in his garage in Tampa, Florida.
Lowell Thomas “Tom” Snead
Nov. 5, 1934 – Oct. 12, 2024
Mr. Lowell Thomas “Tom” Snead passed away after a brief illness at the Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro. Services are pending at this time.
Linda Lee Konold
Dec. 9, 1950 – Oct. 8, 2024
Linda Lee Konold (née Banks) passed away at home on October 8, 2024.
She leaves sister Nancy B. Mandel, Highland Park IL; niece Laurie Field and husband Michael Clark, Evanston IL; nephew Scott Field, Highland Park IL; brothers-in-law Thomas and wife Linda (Micky), Seven Lakes NC; James and husband Tim Hackett, Raleigh NC; Peter and wife Toni, Sykesville MD; Paul and wife Stephanie, Leesburg VA; and sister-inlaw Mary Peet and husband Jeff, North Ft Meyers FL, along with many beloved nieces and nephews. In particular her niece Erin King was an attentive and loving support over the past year.
Linda was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 51 years, John; mother Alice Johnson Banks; and father Jack Banks.
Linda was born in Chicago on December 9, 1950 and grew up in Skokie and Evanston IL. She and John met on Lee Street beach as teenagers and after that, never left one another’s sides. They followed their dream of moving to Pinehurst NC in 1989 and never looked back.
Linda was a lover of dogs, birds and wildlife, games, politics, a good meal and a good laugh but most of all, John. They gave wonderful lives to Corgi dogs Chubby, Tootie, Myrtle, Betty, Weezie and Birdie. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Audubon Society of North Carolina would be appreciated. Please click the donate button below to support Audubon in Linda’s memory.
Betty Lou Yow McMillan
Aug. 30, 1935 – Oct. 11, 2024
Betty Lou Yow McMillan, 89, of Asheboro, North Carolina, passed away Friday, October 11, 2024, at Randolph Health, Asheboro, NC.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 14, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Tim Carter officiating. Burial will follow at Back Creek Friends Meeting Cemetery.
Betty was born in Randolph Co., NC, on August 30, 1935. She attended Back Creek Friends Meeting and retired from AcmeMcCrary Corporation. She enjoyed bowling and bowled for the Acme-McCrary team. Betty will always be remembered as a superb cook.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, James Arlie Yow, Molene Trotter Yow Brantley and James Reece Brantley; husband Ralph McMillan; son, Donald “Donnie” Lamar; sisters, Mary Ludlum, JoAnn Cranford, Louise Cole; and brother, Robert Yow.
Betty is survived by her son, Michael Lamar (Judy); stepson, Duane McMillan; stepdaughters, Tammy McMillan, Wanda McMillan Lisk; five grandchildren; and several step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home, prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Back Creek Friends Meeting, Cemetery Fund, 139 Back Creek Church Road, Asheboro, NC 27205.
Ronald “Ron” Tucker
Sept. 2, 1947 – Oct. 8, 2024
Ronald “Ron” Tucker, age 77, passed away while surrounded by his loved ones on October 8, 2024, at Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro. He was born September 2, 1947, in San Diego, California the son of the late Jack Buford Tucker and Eddie Merle Vick Tucker. He is also preceded in death by his infant son, Travis Ronald Tucker. Ron served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. He retired after a 36-year career as a long-haul truck driver. For diligence behind the wheel while driving and 20 years of safe accident-free driving practices he became the recipient of the Safe Driver Award while employed with Billings Freight Systems out of Lexington, NC. He enjoyed living at the beach and had a talent for building HO Scale Model Trains as a hobby. Most of all he was a dedicated husband and father that loved spending time in the company of his family and close friends.
Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 46 years, Joyce Tucker; devoted daughter, Anna Tucker; brother, Mike Tucker and wife Martha; sister, Sheree Mueller; stepmother, Eloise Tucker; feline companion, Willow; and numerous nieces, nephews and other beloved family and friends.
A celebration of life will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, October 20, 2024, at Midstate Cremation and Funeral Service, 304 Lanier Avenue, Asheboro, NC 27203 with Anthony Cheek officiating. Flowers are welcome, or memorial donations may be made to The Hospice of Randolph County or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Ron Parker
Sept. 17, 1959 – Oct. 11, 2024
Ronald Wayne Parker, 65, of Asheboro, North Carolina, passed away Friday, October 11, 2024, at Atrium Health - Wake Forest Baptist, Winston Salem, NC.
Memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m., Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home with Rev. Ricky Henson officiating. Military Honors will be provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard.
Ron was born in Montgomery Co., NC, on September 17, 1959, the son of the late Robert Lee Parker Sr. and Frances Dorothy Dorsett Parker. He was a proud highly decorated US Army veteran who served in Iraq and Korea. Ron worked for PRO-AM Racing, International Motor Sports Association and Georgia Pacific. He was a avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed golfing. Ron loved his wife dearly.
In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Lee Parker Jr. and Donald Lane Parker.
Surviving are his wife of 43 years, Pok Sun Parker; sister, Sharon Deese; nieces, Kari Brussi; nephew, John Sparks; great niece, Mila Brussi; great nephew, Ezra Lakes; and aunt, Bernell Braswell.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family.
Brenda Kay Seabolt Turner
April 23, 1952 – Oct. 7, 2024
Brenda Kay Seabolt Turner, 72, of Asheboro, North Carolina, passed away Monday, October 7, 2024, at Cross Road Retirement Community, Asheboro, NC.
Funeral Service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Friday, October 11, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Ed Arroyo and Pastor Jamie Draughn officiating.
Mrs. Turner was born in Randolph Co., NC, on April 23, 1952, the daughter of the late John Seabolt and Beulah Cox Seabolt. She was in the first graduating class of Southwestern Randolph High School and retired as a CNA at Cross Road Retirement Community. She attended C-4 church in Asheboro, loved her dog “Sweetie”, and enjoyed sending cards to family and friends.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Turner was preceded in death by her sisters, Patsy Dombrowski and Janet Pierce.
Mrs. Turner is survived by her partner in life, Jacob Lucas, and his children, Aaron Lucas and Iris Wright. She is also survived by her sons, Kevin Turner (Stephanie Younger) of Trinity, John Turner (Angie) of Staley, Don Turner (Angel) of Asheboro; sister, Judy Saunders of Asheboro; brother, Don Seabolt (Pam) of Asheboro; grandchildren, Dylan Turner (Karley), Logan Turner, Austin Turner, Joshua Turner (Taylor), Evan Turner, Jayden Turner, Gabriella Turner; greatgrandchildren, Laurel Lynn Turner and Rosemary Turner.
The family will receive friends from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Friday, October 11, 2024, at Ridge Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, Attn: Hurricane Helene Relief, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or at https://www.samaritanspurse. org/disaster/hurricane-helene/; or to CUOC, 930 S Fayetteville St, Asheboro, NC 27203.
Mark Lowe
Oct. 12, 1968 – Oct. 10, 2024
John Mark Lowe, age 55, of Ramseur passed away Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Ramseur Health and Rehab.
Mark was born in Randolph County on October 12, 1968, to Howard and Margaret Lowe. He was a graduate of Asheboro High School and owner/operator of Gate City Electric.
Mark is survived by his children, Jordan (Christine) Callicutt of Asheboro, Hannah (Gabriel) McMahan of Randleman; Rachel (Shane) Moore of Kentucky; grandchildren, Xavier, Cameron, Garrett, Ruth; brothers, Tony Lowe (Krista), Tim Phalen; sister, Donna (Jeff) Scott. No services are planned at this time. Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Lowe family.
Jeffrey Alan Riggs
Jan. 4, 1963 – Oct. 7, 2024
Jeffery Alan Riggs, age 61, of Asheboro, passed away on October 7, 2024, at Randolph Hospital.
Mr. Riggs was born in High Point, NC on January 4, 1963, to Charlie and Lillian Cook Riggs and attended Southern Guilford High School. In addition to his parents, Jeffery was preceded in death by his spouse, Barbara Sawyer. Jeffery was a kind and hard-working man who was always willing to lend a helping hand. He was a good cook and liked to fish. Jeffery loved fast cars and building cars and motorcycles. Most of all Jeffery loved his grandchildren unconditionally. He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie Loflin (Jon) of Thomasville; stepchildren, Michael Sawyer (Carly) of Asheboro, Brandon Sawyer (Stephanie) of Asheboro, Ashley Sawyer of Kannapolis, and Christy Hunt of Randleman; grandchildren, Charles Loflin, Lane Sawyer, Tessa Winningham, Whyatt Winningham, Preston Chriscoe, Triston Chriscoe, Ian Sawyer, Cayden Voncannon, and Alexis Sawyer; brother, Charles Riggs of High Point; and sister, Judy Riggs of Greensboro. A graveside service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Ronald McDonald House Charities, 419 S. Hawthorne Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
Lucy Ann Staples Sykes
Sept. 9, 1960 – Oct. 8, 2024
Lucy Ann Staples Sykes, 64, of Randleman, passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2024, at Hospice of Randolph in Asheboro, NC. She was born September 9, 1960, in Greensboro, NC to Jennings Price Staples Sr. and Carol Lee Carter Staples.
Lucy will be remembered as a loving and caring daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She was known as a people person and loved to talk about all things. Aside from traveling, Lucy enjoyed taking boat rides. Above all, she loved her family and spending time with her six siblings and her nieces and nephews.
Lucy is survived by her brothers, Jake Staples Jr. of Ramseur, Michael Staples (Susan) of Supply, Jessie Staples (Patsy) of Asheboro, and Samuel Staples of Trinity; sisters, Susan Smith of Hamlet and Audrey Staples of Randleman; several nieces and nephews. Lucy is preceded in death by her parents, Jennings and Carol Staples; brothers, David Staples and Tommy Staples; and sister, Lisa Staples.
The family welcomes you Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 3 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 528 Old Liberty Road, Asheboro, NC. Pastor Mark Keck, II and Benny Smith will officiate. The family will greet friends after the service.
Pugh Funeral Home is serving the Sykes family.
Diane Bower
July 5, 1958 – Oct. 5, 2024
Gwendolyn Diane Brower, age 66, of Asheboro, passed away on October 5, 2024 at Randolph Hospital.
Ms. Brower was born in Washington, DC on July 5, 1958, to Lewis and Grace Brady Brower. Gwendolyn was formerly employed as a manager with Kentucky Fried Chicken. In addition to her parents, Gwendolyn was preceded in death by her daughter, Sheri Goldston, several nieces and nephews, and her good friend, Joe Ashworth Sr. Gwendolyn had a heart of gold and attended Kingdom Culture Church in Siler City. She loved puzzles, cooking, and watching TV, but most of all she loved her grandchildren.
She is survived by her son, Joe Ashworth Jr.; grandchildren, Junior, Miracle, Iyanni, and Kayla; great granddaughter, Evelyn; sisters, Gladys Smith, Mary Patterson, Janice Brower, and Lisa Brower; and brothers, Johnny Brower and Lloyd Miser.
The family will receive friends on Monday, October 14, 2024 from 5-7 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at the Pugh Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Shawn Cox officiating.
Gwendolyn
STATE & NATION
Man with gun arrested at checkpoint near Trump rally
The Las Vegas man was released on bail Saturday
By Christopher Weber
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — A Nevada man with a shotgun, loaded handgun, ammunition and several fake passports in his vehicle was arrested at a security checkpoint outside Donald Trump’s rally Saturday night in the Southern California desert, authorities said. He was released the same day on $5,000 bail.
The suspect, a 49-year-old resident of Las Vegas, was driving an unregistered black SUV with a “homemade” license plate that was stopped by deputies assigned to the rally in Coachella, east of Los Angeles, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.
The driver claimed to be a journalist, but it was unclear if he had the proper credentials. Deputies noticed the interior of the vehicle was “in disarray” and a search uncovered the weapons and ammo, along with multiple passports and driver licenses with different names, Bianco said.
The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine, the department said in a statement.
“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event,” the Saturday statement said. Trump had not yet arrived at the rally at the time of the arrest, the sheriff said Sunday. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 2, 2025, according to online records. Bianco declined to speculate about the suspect’s motives or frame of mind. “We know we
prevented something bad from happening, and it was irrelevant what that bad was going to be,” Bianco said.
The man made it past an outer security boundary and was stopped at an inner perimeter patrolled by the sheriff’s department, Bianco said. Another security checkpoint closer to the ral-
Historic Jersey Shore amusement park closes after generations of family thrills
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier was founded in 1929
By Wayne Parry The Associated Press
OCEAN CITY, N.J. — For generations of vacationers heading to Ocean City, the towering “Giant Wheel” was the first thing they saw from miles away.
The sight of the 140-foot-tall ride let them know they were getting close to the Jersey Shore town that calls itself “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” with its promise of kid-friendly beaches, seagulls and sea shells, and a bustling boardwalk full of pizza, ice cream and cotton candy.
And in the heart of it was Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, an amusement park that was the latest in nearly a century-long line of family-friendly amusement attractions operated by the family of Ocean City’s mayor.
But the rides fell silent and still Sunday night, as the park, run by Ocean City’s mayor and nurtured by generations of his ancestors, closed down, the victim of financial woes made worse by the lingering aftereffects of the
COVID-19 pandemic and Superstorm Sandy.
Gillian and his family have operated amusement rides and attractions on the Ocean City Boardwalk for 94 years. The latest iteration of the park, Wonderland, opened in 1965.
“I tried my best to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, through increasingly diffi-
cult challenges each year,” Mayor Jay Gillian wrote in August when he announced the park would close. “It’s been my life, my legacy and my family. But it’s no longer a viable business.”
Gillian did not respond to numerous requests for comment over the past week.
Sheryl Gross was at the park for its final day with her two chil-
ly site was operated by the Secret Service.
“The U.S. Secret Service assesses that the incident did not impact protective operations and former President Trump was not in any danger,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement Sunday. “While no federal arrest has been made at this time,
dren and five grandchildren, enjoying it one last time.
“I’ve been coming here forever,” she said. “My daughter is 43, and I’ve been coming here since she was 2 years old in a stroller. Now I’m here with my grandchildren.”
She remembers decades of bringing her family from Gloucester Township in the southern New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia to create happy family memories at Wonderland.
“Just the excitement on their faces when they get on the rides,” she said. “It really made it feel family-friendly. A lot of that is going to be lost now.”
There were long lines Sunday for the Giant Wheel, the log flume and other popular rides as people used the last of ride tickets many had bought earlier in the year, thinking Wonderland would go on forever.
A local nonprofit group, Friends of OCNJ History and Culture, is raising money to try and save the amusement park, possibly under a new owner who might be more amenable to buying it with some financial assistance. Bill Merritt, one of the nonprofit’s leaders, said the group has raised more than $1 million to help meet what could be a $20-million price tag for the property.
“Ocean City will be fundamentally different without this attraction,” he said. “This town relies on being family-friendly. The park has rides targeted at
“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event.”
Riverside County sheriff
the investigation is ongoing.”
Media members, as well as VIP ticket holders, were routed through a number of intersections manned by state and local law enforcement officers before arriving at a large, grassy area where drivers were asked to open hoods and trunks, and each vehicle was searched by a K-9 officer. Other general ticket holders were directed to a site roughly 3 miles away from the rally, where they were boarded onto buses and driven to the site.
Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the arrest. Security is very tight at Trump rallies following two recent assassination attempts. Last month, a Greensboro man was indicted on an attempted assassination charge after authorities said he staked out the former president for 12 hours and wrote of his desire to kill him. The Florida arrest came two months after Trump was shot and wounded in the ear in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
kids; it’s called ‘Wonderland’ for a reason.”
The property’s current owner, Icona Resorts, previously proposed a $150-million, 325-room luxury hotel elsewhere on Ocean City’s boardwalk, but the city rejected those plans.
The company’s CEO, Eustace Mita, said earlier this year he would take at least until the end of the year to propose a use for the amusement park property. He bought it in 2021 after Gillian’s family was in danger of defaulting on bank loans for the property.
At a community meeting last month, Gillian said Wonderland could not bounce back from Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the pandemic in 2020 and an increase in New Jersey’s minimum wage that doubled his payroll costs, leaving him $4 million in debt.
Mita put up funds to stave off a sheriff’s sale of the property and gave the mayor three years to turn the business around. That deadline expired this year.
Mita did not respond to requests for comment.
Merritt said he and others can’t imagine Ocean City without Wonderland.
“You look at it with your heart, and you say, ‘You’re losing all the cherished memories and all the history; how can you let that go?’” he said. “And then you look at it with your head and you say, ‘They are the reason this town is profitable; how can you let that go?’”
WAYNE PARRY / AP PHOTO
People ride the Giant Wheel and flying chair ride at Gillian’s Wonderland, the popular amusement park on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey, during its final day of operation Sunday before shutting down for good.
ALEX BRANDON / AP PHOTO
Former President Donald Trump gestures to the audience as he departs a campaign rally Saturday at the Calhoun Ranch in Coachella, California.
RandolpH SPORTS
a hole during Friday night’s game against
Big scoring boosts teams in PAC victories
There were large winning margins for the Tigers, Wildcats and Cougars
Randolph Record staff
HIGH-SCORING outputs were in the works for the winning teams Friday night in high school football.
Randleman and Eastern Randolph remained unbeaten, while Southwestern Randolph picked up its first Piedmont Athletic Conference.
Randleman 42, Providence Grove 10: At Climax, three of John Kirkpatrick’s four touchdown passes went to
Chase Farlow in the PAC road game, putting a dent on the Patriots’ homecoming.
Brayden Gladden caught the other touchdown pass, while Daylan Atkins and Triston Chriscoe ran for touchdowns for the Tigers (7-0, 2-0).
Farlow had catches to account for 116 of Kirkpatrick’s 164 passing yards. Providence Grove (2-5, 1-1) scored on Jackson Lawver’s run and Carson Jones’ 36-yard field goal.
Eastern Randolph 57, Trinity 13: At Ramseur, Lucas Smith ran for three touchdowns, including two in the second half, and DaSean Sham-
berger made three touchdown receptions in Eastern Randolph’s PAC home opener.
Wildcats (7-0, 2-0) rolled up a 37-6 halftime lead. Chance Holdaway returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
Trinity (2-5, 0-2) scored on Nazir Staton’s touchdown catch from Noah Bradley and Cam Nelson’s return with a recovered fumble.
Southwestern Randolph 42, Wheatmore 12: At Trinity, the Cougars cruised in the road game for their first PAC victory.
Southwestern Randolph (4 -3 1-1) led 28- 0 before the Warriors got on the board late in the third quarter. The first points
Randleman captures PAC volleyball regular season title
Teams from Asheboro and Southwestern Randolph rolled in league soccer
Randolph Record staff
RANDLEMAN BECAME the outright regular-season champion in Piedmont Athletic Conference volleyball with a little help last week.
The Tigers (17-3 overall, 11-1 PAC) finished with a onematch edge on Uwharrie Charter Academy.
Southwestern Randolph nipped visiting UCA 25-21, 1725, 22-25, 25-21, 15-11 in last Thursday night’s regular-season finale, knocking the Eagles from a share of the title.
Randleman was idle at the end of the week, awaiting the results of other matches. The Tigers secured their first conference championship since 2010.
UCA, which handed the Tigers their lone conference loss, ended the regular season at
23-3, 10-2, while Southwestern Randolph won its final four PAC matches to capture third place at 14-10, 9-3. Randleman took down host Trinity in four sets to end its regular season. Camden Scott’s 14 kills and Haley Hinshaw’s 10 kills and four aces provided boosts.
• In the Mid-Piedmont Conference, Asheboro ended up in second place with its only defeats to Oak Grove, which was undefeated in league play.
The Blue Comets (17-5, 8-2) swept host Montgomery Central to cap the regular season, with Lia George’s 18 digs and 10 kills and Emma Little’s 20 digs leading the way.
Earlier in the week, Asheboro’s sweep of visiting Ledford with Eva Vuncannon’s 14 assists and Anna Grace LeRoy’s 16 assists and three aces among the key contributions.
The Blue Comets began the week with a five-set triumph at Providence Grove in nonconference action.
Boys’ soccer
Asheboro won 3-2 against visiting Montgomery Central with Cam Letterlough posting two goals and Alexander Diaz scoring the other in the Mid-Piedmont Conference.
Letterlough had four goals and an assist when the Blue Comets topped host Ledford 6-2.
• Southwestern Randolph suffered its first loss of the season with Friday’s 4-2 setback at Wesleyan Christian in High Point.
Earlier in the week, Southwestern Randolph rolled past host Providence Grove 8-0 with Yael Ortiz scoring four goals and providing one assist.
The Cougars also won by an 8-0 score against host UCA, with Ortiz and Aaron Avina each notching two goals.
• Randleman breezed in a pair of PAC home games, controlling Eastern Randolph 7-0 after defeating UCA 4-0.
for the Cougars came shortly after Brody Sheppard blocked a Wheatmore punt.
Wheatmore (0-7, 0-2) scored on Conner Benton’s 5-yard pass to Bentley Mills and on Benton’s 13-yard run.
Central Davidson 56, Asheboro 28: At Lexington, the visiting Blue Comets couldn’t keep up in the Mid-Piedmont Conference game despite receiver Elijah Woodle racking up 92 yards on five catches. Logan Laughlin threw for a touchdown with two interceptions for Asheboro (2-5, 0-2).
Central Davidson (4-3, 2-0) has won four of its last five games.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
• Randleman (7-0, 2-0) at Southwestern Randolph (4-3, 1-1)
• Eastern Randolph (7-0 2-0) at Providence Grove (2-5, 1-1)
• Wheatmore (0-7, 0-2) at Trinity (2-5, 0-2)
• North Davidson (2-5, 1-1) at Asheboro (2-5, 0-2)
NCHSAA adjusts postseason slates
Postseason delays will come to accommodate schools hindered by hurricane
By Bob Sutton Randolph Record
FOOTBALL AND soccer state playoffs being delayed for up to a week for North Carolina High School Athletic Association teams were among the list of postseason adjustments announced last week in the wake of Hurricane Helene causing upheaval for teams in the western part of the state.
There are also notable changes for girls’ tennis and volleyball. There are no schedule changes in girls’ golf or cheerleading and mostly procedural adjustments for cross-country. The delays allow time for teams in the western part of the state to make up some competitions. With approval, teams in
several sports can add an additional game or competition to compensate for the downtime. For instance, football teams can add an 11th game in the regular season, though it won’t count toward playoff seeding. Here’s a closer look at some sports.
Football
The playoffs have been pushed back one week. Brackets will be unveiled eight days later than initially planned, with those coming out Nov. 10. That puts first-round games Nov. 15. State finals are now set for Dec. 20-21.
Boys’ soccer
The bracketing has been pushed back a week, with seeds coming out Nov. 7 and the first round beginning two days later.
PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD
Micah Thurston of Randleman cuts through
Providence Grove.
HOME PLATE MOTORS
Anna Grace LeRoy
Asheboro, volleyball
LeRoy is a key part of the Blue Comets’ offense as the team had a strong regular season in the Mid-Piedmont Conference. LeRoy, a senior setter, is the team leader in assists.
When Asheboro swept Ledford and Montgomery Central last week, LeRoy led the team in assists in both matches. She also racked up a total of seven aces in those two outings.
Asheboro took a five-match winning streak into this week’s conference tournament.
This weekend, the Blue Comets will learn of their seed and place on the Class 3A bracket for the state playoffs. First-round matches will be held next Tuesday.
Ledbetter, Duggins split tight feature results
The racing action marked the penultimate event for speedway’s regular season
Randolph Record staff
SOPHIA — Dalton Ledbetter and Brody Duggins charged to victories in 20-lap Challengers features Saturday night at Caraway Speedway.
Ledbetter finished ahead of Rookie of the Year leader Bryson Pickard in the first race, with Blake Cox in third.
Duggins, the division’s points leader, took advantage of a restart miscue by Ledbetter then held off Ledbetter to win in the second race. Cox was third again.
• In 602 Modifieds, Jaxson Casper made short work of a small field in the 35-lap feature, outdistancing Josh Lowder, Ryan Kuhitau and Mitchell Wright. Casper leads season standings ahead of Wright.
• Steven Collins won the first
The doubles title was captured by a pair of Wheatmore players
Randolph Record staff
ASHEBORO — Providence Grove’s Audrey Frazier won the Piedmont Athletic Conference Tournament’s girls’ tennis singles title by defeating Trinity’s Deanna Cobb 6-3, 6-2 in the final last week at Asheboro Memorial Park.
NCHSAA from page B1
The second week of the state playoffs has been adjusted to consist of the second, third and fourth rounds across a five days. The finals are Nov. 22-23 as originally scheduled.
Girls’ tennis
The individual competitions remain on the same playing
of two UCARs features set for 20 laps, nipping Jason Richmond at the end in the 10-car field.
Tito Clapp, who was third in the first race, won the division’s nightcap with Collins a close second. Jason Gallimore placed third.
• The Mod 4 feature went to Jimmy Crigger, with a margin of less than one second on Jamison Whittington in the first 20-lap race. In the second feature, there was a similar finish.
Austin Shumate, Rudy Hartley and Deron Crigger comprised the rest of the finishing order in each race.
• In Bootleggers, Bentley Black was the winner in the first 12-lap feature, edging Tony Bentley, his father. The second race had a reverse finish with Bentley in first place followed by Black.
• Rylan Lowder captured the Bandoleros race, with Charlie Evans and Lincoln Baucom in the next two spots. Lowder failed a postrace inspection last
month after crossing the line first, but he avoided that problem this time.
• The US Legends cars made a stop at the speedway, with Adam Welch winning ahead of fast qualifier Josh Lowe.
Adam Welch edged fast qualifier, Josh Lowe, to take the win in the US Legends Car feature. Lee Jordan, Charles Parker and Chris Byerly finished the rundown.
• Champions Night is set for Oct. 26 with track titles to be determined in Challengers, 602 Modifieds, UCARs, Mod 4s and Bootleggers.
In addition to regular classes, the card for the last weekend of the month will include Allison Legacy Series, US Legends Cars, Bandoleros and Enduro/ Any Cars.
There will also be a special event for Limited Late Models. This event will include drivers from different tracks as well as some past Caraway Speedway regulars.
Frazier topped Trinity’s Jacey Wilson 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals. Wilson ended up in third place.
The doubles championship went to Wheatmore’s Tatum Wagner and Ariella Turgeon as that duo defeated Southwestern Randolph’s Caroline Farlow and Larson Kelly in the title match.
Providence Grove’s Abby Greeson and Carolina Tidwell were third in doubles. Regionals will be held later this week.
schedule, with the state tournaments Oct. 25-26.
The dual team state playoffs have been pushed back. That means the finals slated for Burlington Tennis Center have shifted to Nov. 9.
Volleyball
The regular season has been slightly extended, with the brackets coming out Oct. 20
• In the Mid-Piedmont Conference Tournament at Asheboro Memorial Park, Asheboro’s Blair Thomas was the singles runner-up, falling to Ledford’s Helen Clodfelter by 6-2, 6-1 in the final. The doubles tandem of Malaika Khan and Charlotte Smith of Asheboro finished as the runners-up, losing in two sets to Emily Aguilar and Anassia Robinson of Montgomery Central in the final match.
(instead of Oct. 16). The state finals still wrap up Nov. 2. Changes for high school sports have come in other parts of the Southeast because of Hurricane Helene. Georgia and South Carolina pushed back football state playoffs by one week.
North Carolina has made postseason schedule alterations because of past hurricanes, most recently in 2018.
Study: Widespread social media harassment of NCAA athletes, coaches
Female athletes were three times more likely to suffer online abuse than males
By Pete Iacobelli The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. — An NCAA study on social media abuse of athletes, coaches and other officials during championship events found nearly one in five posts that were flagged by an AI-based algorithm and determined to be abusive involved sexual harassment and 12% were related to sports betting, according to results of the pilot study released Thursday.
The college athletics governing body’s findings of its first online harassment study using Signify Group’s Threat Matrix examined more than 72,000 messages flagged by an algorithm. Over 5,000 of those posts were confirmed to contain abusive, discriminatory or threatening content and were reported to social media companies.
The study conducted during 2023-24 examined social media posts related to championship-level events in six sports: baseball, basketball, gymnastics, football, softball and volleyball.
Of the abusive posts, the study found 80% were directed at March Madness athletes, with female basketball players receiving about three times more abusive messages than their male counterparts.
The study cited one unidentified athlete who received more than 1,400 harassing messages in a two-week span.
“The risks and mental health challenges associated with being a victim of online abuse or threats are real and have a direct and immediate effect on athletes, coaches, officials, and their families,” the NCAA wrote in its report. “This can impact them on both a personal and professional level, and ultimately affect their wellbeing and ability to perform at their best.”
The NCAA said sports-betting harassment was spread across all the championships covered in the study.
Racial comments made up about 10% of the abusive messages studied, but the survey found the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments were a focus of such content.
“Toxic online fans resorted to racist mockery, comparing players to monkeys and labelling them as thugs,” the NCAA’s study found.
Women’s basketball players, teams and officials received such treatment, the NCAA said.
“The level of Dogwhistle content during the (basketball) Women’s championships should be highlighted as well in connection with racism,” the governing body said in the report.
The study monitored the accounts of 3,164 student-athletes, 489 coaches, 197 game officials, 165 teams and 12 NCAA official channels using Signify Group’s artificial intelligence Threat Ma-
trix. It identified varying areas of online abuse and threats.
Violence was found to be the subject of 6% of all verified abusive and threatening content, according to the study.
College football at the FBS level, the men’s basketball tournament and volleyball all received “high proportions of violent, abusive or threatening content.”
Other threatening messages were connected to homophobia and transphobia, doping and steroid use and match officials.
The NCAA said risks come across all sports, saying in some instances volleyball and gymnastics generated more “concerning” abusive messages than March Madness or the College Football Playoff.
The NCAA report said social media abuse and threats can have a significant effect on athletes and others involved in college sports.
Even if an athlete who is the target of such abuse says they are fine, “this should not be assumed to be the case,” NCAA said.
Such targeting can continue after a welfare check, “which is why action needs to be taken to protect them long-term,” the organization said.
NCAA president Charlie Baker said the study is evidence of what some athletes deal with as they go through their time in college.
“We will exhaust all options to reduce the harassment and vitriol student-athletes are experiencing too often today,” he said in a statement.
RANDOLPH RECORD
pen & paper pursuits
this week in history
Capone convicted, supersonic Concorde flies, women march for right to vote
OCT. 17
1931: Mobster Al Capone was convicted in Chicago of income tax evasion.
1933: Albert Einstein arrived in the United States as a refugee from Nazi Germany.
1979: Mother Teresa of India was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
1989: A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck northern California, killing 63 people and causing up to $10 billion in damage.
OCT. 18
1977: Reggie Jackson hit three home runs in Game 6 of the World Series to lead the New York Yankees to an 8-4 win and a 4-2 Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning him the nickname “Mr. October.”
1867: The United States took formal possession of Alaska from Russia.
1962: James D. Watson, Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins were honored with the Nobel Prize for Medicine and Physiology for determining the double-helix molecular structure of DNA.
OCT. 19
1781: British troops under Gen. Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia, as the American Revolution neared its end.
1914: The First Battle of Ypres began in World War I.
1960: Rev. Martin Luther
King Jr. was arrested during a sit-down protest at a lunch counter in Atlanta.
1977: The supersonic Concorde made its first landing in New York City, flying from Toulouse, France, in three hours and 44 minutes.
1987: The stock market crashed as the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 508 points on what came to be known as “Black Monday.”
OCT. 20
1803: The U.S. Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase.
1947: The House Un-American Activities Committee opened hearings into alleged communist influence and infiltration in the U.S. motion picture industry.
1977: Three members of the rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, were killed along with three others in a chartered plane crash near McComb, Mississippi.
2011: Moammar Gadhafi, Libya’s dictator for 42 years, was killed.
OCT. 21
1879: Thomas Edison perfected a workable electric light at his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey.
1797: The U.S. Navy frigate Constitution, also known as “Old Ironsides,” was christened in Boston’s harbor.
1805: A British fleet commanded by Adm. Horatio Nelson defeated a French-Spanish fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar; Nelson, however, was killed.
1917: Legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie was born in Cheraw, South Carolina.
1966: A coal waste landslide that engulfed a school and
some 20 houses in Aberfan, Wales, killed 144 people, 116 of them children.
OCT. 22
1836: Sam Houston was in-
augurated as the first constitutionally elected president of the Republic of Texas.
1926: Ernest Hemingway’s first novel, “The Sun Also Rises,” was published.
1928: Republican presidential nominee Herbert Hoover spoke of the “American system of rugged individualism” in a speech at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
1934: Bank robber Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd was shot to death by federal agents and local police.
OCT. 23
1915: Tens of thousands of women paraded up Fifth Avenue in New York City, demanding the right to vote.
1983: A suicide truck-bomb
ing at Beirut International Airport in Lebanon killed 241 U.S. service members.
AP PHOTO
Gangster Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion on Oct. 17, 1931.
AP PHOTO
Six people were killed, including three members of the music group Lynyrd Skynyrd, in a plane crash near McComb, Mississippi, on Oct. 20, 1977.
‘Game of Thrones’ Iron Throne fetches nearly $1.5M at auction
The top-dollar item was the very thing the show’s characters vied for
By Kaitlyn Huamani
The Associated Press
“GAME OF THRONES” fans came out in droves to bid on hundreds of costumes, props and other items from the series in an auction that raked in more than $21 million.
From Thursday through Saturday, the Heritage Auctions event in Dallas featured more than 900 lots, including suits of armor, swords and weapons, jewelry and several other items of significance from the HBO series.
The top-dollar item was the very thing the characters in the series vied for throughout its eight-season run: the Iron Throne. After a six-minute bidding war, the throne sold for $1.49 million.
The replica was made of plastic and molded from the original screen-used version, then finished off with metallic paint and jewel embellishments. In the series, the throne was forged with dragon breath that melted the swords of a thousand vanquished challengers and symbolized the struggle for power throughout the show’s run.
Heritage Auctions said in a statement Sunday that the
“People wanted a piece of that ‘Game of Thrones’ magic.”
Joe Maddalena, Heritage Auctions
event brought in $21.1 million from more than 4,500 bidders.
The auction marked Heritage’s second-best entertainment event, just shy of the record set by a Debbie Reynolds sale it held in 2011.
Heritage Executive Vice President Joe Maddalena said in a statement he knew the auction would resonate.
“These are extraordinary treasures made by Emmy-winning costume designers and prop makers, who worked tirelessly to adapt George R.R. Martin’s wonderful novels,” Maddalena said. “People wanted a piece of that ‘Game of Thrones’ magic.”
Beyond the coveted Iron Throne, more than 30 other lots commanded six-figure price tags.
Jon Snow’s signature sword, Longclaw, wielded onscreen by Kit Harington, sold for $400,000, and his night’s watch ensemble, featuring a heavy cape, went for $337,500. Both items kicked off prolonged bidding wars.
Starting bids ranged from $500 to $20,000, but several items went for thousands of dollars more. Such was the case for several cloaks and dresses worn by Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen and Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister. A gray suede ensemble worn by Daenerys sold for $112,500, exactly $100,000 over its starting bid, and the red velvet dress Cersei wears in her final appearance on the show went for $137,500, which was $122,500 over its starting bid.
Suits of armor also proved popular, especially when they included sought-after weapons. Jaime Lannister’s black-leather armor ensemble fetched $275,000, and his Kingsguard armor — including his iconic Oathkeeper longsword — went for $212,500. Queensguard armor worn by the character Gregor ‘The Mountain’ Clegane sold for $212,500.
In an interview when the auction was announced in September, Jay Roewe, HBO’s senior vice president of global incentives and production planning, said the sale speaks to the series’ staying power five years after its finale.
“‘Game of Thrones’ was a zeitgeist moment in our culture. It was a zeitgeist moment in high-end television. It was a zeitgeist moment in terms of HBO,” he said. “It’s impacted the culture.”
Costumes worn by characters from “Game of Thrones” were auctioned off for more than $21 million, with the dragon-forced Iron Throne fetching $1.49 million.
Lisa Marie Presley’s posthumous memoir selected by Oprah for book club
“From Here to the Great Unknown” was completed by Presley’s daughter
By Hillel Italie The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Oprah Winfrey has chosen Lisa Marie Presley’s posthumous memoir as her new book club pick and made a trip to the famed Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee, to meet with Presley’s daughter and Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s granddaughter, actor Riley Keough.
Lisa Marie Presley’s “From Here to the Great Unknown,” completed by Keough after Presley died unexpectedly in 2023, was published last week. Winfrey’s interview with Keough, which will include rare family photos, home videos and audio recordings made by Lisa Marie Presley, aired Tuesday night on CBS.
“I have great love and admiration for Lisa Marie Presley, and was so moved that her daughter Riley, through her grief, was able to help her finish a beautifully touching memoir that allows us to see her mother at her most honest and vulnerable,” Winfrey said in a statement. “This is an intimate look at what it was like growing up as heir to one of America’s most famous families.”
Keough said in a statement that upon being told by
“From Here to the Great Unknown” by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough captures the memoirs of Elvis Presley’s daughter, who died at age 54.
Winfrey that she had selected
“From Here to the Great Unknown,” she thought of how her mother would have been proud “to know her story was going to be read and discussed with such empathy, thought and grace.”
“She would have felt incredibly vulnerable, but profoundly grateful for the chance to really reach people,” added Keough, who along with Julia Roberts narrated the audiobook edition.
Lisa Marie Presley was the only daughter of Elvis Presley,
“This is an intimate look at what it was like growing up as heir to one of America’s most famous families.”
Oprah Winfrey
who was just 42 when he died suddenly in 1977 at Graceland while young Lisa Marie was in the house. In preparing her memoir, she had recorded “story after story about smashing golf carts together in the yards of Graceland, about the unconditional love she felt from her father, about being upstairs, just the two of them. About getting dragged screaming out of the bathroom as she ran toward his body on the floor,” according to the publisher, Random House.
The singer and actor also talked about her marriage to Michael Jackson, struggles with addiction and the “ever-present grief” of losing her father. In a video clip released before Tuesday’s interview aired, Keough told Winfrey that, at times, she would find her mother on the floor, drunk, listening to her father’s music and crying.
Lisa Marie Presley was 54 when she died of complications from bariatric surgery years earlier.
RANDOM HOUSE VIA AP
A. HEBERT / AP PHOTO
Snoop Dogg turns 53 on Sunday.
reality show
Judge Judy Sheindlin turns 83 on Tuesday. famous birthdays this week
Jean-Claude Van Damme is 64, “Weird Al” turns 65, Snoop Dogg hits 53
OCT. 17
Actor George Wendt is 76. Country singer Alan Jackson is 66. Animator-filmmaker Mike Judge is 62. Musician Wyclef Jean is 55. Golf Hall of Famer Ernie Els is 55. Rapper Eminem is 52.
OCT. 18
Football Hall of Famer Mike Ditka is 85. Composer Howard Shore is 78. Tennis Hall of Famer Martina Navratilova is 68. Actor Jean-Claude Van Damme is 64.
OCT. 19
Artist Peter Max is 87. Actor John Lithgow is 79. Fox News host Steve Doocy is 68. Singer Jennifer Holliday is 64. Boxing Hall of Famer Evander Holyfield is 62. “South Park” co-creator Trey Parker is 55.
OCT. 20
Rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson is 87. AActor Viggo Mortensen (“Lord of the Rings”) is 66. Rapper Snoop Dogg is 53. Actor John Krasinski (“The Office”) is 45.
OCT. 21
TV’s Judge Judy Sheindlin is 83. Actor Everett McGill is 80. Actor Dick Christie is 76. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is 75.
OCT. 22
Director Jan de Bont (“Twister,” “Speed”) is 81. Actor Jeff Goldblum is 72. Actor Luis Guzman (“Code Black”) is 68. Actor Bob Odenkirk is 62.
OCT. 23
Director Philip Kaufman (“The Right Stuff”) is 88. Director Ang Lee (“Brokeback Mountain,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”) is 70. Director-actor Sam Raimi (“Spider-Man” films) is 65. Singer “Weird Al” Yankovic is 65. Actor Ryan Reynolds is 48.
the stream
Travis Kelce plays
celebrity games,
‘Shrinking’ returns, ‘Dating Game’ frightens
Lin-Manuel Miranda releases his first full post-”Hamilton” musical
The Associated Press
TRAVIS KELCE adds game show host to his growing resume with “Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?” and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Warriors,” a musical concept album inspired by the 1979 cult classic film, are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time include Anna Kendrick starring in a movie about the time a serial killer made his way onto the television show “The Dating Game” and “NCIS” looking back at character Leroy Jethro Gibbs in “NCIS: Origins.”
MOVIES TO STREAM
In 1978, a serial killer made his way onto the television show “The Dating Game.” Rodney Alcala was already a murderer by the time he appeared on the show as one of three bachelors seeking a date with a woman named Cheryl Bradshaw. Had they done a background check, they might have discovered that he’d been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list and already been imprisoned for violent crimes against an 8-year-old
In the new Netflix film “Woman of the Hour,” streaming Friday, Anna Kendrick stars as the woman on the show and puts the attention back on the victims.
If fake serial killers are more your style, “MaXXXine” starts streaming on MAX on Friday. The third film in Ti West and Mia Goth’s unlikely trilogy (following “X” and “Pearl”) takes the audience to the sleazy underground of 1980s Hollywood. Goth’s Maxine Minx is an adult film star hoping for a big break in mainstream movies. She gets a shot from Elizabeth Debicki’s refined director. But she’s also running from her past and a killer terrorizing the town. It’s very stylized and a little silly and underdeveloped, but it’s a fun watch with a fun, extended Lily Collins cameo.
And for those looking for a comedy, Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage play brother, and former partners in crime in a starry new movie coming to Prime Video on Thursday. Brolin is the one trying for a more normal life when Dinklage convinces him to embark on a road trip to a promised big score. “Brothers,” directed by Max Barbakow (who made the delightful time loop romantic comedy “Palm Springs”), also
features Marisa Tomei, Glenn Close, Brendan Fraser and Taylour Paige.
MUSIC TO STREAM
On Friday, Lin-Manuel Miranda — in his first full post-”Hamilton” musical — and the award-winning actor and playwright Eisa Davis will release “Warriors,” a musical concept album inspired by the 1979 cult classic film that follows a street gang as they make their way from the Bronx to their home turf of Coney Island amid an all-out blitz. There are some notable departures here, including some gender-flipping and inventive genre-melding, no doubt an extension of its allstar cast, which features everyone from Lauryn Hill and Marc Anthony to Colman Domingo, Busta Rhymes and more.
SHOWS TO STREAM
Austin Stowell plays a younger version of Mark Harmon’s “NCIS” character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, in “NCIS: Origins,” a series set 25 years before the orig-
inal. We meet this Gibbs as he’s beginning his career as a naval investigator. “NCIS: Origins” is available on CBS and streams on Paramount+. A new Peacock docuseries digs into the wild but true story of Elizabeth Finch, a former writer on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” Finch wrote storylines she claimed were inspired by her own life and medical history, including a battle with bone cancer. She later admitted to lying. The three-part docuseries also tells the story of Finch’s ex-wife, who was the one to expose her deceit in the first place. “Anatomy of Lies” is streaming on Peacock. Travis Kelce adds game show host to his growing resume. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end hosts “Are You Smarter than a Celebrity?” on Prime Video. On the show, adult contestants answer elementary-grade questions with a pool of celebrities on standby, ready to help.
In the Apple TV+’s dramedy “Shrinking,” Jason Segel plays Jimmy, a therapist grieving the death of his wife and trying to navigate being a single parent to
a teen daughter. In season one, he begins to give his patients unorthodox advice, like inviting one (Luke Tennie) to move into his home. We also saw a new kind of family blossom between Jimmy, his colleagues (Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams) and neighbor (Christa Miller). Season two of the heartwarming comedy premieres Wednesday on the streamer.
In season three of Netflix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer,” Mickey Haller is rocked by the murder of his former client Gloria Days (Fiona Rene), but he also agrees to defend the man accused of killing her. The story is based on No. 5 of Michael Connelly’s The Lincoln Lawyer book series called “The Gods of Guilt.” It premieres Thursday on Netflix.
The “Sheldon-verse” continues with “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” debuting Thursday on CBS. The series stars Montana Jordan as Sheldon’s older brother, George “Georgie” Cooper, and his new bride, Mandy, played by Emily Osment. It’s a sequel to “Young Sheldon,” which wrapped last May after seven
seasons. Episodes also stream on Paramount+. Coming to Peacock on Friday, “Hysteria!” follows members of a high school band who pretend to be in a Satanic cult for attention. Their plan falls apart when town members target the teens in a witch hunt. The series stars Julie Bowen of “Modern Family” and “Evil Dead” star Bruce Campbell.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
The holiday season is almost here, and for Nintendo fans, there’s no party like a Mario Party. Super Mario Party Jamboree follows the classic formula: It’s a virtual board game in which most of the spaces lead to a multiplayer contest. Up to four people can play in-person or online, though one online mode lets up to 20 compete in a hectic “Koopathlon.” There are 22 characters, seven different boards and more than 110 minigames covering the gamut of Mario Party silliness, from races to brawls to minigolf. The festivities start Thursday on Switch.
“NCIS: Origins,” “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity” and “Shrinking” are streaming this week.
LEAH GALLO / NETFLIX VIA AP
Tony Hale, from left, Anna Kendrick, Matt Visser, Jedidiah Goodacre and Daniel Zovatto star in “Woman of the Hour,” streaming on Netflix.
HOKE COUNTY
Crowning achievement
Seniors Timothy Thomas and Julia Jones were named Hoke High School’s 2024 homecoming king and queen during homecoming court halftime ceremonies on Friday. The Bucks beat Southern Lee 20-14 and will play at Union Pines on Friday. Turn to Page B1 for more sports.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Harris criticizes Trump on hurricane response comments
Kamala Harris used an appearance before a largely black church audience in Greenville to call out Donald Trump for spreading misinformation about the federal government’s hurricane response. The Democratic presidential nominee didn’t speak Trump’s name on Sunday. But the former president is most prominent among those promoting false claims that the government isn’t helping Republican storm victims. The vice president later held a rally in Raleigh on Sunday to encourage early voting. “There are some who are not acting in the spirit of community,” Harris said. “And I am speaking of these who have been literally not telling the truth, lying about people who are working hard to help the folks in need, spreading disinformation when the truth and facts are required.”
Republicans sue over N.C. overseas ballots
Lawsuits filed by the Republican National Committee argue that Michigan and North Carolina should not be allowing overseas voters who have never lived in their state to vote. Now is not the time to raise objections to state law that has been in place for 13 years, said Patrick Gannon, a spokesman for the North Carolina State Board of Elections. “This lawsuit was filed after voting had already begun in North Carolina for the general election,” Gannon said in a statement. “The time to challenge the rules for voter eligibility is well before an election, not after votes have already been cast.”
Board of Education approves school improvement plans
The board approved the 2024-25 school improvement plans that were presented in response to the school accountability grades
By Ryan Henkel North State Journal
RAEFORD — In response to the school accountability grades that were published last month, the Hoke County Schools Board of Education approved the sub-
mission of the 2024-25 school improvement plans for the district at its Oct. 8 meeting.
The plans were presented to the board at the end of September and will be available for public view as per North Carolina general statutes.
“The plans serve as a roadmap to move schools to their desired destination,” said Federal Programs Director Mary McLeod. “Each school’s plan is housed in NCStar, which is a web-based tool that guides the district or school teams in chart-
ing its improvement and managing the continuous improvement process.”
The board also approved an approximately $67,000 purchase for i-Ready middle school curriculum.
“The plans serve as a roadmap to move schools to their desired destination.”
HCS Federal Programs Director Mary McLeod
“For i-Ready, we will be using it as a supplemental tool, not our core curriculum resource,” said Executive Director of Digital Teaching and Learning Dawn Ramseur. “We already have a core for math, Desmos and Open Up, and we have a curriculum that was developed in-house for our reading. i-Ready will serve to complement the foundational core curriculum that we already have by identifying specific areas where students need additional support.” According to Ramseur, i-Ready will allow teachers to track student growth and determine when intervention is
Much of the funding will go toward its Siler City silicon carbide factory
By Josh Boak The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. —
The Biden administration announced plans Tuesday to provide up to $750 million in direct funding to Wolfspeed, with the money supporting its new silicon carbide factory in Siler City that makes the wafers used in advanced computer chips and its factory in Marcy, New York. Wolfspeed’s use of silicon carbide enables the computer chips used in electric vehicles and other advanced technologies to be more efficient. The North Carolina-based company’s two projects are estimated to create 2,000 manufacturing jobs as part of a more than $6 billion expansion plan.
“Artificial intelligence, elec-
tric vehicles, and clean energy are all technologies that will define the 21st century, and thanks to proposed investments in companies like Wolfspeed, the Biden administration is taking a meaningful step towards reigniting U.S. manufacturing of the chips that underpin these important technologies,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement.
The new Wolfspeed facility in Siler City could be a critical symbol in this year’s election, as it opened earlier this year in a swing state county that is undergoing rapid economic expansion in large part due to incentives provided by the Biden administration.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, is making the case to voters that the administration’s mix of incentives are increasing factory work, while former President Donald Trump, the Republi-
can nominee, says the threat of broad tariffs will cause overseas factories to relocate in the United States.
In 2023, President Joe Biden spoke at Wolfspeed to promote his economic agenda, saying it would help the United States outcompete China. Trump narrowly won North Carolina during the 2020 presidential election and has talked about bringing back the state’s furniture manufacturing sector.
The Biden administration’s argument is that the government support encourages additional private investments, a case that appears to apply to Wolfspeed.
In addition to the government grant, a group of investment funds led by Apollo, The Baupost Group, Fidelity Management & Research Company and Capital Group plan to provide an additional $750 million to Wolfspeed, the company said. Wolfspeed also expects
to receive $1 billion from an advanced manufacturing tax credit, meaning the company in total will have access of up to $2.5 billion.
Wolfspeed CEO Gregg Lowe told The Associated Press that the United States currently produces 70% of the world’s silicon carbide — and that the investments will help the country preserve its lead as China ramps up efforts in the sector. Lowe said “we’re very happy with this grant” and that the Commerce Department staff awarding funds from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act was “terrific.”
necessary to ensure students are learning properly.
“With this tool, there’s a personalized learning pathway that students would be able to use to address their specific needs,” Ramseur said.
The board was also presented with the responses from the RFP the district put out for its Chromebook refresh.
“We submitted an RFP recently to do a Chromebook refresh covering 7,800 devices,” said Director of Technology William East Peters.
“The vendor that won out was CDW. While they weren’t the cheapest, they did have some items in their quote that made them stand out over others.” Peters stated that CDW was the only vendor to follow all of the instructions listed in the RFP, the only vendor whose warranty was the actual manufacturer warranty, and that they provided a quote for a courier service that would pick up and drop off damaged and repaired items once a week.
“That item would allow the Hoke County Department of Technology to reclaim anywhere from 10 to 16 man-hours every week that we could use to answer tickets and solve problems quicker than we currently face,” Peters said.
According to Peters, the cost for the refresh would be around $3 million.
Finally, the board approved a contract with Aveanna Healthcare for nursing services and an amendment to the contract with Amergis Staffing for four additional behavior aides.
“We definitely need the assistance throughout the district to help support our intensive behavior students,” said Executive Director of Exceptional Children Cariss McLeod.
The Hoke County Schools Board of Education will next meet Nov. 12.
THURSDAY
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
Neighbors helping neighbors
Now is the time for agencies like FEMA to work efficiently and support — not hinder — the recovery effort in North Carolina.
IT BREAKS MY HEART to see the devastation brought to our beautiful state and all those impacted by Hurricane Helene. The damage is unbelievably catastrophic and communities across western North Carolina face a long road to recovery, but we will be with them every step of the way.
Our North Carolina congressional delegation is working together to ensure these communities have the federal support they need as they recover and rebuild, and my staff and I are in close communication with federal, state and local partners.
Recently, I led Republican members of our delegation in urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to utilize the unoccupied Greensboro Influx Care Facility (ICF) to assist in western North Carolina’s recovery efforts. After my repeated requests, FEMA told us it will have the facility available, but more needs to be done. Countless North Carolinians are now tragically displaced or without basic supplies because of Hurricane Helene, and they must be taken care of and offered every resource available.
My team and I are continuing to receive briefings from FEMA, HHS, North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) and other agencies on their ongoing efforts to help western North Carolina. While I am extremely frustrated by how slow the federal response has been, I am grateful for the service of the first responders, troops, charitable organizations, and individuals across the state and nation who are stepping up and saving lives. I will keep pushing to get more resources and support on the ground quickly because these communities need help.
In support of these efforts, I joined several of my House Republican
COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE
colleagues in demanding the Biden-Harris administration remove as many federal barriers as possible to make it easier for communities to rebuild homes and businesses. Western North Carolina and all regions affected by Helene do not have the time to deal with burdensome, unnecessary regulations as they work to rebuild from the ground up. The clock is ticking, and if bureaucratic red tape gets in the way, it will be a serious failure by the federal government.
Additionally, I’ve been in contact with our hospitals and health care providers to ensure they have all they need to take care of patients. I’ve been working with HHS to make sure hospitals are open and they have sufficient resources, including medicines and surgical tools, to treat patients throughout the impacted region.
Now is the time for agencies like FEMA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work efficiently and support — not hinder — the recovery effort in North Carolina and across the Southeast. Countless lives have been uprooted, and the last thing they need is government interference.
While this tragedy is a once in a lifetime event, we are reminded that we are Carolina Strong. Back home in our region, I saw firsthand all the people that have stepped up to help collect supplies and send them to our neighbors in western North Carolina. It was truly inspiring to see neighbors helping neighbors, and I’m thankful for all those who are lending a hand.
We continue to pray for everyone affected by this storm. Should you or a family member need assistance, please visit my website for Hurricane Helene resources and information: hudson.house.gov/hurricane-heleneresources. The road ahead will be incredibly tough, but North Carolinians are resilient.
Richard Hudson represents the 9th District in Congress.
What the census can tell us about swing states
If Trump carries Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona, Harris must win all three “blue wall” states to be elected president.
JONATHAN DRAEGER, reporter for RealClearPolitics, wrote Tuesday that “the 2024 presidential contest couldn’t be tighter.” Unless, of course, it turns out not to be nearly as close as this season’s run of polls suggests it is.
One indication that it might not be was a New York Times-Siena poll released this week showing Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris in Florida 55% to 41%. That’s quite a switch from the 48.85% to 48.84% by which George W. Bush carried the state in 2000, or the 48.6% to 47.4% there for Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016.
As the Times’ brilliant and painstaking poll analyst Nate Cohn wrote, this result could just turn out to be an outlier: Polling theory says one in 20 polls is outside the margin of error. Or it could represent a continuation of the 2022 offyear results, which showed Republicans doing much better in Florida than in the current target states, such as Pennsylvania and Michigan. But it could also have resulted, he explained, from population change. According to Census Bureau estimates, Florida’s population grew by 4.7% between July 2020 and July 2023 (the latest available), a greater percentage increase than any other state except much less populous Idaho. That’s a population increase of more than 1 million people in just three years, with many newcomers perhaps attracted by Florida’s famously less restrictive COVID-19 policies.
As Cohn noted, many other polls may miss the effects of interelection demographic changes by weighting results according to respondents’ recollections of previous votes. Since voters historically have overreported supporting election winners, this tends to overstate support for the previously losing party and, in this case, for Trump. However, pollsters take that risk for fear of understating his support, as so many 2016 and 2020 polls did.
Cohn’s analysis raises the question of whether population shifts may affect the balance, which seems exquisitely close, in the seven target states. So let’s look at the changes in the 2020 and 2023 census estimates by county. Nationally, the period saw movement away from central cities and toward exurbs and salubrious rural areas.
This analysis reveals little about Nevada, where 69% of 2020 votes and 79% of the 202023 population increase were in Las Vegascentered Clark County.
A little more can be said about Arizona, where Phoenix-centered Maricopa County had 61% of 2020 votes and 58% of the 202023 population increase. Among smaller counties, those leaning Republican grew by 83,000 people (all totals rounded off), and those leaning Democratic, including Tucson’s Pima County, grew by 21,000. Advantage: Republicans.
The picture is mixed in fast-growing and excruciatingly marginal Georgia and North Carolina.
North Carolina’s population grew by 3.7% overall and by 4% in the six counties, including those with Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro and Winston-Salem, which voted 56% to 75% for Joe Biden. The other 94 counties (mostly Republican) grew by 3.5%. That slight edge, plus the weakness of the Republican nominee for governor, gives Democrats reason to hope Harris can win the one target state Biden lost by 49.9% to 48.6% in 2020.
Georgia, which Trump lost 49.5% to 49.2%, looks different. Metropolitan Atlanta’s three central counties, heavily Democratic, grew by only 7,000 people, and four Democratic-trending ring counties with diverse populations increased by 44,000. But 12 mostly white exurban counties, which vote overwhelmingly Republican, increased by 100,000, and with polls showing black voters trending Republican, Trump is likely to reduce Democratic margins in black-majority exurban counties whose population increased by 22,000.
The three northern “blue wall” states, in contrast, had less than 1% population loss (Pennsylvania and Michigan) or gain (Wisconsin). If, as many expect, Trump carries Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona, Harris must win all three “blue wall” states to be elected president.
In Pennsylvania, Democrats depend heavily on big margins in Philadelphia, and in 2020, turnout increased to 743,000, a 40-year high. But Philadelphia’s population fell by 50,000 people in 2020-23, and a Philadelphia Inquirer report detailed that Hispanic and black voters in Philadelphia have been trending Republican. The city’s four suburban county populations rose by just 27,000. Not enough to offset the city decline and the likely increased Hispanic
support in five blue-collar counties beyond metropolitan Philadelphia.
In western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh’s Allegheny County, with trendy inner-city neighborhoods and upscale suburbs, lost 25,000 people, while nearby Butler County, where Trump was shot July 13 and returned two Saturdays ago, gained 4,000. Overall, the state beyond metropolitan Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where Biden carried only eight of 57 counties, gained 19,000 people.
In Michigan, the picture is similar. The three counties, including or touching on Detroit, lost 46,000 people in 2020-23, and the industrial belt from Flint to Bay City, where Democrats are struggling, lost another 8,000. The three counties with large universities, which delivered a higher Biden percentage than either of the two blue-collar areas, lost 6,000. The state’s other 74 counties, which voted 58% to 40% for Trump over Biden, gained 26,000. Wisconsin seems slightly more favorable for Democrats. The historic Democratic powerhouse, Milwaukee County, lost 22,000 people, but the three suburban WOW counties, historically Republican but a little less so in the Trump era, gained just 8,000. That is overmatched by the 13,000 gained by Madison’s Dane County, which, with its state capital and flagship university, exceeded Milwaukee’s Democratic percentage and almost equaled its Democratic vote margin in 2020.
Let me close with a perhaps unscientific observation. Looking at the target state polls reported by RealClearPolitics with all or the bulk of interviews conducted since Sept. 25, I note that 14 show Trump leading, along with one for Harris and one tie. It’s less one-sided if you look at the target state polls reported by Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin, but still with 15 for Trump, six for Harris and six ties. Note that there are almost no target state polls conducted since the vice presidential debate on Oct. 1. Have the vibes run out for Harris, as my Washington Examiner colleague W. James Antle suggests?
Seems like a fair question.
Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”
COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON
Fla. neighbors band together in recovery from Helene, Milton
The hurricanes struck the state within two weeks of each other
By Russ Bynum and Laura Bargfeld
The Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — When ankle-deep floodwaters from Hurricane Helene bubbled up through the floors of their home, Kat Robinson-Malone and her husband sent a latenight text message to their neighbors two doors down: “Hey, we’re coming.”
The couple waded through the flooded street to the elevated front porch of Chris and Kara Sundar, whose home was built on higher ground, and handed over their 8-year-old daughter and a gas-powered generator.
The Sundars’ lime-green house in southern Tampa also became a refuge for Brooke and Adam Carstensen, whose house next door to Robinson-Malone also flooded.
The three families met years earlier when their children became playmates, and the adults’ friendships deepened during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. So when Helene and Hurricane Milton struck Florida within two weeks of each other, the neighbors closed ranks as one big extended family, cooking meals together, taking turns watching children and clean-
i
ng out their damaged homes.
And as Milton threatened a direct strike on Tampa last week, the Malones, Sundars and Carstensens decided to evacuate together. They drove more than 450 miles in a caravan to metro Atlanta — seven adults, six children, four dogs and teenage Max Carstensen’s three pet rats.
“Everyone has, like, the chainsaw or a tarp,” Robinson-Malone said Sunday. “But really the most important thing for us was the community we built. And that made all the difference for the hurricane rescue and the recovery. And now, hopefully, the restoration.”
Recovery efforts continued Sunday in storm-battered communities in central Florida, where President Joe Biden surveyed the devastation. Biden said he was thankful the damage from Milton was not as severe as officials had anticipated. But he said it was still a “cataclysmic” event for people caught in the path of the hurricane, which has been blamed for at least 11 deaths.
The number of homes and businesses in Florida still without electricity dropped to about 500,000 on Sunday, according to Poweroutage.us. That was down from more than 3 million after Milton made landfall Wednesday as a Category 3 storm.
Fuel shortages also appeared
to be easing as more gas stations opened, and lines at pumps in the Tampa area looked notably shorter. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced nine sites where people can get 10 gallons each for free.
While recovery efforts were gaining steam, a full rebound will take far longer.
DeSantis cautioned that debris removal could take up to a year, even as Florida shifts nearly 3,000 workers to the cleanup. He said Biden has approved 100% federal reimbursement for those efforts for 90 days.
“The (removal of) debris has to be 24/7 over this 90-day period,” DeSantis said while speaking next to a pile of furniture, lumber and other debris in Treasure Island, an island city near St. Petersburg that has been battered by both recent hurri-
canes. “That’s the way you get the job done.”
National Weather Service meteorologist Paul Close said rivers will keep rising for the next several days and result in flooding, mostly around Tampa Bay and northward. Those areas got the most rain, which came on top of a wet summer that included several hurricanes.
Meanwhile, residents unable to move back into their damaged homes were making other arrangements.
Robinson-Malone and her husband, Brian, bought a camper trailer that’s parked in their driveway. They plan to live there while their gutted home is repaired and also improved to make it more resilient against hurricanes.
“These storms, they’re just
US to send missile defense system to Israel
Troops will also be deployed to operate the technology
By Lolita C. Baldor
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it, the Pentagon said Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden. He said the system will help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s ballistic
missile attacks on Israel in April and October.
The delivery of the sophisticated missile defense system risks further inflaming the conflict in the Middle East despite widespread diplomatic efforts to avoid an all-out war. The Iranian warning came in a post on the social platform X long associated with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who noted the earlier reports that the U.S. was considering the deployment.
Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have been clashing since Oct. 8, 2023, when the Lebanese militant group began firing rockets over the border in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza. Late last month, Israel launched a ground invasion into Lebanon.
Israel is widely believed to be preparing a military response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack when it
fired roughly 180 missiles into Israel.
In a brief exchange with reporters before leaving Florida on Sunday, Biden said he agreed to deploy the THAAD battery “to defend Israel.” Biden spoke at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa after making a quick visit to see the damage caused by Hurricane Milton and meet with first responders, residents and local leaders.
Ryder, in his statement, said the deployment “underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran.”
It was not immediately apparent where the THAAD battery was coming from or when it will arrive. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli army spokesman, declined to provide any timeline
for its arrival but thanked the U.S. for its support.
The U.S. deployed one of the batteries to the Middle East along with additional Patriot battalions to bolster protections for U.S. forces in the region late last year after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas militants. Ryder also said the U.S. sent a THAAD battery to Israel in 2019 for training.
It also is not unusual for the U.S. to have a limited number of troops in Israel, which the U.S. considers a key regional ally. There generally has been a small number of forces there consistently, as well as routine rotational deployments for training and exercises.
The THAAD will add another layer to Israel’s already significant air defenses, which include separate systems designed to intercept long-range,
going to keep happening,” she said. “And we want to be prepared for it.”
The Carstensens plan to demolish what’s left of their flooded, low-slung home, which was built in 1949, and replace it with a new house higher off the ground. For the time being, they are staying with Brooke Carstensen’s mother.
Chris Sundar said he’s questioning his plan to remain in Tampa until his children have all graduated from high school a decade from now. His house remains the home base for the families’ kids, ages 8 to 13. On the wall is a list of chores for them all, from folding laundry to emptying wastebaskets. Brooke Carstensen, a teacher, has helped the children through an extended period without school.
medium-range and shortrange threats. Israel recently retired its U.S.-made Patriot systems after decades of use.
According to an April report by the Congressional Research Service, the Army has seven THAAD batteries. Generally, each consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment, and requires 95 soldiers to operate.
The THAAD is considered a complementary system to the Patriot but can defend a wider area. It can hit targets at 93 to 124 miles and is used to destroy short-range, medium-range and limited intermediate-range ballistic missile threats that are either inside or outside the atmosphere.
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is responsible for developing the system, but it is operated by the Army. An eighth system has been funded and ordered and is expected to be in the field sometime next year.
CHRIS O’MEARA / AP PHOTO
Chris Sundar measures the depth of floodwaters from Hurricane Milton in his garage in Tampa, Florida.
HOKE SPORTS
Football earns homecoming win over Southern Lee
Hoke volleyball hosted a conference tournament game
North State Journal staff
HOKE HAS all-conference players in volleyball and tennis, while the football team posted a homecoming win.
Football
Hoke County got a homecoming win over Southern Lee, beating the Cavaliers, 20-16. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Bucks and gave Hoke its first conference win of the season. Hoke now stands at 2-6 on the year, 1-3 in the Sandhills.
Brandon Saunders threw a touchdown pass to Tycen Vick, and Favor Anab rushed for a score. Franajai Ransom returned a fumble 23 yards to complete the scoring. The Bucks defense also had an interception, by Raheem Neilly, and 10 sacks.
Next up for the Bucks is a game at Union Pines. Since becoming conference rivals, Hoke has won each of the last three seasons over the Vikings. Union Pines is having a breakout season this year, however, going 5-2, 2-1 in the Sandhills, good for second place. The Union Pines defense is The Vikings fell at Richmond last week, 27-8.
Boys’ soccer
The Hoke County boys once again split their two games on the soccer pitch last week.
The Bucks fell at home to Richmond, 2-1, then bounced back with a road win at Southern Lee, 4-1. Senior Jose Vazquez De La Cruz scored the team’s lone goal against Richmond on a penalty kick. He add-
ed an assist against Southern Lee, while goals were scored by senior David Hernandez, senior Riley Sutherland, junior Pedro Ramos-Alejandro and sophomore Joas Hernandez. Ramos-Alejandro also had an assist in the game. Hoke is now 9-7-2, 3-5-1 in the Sandhills. The Bucks play two of their three remaining regular season games over the next seven days. They host Union Pines on Wednesday, then travel to Pinecrest next Monday. Union Pines is one spot ahead of Hoke in the Sandhills standings, in fourth place, while Pinecrest leads the league with an unbeaten conference record.
Volleyball
The Bucks’ volleyball team wrapped up the regular season with a 3-0 loss to Pinecrest. However, their finish in the Sandhills Conference — tied for third — earned the Bucks the opportunity to host a first-round game
in the conference tournament.
Hoke made the most of it, knocking off Lee County, 3-0, to advance to round two, which was a rematch with Pinecrest on the road.
Three Hoke County players also earned spots on the Sandhills All Conference team: Senior Kayeliana Bonner, senior Abigail Watts and junior Aubrey Carpenter.
Watts led the Bucks in kills and aces and ranked third in digs and receptions.
Carpenter led in digs and receptions and was third in aces and assists.
Bonner was second on Hoke in kills, digs and aces.
Girls’ tennis
The tennis team also featured a player that earned all-conference team status from the Sandhills Athletic Conference.
Junior Laura Pena-Laverde was named to the SAC All-conference Team for girls’ tennis.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Favor Anab
Hoke County, football
Favor Anab is a junior on the Hoke County football team.
The Bucks got their first conference win of the season, with a homecoming win over Southern Lee. Anab led the team in rushing, carrying 17 times for 67 yards. His long run was 31 yards, and he had a three-yard plunge into the end zone to put Hoke up 14-0 in the first quarter. Anab leads the Bucks in rushing, with 484 yards on the year, and in scoring, with seven touchdowns.
Study: Widespread social media harassment of NCAA athletes, coaches
Female athletes were three times more likely to suffer online abuse than males
By Pete Iacobelli
The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. — An NCAA study on social media abuse of athletes, coaches and other officials during championship events found nearly one in five posts that were flagged by an AI-based algorithm and determined to be abusive involved sexual harassment and 12% were related to sports betting, according to results of the pilot study released Thursday.
The college athletics governing body’s findings of its first online harassment study using Signify Group’s Threat Matrix examined more than 72,000 messages flagged by an algorithm. Over 5,000 of those posts were confirmed to contain abusive, discriminatory or threatening content and were reported to social media companies.
The study conducted during 2023-24 examined social media posts related to championship-level events in six sports: baseball, basketball, gymnastics, football, softball and volleyball.
Of the abusive posts, the study found 80% were directed at March Madness athletes, with female basketball players receiving about three times more abusive messages than their male counterparts.
The study cited one unidentified athlete who received more than 1,400 harassing messages in a two-week span.
“The risks and mental health challenges associated with being a victim of online abuse or threats are real and have a direct and immediate effect on athletes, coaches, officials, and their families,” the NCAA wrote
in its report. “This can impact them on both a personal and professional level, and ultimately affect their wellbeing and ability to perform at their best.”
The NCAA said sports-betting harassment was spread across all the championships covered in the study.
Racial comments made up about 10% of the abusive messages studied, but the survey found the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments were a focus of such content.
“Toxic online fans resorted to racist mockery, comparing players to monkeys and labelling them as thugs,” the NCAA’s study found. Women’s basketball play-
ers, teams and officials received such treatment, the NCAA said.
“The level of Dogwhistle content during the (basketball) Women’s championships should be highlighted as well in connection with racism,” the governing body said in the report.
The study monitored the accounts of 3,164 student-athletes, 489 coaches, 197 game officials, 165 teams and 12 NCAA official channels using Signify Group’s artificial intelligence Threat Matrix. It identified varying areas of online abuse and threats. Violence was found to be the subject of 6% of all verified abusive and threatening content,
according to the study. College football at the FBS level, the men’s basketball tournament and volleyball all received “high proportions of violent, abusive or threatening content.”
Other threatening messages were connected to homophobia and transphobia, doping and steroid use and match officials.
The NCAA said risks come across all sports, saying in some instances volleyball and gymnastics generated more “concerning” abusive messages than March Madness or the College Football Playoff.
The NCAA report said social media abuse and threats can have a significant effect on ath-
letes and others involved in college sports.
Even if an athlete who is the target of such abuse says they are fine, “this should not be assumed to be the case,” NCAA said.
Such targeting can continue after a welfare check, “which is why action needs to be taken to protect them long-term,” the organization said.
NCAA president Charlie Baker said the study is evidence of what some athletes deal with as they go through their time in college.
“We will exhaust all options to reduce the harassment and vitriol student-athletes are experiencing too often today,” he said in a statement.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Senior Franajai Ransom (12) had a 23-yard fumble return for a touchdown in Hoke’s homecoming win.
MARK HUMPHREY / AP PHOTO
SIDELINE REPORT
NCAA FOOTBALL
UNC football player Craft dies from rare lung cancer at 23
Chapel Hill
UNC football player Tylee Craft has died from a rare form of lung cancer. Coach Mack Brown made the announcement following the Tar Heels’ loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday. Craft was 23. Brown said he didn’t learn of Craft’s death until after the game. The team had honored Craft during Saturday’s game by wearing shirts bearing Craft’s name and number. UNC had honored Craft’s family on the field. Receiver J.J. Jones also wore Craft’s jersey during the game. Craft played a reserve role in 2020 and 2021 before his diagnosis in March 2022.
NFL
The 49ers fined $100K by NFL after Greenlaw shoved opponent on sideline Santa Clara, Calif. The San Francisco 49ers were fined $100,000 as punishment for an inactive player getting involved in a sideline scuffle. Niners
cornerback Charvarius Ward was engaged near the sideline with Cardinals tight end Trey McBride at the end of a play. McBride blocked Ward into the San Francisco bench area and Ward grabbed his face mask. Dre Greenlaw, who is on the physically unable to perform list, then shoved McBride away from Ward. There were no penalties called on the play, but all three players were issued fines. The Niners were fined because Greenlaw joined the fray as an inactive player.
NCAA SPORTS
DI Council approves cutting football, basketball portal windows to 30 days Indianapolis
The NCAA’s Division I Council approved changes to shorten the transfer portal windows for football and basketball from 45 to 30 days while keeping an additional 30-day window in all sports after the departure of a head coach. The new fall window will be 20 days after Bowl Subdivision conference championships from Dec. 9-28, with the remaining 10 days occurring from April 16-25 next spring. Basketball’s current window of March 17-April 30, 2025, will shorten to 30 days after the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The changes took effect last week.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Pitino makes surprise visit to Kentucky to support Pope Lexington, Ky. Rick Pitino was wildly cheered in a surprise return to Rupp Arena, with the Hall of Fame coach saying “I am so happy to be back” in a show of support for first-year Kentucky coach and former captain Mark Pope at the Big Blue Madness public practice. Pitino, who guided Kentucky back from NCAA sanctions to the 1996 national championship before later becoming an enemy to the fan base for coaching rival Louisville, dropped in near the end of the exhibition and received a standing ovation. Pitino, who coaches St. John’s, wore a blue pullover with the white UK logo.
Rays say it may take ‘weeks’ to fully assess damage at Tropicana Field
Storm shredded the roof of Tampa Bay’s domed stadium
By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press
THE TAMPA BAY Rays said it may take weeks to fully assess how much damage was done to Tropicana Field, which saw its roof ripped to shreds by the force of Hurricane Milton as the deadly storm barreled across much of Florida.
The team said no one was injured when the St. Petersburg ballpark was struck by the storm last Wednesday night. A handful of “essential personnel” were inside Tropicana Field as the roof panels were blown apart, much of the debris falling on the field and seats below.
“Over the coming days and weeks, we expect to be able to assess the true condition of Tropicana Field,” the Rays said last Thursday. “In the meantime, we
Holding
are working with law enforcement to secure the building. We ask for your patience at this time, and we encourage those who can to donate to organizations in our community that are assisting those directly impacted by these storms.”
Milton was the second hurricane to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast in the span of two weeks, preceded by Hurricane Helene, which flooded streets and homes on that same side of the state and left at least 230 people dead across the South.
The Rays aren’t scheduled to play in the ballpark again until March 27, when they are supposed to play host to the Colorado Rockies to open the 2025 season.
For as bad as the damage was, the situation at Tropicana Field could have been worse.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had said earlier in the week that there were plans for the ballpark to serve as a “temporary base camp” to support debris
Super Bowl outside US a possibility, NFL commisioner says
The league hopes to double the number of international game
By Ken Maguire
The Associated Press
LONDON — The NFL’s aggressive international growth plan could include holding a Super Bowl outside the United States for the first time, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday.
Goodell has shot down the idea in the past, but he told a fan forum in London that it’s a possibility.
“We’ve always traditionally tried to play a Super Bowl in an NFL city — that was always sort of a reward for the cities that have NFL franchises,” he said in response to a question about moving the neutral-site game internationally. “But things change. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that happens one day.”
Goodell floated the idea as he outlined a plan that could include playing 16 international games every year if the regular season expands to 18 games.
He added that he has “no doubt” that Ireland will host a game soon. He named Rio de Janeiro as a likely new host and said the Jacksonville Jaguars are considering increasing the number of games they play
in London during their stadium renovations at home.
This season’s Super Bowl — the 59th edition — will be played in New Orleans. In 2026, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, will host, followed by SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California, in 2027. Kansas City’s 2522 overtime victory over San Francisco in the last Super Bowl was the most-watched program in U.S. television history.
Team owners already have authorized up to eight international games, but Goodell said they could double that number — creating a scenario where all 32 teams could play an international game each year.
The key is expanding the regular season by one game and reducing the number of preseason games to two.
“If we do expand our season — our regular season — to an 18-and-two structure, I see us going to 16 of those games being in international markets,” Goodell said.
He added that the plan could include a second bye week in the schedule.
“A lot of that depends on — can we continue to make the game safer, can we continue to modify the way we conduct the offseason as well as the training camp and as well as the season, so that these guys feel comfortable being able to play that period of time,” Goodell said.
cleanup operations and temporarily house some first responders. But those plans were changed as the storm neared, amid concerns that the roof simply would not survive Milton’s wrath.
“They were relocated,” DeSantis said at last Thursday morning’s news conference.
“Tropicana Field is a routine staging area for these things.
The roof on that ... I think it’s rated for 110 mph and so the forecast changes, but as it became clear that there was going to be something of that magnitude that was going to be within the distance, they redeployed them out of Tropicana.
There were no state assets that were inside Tropicana Field.”
The team previously said that Tropicana Field features the world’s largest cable-supported domed roof, with the panels made of “translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass” supported by 180 miles of cables connected by struts.
The roof was designed to withstand wind of up to 115 mph, according to the Rays. The stadium opened in 1990 at an initial cost $138 million and is due to be replaced in time for the 2028 season with a $1.3 billion ballpark.
Unlike two years ago when Hurricane Ian caused extensive damage that shut down the Tampa Bay Rays’ spring home in Port Charlotte, there were no reports of Milton causing serious issues that might impact operations this winter. The Rays continue to assess the situation at their training complex and stadium in Port Charlotte. The damage from Hurricane Ian cost more than $17 million to fix and forced the Rays to split workouts and spring training games between Disney World, near Orlando, and St. Petersburg in 2023. The Port Charlotte complex, which includes Charlotte Sports Park, reopened in time for spring training last winter.
“We’re
looking at other markets in the other direction, toward Asia. There’s probably more interest than we can handle.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell
Under that scenario, he said, the season would start around Labor Day and conclude around Presidents Day — the third Monday of February. Moving to an 18th game is seen as inevitable. The players union has indicated it is open to an agreement before the current labor deal expires after the 2030 season.
There are five international games this season, and Goodell said the league wants to increase to eight “quickly.” Dublin has been seen as the next likely host — after Madrid gets its first game in 2025.
“I have no doubt that we’re going to be playing in Ireland. I don’t know if it will be next year, but it’s coming soon,” Goodell said at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
He cited Rio de Janeiro as the possible host of the next Brazil game — Sao Paulo staged one this season.
London, which could get a night game at some point, has hosted regular-season games since 2007 and Germany since 2022.
“We’re looking at other markets in the other direction, toward Asia,” he said. “There’s probably more interest than we can handle.”
LYNNE SLADKY / AP PHOTO NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell walks on the field before a game between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills last month.
MIKE CARLSON / AP PHOTO
The roof of the Tropicana Field was damaged after Hurricane Milton hit the region.
Donald C. Lindsay, Sr.
Feb. 26, 1943 – Oct. 10, 2024
Mr. Donald C. Lindsay, Sr., of Raeford, NC peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at the age of 81.
He was born in Cumberland County on February 26, 1943, to the late David and Carra Lilly Lindsay.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Ann Lindsay, and his son, Richard Brian Lindsay.
Donald loved the Lord and was a lifetime member of Galatia Presbyterian Church where he served as Deacon and Elder.
He served his community as a volunteer firefighter for Lake Rim and Puppy Creek Fire Departments. He was on the Hoke County Soil and Water Conservation Board for over 25 years. Donald was selfemployed all his life as a small business owner and farmer. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.
He is survived by his wife of over 59 years, Connie Lindsay; his children, Tommy (Tonya), Michael (Nanette), Barbara, and Matt (Beth); grandchildren, Davey (Emily), Sarah (Marvin), Jessica, Amy (Phillip), Jared, Larra, and Jase; great grandchildren, Payton, Dexter, Chesney, and Cole; and two siblings, Alex (Heidi), and Susan.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2024, from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the Galatia Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall 8800 Galatia Church Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28304.
A service will follow in the Sanctuary at 4:00 pm with Reverend Brett Johnson officiating.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Galatia Presbyterian Church, or the First Health Hospice & Palliative Care in Moore County 251 Campground Road, West End, NC 27376.
Peter Dockery
Jan. 25, 1945 – Oct. 9, 2024
Mr. Peter Dockery age, 79 went home to rest with his Heavenly Father on October 9, 2024. A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 13 from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Rockfish Grove FWB Church. The Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, October 14 at noon at the Cape Fear Conference B Headquarters.
UNC football player Tylee Craft dies from rare lung cancer at 23
He stayed close with the program even after his diagnosis
By Doug Bonjour
The Associated Press
CHAPEL HILL — UNC football player Tylee Craft died Saturday morning from a rare form of lung cancer, coach Mack Brown said.
Brown made the announcement in his postgame news conference following the Tar Heels’ loss to Georgia Tech. Craft was 23.
“This young man fought so hard for his two and a half years,” Brown said. “The doctors told us he outlived what he should’ve. And he did it with the spirit, he did it with a smile on his face, he didn’t miss a meeting, he didn’t miss practice, he coached these other incredible young people.”
UNC had honored Craft — who was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer in March
2022 — during Saturday’s football game, which also happened to be the team’s annual Cancer Awareness Game. Friends and family members wearing shirts bearing Craft’s name and number were recognized during an on-field ceremony.
Wide receiver J.J. Jones wore Craft’s jersey with his No. 13 and last name against the Yellow Jackets.
Brown told reporters he didn’t learn of Craft’s death until after the game but sensed something had happened after sharing an emotional hug with Craft’s mother at the end of the first quarter.
“I think the family feels the love and they’ll continue to feel the love,” Brown said. “What we’ve got to do is be strong, and pray for strength for us as leaders, to help these guys on the field and off the field. … So more than ever before I have got to step up and be stronger for them and make sure that I can help them manage the stuff and
move forward in their lives.”
UNC football also announced Craft’s death in a statement posted on social media, followed later by a tribute video to Craft’s memory. Additionally, the UNC men’s basketball team wore shirts bearing Craft’s name and number for its intrasquad scrimmage at the Smith Center following the football game, and had a prescrimmage moment of silence in Craft’s honor.
Craft, from Sumter, South Carolina, played in seven games at receiver and on special teams as a true freshman in 2020 and four games in 2021 before his diagnosis. Still, he had remained present and close to the program.
“Tylee meant so much to so many and affected us in ways we’ll always be thankful for,” the football program’s statement said. “He was 1-of-1 and, while he won’t be with us in body, he’ll be watching over us with his endearing smile and endless positivity.”
REINHOLD MATAY / AP PHOTO
UNC wide receiver Tylee Craft (13) walks the bench during the second half of a home game against Minnesota in September 2023.
STATE & NATION
Man with gun arrested at checkpoint near Trump rally
The Las Vegas man was released on bail Saturday
By Christopher Weber
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — A Nevada man with a shotgun, loaded handgun, ammunition and several fake passports in his vehicle was arrested at a security checkpoint outside Donald Trump’s rally Saturday night in the Southern California desert, authorities said. He was released the same day on $5,000 bail.
The suspect, a 49-year-old resident of Las Vegas, was driving an unregistered black SUV with a “homemade” license plate that was stopped by deputies assigned to the rally in Coachella, east of Los Angeles, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.
The driver claimed to be a journalist, but it was unclear if he had the proper credentials. Deputies noticed the interior of the vehicle was “in disarray” and a search uncovered the weapons and ammo, along with multiple passports and driver licenses with different names, Bianco said.
The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine, the department said in a statement.
“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event,” the Saturday statement said. Trump had not yet arrived at the rally at the time of the arrest, the sheriff said Sunday. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 2, 2025, according to online records. Bianco declined to speculate about the suspect’s motives or frame of mind. “We know we
prevented something bad from happening, and it was irrelevant what that bad was going to be,” Bianco said.
The man made it past an outer security boundary and was stopped at an inner perimeter patrolled by the sheriff’s department, Bianco said. Another security checkpoint closer to the ral-
Historic Jersey Shore amusement park closes after generations of family thrills
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier was founded in 1929
By Wayne Parry The Associated Press
OCEAN CITY, N.J. — For generations of vacationers heading to Ocean City, the towering “Giant Wheel” was the first thing they saw from miles away.
The sight of the 140-foot-tall ride let them know they were getting close to the Jersey Shore town that calls itself “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” with its promise of kid-friendly beaches, seagulls and sea shells, and a bustling boardwalk full of pizza, ice cream and cotton candy.
And in the heart of it was Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, an amusement park that was the latest in nearly a century-long line of family-friendly amusement attractions operated by the family of Ocean City’s mayor.
But the rides fell silent and still Sunday night, as the park, run by Ocean City’s mayor and nurtured by generations of his ancestors, closed down, the victim of financial woes made worse by the lingering aftereffects of the
COVID-19 pandemic and Superstorm Sandy.
Gillian and his family have operated amusement rides and attractions on the Ocean City Boardwalk for 94 years. The latest iteration of the park, Wonderland, opened in 1965.
“I tried my best to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, through increasingly diffi-
cult challenges each year,” Mayor Jay Gillian wrote in August when he announced the park would close. “It’s been my life, my legacy and my family. But it’s no longer a viable business.”
Gillian did not respond to numerous requests for comment over the past week.
Sheryl Gross was at the park for its final day with her two chil-
ly site was operated by the Secret Service.
“The U.S. Secret Service assesses that the incident did not impact protective operations and former President Trump was not in any danger,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement Sunday. “While no federal arrest has been made at this time,
dren and five grandchildren, enjoying it one last time.
“I’ve been coming here forever,” she said. “My daughter is 43, and I’ve been coming here since she was 2 years old in a stroller. Now I’m here with my grandchildren.”
She remembers decades of bringing her family from Gloucester Township in the southern New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia to create happy family memories at Wonderland.
“Just the excitement on their faces when they get on the rides,” she said. “It really made it feel family-friendly. A lot of that is going to be lost now.”
There were long lines Sunday for the Giant Wheel, the log flume and other popular rides as people used the last of ride tickets many had bought earlier in the year, thinking Wonderland would go on forever.
A local nonprofit group, Friends of OCNJ History and Culture, is raising money to try and save the amusement park, possibly under a new owner who might be more amenable to buying it with some financial assistance. Bill Merritt, one of the nonprofit’s leaders, said the group has raised more than $1 million to help meet what could be a $20-million price tag for the property.
“Ocean City will be fundamentally different without this attraction,” he said. “This town relies on being family-friendly. The park has rides targeted at
“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event.”
Riverside County sheriff
the investigation is ongoing.”
Media members, as well as VIP ticket holders, were routed through a number of intersections manned by state and local law enforcement officers before arriving at a large, grassy area where drivers were asked to open hoods and trunks, and each vehicle was searched by a K-9 officer. Other general ticket holders were directed to a site roughly 3 miles away from the rally, where they were boarded onto buses and driven to the site.
Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the arrest. Security is very tight at Trump rallies following two recent assassination attempts. Last month, a Greensboro man was indicted on an attempted assassination charge after authorities said he staked out the former president for 12 hours and wrote of his desire to kill him. The Florida arrest came two months after Trump was shot and wounded in the ear in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
kids; it’s called ‘Wonderland’ for a reason.”
The property’s current owner, Icona Resorts, previously proposed a $150-million, 325-room luxury hotel elsewhere on Ocean City’s boardwalk, but the city rejected those plans.
The company’s CEO, Eustace Mita, said earlier this year he would take at least until the end of the year to propose a use for the amusement park property. He bought it in 2021 after Gillian’s family was in danger of defaulting on bank loans for the property.
At a community meeting last month, Gillian said Wonderland could not bounce back from Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the pandemic in 2020 and an increase in New Jersey’s minimum wage that doubled his payroll costs, leaving him $4 million in debt.
Mita put up funds to stave off a sheriff’s sale of the property and gave the mayor three years to turn the business around. That deadline expired this year.
Mita did not respond to requests for comment.
Merritt said he and others can’t imagine Ocean City without Wonderland.
“You look at it with your heart, and you say, ‘You’re losing all the cherished memories and all the history; how can you let that go?’” he said. “And then you look at it with your head and you say, ‘They are the reason this town is profitable; how can you let that go?’”
WAYNE PARRY / AP PHOTO
People ride the Giant Wheel and flying chair ride at Gillian’s Wonderland, the popular amusement park on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey, during its final day of operation Sunday before shutting down for good.
ALEX BRANDON / AP PHOTO
Former President Donald Trump gestures to the audience as he departs a campaign rally Saturday at the Calhoun Ranch in Coachella, California.
Crowning achievement
The newly crowned quartet of, from left, Miss Sandhills Carly Peeters, Miss Moore County Tori
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Harris criticizes Trump on hurricane response comments
Kamala Harris used an appearance before a largely black church audience in Greenville to call out Donald Trump for spreading misinformation about the federal government’s hurricane response. The Democratic presidential nominee didn’t speak Trump’s name on Sunday. But the former president is most prominent among those promoting false claims that the government isn’t helping Republican storm victims. The vice president later held a rally in Raleigh on Sunday to encourage early voting. “There are some who are not acting in the spirit of community,” Harris said. “And I am speaking of these who have been literally not telling the truth, lying about people who are working hard to help the folks in need, spreading disinformation when the truth and facts are required.”
Republicans sue over N.C. overseas ballots
Lawsuits filed by the Republican National Committee argue that Michigan and North Carolina should not be allowing overseas voters who have never lived in their state to vote. Now is not the time to raise objections to state law that has been in place for 13 years, said Patrick Gannon, a spokesman for the North Carolina State Board of Elections. “This lawsuit was filed after voting had already begun in North Carolina for the general election,” Gannon said in a statement. “The time to challenge the rules for voter eligibility is well before an election, not after votes have already been cast.”
Much of the funding will go toward its Siler City silicon carbide factory
By Josh Boak
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. —
The Biden administration announced plans Tuesday to provide up to $750 million in direct funding to Wolfspeed, with the money supporting its new silicon carbide factory in Siler City that makes the wafers used in advanced computer chips and its factory in Marcy, New York. Wolfspeed’s use of silicon carbide enables the computer chips used in electric vehicles and other advanced technologies to be more efficient. The North Carolina-based company’s two projects are estimated to create 2,000 manufacturing jobs as
part of a more than $6 billion expansion plan.
“Artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and clean energy are all technologies that will define the 21st century, and thanks to proposed investments in companies like Wolfspeed, the Biden administration is taking a meaningful step towards reigniting U.S. manufacturing of the chips that underpin these important technologies,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement.
The new Wolfspeed facility in Siler City could be a critical symbol in this year’s election, as it opened earlier this year in a swing state county that is undergoing rapid economic expansion in large part due to incentives provided by the Biden administration.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, is
making the case to voters that the administration’s mix of incentives are increasing factory work, while former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, says the threat of broad tariffs will cause overseas factories to relocate in the United States.
In 2023, President Joe Biden spoke at Wolfspeed to promote his economic agenda, saying it would help the United States outcompete China. Trump narrowly won North Carolina during the 2020 presidential election and has talked about bringing back the state’s furniture manufacturing sector.
The Biden administration’s argument is that the government support encourages additional private investments, a case that appears to apply to Wolfspeed.
In addition to the government grant, a group of invest-
Harris helps pack aid boxes for North Carolina hurricane victims
The VP attended church in Greenville and held a rally in Raleigh
By Josh Boak The Associated Press
RALEIGH — Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday helped pack diapers into boxes of personal care products destined for North Carolina hurricane victims, agreeing with one helper who said “it takes a village.”
“You’re exactly right,” Harris replied to Greg Hatem, owner of The Pit Authentic Barbecue restaurant as she put two packages of diapers inside each cardboard box that was placed in front of her assembly-line style. Harris met with black leaders at the barbecue restaurant in Raleigh before she joined volunteers who were there to pack bandages, baby formula, baby
Vice President Kamala Harris packs diapers with Greg Hatem, owner of The Pit Authentic
as Harris visited the Raleigh restaurant on Saturday to learn about their relief efforts for Hurricane
ment funds led by Apollo, The Baupost Group, Fidelity Management & Research Company and Capital Group plan to provide an additional $750 million to Wolfspeed, the company said. Wolfspeed also expects to receive $1 billion from an advanced manufacturing tax credit, meaning the company in total will have access of up to $2.5 billion.
Wolfspeed CEO Gregg Lowe told The Associated Press that the United States currently produces 70% of the world’s silicon carbide — and that the investments will help the country preserve its lead as China ramps up efforts in the sector.
Lowe said “we’re very happy with this grant” and that the Commerce Department staff awarding funds from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act was “terrific.”
nighting in the state, which narrowly backed her rival, Republican Donald Trump, in 2020. Democrats are campaigning hard to flip North Carolina into their column in the presidential election next month. On Sunday, Harris attended church in Greenville as part of her campaign’s “Souls to the Polls” effort to get out the vote and holding a rally. The weekend trip was her second to the battleground state after it was struck by Hurricane Helene. The Democratic presidential nominee went to North Carolina last Saturday to survey the aftermath of Helene and pledged federal assistance for its victims. Before her plane left Washington, Harris told reporters accompanying her that she looked
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DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Gross, Miss Moore County Teen Emma Taylor and Miss Sandhills Teen Emily Deans show off the glow rings being handed out to kids at the Gentry Team tent Friday during the year’s final Live After Five concert at the Village Arboretum in Pinehurst. THE MOORE COUNTY EDITION OF
STEVE HELBER / AP PHOTO
Barbecue,
Helene.
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forward to talking with residents “first and foremost to see how they’re doing in the wake of the hurricane.” Democrats view North Carolina as swinging their way this year with its base of black and college-educated voters, as well as women concerned about the loss of abortion protections. But the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has become a political flashpoint with former President Trump and his allies attacking the Biden administration’s response to the natural disaster.
At The Pit, Harris met with black elected, faith and community leaders. Her campaign did not release a list of the people she met with.
After church on Sunday, Harris, a Baptist, spoke about her economic plans at a rally to generate support for early voting, now underway in North Carolina.
One of her prime messages has been that there should be no price gouging by companies seeking to take advantage of shortages caused by the hurricanes, an issue she has made central to her campaign as a way to tackle inflation.
“To any company or individual that is using this crisis to jack up prices through illegal fraud or price gouging, whether it be at the gas pump, the airport or the hotel counter, we will be monitoring and there will be a consequence,” Harris said at Friday’s briefing.
But Trump and his allies have falsely suggested that disaster relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency went to immigrants instead of hurricane victims, while also suggesting that people are not getting the full financial support to which they’re legally entitled.
At a recent rally in Reading, Pennsylvania, Trump said the response has been worse than during 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, which left nearly 1,400 people dead and caused $200 billion in damages.
“North Carolina’s been hit very hard and this administration has not done a proper job at all. Terrible, terrible,” Trump said at the rally, adding that Harris was “on a fundraising comedy tour while people are stranded and drowning all over some of our greatest states.”
President Joe Biden has called Trump’s falsehoods about the government’s response “un-American” and told his predecessor to “get a life, man.”
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
Volunteers bring solar power to Helene’s disaster zone
Microgrids of solar paired with batteries provides essential lifeline
By Gabriela Aoun Angueira The Associated Press
BAKERSVILLE — Near-
ly two weeks after Hurricane Helene downed power lines and washed out roads all over North Carolina’s mountains, the constant din of a gas-powered generator is getting to be too much for Bobby Renfro.
It’s difficult to hear the nurses, neighbors and volunteers flowing through the community resource hub he has set up in a former church for his neighbors in Tipton Hill, a crossroads in the Pisgah National Forest north of Asheville. Much worse is the cost: he spent $1,200 to buy it and thousands more on fuel that volunteers drive in from Tennessee. Turning off their only power source isn’t an option. This generator runs a refrigerator holding insulin for neighbors with diabetes and powers the oxygen machines and nebulizers some of them need to breathe.
The retired railroad worker worries that outsiders don’t understand how desperate they are, marooned without power on hilltops and down in “hollers.”
“We have no resources for nothing,” Renfro said. “It’s going to be a long ordeal.”
About 23,500 of the 1.5 million customers that lost power in western North Carolina still lacked electricity on Sunday, according to Poweroutage. us. Without it, they can’t keep medicines cold or power medical equipment or pump well water. They can’t recharge
Oct. 8
• John Andrew Newman, 35, was arrested by Pinehurst PD for second-degree trespass.
Oct. 9
• Alfred Washington, 33, was arrested by Aberdeen PD for breaking or entering.
• Brandon Wayne Inman, 32, was arrested by MCSO for possession of methamphetamine.
their phones or apply for federal disaster aid.
Crews from all over the country and even Canada are helping Duke Energy and local electric cooperatives with repairs, but it’s slow going in the dense mountain forests, where some roads and bridges are completely washed away.
“The crews aren’t doing what they typically do, which is a repair effort. They’re rebuilding from the ground up,” said Kristie Aldridge, vice president of communications at North Carolina Electric Cooperatives.
Residents who can get their hands on gas and diesel-powered generators are depending on them, but that is not easy. Fuel is expensive and can be a long drive away. Generator fumes pollute and can be deadly. Small home generators are designed to run for hours or days, not weeks and months.
Now, more help is arriving. Renfro received a new power source this week, one that will be cleaner, quieter and free to operate. Volunteers with the nonprofit Footprint Project and a local solar installation company delivered a solar generator with six 245-watt solar panels, a 24-volt battery and an AC power inverter. The panels now rest on a grassy hill outside the community building.
Renfro hopes his community can draw some comfort and security, “seeing and knowing that they have a little electricity.”
The Footprint Project is scaling up its response to this disaster with sustainable mobile infrastructure. It has deployed dozens of larger solar microgrids, solar generators and machines that can pull water from the air to 33 sites
Oct. 11
• Jamie Faye Vest, 28, was arrested by MCSO for statutory rape of child 15 or younger.
• Destiny Marie Ritter, 22, was arrested by Foxfire Village PD for possession of marijuana paraphernalia.
• Joyce Taylor Green, 45, was arrested by MCSO for resisting a public officer.
Oct. 13
• Daniel Alan Rowley, 38, was arrested by Aberdeen PD for sexual battery.
so far, along with dozens of smaller portable batteries.
With donations from solar equipment and installation companies as well as equipment purchased through donated funds, the nonprofit is sourcing hundreds more small batteries and dozens of other larger systems and even industrial-scale solar generators known as “Dragon Wings.”
Will Heegaard and Jamie Swezey are the husbandand-wife team behind Project Footprint. Heegaard founded it in 2018 in New Orleans with a mission of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions of emergency responses. Helene’s destruction is so catastrophic, however, that Swezey said this work is more about supplementing generators than replacing them.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Swezey said as she stared at a whiteboard with scribbled lists of requests, volunteers and equipment. “It’s all hands on deck with whatever you can use to power whatever you need to power.”
Down near the interstate in Mars Hill, a warehouse owner let Swezey and Heegaard set up operations and sleep inside. They rise each morning triaging emails and texts from all over the region. Requests for equipment range from individuals needing to power a home oxygen machine to makeshift clinics and community hubs distributing supplies.
The hardest to help could be people whose homes and businesses are too damaged to connect, and they are why the Footprint Project will stay in the area for as long as they are needed, Swezey said.
“We know there are people who will need help long after the power comes back.”
Oct. 14
• Christian Hope Vredenburg, 31, was arrested by MCSO for misdemeanor child abuse.
• Brock Wilson Tyner, 22, was arrested by MCSO for breaking and entering.
• Joseph Michael Thompson, 30, was arrested by MCSO for possession with intent to sell/deliver Schedule II controlled substance.
• Shaniya Clea Melia Davis, 31, was arrested by MCSO for possession of Schedule I controlled substance.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:
Oct. 17
Moore County Farmers Market
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
604 W. Morganton Rd (Armory Sports Complex), Southern Pines
The Vass Farmers Market
3 to 6:30 p.m.
Sandy Ramey Keith Park 3600 US-1 BUS, Vass
Shop the Vass Farmers Market every Thursday at Sandy Ramey Keith Park. Enjoy supporting many local farmers and vendors.
Oct. 17-19
Moore County Historical Association: Shaw House & Property Tours
1 to 4 p.m.
Shaw House 110 Morganton Rd., Pinehurst
The Moore County Historical Association’s Shaw House grounds and properties are open for tours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. The tours are free and open to all ages. Enjoy learning of the impressive history here in Moore County. “The Moore County Historical Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing, the rich historical legacy of the towns, cities and surrounding area, of Moore County, North Carolina.”
Oct. 19
Fall Festival on the Farm
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Come out for much fall fun!
Enjoy the new corn maze, just added this year. There will be vendors to browse, hayrides, pumpkin picking, antique tractors, animals, produce and ice cream!
Oct. 23
Sandhills Farmers Market
3 to 6 p.m.
James W. Tufts
Memorial Park
1 Village Green Road West, Pinehurst
The Sandhills Farmers Market features some of the many wonderful farms, nurseries, bakeries, meat and egg providers, cheesemakers and specialty food producers our area has to offer. For more information visit: moorefarmfresh.com.
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
Neighbors helping neighbors
Now is the time for agencies like FEMA to work efficiently and support — not hinder — the recovery effort in North Carolina.
IT BREAKS MY HEART to see the devastation brought to our beautiful state and all those impacted by Hurricane Helene. The damage is unbelievably catastrophic and communities across western North Carolina face a long road to recovery, but we will be with them every step of the way.
Our North Carolina congressional delegation is working together to ensure these communities have the federal support they need as they recover and rebuild, and my staff and I are in close communication with federal, state and local partners.
Recently, I led Republican members of our delegation in urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to utilize the unoccupied Greensboro Influx Care Facility (ICF) to assist in western North Carolina’s recovery efforts. After my repeated requests, FEMA told us it will have the facility available, but more needs to be done. Countless North Carolinians are now tragically displaced or without basic supplies because of Hurricane Helene, and they must be taken care of and offered every resource available.
My team and I are continuing to receive briefings from FEMA, HHS, North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) and other agencies on their ongoing efforts to help western North Carolina. While I am extremely frustrated by how slow the federal response has been, I am grateful for the service of the first responders, troops, charitable organizations, and individuals across the state and nation who are stepping up and saving lives. I will keep pushing to get more resources and support on the ground quickly because these communities need help.
In support of these efforts, I joined several of my House Republican
COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE
colleagues in demanding the Biden-Harris administration remove as many federal barriers as possible to make it easier for communities to rebuild homes and businesses. Western North Carolina and all regions affected by Helene do not have the time to deal with burdensome, unnecessary regulations as they work to rebuild from the ground up. The clock is ticking, and if bureaucratic red tape gets in the way, it will be a serious failure by the federal government.
Additionally, I’ve been in contact with our hospitals and health care providers to ensure they have all they need to take care of patients. I’ve been working with HHS to make sure hospitals are open and they have sufficient resources, including medicines and surgical tools, to treat patients throughout the impacted region.
Now is the time for agencies like FEMA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work efficiently and support — not hinder — the recovery effort in North Carolina and across the Southeast. Countless lives have been uprooted, and the last thing they need is government interference.
While this tragedy is a once in a lifetime event, we are reminded that we are Carolina Strong. Back home in our region, I saw firsthand all the people that have stepped up to help collect supplies and send them to our neighbors in western North Carolina. It was truly inspiring to see neighbors helping neighbors, and I’m thankful for all those who are lending a hand.
We continue to pray for everyone affected by this storm. Should you or a family member need assistance, please visit my website for Hurricane Helene resources and information: hudson.house.gov/hurricane-heleneresources. The road ahead will be incredibly tough, but North Carolinians are resilient.
Richard Hudson represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District.
What the census can tell us about swing states
If Trump carries Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona, Harris must win all three “blue wall” states to be elected president.
JONATHAN DRAEGER, reporter for RealClearPolitics, wrote Tuesday that “the 2024 presidential contest couldn’t be tighter.” Unless, of course, it turns out not to be nearly as close as this season’s run of polls suggests it is.
One indication that it might not be was a New York Times-Siena poll released this week showing Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris in Florida 55% to 41%. That’s quite a switch from the 48.85% to 48.84% by which George W. Bush carried the state in 2000, or the 48.6% to 47.4% there for Trump over Hillary Clinton in 2016.
As the Times’ brilliant and painstaking poll analyst Nate Cohn wrote, this result could just turn out to be an outlier: Polling theory says one in 20 polls is outside the margin of error. Or it could represent a continuation of the 2022 offyear results, which showed Republicans doing much better in Florida than in the current target states, such as Pennsylvania and Michigan. But it could also have resulted, he explained, from population change. According to Census Bureau estimates, Florida’s population grew by 4.7% between July 2020 and July 2023 (the latest available), a greater percentage increase than any other state except much less populous Idaho. That’s a population increase of more than 1 million people in just three years, with many newcomers perhaps attracted by Florida’s famously less restrictive COVID-19 policies.
As Cohn noted, many other polls may miss the effects of interelection demographic changes by weighting results according to respondents’ recollections of previous votes. Since voters historically have overreported supporting election winners, this tends to overstate support for the previously losing party and, in this case, for Trump. However, pollsters take that risk for fear of understating his support, as so many 2016 and 2020 polls did.
Cohn’s analysis raises the question of whether population shifts may affect the balance, which seems exquisitely close, in the seven target states. So let’s look at the changes in the 2020 and 2023 census estimates by county. Nationally, the period saw movement away from central cities and toward exurbs and salubrious rural areas.
This analysis reveals little about Nevada, where 69% of 2020 votes and 79% of the 202023 population increase were in Las Vegascentered Clark County.
A little more can be said about Arizona, where Phoenix-centered Maricopa County had 61% of 2020 votes and 58% of the 202023 population increase. Among smaller counties, those leaning Republican grew by 83,000 people (all totals rounded off), and those leaning Democratic, including Tucson’s Pima County, grew by 21,000. Advantage: Republicans.
The picture is mixed in fast-growing and excruciatingly marginal Georgia and North Carolina.
North Carolina’s population grew by 3.7% overall and by 4% in the six counties, including those with Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro and Winston-Salem, which voted 56% to 75% for Joe Biden. The other 94 counties (mostly Republican) grew by 3.5%. That slight edge, plus the weakness of the Republican nominee for governor, gives Democrats reason to hope Harris can win the one target state Biden lost by 49.9% to 48.6% in 2020.
Georgia, which Trump lost 49.5% to 49.2%, looks different. Metropolitan Atlanta’s three central counties, heavily Democratic, grew by only 7,000 people, and four Democratic-trending ring counties with diverse populations increased by 44,000. But 12 mostly white exurban counties, which vote overwhelmingly Republican, increased by 100,000, and with polls showing black voters trending Republican, Trump is likely to reduce Democratic margins in black-majority exurban counties whose population increased by 22,000.
The three northern “blue wall” states, in contrast, had less than 1% population loss (Pennsylvania and Michigan) or gain (Wisconsin). If, as many expect, Trump carries Georgia, North Carolina and Arizona, Harris must win all three “blue wall” states to be elected president.
In Pennsylvania, Democrats depend heavily on big margins in Philadelphia, and in 2020, turnout increased to 743,000, a 40-year high. But Philadelphia’s population fell by 50,000 people in 2020-23, and a Philadelphia Inquirer report detailed that Hispanic and black voters in Philadelphia have been trending Republican. The city’s four suburban county populations rose by just 27,000. Not enough to offset the city decline and the likely increased Hispanic
support in five blue-collar counties beyond metropolitan Philadelphia.
In western Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh’s Allegheny County, with trendy inner-city neighborhoods and upscale suburbs, lost 25,000 people, while nearby Butler County, where Trump was shot July 13 and returned two Saturdays ago, gained 4,000. Overall, the state beyond metropolitan Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where Biden carried only eight of 57 counties, gained 19,000 people.
In Michigan, the picture is similar. The three counties, including or touching on Detroit, lost 46,000 people in 2020-23, and the industrial belt from Flint to Bay City, where Democrats are struggling, lost another 8,000. The three counties with large universities, which delivered a higher Biden percentage than either of the two blue-collar areas, lost 6,000. The state’s other 74 counties, which voted 58% to 40% for Trump over Biden, gained 26,000. Wisconsin seems slightly more favorable for Democrats. The historic Democratic powerhouse, Milwaukee County, lost 22,000 people, but the three suburban WOW counties, historically Republican but a little less so in the Trump era, gained just 8,000. That is overmatched by the 13,000 gained by Madison’s Dane County, which, with its state capital and flagship university, exceeded Milwaukee’s Democratic percentage and almost equaled its Democratic vote margin in 2020.
Let me close with a perhaps unscientific observation. Looking at the target state polls reported by RealClearPolitics with all or the bulk of interviews conducted since Sept. 25, I note that 14 show Trump leading, along with one for Harris and one tie. It’s less one-sided if you look at the target state polls reported by Nate Silver’s Silver Bulletin, but still with 15 for Trump, six for Harris and six ties. Note that there are almost no target state polls conducted since the vice presidential debate on Oct. 1. Have the vibes run out for Harris, as my Washington Examiner colleague W. James Antle suggests? Seems like a fair question.
Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”
COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON
Fla. neighbors band together in recovery from Helene, Milton
The hurricanes struck the state within two weeks of each other
By Russ Bynum and Laura Bargfeld
The Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — When ankle-deep floodwaters from Hurricane Helene bubbled up through the floors of their home, Kat Robinson-Malone and her husband sent a latenight text message to their neighbors two doors down: “Hey, we’re coming.”
The couple waded through the flooded street to the elevated front porch of Chris and Kara Sundar, whose home was built on higher ground, and handed over their 8-year-old daughter and a gas-powered generator.
The Sundars’ lime-green house in southern Tampa also became a refuge for Brooke and Adam Carstensen, whose house next door to Robinson-Malone also flooded.
The three families met years earlier when their children became playmates, and the adults’ friendships deepened during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. So when Helene and Hurricane Milton struck Florida within two weeks of each other, the neighbors closed ranks as one big extended family, cooking meals together, taking turns watching children and clean-
i
ng out their damaged homes.
And as Milton threatened a direct strike on Tampa last week, the Malones, Sundars and Carstensens decided to evacuate together. They drove more than 450 miles in a caravan to metro Atlanta — seven adults, six children, four dogs and teenage Max Carstensen’s three pet rats.
“Everyone has, like, the chainsaw or a tarp,” Robinson-Malone said Sunday. “But really the most important thing for us was the community we built. And that made all the difference for the hurricane rescue and the recovery. And now, hopefully, the restoration.”
Recovery efforts continued Sunday in storm-battered communities in central Florida, where President Joe Biden surveyed the devastation. Biden said he was thankful the damage from Milton was not as severe as officials had anticipated. But he said it was still a “cataclysmic” event for people caught in the path of the hurricane, which has been blamed for at least 11 deaths.
The number of homes and businesses in Florida still without electricity dropped to about 500,000 on Sunday, according to Poweroutage.us. That was down from more than 3 million after Milton made landfall Wednesday as a Category 3 storm.
Fuel shortages also appeared
to be easing as more gas stations opened, and lines at pumps in the Tampa area looked notably shorter. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced nine sites where people can get 10 gallons each for free.
While recovery efforts were gaining steam, a full rebound will take far longer.
DeSantis cautioned that debris removal could take up to a year, even as Florida shifts nearly 3,000 workers to the cleanup. He said Biden has approved 100% federal reimbursement for those efforts for 90 days.
“The (removal of) debris has to be 24/7 over this 90-day period,” DeSantis said while speaking next to a pile of furniture, lumber and other debris in Treasure Island, an island city near St. Petersburg that has been battered by both recent hurri-
canes. “That’s the way you get the job done.”
National Weather Service meteorologist Paul Close said rivers will keep rising for the next several days and result in flooding, mostly around Tampa Bay and northward. Those areas got the most rain, which came on top of a wet summer that included several hurricanes.
Meanwhile, residents unable to move back into their damaged homes were making other arrangements.
Robinson-Malone and her husband, Brian, bought a camper trailer that’s parked in their driveway. They plan to live there while their gutted home is repaired and also improved to make it more resilient against hurricanes.
“These storms, they’re just
US to send missile defense system to Israel
Troops will also be deployed to operate the technology
By Lolita C. Baldor
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it, the Pentagon said Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden. He said the system will help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s ballistic
missile attacks on Israel in April and October.
The delivery of the sophisticated missile defense system risks further inflaming the conflict in the Middle East despite widespread diplomatic efforts to avoid an all-out war. The Iranian warning came in a post on the social platform X long associated with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who noted the earlier reports that the U.S. was considering the deployment.
Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have been clashing since Oct. 8, 2023, when the Lebanese militant group began firing rockets over the border in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza. Late last month, Israel launched a ground invasion into Lebanon.
Israel is widely believed to be preparing a military response to Iran’s Oct. 1 attack when it
fired roughly 180 missiles into Israel.
In a brief exchange with reporters before leaving Florida on Sunday, Biden said he agreed to deploy the THAAD battery “to defend Israel.” Biden spoke at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa after making a quick visit to see the damage caused by Hurricane Milton and meet with first responders, residents and local leaders.
Ryder, in his statement, said the deployment “underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran.”
It was not immediately apparent where the THAAD battery was coming from or when it will arrive. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli army spokesman, declined to provide any timeline
for its arrival but thanked the U.S. for its support.
The U.S. deployed one of the batteries to the Middle East along with additional Patriot battalions to bolster protections for U.S. forces in the region late last year after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas militants. Ryder also said the U.S. sent a THAAD battery to Israel in 2019 for training.
It also is not unusual for the U.S. to have a limited number of troops in Israel, which the U.S. considers a key regional ally. There generally has been a small number of forces there consistently, as well as routine rotational deployments for training and exercises.
The THAAD will add another layer to Israel’s already significant air defenses, which include separate systems designed to intercept long-range,
going to keep happening,” she said. “And we want to be prepared for it.”
The Carstensens plan to demolish what’s left of their flooded, low-slung home, which was built in 1949, and replace it with a new house higher off the ground. For the time being, they are staying with Brooke Carstensen’s mother.
Chris Sundar said he’s questioning his plan to remain in Tampa until his children have all graduated from high school a decade from now. His house remains the home base for the families’ kids, ages 8 to 13. On the wall is a list of chores for them all, from folding laundry to emptying wastebaskets. Brooke Carstensen, a teacher, has helped the children through an extended period without school.
medium-range and shortrange threats. Israel recently retired its U.S.-made Patriot systems after decades of use.
According to an April report by the Congressional Research Service, the Army has seven THAAD batteries. Generally, each consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment, and requires 95 soldiers to operate.
The THAAD is considered a complementary system to the Patriot but can defend a wider area. It can hit targets at 93 to 124 miles and is used to destroy short-range, medium-range and limited intermediate-range ballistic missile threats that are either inside or outside the atmosphere.
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency is responsible for developing the system, but it is operated by the Army. An eighth system has been funded and ordered and is expected to be in the field sometime next year.
CHRIS O’MEARA / AP PHOTO
Chris Sundar measures the depth of floodwaters from Hurricane Milton in his garage in Tampa, Florida.
MOORE SPORTS
4 interceptions help North Moore spoil Seaforth’s homecoming
The Mustangs have won three games in a row
By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal
PITTSBORO — North Moore
won the turnover battle in a 3820 win over Seaforth Friday, spoiling the Hawks’ homecoming night and extending its win streak to three.
Junior defensive back Martez Johnson grabbed two of the Mustangs’ four interceptions on back-to-back pivotal possessions in the fourth quarter.
After a 4-yard touchdown run from junior Joseph Dunn put North Moore up 31-17, Johnson ended Seaforth’s ensuing drive by catching a tipped pass from sophomore punter Travis Mann on a fake punt attempt.
Seaforth got another chance to make it a one-possession game after recovering a fumble on the following possession and driving down to the North Moore 32-yard line. However, Johnson, playing at safety, jumped a seam route at the 15-yard line, setting up a long offensive drive ended by Dunn’s 1-yard score to put North Moore up, 38-17, with just under two minutes left to play.
“I was seeing a lot,” Johnson said. “I just read the quarterback open up, I had to drop and then I drove on the play.”
Said North Moore coach Andrew Carrouth, “Martez is a heck of a ball player for us. He’s a guy who earlier we were trying to play a lot at corner, and I think that’s his most natural position, but he’s such a good player in the run that we needed to get him more involved as a safety.”
Junior Trace Shaw and senior Jax Hussey also grabbed backto-back interceptions in the second quarter, and Hussey’s pick led to senior Brandon Powell running in a 9-yard touchdown to give the Mustangs their first lead of the game, 17-10.
In usual North Moore fashion, the Mustangs gained all 455 of their total offense on the ground. Powell and sophomore Stryker Murray, who played his first full varsity game in place of injured running back Xander Greene, rushed for 172 and 167 yards, respectively, and Murray also scored a touchdown.
Murray said the counter play worked all night long.
and spoiling Seaforth’s homecoming,
team photo on the Hawks’ field before heading back home.
“Most of the time, it was like Moses parting the Red Sea,” Murray said.
With Seaforth struggling with turnovers and only mustering 71 rushing yards, the Hawks stayed in the game through explosive plays.
On the first play from scrimmage, junior receiver Jacob Winger caught a tipped pass intended for sophomore Max Hinchman and took it 64 yards to the house to give Seaforth an early 7-0 lead. Sophomore quarterback Duncan Parker connected with Winger three more times in the game, including a 40-yard completion in the first quarter that helped Winger lead all receivers with 135 yards. Parker responded to the latter of his second-quarter interceptions by faking a hand-off and taking off for a 64-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 17 with just under four minutes left in the first half.
Yet, the second half was much quieter as the Hawks only completed five passes and rushed for negative yards. Part of that was the “physical” play of North Moore’s defense and the other part was the Mustangs running the clock down with long drives.
“We play a lot of complimentary football,” Carrouth said.
“If the offense is able to get out there and get some drives and that keeps the defense off the field and keeps them rested, I think that helped us a lot tonight.
I thought we tackled pretty well
tonight, and I thought we were physical.”
It’s fitting that turnovers helped lift the Mustangs over Seaforth as North Moore is turning its season over in the win-column.
After starting the year 0-4, their worst four-game start since going 1-3 in 2019, the Mustangs have found new momentum going into the final stretch of the regular season with three straight double-digit wins. The streak includes victories over Jordan-Matthews and Bartlett Yancey.
“A ton of credit goes to the kids,” Carrouth said. “We’ve got a bunch of tough kids there, especially when you have the success that we’ve had over the last couple of years. You know, 10-3 last year and 13-1 the year before. And then, you start 0-4, and the worst critics are the people that are right around you.”
Said Carrouth, “Our guys knew we were so young. We are playing so many underclassmen up on varsity right now because of injuries and this and that. And, we knew that we were going to take some lumps early to try to get adjusted to who we are and try to figure that out, and I think we’re starting to be able to do that.”
North Moore will look to climb to .500 as it plays at Graham Friday at 7 p.m.
Seaforth, after seeing a promising start to the season, will look to end its two-game slide when it travels to Southeast Alamance Friday at 7 p.m.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Hailey Gibbons
Pinecrest, volleyball
Hailey Gibbons is a senior on the Pinecrest volleyball team.
The Patriots finished a perfect 12-0 conference season with wins over Hoke County and Union Pines.
In the senior night win over Hoke, Gibbons led Pinecrest with 11 digs and 15 receptions, adding four service aces and an assist. In the regular season finale against Union Pines, Gibbons had 18 digs, 11 receptions, three assists and an ace.
For the season, Gibbons leads the team in aces per set and is third in digs, receptions and total aces.
Study: Widespread social media harassment of NCAA athletes, coaches
Female athletes were three times more likely to suffer online abuse than males
By Pete Iacobelli
The Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. — An NCAA study on social media abuse of athletes, coaches and other officials during championship events found nearly one in five posts that were flagged by an AI-based algorithm and determined to be abusive involved sexual harassment and 12% were related to sports betting, according to results of the pilot study released Thursday.
The college athletics governing body’s findings of its first online harassment study using Signify Group’s Threat Matrix examined more than 72,000 messages flagged by an algorithm. Over 5,000 of those posts were confirmed to contain abusive, discriminatory or threatening content and were reported to social media companies.
The study conducted during 2023-24 examined social media posts related to championship-level events in six sports: baseball, basketball, gymnastics, football, softball and volleyball.
Of the abusive posts, the study found 80% were directed at March Madness athletes, with female basketball players receiving about three times more abusive messages than their male counterparts.
The study cited one unidentified athlete who received more than 1,400 harassing messages in a two-week span.
“The risks and mental health challenges associated with being a victim of online abuse or threats are real and have a direct and immediate effect on athletes, coaches, officials, and their families,” the NCAA wrote in its report. “This can impact them on both a personal and professional level, and ultimately affect their wellbeing and ability to perform at their best.”
The NCAA said sports-betting harassment was spread across all the championships covered in the study.
Racial comments made up about 10% of the abusive messages studied, but the survey found the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments were a focus of such content.
“Toxic online fans resorted to racist mockery, comparing players to monkeys and labelling them as thugs,” the NCAA’s study found.
Women’s basketball players, teams and officials received such treatment, the NCAA said.
“The level of Dogwhistle content during the (basketball) Women’s championships should be highlighted as well in connection with racism,” the governing body said in the report.
The study monitored the accounts of 3,164 student-athletes, 489 coaches, 197 game officials, 165 teams and 12 NCAA official channels using Signify Group’s
artificial intelligence Threat Matrix. It identified varying areas of online abuse and threats. Violence was found to be the subject of 6% of all verified abusive and threatening content, according to the study.
College football at the FBS level, the men’s basketball tournament and volleyball all received “high proportions of violent, abusive or threatening content.”
Other threatening messages were connected to homophobia and transphobia, doping and
steroid use and match officials.
The NCAA said risks come across all sports, saying in some instances volleyball and gymnastics generated more “concerning” abusive messages than March Madness or the College Football Playoff.
The NCAA report said social media abuse and threats can have a significant effect on athletes and others involved in college sports.
Even if an athlete who is the target of such abuse says they are fine, “this should not be as-
sumed to be the case,” NCAA said.
Such targeting can continue after a welfare check, “which is why action needs to be taken to protect them long-term,” the organization said.
NCAA president Charlie Baker said the study is evidence of what some athletes deal with as they go through their time in college.
“We will exhaust all options to reduce the harassment and vitriol student-athletes are experiencing too often today,” he said in a statement.
DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL
NORTH MOORE MUSTANGS / X
After winning
North Moore posed for a
MARK HUMPHREY / AP PHOTO
People talk with each other following a panel discussion at an NCAA Convention meeting in Nashville.
SIDELINE REPORT
NCAA FOOTBALL
UNC football player Craft dies from rare lung cancer at 23
Chapel Hill
UNC football player Tylee Craft has died from a rare form of lung cancer. Coach Mack Brown made the announcement following the Tar Heels’ loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday. Craft was 23. Brown said he didn’t learn of Craft’s death until after the game. The team had honored Craft during Saturday’s game by wearing shirts bearing Craft’s name and number. UNC had honored Craft’s family on the field. Receiver J.J. Jones also wore Craft’s jersey during the game. Craft played a reserve role in 2020 and 2021 before his diagnosis in March 2022.
NFL
The 49ers fined $100K by NFL after Greenlaw shoved opponent on sideline Santa Clara, Calif.
The San Francisco 49ers were fined $100,000 as punishment for an inactive player getting involved in a sideline scuffle. Niners cornerback Charvarius Ward was engaged near the sideline with Cardinals tight end Trey McBride at the end of a play. McBride blocked Ward into the San Francisco bench area and Ward grabbed his face mask. Dre Greenlaw, who is on the physically unable to perform list, then shoved McBride away from Ward. There were no penalties called on the play, but all three players were issued fines. The Niners were fined because Greenlaw joined the fray as an inactive player.
NCAA SPORTS
DI Council approves cutting football, basketball portal windows to 30 days Indianapolis
The NCAA’s Division I Council approved changes to shorten the transfer portal windows for football and basketball from 45 to 30 days while keeping an additional 30-day window in all sports after the departure of a head coach. The new fall window will be 20 days after Bowl Subdivision conference championships from Dec. 9-28, with the remaining 10 days occurring from April 16-25 next spring. Basketball’s current window of March 17-April 30, 2025, will shorten to 30 days after the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The changes took effect last week.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Pitino makes surprise visit to Kentucky to support Pope Lexington, Ky. Rick Pitino was wildly cheered in a surprise return to Rupp Arena, with the Hall of Fame coach saying “I am so happy to be back” in a show of support for first-year Kentucky coach and former captain Mark Pope at the Big Blue Madness public practice. Pitino, who guided Kentucky back from NCAA sanctions to the 1996 national championship before later becoming an enemy to the fan base for coaching rival Louisville, dropped in near the end of the exhibition and received a standing ovation. Pitino, who coaches St. John’s, wore a blue pullover with the white UK logo.
Rays say it may take ‘weeks’ to fully assess damage at Tropicana Field
Storm shredded the roof of Tampa Bay’s domed stadium
By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press
THE TAMPA BAY Rays said it may take weeks to fully assess how much damage was done to Tropicana Field, which saw its roof ripped to shreds by the force of Hurricane Milton as the deadly storm barreled across much of Florida.
The team said no one was injured when the St. Petersburg ballpark was struck by the storm last Wednesday night. A handful of “essential personnel” were inside Tropicana Field as the roof panels were blown apart, much of the debris falling on the field and seats below.
“Over the coming days and weeks, we expect to be able to assess the true condition of Tropicana Field,” the Rays said last Thursday. “In the meantime, we
Holding
are working with law enforcement to secure the building. We ask for your patience at this time, and we encourage those who can to donate to organizations in our community that are assisting those directly impacted by these storms.”
Milton was the second hurricane to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast in the span of two weeks, preceded by Hurricane Helene, which flooded streets and homes on that same side of the state and left at least 230 people dead across the South.
The Rays aren’t scheduled to play in the ballpark again until March 27, when they are supposed to play host to the Colorado Rockies to open the 2025 season.
For as bad as the damage was, the situation at Tropicana Field could have been worse.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had said earlier in the week that there were plans for the ballpark to serve as a “temporary base camp” to support debris
Super Bowl outside US a possibility, NFL commisioner says
The league hopes to double the number of international game
By Ken Maguire
The Associated Press
LONDON — The NFL’s aggressive international growth plan could include holding a Super Bowl outside the United States for the first time, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Saturday.
Goodell has shot down the idea in the past, but he told a fan forum in London that it’s a possibility.
“We’ve always traditionally tried to play a Super Bowl in an NFL city — that was always sort of a reward for the cities that have NFL franchises,” he said in response to a question about moving the neutral-site game internationally. “But things change. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if that happens one day.”
Goodell floated the idea as he outlined a plan that could include playing 16 international games every year if the regular season expands to 18 games.
He added that he has “no doubt” that Ireland will host a game soon. He named Rio de Janeiro as a likely new host and said the Jacksonville Jaguars are considering increasing the number of games they play
in London during their stadium renovations at home.
This season’s Super Bowl — the 59th edition — will be played in New Orleans. In 2026, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, will host, followed by SoFi Stadium, in Inglewood, California, in 2027. Kansas City’s 2522 overtime victory over San Francisco in the last Super Bowl was the most-watched program in U.S. television history.
Team owners already have authorized up to eight international games, but Goodell said they could double that number — creating a scenario where all 32 teams could play an international game each year.
The key is expanding the regular season by one game and reducing the number of preseason games to two.
“If we do expand our season — our regular season — to an 18-and-two structure, I see us going to 16 of those games being in international markets,” Goodell said.
He added that the plan could include a second bye week in the schedule.
“A lot of that depends on — can we continue to make the game safer, can we continue to modify the way we conduct the offseason as well as the training camp and as well as the season, so that these guys feel comfortable being able to play that period of time,” Goodell said.
cleanup operations and temporarily house some first responders. But those plans were changed as the storm neared, amid concerns that the roof simply would not survive Milton’s wrath.
“They were relocated,” DeSantis said at last Thursday morning’s news conference.
“Tropicana Field is a routine staging area for these things.
The roof on that ... I think it’s rated for 110 mph and so the forecast changes, but as it became clear that there was going to be something of that magnitude that was going to be within the distance, they redeployed them out of Tropicana.
There were no state assets that were inside Tropicana Field.”
The team previously said that Tropicana Field features the world’s largest cable-supported domed roof, with the panels made of “translucent, Teflon-coated fiberglass” supported by 180 miles of cables connected by struts.
The roof was designed to withstand wind of up to 115 mph, according to the Rays. The stadium opened in 1990 at an initial cost $138 million and is due to be replaced in time for the 2028 season with a $1.3 billion ballpark.
Unlike two years ago when Hurricane Ian caused extensive damage that shut down the Tampa Bay Rays’ spring home in Port Charlotte, there were no reports of Milton causing serious issues that might impact operations this winter. The Rays continue to assess the situation at their training complex and stadium in Port Charlotte. The damage from Hurricane Ian cost more than $17 million to fix and forced the Rays to split workouts and spring training games between Disney World, near Orlando, and St. Petersburg in 2023. The Port Charlotte complex, which includes Charlotte Sports Park, reopened in time for spring training last winter.
“We’re
looking at other markets in the other direction, toward Asia. There’s probably more interest than we can handle.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell
Under that scenario, he said, the season would start around Labor Day and conclude around Presidents Day — the third Monday of February. Moving to an 18th game is seen as inevitable. The players union has indicated it is open to an agreement before the current labor deal expires after the 2030 season.
There are five international games this season, and Goodell said the league wants to increase to eight “quickly.” Dublin has been seen as the next likely host — after Madrid gets its first game in 2025.
“I have no doubt that we’re going to be playing in Ireland. I don’t know if it will be next year, but it’s coming soon,” Goodell said at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
He cited Rio de Janeiro as the possible host of the next Brazil game — Sao Paulo staged one this season.
London, which could get a night game at some point, has hosted regular-season games since 2007 and Germany since 2022.
“We’re looking at other markets in the other direction, toward Asia,” he said. “There’s probably more interest than we can handle.”
LYNNE SLADKY / AP PHOTO NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell walks on the field before a game between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills last month.
MIKE CARLSON / AP PHOTO
The roof of the Tropicana Field was damaged after Hurricane Milton hit the region.
Mary Kay Hester
June 10, 1971 – Oct. 5, 2024
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mary Kay Hester, 53, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, on October 5, 2024, after a long, hard battle with cancer.
Mary Kay was born on June 10th, 1971, to Susie and Samuel Thrasher in Louisville, Kentucky.
After Mary Kay graduated from Jeffersonville High, she continued her education at Methodist University to receive a bachelor’s degree. She worked at Gold’s Gym as the Manager and fitness instructor. She went on to work at Accurate Background as the Director of Operations. After retiring, Mary Kay spent her time gardening and spending more time with her family.
Mary Kay was a resilient, loving, and caring individual. She was known for her strong and fierce love for her family. Mary Kay always showed kindness to others no matter what the circumstance. Her favorite hobby was gardening, every house she lived in she would plant beautiful, colorful flowers all around her house and yard. She was truly blessed with the ability to make a home as lovely as it could be. Mary Kay’s favorite place to go was the beach, she enjoyed walking on the beach and taking in the atmosphere.
Mary Kay met the love of her life, Richard, in high school. They were married for 30 years and went on to have two children, Ian and Sarah.
She is survived by her husband Richard Hester; son, Ian Hester; daughter, Sarah Hester; and mother, Susie Thrasher. A Celebration of Life will be held at Solid Rock Community Church on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.
Donald Neal Griggs
Feb. 13, 1940 – Oct. 1, 2024
Donald Neal Griggs, 84, of Pinehurst, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at home with Sue, his wife of 58 years, by his side. He is also survived by two sons and daughters-in-law (Chris and Tracy of Fort Mill, S. C.; and Tim and Julie of Austin, TX); five grandchildren (Anna, Ryan, Sarah, Ellie, and Kai); one sister, Janet McCalla of Spring, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. Don lived most of his childhood on a farm in Ohio with his parents, Neal and Ruth Griggs and three older sisters, Evelyn, Gloria, and Janet. He enlisted in the Army following his graduation from high school in 1958. He attended Ohio State University and became a middle school biology teacher in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. On August 13, 1966, he married his college sweetheart, Sue Beckley. He went back to school and earned a National Science Foundation Master’s degree from Ohio State and taught middle school in Baldwinsville, NY. In 1975, Don’s life and career took a major turn. He became an analyst with the National Photographic Interpretation Center (NPIC) - part of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - and moved with Sue and their firstborn son, Chris, to Annapolis, MD. Don later ran the school for young imagery analysts, led a branch of NPIC analysts, and helped develop computer systems that could evaluate satellite imagery better than humans. At home, he was a devoted Scout leader, organizing trips and teaching cooking, swimming, and woodworking.
Don retired from the CIA in 2000 but continued to work as a contractor until 2005, when he and Sue finally left Maryland and settled in Pinehurst.
Don was a builder and a fixer. He spent parts of his early life building houses and barns and built two houses - literally by himself - for his family (one in Skaneateles, NY, and one in Port Tobacco, Md.) He was not a carpenter by trade nor a contractor - but was a master woodworker. He wasn’t a trained plumber or electrician, either, yet could fix any leak or wiring problem. In retirement, he didn’t build his house but continued to remodel and add to it. When not working on life-size projects, you could find Don building the most intricate dollhouse you’ve ever seen, or a real working model railroad in the attic.
He started the initial clowning program at the Moore County Regional Hospital where he became known as Billy Bob -fitting as his favorite holiday was Halloween when he dressed in memorable costumes and threw unforgettable parties.
He traveled around the world with his wife, most memorably driving for 32 days “on the wrong side of the road” in New Zealand. He designed his backyard in Pinehurst so that his garden path joined his neighbors’ backyards. The path eventually became known as “The Wine Walk,” which has included other neighbors along the way and has lasted nearly every Tuesday night for the past 18 years.
Mostly Don loved his boys and taught them by example. He taught them to work hard, to be honest, and to be responsible for their own actions. He taught them also to respect others and to help others whenever they could.
Don was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2016. He never complained and took it in his stride as he did everything. He joined Rock Steady Boxing and fought hard for eight years.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Boles Funeral Home, 35 Parker Lane, Pinehurst, at 2:00 on Friday, October 18, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care, 150 Applecross Road., Pinehurst, NC 28374 Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@northstatejournal.com
Mary Kathryn Crane
Dec. 18, 1947 – Oct. 5, 2024
Mary Kathryn Crane, 76, of Southern Pines, passed peacefully at the FirstHealth Hospice House on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024.
Born in Momence, IL. December 18, 1947, she was the daughter of the late Jack and Lola Bowen Crane.
The daughter of a U.S. Air Force Colonel, Mary’s family relocated frequently during her childhood. She had lived in England, New Mexico and finally Moses Lake, Washington where she graduated from high school. Mary went on to earn her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and her master’s degree from Gannon University in Erie, PA. She began her career as a Professor with Gannon University, a career that lasted 33 years. She was the Dean of Business of the Dahlkemper School of Business and then retired as Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities. Mary moved to the Sandhills to be closer to her grandchildren, who she adored more than anything else in the world. She enjoyed many new adventures throughout retirement by traveling with lifelong friends and finding new ones throughout South America, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia. Always a kind and selfless woman, Mary volunteered her time in various ways throughout the Sandhills and was a beloved neighbor to many at her home in Knollwood Village.
Mary is survived by her son Brian Barrett, wife Victoria, and daughter Barbara Barrett. She was the grandmother of Riley Barrett Vathroder, husband Garrett, and Colin Barrett. She was the sister of the late Lori White. Mary leaves behind her beloved dog Jack who will be loved and cared for by her children Brian and Barbara. A celebration of her life will be held at Boles Funeral Home, 35 Parker Ln. Pinehurst, on Saturday, Nov. 2nd at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends after the service from noon – 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Moore Humane Society or The Foundation of FirstHealth. Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
STATE & NATION
Man with gun arrested at checkpoint near Trump rally
The Las Vegas man was released on bail Saturday
By Christopher Weber
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — A Nevada man with a shotgun, loaded handgun, ammunition and several fake passports in his vehicle was arrested at a security checkpoint outside Donald Trump’s rally Saturday night in the Southern California desert, authorities said. He was released the same day on $5,000 bail.
The suspect, a 49-year-old resident of Las Vegas, was driving an unregistered black SUV with a “homemade” license plate that was stopped by deputies assigned to the rally in Coachella, east of Los Angeles, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.
The driver claimed to be a journalist, but it was unclear if he had the proper credentials. Deputies noticed the interior of the vehicle was “in disarray” and a search uncovered the weapons and ammo, along with multiple passports and driver licenses with different names, Bianco said.
The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a loaded firearm and possession of a high-capacity magazine, the department said in a statement.
“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event,” the Saturday statement said. Trump had not yet arrived at the rally at the time of the arrest, the sheriff said Sunday. The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 2, 2025, according to online records. Bianco declined to speculate about the suspect’s motives or frame of mind. “We know we
prevented something bad from happening, and it was irrelevant what that bad was going to be,” Bianco said.
The man made it past an outer security boundary and was stopped at an inner perimeter patrolled by the sheriff’s department, Bianco said. Another security checkpoint closer to the ral-
Historic Jersey Shore amusement park closes after generations of family thrills
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier was founded in 1929
By Wayne Parry The Associated Press
OCEAN CITY, N.J. — For generations of vacationers heading to Ocean City, the towering “Giant Wheel” was the first thing they saw from miles away.
The sight of the 140-foot-tall ride let them know they were getting close to the Jersey Shore town that calls itself “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” with its promise of kid-friendly beaches, seagulls and sea shells, and a bustling boardwalk full of pizza, ice cream and cotton candy.
And in the heart of it was Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, an amusement park that was the latest in nearly a century-long line of family-friendly amusement attractions operated by the family of Ocean City’s mayor.
But the rides fell silent and still Sunday night, as the park, run by Ocean City’s mayor and nurtured by generations of his ancestors, closed down, the victim of financial woes made worse by the lingering aftereffects of the
COVID-19 pandemic and Superstorm Sandy.
Gillian and his family have operated amusement rides and attractions on the Ocean City Boardwalk for 94 years. The latest iteration of the park, Wonderland, opened in 1965.
“I tried my best to sustain Wonderland for as long as possible, through increasingly diffi-
cult challenges each year,” Mayor Jay Gillian wrote in August when he announced the park would close. “It’s been my life, my legacy and my family. But it’s no longer a viable business.”
Gillian did not respond to numerous requests for comment over the past week.
Sheryl Gross was at the park for its final day with her two chil-
ly site was operated by the Secret Service.
“The U.S. Secret Service assesses that the incident did not impact protective operations and former President Trump was not in any danger,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement Sunday. “While no federal arrest has been made at this time,
dren and five grandchildren, enjoying it one last time.
“I’ve been coming here forever,” she said. “My daughter is 43, and I’ve been coming here since she was 2 years old in a stroller. Now I’m here with my grandchildren.”
She remembers decades of bringing her family from Gloucester Township in the southern New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia to create happy family memories at Wonderland.
“Just the excitement on their faces when they get on the rides,” she said. “It really made it feel family-friendly. A lot of that is going to be lost now.”
There were long lines Sunday for the Giant Wheel, the log flume and other popular rides as people used the last of ride tickets many had bought earlier in the year, thinking Wonderland would go on forever.
A local nonprofit group, Friends of OCNJ History and Culture, is raising money to try and save the amusement park, possibly under a new owner who might be more amenable to buying it with some financial assistance. Bill Merritt, one of the nonprofit’s leaders, said the group has raised more than $1 million to help meet what could be a $20-million price tag for the property.
“Ocean City will be fundamentally different without this attraction,” he said. “This town relies on being family-friendly. The park has rides targeted at
“This incident did not impact the safety of former President Trump or attendees of the event.”
Riverside County sheriff
the investigation is ongoing.”
Media members, as well as VIP ticket holders, were routed through a number of intersections manned by state and local law enforcement officers before arriving at a large, grassy area where drivers were asked to open hoods and trunks, and each vehicle was searched by a K-9 officer. Other general ticket holders were directed to a site roughly 3 miles away from the rally, where they were boarded onto buses and driven to the site.
Trump’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the arrest. Security is very tight at Trump rallies following two recent assassination attempts. Last month, a Greensboro man was indicted on an attempted assassination charge after authorities said he staked out the former president for 12 hours and wrote of his desire to kill him. The Florida arrest came two months after Trump was shot and wounded in the ear in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
kids; it’s called ‘Wonderland’ for a reason.”
The property’s current owner, Icona Resorts, previously proposed a $150-million, 325-room luxury hotel elsewhere on Ocean City’s boardwalk, but the city rejected those plans.
The company’s CEO, Eustace Mita, said earlier this year he would take at least until the end of the year to propose a use for the amusement park property. He bought it in 2021 after Gillian’s family was in danger of defaulting on bank loans for the property.
At a community meeting last month, Gillian said Wonderland could not bounce back from Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the pandemic in 2020 and an increase in New Jersey’s minimum wage that doubled his payroll costs, leaving him $4 million in debt.
Mita put up funds to stave off a sheriff’s sale of the property and gave the mayor three years to turn the business around. That deadline expired this year.
Mita did not respond to requests for comment.
Merritt said he and others can’t imagine Ocean City without Wonderland.
“You look at it with your heart, and you say, ‘You’re losing all the cherished memories and all the history; how can you let that go?’” he said. “And then you look at it with your head and you say, ‘They are the reason this town is profitable; how can you let that go?’”
WAYNE PARRY / AP PHOTO
People ride the Giant Wheel and flying chair ride at Gillian’s Wonderland, the popular amusement park on the boardwalk in Ocean City, New Jersey, during its final day of operation Sunday before shutting down for good.
ALEX BRANDON / AP PHOTO
Former President Donald Trump gestures to the audience as he departs a campaign rally Saturday at the Calhoun Ranch in Coachella, California.
