North State Journal Vol. 11, Issue 12

the

BRIEF this week

Lyles to resign as Charlotte mayor Charlotte Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles will resign from o ce on June 30, according to a press release from a city spokesperson. Lyles did not speci cally say why she was choosing to resign, only saying she wanted to spend more time with family. The 73-year-old Lyles’ decision to resign comes just six months after she was reelected to the post. The Charlotte City Council will be tasked with appointing another Democrat to ll the remainder of her two-year term. She rst took o ce in 2017 as the city’s rst black female mayor. The press release touts Lyles’ 30-year career in Charlotte city government, highlighting “Charlotte’s economic growth and job creation during her time in o ce, and of enhancing city government’s scal stability.” Additionally, the release said Lyles “will not make any immediate endorsement of a potential successor.” Her departure follows a di cult stretch. Lyles has drawn criticism over the past year for violent crime issues in Charlotte, in particular her handling of the murder of Iryna Zarutska on the city’s light rail system last August. In February, Lyles and other city o cials, including Mecklenburg County Sheri Garry McFadden, were called to testify before the North Carolina House Oversight and Reform Committee on the topic of public safety in the city.

Database tracks Cooper’s COVID-19 prison releases

GOP leaders come to budget agreement

Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall held a press conference announcing an end to the impasse

North State Journal sta

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

Cooper is currently running for the state’s U.S. Senate seat against Republican Michael Whatley, whose campaign has featured attacks on Cooper over the prisoner list, as well as Cooper’s “soft” policies while governor.

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s top Republican legislative leaders said Tuesday they have reached a framework agreement to break a nearly yearlong budget impasse, announcing plans for the largest average teacher pay raise in nearly two decades, double-digit salary increases for most law enforcement o cers and a new schedule of personal income tax cuts.

said Berger, who lost his reelection bid in the Republican primary to Rockingham County Sheri Sam Page in March. “There’s still a lot that will need to be decided and discussed between the two chambers, but this agreement sets out a good framework for us to move forward.”

The centerpiece on the spending side is an 8% average pay raise for teachers, which leaders said would push starting teacher pay to rst in the South when counted with local supplements while also lifting veteran teachers across the salary schedule.

“This budget is really an unprecedented one for education in this state,” said Hall, calling it the largest average teacher pay increase since at least 2006.

RALEIGH — A searchable database of prisoners released by former Gov. Roy Cooper during the COVID-19 pandemic was published last week at CooperReleasedHim.com.

Under the prisoner release settlement agreement, violent o enders were not supposed to be released, yet the data now con rms violent and

Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) and House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) held a joint news conference announcing they had resolved the biggest structural disputes that have stalled negotiations between the two chambers.

“This is a starting point,”

Property tax moratorium heads to state House

“This is a good rst step for residents across North Carolina who are feeling the tax impacts of increasing property values.”

Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden)

House Bill 889 would freeze reappraisals for one year

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Senate Leader Phil Berger’s (R-Eden) property tax reappraisal moratorium passed its third reading last Wednesday by a vote of 35-8 and is headed to the House for consideration.

“This is a good rst step for residents across North Carolina who are feeling the tax impacts of increasing property values,” Berger said in a press release. “This will not be the last thing the General Assembly does on property taxes. We need to take a thoughtful,

comprehensive approach to address the growing strain of property tax increases on our citizens.”

The nal passage by the Senate included support from seven Democrats: Sens. Gale Adcock (Wake), Sydney Batch (Wake), Dan Blue (Wake), Paul Lowe (Forsyth), Mujtaba Mohammed (Mecklenburg), Natalie Murdock (Durham) and Kandie Smith (Pitt).

Berger’s other primary co-sponsors of the bill, Sens. Brent Jackson (R-Sampson) and Steve Jarvis (R-Davidson), also issued statements following the nal vote.

“This is just a temporary pause to give residents some breathing room,” said Jackson.

Teachers with more than 16 years of experience would receive a $1,000 bonus; less experienced teachers would receive $500.

State employees would see an average 3% raise, with CooperReleasedHim.com claims 2,412 of the 4,234 prisoners set free have reo ended

COURTESY NCGA

House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls), left, and Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) hold a joint press conference Monday announcing a framework to end the nearly yearlong budget impasse in Raleigh.

the word | The best things in life

“Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better.” Luke 10:42

Paul prayed that his friends “may be able to discern what is best.” Philippians 1:10.

We must be always making choices in this world. We cannot take up everything that lies in our path — and we ought to choose the best things. Even among ‘right things’ there is room for choice, for some right things are better than others.

There are many Christians, however, who do not habitually choose the best things — but second-rate things. They labor for the food that perishes — when they might labor for the food that endures unto everlasting life. Even in their prayers, they ask for temporal blessings, when they might ask for spiritual treasures.

Our Lord said plainly, “Seek rst his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33. This is the great rule of Christian choosing. The lesser things are not always wrong in themselves, but they become wrong when they crowd out the greater things. Food, clothing, gain, comfort, success and honor all have their place; yet none of them should be rst. The soul was made for God, and it is poor indeed when it spends itself only on what the hand can hold and the eye can see.

They are like “the man with the muck-rake” in Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress” — who only looks “down” and drags his rake among the weeds and worthless rubbish — while over his head are crowns which he might take into his hands. They are like Esau, who sold his valuable birthright for some lentil stew. They toil for this world’s vain things — when they might have been laying up treasures in heaven.

Esau’s peril is the peril of all who live hastily and for this world. A present appetite seems larger than a future blessing. A little ease, a little pleasure, a

little gain, appears for the moment to be worth more than obedience, holiness, and peace with God. But the bargain is always a poor one. No stew, however savory, can pay for a birthright once thrown away.

We only have one life to live — and we ought therefore to do the best we possibly can with it. We pass through this world only once — and we ought to gather up and take with us the things that will truly enrich us — things we can keep forever.

It is not worth our while, to toil and moil, and strive and struggle — to do things that will leave no lasting results when our life is done — while there are things we can do which have eternal signi cance.

Moses made the wiser choice. He refused the treasures of Egypt, choosing

Canvas breach strikes NC

Users should update passwords and enable two-factor authentication

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s largest school district was among those around the country alerting parents and sta to a cybersecurity incident involving the Canvas learning management platform.

According to the statement by Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), the breach began April 25 when a criminal threat actor gained access to the platform owned by Instructure Inc.

The most recent update from WCPSS says the district has “temporarily disabled the Canvas icon within the WakeID Portal while we work with our vendors and technology teams to verify system security and restore normal operations.”

A pop-up message on the WCPSS website says users should “not attempt to access Canvas through alternate links

bonuses of $1,750 for those earning less than $65,000 and $1,000 for those above that threshold. State retirees would receive a 2.5% bonus.

The agreement reserves the largest percentage increases for sworn law enforcement. SBI and ALE o cers would receive an average 20.3% raise including step increases, State Highway Patrol o cers 17.7%, cor-

“Senate Republicans will continue working to bring forward commonsense approaches to ensure that your tax dollars are being spent wisely.” Jarvis added, “Now is the right time for us to get this moratorium into law. This approach balances the need for local governments to set their budgets, while also giving North Carolinians who are facing higher-than-expect-

or bookmarks until further notice,” and users should not “click on any links, download les, or respond to any messages related to the pop-up.”

Updates posted by Instructure say they detected the intruder April 29, immediately revoked access, and on April 30 took additional steps to address the vulnerability. The company has reported no ongoing threat as of May 7.

Instructure’s public status page updates on May 6 described the accessed information as “certain identifying information of users at a ected institutions, such as names, email addresses, and student ID numbers, as well as messages among users. At this time, we have found no evidence that passwords, dates of birth, government identi ers, or nancial information were involved.”

As of May 11, Instructure’s dedicated incident page says the company “reached an agreement with the unauthorized actor involved in this incident,” and that all data was returned.

The update also states, “We

“This budget is really an unprecedented one for education in this state.”

House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls)

rectional o cers 15.4%, and probation and parole o cers 10.1%. Other state government law enforcement o cers would

ed property values a reprieve.”

The Property Tax Reappraisal Moratorium (House Bill 889) is two pages long and seeks to delay the impact of new property tax valuations in North Carolina counties that conducted reappraisals e ective Jan. 1, 2026. Under the bill, for the 2026–27 scal year, those counties would have to use older property values from the prior reappraisal instead of the newly updated ones that have a potentially higher value.

“At this time, we have found no evidence that passwords, dates of birth, government identi ers, or nancial information were involved.”

Instructure Inc. May 6 update

have been informed that no Instructure customers will be extorted as a result of this incident, publicly or otherwise.”

Instructure says Canvas has been restored and is “fully back online and available for use.”

Additionally, Instructure con rmed that the breach occurred using an exploit of its “Free-For-Teacher” accounts, and the company has temporarily shut down those accounts.

In its earlier communications, WCPSS had directed families to Instructure’s status.instructure.com page for more information.

receive 13%. The budget also dedicates roughly $40.1 million for $1,750 one-time bonuses for local o cers.

“It’s apt that this week is National Police Week because we’re able to deliver for the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect us every day,” Berger said.

The agreement would also repeal the existing personal income tax rate triggers in favor of a xed schedule. The cur-

Beginning in the 2027–28 scal year, the new 2026 valuations would take e ect and remain in place until the next scheduled reappraisal, with the timeline adjusted as if the reappraisal occurred in 2027. Property owners would retain the right to appeal their 2026 valuations during 2027. In addition, the bill introduces a proposed $20 fee for individuals taking the required certi cation exam to become a county assessor, with that

rather to su er with the people of God, because “he was looking ahead to his reward.” Hebrews 11:25-26. This is the faith that sees clearly. It measures things not by their present brightness, but by their eternity. It asks not only, “What will this bring me today?” but also, “What will this be worth when I stand before God?”

“Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things!” Colossians 3:1-2

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

Parents and students who use the Canvas portal can update their passwords and add two-factor authentication to secure their accounts.

The Canvas breach impacted other K-12 districts in the state as well as universities using the system. More than 8,000 institutions worldwide are customers, according to Instructure’s website.

The breach is the second major data-security incident to a ect North Carolina public schools in recent years.

In late December 2024, PowerSchool, the previous student information system used by all 115 North Carolina districts, su ered a breach that exposed personally identi able information such as names, addresses, medical information and Social Security numbers.

PowerSchool noti ed districts on Dec. 28, 2024, paid an undisclosed ransom and assured customers the data “would not be shared or made public” and “has been deleted without any further replication or dissemination.”

North Carolina o cials later con rmed that fewer than 1,000 student Social Security numbers were among the exposed records.

rent 3.99% rate would drop to 3.49% in 2027, 3.24% in 2030 and 2.99% in 2033. Two further triggered step-downs would eventually take the rate to 2.49%. Both chambers also agreed to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot lowering the state’s income tax cap to 3.5% and to pass a House-backed levy limit on property taxes.

“The business climate and our business environment has

provision taking e ect Oct. 1.

The bill passed a second reading in the Senate last Tuesday by a vote of 36-9. During that second reading process, a proposed amendment by Sen. Woodson Bradley (D-Wake) that would have reduced the appropriation to the Opportunity Scholarship program failed. The program makes grants on a sliding income scale for students to attend the private school of their choice. Bradley eventually voted to pass the measure along with

Despite the company’s assurances, in May 2025 threat actors emailed 20 North Carolina school districts, including WCPSS, demanding bitcoin payments to prevent the release of the same data.

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Chief Information O cer Vanessa Wrenn and State Superintendent Mo Green noted that the emails used tactics like those sent to PowerSchool the previous year, adding that PowerSchool’s earlier assurance “at least at this point, is proving to be incorrect.”

Also in May 2025, 19-year - old Matthew D. Lane of Massachusetts pleaded guilty in federal court to charges tied to the original PowerSchool breach, including conspiracy to threaten condentiality of protected computer information, unauthorized access and aggravated identity theft. Court documents describe him accessing PowerSchool’s network in September 2024 using stolen credentials and later transferring the stolen data.

North Carolina transitioned all districts from PowerSchool to In nite Campus beginning in the 2025-26 school year.

been created in large measure by our tax reduction strategies, and we intend to continue to see that going forward,” Berger said.

Overall spending is projected to grow about 7% across the biennium, or roughly 3.5% per year. Negotiators also agreed to release previously appropriated funds for the N.C. Children’s Hospital, bringing the total dedicated commitment to $208 million.

seven other Senate Democrats during the second reading vote.

“North Carolinians are shouldering the burden of massive increases in local budgets,” Berger said in a March press release when he promised to le the bill.

“It doesn’t matter to our citizens if a tax is paid to the state or a local government; it’s their money coming out of their pockets. A moratorium will be the rst step in making much-needed reforms to property taxes in our state.”

“Esau and Jacob” is a painting by Matthias Stom (c. 1640) in the collection of the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

LGC approves $1.5B-plus for Charlotte

Rocky Mount updated the commission on its e orts to stabilize the city’s nances

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — During its May meeting, North Carolina’s Local Government Commission signed o on more than $1.5 billion in new borrowing for the City of Charlotte, including $215 million in revenue bonds to build a fourth runway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the world’s seventh-busiest for takeo s and landings.

The Local Government Commission (LGC) also approved $175 million in revenue bond anticipation notes for runway rehabilitation, terminal upgrades and other airport projects. The remaining Charlotte approvals covered water and sewer infrastructure, re nancing and transportation improvements.

The LGC received a progress report on the City of Rocky Mount’s ongoing e orts to x its nancial situation from City Manager Elton Daniels, Financial O cer Cheryl Spivey and Mayor Sandy Roberson. All three reported reforms were being enacted and the city was digging out of its budgetary hole, but revenue ows were still an issue.

In April, the LGC warned

Rocky Mount o cials of a possible nancial takeover, with State Treasurer Brad Briner saying the situation was “nothing short of nancial malpractice.”

Briner chairs the LGC, which monitors the nancial health of more than 1,100 local government units.

Briner’s warning came after a state performance audit characterized the town as being on the brink of collapse, citing a 78% drop in the city’s cash and investment balances while employee compensation jumped 27% and capital purchases rose 153%.

Revenues also fell 2%.

On the same day the LGC met, lawmakers rolled out a bill aimed at prohibiting Rocky Mount from using electrical system revenue to x its nancial troubles.

“The City of Rocky Mount has proven that it’s not a good steward of taxpayer funds,” Sen. Lisa Barnes (R-Nash) said in a press release for Senate Bill 1076. “We need to ensure every penny our rural neighbors outside Rocky Mount send to the electric system can only be used for electric system purposes, not to bail out the city’s budget. This bill gives them some peace of mind.”

The bill follows the city council voting near the end of March to raise utility rates up to 15% beginning April 1, with the average homeowner paying about $45 more per month. Those in-

$14M

Bonds approved for Nags Head for beach nourishment to combat erosion and provide ood and hurricane protection.

creases were cited as needed to alleviate Rocky Mount’s budget crisis.

Separately on the LGC agenda, the commission approved the Plan of Action submitted by the tiny Town of Speed, which has a population of 63 people, to voluntarily surrender its 1901 charter. The town is self-initiating its dissolution with the help of the North Carolina League of Municipalities following a state audit earlier this year that found administrative issues.

The town’s assets, including $42,000 in cash, real estate, anticipated tax receipts and personal property, will be transferred to Edgecombe County and the Speed Volunteer Fire Department, with no outstanding debt.

Other notable large approvals over $5 million included:

• $350 million, N.C. Municipal Power Agency No. 1 — Approved issuance of revenue bonds to refund existing bonds used for improvements at Catawba Nuclear Station.

• $168.7 million, Raleigh Housing Authority — Approved conduit revenue bonds to nance four multifamily rental housing developments totaling 688 units in Wake County.

• $157.5 million, City of Raleigh — Approved limited obligation bonds to relocate and expand Red Hat Amphitheater and enlarge the Raleigh Convention Center.

• $134.5 million, Johnston County — Approved limited obligation bonds to design and construct a new Clayton High School for more than 2,000 students.

• $102 million, Henderson County — Authorized limited obligation bonds to build a new four-story courthouse annex and renovate the existing courthouse.

• $51.1 million, City of Asheville — Approved revenue bonds to upgrade the Mills River Water Treatment Plant, improve water infrastructure and refund existing bonds at lower cost.

• $37.8 million, City of Winston-Salem — Approved general obligation bonds to refund prior bonds, plus $10.4 million in two-thirds general obligation bonds for streets, parks, public safety, public facilities and housing projects.

• $18 million, Asheville Housing Authority — Approved conduit revenue bonds to nance a 126-unit multifamily rental housing development on Pine Loop.

• $18 million, Town of Wake Forest — Approved installment nancing contract to acquire, build and equip a new re station on Wait Avenue.

• $14 million, Town of Nags Head — Approved special obligation bonds for beach nourishment to combat erosion and provide ood and hurricane protection.

• $10 million, City of Washington — Approved State Revolving Fund loan to construct a new water holding basin and upgrade the water treatment plant.

• $9.9 million, Stanly Water and Sewer Authority — Approved interim nancing ahead of USDA revenue bonds to extend water lines about 12 miles in the Palestine area.

• $8.2 million, Town of Morehead City — Approved installment nancing contract to build a new gym with spectator seating and restrooms, renovate an existing gym and complete other recreation projects.

• $5.6 million, City of High Point — Approved two-thirds general obligation bonds for physical and safety improvements to Triangle Lake Road.

• $5.6 million, City of Newton — Approved installment nancing contract to replace outdated facilities with a new re station in the Startown area.

The full list of approvals can be viewed at the state treasurer’s Newsroom, and details on the LGC and its meeting materials can be found on the treasurer’s website under the divisions menu.

Survey: Teachers say schools good place to work, learn

Student behavior was cited as the top problem in both teacher and principal surveys

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s 2026 Teacher Working Conditions Survey released during a State Board of Education work session last week showed that teachers across the state are highly committed to their schools and students, but student behavior is an issue.

More than 102,000 educators responded, and the 90.5% participation rate in this year’s survey was up ve points from two years ago.

“The central message of the 2026 survey is clear: teachers are committed to their students and schools, but that commitment appears closely connected to whether working conditions are sustainable,” the report’s executive summary states.

COOPER from page A1

repeat o enders were released. According to a press release, “At least 2,412 of the 4,234 criminals granted early release under a 2021 settlement by then-Governor Roy Cooper have been convicted of an additional crime or post-release violation since being let out,” according to records the site compiled.

The database website was set up by right-leaning independent journalist Stephen Horn, founding editor of the Triangle Trumpet on Substack.

“You shouldn’t have to be a tech guru to access facts about the rapists, murderers, and child molesters that were granted early release into our communities,” said Horn.

The database lets users search for o enders by name, county and convictions, as well as o ering detailed pro les of each individual, including a mugshot if available and if the person reoffended.

Searching the database by county showed Wake County had the largest release gure with 562, followed by Guilford (431) and Mecklenburg (395). Other high triple-digit counties include Cumberland (289), Forsyth (285), New Hanover (277), Buncombe (254) and Johnston (238).

Data points in the press release included 53 serving life sentences (1 reo ender), 70 convicted of murder (9 reo end-

Results show most teachers (91%) plan to keep teaching next year, and 84% intend to stay right where they are. They describe their schools as good places to work (93%), express pride in what they do (91%) and feel like valued members of the team (88%).

ers), 99 convicted of rape or sexual o ense (45 reo enders) and 203 convicted of taking indecent liberties with a child (119 reo enders).

An initial look at Cooper’s prisoner release list yielded 51 inmates with life sentences, whereas the new database appears to have found two more. According to the database, 19 of the 53 identi ed were convicted of rst-degree murder.

“The true reo ense rate for these o enders is even higher than the 56.97% indicated,” the press release states. “The NC Department of Adult Corrections data omits crimes where charges were never led, where charges were dropped, or where the prosecution is in progress and has yet to result in a conviction.”

An example given for charges that went un led includes Decarlos Brown Jr., the man accused of the stabbing murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail system last August. Prison o cials and the Cooper campaign have denied Brown was part of the COVID-19 release agreement and was scheduled to be released anyway.

Last month, a legislative subcommittee was announced to investigate Cooper’s prisoner list agreement and to examine the circumstances of those released under it.

North State Journal sent requests for comment to both

Overall, working conditions are viewed positively in most areas, especially instructional support, community involvement, safety and fairness. However, teachers say they spend about nine extra hours each week on schoolwork outside regular hours, and many

“You shouldn’t have to be a tech guru to access facts about the rapists, murderers, and child molesters that were granted early release into our communities.”

Stephen Horn, independent journalist behind Cooper Released Him

the Cooper and Whatley campaigns.

“Every day we learn more about the horri c consequences of Roy Cooper’s decision to release thousands of convicted felons during COVID,” the Whatley campaign said in its response. “His reckless actions put violent criminals back on North Carolina streets, and innocent people paid with their lives. At least 18 people were murdered by criminals who never should have been released. Roy Cooper failed and every night he goes to bed knowing he has blood on his hands.”

The Cooper campaign pointed to Horn’s conviction for his involvement in the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot in an email to North State Journal.

“This site was created by a convicted January 6th rioter,” the email said. “After Roy

Tenth grade students listen during civics class at Chatham Central High School in Bear Creek in 2019.

feel they lack enough protected time for planning, collaborating and learning from one another. Student behavior and classroom management remain daily challenges, especially in middle and high schools. School leadership also matters

fought against these releases in court, North Carolina law enforcement o cials and parole o cers looked to similar criteria President (Donald) Trump used a year prior when Trump’s administration released thousands of federal prisoners due to COVID-19. While Roy spent his career putting rapists and violent criminals behind bars, Michael Whatley spent his appointing a convicted child sex predator who served time in prison for multiple counts of felony child sex crimes to a powerful position within the North Carolina Republican Party.”

Horn was at the Capitol protest on Jan. 6 and was found guilty in September 2023 of several charges related to the event. One of the charges was linked to a photo of Horn elevating himself above the crowd by climbing onto a nearby statue, according to a statement of facts document submitted by an FBI agent whose name was redacted in the ling.

Horn posted on X about the sentencing, which he called “lenient” for a Jan. 6 verdict. He was given 12 months of probation, a $2,000 ne and 90 hours of community service. Horn went to the Capitol that day with video equipment to document the events, turning the footage into a documentary called “79 minutes: The Breach of the Capitol.”

North State Journal reached back out to Horn on the Cooper

a great deal, and 84% said they have a positive view of leadership in their school.

The report highlights four practical areas for improvement: protect teachers’ planning time, build stronger trust and communication with leadership, create clearer and more consistent behavior expectations, and better coordinate help for students with extra needs. Teachers also reported wanting more opportunities for learning with peers. In addition to the annual working conditions survey, 400 principals responded to a pilot survey. That survey showed 95.6% of principals agreed or strongly agreed that their school was a good place to work and learn.

Other key takeaways from the principal survey included that 75% reported working more than 51 hours a week on school-related items. Safety and school conduct were cited as where most time was devoted.

campaign statement, and he said the data speaks for itself.

“The data exposed by the Cooper Released Him tool remains clear: the criteria used by Gov. Roy Cooper’s subordinates resulted in the release of over 700 more criminals than the 3,500 minimum in the settlement signed by Cooper,” Horn said. “Among the 4,234 released were 70 murderers, 99 rapists, and 203 predators convicted of the very same ‘felony child sex crimes’ as Harvey Lee West Jr., whom conservative grassroots activists had been attempting to excise from the GOP for years.

“The people of North Carolina must decide if they will allow the former governor to escape responsibility for the fact that over 56% of the o enders released under these criteria have since reoffended, including fourteen convicted of murder since their early release.”

Regarding the Cooper campaign labeling him a Jan. 6 rioter, Horn said he did the database to “atone” for the crime of covering the riot that day.

“As a ‘person with justice involvement,’ I can only begin to atone for the magnitude of the crime of covering the January 6th riot as an independent journalist by doing small acts of public service, such as making these records from the NC Department of Adult Corrections more accessible to my fellow citizens,” said Horn.

ALLEN G. BREED / AP PHOTO

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

Two Tofu-Fil-A sandwiches to go please?

Conservatives realize and salute the positive contributions private enterprises and wealthy people make each day that go far beyond just making money for themselves.

AS I WAS SITTING in the drive-thru lane at Chick- l-A to pick up lunch to take to our grandson and a friend at a local school, it occurred to me that there was no such place to go pick up, for example, a pressure-fried tofu sandwich with a pickle on it in ve minutes or less that had been invented and then built into a huge corporation by a now-wealthy progressive magnate who implemented all of the progressive ideals of Sen. Bernie Sanders or Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez into their business.

The thought crystallized the disparity not only in political belief but lifetime philosophy between modern conservatives and progressive liberals. Conservatives salute and applaud the foresight and determination of every businessman, such as Chick- l-A founder Truett Cathy, who long ago gured out a way to pressure fry a chicken let, put a pickle on it and create a tasty sandwich that millions of people wanted to buy and eat. Cathy and his family became wealthy as a result of his e orts, which no conservative would begrudge. Conservatives certainly don’t think Cathy should be punished for being so successful. On the other hand, they want him and others to be more successful going forward. On the other hand, progressive Democrats would say his business success and personal wealth-building are inherently evil in some way and he didn’t deserve to become so wealthy. No one deserves to be so successful and wealthy, but when it happens, we should all be grateful because of all the crucial factors modern businesses

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

contribute to everyone’s life, making America the greatest and most democratic of all economies the world has ever seen.

Private industry is the best and most direct way to help the most people live the life they want to live. A private business hires a person and pays them for their work contribution to the success of the company. Businesses also o er what used to be known as “fringe bene ts” ranging from health care insurance coverage and job training to retirement programs. There’s nothing “fringe” about them anymore — they are essential components to any person trying to provide for their family.

Before World War II, such bene ts were uncommon in American business circles. However, to get around wage and price controls imposed during the war, entrepreneurs and business owners o ered such bene ts to recruit and retain great employees. Without successful, pro table businesses that sponsor such bene ts, the American worker would be in dire straits.

Every employee and worker of every company should be cheering — and voting — for political policies that allow companies to grow and prosper and, yes, allow business owners to become wealthy. Without business growth that leads to pro ts, the companies that fund their salary and bene ts may fail, and workers would be left with no alternative but to try to make it on their own. Republicans o er pro-growth, free-enterprise policies — progressive liberal Democrats o er more shackles, more taxes and more regulation, which will hold back companies and individuals from getting “too

Virginia Democrats running out of options in redistricting wars

One key to the plan would be having Democrats in Richmond lower the mandatory retirement age for state Supreme Court justices.

TO SAY THE LAST two weeks have not been good for Democrats in the redistricting wars would be an understatement.

The biggie, of course, was the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Louisiana v. Callais case, ruling that congressional redistricting based solely on race is unconstitutional. Democrats called this a “gutting” of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which they have abused over the years to carve out majority-minority districts designed for the express sole purpose of electing other Democrats, including here in North Carolina.

Red states like Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and South Carolina quickly acted in response, setting the wheels in motion to put new or previously drawn congressional maps in place ahead of the 2026 midterms, maps that e ectively eliminate such districts.

Virginia, which Democrats control, also su ered a big setback last week when the state’s Supreme Court ruled that a gerrymandering referendum pushed by Democrats in the fall of 2025 and recently narrowly approved by voters in a special election, violated the state’s constitutional process for getting amendments put on the ballot.

This rendered their proposed 10-1

Democrat-Republican map invalid, returning it to the current 6-5 Democrat-Republican partisan composition.

This has prompted Virginia Democrats to consider desperate measures. One move being considered is genuinely shocking, even for seasoned observers of Virginia politics.

According to a report from The New York Times, absent a successful appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court (which would be unlikely since this case centers on the Virginia constitution), “One key to the plan would be having Democrats in Richmond lower the mandatory retirement age for state Supreme Court justices,” a plan that, if seen through, would force out every justice currently sitting on the state Supreme Court, including those who dissented from last week’s ruling.

“Ensuring the plan proceeds would involve the General Assembly, which is controlled by Democrats, lowering the mandatory retirement age for Virginia’s Supreme Court from 75 to 54, the age of the youngest current justice, or less,” The Times went on to report, while adding that “Virginia judges are appointed by the General Assembly (which) could then ll vacancies on the court with sympathetic Democratic lawyers.”

That is just 50 shades of crazy, and that’s saying a lot considering much of what the

rich” and only hurt everyone in the process.

Perhaps if progressive liberals such as Sanders and AOC had the foresight and gumption to create a fast-food sensation a long time ago — let’s call it the “Tofu-Fil-A” sandwich — and show how to make it a commercial success under their personal political prerogatives, such as paying employees triple the wage rate of other companies, they may have more credibility when it comes to discussing tax policy or business regulation.

However, in order to succeed, they would have had to buck the immutable laws of economics and business nance that govern all business enterprises or never make a pro t for themselves and in essence work for free. Instead, progressives choose the elected political route because it is easier than starting a big business, plus they want to use the coercive power of government to make private businesses do what they think they should do whether it makes economic and business sense or not.

Progressive liberals also conveniently ignore one nal level of extraordinary positive in uence wealthy people provide for the nation at large. Most of the truly wealthy are very generous in their nancial support of noteworthy charitable institutions, including many of our nation’s best hospitals and universities.

Despite the negative things you will hear from the left about the wealthy and businesses in America, just remember all the levels in which they play crucial and positive roles in how we live and what our country is today.

state’s Democrats have proposed since retaking control has ranked right up there on the wildly crazy scale.

But time is not on their side. Virginia’s primary is on Aug. 4, and, according to The Times, Virginia’s Department of Elections commissioner, Steven Koski, indicated last month that “any changes to the maps after Tuesday, May 12, ‘will signi cantly increase the risk’ of his agency being unable to properly prepare for” the primary.

Needless to say, the dumping of the current Virginia Supreme Court justices seems highly unlikely in that scenario, especially considering that reports are swirling that such an idea has not been as warmly received in certain Democratic circles in the state as one might expect, given what’s at stake.

Still, it will be interesting to see what tricks, if any, they try to pull out of their hats in the coming days as the window closes to be able to pull o what they hope would be a political miracle.

Meanwhile, in other states, like Tennessee, Democrats are preparing to le lawsuits for the map changes that have already been signed into law, ensuring that the summer months are going to be long, hot ones on the political front as we wait and see who ultimately wins the necessary court battles in the nationwide redistricting tug of war. 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.

Why stay in

NATO if Europe

isn’t willing to help us?

Despite all of this, European nations exhibit a haughty detachment from American interests, demanding help but rarely o ering any.

PRESIDENT DONALD Trump recently announced that he was reducing U.S. military presence in Germany by at least 5,000 troops, with plans to “cut way down” the 70,000 active-duty military personnel in Europe.

The move comes on the heels of Western European nations rejecting Trump’s request for help in opening the Strait of Hormuz after the Iranian regime threatened the busy shipping lane.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius both told the media it wasn’t “our war.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz added that the United States, which has demolished much of Iran’s military capabilities and economy, was being “humiliated” by the clerics.

NATO was conceived as an intergovernmental military alliance meant to thwart Soviet ambitions. It now has 30 member countries, all of them reliant on the U.S. and few of them facing any genuine military threats.

Need it be said, if the U.S. hadn’t taken responsibility for the protection of Western Europe after World War II, the continent would have likely descended into yet another bloodbath — as had been the case every few decades stretching back centuries. Instead, we allowed humiliated nations such as Germany, France and Italy to focus on building world-class economies.

Even after the fall of the Soviet Union, the U.S. propped up the alliance, militarily and nancially. And virtually the entire time, we’ve been engaged in a one-way relationship.

Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, for instance, only nine NATO nations even bothered meeting the organization’s military spending criteria: the U.S., as always, Greece, Estonia, Britain, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland. Not exactly the all-star team.

Seven NATO nations spent a larger percentage of their GDP on defense than Germany, the fourth-largest economy in the world. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Germany has increased its military spending to meet the promised NATO threshold. Even now, however, the U.S. spends 13% to 14% of its budget on defense, while Germany spends 2.4%.

Despite all of this, European nations exhibit a haughty detachment from American interests, demanding help but rarely o ering any.

When “Arab Spring” rebellions broke out across the Middle East, France and Britain pressured the U.S. into intervening in the Libyan civil war. We helped. Was that con ict “our war”? No. The North African nation is now a transit hub for Islamic refugees heading into Europe.

Was the Serbian con ict in the 1990s, in which NATO ultimately carved out

a Muslim-majority nation of Kosovo in the middle of Europe, “our war”? Hardly. Whatever your position is on the value of those military interventions, neither was conducted under the stated mission of the alliance.

A moral responsibility to stop unfolding humanitarian disasters was the rationale for both con icts. Well, the Iranian regime, which funds and operates destabilizing extremist groups within Europe, has created numerous humanitarian disasters, from funding Hamas in Gaza to arming Hezbollah in Lebanon and extremists in Yemen and Sudan.

None of that is to even mention the slaughter of tens of thousands of its own innocent civilians.

It was only when Trump threatened to hit European car companies with an extra 25% tari that Merz dramatically changed his tone on the matter, noting that the U.S. and Germany shared a common goal: “Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.”

As far as we know, Trump never asked the Germans or other European nations to participate in the military phase of the con ict. Israel, a nation that has always backed the U.S., has a highly advanced military that puts most European nations to shame.

Why not assist in e orts to open the Strait of Hormuz? After reducing Russian oil and gas imports and shutting down its own successful nuclear energy program, Europe relies on it more heavily than the U.S.

Not only has NATO been unhelpful, but it’s also been actively undermining the American mission. Spain, France and Italy have all restricted American military presence in airspace or ports during the war against the regime.

Why? Political reality.

Prompted by Germany, the European Union opened its borders to millions of new Islamic refugees in the years following Sept. 11. There are about 50 million Muslims on the continent now, nearly 10% of the population in countries like France, Germany and Sweden.

Appeasing that highly volatile population is surely one of the reasons these nations are reluctant to help the U.S. It’s highly unlikely that Britain’s hapless prime minister, Keir Starmer, or Spain’s Marxist Pedro Sanchez would ever send anyone to ght with the U.S. anywhere else in the Islamic world.

True. Still, right now, the relationship is far more bene cial for Europe. The U.S. can build relationships and bases elsewhere in the world. And more importantly, with nations that will do the minimum to defend Western civilization.

David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

BE IN TOUCH

Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.

Contact a writer or columnist: connect@northstatejournal.com

RECENT HEADLINES were apoplectic in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais (2026). The Guardian led with “US Supreme Court ‘demolishes’ Voting Rights Act, gutting provision that prevented racial discrimination.”

The Associated Press bemoaned that the “Supreme Court hollows out a landmark law that had protected minority voting rights for 6 decades.”

The response from Democratic politicians made the headlines look tame. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove from California alleged “this is a larger issue about snatching democracy from the hands of voters across this country, and continuing to demoralize and marginalize the Black vote.” Rep. Yvette Clarke of New York, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, feared for minorities below the Mason-Dixon Line and expressed certainty “that the South is primed and pumped to really do some damage.”

So what did the Supreme Court do? Did it revive literacy tests, poll taxes or some more nefarious voter suppression method? No. The court simply held that Louisiana state lawmakers violated the Constitution by gerrymandering the electoral map to create a second majority-black congressional district. The state argued that it had to draw a map based on race, or else the lower federal courts would have found it had violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The state feared a court-ordered map that might jeopardize the seats of powerful Republican incumbents, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Section 2 prohibits voting practices or procedures that discriminate on the basis of race, color or membership in a language -minority group. Under congressional amendments enacted in 1982, a plainti can establish a violation if, under the “totality of the circumstances of the local electoral process,” the challenged practice or procedure denies a racial or language minority an equal opportunity to participate in the political process.

“Allowing race to play any part in government decision-making,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the majority, “represents a departure from the constitutional rule that applies in almost every other context.”

Despite this general rule, the majority held that compliance with Section 2 — as properly construed — can provide reason for race-based districting. However, proper construction, the court reasoned, targets circumstances strongly indicative of intentional discrimination. Section 2 does not forbid states from drawing districts based on nonracial factors such as compactness, contiguity, preservation of existing districts or protection of incumbents.

For example, while there might be public-policy reasons to dislike partisan gerrymandering, nothing in American constitutional law disallows a Republican majority from drawing district maps favorable to the GOP or a Democratic majority from creating a map that will help its candidates to win elections.

“When a State defends a districting scheme on the ground that it was drawn for partisan purposes,” the court explained, “plainti s have a ‘special’ burden to overcome.” In other words, to make a successful Section 2 challenge, the plainti must disentangle race from politics by proving that race drove the drawing of district lines.

The court stressed that, unlike the early 1960s, when the South was solidly Democratic and the Republican Party virtually nonexistent there, the United States now has a functional two-party system. Hence, it is not su cient for plainti s to claim that, because blacks vote in large numbers for Democrats, a gerrymander favorable to Republicans is enough to support a Section 2 claim. A plainti must show district lines were intentionally drawn to disadvantage blacks because of their race, not their voting preference. Otherwise, the court reasoned, a litigant could exploit the statute for partisan purposes by repackaging a partisan issue as a racial issue.

In sum, the decision in Callais erects no barriers to minorities registering to vote or exercising the franchise. It does challenge the long-held Democratic assumption that minority voters are entitled to special districts where they can elect Democratic politicians.

The Constitution protects the right to vote, but it does not guarantee that one’s preferred candidate will win. Lonely Republican voters in places like San Francisco and Minneapolis understand this truth all too well.

William J. Watkins Jr. is a research fellow at the Independent Institute and author of “The Independent Guide to the Constitution: Original Intentions, Modern Inventions.” This opinion was rst published in Inside Sources by the DC Journal.

JEANNE ACCORSINI / AP PHOTO

From left, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrive at the Elysee Palace in Paris for a conference on the initiative for maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz on April 17.

Murphy to Manteo

Data centers grow across NC

Notice To Creditors

CUMBERLAND

Notice to Creditors

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Daniel Bauer, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before August 7, 2026 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. Hilary Lohr 1624 Seattle Slew Lane Hope Mills, NC 28348”

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA County of Cumberland In The General Court Of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E 000568-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Randall Wayne Blackburn, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 7th of August, 2026 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 24th day of April 2026. Penny Woolard Blackburn Administrator/Executor 1400 Lowbranch Court Fayetteville, NC 28306 Of the Estate of Randall Wayne Blackburn, Deceased

NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK ESTATE FILE NO. 26E000659-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Theodore Francis Brown III, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of July, 2026 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 30th day of April, 2026. Sarah Leann Brown Administrator of the Estate of Theodore Francis Brown III 7332 Cayman Drive Fayetteville, NC 28306

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE CUMBERLAND COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

FILE NO. 26E000514250

ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Rochelle Byers, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said decedent to present them to the undersigned on or before July 23, 2026, 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 the 23rd day of April, 2026.

Danny M. Byers Administrator 11628 Sidney Crest Avenue Charlotte, NC 28213 Of the Estate of Rochelle Byers, Deceased Publish: April 23, 2026; April 30, 2026; May 7, 2026; May 14, 2026.

Notice to Creditors

The undersigned having quali ed as executor/ administrator of the estate of Donna Kay Click of Cumberland County North Carolina does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to present the to the undersigned at 3712 Gilliam st. Hope Mills, North Carolina 28348 on or before August 7, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. May 4,2026 Dawn Renea Selman Stanley Executor/Administrator 3712 Gilliam st Hope Mills, NC 28348

NOTICE

In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File #26e000697-250 State of North Carolina County of Cumberland

The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Robert David Collier, deceased, late of Cumberland County, herby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 14th day of August, 2026 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 14th day of May, 2026. Callista Michelle Swart, Administrator 2430 Timber Oak Dr. Hillsborough, NC, 27278 Of the Estate of Robert David Collier, deceased.

Notice to Creditors

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File # 26E000691250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Tony Roosevelt Daniels, deceased, of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 14th day of August, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 5th day of May, 2026. Terry Hunter Administrator of the Estate of Tony Roosevelt Daniels 830 Beuer Drive Fayetteville, NC 28314

NOTICE

In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File #26E000643-250 STATE OF NORTH

CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Ursula H. Harper deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 1st day of August, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 30th day of April, 2026. Administrator of the Estate of Ursula H. Harper Michelle Martinez 2208 Merle Dr Copperas Cove Tx 76522

NOTICE

In The General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File # 26E000596250 State Of North Carolina Cumberland County Administrator Notice. The undersigned having quali ed as administrator over the Estate of Karabeth Ann Sanderson Hammonds deceased 19th day of March,2026 of 2005 Iris Dr Hope Mills, NC Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them on or before 23rd day of July, 2026, ( which date is three months after the day of rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 23rd of April,2026. Administrator of the Estate of Karabeth Ann Sanderson Hammonds Paul Kelley 2005 Iris Dr Hope Mills, NC 28348

Notice to Creditors Ad

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Frances Ann Gentilin, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 24th day of July, 2026 (which is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 23rd day of April, 2026 Leah Gentilin, Administrator/executor of the estate of Frances Ann Gentilin, deceased 439 Westwood Shopping Center, # 138 Fayetteville, NC 28314

NOTICE

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE #26E000611-250

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Peggy Imogene Gearhart, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 23rd day of July, 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. Dated this 23rd day of April, 2026. Billy R. Meha ey, Jr., Executor of the Estate of Peggy Imogene Gearhart, deceased 646 Apelehama Place Diamondhead, MS 39525

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

In the General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File #______ Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Elsa Mahler Fleenor, deceased, late of Cumberland County hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 23 day of July, 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 16th day of April, 2026_. Maryann Fleenor Ford Administrator/Executor 2501 McFayden Rd Fayetteville, NC 28306 Of the Estate of Elsa Mahler Fleenor, Deceased

NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Han S. Ewing deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, ’rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before August 14, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, ’rms and corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

Susy M. Techuk. Executor of the Estate of Han S. Ewing, Deceased c/o Susy M. Techuk, 473 Bristlecone Drive Fayetteville, NC 28311 Publish: Beginning May 14, 2026 – August 14 2026.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE NO. 26E000580-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Nathan Davis, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2517 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before July 23, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

Dated this 23rd day of April, 2026. Michael E. Davis, Executor of the Estate of Nathan Davis

NICOLE A. CORLEY MURRAY & CORLEY, P.A.

N.C. BAR NO. 56459 2517 RAEFORD ROAD FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28305 – 3007 (910) 483 – 4990

COUNSEL FOR EXECUTOR

Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

Estate File # 26E000247-250

The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrator/

Executor of the estate of Millie Ann Havemann, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the twenty third day of July 2026. (which is 3 months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned.

The tenth day of April 2026

Katherine H. Bridgeman 7866 King Rd Fayetteville NC 28306

Administrator/Executor of the estate of Millie Ann Havemann

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Estate of Shirley Mae Henry All persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the Estate of Shirley Mae Henry, deceased, late of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are hereby noti ed to present such claims to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of July 2026, 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 the 30th day of April, 2026.

Jacqueline L. Joyner

Executrix of the Estate of Shirley Mae Henry, Deceased 409 Swan Island Court, Fayetteville NC 28311

703-919-4879

MrDJoyner1@gmail.com

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION ESTATE FILE 25E000054 IN THE MATTER OF THE: GENEVA MCGIRT HILL

Executor’s NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of. the Estate of Geneva McGirt Hill, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is To notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to Present them to the under-signed on or before the 30th day of July, 2026, [which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice] or this notice will be pleaded in bar Of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned This 21, day of April 2026

Executor: Carolyn Hill Williams 2229 Lake Upchurch Dr. Parkton, NC 28371 Of the Estate of Deceased: Geneve McGirt Hill April 21,202

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson Cumberland County Estate File No. 26E000662-250

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson, Deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Jennifer Moss Davis, Co-Executor of the Estate of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson, at 1628 Squire Davis Road, Kernersville, NC 27284, or Kimberly Moss Donaldson, Co-Executor of the Estate of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson, at 260 Devereux Downs, Roswell, GA 30075, on or before the 7th day of August, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson are requested to make immediate payment to one or both of the CoExecutors named above. This the 7th day of May, 2026. Jennifer Moss Davis, Co-Executor of the Estate of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson

Kimberly Moss Donaldson, Co-Executor of the Estate of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson

Williford McCauley - Attorney for the Estate of Betty Parker Hobson a/k/a Betty P. Hobson

Mailing Address: P. O. Box 53606

Fayetteville, NC 28305

Physical Address: 235 Green Street Fayetteville, NC 28301

Notice to Creditors

The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Rachel Hubbard, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before 7-23-26 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. 516 Rosewood Drive Stedman, NC 28391

This is the 23rd of April, 2026

Administrator of the Estate of Rachel Hubbard

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF GWENDOLYN ANN JACOBS

CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 26E000024-250

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Gwendolyn Ann Jacobs deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to the Administrator Davis W. Puryear, 4317 Ramsey St., Fayetteville, NC 28311 on or before the 31st day of July, 2026 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above. This the 21st day of April, 2026.

Davis W. Puryear Administrator of the Estate of Gwendolyn Ann Jacobs

Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm

Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: April 30, May 7, May 14, and May 21, 2026

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Mary Claire Kosterman, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 23rd day of July, 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice: or this notice will

Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 30th day of April, 2026. Oriana Mellott Nivens Executor of the Estate of Eunice H. Mellott Jennifer B. Garner Garner Law Firm, PLLC Attorney for Estate 125 Applecross Road Pinehurst, North Carolina 28374

Notice to Creditors The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Richard Pataky, AKA Richard Anthony Pataky, deceased, late of Cumberland County, do hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 23rd day of July, 2026 (which date is 3 months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in the bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payments to the undersigned. This 23rd day of April 2026 Executor: Janine Marie McLaughlin Address: 135 Bridgeport Drive Sneads Ferry, NC 28460 Of the Estate of Richard Pataky AKA Richard Anthony Pataky, Deceased Estate File # 26E000361-250

NOTICE In The General Court Of Justice. Superior Court Division. Estate # 26E000606-250. State of North Carolina. Cumberland County. Administrator’s Notice. The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Dorothy Marie Hicks Taylor. deceased, late of Cumberland County. This is to notify all person’s having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned at 3712 Heatherbrooke Dr., Fayetteville, NC 28306 on or before the 23rd day of July 2026 (date being three months after the day of rst 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 undersigned this the 23rd day of April 2026. Dorothy Amanda Eastridge Phone: 910-308-1283 Administrator of the Estate of Dorothy Marie Hicks Taylor

late of Cumberland county, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 15th day of August,2026, (which date is three months after the day of 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 thr undersigned. This 15th day of May, 2026. James R. Shew 6023 Shearwater Drive, Fayetteville, NC, 28304 Of the

of the estate of Carol T. Holloway, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 15th day of August, 2026, (which date is three months

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, JASMINE GAYNELL COOPER, having quali ed as the Administrator of the Estate of VELMA GAYNELL COOPER, Deceased, hereby noti es all persons, rms or corporations having claims against the Decedent to exhibit same to the said JASMINE GAYNELL COOPER, at the address set out below, on or before August 14, 2026, 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 8th day of May, 2026.

JASMINE GAYNELL COOPER Administrator OF ESTATE OF VELMA GAYNELL COOPER c/o ROBERT H. HOCHULI, JR. 219 RACINE DR., SUITE #A6 Wilmington, NC 28405

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF NEW HANOVER IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FILE NO. 24CVS000935-640

JAMES LIONELLE,CHRISTIE LIONELLE.and GINA GITTO, Individuals Plainti s, Vs. BONNIE L. GITTO, Absentee Defendant NOTICE AND ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE TO: BONNIE L. GITTO AND ALL PERSONS WHO WOULD HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE ESTATE OF BONNIE L. GITTO IF SHE WERE DECEASED: Take notice that Plainti s have led an action under N.C.G.S. Chapter 28A alleging that Defendant BONNIE L. GITTO has been missing from her place of residence since May of 2018 and that her whereabouts remain unknown. Plainti s demand that the Court appoint JAMES LIONELLE as the permanent receiver of Defendant’s property and that the Court ultimately determine whether Defendant has died, and if so, issue a nding that she is dead. The Court has appointed JAMES LIONELLE temporary receiver and he has led the required inventory of Defendant’s property.

All persons who claim an interest in Defendant’s property if she were dead shall le a written statement of the nature and extent of the interest claimed in the property with the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court, 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, N.C. 28401 not later than May 22, 2026. The Defendant and all such persons shall appear before the Court at the New Hanover County Courthouse, 316 Princess Street, Wilmington, N.C. on May 26, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. and show cause why a permanent receiver should not be appointed to hold and dispose of the property under the provisions of Chapter 28C. THIS the 22nd of April, 2026 4/22/2026 5:21 :42 PM

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor/Administrator of the Estate of Catherine Yvonne Young, all creditors of the Estate of Catherine Yvonne Young, deceased, late of Wilmington, North Carolina in New Hanover County, who departed this life on March 19, 2026, are hereby noti ed to present their claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned at the address listed below on or before July 23, 2026, 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 the 15th day of April, 2026. Tschnavia Ross 275 Preston Lane Atlanta, GA 30315 Email: msshayj@yahoo.com

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS

Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of Dolores H. Carpenter, deceased, late of New Hanover County, North Carolina, the undersigned hereby noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them, duly veri ed, to the undersigned, care of their attorney, on or before August 14, 2026 (which date is at least three (3) months from the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to said Estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned, care of their attorney.

This the 14th day of May, 2026. Joseph Kevin Carpenter, III, Executor of the Estate of Dolores H. Carpenter c/o Randall S. Hoose, Jr. Hoose Law, PLLC 705 Princess Street Wilmington, NC 28401-4146

Please publish 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4 ORANGE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Probate #26E000213-670

All persons, rm and corporations having claims against Naimeh M. Jernigan, late of Orange County, North Carolina are hereby noti ed to present them to Frederick A. Jernigan, as Executor of the decedent’s estate in care of Kendall H. Page, Attorney, 210 N Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 on or before the 23rd day of July, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the above-named Executor. Kendall H. Page 210 N Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Bar # 14261 Notice to Run: 04/23/2026, 04/30/2026, 05/07/2026 & 05/14/2026

RANDOLPH

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Co-Administrators of the Estate of KEITH ROBERT CLAPP aka KEITH CLAPP aka KEITH R. CLAPP, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of Ivey & Eggleston, Attorneys at Law, 111 Worth Street, Asheboro, North Carolina 27203, on or before July 24, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 23rd day of April 2026.

HAYLEIGH ANN FAULKNER and JACOB DON CLAPP Co-Administrators of the Estate of KEITH ROBERT CLAPP aka KEITH CLAPP aka KEITH R. CLAPP MARION “BETH” MCQUAID, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043

PUBL/DATES: 04/23/26 04/30/26 05/07/26 05/14/26

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Richard Meredith Hornback, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of Ivey & Eggleston, Attorneys at Law, 111 Worth Street, Asheboro, North Carolina 27203, on or before August 3, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 30th day of April, 2026

Cyndy Dawn Hornback Administrator of the Estate of Richard Meredith Hornback Marion “Beth” McQuaid, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043

PUBL/DATES: 04/30/26 05/07/26 05/14/26 05/21/26

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Barbara B. Hill of Randolph County, NC, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Executor at the Law O ce of Andrew J. Weiner, 113 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before August 13th 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of heir recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 14th day of May 2026.

Linda Ann Hill Wilkes

Estate

Barbara B. Hill

Andrew J Weiner, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 Telephone: 336-629-2600

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Jeanie Lee Parrish a/k/a Jeannie Messick Parrish of Randolph County, NC, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Executor at the Law O ce of Andrew J. Weiner, 113 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before July 24th 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of heir recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 23rd day of April 2026. Lisa Renee Parrish Jeanie Lee Parrish a/k/a Jeannie Messick Parrish Estate

Andrew J. Weiner, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203

Telephone: 336-629-2600

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of

Richard L. Cox,

7th day of May 2026. Vanessa M. Coley Administrator of the Estate of Mary Grace Williams, aka, Mary Grace Maiore c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28/2026)

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF WAKE NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF NORMAN JOHN WISNIEWSKI DECEASED 25E004885-910 Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Norman John Wisniewski, deceased, late of Wake County, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before July 30, 2026, or be barred from their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate are asked to please make immediate payment. This 30th day of April, 2026. Norman Anthony Wisniewski Executor c/o ELIZABETH W. MURPHY KELLY, WEST & MURPHY, P.A. Attorneys at Law 900 South Main Street Post O ce Box 1118 Lillington, North Carolina 27546

sudoku

SOLUTIONS FROM LAST WEEK

Reitan wins at Quail Hollow, B4

the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA SOFTBALL

Two N.C. teams get bids to softball tournament

Duke received a No. 12 national seed, as well as the No. 3 seed in its bracket, earning its sixth straight trip to the NCAA softball tournament. The Blue Devils will also host a regional for the fth straight year, playing No. 6 seed Arizona, Marshall and Howard. SoCon champion UNC Greensboro also received a bid and heads to the Athens, Georgia, regional with Georgia, Clemson and Charleston.

NBA

Curry creates Davidson scholars program

Davidson

NBA star and Davidson product Steph Curry is partnering with the school to create the Davidson College Curry Scholars program, which will send ve to 10 students from underserved communities in the Bay Area to the college on four-year full scholarships, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, a computer allowance and a trip to Davidson with a guest to visit campus during their senior year in high school.

MLS

U.S. defender Ream returns from injury as Charlotte ties Cincinnati 2-2

Charlotte

U.S. national team defender Tim Ream returned from injury, and Charlotte battled Cincinnati to a 2-2 tie

Saturday. Idan Toklomati and Pep Biel scored goals about two minutes apart early in the second half for Charlotte. Ream, a 38-year- old who is often the U.S. captain, started and played minutes. He had missed 41⁄2 games since leaving an April 18 match at halftime because of a groin injury.

Hurricanes making hard look easy

Carolina swept through the rst two rounds of the NHL playo s, but it took execution

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal

RALEIGH — Things have gone about as well as they can for the Hurricanes through two rounds of the NHL playo s. Carolina is unbeaten through eight games — the rst team in NHL history to sweep the rst two rounds in the Stanley Cup’s 16-win era. The team also has all of its players available and ample time to heal any bumps and bruises while it waits for the Sabres and Montreal to sort out who will be coming to Raleigh for the start of the Eastern Conference nal.

That still hasn’t been enough for many pundits. “Are the Canes nally legit?” Daily Faceo ’s Matt Larkin asked after Carolina swept away the Flyers. “Or are they

untested, having walked through a pair of teams who didn’t even occupy playo spots as recently as April 1?”

The idea that the Hurricanes

haven’t faced a di cult path through two rounds is mostly a reaction to their historic success. For one, Carolina viewed the Senators as perhaps

Andersen’s resurgence fueling Hurricanes’ historic run

The Danish netminder has gone from a career-worst season to one of the NHL’s best runs

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

THE CAROLINA Hurricanes are perfect to start the postseason, becoming the rst team to pull o back-to-back sweeps since the modern playo format was adopted in 1987. While there are many reasons the team has found so much success, by far the biggest is the play of netminder Frederik Andersen. The veteran goaltender has been the best goalie in the playo s, posting an 8-0 record along with a .950 save percentage, 1.12 goals-against average and two shutouts. Since the NHL started recording shots in 1956, only four other goalies have had as good or better numbers through

eight postseason starts as the Hurricanes’ goaltender.

“He’s been unbelievable,” said Hurricanes forward Jackson Blake. “I don’t know if there’s a goalie in the world playing as good as he is right now.”

According to NHL EDGE statistics, Andersen also leads all netminders this postseason in high-danger save percentage (0.925) and also has a 0.938 save percentage on the penalty kill.

“I don’t know if there’s a goalie in the world playing as good as he is right now.”

Hurricanes forward Jackson Blake on Frederik Andersen

The “Great Dane” has allowed two goals or fewer in each of Carolina’s eight games, a feat that has only been accomplished by ve other goaltenders throughout NHL history. Andersen has been lights out for the Hurricanes and is the primary reason why they’ve been able to have such incredible success.

“For me, it’s just about staying with it,” Andersen said. “That’s the key for me. Just expect whatever they get. I don’t really look at the chances and quality and all that. I’m just trying to be in the moment and whatever happens — if I save the one before or don’t — I just try to make the next one. That’s my focus.” What makes this postseason

the most dangerous

KARL DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker defends Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway during Game 1 of their second round playo series in

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour, center top, protests a call during Game 2 of Carolina’s second-round playo series against the Flyers in Raleigh on May 4.

KARL DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

MATT SLOCUM / AP PHOTO

Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen, left, stops a shot during Game 4 of Carolina’s second round playo series against the Flyers in Philadelphia.

THURSDAY

5.14.26

TRENDING

Taylor Heinicke:

The former Panthers quarterback retired from the NFL.

The 33-year-old played seven NFL seasons, including 2018 with Carolina. He also played for Minnesota, New England, Houston, Atlanta and the Los Angeles Chargers. He was best known for his Washington tenure, which started on the practice squad as an emergency quarterback and led to him starting a playo game a month after his arrival.

Brandon Miller:

The Hornets guard underwent surgery to address left shoulder instability. Miller will be out inde nitely but is expected to make a full recovery. Miller played most of the season with a left shoulder wrap after sustaining a subluxation injury in October. He averaged a team-leading 20.2 points in 65 appearances and shot a career-high 38.3% on 3s.

Maxim Klitschko:

The 7-foot-1 son of former world heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko will play college basketball at East Carolina.

The center has played for Ukraine’s national team and last year averaged 14.9 points and 7.3 rebounds for Espoirs Monaco, a U21 development team. He’s also played ve games for the professional EuroLeague team AS Monaco. He chose ECU over UCLA and Ole Miss.

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

“I know he’s a great human being.”

Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, left, stating that the o - eld controversy surrounding coach Mike Vrabel’s, right, alleged a air with a reporter will not distract the team.

“Andy Dufresne swam through a lot of poo to come out the other side.”

San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello using the movie “The Shawshank Redemption” to explain why the team can overcome its slow start

PRIME NUMBER .396

The OPS of former NC State player Patrick Bailey this season, the lowest among the 286 MLB players with enough at-bats to qualify. Considered the best defensive catcher in baseball, Bailey’s struggles with the bat led to the Giants trading him to Cleveland over the weekend.

NASCAR

Shane van Gisbergen remained NASCAR’s king of the road courses at Watkins Glen. Starting from the pole, he scored his seventh Cup Series victory — all on road or street courses —leading 74 of 100 laps. Pitting from the lead under green with 24 laps remaining, van Gisbergen emerged in 24th, nearly 30 seconds back. The New Zealand native needed only 17 laps to retake the lead, winning by 7.288 seconds.

Syracuse and Wake Forest will hold their 2027 opener in north of the border in Canada. The Orange and Demon Deacons will meet for a Week Zero game at Toronto’s BMO Field either Aug. 28 or 29 and it will air on ABC or ESPN. It will count as one of Wake Forest’s home ACC games.

Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens, a Weaverville native and North Buncombe High alum, was the top pick in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League Draft. Pickens joins the Durham-based Carolina Blaze along with Texas’ Reese Atwood and Arkansas’ Dakota Kennedy.

The Charlotte Hornets extended head coach Charles Lee’s contract after increasing their win total by 25 games this season, the largest yearover-year improvement in franchise history. The Hornets won 44 games before falling to the Orlando Magic in the play-in tournament. Since January 1, the Hornets led the NBA in net rating and o ensive rating, while ranking fth in defense.

ADRIAN KRAUS / AP PHOTO VERA NIEUWENHUIS / AP PHOTO

WINSLOW TOWNSON

CHRIS O’MEARA / AP PHOTO

ADRIAN KRAUS / AP PHOTO

PAMELA SMITH / AP PHOTO

Local prospects take next step at NBA Draft Combine

N.C. college standouts got a pre-draft showcase in Chicago

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

CHARLOTTE — North Carolina’s college basketball programs are represented this week as NBA hopefuls take part in one of the nal major evaluation stops before the 2026 NBA Draft.

This year, the league invited 73 players to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine, which began last weekend and runs through Sunday at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago.

The combine gives prospects a chance to go through measurements, athletic testing, drills, interviews and scrimmages in front of NBA executives, scouts and coaches. It is also an important week for players still weighing whether to remain in the draft or return to college.

Duke, UNC, Wake Forest and NC State players were all listed on the initial invite list, giving the state a presence in a draft class lled with one-and- done freshmen, returning college standouts and international prospects.

Duke leads the state group with three invitees: freshman forward Cameron Boozer, senior forward Maliq Brown and sophomore guard Isaiah Evans.

UNC has two players on the list in senior forward Henri Veesaar and freshman forward Caleb Wilson, while former Wake Forest sophomore guard Juke Harris and former NC State freshman guard Matt Able also received invitations.

Harris has since withdrawn from the draft process and signed with Tennessee; Able has signed with UNC for next season while remaining in the draft process.

Boozer and Wilson entered the week as two of the highest-pro le prospects connected to the state’s college programs. Boozer has been viewed as one of the headliners of the 2026 class, while Wilson gives UNC a projected rst-round talent with size and athleticism.

Boozer backed that status with one of the ACC’s most decorated freshman seasons ever, earning the Naismith Trophy, ACC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year honors after averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Wilson was also one of college basketball’s top freshmen, averaging 19.8 points

many of the same people now criticizing the Hurricanes’ ecient path to the conferencenal. That includes Larkin, who picked Ottawa to beat Carolina in seven games.

“Anyone who says that is just wasting time,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said after Monday’s practice when asked about the discourse. “For me, I don’t even want to talk about it. Ottawa was the ninthbest team in the league. That was our rst-round matchup. And the Flyers, I think, had the best record in the NHL the last 30 games. So it’s really not worth our time to go into that.”

Let’s go into it anyway, and a good place to start when looking at Carolina’s rst two rounds is Las Vegas — not the Golden Knights, just the oddsmakers.

BetOnline.ag released probabilities for each rst round series in mid-April, and the Hurricanes were the fth-biggest favorite out of the eight series, and their 63% likelihood of winning was just a hair better than Vegas’ 62.3% against Utah. Colorado (83.7%; won), Tampa Bay (70.6%; lost), Edmonton (69.7%; lost) and Buffalo (63.7%; won) were all given better chances of escaping their rst postseason opponents.

The games aren’t played in

UNC forward Caleb Wilson works against Duke forward Cameron Boozer during a Feb. 7 game in Chapel Hill. Both are taking part in the NBA Draft Combine.

“I knew I was about to leave, so I just wanted to leave a mark that would kind of last on the community forever.”

Caleb Wilson, UNC forward

and 9.4 rebounds for the Tar Heels while notching rstteam All-ACC honors, though hand and thumb injuries kept him from playing in the NCAA Tournament.

The 19-year-old from Atlanta recently made an appearance at UNC’s student gym where he mingled and played pickup games with his classmates.

“I mean, I love to play basketball, and I really wanted to incorporate the students,” Wilson said. “I feel like it’s a big part of basketball, just making sure everyone feels involved, especially at UNC. I knew I was about to leave, so I just wanted to leave a mark that would kind of last on the community forever.”

The combine also o ers Brown and Evans a chance to strengthen their draft stock in di erent ways. Brown, a versatile forward, can show teams his defensive value and ability to t into multiple lineup combinations. Evans, a perimeter scorer, can use the setting to answer questions about consistency and how his shooting translates against other top prospects.

Representing the Tar Heels, Wilson is the program’s top draft name, while Veesaar, a

“Anyone who says that is just wasting time.”

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour on the idea Carolina had an easy path to the conference nal

sports books, however, but it’s not like Carolina didn’t have some trials to overcome to complete its historic double sweep.

The Hurricanes have faced more shorthanded opportunities per game than any team in the playo s, killing 38 of 40 penalties — including six 5-on3s without allowing a goal. That’s a credit to Carolina’s penalty killers and goaltender Frederik Andersen, who ranks rst among all playo goaltenders with 11.2 goals saved above expected, according to MoneyPuck.com.

The Hurricanes’ defense pairing of Sean Walker and K’Andre Miller has done heavy lifting for Carolina in its eight wins. The duo has been on the ice together at 5-on-5 for seven goals for and one against, and both were doing it while awaiting the birth of their rst child.

Miller’s son was born May 2, the same day as Game 1 against the Flyers in Raleigh, while Walker’s wife gave birth to a

Expanded NCAA Tournament reduces potential for madness in March

SEEMINGLY UNRELATED story

No. 1: Growing up, every summer, the carnival would come to town. My favorite game was the ring toss. One dollar got you 10 plastic rings, and you had to stand behind a waist-high wooden barrier — no leaning — and toss the rings, trying to hang one around the neck of the dozen bottles arranged in a grid on the other side of the barrier. If you succeeded, you won a stu ed animal and the admiration of onlookers.

One year, my friends and I thought about it and had a strategy we were fairly con dent would hack ring toss. Instead of aiming each ring and trying to toss it at a speci c bottle, one at a time, we reasoned, it would be better to throw them all at once. They would spread out, cover a wide area, and the odds of one of them nding the neck of a bottle would increase.

skilled frontcourt player, has an opportunity to showcase his size, mobility and o ensive touch in a setting built around direct comparison with other draft hopefuls.

Harris’ status changed before the combine began. The former Wake Forest guard was part of the NBA’s initial invitation list, but he has since removed his name from draft consideration and signed with the Volunteers on May 4.

The path is less settled for Able, who showed promise during his lone season at NC State, averaging 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting nearly 80% from the free -throw line. The former Wolfpack guard signed with UNC on May 7 after his freshman season, but he remains in the draft process while evaluating his professional options.

For Harris, that process ended with a transfer to Knoxville. For Able, the next step could still be either the NBA or an in-state move from Raleigh to Chapel Hill.

The combine comes after the NBA G League held its own predraft event in Chicago. The NBA G League invited 44 prospects to participate in the 2026 AWS NBA G League Combine, which took place May 8-10 at Wintrust Arena with ve - on- ve games, strength testing and agility drills.

The North Carolina-connected group at the G League Combine included NC State senior guard Quadir Copeland, NC State senior forward Darrion Williams, Appalachian State graduate guard Kasen Jennings and UNC senior guard Seth Trimble.

daughter last Friday during the o day between Games 3 and 4. His child’s arrival, however, required two ights — one to Raleigh and one back to Philadelphia.

“The baby gods were on my side on that one,” Walker said, “and I got to experience it all. It was amazing, really an amazing experience.”

The o -ice excitement didn’t faze either defenseman on the ice. Miller’s six playo assists rank tied for fourth among NHL blueliners, while Walker’s Corsi For percentage (61.94%) ranks the best among defensemen remaining in the postseason, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.

Even though the Hurricanes have made things look easy through the rst two rounds, rest assured they don’t feel like they’ve coasted their way to a third conference nal in four seasons.

“Oh, that’s funny,” Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal said Monday of the idea Carolina has had a simple path to the NHL’s nal four. “Both series were very tough, and we had some fortunate bounces too to make it four straight. But, yeah, not easy. I was pretty exhausted, even the last couple days, just kind of recovering and thinking about the series.

“But we got a lot of work ahead of us as well.”

Try it. You’ll see. Our test runs were wildly successful. It’s why so many lotteries are won by groups of coworkers that pool your money. The more long shots you have, the better the odds that one will pay o .

They really want you to know that this change won’t do anything signi cant. Unless, of course, you’re GardnerWebb.

That July, we showed up at ring toss, ready to rake in the prizes, only to see the small sign posted just below the stu ed animals hanging from the top of the booth. “Must throw one ring at a time.”

The carnies had already hacked the game and made sure we couldn’t increase our already miniscule odds of success.

Seemingly unrelated story No. 2: In 2007, GardnerWebb was invited to participate in the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic — one of those November tournaments now called MTEs. The rst couple of games were on campus sites, then the winners advanced to Madison Square Garden for the nationally televised nal two rounds.

G-W opened play at Rupp Arena against Kentucky. The Runnin’ Bulldogs pulled o an 84-68 upset of the blue blood Wildcats and were headed to the Big Apple and ESPN — instead of Kentucky.

A short time later, most MTEs changed their rules. The opening on-campus rounds were no longer elimination games. The host teams would be the ones advancing to the nationally televised championship rounds. For instance, in the 2011 Maui Invitational, when Middle Tennessee upset UCLA in an on-campus game in Los Angeles, the victorious MTSU was sent to Murfreesboro to compete in the “Regional Round,” while the losing Bruins went on to Maui. People want to see blue bloods, and on-court results shouldn’t get in the way of TV-friendly matchups.

Seemingly unrelated story No. 3: The NCAA Tournament is expanding, from 68 teams to 76. Instead of four teams playing in Dayton for two spots as 16 seeds and another four playing for two No. 11 seed spots, a total of 24 teams will go to Dayton — and possibly another location to handle so many extra games. Murfreesboro might be a good choice.

Eight teams will have to win to enter the eld of 64 as 16 seeds. Half of the 15 seeds will have to play their way in. The bottom eight at-large teams will play to be the four 12 seeds, and four teams will battle for half of the 11-seed lines.

The NCAA website assures everyone that, after those games are done, it will be the same as ever. No major changes. The explainer on the change includes the phrases “the traditional First Round rhythm remains intact” and “without signi cantly altering the schedule fans have loved for years” and “the rest of the tournament schedule remains unchanged” and “retain(s) the same format.”

They really want you to know that this change won’t do anything signi cant.

Unless, of course, you’re Gardner-Webb or Middle Tennessee or a kid with a handful of rings and a plan.

Tucked into the NCAA’s “nothing to see here” page is the following statement about the new opening round games: “Half of those games will feature the 12 lowest-seeded automatic quali ers on the committee’s overall seed list. The other half will feature the 12 lowest-seeded at-large teams selected to the eld.”

That’s true. Except the number of automatic quali ers doesn’t change. So all of the new teams added to the tournament will be at-large bids. That means those bracketology reports in early March that list the “ rst four out” and “next four out”? All eight of those teams are now in.

It also means that instead of four teams from single-bid leagues having to play o to reach that unchanged round of 64, 12 will — a threefold increase. There were 24 single-bid leagues in the 2026 tournament. So half of them will now be relegated to the play-in round.

And when that completely unchanged round of 64 tips o , instead of having 22 teams from single-bid leagues and 42 power conference teams in the eld, there will now be 18 single-bids and 46 power conferences.

So the NCAA increased the tournament eld by and reduced round of 64 opportunities for nonpower conference teams by 18%. It doesn’t just a ect the single-bid teams relegated to the opening games. Automatic bid winners from small and mid-major leagues that were assigned to the round of 64 will now be seeded lower. Don’t believe it? Look at the West and South regionals from this year’s tournament. The top 10 teams in the South and top 11 in the West were all at-large teams. The rest of the bracket were the automatic bid winners. With more at-larges in the eld, it’s doubtful they’ll take up 13 and 14 seeds. Instead, a VCU or Loyola of Chicago that once would have been an 11 is now a 13 or 14.

The expansion is the Gardner-Webb rule taken to the extreme. Groups of coworkers can still pool their money and buy lottery tickets, but only a couple.

It’s like adding one foot of water to a swimming pool. The swimmers in the deep end don’t notice. The kids in the shallow end sure do. The chances for upsets will be greatly reduced. The good news is that you’ll probably know the names of most of the teams you’re watching. Because all the little guys already tossed their one ring and watched it clang to the ground, while the power conferences divided up all the stu ed animals.

Remember: No leaning.

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

Reitan earns 2-shot win at Truist Championship for rst PGA Tour victory

By Steve Reed The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE — Kristoffer Reitan was not having much fun early in his career on the DP World Tour, and he began contemplating the idea of leaving competitive golf to become a YouTube golfer.

He never followed through, instead sticking with his goal of winning tournaments.

He’s glad he did.

The 28-year-old PGA Tour rookie from Norway shot 2-under 69 on Sunday to earn a twoshot win over Rickie Fowler and Nicolai Hojgaard at the Truist Championship for his rst victory on the PGA Tour.

Reitan, who chose golf over soccer at a young age, won twice previously on the European Tour but this week proved to be his breakthrough moment. He nished at 15-under 269.

“I don’t have any words, to be honest,” Reitan said. “This is way more than I expected and for it to happen this quickly is just unreal. Yeah, a dream come true.”

Reitan said stepping away from the game for a bit after losing his DP Tour card helped him gain perspective.

“It helped me nd my game again,” Reitan said. “It helped

me discover my talents again. Yeah, that was something really important to me, which I try to remind myself of every single day. So that was de nitely a huge thing for me getting back and starting to play some good golf again.”

Alex Fitzpatrick, the thirdround leader, nished three shots back after shooting 73. The Wake Forest product earned $960,000.

Reitan started the round one shot behind Fitzpatrick, but was even par for the day after 13 holes and one shot behind Fowler, who had surged to the lead after shooting 30 on the front nine.

“The rst nine was ‘let’s go have a good day,’ and back nine was, ‘hey, we actually are in a

Norway’s Kristo er Reitan poses with the trophy after winning the Truist Championship golf tournament Sunday at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte.

spot where we can go win this,’” Fowler said.

But Fowler, who started the day seven shots behind, couldn’t sustain the momentum.

Playing four groups ahead of the leaders, Fowler missed a 6-foot birdie putt on 16, opening the door for Reitan, Fitzpatrick, and Hojgaard to pull into a fourway tie for the lead after all three made birdie.

Reitan took the lead for good when he hit his iron on the par-5 15th onto the green and two-putted for birdie.

Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick’s wedge got caught up in the thick rough and his chip barely made the fringe, leading to a par and dropping him back one shot.

Hojgaard made bogey on 16 to fall two back.

Fowler’s chances ended when his approach shot on the 18th hole landed in the deep rough on the left side of the green and his chip came out short leading to bogey. He nished with a round of 65.

Fitzpatrick was the last man standing in Reitan’s way, but he faltered again on 17 as his chip from the deep rough never made the green and he made double bogey.

Reitan played the nal three holes of the Green Mile in even par and secured the win with a par on 18.

Reitan’s best previous nish was a tie for second last month at the Zurich Classic when he and playing partner Kris Ventura lost by one stroke to Fitzpatrick and his brother, Matt.

When he was young, Reitan had two loves — soccer and golf.

He realized pretty quickly he was better at golf, and his parents would take him to Spain every Christmas to give him a place to practice. On Sunday, he thanked them for making that investment in him.

“They have made golf a very, very high priority in our household,” Reitan said. “They have de nitely made a great, great ef-

fort to at least help me get to the place I am today and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

It was a disappointing day for Cameron Young, the world’s No. 3 player.

Looking for his second straight PGA win after a victory last week at Doral, Young started the day just two shots o the lead but had a double bogey on the second hole and never recovered with just one birdie the rest of the day.

The former Demon Deacon golfer nished with a 74 and tied for 10th, six shots behind. That earned him a payday of $500,000.

Other golfers with ties to North Carolina included:

Alex Smalley: The Greensboro native and Duke product nished 17th, nine shots out, earning $310,000.

J.T. Poston: The Hickory native nished tied for 24th, 11 shots behind the leader, good for a $156,642.86 payday.

Ashkay Bhatia: The Wake Forest native nished tied for 37th, 13 shots back, earning $82,187.50.

Webb Simpson: The Raleigh native shot even par for the tournament, nishing 15 back, in 48th. That earned $50,000.

Ben Gri n: The UNC product nished in 63rd, 18 back, taking home $41,250.

Ryan Gerard: The Raleigh native and former UNC golfer was four over, 19 back, earning $40,250 for a 65th place nish.

Tom Hoge: The Statesville product nished in 72nd, shooting 13 over and earning $36,000.

NCHSAA sanctions girls’ ag football, boys’ volleyball

The two sports will begin in the 2026 -27 season

By Asheebo Rojas North State Journal

THE NORTH Carolina High School Athletic Association is adding two new sports to its calendar.

During its spring Board of Directors meeting on May 6, the NCHSAA voted to sanction girls’ ag football and boys’ volleyball as o cial championship sports for the 2026-27 season.

Flag football will compete under NFHS and take place in the fall. Boys’ volleyball will be played in the spring.

The sanctioning of girls’ ag football has been years in the making. In 2022, the Carolina Panthers spearheaded a pilot season with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district. Over the next few years, more high schools started their own teams and competed against each other in combined leagues and championships.

Shortly after the sport was sanctioned, the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation announced a $1 million donation to support high school ag football programs in North and South Carolina.

“Sanctioning high school ag football marks a major milestone for girls’ athletics in North Carolina,” David and Nicole Tepper said. “The Panthers are proud to be a driving force behind this movement beginning with the launch of the rst pilot program in 2022 with 19 schools and followed by continued investment under the leadership of Riley Fields and the Panthers Community Relations team.”

Boys’ volleyball also had plenty of momentum before becoming an o cial championship sport. Over 100 NCH-

ANDERSEN from page B1 run even more impressive is the fact that this regular season was statistically the worst of Andersen’s 13-year NHL career. He at one point went more than two months without a win and even fell out of the rotation a few times.

But despite that, the Danish netminder never lost faith in his game.

“The way I look at it, I’ve played worse hockey and had better numbers,” Andersen said back in December amid a career-worst nine-game losing

The

SAA member schools held club teams that competed with the NC Boys High School Volleyball Association, which has organized state playo s and championships for multiple years.

“This decision formalizes what has been building over the past decade across North Carolina. Boys’ volleyball has been steadily growing and has created strong communities, with thousands of high school athletes already playing,” NC Boys High School Volleyball Association Director Sarah Conklin said.

Here are other approved items from the spring Board meeting.

Policy

• Approved requiring head coaches to complete a youth mental health and rst aid training program once every three years. Options will be provided for satisfying the requirement (NFHS Learn

streak. “It doesn’t look good, obviously, and we’re not getting the wins with me in net, but I still feel like I’ve got my game. Maybe not perfectly where I want it, but like I said, I’ve had worse stretches where things have looked better and I’ve gotten more wins. That’s how I look at it. I try to be positive and move on.”

For the majority of the year, it looked like rst-year goaltender Brandon Bussi would be the Hurricanes’ starter come playo time, as he just kept nding ways to win games. But after his game started to slip

Coaching Mental Wellness, National Council for Mental Wellbeing Youth Mental Health First Aid, or an option presented by the school with NCHSAA approval). E ective 2026-27 School Year.

• Approved the NCHSAA as the o cial data collection method to inform decision-making, such as sanctioning a new sport. The NCHSAA will provide the o cial data. All data needs to be accurately represented to the board.

Approved the optional use of backstroke ledges in swimming in accordance with the NFHS allowance. E ective

Date: 2026-27 School Year

• Approved requiring the “Judging Springboard Diving” course on NFHS Learn for all diving judges/o cials on an annual basis. E ective Date: 2026-27 School Year

• Approved the six-dive format now that the NFHS is allowing states to modify the number of dives performed by participants during a state

following the Olympic break, Carolina opted to bet on experience. And it seems that decision, along with Andersen’s unwavering belief, has fueled one of the NHL’s biggest turnarounds. “I was shooting on him just before Game 1, and he just seemed way more locked in,” said Hurricanes forward Taylor Hall. “I’m not saying he wasn’t locked in for the regular season, but I think he has a level that he gets to in the playo s. A focus and determination. He’s our rock back there.”

Hurricanes coach Rod

meet. E ective Date: 2026-27

School Year

• Approved clarifying language that pertains to wrestling; Wells Fargo points will come only from Dual Team wrestling, not the individual tournament.

• Approved enhancing application notes to the felony rule. Application Note 1.2.10 would read “an adjudication of delinquency is not a felony conviction for purposes of that rule.”

• Add clarifying language to Statute of Limitations 3.3.12

• Clarify how the grievance/ internal remedy process operates for o cials. 3.4.2

• Provide examples of specific behaviors 3.3.6.d.26

• E ective Date: 2026-27

School Year and re ected in 2026-27 NCHSAA Handbook

• Approved editing section 3.3.6.c.19 of the handbook to read “participation in or hosting an in-or-out-of-state unsanctioned event” in the Level 3 infraction on the Penalty Code. Review and o ciating

• Approved the Eastern Swimming & Diving Association regional supervisor – Bob Landry and approved the interim Mountain West Volleyball Association regional supervisor – Ed Rewis. E ective: Immediately.

• Approved increasing assigning fees in all sports from $150 to $300 for varsity and $100 to $150 for junior varsity. This would also include the change fees. E ective: 2026-27 School Year.

• Approved requiring two o cials on every mat for dual team playo s, beginning with round 3 and beyond. E ective: 2026-27 School Year.

• Approved requiring two additional o cials (plus the number of mats) for each individu-

Brind’Amour added, “I don’t think anybody predicted this. We certainly went into the playo s thinking, ‘OK, we’re probably going to use both (goalies). Why not? They both deserve to play.’ There’s just been no reason to go any other direction. He’s just playing lights out.” While the current run is certainly impressive, it’s still only half the race. Carolina has to nd a way to win eight more games if they want to hoist the Stanley Cup at the end of it all, and standing in their way is the Eastern

al regional tournament. This is an increase of one additional o cial. E ective: 2026 -27 School Year.

• Approved if a wrestling regional originally scheduled for two days is changed to just one day, the o cials shall receive one and a half days’ pay for that event. E ective: 2026-27 School Year.

• Approved clarifying the NCHSAA position in 3.4.1(a), and 3.4.2(d)(1 on using non-NCHSAA regional supervisors/associations to make assignments for nonsanctioned contests. Require: Each school must use only NCHSAA-registered and eligible o cials in all competitions and must work through an NCHSAA-approved regional supervisor. Effective: 2026-27 School Year Sports

• Approved increasing the number of daily contests for swimmers and divers from one to two. E ective: 2026-27 School Year.

• Approved adjusting the number of quali ers for swim and dive regionals to include the top 24 times/scores in individual events and the top 16 times in relays to include all classi cations. E ective: 2026 -27 School Year.

• Approved conducting timed nals only at the state championship meets. E ective: 2026-27 School Year.

• Approved aligning wrestling postseason girls competition dates with the boys competition dates. E ective: 2026-27 School Year.

• Approved adjusting the current 2026-27 sports calendar for tennis and basketball. E ective: immediately.

• Approved allowing junior varsity teams to conduct stand-alone scrimmages. Effective: 2026-27 School Year.

Conference nal, a hurdle the team hasn’t been able to clear since 2006 despite three different appearances during the Brind’Amour era.

It’s going to take a full team e ort for the Hurricanes to make it to the Stanley Cup, but a lot of that responsibility is going to continue to fall on Andersen’s shoulders.

“(I’m just) trying to do what I can right now,” Andersen said. “Guys in front of me are playing well and blocking a lot of shots and helping me out. It’s awesome to get the wins, but it takes four series.”

COURTESY CAROLINA PANTHERS

Palisades ag football team takes the eld at Bank of America Stadium for a game last year. Panthers owner David Tepper continued his support of the sport with a million- dollar gift.

CHRIS CARLSON / AP PHOTO

Registered

the BRIEF this week

Iran war hitting home as gas prices fuel in ation surge of 3.8% in U.S.

U.S. consumer prices climbed sharply again last month as the 10-week war with Iran pushed energy prices higher. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that its consumer price index rose 3.8% from April 2025. On a month-to -month basis, April prices were up 0.6% from March as gasoline prices rose 5.4%. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called consumer core prices were up 0.4% last month from March and 2.8% from April 2025, relatively modest readings that suggest the energy price burst isn’t yet spilling over much into other prices.

Trump FDA chief leaving after angering pharma CEOs, vaping lobbyists and anti-abortion groups

Marty Makary is resigning as President Donald Trump’s Food and Drug Administration head, according to a White House o cial who was not authorized to speak before an o cial announcement and insisted on anonymity Tuesday. The surgeon and health researcher’s tenure had drawn complaints from health industry executives, anti-abortion activists and other Trump allies. Makary was an outspoken critic of COVID-19 health measures during the pandemic, but at the FDA, Makary failed to win the sta ’s con dence after mass layo s, leadership changes and a series of controversies.

Pittsboro holds public hearing for recommended budget

Town sta has proposed maintaining the current property tax rate of 44 cents per $100 valuation

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on the manager’s recommended

FY 2026-27 operating budget.

The recommended general fund budget is balanced at approximately $13.8 million, which is less than last year’s budget, which came in around $14.1 million.

“This isn’t actually a decrease to what our current scal year budget is because we are not appropriating any fund balance,” said Finance Director Heather Meacham.

Last year, the town appropriated about $1.2 million from its fund balance to help balance the operating budget.

Some of the biggest budgetary

increases for this year include an estimated 18% increase in major medical expenses, a 3% COLA adjustment and a 5% increase in retirement contributions.

“Costs do continue to increase both for personnel expenses and other operating expenses,” Meacham said.

Chapel Hill not likely to implement tax increase in upcoming scal year

The town’s recommended budget is based on the tax rate remaining the same

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

CHAPEL HILL — The Chapel Hill Town Council was presented with the town’s FY

strategic priorities while sustaining high-quality services and reinforcing long-term scal stability,” said Town Manager Ted Voorhees.

2026 -27 recommended budget at its May 6 meeting.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work the town team has done with this budget to align ournancial plans with the council’s

get, the general fund comprises around $100 million of it.

According to Voorhees, the budget is focused on strategic investments across four areas: advancing council strategic priorities, competitive compensation for town workforce, funding, $2.00

The recommended budget is balanced at about $169.7 million, which is approximately a 3.4% increase from the previous year, and of that total bud-

Pediatrics group issues new guidance on recess for rst time in 13 years

“Recess is great. We all kind of need recess.”

Dr. Lauren Fiechtner, Mass General Brigham childhood obesity expert

Pediatricians renewed a commitment to protecting recess as schools continue cutting break time

By Laura Ungar The Associated Press

RECESS ISN’T JUST a fun break for grade schoolers. It’s crucial to good health and good grades for kids of all ages.

That’s the message from a leading pediatricians group, which just released the rst new guidance in 13 years

about this unstructured time at school and how it needs to be protected. The updated policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics comes after years of shrinking recesses and worsening children’s health.

The group “has always supported play — free play for kids — but it’s been increasingly threatened over time,” partly by the drive for higher test scores, said Dr. Robert Murray, a lead author. “It has a very powerful bene t if it’s used to the fullest.”

THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The plaque for Bynum Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places last year, was unveiled Saturday in Bynum.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

and strengthening core services and continuing progress toward long-term scal sustainability.

The council’s strategic priorities are further broken down to focusing on the complete community vision, environmental resiliency, housing, and organization and scal sustainability.

“Complete community is a bold vision for our community’s future that advances thoughtful growth, multimodal connectivity and vibrant, vital neighborhoods,” Voorhees said. “This budget supports sta in bringing this vision to life.”

The budget also o ers a 4% market pay increase for employees and an increase in retirement and medical insurance contributions.

“Our employees are our greatest asset, and they face real challenges from everyday stress and long-term burnout to the rising costs of living and struggles with work/life balance,” Voorhees said.

In addition, some of the key areas of increase for the budget are a $544,000 increase in operational costs due to in ation, $250,000 investments in both facility needs and street resurfacing as well as a doubled investment in re capital needs from $500,000 to $1 million.

Despite the increase, the budget does not have a recommended tax increase, meaning the town’s property tax rate would remain the same at $0.50 per $100 valuation.

Chapel Hill is expecting to see a 6.9% increase in property tax revenue for the upcoming scal year, or about $4.5 million in additional revenue for the town.

“This expected increase is based on data from Orange County that shows that as a result of a much smaller number of property tax appeals, property values and therefore property tax revenues will exceed earlier projections,” Voorhees said.

The town is also seeing sales tax gures around 5% higher than expected, and there is an additional 3% increase expected in FY 2026-27.

The Chapel Hill Town Council will hold a public hearing on the budget on May 20.

Free water safety class set for Jordan Lake

A two -part Water Con dence Class will be taught by a former Marine

Chatham News & Record sta

PITTSBORO — Chatham County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources and Safe Kids Chatham County are o ering a free two-part Water Condence Class at Jordan Lake later this month.

The class is open to adults and children ages 12 and older, and

CRIME LOG

May 4

• Justin Ryan Green, 25, was arrested for possession of a rearm by a felon, discharging a rearm in an enclosure to cause fear and assault by pointing a gun, and other charges.

• Kristin Gray Vanravestein, 40, was arrested for contempt of court.

May 5

• Carlos Perez Hernandez, 20, was arrested for defrauding a drug or alcohol test.

• Harold Everett, 23, was arrested for breaking and entering a motor vehicle with theft, felony conspiracy and breaking and entering a motor vehicle, and other charges.

• Adam Daniel Webster, 39, was arrested for violation of a domestic violence protective order.

• Jeannie Lee Blouin, 42, was arrested for obtaining property by false pretense and possession of stolen goods.

• Jacob Ray Phillips, 32, was arrested for possession of a stolen rearm, purchasing a rearm in violation of a domestic violence order and larceny of a motor vehicle, and other charges.

• Bryan Lagunes, 35, was arrested for driving while impaired.

• Morgan Thomas Shaw, 36, was arrested for felony stalking, possession of a stolen rearm and purchasing a rearm while subject to a

Spanish speakers are welcome. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited and registration is required.

Sessions will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on two Wednesdays, May 27 and June 3, at Jordan Lake’s Ebenezer Swim Beach. Rain dates are Thursdays, May 28 and June 4.

The interactive class will focus on practical, life-saving techniques and on helping participants become more comfortable in natural bodies of water. Participants will practice foun-

dational skills such as oating, water orientation and basic survival strokes. Topics may also include identifying water hazards, boating safety and proper use of life preservers.

Organizers said the class is well-suited for people who did not learn to swim as children or who have a fear of water.

The class will be led by David Cantong, a former Marine combat instructor of water survival and Army Special Forces combat diver. Cantong overcame his own fear of water after a near-drowning experience during childhood.

To register, contact Mallory Peterson, program supervisor for Chatham County Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources, at 919-642-7086 or mallory.peterson@chathamcountync.gov.

CHATHAM

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Chatham County:

May 14

Dorian Devins and Lou Rainone Live Performance

1 p.m.

Local musicians Dorian Devins and Lou Rainone perform jazz, bossa nova, blues and more at the Chatham Community Library. The free performance is open to the public.

domestic violence order, and other charges.

May 6

• Andrea Michelle Toman, 45, was arrested for violation of a domestic violence protective order.

• Hope Luck Walters, 54, was arrested for assault on a government o cial or employee, simple assault and resisting a public o cer.

• Brian Kent Moore, 31, was arrested for felony possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

May 7

• William Lawrence Strickland, 61, was arrested for ctitious or altered title, registration card or tag; no liability insurance; and no operator’s license.

May 8

• Kaleb Clay Dixon, 23, was arrested for breaking and entering, misdemeanor larceny and injury to real property.

• Davonte Lequarius Jedihah Brown, 22, was arrested for breaking and entering a motor vehicle with theft, felony conspiracy and breaking and entering a motor vehicle, and other charges.

• Brian Edwin Elkins, 52, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance on prison or jail premises, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug

Teachers, are you looking for new opportunities to fund projects for your classroom?

Central Electric is awarding up to $15,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to local educators in K-12 classrooms for the 2026-27 school year. Educators in K-12 classrooms with creative ideas for learning projects are encouraged to apply for a grant up to $2,000.

Grant applications will be accepted through Sept. 15. However, it pays to apply early.

paraphernalia.

• John Patrick McPherson, 46, was arrested for larceny of a motor vehicle.

• Brandon Dean Beal, 30, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and driving on a revoked license, and other charges.

• John Joseph Cruz Pablo, 24, was arrested for seconddegree kidnapping.

May 9

• Gregory Issac Harris, 41, was arrested for larceny of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and nancial card fraud, and other charges.

• Aleaha Renne Marr, 32, was arrested for driving while impaired.

• Marie Rosabelle Morgan, 44, was arrested for breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods, and other charges.

May 10

• Justin Daniel Stiles, 47, was arrested for assault on a government o cial or employee, communicating threats and resisting a public o cer, and other charges.

• Jonathan James Livingston, 37, was arrested for driving while impaired.

• Cameron MacKenzie Cagle, 29, was arrested for simple assault, communicating threats and injury to real property.

All teachers who submit their applications by the early bird deadline of Aug. 15 will be entered into a drawing for one of ve $100 Visa gi cards. Scan the QR code or visit NCBrightIdeas.com for more information or to apply!

Chatham Community Library

197 N.C. Highway 87 N Pittsboro

May 15

Beach Music Series: Blackwater Band

7 p.m.

Blackwater Band performs in the MOSAIC at Chatham Park outdoor Beach Music Series, a biweekly spring concert series at Chatham Park’s community commons. Admission is free with advance ticket registration at the MOSAIC website; the event lawn opens at 6 p.m.

MOSAIC at Chatham Park 367 Freedom Parkway Pittsboro

May 16

Special Olympics

Chatham County Texas Hold ’em Fundraiser

3 p.m.

A charity Texas Hold ’em tournament at The Mod bene ts Special Olympics Chatham County, Camp Royall, and the Carolina Living and Learning Center. The $20 buy-in provides 20,000 chips; rebuys are available, and spectators may attend at no charge.

The Mod 46 Sanford Rd. Pittsboro

Triangle Japanese Chorus Club Concert

2 p.m.

The Triangle Japanese Chorus Club presents a free concert of traditional and modern Japanese choral works at the Chatham Community Library. No registration is required.

Chatham Community Library

197 N.C. Highway 87 N Pittsboro

May 17

Chatham Artists Guild Spring Art Festival

11 a.m.

The inaugural Chatham Artists Guild Spring Art Festival features Guild members displaying and selling original artwork at The Plant’s 17-acre eco-industrial grounds in Pittsboro. The free, family-friendly event includes live music throughout the day, plus food and beverage vendors.

The Plant 220 Lorax Lane Pittsboro

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Cosmic metaphors for motherhood

Seeking metaphors for parenthood, I’m not suggesting that children are hollow, emptyheaded rocks.

THE MOON IS slowly drifting away from Mother Earth at a little over an inch per year. As I understand it, the Sun will explode in 5 billion years or so before the moon could actually leave the Earth’s gravitational pull — not something one needs to worry about.

But as I write on the day after Mother’s Day, a slowly drifting moon seems like a metaphor for the baby steps that children take from their mother. It’s only natural that time leads to more physical separation. Of course, by the time they can toddle, a child can cover far more than inches in a matter of seconds. This speed can be terrifying around street tra c, but in the safety of a backyard, it is often the cause of much amusement as the little one tumbles headlong across the grass in pursuit of butter ies, the shooting stars of suburban landscape.

It turns out that the Earth’s mass is more than 80 times greater than the moon’s

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

even though it’s only about four times wider. Seeking metaphors for parenthood, I’m not suggesting that children are hollow, empty-headed rocks; what does seem relevant is that many mothers and mother-like gures exert the most force by their power within.

Mars has two moons; one will drift o into deep space, and the other will be pulled into a collision with the red planet. Children can be very di erent from each other, including their relationships to the planet, I mean, parent. Yet neither of these Martian moon trajectories seems like a positive metaphor. Then again, I doubt that any parent would name their o spring Phobos and Deimos, which mean “Fear” and “Dread.”

Jupiter has 101 moons, which is even more than your Catholic great-grandmother. In addition, there are thousands of small objects rotating in this gas giant’s orbit, kind of like neighborhood children around the

pool. The force of my wife’s chocolate-chip cookies pulls a gaggle of kids into our home. Those cookies are delicious to their core.

I might have thought that tiny Pluto wouldn’t even have a moon, but it turns out it is orbited by ve moons. Its largest, Charon, is tidally locked with Pluto; unlike the moons of Mars, Charon will neither pull toward nor away over time but remain in its whirling dance with its planet until acted upon by something much larger (like an exploding star). I look for those sweet balances in life, however eeting they are, like when our three children orbit my twirling wife in the living room after dinner as they all boogie to the wonderfully cosmic James Brown.

Andrew Taylor-Troutman’s newest book is “This Is the Day”. He serves as pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church as well as a writer, pizza maker, co ee drinker and student of joy.

Driving toward helping take care of our friends

I’m not sure where deer fall in the animal kingdom ranking of bright beings but if I had to say, I’d say not at the top.

I HAVE A HIGH regard for life — the living, breathing, moving kind.

Doesn’t matter if it’s plant, animal or human, most of the time I’m into “live and let live.”

Now that doesn’t mean I cultivate poison ivy or am against drawing a bead on a coyote with my ri e, especially if he’s hanging out around some baby calves. I’m also not averse to doing away with the yellow jacket that just stung me. And if a y gets into my soup he’s not going to stay there long. But it does mean that I sort of live in a place that says, “I didn’t create or give life, so as a normal mode of operation, I’m not going to do away with it just because I can.”

But lest my vegan, nonmeat, nonegg or milk or other dairy product-eating friends raise their eyebrows, I’m also not talking about the New York strip I like to see on my plate once in a while. I’m talking about the random wanton destruction of life that conveys, I think, an attitude of “I-don’tcare.”

One of the places we see that is on the highways and byways of our world, especially for those of us who avoid the concrete sidewalks of urban life.

Obviously sometimes it can’t be helped, this taking of wildlife life. Bambi and her friends lead the list or are right there at the top. I’m not sure where deer fall in the animal kingdom ranking of bright beings, but if I had to say, I’d say not at the top. If they did, they wouldn’t try to cross the road in front of a semi hauling a load of hogs.

One year, my better half and I nailed ve

of the white-tailed eet-footed creatures, including the one that saw us, turned back away toward the woods from which she came and then did an about-face and broad-sided us. Maybe she was having a bad day, or maybe she saw and remembered when we got one of the other four. … I don’t know, but I do know it was not a good decision on her part.

In addition to the deer, Mr. Squirrel is also on the list of roadway endangered species. If you’ve ever driven up behind one of the furry little rodents lollygagging in the middle of the road, you see them — as soon as they see you — run here and there, take a couple of steps to the left, then zig right before trying to outrun you or bolting o to the other side.

Most of them make it but not all; but, hey, Mr. Buzzard also has to eat.

The bottom line, I think, is this: People and animals share much of the same territory. Most of the time, we’re bigger than they are, so it pays to pay attention. Don’t have a wreck trying to avoid Mr. Possum, and it’s not a good idea to get out of your vehicle to move something.

I’ve hit my share of animals through 60-plus years of driving and still remember how sick it made me when years ago I couldn’t avoid a dog that appeared from a grassy shoulder and tried to outrun me before I could slow down to miss him.

But — and here’s the big but — it’s not cool to go out of your way to smush something. On a nearby paved road the other day, I saw a perfect example of that random wanton destruction of life. Mr. Turtle did not make it on his journey

from one side to the other. I’ve always heard those folks cross the road on their travels looking for water. Unfortunately for them, it can take a while to complete the task, and they either need a better travel agent or to ask the chicken how to cross the road.

The thing that struck me as I motored on was that Mr. Turtle met his end not on the edge of the pavement or near the center line where the left wheels would ride. Instead, he was lying there in bits and pieces dead (no pun intended) in the middle of the travel lane. I’m pretty sure unless the o ending driver was skimming along in something only 2 inches above ground that he could have spared Mr. Turtle over to another day.

That was especially noticeable and galling to me because earlier in my travels on that same road, while going in the opposite direction, I had observed Mr. Turtle in the middle of a lane just sort of hanging out, apparently enjoying life as a turtle.

So why do it? Don’t know. … Maybe a sense of power and control, maybe because the driver is a jerk. I do know it’s not a nice thing to do.

As you come and go on the highways and byways, drive safely; make sure you get home.

And do your best to make sure the critters get home to their families, as well.

Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.

Picking up the vibes?

The one commonality I heard shared, over and over, was that people felt seen and heard by my mother.

JUST COGITATING … Where did my raucous laugh come from? My inclination to butt into social interactions, juicing them up to a higher level of shared laughter? Gabbing away and joking with the attendants at the recycling center; stopping an older woman (older than me, anyhow) who appears lost in our neighborhood. Who -is-this-voluble-person? Omg, it’s me! I’m the one gabbing, joking, inquiring, intervening, waving to everyone. It’s me. How did this happen? How? I, Jan, am an introvert. My numerous Myers-Briggs personality tests over the years would never — let me repeat, never — have predicted this. We’ve all had labels applied to us at one time or another. Mine was introvert. Supposedly infallible personality tests shouted from the rooftops, “Jan is a reserved, internally focused person who revels in solitude.” Just in case you haven’t gotten it, I was routinely labeled as, guess what … an introvert. OK, OK, you probably have gotten it by now. How the hell did this apparent transformation occur? It sure as heck wasn’t conscious. At least, I don’t think so. But how? … Ah, that’s what happened. Blame it on my late mother. It’s her fault. I used to wince when shopping with her as she magically pulled other customers’ life

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

stories out of them while we waited in the checkout line. Get me out of there. She’d talk to anybody! Asking about their lives … sheer embarrassment on my part. “No, no, I don’t know her!”

My mother, on whom I’m pinning this egregious blame, died many years ago. At her memorial service — and later, as I readied her house for the market — people popped up out of nowhere, people I’d never heard of, sharing their essential memories of my mother. And, damn, the one commonality I heard shared, over and over, was that people felt seen and heard by my mother. She didn’t talk about herself but took a few short moments to inquire about the lives of others, leaving them feeling gifted and seen by her attention.

Whoa, and I do mean, whoa! I couldn’t see my mother’s gift of acknowledging others from a kid’s point of view. I just wanted her to be quiet and not embarrass me. Oy!

I don’t know how I feel about heaven or an afterlife. However, for many years now, I’ve been spreading the seeds of my mother’s gift, micromoments of loving attention, to all and sundry. Wherever you are, Mom, I hope you’re picking up my vibes.

Jan Hutton, a resident of Chatham County and retired hospice social worker, lives life with heart and humor.

The race-obsessed left complains when the Supreme Court issues a colorblind ruling

But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a colorcoordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination.

SUPREME COURT Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, in the recent case that restricted the use of race in designing a Louisiana congressional district.

Thomas wrote: “This Court should never have interpreted (Section) 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to e ectively give racial groups ‘an entitlement to roughly proportional representation.’ ... By doing so, the Court led legislatures and courts to ‘systematically divid(e) the country into electoral districts along racial lines.’ ... ‘Blacks (we)re drawn into ‘black districts’ and given ‘black representatives’; Hispanics (we)re drawn into Hispanic districts and given ‘Hispanic representatives’; and so on. That interpretation rendered (Section) 2 ‘repugnant to any nation that strives for the ideal of a color-blind Constitution.’ ... Today’s decision should largely put an end to this ‘disastrous misadventure’ in votingrights jurisprudence.”

Critics argue the ruling is not colorblind in e ect because race -neutral districting can dilute minority voting power. But this assumes a) non-black and non-Hispanic voters would not vote for black or Hispanic candidates; and b) the interests of black and Hispanic voters can only be pursued by black and Hispanic members of Congress. For Democrats, the e ect of this ruling could be politically catastrophic. A report from Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund said, “Combined with Republicans’ mid- decade gerrymandering, a ruling gutting Section 2 could help secure an additional 27 safe Republican U.S. House seats when compared to the 2024 House maps — at least 19 directly tied to the loss of Section 2.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries said, “Instead of protecting the ability for American citizens to freely cast their ballot, Republican extremists have embraced voter suppression and racial gerrymandering to desperately cling to power. The corrupt conservative majority on the Supreme Court appointed by Donald Trump has taken a blowtorch to the Voting Rights Act. Why? The extremists need to cheat to win.”

It is not clear how removing race as a criterion in constructing congressional districts amounts to “cheating.” Nor is it clear how this majority of justices, nominated by Republican presidents, renders the court “corrupt.”

As for “Republican extremists embracing voter suppression,” Je ries presumably means voter ID laws. But polls show a large majority of blacks support voter ID

BE IN TOUCH

Medicaid millionaires are hiding in plain sight

FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT programs is often treated like an urban legend — something that happens in faraway blue cities run by corrupt political machines. But the truth is more unsettling: Some of the most brazen theft of taxpayer money is happening in places governed by Republicans, right under their noses.

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

Consider Ohio. At one address in Columbus, investigators found 94 di erent companies registered in the same building. The windows were covered. The o ces appeared empty. Yet according to The Daily Wire investigative team led by Luke Rosiak, that single address has billed taxpayers more than $66 million. This is not a minor accounting error. It is not mere “waste.” It is a system being exploited.

Rosiak’s reporting exposes an ecosystem of “Medicaid millionaires”: not the poor recipients of bene ts but the companies and middlemen who pro t o them. Under the guise of “home health care,” Ohio pays people to visit Medicaid bene ciaries’ homes to perform “homemaking” services — cooking, cleaning and chores — tasks that don’t require medical training and often don’t receive meaningful oversight.

Ohio spent roughly $1 billion on home health care in 2024. The incentives are obvious: If government is handing out checks for loosely de ned services, the people best positioned to get rich are not the disabled or elderly — it’s the billing operations.

by percentages close to those of whites. Georgia, in 2021, enacted voter ID and voter-integrity laws called by President Joe Biden “worse than Jim Crow — it’s Jim Eagle.” But the percentage of blacks who voted exceeded the black voting percentages of most pre -2021 Georgia elections.

Let’s turn to Je ries’ accusation about Republicans’ supposed use of “racial gerrymandering.” In 2017, Politico wrote: “Former (Obama) Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday o cially launched the National Democratic Redistricting Committee ... as the center of Democratic rebuilding in the era of President- elect Donald Trump and as Democrats’ main hope to roll back Republican gains in state legislatures and prepare for redistricting in 2021. The end goal: House majorities in Congresses elected after 2020.”

To that end, Eric Holder supported race-conscious redistricting e orts designed to increase black electoral in uence. About a district in Alabama in 2024, for example, The Associated Press wrote: “The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which Holder chairs, supported the legal battle that led to the district being redrawn into a competitive seat where Black voters have the opportunity to in uence the outcome.”

Finally, about voters voting based on race, there are four black Republican members of the U.S. House, none of whom represents a majority-black district. Even Democrat Maxine Waters, a harsh critic of the court ruling and a co -founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, represents a district that is only about 20% black. Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white, succeeded Rep. Harold Ford Jr., who is black, in representing a majority-black district. And a recent Gallup poll nds Trump’s approval rating among blacks at 16%, up from 12% in his rst term.

Contrary to what many Democratic politicians say and how they act, this is not their grandfather’s America. But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a colorcoordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination.

My advice to Democrats after this ruling is simple: calm down. The days of poll taxes, literacy tests and grandfather clauses are long over. As Thomas Sowell says, “When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination.”

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

The pattern is almost comical in its boldness: Cover the windows, hang a sheet of paper with a generic company name ending in “Home Health LLC,” and if someone asks questions, claim the employees “stepped out.” Why cover the windows? Because there is nothing inside.

Dig into the companies and you nd unpaid taxes, shady ownership structures and a bizarre number of LLCs registered in unrelated industries. The deeper you look, the clearer it becomes that government is not equipped to monitor who it is writing million-dollar checks to.

The business model is disturbingly simple. A 40 -year- old man becomes an “employee” of a Medicaid-billing rm and gets paid to “care for” his 65 -year- old mother. But the only patient is Mom, and the only person who could con rm whether services are being provided is Mom herself. If she doesn’t want to rat out her son — or if she’s receiving a kickback — the state has no practical way to verify anything.

When Rosiak questioned one operator about what his company did, he was met with threats. The man reportedly dismissed the inquiry and then pivoted to the modern all-purpose defense: “I’m going to tell everybody you guys are racist.”

And there it is — the magic trick.

Steal millions. Exploit the system. Then accuse anyone investigating you of bigotry.

Unlike food stamps and other capped welfare programs, this Medicaid service has no meaningful ceiling. It expands as far as doctors are willing to sign forms. One doctor willing to approve enough paperwork can bankrupt a state.

For decades, the public couldn’t see this because Medicaid billing data was a black box. That changed in February, when the Department of Justice quietly released new data. In one case, a landlord whose buildings housed hundreds of Medicaid companies billed the federal government $250 million.

Now the question is whether leaders will act.

Ohio has Republican leadership, and nationally President Donald Trump has made waste, fraud and abuse a central theme of his administration. That focus matters because this problem won’t be solved with speeches or “task forces.” It requires audits, subpoenas, prosecutions and real accountability.

If government programs are going to exist, the bare minimum requirement is that they serve the people they claim to serve.

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School.

(Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Letters to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or mailed to 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.

Contact a writer or columnist: connect@northstatejournal.com

derby day

Bennett Recreation held its third annual Home Run Derby on Saturday, complete with concessions, a bounce house, silent cake auction and, of course, some home runs.

Church News

OAKLEY BAPTIST CHURCH

As Oakley Baptist Church (2300 Siler CityGlendon Road, Siler City) seeks to begin its next chapter, we are enjoying hearing a word from the Lord from various old and new friends. Our service begins at 10:30 a.m., but we also have Sunday School classes for every member of the family at 9:30 a.m. We would be blessed if you joined us for any and all of these speakers in the coming weeks.

May 17 – John Strider

May 24 – Tim Howell May 31 – Gary Mccollough

We look forward to meeting you at any of these services and in the future, and invite you to pray with us as we seek a new pastor. To learn more, go to oakleybaptist.org or email us at oakleybaptistchurch@gmail.com.

Homecoming at Oakley will be Sunday, May 24 beginning at 10 a.m. for special music and 10:30 a.m. for worship service. Tim Howell will be our guest speaker.

A covered dish lunch will be provided after the service.

Please come and bring a friend! Everyone is welcome!

HOUSE OF PRAYER FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

The House of Prayer Fellowship Church, located at 549 Horton Road in Goldston, is excited to announce that we will be celebrating the 48th anniversary of our beloved pastor, Annie C. Glover, on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17.

The new guidance, published Monday in the journal Pediatrics, is similar to the previous policy statement but cites the latest research on why these breaks are essential for kids’ academic success and mental, physical, social and emotional growth.

For example, new evidence shows that kids need pauses between concentrated bouts of learning so the brain can hold and store the information. Researchers also say recess gives kids a chance to navigate relationships and build con dence, which is just as important for older kids as younger ones.

Murray and his colleagues also stressed the importance of physical activity in preventing obesity, a condition that now affects about 1 in 5 U.S. children and teens.

Given these bene ts, they recommend that recess be protected and never withheld for academic or punitive reasons, as sometimes happens in schools.

“If the child is disruptive or rude and disrespectful, recess is one of the things that teachers use to punish kids,” Murray said, adding that students struggling with behavioral issues or grades are often the ones who need recess most.

But those students aren’t the only ones losing out. Recess has been waning for all kids. Since the mid-2000s, up to 40% of school districts nationally have reduced or eliminated recess, according to data from the group Springboard to Active Schools in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Today, the duration of recess varies widely across U.S. schools, ranging from less than 10 minutes to more than an hour a day, the pediatrics group said. Older kids generally get less time than younger ones.

Ideally, studies show, kids should get a minimum of 20 minutes a day and multiple breaks. In other countries such as Denmark, Japan and

the United Kingdom, students get breaks after every 45 minutes to 50 minutes of classroom instruction.

“They should get a long enough period of time where they can destress and blow o steam and prepare for the next class,” Murray said.

Dr. Lauren Fiechtner, a childhood obesity expert at Mass General Brigham for Children in Boston, said she’s glad about the updated recess recommendations. She’s seen the importance of recess as both a doctor and mother of two. She recalled how her 8-year-old son learned how to play basketball at recess and now loves the game.

Fiechtner, who wasn’t involved in creating the guidance, agrees with the recommendation that middle and high school students need recess, too.

“As kids get older, they’re more on their screens. So it’s really helpful, I think, for outdoor activity and recess to be happening,” she said. “Recess is great. We all kind of need recess.”

We cordially invite you to join us for this special occasion. On Saturday, May 16 at 5 p.m., we will be honored to have the Rev. Stanley Burnette from Ward Memorial Church in Sanford as our guest speaker.

Then, on Sunday, May 17 at 11 a.m., Minister Je Covington Sr. from the House of Prayer Fellowship Church will be delivering a powerful message.

Following the Sunday morning service, dinner will be served. We extend a warm invitation to everyone to come and be a part of this wonderful celebration! We look forward to seeing each of you. Please come worship with us and bring a friend.

MATT YORK / AP PHOTO

Whittier Elementary School students enjoy recess in October 2022 in Mesa, Arizona.

PHOTOS COURTESY BENNETT RECREATION

obituaries

Patricia Ann Mann Glosson

Aug. 20, 1940 – May 5, 2026

Patricia Ann Mann Glosson, age 85, of Pittsboro, North Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, May 5th, after a long illness.

Pat, as she was lovingly known, made her home at 9680 Hwy 87 North in Pittsboro. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother whose life was centered around her family and her faith.

She is survived by her loving husband, John Glosson; her two children, Carla Hardin Copeland and Charles Gregory

Jeanette Christine Durham

Dec. 7, 1935 – May 4, 2026

Jeannette Christine Durham, age 90, a lifelong resident of Chatham County, passed away peacefully at the home of her son and daughterin-law, where she had been cared for the last few years.

Jeannette was born on

Irene Gertrude

Feb. 24, 1930 – May 6, 2026

Irene Gertrude Gray, 96, of Chatham County, went to her Heavenly home on Wednesday, May 6th, 2026, at her home surrounded by family.

Irene was born on February 24th, 1930, in Guilford County, to the late Emery and Bertha Skeen Gray. She is preceded in death by her parents, Emery and Bertha Gray; her husband, James L. Gray; and her sons, Thomas Gray and James R. Gray. Irene worked as an LPN at Chatham Hospital until she retired. She was a member of Gideons and the Silk Hope Ladies Club. She was a faithful church member. In her spare time, she liked farming and canning, and gardening. She loved nursing and helping people. She also liked doing ceramics.

Hardin; ve grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her great joy and pride. She is also survived by her brother, Bobby Mann.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Annie Mae Edwards Mann and John Julian Mann, as well as her brother, Johnny Mann.

Pat loved her family deeply and cherished every moment spent with them. She loved the Lord and lived a life rooted in faith, service, and devotion. She faithfully served her church and her community, leaving a lasting impact on all who knew her.

She will be remembered for her strength, her kindness, and the love she shared so freely. Her legacy of faith and family will continue to live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

The family will receive friends during a visitation at 1:00 PM on Monday, May 11th, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM at Donaldson Funeral Home in Pittsboro, North Carolina.

In lieu of owers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

December 7, 1935, to the late James Durham and Jenney Hackney (Durham, Clark). She was also a longtime assistant manager/attendant at Service Distributors’ gas station in Pittsboro and worked in food services at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

She is survived by her sons, Rocky Wright of Sanford, Rick Stambach and wife Medelia of Pittsboro; granddaughters Melanie Festa and husband Raymond of San Francisco, CA, Miriam Larsson and husband Daniel of Cary; and her sister, Gaynell Martin, and brother Bobby Durham A graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at Lee Memory Garden in Sanford, with Pastor Mario Reatequi o ciating.

Online condolences may be made at PinesFunerals.com.

Fry & Prickett Funeral Home is serving the Durham family.

Left to cherish Irene’s memory are her daughter, Shirley Freeman and her husband, Bill of Siler City; her daughter-in-law, Charlene White of High Point; her brother, Roy L. Gray and his wife, Gloria Jean of Greensboro; her sister, Caroline Frazier and her husband, Dale of Randleman; her grandchildren, Travis and his wife, Christine of Trinity, Amanda and her husband, Mike of Thomasville, and Drew and his wife, Kristen of Franklinville; her great grandchildren, Savannah, Josh, Chandler, Callen, Sutton, Kinley, Abel, and Harrison; and her great great grandchildren, Aria, Adaline, and Anakin. A funeral service will be held Monday, May 11th, 2026, at 12:30 pm, at Faith Baptist Church in Siler City. A visitation will be held at 11 am to 12:30 pm prior to the service. Burial will follow at Westminster Gardens in Greensboro at 2:30 pm. Services will be o ciated by Reverend Bobby Shutt and Reverend Jay O’Dell. In lieu of owers, memorials can be made to The Gideons at https://gideons.org/donate in Irene’s name, or to Faith Baptist Church, 303 Hillbrook Blvd, Siler City, NC 27344. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home will be assisting the Gray family. Online condolences can be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Chatham News & Record at obits@chathamnewsrecord.com

John Gilbert Buckner

Dec. 26, 1933 – May 5, 2026

John Gilbert Buckner, 92, of Ramseur passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at his home in Ramseur. Gilbert was born on December 26, 1933 in Chatham County to parents Aubrey Buckner and Ollie Mae Fox Buckner.

He was a graduate of NC State University, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering. He went on to serve his country faithfully in the United States Army. Gilbert was the co-owner and President

IN MEMORY

of Auto Systems and Service in Ramseur, where he worked for 27 years.

In his early days, Gilbert worked to develop technology that would be used in the Lunar Rover during the space program of the 1960’s. Mr. Buckner loved traveling, visiting 49 out of 50 states in his motor home with his wife, Gilda. He loved spending time at the beach and hunting for sea shells, where he was referred to by his grandchildren as a “Professional Seasheller”.

He was a long time member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Ramseur. Most of all, Mr. Buckner loved his family and will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, and “Pa”.

In addition to his parents, Gilbert was preceded in death by his siblings, Colleen Sykes, Katy Buckner, Wanda Ellis, and Doyle Buckner. Mr. Buckner is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Gilda Councilman Buckner of the home; children, Jasmin Buckner Cox and husband Derrick of Ramseur, Copper Bass and husband Glen of Willow Springs, Shannon Lee Lindley and wife Christy of Lake Tillary,

TOMMY LAWRENCE

MAY 6, 2026

Tommy Lawrence, age 91 of Cameron, NC, passed away on Wednesday (5/6/2026) at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, NC. Tommy was born in Wake County, NC. Son of Elie Lawrence and Cora Elsie Goodwin Lawrence. Tommy was a member of the Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Cameron, NC. One of Tommy’s favorite pastimes was shing from a pier at the coast. He also enjoyed shing in di erent ponds. Tommy enjoyed spending time at home and loved to listen to Bluegrass Gospel Music. He enjoyed spending his free time working word search books and watching “Tic Toc Video’s”.

Tommy was preceded in death by his parents: Elie Lawrence and Cora Elise Goodwin Lawrence. His wife Nancy Taylor Davis Lawrence. His daughter Jaconna “Connie” Grae Lawrence. Son William Arnold Lawrence.Two brothers; Robert Clifton Lawrence and John D. Lawrence. One sister Marie Lynn Potter.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 2 PM on Monday (5/11/2026) at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 246 Flynn McPherson Road, Cameron, NC, with Pastor Donald Flynn and Pastor Jim Brady, O ciating.

Burial will follow in the Merry Oaks Cemetery in Moncure, NC.

Jonna Buckner Denning and husband Jack of Baltimore, MD, and Brandy Buckner Kramer and husband Tod of Denver Co; grandchildren, Claudia Kramer, Alden Kramer, Gri n Kramer, Nash Lindley, Stedson Lindley and wife Chase, Ilse Denning, Will Cox and wife Leighanna, Wyatt Cox, Westin Cox, Willow Cox, Destiny Spangler-Periera and husband Nevin, and Journey Bass; great-grandchild, Henry Cox; and brothers, Ed Buckner of Charlotte, Jerry Buckner and wife Diann of Greensboro, Ormond Buckner and wife Pat of Australia, and Donald Buckner.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, May 11, 2026 at First Baptist Church of Ramseur with Rev. Wayne Dunn o ciating.

The family will receive friends prior to the service for a time of visitation and refreshments from 12:30 until 1:45 pm in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Burial will follow the service at Rocky River Baptist Church in Siler City. Lo in Funeral Home of Ramseur is honored to serve the Buckner family.

ESTHER MEARL DUNLAP HUNDLEY

AUG. 20, 1944 – MAY 7, 2026

Esther Mearl Dunlap Hundley, 81, of Robbins, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026 at FirstHealth Moore Regional. The private graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Union Grove Baptist Church with Dr. Ron Chaney presiding. Esther was born In Moore County on August 20, 1944 to Howard and Stella Rouse Dunlap. She was formerly employed as a waitress at Westmoore. She enjoyed cooking, canning, singing and life in general. She loved owers and cherished her time spent with her grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Earl Hundley; son, Earl Ray Hundley; two brothers, one sister and her son-in-law. Esther is survived by her daughters, Cheryl K. Prince, of Franklinville, Donna H. Perry (Jim), of Robbins and Robyn R. Roberts (Bo), of Asheboro; brother, E. Ray Dunlap, of Robbins; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; special nephew, Jackie Ray Dunlap (Kim), of Robbins and a host of family and friends.

Gray

CNN founder Ted Turner, brash and outspoken television pioneer, dead at age 87

The media mogul transformed cable news while amassing sports teams, ranches and billions

By David Bauder

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Ted Turn-

er, a brash television pioneer who raced yachts, owned huge chunks of the American West and transformed the news business by launching CNN and introducing the 24 -hour cable news cycle, died last Wednesday. He was 87.

Turner died surrounded by his family, according to Turner Enterprises, the company that oversees his vast business interests. Turner owned professional sports teams in Atlanta, defended the America’s Cup in yachting in 1977 and donated a stunning $1 billion to United Nations charities. He married three women — most famously actor Jane Fonda — and earned the nicknames “Captain Outrageous” and “The Mouth of the South.”

He once bragged: “If only I had a little humility, I’d be perfect.”

He was slowed in later years by Lewy body dementia. Long out of the television business, he concentrated on philanthropy.

His garrulous personality sometimes overshadowed a risk-taking business acumen. By the time he sold his Turner Broadcasting System to Time Warner Inc. in 1996, Turner had turned his late father’s billboard company into a global conglomerate that included seven major cable networks, three professional sports teams and a pair of hit movie studios.

President Donald Trump, reacting to Turner’s death, called him “one of the Greats of All Time.”

The creation of CNN

Turner’s signature achievement was creating the Cable News Network, the rst 24 -hour, all-news television network in 1980. In part, Turner’s own frustration with television news was the instigator. He often worked past 8 p.m., after the ABC, CBS and NBC nightly newscasts had already gone o the air.

He took a chance by starting the operation in the early days of cable television, living in an apartment above its Atlanta o ce.

CNN’s breakthrough moment came during the Gulf War with Iraq in 1991. Most television journalists had ed Baghdad but CNN stayed, capturing arresting images of a war’s outbreak.

Turner was promised a continued role in CNN after his company’s sale to Time Warner but was gradually pushed out, much to his regret.

“The mistake I made was losing control of the company,” he later said.

Building TBS SuperStation

Robert Edward Turner III was born Nov. 19, 1938, in Cincinnati. When he was 9, his family moved to Savannah, Georgia, where he grew up. After being expelled from Brown University, Turner came to Atlanta to work for his domineering father’s billboard company, Turner Advertising.

After his father’s 1963 suicide, Turner took over the company. In 1970, he bought an independent

UHF station with a weak signal that didn’t even cover Atlanta. On Dec. 17, 1976, he began transmitting the station to cable systems across the country via satellite. It became the TBS SuperStation.

TBS’s motley collection of old movies and sitcom reruns was augmented by Turner’s acquisition of baseball’s Atlanta Braves. Perennial doormats, the Braves slowly attracted fans nationwide through their superstation exposure. In the 1980s, Turner went deeply into debt to buy MGM, a move again greeted with skepticism. But the acquisition gave his company a library of vintage movies that eventually were parlayed into the TNT and Turner Classic Movies networks.

He revealed his ambitions as a younger man: “I used to tell people I wanted to become the world’s greatest sailor, businessman and lover all at the same time.”

Acquiring sports teams and land

For much of his life a partying roustabout who wooed beautiful women, the lean, mustachioed sportsman married three times. He was married to Fonda from 1991 to 2001. She tired of his philandering and divorced him, although they remained friends.

Perhaps Turner’s greatest love

BUDGET from page A1

The budget also includes funding for four new positions: assistant project manager, development services division manager, senior planner, and downtown marketing and operations coordinator.

According to Meacham, the town’s goals for the upcoming scal year are to continue the current service levels with an aim toward e ciency and improvement, to retain, attract and provide educational and training opportunities for high-performing sta , and to do all of that with no increase to the tax rate and no appropriation of fund balance.

On that note, town sta is recommending maintaining the current property tax rate at $0.44 per $100 valuation.

The town has maintained that tax rate for the last four years, although it’s essen-

was for the land. He acquired millions of acres in ranches complete with roaming bu alo and was Nebraska’s largest private landholder. Researchers at Texas A&M University credited his donation of a few bulls in 2005 with helping increase the genetic diversity of the last herd of southern Plains bison.

He had a net worth of $2.5 billion in 2023 but had dropped o Forbes magazine’s ranking of the 400 richest Americans in 2021.

“See, my life is more an adventure than a quest to make money,” Turner once said.

Turner managed to insult many with his shoot-from-thelip style. An atheist since his only sister died of lupus at age 17, he called Christians “losers” and “Jesus freaks,” later apologizing for both remarks.

Dedication to various causes

Turner, the father of ve children, grabbed a leadership role in American philanthropy with his Sept. 18, 1997, pledge to give $1 billion to United Nations charities.

He promoted a range of humanitarian causes. Turner joined former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn to start the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a U.S.-based nonpro t dedicated to reducing the threat of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.

As he poured millions into nonpro ts on a global scale, Turner was also fond of spreading his wealth in small ways. He once gave $500 to a volunteer re department that helped extinguish a blaze on one of his ranches.

tially been nearly the same for the previous 10 years because from 2016-22, the tax rate was $0.4333 per $100 valuation.

“The only change in the last 10 years has been to round up the tax rate in 2022,” Meacham said.

According to Meacham, currently one penny of tax assessment is estimated to equal around $185,000 in revenue for the town, about an 8% increase from the prior year, which highlights the growth of the town.

“We want to maintain a responsible fund balance and a disciplined approach to align our limited resources with our highest priorities,” Meacham said. The nal budget will be presented to the board for approval in June.

The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will next meet June 8.

JOHN BAZEMORE / AP PHOTO

Ted Turner speaks during the CNN World Report Contributors banquet in Atlanta on May 4, 1995.

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FOR RENT – 2BDR/2BA MOBILE HOME FOR RENT IN Bonlee Elementary and Chatham Central High School District – No Pets – Call 919-837-5689 and leave a message. 2tp

POWELL SPRINGS APTS. Evergreen Construction introduces its newest independent living community for adults 55 years or older, 1 and 2 bedroom applications now being accepted. O ce hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919533-6319 for more information, TDD #1800-735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible. A2,tfnc

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS now for onebedroom apartments, adults 55 years or older. Water included, appliances furnished, on-site laundry, elevator, keyless entry. Section 8 accepted. No security deposit. Application fee $25 per adult. Call Braxton Manor, 919-663-1877. Handicap accessible. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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AUCTIONS

RICKY ELLINGTON AUCTIONEERSEquipment, business, liquidation, estates, land, houses, antiques, personal property, coins, furniture, consignments, bene ts, etc., NCAL #7706, 919-548-3684, 919-663-3556. Jy6,tfnc

SERVICES

RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies. Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery is also available.

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JUNK CARS PICKED UP Free of charge. Due to many months of low steel prices and unstable steel markets, we cannot pay for cars at this time. Cars, trucks, and machinery will be transported and environmentally correctly recycled at no charge. 919-5422803.

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LETT’S TREE SERVICE - tree removal, stump grinding, lot clearing. Visa & Master Card accepted. Timber. Free estimates. 919-2583594.

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CASH PAID FOR JUNK CARS AND PICKUPS –Call – 336-581-3423

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FOR SALE

1975 Ford 4000 Diesel Tractor – (Needs Work), RC 200-72 Bush Hog, 72” cut, Runs Good and in Good Shape, and a Hay Pick. $1,800 for all three! Call 336-508-0356. 5tp

dishwasher are included in the rent. Rent starts at $630 and up. 400 Honeysuckle Dr., Pittsboro, NC 27312 919-542-5410 TDD 1-800-735-2962 Email: pittsborovillage@ECCMGT.com

TAKE NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHATHAM COUNTY ABC The Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027 has been submitted to the Chatham County ABC Board. A copy of the proposed Budget is available for public inspection in the o ce of the general manager of the Chatham County ABC Board at 10435 US 64 HWY E. Apex, NC 27523, and may be reviewed by the public during normal working hours. Interested citizens are invited to make comments orally at a Public Hearing to be held on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at the Chatham County ABC o ce located at 10435 US 64 HWY E. Apex, NC 27523. Written comments may be submitted prior to that date and should be addressed to the Chatham County ABC Board at 10435 US 64 HWY E. Apex, NC 27523. Matthew Williams General Manager Chatham County ABC

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM In the Chatham County General Court of Justice District Court Division Ocampo v. Ocampo File No: 26CV000448-180

NOTICE

Anthemnet, Inc proposes to build a 199foot monopine communications tower at the approx. vicinity of 1879 Andrews Store Road, Pittsboro, Chatham County, NC 27312 [Lat: 35-48-57.5, Long: -797-29.36]. Public comments regarding potential e ects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Hannah Dell, h.dell@trileaf. com, 1775 The Exchange SE, Suite 525, Atlanta, GA 30339, 314-492-3468.

NOTICE

CHATHAM COUNTY FY27 BUDGET

HEARING NOTICE

The Chatham County budget for FY202627 has been submitted to the Board of Commissioners and is available for public inspection on the Chatham County website or in the o ce of the Clerk to the Board, located at 12 East Street in Pittsboro. The Chatham County Board of Commissioners will hold two public hearings on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Budget on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 6:00pm and Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 6:00pm. The public is invited to attend the hearing to express their viewpoints. The hearing on May 18, 2026 will be held at the Historic Courthouse located at 9 Hillsboro Street in Pittsboro at 6:00pm. The hearing on May 19, 2026 will be held at Siler City Town Hall located at 311 North Second Avenue in Siler City at 6:00pm. To speak sign up on the county website or submit written comments to Clerk to the Board Jenifer Johnson at PO Box 1809, Pittsboro, NC 27312 or jenifer.johnson@ chathamcountync.gov.

NOTICE ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations having claims against Cathy Blair Regan, deceased, of Chatham County, N.C., are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before July 23rd, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 23rd day of April 2026. Kimberly Wallace, Executor Estate of Cathy Blair Regan c/o Roberson Law Firm 1829 E. Franklin St., Ste. 800C Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Run Dates: 4/23, 30, 5/7, 14

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM LEGAL NOTICE

The undersigned, Kenneth Hilliard, having quali ed on April 20, 2026 as Executor of the Estate of Arthur Jackson Hilliard, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms, or corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned’s Attorney, Tyler F. Chriscoe, at 135 West New Hampshire Avenue, P. O. Box 371, Southern Pines, North Carolina 28388-0371 on or before the 3rd day of August, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 30th day of April, 2026. Kenneth Hilliard, Executor Estate of Arthur Jackson Hilliard Tyler F. Chriscoe Attorney for the Estate Poyner Spruill LLP

Attorneys at Law

P. O. Box 371 Southern Pines, N. C. 28388-0371

4: 30, and 5: 7, 14, 21, 2026

Notice to Creditors

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of MICHAEL JOSEPH MCCORMICK, late of Chatham County, North Carolina (26E000177-180), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 10th day of August, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This the 7th day of May 2026. Daniel Dylan McCormick Administrator of the Estate of Michael Joseph McCormick

c/o Lisa M. Schreiner Attorney at Law

P.O. Box 446 114 Raleigh Street Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (For publication: 05/07, 05/14, 05/21, 05/28/26)

CREDITOR’S NOTICE

Having quali ed on the 23rd day of April 2026, as Executor of the Estate of Sammy Franklin Dickinson, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 30th day of July 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment. This is the 23rd day of April 2026. Jan Rene Boydstun, Executor of the Estate of Sammy Franklin Dickinson 226 Haven Creek Road Apt 101 Pittsboro, N.C., 27312 Attorneys: Law O ces of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish On: April 30, May 7, 14 and 21 of 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Chatham County, North Carolina RE: THE ESTATE OF DONNA OLSEN–26E000167-180 Having quali ed as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of Donna Olsen, aka Donna Kullman Olsen deceased, Chattam Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 5th day of August 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 7 th day of May, 2026. AMY OLSEN, ADMINISTRATOR DSR Legal, PLLC PO Box 51596 Durham, NC 27717

CREDITOR’S NOTICE

Having quali ed on the 17th day of April 2026, as Executor of the Estate of Benner Henry Stinson, Jr., deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 23rd day of July 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment. This is the 20th day of April 2026. Margaret S, Stinson, Executor of the Estate of Benner Henry Stinson, Jr. 904 Delphus Stinson Road Goldston, NC 27252

Attorneys: Law O ces of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330

Publish On: April 23, 30, and May 7, 14, 2026

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC HEARING

The proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027

Budget for the Town of Siler City has been presented to the Town Board of Commissioners and is available for public inspection. To view the proposed budget, please visit www.silercity.org or contact Town Clerk Briana Martinez at 919-7424731 or bmartinez@silercity.gov

A Public Hearing will be held on the budget ordinance for Fiscal Year 20262027 at the Board of Commissioners Special Meeting Monday May 18, 2026, at 6:00pm in the Town of Siler City-City Hall Courtroom located at 311 North Second Ave. Citizens are invited to submit written comments to Town Clerk Briana Martinez @ bmartinez@silercity.gov or or by mail at PO Box 769, Siler City NC 27344

CREDITOR’S NOTICE

Having quali ed on the 28th day of April 2026, as Co-Executors of the Estate of Margie W. Johnson, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the decedent to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before the 7st day of August, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the estate should make immediate payment. This is the 29th day of April 2026. Eric Johnson, Co-Executor of the Estate of Margie W. Johnson 5090 Butner Drive Hickory, NC 28602 Brad Johnson, Co-Executor of the Estate of Margie W. Johnson 6307 Whedbee Road Julian, NC 27283

Attorneys: Law O ces of Doster & Brown, P.A. 206 Hawkins Avenue Sanford, NC 27330 Publish On: May 7th, 14th 21st and 28th 2026.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

A public hearing will be held by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners on Monday, May 18, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The public hearing will be held in the courtroom of the Historic Courthouse in Pittsboro, North Carolina at 9 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro NC 27312. Additional information is available at the Chatham County Planning Department o ce. Speakers are requested to sign up at the meeting prior to the hearing. You may also sign up on the county website prior to the meeting at www. chathamcountync.gov by selecting the heading County Government, then Commissioner Meetings, then Public Comment. The public hearing may be continued to another date at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to receive input, both written and oral, on the issues listed below. Testimony is required to be given under oath during the evidentiary hearing for the following item: Quasi-Judicial Request: A quasi-judicial public hearing requested by Margus Properties, LLC and The Towers, LLC for a Special Use Permit Wireless Telecommunications tower of 199 ft, on Parcel 65693, located at 460 Murchison Rd., Goldston, Gulf Township.

Substantial changes may be made following the public hearing due to verbal or written comments received or based on the Board’s discussions. Notice to people with special needs: If you have audio or visual impairment, unique accessibility requirements or need language assistance, please call the number listed below prior to the hearing and assistance may be provided. If you have any questions or comments concerning these issues, please call the Chatham County Planning Department at 919-542-8204, or write to P.O. Box 54, Pittsboro N.C. 27312. Please run in your paper: May 7th and 14th, 2026

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The proposed budget for the Town of Goldston for scal year 2026/2027 has been presented to the town council and is available for public inspection at the Town Hall Building, 40 Coral Avenue, Goldston, NC, by appointment, after 5:00 pm weekdays. The Town of Goldston will hold a public hearing on June 1, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Goldston Municipal Center, 40 Coral Avenue, Goldston NC for the purpose of receiving comments on the proposed budget. Citizens are invited to make oral or written comments. Jonathan W Hensley Mayor of Goldston

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations having claims against THOMAS BRIEN NEFF, deceased, of Chatham County, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before, the 30th day of July, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the Estate will please make immediate payment. This 30th day of April, 2026. PAMELA STRAUB NEFF, Executrix

THOMAS BRIEN NEFF

c/o Tillman, Whichard & Cagle, PLLC 501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 130 Chapel Hill, NC 27514

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

CASE NO 26E000235-180

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Juan Carlos Gonzalez, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said Juan Carlos Gonzalez, to present them to the undersigned on or before the 12th day of August, 2026 (this date being 3 months from the rst publication date of this notice) or same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 14th day of May, 2026. Susana Gonzalez Administrator of the Estate of Juan Carlos Gonzalez 2865 1st Street Vero Beach, FL 32968

Attorney’s Address: Stephanie M. LeBlanc, Esq. LeBlanc Law Firm, PLLC 1 Page Avenue, Suite 229 - Grove Arcade Asheville, NC 28801

Publication Dates: May 14, May 21, May 28, June 04, 2026.

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS File No: 26E000078-180

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of MERLE LEE FEATHERS, deceased, of 13 Danbury Ct., Chatham County, Pittsboro, NC 27312, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned in care of the attorney for the estate on or before July 31, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 30th day of April, 2026. Je rey L. Austin Executor of the Estate of Merle Lee Feathers c/o Law O ce of Je rey L. Austin, PLLC 500 Westover Dr. #32043 Sanford, NC 27330 FOR PUBLICATION: The Chatham News & Record 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, and 5/21/2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Thomas Bayard Hollingsworth, Jr., deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the decedent to present them to the undersigned on or before 07/31/2026 or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All claims must be presented in writing and delivered or mailed to:

James D. Hollingsworth, Executor 1309 Snyder Street Durham, NC 27713 This the 26th day of April, 2026. James D. Hollingsworth Executor of the Estate of Thomas Bayard Hollingsworth, Jr. Chatham County Estate File No.: 26E000039-180 Publication Dates (once a week for four consecutive weeks): 4/30/2026 / 5/7/2026] / 05/14/2026 /05/21/2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF GEORGE DANIEL JOHNSON FILE NO. 26E000201-180

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against GEORGE DANIEL JOHNSON, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before August 7, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in the bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment.

This the 30th day of April, 2026. KELLY L JOHNSON, Executor C/O Caitlin Stone, Attorney for the Estate Pierce Law Group, PLLC 3020 S. Miami Blvd, Ste 201 Durham, NC 27703 A30, 7, 14 and 21

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

26E000222-180 ALL persons having claims against Lois Jane Helburn, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before July 30, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 30th day of April, 2026.

BRUCE JAMES STEINHARDT, Administrator C/O Pierce Law Group, PLLC 3020 S Miami Blvd, Suite 201 Durham, NC 27703 April 30, May 7, 14, 21 A30, 7, 14 and 21

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

26E000189-180 ALL persons having claims against Joyce Ellis Clark, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Jul 23 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 23rd day of April, 2026.

MELVIN ALAN CLARK C/O SIMPSON LAW FIRM, Executor C/O Simpson Law Firm 1188 Stonecrest Blvd, Suite #105 Fort Mill, SC 29708 A23, 30, 7 and 14

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#26E000250-180 The undersigned DOROTHY TAYLOR, having quali ed on the 29TH Day of APRIL 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of MATTHEW TAYLOR, JR., deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 7TH Day OF AUGUST 2026, 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, the 7TH DAY OF MAY 2026. DOROTHY TAYLOR, EXECUTOR 300 RIVER BEND ROAD SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: M7,14,21,28p

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY Special Proceedings No. 25SP000214-180

Substitute Trustee: Philip A. Glass RE-NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

Date of Sale: May 19, 2026

Time of Sale: 2:00 p.m. Place of Sale: Chatham County Courthouse

Description of Property: See Attached

Description Record Owners: Travis Ellis Coleman Address of Property: 49 High Forty Road, Siler City, NC 27344Deed of Trust: Book : 2320 Page: 739

Dated: August 16, 2022 Grantors: Travis Ellis Coleman an unmarried person Original Bene ciary: Local Government Federal Credit Union CONDITIONS OF SALE: This sale is made subject to all unpaid taxes and superior liens or encumbrances of record and assessments, if any, against the said property, and any recorded leases. This sale is also subject to any applicable county land transfer tax, and the successful third party bidder shall be required to make payment for any such county land transfer tax. It is the intent of the holder of the above Deed of Trust that the execution, delivery and recordation of a Trustee Deed to the holder as high bidder shall not merge with any superior Deeds of Trust held by the holder of the above Deed of Trust,

to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS.” THERE ARE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES relating to the title or to any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. A cash deposit of 5% of the purchase price will be required at the time of the sale. Remote bidding will not be accepted pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes Section 45-21.25 (a). Credit bids on behalf of the Noteholder will be accepted. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price so bid in cash or certi ed check at the time the Substitute Trustee tenders to him a deed for the property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price so bid at that time, he shall remain liable on his bid as provided for in North Carolina General Statutes Section 45-21.30 (d) and (e). This sale will be held open ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law. Residential real property with less than 15 rental units, including single-family residential real property: an order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to 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 notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination. Philip A. Glass, Substitute Trustee Nodell, Glass & Haskell, L.L.P. Real Property located in the City of SILER CITY, County of CHATHAM, State of NORTH CAROLINA, described as follows: Lying and being In Bear Creek Township, Chatham County, North Carolina, and being all of Parcel #1, containing 1.57 acres, including a Right of Way for High Forty Road, as shown on a Plat dated February 6, 2003, recorded in Plat Book 2003 at page 48, Chatham County Registry, as drawn by Mark Terry & Associates, Inc., P.C. entitled, “Minor Subdivision for John Wesley Coleman”. Reference Is hereby made to said Plat for more accuracy and certainty of description. BEING all of that certain property conveyed to John Wesley Coleman, from George Robert Ellis and wife, Nora Lee Ellis, by Deed dated February 27, 2003, and recorded on March 6, 2003, at Book 1001, Page 333, of the o cial records. Subject to easements, restrictions and rights of way of record, and utility lines and rights of way in existence over, under or upon the above-described property. PIN:863700719624 Property Address: 49 High Forty Rd. Siler City, NC 27344 M7 and 14

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

26E000227-180 ALL persons having claims against Mary T Schaumburg-Bo nger, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Aug 07 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 7th day of May, 2026. John R Knauf, Executor C/O Beth W Bowen 590 New Waverly Place, Suite 120 Cary, NC 27518 M7, 14, 21 and 28

NOTICE TO CREDITORS STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of Joe David Styres aka Joe D. Styres, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to present them to the undersigned attorney for the estate on or before August 7, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms, and corporations in debted to the said estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 7th day of May 2026 Karen Louise Styres aka Karen L. Styres Personal Representative Adam G. Kerr Kerr Law, PLLC PO Box 10941 Greensboro, NC 27404 Telephone: (336) 808-5028 Fax: (336) 464-2819 May 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000175-180 The undersigned LATOYA FOX, having quali ed on the 30TH Day of MARCH 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of ALYEASE FOX, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 23RD Day OF JULY 2026, 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, the 23RD DAY OF APRIL 2026. LATOYA FOX, ADMINISTRATOR 97 RILEY LANE SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: A23,30,M7,14p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#25E000661-180 The undersigned JONATHAN K. MCMILLAN, having quali ed on the 20TH Day of APRIL 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of BOBBY EUGENE MCMILLAN, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 30TH Day OF JULY 2026, 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, the 30TH DAY OF APRIL 2026. JONATHAN K. MCMILLAN, EXECUTOR 188 LORI LANE SILER CITY, NC 27344 Run dates: A30,M7,14,21p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000257-180 The undersigned GANG NAM YOO, having quali ed on the 30TH Day of APRIL 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of CHUN CHA YOO., deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 7TH Day OF AUGUST 2026, 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, the 7TH DAY OF MAY 2026. GANG NAM YOO, ADMINISTRATOR 354 SKY LANE PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: M7,14,21,28p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000146-180 The undersigned AMY LYNDON, having quali ed on the 27TH Day of MARCH 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of JAMES M. LYNDON, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 30TH Day OF JULY 2026, 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, the 30TH DAY OF APRIL 2026. AMY LYNDON, EXECUTOR 17302 BELMONT STAKES LANE CHARLOTTE, NC 28278 Run dates: A30,M7,14,21p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000229-180 The undersigned WANDA STAFFORD AND JAMES HADLEY, having quali ed on the 20TH Day of APRIL 2026 as COEXECUTORS of the Estate of JEANETTE LINDLEY HADLEY, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 30TH Day OF JULY 2026, 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, the 30TH DAY OF APRIL 2026. WANDA STAFFORD, CO-EXECUTOR 4457 SILK HOPE LINDLEY MILL RD. SNOW CAMP, NC 27349 JAMES HADLEY, CO-EXECUTOR 4305 SILK HOPE LINDLEY MILL RD. SNOW CAMP, NC 27349 Run dates: A30,M7,14,21p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000242-180 The undersigned TAMARA TICKLE, having quali ed on the 23RD Day of APRIL 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of ROBERT L. MIMS, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 30TH Day OF JULY 2026, 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, the 30TH DAY OF APRIL 2026. TAMARA TICKLE, ADMINISTRATOR 309 PINEYWOOD CHURCH RD. CAMERON, NC 28326 Run dates: A30,M7,14,21p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000230-180 The undersigned DWIGHT W. WALKER, having quali ed on the 20TH Day of APRIL 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of STANLEY PARRISH WALKER, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 7TH Day OF AUGUST 2026, 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, the 7TH DAY OF MAY 2026. DWIGHT W. WALKER, ADMINISTRATOR 2706 VESTAL ST. GREENSBORO, NC 27406 Run dates: M7,14,21,28p

Virginia Supreme Court strikes down Democrats’ redrawn US House maps, giving Republicans win

Combined with weakened voting rights protections, the ruling strengthens Republican gerrymandering e orts

By David A. Lieb and Geo Mulvihill

The Associated Press

THE VIRGINIA Supreme Court on Friday struck down a voter-approved Democratic congressional redistricting plan, delivering another major setback to the party in a nationwide battle against Republicans for an edge in this year’s midterm elections.

The court ruled 4-3 that the state’s Democratic-led legislature violated procedural requirements when it placed the constitutional amendment on the ballot to authorize mid-decade redistricting. Voters narrowly approved the amendment on April 21, but the court’s ruling renders the vote’s result meaningless.

Writing for the majority, Justice D. Arthur Kelsey wrote that the legislature submitted the proposed constitutional amendment to voters “in an unprecedented manner.”

“This violation irreparably undermines the integrity of the resulting referendum vote and renders it null and void,” he wrote.

Democrats had hoped to win as many as four additional U.S. House seats under Virginia’s redrawn map as part of an attempt to o set Republican redistricting done elsewhere at the urging of President Donald Trump. Later Friday, Virginia Democrats said in a ling that they intended to le an emergency appeal of the state high court’s decision with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Friday’s ruling, combined with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that severely weakened the Voting Rights Act, has supercharged Republicans’ congressional gerrymandering advantage heading into this year’s midterm elections.

“Huge win for the Republican Party, and America, in Virginia,” Trump said about the decision on his social media account.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the ruling was another sign of GOP momentum heading into the midterms.

TAKE NOTICE

26SP000008-180

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NORTH CAROLINA, CHATHAM COUNTY

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale

contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Anthony Scott Murray, Unmarried Man to Blue Door Homes LLC, Trustee(s), which was dated March 17, 2021 and recorded on March 17, 2021 in Book 2197 at Page 399, Chatham County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on May 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Chatham County, North Carolina, to wit:

BEING all of Unit No. 49 in The Cottages

Condominium I, as shown on plat recorded

“We’re on o ense, and we’re going to win,” he said in a statement.

Don Scott, the Democratic speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, said Democrats respect the court’s opinion but lamented that it overturned the will of the voters: “They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Suzan DelBene, chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, criticized the court majority for what she said was a decision that “cast aside the will of the voters,” but she said the people will have the nal say.

“In November, they will, and they’ll power Democrats to the House majority,” she said in a statement.

A longshot Democratic appeal

Democrats are taking a legal longshot in asking the nation’s highest court to reverse the Virginia ruling. The U.S. Supreme Court tries to avoid second-guessing state courts’ interpretations of their own constitutions. In 2023, it turned down a request by North Carolina Republicans to overrule a state Supreme Court decision that blocked the GOP’s congressional map.

Still, even an unsuccessful appeal would let Democrats try to blame their failure on the conservative majority that dominates the nation’s highest court, which has already infuriated the party and civil rights groups

“They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Don Scott, Virginia House of Delegates speaker

by neutering the Voting Rights Act.

Legislative voting districts typically are redrawn once a decade after each census to account for population changes. But Trump sparked an unusual urry of mid-decade redistricting last year by encouraging Republican o cials in Texas to redraw districts in a bid to win several additional U.S. House seats and hold on to their party’s narrow majority in the midterm elections.

California responded with new voter-approved districts drawn to Democrats’ advantage, and Utah’s top court imposed a new congressional map that also helps Democrats. Meanwhile, Republicans stand to gain from new House districts passed in Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. They could add even more after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Voting Rights Act case, which has prompted some other Republican states to consider redrawing their maps in time for this year’s elections.

Virginia is currently represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and ve Republicans, all elected from districts

in the o ce of the Register of Deeds for Chatham County, North Carolina, in Condominium Book 1, Pages 91 through 93, and Pages 97 through 103, together with an undivided interest in the Common Elements and all rights, obligations and interests appurtenant to the Unit as set forth in the Declaration of Condominium for The Cottages Condominium I recorded in the o ce of the Register of Deeds for Chatham County, North Carolina, in Book 2098, Page 1057, as amended by First Supplemental Declaration to Declaration of Condominium for The Cottages Condominium I recorded in Book 2108, Page 884; as amended by Second Supplemental Declaration to Declaration of Condominium for The Cottages Condominium I recorded in Book 2114, Page 435; as amended by Third Supplemental Declaration to Declaration of Condominium for The Cottages Condominium I recorded in Book 2133, Page 329; as amended by Fourth Supplemental Declaration to Declaration of Condominium for The Cottages Condominium I recorded in Book 2178, Page 200, and any additional amendments or supplemental declarations thereto. Parcel ID# 0094092

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 286 Cottage Way, Pittsboro, NC 27312.

A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered 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 o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current

imposed by a court following a bipartisan redistricting commission’s failure to agree on a map after the 2020 census. The new districts could have given Democrats an improved chance to win all but one of the state’s 11 congressional seats.

The state Supreme Court’s majority was critical of the state’s redrawing of the congressional maps to bene t one political party. Those justices noted that 47% of the state’s voters supported GOP congressional candidates in 2024, but the new map could result in Democrats making up 91% of the state’s House delegation.

What was in the Democrats’ map

Under the Democratic-drawn map, ve districts would have been anchored in the Democratic stronghold of northern Virginia. Revisions to four other districts across Richmond, southern Virginia and Hampton Roads would have diluted the voting power of conservative blocs in those areas. And a reshaped district in parts of western Virginia would have lumped together three Democratic-leaning college towns to o set other Republican voters.

The state Supreme Court’s seven justices are appointed by the state legislature, which has toggled back and forth between Democratic, Republican and split control over recent years. Legal experts say the body doesn’t have a set ideological pro le.

The case before the court focused not on the shape of the new districts but rather on the process the General Assembly used to authorize them.

Because the state’s redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, lawmakers had to propose an amendment to redraw the districts. That required approval of a resolution in two separate legislative sessions, with a state election sandwiched in between, to place the amendment on the ballot.

The legislature’s initial approval of the amendment occurred last October, during early voting for the general election, before it concluded. The legislature’s second vote on the amendment occurred after a new legislative session began in January. Lawmakers also approved a sep-

owner(s) of the property is/are Anthony Scott Murray.

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

Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be

arate bill in February laying out the new districts, subject to voter approval of the constitutional amendment.

Arguments over the de nition of “election”

Judicial arguments focused on whether the legislature’s initial approval of the amendment came too late because early voting already had begun.

Attorney Matthew Seligman, who defended the legislature, argued that the “election” should be de ned narrowly to mean the Tuesday of the general election. In that case, the legislature’s rst vote on the redistricting amendment occurred before the election and was constitutional, he told justices.

But in its ruling, the Supreme Court said, “this view appears to be wholly unprecedented in Virginia’s history.”

An attorney for the plainti s, Thomas McCarthy, argued an “election” should be interpreted to cover the entire period during which voters can cast ballots, which lasts several weeks in Virginia. If that’s the case, he told justices, then the legislature’s initial endorsement of the redistricting amendment came too late to comply with the state constitution.

The Supreme Court agreed with that argument, writing: “The General Assembly passed the proposed constitutional amendment for the rst time well after voters had begun casting ballots during the 2025 general election.”

By the time lawmakers initially endorsed the amendment, voters already had cast more than 1.3 million ballots in the general election, about 40% of the total votes ultimately cast, the court said.

The Supreme Court’s ruling a rms a decision by a judge in rural Tazewell County, in southwestern Virginia. The court had placed a hold on that ruling and allowed the redistricting vote to proceed before hearing arguments on the case.

In the dissent to Friday’s ruling, Chief Justice Cleo Powell said the election for the purpose of considering the amendment does not include the early voting period.

“The majority’s de nition creates an in nite voting loop that appears to have no established beginning,” she wrote, “only a de nitive end: Election Day.”

ALLEN G. BREED / AP PHOTO

State Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, right, speaks outside the Supreme Court of Virginia after arguments were heard in a redistricting-related case at the court in Richmond, Virginia, on April 27.

CHATHAM SPORTS

Northwood’s Mabel Collins runs toward the ball against Southwestern Randolph on May 7.

Northwood girls’ soccer wins share of conference crown

The Chargers share the Four Rivers 3A/4A title with Uwharrie Charter

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — For the rst time in nearly three decades, the Northwood girls’ soccer

team is conference champion.

In their regular seasonnale, the Chargers defeated Southwestern Randolph 4-0 on May 7 to clinch a share of the Four Rivers 3A/4A crown and their rst conference championship since 1997. They share the title with Uwharrie Charter after both nished the year 9-1 in conference play.

“It’s a great achievement this year,” senior Amelia Cherry said. “A bunch of injuries, but I’m glad we could pull through and do it. I think it’s really deserved by this team, and I think that many people look at us as underdogs because of this and that, but honestly, I think that we deserved this.”

Senior Sulema Arias record-

SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS ROUNDUP: ROUNDS 1-2

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Second round

In the 5A East bracket, No. 5 Seaforth advanced to the third round for the second straight year by defeating No. 12 Western Alamance 3-0 Friday. Pitcher Emma Grace Hill dominated the Warriors, striking out 13 batters and allowing two hits in a complete game.

Seaforth led 1-0 with two outs in the bottom of the fth inning when Alyssa Harris hit a two-run homer. Harris led the Hawks’ o ensive e ort, going 2 for 3 with three RBIs. No. 10 Northwood pulled o an upset over No. 7 Martin County 11-2 in the 3A East playo s, advancing to the third round for the rst time since 2016. Senior Allison Bryant had a big night at the plate with a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Bryant went 3 for 4 with three RBIs. Freshman Ruby Parks recorded team highs of three runs and four stolen bases.

Northwood blew the game open with six runs in the fourth inning. No. 3 Chatham Central’s season ended in the rst round of the 1A West playo s with a

“This

Ascary Arias

ed a goal and an assist in the win. Cherry, senior Mabel Collins and sophomore Addison Walker also scored a goal each. Arias scored the rst goal of the game 12 minutes into the rst half. The Chargers, who took 13 shots in the rst period, created many scoring opportunities early, but they just didn’t fall. One of those was a shot by Cherry that appeared to have gone in through the back left corner of the net. The ball rolled out of the net through a hole, but the goal was not counted.

“The side netting’s loose, so when it went in, it went out,” Cherry said. “Side ref just wasn’t on it today, but it happens,

BASEBALL PLAYOFF ROUNDUP: ROUNDS 1-2 Seaforth, 1A teams stay alive for round 3

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Second round

Chatham Charter, the No. 2 seed in the West region, reached the third round of the 1A state playo s for the third time in four seasons with a 2-1 second round win over No. 10 Bethany Community Friday. In a defensive battle, senior pitcher Garrison Clark earned the win after striking out ve batters and allowing three hits and one earned run in the rst four innings. Sophomore Jax Young earned the save on the mound with four strikeouts and zero hits allowed in the last three innings. Chatham Charter was outhit 3-2. Bethany Community struck rst in the top of the third inning with an RBI double by senior Gavin Washburn.

In the bottom of the fourth, Clark, facing two outs, tripled for the Knights’ rst hit of the game. After senior Tyner Williams was walked in the following at-bat, Young hit a two-RBI single, sending Williams and Bryson Green (Clark’s pinch runner) home for the lead. Further down the 1A West bracket, No. 5 Chatham Central punched its ticket to the third round for the rst time

Career wins for Chatham Central coach Brett Walden after a second round win

since 2022 after defeating No. 4 Clover Garden 3-0. On his birthday, Chatham Central coach Brett Walden notched his 100th career win. Junior pitcher Brett Phillips stonewalled the Grizzlies’ o ense as he struck out six batters and allowed two hits in a complete game.

Up 1-0, the Bears gave themselves some more cushion with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. After a sacrice bunt by sophomore Blake Ritter scored junior Carson Jackson, junior Wilson Hinshaw recorded an RBI single to send senior Brayden Brewer home for a three-run lead. No. 9 Seaforth used a late -game burst to defeat No. 8 South Brunswick 6-1 in the second round of the 5A East playo s. The Hawks reached the third round for the third consecutive season. Facing one out with a 2-1

B3 See SOFTBALL, page B4

this week in history

Mickey Mouse debuts, SCOTUS rules on Brown v. Board of Education, Mount St. Helens erupts

The Associated Press

MAY 14

1607: Jamestown, the rst permanent English settlement in North America, was established by members of the Virginia Company.

1804: The Lewis and Clark expedition, organized to explore the Louisiana Territory and the Paci c Northwest, began its journey near present-day Hartford, Illinois.

1948: The independent state of Israel was proclaimed in Tel Aviv by David Ben-Gurion, who became its rst prime minister.

MAY 15

1800: President John Adams ordered government ofces to relocate from Philadelphia to the newly constructed city of Washington in the federal District of Columbia.

1862: President Abraham Lincoln signed an act establishing the Department of Agriculture.

1928: Mickey Mouse made his rst public appearance in a test screening of the short “Plane Crazy.” (He made his formal debut six months later in “Steamboat Willie.”)

MAY 16

1929: The rst Academy Awards were presented. “Wings” won Outstanding Picture, while Emil Jannings and Janet Gaynor were named best actor and best actress.

1943: The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising came to an end as German forces crushed the Jewish resistance and destroyed the Great Synagogue.

1966: The Chinese Communist Party issued the May 16 Noti cation, criticizing “counterrevolutionary revisionists” and marking the start of the Cultural Revolution.

MAY 17

1792: The Buttonwood Agreement, a document codifying rules for securities trading, was signed by 24 New York stockbrokers, marking the formation of the New York Stock Exchange.

1875: The rst Kentucky Derby was held; Aristides won the race, ridden by jockey Oliver Lewis.

1954: The U.S. Supreme Court, in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, ruled unanimously that racially segregated public schools were inherently unequal and unconstitutional.

MAY 18

1863: The Siege of Vicksburg began during the Civil War; it ended July 4 with a Union victory that gave its forces control of the Mississippi River.

1933: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a measure creating the Tennessee Valley Authority, the nation’s largest public utility.

1980: Mount St. Helens in Washington state erupted, leaving an estimated 57 people dead or missing.

MAY 19

1536: Anne Boleyn, the second wife of England’s King Henry VIII, was beheaded at the Tower of London after being convicted of adultery.

1883: William Cody staged the rst of his “Bu alo Bill’s Wild West” shows in Omaha, Nebraska.

1920: Ten people were killed in a gunbattle in Mate-

On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Brown v. Board of Education that segregated public schools were unconstitutional, striking down the “separate but equal” doctrine.

wan, West Virginia, between coal miners — led by a local police chief — and private security guards hired to evict them for joining a union.

MAY 20

1861: North Carolina seceded from the Union, becoming the 10th state to join the Confederacy early in the Civil War.

1862: President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, encouraging settlement west of the Mississippi River by making federal land available for private ownership and farming; by 1934, about 10% of the nation’s land — roughly 270 million acres — had been privatized.

1873: Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received a U.S. patent for riveted work pants, leading to the large-scale production of denim blue jeans.

1956: The United States exploded the rst airborne hydrogen bomb over Bikini Atoll in the Paci c.

AP PHOTO

AP PHOTO

Mount St. Helens in Washington state is shown in various stages of eruption on May 18, 1980.

Tony Award for educators won by Ga. teacher who stresses self-empowerment

His students include “Saturday Night Live” star Kenan Thompson

By Mark Kennedy The Associated Press

NEW YORK— At this year’s Tony Awards, sound designer Justin Ellington and performer-producer Kandi Burruss have gotten nominations to theater’s biggest prize. A man who helped both get there is also being highlighted.

Freddie Hendricks, a middle school theater teacher at Utopian Academy for the Arts in Ellenwood, Georgia, and who founded the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, is getting the special Tony Award that honors educators.

“It feels really great to know that they’re succeeding on that level and that I had a little to do with it,” he told The Associated Press ahead of the announcement on Monday. “It’s just a beautiful thing.”

Hendricks has been an arts educator for more than 30 years and was an honorable mention for the special Tony in 2023 and 2024. He estimates between 20

Freddie Hendricks, a middle school theater teacher at Utopian Academy for the Arts in Ellenwood, Georgia, poses at the school on May 6.

and 30 of his students have gone on to Broadway, including Tony-nominated Saycon Sengbloh.

“I’ve always had a passion for theater. I’m an actor myself and when I got into teaching years and years and years and years ago, it became my passion,” he said.

Ellington, who has earned his third Tony nomination for “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” credits Hendricks as “the rst person to show me the importance of storytelling in theater.” Ellington watched as shy kids who

started quiet at the beginning of Hendricks’ class were by the end the featured singer or performer.

Hendricks is artistic director, writer and teacher for the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, which is comprised of students ranging from 11-20. At Utopian, Hendricks trains students in a “rigorous, ensemble-based program of acting, movement and storytelling.”

“A lot of kids these days, they don’t love themselves,” he said. “They don’t know who they are, for one thing. And I just kind of start with that and then go with loving themselves for who they are and letting them know up front, ‘In here, this is a safe space. You’re loved in here. You’re accepted in here. This is your home.’”

Hendricks is known for encouraging his students to come up with topics they care about — poverty, gun violence, teen pregnancy, apartheid or AIDS — and building performances around their ideas from their perspective.

“That just empowered these kids so much,” says Ellington.

The annual Excellence in Theatre Education Award bestowed by the Tony Awards and

“It feels really great to know that they’re succeeding on that level and that I had a little to do with it. It’s just a beautiful thing.”

Freddie Hendricks

Carnegie Mellon University recognizes U.S. educators who have “demonstrated exemplary impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession.”

Hendricks imparts the importance of theater skills — like collaborating, listening, interpreting, storytelling, checking your ego and taking criticism — even if his pupils go on to careers outside the arts.

“I just want to let them know that life is great out there and the key to success is to never stop the pursuit of it. Whatever you want, keep going. It’s not going to happen tomorrow. It’s not going to happen next year. Or if it does, you may lose it, but it will come again if you continue to pursue whatever it is that you desire.”

Late actor Perry’s ‘Friends’ keepsakes, artwork up for auction

The sitcom star died of a drug overdose in 2023 at age 54

By Andrew Dalton

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — “Friends” memorabilia, artwork and other valuables from the estate of Matthew Perry are being put up for sale at an auction to bene t the charitable foundation established in the actor’s name soon after his 2023 death.

The June 5 event put on by Heritage Auctions will benet the Matthew Perry Foundation, which works to destigmatize addiction and aid in recovery from substance abuse.

“Matthew believed addiction should be met with compassion and science, not stigma and silence,” the foundation’s CEO Lisa Kasteler Calio said in a statement. “This auction fuels the Foundation’s work to expand access to evidence-based care and confront stigma. It is one more way we ensure that no one has to ght this disease alone.”

Items from Matthew Perry’s collection that will be sold

• A collection of 26 of Perry’s “Friends” scripts from key episodes, including “The One With

“Matthew believed addiction should be met with compassion and science, not stigma and silence.”

Lisa Kasteler Calio, Matthew Perry Foundation CEO

Ross’s Tan,” “The One Where Joey Speaks French” and the two-part series nale.

• Scripts from the pilot and part one of the series nale signed by Perry and co-stars Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer, donated by Warner Bros., which produced the series.

• A 1995 Screen Actors Guild Award, which Perry won for best performance by an ensemble in a comedy series.

• Perry’s personal replica of the yellow peephole frame from Monica and Rachel’s apartment on “Friends.”

• Perry’s “Friends” photo album, titled “The One With the Last Supper.”

• Works of art by Banksy and Mel Bochner that Perry owned.

About the Matthew Perry charity auction

The auction site opened last

HERITAGE AUCTIONS

A Screen Actors Guild Award belonging to Matthew Perry and a cast-signed copy of the “Friends” pilot are among items for sale bene ting the late actor’s foundation.

Tuesday. Items will be on display from May 18 to May 29 in Beverly Hills before the June 5 auction that will be held at Heritage Auctions’ Dallas showroom and online.

Net proceeds will go to initiatives supported by the foundation. They include the Matthew Perry Fellowship in Addic-

tion Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, grants to organizations that work directly with recovering addicts, and Healing Appalachia, a recovery-focused sober music festival.

Perry played Chandler Bing for a decade from 1994 to 2004 on NBC’s culture-changing

sitcom “Friends.” It made him one of the biggest television stars of his generation. Perry was found dead in the hot tub of his Hollywood home at age 54 on Oct. 28, 2023. The medical examiner determined that the acute e ects of the anesthetic ketamine were the primary cause.

VIA AP

VINNY VARSALONA VIA AP

famous birthdays this week

George Lucas celebrates 82, Janet Jackson hits 60, Sugar Ray Leonard turns 70, Pete Townshend is 81

THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

MAY 14

Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Pérez is 84. Filmmaker George Lucas is 82. Filmmaker Robert Zemeckis is 75. Musician David Byrne is 74. Actor Tim Roth is 65. Actor Cate Blanchett is 57. Filmmaker So a Coppola is 55. Former NFL running back Frank Gore is 43. Actor Amber Tamblyn is 43. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is 42.

MAY 15

Artist Jasper Johns is 96. Counterculture icon Wavy Gravy is 90. Actor-singer Lainie Kazan is 86. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson is 86. Musician Brian Eno is 78. Actor Chazz Palminteri is 74.

MAY 16

Actor Danny Trejo is 82. Actor Pierce Brosnan is 73. Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Olga Korbut is 71. Baseball Hall of Famer Jack Morris is 71. Actor Debra Winger is 71. Singer Janet Jackson is 60.

MAY 17

Musician Taj Mahal is 84. Boxing Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard is 70. Sports announcer Jim Nantz is 67. Singer-composer Enya is 65. TV host-comedian Craig Ferguson is 64. Musician Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) is 61.

MAY 18

Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson is 80. Musician Rick Wakeman (Yes) is 77. Musician-composer Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo) is 76. Country musician George Strait is 74. Actor Chow Yun-Fat is 71. Comedian-writer Tina Fey is 56.

MAY 19

TV personality David Hartman is 91. Musician-composer Pete Townshend (The Who) is 81. Singer-actor Grace Jones is 78. Former racing driver Dario

Jackson

Franchitti is 53. Basketball Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett is 50. Country musician-producer Shooter Jennings is 47.

MAY 20

Japanese baseball star Sadaharu Oh is 86. Singer-actor Cher is 80. Actor-comedian Dave Thomas is 77. Republican Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho is 75. Political commentator Ron Reagan is 68. Musician Jane Wiedlin (The Go-Go’s) is 68. Actor Bronson Pinchot is 67.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO Cher turns 80 on Wednesday.

SETH WENIG / AP PHOTO

Reggie

turns 80 on Monday.

GEORGE WALKER IV / AP PHOTO

George Strait turns 74 on Monday.

‘Dutton

Ranch,’ Colin Jost plays games, Maluma, Stanley Tucci, ‘The Crash’

“Pop Culture Jeopardy!” gets a second season

The Associated Press

THE LONG-AWAITED

“Yellowstone” spino “Dutton Ranch” and a fresh collection from the Colombian superstar Maluma, are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time this week: The Net ix true crime documentary “The Crash,” pop -punk paragons The All-American Rejects return with their fth studio album and Season 2 of Stanley Tucci’s gastronomic tour “Tucci in Italy” lands on Disney+

MOVIES TO STREAM

Théodore Pellerin slyly in ltrates the inner circle of Archie Madekwe’s pop musician Oliver in the psychological thriller “Lurker,” streaming on HBO Max on Friday. The lm explores the parasocial relationship of internet fandoms and the power dynamics within the entourage of an on-the-cusp star. It was written and directed by Emmy-winner Alex Russell (“The Bear,” “Beef”), who looked to “obsessive thrillers” like “Whiplash” and “Black Swan” for inspiration.

The Net ix true crime documentary “The Crash” looks into a 2022 car crash in Ohio, in which 17-year-old Mackenzie Shirilla slammed her car into a brick building at 100 mph, killing her boyfriend and his friend, and the con icting narratives around that night. It begins streaming Friday. Also coming to Net ix? “Black Phone 2,” streaming on Saturday, which sees the return of Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber (who, yes, was killed in the rst movie), who is intent on getting revenge against Mason Thames four years later.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Friday, a new collection from

er,” drops. It’s a celebration of his culture and then some: from the reggaetón/dancehall

“Con El Corazón” with the late great Yeison Jiménez and everything in between, these are songs that celebrate his roots

while modernizing folkloric sounds.

Pop-punk paragons The All-American Rejects are back, preparing to release their fth studio album and rst full-length in nearly 15 years, since 2012’s “Kids in the Street.” Expect what they’re known for: big hooks, big chords, big choruses and bigger fun.

SERIES TO STREAM

“Pop Culture Jeopardy!” has a new home for its second season. The game show, hosted by Colin Jost, makes the jump to Netix, with a new episode dropping each weekday through June 5. Sample categories include “bummer movie endings,” “Broadway on the big screen” and “TV of the 2010s.” If trending topics make up your FYP on TikTok, this one’s for you. Tucci is fresh o a world tour to promote “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” and now he’s taking us to Italy for season two of “Tuc-

“The sandbox is thirsty / Outside, the bombs are bursting.”

The All-American Rejects

ci in Italy.” In the new episodes, the actor visits regions like Sicily, Campania and Sardinia to meet with locals and eat food native to those areas. Travel along on Disney+ and Hulu. Fans have to wait until 2027 for a new season of “Heated Rivalry” but there’s another series available in the hockey romance genre. “O Campus” debuts its rst season on Prime Video. It’s about the love lives of a group of college hockey players. Each season follows a di erent relationship. The leads of Season 1 are Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright, while Season 2, starring Antonio Cipriano and India Fowler, begins lming very soon.

Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser’s long-awaited “Yellowstone” spino debuts Friday on Paramount+. “Dutton Ranch” takes place one year after the events of the series nale of “Yellowstone,” and characters Beth and Rip have relocated to Texas. They’ve got a new ranch now, but if we’ve learned anything from the other shows, owning land can be very dangerous. Annette Bening and Ed Harris also star.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

U.K. developer Supermassive Games has built its reputation on horror gems like “Until Dawn” and “The Quarry” that evoked classic movies like “Friday the 13th.” For its latest thriller, “Directive 8020,” the inspiration appears to be “Alien” and “The Thing.” You are 12 light years from Earth when your colony ship crashes on Tau Ceti f. The organisms there aren’t happy to meet you, and they are quite adept at imitating their prey. Can you trust your crewmates? Can you prevent the predators from hitching a ride when you try to return home? Get squishy on

the Colombian superstar Maluma, titled “Loco x Volv-

hybrid “Pa’ la seca” with Ryan Castro to

PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO Felicity Blunt, left, and Stanley Tucci arrive at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute bene t gala on May 4 in New York. Season two of “Tucci in Italy” is streaming now on Hulu.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

Alex Orlovsky, from left, Lee Sung Jin and Marc Marrie accept the award for best rst feature for “Lurker” during the Film Independent Spirit Awards at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Maluma arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute bene t gala on May 4 in New York. The Colombian pop star drops his new album, “Loco x Volver,” on Friday.

Lucy Poitras

Woods Charter, girls’ soccer

Woods Charter junior Lucy Poitras earns athlete of the week honors for the week of May 4.

Poitras recorded a hat trick and two assists in Woods Charter’s 9-0 win over Southern Wake on May 6. Two nights before that, she was a major contributor in the Wolves’ 6-1 victory over Clover Garden, logging a goal and an assist.

This year, Poitras has been one of Woods Charter’s key o ensive players. She led the team in shots (79) and nished second in goals (31), points (77) and assists per match (0.9) during the regular season.

J-M athletes make decisions o cial at signing ceremony 3

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — Jordan-Matthews’ new set of college athletes put ink to paper on May 6.

In the school’s library, seniors Landon Moser, Kamarie Hadley, Deantaye “Jojo” Smith and Jakari Blue signed celebratory signing forms for their respective college programs.

Moser, a catcher and rst baseman on the baseball team, signed to Guilford. He was recruited to the program as a catcher but could also play as a corner in elder.

“From what I heard about the school through guys I’ve gotten to play with here and there, I’ve heard nothing but great things,” Moser said. “All those things were a reality when I got there. I love the coaches, love the school, and I’m just super excited.”

Moser was a bright spot for the Jets this season, leading the team in batting average (.508), on-base percentage (.628), home runs (four), runs (21), hits (31), RBIs (20), slugging percentage (.984) and doubles (15). After enduring a winless season in 2025, he steered the team to a six-win improvement and a playo appearance this spring. Over his four seasons, Moser earned multiple all-conference honors and was part of the Jets’ conference-champion squad as a freshman in 2023.

“It was great to see us be good, come in as a freshman to a pretty solid team and really learn how it is to win,” Moser said. “We went through a couple of rough spots, but to be able to be a leader and to kind of get us back on

the up track, that’s a great feeling. And personally, I’ve grown so much not only as a player, but as a student. And it’s been a very, very, very good journey.”

Hadley and Smith signed to the Methodist football program. The two will continue as teammates on the gridiron, while Hadley will also compete with the track and eld team.

Before last fall, Hadley didn’t play a down of football in high school, but he led Jordan-Matthews to its best record since 2012 and its rst playo appearance since 2013. He recorded 650 passing yards and six passing touchdowns with 425 yards and ve scores on the ground.

“I just kept working,” Hadley said. “Watched lm, saw what I had to do that was di erent, saw what I did wrong and just got my head ready.”

Hadley was recruited to Methodist as a wide receiver and defensive back. Smith will play as either an edge rusher or outside linebacker. Last fall, Smith recorded 45 tackles with 10 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

“I went to see one of their morning practices, and I just like the way they get at it and compete with each other,” Smith said. “I feel like that’s what I want to be around. That’s the kind of brotherly love I want to feel.”

Blue is headed to North Carolina Wesleyan as a running back. He was a huge part of the Jets’ success this past season, rush-

ing for 750 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also had a receiving touchdown.

“Just seeing the way they went through things and how all of them checked up on each other but also competed at the same level is something I want to be around,” Blue said.

Blue will get to share the eld with Hadley and Smith again, but as a conference rival instead of a teammate. NC Wesleyan and Methodist are both in the USA South conference at the NCAA Division III level.

The guys have already shared pleasantries about the matchup. Smith said Methodist will win by 40, and Blue thinks “it’s not even going to be close.”

Together, though, the Jets’ three football signees could be a sign of better days for the program, especially after the success they had last season.

Jordan-Matthews last had multiple seniors on one team move on to college football programs after the 2023 season (Aaron Seitz and Giancarlo Aguila), but it’s been a while since the team celebrated more than one college decision in one sitting.

“It means a lot,” Blue said. “Just seeing people that’s coming from J-M, especially over the couple of years, it hasn’t been so great, but seeing athletes actually come and be able to have the chance to compete at the next level, it’s amazing.”

For football coach Kermit Carter, he doesn’t see the results of this past season as a “revival,” but he sees improvement in the program.

“We got guys working hard, and hopefully, this lets these guys know hard work does pay o ,” Carter said. “We have to put something in to get to where these guys are going to go.”

Landon Moser will play baseball at Guilford College

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Football players who will play at the Division III level

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

From left, Jakari Blue, Deantaye Smith, Kamarie Hadley and Landon Moser get ready to sign celebratory forms during their ceremony on May 6.

Van Gisbergen remains NASCAR’s road-course ace with Watkins Glen win from pole

The Trackhouse Racing driver wiped out a half-minute de cit to win

The Associated Press

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Shane van Gisbergen insists his NASCAR Cup Series roadcourse dominance is harder than it looks and that he feels “a lot of pressure” to beat the best in stock-car racing.

But the Trackhouse Racing driver was in another league Sunday, schooling the stars of the Cup Series at Watkins Glen International.

Starting from the pole position, van Gisbergen scored his seventh Cup Series victory — all on road or street courses — and his second consecutive on the 2.45-mile track by leading 74 of 100 laps in his No. 97 Chevrolet.

“We weren’t very good in practice, and then qualifying was amazing, and then today, what a race car,” van Gisbergen said. “And then (crew chief) Stephen (Doran) made great calls. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, and then to run them down like that, it’s very, very special to do two in a row.”

BASEBALL from page B1

lead in the top of the seventh inning, Seaforth put ve straight runners on base. The rst three were from the help of South Brunswick as junior Jaedyn Rader was intentionally walked, sophomore Jack Simpson reached rst due to catcher’s interference and senior Colin Dorney made it to rst on an error, which also scored a run. Consecutive singles from sophomores Bryce Huneycutt and Easton Sykes scored three more runs before the end of the inning.

In the second round of the 3A East bracket, a disastrous rst inning for No. 11 Northwood’s defense resulted in an 11-1 loss to No. 6 Midway.

The Chargers walked three straight batters to start their rst defensive turn. Midway senior Wyatt Scott sent a runner home with a single. Then, junior Harry Johnson sent another runner in with a sacrice y. An error in the Chargers’ in eld on the same play allowed another run to score, putting Northwood in a 3-0 hole. But with two outs, four more Midway batters reached rst base (two walks and two singles), leading to a 6-0 de cit

Pitting from the lead under green with 24 laps remaining, van Gisbergen emerged in 24th and was nearly 30 seconds behind leader Ty Gibbs.

Extending his Cup record of wins by a driver born outside the United States, the New Zealand native needed only 17 laps to retake the lead from Gibbs, winning by 7.288 seconds over Michael McDowell.

“He’s made it pretty clear, especially at these tracks, he likes to be on o ense, so we put him there and just let him go do his thing,” Doran said of the call to make a late stop for four tires instead of pitting earlier and conserving fuel as many others did.

Gibbs nished third, followed by Chase Briscoe and points leader Tyler Reddick.

McDowell, who started second, also had to charge through the pack after falling to 27th on his last pit stop. He occasionally thought he could keep pace with the race winner but soon realized van Gisbergen was playing possum.

“It felt like he was just pacing himself o me, and he’d take back o ,” McDowell said.

“We still got a little work to do, but it’s a good building block.”

Dating to Mexico City last June, van Gisbergen has now won six of the past seven races on road or street courses in Cup.

“It’s not easy,” van Gisbergen said. “Everyone’s really good. McDowell was good. Connor (Zilisch) was good. Tyler Reddick. There were some really good guys and a lot of pressure. So just stoked to execute every facet of our game. And speechless. This is so cool.”

Trackhouse sweep

The win by van Gisbergen came a day after a win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series by rookie teammate Zilisch, who nished 20th Sunday after a tire problem late in the race. It still was a strong showing for Trackhouse, which quali ed all three of its cars in the top ve after compiling only four top-10 nishes in the rst 11 races.

“Just frustrating because we had a really good day going,” Zilisch said. “At worst, we were going to get ourselves our rst top ve and walk out of here with something. But congrats to Shane, Trackhouse and everybody who makes this happen.”

PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Chatham Charter coach Bill Slaughter, right, talks to his team during a 2026 game. The Knights are in the third round once again.

going into the second inning. Northwood mustered two hits to Midway’s 13. The loss marked the Chargers’ second double-digit defeat in three games. They nished the season 15-11 overall.

First round

Chatham Charter scored 17 rst-inning runs and recorded 25 hits to defeat No. 15 Millennium Charter 22-0 in the rst round. Senior Brandon Rives went 4 for 4 with four RBIs and three runs. The game ended after ve innings.

Brewer went 2 for 3 with a team-high three RBIs to lead Chatham Central to a 12-0 win over No. 12 Rosman.

Seaforth held o a late rally attempt from No. 24 Richlands in a 4-2 win. Simpson and freshman Banks Elmore both went 2 for 3 with a combined two RBIs. Northwood junior Finn Sullivan struck out 12 batters and allowed three hits in a complete game to lead the Chargers over No. 22 North Moore 6-0.

In the 4A East bracket, No. 24 Jordan-Matthews fell to No. 9 Clinton 7-3.

Fowler commits to Davidson-Davie CC

The Northwood standout averaged 22.3 points as a senior

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

CHATHAM COUNTY’S top basketball senior has made his college decision.

Northwood’s Cam Fowler committed to Davidson-Davie Community College, according to his social media.

The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 22.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game this past winter. Following his senior season, he was named the Four Rivers 3A/4A conference Player of the Year, and he earned rst team All-District 4 honors. He was also named the 2025-26 Chatham News & Record Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year.

Over his four seasons, Fowler helped Northwood make two state championship appearances (2023 and 2025). He made huge jumps in his rst three years, going from averaging 4.3 points as a freshman to 11.1

51

points is a school record held by Fowler

points as a sophomore and 20.5 points as a junior. In his junior season, Fowler became the Chargers’ leading scorer and was the driving force in their run to the 2A state championship game.

As a senior, Fowler took his scoring to another level. He averaged 25.2 points in Northwood’s nal 15 games of the season, a stretch that included a school-record 51 points against North Moore on senior night.

Davidson-Davie competes in the NJCAA Region 10 Division II. This past winter, the Storm went 28-8 overall and 20-4 in league play. They won the South Atlantic District title and earned a bid to the 2026 NJCAA DII National Tournament.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Cam Fowler nishes strong at the rim against Jordan-Matthews in 2026.

Locals qualify for track and eld state championships

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

Girls’ soccer

Woods Charter defeated Clover Garden 6-1 on May 4 behind three goals and an assist from junior Annabel Unah. Lucy Poitras also logged a hat trick and two assists in the Wolves’ 9-0 win over Southern Wake to end the regular season. Woods Charter nished the year as the Central Tar Heel 1A conference champions, going 18-0 overall and 12-0 in conference play. The Wolves have gone 52-0 in conference games over the last ve seasons.

Seaforth senior So a Viana scored four goals in the Hawks’ 8-0 win over South Granville on May 5. Sophomores Olivia Parker and Amara Darden and senior Regan Willauer each scored a goal in Seaforth’s 3-1 regular season-ending win over Orange the following night.

After an 8-1 loss to Uwharrie Charter on May 4, Jordan-Matthews snapped a four-game skid with a 4-1 win over Eastern Randolph. Freshman Ariadnne Gomez notched a hat trik with an assist.

Sophomore Emily Scheidt scored Chatham Charter’s only goal in its 1-0 win over River Mill on May 4. After a 5-2 loss to Ascend Leadership on May 6, the Knights picked up a forfeit win against Southern Wake to end the regular season.

Final conference standings (overall, conference) *conference champion

Central Tar Heel 1A: 1. Woods Charter* (18-0, 12-0); T2. Clover Garden (10-7, 9-3); T2. Ascend Leadership (10 - 4, 9-3); T4. Chatham Charter (6 -14, 5-7); T4. Central Carolina (6-10, 5-7); 6. River Mill (2 -14 -2, 1-10-1); 7. Southern Wake (0-11-1, 0-11-1)

Four Rivers 3A/4A: T1. Northwood* (13-7-2, 9-1); T1. Uwharrie Charter* (13-2-1, 9-1); 3. North Moore (12-7-1, 5-5); 4. Southwestern Randolph (5-14 -1, 4-6); 5. Jordan-Matthews (7-13, 3-7); 6. Eastern Randolph (0-18-1, 0-10)

Big Seven 4A/5A: 1. Carrboro* (17-1-3, 12-0); 2. Seaforth (12-6-1, 9-2); 3. Cedar Ridge (8 -12-1, 6-5-1); 4. Durham School of the Arts (11-8-1, 6-6); 5. Orange (6-8-3, 5-6-1); 6. South Granville (4-15, 2-10); 7. J.F. Webb (2-13-2, 0-11)

Boys’ tennis (state playo s)

Dual team: Chatham Charter fell to Franklin Academy 5-4 in the third round of the 1A/2A bracket. Northwood lost to Greene Central 6-0 in the third round of the 3A tournament.

Individual: Seaforth’s Joaquin Hernandez Gonzalez, Chatham County’s lone individual state quali er, fell to Graham Powers in the rst round of the 5A singles tournament 6-1.

SOCCER from page B1

and it’s a goal in our minds.” Cherry said. Nevertheless, Arias repaid Cherry with an assist on a free kick with less than a minute before halftime. Northwood immediately put its foot on the gas out of the break. Two minutes into the second half, Collins broke free with the ball deep in Southwestern Randolph territory, but she fell on her shot attempt. Walker, who was trailing Collins, cleaned up the play by kicking the loose ball

SOFTBALL from page B1

1-0 loss to No. 6 Bethany Community.

Bethany Community scored its only run on an RBI single by Peyton Weavil in the top of the fourth inning. Due to a 13-strikeout performance by Chatham Central junior Maddie Kaczmarczyk, the Wolves were outhit 6-4. However, the Bears struggled to bring runners home.

In the sixth inning, the Bears had freshman Lillie Poe

Boys’ lacrosse

Boys’ golf

Chatham Central nished second in the 1A Central regional tournament last week. Senior Tyler Measamer won the individual regional title with a score of 82 (10 over par). Chatham Charter nished third in the same tournament.

Seaforth nished second behind Oak Grove in the 5A Central regional. State championship quali ers by classi cation (location):

1A (Gates Four CC): Tyler Measamer (Chatham Central); Gavin Vanderford (Chatham Central); Jesse Eskelund (Chatham Central); Brett Phillips (Chatham Central); Colby King (Chatham Central); Channing Jordan (Chatham Charter).

3A (Longleaf Golf and Family): Ben Porter (Northwood)

5A (Sapona Golf Club): Ty Willoughby (Seaforth), Campbell Meador (Seaforth), Alex Ferm (Seaforth), James Wright (Seaforth), Ryan Powell (Seaforth)

through the net for a 3-0 lead. With 24 minutes left to play, Collins got another chance by corralling the rebound o a corner kick, and she scored the Chargers’ nal goal. For Northwood, the win was its nal step in getting over the hump. In the last two seasons, the Chargers nished second in the Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference, falling short to those dominant Seaforth teams.

This season presented a new challenge for the conference crown. The night before the win over Southwestern Randolph,

on third base, but a strikeout in the next at-bat left the game-tying run stranded. Chatham Central couldn’t get on base in its nal at-bats and ended the season with a 22-5 record. Further down the 1A West bracket, No. 7 Chatham Charter fell short of knocking o No. 2 Oxford Prep 4-2. The game was tied 2-2 when the Gri ns took the lead with a two-RBI single from freshman Kadence Chase. Chatham Charter tried to

Northwood ended its regular season with an 11-10 win over 8A opponent Pinecrest on May 7, marking its fourth straight win. Seniors Grayson Cox and Jackson Glinski scored three goals each, and Cox had two assists. Senior goalkeeper James Flanagan notched 13 saves. Final conference standings (overall, conference)

*conference champion

Conference 2: 1. Orange* (14-5, 7-1); 2. Carrboro (127, 5-3); T3. Northwood (12-8, 4-4); T3. Seaforth (6-8, 4-4); 5. Cedar Ridge (5-13, 0-8)

Girls’ lacrosse

Seaforth defeated Riverside-Durham 16-2 on May 4 behind four goals and an assist from junior Natalie Boecke. Boecke followed that with eight goals to help the Hawks defeat Union Pines 19-13 the next night.

Northwood lost to Carrboro 18-4 in its regular season nale. Final conference standings (overall, conference)

*conference champion

Conference 6: T1. Chapel Hill* (18-4, 9-1); T1. East Chapel Hill* (12-5, 9-1); 3. Seaforth (10-7, 7-4); 4. Carrboro (9-8, 2-6); 5. Northwood (2-9, 1-6);

Northwood defeated rst-place Uwharrie Charter 2-1 in double-overtime to keep its championship hopes alive. Collins and sophomore Madelyn Bolejack scored, while senior goalkeeper Gwen Williams recorded eight saves.

Uwharrie Charter ended up receiving a forfeited win from North Moore in the conference play nale on May 7. Had Northwood not beaten the Eagles, it would’ve nished in second place once again.

But now that doesn’t matter. The Chargers’ senior class

rally in the seventh inning as a Kynzie Jordan double put a runner on third. However, a yout and a ground out following the hit ended the game. The Knights nished the year with a 13-9 record. In the 4A East playo s, No. 10 Jordan-Matthews fell to No. 7 Ledford 17-6. Ledford took advantage of two errors by the Jets to take a 6-0 lead in the rst inning. Jordan-Matthews responded with hits of its own to bring the decit to four runs, but the Pan-

6. Riverside-Durham (0 -17, 0-9)

Track and eld

State quali ers by classi cation: 1A: Tyler Congrove (Chatham Central, boys’ 100 and 200); Isaac Hayhurst (Chatham Charter, boys’ 200); Torris Price (Chatham Charter, boys’ 800, 1,600 and 3,200, 1A Central regional champion in all events); Eli Coleman (Chatham Charter, boys’ 800 and 1,600); Chatham Charter (boys’ 4x400); Woods Charter (boys’ 4x800); Joshua Hayes (Chatham Charter, boys’ high jump); Breylan Harris (Chatham Charter, boys’ high jump, long jump and triple jump); Jeremiah Young (Chatham Central, boys’ long jump); Emily Scheidt (Chatham Charter, girls’ 800 and 1,600, 1A Central regional champion in 1,600); So a Rodriguez (Woods Charter, girls’ 1,600 and 3,200, 1A Central regional champion in 3,200); Grace Murphy (Woods Charter, girls’ 3,200); Addison Vickrey (Chatham Charter, girls’ 3,200 and 1,600); Chatham Charter (girls’ 4x100); Addie Williams (Chatham Central, girls’ high jump); Bella Thomas (Chatham Central, girls’ high jump); Aaliyah Walden (Chatham Charter, girls’ high jump); Ivy Nuss (Woods Charter, girls’ discus)

3A: Ezra Roebuck (North-

capped o their transformative regular season careers with a banner after nishing each of their four years with a winning record.

The year before their freshman season, Northwood went 7-13 and missed the postseason.

“I’ve always worked a lot on helping the girls progress (and) develop,” Northwood coach Ascary Arias said. “Winning is nice, but really our focus has been to develop.”

Said Arias, “It’s a testament of the hard work they’ve been doing for four years.”

thers, who nished the game with 14 hits, never let up. The game ended in ve innings. Jordan-Matthews nished the year with a 12-10 record.

First round

Chatham Central dominated No. 14 Andrews 17-0 in the rst round. Sophomore Addison Goldston went 2 for 2 with three RBIs, and Kaczmarczyk struck out seven batters and allowed one hit in the game’s three innings.

wood, boys’ 200 and 400, 3A Central regional champion in 400); Tequone Moore (Northwood, boys’ 400); Ben Altenburg (Northwood, boys’ long jump, 110 hurdles and pole vault, 3A Central regional champion in both events); Liam Patterson (Northwood, boys’ 3,200), Northwood (boys’ 4x200, 4x800 and 4x400, 3A Central regional champion in 4x400); Titus Moore (Northwood, boys’ long jump); Jamison Brown (Northwood, boys’ shot put); Synai Palmer (Northwood, girls’ 100); Sydney Gray (Northwood, girls’ 1,600, 3,200, 3A Central regional champion); Taylor Perry (Northwood, girls’ 100 hurdles); Chloe Waldstein (Northwood, girls’ pole vault); Jada Everson (Northwood, girls’ discus and shot put); Northwood (girls’ 4x800) 4A: Kamarie Hadley (Jordan-Matthews, boys’ triple jump); Yadiel Zayas (Jordan-Matthews, boys’ 300 hurdles); Juanita Perez (Jordan-Matthews, girls’ triple jump); Khamya Woods (Jordan-Matthews, girls’ 300 hurdles)

5A: Ryan Yoder (Seaforth, boys’ pole vault, 5A Central regional champion); Dylan Watkins (Seaforth, boys’ discus and shot put); Amber Brown (Seaforth, girls’ 400, and long jump 5A Central regional champion in 400); Sasha Helmer (Seaforth, girls’ 800); Emily Jump (Seaforth, girls’ 800); Caidence Bazemore (Seaforth, girls’ 3,200); Seaforth (girls’ 4x800)

Yet when identifying what makes this year’s group di erent from previous Northwood squads, Arias pointed to the team’s personality rather than its tangible skills.

“I’ve had a lot of very good players,” Arias said. “A ton, like really, really good players. But we’ve always missed a little bit of character. I think technique, ability, all that stu , natural ability, will take you only so far. Like last night, at some point, you either have character or you don’t. And this team has a lot of character.”

Junior Allie McLeod went 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs to lead Chatham Charter over No. 10 Rosman 5-0. Northwood got o to a hot start to defeat No. 23 Eastern Randolph 11-1. Junior Madalyn Holton hit a two-run homer in the rst inning and nished the game with two runs. Jordan-Matthews logged 14 hits to down No. 23 Clinton 14 - 4. Freshman Ella Parks went 3 for 4 with three RBIs and a run.

GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Woods Charter coach Graeme Stewart instructs his players before a 2026 game. The Wolves nished the regular season 18-0.

Consecutive conference wins for Woods Charter girls’ soccer

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA Washington wins NBA Draft lottery, chance to pick rst on June 23

Chicago The league’s worst team this season is getting the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards won the draft lottery and will pick rst overall for the rst time since choosing John Wall in 2010. Wall was the Wizards’ on-stage representative for the lottery. Washington had a 14% chance of winning No. 1, tied with Brooklyn and Indiana for the best odds. Utah will pick No. 2, Memphis will pick No. 3 and Chicago will pick No. 4.

MLB Orioles hold Tupac bobblehead night, sister throws out ceremonial rst pitch

Baltimore Fans lined up well before the gates opened at Camden Yards in anticipation of a Tupac Shakur bobblehead giveaway. Shakur was raised in New York and Baltimore before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1980s. That made the matchup between the Orioles and Athletics an appropriate time to honor the rap icon, who was killed in 1996. The ri from “California Love” was played while the starting lineup for the A’s — who left Oakland last season — was announced.

NFL Domestic battery case against Chiefs assistant Merritt dismissed without prejudice

Kansas City, Mo. A misdemeanor domestic battery case against Chiefs assistant Dave Merritt has been dismissed without prejudice. It comes less than three weeks after Merritt entered a plea of not guilty. The 54-year-old former NC State player has been with the Chiefs since 2019 and has helped teams win ve Super Bowls, including his time with the Giants. He participated in the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp last weekend. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Merritt has been very up-front about the situation.

NHL Maple Leafs win lottery for No. 1 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

Secaucus, N.J.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the lottery for the rst pick in the NHL Draft. The victory comes at a critical time for Toronto after hiring John Chayka as general manager and franchise legend Mats Sundin as a hockey operations adviser. The future of captain and best player Auston Matthews is the biggest question after missing the playo s for the rst time in his career. It’s the rst time the Maple Leafs have won the lottery since taking Matthews with the No. 1 pick in 2016. The San Jose Sharks won the lottery for the second pick.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Ex- Ohio State players, including NFL veterans, join sexual abuse lawsuit against school

Thirty former Ohio State football players, including former NFL players, joined a federal lawsuit against the university over sexual abuse of student-athletes decades ago by a team doctor. Ohio State is accused of failing to stop abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss. Hundreds say they were abused by him. Some other former football players have settled in sealed agreements. Ohio State says it has tried to reconcile with survivors through settlements, counseling services and medical treatment.

Al Washington, Ray Ellis and Keith Ferguson, three members of the 1980 team, are the only plainti s to go public.

MLB’s rookie class making impressive impact

Young prospects are making an impact faster than in the past

By David Brandt The Associated Press

PHOENIX — Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Konnor Grifn stepped to the plate against the Arizona Diamondbacks and ripped a 110.1-mph laser high o the center- eld wall at Chase Field, cruising into second base for a double.

“Twenty years old and driving the ball o the center eld wall,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “Let’s go back to being 20 years old. I was just getting hair under my armpits, and this guy’s in a bigleague baseball game. It’s impressive.”

Gri n — who just turned 20 a few weeks ago — is part of an MLB rookie class that’s made an instant impact. He’s batting .256 with two homers, 16 RBIs and is 8 for 8 on stolen bases, all while playing shortstop at a high level. No wonder the Pirates were comfortable handing him a $140 million, nine-year deal in April.

Lovullo has been the manager of the D-backs for 10 seasons and said he’s noticed a huge di erence in the readiness of young players when they get to the big leagues.

The data backs that up too.

As measured by Wins Above Replacement, three of the ve most productive classes of rookie hitters since 1950 graduated in the past four years, in 2023 (67.5 WAR), 2022 (53.7) and 2024 (49). This year’s class is on pace for 47, which would rank fth.

Even the 2025 class, which wasn’t as deep, featured examples of players ready to make an unusually fast impact. Nick Kurtz got just 210 at-bats in the minor leagues before joining the Athletics, then batted .290 with 36 homers and 86 RBIs over 117 games to win American League Rookie of the Year in 2025.

“Everything is fast-forwarded now, everything’s on speed dial, everything happens really quick,” Lovullo said. “These kids are developing.”

Here’s a look at some of the other top rookies in the big leagues through the season’s rst 11⁄2 months.

Kevin McGonigle, SS, Detroit Tigers

The 21-year-old made the big-league club with a strong spring performance and continues to impress, batting .299 with two homers, 16 RBIs and an .845 OPS while splitting time between shortstop and third base. That’s why Detroit was comfortable signing him to a $150 million, eight-year deal in April.

“Let’s go back to being 20 years old. I was just getting hair under my armpits, and this guy’s in a big-league baseball game. It’s impressive.”

Torey Lovullo on Konnor Gri n

JJ Wetherholt, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals

The No. 7 overall pick in 2024, Wetherholt has popped seven homers for a Cardinals team that’s been a pleasant surprise in the NL Central.

Chase DeLauter, OF, Cleveland Guardians

DeLauter actually made his MLB debut last season when he became one of the few players in big league history to get his rst call-up in the playo s. So far this spring, he’s shown why the Guardians had enough con dence to bring him up for those pressure-packed games, batting .306 with six homers and 23 RBIs.

Munetaka Murikami, 1B, Chicago White Sox

The veteran Japanese slugger has made an instant im-

pact in the big leagues, crushing 14 homers in just 37 games. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts and may never consistently hit for high average, but there’s no doubt the power is legit, and he’s still just 26 years old.

Kazuma Okamoto, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

The 29-year-old is older than all of the other players on this list and had a slow start while making the transition from Japan. But he’s picked up the pace over the past few weeks and is batting .246 with 10 homers and 23 RBIs.

Sal Stewart, 1B, Cincinnati Reds

The 22-year-old made a good impression during a short stint last season and has continued to hit this spring. Playing mostly rst base, he’s batting .245 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs.

Nolan McLean, RHP, New York Mets

McLean, a Garner High alum, has been one of the Mets’ few bright spots. He dazzled in an eight-start cameo last season and has pitched well so far in 2026. The 24-year-old has a 2.97 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 391⁄3 innings through seven starts.

Parker Messick, LHP, Cleveland Guardians

The left-hander has been one of the best pitchers in the American League this season with a 3-1 record and a 2.40 ERA through seven starts.

Cox, Hall of Fame Braves manager, dead at 84

He managed Atlanta for 25 years, bringing the city its rst World Series title

By Charles Odum The Associated Press

ATLANTA — Bobby Cox, the folksy manager of the Atlanta Braves whose teams ruled the National League during the 1990s and gave the city its rst major title as well as World Series trips that fell short, died Saturday at 84 in Marietta, Georgia. He had a stroke in 2019 and heart issues that complicated his recovery.

“Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 straight division titles, ve National League pennants, and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995. His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched,” the Braves said in a statement.

Cox took over a last-place team in June 1990 and led the Braves to a worst-to- rst nish in 1991, losing the World Series to the Minnesota Twins in seven games. That was the start of what was to become a record 14 consecutive division titles, a feat no professional team in any sport had accomplished.

He managed the Braves for 25 years and led Atlanta to its rst World Series title in 1995, retired after the 2010 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

“Honestly, I’m just doing my job. I let everything else fall where it may.”

Bobby Cox

ing him back to the Braves as a bench coach, was asked if he might get tossed in Cox’s honor.

“It’s a di erent game now, you know, a very di erent era,” Weiss said. “Nobody can do it like Bobby, believe me.”

The Braves retired Cox’s No. 6 jersey in 2011, when he joined the team’s Hall of Fame.

Cox ranks fourth all-time with 2,504 wins, fth with 4,508 games, rst with 15 division titles including a record 14 in a row, rst with 16 playo appearances and fourth with 67 playo victories. Only Connie Mack, John McGraw and Tony La Russa had more regular-season wins than Cox.

“He was the rst one to the park every day,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said of Cox. “He’d have his spikes on at 12 o’clock. I never saw a manager wear spikes, but that was one of Bobby’s trademarks. He just loved the game. He loved the game, and he loved leading a group of men trying to win a championship.”

Cox also was rst in being ejected from 158 regular-season games. Weiss, who called Cox instrumental in bring-

“RIP my second father,” Andruw Jones wrote on social media. The 10-time Gold Glove winner with Atlanta in July will become the sixth who played for Cox with the Braves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Cox spent 29 seasons as a major league manager, including four with Toronto. He managed 16 postseason teams. He brought an old-school approach to the dugout. He always wore spikes and stirrups, and his fatherly demeanor inspired loyalty from his players.

Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux said players around the league always wanted to know what it was like playing for Bobby Cox.

“The rst word that comes to mind is respect,” Maddux

said. “He had that from players. When Bobby talked, we listened. We wanted to play for him.”

Cox was the rst NL manager to win at least 100 games in a season ve times. He was Manager of the Year four times and the only one to win in consecutive years (2004, 2005). He also had close ties with his successors, Fredi González and Brian Snitker. Despite all his regular-season success, Cox won only the one World Series title in ve tries. He led the Braves to Atlanta’s rst major professional sports championship in 1995, beating the Cleveland Indians in six games to win the World Series. Cox said critics usually focused on the World Series losses instead.

“It’s a game of breaks when you get down to a four-game, must-win series,” Cox said. “We’ve played well. We’re proud of what we’ve done. They always ask that, though. It is irritating, to be honest with you.”

“He lived a great life,” said Dodgers rst baseman Freddie Freeman, who played the rst 12 seasons of his career with the Braves. “Everyone loved him in baseball. Braves country loved him.” Cox usually shied away from the limelight and was uncomfortable when talking about himself.

“Honestly, I’m just doing my job. I let everything else fall where it may,” he said.

ED REINKE / AP PHOTO

Atlanta Braves manager

Bobby Cox smiles while talking to reporters during team practice.

TOM E. PUSKAR / AP PHOTO

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Gri n is greeted by his teammates after scoring.

Duplin Journal

Kenan Park playground set for grand opening

Kenansville

The public is invited to attend the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new playground at Kenan Park on Sunday at 4 p.m. Guests can enjoy sweet treats and snacks while supplies last.

Youth Fishing Tournament returns

Pink Hill

The 17th annual Youth Fishing Tournament will be held Saturday at 8 a.m. at Cabin Lake County Park. Youth anglers will compete in age divisions 4-6, 7-9 and 10-14 for rst-, secondand third-place prizes, along with an award for the tournament’s biggest sh.

Final weigh-in begins at 11 a.m. Registration closes Thursday and is available by phone at 910-298-3648 or 910-296-2120.

Free community taco dinner

Wallace Pet Friends of Duplin County will host its free “Paws and Gratitude” community dinner May 21 at 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Villeda’s Cocina. The taco bar dinner is being held to thank the community for supporting the local animal rescue organization. Admission is free.

Iran war hitting home as gas prices fuel in ation surge of 3.8% in U.S.

U.S. consumer prices climbed sharply again last month as the 10-week war with Iran pushed energy prices higher. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that its consumer price index rose 3.8% from April 2025. On a month-to-month basis, April prices were up 0.6% from March as gasoline prices rose 5.4%. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called consumer core prices were up 0.4% last month from March and 2.8% from April 2025, relatively modest readings that suggest the energy price burst isn’t yet spilling over much into other prices.

Trump FDA chief leaving after angering pharma CEOs, vaping lobbyists and anti-abortion groups

Marty Makary is resigning as President Donald Trump’s Food and Drug Administration head, according to a White House o cial who was not authorized to speak before an o cial announcement and insisted on anonymity Tuesday. Makary’s tenure had drawn complaints from health industry executives, anti-abortion activists and other Trump allies. Makary was an outspoken critic of COVID-19 health measures during the pandemic, but at the FDA, Makary failed to win the sta ’s con dence after mass layo s, leadership changes and a series of controversies.

$2.00

Congressman Greg Murphy joins supporters of youth outdoor engagement

U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) speaks during the NC Outdoors Foundation fundraiser at River Landing on May 5. Turn to A3 for the story.

Wallace mayor pro tem tapped for statewide municipal role

Francisco Rivas-Diaz said the position will help bring rural perspectives into policy conversations

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

WALLACE — As communi-

ties across North Carolina confront mounting infrastructure costs, rapid development and growing pressure on local governments, Wallace will now have a stronger voice in statewide mu-

nicipal discussions through the leadership of Wallace Mayor Pro Tem Francisco Rivas-Diaz.

Rivas-Diaz was o cially sworn in as District 3 representative for the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) during the City Vision 2026 conference in Raleigh, where municipal leaders from

across the state gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing North Carolina’s cities and towns. The oath of ofce was administered by Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt.

“To be elected by my peers to this position with N.C. League Municipalities and to be able to represent our communities at the state level is one the highest honors during my time as an elected o cial,” Rivas-Diaz told Duplin Journal.

He said the appointment is also deeply meaningful for his family, who have supported his public service throughout his time on the Wallace Town Council.

“Prior to and throughout my time as a member of the Wallace Town Council, my family has always supported me and understood my dedication to serving the community,” he said. “The

Warsaw board clash centers on transparency, budget oversight, town hall concerns

The town’s former deputy clerk accused town o cials of ignoring misconduct concerns

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

WARSAW — The May 11 Warsaw Board of Commission-

ers meeting was marked by disputes over transparency,nancial oversight, missing documentation and allegations of misconduct inside town hall.

The meeting opened with concerns regarding approval of previous meeting minutes. Commissioner Ebony Willis-Wells questioned missing closed-session minutes and inaccuracies in recorded discussions.

Mayor Wesley Boykin said

Duplin County candidate exits commissioner race

Jessica Thomas says she will continue pushing for government accountability outside of o ce

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — A Du-

plin County commissioner candidate has withdrawn from the District 2 race, saying she believes she can ght more e ectively for government accountability from outside the political system. Jessica Thomas announced her decision in a public statement that re ected on a year of civic involvement.

“This community has watched me le records requests, ask incessant questions, sit through meetings, speak when it would’ve been

easier to stay quiet, and refuse to pretend that everything is ne when it clearly ain’t,” she said, adding that her e orts focused on accountability and transparency rather than pursuing elected o ce itself.

“My goal was never a title,” Thomas wrote. “My goal was accountability and transparency via public pressure and making sure the regular people of Duplin County understand that their voices matter.” Thomas said she believes she could better challenge local leadership advocating from outside government.

“My goal was never a title. My goal was accountability and transparency via public pressure and making sure the regular people of Duplin County understand that their voices matter.”

Jessica Thomas

major portions of previous meetings had been omitted or inaccurately summarized in the April 13 minutes and budget workshop records. He criticized the omission of substantive debate surrounding

THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

O ce Phone: 910 463-1240

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“I’ve realized that I’m far more e ective growling at the ones who don’t care from across the desk rather than sitting beside them pretending any of this blatant dysfunction is acceptable,” she wrote.

In the statement, Thomas alleged favoritism, political maneuvering and discrimination in local government.

In one of the central metaphors of her statement, Thomas compared county government to the Titanic, writing, “We’ve already hit iceberg,” the ship is “taking on tremendous amounts of water,” and taxpayers are “screaming for answers,” while leadership is “on deck drinking ‘Mich Ultra’ while assuring the band continues to play beautifully.”

Despite withdrawing from the race, Thomas said she will continue working for the community outside of elected o ce and left open the possibility of future political involvement.

“Maybe I will step back up to the plate when the time is right,” Thomas wrote. “Until then, I’ll continue the ght for my community in the best way possible — exposing it all.”

Thomas thanked supporters and encouraged residents to remain engaged in local government issues, writing, “Please don’t be discouraged — this is far from over.”

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

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Wells’ vote against a previous human resources-related motion.

“There was a serious discussion about the policies that were at hand,” Boykin said, adding that accurate records are essential to understanding how and why decisions are made.

Following guidance from the town attorney, several items were removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion, including minutes from March and April, a Parks and Recreation budget amendment and an extension to the Insight Planning contract because supporting documentation was missing.

Former deputy clerk Carmen Gonzalez delivered one of the meeting’s most emotional public comments, accusing commissioners of ignoring concerns she previously raised about town hall operations and Town Manager Lea Turner.

“I went to each one of you and voiced concerns,” Gonzalez said. “And each one of you turned a blind eye. … You have repeatedly let this town manager abuse her power.”

Gonzalez, who now works for the town of Faison, said she did not leave after nearly 16 years without reason and urged o cials to investigate.

“It’s time you start taking a look into what’s wrong with what’s going on in town hall,” she said.

Boykin responded that the board takes all allegations seriously and will consider her concerns.

The board later debated a proposed $30,000 budget transfer from reserve funds into the Parks and Recreation budget to cover engineering costs tied to the town’s Parks and Recreation Trust Program.

Boykin criticized the lack of nancial documentation accompanying the request, arguing commissioners should know reserve balances before approving transfers. Wells voted against the amendment because of the missing nancial details, but the measure passed 4-1, with Commissioners Tommy Jones, Jack Hawes, Scotty Smith and Cheryl Smith voting in favor.

Boykin then introduced a motion requiring future budget amendments to include reserve balances and clearer explanations of funding sources. He argued elected o cials must fully under -

“You have repeatedly let this town manager abuse her power.”

Carmen Gonzalez

stand what they are voting on.

The proposal sparked a lengthy procedural debate over Robert’s Rules of Order and whether the mayor could make motions while presiding over meetings. The town attorney con rmed the mayor was permitted to do so. The motion ultimately failed 4-1, with Jones, Hawes, Scotty Smith and Cheryl Smith opposing additional documentation requirements.

Debate continued over an extension to the Insight Planning and Development contract, which had also been removed from the consent agenda because documentation was missing.

Turner described the omission as an “oversight” and explained the amendment would simply extend the town’s existing agreement with the consulting rm through Oct. 1, as work continues on Warsaw’s Unied Development Ordinance. Willis-Wells argued commissioners could not make “a solidi ed decision” without complete information and requested the item be tabled.

Boykin questioned why he had not received copies of contracts requiring his signature despite previous requests and said he could not properly review the agreement from the projection screen during the meeting.

Jones questioned whether the mayor should avoid participating in debates. The town attorney intervened and con rmed that the mayor was permitted to make motions and participate in discussion.

The debate ultimately culminated in a vote on the mayor’s proposal requiring more comprehensive nancial documentation. The motion failed by a 4–1 vote, with Jones, Hawes, Scotty Smith and Cheryl Smith opposed to requiring more information to accompany budget amendment requests.

The board also reviewed changes to the utility policy related to billing cycles and leak adjustments. Under the revised policy, bills will be due on the 10th of the month instead of the 15th, late fees will apply after the 15th and

unpaid accounts may be disconnected after the 25th. Customers must also pay balances by midnight the night before disconnection rather than by 10 a.m. the day of shuto . A motion to delay implementation until November failed for lack of a second. Another motion setting implementation for Sept. 1 advanced to a vote. Before voting, commissioners clari ed the policy would be adopted exactly as presented by management.

Willis-Wells expressed frustration that much of the earlier discussion about citizen hardship, communication plans and delayed implementation appeared to be ignored in the nal motion language. The board also discussed a Special Order of Consent from the Department of Environmental Quality related to wastewater and sewage violations. Boykin warned the agreement carried strict legal obligations and penalties of $1,000 to $2,000 per day for missed deadlines. The SOC was approved with technical adjustments, including a change to the signatory and timelines for a pilot test.

Turner also updated commissioners on Tetra Tech’s wastewater monitoring and modeling report connected to Warsaw’s NPDES permit and sewer treatment capacity expansion e orts. She said the latest report had been submitted to engineers and state regulators but contained little new information beyond what had already been presented the previous month.

The board later voted to withdraw from the Eastern Carolina Council following discussion about the organization’s nancial instability and alleged scal mismanagement. O cials said the move would save Warsaw approximately $1,100 in annual dues.

Turner also reported vacancies for deputy clerk, utility clerk and nance clerk positions, with applications currently under review. Boykin emphasized the need for regular employee performance evaluations, saying they had not been consistently conducted for years.

May 16

Fireman’s Day in Pink Hill

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pink Hill Volunteer Fire and Rescue will host Fireman’s Day. The family-friendly event will include local vendors, a car show, music, kids entertainment, vendors, barbecue plates and ra e prizes.

Downtown Pink Hill

Community Baby Shower

10 a.m.

The Duplin County Health Department will host a free Community Baby Shower for expectant moms and moms with newborns 0-3 months old. Free baby supplies available for the rst 30 moms. The event will cover pregnancy and postpartum topics at the Rose Hill Library. 113 South Walnut St., Rose Hill

May 19

Cedar Fork Community Club Meeting

7 p.m.

The Cedar Fork Community Club meets the third Tuesday of each month to discuss activities aimed at supporting the local community.

1412 Cedar Fork Road, Beulaville

May 22

Gold Star Monument tribute

The Duplin County Historical Society will hold a Gold Star Monument ceremony at the courthouse square at noon on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, honoring county residents who gave their lives in service to the United States. The Gold Star, established during World War I, represents families who have lost a loved one in military service, and the ceremony serves as a solemn tribute to their sacri ce. Duplin County Courthouse, Kenansville

THOMAS

WARSAW

Jessica Thomas

State leaders gather at River Landing to support youth outdoor programs

Programs funded through grants introduce young people to nature and outdoor recreation

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

WALLACE — Chances are during any given time when school is not in session, you are likely to nd a majority of youth today engaged in some kind of screen time, whether it’s scrolling or texting on a phone, watching videos or playing video games. Inspiring them to get outside and experience nature is the mission of the North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission, a state agency that provides programs and grants to accomplish that mission.

On May 5, the North Carolina Outdoors Foundation, a nonpro t organization that nancially supports the work of the

commission, gathered in the ballroom of the River Landing Clubhouse to hold the foundation’s largest fundraiser. It was attended by supporters, includ-

ing many legislators from across the state. U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.) was also in attendance and addressed the gathering, referring to the goal of getting

kids o their phones and back outdoors.

Duplin Journal spoke with N.C. Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission Finance Manager Layne Randolph at the event. She said there are a variety of programs across the state that have been successful in getting youth outside to experience nature.

“Some of them go white-water rafting at the Nantahala Outdoor Center,” Randolph said.

“We’ve also provided funding for kids to go to Sound to Sea, an educational program on the coast.”

According to Randolph, the opportunity for outdoor adventures funded by the commission through grants is varied, including hiking in a state park, learning to tie knots or experiencing overnight camping in the Pisgah National Forest. Smaller kids can go on a hike or go bird watching. Participants earn patches for their experiences that encourage them to go on other outdoor ad-

Beulaville advances public works upgrades

O cials discussed policing e orts, budget planning and public works needs during the meeting

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — New equipment purchases and a proposed budget with no tax increase were among the key topics discussed during the Beulaville town board’s May 4 meeting.

The board voted to use funds from a surplus sale to purchase a dump trailer and asphalt box equipment for the town’s public works department. The equipment will be used for town maintenance projects. Public

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opportunity to serve in this capacity has been a proud moment for them, and they are excited to see me work with the NCLM.”

As District 3 representative, Rivas-Diaz will work alongside municipal leaders across North Carolina on policy issues a ecting local governments throughout the region and state. Among the most pressing concerns he plans to advocate for are preserving local decision-making authority and securing long-term infrastructure funding.

“Retaining the authority of municipal governance and securing sustainable funding to modernize infrastructure for growth and quality of life for our residents are among the most urgent issues facing communities,” he said.

Looking ahead, Rivas-Diaz said he hopes the position will allow him to strengthen relationships with lawmakers while helping state o cials better understand the realities facing smaller communities

Works Director Ricky Raynor also said crews will spend the next several weeks investigating water and sewer lines. The Beulaville Police Department presented its April report, including details from Operation Smoke Out on April 20. The multiagency operation resulted in 26 citations, 32 tra c charges, ve arrests, three felony drug o enses, seven misdemeanor drug charges, two weapons violations and one charge of resisting a public ofcer. O cers also located three wanted individuals. Code enforcement o cials reported they are conducting weekly drive-arounds on every street in town to monitor potential issues.

and ensuring smaller towns are not overlooked in state-level conversations.

“Sometimes, constituents might feel like their voices are not being heard at the state level because they live in a small town or community,” he said, adding that his election reects a broader commitment by the league to include diverse municipal perspectives.

“My election demonstrates that the NCLM acknowledges this and wants to see municipalities of all sizes and various demographics represented on the board,” said Rivas-Diaz. “I want our community to know that their concerns will be voiced at the highest level.”

Rivas-Diaz emphasized that many rural municipalities continue to struggle with aging infrastructure systems and limited nancial resources.

“I believe the state can do more to provide funding for lower-tiered communities whose infrastructure is aged and in dire need of renovation, such as water treatment plants, street repairs and

The board also held a public hearing on the proposed 2026 -27 budget. Town Manager Lori Williams presented the proposed budget and explained what it included as well as any planned expenditures left in the current scal year. She said June 30 is the deadline to have a budget in place. The board acknowledged that the proposed budget kept property taxes the same. With no public comments, the board voted to hold a nal budget meeting for any changes to the budget on May 18 and closed the public hearing. Williams shared a bid for the sale of a property on Park Street. Mayor Hutch Jones recommended tabling the sale to

discuss a right of way issue with the property surrounding the sale.

ventures through the programs o ered.

At the River Landing event hosted by the NC Outdoors Foundation, funds were raised through a silent auction and other activities.

Murphy took advantage of his time speaking to the attendees to do a little ribbing of North Carolina legislators at the event.

“You guys pass a budget, OK, so people will stop calling me about it,” he said.

During the event, several were recognized as Outdoor Hall of Fame inductees, including 2025 inductees Bob Johnson of House of Raeford and Julian “Bubba” Rawl of Preston Development Company.

The 2024 inductees included Bob Barnhill of Barnhill Contracting Company, former NASCAR icon Richard Childress, who now operates an organization supporting NASCAR events, and Eddie Smith, CEO of Grady-White Boats.

“Park Street is straight up (on the map), and the lot in question has no road in front of it, so there is an issue with gaining access to that lot.”

Lori Williams, town manager

“Park Street is straight up (on the map), and the lot in question has no road in front of it, so there is an issue with gaining access to that lot,” Williams said. Drain clearance issues on Church Street were discussed, and it was clari ed that the homeowner was responsible for removal of trees and debris from the drain before the town can get involved. The process for making public complaints was discussed, and Jones encouraged the public to follow the formal documentation process available through town hall. Williams said town hall will be closed May 25 for Memorial Day. June 24 is the next scheduled Bulk Trash Day. Williams also shared that the town participated in a tree-planting event with Beulaville Elementary in association with their Arbor Day Grant project, and there are free sample trees — red bud, white oak and red oak — available at town hall. The meeting adjourned shortly thereafter.

TOWN OF MAGNOLIA

COURTESY

public safety facilities,” he said.

He also noted that municipal leaders throughout eastern North Carolina are increasingly concerned about managing growth while maintaining local control.

“Managing sudden growth, funding for infrastructure, access to tax revenue and retaining control of municipal governance” are the concerns he hears most frequently from local leaders across the region, he said.

Rivas-Diaz said his interest in

From left, Mayodan Mayor Dwight Lake, Wallace Mayor Pro Tem Francisco Rivas-Diaz, Ahoskie Mayor Pro Tem David Hunt, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt and Greensboro Councilwoman Tammi Thurm pose for a photo.

broader leadership developed after joining the Wallace Town Council and gaining a deeper understanding of how local and state governments interact.

“I was better able to understand the role that elected o cials at each level play in making decisions for our communities,” he said. “This sparked my interest in the relationship between local and state government.”

He said the rapid development occurring in Wallace and neigh-

boring counties further motivated him to pursue regional leadership opportunities.

“The current growth in our town of Wallace as well as towns in Pender, New Hanover and Brunswick counties also encouraged me to look at our needs not just locally but regionally,” he told Duplin Journal. “Experiences such as these motivated me to pursue roles that looked at the broader needs of our region.”

He also stressed the importance of ensuring rural municipalities maintain a seat at the table in statewide policy discussions.

“Because it’s important to understand the challenges of small communities in comparison to large cities,” Rivas-Diaz said. “Every region is di erent, and it’s important to have a representative that communicates the diverse needs of their constituents directly at the state level.”

Rivas-Diaz said he is eager to begin serving in the role and continue collaborating with municipal leaders across North Carolina.

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.), left, shares a moment with Wendell Murphy during the NC Outdoors Foundation fundraiser at River Landing on May 5.

WALLACE

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | JIMMY DIXON

Freedom requires engaged citizens

All elections are critically important. Evil forces never rest.

IT IS GENERALLY accepted that Memorial Day, which we will celebrate May 25, is the beginning of the “political season” for the midterm elections. When the president of the United States is in the middle of his four-year term, the elections in November of that year are referred to as the “midterm” elections.

On May 30, 1868, the rst Memorial Day, then known as Decoration Day, was held to honor the Union soldiers who died in the Civil War. Waterloo, New York, may have been the rst location for the special ceremony of laying owers on the graves of fallen soldiers. Since then, there have been other wars — maybe not as vicious as the Civil War — and today, we honor all those who have fallen in wars and con icts covering the entire world.

It is rather ironic that this very special and sacred day is now generally recognized by political pundits as the so-called beginning of the political season. However, as I have observed during my eight terms in the North Carolina General Assembly, there is no beginning of the political season because today’s political season never ends. Thus there is no beginning. It is in today’s “political arena” where some of the most vicious wars are fought. Civility, mutual respect for varying opinions and common ground are nowhere

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

to be found in modern politics. However, for us and, more importantly, for our children and grandchildren, all elections are critically important. Evil forces never rest. Good forces are always facing the paradox of the admonition to “turn the other cheek.” Those who are trying — even if imperfectly some of the time — to qualify as part of the “good forces” must recognize that there is always the portent of very stormy weather in the political arena.

Even in his time, long, long ago, Plato argued that it is crucial for capable, good and engaged citizens to take an interest in politics to prevent them from being governed by less than the best. Edmund Burke observed, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” The oppressor — evil forces — promotes the goodness of neutrality. Elie Wiesel, an amazing Holocaust survivor, cautioned, “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere.”

We must constantly be aware that many political speeches are like huge longhorn cattle; a tip of the horn here and a tip of the horn there; and a lot of bull in between. A little humor helps during the heat of political battles. Therefore, I occasionally give the de nition

of politics — while on the stump — as being in the word itself, “Poly, meaning many and ticks, meaning blood-sucking parasites.” (Larry Hardiman) But I then say, “Except for folks like me.”

Evil forces have the callous ability and the devious intent to identify uninformed people and, knowing those people are not really engaged, intentionally misinform them. Misinformed people are much more active politically than uninformed people.

Misinformed people become angry, hostile and contentious, and they charge into political issues with misguided emotions. Thus we have the development of the “Trump derangement syndrome,” or TDS. This lters all through the political arena to those who are misinformed. We the people should revere Memorial Day not as the beginning of the political season, but rather as an opportunity to intensify our e orts to accurately inform ourselves and cast our votes for men and women who will preserve, for future generations, the kind of government for which so many truly patriotic men and women have given their lives.

Rep. Jimmy Dixon represents Duplin and Wayne counties in the N.C. House of Representatives.

The race-obsessed left complains when the Supreme Court issues a colorblind ruling

But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a colorcoordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination.

SUPREME COURT Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, in the recent case that restricted the use of race in designing a Louisiana congressional district. Thomas wrote: “This Court should never have interpreted (Section) 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to e ectively give racial groups ‘an entitlement to roughly proportional representation.’ ... By doing so, the Court led legislatures and courts to ‘systematically divid(e) the country into electoral districts along racial lines.’ ... ‘Blacks (we)re drawn into ‘black districts’ and given ‘black representatives’; Hispanics (we) re drawn into Hispanic districts and given ‘Hispanic representatives’; and so on. That interpretation rendered (Section) 2 ‘repugnant to any nation that strives for the ideal of a color-blind Constitution.’ ... Today’s decision should largely put an end to this ‘disastrous misadventure’ in voting-rights jurisprudence.”

Critics argue the ruling is not colorblind in e ect because race-neutral districting can dilute minority voting power. But this assumes a) non-black and non-Hispanic voters would not vote for black or Hispanic candidates; and b) the interests of black and Hispanic voters can only be pursued by black and Hispanic members of Congress.

For Democrats, the e ect of this ruling could be politically catastrophic. A report from Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund said, “Combined with Republicans’ mid-decade gerrymandering, a ruling gutting Section 2 could help secure an additional 27 safe Republican U.S. House seats when compared to the 2024 House maps — at least 19 directly tied to the loss of Section 2.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries said, “Instead of protecting the ability for American citizens to freely cast their ballot, Republican extremists have embraced voter suppression and racial gerrymandering to desperately cling to power. The corrupt conservative majority on the Supreme Court appointed by Donald Trump has taken a blowtorch to the Voting Rights Act. Why? The extremists need to cheat to win.”

It is not clear how removing race as a criterion in constructing congressional districts amounts to “cheating.” Nor is it clear how this majority of justices, nominated by Republican presidents, renders the court “corrupt.”

As for “Republican extremists embracing voter suppression,” Je ries presumably means voter ID laws. But polls show a large majority of blacks support voter ID by percentages close to those of whites. Georgia, in 2021, enacted voter ID and voter-integrity laws called by President Joe Biden “worse than Jim Crow — it’s Jim Eagle.” But the percentage of blacks who voted exceeded the black voting percentages of most pre-2021 Georgia elections.

Let’s turn to Je ries’ accusation about Republicans’ supposed use of “racial gerrymandering.” In 2017, Politico wrote: “Former (Obama) Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday o cially launched the National Democratic Redistricting Committee ... as the center of Democratic rebuilding in the era of President-elect Donald Trump and as Democrats’ main hope to roll back Republican gains in state legislatures and prepare for redistricting in 2021. The end goal: House majorities in Congresses elected after 2020.”

To that end, Eric Holder supported race - conscious redistricting e orts designed to increase black electoral in uence. About a district in Alabama in 2024, for example, The Associated Press wrote: “The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which Holder chairs, supported the legal battle that led to the district being redrawn into a competitive seat where Black voters have the opportunity to in uence the outcome.” Finally, about voters voting based on race, there are four black Republican members of the U.S. House, none of whom represents a majority-black district. Even Democrat Maxine Waters, a harsh critic of the court ruling and a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, represents a district that is only about 20% black. Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white, succeeded Rep. Harold Ford Jr., who is black, in representing a majority-black district. And a recent Gallup poll nds Trump approval rating among blacks at 16%, up from 12% in his rst term.

Contrary to what many Democratic politicians say and how they act, this is not their grandfather’s America. But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a color-coordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination.

My advice to Democrats after this ruling is simple: calm down. The days of poll taxes, literacy tests and grandfather clauses are long over. As Thomas Sowell says, “When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination.”

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Teachey approves ordinance clearing way for new subdivision

The developers moved forward with a project near N.C. Highway 11 after months of zoning discussions

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — For the past several months, developers Chad Lambert and Robert Stevens of Bert Properties have been navigating the often confusing and challenging world of zoning and ordinances. They want to build a new subdivision in Teachey near the intersection of N.C. Highway 11 and Hunter Street. The development plans include single-family homes and townhomes. Their plans hit a snag when they discovered the town had no speci c ordinances covering the construction of townhomes for sale.

At Monday evening’s Teachey Board of Commissioners meeting, the board passed a new town ordinance that greenlights work to begin on the project. Lambert and Stevens rst introduced their plans to the board in January, setting o several months of the town researching on how to create a workable ordinance.

Now the developers face another minor zoning issue. A

small section of the property lies just outside the Teachey town limits. The board agreed to direct Town Clerk Morgan Jacobs to begin the process of seeing if the property meets the requirements to be annexed into the town. If the property passes that initial evaluation, Bert Properties can petition the town for that section of land to be annexed. In the meantime, the developers plan to start the process of creating the new subdivision soon.

Another zoning issue was brought to the board’s attention by local landowner India Cole. She owns land that was once zoned for multiuse purposes, including commercial and residential. At some point when the property was annexed into the town limits prior to her purchasing it, the property was zoned as commercial. Cole wants to have the property changed to its original zoning so she can build a home on the property and still use land located closer to the road for possible commercial use.

Town attorney Joseph Ez-

zell advised Cole she should meet with the town sta for details about the current zoning of the property and said she would likely have to petition the town board to rezone the property, which would require a public hearing.

In other business, the board voted to hold a public hearing at the June 8 meeting regarding the proposed budget for the town for the next scal year beginning July 1. The board was presented with the proposed budget ordinance by Jacobs, who said there were a few areas where the town exceeded the budget this scal year, especially in the area of repairs. The town faced several water line breaks during the cold snap over the winter that contributed to the town having to pay out almost double the amount budgeted for repairs.

“Last year, we set aside $60,000 (for repairs), and we went well over that,” Jacobs told the board.

Jacobs also said the company providing IT services to the town was proposing an increase in monthly fees from $910 to $1,305 a month. The company, IPM, maintains the town’s internet service and website. In ad-

seeking a change in zoning from commercial to mixed-use so she can build a home on the property.

dition, Jacobs and Utility Clerk Ally Casey pitched the board about a town text service, provided by TextMyGov, that could allow citizens and town sta to communicate via text, including the ability to send emergency text messages to town residents. The cost of the service would be $1,500 per year with a $750 setup fee. The board plans to review the budget proposals before the public hearing on the budget next

month. If the budget is passed, it would mean a reduction in the town’s property tax rate from 45 cents per $100 valuation to 42 cents per $100 valuation.

Teachey Mayor Bobby Jones concluded the meeting by reminding those in attendance about the town’s Movie Night at the Park on May 30 and the Commissioners Municipal Association meeting being hosted by the town at the Teachey Fire Department on May 21.

Duplin County Schools outlines successes, future priorities

The district discussed progress on current goals during the public meeting

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — School

leaders, educators and community members gathered at Kenansville Elementary School on May 4 for an annual review of Duplin County Schools’ ve-year strategic plan, highlighting progress in student achievement, career readiness, school safety and community engagement.

Principal Marketa Hargrove opened the session with an acknowledgment of teachers in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week.

Duplin County Board member Pam Edwards gave remarks thanking everyone for “what they do for the kids to make a di erence.” She noted this year marks her 51st year of service to the county. Other county and state administrators spoke brie y, echoing the same thankfulness. Duplin County Board member David Jones recalled meeting former students in the public and hearing them praise teachers who made a di erence to them.

“What you do matters, even if you feel like it is a thankless job,” he said.

District Superintendent Daren Tyndall shared the county’s vision, mission and motto.

“The vision of Duplin County Schools is to become an exemplary school system where all students and sta excel in a globally competitive society,” he said. “Our mission is to work collaboratively with the community to prepare all students for career, college and life success. Our

motto is a uni ed approach to academic excellence.”

He explained that the strategic plan expires at the end of the next school year and will be updated.

Tyndall also outlined state education priorities for 2025-30, which align with the district’s strategic plan.

Assistant Superintendent for Educational Innovation and Accountability Kevin Smith explained the purpose of the meeting and shared the ve strategic goals of the 2022-27 plan. Finance O cer Ashley Jata spoke about the importance of scal e ciency.

“Fiscal e ciency means that every dollar is used to re ect our priorities and aligned to bring our goals to life,” Jata said. “It is an ongoing commitment with continued partnerships across the district.”

Chief O cer for STEAMA

Curriculum and Instruction Nicole Murray highlighted personalized learning pathways connecting academics to student interests and careers, including partnerships with James Sprunt Community College, career academies and job-shadowing opportunities.

“STEAMA is who we are,” Murray said. “It’s embedded in everything that we do. It’s how we connect learning to life.”

Chief O cer for District Effectiveness and Student Support Services in Digital Learning Kristen Hall highlighted collaboration and e ciency across digital learning systems.

“Should any area fall short of e cacy or e ciency, we hold cross-departmental conversations to make necessary changes for the bene t of all student services,” Hall said.

The meeting then shifted to community engagement in dis-

“We exist for children. Each one of us at one time was a child and can remember the teachers that touched our lives.”

Daren Tyndall, district superintendent

cussing the ve strategic goals. Each goal was shared individually, and the crowd was asked to share examples of how the county was meeting the goal. Goal one says student academic success for every pre-K-13 student is a priority for all Duplin County schools. For this goal, examples included a precision drone program and more than 850 students enrolled in college courses at James Sprunt Community College.

Goal two says that through a commitment to equity, all students will receive a personalized education through access to STEAMA, career, college and digital learning. For this goal, examples leaned heavily into CTE programs at schools. Tumira Middleton, a CTE instructor at James Kenan High School, shared information about her entrepreneurship classes and the many ways students experience real-world business in her classes.

Goal three says every student will be instructed and supported by excellent and innovative leaders, teachers and personnel. Examples for this goal focused on professional development, a 94% beginning teacher retention rate and the growth of teachers from Duplin County students through programs like teacher ambassadors and future teachers. Also,

they noted that there have been six Duplin County recipients of the Grow Your Own Scholarship. Goal four says develop and maintain strategic partnerships supported by 21st-centurynancial, business and technology systems. Examples for this goal focused again on CTE programs and multiple grants they have earned for building and drone programs.

Goal ve says provide safe and nurturing environments and facilities for all Pre-K through 13 students and sta . Examples for this goal focused on the SRO ofcers in schools due to grant funding as well as several utility upgrades, including kitchen, HVAC, exterior lighting and keycard access doors.

The oor opened to stakeholder feedback and questions, and a nurse shared her concern about a “large uptick” in K-8 bullying and suicide issues. She asked for bullying prevention measures to increase in the K-8 environment to address the issue.

Smith wrapped up the commentary saying that the accomplishments would be compiled and shared with the community in the fall.

Tyndall then closed the meeting by reminding attendees of the purpose behind the district’s work.

“We are sitting in little chairs to remind us of little people,” he said. “We exist for children. Each one of us at one time was a child and can remember the teachers that touched our lives.”

Tyndall thanked everyone for their comments and concerns, and he encouraged continued collaboration between educators, families and community partners as the district works toward achieving its strategic goals.

MARK GRADY FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Teachey resident India Cole, left, and Town Attorney Joseph Ezzell, right, listen as the board and town sta discuss the issue of the zoning of property Cole owns in town. She is

REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Superintendent Daren Tyndall speaks during Duplin County Schools’ annual strategic planning review at Kenansville Elementary School on May 4.

Warsaw advances $1M vision for Memorial Park expansion

The town adopted a parks master plan as o cials pursue up to $500,000 in state grant funding

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

THE TOWN OF WARSAW held a public hearing April 22 to gather feedback on its proposed Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan and the Memorial Park Master Plan as o cials move forward with a major grant application to support future park development. The town is working with Collier’s Engineering to complete its application for the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (NCPARTF), a matching grant program.

The grant application seeks up to $500,000 in state funding, which would be matched with local and other sources, potentially supporting a total project estimated at roughly $1 million.

Town o cials noted that funding could also include public, private, and additional state or federal contributions used as a match.

The NCPARTF program requires awarded projects to remain in public recreational use for at least 25 years and to be completed within three years.

During the hearing, town sta outlined plans centered on Memorial Park at 309 Memorial Drive. Proposed improvements include expanded and paved parking, a multipurpose eld with bleachers, a basketball court, picnic areas and additional active recreation space. Lighting for the multipurpose facilities was also con rmed as part of the project scope. O cials described the e ort as Phase II of a broader long-term park development strategy, with recommendations for future expansion and potential land acquisition.

The current engineering estimate for the full project is just over $850,000, which is below the maximum funding cap but still requires careful budgeting. The breakdown includes several major categories: site preparation and mobilization ($152,000), earthwork and grading ($25,000), hardscape and paving ($285,000), site structures ($54,000), site furnishings ($48,000) and landscaping ($152,000). The gures repre-

An illustration depicts the proposed Memorial Park improvements included in the Memorial Park Master Plan. The conceptual layout highlights potential future amenities, recreation spaces, parking expansions and long-term park development goals discussed during the town’s public hearing and grant planning process.

sent early estimates and were described as subject to change depending on nal design and market conditions.

A key nancial consideration is the inclusion of a contingency reserve of roughly $150,000, which accounts for in ation and rising construction costs. Commissioner Jack Hawes noted that “prices are going up,” and the bu er is intended to prevent funding shortfalls during construction. The contingency e ectively bridges the gap between the $850,000 estimate and the $1 million total project framework.

A key part of the grant process is public input. The town reported that a recreational needs survey conducted between September and October 2024 received 381 responses. The survey was distributed online, in public spaces, and through utility bills in both English and Spanish.

O cials said the results, along with public comments collected at the hearing, will contribute to the grant scoring process, which evaluates community engagement, planning quality and projected impact.

Collier’s Engineering and the Eastern Carolina Council of Governments are assisting the town in developing a comprehensive system-wide parks plan. That

plan evaluates existing facilities, identi es community needs and recommends phased improvements with cost estimates.

During public discussion, ofcials highlighted opportunities for fundraising and private donations to support the required local match. Ideas included capital campaigns and potential sponsorships or naming rights for facilities, a practice used by other municipalities and parks systems.

“After I learned and received a presentation on this particular proposal and that map showing the future growth and the current activities, it was very obvious to me that this is something that the Park and Recreation Board and sta have put in a lot of e ort, a lot of time, and they are thinking about the overall health — mental and physical health of our community,” said Mayor Wesley Boykin. “I saw the joy in their faces and in the children who come out here, and the future of a healthier community.”

Following discussion, the board formally closed the public hearing and adopted both the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan and the Memorial Park Master Plan. Award decisions are expected later in the year.

Faison withdraws from Eastern Carolina Council

The board approved the 2026 -27 budget and addressed clerk

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

FAISON — The Faison Board of Commissioners approved the town’s 2026-27 budget at the May 6 meeting and agreed to increase funding for the Faison Fire Department while also addressing sta ng changes in the town clerk’s o ce.

Mayor Billy Ward acknowledged two new hires who will be taking the recently vacated town clerk position. Though Kelly Parks was sworn into the position and trained by outgoing Town Clerk Sharon Lee last month, she decided not to stay. Mandy Taylor and Carmen Gonzalez were hired to share the role. The board hired Lee as a consultant for the town at the rate of $35 an hour. The board also approved transferring Gonzalez’s 565.29 hours of accrued sick leave from her previous job in Warsaw and agreed to allow Gonzalez to do the work of the tax collector.

David Long, a representative from Duplin Hospital in Kenansville, talked to the board about multimillion-dollar improvements that have been made to the hospital. He asked for a chance to come share the hospital’s strategic plan with the board.

The Faison Fire Department presented its new leadership and reported on how town funding is being used.

“The $40,000 we get from the town has been helping us get an ISO 2 classi cation and more advanced care for our residents,” Chief Ricky Cameron said. “We are also increasing community outreach with things like smoke detector canvassing and re safety and CPR classes.”

Cameron shared how the department recently had to spend $30,000 in maintenance of the station and servicing old trucks. Commissioner Sandy McCarthy asked how the board could help, and the board unanimously agreed to increase its funding to $50,000. Ward asked the re department to be at the 250th celebration with a show of trucks as well as help controlling the event. He also suggested that it have a part in the Memorial Day service on May 25 and do something to celebrate the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Cameron agreed, and the whole re department thanked the board for its generosity and invitation into events.

“We’d like to be more town-oriented,” Cameron said.

Parks and Recreation Director Matthew Scott shared that the Faison Fire Department will be volunteering its time for a special Junior Fire Camp this summer as well. The Junior Fire Camp will be free of charge. Scott shared updates concerning the afterschool program.

“Jimmy Tyndall will be taking the bus class this week, and I will next week,” Scott said. “We should be completely ready with bus licenses by next year.”

The board discussed school bus insurance with Kornegay Insurance and approved $4,500 annually to cover both buses.

Scott discussed summer camps and proposed making it easier on families by using volunteer sta and reducing the per-child cost to $20. He said he already had ve or six sports camps lined up with volunteer sta . The board approved reducing the rate as suggested. Scott also shared that adult volleyball season is underway and will play until August.

Commissioner Christy Allen shared the need for cleaning services at the Faison library. Ward suggested getting estimates for a once-a-month cleaning from the current cleaners that handle town hall.

The board discussed its enrollment in the Eastern Carolina Council (ECC).

Ward shared that the ECC is under scrutiny for questionable nancial decisions.

“WHOSE LOVED ONE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE DEFENDING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

“They don’t have money for payroll and are headed towards folding,” Ward said, adding that Duplin County has left the council and several other counties and towns are backing out as well.

The board decided to back out of the ECC.

“They don’t have money for payroll and are headed towards folding.”

Billy Ward, Faison mayor

NOTE: The traditional Memorial Day Observance and the to our Nation will be on Monday, May 26th at 11:00 AM

COURTESY IMAGE

DUPLIN SPORTS

Tyndall tames Tigers

Payton Tyndall was in control from rst to last pitch as WRH upset rival JK in the second round of the 3A playo s

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WARSAW — The Wallace-Rose Hill softball team and Payton Tyndall took their share of lumps this season, and it was hard to say the Bulldogs even had a rhythm. They neither won nor lost more than three in a row and seemingly limped into the 3A playo s with a sub-.500 mark with the No. 12 seed.

Tyndall and company lost twice to No. 5 James Kenan (8-2 and 9-6), and the Tigers were looking to make a long playo run after winning their most games in school history (17).

WRH’s junior hurler set the stage for the upset by allowing ve hits, and timely hitting in the fourth and fth innings led to a 5-2 win in the second round action on May 8. It was the second time this season, JK was limited to ve or fewer hits.

Furthermore, Tyndall tamed the muscle of the Tigers lineup.

Leado hitter Ava Jones and No. 9 hitter Scarlett Deluca each had two hits, but the Nos. 2 through 8 hitters went 1 for 20. “She pitched a great game and is

an excellent pitcher,” said JK head coach Brian Casteen, whose club ended up 17-4. “The rst two games we were patient against Payton. This time, we went after her rst- curve pitch and riser.”

It was by far the biggest win for WRH, which beat No. 21 Pasquotank County 12-1 in the rst round. The Bulldogs won consecutive playo games for the rst time since 2017. Tyndall scattered ve hits while walking one and striking out three. She has whi ed 124 and walked 51 this season and has an ERA of 3.44. She set down the side in order in the rst with three pop outs after a Jones hit. She did the same in the fourth with three y balls to the outeld. She got her rst punch out in the 1-2-3 second.

ED manufactured a ninth-inning run to take a 2-1 walk-o win over First Flight

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — The distance between playo seeds in the 4A classi cation is shorter once the ball is put into play.

Karsyn Parker reached courtesy of an error and was driven home by Lorena Rodriguez to give No. 4 East Duplin (17-3) a 2-1 win in nine innings over No. 13 First Flight (10-9) in the second round of the state tournament.

“It was a good one for softball fans,” said Panthers coach Greg Jenkins, whose club captured a share of the ECC title with South Lenoir. “The pitching was even. The defenses were outstanding. And even though we trailed 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, our girls never felt they were going to lose the game.”

The Panthers knotted it at 1-1 and then won via walk-o for the third time this season.

“There are some advantages of playing at home,”

No. 1 Rebels dismantle Vikings for sixth mercy-rule win

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Lilly Fulghum is such a competitive athlete that she would like to be atop every statistical category.

Yet the senior, who is heading to play softball at Charlotte University, didn’t mind taking a backseat to teammate Marissa Bernal when it comes to home runs.

Bernal went yard for the third time this season in North Duplin’s 15-0 second-round win over West Columbus.

Fulghum, who had two hits, a walk and three RBIs, is the top hitter in the Duplin Journal area (.616), has two home runs and one more extra-base e ort than Bernal.

Additionally, Fulghum held the Vikings hitless, surrendering one walk with ve strikeouts in her three innings in the circle.

“The home runs weren’t coming to Lilly early, and she made an adjustment to how we are playing this season,” said ND head coach Jaime Kylis Higginbotham. “She started put-

ting balls in the gap and helping our 60-foot-and-turn-left o ensive mindset. Credit her for changing her approach. That’s a smart move. Her exit velocity is insane.”

Gracie Higginbotham added three hits in three trips and a pair of RBIs as the Rebels won for the 11th straight time. It was their sixth mercy-rule win of the spring. ND has outscored foes 176-42 this season. The Rebels (14-1) were to host No. 8 Camden County (12-11) in the third round on May 18. The survivor plays the winner of No. 4 East Carteret (15-5) and No. 5 Rosewood (13-6).

ND, page B4

The last time WRH won consecutive playo games

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Everyone in green celebrated Marissa Bernal’s third home run of the season during a 15-0 win over West Columbus.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL Lorena Rodriguez smacked

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Left, WRH’s Mattie Gavin, Jansley Page and Sophia Sloan each made their presences known — o ensively and defensively — during a 5-2 win over JK. Right, junior Payton Tyndall limited JK to ve hits after su ering a pair of losses to the Tigers during the regular season.

The Panthers golf team won the 4A region golf crown in Ahoskie

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Gold medals were elusive for Duplin County track and eld athletes at three NCHSAA regional championships last week.

Wallace-Rose Hill’s Adrian Glover and North Duplin’s Carell Phillips picked up silver medals in sprint races, while East Duplin’s Andraia Scarborough was runner-up in two weight events.

Yet a ock of athletes will compete in the classi cation nals this week at NC A&T’s Marcus T. Johnson Stadium as the top four place winners in each event qualify. So too will the next four best regional nishes in every event, regardless of the region.

The 2A and 4A schools compete May 13, with 1A and 3A taking the stage the following day.

Rain could play into the championships.

Panther girls nish fourth in team standings

Scarborough was second in the discus (102-feet, 3-inches) and third in the shot put (33- 6) for East Duplin, which nished fourth in the 4A East Region meet at Wilson Prep High School.

“Landing in fourth was really good as they went from fourth regions to three this year,” said head coach Jeremy Joyner, whose girls won the school’s rst regional title in 2025 while nishing a point behind Manteo the previous season.

ED picked up Duplin County’s lone gold medal, winning the 3,200-meter relay in 10:32.97 behind the legs of Anamarie Rodriguez, Anastan Holley, Angela Hernandez and Tabor Holley.

“We probably won by 20 seconds,” Joyner said. “And our time in the 1,600 (4:19) was six or seven faster.”

That group included Rodriguez, Z’yAshia Newton and the Holley twins, Anastan and Tabor, as they were close to setting a school record.

Rodriguez won bronze in the 800 by hitting the tape in 2:30.93.

The Panthers boys got fourth-place nishes from Zachary Ball (42.21 in the 300 hurdles), Shawn Davis (136-1 in the discus) and Ali Flow (6-0 in the high jump).

A mishandled baton led to a disquali cation for the 800-relay squad.

Glover, Cavallaro shine for Bulldogs in Kinston

Adrian Glover and Angelina Cavallaro placed in two individual sprints in Kinston at the 3A championships.

Glover, a junior, was third in the 100 (11.06) and second in the 200 (21.84), while Angelina Cavallaro was third in the 200 (26.08) and fourth in the 100 (12.85). The senior was an all-state 3A volleyball player in the fall.

ND’s Phillips, Rose, boys’ 800-relay squad advance to state nals

Sprinters Phillips and Abby Rose returned from Pamlico with two tickets to participate in the 2A nals with quality performances at Pamlico County High.

Rose, a sophomore, went third in both the 100 (13.02) and 200 (26.25) at the 2A East Region.

Phillips, a senior running back who is among the all-time leading rushers at North Duplin, was second in the 400 (51.38) and fourth in the 200 (21.14).

The Rebels’ 800-relay squad of Phillips, Jayden Pope, Messiah Cooper and Jayden Clemmons landed second to Tarboro.

GOLF

Panthers win 4A region title, Rebels second in 2A

East Duplin’s depth was apparent when the Panthers cruised to a 13-stroke win over second-place Roanoke Rapids in the 4A East Region golf championships at Beech-

The 4A Panthers and 2A Rebels enter the postseason as No. 6 seeds

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Every Duplin County girls’ soccer team staked claim to at least a share of a conference title this spring.

Bring on the playo s as the four public schools combined for a 50-18 record (excluding games against one another).

The biggest early look at the brackets shows No. 11 Wallace-Rose Hill (11-8) on track for a third collision with No. 6 James Kenan in the second round in the 3A East.

The Bulldogs host No. 22 Pasquotank County (2-9) in the opening round.

The two teams split a pair of games this spring, and both schools, along with Princeton, tied for the top spot in the Swine Valley Conference.

The Tigers (12-4) have a rst-round bye and hope to have a healthy striker in Aleyah Wilson, who got hurt 30 minutes into the second match against WRH on April 30.

And the winner of this rivalry match could wind up playing No. 3 Princeton (14-3-3) in the third round. No. 2 North Carolina Math and Science (16-4) could be the

nightmare pick on the bottom, while No. 1 Wake Prep Academy (17-2-1) has been the most talked-about squad in the 3A East all spring.

Meanwhile, East Duplin and North Duplin are No. 6 seeds in 4A and 2A, respectively.

ED (15-6-1) is 11-0-1 in its last 12 matches and will face the winner of No. 11 North Pitt (8-6-2) and No. 22 Southwest Edgecombe (7-11). The survivor of that will likely see No. 3 North Johnston (16-3-2).

The Panthers (15-6-1) got goals from Anamarie Rodriguez, Joselin Mata-Aguilar, Hailey Maready and Raegan Campbell last week during a 4-1 win over WRH.

Bayleen Flores scored her team-leading 17th goal for the Bulldogs.

Rodriguez scored o an assist from Campbell in the second half to give ED a 1-1 tie against Princeton. Rain kept ND (14-2) from playing the Carolina Conference Tournament nale, but the Rebels enter the second-round 2A match on a ve-match winning streak.

They await the winner of No. 11 East Bladen (14-6-1) and No. 6 Rosewood (0-13-3), which would almost suggest ND will face ED again, just not in the Caroline Conference Tournament nal. No. 3 Camden County (17-3 -1) waits in the wings.

wood Country Club in Ahoskie.

Sawyer Whaley (79), Ryley Herring (80) and Kenly Welborn (81) nished second, third and fourth, respectively, behind medalist Joshua Craddock (78) of Roanoke Rapids. Charles Smith (88) was 10th and Rivers Robinson (90) 22nd.

ED will participate in the 4A nals this week at Longleaf Golf and Family Club in Southern Pines.

North Duplin’s Holden Williams will also continue his season after shooting a fth-place score of 83 at the 2A East Region at Occano Golf Club in Merry Hill.

Carson Barwick (90) was 18th, Braydon Broke (92) 22nd, Landon Pate (95) was 25th and Holden Tyndall (99) was 36th.

Wallace-Rose Hill’s Camden Johnson carded a 91 at Timberlake Golf Club in Clinton to land in eighth place at the 3A East Region meet.

Teammate Peyton Dorman (94) was 24th. James Kenan’s Gavin Garner (104) was 37th. Swine Valley Conference schools Princeton and Midway nished rst and second, respectively, in the team standings.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

WRH’s Kaylann Leon and keeper Giselle Licona look to defend against ED’s Jocelyn Mata-Arguilar during last week’s 4-1 Panthers win.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL Senior Carell Phillips placed in two sprints at the 2A East Region championships and is competing in the NCHSAA state meet this week.

Panthers, Rebels exit playo s via late-game heartbreak

The No. 12 Yellow Jackets stung No. 5 ED 3-2 in nine innings, while No. 13 ND’s seventh-inning rally fell short during 2-1 setback to No. 4 Voyager Academy

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — It was déjà vu in all the wrong ways for East Duplin when Roanoke Rapids came for a second-round 4A playo game last week.

It was nearly four years ago when the No. 9 Yellow Jackets ended the Panthers’ perfect season with a 13-7 win in Beulaville.

ED was the No. 1 seed but wound up 23-1.

Fast-forward to the future, and the heartbreak continues as No. 12 Roanoke Rapids scratched out a run in the ninth to beat No. 5 ED 3-2.

The loss came during one of JP Murphy’s best outings of the season.

The southpaw gave up two hits and three walks while striking out nine in ve innings.

He kept ED in the game after Roanoke Rapids took a 2-0 lead in the third.

Murphy pressured the Yellow Jackets from the fourth through the eighth innings.

In the sixth, ED tied it up via Murphy and Gavin Holmes, who had three hits in four trips to the plate.

Holmes, an all-state player from a season ago, hit a blistering .460 with 11 extra-base hits, 25 runs and 20 RBIs. He hit safely in all but two games this spring.

Yet hits were at a premium as Hayes Lanier (.291) and Jack Tuck (.429) each had one of ED’s six hits against three RR pitchers.

And the Yellow Jackets ended Sawyer Marshburn’s 17-game hitting streak. The se -

nior catcher whacked out 34 hits for a .479 average in what could be an all-state season.

Talon Lassiter and Ryan White drove in early runs for the visitors.

Bryce Manning hit a double o Holmes in the ninth to send the Yellow Jackets (11-7) into a third-round encounter against No. 4 Uwharrie (18-7).

The Panthers, who had won six in a row, nished their ECC-winning campaign with a 14-6 mark.

Forgetting the taste of a playo loss will be di cult for ED.

Remembering the regular season nal kick to go 10-0 in the ECC will have a longer life for the Panthers.

Rebels’ Warren spins gem in loss to Voyager

North Duplin (10-7) proved it could go toe to toe with the best teams in 2A a few times this spring.

The nal one came with Garris Warren being the hard-luck loser on the mound during a 2-1 second-round loss to No. 4 Voyager (16-6).

The senior seemingly deserved a better fate. He gave up a run in the third and fth and just two hits, striking out ve and walking three.

Warren also sparked a rally in the seventh, singling and then being driven home by a hit via Noa Quintanilla.

Those were the only hits the Rebels got o Cameron Copley, who whi ed a half-dozen and didn’t allow a walk.

Warren’s three hits sparked ND to a 10-0 conquest over

Eno River Academy in the opening round.

Kayden Bowden had two hits and knocked in two, and Garrett Stevens, Henry Pope, Noah Price and Cole Grady added RBIs.

Price limited the Bobcats to three hits in four frames, and reliever Hayden Miller picked up his third save with a hitless fth.

Bulldogs hang on for rst-round win

Hayden Lovette, Luke Jackson and Gray James each laced two hits and combined to drive in ve as No. 16 Wallace-Rose Hill slipped past No. 17 Louisburg 10-9 in Teachey in the rst round of the 3A playo s.

Senior Larry Berringer added a run-scoring double, and the Bulldogs took advantage of eight walks.

Jackson (.413) and Lovette (.352) have been in the top 10 in hitting among Duplin Journal schools this spring.

Jackson had the lone hit when WRH (10-11) fell 12-0 to No. 1 Ayden-Grifton (22-2).

Smith, Hall come through as Crusaders fall to Burlington

Jesse Smith and Avery Hall each had two hits and drove in a run, but it was not enough as Harrells Christian Academy lost to Burlington Christian 10-6 in the rst round of the NCISAA’s 2A playo s.

Peyton Gomez singled and scored twice, while Luke Weeks, Reid Strickland and Drake Smith each added a base knock.

HCA nished 14-7 under rst-year coach Josh Rackley. The Crusaders were 8-13 the previous season and 25-34 since longtime coach Winfred Johnson left after the ’22 season.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

Breelyn Peed

Harrells Christian Academy, softball

Breelyn Peed gets it done in the circle and in the batter’s box for the Harrells Christian Academy softball team, which went 1-1 in the NCISAA’s 2A playo s.

Peed had two hits and drove in a run in a 10-5 rst-round win over Berean Baptist. She struck out 14 and gave up ve hits for the win.

The freshman had two of the Crusaders’ four hits during a 4-1 loss to Wake Christian in the second round.

Peed is 6-4 with a 1.29 ERA this season. She whi ed 129 and walked 17 in 741⁄3 innings, and the opposition hit a paltry .205 against her.

With a bat in her hands, she hit .377 with four doubles, two triples and 15 RBIs.

HCA nished 10-9 in its rebuilding season. By the way, Peed was a starter for HCA during her seventh grade and eighth grade seasons.

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

ED’s Jack Tuck (.429) was in the Duplin Journal-area’s top-10 in hitting all season and was also a slick elding shortstop.

Jones tripled to score Deluca in the third to give JK a 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs’ bats came to life against hurler Shylah Sloan in the fth. Hits by Mattie Gavin and Maggie Boone made it 2-1.

Three more runs in the fth were highlighted by hits from Jansley Page, Sophia Sloan and a sacri ce y by Boone. The frame started with Hannah Baker being hit by a pitch.

Shylah Sloan struck out the side in the sixth and got three easy outs in the seventh. She gave up eight hits, had two walks and ve strikeouts.

Tyndall got a huge whi to get out of the sixth and then got both Deluca and Jones in the seventh and nished o the win by coaxing an in eld ground-

ED from page B1

said Jenkins, who is 381-175 in his 25 seasons in the ED dugout.

Parker, who is not having as good a season hitting as she did the previous two springs, alertly took second base via a wild pitch and scored on Rodriguez’s two-out single up the middle.

“First Flight is better than advertised,” Jenkins said. “They did a lot of things we were not told they could do well. They battled. So did Panthers senior Zoe

ND from page B1

The highest two seeds in the bottom of the 2A East bracket are No. 2 Manteo (17-6) and No. 3 Perquimans (15-8), which have respective games against the Nos. 10 and 11 seeds in the eld.

“We’re still a work in progress and making adjustments o ensively,” said the Rebels’ coach. “We’re closer than we were three weeks ago but not where I would like us to be.”

ND starts three freshmen, who include the coach’s youngest daughter Gracie (.575, 5 doubles, 4 triples, 17 walks, 31

er o the bat of Kinzley Sloan.

Page had three hits for WRH, which was to travel to play No. 4 Trask (14-4) in the third round on May 12. The Bulldogs lost to the Titans 12-0 on March 4. The winner is likely to face Swine Valley champion and No. 1 Midway (20-1). The rivalry loss was devastating for the Tigers, whose hopes of pushing forward were dashed in just over an hour.

“It was very emotional,”

Casteen said. “While Wallace played their hearts out, it hurt even more knowing it was a rivalry game. I feel bad for our seniors. We came in ready. I think our impatience at the plate hurt us badly. I didn’t tell anyone, but the goal before the season was to win a state championship. But I almost knew we were in trouble when we drew

Turner. She scattered eight hits with six strikeouts and did not allow a walk to improve to 9-0 on the season. A run in the third put First Flight in control early.

“They had two errors and we didn’t have any, and to me that was the di erence,” Jenkins said. “They outhit us (8-7) and their catcher (Savannah Schnader who is hitting .483 with 14 extra-base hits) is going to Peace College (and) had three hits. But give our girls credit. They played hard to get here and played to the end.”

runs, 13 RBIs), who will rotate with Fulghum in the circle in the playo s. Yet rst-year players Wyllow Holmes (.449 double, 28 runs, 13 RBIs) and Sara Smith (.364) have come into their own as the season progressed.

But all hands will be needed if ND is to return to the statenals like it did three years ago.

It’s still a team game, and in the playo s all it takes for an exit is a hot opposing hurler in the circle.

A few teams, such as Rosewood, have a shutdown ace.

The rest advance with their defense work and bats. Most

Wallace. They came to play.”

JK looked as if it hit three home runs against Tyndall, though each drifted into foul territory.

WRH (11-10) got outstanding seasons from starters Page (.492), Gavin (.404), Boone (.364) and Sloan (.328). Catcher Gavin, shortstop Page, second baseman Sloan and center elder Isabella Parker each made stellar defensive plays

A wrist injury limited Tyndall to 30 plate appearances.

Credit head coach Cory Lovelace and longtime assistant Kevin Williams for helping players progress.

Parker, Page, Sloan and Gavin all drove in runs in the ve-inning win over Pasquotank County.

Tyndall whi ed 11 and walked three while not allowing a hit.

ED won for the seventh time in its last eight games and advanced to host No. 5 Bunn (17-5). The winner will likely see No. 1 Randleman (23-2) in the fourth round. Randleman won the West Region last season in 2A.

No. 2 Central Davidson (20 - 4) and No. 3 Southwestern Randolph (19-4) appear to be the strongholds in the bottom of the 4A East bracket.

“Bunn is a lot like us, and that could be our last home game,” Jenkins said.

will nd it hard to win without ve or six red-hot hitters.

Camden beat ND 3-1 in the rst round of the 1A tournament in 2021 and then captured a state title. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, teams were only allowed to play conference schools, and a random draw determined the seeds for the tournament.

It was the nal season for head coach Ricky Edwards, who guided ND to a 1A title in 2015. Higginbotham has gone 81-18 since 2022. The Rebels have won at least a share of the Carolina Conference for the past six years.

POSITION VACANCY TOWN OF ROSE HILL

WATER DISTRIBUTION / WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM MAINTENANCE WORKER / EQUIPMENT OPERATOR III

The Town of Rose Hill Public Utilities Department is seeking an individual to ll a permanent full-time position. Employee will perform skilled manual labor related to but not limited to, the installation, maintenance and repair of both the water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Employee will demonstrate a high level of specialized skill in the operation of a backhoe for various installation, maintenance and repair activities. Employee will be required to work some nights, weekends and holidays on a rotating basis. Must have the capability to provide “on call” services.

QUALIFICATIONS: A valid NC driver’s license is required (a CDL is preferred). A criminal background check and drug screening will be required. Due to job related requirements, the applicant must

be able to perform work in hot and cold weather conditions, able to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 lbs., possess the ability to utilize clear and concise language skills, follow written and verbal instructions and complete certain logs/ reports. Water and/or sewer certi cations are preferred, but not required.

STARTING SALARY: $34,283.48/yr.; however, negotiable based on current certi cations. Bene ts provided include retirement, medical, dental, vision insurance, paid vacation, paid sick leave, and 12 paid holidays per year.

INTERESTED APPLICANTS:(POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED) Submit application by mail, email or in person to Town Hall attn.: Blake Parker, Public Utilities Director, 103 SE RR St., P.O. Box 8, Rose Hill, NC 28458; bparker@townofrosehillnc.com ; Phone (910)289-2000. EOE, AAE

EDWARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Lilly Fulghum rarely misses making solid contact and leads the Duplin Journal-area in hitting at .619.

obituaries

David Joseph Edmonds Jr.

May 21, 1963 – May 5, 2026

David Joseph Edmonds Jr., 62, passed away from his earthly life on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at home, surrounded by loving family.

He was born May 21, 1963, the son of David Joseph Edmonds Sr. and Kathryn Ethel Opolsky Edmonds, both of whom preceded David in death.

David is survived by his daughter, Marie Kibodeaux; sonin-law, Anthony Kibodeaux (Lisa Gosnell); grandchildren, Kathryn Kibodeaux (Mason Stone) and AJ Kibodeaux; sisters, Regina Page (Tony Tomassetti) and Maryann Seiger (Ray); brothers, Thomas Edmonds and Joseph Edmonds (Kimberly); many nieces and nephews; and close friends, Mike, Doug, and Mack.

David was truly a jack of all trades as he could and did x most anything. He was always busy doing for and sharing with others. In years past, he and his family together enjoyed Saturday stock car racing on a dirt track near Fayetteville. What fun and great memories they made on the dirt tracks. David had a love for all animals, especially his canine companions, Pork Chop and Junior. He was raised in the Catholic faith. David was loved and will be greatly missed.

The day, place, and time of the memorial service will be forthcoming.

Jean Marsh Brown

July 24, 1939 – May 7, 2026

Jean Garnette Marsh Brown passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at her home. She was born in Greensboro, NC, to the late Alton Harrell Marsh and Edith Pearl Driver Marsh. Jean enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and cooking for her family.

An entombment service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, May 11, 2026, at Devotional Gardens Mausoleum.

Mrs. Brown is survived by her devoted husband, Billy Lee Brown of the home; sons, William Lee Brown of the home, Brian Barbee and wife, Ann of Hickory; step son, Timothy Brown of Wallace; brother, Jack Marsh of Clemmons; grandchildren, Jessica Barbee, Anthony Barbee; great granddaughter, Rylee Jackson; and special friend Diane Brown, who was always there to help.

Mrs. Brown was preceded in death by her sons, William Barbee and Johnny Barbee; daughter, Karen Billmyers; and grandchildren, Travis Mobley and Shawn Mobley. In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Magnolia-Shelby Ann Batts, 83, of Magnolia, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Wallace Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Wallace, NC. Shelby was born in Duplin County on October 15, 1942, to the late Leslie Batts and Nellie Bradshaw Batts.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Magnolia Cemetery.

Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Sue Batts Grafton, and husband, Bob of Williamsburg, VA; nephew, Scott Robert Grafton and wife, Michelle of Williamsburg, VA; niece, Kendal Grafton.

Wilma Sholar Grady

Jan. 21, 1935 – May 8, 2026

Wilma Sholar Grady of Jacksonville (NC) and formerly of New Bern, departed her earthly life for her heavenly home late Friday night, May 8, 2026, while residing at Onslow House in Jacksonville. She is preceded in death by her parents and rst husband, Stanley Carroll Walker. Left to cherish her memory are her son—Johnny Walker of Penderlea; grandson— Tommie Lee Jones of Warsaw; granddaughter—Debbie Hodges and husband Greg of New Bern; great-grandchildren—Courtland Hodges and Jared Hodges, both of New Bern; sister-in-law—Mary Walker; and special nieces— Annette Walker of Willard, Betty Sullivan of Leland, and Faye Chestnut of Rose Hill. Mrs. Grady was born in Pender County, had reached the onehundred-year mark, and still held a valid driver’s license in North Carolina. She was a very strongwilled lady who was determined to do it “her way” for most of her life and was not interested in the fancy things of life. She viewed herself as “a plain Jane”, according to family and was willing to do anything for anyone. During the earlier days of her life she worked as a seamstress in a local textile manufacturing factory. As a loyal fan of Taco Bell, Wal Mart, and her beauty shop, she attended these businesses as regularly as possible.

A graveside service to celebrate her life is set for 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Riverview Memorial Park in Watha. O ciating will be Dr. Johnny Chase. Padgett Funeral Home is proudly serving the Grady family.

Spring A. Brooks

Nov. 20, 1975 – May 8, 2026

Spring A. Brooks, 50, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2026, at her home.

The funeral service will be held Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Truelife Church at 1046 N.C. 41 and 111 in Beulaville, NC.

Visitation will take place after the service. The burial will be private.

She is survived by husband

J.T. Jenkins of Beulaville, NC; sons Kyle Powell (Faith) and Keith Brooks (Jillian), both of Beulaville, NC, and Thomas Sill of Chesnee, SC; daughters Deanna Ennis and Kimberlee Quinn, both of Pink Hill, NC, and Amanda Hu in of New Bern, NC; brothers Charlie Hu in (Cassie) of Hubert, NC, and Nye Powell of Greenville, SC; and 12 grandchildren.

Mary Jo Carter Johnson

March 8, 1932 – May 6, 2026

Mary Jo Carter Johnson, 94, of Wallace and formerly of Burgaw, passed from her earthly life on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

She was born on March 8, 1932, in Wilbarger County, Texas, the daughter of the late Ruben O. and Lillian Skelley Carter. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 39 years, Willis Johnson, and by her brothers, William Whitney Carter and Robert Oliver Carter.

Mrs. Johnson was an active member of Rock sh Presbyterian Church and a former member of Burgaw United Methodist Church, where she sang in both church choirs.

Surviving are her daughters, Belinda Coates and husband Jim and Kim Weiss and husband Allen; grandchildren Todd Coates and wife LaDonna, Ryan Coates, Emily Weiss and Natalie Elliot and husband Cli ; great grandchildren Ti any Wooten and husband Ethan, Corey Bostic and wife Rachel, Casey Schlapak, Beckham Coates and Jena Marie Coates; great-great grandchildren Ruthie, Emma, Madalynn, Tucker and William; sister Pam Carter Admire; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved Mary Jo dearly.

Mary Jo was a devoted wife and loving mother, Mimi and sister. She found great joy in the simplest of things, but her greatest joy was family. She was a woman of uncommon character, beauty and grace; and to those who knew her, “an instrument of God’s love on this earth.” Being a diligent homemaker and having a joyful spirit she lled her home with love and welcomed all who entered. Mary Jo was proud of her large decorative rabbit collection that adorned her home and yard — she loved being outdoors and gardening.

Mary Jo was the last of a generation when neighborhood children roamed freely from house to house, embraced by many parents as their own. Mary Jo will surely be missed but never forgotten. She was a blessing to all.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Rock sh Presbyterian Church with Reverend Philip Siebbeles o ciating.

The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Deborah Williams

Feb. 24, 1959 – May 5, 2026

Goldsboro- With deep sorrow, we announce that Mrs. Deborah Williams was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at her residence, surrounded by loved ones. Her unwavering faith was an inspiration to all, and we nd peace knowing she is resting in the arms of the Savior .”

There will be a Celebration of Life on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Goldsboro Chapel FWB Church on 1314 Ben Brewington Court, Goldsboro, North Carolina 27530. There will be a church viewing from 11:00-11:50 A.M. She will be laid to rest at the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 164 Longs Plant Farm Road, Goldsboro, NC 27534.

Kathryn Arlene Martin

Nov. 18, 1936 – May 5, 2026

K. Arlene (Witmer) Martin was born November 18, 1936, in Hinkletown, Lancaster County, PA, to Paul & Irene Witmer. When she was 7 years old her family moved to Lebanon County, PA.

When she was a youth she gave her life to serve the Lord and was baptized. When she was 19 she married Norman Z. Martin on March 24, 1956. They moved to Allentown, PA for 2 years where Norman served in 1W service. They were blessed with 9 children. Our parents faced various hard choices that could a ect the eternal destiny of their children. We as a family appreciate the godly heritage they have given to us.

In May of 1976, the family moved to Upstate New York and bought a dairy farm. Then, in July of 1985, the family moved to Pantego, NC.

On March 13, 1990, after nearly 34 years of marriage, our Daddy was called to his eternal home very expectantly of a heart attack. A few days later, Mom “’s mother, Irene, also passed away. Choosing to bless others in spite of her grief, Mom sewed many things for the grandchildren, and she made many lovely quilts and dollies. She also cooked many yummy meals and baked lots of cookies. She took classes to learn to paint and spent many hours painting beautiful pictures featuring scripture verses. She really enjoyed working in her lovely owerbeds and garden as well.

Due to symptoms of dementia starting to set in, the family decided to move Mom and Phillip to Beulaville, NC, in the summer of 2019. After 4 years, the family built her a tiny house and placed it in LaMar & Racher Remer’s backyard.

This made it convenient for the extended family to help with her care. She greatly enjoyed interacting with the great-grandchildren when the granddaughters took their turn to care for her. She was a member of Cedar Fork Mennonite Church and her love for her Heavenly Father is a legacy we all treasure.

Left to cherish her memories are Timothy (Glenda) Martin of Spring Grove, PA; Brenda (Nathan) Beiler of Pantego, NC; Phillip Martin of Beulaville of NC; Simon (Becky) Martin of Beulaville, NC; Andrew (Crystal) Martin of Robbins, NC; Bertha (Nathaniel) Hindal of Moberly, NC; Jesse (Lisa) Martin of Robbins, NC; Jonathan (Alonda) Martin of Pantego, NC; Rachel (LaMar) Ramer of Beulaville, NC; 45 grandchildren, and 55 greatgrandchildren. Community Funeral Home of Beulaville is honored to serve the Martin family.

A viewing for Arlene Martin will be Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 2:30-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.at Hope Mennonite School at 680 Mainstem Road in Pantego, NC. The funeral service wll be Monday, May 11, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Union Grove Church of Christ at 6889 NC-99 in Pantego, NC. Burial will be at Hope Mennonite Church Cemetery at 25 Mainstem Road in Pantego, NC.

Joshua

Nelson, Miller Jr.

May 9, 1940 – May 6, 2026

Mr. Joshua Nelson Miller Jr., age 85, of Kenansville, NC, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Warsaw Rehabilitation and Healthcare in Warsaw, NC.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:50 am at Big Zion AME Zion Church, 247 N Church Street in Kenansville, NC, followed by the funeral services at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Left to cherish his precious memories are three sons: Keith Miller (Gloria) of Kenansville, NC, Patrick Miller (Nancy) of Ashburn, VA and Walter Bizzell of Beulaville, NC; one daughter, Pamela Bizzell of Beulaville, NC; two brothers: Lenwood Miller (Annette) and General Miller, both of Kenansville, NC; two sisters: Naomi Harris (James) of Kenansville, NC and Zenobia Smith of Newburg, NY; one sisterin-law, Tina Miller of Kenansville, NC; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

July 24, 1939 – May 5, 2026

Mr. Troy Othell Smith, age 86, of Kenansville, NC, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Rose Hill Funeral Home in Rose Hill, NC. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in Kenansville, 247 N Church Street in Kenansville, NC. Burial will follow at Dobson Family Cemetery in Magnolia, NC.

Left to cherish his precious memories are two sons: Anthony Boney (Evelyn) of Wisconsin and James O. Smith of Beulaville, NC; three daughters: Diana Rogers and Jeanette Smith, both of Beulaville, NC and Regina Smith of Kenansville, NC; one sister, Rosa Brown of Kenansville, NC; six grandchildren and one greatgrandchild; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him.

Troy Othell Smith

Agriculture overhaul clears House with focus on growth

The measure reauthorizes key agriculture programs through 2031

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

U.S. FARMERS WOULD gain expanded support and long-term policy certainty under H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, a wide-ranging agriculture bill that has cleared the U.S. House and drawn praise from U.S.

Anita Marie Savage, Duplin County Register of Deeds issued 28 marriage licenses for the month ending on April 30, 2026.

Augusto Pedro Daniel Seven Springs, and Cecilia Domingo Velasquez, Seven Springs;

• Jacob Elliott Brinkley, Beulaville, and Kelly Brown Jones, Beulaville; Dylan Michael Sholar, Chinquapin, and Holly Nicole Hunter, Chinquapin;

• Sara Imelda Rodriguez Vasquez, Faison, Jesus Fermin Zulueta, Faison;

Rep. Greg Murphy (R-N.C.), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

In a statement, Murphy highlighted Eastern North Carolina’s deep agricultural roots, pointing to key industries such as hogs, turkeys, sweet potatoes, cotton, peanuts and tobacco.

“Our farmers feed the nation and contribute to the global economy by producing worldclass products,” Murphy said. “They are among America’s nest people and deserve the resources they need to plant,

• Jerry Lee Davis Jr., Wallace, and Sara Elizabeth Tanneberg, Wallace; Brandon Lee Williams, Albertson, and Veronica Macedo Casiano, Albertson;

• Kaitlynn Elizabeth Donner, Wallace, and Jordan Taylor Hickey, Wallace;

• Maury Cristel Castillo, Teachey, and Cristian Camilo Mosquera Caicedo, Teachey; Robert Lee Davis, Wallace, and Carol Ann Zehring, Wallace;

• Dominic Tashuan Miller, Jacksonville, and Passion Renee Mapuana Henry, Jacksonville;

harvest, and get their yield to market.”

Murphy said the legislation would provide farmers with the resources and certainty needed to remain competitive.

“I am proud to have helped write and pass into law the Working Families Tax Cut that gave our producers a competitive edge, protected family farms, and provided much-needed tax certainty,” he said, adding that feedback from farmers in his district helped shape his support for the bill.

• Salma Mendoza Bautista, Kenansville, and Jose Pablo Betancourt Vera, Kenansville; David Seth Parker, Beulaville, and Amy Elizabeth Fox, Beulaville;

• Karly Hope Wynne, Trenton, and Bradley Mccoy Whaley, Beulaville;

Juan Francisco Lazo Umana, Wallace, and Ingrid Jessenia Savala Molina, Wallace;

Michael Chase Pierce, Wallace, and Emma Haze Avent, Warsaw;

• Aldo Javier Guifarro Bardales, Wallace and Durby Alejandra Martinez Cruz Wallace;

The legislation reauthorizes and updates major U.S. Department of Agriculture programs through scal year 2031, replacing temporary extensions of the 2018 farm bill. It includes provisions to expand access to credit and risk management tools for producers facing economic challenges, promote domestic fruit and vegetable production, and streamline conservation programs.

The measure doubles funding for export promotion to help U.S. producers compete globally

• Samantha Jo Mathis, Mount Olive, and Michael Keith Jennings, Mount Olive; Eliseo Cabrera Escobar, Goldsboro, and Olga Sanchez Lopez, Goldsboro;

• Morgan Clair Caruso, Pink Hill, and Dustin Philip Reese, Pink Hill;

Jonathan Dale Peeden, Beulaville, and Destiny Paige Jenkins, Beulaville;

Robert Nicholas Taylor, Kenansville, and Amber Dawn Kornegay, Kenansville;

• Kaylee Brooke Gavin, Rose Hill, and Matthew Phillip Moore, Teachey;

and maintains oversight of humanitarian food aid programs. The bill also includes updates to rural development and energy initiatives, supports advanced agricultural research and expands access to meat processing infrastructure.

The bill addresses national security concerns such as foreign ownership of farmland and seeks to protect interstate commerce for livestock producers. It also seeks access to essential crop protection tools for farmers.

• Charles Ray Obryan, Chinquapin, and Rebecca Day Batchelor, Rose Hill;

Erika Blake Whaley, Pink Hill, and Matthew Dillon Surcey, Pink Hill;

• Hannah Leigh Singletary Dunlap, Mt Olive, and Dennis Carroll Waters Jr., Mt Olive;

Austin William Hanchey, Wallace and Haylee Elizabeth Smith, Wallace;

Stacy Nicole Baltazar, Teachey and Steven Uriel SosaEspinoza, Wallace;

• Dylan Chase Bone, Wallace, and Jenna Leigh Davis, Wallace.

Head of School List (All A’s) — 3rd nine-week grading period

3rd grade

Ellis Anders, William Blackwell, Wyatt Byrd, Wyatt Coombs, Avery Flockhart, Asher Hall, Hogan Jernigan, Colt Johnson, Wyatt Merritt, Robert Oates, Janson Parker, Emerson Patram, Ellie Quinn, Grayson Raynor, Charleigh Reeves, Anna Keith Rivenbark, Hollan Sholar, Kyle Talley, Cole Weeks, Cate White.

4th grade

• Tucker Brantley, Aubrey Bryant, Ellie Colville, Macy Evans, Holden Hood, Emmie Kelly, Laura Blake King, Nate Lee, Betsy Martin, Bevan Matthews, Saylor McGuirt, Carver Naylor, Riley Osborne, Rhett Parker, Ryan Parker, Lilly Parrish, Weston Price, Mary Grace Sasser, Colton Squibb, Peyton Thompson.

5th grade

• Gunner Arce, Bella Cavenaugh, Abigail Dagerhardt, Dalton Davis, Allie Parrish Johnson, Cade Lanier, Taylin Lyon, Owen Norris, Evan Owens, Thalia Robbins, Harbor Sholar, Annie Marie Starling, Harper Strickland, Herring Williams.

6th grade

• Gisella Barbour, Claire Barnhill, Ben Barrier, Isla Blanton, Grace Brantley, Cate Carlton, Falyn Carroll, Sinia Colville, Jett Coombs, John-

Ward Farrior, Walker Hairr, Kate Hall, Paxton Henderson, Jake Hilton, Johnson Ivey, Pearson Johnson, Harper Jane Ludlum, Livie Martin, Charleigh Anna Naylor, Scarlett Phillips, Cates Sutton, Piper Thompson, Wake Wells.

7th grade

• Jackson Beasley, Finn Ezzell, Brooklyn Frederick, Hadley Grace Lassiter, Landon Norris, Carter Sasser, Annell Grace Starling, Taylor Stranz, Gigi Tew, Mary Thomas Williams.

8th grade

Ivey Brown, Emily Campbell, Holt Campbell, Ayden Chadwick, Hayes Clifton, Sarah-John Jackson, Ruby Liggitt, Savannah Matthews, Alex Morkos, Davis Smith, Henry Stevens, Savannah Kate Stevens, Allie Tanner.

9th grade

• Fisher Blanton, Kayleigh Bowen, Gage Campbell, Gavin Campbell, JC Carr, Ellis Dunn, Chance Evans, Avery Hall, Kenzie Tate Jackson, Ava Matthews, Caroline Owens, Breelyn Peed, Wyatt Price, Nash Register, Lilly Kate Rogers, Mollie Sasser, Landry Singletary, Morgan Sutton, Brenlee Thornton, Zoie Underwood, Anna Williams. 10th grade

• Oakley Brice, Caven Chambers, Talon Coates, Riley Maddox Falatovich,

Brantley Frederick, Addison Haney, Eve Bradlee Hardison, Patrick Hardison, Taylor King, Caleb Kirven, Miller Ludlum, Lainey Malpass, Josiah Marquez, Magdalene Parker, Davis Rogers, Trace Thompson, Luke Weeks.

11th grade

• Gracelyn Bowles, Elizabeth Edwards, Windsor Farrior, Rebecca Jackson, Ella McKeithan, Piper Nelson, Noah Tanner.

12th grade

• Brock Arce, Cooper Barber, Gracie Barnes, Kaeshi Brunson, Trey Bryan, Sarah Grace Cain, Collin Cole, Josiah Crumpler, Lillian DeVane, Riley Dixon, Brayden Frederick, Peyton Gomez, Gracie Johnson, Noah Johnson, Jenna Lee, Kenzie Malpass, Carlos Munguia-Leon, Niyuh Pegues, Lily Powell, Mary Willow Rumbold, Drake Smith, Hannah Smith, Kennedy Grace Vinson, Ana Grayce Wells.

Honor Roll (All A’s and B’s) – 3rd nine-week grading period

3rd grade

• Knox Bass, Dakota Chestnutt, Ezra Davis, Bella DeLeone, Reni Mac English, Worth Graham, Carter Harrell, Turner Howard, Julian Johnson, Brooklyn Murray, Ellison Patram, Vanna Claire Rackley, Shelby Sinnott,

Hailey Smith, Dallas Squibb, Claire Reid Strickland, Bryce Thornton, Callan Warren.

4th grade

Dany Aguirre, Layla Anders, Jake Arnette, Ellie Carlton, Bennett Dail, Aiden Davis, Dixon-Lee Edwards, Emily Hall, Lawson Hall, Emrick Henderson, James Grady Herring, Ella Jo Justice, Isaiah Marquez, Ezra Miller, Hadley Moore, Evie Simmons, Murray Miles Strickland, Kaison Tatum.

5th grade

Emma Bailey, Crawford Bass, Brooks Beasley, Adalynn Bowen, Summer Dew, Dustin Hardison, Liam Herring, Jack Liggitt, Jake Parker, Kenzlie Rich, Emma Sawyer, Brea Spencer, Will Starling, Axel Vilchis Bautista.

6th grade

• Millie Chambers, Vince King, Kenner Lane, Wade Lockamy, Jewels Miller, Anna James Rouse, Harleigh Sholar, Carter Strickland, Kilee Wallace, Nathan Wells.

7th grade

Paisley Bass, Britton Blanchard, Conner Cain, Paul Chronis, Adele Edwards, Aubrey Edwards, Kaleb Funes, Aaron Garcia, Leah Gonzalez Chavero, Rebecca Hall, Brody Hilton, Addy Merritt, Emory Landen Patram, Hayden Peters, Savannah Phillips, Will Rivenbark, McKenzie

Robinson, Bryce Simmons, Anna Belle Smith, Andrew Thornton.

8th grade

AC Brown, Riley Coates, Ellison Gideon, Braylen Gomez, Kendall Haney, Emmie Marlowe, Joseph Mejia, Amory Kate Merritt, Harrison Register, Marshall Rumbold, Cooper Sasser.

9th grade

• Emma Blanchard, Noah Brisson, Rylee Glova, Jaden Hairr, Chris Munguia-Leon, Parker Thompson, Elizabeth Woolverton.

10th grade

Harry Chronis, Ben Darden, Scarlett Graham, Xinyi Huang, Bella Jernigan, Sam Martin, Izzy Zukowski.

11th grade

• Gracie Brice, Wilson Clifton, Julianne DeVane, Jack DuBose, Hutchens Glenn, Robert Johnson, Ella Lynch, Will Owens, Trey Owens, Kamillah Sabillon, Jesus Vilchis Bautista, Zae White.

12th grade

Davis Bradshaw, Hannah Carr, Lailyn Carr, Gracen Edwards, Xander Garcia, Grayson Gatton, RayAnna Ginn, Josue Leon-Ferral, Jr. Marquez, Dae Dae McKoy, Chamani Newton, Preston Russ, Alex Trejo, Marleigh Whaley.

Stanly NewS Journal

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Iran war hitting home as gas prices fuel in ation surge of 3.8% in U.S.

U.S. consumer prices climbed sharply again last month as the 10-week war with Iran pushed energy prices higher. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that its consumer price index rose 3.8% from April 2025. On a month-to-month basis, April prices were up 0.6% from March as gasoline prices rose 5.4%. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called consumer core prices were up 0.4% last month from March and 2.8% from April 2025, relatively modest readings that suggest the energy price burst isn’t yet spilling over much into other prices.

Trump FDA chief leaving after angering pharma CEOs, vaping lobbyists and anti-abortion groups

Marty Makary is resigning as President Donald Trump’s Food and Drug Administration head, according to a White House o cial who was not authorized to speak before an o cial announcement and insisted on anonymity Tuesday. The surgeon and health researcher’s tenure had drawn complaints from health industry executives, anti-abortion activists and other Trump allies. Makary was an outspoken critic of COVID-19 health measures during the pandemic, but at the FDA, Makary failed to win the sta ’s con dence after mass layo s, leadership changes and a series of controversies.

Mo.’s new U.S. House map goes to court; La., S.C. consider redistricting Missouri’s new congressional districts are facing a key legal challenge while Republican lawmakers in Louisiana and South Carolina consider redistricting. The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on two cases. One contends the new map backed by President Donald Trump should be tossed because the districts are not compact. The other contends the new districts should have been suspended when opponents submitted petition signatures seeking a referendum. Legislative committees in Louisiana and South Carolina are to consider redistricting plans Tuesday that could help Republicans win additional seats.

Stanly budget plan increases funding, keeps tax rate at

The $102.1 million proposal adds school and public safety funding

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Stanly County’s recommended $102.1 million budget for scal year 2026-27 would keep the property tax rate unchanged while increasing funding for education, public safety and capital needs.

At the Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night, County Manager Andy Lucas presented his operating budget recommendation, outlining a plan that marks a 3.5% increase over the current year’s budget.

Lucas said that increase is consistent with the consumer price index over the past year, adding that it likely would have been closer to the upper 2% range before a recent spike in

“The department heads did a really good job of putting their budgets together.”

Andy Lucas, county manager

fuel costs pushed the CPI higher during the past 60 days.

The recommended property tax rate remains 51 cents per

South Stanly Middle School teacher awarded Kenan Fellowship

Kristin Owens-White will study the energy industry through the program

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — A South

Stanly Middle School teacher has been selected for a statewide fellowship designed to connect classroom instruction with hands-on industry experience. Kristin Owens-White has

$100 valuation, the same as the current rate.

“The department heads did a really good job of putting their budgets together,” Lucas said. “Obviously, what they requested is not what we can fund or what I can recommend to fund, and it’s certainly not going to t inside the 51-cent tax rate, but they do a really good job of explaining their budget requests and trying to work

We stand corrected

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

to justify those. There’s only so much money to go around.”

The total requested budget came in at about $125.7 million, creating more than a $23 million gap between requests and his recommendation.

“If I were to recommend the requested budget to you, I would have required a 24 cent tax increase,” Lucas said.

According to the presentation, the proposal includes a more than $725,000 increase in operating funding for the local school system, a 4.1% increase. It also includes more than $4 million in school capital outlay tied to anticipated sales tax amounts, along with $200,000 more for teacher supplements and $50,000 more for classi ed employee bonuses.

For Stanly Community College, the recommendation in-

The district relied on Google Classroom and other backups

Stanly News Journal sta

ALBEMARLE — Stan-

ly County Schools weathered last week’s Canvas outage without signi cant disruption to instruction, district public information o cer April Coble told Stanly News Journal, with teachers turning to Google Classroom and other backup tools while the state’s primary learning management system was o ine.

The disruption stemmed from a cybersecurity incident at Instructure, the Utah-based company that runs Canvas. The state Department of Public Instruction shut o Canvas access through NCEdCloud — the single sign-on portal used by North Carolina public schools — late last Thursday, May 7, after hackers defaced the platform’s login pages with a ransom message. Canvas is the platform most NC public schools use to post assignments, grades and class communications.

Coble said in an email Monday that access has been restored in phases. Teachers in Stanly were able to log into Canvas through the district’s Clever portal beginning Friday morning while NCEdCloud restoration continued.

“During the temporary disruption, sta utilized alter-

cludes a $76,600 increase in operating funding and $525,000 for capital outlay.

The proposal also includes added public safety funding, including salary supplements for sheri ’s o ce, EMS and 911 employees, seven sheri ’s o ce vehicles, three Animal Protective Services trucks, one new ambulance and additional money to assist volunteer re departments with radio purchases.

A budget public hearing is scheduled for June 8, with possible budget workshops recommended for June 15 and June 22. Budget adoption is tentatively scheduled for June 24. The Stanly County Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular meeting on June 8 at 6 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

nate instructional platforms and resources, including Google Classroom, which already had rostered classes available for all sta and students through In nite Campus integrations,” Coble said. “Teachers also used other digital and classroom-based instructional methods as needed to continue instruction and communication with students and families.”

She said the district has seen no signi cant impact on testing preparation, grade submission or end-of-year communications. Districts still don’t have speci cs on what student or sta data was accessed. Coble said Stanly County Schools “has not received additional con rmed details beyond the general categories already publicly referenced by state ofcials and Instructure.” Those

“Stanly County Schools has not experienced signi cant disruptions … as a result of the outage.”

April Coble, Stanly Schools PIO

categories include names, email addresses, student ID numbers, course names and messages, according to Instructure — but not passwords, dates of birth, government identi ers or nancial information.

Instructure announced Monday night it had reached an agreement with the hacker group ShinyHunters, which had threatened to leak data on roughly 275 million users from some 8,800 institutions worldwide. The company said the stolen data has been destroyed and that the agreement covers all a ected customers, meaning individual schools and districts do not need to negotiate separately. Instructure did not disclose whether it paid a ransom, though multiple cybersecurity outlets have reported a payment was made.

May 13

Beach Blast 5K 8 a.m.

The Uwharrie Running Club hosts its annual Beach Blast 5K run/walk through downtown Albemarle, with awards across nine age categories and a virtual option available.

Uwharrie Dash 154 S. First St. Albemarle

May 14

Stanly County Chorale — “America: 250 Years in Song” 7:30 p.m.

The Stanly County Chorale performs a free outdoor concert of American music spanning 250 years as part of the annual Thursdays at the Station summer concert series. The performance is a repeat of the chorale’s spring show celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Market Station 501 W. Main St. Albemarle

May 15

Stanly County Habitat for Humanity Vacation Ra e Drawing 1 p.m.

Stanly County Habitat for Humanity holds the drawing for its 2026 vacation ra e, with the winner receiving a trip to Marriott’s Barony Beach Club. Proceeds support the organization’s home-building mission in Stanly County.

Stanly County Habitat for Humanity ReStore 1506 Highway 24/27 West Albemarle

COURTESY STANLYTV

County Manager Andy Lucas presents a budget recommendation at the Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night.

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Medicaid millionaires are hiding in plain sight

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT programs is often treated like an urban legend — something that happens in faraway blue cities run by corrupt political machines. But the truth is more unsettling: Some of the most brazen theft of taxpayer money is happening in places governed by Republicans, right under their noses.

Consider Ohio.

At one address in Columbus, investigators found 94 di erent companies registered in the same building. The windows were covered. The o ces appeared empty. Yet according to The Daily Wire investigative team led by Luke Rosiak, that single address has billed taxpayers more than $66 million. This is not a minor accounting error. It is not mere “waste.” It is a system being exploited. Rosiak’s reporting exposes an ecosystem of “Medicaid millionaires”: not the poor recipients of bene ts but the companies and middlemen who pro t o them. Under the guise of “home health care,” Ohio pays people to visit Medicaid bene ciaries’ homes to perform “homemaking” services — cooking, cleaning and chores — tasks that don’t require medical training and often don’t receive meaningful oversight.

Ohio spent roughly $1 billion on home health care in 2024. The incentives are obvious: If government is handing out checks for loosely de ned services, the people best

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

positioned to get rich are not the disabled or elderly — it’s the billing operations.

The pattern is almost comical in its boldness: Cover the windows, hang a sheet of paper with a generic company name ending in “Home Health LLC,” and if someone asks questions, claim the employees “stepped out.” Why cover the windows? Because there is nothing inside.

Dig into the companies and you nd unpaid taxes, shady ownership structures and a bizarre number of LLCs registered in unrelated industries. The deeper you look, the clearer it becomes that government is not equipped to monitor who it is writing million- dollar checks to.

The business model is disturbingly simple.

A 40-year-old man becomes an “employee” of a Medicaid-billing rm and gets paid to “care for” his 65-year-old mother. But the only patient is Mom, and the only person who could con rm whether services are being provided is Mom herself. If she doesn’t want to rat out her son — or if she’s receiving a kickback — the state has no practical way to verify anything.

When Rosiak questioned one operator about what his company did, he was met with threats. The man reportedly dismissed the inquiry and then pivoted to the modern all-purpose defense: “I’m going to tell everybody you guys are racist.”

And there it is — the magic trick.

Steal millions. Exploit the system. Then accuse anyone investigating you of bigotry. Unlike food stamps and other capped welfare programs, this Medicaid service has no meaningful ceiling. It expands as far as doctors are willing to sign forms. One doctor willing to approve enough paperwork can bankrupt a state. For decades, the public couldn’t see this because Medicaid billing data was a black box. That changed in February, when the Department of Justice quietly released new data. In one case, a landlord whose buildings housed hundreds of Medicaid companies billed the federal government $250 million.

Now the question is whether leaders will act. Ohio has Republican leadership, and nationally President Donald Trump has made waste, fraud and abuse a central theme of his administration. That focus matters because this problem won’t be solved with speeches or “task forces.” It requires audits, subpoenas, prosecutions and real accountability. If government programs are going to exist, the bare minimum requirement is that they serve the people they claim to serve.

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

The race-obsessed left complains when the Supreme Court issues a colorblind ruling

But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a colorcoordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination.

SUPREME COURT Associate Justice

Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, in the recent case that restricted the use of race in designing a Louisiana congressional district.

Thomas wrote: “This Court should never have interpreted (Section) 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to e ectively give racial groups ‘an entitlement to roughly proportional representation.’ ... By doing so, the Court led legislatures and courts to ‘systematically divid(e) the country into electoral districts along racial lines.’ ... ‘Blacks (we)re drawn into ‘black districts’ and given ‘black representatives’; Hispanics (we) re drawn into Hispanic districts and given ‘Hispanic representatives’; and so on. That interpretation rendered (Section) 2 ‘repugnant to any nation that strives for the ideal of a color-blind Constitution.’ ... Today’s decision should largely put an end to this ‘disastrous misadventure’ in voting-rights jurisprudence.”

Critics argue the ruling is not colorblind in e ect because race-neutral districting can dilute minority voting power. But this assumes a) non-black and non-Hispanic voters would not vote for black or Hispanic candidates; and b) the interests of black and Hispanic voters can only be pursued by black and Hispanic members of Congress.

For Democrats, the e ect of this ruling could be politically catastrophic. A report from Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund said, “Combined with Republicans’ mid-decade gerrymandering, a ruling gutting Section 2 could help secure an additional 27 safe Republican U.S. House seats when compared to the 2024 House maps — at least 19 directly tied to the loss of Section 2.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries said, “Instead of protecting the ability for American citizens to freely cast their ballot, Republican extremists have embraced voter suppression and racial gerrymandering to desperately cling to power. The corrupt conservative majority on the Supreme Court appointed by Donald Trump has taken a blowtorch to the Voting Rights Act. Why? The extremists need to cheat to win.”

It is not clear how removing race as a criterion in constructing congressional districts amounts to “cheating.” Nor is it clear how this majority of justices, nominated by Republican presidents, renders the court “corrupt.”

As for “Republican extremists embracing voter suppression,” Je ries presumably means voter ID laws. But polls show a large majority of blacks support voter ID by percentages close to those of whites. Georgia, in 2021, enacted voter ID and voter-integrity laws called by President Joe Biden “worse than Jim Crow — it’s Jim Eagle.” But the percentage of blacks who voted exceeded the black voting percentages of most pre-2021 Georgia elections.

Let’s turn to Je ries’ accusation about Republicans’ supposed use of “racial gerrymandering.” In 2017, Politico wrote: “Former (Obama) Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday o cially launched the National Democratic Redistricting Committee ... as the center of Democratic rebuilding in the era of President-elect Donald Trump and as Democrats’ main hope to roll back Republican gains in state legislatures and prepare for redistricting in 2021. The end goal: House majorities in Congresses elected after 2020.”

To that end, Eric Holder supported race - conscious redistricting e orts designed to increase black electoral in uence. About a district in Alabama in 2024, for example, The Associated Press wrote: “The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which Holder chairs, supported the legal battle that led to the district being redrawn into a competitive seat where Black voters have the opportunity to in uence the outcome.”

Finally, about voters voting based on race, there are four black Republican members of the U.S. House, none of whom represents a majority-black district. Even Democrat Maxine Waters, a harsh critic of the court ruling and a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, represents a district that is only about 20% black. Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white, succeeded Rep. Harold Ford Jr., who is black, in representing a majority-black district. And a recent Gallup poll nds Trump approval rating among blacks at 16%, up from 12% in his rst term.

Contrary to what many Democratic politicians say and how they act, this is not their grandfather’s America. But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a color-coordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination. My advice to Democrats after this ruling is simple: calm down. The days of poll taxes, literacy tests and grandfather clauses are long over. As Thomas Sowell says, “When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination.”

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

We Offer Family Style Living, All Private Rooms, Weekly Laundry & Housekeeping, 3 Nutritious Meals Served

Trump wants to suspend federal gasoline tax; president can’t do it alone

The federal fuel tax generates $23 billion yearly for highways and transit

By Matthew Daly The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

President Donald Trump said Monday he will move to suspend the federal tax on gasoline to help Americans shoulder surging fuel prices caused by the Iran war.

The president cannot suspend the federal tax on his own. Congress would have to approve the move.

Lawmakers from both parties have pushed for a gas-tax suspension, saying it would provide much-needed relief for families and businesses that rely on their cars and trucks to get to work and school and run everyday errands.

As of Monday, the average national gas price was $4.52 a gallon, according to the AAA motor club, 50% higher than the average price of just under $3 a gallon before Trump began the war against Iran.

What the gas tax supports

The federal tax is currently set at 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel fuel, an amount that does not include state taxes, which often are higher. The tax provides more than $23 billion per year in revenue for federal highway and public transit programs.

Asked by reporters at the White House how long the tax should be suspended, Trump said, “Until it’s appropriate.” While the tax is only a small percentage of the price of gas, “it’s still money,” Trump said.

As gas prices have spiked, the Trump administration has released millions of barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve and temporarily lifted sanctions on some Russian and Iranian oil shipments already at sea. The U.S. is negotiating with countries reliant on Middle East crude to join a coalition to police the Strait of Hormuz, where about one- fth of the world’s traded oil normally ows.

been named a 2026-27 Kenan Fellow through a partnership between Union Power Cooperative, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives and the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership at NC State University.

Union Power Cooperative, based in Monroe, is an electric distribution cooperative serving more than 90,000 member accounts across ve North Carolina counties, including Stanly County. Through the fellowship, Owens-White will get a closer look

at that operation by spending part of the summer working with utility industry professionals and learning how electricity is generated, distributed and delivered across the region. She will then use the experience to develop classroom resources that help students understand energy systems and career opportunities in the utility eld.

“Congratulations to Kristin Owens-White, a teacher at South Stanly Middle School, on being selected as a 2026-27 Kenan Fellow,” Stanly County Schools said in a statement.

Trump needs Congress — and they’re beginning to react

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said on social media Monday that he will introduce legislation to suspend the gas tax. Democrats have previously sponsored similar legislation.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) also said in a post on X that she will introduce a bill “to suspend the federal gas tax in light of Trump’s recent remarks.”

The ongoing spike in gas prices has set o alarms among some Republicans that it could hurt the party’s chances in the midterm elections. Trump has previously said higher fuel prices are worth paying to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. That hardline message appeared to soften Sunday as Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Trump administration was “open to all ideas,” including a suspension of the gas tax, during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

A bill sponsored by Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Mark Kelly of Arizona would suspend the federal tax through Oct. 1. A similar measure was sponsored in the House by Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire.

“Trump’s war of choice with Iran is driving up gas pric-

es across the country — and Americans shouldn’t have to bear the additional economic burden of Trump’s reckless decision making,” Blumenthal said in introducing the bill. Several states, including Indiana and Georgia, have recently suspended their taxes to alleviate high prices amid the war. Kentucky and Utah have reduced their state tax. Other states are weighing similar suspensions or tax reductions. There are drawbacks, industry group says

The gasoline tax is the single largest source of revenue for federal highway and public transit programs.

While proposed bills would o set any lost Highway Trust Fund revenue with general funds, the tax suspension could raise the federal de cit and jeopardize the long-term sustainability of investments for highway and public transit programs, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, which represents the transportation construction industry.

The group cites studies showing that many retailers do not pass on the full amount of the gas tax reduction to consumers. Research also suggests that state and federal gas taxes are just one component of a complex pricing scheme that includes the global price of oil and other factors.

“We are incredibly proud of Owens-White for her commitment to meaningful, hands-on learning and for representing Stanly County Schools in this prestigious statewide program. She will bring this real-world learning back to her classroom, helping students better understand energy, innovation and future career opportunities right here in our community.”

As part of the fellowship, Owens-White will receive 80 hours of professional development and a $5,000 stipend as she joins a statewide network of more than 680 Kenan Fellows alumni.

“I believe that teaching is strongest when it’s collaborative, so I actively seek out opportunities to learn from and work alongside other professionals who share a passion for hands-on, meaningful learning,” Owens-White said. Founded in 2000, the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership is based at the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science at NC State. The program engages North Carolina educators through professional development and immersive experiences with industry partners. North Carolina’s Electric

Cooperatives, which supports the state’s 26 community-based electric cooperatives, has partnered with the Kenan Fellows Program for several years to connect teachers with the energy industry and help students learn more about possible career paths.

“North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives has been a trusted partner in this work for years,” said Vance Kite, director of the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership.

“Together, we are building a bridge between the energy industry and the classrooms preparing the next generation.”

JACQUELYN MARTIN / AP PHOTO

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters at an event about maternal healthcare Monday in the Oval O ce of the White House in Washington, D.C.

Va. Supreme Court strikes down Democrats’ redrawn US House maps, giving GOP win

Combined with weakened voting rights protections, the ruling strengthens Republican gerrymandering e orts

By David A. Lieb and Geo Mulvihill

The Associated Press

THE VIRGINIA Supreme Court on Friday struck down a voter-approved Democratic congressional redistricting plan, delivering another major setback to the party in a nationwide battle against Republicans for an edge in this year’s midterm elections.

The court ruled 4-3 that the state’s Democratic-led legislature violated procedural requirements when it placed the constitutional amendment on the ballot to authorize mid-decade redistricting. Voters narrowly approved the amendment on April 21, but the court’s ruling renders the vote’s result meaningless.

Writing for the majority, Justice D. Arthur Kelsey wrote that the legislature submitted the proposed constitutional amendment to voters “in an unprecedented manner.”

“This violation irreparably undermines the integrity of the resulting referendum vote and renders it null and void,” he wrote.

Democrats had hoped to win as many as four additional U.S. House seats under Virginia’s redrawn map as part of an attempt to o set Republican redistricting done elsewhere at the urging of President Donald Trump. Later Friday, Virginia Democrats said in a ling that they intended to le an emergency appeal of the state high court’s decision with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Friday’s ruling, combined with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that severely weakened the Voting Rights Act, has supercharged Republicans’ congressional gerrymandering advantage heading into this year’s midterm elections.

“Huge win for the Republican Party, and America, in Virginia,” Trump said about the decision on his social media account.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the ruling was another sign of GOP momentum heading into the midterms.

“We’re on o ense, and we’re going to win,” he said in a statement.

Don Scott, the Democratic speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, said Democrats respect the court’s opinion but lamented that it overturned the will of the voters: “They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Suzan DelBene, chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, criticized the court majority for what she said was a decision that “cast aside the will of the voters,” but she said the people will have the nal say.

“In November, they will, and they’ll power Democrats to the House majority,” she said in a statement.

A longshot Democratic appeal

Democrats are taking a legal longshot in asking the nation’s highest court to reverse the Virginia ruling. The U.S. Supreme Court tries to avoid second-guessing state courts’ interpretations of their own constitutions. In 2023, it turned down a request by North Carolina Republicans to overrule a state Supreme Court decision that blocked the GOP’s congressional map.

Still, even an unsuccessful appeal would let Democrats try to blame their failure on the conservative majority that dominates the nation’s highest court, which has already infuriated the party and civil rights groups by neutering the Voting Rights Act.

Legislative voting districts typically are redrawn once a decade after each census to account for population changes. But Trump sparked an unusual urry of mid-decade redistricting last year by encouraging Republican o cials in Texas to redraw districts in a bid to win several additional U.S. House seats and hold on to their party’s narrow majority in the midterm elections.

California responded with new voter-approved districts drawn to Democrats’ advantage, and Utah’s top court imposed a new congressional map that also helps Democrats. Meanwhile, Republicans stand to gain from new House districts passed in Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. They could add even more after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Voting Rights Act case, which has prompted some other Republican states to consider redrawing their maps in time for this year’s elections.

Virginia is currently represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and ve Republicans, all elected from districts imposed by a court following a bipartisan redistricting commission’s failure to agree on a map after the 2020 census. The new districts could have given Democrats an improved chance to win all but one of the state’s 11 congressional seats.

The state Supreme Court’s majority was critical of the state’s redrawing of the congressional maps to bene t one political party. Those justices noted that 47% of the state’s

“They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Don Scott, Virginia House of Delegates speaker

voters supported GOP congressional candidates in 2024, but the new map could result in Democrats making up 91% of the state’s House delegation.

What was in the Democrats’ map

Under the Democratic-drawn map, ve districts would have been anchored in the Democratic stronghold of northern Virginia. Revisions to four other districts across Richmond, southern Virginia and Hampton Roads would have diluted the voting power of conservative blocs in those areas. And a reshaped district in parts of western Virginia would have lumped together three Democratic-leaning college towns to o set other Republican voters.

The state Supreme Court’s seven justices are appointed by the state legislature, which has toggled back and forth between Democratic, Republican and split control over recent years. Legal experts say the body doesn’t have a set ideological pro le.

The case before the court focused not on the shape of the new districts but rather on the process the General Assembly used to authorize them.

Because the state’s redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, lawmakers had to propose an amendment to redraw the districts. That required approval of a resolution in two separate legislative sessions, with a state election sandwiched in between, to place the amendment on the ballot.

The legislature’s initial approval of the amendment occurred last October, during early voting for the general election, before it concluded. The legislature’s second vote on the amendment occurred after a new legislative session began in January. Lawmakers also approved a separate bill in February laying out the new districts,

State Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, right, speaks outside the Supreme Court of Virginia after arguments were heard in a redistrictingrelated case at the court in Richmond, Virginia, on April 27.

subject to voter approval of the constitutional amendment.

Arguments over the de nition of “election”

Judicial arguments focused on whether the legislature’s initial approval of the amendment came too late because early voting already had begun.

Attorney Matthew Seligman, who defended the legislature, argued that the “election” should be de ned narrowly to mean the Tuesday of the general election. In that case, the legislature’s rst vote on the redistricting amendment occurred before the election and was constitutional, he told justices.

But in its ruling, the Supreme Court said, “this view appears to be wholly unprecedented in Virginia’s history.”

An attorney for the plainti s, Thomas McCarthy, argued an “election” should be interpreted to cover the entire period during which voters can cast ballots, which lasts several weeks in Virginia. If that’s the case, he told justices, then the legislature’s initial endorsement of the redistricting amendment came too late to comply with the state constitution.

The Supreme Court agreed with that argument, writing: “The General Assembly passed the proposed constitutional amendment for the rst time well after voters had begun casting ballots during the 2025 general election.”

By the time lawmakers initially endorsed the amendment, voters already had cast more than 1.3 million ballots in the general election, about 40% of the total votes ultimately cast, the court said.

The Supreme Court’s ruling a rms a decision by a judge in rural Tazewell County, in southwestern Virginia. The court had placed a hold on that ruling and allowed the redistricting vote to proceed before hearing arguments on the case.

In the dissent to Friday’s ruling, Chief Justice Cleo Powell said the election for the purpose of considering the amendment does not include the early voting period.

“The majority’s de nition creates an in nite voting loop that appears to have no established beginning,” she wrote, “only a de nitive end: Election Day.”

ALLEN G. BREED / AP PHOTO

Karen Radke Allan

Aug. 14, 1950 – May 7, 2026

Karen Radke Allan, 75, of Concord, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Karen was born on August 14, 1950, in South Dakota. She lived a life centered around family, laughter, hard work, and caring for others. She was known for her wicked sense of humor, her stubborn spirit, and the deep love she had for the people and animals around her.

Karen worked for the City of Albemarle and later for Harris Teeter, where she made many lasting friendships through the years. No matter where life took her, family remained the center of her world. She was incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren and treasured every moment spent with them.

She loved baking for those she cared about and was happiest

Dec. 2, 1931 – May 9, 2026

Sarla Menon, 94, of Oakboro, North Carolina, left this earth on May 9, 2026, surrounded by God’s presence and the love of her family. Sarla was born on December 2, 1931, in India to Dr. Dukhbhanjan Lal Sachdeva and Shyam Devi Sethi Sachdeva. She served others through her nursing career in the Indian Army, later leading a nursing school in India, and eventually continuing her calling in the United States as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Educator in Maryland.

OBITUARIES

when feeding family, friends, or anyone lucky enough to stop by her kitchen. Karen also had a special love for animals and found joy in donating treats for children attending summer camp at a local barn. Her kindness, humor, and generous heart touched many lives. Karen was preceded in death by her husband, William Craig Allan; her mother, Dorothy Schley; her stepfather LaVerne Schley; and her brothers, Robert Radke and Ronald Radke. She is survived by her son, William Christopher Allan and his wife, Jennifer; her daughter, Jennifer Shore and her husband, Ethan; her ve cherished grandchildren CJ, Libee, Andrew, Rebekah, and Daniel; her beloved best friend, Pat Whitley; and her faithful dog, Bailey.

Karen will be remembered for her strength, her laughter, her erce love for her family, and the warmth she brought into the lives of those who knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 14th at 7:30pm in the chapel at Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord, 460 Branchview Dr. NE, Concord, NC 28027.

In lieu of owers, memorial donations are asked to be made to Atrium Hospice and Palliative Care Cabarrus at www.fundraise. atriumhealthfoundation.org Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Allan family.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.hartsellfh. com

She was gentle yet strong in her nurturing spirit, encouraging growth in everyone God placed along her path. Sarla was as intentional in her living as she was in her passing. She enjoyed getting to know people and hearing their life stories. She loved board games, especially Scrabble, where she often won. She also loved her entire extended family dearly, both here in the United States and spread across the world.

Sarla is survived by her daughter, Anjana Menon Young, and her grandchildren, Evan Young and Ti any Menon Young. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. M.K.K. Menon.

A memorial service will be held at Gurdwara Sahib Charlotte later this month.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all of her caregivers and physicians during her declining health. They were truly man’s hands doing God’s work. The family also wishes to thank Tillery Compassionate Care and Senior Helpers of Monroe for the exceptional support shown to Sarla and her family during this time.

Sarla Menon will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@ stanlynewsjournal.com

IN MEMORY

ROBERT LEE PETRO

NOV. 9, 1945 – MAY 6, 2026

Robert Lee Petro, born November 9, 1945, passed away at home on May 6, 2026, a man of steady grit and high-octane passion, has taken his nal ride. Born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, to the late Thomas and Jean Thrasher Petro. He was an alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh. Bob was a unique blend of “high-tech” and “high octane.”

A proud Vietnam Veteran, he served with honor aboard the USS Fred T. Berry (DD-858). He carried that Navy discipline into a lifelong career de ned by precision and entrepreneurship. Formally educated as a computer systems analyst, he possessed a sharp mind for logic that served him well in the world of wheels.

For decades, Bob was a xture of the St. Petersburg automotive landscape as the owner of Bobb’s Auto Sales. As a successful Independent Automobile Dealer, he lived surrounded by American steel. He curated an impressive classic car collection, though none held a candle to his pride and joy: a “black 1969 Z28 Camaro”. He was a man who understood that a car was more than just transportation—it was a work of craftsmanship. This passion was matched only by his love for the rumble of a Harley-Davidson.

His in uence on the Gulf Coast extended to the shoreline, where he owned and operated Shadrack’s on St. Pete Beach for 25 years. Under his watch, Shadrack’s became a legendary landmark—a premier biker bar where the salt air met the roar of engines.

After 45 years on the Florida West Coast, he returned to his roots, moving to North Carolina for retirement. Through every chapter, he was de ned by his loyalty. He spent 54 years alongside the true love of his life, Jennie, and his faithful Dobermans, Willie, Amos, Andy, Jake, Elwood, Red and Shadow.

He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, a legendary bar, and a life lived exactly on his own terms.

In addition to his wife he is survived by his brothers, Harry T. Petro (Darlene) and Thomas J. Petro Jr. (Linda). Sister-in-law, Mary Shankle Miller (Sugarman), brothers-in-law, Dan Shankle (Ann) and Bruce Shankle (Carla), and many nieces and nephews as a “one of a kind Uncle Bob.”

He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard E. Petro.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery. Rev. Mary Hatley will o ciate. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service. Mr. Petro will lie in state on Friday afternoon, May 8, 2026, from 2:00 until 5:00, where friends are welcome to pay their respects.

Memorials may be made to Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c% Carla Shankle, 3665 Plank Road, Wadesboro, NC 28170.

CNN founder Ted Turner, brash and outspoken television pioneer, dead at age 87

The media mogul transformed cable news while amassing sports teams, ranches and billions

By David Bauder

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Ted Turner, a brash television pioneer who raced yachts, owned huge chunks of the American West and transformed the news business by launching CNN and introducing the 24 -hour cable news cycle, died last Wednesday. He was 87.

Turner died surrounded by his family, according to Turner Enterprises, the company that oversees his vast business interests.

Turner owned professional sports teams in Atlanta, defended the America’s Cup in yachting in 1977 and donated a stunning $1 billion to United Nations charities. He married three women — most famously actor Jane Fonda — and earned the nicknames “Captain Outrageous” and “The Mouth of the South.”

He once bragged: “If only I had a little humility, I’d be perfect.”

He was slowed in later years by Lewy body dementia. Long out of the television business, he concentrated on philanthropy.

His garrulous personality sometimes overshadowed a risk-taking business acumen. By the time he sold his Turner Broadcasting System to Time Warner Inc. in 1996, Turner had turned his late father’s billboard company into a global conglomerate that included seven major cable networks, three professional sports teams and a pair of hit movie studios.

President Donald Trump, reacting to Turner’s death, called him “one of the Greats of All Time.”

The creation of CNN

Turner’s signature achievement was creating the Cable News Network, the rst 24 -hour, all-news television network in 1980. In part, Turner’s own frustration with television news was the instigator. He often worked past 8 p.m., after the ABC, CBS and NBC nightly newscasts had already gone o the air.

He took a chance by start-

ing the operation in the early days of cable television, living in an apartment above its Atlanta o ce.

CNN’s breakthrough moment came during the Gulf War with Iraq in 1991. Most television journalists had ed Baghdad but CNN stayed, capturing arresting images of a war’s outbreak.

Turner was promised a continued role in CNN after his company’s sale to Time Warner but was gradually pushed out, much to his regret.

“The mistake I made was losing control of the company,” he later said.

Building TBS SuperStation

Robert Edward Turner III was born Nov. 19, 1938, in Cincinnati. When he was 9, his family moved to Savannah, Georgia, where he grew up. After being expelled from Brown University, Turner came to Atlanta to work for his domineering father’s billboard company, Turner Advertising.

After his father’s 1963 suicide, Turner took over the company. In 1970, he bought an independent UHF station with a weak signal that didn’t even cover Atlanta. On Dec. 17, 1976, he began transmitting the station to cable systems across the country via satellite. It became the TBS SuperStation.

TBS’s motley collection of old movies and sitcom reruns was augmented by Turner’s acquisition of baseball’s Atlanta Braves. Perennial doormats, the Braves slowly attracted fans nationwide through their superstation exposure.

In the 1980s, Turner went deeply into debt to buy MGM, a move again greeted with skepticism. But the acquisition gave his company a library of vintage movies that even-

tually were parlayed into the TNT and Turner Classic Movies networks.

He revealed his ambitions as a younger man: “I used to tell people I wanted to become the world’s greatest sailor, businessman and lover all at the same time.”

Acquiring sports teams and land

For much of his life a partying roustabout who wooed beautiful women, the lean, mustachioed sportsman married three times. He was married to Fonda from 1991 to 2001. She tired of his philandering and divorced him, although they remained friends.

Perhaps Turner’s greatest love was for the land. He acquired millions of acres in ranches complete with roaming bu alo and was Nebraska’s largest private landholder. Researchers at Texas A&M University credited his donation of a few bulls in 2005 with helping increase the genetic diversity of the last herd of southern Plains bison.

He had a net worth of $2.5 billion in 2023 but had dropped o Forbes magazine’s ranking of the 400 richest Americans in 2021.

“See, my life is more an adventure than a quest to make money,” Turner once said. Turner managed to insult many with his shoot-from-thelip style. An atheist since his only sister died of lupus at age 17, he called Christians “losers” and “Jesus freaks,” later apologizing for both remarks.

Dedication to various causes

Turner, the father of ve children, grabbed a leadership role in American philanthropy with his Sept. 18, 1997, pledge to give $1 billion to United Nations charities. He promoted a range of humanitarian causes. Turner joined former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn to start the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a U.S.-based nonpro t dedicated to reducing the threat of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. As he poured millions into nonpro ts on a global scale, Turner was also fond of spreading his wealth in small ways. He once gave $500 to a volunteer re department that helped extinguish a blaze on one of his ranches.

Sarla Sachdeva Menon

JOHN BAZEMORE / AP PHOTO

Ted Turner speaks during the CNN World Report Contributors banquet in Atlanta on May 4, 1995.

STANLY SPORTS

Stanly baseball, softball teams move deeper into playo s

Seven local teams reached Friday’s second round

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Five Stan-

ly County baseball and softball teams extended their postseasons Friday night with second-round wins in the NCHSAA state playo s.

Nine local teams were originally selected for the postseason, with seven advancing to the second round and ve moving on to Tuesday’s third

round. The fourth round is scheduled for Friday. All three county baseball teams that received rst-round byes won their second-round openers at home over the weekend.

West Stanly (24-2), the top overall seed in the 4A West bracket, defeated No. 17 West Stokes (10-13) by a score of 6-3 in Red Cross. The Colts, who won the Rocky River Conference regular-season and tournament titles, hosted No. 8 R-S Central (19-5) on Tuesday. North Stanly (23-4), the No. 1 seed in the 3A West

bracket, rolled past No. 17 East Surry (9-13) 16-4 in New London. The Comets — Yadkin Valley Conference regular-season co-champions and tournament champions — hosted No. 9 Union Academy (19-9) on Tuesday.

Over in Norwood, South Stanly (17-10), the No. 5 seed in the 2A West bracket, topped No. 12 Christ the King (10-14) with a 10-2 decision. The Rowdy Rebel Bulls, who shared the YVC regular-season title with North Stanly, traveled to Charlotte on Tuesday to face No. 4 Corvian Community (17-9).

West Stanly (22-5), the No. 4 seed in the 4A West bracket, had a 6-3 win over No. 13 Hibriten (13-10) at home Friday. The Colts, Rocky River Conference regular-season champions, hosted No. 5 Pisgah (19-3) on Tuesday.

24

Gray Stone and Albemarle were previously eliminated in the rst round on May 5. In softball, the county’s squads split in the second round — both home teams won, while both road teams lost.

Donnie Poplin to join Stanly Hall of Fame

Donnie Poplin is a 2026 inductee for the Stanly County Sports Hall of

The Norwood native works in the Kansas City Royals’ front o ce

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Long before Donnie Poplin built a decades-long career in professional baseball, he was one of South Stanly High School’s top athletes.

The Norwood native, now working in the Kansas City Royals’ front o ce, is one of three inductees in the Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame’s 2026 class. Poplin, David Smith and the late Roger Whitley will be honored during an induction ceremony June 16 at Pfei er University’s Stokes Student Center in Misenheimer.

As a three-sport athlete at South Stanly, Poplin competed in baseball, basketball and football before baseball became the sport that shaped his future. On the diamond, he lettered for four years and became one of the area’s top players during the mid-1980s.

Victories this season for West Stanly baseball, the county’s winningest team 34

Years Donnie Poplin has worked in professional baseball

Over his nal two seasons, he hit better than .400, totaled 25 home runs and drove in 78 runs. He was named to the All-Rocky River Conference team and selected as South Stanly’s team MVP in 1983, 1984 and 1985. In 1984, he was named the Rocky River Conference Player of the Year.

His success at South Stanly helped lead him to UNC Charlotte, where he became the rst player to sign with the 49ers’ baseball program as part of its 1985-86 recruiting class. Poplin lettered at Charlotte from 1986-89 and served as team captain during his nal three seasons.

He earned second-team All- Sun Belt Conference honors

South Stanly (22-2), the top seed in the 2A West bracket, had a 21-0 shutout over No. 17 Hayesville (3-16). The Bulls, who won both the YVC regular-season and tournament titles, carried the county’s longest active win streak into Tuesday’s third-round home matchup with No. 9 East Wilkes (13-11).

North Stanly, seeded 13th in the 3A West bracket, fell 7-2 at No. 4 Pine Lake Prep (15 -3). Gray Stone, seeded 15th in the 2A West, was beaten 20-0 at No. 2 Roxboro Community (19-2). Both teams had won rst-round matchups May 5 to reach the second round.

in 1987 and 1988 before being named to the rst team in 1989. As a senior, he was also selected to the all-region team and voted Charlotte’s team MVP. He also found success in collegiate summer baseball, playing for the Winchester Royals of the Valley Baseball League in 1987 and 1988. Winchester won the league championship in 1987, and Poplin was named the team’s MVP the following season.

After his playing career, Poplin moved into professional scouting, beginning in 1992 as a part-time associate scout with the Seattle Mariners. He was promoted to area supervisor in 1993 and remained with the organization through 1999.

Poplin later worked in scouting roles with the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians. He spent 20 seasons with Cleveland, including 13 years in scouting roles, before becoming a special assistant to the team president and general manager. He joined Kansas City in 2022 as special assistant to the general manager for pro personnel strategy. Now in his fth season with the organization, the role marks the latest stop in a 34-year career in professional baseball.

West Stanly’s Kennedy Austin takes a swing during the Colts’ home win over East Rowan on April 22.

Fame.

NBA Washington wins NBA Draft lottery, chance to pick rst on June 23

Chicago The league’s worst team this season is getting the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards won the draft lottery and will pick rst overall for the rst time since choosing John Wall in 2010. Wall was the Wizards’ on-stage representative for the lottery. Washington had a 14% chance of winning No. 1, tied with Brooklyn and Indiana for the best odds. Utah will pick No. 2, Memphis will pick No. 3 and Chicago will pick No. 4.

MLB Orioles hold Tupac bobblehead night, sister throws out ceremonial rst pitch

Baltimore Fans lined up well before the gates opened at Camden Yards in anticipation of a Tupac Shakur bobblehead giveaway. Shakur was raised in New York and Baltimore before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1980s. That made the matchup between the Orioles and Athletics an appropriate time to honor the rap icon, who was killed in 1996. The ri from “California Love” was played while the starting lineup for the A’s — who left Oakland last season — was announced.

NFL

Domestic battery case against Chiefs assistant Merritt dismissed without prejudice Kansas City, Mo.

A misdemeanor domestic battery case against Chiefs assistant Dave Merritt has been dismissed without prejudice. It comes less than three weeks after Merritt entered a plea of not guilty. The 54-year-old former NC State player has been with the Chiefs since 2019 and has helped teams win ve Super Bowls, including his time with the Giants. He participated in the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp last weekend. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Merritt has been very up-front about the situation.

NHL Maple Leafs win lottery for No. 1 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

Secaucus, N.J.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the lottery for the rst pick in the NHL Draft. The victory comes at a critical time for Toronto after hiring John Chayka as general manager and franchise legend Mats Sundin as a hockey operations adviser. The future of captain and best player Auston Matthews is the biggest question after missing the playo s for the rst time in his career. It’s the rst time the Maple Leafs have won the lottery since taking Matthews with the No. 1 pick in 2016. The San Jose Sharks won the lottery for the second pick.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Ex-Ohio State players, including NFL veterans, join sexual abuse lawsuit against school

Thirty former Ohio State football players, including former NFL players, joined a federal lawsuit against the university over sexual abuse of student-athletes decades ago by a team doctor. Ohio State is accused of failing to stop abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss. Hundreds say they were abused by him. Some other former football players have settled in sealed agreements. Ohio State says it has tried to reconcile with survivors through settlements, counseling services and medical treatment. Al Washington, Ray Ellis and Keith Ferguson, three members of the 1980 team, are the only plainti s to go public.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements to be published in Stanly News Journal. community@stanlynewsjournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at noon

Albemarle baseball saw its season end in the NCHSAA playo s with a loss at East Wilkes. The Bulldogs lost their last eight to nish the season 3-17.

The team bids farewell to a senior class that included shortstop/pitcher Liam Jordan, who led Albemarle in batting and ERA, rst baseman/pitcher Kendon Phillips, who led the team in doubles, and third baseman Malakhi Harrison.

Gray Stone Day fell to Mitchell in the rst round of the playo s, ending its season at 9-11. The team parts ways with its top two batters: third baseman/ second baseman/out elder Logan Aikman and shortstop/pitcher/third baseman Cli ton Hatley, who both served as co-captains of the team. The third senior in the class is out elder/third baseman Logan Lisk.

In softball, North Stanly dropped a second-round game to Pine Lake Prep. The future is bright for the Comets, who turned in an 8-14 record but had no seniors on the team’s roster.

Gray Stone Day also fell in the second round, falling at Roxboro Community and ending its year at 6-13. The Knights don’t list player class year on their roster, however.

In girls’ soccer, North Stanly nished its season at 2-16-1 but had no seniors listed on its roster.

South Stanly lost to East Wilkes in the rst round of the NCHSAA playo s to end the year at 6-9. That ends the high school runs for senior mid elders Maleah Goodwin and Peyton Chavis, forwards Lydia Casteen and Ta’Miya Stanback and defender Anna Amaya.

Van Gisbergen remains NASCAR’s road-course ace with Watkins Glen win from pole

The Trackhouse Racing driver wiped out a half-minute de cit to win

The Associated Press

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. —

Shane van Gisbergen insists his NASCAR Cup Series roadcourse dominance is harder than it looks and that he feels “a lot of pressure” to beat the best in stock-car racing.

But the Trackhouse Racing driver was in another league Sunday, schooling the stars of the Cup Series at Watkins Glen International.

Starting from the pole position, van Gisbergen scored his seventh Cup Series victory — all on road or street courses — and his second consecutive on the 2.45-mile track by leading 74 of 100 laps in his No. 97 Chevrolet.

“We weren’t very good in practice, and then qualifying was amazing, and then today, what a race car,” van Gisbergen said. “And then (crew chief) Stephen (Doran) made great calls. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, and then to run them down like that, it’s very, very special to do two in a row.”

Pitting from the lead under green with 24 laps remaining, van Gisbergen emerged in 24th and was nearly 30 seconds behind leader Ty Gibbs.

Extending his Cup record of

wins by a driver born outside the United States, the New Zealand native needed only 17 laps to retake the lead from Gibbs, winning by 7.288 seconds over Michael McDowell.

“He’s made it pretty clear, especially at these tracks, he likes to be on o ense, so we put him

there and just let him go do his thing,” Doran said of the call to make a late stop for four tires instead of pitting earlier and conserving fuel as many others did.

Gibbs nished third, followed by Chase Briscoe and points leader Tyler Reddick.

McDowell, who started second, also had to charge through the pack after falling to 27th on his last pit stop. He occasionally thought he could keep pace with the race winner but soon realized van Gisbergen was playing possum.

“It felt like he was just pacing

“I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, and then to run them down like that.”

Shane van Gisbergen

himself o me, and he’d take back o ,” McDowell said. “We still got a little work to do, but it’s a good building block.”

Dating to Mexico City last June, van Gisbergen has now won six of the past seven races on road or street courses in Cup.

“It’s not easy,” van Gisbergen said. “Everyone’s really good. McDowell was good. Connor (Zilisch) was good. Tyler Reddick. There were some really good guys and a lot of pressure. So just stoked to execute every facet of our game. And speechless. This is so cool.”

Trackhouse sweep

The win by van Gisbergen came a day after a win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series by rookie teammate Zilisch, who nished 20th Sunday after a tire problem late in the race. It still was a strong showing for Trackhouse, which quali ed all three of its cars in the top ve after compiling only four top-10 nishes in the rst 11 races.

“Just frustrating because we had a really good day going,” Zilisch said. “At worst, we were going to get ourselves our rst top ve and walk out of here with something. But congrats to Shane, Trackhouse and everybody who makes this happen.”

ADRIAN KRAUS / AP PHOTO

Shane van Gisbergen does a burn out after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Watkins Glen, New York.

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NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000202-830

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Administrator CTA of the estate of Ray Edward Mesimer deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Ray Edward Mesimer to present them to the undersigned on or before July 30, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 29th day of April 2026. Wanda Mesimer PO Box 2021 Albemarle, NC 28002 Administrator CTA

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The Budget O cer of the City of Albemarle has submitted the Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 beginning July 1, 2026, to the City Council and has also led a copy with the City Clerk in the City Hall for public inspection from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and at the Stanly County Library. Copies are available for news media in Stanly County. The proposed budget is also available at www. albemarlenc.gov

A public hearing will be conducted by City Council in Council Chambers of City Hall, located at: 144 North Second Street, Albemarle, N.C. 28001 on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing. Anyone wishing to speak for or against any items in the proposed budget should plan to attend the hearing. City Council will make any nal amendments to the proposed budget after the Public Hearing and adopt the Appropriation Ordinance after the Public Hearing. Christina Brown City Clerk Friday, May 8, 2026

Publish: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

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Stanly County Schools Exceptional Children’s Department Public Notice The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-Part B, Public Law 108.446) Project is presently being amended. The Project describes the special education programs that Stanly County Schools proposes for Federal funding for the 2026-2027 School Year. Interested persons are encouraged to review amendments to the Project and comment on the implementation of special education under this Federal Program. All comments will be considered prior to submission of the amended Project to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IDEA-Part B Project is open to the public for review and comments during the week of May 18 -May 22, 2026 in the o ce of Megan DePasquale, Executive Director of Exceptional Children’s Programs, located at 1121 Austin St, Albemarle, NC, 28001. Please call 704-9615300 to schedule a time to review the Project.

DIVISION

of

Gordon Furr deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Donald Gordon Furr to present them to the undersigned on or before August 14, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 13th day of May 2026. Mary Jo Furr 25838 Lingerfelt Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Executrix

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NORTH CAROLINA

STANLY COUNTY Having quali ed as Co-Administrators of the Estate of the late, MICHAEL TODD HOWELL, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before August 4, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

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Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Reba Starnes Bowers deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Reba Starnes Bowers to present them to the undersigned on or before August 14, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 13th day of May 2026. Amanda Bowers Thompson 36827 Reba Drive Albemarle, NC 28001

Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Joann Rushing-Shelton deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Joann Rushing-Shelton to present them to the undersigned on or before August 7, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 5th day of May 2026. Foreman Rushing 16077 Liberty Hill Church Road Oakboro, NC 28129 Executor

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Having quali ed as Administrator of the estate of Sylvia Austin Smith deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Sylvia Austin Smith to present them to the undersigned on or before August 14, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 13th day of May 2026. Debbie Rinehardt 37307 Barnhardt Rd. Albemarle, NC 28001 Administrator

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NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000200-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Co-Executor of the estate of Ruby Lambert Brooks a/k/a Ruby L. Brooks deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Ruby Lambert Brooks a/k/a Ruby L. Brooks to present them to the undersigned on or before July 30, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 29th day of April 2026. Tommy Dewayne Rushing 13526 Brooks Road Stan eld, NC 28163 Co-Executor Tracy Howard Rushing PO Box 1023 Locust, NC 28097 Co-Executor

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the stream

‘Dutton

Ranch,’ Colin Jost plays games, Maluma, Stanley Tucci, ‘The Crash’

“Pop Culture Jeopardy!” gets a second season

The Associated Press

THE LONG-AWAITED

“Yellowstone” spino “Dutton Ranch” and a fresh collection from the Colombian superstar Maluma, are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time this week: The Net ix true crime documentary “The Crash,” pop -punk paragons The All-American Rejects return with their fth studio album and Season 2 of Stanley Tucci’s gastronomic tour “Tucci in Italy” lands on Disney+.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Théodore Pellerin slyly in ltrates the inner circle of Archie Madekwe’s pop musician Oliver in the psychological thriller “Lurker,” streaming on HBO Max on Friday. The lm explores the parasocial relationship of internet fandoms and the power dynamics within the entourage of an on-the-cusp star. It was written and directed by Emmy-winner Alex Russell (“The Bear,” “Beef”), who looked to “obsessive thrillers” like “Whiplash” and “Black Swan” for inspiration.

The Net ix true crime documentary “The Crash” looks into a 2022 car crash in Ohio, in which 17-year-old Mackenzie Shirilla slammed her car into a brick building at 100 mph, killing her boyfriend and his friend, and the con icting narratives around that night. It begins streaming Friday. Also coming to Net ix? “Black Phone 2,” streaming on Saturday, which sees the return of Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber (who, yes, was killed in the rst movie), who is intent on getting revenge against Mason Thames four years later.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Friday, a new collection from the Colombian

er,” drops. It’s a celebration of his culture and then some: from the reggaetón/dancehall hybrid “Pa’ la seca” with Ryan Castro to

“Con El Corazón” with the late great Yeison Jiménez and everything in between, these are songs that celebrate his roots

while modernizing folkloric sounds.

Pop-punk paragons The All-American Rejects are back, preparing to release their fth studio album and rst full-length in nearly 15 years, since 2012’s “Kids in the Street.” Expect what they’re known for: big hooks, big chords, big choruses and bigger fun.

SERIES TO STREAM

“Pop Culture Jeopardy!” has a new home for its second season. The game show, hosted by Colin Jost, makes the jump to Netix, with a new episode dropping each weekday through June 5. Sample categories include “bummer movie endings,” “Broadway on the big screen” and “TV of the 2010s.” If trending topics make up your FYP on TikTok, this one’s for you. Tucci is fresh o a world tour to promote “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” and now he’s taking us to Italy for season two of “Tuc-

“The sandbox is thirsty / Outside, the bombs are bursting.”

The All-American Rejects

ci in Italy.” In the new episodes, the actor visits regions like Sicily, Campania and Sardinia to meet with locals and eat food native to those areas. Travel along on Disney+ and Hulu. Fans have to wait until 2027 for a new season of “Heated Rivalry,” but there’s another series available in the hockey romance genre. “O Campus” debuts its rst season on Prime Video. It’s about the love lives of a group of college hockey players. Each season follows a di erent relationship. The leads of Season 1 are Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright, while Season 2, starring Antonio Cipriano and India Fowler, begins lming very soon.

Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser’s long-awaited “Yellowstone” spino debuts Friday on Paramount+. “Dutton Ranch” takes place one year after the events of the series nale of “Yellowstone,” and characters Beth and Rip have relocated to Texas. They’ve got a new ranch now, but if we’ve learned anything from the other shows, owning land can be very dangerous. Annette Bening and Ed Harris also star.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

U.K. developer Supermassive Games has built its reputation on horror gems like “Until Dawn” and “The Quarry” that evoked classic movies like “Friday the 13th.” For its latest thriller, “Directive 8020,” the inspiration appears to be “Alien” and “The Thing.” You are 12 light-years from Earth when your colony ship crashes on Tau Ceti f. The organisms there aren’t happy to meet you, and they are quite adept at imitating their prey. Can you trust your crewmates? Can you prevent the predators from hitching a ride when you try to return home? Get squishy on

superstar Maluma, titled “Loco x Volv-

PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO Felicity Blunt, left, and Stanley Tucci arrive at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute bene t gala on May 4 in New York. Season two of “Tucci in Italy” is streaming now on Hulu.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

Alex Orlovsky, from left, Lee Sung Jin and Marc Marrie accept the award for best rst feature for “Lurker” during the Film Independent Spirit Awards at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Maluma arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute bene t gala on May 4 in New York. The Colombian pop star drops his new album, “Loco x Volver,” on Friday.

Solution to last week’s puzzle

Solution to this week’s puzzles

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Iran war hitting home as gas prices fuel in ation surge of 3.8% in U.S.

U.S. consumer prices climbed sharply again last month as the 10-week war with Iran pushed energy prices higher. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that its consumer price index rose 3.8% from April 2025. On a month-to-month basis, April prices were up 0.6% from March as gasoline prices rose 5.4%. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called consumer core prices were up 0.4% last month from March and 2.8% from April 2025, relatively modest readings that suggest the energy price burst isn’t yet spilling over much into other prices.

Trump FDA chief leaving after angering pharma CEOs, vaping lobbyists and anti-abortion groups

Marty Makary is resigning as President Donald Trump’s Food and Drug Administration head, according to a White House o cial who was not authorized to speak before an o cial announcement and insisted on anonymity Tuesday. The surgeon and health researcher’s tenure had drawn complaints from health industry executives, anti-abortion activists and other Trump allies. Makary was an outspoken critic of COVID-19 health measures during the pandemic, but at the FDA, Makary failed to win the sta ’s con dence after mass layo s, leadership changes and a series of controversies.

$2.00

Clean sweep

Wake Forest made a late-season statement to the NCAA selection committee with a weekend sweep of Western Carolina.

The Demon Deacons are now 36-17 and winners of eight in a row

Forsyth considering potential tax increase

A 1.68-cent tax rate increase would be necessary yo support the FY 2026 -27 recommended budget

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald

WINSTON-SALEM — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners was presented with the recommended budget at its May 7 meeting.

The budget is balanced at approximately $598.9 million, which was a 1.3% increase from the prior year (historically, the county had seen an average budget increase of around 3.3%).

“The recommendation allows the county to remainnancially stable while continu-

“The county’s base revenue forecast generated only $3.4 million in new recurring revenue, which is not su cient to maintain current service levels.”

Shontell

Robinson, county manager

ing to provide the essential services that residents depend on every day,” said County Manager Shontell Robinson.

However, to support this budget, county sta is also proposing a tax rate increase to $0.552 per $100 valuation, an increase of $0.0168 from the prior year’s rate.

“The county’s base revenue forecast generated only $3.4 million in new recurring revenue, which is not su cient to maintain current service levels,” Robinson said. “This

recommendation is not driven by new programs or major service expansions. It is primarily focused on maintaining current service levels and addressing rising operational costs.”

According to Robinson, the decision to recommend a tax rate increase was only made after signi cant e orts to rightsize departmental budgets, identify e ciencies and limit new spending requests. For reference, if all of the departmental requests were

fully funded, it would require a 2.6-cent tax rate increase.

Some of the factors the county is dealing with are limited tax base growth (approximately 1%), sales tax revenues falling below projected totals, and decreases in both state and federal funding.

“While this has been a challenging budget year, we remained focused on directing limited resources toward the services, programs and investments that best re ect your strategic goals and community needs,” Robinson said.

The board’s six key priority areas that guided the budget were public safety, human services, education, economic development, operations, and active and vibrant living.

“Throughout this budget development process, sta worked intentionally to ensure recommendations aligned with these priorities, while balancing scal realities and operational demands,” Robinson said.

In the recommended budget, approximately 33% of the

Tax cuts collide with in ation as voters weigh Trump’s economy in the midterms

Economic anxiety tempers enthusiasm in the state’s pivotal Senate race

By Bill Barrow The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Standing behind a downtown bar, Evan Duke smiled when he thought about no longer paying federal income tax on the hundreds of dollars in tips he earns on a busy night pouring beers and mixing drinks. But the 30-year-old said he cannot a ord health insurance and worries about how higher costs for rent, food and fuel are a ecting him and the patrons who slip cash into the jar at Pearl & Peril.

“It’s kind of messy right now,” Duke said.

Duke’s dilemma is an economic microcosm of Donald Trump’s second presidency. Although the Republican president has tried to put more money in middle-class pockets with tax cuts, the bene ts are being eroded as prices keep rising, especially during the war with Iran. The latest numbers, released Tuesday, showed the rate of in ation continued to climb.

It’s a nancial tug-of-war shaping people’s lives as they consider the upcoming midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress during the nal two years of Trump’s tenure.

COURTESY WAKE FOREST ATHLETICS

BILL BARROW / AP PHOTO

Michael Aycock, 56, left, and his mother Phyllis Aycock, 79, discuss economic conditions as they stand on the showroom oor of their antiques shop in downtown Nashville in Nash County on March 11.

5.14.26

THURSDAY MAY 14

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WEDNESDAY

Pediatrics group issues new guidance on recess for rst time in 13 years

Pediatricians renewed a commitment to protecting recess as schools continue cutting break time

By Laura Ungar The Associated Press

RECESS ISN’T JUST a fun break for grade schoolers. It’s crucial to good health and good grades for kids of all ages. That’s the message from a leading pediatricians group, which just released the rst new guidance in 13 years about this unstructured time at school and how it needs to be protected. The updated policy statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics comes after years of shrinking recesses and worsening children’s health.

The group “has always supported play — free play for kids — but it’s been increasingly threatened over time,” partly by the drive for higher test scores, said Dr. Robert Murray, a lead author. “It has a very

FORSYTH from page A1 MIDTERMS from page A1

funding will go toward education, 18% will go toward public safety (with the sheri ’s o ce being allocated an additional $5.8 million compared to last year) and 16% will go toward health and human services (with an additional $2.8 million being dedicated to social services).

The WS/FCS Board of Education requested $33.5 million in additional funding from the county (equivalent to a 5.1-cent tax increase), but that is not included in the current budget.

“The recommended budget takes meaningful steps to address immediate needs while maintaining a strong focus on long-term nancial stability,” Robinson said.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the FY 202627 budget on May 19.

All of these economic issues have been center stage in the battleground state of North Carolina and its U.S. Senate race. Michael Whatley, the Republican nominee and former national party chairman, is championing Trump’s tax overhaul. Roy Cooper, the Democratic candidate and a former governor, is panning Trump’s management of the U.S. economy.

Duke, a registered independent, isn’t sure who he’ll support. Like a lot of Americans who vote with their wallets, he expects to decide based on “how things are going at the time.”

“I’ve got to do more research,” he said.

Polar opposite views of the same law

The dividing line is what Trump called “the One Big Beautiful Bill,” his signature legislation that cuts taxes but also reduces funding for public programs like Medicaid.

When Whatley recently appeared with Vice President JD Vance in Rocky Mount, he said the midterm elections were about “protecting no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security.”

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: forsythcommunity@ northstatejournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

Some of the claims were an exaggeration. For example, the legislation does not entirely eliminate federal levies on overtime. But his remarks showed how much Republicans want voters to see the legislation as a “working families tax cut,” as they’ve taken to calling it.

“I don’t know about you, but I sure trust you to spend your money better than a federal government in D.C.,” Whatley said.

Tracy Brill, 62, a Trump supporter in the audience, said she was willing to cope with rising costs due to the war.

“The course he’s taken is spot on,” she said, adding, “I believe the other presidents didn’t do what they should have done.”

Cooper and Democrats have focused their pitch around what they call the “a ordability crisis.” They emphasize health care costs and Republicans’ refusal to extend expanded subsidies for A ordable Care Act premiums. And they highlight housing and

powerful bene t if it’s used to the fullest.”

The new guidance, published Monday in the journal Pediatrics, is similar to the previous policy statement but cites the latest research on why these breaks are essential for kids’ academic success and mental, physical, social and emotional growth.

For example, new evidence shows that kids need pauses between concentrated bouts of learning so the brain can hold and store the information. Researchers also say recess gives kids a chance to navigate relationships and build con dence, which is just as important for older kids as younger ones.

Murray and his colleagues also stressed the importance of physical activity in preventing obesity, a condition that now a ects about 1 in 5 U.S. children and teens.

Given these bene ts, they recommend that recess be protected and never withheld for academic or punitive reasons, as sometimes happens in schools.

utility prices, hikes on consumer goods a ected by Trump’s tari s, and ripple e ects from the president’s Iran war on everything from fuel and farmer’s fertilizer costs to groceries.

“It seems like everything that Washington is doing is driving up costs across the board,” Cooper said in Greensboro.

It’s a convenient turnabout for Democrats. President Joe Biden and his party had previously faced blame for in ation, which Trump capitalized on in his comeback campaign, but now Republicans shoulder the brunt of voters’ angst.

Republicans have a larger margin in the U.S. Senate than in the U.S. House, but Democrats believe economic dissatisfaction gives them a shot at full control of Congress. North Carolina is a top target along with Maine, Ohio and Alaska. There are even hopes that Iowa and Texas could be competitive too.

Economic anxiety adds toRepublicans’ challenge

Democrats have long struggled to win Senate seats in North Carolina, but they believe they have a better shot this year because Republican incumbent Thom Tillis is retiring.

Cooper also enjoys a centrist reputation and has won six statewide elections already, including two gubernatorial contests in cycles when Trump carried North Carolina. Whatley has deep ties in Republican circles as a former lobbyist and longtime party leader, but he’s not yet well known to voters.

Phyllis Aycock, a 79-year-old antiques store owner in Nash County, is leaning toward Cooper even after voting for Trump three times. She said she regrets her most recent vote for the president.

“It’s the whole trickle-down e ect,” Aycock said, explaining that economic uncertainty and in ation, including premium hikes on health insurance that supplements her Medicare and cancels out Social Security cost-of-living adjustments and any tax breaks she’s received during Trump’s tenure. She said she wonders whether Trump “even thinks about the cause-and-e ect of what he does or what he doesn’t do, how it directly a ects us, and when I say ‘us,’ I de nitely mean

“If the child is disruptive or rude and disrespectful, recess is one of the things that teachers use to punish kids,” Murray said, adding that students struggling with behavioral issues or grades are often the ones who need recess most.

But those students aren’t the only ones losing out. Recess has been waning for all kids. Since the mid-2000s, up to 40% of school districts nationally have reduced or eliminated recess, according to data from the group Springboard to Active Schools in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Today, the duration of recess varies widely across U.S. schools, ranging from less than 10 minutes to more than an hour a day, the pediatrics group said. Older kids generally get less time than younger ones. Ideally, studies show, kids should get a minimum of 20 minutes a day and multiple breaks. In other countries such as Denmark, Japan and the United Kingdom, students get

“I’m worried he’s just a yes man. We’ve got enough of those.”

Phyllis

Aycock, Antiques store owner

the middle-class, lower-class working people, the blue collar, the ones that pay the taxes.

“It just seems like there’s no relief for us, like it’s all for the guy who has everything already.”

Aycock and her son, Michael, said they’ve seen foot tra c and purchases at their store decrease, which sits a few doors down from the law ofce where Cooper and his father once practiced. The elder Aycock said she doesn’t know Cooper personally but has voted for him before and would consider doing so again.

As for Whatley, she’s heard only fealty to Trump. She tightened her lips, then said, “I’m worried he’s just a yes man. We’ve got enough of those.”

Cooper leans on North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion

During Cooper’s second term as governor, he convinced the Republican-run General Assembly to expand Medicaid — a government insurance program for low-income or disabled adults and children in poor or working-class households — under President Barack Obama’s A ordable Care Act. Cooper talks about that program alongside his criticism of Republicans’ refusal to extend pandemic-era subsidies for private insurance plans. The issue has drawn supporters like Emily Miller, a 43-year-old from Greensboro who volunteers on various voter turnout e orts that bene t Democrats.

“Medicaid and the A ordable Care Act absolutely have saved my life,” said Miller, who has physical health problems. As a Kentucky and then North Carolina resident, she leaned on the 2010 law’s bene ts between her time as a public schoolteacher and her return to the workforce as an education consultant.

When she didn’t have a full-time job, Miller said, she

breaks after every 45 minutes to 50 minutes of classroom instruction.

“They should get a long enough period of time where they can destress and blow o steam and prepare for the next class,” Murray said.

Dr. Lauren Fiechtner, a childhood obesity expert at Mass General Brigham for Children in Boston, said she’s glad about the updated recess recommendations. She’s seen the importance of recess as both a doctor and mother of two. She recalled how her 8-year-old son learned how to play basketball at recess and now loves the game.

Fiechtner, who wasn’t involved in creating the guidance, agrees with the recommendation that middle and high school students need recess, too.

“As kids get older, they’re more on their screens. So it’s really helpful, I think, for outdoor activity and recess to be happening,” she said. “Recess is great. We all kind of need recess.”

required expensive medical care, including some inpatient mental health services. She said her part-time jobs at the time would not have covered private insurance costs, much less direct market rates for her treatment.

“I’m very grateful I’ve gotten back to a place where I’ve got a career again,” Miller said, with employer-based coverage. “I’m an example of exactly what this system is supposed to do. It was a bridge. And so many people, people who are working, are struggling like that.”

Miller is also skeptical that people will bene t from Trump’s legislation to cut taxes on overtime pay.

“I had an overtime-eligible job,” she said, “and I had bosses who would send us home before we got those extra hours.” Yet for Cooper to win, he also needs to energize apathetic voters, including some Democrats. James Outlaw, a 60-year-old in rural Bertie County, said he’ll probably vote in November but doesn’t see things improving regardless of the outcome.

“It won’t get no better,” he said, as he lled in his lotto numbers at a local convenience store. “Never does.”

Duke’s decision

Back behind the bar in downtown Raleigh, Duke looked forward to the coming weekend, which would bring thirstier crowds and, hopefully, more tips. He said he appreciates getting “a few thousand dollars” from the tax breaks, and he said he’d “at least look at” Whatley, the Republican candidate. But he also thinks of the back-of-the-house workers who don’t earn tips and won’t benet from it.

As for his lack of health insurance, Duke said that’s not enough to guarantee his vote for Cooper, even as he remembered the Democratic nominee as “a pretty good governor.”

“I’m healthy, and I can pay rent,” he said.

That may be the outlook Republicans need as they urge voters to be patient. While speaking in Rocky Mount, Vance assured the audience that Trump wouldn’t let the economy languish.

“He constantly is pressing on the gas,” Vance said. “He wants us to do more.”

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Medicaid millionaires are hiding in plain sight

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT programs is often treated like an urban legend — something that happens in faraway blue cities run by corrupt political machines. But the truth is more unsettling: Some of the most brazen theft of taxpayer money is happening in places governed by Republicans, right under their noses.

Consider Ohio.

At one address in Columbus, investigators found 94 di erent companies registered in the same building. The windows were covered. The o ces appeared empty. Yet according to The Daily Wire investigative team led by Luke Rosiak, that single address has billed taxpayers more than $66 million. This is not a minor accounting error. It is not mere “waste.” It is a system being exploited. Rosiak’s reporting exposes an ecosystem of “Medicaid millionaires”: not the poor recipients of bene ts but the companies and middlemen who pro t o them. Under the guise of “home health care,” Ohio pays people to visit Medicaid bene ciaries’ homes to perform “homemaking” services — cooking, cleaning and chores — tasks that don’t require medical training and often don’t receive meaningful oversight.

Ohio spent roughly $1 billion on home health care in 2024. The incentives are obvious: If government is handing out checks for loosely de ned services, the people best

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

positioned to get rich are not the disabled or elderly — it’s the billing operations.

The pattern is almost comical in its boldness: Cover the windows, hang a sheet of paper with a generic company name ending in “Home Health LLC,” and if someone asks questions, claim the employees “stepped out.” Why cover the windows? Because there is nothing inside.

Dig into the companies and you nd unpaid taxes, shady ownership structures and a bizarre number of LLCs registered in unrelated industries. The deeper you look, the clearer it becomes that government is not equipped to monitor who it is writing million- dollar checks to.

The business model is disturbingly simple.

A 40-year-old man becomes an “employee” of a Medicaid-billing rm and gets paid to “care for” his 65-year-old mother. But the only patient is Mom, and the only person who could con rm whether services are being provided is Mom herself. If she doesn’t want to rat out her son — or if she’s receiving a kickback — the state has no practical way to verify anything.

When Rosiak questioned one operator about what his company did, he was met with threats. The man reportedly dismissed the inquiry and then pivoted to the modern all-purpose defense: “I’m going to tell everybody you guys are racist.”

And there it is — the magic trick.

Steal millions. Exploit the system. Then accuse anyone investigating you of bigotry. Unlike food stamps and other capped welfare programs, this Medicaid service has no meaningful ceiling. It expands as far as doctors are willing to sign forms. One doctor willing to approve enough paperwork can bankrupt a state. For decades, the public couldn’t see this because Medicaid billing data was a black box. That changed in February, when the Department of Justice quietly released new data. In one case, a landlord whose buildings housed hundreds of Medicaid companies billed the federal government $250 million.

Now the question is whether leaders will act. Ohio has Republican leadership, and nationally President Donald Trump has made waste, fraud and abuse a central theme of his administration. That focus matters because this problem won’t be solved with speeches or “task forces.” It requires audits, subpoenas, prosecutions and real accountability. If government programs are going to exist, the bare minimum requirement is that they serve the people they claim to serve.

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

The race-obsessed left complains when the Supreme Court issues a colorblind ruling

But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a colorcoordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination.

SUPREME COURT Associate Justice

Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, in the recent case that restricted the use of race in designing a Louisiana congressional district.

Thomas wrote: “This Court should never have interpreted (Section) 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to e ectively give racial groups ‘an entitlement to roughly proportional representation.’ ... By doing so, the Court led legislatures and courts to ‘systematically divid(e) the country into electoral districts along racial lines.’ ... ‘Blacks (we)re drawn into ‘black districts’ and given ‘black representatives’; Hispanics (we) re drawn into Hispanic districts and given ‘Hispanic representatives’; and so on. That interpretation rendered (Section) 2 ‘repugnant to any nation that strives for the ideal of a color-blind Constitution.’ ... Today’s decision should largely put an end to this ‘disastrous misadventure’ in voting-rights jurisprudence.”

Critics argue the ruling is not colorblind in e ect because race-neutral districting can dilute minority voting power. But this assumes a) non-black and non-Hispanic voters would not vote for black or Hispanic candidates; and b) the interests of black and Hispanic voters can only be pursued by black and Hispanic members of Congress.

For Democrats, the e ect of this ruling could be politically catastrophic. A report from Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund said, “Combined with Republicans’ mid-decade gerrymandering, a ruling gutting Section 2 could help secure an additional 27 safe Republican U.S. House seats when compared to the 2024 House maps — at least 19 directly tied to the loss of Section 2.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries said, “Instead of protecting the ability for American citizens to freely cast their ballot, Republican extremists have embraced voter suppression and racial gerrymandering to desperately cling to power. The corrupt conservative majority on the Supreme Court appointed by Donald Trump has taken a blowtorch to the Voting Rights Act. Why? The extremists need to cheat to win.”

It is not clear how removing race as a criterion in constructing congressional districts amounts to “cheating.” Nor is it clear how this majority of justices, nominated by Republican presidents, renders the court “corrupt.”

As for “Republican extremists embracing voter suppression,” Je ries presumably means voter ID laws. But polls show a large majority of blacks support voter ID by percentages close to those of whites. Georgia, in 2021, enacted voter ID and voter-integrity laws called by President Joe Biden “worse than Jim Crow — it’s Jim Eagle.” But the percentage of blacks who voted exceeded the black voting percentages of most pre-2021 Georgia elections.

Let’s turn to Je ries’ accusation about Republicans’ supposed use of “racial gerrymandering.” In 2017, Politico wrote: “Former (Obama) Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday o cially launched the National Democratic Redistricting Committee ... as the center of Democratic rebuilding in the era of President-elect Donald Trump and as Democrats’ main hope to roll back Republican gains in state legislatures and prepare for redistricting in 2021. The end goal: House majorities in Congresses elected after 2020.”

To that end, Eric Holder supported race - conscious redistricting e orts designed to increase black electoral in uence. About a district in Alabama in 2024, for example, The Associated Press wrote: “The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which Holder chairs, supported the legal battle that led to the district being redrawn into a competitive seat where Black voters have the opportunity to in uence the outcome.”

Finally, about voters voting based on race, there are four black Republican members of the U.S. House, none of whom represents a majority-black district. Even Democrat Maxine Waters, a harsh critic of the court ruling and a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, represents a district that is only about 20% black. Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white, succeeded Rep. Harold Ford Jr., who is black, in representing a majority-black district. And a recent Gallup poll nds Trump approval rating among blacks at 16%, up from 12% in his rst term. Contrary to what many Democratic politicians say and how they act, this is not their grandfather’s America. But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a color-coordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination. My advice to Democrats after this ruling is simple: calm down. The days of poll taxes, literacy tests and grandfather clauses are long over. As Thomas Sowell says, “When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination.”

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

Man charged in White House correspondents’ attack appears in court, pleads not guilty

His attorneys argue attending prosecutors have a con ict of interest in the case

By Michael Kunzelman The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A man accused of storming the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner while armed with guns and knives pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges that he attempted to kill President Donald Trump and red a shotgun at a Secret Service ocer who tried to stop the attack.

Cole Tomas Allen was handcu ed, shackled and wearing an orange jail uniform when he appeared in federal court for his arraignment. Allen didn’t speak during the brief hearing. One of his attorneys entered the plea on his behalf.

Allen’s lawyers are asking U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden to disqualify at least two top Justice Department ofcials from direct involvement in prosecuting him because they could be considered victims or witnesses in the case, creating a potential con ict of interest.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro were attending the event when Allen ran through a security checkpoint and red a shotgun at a Secret Service o cer, authorities said. In a court ling last week, Allen’s attorneys argued that it creates at least the appearance of a con ict of interest for Blanche and Pirro to be making any prosecutorial decisions in the case.

McFadden, a Trump nominee, didn’t rule from the bench on that question but asked Allen’s attorneys to elaborate on the possible scope of their recusal request. Defense attorney Eugene Ohm said the defense likely would seek to disqualify Pirro’s entire o ce from involvement in the case. Ohm acknowledged that a bid to disqualify the entire Justice Department would be unlikely.

“That would be quite a request,” the judge said.

McFadden gave prosecutors until May 22 to respond in writing to the defense’s request. The judge asked the government to specify whether it believes Pirro and Blanche could be considered victims in the case.

“That might add some clarity here,” McFadden said.

In their ling, Allen’s attorneys suggested that the appointment of a special prosecutor might be warranted.

Allen is scheduled to return to court on June 29.

A Secret Service o cer was shot once in a bullet-resistant vest during the April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton hotel, which disrupted and ultimately prompted an early end to one of the highest-pro le annual events in the nation’s capital. The ocer red ve shots but didn’t

“That would be quite a request.”

Trevor McFadden, U.S. District judge

hit anybody, authorities said. Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was injured but was not shot.

Besides the attempted assassination count, Allen is also charged with assaulting a federal o cer with a deadly weapon and two additional rearms counts. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted of the attempted assassination charge alone.

Allen was placed on suicide watch after his arrest, but jail o cials removed him from that

status after several days. Allen’s attorneys complained that he had been unnecessarily conned in a padded room with constant lighting, repeatedly strip searched and placed in restraints outside his cell.

Allen told FBI agents that he didn’t expect to survive the attack, which could help explain why he was deemed to be a possible suicide risk, a Justice Department prosecutor has said.

Allen was out tted with an ammunition bag, a shoulder gun holster and a sheathed knife when he took a photo of himself in his room at the hotel just minutes before the attack, according to prosecutors. In a message that authorities say sheds light on his motive, Allen referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and alluded obliquely to grievances over

Democrats vow to ght $1B Senate security proposal for White House ballroom

The proposal ties

White House security to immigration funding Democrats had blocked

By Mary Clare Jalonick and Kevin Freking

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republicans returning to Washington, D.C., on Monday are facing questions about a $1 billion Senate security proposal that could help pay for President Donald Trump’s ballroom as Democrats say they will try to defeat it.

Senate Republicans added the money for White House security to a spending bill that would restore funding for immigration enforcement agencies that Democrats have blocked since February. The steep security proposal was put forward after a man was charged with trying to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner last month.

Republicans are using a partisan budget maneuver to push the spending legislation through Congress without any Democratic votes. But in a letter to colleagues Monday morning, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Democrats will ght it in other ways, including by pushing the Senate parliamentarian to strike the ballroom security money from the budget bill and offering amendments forcing Republicans to vote on it.

“The Republican-controlled Congress is preparing to answer

this moment with a de cit-busting, party-line bill that pours billions more taxpayer dollars into a rogue ICE operation and a billion-dollar ballroom, while doing nothing to end the illegal war in Iran or ease the Republican a ordability crisis bearing down on working families,” Schumer wrote in the letter. It’s unclear if the security money will even have enough backing among Republicans.

The House has not released its bill yet, but the Senate is expected to start voting on its ver-

sion of the legislation this week.

While most GOP lawmakers have remained quiet on the proposal as they spent their recess out of Washington, D.C., some have publicly questioned whether they would support it.

“I’m going to look at it very carefully and make sure those things are in the national interest,” said Rep. Rob Wittman, a Virginia Republican who was in the Capitol last week to briefly gavel in a pro forma session of the House.

“I want to know the ex-

act nature of the expenditures that would go there for security. So I think it’s a little premature to look at that and say, you know, yes or no to it,” Wittman said.

Wittman wants to better understand the details of the Senate proposal and “how it’s part of what the total construction cost is,” he said.

Trump has said the ballroom’s construction would cost $400 million and use private funds, but he had not proposed a number for security costs.

a range of actions by Trump’s Republican administration.

Authorities have alleged that Allen on April 6 reserved a room for himself at the Hilton where the event would be held weeks later under its typical tight security. He traveled by train cross-country from California, checking himself into the hotel a day before the dinner with a room reserved for the weekend.

Trump was rushed o the stage by his security team at the Saturday night event and appeared at the White House two hours later, still in his tuxedo, to talk about the attack and the suspect.

“When you’re impactful, they go after you. When you’re not impactful, they leave you alone,” the president said. “They seem to think he was a lone wolf.”

“I’m going to look at it very carefully and make sure those things are in the national interest.”

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.)

The Senate bill would designate the money for the U.S. Secret Service, including for “security adjustments and upgrades” related to the ballroom project, which Trump and other Republicans have been pushing since Cole Tomas Allen was charged with storming the April 25 media dinner at the Washington Hilton with guns and knives.

The legislation says the money would support enhancements to the ballroom project, “including above-ground and below-ground security features,” but speci es it may not be used for nonsecurity elements.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle praised Republicans last week for including the money for the “long overdue” project, saying it would “provide the United States Secret Service with the resources they need to fully and completely harden the White House complex, in addition to the many other critical missions for the USSS.”

The White House has said in court documents that the East Wing project would be “heavily forti ed,” including bomb shelters, military installations and a medical facility underneath the ballroom. Trump has said it should include bulletproof glass and be able to repel drone attacks.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has sued to block construction of the project, but a federal appeals court said last month that it can continue in the meantime.

DANA VERKOUTEREN VIA AP

A courtroom sketch depicts Cole Tomas Allen, seated center, the California man arrested in the shooting incident at the correspondents dinner in Washington, D.C., seen appearing before U.S. Magistrate Moxila Upadhyaya in federal court April 30 in Washington, D.C.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks on fair elections and the Supreme Court’s ruling to strike down a majority black congressional district in Louisiana.

Forsyth SPORTS

Does NHL

need more replay reviews for penalties and scrums, or would game be slowed down?

Hockey’s speed makes it tough to get calls right in real time

By Aaron Beard The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour gures the NHL has the best ocials in the world. He still thinks they could use some help in sorting through the chaos — both before and after the whistle — that comes with the NHL playo s.

Brind’Amour has backed the idea of using more replay reviews to look not just at penalty calls but everything going on in those testier-with-every-round scrums. Not everyone agrees with Brind’Amour when it comes to reviewing penalty calls, though his larger point stands about getting the right call with the stakes involved in chasing the Stanley Cup.

“You can’t get better ocials. We have the best — I want to make sure everybody understands that — I know no one else could do a better job,” Brind’Amour said with his team up 2-0 in a second-round series against Philadelphia. “But man, it’s just hard to see some of the penalties that are getting called, that if you just took a quick peek, you’d go, ‘Oh wait a minute, that’s not what happened.’

“We’ll get to it at some point, but I think they could use a little hand.”

Playo games this year are averaging 10.6 penalties and 25.1 penalty minutes. That is the highest average number of penalties since 2009 (10.9), while this is just the second time since 2012 that the average of penalty minutes has exceeded 25 per game (it was 28 PIMs per game in 2023).

“It is impossible to referee our sport live, it really is — it’s just everything’s happening so fast.”

Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes coach

NHL o cials can review calls for non ghting major and match penalties, then either conrm it or reduce it to a two-minute minor. They can also review double-minor high-sticking penalties to determine whether the stick involved actually belonged to the player being penalized.

Brind’Amour rst raised the topic after a rst-round sweep of Ottawa. That came after Senators forward Ridly Greig delivered two sucker punches to Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker — the second an uppercut to the face — while Walker was engaged with Senators forward Warren Foegele. Greig wasn’t penalized, though the NHL later suspended him for two regular-season games. Compounding matters, Brind’Amour said, was the fact the Hurricanes emerged from that sequence shorthanded. He suggested having someone work solely to monitor replays and assist on-ice o cials.

“The only reason (Greig) did that was because he looked, no one’s watching, doesn’t get called for it, and we somehow ended up short on that,” Brind’Amour said.

“That’s wrong. That’s not right. Just get it right.”

The issue is how best to accomplish that if expanded replay usage is one day adopted by the league.

“That’s a good question because like a lot of times guys get away with stu in there,” Bu alo Sabres forward Josh Dunne said about more replay reviews of scrums in particular.

“Some guy starts, another guy gets the penalty for it,” he said. “It’s hard, it’s a hard line. It’s why it’s so much on the judgment of the refs where it’s like they can only see what they see, where it’s like you never really know how these things get going.”

His coach, meanwhile, chuckled that he’s “not a huge fan of another video review.”

“I don’t mind Rod’s thinking at all,” said Lindy Ru , whose Sabres are facing Montreal in Round 2. “I just think, boy, if now we’re going to review something, we start reviewing scrums, I just think players will start taking acting lessons.”

“It is impossible to referee our sport live, it really is — it’s just everything’s happening so fast, now you’re getting embellishment everywhere,” Brind’Amour said then. “Sticks aren’t even coming close to you, they’re doing this (leans his head back) because why? Because if this goes like this (raises arm), you’re getting a call. But if you’ve got a guy on the review that said, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, that’s embellishment,’ it would be out of the game.”

Dunne said he worried about the idea of slowing the game too much with more replay reviews, while Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson said he largely “liked where the game is at.”

“I don’t want to make too many adjustments or critiques to the game,” Nelson said.

“I’m a traditionalist. The more rules you make, the more you have,” said Anaheim Ducks coach Joel Quenneville.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Garrett Vernon

R.J. Reynolds, boys’ lacrosse

Garrett Vernon is a junior attacker on the R.J. Reynolds boys’ lacrosse team. The Demons are 18-3 and conference champions. Vernon had ve goals and two assists in a 21-5 win over Reagan in the conference tournament, and he then had seven goals and an assist in the 16-11 win over Northwest Guilford that wrapped up the title. For the season, Vernon is sixth nationally in goals and 20th in points. He leads the conference in both categories.

Van Gisbergen remains NASCAR’s road-course ace with Watkins Glen win from pole

The Trackhouse Racing driver wiped out a half-minute de cit to win

The Associated Press

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.

— Shane van Gisbergen insists his NASCAR Cup Series road-course dominance is harder than it looks and that he feels “a lot of pressure” to beat the best in stock- car racing.

But the Trackhouse Racing driver was in another league Sunday, schooling the stars of the Cup Series at Watkins Glen International.

Starting from the pole position, van Gisbergen scored his seventh Cup Series victory — all

on road or street courses — and his second consecutive on the 2.45-mile track by leading 74 of

100 laps in his No. 97 Chevrolet.

“We weren’t very good in practice, and then qualifying was amazing, and then today, what a race car,” van Gisbergen said. “And then (crew chief) Stephen (Doran) made great calls. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, and then to run them down like that, it’s very, very special to do two in a row.”

Pitting from the lead under green with 24 laps remaining, van Gisbergen emerged in 24th and was nearly 30 seconds behind leader Ty Gibbs.

Extending his Cup record of wins by a driver born outside the United States, the New Zea-

“I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, and then to run them down like that.”

Shane van Gisbergen

land native needed only 17 laps to retake the lead from Gibbs, winning by 7.288 seconds over Michael McDowell.

“He’s made it pretty clear, especially at these tracks, he likes to be on o ense, so we put him there and just let him go do his thing,” Doran said of the call to make a late stop for four tires instead of pitting earlier and con-

serving fuel as many others did.

Gibbs nished third, followed by Chase Briscoe and points leader Tyler Reddick.

McDowell, who started second, also had to charge through the pack after falling to 27th on his last pit stop. He occasionally thought he could keep pace with the race winner but soon realized van Gisbergen was playing possum.

“It felt like he was just pacing himself o me, and he’d take back o ,” McDowell said. “We still got a little work to do, but it’s a good building block.”

Dating to Mexico City last June, van Gisbergen has now won six of the past seven races on road or street courses in Cup.

“It’s not easy,” van Gisbergen

said. “Everyone’s really good. McDowell was good. Connor (Zilisch) was good. Tyler Reddick. There were some really good guys and a lot of pressure. So just stoked to execute every facet of our game. And speechless. This is so cool.”

Trackhouse sweep

The win by van Gisbergen came a day after a win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series by rookie teammate Zilisch, who nished 20th Sunday after a tire problem late in the race. It still was a strong showing for Trackhouse, which quali ed all three of its cars in the top ve after compiling only four top -10 nishes in the rst 11 races.

“Just frustrating because we had a really good day going,” Zilisch said. “At worst, we were going to get ourselves our rst top ve and walk out of here with something. But congrats to Shane, Trackhouse and everybody who makes this happen.”

COURTESY GARRETT VERNON / YOUTUBE

Shane Van Gisbergen does a burn out after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Watkins Glen, New York.

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA Washington wins NBA Draft lottery, chance to pick rst on June 23

Chicago The league’s worst team this season is getting the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards won the draft lottery and will pick rst overall for the rst time since choosing John Wall in 2010. Wall was the Wizards’ on-stage representative for the lottery. Washington had a 14% chance of winning No. 1, tied with Brooklyn and Indiana for the best odds. Utah will pick No. 2, Memphis will pick No. 3 and Chicago will pick No. 4.

MLB Orioles hold Tupac bobblehead night, sister throws out ceremonial rst pitch

Baltimore Fans lined up well before the gates opened at Camden Yards in anticipation of a Tupac Shakur bobblehead giveaway. Shakur was raised in New York and Baltimore before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1980s. That made the matchup between the Orioles and Athletics an appropriate time to honor the rap icon, who was killed in 1996. The ri from “California Love” was played while the starting lineup for the A’s — who left Oakland last season — was announced.

NFL Domestic battery case against Chiefs assistant Merritt dismissed without prejudice

Kansas City, Mo.

A misdemeanor domestic battery case against Chiefs assistant Dave Merritt has been dismissed without prejudice. It comes less than three weeks after Merritt entered a plea of not guilty. The 54 -year- old former NC State player has been with the Chiefs since 2019 and has helped teams win ve Super Bowls, including his time with the Giants. He participated in the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp last weekend. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Merritt has been very up -front about the situation.

NHL Maple Leafs win lottery for No. 1 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

Secaucus, N.J.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the lottery for the rst pick in the NHL Draft. The victory comes at a critical time for Toronto after hiring John Chayka as general manager and franchise legend Mats Sundin as a hockey operations adviser. The future of captain and best player Auston Matthews is the biggest question after missing the playo s for the rst time in his career. It’s the rst time the Maple Leafs have won the lottery since taking Matthews with the No. 1 pick in 2016. The San Jose Sharks won the lottery for the second pick.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Ex- Ohio State players, including NFL veterans, join sexual abuse lawsuit against school

Thirty former Ohio State football players, including former NFL players, joined a federal lawsuit against the university over sexual abuse of student-athletes decades ago by a team doctor. Ohio State is accused of failing to stop abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss. Hundreds say they were abused by him. Some other former football players have settled in sealed agreements. Ohio State says it has tried to reconcile with survivors through settlements, counseling services and medical treatment.

Al Washington, Ray Ellis and Keith Ferguson, three members of the 1980 team, are the only plainti s to go public.

MLB’s rookie class making impressive impact

Young prospects are making an impact faster than in the past

By David Brandt The Associated Press

PHOENIX — Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Konnor Grifn stepped to the plate against the Arizona Diamondbacks and ripped a 110.1-mph laser high o the center- eld wall at Chase Field, cruising into second base for a double.

“Twenty years old and driving the ball o the center eld wall,” D -backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “Let’s go back to being 20 years old. I was just getting hair under my armpits, and this guy’s in a big-league baseball game. It’s impressive.”

Gri n — who just turned 20 a few weeks ago — is part of an MLB rookie class that’s made an instant impact. He’s batting .256 with two homers, 16 RBIs and is 8 for 8 on stolen bases, all while playing shortstop at a high level. No wonder the Pirates were comfortable handing him a $140 million, nine -year deal in April.

Lovullo has been the manager of the D -backs for 10 seasons and said he’s noticed a huge di erence in the readiness of young players when they get to the big leagues.

The data backs that up too.

As measured by Wins Above Replacement, three of the ve most productive classes of rookie hitters since 1950 graduated in the past four years, in 2023 (67.5 WAR), 2022 (53.7) and 2024 (49). This year’s class is on pace for 47, which would rank fth.

Even the 2025 class, which wasn’t as deep, featured examples of players ready to make an unusually fast impact. Nick Kurtz got just 210 at-bats in the minor leagues before joining the Athletics, then batted .290 with 36 homers and 86 RBIs over 117 games to win American League Rookie of the Year in 2025.

“Everything is fast-forwarded now, everything’s on speed dial, everything happens really quick,” Lovullo said. “These kids are developing.”

Here’s a look at some of the other top rookies in the big leagues through the season’s rst 11⁄2 months.

Kevin McGonigle, SS, Detroit Tigers

The 21-year- old made the big-league club with a strong spring performance and continues to impress, batting .299 with two homers, 16 RBIs and an .845 OPS while splitting time between shortstop and third baseman. That’s why Detroit was comfortable signing him to a $150 million, eight-year deal in April.

“Let’s go back to being 20 years old. I was just getting hair under my armpits, and this guy’s in a big-league baseball game. It’s impressive.”

Torey Lovullo on Konnor Gri n

JJ Wetherholt, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals

The No. 7 overall pick in 2024, Wetherholt has popped seven homers for a Cardinals team that’s been a pleasant surprise in the NL Central.

Chase DeLauter, OF, Cleveland Guardians

DeLauter actually made his MLB debut last season when he became one of the few players in big league history to get his rst call-up in the playo s. So far this spring, he’s showed why the Guardians had enough con dence to bring him up for those pressure-packed games, batting .306 with six homers and 23 RBIs.

Munetaka Murikami, 1B, Chicago White Sox

The veteran Japanese slugger has made an instant im-

pact in the big leagues, crushing 14 homers in just 37 games. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts and may never consistently hit for high average, but there’s no doubt the power is legit, and he’s still just 26 years old.

Kazuma Okamoto, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

The 29 -year- old is older than all of the other players on this list and had a slow start while making the transition from Japan. But he’s picked up the pace over the past few weeks and is batting .246 with 10 homers and 23 RBIs.

Sal Stewart, 1B, Cincinnati Reds

The 22-year- old made a good impression during a short stint last season and has continued to hit this spring. Playing mostly rst base, he’s batting .245 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs.

Nolan McLean, RHP, New York Mets

McLean, a Garner High alum, has been one of the Mets’ few bright spots. He dazzled in an eight-start cameo last season and has pitched well so far in 2026. The 24 -year- old has a 2.97 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 391⁄3 innings through seven starts.

Parker Messick, LHP, Cleveland Guardians

The left-hander has been one of the best pitchers in the American League this season with a 3-1 record and a 2.40 ERA through seven starts.

Cox, Hall of Fame Braves manager, dead at 84

He managed Atlanta for 25 years, bringing the city its rst World Series title

By Charles Odum The Associated Press

ATLANTA — Bobby Cox, the folksy manager of the Atlanta Braves whose teams ruled the National League during the 1990s and gave the city its rst major title as well as World Series trips that fell short, died Saturday at 84 in Marietta, Georgia. He had a stroke in 2019 and heart issues that complicated his recovery.

“Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 straight division titles, ve National League pennants, and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995. His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched,” the Braves said in a statement.

Cox took over a last-place team in June 1990 and led the Braves to a worst-to - rst nish in 1991, losing the World Series to the Minnesota Twins in seven games. That was the start of what was to become a record 14 consecutive division titles, a feat no professional team in any sport had accomplished.

He managed the Braves for 25 years and led Atlanta to its rst World Series title in 1995, retired after the 2010 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

“Honestly, I’m just doing my job. I let everything else fall where it may.”

Bobby Cox

ing him back to the Braves as a bench coach, was asked if he might get tossed in Cox’s honor.

“It’s a di erent game now, you know, a very di erent era,” Weiss said. “Nobody can do it like Bobby, believe me.”

The Braves retired Cox’s No. 6 jersey in 2011, when he joined the team’s Hall of Fame.

Cox ranks fourth all-time with 2,504 wins, fth with 4,508 games, rst with 15 division titles including a record 14 in a row, rst with 16 playo appearances and fourth with 67 playo victories. Only Connie Mack, John McGraw and Tony La Russa had more regular-season wins than Cox.

“He was the rst one to the park every day,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said of Cox. “He’d have his spikes on at 12 o’clock. I never saw a manager wear spikes, but that was one of Bobby’s trademarks. He just loved the game. He loved the game, and he loved leading a group of men trying to win a championship.”

Cox also was rst in being ejected from 158 regular-season games. Weiss, who called Cox instrumental in bring-

“RIP my second father,” Andruw Jones wrote on social media. The 10 -time Gold Glove winner with Atlanta in July will become the sixth who played for Cox with the Braves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Cox spent 29 seasons as a major league manager, including four with Toronto. He managed 16 postseason teams. He brought an old-school approach to the dugout. He always wore spikes and stirrups, and his fatherly demeanor inspired loyalty from his players.

Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux said players around the league always wanted to know what it was like playing for Bobby Cox.

“The rst word that comes to mind is respect,” Maddux

said. “He had that from players. When Bobby talked, we listened. We wanted to play for him.”

Cox was the rst NL manager to win at least 100 games in a season ve times. He was Manager of the Year four times and the only one to win in consecutive years (2004, 2005). He also had close ties with his successors, Fredi González and Brian Snitker. Despite all his regular-season success, Cox won only the one World Series title in ve tries. He led the Braves to Atlanta’s rst major professional sports championship in 1995, beating the Cleveland Indians in six games to win the World Series. Cox said critics usually focused on the World Series losses instead.

“It’s a game of breaks when you get down to a four-game, must-win series,” Cox said. “We’ve played well. We’re proud of what we’ve done. They always ask that, though. It is irritating, to be honest with you.”

“He lived a great life,” said Dodgers rst baseman Freddie Freeman, who played the rst 12 seasons of his career with the Braves. “Everyone loved him in baseball. Braves country loved him.” Cox usually shied away from the limelight and was uncomfortable when talking about himself.

“Honestly, I’m just doing my job. I let everything else fall where it may,” he said.

ED REINKE / AP PHOTO

Atlanta Braves manager

Bobby Cox smiles while talking to reporters during team practice.

TOM E. PUSKAR / AP PHOTO

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Gri n is greeted by his teammates after scoring.

the stream

‘Dutton

Ranch,’ Colin Jost plays games, Maluma, Stanley Tucci, ‘The Crash’

“Pop Culture Jeopardy!” gets a second season

The Associated Press

THE LONG-AWAITED “Yellowstone” spino “Dutton Ranch” and a fresh collection from the Colombian superstar Maluma, are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time this week: The Net ix true crime documentary “The Crash,” pop-punk paragons The All-American Rejects return with their fth studio album and Season 2 of Stanley Tucci’s gastronomic tour “Tucci in Italy” lands on Disney+

MOVIES TO STREAM

Théodore Pellerin slyly in ltrates the inner circle of Archie Madekwe’s pop musician Oliver in the psychological thriller “Lurker,” streaming on HBO Max on Friday. The lm explores the parasocial relationship of internet fandoms and the power dynamics within the entourage of an on-the- cusp star. It was written and directed by Emmy-winner Alex Russell (“The Bear,” “Beef”), who looked to “obsessive thrillers” like “Whiplash” and “Black Swan” for inspiration.

The Net ix true crime documentary “The Crash” looks into a 2022 car crash in Ohio, in which 17-year- old Mackenzie Shirilla slammed her car into a brick building at 100 mph, killing her boyfriend and his friend, and the con icting narratives around that night. It begins streaming Friday. Also coming to Net ix? “Black Phone 2,” streaming on Saturday, which sees the return of Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber (who, yes, was killed in the rst movie), who is intent on getting revenge against Mason Thames four years later.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Friday, a new collection from the Colombian superstar

titled “Loco x Volv-

er,” drops. It’s a celebration of his culture and then some: from the reggaetón/dancehall hybrid “Pa’ la seca” with Ryan Castro to

“Con El Corazón” with the late great Yeison Jiménez and everything in between, these are songs that celebrate his roots

while modernizing folkloric sounds.

Pop -punk paragons The All-American Rejects are back, preparing to release their fth studio album and rst full-length in nearly 15 years, since 2012’s “Kids in the Street.” Expect what they’re known for: big hooks, big chords, big choruses and bigger fun.

SERIES TO STREAM

“Pop Culture Jeopardy!” has a new home for its second season. The game show, hosted by Colin Jost, makes the jump to Netix, with a new episode dropping each weekday through June 5. Sample categories include “bummer movie endings,” “Broadway on the big screen” and “TV of the 2010s.” If trending topics make up your FYP on TikTok, this one’s for you. Tucci is fresh o a world tour to promote “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” and now he’s taking us to Italy for season two of “Tuc-

“The sandbox is thirsty / Outside, the bombs are bursting.”

The All-American Rejects

ci in Italy.” In the new episodes, the actor visits regions like Sicily, Campania and Sardinia to meet with locals and eat food native to those areas. Travel along on Disney+ and Hulu. Fans have to wait until 2027 for a new season of “Heated Rivalry” but there’s another series available in the hockey romance genre. “O Campus” debuts its rst season on Prime Video. It’s about the love lives of a group of college hockey players. Each season follows a di erent relationship. The leads of Season 1 are Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright, while Season 2, starring Antonio Cipriano and India Fowler, begins lming very soon.

Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser’s long-awaited “Yellowstone” spino debuts Friday on Paramount+. “Dutton Ranch” takes place one year after the events of the series nale of “Yellowstone,” and characters Beth and Rip have relocated to Texas. They’ve got a new ranch now, but if we’ve learned anything from the other shows, owning land can be very dangerous. Annette Bening and Ed Harris also star.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

U.K. developer Supermassive Games has built its reputation on horror gems like “Until Dawn” and “The Quarry” that evoked classic movies like “Friday the 13th.” For its latest thriller, “Directive 8020,” the inspiration appears to be “Alien” and “The Thing.” You are 12 light years from Earth when your colony ship crashes on Tau Ceti f. The organisms there aren’t happy to meet you, and they are quite adept at imitating their prey. Can you trust your crewmates? Can you prevent the predators from hitching a ride when you try to return home? Get squishy on PlayStation

and

Maluma,

5, Xbox X/S

PC.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Felicity Blunt, left, and Stanley Tucci arrive at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute bene t gala on May 4 in New York. Season two of “Tucci in Italy” is streaming now on Hulu.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

Alex Orlovsky, from left, Lee Sung Jin and Marc Marrie accept the award for best rst feature for “Lurker” during the Film Independent Spirit Awards at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Maluma arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute bene t gala on May 4 in New York. The Colombian pop star drops his new album, “Loco x Volver,” on Friday.

STATE & NATION

Virginia Supreme Court strikes down Democrats’ redrawn US House maps, giving Republicans win

Combined with weakened voting rights protections, the ruling strengthens Republican gerrymandering e orts

By David A. Lieb and Geo Mulvihill The Associated Press

THE VIRGINIA Supreme Court on Friday struck down a voter-approved Democratic congressional redistricting plan, delivering another major setback to the party in a nationwide battle against Republicans for an edge in this year’s midterm elections.

The court ruled 4 -3 that the state’s Democratic-led legislature violated procedural requirements when it placed the constitutional amendment on the ballot to authorize mid- decade redistricting. Voters narrowly approved the amendment on April 21, but the court’s ruling renders the vote’s result meaningless.

Writing for the majority, Justice D. Arthur Kelsey wrote that the legislature submitted the proposed constitutional amendment to voters “in an unprecedented manner.”

“This violation irreparably undermines the integrity of the resulting referendum vote and renders it null and void,” he wrote.

Democrats had hoped to win as many as four additional U.S. House seats under Virginia’s redrawn map as part of an attempt to o set Republican redistricting done elsewhere at the urging of President Donald Trump. Later Friday, Virginia Democrats said in a ling that they intended to le an emergency appeal of the state high court’s decision with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Friday’s ruling, combined with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that severely weakened the Voting Rights Act, has supercharged Republicans’ congressional gerrymandering advantage heading into this year’s midterm elections.

“Huge win for the Republican Party, and America, in Virginia,” Trump said about the decision on his social media account.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the ruling was another sign of GOP momentum heading into the midterms.

“We’re on o ense, and we’re going to win,” he said in a statement.

Don Scott, the Democratic speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, said Democrats respect the court’s opinion but lamented that it overturned the will of the voters: “They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Suzan DelBene, chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, criticized the court majority for

State Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, center, speaks outside the Supreme Court of Virginia after arguments were heard in a redistricting-related case at the court in Richmond, Virginia, on April 27.

what she said was a decision that “cast aside the will of the voters,” but she said the people will have the nal say.

“In November, they will, and they’ll power Democrats to the House majority,” she said in a statement.

A longshot

Democratic appeal

Democrats are taking a legal longshot in asking the nation’s highest court to reverse the Virginia ruling. The U.S. Supreme Court tries to avoid second-guessing state courts’ interpretations of their own constitutions. In 2023, it turned down a request by North Carolina Republicans to overrule a state Supreme Court decision that blocked the GOP’s congressional map. Still, even an unsuccessful appeal would let Democrats try to blame their failure on the conservative majority that dominates the nation’s highest court, which has already infuriated the party and civil rights groups by neutering the Voting Rights Act.

Legislative voting districts typically are redrawn once a decade after each census to account for population changes.

But Trump sparked an unusual urry of mid-decade redistricting last year by encouraging Republican o cials in Texas to redraw districts in a bid to win several additional U.S. House seats and hold on to their party’s narrow majority in the midterm elections.

California responded with new voter-approved districts drawn to Democrats’ advantage, and Utah’s top court imposed a new congressional map that also helps Democrats. Meanwhile, Republicans stand to gain from new House districts passed in Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. They could add even more after the

“They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Don Scott, Virginia House of Delegates speaker

U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Voting Rights Act case, which has prompted some other Republican states to consider redrawing their maps in time for this year’s elections.

Virginia is currently represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and ve Republicans, all elected from districts imposed by a court following a bipartisan redistricting commission’s failure to agree on a map after the 2020 census. The new districts could have given Democrats an improved chance to win all but one of the state’s 11 congressional seats.

The state Supreme Court’s majority was critical of the state’s redrawing of the congressional maps to bene t one political party. Those justices noted that 47% of the state’s voters supported GOP congressional candidates in 2024, but the new map could result in Democrats making up 91% of the state’s House delegation.

What was in the Democrats’ map

Under the Democratic- drawn map, ve districts would have been anchored in the Democratic stronghold of northern Virginia. Revisions to four other districts across Richmond, southern Virginia and Hampton Roads would have diluted the voting power of conservative blocs in those areas. And a reshaped district in parts of western Virginia would have lumped together three Democratic-leaning college towns to o set other Republican voters.

The state Supreme Court’s

seven justices are appointed by the state legislature, which has toggled back and forth between Democratic, Republican and split control over recent years. Legal experts say the body doesn’t have a set ideological pro le.

The case before the court focused not on the shape of the new districts but rather on the process the General Assembly used to authorize them.

Because the state’s redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, lawmakers had to propose an amendment to redraw the districts. That required approval of a resolution in two separate legislative sessions, with a state election sandwiched in between, to place the amendment on the ballot.

The legislature’s initial approval of the amendment occurred last October, during early voting for the general election, before it concluded. The legislature’s second vote on the amendment occurred after a new legislative session began in January. Lawmakers also approved a separate bill in February laying out the new districts, subject to voter approval of the constitutional amendment.

Arguments over the de nition of “election”

Judicial arguments focused on whether the legislature’s initial approval of the amendment came too late because early voting already had begun.

Attorney Matthew Seligman, who defended the legislature, argued that the “election”

should be de ned narrowly to mean the Tuesday of the general election. In that case, the legislature’s rst vote on the redistricting amendment occurred before the election and was constitutional, he told justices.

But in its ruling, the Supreme Court said, “this view appears to be wholly unprecedented in Virginia’s history.”

An attorney for the plainti s, Thomas McCarthy, argued an “election” should be interpreted to cover the entire period during which voters can cast ballots, which lasts several weeks in Virginia. If that’s the case, he told justices, then the legislature’s initial endorsement of the redistricting amendment came too late to comply with the state constitution.

The Supreme Court agreed with that argument, writing: “The General Assembly passed the proposed constitutional amendment for the rst time well after voters had begun casting ballots during the 2025 general election.”

By the time lawmakers initially endorsed the amendment, voters already had cast more than 1.3 million ballots in the general election, about 40% of the total votes ultimately cast, the court said.

The Supreme Court’s ruling a rms a decision by a judge in rural Tazewell County, in southwestern Virginia. The court had placed a hold on that ruling and allowed the redistricting vote to proceed before hearing arguments on the case.

In the dissent to Friday’s ruling, Chief Justice Cleo Powell said the election for the purpose of considering the amendment does not include the early voting period.

“The majority’s de nition creates an in nite voting loop that appears to have no established beginning,” she wrote, “only a de nitive end: Election Day.”

Randolph record

Hambetheo and Juliet

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Iran war hitting home as gas prices fuel in ation surge of 3.8% in U.S.

Actors Allen Tedder, left, and Patrick Osteen perform “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).” The performance is billed as “an attempt to cram all of Shakespeare’s plays into a single athletic performance,” running through May 24 on the Championship Tennis Court at Memorial Park in Asheboro. For more, visit RhinoLeap.com. 191

U.S. consumer prices climbed sharply again last month as the 10-week war with Iran pushed energy prices higher. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that its consumer price index rose 3.8% from April 2025.

On a month-to-month basis, April prices were up 0.6% from March as gasoline prices rose 5.4%. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called consumer core prices were up 0.4% last month from March and 2.8% from April 2025, relatively modest readings that suggest the energy price burst isn’t yet spilling over much into other prices.

Trump FDA chief leaving after angering pharma CEOs, vaping lobbyists, anti-abortion groups

Marty Makary is resigning as President Donald Trump’s Food and Drug Administration head, according to a White House o cial who was not authorized to speak before an o cial announcement and insisted on anonymity Tuesday. The surgeon and health researcher’s tenure had drawn complaints from health industry executives, anti-abortion activists and other Trump allies. Makary was an outspoken critic of COVID-19 health measures during the pandemic, but at the FDA, Makary failed to win the sta ’s con dence after mass layo s, leadership changes and a series of controversies.

$2.00

Asheboro approves rezoning for new development

The Crestview Church Road project will construct up to 191 single-family homes

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Council met May 7 for its regular business meeting with an agenda primarily dealing with rezoning requests.

The council held three public hearings at the meeting, the rst being for the annexation and zoning of around 84 acres of property located in Crestview Church Road and Oakhurst Road to a Medium-Density Residential conditional zoning for the construction of a large residential development.

“This property is currently zoned RM-CD, which is a conditional zoning for a campground use,” said Planning and Zoning Director Justin Luck. “The RM-CD that is presently on the property was approved by the county in May 2024, and it does authorize a campground with 261 RV camping sites and 15 cabin sites.”

However, the site was never developed, and the current applicants are now proposing developing 191 lots of single-family dwellings.

Per the applicants, there will be an average of 2.3 units per acre, and each lot will also include a two-car garage.

The plan is also for there to be sidewalks on each side of the road throughout the development, recreational and open

The maximum number of lots in the proposed development on Crestview Church Road

space, and a 5-foot wide natural footpath.

The council also held a hearing for approximately 0.5 acres of property located at 506 Pineview St. to be rezoned as a conditional zoning district for the purpose of constructing a pair of two-family dwellings.

The reason for the request is that the current ordinance requires a two-family dwelling to be located on a lot with at least

15,000 square feet and with a width of at least 75 feet, and the average lot size for the project would be around 11,000 square feet with a 65-foot width.

The nal hearing was for the annexation and zoning of about 0.7 acres of property located at 4402 U.S. Highway 220 Business South to be zoned as General Industrial.

This portion of property was inadvertently omitted from an annexation request that was already approved in March.

“This additional property was unfortunately missed in a survey, so this is to properly correct that situation,” said Community Development Director John Evans.

The prior approval was for approximately 62 acres to be annexed into the city’s jurisdiction, and the current goal with it is to pursue economic development opportunities that can utilize the general industrial zoning.

Following all three requests, the council approved each one.

The Asheboro City Council will next meet June 4.

New NC Zoo director coming this summer

A former Walt Disney Company executive will take over at the Asheboro facility

Randolph Record sta

ASHEBORO — A new director with connections to the Walt Disney Company has been hired for the North Carolina Zoo.

Mark Penning will assume the position this summer, the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announced.

Penning recently announced his retirement as vice president of animals, science and environment for Disney Experiences, part of the Walt Disney Company. There he oversaw animal care, conservation and environmental initiatives at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Animal Kingdom Lodge and The Seas with Nemo and Friends

at Epcot, and at Disney parks around the world.

“He is a world leader in animal care and conservation and truly understands and supports the Zoo’s mission,” said Pamela Cashwell, DNCR secretary.

Penning lls a position that had been held for 10 years by Pat Simmons until her death last July. Diane Villa has been interim director.

Penning previously served as CEO of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research in Durban, South Africa. He has also served as president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and as a board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Penning sits on the board of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International and serves as a Trustee of Wild Welfare, an animal welfare organization.

The N.C. Zoo has more than 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants.

THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

PJ WARD-BROWN / RANDOLPH RECORD

COURTESY PHOTO

Mark Penning

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1201

Asheboro man dies in Florida

The incident was ruled an accident regarding the man who played in a bluegrass band

Randolph Record sta AN ASHEBORO MAN died May 2 after he was found unresponsive following a dive into shallow water in the

CRIME LOG

May 4

• Cristian Cruz Mendez, 21, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for breaking and entering a motor vehicle, attempted larceny and injury to personal property.

• David Rosario Bernechea, 46, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• James Michael Branch, 51, of Randleman, was arrested by Randleman PD for assault on a female.

• Sandry Frias, 34, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for simple assault and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Destiny Leidianna House, 25, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for simple assault and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Pamela McLeod Martinez, 62, of Randleman, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance; selling or delivering a controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine, and other charges.

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• Stephanie Pineda, 26, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for simple assault and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Wesley Clay Whitman, 62, of Randleman, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance; selling a controlled substance and felony possession of a controlled substance, and other charges.

May 5

• Bernave Montoya Aries, 63, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for second degree trespass.

• Joshua Adam Spry, 46, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for second degree trespass.

• Christine Annmarie Wright, 39, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for resisting a public o cer.

May 6

• Michael Dewayne Ashley, 48, of Asheboro, was arrested by Randleman PD for resisting a public o cer.

• Brian Eugene Bullins, 44, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for attempted rst degree burglary.

• Jimmy Lee Hyatt, 39, of Randleman, was arrested by Asheboro PD for tra cking in fentanyl; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine and possession of fentanyl, and other charges.

• Kristian Nicole Tanzola, 37, of Randleman, was arrested by Asheboro PD for tra cking in fentanyl; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine and possession of fentanyl, and other charges.

• Jonathan Michael Cole, 34, of Ramseur, was arrested by Asheboro PD for violating a domestic violence protective order.

Florida Keys, according to the Monroe County Sheri ’s O ce.

Edward Eugene Stills, 50, was swimming at Marvin Key o the Lower Keys at around 3:17 p.m. when he was found in the water unresponsive, according to a police report led in Florida. Reports indicate he dove into shallow water. The Florida Fish and Wild-

life Conservation Commission brought him ashore. He was taken to a medical center on Stock Island where he was pronounced dead. Marvin Key is located about 13 miles from Key West and is described as only accessible by boat. According to an obituary posted by Pugh Funeral Home, Stills was part of the Stills Family Band, a bluegrass group. He also worked in Wells Fargo’s IT department for 20 years. A celebration of life has been scheduled for 4 p.m. May 16 at Crestview Wesleyan Church in Asheboro following visitation scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

May 9

in icting serious injury, felony larceny and interfering with emergency communications, and other charges.

• Henry Franklin Mills, 55, of Trinity, was arrested by RCSO for misdemeanor child abuse.

May 7

• Michael Lee Anderson, 48, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for assault on a female and assault on a child under 12.

• Tracey Bryant Cheek, 44, of Ramseur, was arrested by Asheboro PD for tra cking in cocaine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver cocaine and conspiracy to sell or deliver cocaine, and other charges.

• Joshua Paul Dix, 20, of Greensboro, was arrested by RCSO for second degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

• Jacob Adam Garner, 42, of High Point, was arrested by Asheboro PD for assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Rebekka Alicia Maness, 42, of High Point, was arrested by Asheboro PD for simple assault and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Steven William Martin, 36, of Franklinville, was arrested by NC P&P for misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen goods.

• Aaron Ryan Massey, 36, of Trinity, was arrested by RCSO for misdemeanor child abuse, possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor larceny.

• Antwain Addias Person, 32, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for second degree trespass.

• Ana Lucia Zamora-Morales, 33, of Franklinville, was arrested by RCSO for assault in icting physical injury on an emergency person, driving while impaired and misdemeanor child abuse, and other charges.

May 8

• Raymond Scho eld Hyatt, 33, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for misdemeanor larceny, shoplifting by concealment of goods and possession of stolen goods, and other charges.

• Tyler Andre Mills, 19, of Jamestown, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession of a controlled substance on jail premises, felony conspiracy and forgery of an instrument, and other charges.

• Kortni Lamay Saunders, 31, of Sophia, was arrested by Asheboro PD for driving while impaired and resisting a public o cer.

• Amber Elizabeth Walker, 39, of Greensboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for a sexual act with a student.

• Patrick Dwight Weaver, 46, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for assault on a child under 12, assault on a female and misdemeanor child abuse, and other charges.

• Kevin Wayne Whitesell, 48, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for failure to register as a sex o ender.

• Craig Lamonte Bradley, 41, of Randleman, was arrested by RCSO for assault by strangulation, felony child abuse and assault on a female.

• Gina Denise Brady, 48, of Trinity, was arrested by RCSO for misdemeanor child abuse.

• Marshall Dion Cassady, 39, of Seagrove, was arrested by Asheboro PD for assault on a female and interfering with emergency communications.

• Jason Preston Garner, 46, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance; and possession of methamphetamine, and other charges.

• Yoni Alexander Hernandez, 21, of Thomasville, was arrested by NC ALE for an ABC law violation and aiding and abetting underage possession of alcohol.

• Dusten Dale Hudson, 35, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for habitual larceny, possession of stolen goods or property and larceny by use of an anti-inventory device.

• Tanner Christian Parson, 26, of Southern Pines, was arrested by Asheboro PD for driving while impaired and open container after consuming alcohol.

• Shonia Larose Robinson, 63, of Glen Allen, was arrested by Asheboro PD for disorderly conduct.

• Julio Guillermo Romero, 48, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and assault on a female.

• Scott Alan Sawyer, 46, of Liberty, was arrested by Randleman PD for driving while impaired, felony possession of cocaine and breaking and entering a motor vehicle, and other charges.

• Ashley Shanae Smith, 32, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for identity theft, nancial card theft and possession of stolen goods or property, and other charges.

• Vanessa Dawn Taylor, 43, of Franklinville, was arrested by Asheboro PD for second-degree trespass.

May 10

• Edgar Carabajal, 32, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and assault on a female.

• Roger Milton Cox, 51, of Staley, was arrested by RCSO for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, assault on a female and communicating threats.

• Wilma Kay Davis, 57, of East Bend, was arrested by RCSO for injury to real property, disorderly conduct and resisting or obstructing a public o cer.

• Greggery Todd Johnsen, 55, of Bermuda Run, was arrested by RCSO for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Randolph Guide

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Randolph County.

May 15

Eighth Annual Blessing of the Badges

noon

The annual public ceremony gathers community members to pray for and honor law enforcement o cers who serve Randolph County during National Police Week. The service is held on the sheri ’s o ce lawn, with an indoor location available if weather requires.

Randolph County Sheri ’s O ce 727 McDowell Road Asheboro

Friday Night Bluegrass: The Hatley Family Band

7 p.m.

The Hatley Family Band, a six-member ensemble from Stan eld representing ve generations of musicians, performs bluegrass gospel, traditional standards and toe-tapping instrumentals at the Sunset Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Sunset Theatre 234 Sunset Ave. Asheboro

May

16

Arts Academy of Archdale Annual Dance Recital

The Arts Academy of Archdale presents its annual student recital at the Sunset Theatre in downtown Asheboro, showcasing dancers from the Archdale-Trinity area.

Sunset Theatre

234 Sunset Ave. Asheboro

May 17

Summer Concert Series Opening: Band of Oz 6 p.m.

The 2026 Summer Concert Series kicks o with Band of Oz, one of North Carolina’s most celebrated beach music bands, in a free outdoor performance at Bicentennial Park in downtown Asheboro. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

Bicentennial Park Asheboro

• Kendric O’Brian Cuthrell, 35, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill

• Gary Michael Zielenski, 21, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for assault on a female, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

• Mersadies Layne Primm, 36, of Ramseur, was arrested by RCSO for violation of a domestic violence protective order and making a false report to police.

May 22

Rock’n the Park: MegaStars of Country — Brooks & Dunn Tribute

6:30 p.m.

The Rock’n the Park Friday night concert series presents MegaStars of Country, a tribute act celebrating the music of country duo Brooks & Dunn, with a local opening act at 6:30 p.m. and the tribute performance at 8 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.

Bicentennial Park Asheboro

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Medicaid millionaires are hiding in plain sight

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT programs is often treated like an urban legend — something that happens in faraway blue cities run by corrupt political machines. But the truth is more unsettling: Some of the most brazen theft of taxpayer money is happening in places governed by Republicans, right under their noses.

Consider Ohio.

At one address in Columbus, investigators found 94 di erent companies registered in the same building. The windows were covered. The o ces appeared empty. Yet according to The Daily Wire investigative team led by Luke Rosiak, that single address has billed taxpayers more than $66 million.

This is not a minor accounting error. It is not mere “waste.” It is a system being exploited.

Rosiak’s reporting exposes an ecosystem of “Medicaid millionaires”: not the poor recipients of bene ts but the companies and middlemen who pro t o them. Under the guise of “home health care,” Ohio pays people to visit Medicaid bene ciaries’ homes to perform “homemaking” services — cooking, cleaning and chores — tasks that don’t require medical training and often don’t receive meaningful oversight.

Ohio spent roughly $1 billion on home health care in 2024. The incentives are obvious: If government is handing out checks for loosely de ned services, the people best

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

positioned to get rich are not the disabled or elderly — it’s the billing operations.

The pattern is almost comical in its boldness: Cover the windows, hang a sheet of paper with a generic company name ending in “Home Health LLC,” and if someone asks questions, claim the employees “stepped out.” Why cover the windows? Because there is nothing inside.

Dig into the companies and you nd unpaid taxes, shady ownership structures and a bizarre number of LLCs registered in unrelated industries. The deeper you look, the clearer it becomes that government is not equipped to monitor who it is writing million- dollar checks to.

The business model is disturbingly simple. A 40-year-old man becomes an “employee” of a Medicaid-billing rm and gets paid to “care for” his 65-year-old mother. But the only patient is Mom, and the only person who could con rm whether services are being provided is Mom herself. If she doesn’t want to rat out her son — or if she’s receiving a kickback — the state has no practical way to verify anything.

When Rosiak questioned one operator about what his company did, he was met with threats. The man reportedly dismissed the inquiry and then pivoted to the modern all-purpose defense: “I’m going to tell everybody you guys are racist.”

And there it is — the magic trick.

Steal millions. Exploit the system. Then accuse anyone investigating you of bigotry. Unlike food stamps and other capped welfare programs, this Medicaid service has no meaningful ceiling. It expands as far as doctors are willing to sign forms. One doctor willing to approve enough paperwork can bankrupt a state. For decades, the public couldn’t see this because Medicaid billing data was a black box. That changed in February, when the Department of Justice quietly released new data. In one case, a landlord whose buildings housed hundreds of Medicaid companies billed the federal government $250 million.

Now the question is whether leaders will act. Ohio has Republican leadership, and nationally President Donald Trump has made waste, fraud and abuse a central theme of his administration. That focus matters because this problem won’t be solved with speeches or “task forces.” It requires audits, subpoenas, prosecutions and real accountability. If government programs are going to exist, the bare minimum requirement is that they serve the people they claim to serve.

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

The race-obsessed left complains when the Supreme Court issues a colorblind ruling

But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a colorcoordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination.

SUPREME COURT Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, in the recent case that restricted the use of race in designing a Louisiana congressional district.

Thomas wrote: “This Court should never have interpreted (Section) 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to e ectively give racial groups ‘an entitlement to roughly proportional representation.’ ... By doing so, the Court led legislatures and courts to ‘systematically divid(e) the country into electoral districts along racial lines.’ ... ‘Blacks (we)re drawn into ‘black districts’ and given ‘black representatives’; Hispanics (we) re drawn into Hispanic districts and given ‘Hispanic representatives’; and so on. That interpretation rendered (Section) 2 ‘repugnant to any nation that strives for the ideal of a color-blind Constitution.’ ... Today’s decision should largely put an end to this ‘disastrous misadventure’ in voting-rights jurisprudence.”

Critics argue the ruling is not colorblind in e ect because race-neutral districting can dilute minority voting power. But this assumes a) non-black and non-Hispanic voters would not vote for black or Hispanic candidates; and b) the interests of black and Hispanic voters can only be pursued by black and Hispanic members of Congress.

For Democrats, the e ect of this ruling could be politically catastrophic. A report from Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund said, “Combined with Republicans’ mid-decade gerrymandering, a ruling gutting Section 2 could help secure an additional 27 safe Republican U.S. House seats when compared to the 2024 House maps — at least 19 directly tied to the loss of Section 2.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries said, “Instead of protecting the ability for American citizens to freely cast their ballot, Republican extremists have embraced voter suppression and racial gerrymandering to desperately cling to power. The corrupt conservative majority on the Supreme Court appointed by Donald Trump has taken a blowtorch to the Voting Rights Act. Why? The extremists need to cheat to win.”

It is not clear how removing race as a criterion in constructing congressional districts amounts to “cheating.” Nor is it clear how this majority of justices, nominated by Republican presidents, renders the court “corrupt.”

As for “Republican extremists embracing voter suppression,” Je ries presumably means voter ID laws. But polls show a large majority of blacks support voter ID by percentages close to those of whites. Georgia, in 2021, enacted voter ID and voter-integrity laws called by President Joe Biden “worse than Jim Crow — it’s Jim Eagle.” But the percentage of blacks who voted exceeded the black voting percentages of most pre-2021 Georgia elections.

Let’s turn to Je ries’ accusation about Republicans’ supposed use of “racial gerrymandering.” In 2017, Politico wrote: “Former (Obama) Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday o cially launched the National Democratic Redistricting Committee ... as the center of Democratic rebuilding in the era of President-elect Donald Trump and as Democrats’ main hope to roll back Republican gains in state legislatures and prepare for redistricting in 2021. The end goal: House majorities in Congresses elected after 2020.”

To that end, Eric Holder supported race - conscious redistricting e orts designed to increase black electoral in uence. About a district in Alabama in 2024, for example, The Associated Press wrote: “The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which Holder chairs, supported the legal battle that led to the district being redrawn into a competitive seat where Black voters have the opportunity to in uence the outcome.”

Finally, about voters voting based on race, there are four black Republican members of the U.S. House, none of whom represents a majority-black district. Even Democrat Maxine Waters, a harsh critic of the court ruling and a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, represents a district that is only about 20% black. Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white, succeeded Rep. Harold Ford Jr., who is black, in representing a majority-black district. And a recent Gallup poll nds Trump approval rating among blacks at 16%, up from 12% in his rst term.

Contrary to what many Democratic politicians say and how they act, this is not their grandfather’s America. But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a color-coordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination.

My advice to Democrats after this ruling is simple: calm down. The days of poll taxes, literacy tests and grandfather clauses are long over. As Thomas Sowell says, “When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination.”

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

Man charged in White House correspondents’ dinner attack pleads not guilty

His attorneys argue attending prosecutors have a con ict of interest in the case

By Michael Kunzelman

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A man accused of storming the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner while armed with guns and knives pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges that he attempted to kill President Donald Trump and red a shotgun at a Secret Service ocer who tried to stop the attack.

Cole Tomas Allen was handcu ed, shackled and wearing an orange jail uniform when he appeared in federal court for his arraignment. Allen didn’t speak during the brief hearing. One of his attorneys entered the plea on his behalf.

Allen’s lawyers are asking U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden to disqualify at least two top Justice Department ofcials from direct involvement in prosecuting him because they could be considered victims or witnesses in the case, creating a potential con ict of interest.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. At-

“That would be quite a

Trevor McFadden, U.S. District judge

torney Jeanine Pirro were attending the event when Allen ran through a security checkpoint and red a shotgun at a Secret Service o cer, authorities said. In a court ling last week, Allen’s attorneys argued that it creates at least the appearance of a con ict of interest for Blanche and Pirro to be making any prosecutorial decisions in the case.

McFadden, a Trump nominee, didn’t rule from the bench on that question but asked Allen’s attorneys to elaborate on the possible scope of their recusal request. Defense attorney Eugene Ohm said the defense likely would seek to disqualify Pirro’s entire o ce from involvement in the case. Ohm acknowledged that a bid to disqualify the entire Justice Department would be unlikely.

“That would be quite a request,” the judge said.

McFadden gave prosecutors until May 22 to respond in writ-

ing to the defense’s request. The judge asked the government to specify whether it believes Pirro and Blanche could be considered victims in the case.

“That might add some clarity here,” McFadden said.

In their ling, Allen’s attorneys suggested that the appointment of a special prosecutor might be warranted.

Allen is scheduled to return to court on June 29.

A Secret Service o cer was shot once in a bullet-resistant vest during the April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton hotel, which disrupted and ultimately prompted an early end to one of the highest-pro le annual events in the nation’s capital. The o cer red ve shots but didn’t hit anybody, authorities said.

Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was injured but was not shot.

Besides the attempted assassination count, Allen is also charged with assaulting a federal o cer with a deadly weapon and two additional rearms counts. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted of the attempted assassination charge alone.

Allen was placed on suicide watch after his arrest, but jail o cials removed him from that

status after several days. Allen’s attorneys complained that he had been unnecessarily conned in a padded room with constant lighting, repeatedly strip searched and placed in restraints outside his cell.

Allen told FBI agents that he didn’t expect to survive the attack, which could help explain why he was deemed to be a possible suicide risk, a Justice Department prosecutor has said.

Allen was out tted with an ammunition bag, a shoulder gun holster and a sheathed knife when he took a photo of himself in his room at the hotel just minutes before the attack, according to prosecutors. In a message that authorities say sheds light on his motive, Allen referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and alluded obliquely to grievances over a

Democrats vow to ght $1B Senate security proposal for White House ballroom

The proposal ties White House security to immigration funding Democrats had blocked

By Mary Clare Jalonick and Kevin Freking

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republicans returning to Washington, D.C., on Monday are facing questions about a $1 billion Senate security proposal that could help pay for President Donald Trump’s ballroom as Democrats say they will try to defeat it.

Senate Republicans added the money for White House security to a spending bill that would restore funding for immigration enforcement agencies that Democrats have blocked since February. The steep security proposal was put forward after a man was charged with trying to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner last month.

Republicans are using a partisan budget maneuver to push

the spending legislation through Congress without any Democratic votes. But in a letter to colleagues Monday morning, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Democrats will ght it in other ways, including by pushing the Senate parliamentarian to strike the ballroom security money from the budget bill and o ering amendments forcing Republicans to vote on it.

“The Republican-controlled Congress is preparing to answer

this moment with a de cit-busting, party-line bill that pours billions more taxpayer dollars into a rogue ICE operation and a billion-dollar ballroom, while doing nothing to end the illegal war in Iran or ease the Republican affordability crisis bearing down on working families,” Schumer wrote in the letter.

It’s unclear if the security money will even have enough backing among Republicans. The House has not released its bill yet, but the Senate is expected to start voting on its version of the legislation this week.

While most GOP lawmakers have remained quiet on the proposal as they spent their recess out of Washington, D.C., some have publicly questioned whether they would support it.

“I’m going to look at it very carefully and make sure those things are in the national interest,” said Rep. Rob Wittman, a Virginia Republican who was in the Capitol last week to briefly gavel in a pro forma session of the House.

“I want to know the ex-

act nature of the expenditures that would go there for security. So I think it’s a little premature to look at that and say, you know, yes or no to it,” Wittman said.

Wittman wants to better understand the details of the Senate proposal and “how it’s part of what the total construction cost is,” he said.

Trump has said the ballroom’s construction would cost $400 million and use private funds, but he had not proposed a number for security costs.

The Senate bill would designate the money for the U.S. Secret Service, including for “security adjustments and upgrades” related to the ballroom project, which Trump and other Republicans have been pushing since Cole Tomas Allen was charged with storming the April 25 media dinner at the Washington Hilton with guns and knives.

The legislation says the money would support enhancements to the ballroom project, “including above-ground and below-ground

range of actions by Trump’s Republican administration.

Authorities have alleged that Allen on April 6 reserved a room for himself at the Hilton where the event would be held weeks later under its typical tight security. He traveled by train cross-country from California, checking himself into the hotel a day before the dinner with a room reserved for the weekend.

Trump was rushed o the stage by his security team at the Saturday night event and appeared at the White House two hours later, still in his tuxedo, to talk about the attack and the suspect.

“When you’re impactful, they go after you. When you’re not impactful, they leave you alone,” the president said. “They seem to think he was a lone wolf.”

“I’m going to look at it very carefully and make sure those things are in the national interest.”

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.)

security features,” but speci es it may not be used for nonsecurity elements.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle praised Republicans last week for including the money for the “long overdue” project, saying it would “provide the United States Secret Service with the resources they need to fully and completely harden the White House complex, in addition to the many other critical missions for the USSS.”

The White House has said in court documents that the East Wing project would be “heavily forti ed,” including bomb shelters, military installations and a medical facility underneath the ballroom. Trump has said it should include bulletproof glass and be able to repel drone attacks. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has sued to block construction of the project, but a federal appeals court said last month that it can continue in the meantime.

DANA VERKOUTEREN VIA AP

A courtroom sketch depicts Cole Tomas Allen, seated center, the California man arrested in the shooting incident at the correspondents dinner in Washington, D.C., seen appearing before U.S. Magistrate Moxila Upadhyaya in federal court April 30 in Washington, D.C.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks on fair elections and the Supreme Court’s ruling to strike down a majority black congressional district in Louisiana.

request.”

Esther Mearl Dunlap Hundley

Aug. 20, 1944 – May 7, 2026

Esther Mearl Dunlap Hundley, 81, of Robbins, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at FirstHealth Moore Regional. The private graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Union Grove Baptist Church with Dr. Ron Chaney presiding.

Esther was born in Moore County on August 20, 1944, to Howard and Stella Rouse Dunlap. She was formerly employed as a waitress at Westmoore. She enjoyed cooking, canning, singing and life in general. She loved owers and cherished her time spent with her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Earl Hundley; son, Earl Ray Hundley; two brothers, one sister and her sonin-law.

Esther is survived by her daughters, Cheryl K. Prince, of Franklinville, Donna H. Perry (Jim), of Robbins and Robyn R. Roberts (Bo), of Asheboro; brother, E. Ray Dunlap, of Robbins; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; special nephew, Jackie Ray Dunlap (Kim), of Robbins and a host of family and friends.

James “Jim” Ritenour Cleek

April 4, 1969 – May 6, 2026

James “Jim” Ritenour Cleek, age 57, of Asheboro, passed away on May 6, 2026, at Randolph Hospital.

Jim was born in Asheboro on April 4, 1969, to Thornton and Martha Brantley Cleek, who preceded him in death. He was a 1987 graduate of Asheboro High School, did his undergraduate studies at NC State University, and obtained his MBA at Western Carolina University. He retired from Pharmaceutical Sales. Jim loved being outdoors, the beach, the lake, the mountains, and just piddling. He had a passion for NC State Athletics.

Jim loved his boys, Grayson and Owen, and will be missed by many friends and family.

He is survived by his sons, Grayson Cleek and Owen Cleek, both of Raleigh; sister, Margaret Hubbard (Glen) of Clemmons; brother, Bradley Cleek of Missoula, Montana; and his lifelong friend since the age of three, Stewart Roberts.

No services are planned at this time.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Dr., Asheboro, NC 27203.

Joseph “Joe” Edward Gatlin

March 7, 1944 – May 8, 2026

Joseph “Joe” Edward Gatlin, 82, of Asheboro, died Friday, May 8, 2026, at his home.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 15, 2026, at Mt. Pleasant Community Church, 2415 Hoover Hill Road, Trinity, with Trellis McDowell and Rev. Bryan Rush o ciating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Joe was born on March 7, 1944, in Randolph County, the son of the late Dempsey Edward Gatlin and Esther Luther Gatlin. He was a graduate of Seagrove High School and was proud to be from the Erect Community. He was formerly employed at Walker Shoes for 40 years, serving as plant manager. He worked for McRae Footwear for 13 years before retiring.

In his younger years, Joe competed in auto racing at many local tracks, but Caraway Speedway was his home track. He won the 1969 championship at Caraway and 15 additional races that same year, as well as many others. Later on, he spent his free time coaching the ladies’ softball team at B.B. Walker in the Industrial League. During this time, they won a State Championship. His next passion, other than his family, was golf, which followed him into retirement. Joe enjoyed many athletic pursuits, but by far his greatest joy was being an amazing husband, father, and Pap. His grandsons were the light of his life.

In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Brenda Joyce Hunt Gatlin, and his brother, Roger Gatlin.

He is survived by his daughters, Duree Auman (Charles) of Seagrove, Corrie Gatlin of the home; sister, Ann Cranford (Tommy) of Asheboro; brothers, Donald Gatlin (Patty) of Seagrove, Mark Gatlin (Wendy) of Seagrove; grandchildren, Cade Auman, Jace Auman, Lawson Barnes, and Tyler Barnes.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 15, at Mt. Pleasant Community Church, prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

Vernon Russell Wilson

Sept. 14, 1935 – May 10, 2026

Vernon Russell Wilson, a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away after a brief illness on May 10, 2026, at the age of 90, at the Randolph Hospice House.

Born on September 14, 1935, in High Falls, North Carolina, Vernon lived a life rich in love, community, and service. He was the son of Gurney and Pauline Wilson, who preceded him in death.

Vernon’s journey began in the small community of High Falls, where he graduated from High Falls High School in 1953. A talented athlete, he excelled in both basketball and baseball, demonstrating the teamwork and dedication that would de ne his life. He continued his education at High Point College, playing basketball and nurturing a commitment to learning that he carried throughout his life.

In the late 70s, he and his wife, Billie Callicutt Wilson, founded Wilson Realty and Construction. Together, they built not just homes but legacies of quality and ne craftsmanship that stood as a testament to their shared vision and hard work.

Vernon’s dedication to his craft earned him accolades and respect in the community he so dearly loved. He was a member of Asheboro/Randolph Home Builders and Asheboro Masonic Lodge #699 for 60 years.

Vernon was an active and devoted member of the Asheboro Friends Meeting for over 60 years. His faith was a cornerstone of his life, providing a foundation of strength and kindness that touched all who knew him.

A man of many passions, Vernon was an avid golfer, a writer of many heartfelt poems that he shared with family and friends, and he loved a beautiful lawn and his koi pond.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Billie, whose partnership was a source of strength and joy. He is also survived by his daughters, Joan Chartier (Ken) and Kim Wilson, of Myrtle Beach, SC, his sister, Carol Dunn of Jamestown, NC, and many nieces and nephews who will carry his memory forward.

A service to celebrate Vernon’s life will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 3:00 PM at the Asheboro Friends Meeting, located at 230 E. Kivett Street, Asheboro, NC. The family will receive friends in the church parlor prior to the service, from 1:45 to 2:45 pm. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery.

In lieu of owers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Hospice of Randolph, for which they extend their immense gratitude to the compassionate nurses and sta for the care and comfort they provided in his nal days.

Vernon Russell Wilson’s enduring legacy of love, integrity, and faith will continue to inspire all who were fortunate to know him. May his memory be a blessing to us all.

CNN founder Ted Turner, brash and outspoken television pioneer, dead at age 87

The media mogul transformed cable news while amassing sports teams, ranches and billions

By David Bauder The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Ted Turner, a brash television pioneer who raced yachts, owned huge chunks of the American West and transformed the news business by launching CNN and introducing the 24 -hour cable news cycle, died last Wednesday. He was 87. Turner died surrounded by his family, according to Turner Enterprises, the company that oversees his vast business interests.

Turner owned professional sports teams in Atlanta, defended the America’s Cup in yachting in 1977 and donated a stunning $1 billion to United Nations charities. He married three women — most famously actor Jane Fonda — and earned the nicknames “Captain Outrageous” and “The Mouth of the South.”

He once bragged: “If only I had a little humility, I’d be perfect.”

He was slowed in later years by Lewy body dementia. Long out of the television business, he concentrated on philanthropy.

His garrulous personality sometimes overshadowed a risk-taking business acumen. By the time he sold his Turner Broadcasting System to Time Warner Inc. in 1996, Turner had turned his late father’s billboard company into a global conglomerate that included seven major cable networks, three professional sports teams and a pair of hit movie studios.

President Donald Trump, reacting to Turner’s death, called him “one of the Greats of All Time.”

The creation of CNN

Turner’s signature achievement was creating the Cable News Network, the rst 24 -hour, all-news television network in 1980. In part, Turner’s own frustration with television news was the instigator. He often worked past 8 p.m., after the ABC, CBS and NBC nightly newscasts had already gone o the air.

He took a chance by starting the operation in the early days of cable television, living in an apartment above its Atlanta o ce.

CNN’s breakthrough moment came during the Gulf War with Iraq in 1991. Most television journalists had ed Baghdad but CNN stayed, capturing arresting images of a war’s outbreak.

Turner was promised a continued role in CNN after his company’s sale to Time Warner but was gradually pushed out, much to his regret.

“The mistake I made was losing control of the company,” he later said.

Building TBS SuperStation

Robert Edward Turner III was born Nov. 19, 1938, in Cincinnati. When he was 9, his family moved to Savannah, Georgia, where he grew up. After being expelled from Brown University, Turner came to Atlanta to work for his domineering father’s billboard company, Turner Advertising.

After his father’s 1963 suicide, Turner took over the company. In 1970, he bought an independent UHF station with a weak signal that didn’t even cover Atlanta.

On Dec. 17, 1976, he began transmitting the station to cable systems across the country via satellite. It became the TBS SuperStation.

TBS’s motley collection of old movies and sitcom reruns was augmented by Turner’s acquisition of baseball’s Atlanta Braves. Perennial doormats, the Braves slowly attracted fans nationwide through their superstation exposure.

In the 1980s, Turner went deeply into debt to buy MGM, a move again greeted with skepticism. But the acquisition gave his company a library of vintage movies that eventually were parlayed into the TNT and Turner Classic Movies networks. He revealed his ambitions as a younger man: “I used to tell people I wanted to become the world’s greatest sailor, businessman and lover all at the same time.”

Acquiring sports teams and land

For much of his life a partying roustabout who wooed beautiful women, the lean, mustachioed sportsman married three times. He was married to Fonda from 1991 to 2001. She tired of his philandering and divorced him, although they remained friends. Perhaps Turner’s greatest love was for the land. He acquired millions of acres in ranches complete with roaming bu alo and was Nebraska’s largest private landholder. Researchers at Texas A&M University credited his donation of a few bulls in 2005 with helping increase the genetic diversity of the last herd of southern Plains bison.

He had a net worth of $2.5 billion in 2023 but had dropped o Forbes magazine’s ranking of the 400 richest Americans in 2021.

“See, my life is more an adventure than a quest to make money,” Turner once said. Turner managed to insult many with his shoot-fromthe-lip style. An atheist since his only sister died of lupus at age 17, he called Christians “losers” and “Jesus freaks,” later apologizing for both remarks.

Dedication to various causes

Turner, the father of ve children, grabbed a leadership role in American philanthropy with his Sept. 18, 1997, pledge to give $1 billion to United Nations charities. He promoted a range of humanitarian causes. Turner joined former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn to start the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a U.S.-based nonpro t dedicated to reducing the threat of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.

As he poured millions into nonpro ts on a global scale, Turner was also fond of spreading his wealth in small ways. He once gave $500 to a volunteer re department that helped extinguish a blaze on one of his ranches.

JOHN BAZEMORE / AP PHOTO

Ted Turner speaks during the CNN World Report Contributors banquet in Atlanta on May 4, 1995.

STATE & NATION

Virginia Supreme Court strikes down Democrats’ redrawn US House maps, giving Republicans win

Combined with weakened voting rights protections, the ruling strengthens Republican gerrymandering e orts

By David A. Lieb and Geo Mulvihill The Associated Press

THE VIRGINIA Supreme Court on Friday struck down a voter-approved Democratic congressional redistricting plan, delivering another major setback to the party in a nationwide battle against Republicans for an edge in this year’s midterm elections.

The court ruled 4-3 that the state’s Democratic-led legislature violated procedural requirements when it placed the constitutional amendment on the ballot to authorize mid-decade redistricting. Voters narrowly approved the amendment on April 21, but the court’s ruling renders the vote’s result meaningless.

Writing for the majority, Justice D. Arthur Kelsey wrote that the legislature submitted the proposed constitutional amendment to voters “in an unprecedented manner.”

“This violation irreparably undermines the integrity of the resulting referendum vote and renders it null and void,” he wrote.

Democrats had hoped to win as many as four additional U.S. House seats under Virginia’s redrawn map as part of an attempt to o set Republican redistricting done elsewhere at the urging of President Donald Trump. Later Friday, Virginia Democrats said in a ling that they intended to le an emergency appeal of the state high court’s decision with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Friday’s ruling, combined with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that severely weakened the Voting Rights Act, has supercharged Republicans’ congressional gerrymandering advantage heading into this year’s midterm elections.

“Huge win for the Republican Party, and America, in Virginia,” Trump said about the decision on his social media account.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the ruling was another sign of GOP momentum heading into the midterms.

“We’re on o ense, and we’re going to win,” he said in a statement.

Don Scott, the Democratic speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, said Democrats respect the court’s opinion but lamented that it overturned the will of the voters: “They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Suzan DelBene, chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, criticized the court majority for what she said was a decision that “cast

aside the will of the voters,” but she said the people will have the nal say.

“In November, they will, and they’ll power Democrats to the House majority,” she said in a statement.

A longshot Democratic appeal

Democrats are taking a legal longshot in asking the nation’s highest court to reverse the Virginia ruling. The U.S. Supreme Court tries to avoid second-guessing state courts’ interpretations of their own constitutions. In 2023, it turned down a request by North Carolina Republicans to overrule a state Supreme Court decision that blocked the GOP’s congressional map.

Still, even an unsuccessful appeal would let Democrats try to blame their failure on the conservative majority that dominates the nation’s highest court, which has already infuriated the party and civil rights groups by neutering the Voting Rights Act.

Legislative voting districts typically are redrawn once a decade after each census to account for population changes. But Trump sparked an unusual urry of mid-decade redistricting last year by encouraging Republican o cials in Texas to redraw districts in a bid to win several additional U.S. House seats and hold on to their party’s narrow majority in the midterm elections.

California responded with new voter-approved districts drawn to Democrats’ advantage, and Utah’s top court imposed a new congressional map that also helps Democrats. Meanwhile, Republicans stand to gain from new House districts passed in Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. They could add even more after the

“They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Don Scott, Virginia House of Delegates speaker

U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Voting Rights Act case, which has prompted some other Republican states to consider redrawing their maps in time for this year’s elections.

Virginia is currently represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and ve Republicans, all elected from districts imposed by a court following a bipartisan redistricting commission’s failure to agree on a map after the 2020 census. The new districts could have given Democrats an improved chance to win all but one of the state’s 11 congressional seats.

The state Supreme Court’s majority was critical of the state’s redrawing of the congressional maps to bene t one political party. Those justices noted that 47% of the state’s voters supported GOP congressional candidates in 2024, but the new map could result in Democrats making up 91% of the state’s House delegation. What was in the Democrats’ map

Under the Democratic-drawn map, ve districts would have been anchored in the Democratic stronghold of northern Virginia. Revisions to four other districts across Richmond, southern Virginia and Hampton Roads would have diluted the voting power of conservative blocs in those areas. And a reshaped district in parts of western Virginia would have lumped together three Democratic-leaning college towns to o set other Republican voters.

The state Supreme Court’s

seven justices are appointed by the state legislature, which has toggled back and forth between Democratic, Republican and split control over recent years. Legal experts say the body doesn’t have a set ideological pro le. The case before the court focused not on the shape of the new districts but rather on the process the General Assembly used to authorize them.

Because the state’s redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, lawmakers had to propose an amendment to redraw the districts. That required approval of a resolution in two separate legislative sessions, with a state election sandwiched in between, to place the amendment on the ballot.

The legislature’s initial approval of the amendment occurred last October, during early voting for the general election, before it concluded. The legislature’s second vote on the amendment occurred after a new legislative session began in January.

Lawmakers also approved a separate bill in February laying out the new districts, subject to voter approval of the constitutional amendment.

Arguments over the de nition of “election”

Judicial arguments focused on whether the legislature’s initial approval of the amendment came too late because early voting already had begun.

Attorney Matthew Seligman, who defended the legislature, argued that the “election” should

be de ned narrowly to mean the Tuesday of the general election. In that case, the legislature’s rst vote on the redistricting amendment occurred before the election and was constitutional, he told justices.

But in its ruling, the Supreme Court said, “this view appears to be wholly unprecedented in Virginia’s history.”

An attorney for the plainti s, Thomas McCarthy, argued an “election” should be interpreted to cover the entire period during which voters can cast ballots, which lasts several weeks in Virginia. If that’s the case, he told justices, then the legislature’s initial endorsement of the redistricting amendment came too late to comply with the state constitution.

The Supreme Court agreed with that argument, writing: “The General Assembly passed the proposed constitutional amendment for the rst time well after voters had begun casting ballots during the 2025 general election.”

By the time lawmakers initially endorsed the amendment, voters already had cast more than 1.3 million ballots in the general election, about 40% of the total votes ultimately cast, the court said.

The Supreme Court’s ruling a rms a decision by a judge in rural Tazewell County, in southwestern Virginia. The court had placed a hold on that ruling and allowed the redistricting vote to proceed before hearing arguments on the case.

In the dissent to Friday’s ruling, Chief Justice Cleo Powell said the election for the purpose of considering the amendment does not include the early voting period.

“The majority’s de nition creates an in nite voting loop that appears to have no established beginning,” she wrote, “only a de nitive end: Election Day.”

ALLEN G. BREED / AP PHOTO

State Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, right, speaks outside the Supreme Court of Virginia after arguments were heard in a redistricting-related case at the court in Richmond, Virginia, on April 27.

RandolpH SPORTS

Tyson knows his mother has jumped ahead

The Asheboro senior will be in his nal high school competition this week

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — Once Aaron Tyson became hooked on track and eld, his abilities blossomed, and the Asheboro senior will be pursuing more titles in Saturday’s state championships. In some sense, he’s also chasing his mother.

Keione Covington is one of Asheboro’s most distinguished

athletes as a long jumper and triple jumper. Tyson has quali ed for the state meet in four events — pole vault, high jump, triple jump and long jump — for competition at Greensboro’s North Carolina A&T.

“Track is what I do,” Tyson said. “Four events, and I go for four wins. … I want to feel like I’m ying all day.”

Covington wasn’t certain that Tyson would even tinker with track and eld. When she was an Asheboro athlete, she captured six individual state titles, including going unbeaten

in the long jump in four state meets, and later competing for NC State.

That commitment to the sport didn’t automatically transfer to her son.

“He just wasn’t interested,” she said of sports. “I played all the sports — basketball, volleyball, softball.”

But Tyson eventually came to embrace track and eld.

“I just had to nd something that t him,” Covington said.

“His progress over the years has been pretty signi cant.”

Tyson, who turns 18 years old next week, has other interests

“I

do track all year. Wash, rinse, repeat. It makes me a lot more con dent in my ability.”

Aaron Tyson, Asheboro athlete

away from jumping pits. He has a keen eye for artwork and that has become a cherished hobby.

“When I get home, when my body is tired, I unwind with some art,” he said. The drawings didn’t neces-

sarily stem from the classroom, instead because it’s something he just found a passion for.

“I’ve been self-taught,” he said.

Yet perhaps the art and the jumping have been intertwined.

“When he nds something he likes, he’s an artist,” Covington said. “That’s what he found in track.”

Tyson said the pole vault is his best event as he has cleared 14 feet, 6 inches and has a goal to go higher. He didn’t delve into long

See TYSON, page B3

Four teams from the county were involved in one-run outcomes

Randolph Record sta

SEVERAL RANDOLPH

County teams received rst-round byes for the baseball state playo s when those brackets were unveiled last week, and then four teams advanced into play this week.

Randleman is the No. 2 seed in the Class 4A East Region, while also on that bracket is No. 4 seed Uwharrie Charter Academy and No. 6 seed Southwestern Randolph. All three teams received rst-round byes, before Friday’s second round.

Trinity has the No. 4 seed in the Class 3A West Region.

The third round was slated for Tuesday, with fourth-round games Friday. Here’s a look at last week’s rst and second rounds.

Class 4A

John Kirkpatrick pitched four innings and Tate Andrews

logged the last inning in Randleman’s 13- 0, ve-inning victory against No. 15 seed Southwest Onslow.

Ashton Poe scored four runs and drove in two runs for Randleman (21- 4). Jackson Hill homered and scored three runs.

• Brody Engle scored three runs and Levi Mitchell scored twice as UCA held o No. 20 seed West Craven 8-5 in the second round.

Jake Hunter threw 41⁄3 innings for UCA (18-7), while Jaxon Mabe and Keaton Hill worked in relief.

• Logan Weidman pitched a four-hitter and Carson Coltrane drove in the winning run with a two-out single in the seventh inning for Southwestern Randolph in a 1- 0 victory against No. 11 seed Nash Central. Weston Reeder singled and scored the winning run. It was the rst shutout of the season for Southwestern Randolph (17-7).

Class 3A

Peyton Williams tripled and scored on Walker Parrish’s sin-

gle in the bottom of the seventh inning as Trinity survived against No. 13 seed Chase for a 5 - 4 victory Friday in the second round.

Williams had three hits and scored two runs, and Brody Little drove in two runs. Lincoln Coble pitched a complete game. Chase, coming o a rst-round victory against No. 20 seed East Davidson, scored three runs in the top of the seventh to pull even.

The other two state qualiers from Randolph County in Class 3A were in the East Region but lost in the second round.

Eastern Randolph, the No. 10 seed, ousted No. 23 seed Northeastern 12 -2 in the rst round behind pitching from Chance Holdaway and Cade McCallum. Holdaway drove in three runs and scored two runs.

The Wildcats then lost 1- 0 at seventh- seeded Princeton on Friday despite 61⁄3 strong innings from pitcher Bryson Marley. He was responsible for

There were several strong outings for teams in the area in the early rounds

Randolph Record sta RANDLEMAN’S SOFTBALL team is the top seed in the Class 4A East Region, with another Randolph County team not far behind for the state playo s that began last week.

Southwestern Randolph holds the No. 3 seed on the bracket, while Uwharrie Charter Academy is seeded No. 12. The No. 2 seed in the region is Central Davidson (19-4), which nished second to Randleman in the Piedmont Athletic Conference.

Third-round games were set for Tuesday, with fourth-round matchups Friday. Here’s a look at last week’s results in the rst and second rounds:

• Randleman, after a rst-round bye, whipped No. 16 seed Eastern Wayne, which had

eliminated No. 17 seed Washington, by 11-0 on Friday behind Kinzie Ivey’s ve-inning one-hitter that came with 13 strikeouts. Ivey hit two doubles and Natalie Roach and Ella Robergs both scored two runs for the Tigers (23-2).

• Southwestern Randolph gave up the rst run to 14th-seeded North Lenoir before winning 9-3 as winning pitcher Katelyn West drove in four runs and Kami Dunn scored three runs in Friday’s second round. Maddie Strider and Nauttica Parrish both scored two runs for the Cougars (1-4).

• UCA began play by ripping No. 21 seed Red Springs 20-1, with Emory Johnson hitting a home run and Paityn Williams notching the pitching victory. But the Eagles (7-12) were eliminated with Friday’s 12-4 loss at fth-seeded Bunn. Williams and Meghan Peters both had two hits.

BOB SUTTON / RANDOLPH RECORD

Asheboro senior track and eld athlete Aaron Tyson, right, will try to repeat some of the achievements produced by his mother, Keione Covington.

Jake Riddle

Jake Riddle has given Randleman boosts on the baseball eld for several seasons.

Now as a senior in elder and pitcher, he continues to be a key member for the Tigers as they’re in the second week of the state playo s.

Riddle plays as a shortstop when he’s not on the mound as an ace pitcher for Randleman. He was an all-conference selection the past two years.

He also played as a key member of Randolph County Post 45’s team in American Legion baseball the past two summers.

BASEBALL from page B1

Princeton’s run in the nal inning. Eastern Randolph (17-12) was held to four hits.

• Andrew Thomas pitched a one -hitter when No. 13 seed Providence Grove handled No. 20 seed Bartlett Yancey 10 - 0 in the rst round.

Providence Grove then gave up two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning in a 3 -2 loss at fourth- seeded Whiteville. The Patriots received run- scoring hits from Caden Waugh

and Grant Underwood in the sixth inning. Trevor Kirkman pitched into the seventh inning for Providence Grove (13 -11).

• Wheatmore (2 -19) didn’t make the Class 3A eld.

Class 6A

Asheboro (13-13) was the West Region’s No. 17 seed, but the Blue Comets lost 12-8 at No. 17 seed Scotland in the rst round. Grayson Norman and Justin Guerrero both drove in two runs for Asheboro.

Playo s begin for girls’ teams

Two teams from the county received rst-round byes at the start of the postseason

Randolph Record sta

WHEATMORE AND Trintiy received rst-round byes in the Class 3A state playo s for girls’ soccer, advancing to Thursday’s second round.

Wheatmore, the fourth seed in the West Region, has a date with either No. 13 seed Lincolnton or No. 20 seed Madison. Trinity holds the No. 6 seed in the region and meets either No. 11 seed East Surry or No. 22 seed Chase.

The rst round was set for Monday.

Wheatmore won the Central Carolina 3-A Conference despite last week’s 2-0 home loss to Trinity. Kayla Neam and Carolina Case had the Trinity goals. Wheatmore was 9-1 in league play and second-place Trinity ended 7-2-1.

Also in Class 3A, Providence Grove was seeded No. 10 in the East Region and took on No. 23 seed Bartlett Yancey on Mon-

day. The winner goes to seventh-seeded North Moore for the second round. Providence Grove nished Central Carolina 3-A Conference play with last week’s 7-1 road victory against Thomasville as Natalie Hernandez scored three goals.

Eastern Randolph (0-18-1) didn’t qualify for the state playo s, so its season ended with last week’s 4 -0 loss to visiting North Moore and 4 -1 loss at Jordan-Matthews in the Four Rivers Conference.

Class 4A

Uwharrie Charter Academy had a bye in the East Region as the No. 8 seed prior to Thursday’s game against either No. 9 seed Clinton or No. 24 seed Graham.

Randleman was seeded No. 15 with a rst-round home game vs. No. 18 seed Jordan-Matthews. As the No. 17 seed, Southwestern Randolph went to No. 16 seed West Stokes. In regular-season play, UCA fell 2-1 in overtime to visiting Northwood to end the regular season last week. The teams n-

ished tied for rst place in the Four Rivers Conference with 9-1 records.

Southwestern Randolph ended the regular season with a 4 -3 loss at North Moore and a 4 -0 setback at Northwood.

Randleman wrapped up Piedmont Athletic Conference play by winning 5-0 at Lexington.

Class 6A

Asheboro took the No. 11 seed for a rst-round game against No. 22 seed Piedmont. The winner goes to sixth-seeded Asheville Roberson.

Asheboro won twice last week in Triad Area Athletic Conference play, drilling host Northeast Guilford 8-0 and rolling past visiting Southern Guilford 9-0. The Blue Comets nished second in the league with a 7-2-1 record behind Northern Guilford.

Jaira Arellano had six goals and senior Sydney Alston scored for the rst time vs. Northeast Guilford, while Gigi Flores had three goals and Arellano had two goals in the Southern Guilford game.

NCHSAA to keep postseason setup

The board rejected a proposal to reduce the number of playo teams for at least another year

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

A PROPOSAL TO reduce the number of teams in state playo s was narrowly rejected by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s board of directors last week.

The result of the vote aligned with the recommendation of NCHSAA president Stephen Gainey, the superintendent of the Randolph County School System.

“We’re not even done with Year 1,” Gainey said of sticking with it for another school year. “… I’m glad we let two cycles go.”

There was pretty much a split vote on the idea of reducing playo elds from 48 teams to 32 teams in Class 1A through Class 7A for the 2026 -27 school year.

Ten board members voted to keep the 48 -team level, while seven members voted to reduce the playo elds. There are 24 playo teams in Class 8A — the largest classi cation.

The current school year is

the rst with the NCHSAA’s eight- classi cation setup, and there was apprehension about abandoning the postseason structure before a full school year is complete. Spring sports playo s are taking place through the end of the month.

Gainey said it makes sense to allow more time to assess the postseasons. He said he expects the topic will be revisited.

Gainey’s term as president is ending. Mark Garrett, superintendent of Henderson County Schools, was selected as the new president.

Two new sports approved

Girls’ ag football and boys’ volleyball have been approved as new sports within the NCHSAA, both beginning in the 2026 -27 school year. Flag football will be a fall sport, while boys’ volleyball will play in the spring.

“Times are changing, kids’ interests are changing,” Gainey said.

In Randolph County, only Asheboro with a boys’ volleyball team has participated in either of the sports. Nearby, Jordan-Matthews has been involved in both sports.

Statewide, there have been

135 girls’ ag football teams. There’s a slightly lower number of teams in boys’ volleyball. “I don’t think we’ve had one (meeting) since my time here where we have sanctioned two sports in the same board meeting,” NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker said. There were complications involving girls’ ag football because some schools have played in the fall and others in the spring. A separate vote was held to determine when girls’ ag football would compete. Tucker said conferences must be established for the new sports because of the varied participation among schools. Welcome aboard

The NCHSAA approved the addition of more members. Durham Charter comes in for the upcoming school year. John Paul II Catholic in Greenville will join in 2027-28. Previously approved to begin in the 2026 -27 school year were Wilson’s Mills, Revolution Academy Charter and The Hawbridge School, which is located in Saxapahaw and will be part of the Central Tar Heel 1-A Conference (that also includes Chatham Charter).

Mazzarone receives ACC honors

The former Providence Grove pitcher made a huge impact for Virginia Tech in the league tournament

Randolph Record sta

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Providence Grove alum Emma Mazzarone was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament softball team after helping Virginia Tech to the championship game.

Florida State topped the

SOFTBALL from page B1

Class 3A

As the East Region’s No. 9 seed, Providence Grove (16-10) extended its season by winning 16-4 at eighth-seeded Pender on Friday in the second round. Adi Johnson smacked a two-run homer among her three hits and Lara Wiseman had three hits with four runs batted in. Winning pitcher Ruby Caudle and Liz Shoe each scored two runs. Campbell Ziemba struck out 13 batters in six innings.

Hokies 2-1 on Saturday afternoon for the tournament title.

Mazzarone, a junior pitcher, struck out 21 batters in 101⁄3 innings covering three appearances in the tournament. She fanned four batters in two innings of the title game.

Tournament opponents batted .158 o Mazzarone, who recorded a 1.74 earned run average in those outings.

Mazzarone struck out a career-high 14 batters in third-seeded Virginia Tech’s 3-1 victory against sixth-seeded Virginia in the quarter nals. In the semi nals, she

The Patriots defeated No. 24 seed Louisburg 17-0 in the rst round with Campbell Ziemba striking out eight batters in the three-inning game. Callie Lambert homered.

• No. 23 seed Eastern Randolph (3-17) fell 11-1 at No. 10 seed Northwood in a rst-round matchup between Four Rivers Conference teams.

• In the West Region, No. 17 seed Wheatmore won 7-5 at No. 16 seed Mountain Heritage as Skylar Pittman scored two runs and Adalyn Boles pitched a complete game.

struck out three Duke batters in 11⁄3 innings of relief to earn a save in the 5- 0 conquering of the second-seeded Blue Devils.

Prior to the tournament, Mazzarone was named to the All-ACC second team.

Virginia Tech received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, assigned to the Baton Rouge site with No. 16 national seed LSU as host. The Hokies meet Sun Belt Conference champion South Alabama in their rst game Friday, while Akron takes on LSU in the other rst-day game at that venue.

Wheatmore led top-seeded West Lincoln before falling 8-6 in Friday’s second round, surrendering the game’s nal four runs. Adalyn Boles and Kylie Hemric had runs batted in for the Warriors (10-12). Trinity (2-13) was left out of the eld.

Class 6A

The season ended for No. 20 seed Asheboro (8-15), which lost 16-0 at No. 13 seed Asheville Roberson in the West Region’s rst round.

Randleman, baseball

CHARLES CURCIO /RANDOLPH RECORD

Asheboro sends strong contingent to states

The regional meets resulted in numerous Randolph County athletes securing championships

Randolph Record sta

JALAYA SHOWERS WON the girls’ 100 meters in 11.65 seconds to lead host Asheboro in the Class 6A Central Regional for track and eld Saturday. Across multiple regionals, numerous area athletes qualied for this week’s state meets with top-four nishes. The Class 3A championships are set for Thursday and the Class 5A state meet is Saturday at North Carolina A&T in Greensboro. The Class 4A states were slated for Wednesday.

Asheboro’s Trynitee Brady placed third in the shot put (33-2), and teammate Sarah Reeder was fourth (6-6) in the pole vault. Asheboro’s Nyla Price was fth in the 100 hurdles (16.58), and she claimed eighth in the 300 hurdles (51.72). For the boys, Asheboro’s Aaron Tyson tied for rst place the high jump with Southern Alamance’s Kristian Brown at 6 - 0.

Tyson claimed the pole vault at 14 feet, and teammate Barrett Trogdon was sixth at 8 feet. Tyson was fourth in the long jump at 22 feet, with teammates Chasyn Miller ( fth. 21-7¾) and Caden Kutschenko (eighth, 20 - 6¼).

Tyson’s triple jump of 44 - 4½ also was good for fourth place, while Kutschenko was seventh at 42-1.

Asheboro thrower Juan Pablo Munoz won the discus at 171-5. In the 110 hurdles, Asheboro’s Michael Mark (15.35) and Dallas Brinton (15.92) were fth and sixth. In the 300 hurdles, Mark placed fourth (40.35) and Brinton was sixth (41.96).

In the shot put, Jamarion Balfour was fourth at 47-2. Boone Hinesley was fth in the shot put (46-9¼) and seventh in the discus (121-5½).

TYSON from page B1

jumping until he was a sophomore.

“It started feeling normal my junior year,” he said.

In February, he was the Class 6A indoor state meet’s Most Valuable Performer.

Tyson is 6 -foot-1½ and 179 pounds. He said he still feels like an underdog.

“A lot of people seem sur-

Asheboro was the boys’ team runner-up with 81½ points behind Greensboro Dudley’s 145.

Class 3A girls

Eastern Randolph’s Mirianna Corea won the discus (127-5) and shot put (40-½) in the Central Regional on Friday at High Point Athletic Complex.

Eastern Randolph’s Roxanne Davis won the high jump (5-0) and teammate Callie Craven was third (4 -8).

Trinity’s Kayla Franklin won the triple jump at 33-11. Also placing were Wheatmore’s Kylyn Surratt (fourth, 31-7), Craven (sixth, 30-2) and Wheatmore’s Allie Owen (seventh, 30-1).

Franklin was sixth (1:04.24) in the 400.

Providence Grove’s Laurel Bernhardt won the 1,600 in 5:28.07. Wheatmore’s Scarlett Hildreth was third in 5:32.90. In the 800, Bernhardt (second, 2:29.25) and Hildreth ( fth, 2:31.94) placed.

Wheatmore’s Olivia Hildreth was eighth in the 3,200 (15:44.62).

Providence Grove’s Lyndsay Browder was the 300 hurdles champion in 49.42.

Wheatmore’s Kahmarii McNeill was the runner-up in the 100 hurdles (18.21) and fth in the 300 hurdles (53.42). Owen was eighth in the 300 hurdles (55.71).

Wheatmore’s Brooklyn Hittepole placed in the 200 (fourth, 27.48) and in the 100 (sixth, 13.33).

Providence Grove’s Karis Ferguson was fourth in the long jump (15-6).

Surratt was the pole vault runner-up at 8-6.

Wheatmore’s Paisley Boone was eighth in the shot put (28-11).

Eastern Randolph was sixth in the 400 relay (55.43). Wheatmore was eighth in the 800 relay (2:02.32).

In the 1,600 relay, Trinity (fourth, 4:34.20), Providence Grove ( fth, 4:40.03) and

prised I jump so far,” he said. Yet there’s the constant quest to make certain he’s in top form for these events that require athletic talent and technique.

“Every day I’m wary: Can I do my best?” Tyson said. “I try to stay humble.”

Asheboro coach DeNeal McNair also oversees Mid City Xpress, a track and eld club. Tyson’s involvement with the

Wheatmore (eighth, 5:22.55) all placed.

In the 3,200 relay, Providence Grove (third, 10:57.72) and Wheatmore (seventh, 12:40.34) placed.

Class 3A boys

Providence Grove’s Nick Straughn was the triple jump runner-up at 43-3.

In the 100 hurdles, Providence Grove had Straughn (15.63) third and Conner Tozier (17.11) seventh.

Providence Grove’s Malachi Combo was second in the 300 hurdles (42.07).

Eastern Randolph’s Caden Revelle tied for second in the high jump (6-0). He was sixth in the 200 (23.15).

Trinity’s Giovanni Jaimes was seventh in the 400 (52.46) and Tommy Smithers was seventh in the 800 (2:15.07).

In the 1,600, Wheatmore’s Ryan Mabe (4:48.94) and Ayden Fitzgerald (4:50.32) were sixth and seventh. Fitzerald was sixth in the 3,200 (10:38.30).

In the discus, Wheatmore had Noah Wyrick (fourth, 115-7½), Brandon Santibanez ( fth, 113-1) and Maddox Russo (seventh (110-7½). Wyrick was third in the shot put (43-7) and teammate Delano Samuelson was fth (41-7½).

Wheatmore’s Jacoby Helton was fth in the pole vault (8-6).

Wheatmore was seventh in the 100 relay (46.63) and seventh in the 1,600 relay (3:47.34) and eighth in the 3,200 relay (9:39.97). Providence Grove was seventh in the 800 relay (1:36.37) and the 3,200 relay (9:39.80).

Class 4A

In Central Regional competition at High Point, Randleman had champions with Jazai Cassaday in the boys’ triple jump and Izaiah Troxler in the boys’ shot put.

Uwharrie Charter Academy’s Brennan Thomas was the winner in the girls’ shot put.

club has made track and eld a year-round endeavor.

“I do track all year. Wash, rinse, repeat,” Tyson said. “It makes me a lot more con dent in my ability.”

His mother’s in uence has been there as well as he keeps collecting track and eld honors.

“I feel accomplished,” Tyson said. “But I’ve got a lot to live up to.”

Does NHL need more replay reviews for penalties and scrums, or would game be slowed down?

Hockey’s speed makes it tough to get calls right in real time

By Aaron Beard The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Caroli-

na Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour gures the NHL has the best o cials in the world. He still thinks they could use some help in sorting through the chaos — both before and after the whistle — that comes with the NHL playo s.

Brind’Amour has backed the idea of using more replay reviews to look not just at penalty calls but everything going on in those testier -with- every-round scrums. Not everyone agrees with Brind’Amour when it comes to reviewing penalty calls, though his larger point stands about getting the right call with the stakes involved in chasing the Stanley Cup.

“You can’t get better ocials. We have the best — I want to make sure everybody

understands that — I know no one else could do a better job,”

Brind’Amour said with his team up 2 - 0 in a second-round series against Philadelphia.

“But man, it’s just hard to see some of the penalties that are getting called, that if you just took a quick peek, you’d go, ‘Oh wait a minute, that’s not what happened.’

“We’ll get to it at some point, but I think they could use a little hand.”

Playo games this year are averaging 10.6 penalties and 25.1 penalty minutes. That is the highest average number of penalties since 2009 (10.9), while this is just the second time since 2012 that the average of penalty minutes has exceeded 25 per game (it was 28 PIMs per game in 2023).

NHL o cials can review calls for non ghting major and match penalties, then either con rm it or reduce it to a two -minute minor. They can also review double -minor high- sticking penalties to determine whether the stick involved actually belonged to the player being penalized.

Brind’Amour rst raised the topic after a rst-round sweep of Ottawa. That came after Senators forward Ridly Greig delivered two sucker punches to Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker — the second an uppercut to the face — while Walker was engaged with Senators forward Warren Foegele.

Greig wasn’t penalized, though the NHL later suspended him for two regular - season games. Compounding matters, Brind’Amour said, was the fact the Hurricanes emerged from that sequence shorthanded. He suggested having someone work solely to monitor replays and assist on-ice o cials.

“The only reason (Greig) did that was because he looked, no one’s watching, doesn’t get called for it, and we somehow ended up short on that,” Brind’Amour said. “That’s wrong. That’s not right. Just get it right.”

The issue is how best to accomplish that if expanded replay usage is one day adopted by the league.

“That’s a good question because like a lot of times guys

“It is impossible to referee our sport live, it really is — it’s just everything’s happening so fast.”

Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes coach

get away with stu in there,” Bu alo Sabres forward Josh Dunne said about more replay reviews of scrums in particular.

“Some guy starts, another guy gets the penalty for it,” he said. “It’s hard, it’s a hard line. It’s why it’s so much on the judgment of the refs where it’s like they can only see what they see, where it’s like you never really know how these things get going.”

His coach, meanwhile, chuckled that he’s “not a huge fan of another video review.”

“I don’t mind Rod’s thinking at all,” said Lindy Ru , whose Sabres are facing Montreal in Round 2. “I just think,

boy, if now we’re going to review something, we start reviewing scrums, I just think players will start taking acting lessons.”

“It is impossible to referee our sport live, it really is — it’s just everything’s happening so fast, now you’re getting embellishment everywhere,” Brind’Amour said then. “Sticks aren’t even coming close to you, they’re doing this (leans his head back) because why? Because if this goes like this (raises arm), you’re getting a call. But if you’ve got a guy on the review that said, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, that’s embellishment,’ it would be out of the game.”

Dunne said he worried about the idea of slowing the game too much with more replay reviews, while Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson said he largely “liked where the game is at.”

“I don’t want to make too many adjustments or critiques to the game,” Nelson said.

“I’m a traditionalist. The more rules you make, the more you have,” said Anaheim Ducks coach Joel Quenneville.

Tony Award for educators won by Ga. teacher who stresses self-empowerment

His students include “Saturday Night Live” star Kenan Thompson

By Mark Kennedy

The Associated Press

NEW YORK— At this year’s Tony Awards, sound designer Justin Ellington and performer-producer Kandi Burruss have gotten nominations to theater’s biggest prize. A man who helped both get there is also being highlighted.

Freddie Hendricks, a middle school theater teacher at Utopian Academy for the Arts in Ellenwood, Georgia, and who founded the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, is getting the special Tony Award that honors educators.

“It feels really great to know that they’re succeeding on that level and that I had a little to do with it,” he told The Associated Press ahead of the announcement on Monday. “It’s just a beautiful thing.”

Hendricks has been an arts educator for more than 30 years and was an honorable mention for the special Tony in 2023 and 2024. He estimates between 20 and 30 of his students have gone on to Broadway, including Tony-nominated Saycon Sengbloh.

“I’ve always had a passion for theater. I’m an actor myself and when I got into teaching years and years and years and years ago, it became my passion,” he said.

Ellington, who has earned his third Tony nomination for “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,”

VINNY VARSALONA VIA AP

Freddie Hendricks, a middle school theater teacher at Utopian Academy for the Arts in Ellenwood, Georgia, poses at the school on May 6.

credits Hendricks as “the rst person to show me the importance of storytelling in theater.”

Ellington watched as shy kids who started quiet at the beginning of Hendricks’ class were by the end the featured singer or performer.

Hendricks is artistic director, writer and teacher for the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, which is comprised of students ranging from 11-20. At Utopian, Hendricks trains students in a “rigorous, ensemble-based program of acting, movement and storytelling.”

“A lot of kids these days, they don’t love themselves,” he said.

“They don’t know who they are, for one thing. And I just kind of start with that and then go with loving themselves for who they are and letting them know up front, ‘In here, this is a safe space. You’re loved in here. You’re accepted in here. This is your home.’” Hendricks is known for en-

“It feels really great to know that they’re succeeding on that level and that I had a little to do with it. It’s just a beautiful thing.”

Freddie Hendricks

couraging his students to come up with topics they care about — poverty, gun violence, teen pregnancy, apartheid or AIDS — and building performances around their ideas from their perspective.

“That just empowered these kids so much,” says Ellington.

The annual Excellence in Theatre Education Award bestowed by the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University recognizes U.S. educators who have “demonstrated exemplary impact on the lives of students and who embodies the highest standards of the profession.”

Hendricks imparts the importance of theater skills — like collaborating, listening, interpreting, storytelling, checking your ego and taking criticism — even if his pupils go on to careers outside the arts.

“I just want to let them know that life is great out there and the key to success is to never stop the pursuit of it. Whatever you want, keep going. It’s not going to happen tomorrow. It’s not going to happen next year. Or if it does, you may lose it, but it will come again if you continue to pursue whatever it is that you desire.”

Kraus’ ‘Angel Down,’ Wohl’s ‘Liberation’ among winners of Pulitzer Prize in arts

Yiyun Li won for “Things in Nature Merely Grow”

By Hillel Italie

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Pulitzer Prize o cials awarded the ction prize to an author with a history of experimenting with genres and with language itself: Daniel Kraus, cited for “Angel Down,” a World War I narrative with a celestial twist that unfolds over some 300 pages in one long sentence. “Liberation,” Bess Wohl’s look back at the feminist consciousness-raising groups of the 1970s, received the drama prize. Winners include two books rooted in the country’s founding. Jill Lepore’s “We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution” won for history, and Amanda Vaill’s “Pride and Pleasure: The Schuyler Sisters in an Age of Revolution” was the winner for biography. Yiyun Li’s “Things in Nature Merely Grow,” her blunt account of the suicides of her two sons, was cited for memoir-autobiography. “There is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America,” by Brian Goldstone, won for general non ction.

The poetry prize went to Juliana Spahr’s “Ars Poeticas,” and the music award was given to Gabriela Lena Frank for “Pica or: A Future Myth,” a symphonic work inspired by Andean legend and California wild res.

The 50 -year- old Kraus has had a diverse and proli c career quite unlike the average Pulitzer ction winner. He has written horror, science ction, graphic novels and books for kids. He has collaborated with lmmakers George Romero and Guillermo del Toro, whose Oscar-winning “The Shape of Water” was conceived with Kraus’ help. He has re-

“It’s like you have the feeling of being locked into the

Daniel Kraus

forever.”

ceived numerous prizes over the years, including the Bram Stoker Award for horror, but had never imagined he’d win a Pulitzer. When he began receiving texts Monday — that included such messages as “Wow!” — he worried that he had somehow gotten himself in trouble.

Pulitzer o cials praised “Angel Down” as “a stylistic tour- de-force that blends such genres as allegory, magical realism, and science ction into a cohesive whole, told in a single sentence.” Kraus said that he at rst used a conventional narrative but found that abandoning traditional punctuation better suited a story of war that seemingly had no end.

“It’s like you have the feeling of being locked into the book forever,” he told The Associated Press during a telephone interview.

Wohl’s memory play collects second-wave feminists from all walks of life as they tackle misogyny, internalized homophobia, domestic abuse and gender roles. The play navigates between past and present, and six of the actors disrobe for the Act 2 opening scene. Lepore is a New Yorker sta writer and Harvard University professor whose Pulitzer helps con rm her as one of the country’s most prominent historians. Her previous honors include the Bancroft Prize for “The Name of War” and the Anis eld-Wolf Book Award for “New York Burning.” In 2023, she contributed an introduction to Paul McCartney’s book of Beatles photos, “1964: Eyes of the Storm.” Goldstone is a journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The New Republic and other publications. Spahr is a poet, critic and editor whose prize-winning collection is a statement of poetry’s vitality during the darkest times, and Frank is a Grammy-nominated artist known for combining inuences ranging from Latin American folklore to Western classical music.

LINDSEY BRISBINE / LITTLE FANG VIA AP

Irene So a Lucio, left, and Kristolyn Lloyd appear in the Broadway production of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Bess Wohl’s “Liberation” in New York.

book

famous birthdays this week

George Lucas celebrates 82, Janet Jackson hits 60, Sugar Ray Leonard turns 70, Pete Townshend is 81

THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

MAY 14

Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Pérez is 84. Filmmaker George Lucas is 82. Filmmaker Robert Zemeckis is 75. Musician David Byrne is 74. Actor Tim Roth is 65. Actor Cate Blanchett is 57. Filmmaker So a Coppola is 55. Former NFL running back Frank Gore is 43. Actor Amber Tamblyn is 43. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is 42.

MAY 15

Artist Jasper Johns is 96. Counterculture icon Wavy Gravy is 90. Actor-singer Lainie Kazan is 86. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Don Nelson is 86. Musician Brian Eno is 78. Actor Chazz Palminteri is 74.

MAY 16

Actor Danny Trejo is 82. Actor Pierce Brosnan is 73. Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Olga Korbut is 71. Baseball Hall of Famer Jack Morris is 71. Actor Debra Winger is 71. Singer Janet Jackson is 60.

MAY 17

Musician Taj Mahal is 84. Boxing Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard is 70. Sports announcer Jim Nantz is 67. Singer- composer Enya is 65. TV host- comedian Craig Ferguson is 64. Musician Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) is 61.

MAY 18

Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson is 80. Musician Rick Wakeman (Yes) is 77. Musician- composer Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo) is 76. Country musician George Strait is 74. Actor Chow Yun-Fat is 71. Comedian-writer Tina Fey is 56.

MAY 19

personality David Hartman is 91. Musician- composer

MAY

Japanese baseball star Sa-

TV

Pete Townshend (The Who) is 81. Singer-actor Grace Jones is 78. Former racing driver Dario Franchitti is 53. Basketball Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett is 50. Country musician-producer Shooter Jennings is 47.

20

daharu Oh is 86. Singer-actor Cher is 80. Actor- comedian Dave Thomas is 77. Republican Sen. Mike Crapo of Idaho is 75. Political commentator Ron Reagan is 68. Musician Jane Wiedlin (The Go - Go’s) is 68. Actor Bronson Pinchot is 67.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO Cher turns 80 on Wednesday.

SETH WENIG / AP PHOTO Reggie Jackson turns 80 on Monday.

GEORGE WALKER IV / AP PHOTO George Strait turns 74 on Monday.

the stream

‘Dutton

Ranch,’ Colin Jost plays games, Maluma, Stanley Tucci, ‘The Crash’

“Pop Culture Jeopardy!” gets a second season

The Associated Press

THE LONG-AWAITED “Yellowstone” spino “Dutton Ranch” and a fresh collection from the Colombian superstar Maluma, are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time this week: The Net ix true crime documentary “The Crash,” pop-punk paragons The All-American Rejects return with their fth studio album and Season 2 of Stanley Tucci’s gastronomic tour “Tucci in Italy” lands on Disney+

MOVIES TO STREAM

Théodore Pellerin slyly in ltrates the inner circle of Archie Madekwe’s pop musician Oliver in the psychological thriller “Lurker,” streaming on HBO Max on Friday. The lm explores the parasocial relationship of internet fandoms and the power dynamics within the entourage of an on-the- cusp star. It was written and directed by Emmy-winner Alex Russell (“The Bear,” “Beef”), who looked to “obsessive thrillers” like “Whiplash” and “Black Swan” for inspiration.

The Net ix true crime documentary “The Crash” looks into a 2022 car crash in Ohio, in which 17-year- old Mackenzie Shirilla slammed her car into a brick building at 100 mph, killing her boyfriend and his friend, and the con icting narratives around that night. It begins streaming Friday. Also coming to Net ix? “Black Phone 2,” streaming on Saturday, which sees the return of Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber (who, yes, was killed in the rst movie), who is intent on getting revenge against Mason Thames four years later.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Friday, a new collection from the Colombian superstar Maluma, titled “Loco x Volv-

er,” drops. It’s a celebration of his culture and then some: from the reggaetón/dancehall hybrid “Pa’ la seca” with Ryan Castro to

“Con El Corazón” with the late great Yeison Jiménez and everything in between, these are songs that celebrate his roots

while modernizing folkloric sounds.

Pop -punk paragons The All-American Rejects are back, preparing to release their fth studio album and rst full-length in nearly 15 years, since 2012’s “Kids in the Street.” Expect what they’re known for: big hooks, big chords, big choruses and bigger fun.

SERIES TO STREAM

“Pop Culture Jeopardy!” has a new home for its second season. The game show, hosted by Colin Jost, makes the jump to Netix, with a new episode dropping each weekday through June 5. Sample categories include “bummer movie endings,” “Broadway on the big screen” and “TV of the 2010s.” If trending topics make up your FYP on TikTok, this one’s for you. Tucci is fresh o a world tour to promote “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” and now he’s taking us to Italy for season two of “Tuc-

“The sandbox is thirsty / Outside, the bombs are bursting.”

The All-American Rejects

ci in Italy.” In the new episodes, the actor visits regions like Sicily, Campania and Sardinia to meet with locals and eat food native to those areas. Travel along on Disney+ and Hulu. Fans have to wait until 2027 for a new season of “Heated Rivalry” but there’s another series available in the hockey romance genre. “O Campus” debuts its rst season on Prime Video. It’s about the love lives of a group of college hockey players. Each season follows a di erent relationship. The leads of Season 1 are Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright, while Season 2, starring Antonio Cipriano and India Fowler, begins lming very soon.

Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser’s long-awaited “Yellowstone” spino debuts Friday on Paramount+. “Dutton Ranch” takes place one year after the events of the series nale of “Yellowstone,” and characters Beth and Rip have relocated to Texas. They’ve got a new ranch now, but if we’ve learned anything from the other shows, owning land can be very dangerous. Annette Bening and Ed Harris also star.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

U.K. developer Supermassive Games has built its reputation on horror gems like “Until Dawn” and “The Quarry” that evoked classic movies like “Friday the 13th.” For its latest thriller, “Directive 8020,” the inspiration appears to be “Alien” and “The Thing.” You are 12 light years from Earth when your colony ship crashes on Tau Ceti f. The organisms there aren’t happy to meet you, and they are quite adept at imitating their prey. Can you trust your crewmates? Can you prevent the predators from hitching a ride when you try to return home? Get squishy on PlayStation 5,

and

Xbox X/S

PC.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Felicity Blunt, left, and Stanley Tucci arrive at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute bene t gala on May 4 in New York. Season two of “Tucci in Italy” is streaming now on Hulu.

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

Alex Orlovsky, from left, Lee Sung Jin and Marc Marrie accept the award for best rst feature for “Lurker” during the Film Independent Spirit Awards at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Maluma arrives at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute bene t gala on May 4 in New York. The Colombian pop star drops his new album, “Loco x Volver,” on Friday.

HOKE COUNTY

Warm welcome

Hoke’s new football coach, Duran McLaurin, was introduced to the community at an event last Wednesday. “I’m going to coach them,” he said. “I’m not going to

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Iran war hitting home as gas prices fuel in ation surge of 3.8% in U.S.

U.S. consumer prices climbed sharply again last month as the 10-week war with Iran pushed energy prices higher. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that its consumer price index rose 3.8% from April 2025. On a month-to-month basis, April prices were up 0.6% from March as gasoline prices rose 5.4%. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called consumer core prices were up 0.4% last month from March and 2.8% from April 2025, relatively modest readings that suggest the energy price burst isn’t yet spilling over much into other prices.

Trump FDA chief leaving after angering pharma CEOs, vaping lobbyists and anti-abortion groups

Marty Makary is resigning as President Donald Trump’s Food and Drug Administration head, according to a White House o cial who was not authorized to speak before an o cial announcement and insisted on anonymity Tuesday. The surgeon and health researcher’s tenure had drawn complaints from health industry executives, anti-abortion activists and other Trump allies. Makary was an outspoken critic of COVID-19 health measures during the pandemic, but at the FDA, Makary failed to win the sta ’s con dence after mass layo s, leadership changes and a series of controversies.

Canvas restored in Hoke schools after three-day outage

The district says no end-of-grade testing was a ected

North State Journal sta

CANVAS ACCESS was restored in Hoke County Schools late Monday afternoon after a roughly three-school-day outage triggered by a cybersecurity breach at the platform’s parent company, district spokesperson Alison Jones told North State Journal.

The state Department of Public Instruction shut o Canvas through NCEdCloud — the single sign-on portal used by North Carolina public schools — late Thursday, May 7 after hackers defaced the platform’s login pages with a ransom

message. Canvas is the system most N.C. public schools use to post assignments, grades and class communications. NCDPI brought it back online about 5:45 p.m. Monday, Jones said. While Canvas was down, “teachers were instructed to use alternate methods for assignments, including paper/ pencil, Google assignments, or any other method needed,” Jones said. Teachers entering grades during the outage worked directly in In nite Campus, Hoke’s student information system.

End-of-grade and end-ofcourse testing was not a ected, she said, because EOG and EOC tests are not handled through Canvas.

Jones said the data accessed in the breach was lim-

“There have been no testing impacts from the outage, as EOG/EOC testing is not handled through Canvas.”

ited to general account information — usernames, student ID numbers, email addresses and course names — and that speci c student records like classwork and grades were not accessed. She pointed to a statement from Instructure CEO Steve Daly saying the company had reached an agreement with the threat actor not to distribute the data.

Instructure announced Monday night it had reached a deal with the hacker group ShinyHunters, which had threatened to leak data on roughly 275 million users from some 8,800 institutions worldwide. The company said the stolen data has been destroyed and the agreement covers all a ected customers. Instructure did not disclose whether it paid a ransom, though multiple cybersecurity outlets have reported a payment was made. NCDPI, Instructure and Instructure’s third-party security rm CrowdStrike all agree no further threat exists and Canvas is safe to use, Jones said. “Hoke County Schools continue(s) to monitor the situation as the security of our students’ data is paramount,” she said.

Tax cuts collide with in ation as voters weigh Trump’s economy in midterms

Economic anxiety tempers enthusiasm in the state’s pivotal Senate race

By Bill Barrow The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Standing behind a downtown bar, Evan Duke smiled when he thought about no longer paying federal income tax on the hundreds of dollars in tips he earns on a busy night pouring beers and mixing drinks. But the 30-year-old said he cannot a ord health insurance and worries about how higher costs for rent, food and fuel are a ecting him and the patrons who slip cash into the jar at Pearl & Peril.

“It’s kind of messy right now,” Duke said. Duke’s dilemma is an economic microcosm of Donald

Trump’s second presidency. Although the Republican president has tried to put more money in middle-class pockets with tax cuts, the bene ts are being eroded as prices keep rising, especially during the war with Iran. The latest numbers, released Tuesday, showed the rate of in ation continued to climb. It’s a nancial tug-of-war shaping people’s lives as they consider the upcoming midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress during the nal two years of Trump’s tenure. All of these economic issues have been center stage in the battleground state of North Carolina and its U.S. Senate race. Michael Whatley, the Republican nominee and former national party chairman, is championing Trump’s tax overhaul. Roy Cooper, the

THE HOKE COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

BILL BARROW / AP PHOTO

Michael Aycock, 56, left, and his mother Phyllis Aycock, 79,

showroom

downtown Nashville in Nash County on March 11.

Alison Jones

coddle them.” For more, turn to Sports.

HAL NUNN FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

(USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

Trip

Jordan

THURSDAY

Democratic candidate and a former governor, is panning Trump’s management of the U.S. economy.

Duke, a registered independent, isn’t sure who he’ll support. Like a lot of Americans who vote with their wallets, he expects to decide based on “how things are going at the time.”

“I’ve got to do more research,” he said.

Polar opposite views of the same law

The dividing line is what Trump called “the One Big Beautiful Bill,” his signature legislation that cuts taxes but also reduces funding for public programs like Medicaid.

When Whatley recently appeared with Vice President JD Vance in Rocky Mount, he said the midterm elections were about “protecting no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security.”

Some of the claims were an exaggeration. For example, the legislation does not entirely eliminate federal levies on overtime. But his remarks showed how much Republicans want voters to see the legislation as a “working families tax cut,” as they’ve taken to calling it.

“I don’t know about you, but I sure trust you to spend your money better than a federal government in D.C.,” Whatley said.

Tracy Brill, 62, a Trump supporter in the audience, said she was willing to cope with rising costs due to the war.

“The course he’s taken is spot on,” she said, adding, “I believe the other presidents didn’t do what they should have done.”

Cooper and Democrats have focused their pitch around what they call the “a ordability crisis.” They emphasize health care costs and Republicans’ refusal to extend expanded subsidies for A ordable Care Act premiums. And they highlight housing and utility prices, hikes on consumer goods affected by Trump’s tari s, and ripple e ects from the president’s Iran war on everything from fuel and farmer’s fertilizer costs to groceries.

“It seems like everything that Washington is doing is driving up costs across the board,” Cooper said in Greensboro.

It’s a convenient turnabout for Democrats. President Joe Biden and his party had previously faced blame for in ation, which Trump capitalized on in his comeback campaign, but now Republicans shoulder the brunt of voters’ angst.

Republicans have a larger margin in the U.S. Senate than in the U.S. House, but Democrats believe economic dissatisfaction gives them a shot at full control of Congress. North Carolina is a top target along with Maine, Ohio and Alaska. There are even hopes that Iowa and Texas could be competitive too.

Economic anxiety adds toRepublicans’ challenge

Democrats have long struggled to win Senate seats in North Carolina, but they believe they have a better shot this year because Republican incumbent Thom Tillis is retiring.

Cooper also enjoys a centrist reputation and has won six statewide elections already, including two gubernatorial contests in cycles when Trump carried North Carolina. Whatley has deep ties in Republican circles as a former lobbyist and longtime party leader, but he’s not yet well known to voters.

e ect,” Aycock said, explaining that economic uncertainty and in ation, including premium hikes on health insurance that supplements her Medicare and cancels out Social Security cost-of-living adjustments and any tax breaks she’s received during Trump’s tenure. She said she wonders whether Trump “even thinks about the cause-and-e ect of what he does or what he doesn’t do, how it directly a ects us, and when I say ‘us,’ I de nitely mean the middle-class, lower-class working people, the blue collar, the ones that pay the taxes.

“It just seems like there’s no relief for us, like it’s all for the guy who has everything already.”

Aycock and her son, Michael, said they’ve seen foot tra c and purchases at their store decrease, which sits a few doors down from the law ofce where Cooper and his father once practiced. The elder Aycock said she doesn’t know Cooper personally but has voted for him before and would consider doing so again.

As for Whatley, she’s heard only fealty to Trump. She tightened her lips, then said, “I’m worried he’s just a yes man. We’ve got enough of those.”

Cooper leans on North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion

During Cooper’s second term as governor, he convinced the Republican-run General Assembly to expand Medicaid — a government insurance program for low-income or disabled adults and children in poor or working-class households — under President Barack Obama’s A ordable Care Act. Cooper talks about that program alongside his criticism of Republicans’ refusal to extend pandemic-era subsidies for private insurance plans.

The issue has drawn supporters like Emily Miller, a 43-year-old from Greensboro who volunteers on various voter turnout e orts that bene t Democrats.

Phyllis Aycock, a 79-year-old antiques store owner in Nash County, is leaning toward Cooper even after voting for Trump three times. She said she regrets her most recent vote for the president.

“It’s the whole trickle-down

“Medicaid and the A ordable Care Act absolutely have saved my life,” said Miller, who has physical health problems.

As a Kentucky and then North Carolina resident, she leaned on the 2010 law’s bene ts between her time as a public schoolteacher and her return to the workforce as an education consultant.

When she didn’t have a full-time job, Miller said, she required expensive medical care, including some inpatient mental health services. She said her part-time jobs at the time would not have covered private insurance costs, much less direct market rates for her treatment.

“I’m very grateful I’ve gotten back to a place where I’ve got a career again,” Miller said, with employer-based coverage. “I’m an example of exactly what this system is supposed to do. It was a bridge. And so many people, people who are working, are struggling like that.”

Miller is also skeptical that people will bene t from Trump’s legislation to cut taxes on overtime pay.

“I had an overtime-eligible job,” she said, “and I had bosses who would send us home before we got those extra hours.”

Yet for Cooper to win, he also needs to energize apathetic voters, including some Democrats.

James Outlaw, a 60-year-old in rural Bertie County, said he’ll probably vote in November but doesn’t see things improving regardless of the outcome.

“It won’t get no better,” he said, as he lled in his lotto numbers at a local convenience store. “Never does.”

Duke’s decision

Back behind the bar in downtown Raleigh, Duke looked forward to the coming weekend, which would bring thirstier crowds and, hopefully, more tips.

He said he appreciates getting “a few thousand dollars” from the tax breaks, and he said he’d “at least look at” Whatley, the Republican candidate. But he also thinks of the back-of-the-house workers who don’t earn tips and won’t benet from it.

As for his lack of health insurance, Duke said that’s not enough to guarantee his vote for Cooper, even as he remembered the Democratic nominee as “a pretty good governor.”

“I’m healthy, and I can pay rent,” he said.

That may be the outlook Republicans need as they urge voters to be patient. While speaking in Rocky Mount, Vance assured the audience that Trump wouldn’t let the economy languish.

“He constantly is pressing on the gas,” Vance said. “He wants us to do more.”

A podcast local to Hoke-Raeford, NC, with Ruben Castellon and Chris Holland.

THE CONVERSATION

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VISUAL VOICES

Medicaid millionaires are hiding in plain sight

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT programs is often treated like an urban legend — something that happens in faraway blue cities run by corrupt political machines. But the truth is more unsettling: Some of the most brazen theft of taxpayer money is happening in places governed by Republicans, right under their noses.

Consider Ohio.

At one address in Columbus, investigators found 94 di erent companies registered in the same building. The windows were covered. The o ces appeared empty. Yet according to The Daily Wire investigative team led by Luke Rosiak, that single address has billed taxpayers more than $66 million. This is not a minor accounting error. It is not mere “waste.” It is a system being exploited. Rosiak’s reporting exposes an ecosystem of “Medicaid millionaires”: not the poor recipients of bene ts but the companies and middlemen who pro t o them. Under the guise of “home health care,” Ohio pays people to visit Medicaid bene ciaries’ homes to perform “homemaking” services — cooking, cleaning and chores — tasks that don’t require medical training and often don’t receive meaningful oversight.

Ohio spent roughly $1 billion on home health care in 2024. The incentives are obvious: If government is handing out checks for loosely de ned services, the people best

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

positioned to get rich are not the disabled or elderly — it’s the billing operations.

The pattern is almost comical in its boldness: Cover the windows, hang a sheet of paper with a generic company name ending in “Home Health LLC,” and if someone asks questions, claim the employees “stepped out.” Why cover the windows? Because there is nothing inside.

Dig into the companies and you nd unpaid taxes, shady ownership structures and a bizarre number of LLCs registered in unrelated industries. The deeper you look, the clearer it becomes that government is not equipped to monitor who it is writing million- dollar checks to.

The business model is disturbingly simple.

A 40-year-old man becomes an “employee” of a Medicaid-billing rm and gets paid to “care for” his 65-year-old mother. But the only patient is Mom, and the only person who could con rm whether services are being provided is Mom herself. If she doesn’t want to rat out her son — or if she’s receiving a kickback — the state has no practical way to verify anything.

When Rosiak questioned one operator about what his company did, he was met with threats. The man reportedly dismissed the inquiry and then pivoted to the modern all-purpose defense: “I’m going to tell everybody you guys are racist.”

And there it is — the magic trick.

Steal millions. Exploit the system. Then accuse anyone investigating you of bigotry. Unlike food stamps and other capped welfare programs, this Medicaid service has no meaningful ceiling. It expands as far as doctors are willing to sign forms. One doctor willing to approve enough paperwork can bankrupt a state. For decades, the public couldn’t see this because Medicaid billing data was a black box. That changed in February, when the Department of Justice quietly released new data. In one case, a landlord whose buildings housed hundreds of Medicaid companies billed the federal government $250 million.

Now the question is whether leaders will act. Ohio has Republican leadership, and nationally President Donald Trump has made waste, fraud and abuse a central theme of his administration. That focus matters because this problem won’t be solved with speeches or “task forces.” It requires audits, subpoenas, prosecutions and real accountability. If government programs are going to exist, the bare minimum requirement is that they serve the people they claim to serve.

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

The race-obsessed left complains when the Supreme Court issues a colorblind ruling

But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a colorcoordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination.

SUPREME COURT Associate Justice

Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, in the recent case that restricted the use of race in designing a Louisiana congressional district.

Thomas wrote: “This Court should never have interpreted (Section) 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to e ectively give racial groups ‘an entitlement to roughly proportional representation.’ ... By doing so, the Court led legislatures and courts to ‘systematically divid(e) the country into electoral districts along racial lines.’ ... ‘Blacks (we)re drawn into ‘black districts’ and given ‘black representatives’; Hispanics (we) re drawn into Hispanic districts and given ‘Hispanic representatives’; and so on. That interpretation rendered (Section) 2 ‘repugnant to any nation that strives for the ideal of a color-blind Constitution.’ ... Today’s decision should largely put an end to this ‘disastrous misadventure’ in voting-rights jurisprudence.”

Critics argue the ruling is not colorblind in e ect because race-neutral districting can dilute minority voting power. But this assumes a) non-black and non-Hispanic voters would not vote for black or Hispanic candidates; and b) the interests of black and Hispanic voters can only be pursued by black and Hispanic members of Congress.

For Democrats, the e ect of this ruling could be politically catastrophic. A report from Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund said, “Combined with Republicans’ mid-decade gerrymandering, a ruling gutting Section 2 could help secure an additional 27 safe Republican U.S. House seats when compared to the 2024 House maps — at least 19 directly tied to the loss of Section 2.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries said, “Instead of protecting the ability for American citizens to freely cast their ballot, Republican extremists have embraced voter suppression and racial gerrymandering to desperately cling to power. The corrupt conservative majority on the Supreme Court appointed by Donald Trump has taken a blowtorch to the Voting Rights Act. Why? The extremists need to cheat to win.”

It is not clear how removing race as a criterion in constructing congressional districts amounts to “cheating.” Nor is it clear how this majority of justices, nominated by Republican presidents, renders the court “corrupt.”

As for “Republican extremists embracing voter suppression,” Je ries presumably means voter ID laws. But polls show a large majority of blacks support voter ID by percentages close to those of whites. Georgia, in 2021, enacted voter ID and voter-integrity laws called by President Joe Biden “worse than Jim Crow — it’s Jim Eagle.” But the percentage of blacks who voted exceeded the black voting percentages of most pre-2021 Georgia elections.

Let’s turn to Je ries’ accusation about Republicans’ supposed use of “racial gerrymandering.” In 2017, Politico wrote: “Former (Obama) Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday o cially launched the National Democratic Redistricting Committee ... as the center of Democratic rebuilding in the era of President-elect Donald Trump and as Democrats’ main hope to roll back Republican gains in state legislatures and prepare for redistricting in 2021. The end goal: House majorities in Congresses elected after 2020.”

To that end, Eric Holder supported race - conscious redistricting e orts designed to increase black electoral in uence. About a district in Alabama in 2024, for example, The Associated Press wrote: “The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which Holder chairs, supported the legal battle that led to the district being redrawn into a competitive seat where Black voters have the opportunity to in uence the outcome.”

Finally, about voters voting based on race, there are four black Republican members of the U.S. House, none of whom represents a majority-black district. Even Democrat Maxine Waters, a harsh critic of the court ruling and a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, represents a district that is only about 20% black. Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white, succeeded Rep. Harold Ford Jr., who is black, in representing a majority-black district. And a recent Gallup poll nds Trump approval rating among blacks at 16%, up from 12% in his rst term. Contrary to what many Democratic politicians say and how they act, this is not their grandfather’s America. But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a color-coordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination. My advice to Democrats after this ruling is simple: calm down. The days of poll taxes, literacy tests and grandfather clauses are long over. As Thomas Sowell says, “When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination.”

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

Man charged in White House correspondents’ dinner attack pleads not guilty

His attorneys argue attending prosecutors have a con ict of interest in the case

By Michael Kunzelman

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A man accused of storming the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner while armed with guns and knives pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges that he attempted to kill President Donald Trump and red a shotgun at a Secret Service ocer who tried to stop the attack.

Cole Tomas Allen was handcu ed, shackled and wearing an orange jail uniform when he appeared in federal court for his arraignment. Allen didn’t speak during the brief hearing. One of his attorneys entered the plea on his behalf.

Allen’s lawyers are asking U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden to disqualify at least two top Justice Department ofcials from direct involvement in prosecuting him because they could be considered victims or witnesses in the case, creating a potential con ict of interest.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. At-

“That would be quite a request.”

Trevor McFadden, U.S. District judge

torney Jeanine Pirro were attending the event when Allen ran through a security checkpoint and red a shotgun at a Secret Service o cer, authorities said. In a court ling last week, Allen’s attorneys argued that it creates at least the appearance of a con ict of interest for Blanche and Pirro to be making any prosecutorial decisions in the case.

McFadden, a Trump nominee, didn’t rule from the bench on that question but asked Allen’s attorneys to elaborate on the possible scope of their recusal request. Defense attorney Eugene Ohm said the defense likely would seek to disqualify Pirro’s entire o ce from involvement in the case. Ohm acknowledged that a bid to disqualify the entire Justice Department would be unlikely.

“That would be quite a request,” the judge said.

McFadden gave prosecutors until May 22 to respond in writ-

ing to the defense’s request. The judge asked the government to specify whether it believes Pirro and Blanche could be considered victims in the case.

“That might add some clarity here,” McFadden said.

In their ling, Allen’s attorneys suggested that the appointment of a special prosecutor might be warranted.

Allen is scheduled to return to court on June 29.

A Secret Service o cer was shot once in a bullet-resistant vest during the April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton hotel, which disrupted and ultimately prompted an early end to one of the highest-pro le annual events in the nation’s capital. The o cer red ve shots but didn’t hit anybody, authorities said.

Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was injured but was not shot.

Besides the attempted assassination count, Allen is also charged with assaulting a federal o cer with a deadly weapon and two additional rearms counts. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted of the attempted assassination charge alone.

Allen was placed on suicide watch after his arrest, but jail o cials removed him from that

status after several days. Allen’s attorneys complained that he had been unnecessarily conned in a padded room with constant lighting, repeatedly strip searched and placed in restraints outside his cell.

Allen told FBI agents that he didn’t expect to survive the attack, which could help explain why he was deemed to be a possible suicide risk, a Justice Department prosecutor has said.

Allen was out tted with an ammunition bag, a shoulder gun holster and a sheathed knife when he took a photo of himself in his room at the hotel just minutes before the attack, according to prosecutors. In a message that authorities say sheds light on his motive, Allen referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and alluded obliquely to grievances over a

Democrats vow to ght $1B Senate security proposal for White House ballroom

The proposal ties White House security to immigration funding Democrats had blocked

By Mary Clare Jalonick and Kevin Freking

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republicans returning to Washington, D.C., on Monday are facing questions about a $1 billion Senate security proposal that could help pay for President Donald Trump’s ballroom as Democrats say they will try to defeat it.

Senate Republicans added the money for White House security to a spending bill that would restore funding for immigration enforcement agencies that Democrats have blocked since February. The steep security proposal was put forward after a man was charged with trying to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner last month.

backing among Republicans. The House has not released its bill yet, but the Senate is expected to start voting on its version of the legislation this week.

While most GOP lawmakers have remained quiet on the proposal as they spent their recess out of Washington, D.C., some have publicly questioned whether they would support it.

“I’m going to look at it very carefully and make sure those things are in the national interest,” said Rep. Rob Wittman, a Virginia Republican who was in the Capitol last week to briefly gavel in a pro forma session of the House.

“I want to know the exact nature of the expenditures that would go there for security. So I think it’s a little premature to look at that and say, you know, yes or no to it,” Wittman said.

range of actions by Trump’s Republican administration.

Authorities have alleged that Allen on April 6 reserved a room for himself at the Hilton where the event would be held weeks later under its typical tight security. He traveled by train cross-country from California, checking himself into the hotel a day before the dinner with a room reserved for the weekend.

Trump was rushed o the stage by his security team at the Saturday night event and appeared at the White House two hours later, still in his tuxedo, to talk about the attack and the suspect.

“When you’re impactful, they go after you. When you’re not impactful, they leave you alone,” the president said. “They seem to think he was a lone wolf.”

ignate the money for the U.S. Secret Service, including for “security adjustments and upgrades” related to the ballroom project, which Trump and other Republicans have been pushing since Cole Tomas Allen was charged with storming the April 25 media dinner at the Washington Hilton with guns and knives.

The legislation says the money would support enhancements to the ballroom project, “including above-ground and below-ground security features,” but speci es it may not be used for nonsecurity elements.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle praised Republicans last week for including the money for the “long overdue” project, saying it would “provide the United States Secret Service with the resources they need to fully and completely harden the White House complex, in addition to the many other critical missions for the USSS.”

Republicans are using a partisan budget maneuver to push the spending legislation through Congress without any Democratic votes. But in a letter to colleagues Monday morning, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Democrats will ght it in other ways, including by pushing the Senate parliamentarian to strike the ballroom security money from the budget bill and offering amendments forcing Republicans to vote on it.

this moment with a de cit-busting, party-line bill that pours billions more taxpayer dollars into a rogue ICE operation and a billion-dollar ballroom, while doing nothing to end the illegal war in Iran or ease the Republican a ordability crisis bearing down on working families,” Schumer wrote in the letter.

“The Republican-controlled Congress is preparing to answer

It’s unclear if the security money will even have enough

Wittman wants to better understand the details of the Senate proposal and “how it’s part of what the total construction cost is,” he said.

Trump has said the ballroom’s construction would cost $400 million and use private funds, but he had not proposed a number for security costs.

The Senate bill would des-

The White House has said in court documents that the East Wing project would be “heavily forti ed,” including bomb shelters, military installations and a medical facility underneath the ballroom. Trump has said it should include bulletproof glass and be able to repel drone attacks.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation has sued to block construction of the project, but a federal appeals court said last month that it can continue in the meantime.

DANA VERKOUTEREN VIA AP

A courtroom sketch depicts Cole Tomas Allen, seated center, the California man arrested in the shooting incident at the correspondents dinner in Washington, D.C., seen appearing before U.S. Magistrate Moxila Upadhyaya in federal court April 30 in Washington, D.C.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks on fair elections and the Supreme Court’s ruling to strike down a majority black congressional district in Louisiana.

HOKE SPORTS

McLaurin meets with parents, community

New Hoke High Head Football Coach Duran McLaurin held a town hall in MacDonald Gym

By Hal Nunn Sports Blast

HOKE COUNTY High School Athletic Director Antonio Covington held a meet and greet in MacDonald Gym for the new head football coach, Duran McLaurin. Coach McLaurin’s history in Hoke County and the region is a long one.

“I can remember as a kid playing basketball in this gym and playing football on that eld,” he said, “and now, I am here as the head football coach.

“I’m excited about the resources here and the things they have accomplished here at Hoke, and I came up with this acronym that we’re going to, Raise the Bar here in Hoke. If we lower the bar, we will lose our good kids, if we raise the bar, we’re going to lose our kids that don’t want to be focused.

“Setting the bar in this program is going to determine our success. We have some good kids here at Hoke, and good kids want to be coached, great kids you cannot coach them enough.

McLaurin has been a coach for 28 years. A graduate of Seventy-First, he played football and basketball there before going to North Carolina Central, where he played quarterback under NFL Hall of Famer Larry Little.

McLaurin stayed at Central after his playing days as a graduate assistant. Eventually, he went to South View as an assistant, then got

Hoke County Schools introduced new head football coach Duran McLaurin to the parents and community. About 50 people attended the meet and greet. From left, Superintendent Kenneth Spells, Hoke High Principal Colleen Pegram-Wike, McLaurin and Hoke High AD Antonio Covington post for a photo.

his rst head coaching job at E.E. Smith. Taking over an 0-10 team, he led them to the best record in school history and the fourth round of the state playo s in four years. He then did the same at Seventy-First, taking an 0-10 team to state championship game in three years.

Now he’s ready to transform the Bucks.

“The question is, in this community with these parents and these adults, can you handle a rebuild?” he said. “That means you got to do a little demolition and tear it down, just like that new school over there, (speaking of new addition to Hoke High). Before they built that,

they had to atten it out. They had to build a strong foundation, and it starts with the adults, the parents, the community, and you got to show up for the community and kids and be consistent at it.”

McLaurin plans to change the culture in the program.

“I’m going to coach them,” he said. “I’m not going to coddle them. This is going to be a program of high expectations, and we will not negotiate negative behavior, not going to negotiate undiscipline behavior. We will hold the kids in high regards; undisciplined kids turn into undisciplined adults. Parents, are you going to be an enabler, or are you going to step up?”

Does NHL need more replay reviews for penalties and scrums, or would game be slowed down?

Hockey’s speed makes it tough to get calls right in real time

By Aaron Beard

The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour gures the NHL has the best o cials in the world. He still thinks they could use some help in sorting through the chaos — both before and after the whistle — that comes with the NHL playo s.

“It is impossible to referee our sport live, it really is — it’s just

everything’s happening so fast.”

Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes coach

up 2-0 in a second-round series against Philadelphia. “But man, it’s just hard to see some of the penalties that are getting called, that if you just took a quick peek, you’d go, ‘Oh wait a minute, that’s not what happened.’

“We’ll get to it at some point, but I think they could use a little hand.”

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

London Barnes

Hoke County track & eld

London Barnes is a freshman on the Hoke County track and eld team. She was one of two Bucks, along with last week’s Athlete of the Week William Leak, to win NCHSAA regional championships at the 8A west regional meet.

Barnes competed in the 100 meters, nishing 11th, and won the regional title in the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 10 inches, topping the runner-up by 11⁄4 inches. She also has a conference title in the 4x200 relay and nished fourth in the conference in that individual race. She moves on to compete in long jump at the state meet.

Brind’Amour has backed the idea of using more replay reviews to look not just at penalty calls but everything going on in those testier-with-every-round scrums. Not everyone agrees with Brind’Amour when it comes to reviewing penalty calls, though his larger point stands about getting the right call with the stakes involved in chasing the Stanley Cup.

“You can’t get better ocials. We have the best — I want to make sure everybody understands that — I know no one else could do a better job,” Brind’Amour said with his team

Playo games this year are averaging 10.6 penalties and 25.1 penalty minutes. That is the highest average number of penalties since 2009 (10.9), while this is just the second time since 2012 that the average of penalty minutes has exceeded 25 per game (it was 28 PIMs per game in 2023).

NHL o cials can review calls for non ghting major

See NHL, page B2

HAL NUNN / SPORTS BLAST

Van Gisbergen remains NASCAR’s road-course ace with Watkins Glen win from pole

The Trackhouse Racing driver wiped out a half-minute de cit to win

The Associated Press

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.

— Shane van Gisbergen insists his NASCAR Cup Series road- course dominance is harder than it looks and that he feels “a lot of pressure” to beat the best in stock-car racing.

But the Trackhouse Racing driver was in another league Sunday, schooling the stars of the Cup Series at Watkins Glen International.

Starting from the pole position, van Gisbergen scored his seventh Cup Series victory — all

on road or street courses — and his second consecutive on the 2.45-mile track by leading 74 of 100 laps in his No. 97 Chevrolet.

“We weren’t very good in practice, and then qualifying was amazing, and then today, what a race car,” van Gisbergen said. “And then (crew chief) Stephen (Doran) made great calls. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, and then to run them down like that, it’s very, very special to do two in a row.”

Pitting from the lead under green with 24 laps remaining, van Gisbergen emerged in 24th and was nearly 30 seconds behind leader Ty Gibbs.

Extending his Cup record of wins by a driver born outside the United States, the New Zea-

“I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, and then to run them down like that.”

Shane van Gisbergen

land native needed only 17 laps to retake the lead from Gibbs, winning by 7.288 seconds over Michael McDowell.

“He’s made it pretty clear, especially at these tracks, he likes to be on o ense, so we put him there and just let him go do his thing,” Doran said of the call to make a late stop for four tires instead of pitting earlier and con-

serving fuel as many others did. Gibbs nished third, followed by Chase Briscoe and points leader Tyler Reddick.

McDowell, who started second, also had to charge through the pack after falling to 27th on his last pit stop. He occasionally thought he could keep pace with the race winner but soon realized van Gisbergen was playing possum.

“It felt like he was just pacing himself o me, and he’d take back o ,” McDowell said. “We still got a little work to do, but it’s a good building block.”

Dating to Mexico City last June, van Gisbergen has now won six of the past seven races on road or street courses in Cup.

“It’s not easy,” van Gisbergen

said. “Everyone’s really good. McDowell was good. Connor (Zilisch) was good. Tyler Reddick. There were some really good guys and a lot of pressure. So just stoked to execute every facet of our game. And speechless. This is so cool.”

Trackhouse sweep

The win by van Gisbergen came a day after a win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series by rookie teammate Zilisch, who nished 20th Sunday after a tire problem late in the race. It still was a strong showing for Trackhouse, which quali ed all three of its cars in the top ve after compiling only four top-10 nishes in the rst 11 races.

“Just frustrating because we had a really good day going,” Zilisch said. “At worst, we were going to get ourselves our rst top ve and walk out of here with something. But congrats to Shane, Trackhouse and everybody who makes this happen.”

and match penalties, then either con rm it or reduce it to a two-minute minor. They can also review double-minor high-sticking penalties to determine whether the stick involved actually belonged to the player being penalized.

Brind’Amour rst raised the topic after a rst-round sweep of Ottawa. That came after Senators forward Ridly Greig delivered two sucker punches to Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker — the second an uppercut to the face — while Walker was engaged with Senators forward Warren Foegele.

Greig wasn’t penalized, though the NHL later suspended him for two regular-season games. Compounding matters, Brind’Amour said, was the fact

the Hurricanes emerged from that sequence shorthanded. He suggested having someone work solely to monitor replays and assist on-ice o cials.

“The only reason (Greig) did that was because he looked, no one’s watching, doesn’t get called for it, and we somehow ended up short on that,” Brind’Amour

Referee Gord Dwyer (19) announces a call while referee Francis Charron (6) speaks to Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal (11) during a playo game against the Flyers in Raleigh.

said. “That’s wrong. That’s not right. Just get it right.”

The issue is how best to accomplish that if expanded replay usage is one day adopted by the league.

“That’s a good question because like a lot of times guys get away with stu in there,” Bu alo Sabres forward Josh

Dunne said about more replay reviews of scrums in particular.

“Some guy starts, another guy gets the penalty for it,” he said.

“It’s hard, it’s a hard line. It’s why it’s so much on the judgment of the refs where it’s like they can only see what they see, where it’s like you never really know how these things get going.”

His coach, meanwhile, chuckled that he’s “not a huge fan of another video review.”

“I don’t mind Rod’s thinking at all,” said Lindy Ru , whose Sabres are facing Montreal in Round 2. “I just think, boy, if now we’re going to review something, we start reviewing scrums, I just think players will start taking acting lessons.”

“It is impossible to referee our sport live, it really is — it’s just everything’s happening so fast, now you’re getting embellish-

Shane Van Gisbergen does a burn out after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Watkins Glen, New York.

ment everywhere,” Brind’Amour said then. “Sticks aren’t even coming close to you, they’re doing this (leans his head back) because why? Because if this goes like this (raises arm), you’re getting a call. But if you’ve got a guy on the review that said, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, that’s embellishment,’ it would be out of the game.”

Dunne said he worried about the idea of slowing the game too much with more replay reviews, while Colorado Avalanche forward Brock Nelson said he largely “liked where the game is at.”

“I don’t want to make too many adjustments or critiques to the game,” Nelson said.

“I’m a traditionalist. The more rules you make, the more you have,” said Anaheim Ducks coach Joel Quenneville.

ADRIAN KRAUS / AP PHOTO

NHL from page B1

KARL DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO

Sarah Hamer Baucom

May 25, 1930 – May 9, 2026

Sarah Hamer Baucom passed on May 9, 2026, at the age of 95. She was born on May 25, 1930, and was a resident of Southern Pines, North Carolina.

A Graveside Service will be held at Raeford City Cemetery, 520 E Central Ave, Raeford, NC, on May 13, 2026, at 11:00 am.

Richard Mont Edwards

Sept. 4, 1949 – May 6, 2026

Richard was born on September 4, 1949, in the Stoney Point community of Cumberland County to the late Walter David Edwards and Leola Quick Edwards. In 1974, he and his wife moved to Raeford, where they built their home and raised their family together.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his youngest son, Walter Curtis Edwards. Richard is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Rosa Lee Guin Edwards, of the home; his son, Scott LaMont Edwards and wife Melody, of Raeford; and his sisters, Lona Edwards Dees and husband Allen, of Fayetteville, and Rita Lane Cottle, also of Fayetteville. He also leaves behind six grandchildren: Brittany, Taylor, Cheyanne, Riley, Raley, and Ryan Edwards; and two greatgrandchildren, Khloe and Lorelei Edwards.

Richard married his teenage sweetheart, Rosa Lee Guin Edwards, on August 16, 1969. Together they shared more than ve decades of marriage and built a life centered on family, hard work, and community.

He worked for J. P. Stevens & Co. and Gulistan Carpets for 19 years. Later, he built, owned, and operated R&R Food Mart on Highway 211 near the Antioch community for 15 years. Through the years, Richard became known not only as a businessman, but also as a steady friend, a helping hand, and someone always willing to share advice when needed.

Richard enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He loved camping, shing, and working in his yard, where he took great pride in planting owers and shrubs. He was also a fan of National Hot Rod Association drag racing, local organized drag racing, and car shows. He appreciated hard work, good conversation, and the everyday moments that made life meaningful.

Above all, Richard cherished his family. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the joy of his later years, and he considered them his greatest blessing and legacy. They brought him immense pride and happiness throughout his life.

A graveside service will be announced at a later date.

obituaries

Winona Montañez

Feb.22, 1956 – May 7, 2026

Daughter of Antonia Semidey & Vincente Alicea

Wife of Fidelino Montañez

Mother to Anthony, Erica, Jennifer, and Charles

Grandmother of Dylan, Dean, and Autumn

Fur grandmother to Mikko and Wednesday

Adored aunt and sister to the extended family

Winnie as everyone knew her loved to show her a ection through her amazing authentic Puerto Rican food. She was loved by many as her favorite saying was one for you and for your neighbor. Always the life of the party and the rst one on the dance oor her hospitality and vitality drew everyone in. Our hearts nd solace in knowing she is surrounded by those she loved who have already transitioned. We will miss you dearly and we will love you to the moon and back. May she rest in peace in the house of the lord. Amen

Hija de Antonia Semidey y Vicente Alicea

Esposa de Fidelino Montañez

Madre de Anthony, Erica, Jennifer y Charles Abuela de Dylan, Dean y Autumn

Abuela perruna de Mikko y Wednesday

Querida tía y hermana de toda su familia extendida Winnie, como todos la conocían, amaba demostrar su cariño a través de su increíble y auténtica comida puertorriqueña. Fue amada por muchos, y una de sus frases favoritas era: “uno para ti y otro para tu prójimo.” Siempre era el alma de la esta y la primera en salir a la pista de baile. Su hospitalidad y vitalidad atraían a todos a su alrededor.

Nuestros corazones encuentran consuelo al saber que ahora está rodeada de aquellos seres queridos que partieron antes que ella. La extrañaremos profundamente y la amaremos hasta la luna y de regreso. Que descanse en paz en la casa del Señor. Amén.

CNN founder Ted Turner, brash and outspoken television pioneer, dead at age 87

The media mogul transformed cable news while amassing sports teams, ranches and billions

By David Bauder The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Ted Turner, a brash television pioneer who raced yachts, owned huge chunks of the American West and transformed the news business by launching CNN and introducing the 24 -hour cable news cycle, died last Wednesday. He was 87.

Turner died surrounded by his family, according to Turner Enterprises, the company that oversees his vast business interests.

Turner owned professional sports teams in Atlanta, defended the America’s Cup in yachting in 1977 and donated a stunning $1 billion to United Nations charities. He married three women — most famously actor Jane Fonda — and earned the nicknames “Captain Outrageous” and “The Mouth of the South.”

He once bragged: “If only I had a little humility, I’d be perfect.”

He was slowed in later years by Lewy body dementia. Long out of the television business, he concentrated on philanthropy. His garrulous personality sometimes overshadowed a risk-taking business acumen. By the time he sold his Turner Broadcasting System to Time Warner Inc. in 1996, Turner had turned his late father’s billboard company into a global conglomerate that included seven major cable networks, three professional sports teams and a pair of hit movie studios.

President Donald Trump, reacting to Turner’s death, called him “one of the Greats of All Time.”

The creation of CNN

Turner’s signature achievement was creating the Cable News Network, the rst 24 -hour, all-news television network in 1980. In part, Turner’s own frustration with television news was the instigator. He often worked past 8 p.m., after the ABC, CBS and NBC nightly newscasts had already gone o the air.

He took a chance by starting the operation in the early days of cable television, living in an apartment above its Atlanta o ce.

company’s sale to Time Warner but was gradually pushed out, much to his regret.

“The mistake I made was losing control of the company,” he later said.

Building TBS SuperStation

Robert Edward Turner III was born Nov. 19, 1938, in Cincinnati. When he was 9, his family moved to Savannah, Georgia, where he grew up. After being expelled from Brown University, Turner came to Atlanta to work for his domineering father’s billboard company, Turner Advertising.

After his father’s 1963 suicide, Turner took over the company. In 1970, he bought an independent UHF station with a weak signal that didn’t even cover Atlanta.

On Dec. 17, 1976, he began transmitting the station to cable systems across the country via satellite. It became the TBS SuperStation.

TBS’s motley collection of old movies and sitcom reruns was augmented by Turner’s acquisition of baseball’s Atlanta Braves. Perennial doormats, the Braves slowly attracted fans nationwide through their superstation exposure.

In the 1980s, Turner went deeply into debt to buy MGM, a move again greeted with skepticism. But the acquisition gave his company a library of vintage movies that eventually were parlayed into the TNT and Turner Classic Movies networks.

He revealed his ambitions as a younger man: “I used to tell people I wanted to become the world’s greatest sailor, businessman and lover all at the same time.”

Acquiring sports teams and land

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@ northstatejournal.com

CNN’s breakthrough moment came during the Gulf War with Iraq in 1991. Most television journalists had ed Baghdad but CNN stayed, capturing arresting images of a war’s outbreak.

Turner was promised a continued role in CNN after his

For much of his life a partying roustabout who wooed beautiful women, the lean, mustachioed sportsman married three times. He was married to Fonda from 1991 to 2001. She tired of his philan-

“If only I had a little humility, I’d be perfect.”

Ted Turner

dering and divorced him, although they remained friends. Perhaps Turner’s greatest love was for the land. He acquired millions of acres in ranches complete with roaming bu alo and was Nebraska’s largest private landholder. Researchers at Texas A&M University credited his donation of a few bulls in 2005 with helping increase the genetic diversity of the last herd of southern Plains bison. He had a net worth of $2.5 billion in 2023 but had dropped o Forbes magazine’s ranking of the 400 richest Americans in 2021.

“See, my life is more an adventure than a quest to make money,” Turner once said. Turner managed to insult many with his shoot-fromthe-lip style. An atheist since his only sister died of lupus at age 17, he called Christians “losers” and “Jesus freaks,” later apologizing for both remarks.

Dedication to various causes

Turner, the father of ve children, grabbed a leadership role in American philanthropy with his Sept. 18, 1997, pledge to give $1 billion to United Nations charities.

He promoted a range of humanitarian causes. Turner joined former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn to start the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a U.S.-based nonpro t dedicated to reducing the threat of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. As he poured millions into nonpro ts on a global scale, Turner was also fond of spreading his wealth in small ways. He once gave $500 to a volunteer re department that helped extinguish a blaze on one of his ranches.

JOHN BAZEMORE / AP PHOTO

Ted Turner speaks during the CNN World Report Contributors banquet in Atlanta on May 4, 1995.

STATE & NATION

Virginia Supreme Court strikes down Democrats’ redrawn US House maps, giving Republicans win

Combined with weakened voting rights protections, the ruling strengthens Republican gerrymandering e orts

By David A. Lieb and Geo Mulvihill The Associated Press

THE VIRGINIA Supreme Court on Friday struck down a voter-approved Democratic congressional redistricting plan, delivering another major setback to the party in a nationwide battle against Republicans for an edge in this year’s midterm elections.

The court ruled 4-3 that the state’s Democratic-led legislature violated procedural requirements when it placed the constitutional amendment on the ballot to authorize mid-decade redistricting. Voters narrowly approved the amendment on April 21, but the court’s ruling renders the vote’s result meaningless.

Writing for the majority, Justice D. Arthur Kelsey wrote that the legislature submitted the proposed constitutional amendment to voters “in an unprecedented manner.”

“This violation irreparably undermines the integrity of the resulting referendum vote and renders it null and void,” he wrote.

Democrats had hoped to win as many as four additional U.S. House seats under Virginia’s redrawn map as part of an attempt to o set Republican redistricting done elsewhere at the urging of President Donald Trump. Later Friday, Virginia Democrats said in a ling that they intended to le an emergency appeal of the state high court’s decision with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Friday’s ruling, combined with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that severely weakened the Voting Rights Act, has supercharged Republicans’ congressional gerrymandering advantage heading into this year’s midterm elections.

“Huge win for the Republican Party, and America, in Virginia,” Trump said about the decision on his social media account.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the ruling was another sign of GOP momentum heading into the midterms.

“We’re on o ense, and we’re going to win,” he said in a statement.

Don Scott, the Democratic speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, said Democrats respect the court’s opinion but lamented that it overturned the will of the voters: “They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Suzan DelBene, chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, criticized the court majority for

State Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, center, speaks outside the Supreme Court of Virginia after arguments were heard in a redistricting-related case at the court in Richmond, Virginia, on April 27.

what she said was a decision that “cast aside the will of the voters,” but she said the people will have the nal say.

“In November, they will, and they’ll power Democrats to the House majority,” she said in a statement.

A longshot

Democratic appeal

Democrats are taking a legal longshot in asking the nation’s highest court to reverse the Virginia ruling. The U.S. Supreme Court tries to avoid second-guessing state courts’ interpretations of their own constitutions. In 2023, it turned down a request by North Carolina Republicans to overrule a state Supreme Court decision that blocked the GOP’s congressional map. Still, even an unsuccessful appeal would let Democrats try to blame their failure on the conservative majority that dominates the nation’s highest court, which has already infuriated the party and civil rights groups by neutering the Voting Rights Act.

Legislative voting districts typically are redrawn once a decade after each census to account for population changes.

But Trump sparked an unusual urry of mid-decade redistricting last year by encouraging Republican o cials in Texas to redraw districts in a bid to win several additional U.S. House seats and hold on to their party’s narrow majority in the midterm elections.

California responded with new voter-approved districts drawn to Democrats’ advantage, and Utah’s top court imposed a new congressional map that also helps Democrats. Meanwhile, Republicans stand to gain from new House districts passed in Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. They could add even more after the

“They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Don Scott, Virginia House of Delegates speaker

U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Voting Rights Act case, which has prompted some other Republican states to consider redrawing their maps in time for this year’s elections.

Virginia is currently represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and ve Republicans, all elected from districts imposed by a court following a bipartisan redistricting commission’s failure to agree on a map after the 2020 census. The new districts could have given Democrats an improved chance to win all but one of the state’s 11 congressional seats.

The state Supreme Court’s majority was critical of the state’s redrawing of the congressional maps to bene t one political party. Those justices noted that 47% of the state’s voters supported GOP congressional candidates in 2024, but the new map could result in Democrats making up 91% of the state’s House delegation.

What was in the Democrats’ map

Under the Democratic-drawn map, ve districts would have been anchored in the Democratic stronghold of northern Virginia. Revisions to four other districts across Richmond, southern Virginia and Hampton Roads would have diluted the voting power of conservative blocs in those areas. And a reshaped district in parts of western Virginia would have lumped together three Democratic-leaning college towns to o set other Republican voters.

The state Supreme Court’s

seven justices are appointed by the state legislature, which has toggled back and forth between Democratic, Republican and split control over recent years. Legal experts say the body doesn’t have a set ideological pro le.

The case before the court focused not on the shape of the new districts but rather on the process the General Assembly used to authorize them.

Because the state’s redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, lawmakers had to propose an amendment to redraw the districts. That required approval of a resolution in two separate legislative sessions, with a state election sandwiched in between, to place the amendment on the ballot.

The legislature’s initial approval of the amendment occurred last October, during early voting for the general election, before it concluded. The legislature’s second vote on the amendment occurred after a new legislative session began in January. Lawmakers also approved a separate bill in February laying out the new districts, subject to voter approval of the constitutional amendment.

Arguments over the de nition of “election”

Judicial arguments focused on whether the legislature’s initial approval of the amendment came too late because early voting already had begun.

Attorney Matthew Seligman, who defended the legislature, argued that the “election”

should be de ned narrowly to mean the Tuesday of the general election. In that case, the legislature’s rst vote on the redistricting amendment occurred before the election and was constitutional, he told justices.

But in its ruling, the Supreme Court said, “this view appears to be wholly unprecedented in Virginia’s history.”

An attorney for the plainti s, Thomas McCarthy, argued an “election” should be interpreted to cover the entire period during which voters can cast ballots, which lasts several weeks in Virginia. If that’s the case, he told justices, then the legislature’s initial endorsement of the redistricting amendment came too late to comply with the state constitution.

The Supreme Court agreed with that argument, writing: “The General Assembly passed the proposed constitutional amendment for the rst time well after voters had begun casting ballots during the 2025 general election.”

By the time lawmakers initially endorsed the amendment, voters already had cast more than 1.3 million ballots in the general election, about 40% of the total votes ultimately cast, the court said.

The Supreme Court’s ruling a rms a decision by a judge in rural Tazewell County, in southwestern Virginia. The court had placed a hold on that ruling and allowed the redistricting vote to proceed before hearing arguments on the case.

In the dissent to Friday’s ruling, Chief Justice Cleo Powell said the election for the purpose of considering the amendment does not include the early voting period.

“The majority’s de nition creates an in nite voting loop that appears to have no established beginning,” she wrote, “only a de nitive end: Election Day.”

MOORE COUNTY

Champs!

Pinecrest

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Iran war hitting home as gas prices fuel in ation surge of 3.8% in U.S. U.S. consumer prices climbed sharply again last month as the 10-week war with Iran pushed energy prices higher. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that its consumer price index rose 3.8% from April 2025. On a month-to-month basis, April prices were up 0.6% from March as gasoline prices rose 5.4%. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called consumer core prices were up 0.4% last month from March and 2.8% from April 2025, relatively modest readings that suggest the energy price burst isn’t yet spilling over much into other prices.

Trump FDA chief leaving after angering pharma CEOs, vaping lobbyists and anti-abortion groups

Marty Makary is resigning as President Donald Trump’s Food and Drug Administration head, according to a White House o cial who was not authorized to speak before an o cial announcement and insisted on anonymity Tuesday. The surgeon and health researcher’s tenure had drawn complaints from health industry executives, anti-abortion activists and other Trump allies. Makary was an outspoken critic of COVID-19 health measures during the pandemic, but at the FDA, Makary failed to win the sta ’s con dence after mass layo s, leadership changes and a series of controversies.

$2.00

their

Moore County Schools to transition to new law rm

The district will contract with Poyner Spruill for legal counsel starting in the new scal year

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

CARTHAGE — Moore County Schools will be changing its legal counsel starting in the new scal year.

Earlier in the year, the district put out an RFP for legal services and received bids from two rms: Schwartz Law, which is the board’s current legal counsel, and Poyner Spruill Law Firm.

At the Moore County Schools Board of Education’s May 11 meeting, members were presented with the recommendation to change legal counsels and contract with Poyner Spruill.

After discussion, that recommendation was approved

by a 5-2 vote, with board members Pauline Bruno and David Hensley voting against it.

“I found that Poyner provided the energy, the intellect and the team approach that really appealed to me,” said board member Ken Benway, who was on the committee that met with the two rms. “They also brought to the table a broad range of capabilities that the district can tap into.”

Board members Hensley and Bruno pointed to issues with Poyner Spruill’s supposed use of DEI hiring practices as well as hourly rates that are higher than the current ones with Schwartz Law, although Interim Superintendent Jenny Purvis stated that based on the district’s inquiries, the assumption is that this change will save the district money in the long run.

Increased legal cost was a big issue that had been brought up by board members, speci

“This is a failure of a school board who didn’t do their oversight in overseeing runaway expenses.”

Board member David Hensley on the districts increased legal costs

cally Hensley as he pointed out Moore County Schools was spending 3-7.5 times more per student on legal fees than surrounding counties, however, he didn’t believe that this was a problem brought on by the legal counsel.

“The reason why we’re in this pickle is just lack of discipline and lack of procedures,” said Hensley. “Our legal fees have jumped 50% to 60%, and every year I’ve been

talking about this. This is a process failure. This is not a failure of an attorney charging too much. This is a failure of a school board who didn’t do their oversight in overseeing runaway expenses.”

“The Schwartz Law Firm has done wonders,” Bruno said. “They’ve always been here for us, they’re ahead of the game, they do a terri c job, they give us great advice, and I just am disappointed in the way that this whole thing has been handled because I think it’s our fault because we held nobody accountable for this.”

The board also approved a request to increase the requisition for legal fees from Schwartz Law by $60,000 to cover the anticipated legal fees through the remainder of the retainer agreement, which is set to expire at the end of June.

The original requisition had previously been set at $600,000 based on the prior year’s legal fees, however the board will pass that total.

“We have to pay for the rest of the year,” Bruno said. “We have to pay for our services.” The Moore County Schools Board of Education will next meet June 8.

Tax cuts collide with in ation as voters weigh Trump’s economy in the midterms

Economic anxiety tempers enthusiasm in the state’s pivotal Senate race

By Bill Barrow The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Standing behind a downtown bar, Evan Duke smiled when he thought about no longer paying federal income tax on the hundreds of dollars in tips he earns on a busy night pouring beers and mixing drinks. But the 30-year-old said he cannot a ord health insurance and worries about how higher costs for rent, food and fuel are a ecting him and the patrons who slip cash

into the jar at Pearl & Peril.

“It’s kind of messy right now,” Duke said.

Duke’s dilemma is an economic microcosm of Donald Trump’s second presidency. Although the Republican president has tried to put more money in middle-class pockets with tax cuts, the bene ts are being eroded as prices keep rising, especially during the war with Iran. The latest numbers, released Tuesday, showed the rate of in ation continued to climb.

It’s a nancial tug-of-war shaping people’s lives as they consider the upcoming midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress

See MIDTERMS, page A2

DAVID SINCLAIR FOR NORTH STATE JOURNAL

The

boy’s golf team celebrates

fourth straight state championship on the 18th green of Pinehurst No. 8 on Tuesday afternoon. THE MOORE COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

BILL BARROW / AP PHOTO

Michael Aycock, 56, left, and his mother Phyllis Aycock, 79, discuss economic conditions as they stand on the showroom oor of their antiques shop in downtown Nashville in Nash County on March 11.

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MIDTERMS from page A1

during the nal two years of Trump’s tenure.

All of these economic issues have been center stage in the battleground state of North Carolina and its U.S. Senate race.

Michael Whatley, the Republican nominee and former national party chairman, is championing Trump’s tax overhaul. Roy Cooper, the Democratic candidate and a former governor, is panning Trump’s management of the U.S. economy.

Duke, a registered independent, isn’t sure who he’ll support. Like a lot of Americans who vote with their wallets, he expects to decide based on “how things are going at the time.”

“I’ve got to do more research,” he said.

Polar opposite views of the same law

The dividing line is what Trump called “the One Big Beautiful Bill,” his signature legislation that cuts taxes but also reduces funding for public programs like Medicaid.

When Whatley recently appeared with Vice President JD Vance in Rocky Mount, he said the midterm elections were about “protecting no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on Social Security.”

Some of the claims were an exaggeration. For example, the legislation does not entirely eliminate federal levies on overtime. But his remarks showed how much Republicans want voters to see the legislation as a “working families tax cut,” as they’ve taken to calling it.

“I don’t know about you, but I sure trust you to spend your money better than a federal government in D.C.,” Whatley said.

Tracy Brill, 62, a Trump supporter in the audience, said she was willing to cope with rising costs due to the war.

“The course he’s taken is spot on,” she said, adding, “I believe the other presidents didn’t do what they should have done.”

Cooper and Democrats have focused their pitch around what they call the “a ordability crisis.” They emphasize health care costs and Republicans’ refusal to extend expanded subsidies for A ordable Care Act premiums. And they highlight housing and utility prices, hikes on consumer

May 4

• Ashley Lettivee Boone, 38, of Sanford, was arrested by MCSO for habitual larceny and larceny from a merchant.

• Julian Diego Fierro, 19, of West End, was arrested by MCSO for misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and simple assault.

• Jody Neil Singletary, 46, of Laurel Hill, was arrested by MCSO for habitual felon.

May 5

• Airyen Therie Greene, 18, of Eagle Springs, was arrested by MCSO for manufacturing a controlled substance, simple possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and other charges.

• Stacy Marie Andrews, 43, of Carthage, was arrested by MCSO for larceny of a rearm.

• Heather Lee Blue, 29, of Vass, was arrested by MCSO for breaking and entering with intent to terrorize or injure an occupant, larceny after breaking and entering and assault and battery, and other charges.

• Debra Jean Hall, 52, of Stedman, was arrested by MCSO for misdemeanor crime of domestic

goods a ected by Trump’s tari s, and ripple e ects from the president’s Iran war on everything from fuel and farmer’s fertilizer costs to groceries.

“It seems like everything that Washington is doing is driving up costs across the board,” Cooper said in Greensboro.

It’s a convenient turnabout for Democrats. President Joe Biden and his party had previously faced blame for in ation, which Trump capitalized on in his comeback campaign, but now Republicans shoulder the brunt of voters’ angst.

Republicans have a larger margin in the U.S. Senate than in the U.S. House, but Democrats believe economic dissatisfaction gives them a shot at full control of Congress. North Carolina is a top target along with Maine, Ohio and Alaska. There are even hopes that Iowa and Texas could be competitive too.

Economic anxiety adds toRepublicans’ challenge

Democrats have long struggled to win Senate seats in North Carolina, but they believe they have a better shot this year because Republican incumbent Thom Tillis is retiring.

Cooper also enjoys a centrist reputation and has won six statewide elections already, including two gubernatorial contests in cycles when Trump carried North Carolina. Whatley has deep ties in Republican circles as a former lobbyist and longtime party leader, but he’s not yet well known to voters.

Phyllis Aycock, a 79-year-old antiques store owner in Nash County, is leaning toward Cooper even after voting for Trump three times. She said she regrets her most recent vote for the president.

“It’s the whole trickle-down e ect,” Aycock said, explaining that economic uncertainty and in ation, including premium hikes on health insurance that supplements her Medicare and cancels out Social Security cost-of-living adjustments and any tax breaks she’s received during Trump’s tenure.

She said she wonders whether Trump “even thinks about the cause-and-e ect of what he does or what he doesn’t do, how it directly a ects us, and when I say ‘us,’ I de nitely mean the

violence and simple assault.

• Marshall Olin James, 46, of Fayetteville, was arrested by MCSO for carrying a concealed gun, going armed to the terror of the people and resisting a public o cer.

• Antonio Darrelle Little, 34, of Laurinburg, was arrested by MCSO for non-support of a child.

• Nicholas Peter Meserve, 31, of Carthage, was arrested by MCSO for larceny of a motor vehicle, obtaining property by false pretense and larceny of motor vehicle parts.

May 6

• Trevor Allen Ensley, 29, of Vass, was arrested by MCSO for fraudulently burning a dwelling and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

May 7

• Henry Burton Giedzinski, 59, of Whispering Pines, was arrested by Whispering Pines PD for driving while impaired and driving left of center.

May 8

• Dustin Lee Fowler, 36, of Carthage, was arrested by MCSO for communicating threats, misdemeanor crime of

"I'm worried he's just a yes man. We've got enough of those."

Phyllis Aycock, antiques store owner

middle-class, lower-class working people, the blue collar, the ones that pay the taxes.

“It just seems like there’s no relief for us, like it’s all for the guy who has everything already.”

Aycock and her son, Michael, said they’ve seen foot trafc and purchases at their store decrease, which sits a few doors down from the law o ce where Cooper and his father once practiced. The elder Aycock said she doesn’t know Cooper personally but has voted for him before and would consider doing so again.

As for Whatley, she’s heard only fealty to Trump. She tightened her lips, then said, “I’m worried he’s just a yes man. We’ve got enough of those.” Cooper leans on North Carolina’s Medicaid expansion

During Cooper’s second term as governor, he convinced the Republican-run General Assembly to expand Medicaid — a government insurance program for low-income or disabled adults and children in poor or working-class households — under President Barack Obama’s A ordable Care Act. Cooper talks about that program alongside his criticism of Republicans’ refusal to extend pandemic-era subsidies for private insurance plans.

The issue has drawn supporters like Emily Miller, a 43-year-old from Greensboro who volunteers on various voter turnout e orts that bene t Democrats.

“Medicaid and the A ordable Care Act absolutely have saved my life,” said Miller, who has physical health problems. As a Kentucky and then North Carolina resident, she leaned on the 2010 law’s bene ts between her time as a public schoolteacher and her return to the workforce as an education consultant.

When she didn’t have a full-time job, Miller said, she re-

domestic violence and injury to personal property.

May 9

• George Jerome Leach, 38, of Southern Pines, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, identity theft and possession of marijuana, and other charges.

• Caroline June Morgan, 47, of Carthage, was arrested by MCSO for assault in icting serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon and resisting a public o cer.

May 10

• Charles Edward Dowdy, 45, of Carthage, was arrested by Robbins PD for resisting a public o cer and failure to pay child support.

• Emanuel Flores Martinez, 28, of Southern Pines, was arrested by MCSO for driving while impaired and no operator's license.

• Loren Lara, 30, of Fayetteville, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for possession of methamphetamine, misdemeanor child abuse and possession or manufacture of fraudulent identi cation, and other charges.

quired expensive medical care, including some inpatient mental health services. She said her part-time jobs at the time would not have covered private insurance costs, much less direct market rates for her treatment.

“I’m very grateful I’ve gotten back to a place where I’ve got a career again,” Miller said, with employer-based coverage.

“I’m an example of exactly what this system is supposed to do. It was a bridge. And so many people, people who are working, are struggling like that.”

Miller is also skeptical that people will bene t from Trump’s legislation to cut taxes on overtime pay.

“I had an overtime-eligible job,” she said, “and I had bosses who would send us home before we got those extra hours.”

Yet for Cooper to win, he also needs to energize apathetic voters, including some Democrats.

James Outlaw, a 60-year-old in rural Bertie County, said he’ll probably vote in November but doesn’t see things improving regardless of the outcome.

“It won’t get no better,” he said, as he lled in his lotto numbers at a local convenience store. “Never does.”

Duke’s decision

Back behind the bar in downtown Raleigh, Duke looked forward to the coming weekend, which would bring thirstier crowds and, hopefully, more tips.

He said he appreciates getting “a few thousand dollars” from the tax breaks, and he said he’d “at least look at” Whatley, the Republican candidate. But he also thinks of the back-ofthe-house workers who don’t earn tips and won’t bene t from it.

As for his lack of health insurance, Duke said that’s not enough to guarantee his vote for Cooper, even as he remembered the Democratic nominee as “a pretty good governor.”

“I’m healthy, and I can pay rent,” he said. That may be the outlook Republicans need as they urge voters to be patient. While speaking in Rocky Mount, Vance assured the audience that Trump wouldn’t let the economy languish.

“He constantly is pressing on the gas,” Vance said. “He wants us to do more.”

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

May 15

3rd Annual Carthage Pro Rodeo

8 p.m.

New Classic Pro Rodeo returns to Carthage for two nights of professional rodeo featuring bull riding, barrel racing, team roping and bucking horse competition. Gates open at 6 p.m.; tickets are $20 cash at the gate, with children 5 and under free and parking $5 per vehicle.

Moore County Agricultural Fairgrounds 3699 U.S. 501 Carthage

An Intimate Evening with Judy Collins 7 p.m.

Sandhills Repertory Theater presents folk legend Judy Collins in a live concert featuring songs and stories, including her Grammy Hall of Fame recording of “Both Sides Now.” Reserved seating begins at $85; 10% of net pro ts bene t the Food Bank of North Carolina.

Sunrise Theater 250 NW Broad St. Southern Pines

Family Camp Out and Movie in the Pines 7 p.m.

Southern Pines Parks and Recreation hosts an overnight camping experience with a screening of "Zootopia 2" beginning at 8:15 p.m. Families are invited to bring tents and stay until Saturday morning.

Downtown Park

145 SE Broad St. Southern Pines

May 16

Becca Rae & Friends: Nashville Songwriters in the Round

7:30 p.m.

Local artist Becca Rae, now a Nashville-based songwriter, returns to the Sunrise Theater with fellow writers Chris Canterbury, Vinnie Paolizzi, Paige King Johnson and Julia Golden for an intimate evening trading songs and the stories behind them. General admission $30, premium seating $49.

Sunrise Theater 250 NW Broad St. Southern Pines

Pinehurst Spring Wine Walk

3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

Participants sip, sample, and stroll through the Village of Pinehurst’s boutique shops, with wines paired alongside farm-fresh tapas. Two tasting start times are available; tickets are $55.

Village of Pinehurst

100 Chinquapin Road Pinehurst

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Medicaid millionaires are hiding in plain sight

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT programs is often treated like an urban legend — something that happens in faraway blue cities run by corrupt political machines. But the truth is more unsettling: Some of the most brazen theft of taxpayer money is happening in places governed by Republicans, right under their noses.

Consider Ohio.

At one address in Columbus, investigators found 94 di erent companies registered in the same building. The windows were covered. The o ces appeared empty. Yet according to The Daily Wire investigative team led by Luke Rosiak, that single address has billed taxpayers more than $66 million. This is not a minor accounting error. It is not mere “waste.” It is a system being exploited. Rosiak’s reporting exposes an ecosystem of “Medicaid millionaires”: not the poor recipients of bene ts but the companies and middlemen who pro t o them. Under the guise of “home health care,” Ohio pays people to visit Medicaid bene ciaries’ homes to perform “homemaking” services — cooking, cleaning and chores — tasks that don’t require medical training and often don’t receive meaningful oversight.

Ohio spent roughly $1 billion on home health care in 2024. The incentives are obvious: If government is handing out checks for loosely de ned services, the people best

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

positioned to get rich are not the disabled or elderly — it’s the billing operations.

The pattern is almost comical in its boldness: Cover the windows, hang a sheet of paper with a generic company name ending in “Home Health LLC,” and if someone asks questions, claim the employees “stepped out.” Why cover the windows? Because there is nothing inside.

Dig into the companies and you nd unpaid taxes, shady ownership structures and a bizarre number of LLCs registered in unrelated industries. The deeper you look, the clearer it becomes that government is not equipped to monitor who it is writing million- dollar checks to.

The business model is disturbingly simple.

A 40-year-old man becomes an “employee” of a Medicaid-billing rm and gets paid to “care for” his 65-year-old mother. But the only patient is Mom, and the only person who could con rm whether services are being provided is Mom herself. If she doesn’t want to rat out her son — or if she’s receiving a kickback — the state has no practical way to verify anything.

When Rosiak questioned one operator about what his company did, he was met with threats. The man reportedly dismissed the inquiry and then pivoted to the modern all-purpose defense: “I’m going to tell everybody you guys are racist.”

And there it is — the magic trick.

Steal millions. Exploit the system. Then accuse anyone investigating you of bigotry. Unlike food stamps and other capped welfare programs, this Medicaid service has no meaningful ceiling. It expands as far as doctors are willing to sign forms. One doctor willing to approve enough paperwork can bankrupt a state. For decades, the public couldn’t see this because Medicaid billing data was a black box. That changed in February, when the Department of Justice quietly released new data. In one case, a landlord whose buildings housed hundreds of Medicaid companies billed the federal government $250 million.

Now the question is whether leaders will act. Ohio has Republican leadership, and nationally President Donald Trump has made waste, fraud and abuse a central theme of his administration. That focus matters because this problem won’t be solved with speeches or “task forces.” It requires audits, subpoenas, prosecutions and real accountability. If government programs are going to exist, the bare minimum requirement is that they serve the people they claim to serve.

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

The race-obsessed left complains when the Supreme Court issues a colorblind ruling

But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a colorcoordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination.

SUPREME COURT Associate Justice

Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, in the recent case that restricted the use of race in designing a Louisiana congressional district.

Thomas wrote: “This Court should never have interpreted (Section) 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to e ectively give racial groups ‘an entitlement to roughly proportional representation.’ ... By doing so, the Court led legislatures and courts to ‘systematically divid(e) the country into electoral districts along racial lines.’ ... ‘Blacks (we)re drawn into ‘black districts’ and given ‘black representatives’; Hispanics (we) re drawn into Hispanic districts and given ‘Hispanic representatives’; and so on. That interpretation rendered (Section) 2 ‘repugnant to any nation that strives for the ideal of a color-blind Constitution.’ ... Today’s decision should largely put an end to this ‘disastrous misadventure’ in voting-rights jurisprudence.”

Critics argue the ruling is not colorblind in e ect because race-neutral districting can dilute minority voting power. But this assumes a) non-black and non-Hispanic voters would not vote for black or Hispanic candidates; and b) the interests of black and Hispanic voters can only be pursued by black and Hispanic members of Congress.

For Democrats, the e ect of this ruling could be politically catastrophic. A report from Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund said, “Combined with Republicans’ mid-decade gerrymandering, a ruling gutting Section 2 could help secure an additional 27 safe Republican U.S. House seats when compared to the 2024 House maps — at least 19 directly tied to the loss of Section 2.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries said, “Instead of protecting the ability for American citizens to freely cast their ballot, Republican extremists have embraced voter suppression and racial gerrymandering to desperately cling to power. The corrupt conservative majority on the Supreme Court appointed by Donald Trump has taken a blowtorch to the Voting Rights Act. Why? The extremists need to cheat to win.”

It is not clear how removing race as a criterion in constructing congressional districts amounts to “cheating.” Nor is it clear how this majority of justices, nominated by Republican presidents, renders the court “corrupt.”

As for “Republican extremists embracing voter suppression,” Je ries presumably means voter ID laws. But polls show a large majority of blacks support voter ID by percentages close to those of whites. Georgia, in 2021, enacted voter ID and voter-integrity laws called by President Joe Biden “worse than Jim Crow — it’s Jim Eagle.” But the percentage of blacks who voted exceeded the black voting percentages of most pre-2021 Georgia elections.

Let’s turn to Je ries’ accusation about Republicans’ supposed use of “racial gerrymandering.” In 2017, Politico wrote: “Former (Obama) Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday o cially launched the National Democratic Redistricting Committee ... as the center of Democratic rebuilding in the era of President-elect Donald Trump and as Democrats’ main hope to roll back Republican gains in state legislatures and prepare for redistricting in 2021. The end goal: House majorities in Congresses elected after 2020.”

To that end, Eric Holder supported race - conscious redistricting e orts designed to increase black electoral in uence. About a district in Alabama in 2024, for example, The Associated Press wrote: “The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which Holder chairs, supported the legal battle that led to the district being redrawn into a competitive seat where Black voters have the opportunity to in uence the outcome.”

Finally, about voters voting based on race, there are four black Republican members of the U.S. House, none of whom represents a majority-black district. Even Democrat Maxine Waters, a harsh critic of the court ruling and a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, represents a district that is only about 20% black. Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white, succeeded Rep. Harold Ford Jr., who is black, in representing a majority-black district. And a recent Gallup poll nds Trump approval rating among blacks at 16%, up from 12% in his rst term. Contrary to what many Democratic politicians say and how they act, this is not their grandfather’s America. But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a color-coordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination. My advice to Democrats after this ruling is simple: calm down. The days of poll taxes, literacy tests and grandfather clauses are long over. As Thomas Sowell says, “When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination.”

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

Man charged in White House correspondents’ dinner attack pleads not guilty

His attorneys argue attending prosecutors have a con ict of interest in the case

By Michael Kunzelman

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A man accused of storming the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner while armed with guns and knives pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges that he attempted to kill President Donald Trump and red a shotgun at a Secret Service ocer who tried to stop the attack.

Cole Tomas Allen was handcu ed, shackled and wearing an orange jail uniform when he appeared in federal court for his arraignment. Allen didn’t speak during the brief hearing. One of his attorneys entered the plea on his behalf.

Allen’s lawyers are asking U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden to disqualify at least two top Justice Department ofcials from direct involvement in prosecuting him because they could be considered victims or witnesses in the case, creating a potential con ict of interest.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and U.S. At-

“That would be quite a

Trevor McFadden, U.S. District judge

torney Jeanine Pirro were attending the event when Allen ran through a security checkpoint and red a shotgun at a Secret Service o cer, authorities said. In a court ling last week, Allen’s attorneys argued that it creates at least the appearance of a con ict of interest for Blanche and Pirro to be making any prosecutorial decisions in the case.

McFadden, a Trump nominee, didn’t rule from the bench on that question but asked Allen’s attorneys to elaborate on the possible scope of their recusal request. Defense attorney Eugene Ohm said the defense likely would seek to disqualify Pirro’s entire o ce from involvement in the case. Ohm acknowledged that a bid to disqualify the entire Justice Department would be unlikely.

“That would be quite a request,” the judge said.

McFadden gave prosecutors until May 22 to respond in writ-

ing to the defense’s request. The judge asked the government to specify whether it believes Pirro and Blanche could be considered victims in the case.

“That might add some clarity here,” McFadden said.

In their ling, Allen’s attorneys suggested that the appointment of a special prosecutor might be warranted.

Allen is scheduled to return to court on June 29.

A Secret Service o cer was shot once in a bullet-resistant vest during the April 25 attack at the Washington Hilton hotel, which disrupted and ultimately prompted an early end to one of the highest-pro le annual events in the nation’s capital. The o cer red ve shots but didn’t hit anybody, authorities said.

Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, was injured but was not shot.

Besides the attempted assassination count, Allen is also charged with assaulting a federal o cer with a deadly weapon and two additional rearms counts. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted of the attempted assassination charge alone.

Allen was placed on suicide watch after his arrest, but jail o cials removed him from that

A

status after several days. Allen’s attorneys complained that he had been unnecessarily conned in a padded room with constant lighting, repeatedly strip searched and placed in restraints outside his cell.

Allen told FBI agents that he didn’t expect to survive the attack, which could help explain why he was deemed to be a possible suicide risk, a Justice Department prosecutor has said.

Allen was out tted with an ammunition bag, a shoulder gun holster and a sheathed knife when he took a photo of himself in his room at the hotel just minutes before the attack, according to prosecutors. In a message that authorities say sheds light on his motive, Allen referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” and alluded obliquely to grievances over a

Democrats vow to ght $1B Senate security proposal for White House ballroom

The proposal ties White House security to immigration funding Democrats had blocked

By Mary Clare Jalonick and Kevin Freking The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republicans returning to Washington, D.C., on Monday are facing questions about a $1 billion Senate security proposal that could help pay for President Donald Trump’s ballroom as Democrats say they will try to defeat it.

Senate Republicans added the money for White House security to a spending bill that would restore funding for immigration enforcement agencies that Democrats have blocked since February. The steep security proposal was put forward after a man was charged with trying to assassinate Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner last month.

Republicans are using a partisan budget maneuver to push

the spending legislation through Congress without any Democratic votes. But in a letter to colleagues Monday morning, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Democrats will ght it in other ways, including by pushing the Senate parliamentarian to strike the ballroom security money from the budget bill and o ering amendments forcing Republicans to vote on it.

“The Republican-controlled Congress is preparing to answer

this moment with a de cit-busting, party-line bill that pours billions more taxpayer dollars into a rogue ICE operation and a billion-dollar ballroom, while doing nothing to end the illegal war in Iran or ease the Republican affordability crisis bearing down on working families,” Schumer wrote in the letter.

It’s unclear if the security money will even have enough backing among Republicans. The House has not released its bill yet, but the Senate is expected to start voting on its version of the legislation this week.

While most GOP lawmakers have remained quiet on the proposal as they spent their recess out of Washington, D.C., some have publicly questioned whether they would support it.

“I’m going to look at it very carefully and make sure those things are in the national interest,” said Rep. Rob Wittman, a Virginia Republican who was in the Capitol last week to briefly gavel in a pro forma session of the House.

“I want to know the ex-

act nature of the expenditures that would go there for security. So I think it’s a little premature to look at that and say, you know, yes or no to it,” Wittman said.

Wittman wants to better understand the details of the Senate proposal and “how it’s part of what the total construction cost is,” he said.

Trump has said the ballroom’s construction would cost $400 million and use private funds, but he had not proposed a number for security costs.

The Senate bill would designate the money for the U.S. Secret Service, including for “security adjustments and upgrades” related to the ballroom project, which Trump and other Republicans have been pushing since Cole Tomas Allen was charged with storming the April 25 media dinner at the Washington Hilton with guns and knives.

The legislation says the money would support enhancements to the ballroom project, “including above-ground and below-ground

range of actions by Trump’s Republican administration.

Authorities have alleged that Allen on April 6 reserved a room for himself at the Hilton where the event would be held weeks later under its typical tight security. He traveled by train cross-country from California, checking himself into the hotel a day before the dinner with a room reserved for the weekend.

Trump was rushed o the stage by his security team at the Saturday night event and appeared at the White House two hours later, still in his tuxedo, to talk about the attack and the suspect.

“When you’re impactful, they go after you. When you’re not impactful, they leave you alone,” the president said. “They seem to think he was a lone wolf.”

“I’m going to look at it very carefully and make sure those things are in the national interest.”

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.)

security features,” but speci es it may not be used for nonsecurity elements.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle praised Republicans last week for including the money for the “long overdue” project, saying it would “provide the United States Secret Service with the resources they need to fully and completely harden the White House complex, in addition to the many other critical missions for the USSS.”

The White House has said in court documents that the East Wing project would be “heavily forti ed,” including bomb shelters, military installations and a medical facility underneath the ballroom. Trump has said it should include bulletproof glass and be able to repel drone attacks. The National Trust for Historic Preservation has sued to block construction of the project, but a federal appeals court said last month that it can continue in the meantime.

DANA VERKOUTEREN VIA AP

courtroom sketch depicts Cole Tomas Allen, seated center, the California man arrested in the shooting incident at the correspondents dinner in Washington, D.C., seen appearing before U.S. Magistrate Moxila Upadhyaya in federal court April 30 in Washington, D.C.

J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE / AP PHOTO

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks on fair elections and the Supreme Court’s ruling to strike down a majority black congressional district in Louisiana.

request.”

MOORE SPORTS

NCHSAA to keep postseason setup

The board rejected a proposal to reduce the number of playo teams for at least another year

By Bob Sutton North State Journal

A PROPOSAL TO reduce the number of teams in state playo s was narrowly rejected by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s board of directors last week.

The result of the vote aligned with the recommendation of NCHSAA president Stephen Gainey, the superintendent of the Randolph County School System.

“We’re not even done with Year 1,” Gainey said of sticking with it for another school year. “… I’m glad we let two cycles go.”

There was pretty much a split vote on the idea of reducing playo elds from 48 teams to 32 teams in Class 1A through Class 7A for the 2026-27 school.

Ten board members voted to keep the 48-team level, while seven members voted to reduce the playo elds. There are 24 playo teams in Class 8A — the largest classi cation.

The current school year is the rst with the NCHSAA’s eight-classi cation setup and there was apprehension about abandoning the postseason structure before a full school year is complete. Spring sports playo s are taking place through the end of the month.

Gainey said it makes sense to allow more time to assess the postseasons. He said he expects the topic will be revisited.

Gainey’s term as president is ending. Mark Garrett, superintendent of Henderson County Schools, was selected as the new president.

the state pose for a photo at an event at Bank of America Stadium, the home of the Carolina Panthers.

Two new sports approved

Girls’ ag football and boys’ volleyball have been approved as new sports within the NCHSAA, both beginning in the 2026-27 school year. Flag football will be a fall sport, while boys’ volleyball will play in the spring.

“Times are changing, kids’ interests are changing,” Gainey said. In Randolph County, only Asheboro with a boys’ volleyball team has participated in either of the sports. Nearby, Jordan-Matthews has been involved in both sports.

Statewide, there have been 135 girls’ ag football teams. There’s a slightly lower number of teams in boys’ volleyball.

“I don’t think we’ve had one (meeting) since my time here where we have sanctioned two sports in the same board meeting,” NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker said.

There were complications involving girls’ ag football because some schools have played in the fall and others in the spring. A separate vote was held to determine when girls’ ag football would compete.

Tucker said conferences must be established for the new sports because of the varied participation among schools.

Welcome aboard

The NCHSAA approved the addition of more members.

Durham Charter comes in for the upcoming school year. John Paul II Catholic in Greenville will join in 2027-28.

Previously approved to begin in the 2026-27 school year were Wilson’s Mills, Revolution Academy Charter and The Hawbridge School, which is located in Saxapahaw and will be part of the Central Tar Heel 1-A Conference (that also includes Chatham Charter).

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Alessia Potts

Pincrest, track and eld

Alessia Potts is a junior on the Pinecrest track and eld team.

Potts took home a pair of regional championships in last week’s NCHSAA class 8A West Regional meet. She won the 800 meters with a personal-best time of 2:11.99, taking the crown by a 4.41-second margin of victory. She also won the 1,600 with a time of 4:51.22, beating the eld by 14 seconds. She also took the Mid-South conference title in that race last month.

Potts moves on to compete in states in both events. She is committed to run track for UNC following her high school graduation.

Van Gisbergen remains NASCAR’s road-course ace with Watkins Glen win from pole

The Trackhouse Racing driver wiped out a half-minute de cit to win

The Associated Press

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y.

— Shane van Gisbergen insists his NASCAR Cup Series road- course dominance is harder than it looks and that he feels “a lot of pressure” to beat the best in stock-car racing.

But the Trackhouse Racing driver was in another league Sunday, schooling the stars of the Cup Series at Watkins Glen International.

Starting from the pole position, van Gisbergen scored his seventh Cup Series victory — all

on road or street courses — and his second consecutive on the 2.45-mile track by leading 74 of 100 laps in his No. 97 Chevrolet.

“We weren’t very good in practice, and then qualifying was amazing, and then today, what a race car,” van Gisbergen said. “And then (crew chief) Stephen (Doran) made great calls. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, and then to run them down like that, it’s very, very special to do two in a row.”

Pitting from the lead under green with 24 laps remaining, van Gisbergen emerged in 24th and was nearly 30 seconds behind leader Ty Gibbs.

Extending his Cup record of wins by a driver born outside the United States, the New Zea-

“I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, and then to run them down like that.”

Shane van Gisbergen

land native needed only 17 laps to retake the lead from Gibbs, winning by 7.288 seconds over Michael McDowell.

“He’s made it pretty clear, especially at these tracks, he likes to be on o ense, so we put him there and just let him go do his thing,” Doran said of the call to make a late stop for four tires instead of pitting earlier and con-

serving fuel as many others did.

Gibbs nished third, followed by Chase Briscoe and points leader Tyler Reddick.

McDowell, who started second, also had to charge through the pack after falling to 27th on his last pit stop. He occasionally thought he could keep pace with the race winner but soon realized van Gisbergen was playing possum.

“It felt like he was just pacing himself o me, and he’d take back o ,” McDowell said. “We still got a little work to do, but it’s a good building block.”

Dating to Mexico City last June, van Gisbergen has now won six of the past seven races on road or street courses in Cup.

“It’s not easy,” van Gisbergen

said. “Everyone’s really good. McDowell was good. Connor (Zilisch) was good. Tyler Reddick. There were some really good guys and a lot of pressure. So just stoked to execute every facet of our game. And speechless. This is so cool.”

Trackhouse sweep

The win by van Gisbergen came a day after a win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series by rookie teammate Zilisch, who nished 20th Sunday after a tire problem late in the race. It still was a strong showing for Trackhouse, which quali ed all three of its cars in the top ve after compiling only four top-10 nishes in the rst 11 races.

“Just frustrating because we had a really good day going,” Zilisch said. “At worst, we were going to get ourselves our rst top ve and walk out of here with something. But congrats to Shane, Trackhouse and everybody who makes this happen.”

Shane Van Gisbergen does a burn out after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Watkins Glen, New York.

COURTESY CAROLINA PANTHERS

Girls’ ag football players from around

SIDELINE REPORT

NBA Washington wins NBA Draft lottery, chance to pick rst on June 23

Chicago The league’s worst team this season is getting the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards won the draft lottery and will pick rst overall for the rst time since choosing John Wall in 2010. Wall was the Wizards’ on-stage representative for the lottery. Washington had a 14% chance of winning No. 1, tied with Brooklyn and Indiana for the best odds. Utah will pick No. 2, Memphis will pick No. 3 and Chicago will pick No. 4.

MLB Orioles hold Tupac bobblehead night, sister throws out ceremonial rst pitch

Baltimore Fans lined up well before the gates opened at Camden Yards in anticipation of a Tupac Shakur bobblehead giveaway. Shakur was raised in New York and Baltimore before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1980s. That made the matchup between the Orioles and Athletics an appropriate time to honor the rap icon, who was killed in 1996. The ri from “California Love” was played while the starting lineup for the A’s — who left Oakland last season — was announced.

NFL Domestic battery case against Chiefs assistant Merritt dismissed without prejudice

Kansas City, Mo.

A misdemeanor domestic battery case against Chiefs assistant Dave Merritt has been dismissed without prejudice. It comes less than three weeks after Merritt entered a plea of not guilty. The 54-year-old former NC State player has been with the Chiefs since 2019 and has helped teams win ve Super Bowls, including his time with the Giants. He participated in the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp last weekend. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Merritt has been very up-front about the situation.

NHL Maple Leafs win lottery for No. 1 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

Secaucus, N.J.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the lottery for the rst pick in the NHL Draft. The victory comes at a critical time for Toronto after hiring John Chayka as general manager and franchise legend Mats Sundin as a hockey operations adviser. The future of captain and best player Auston Matthews is the biggest question after missing the playo s for the rst time in his career. It’s the rst time the Maple Leafs have won the lottery since taking Matthews with the No. 1 pick in 2016. The San Jose Sharks won the lottery for the second pick.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Ex- Ohio State players, including NFL veterans, join sexual abuse lawsuit against school

Thirty former Ohio State football players, including former NFL players, joined a federal lawsuit against the university over sexual abuse of student-athletes decades ago by a team doctor. Ohio State is accused of failing to stop abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss. Hundreds say they were abused by him. Some other former football players have settled in sealed agreements. Ohio State says it has tried to reconcile with survivors through settlements, counseling services and medical treatment.

Al Washington, Ray Ellis and Keith Ferguson, three members of the 1980 team, are the only plainti s to go public.

MLB’s rookie class making impressive impact

Young prospects are making an impact faster than in the past

By David Brandt The Associated Press

PHOENIX — Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Konnor Grifn stepped to the plate against the Arizona Diamondbacks and ripped a 110.1-mph laser high o the center- eld wall at Chase Field, cruising into second base for a double.

“Twenty years old and driving the ball o the center eld wall,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “Let’s go back to being 20 years old. I was just getting hair under my armpits, and this guy’s in a big-league baseball game. It’s impressive.”

Gri n — who just turned 20 a few weeks ago — is part of an MLB rookie class that’s made an instant impact. He’s batting .256 with two homers, 16 RBIs and is 8 for 8 on stolen bases, all while playing shortstop at a high level. No wonder the Pirates were comfortable handing him a $140 million, nine-year deal in April.

Lovullo has been the manager of the D-backs for 10 seasons and said he’s noticed a huge di erence in the readiness of young players when they get to the big leagues.

The data backs that up too.

As measured by Wins Above Replacement, three of the ve most productive classes of rookie hitters since 1950 graduated in the past four years, in 2023 (67.5 WAR), 2022 (53.7) and 2024 (49). This year’s class is on pace for 47, which would rank fth.

Even the 2025 class, which wasn’t as deep, featured examples of players ready to make an unusually fast impact. Nick Kurtz got just 210 at-bats in the minor leagues before joining the Athletics, then batted .290 with 36 homers and 86 RBIs over 117 games to win American League Rookie of the Year in 2025.

“Everything is fast-forwarded now, everything’s on speed dial, everything happens really quick,” Lovullo said. “These kids are developing.”

Here’s a look at some of the other top rookies in the big leagues through the season’s rst 11⁄2 months.

Kevin McGonigle, SS, Detroit Tigers

The 21-year-old made the big-league club with a strong spring performance and continues to impress, batting .299 with two homers, 16 RBIs and an .845 OPS while splitting time between shortstop and third baseman. That’s why Detroit was comfortable signing him to a $150 million, eight-year deal in April.

“Let’s go back to being 20 years old. I was just getting hair under my armpits, and this guy’s in a big-league baseball game. It’s impressive.”

Torey Lovullo on Konnor Gri n

JJ Wetherholt, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals

The No. 7 overall pick in 2024, Wetherholt has popped seven homers for a Cardinals team that’s been a pleasant surprise in the NL Central.

Chase DeLauter, OF, Cleveland Guardians

DeLauter actually made his MLB debut last season when he became one of the few players in big league history to get his rst call-up in the playo s. So far this spring, he’s showed why the Guardians had enough con dence to bring him up for those pressure-packed games, batting .306 with six homers and 23 RBIs.

Munetaka Murikami, 1B, Chicago White Sox

The veteran Japanese slugger has made an instant im-

pact in the big leagues, crushing 14 homers in just 37 games. He needs to cut down on the strikeouts and may never consistently hit for high average, but there’s no doubt the power is legit, and he’s still just 26 years old.

Kazuma Okamoto, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays

The 29-year-old is older than all of the other players on this list and had a slow start while making the transition from Japan. But he’s picked up the pace over the past few weeks and is batting .246 with 10 homers and 23 RBIs.

Sal Stewart, 1B, Cincinnati Reds

The 22-year-old made a good impression during a short stint last season and has continued to hit this spring. Playing mostly rst base, he’s batting .245 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs.

Nolan McLean, RHP, New York Mets

McLean, a Garner High alum, has been one of the Mets’ few bright spots. He dazzled in an eight-start cameo last season and has pitched well so far in 2026. The 24-year-old has a 2.97 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 391⁄3 innings through seven starts.

Parker Messick, LHP, Cleveland Guardians

The left-hander has been one of the best pitchers in the American League this season with a 3-1 record and a 2.40 ERA through seven starts.

Cox, Hall of Fame Braves manager, dead at 84

He managed Atlanta for 25 years, bringing the city its rst World Series title

By Charles Odum The Associated Press

ATLANTA — Bobby Cox, the folksy manager of the Atlanta Braves whose teams ruled the National League during the 1990s and gave the city its rst major title as well as World Series trips that fell short, died Saturday at 84 in Marietta, Georgia. He had a stroke in 2019 and heart issues that complicated his recovery.

“Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 straight division titles, ve National League pennants, and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995. His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched,” the Braves said in a statement.

Cox took over a last-place team in June 1990 and led the Braves to a worst-to- rst nish in 1991, losing the World Series to the Minnesota Twins in seven games. That was the start of what was to become a record 14 consecutive division titles, a feat no professional team in any sport had accomplished.

He managed the Braves for 25 years and led Atlanta to its rst World Series title in 1995, retired after the 2010 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

“Honestly, I’m just doing my job. I let everything else fall where it may.”

Bobby Cox

ing him back to the Braves as a bench coach, was asked if he might get tossed in Cox’s honor.

“It’s a di erent game now, you know, a very di erent era,” Weiss said. “Nobody can do it like Bobby, believe me.”

The Braves retired Cox’s No. 6 jersey in 2011, when he joined the team’s Hall of Fame.

Cox ranks fourth all-time with 2,504 wins, fth with 4,508 games, rst with 15 division titles including a record 14 in a row, rst with 16 playo appearances and fourth with 67 playo victories. Only Connie Mack, John McGraw and Tony La Russa had more regular-season wins than Cox.

“He was the rst one to the park every day,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said of Cox. “He’d have his spikes on at 12 o’clock. I never saw a manager wear spikes, but that was one of Bobby’s trademarks. He just loved the game. He loved the game, and he loved leading a group of men trying to win a championship.”

Cox also was rst in being ejected from 158 regular-season games. Weiss, who called Cox instrumental in bring-

“RIP my second father,” Andruw Jones wrote on social media. The 10-time Gold Glove winner with Atlanta in July will become the sixth who played for Cox with the Braves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Cox spent 29 seasons as a major league manager, including four with Toronto. He managed 16 postseason teams. He brought an old-school approach to the dugout. He always wore spikes and stirrups, and his fatherly demeanor inspired loyalty from his players.

Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux said players around the league always wanted to know what it was like playing for Bobby Cox.

“The rst word that comes to mind is respect,” Maddux

said. “He had that from players. When Bobby talked, we listened. We wanted to play for him.”

Cox was the rst NL manager to win at least 100 games in a season ve times. He was Manager of the Year four times and the only one to win in consecutive years (2004, 2005). He also had close ties with his successors, Fredi González and Brian Snitker.

Despite all his regular-season success, Cox won only the one World Series title in ve tries. He led the Braves to Atlanta’s rst major professional sports championship in 1995, beating the Cleveland Indians in six games to win the World Series. Cox said critics usually focused on the World Series losses instead.

“It’s a game of breaks when you get down to a four-game, must-win series,” Cox said. “We’ve played well. We’re proud of what we’ve done. They always ask that, though. It is irritating, to be honest with you.”

“He lived a great life,” said Dodgers rst baseman Freddie Freeman, who played the rst 12 seasons of his career with the Braves. “Everyone loved him in baseball. Braves country loved him.” Cox usually shied away from the limelight and was uncomfortable when talking about himself.

“Honestly, I’m just doing my job. I let everything else fall where it may,” he said.

ED REINKE / AP PHOTO

Atlanta Braves manager

Bobby Cox smiles while talking to reporters during team practice.

TOM E. PUSKAR / AP PHOTO

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Gri n is greeted by his teammates after scoring.

Robert Edwin Cale

Jan. 28, 1957 – May 9, 2026

Mr. Robert Edwin Cale, 69, of Durham, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Croasdaile Village Retirement Community in Durham, North Carolina.

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. Robert Edwin Cale in your thoughts and prayers.

Steven Carr Buchanan

Oct. 21, 1957 – May 8, 2026

Steven Carr Buchanan, age 68, of Sanford, passed away on Friday, May 8, 2026, at his home.

Steven was born in Sanford, North Carolina, on October 21, 1957, to the late Bryan Campbell Buchanan and Mallie Mae Simmons Buchanan.

He is survived by his sisters, Gloria Buchanan Stone of Sanford and Patricia Buchanan Covington of Rockingham.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Martha Jane (Tarry) Butler

Feb. 27, 1947 – May 8, 2026

Mrs. Martha Jane (Tarry) Butler, 79, of Pinehurst, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 8, 2026, at FirstHealth Moore Regional in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

The family has requested that no visitors be present, and we ask that you respect their wishes during this time.

Please keep the family and friends of Mrs. Martha Jane (Tarry) Butler in your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Betty Jo Beard

Oct. 22, 1939 – May 7, 2026

Betty Jo Beard, 86, of Whispering Pines, NC, was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Carthage, NC. She was a faithful member of Yates Thagard Baptist Church, where she lovingly served by playing the piano for the church and choir and by leading youth for many years.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, Ben Ezekiel Roberson Jr.; her mother, Martha Excelle Roberson; her brother, David Earl (Shirley) Roberson; and her son, Steven Michael Beard. She is lovingly remembered by her two sons, Kenneth (Sherry) Beard of Lenoir, NC, and David (Sherri) Beard of Raeford, NC. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Kyle (Whitney) Beard, Kasey (Robbie) Byrd, and Devinne Burnette, all of North Carolina, as well as seven greatgrandchildren. Betty was a loving and devoted mother to her three boys and a cherished Nanny to her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, who will all hold her memory close in their hearts.

In lieu of owers, the family encourages having lasting memorial trees planted through this website: shop.alivingtribute.

org

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held on Monday, May 11, 2026, at Boles Funeral Home & Crematory in Southern Pines, NC. Visitation will begin in the chapel at 11:00 a.m., followed by the service at 12:00 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Yates Thagard Baptist Church Cemetery in Whispering Pines, NC.

Rev. Horace Edward Warwick

June 1, 1935 – May 8, 2026

Rev. Horace Edward Warwick, age 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Greens of Pinehurst.

A visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Friday, May 15, 2026, at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Aberdeen First Pentecostal Holiness Church. Burial will be at 2:00 PM following the funeral service at New Hollywood Cemetery in Lumberton.

Rev. Warwick was born June 1, 1935, in Robeson County to the late Oscar and Nellie Peele Warwick. He is survived by his children, Barbara Ussery (Eugene), Betty Hodges, and son Michael Warwick, 5 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 1 greatgreat-grandchild.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Helen Ludlum Warwick, and by his brothers, Bobby Ray Warwick and John Hugh Warwick.

Rev. Warwick became an ordained minister with the Pentecostal Holiness Church and pastored ve churches, including Holly Hill PHC, Williamston PHC, Fayetteville PCH, and twice at First PHC in Aberdeen. For many years, he owned and operated Top Shop in Pinehurst, specializing in kitchen cabinets and countertops. He was also a very accomplished carpenter and built seven houses and oversaw the construction of two churches, one in Aberdeen and one in Williamston. He was known and loved in the church and community as a warrior for the Lord and lived his life in and out of the church as a preacher of the Word and seeker of lost souls. His Christian legacy will always be treasured and remembered by the countless lives that he touched.

In lieu of owers, memorial contributions may be made to Aberdeen First Pentecostal Holiness Church, 217 S. Pinehurst St., Aberdeen, NC 28315.

Service arrangements are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home.

Darlene Leona Wilhelm

Oct. 8, 1937 – May 8, 2026

It is with profound love and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Darlene Leona Wilhelm, 88, of Pinehurst, NC, who entered eternal life on May 8, 2026.

Darlene was born on October 8, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Harold and Eleanor Lieder. She was, by every account, one of the kindest, most loving, and patient souls to ever grace this earth, and she spent 88 years proving it.

Darlene was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who made a home worthy of the word. She loved getting lost in a good book, working on puzzles, and was an accomplished traveler who explored over 20 countries alongside her beloved husband, Kent. She retired to Pinehurst, where she embraced golf and the art of entertaining, opening her home and her heart to everyone around her. She volunteered for many years at Moore Regional Hospital, where her kindness and compassion made her a natural.

Resilient in the most graceful way, she faced every challenge life brought her with quiet strength and never once stopped showing up for the people she loved.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Kent Wilhelm, and her sister, Marilyn Marsee.

Her spirit is carried on by her three children, Dawn Pschak (Je ), Linda Zampa (Je ), and Kent Frederick Wilhelm (Lauren); nine grandchildren, Kendall, Kyle, and Connor Pschak, Madison, Hailey, and Mackenzie Zampa, Brendan, Shane and Kaitlyn Wilhelm; alongside an extended family of relatives and friends who will feel her absence every single day.

A celebration of Darlene’s life will take place at a later date. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. For all who knew her, her memory will be a blessing.

Stella Turney Jacobs

Nov.16, 1946 – May 9, 2026

Stella Turney Jacobs, age 79 of Vass, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 12:00 pm at Open Arms Community Church in Vass with Pastor John Brown o ciating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church from 11 until 12. Burial will follow in Lakeview Cemetery.

Stella enjoyed sewing, yard work, and cooking, but most of all she loved spending time with her family and grandchildren and watching them play sports. She also spent a lot of time with her dear friend Susie Jackson; they enjoyed going to the beach together. She also loved the Lord. Stella was born in Surry County, North Carolina, on November 16, 1946, to the late Clarence Turney and Alma Jester Turney. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edwards Jacobs, sisters, Thelma and Dollie, brothers, Jack, Jesse and Junior.

She is survived by her sons, Dennis Edward Jacobs (Tina) of Ellerbe, Ricky Ray Jacobs (Denise) of Troy; grandchildren, Bliss Jacobs (Brandon), Ricky Jacobs II (Jacob), Samantha “Doodle” Jacobs, Summer Jacobs (Baylee); greatgrandchildren, Kieran and Grayson; best friend, Susie Jackson.

John Michael Collins

Dec. 22, 1947 – May 8, 2026

Mr. John Michael Collins, 78, of Sanford, North Carolina (Baltimore, Maryland) entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 8, 2026, at his residence.

The family will be hosting A Memorial Service for Mr. John Michael Collins at a later date and time in the Baltimore, Maryland area

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. John Michael Collins in your thoughts and prayers.

STATE & NATION

Virginia Supreme Court strikes down Democrats’ redrawn US House maps, giving Republicans win

Combined with weakened voting rights protections, the ruling strengthens Republican gerrymandering e orts

By David A. Lieb and Geo Mulvihill The Associated Press

THE VIRGINIA Supreme Court on Friday struck down a voter-approved Democratic congressional redistricting plan, delivering another major setback to the party in a nationwide battle against Republicans for an edge in this year’s midterm elections.

The court ruled 4-3 that the state’s Democratic-led legislature violated procedural requirements when it placed the constitutional amendment on the ballot to authorize mid-decade redistricting. Voters narrowly approved the amendment on April 21, but the court’s ruling renders the vote’s result meaningless.

Writing for the majority, Justice D. Arthur Kelsey wrote that the legislature submitted the proposed constitutional amendment to voters “in an unprecedented manner.”

“This violation irreparably undermines the integrity of the resulting referendum vote and renders it null and void,” he wrote.

Democrats had hoped to win as many as four additional U.S. House seats under Virginia’s redrawn map as part of an attempt to o set Republican redistricting done elsewhere at the urging of President Donald Trump. Later Friday, Virginia Democrats said in a ling that they intended to le an emergency appeal of the state high court’s decision with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Friday’s ruling, combined with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that severely weakened the Voting Rights Act, has supercharged Republicans’ congressional gerrymandering advantage heading into this year’s midterm elections.

“Huge win for the Republican Party, and America, in Virginia,” Trump said about the decision on his social media account.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the ruling was another sign of GOP momentum heading into the midterms.

“We’re on o ense, and we’re going to win,” he said in a statement.

Don Scott, the Democratic speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, said Democrats respect the court’s opinion but lamented that it overturned the will of the voters: “They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Suzan DelBene, chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, criticized the court majority for

State Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, center, speaks outside the Supreme Court of Virginia after arguments were heard in a redistricting-related case at the court in Richmond, Virginia, on April 27.

what she said was a decision that “cast aside the will of the voters,” but she said the people will have the nal say.

“In November, they will, and they’ll power Democrats to the House majority,” she said in a statement.

A longshot

Democratic appeal

Democrats are taking a legal longshot in asking the nation’s highest court to reverse the Virginia ruling. The U.S. Supreme Court tries to avoid second-guessing state courts’ interpretations of their own constitutions. In 2023, it turned down a request by North Carolina Republicans to overrule a state Supreme Court decision that blocked the GOP’s congressional map.

Still, even an unsuccessful appeal would let Democrats try to blame their failure on the conservative majority that dominates the nation’s highest court, which has already infuriated the party and civil rights groups by neutering the Voting Rights Act.

Legislative voting districts typically are redrawn once a decade after each census to account for population changes.

But Trump sparked an unusual urry of mid-decade redistricting last year by encouraging Republican o cials in Texas to redraw districts in a bid to win several additional U.S. House seats and hold on to their party’s narrow majority in the midterm elections.

California responded with new voter-approved districts drawn to Democrats’ advantage, and Utah’s top court imposed a new congressional map that also helps Democrats. Meanwhile, Republicans stand to gain from new House districts passed in Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. They could add even more after the

“They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Don Scott, Virginia House of Delegates speaker

U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Voting Rights Act case, which has prompted some other Republican states to consider redrawing their maps in time for this year’s elections.

Virginia is currently represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and ve Republicans, all elected from districts imposed by a court following a bipartisan redistricting commission’s failure to agree on a map after the 2020 census. The new districts could have given Democrats an improved chance to win all but one of the state’s 11 congressional seats.

The state Supreme Court’s majority was critical of the state’s redrawing of the congressional maps to bene t one political party. Those justices noted that 47% of the state’s voters supported GOP congressional candidates in 2024, but the new map could result in Democrats making up 91% of the state’s House delegation.

What was in the Democrats’ map

Under the Democratic-drawn map, ve districts would have been anchored in the Democratic stronghold of northern Virginia. Revisions to four other districts across Richmond, southern Virginia and Hampton Roads would have diluted the voting power of conservative blocs in those areas. And a reshaped district in parts of western Virginia would have lumped together three Democratic-leaning college towns to o set other Republican voters.

The state Supreme Court’s

seven justices are appointed by the state legislature, which has toggled back and forth between Democratic, Republican and split control over recent years. Legal experts say the body doesn’t have a set ideological pro le.

The case before the court focused not on the shape of the new districts but rather on the process the General Assembly used to authorize them.

Because the state’s redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, lawmakers had to propose an amendment to redraw the districts. That required approval of a resolution in two separate legislative sessions, with a state election sandwiched in between, to place the amendment on the ballot.

The legislature’s initial approval of the amendment occurred last October, during early voting for the general election, before it concluded. The legislature’s second vote on the amendment occurred after a new legislative session began in January. Lawmakers also approved a separate bill in February laying out the new districts, subject to voter approval of the constitutional amendment.

Arguments over the de nition of “election”

Judicial arguments focused on whether the legislature’s initial approval of the amendment came too late because early voting already had begun.

Attorney Matthew Seligman, who defended the legislature, argued that the “election”

should be de ned narrowly to mean the Tuesday of the general election. In that case, the legislature’s rst vote on the redistricting amendment occurred before the election and was constitutional, he told justices.

But in its ruling, the Supreme Court said, “this view appears to be wholly unprecedented in Virginia’s history.”

An attorney for the plainti s, Thomas McCarthy, argued an “election” should be interpreted to cover the entire period during which voters can cast ballots, which lasts several weeks in Virginia. If that’s the case, he told justices, then the legislature’s initial endorsement of the redistricting amendment came too late to comply with the state constitution.

The Supreme Court agreed with that argument, writing: “The General Assembly passed the proposed constitutional amendment for the rst time well after voters had begun casting ballots during the 2025 general election.”

By the time lawmakers initially endorsed the amendment, voters already had cast more than 1.3 million ballots in the general election, about 40% of the total votes ultimately cast, the court said.

The Supreme Court’s ruling a rms a decision by a judge in rural Tazewell County, in southwestern Virginia. The court had placed a hold on that ruling and allowed the redistricting vote to proceed before hearing arguments on the case.

In the dissent to Friday’s ruling, Chief Justice Cleo Powell said the election for the purpose of considering the amendment does not include the early voting period.

“The majority’s de nition creates an in nite voting loop that appears to have no established beginning,” she wrote, “only a de nitive end: Election Day.”