VOLUME 5 ISSUE 28
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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM |
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2020
the Wednesday
NEWS BRIEFING
Raleigh Police arrest 14 protesters in Friday protest Raleigh Police in North Carolina’s capital city say they arrested 14 protesters after a march against racial injustice violated a newly imposed curfew. Hundreds of protesters marched through downtown Raleigh Friday night. An American flag was burned, portable toilets were toppled and a memorial to fallen police officers was vandalized with red spray paint. Police say that after the 10 p.m. curfew was breached, they allowed the group to disband. Police say many went home, but some made clear they were going to defy the curfew. Fourteen protesters were charged with violating curfew. One of them, 21-yearold Bethany Koval, was also charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Financially struggling NCDOT mandates ‘unconscious bias training’ Raleigh An Aug. 27 memo sent to the N.C. Dept. of Transportation’s (NCDOT) over 82,000 employees by the agency’s Chief Human Resources officer Darryl Bass announced mandatory “unconscious bias training,” with a deadline for completion of Sept. 21. “The collection of 14 micro modules was created to help users recognize and mitigate unconscious bias within ourselves and others,” wrote Bass. Each module will take between 5 to 7 minutes with around 90 minutes spent overall. The letter says that the training is being offered to help make NCDOT “more welcoming and inclusive” in all areas of the department and to “encourage an enduring culture of respect in both on-duty and off-duty behaviors.” A.P. DILLON
NEA ranks state top in southeast funding metrics Raleigh The National Education Association, which is the N.C. Association of Educators’ (NCAE) parent organization, ranked North Carolina top in the Southeast on several major education funding metrics. According to the NEA, the state ranked No. 1 in the southeast in terms of increases in K-12 funding, increases in K-12 funding per student, increases in public school instructional staff salaries, and increases in teacher salaries. State Sen. Deanna Ballard (R-Watauga) said, “the facts speak for themselves: North Carolina Republicans are delivering for teachers and students in spite of obstruction from the far-left NCAE.” NSJ STAFF
Kenosha unrest causes $2M in damage to cityowned property Kenosha, Wis. Damage to city-owned property from violence that erupted over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha is estimated at nearly $2 million so far, a city official said. The city’s public works director, Shelly Billingsley, provided the estimate to local leaders Monday night on what it would cost to replace garbage trucks, street lights and traffic signals, among other things that were destroyed or damaged in the unrest over the last week. Mayor John Antaramian has said the city will request $30 million in aid from the state to help rebuild in the aftermath of the unrest. Some of the city’s garbage trucks, which were parked downtown to provide security and limit movement by protesters, were set on fire during the demonstrations. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
EVAN VUCCI | AP PHOTO
Trump tours damage in Kenosha
President Donald Trump tours an area Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020, that was damaged during demonstrations after a police officer shot Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis. At left is Attorney General William Barr and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf.
NORTH
STATE
JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION
NC moves into ‘Phase 2.5’ of path to reopening, Cooper announces Forest questions if decision is based on science or politics By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday that some restrictions would be lifted at the end of the week as the state moves to “Phase 2.5.” Among the changes in the new “Phase 2.5” include slightly increasing mass gathering limits, moving indoor limits from 10 to 25 people, and outdoor limits from 25 to 50. Playgrounds, museums and gyms are now able to open with strict measures in place, although gyms are restricted to open at only 30% capacity. However, bars, night clubs, movie theaters, indoor entertainment venues and amusement parks are all ordered to remain closed. Worship, religious and spiritual gatherings, funeral ceremonies, wedding ceremonies, and other activities constituting the exercise of First Amendment rights are exempt from all the requirements of this Executive Order. “Safer at Home Phase 2.5 continues our state’s dimmer switch approach to easing some restrictions,” said Gov. Cooper. “We can do this safely only if we keep doing what we know works — wearing masks and social distancing. In fact, a new phase is exactly when we need to take this virus even more seriously.” N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen said, “As we take modest steps forward today, it’s important to remember that moving forward doesn’t mean letting up on slowing the spread of the virus. Our progress is fragile and we need to maintain focus on the 3Ws especially as we head into flu season.” In addition, Cohen issued a secretarial order allowing for outdoor visitation at nursing homes
“As we take modest steps forward today, it’s important to remember that moving forward doesn’t mean letting up on slowing the spread of the virus. Our progress is fragile and we need to maintain focus on the 3Ws especially as we head into flu season.” N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen or skilled nursing facilities. To participate, nursing homes must meet several requirements, including, but not limited to, not having a current outbreak, having a testing plan and updated written Infection Control or Preparedness plan for COVID-19, and having adequate personal protective equipment. The order is effective as of Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. and remains in effect through Sept. 22, 2020. Lt. Gov. Dan Forest blasted the latest move, asking in response to Cooper’s “Phase 2.5” if the decision is “based on science or politics?” “The science has shown for months that gyms, playgrounds and bowling alleys are safe. It must be the politics and polling that is changing with this new decision. The same holds true for other businesses and for schools. Other states have their businesses and schools open. It’s time for fear and panic to be replaced with hope and opportunity. It’s time for Gov. Cooper to actually protect the most vulnerable and give North Carolinians their freedoms and livelihoods back,” said Forest.
Gov Cooper announces $175 million for rent and utility payments in response to COVID shutdown By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper recently announced the release of $175 million to help North Carolinians pay their rent and utilities bills that have mounted due to the pandemic and subsequent shutdowns. “COVID-19 has strained family finances across North Carolina, and many people are struggling to make ends meet,” said Cooper in a statement. “People need a safe, stable place to call home, especially during this pandemic, and we must help keep people in their homes and keep their utilities on
while our economy recovers.” The money will be distributed through three programs that are “designed to work together to help people avoid eviction and pay their bills.” The programs include eviction prevention and utility payments, crisis response and housing stability, and local government funds. Around $94 million of the funding will be disbursed by the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) for eviction and utility payments. Money will be given to eligible community agencies to assist individuSee COOPER, page A2
Trump, Pence return to North Carolina this week By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are coming back to the Tar Heel state this week. President Trump’s Wednesday visit to Wilmington is set to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II and to declare the city as the first World War II Heritage City. The President will meet with veterans, tour the Battleship North Carolina, and give remarks honoring the contributions of the city of Wilmington to the U.S. victory in World War II. Built in 1937, Battleship North Carolina was first commissioned on April 9, 1941 and took part in every major naval offensive in the Pacific area of operation, and earned 15 battle stars. After the war, the ship was used as a training vessel and finally decommissioned in 1947. The Battleship North Carolina found a permanent place in Wilmington as a war memorial. In March 2019, President Trump signed legislation directing the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to designate at least one city per year as an American World War II Heritage City. This will be President Trump’s 12th official visit to North Carolina. Vice President Pence is scheduled make two stops, first to visit a crisis pregnancy center in Raleigh as part of an event with pro-life activists at Christ Community Church. Sen. Thom Tillis, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, and NC Values Coali-
tion executive director Tami Fitzgerald are other notable guests. “Life is winning across the nation,” said SBA List president Marjorie Dannenfelser. “Communities across North Carolina are working hard to build up proSee TRUMP, page A2