VOLUME 7 ISSUE 14
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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022
‘Fox and Friends’ highlights Wake preschool flashcard controversy Raleigh A Wake County preschool’s “pregnant man” flashcard has gone viral and was featured on the Fox New Channel’s ‘Fox and Friends’ morning show Tuesday. A set of flashcards being used in a Wake County Public Schools Pre-K class that feature a “pregnant man” have gone viral and was featured on the Fox New Channel’s ‘Fox and Friends’ morning show on Tuesday, May 31. A press release from House Speaker Tim Moore stated that Rep. Erin Paré was alerted by a constituent about the flashcards in an email containing pictures of some of the cards. “I am grateful that a concerned constituent reached out and that this issue is being addressed in a swift and professional manner by Ballentine Elementary School,” said Paré. WCPSS officials say an initial review of the cards showed they “were not tied to the district’s curriculum and were used without the principal’s review, knowledge, and/or approval.”
AP PHOTO
Canes blown away
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brady Skjei (76) checks on goaltender Antti Raanta (32) as teammates Nino Niederreiter (21), Martin Necas (88) and Vincent Trocheck (16) stand nearby during the second period of Game 7 of their second round playoff series against the New York Rangers on Monday in Raleigh. Carolina lost 6-2 and was eliminated.
NC Senate introduces Medicaid expansion bill after decade of opposition
NSJ STAFF
US Rep Foxx cautions against quick law changes Washington, D.C. The top Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee is cautioning against acting in haste to change federal law in response to the shooting in Uvalde, Texas. U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-05) said, “We must be thoughtful about how we discuss and handle school safety and mental health issues. Federal changes should not be made in haste.” U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona testified in front of the committee last week, saying he is ashamed the United States is “becoming desensitized to the murder of children” and that action is needed now. Some Republicans have proposed more school security measures to deter shootings.
By Matt Mercer North State Journal
NSBA drops report on letter labeling parents as domestic terror threats
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Avelo becomes RDU’s 13th airline RDU Avelo became RDU’s 13th airline when it launched a new route to Tweed-New Haven Airport last week. The nonstop flight to southern Connecticut provides an affordable option for visiting New England and the metro New York area – RDU’s most frequently visited market. “We are excited to welcome Avelo as they add a new city to our growing list of nonstop destinations,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. NSJ STAFF
Shanghai moves toward ending 2-month COVID-19 lockdown Shanghai Shanghai authorities say they will take major steps Wednesday toward reopening China’s largest city after a two-month COVID-19 lockdown that has set back the national economy and largely confined millions of people to their homes. Officials, who set June 1 as the target date for reopening earlier in May, appear ready to accelerate what has been a gradual easing in recent days. A few malls and markets have reopened, and some residents have been given passes allowing them out for a few hours at a time. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NSBA edited out calling for deployment of the National Guard and Military Police in certain districts
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The National School Boards Association (NSBA) released a report detailing the lengthy backstory behind a letter the organization sent last fall to President Joe Biden which labeled parents protesting at school board meetings as domestic terror threats. The NSBA’s letter was the basis for a memorandum issued by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland that directed the FBI to investigate protests at school board meetings. In recent weeks, it has come to light through whistleblower accounts that the FBI has been actively applying its counterterrorism matrix to parents across the country, including use of what House Judiciary Republicans called a “snitch hotline.” The NSBA report, which is 57 pages long, is accompanied by a 551-page list of exhibits. It is unclear why the NSBA compiled the report, which appears to implicate involvement by the White House and Garland. Specifically, the report reveals heavy involvement in the drafting of the letter by White House Senior Adviser Mary Wall and advance knowledge of the contents of the letter by Garland’s Department of Justice. “Although the letter was the progeny of Mr. Slaven with active assistance from his staff and some of his NSBA colleagues, the White House, namely White House Senior Advisor to the President Mary C. Wall (“Ms. Wall”), had advance knowledge of the planned Letter and its specif-
ic contents and interacted with Mr. Slaven regarding the Letter during its drafting,” the report reads. “In addition, evidence indicates that White House officials discussed the existence of the Letter, its requests, and the contents of the Letter with Department of Justice officials more than a week before the Letter was finalized and sent to President Biden.” Additionally, Biden personally called NSBA Board of Directors President Viola Garcia after the letter was public knowledge. “According to Dr. Garcia, President Biden was “appreciative” of and thanked her for the Letter in a fifteen-minute one-on-one phone call,” the report states. “President Biden also extended an invitation to Dr. Garcia to visit the Oval Office, however the visit never occurred. The next day, Ms. Wall and Mr. Slaven discussed, via email, how Dr. Garcia was “thrilled” and had a “wonderful conversation with the President.” The same passage of the report relating Garcia’s call with Biden also notes that “On October 7, Ms. Wall emailed Mr. Slaven: “we have your back, and we’re exploring every avenue we can.” Dr. Garcia confided to Counsel that despite her excitement from President Biden’s support, she was reluctant to discuss the call because of the perception that the NSBA was ‘in cahoots essentially with the Biden Administration on this Letter’.” On Oct. 13, 2021, Cardona announced the appointment of Garcia to the national board which oversees the Nation’s Report Card, commonly referred to by the acronym NAEP. The NAEP board oversees national testing and assessments of all K-12 public school students and is considered a prestigious appointment. Former North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue was also re-apSee NSBA, page A3
RALEIGH — The Republican-led N.C. Senate caused whiplash for many General Assembly observers last week when the chamber’s dominant Republicans unveiled a Medicaid expansion bill and quickly advanced it through a pair of committees. The measure appears destined for passage on the floor
this week. “Like many of my colleagues, I’ve previously been against expanding Medicaid, but it has evolved from bad federal policy to good state fiscal policy. This comprehensive approach will help more North Carolinians access the care they need,” state Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth) said Thursday. “Additionally, this See MEDICAID, page A2
Senate Education Committee approves ‘Parents’ Bill of Rights’ North State Journal staff RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly’s Senate Education Committee approved a “Parents’ Bill of Rights” which was first unveiled the day before at a press conference led by Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) along with Education Committee Chairs Deanna Ballard (R-Watauga) and Michael Lee (R-New Hanover). The committee approved the bill with no Democrats voting in favor of the measure. Senate Democrats seem to be at odds with public opinion, as evidenced by a North Carolina-specific poll taken earlier this month showing 74% in favor of parents being allowed to review curriculum and that schools should notify parents about the mental and physical health of their children. During that meeting, state Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake) attempted to connect the bill to the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. “As a parent, the right I really care about is the right to keep our children safe in schools. As a parent, I would hope that we wouldn’t debate a bill that seeks to restrict what’s taught to elementary school students but instead determine how we can protect these very elementary school students from school shootings,” said Chaudhuri. “Censoring school curriculums isn’t going to keep our kids alive.” Lee called Chaudhuri out for trying to use a tragedy to attack an unrelated bill. “We all feel for the folks in Texas, but you’re using this as a polit-
ical platform to take advantage of a tragedy in Texas is not going to be before this committee,” responded Lee. “There is nothing in here that relates to that.” Lee continued, “If you recall in the budget process last year,we See SEC, page A3
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