VOLUME 7 ISSUE 18
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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2022
NC budget writers reach deal Raleigh Republican legislative leaders have reached an agreement on adjustments to the second year of the compromise state budget that was approved last fall. House and Senate leaders unveiled the highlights Tuesday evening in a joint press conference at the legislative building. One challenge for GOP legislators who control the General Assembly had been to figure out what to do with an additional $6.2 billion in projected revenues, the Associated Press reported a day earlier. The new fiscal year starts Friday. NSJ STAFF
50 migrants found dead in abandoned trailer in San Antonio San Antonio Fifty people were found dead after being abandoned in a tractor-trailer on a remote back road in San Antonio in the latest tragedy to claim the lives of migrants smuggled across the border from Mexico to the U.S. Sixteen people were hospitalized, including four children. It’s among the deadliest of the tragedies that have claimed thousands of lives in recent decades as people attempt to cross the U.S. border from Mexico. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott was blunt in a tweet about the Democratic president: “These deaths are on Biden. They are a result of his deadly open border policies.”
PHOTO VIA MISS NC
Karolyn Martin is crowned the 2022 Miss North Carolina at the Miss North Carolina competition at High Point Theatre, on Sat., June 25, 2022, in High Point.
2022 Miss North Carolina crowned Appalachian State graduate will compete for Miss America North State Journal staff
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Pilots in line for big raises amid global travel disruptions Dallas The largest pilots union has approved a contract that would boost the pay of pilots at United Airlines by more than 14% over the next 18 months, potentially clearing the way for similar wage hikes throughout the industry. The deal reflects the leverage currently held by unions, with the industry facing a pilot shortage that has resulted in cancellations worldwide and fewer flights. The deal is likely to raise concern on Wall Street about rising expenses. Airlines have already seen their costs per seat rise more sharply as travel has rebounded from the worst of the pandemic. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
State Dept. to pay 6-figure sums to Havana Syndrome victims Washington, D.C. The State Department is preparing to compensate victims of mysterious brain injuries colloquially known as “Havana Syndrome” with sixfigure payments, according to officials and a congressional aide. Current and former State Department staff and their families who suffered from “qualifying injuries” since cases were first reported among U.S. embassy personnel in Cuba in 2016 will receive payments of between roughly $100,000 and $200,000 each, the officials said. Specific amounts will be determined to by the extent and severity of the victims’ injuries, which have included brain damage not limited to vertigo, cognitive damage, eyesight and hearing problems. The mysterious injuries first began to be reported among U.S. embassy staff in Havana, Cuba, in late 2016 and have since spread to nearly 70 countries. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NC Attorney General fundraises off abortion ruling as lawmakers ask for 20-week ban enforcement By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — In reaction to the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson case returning abortion decisions to the states, North Carolina’s Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein took to Twitter to defend abortion, but also to fundraise off the decision. “I have a message for the women of North Carolina: you still have a legal right to an abortion in our state. North Carolina state law protects women’s reproductive freedoms,” Stein tweeted on June 24. “This is true even after the Supreme Court today stripped women of their right to an abortion under the Constitution by overturning Roe v. Wade. If we want to keep our freedoms under state law, then we have to elect state officials who commit to protecting them.” Stein issued a follow-up tweet, asking for political donations in light of the ruling as the “state official committed to protecting reproductive freedoms.” The comments issued by Stein on Twitter were reiterated in a press release issued on the same day as the ruling and included a “legal analysis” of North Carolina abortion laws that includes a definition of “medical emergency.” The statute included by Stein reads, “It shall not be unlawful, during the first 20 weeks of a woman’s pregnancy, to advise, procure, or cause a miscarriage or abortion.” N.C. Gen. Stat § 14-45.1(a). Stein also included some additional text, that reads, “It shall not be unlawful, after the twentieth week of a woman’s pregnancy, to advise, procure or cause a miscarriage or abortion when the procedure is performed by a qualified physician licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina in a hospital licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services, if
there is a medical emergency as defined by G.S. 90-21.81(5)” N.C. Gen. Stat § 14-45.1(b). In a joint press release, House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain) and Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) note that the “ban on abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy hasn’t been enforceable since a ruling in Bryant v. Woodall struck down the law because of Roe v. Wade.” The lawmakers sent a letter to Stein regarding the matter. “With the legal underpinning of the Bryant court’s injunction now erased, we respectfully call on you and the Department of Justice to take all necessary legal action to lift the injunction currently barring the full enforcement of our state’s abortion restrictions,” the Moore and Berger wrote in their letter. “Attorney General Josh Stein must immediately act to enforce North Carolina’s 20-week abortion ban. Any hesitation or dereliction to do so betrays our most vulnerable and is not in the best interest of North Carolinians,” Berger said in the press release. “I remain committed to protecting the unborn and upholding the sanctity of life.” Officials in the offices of both Moore and Berger confirmed to North State Journal that they have yet to receive a reply from Stein on the letter sent to him on June 24 asking him to reinstitute enforcement of the state’s 20-week abortion ban. A spokesperson for Stein’s office indicated a response to the legislative leaders may come sometime this week. In his June 24 press release, Stein brings up the Woodall case, stating that the “ruling in Bryant v. Woodall was based on the teachings of Roe v. Wade and its progeny. As a result, the impact of Dobbs on Bryant v. Woodall’s ruling that currently allows for aborSee ABORTION, page A2
cial impact initiative of “Self Kare: Eat to Success,” which encouraged healthy eating habits without focusing on weight and appearance. She sang “This is the Moment” in the talent competition. In addition to winning the crown, Martin received $21,000 in scholarships throughout the week’s competition. “I am so honored to be the 84th Miss North Carolina,” said Martin in a statement. “This year I will continued advocating for nutrition and positive body image with my social impact initiative.” Martin has already published a cookbook in line with her healthy eating initiative. “I am excited to promote the scholarship and professional development opportunities that the Miss America Organization offers,” said Martin. The Miss North Carolina competition played out last week in High Point with private
HIGH POINT — North Carolina’s representative to the Miss American Competition was crowned this weekend at High Point Theater. Karolyn Martin, of Boone, topped 29 other candidates to win the coveted crown and the opportunity to compete for the Miss America crown in Connecticut in December. A singer, Martin wore the Miss Metrolina sash in the competition that featured young women from across the Old North State in the traditional state pageant that has a heavy focus on talent and interview skills. Abby Britt, Miss Dunn, was the first runner-up and would become Miss North Carolina if Martin were to win Miss America. Martin promoted her so- See MISS N.C., page A3
Gun rights advocates picket Tillis office in Raleigh Activists protesting Tillis’ involvement in recently passed gun control package By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — On June 24, around 100 gun rights activists picketed outside of the Raleigh office of Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis over his involvement in the recently passed gun control bill, the “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022.” The protest was organized by North Carolina’s largest gun rights advocacy group, Grassroots North Carolina (GRNC). Also represented at the protest was the national firearms group, Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the crowd gathered heard from Stephen Willeford, the hero who engaged and eventually stopped the Sutherland Springs Church shooter in 2017 in Texas. Tillis was referred to as “Traitor Thom” and North Carolina’s other Sen. Richard Burr was dubbed “Benedict Burr” throughout the remarks made See PROTEST, page A2
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