The Stanly County Arts Council released its nal schedule for the Music Day celebration this Saturday. Events will take place in Albemarle, Badin, Locust, Norwood and Oakboro from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Events will include an organ crawl through four downtown churches, ukulele lessons, voice classes and live performances. For a complete schedule: makemusicday.org/ stanlycounty.
Juneberry Ridge in Norwood coming to PBS
Starting Thursday, Juneberry Ridge will be featured on the PBS show “N.C. Weekend” as part of an episode highlighting relaxing weekend destinations. Juneberry will appear alongside The Spa at Pinehurst and The Grandover Spa Inn in Greensboro. The episode will air Thursday at 9 p.m., Friday at 5 p.m. and Junw 24 at 7:30 p.m. It will also be available at PBS.com and on the PBS app.
Wake Forest alum named University of Alabama president
Peter J. Mohler has been named the next president of the University of Alabama. Mohler comes to the role from Ohio State University and has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Wake Forest University and a doctorate in cell and molecular physiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
‘No
Kings’ protest draws hundreds in Albemarle
Coordinated events took place across the country
By Jesse Deal and Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — A crowd of around 200 people took part in the “No Kings” protest held in Albemarle on Saturday morning.
Demonstrators protesting recentlyelected President Donald Trump stood on the sidewalk near the corner of Leonard Avenue and N.C. Highway 24-27, waving American ags and a variety of antiauthoritarian signs that signaled support for the protection of democracy, due process and immigrant rights.
National organizers claim that more than 5 million people took part in demonstrations in over 2,000 cities and towns across the country on Saturday. The gatherings were timed for the same day as a military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary.
Former Stanly County Board of Commissioners member Peter Asciutto attended the No Kings protest in Albemarle and described it as an “interesting and positive event” with an “impressive line of people.”
“It was very positive — there was no violence, just people there trying to make a di erence,” said Asciutto, now a marketing instructor at Anson High School. “The feeling I got from the ground is that a lot of people
“It was very positive — there was no violence, just people there trying to make a di erence.”
Peter Asciutto
feel that the Trump administration has too much power in the executive branch. There were some people there who saw immigration as their main reason for coming and feel that it’s been overkill on immigration with the ICE raids.”
The No Kings theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement to support against what it calls the executive overreach of the Trump administration,
Albemarle promotes Rhodes to be next city manager
“Serving the city of Albemarle is one of the most rewarding opportunities in my career.”
Darren Rhodes
He will take over when City Manager Todd Clark retires in August
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — The city of Albemarle announced Tuesday that its city council has appointed Assistant City Manager Darren Rhodes as the next city manager, e ective upon the retirement of current City Manager Todd Clark in August.
Clark is retiring after 35 years of service and a year as city manager. “Darren Rhodes has proven himself to be a skilled, caring and ethical leader for our organization,” Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael said in a media release. “Darren’s un-
derstanding of the city’s operations is a valuable asset as we move forward with critical projects. City council is condent that Darren’s vast experience at both the local and state levels of government will help us build an even better future for Albemarle.”
Rhodes has been assistant city manager for Albemarle since October 2022 and served as interim city manager last year.
“Serving the city of Albemarle is one of the most rewarding opportunities in my career,” Rhodes said. “I’m thankful for the trust city council has placed in me to lead the next phase of our city’s progress. I look forward to continuing to work with our
which has recently deployed National Guard members and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests against ICE immigration raids. The Albemarle protest was organized by Indivisible Uwharrie, a local chapter of a larger national organization.
Ariel Dennis, a social worker with Stanly County DSS, said the idea of 200 people coming out locally to support the protest was phenomenal.
“Our little town was able to show such support on the right side of history, and especially show the other side that there are more of us than there are of them and that we do not condone tyrants,” Dennis said. “As a social worker, I talk with these people daily, and I see what the community actually needs. They need actual leadership and support, and we are not nding that with our current president.”
“We need more hometown folks to support our democracy,” noted Jera Norwood, who
THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
COURTESY PETER ASCIUTTO
Left, some of the “No Kings” protesters along the highway in Albemarle. Top right, “No Kings” participant Jay Beasley holds his protest sign. Bottom right, Kathy Johansen dressed up as a queen for Saturday’s rally.
CHARLES CURCIO / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
COURTESY PETER ASCIUTTO
Neal
NC Labor Commissioner Farley honors Stanly County businesses
Luke Farley handed out safety awards
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Businesses from Stanly and beyond were honored for their e orts to maintain safe workplaces last Wednesday afternoon at the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce Labor Lunch hosted by Atrium Stanly. North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Luke Farley was the keynote speaker for the event.
Farley opened his remarks by saying when introduced as the state’s Labor commissioner, most of the time people know him as “the elevator guy.”
“The No. 1 job of the Labor commissioner is to keep the working men and women safe and healthy, and to make sure everybody goes home safely at the end of the workday,” Farley said.
“Workplace safety is serious, and it’s an obligation I take very seriously. This is the only job in state government where success or failure is literally going to be measured in lives lost and limbs lost.”
Regarding Stanly and the surrounding area’s potential for economic development, Farley said it is “an area of
& Co. Hemp Company is dedicated to bringing wellness to the world by offering a variety of hemp goods. Location: 103 N. 1st
Luke Farley,
the state that I think is set to explode.”
The labor commissioner added events like the Labor lunch are about coming together to recognize excellence and safety, not to debate or argue about regulations.
“There is a lot of competition out there for economic opportunity,” Farley said. “Nearby states would love to land the businesses and investment deals that come here. There’s erce competition, but it’s not just other states. It’s other countries (like) China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Turkey. Those are all countries looking to take the economic opportunities that we have in North Carolina and in the United States.”
At 39, Farley is the youngest commissioner to serve in North Carolina in 100 years, having worked for 14 years as
a workplace safety attorney.
“My commitment to you and everybody in the state is that those regulations are going to be enforced in a fair, evenhanded and consistent way,” he said.
“My experience in the private sector is businesses can handle tough regulation. They cannot handle inconsistent regulation, so that if you’re doing business in Murphy or Manteo, you’re going to get the same treatment from the Department of Labor.”
During the awards ceremony, companies received awards based on workplace safety criteria.
Saputo Cheese USA Inc. of Biscoe was honored with a million hour award, given to companies which accrue a million employee hours with no injuries or illnesses which require days away from work. Saputo accomplished this feat from Feb. 23, 2022, to May 2, 2024.
Silver awards, based on days away from work rates at least 50% below industry averages, were presented to rst-year winners Currituck County and NJR Group Inc. Stanly Manor received a silver award for the fourth straight year.
Gold awards, presented to businesses with DART rates (cases involving days away, restricted duty or job transfer) at least 50 percent below industry averages, went to companies listed below.
Gold Award Winners
First Year
• Atrium Health (Gastroenterology & Hepatology - Stanly)
• Atrium Health Anson
• H.W. Culp Lumber Company
• J.T. Russell & Sons Inc. (Highway 64 Project)
• J.T. Russell & Sons Inc. (Lexington Asphalt Plant)
• J.T. Russell & Sons Inc. (N.C. Highway 3 –Mooresville Hwy Jobsite)
Second Consecutive Year
• Coastal AgroBusiness Inc. (Carthage)
• J.T. Russell & Sons Inc. (Julian Road Project)
• Saputo Cheese USA Inc. (Biscoe)
Third Consecutive Year
• City of Albemarle
• United Protective Technologies LLC
Fifth Consecutive Year
• J.T. Russell & Sons Inc. (Highway 24/27 Jobsite)
• J.T. Russell & Sons Inc. (New London Asphalt Plant)
Sixth Consecutive Year
• J.T. Russell & Sons Inc. (Salisbury Asphalt Plant)
Seventh Consecutive Year
• Cube Hydro Carolinas LLC (Yadkin Generation)
Eighth Consecutive Year
• J.T. Russell & Sons Inc. (Clear Creek Asphalt Plant)
Ninth Consecutive Year
• Troy Medical Services
Tenth Consecutive Year
• J.T. Russell & Sons Inc. (Healing Springs)
Fourteenth Consecutive Year
• Stanley Engineered Fastening
Twenty-Seventh Consecutive Year
• Hildreth Wood Products Inc.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County:
June
19
Locust Farmers Market
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This producers-only market o ers fresh produce, homemade foods and crafts by local creators. Conveniently located across the street from Locust Elementary School. Open May through September.
Corner of 24/27 and Vella Drive Locust
June 21
Free Bucket Drumming Workshop
9-9:30 a.m.
This free workshop led by instructor Kurt Varney is part of the one-day Make Music Stanly County celebrations. Designed for students age 7-plus. Limited to 10 participants.
Courthouse Square Park 100 N. 2nd St. Albemarle
CAPTA Tractor Pull
2-8 p.m.
Featuring multiple classes of tractors for competition. Concessions and bleacher seating on-site. Admission ranges from $15 per person to $30-60, with parking and driver’s admission included. Children under 12 admitted for free. Contact 704-221-0281 to reserve limited trackside parking.
Stanly County Fairgrounds 24302 Business U.S. 52 Albemarle
June 28
Sprinkle & Splash
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Free water fun event! Children can play in sprinklers and participate in fun yard games. Be dressed to get wet and be sure to bring sunscreen, a chair/blanket and everything else you’ll need.
240 Lions Club Drive Locust
Summer Concert Series: Remington Cartee Music
7-10 p.m.
Along with live music, participants can enjoy goods from vendors o ering food, beverages, crafts and more. This family-friendly event provides multiple activities for children. Admission is free; bring your own chairs or blankets for seating.
Locust City Hall Backyard 186 Ray Kennedy Drive Locust
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
| DAVID HARSANYI
Greta Thunberg, useful idiot for Hamas
The day after Thunberg whined to reporters in Europe, at least eight aid workers were murdered by Hamas trying to bring food to the population.
PROFESSIONAL LEFTIST Greta Thunberg was brought to Israel this week after the “sel e yacht” she was traveling on attempted to break through a naval blockade of Gaza. Her boat, the “Madleen,” was part of a otilla pretending to deliver aid to alleviate an imaginary famine. The 22-year-old was given food and shelter, and sent home by the Israeli government, which she accused of “kidnapping” her. All the usual suspects went along with this predictable framing.
If Thunberg really wanted to better understand the concept of an abduction, she might have asked Hamas to visit the Israelis still being tortured in a dank basement somewhere in Rafah. But the “human rights activist,” which is how the legacy media unironically describes her, has never once called for the release of the hostages taken by Islamists. Indeed, the otilla e ort was reportedly organized by a “Hamas operative.”
“(The Israelis) tried to make us watch all kinds of propaganda videos,” Thunberg told reporters after landing in Paris, “but I didn’t watch. This is nothing compared to what is happening in Gaza, which is in desperate need of humanitarian aid.” Referring to GoPro videos made by Palestinians that document the gleeful slaughter of women, children and the elderly as “propaganda” is a bold accusation coming from a cosplay revolutionary whose biggest problem was getting a vegetarian meal from her hosts.
As this was all going on, incidentally, Israel has been sending hundreds of aid trucks into the Gaza Strip. Hamas opposes this e ort, as it uses food and aid to control the Palestinian population. The day after Thunberg whined to reporters in Europe, at least eight aid workers were murdered by Hamas trying to bring food to the population.
The real question is: Why is she in the news at all?
Thunberg was named Time’s Person of the Year in 2019 after dropping out of high school and “raising awareness for climate change.”
It was quite a historic accomplishment. No one was talking about global warming before Greta came around, apparently. Me? I tend to think the kid who stays in school and learns a thing or two about biology before lecturing me about science is the real hero. But we live in a time where emotionalism and vapidity are often confused with decency and wisdom. Thunberg is the embodiment of this trend.
Thunberg’s most infamous moment was a frivolous emotional outburst at the United Nations, where she screamed at those who had bequeathed her with unprecedented wealth, safety and freedom: “You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words,” she claimed. But really, her dream was to be famous. Or, maybe, it was rst the dream of exploitative parents who persuaded their child that the world was on the precipice of Armageddon.
Since her Time magazine cover, Thunberg has achieved nothing. Her native Sweden has turned back to fossil fuels. Europe,
Greta Thunberg, wearing a Palestinian ke yeh, meets with journalists in Catania, Italy, on June 1, ahead of their departure for the Mideast.
as well. The Earth, however, is still here.
Subsequently, Thunberg has moved on to champion other trendy leftist causes, such as Black Lives Matter and now “Free Palestine.” The only thing she understands less about than climate science seems to be the Middle East. As far as I can tell, Thunberg has never once said anything remotely compelling, witty or smart. There are millions of young people far more worthy of attention. For years, youth shielded Thunberg from criticism. Even now, journalists fail to ask her a serious, in-depth question about the issues she champions. The chances she could answer one are incredibly slim.
Well, Thunberg is now a young woman, and so we can freely point out that she’s always been an extraordinary imbecile. But now, she’s also a useful idiot for terrorists. For that, there is no excuse.
David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner.
Why the CBO almost always gets it wrong
The 2017 scoring of the Trump tax cut has already underestimated the revenues from the rst six years of the law by a massive $1 trillion or more.
THESE DAYS it seems that a mysterious group called “the CBO” rules the world, or at least Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, it’s not very good at predicting things, and its bad calls can lead to bad policy results.
The Congressional Budget O ce and the Joint Committee on Taxation predict what will happen with spending, tax revenues and de cits from new bills and congressional budgets. They have made headlines with their absurd warning that President Donald Trump’s tax bill to extend the 2017 tax cuts and other reforms like eliminating taxes on tips would add trillions to the debt over 10 years.
But we know this is wrong. The aw is that the models don’t take account of the improved economy from keeping tax rates low and providing tax relief for small businesses and workers. The White House estimates that this bill, combined with pro-America energy policies and deregulation, can raise the economic growth rate to nearly 3% — which would mean at least another $2 trillion in added revenues.
When I pointed this out in The Wall Street Journal two weeks ago, House Speaker Mike
Johnson reiterated these defects in the CBO predictions.
Then Washington Post “fact checker” Glenn Kessler claimed the CBO is accurate and Johnson’s claim is “nonsense.”
Oh, really? It turns out that it’s the self-proclaimed fact checker who is getting the numbers all wrong.
The Post argued that the CBO really does dynamic scoring and adjusts for the changes in tax laws. Wrong. The CBO does not fully measure the economywide bene ts of lower tax rates and thus doesn’t adjust for higher employment and growth — which happens every time we cut tax rates.
We also know the 2017 scoring of the Trump tax cut has already underestimated the revenues from the rst six years of the law by a massive $1 trillion or more.
Yet Kessler notes that no one in 2017 could have predicted the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns. That is absolutely true. But the pandemic actually reduced revenues from what they would have otherwise been by at least $1 trillion because commerce slowed to a crawl during the lockdowns. Yet even with the unexpected pandemic, the CBO still managed to
underestimate the revenues generated from the tax cut.
Sounds like the speaker was right and the fact checkers struck out.
Everyone makes mistakes. But the CBO and JCT have a habit of overstating the bene ts of raising taxes and underestimating the bene ts to the economy from cutting tax rates. The CBO and JCT, for example, have almost always lowballed the economic e ects of cutting the capital gains tax.
My colleague Tomas Philipson, who served on the Council of Economic Advisers under Trump in his rst term, notes that the JCT never opens its books to show how it makes its “garbage in, garbage out” projections.
Maybe Johnson should demand they do that immediately. Or maybe it’s time for a new model based on real-world scoring. It’s time to put accuracy over ideology.
Big decisions that have enormous trillion- dollar consequences for our economy are being made with a cracked crystal ball.
Stephen Moore is co-founder of Unleash Prosperity and a visiting fellow at the Heritage Foundation.
COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE
COLUMN
SALVATORE CAVALLI / AP PHOTO
Swedish activist
June 10
• Robert Alvin Crisco, 33, was arrested for felony larceny and obtaining property by false pretense.
• Charles Andrew Phillips, 38, was arrested for property damage, disorderly conduct and probation violation.
• Wesley Maurice Speights, 57, was arrested for eeing arrest with a vehicle, reckless driving, property damage, violating local ordinances, driving left of center, littering, failing to heed police signals, speeding, expired registration, failing to yield at stop sign, failing to maintain lane, driving while impaired, resisting arrest and open container violation.
• Jackie Eugene Nowling, 53, was arrested for failure to appear, driving with revoked license and expired registration.
June 11
• Grayson Blake Brooks, 23, was arrested for driving while impaired.
• Kadeem Ali Smalls, 33, was arrested for indecent exposure.
• Rebecca Ann Verdi, 42, was arrested for assaulting a government o cial.
June 12
• Heather Rae Poplin, 43, was arrested for intent to sell Schedule II drugs, drug tra cking and possessing drug paraphernalia.
• Britney Nicole Gravitte, 33, was arrested for resisting arrest, misdemeanor larceny and property damage.
• Sarah Ashley Richardson, 37, was arrested for drug tra cking, intent to sell Schedule II drugs, felony drug possession and possessing drug paraphernalia.
June 13
• Brandon Kyle Pennington, 43, was arrested for trespassing and resisting arrest.
• Brittany Rose Smith, 32, was arrested for child abuse.
• Austin Lee Myers, 28, was arrested for driving while impaired, reckless driving, child abuse and driving with revoked license.
June 14
• Gregory David Tucker, 41, was arrested for communicating threats.
June 15
• Donny Lynn Gri n, 59, was arrested for driving while impaired.
After nearly 50 years, The Singing Americans keep their patriotic spirit alive
The choral group has been active for almost half a century
By Melinda Burris Stanly News Journal
BADIN — For nearly 50 years, The Singing Americans of Stanly County have been leading audiences in patriotic sing-alongs at churches and community events throughout the area.
The 20-member choral group, directed by Bob Remsburg, will present its nal concert of the summer on Sunday, July 27, at 4 p.m. at Twin Harbor on Lilly’s Bridge Road on Lake Tillery in Mount Gilead. The free performance is part of this year’s “Freedom!: Dedicated to all who have given their lives to keep us free!” concert series.
Founded for the bicentennial celebrations in 1976, the organization has been an active part of the Stanly County community ever since. In its heyday back in the ’80s, the group was larger and “even did some traveling road trips, like to Washington, D.C., and so on,” Remsburg says. Although the choir is smaller now and stays close to home, Remsburg describes its members as very committed.
This year’s abbreviated
PROTEST from page A1
lives in Oakboro. “The more we can get, the better.”
Kathy Johansen, who lives in Albemarle and owns an entertainment company along with being an impersonator and a stand-up comedian, went all out for the rally dressed in a full queen out t, crown included, with a sign saying, “This queen says no kings.”
“In everything I do, I have to put in a little avor. … It was a great turnout today for the people for democracy,” Johansen said.
Not everyone in Albemarle was on board with the message of the No Kings protest.
On the other side of the street, around 20 pro-Trump counter-protesters stood in opposition to the event, waving American ags and signs in support of the president and ICE.
Brian Talbert, who organized the Trump supporters, said those on the other side of the road “are claiming to be American, so why are they standing against our president, our nation and our law enforcement? They are standing with illegal immigrants. That’s an illegal invasion.
“We are standing up for our country, president and our law enforcement. Stu like this can not go unchallenged. Trump has done nothing unconstitutional.”
schedule — just three concerts instead of the typical summer series that begins around Independence Day — kicked o June 1 due to some traveling con icts.
“It’s choral music, and we tend to focus on patriotic, so part of it is a bit almost like sing-along because we try to make sure we do some songs that pretty much everybody would know, things like ‘My Country, ’Tis of Thee’ and ‘America the Beautiful,’” Remsburg explains.
The group’s repertoire includes crowd favorites like “This Land is Your Land” along with lesser-known patriotic pieces such as “Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones,” written by the late Sen. Orrin Hatch about two decades ago. The ti-
“It’s choral music, and we tend to focus on patriotic, so part of it is a bit almost like sing-along because we try to make sure we do some songs that pretty much everybody would know.”
Bob Remsberg, choral director
tle refers to a national cemetery. At its June 8 concert, the group performed “More Than a Name on a Wall” by The Statler Brothers, featuring choir member Rod Almond on acous-
tic guitar. Remsburg describes Almond as “a very good guitar player” who has “long been involved in the arts community in Stanly County.”
Grace Baptist Church in Albemarle, where Pastor Delane Burrus leads, provides the group with rehearsal space and hosts one of their annual performances. “They’re very supportive and a great place to do it,” Remsburg says.
The Stanly County Arts Council helps by advertising and promoting the choir’s events, though the group receives no nancial funding from the Arts Council or other public sources. With minimal expenses, the group accepts donations from attendees at their free concerts.
A four-legged protestor displays his American ag and rainbow leash.
While opponents of No Kings have criticized the nationwide rallies as being hyperbolic, claims of the current presidential administration’s fascination with monarchical imagery aren’t without reference.
On Feb. 19, the o cial White House social media accounts depicted Trump as a crowned king in a picture, posting an AI-generated Time magazine cover of the president alongside a cap-
tion that included the phrase “long live the king!”
Last week, ahead of the protests, Trump said, “I don’t feel like a king, I have to go through hell to get stu approved,” when asked about the protests at a White House event. “No, no. We’re not a king. We’re not a king at all, thank you very much.”
“The Republicans in Congress don’t realize that they’re
not giving executive power to Donald Trump,” Asciutto said. “They’re giving power to every single future president that comes along, every single one. That’s the point where we’re electing kings that don’t have to go through Congress.” With 145 executive orders signed since Jan. 20, Trump’s second term has begun with the fastest executive order pace of any president in over 80 years.
PHOTOS COURTESY EMELIA IRELAND PHOTOGRAPHY
The Singing Americans of Stanly County take direction from conductor Bob Remsburg.
Left, Rod Almond plays guitar during a performance earlier this month in Badin. Right, the crowd enjoys patriotic songs during the Freedom! choral concert earlier this month in Badin.
CHARLES CURCIO / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
Federal court weighs challenge to North Carolina’s redistricting maps
A lawsuit alleges GOP lawmakers illegally weakened black voting power
By Gary D. Robertson
The Associated Press
WINSTON-SALEM —
North Carolina congressional and legislative districts drawn by Republicans that helped them retain majorities in Raleigh and Washington are in court, as federal lawsuits accuse mapmakers of illegally eroding black voting power in the process.
A three-judge panel convened Monday in Winston-Salem for a trial over allegations that GOP legislative leaders violated federal law and the U.S. Constitution when they enacted new electoral maps in October 2023. Republican leaders counter that lawfully partisan — and not racial — considerations helped inform their decision-making.
The lines were used in the 2024 elections, after which Republicans kept General Assembly majorities and ipped three U.S. House seats held by Democratic incumbents who didn’t seek reelection because they decided the recast district made winning impossible. Those seat ips, which turned a 7-7 delegation into one with a 10-4 Republican advantage, helped the GOP keep narrow control of the House, which has helped advance President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Favorable rulings for the plainti s could force Republicans to redraw maps for the 2026 elections, making it harder to retain their partisan advantage. Otherwise, the districts could be used through the 2030 elections.
The trial involves two lawsuits led in late 2023.
In one lawsuit, the North Carolina NAACP, Common Cause and several black residents originally sued over redrawn state House and Senate maps and U.S. House districts. The other lawsuit led by nearly 20 black and Latino voters focused on the new congressional districts, four of which they argue are illegal racial gerrymanders.
Pretrial rulings this spring and amended litigation dis-
RHODES from page A1
elected o cials, city sta and our community to provide a high quality of life in Albemarle.”
As city manager, Rhodes will oversee the city’s electric system, water and wastewater services, land ll facility, public housing department, parks and recreation department, police and re departments, and other municipal services.
Rhodes brings more than 30 years of experience at both the local and state levels of government. Prior to joining the City of Albemarle, he served as manager of the North Carolina Rural Planning Program, which focuses on econom-
race-based redistricting it has sought to end.”
Rodden testi ed Monday the “racial sorting” of voters within challenged congressional districts that he examined can’t be attributed fully to politics alone. On cross-examination, Rodden acknowledged that he didn’t know all of the partisan factors that GOP lawmakers considered in 2023.
The three judges were all nominated to the bench by Republican presidents: 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Allison Rushing (Donald Trump) and District Judges Thomas Schroeder (George W. Bush) and Richard Myers (Trump).
their preferred candidates, violating the Voting Rights Act.
missed challenges to the state House map and narrowed state Senate arguments to a handful of districts.
Still, both lawsuits claim that lines are so skewed for GOP candidates that many black voters cannot elect their preferred candidates, violating the Voting Rights Act. They allege the mapmakers at times submerged or spread out black voting blocs, which historically have favored Democrats, into surrounding districts with white majorities — beneting Republicans. They point to the Piedmont Triad region where the cities of Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem are located. They said Republicans split the region’s concentrated black voting population within multiple U.S. House districts.
Then-Rep. Kathy Manning, a Greensboro Democrat, decided not to run again because her district shifted to the right.
“This was an e ort to spread those voters across districts,”
ic development, planning services and support for cities and towns statewide.
Rhodes is a recipient of the Old North State Award, presented by the North Carolina governor to individuals who demonstrate “dedication and service beyond expectation and excellence to the Great State of North Carolina.”
He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s in public management, both from Appalachian State University, and he also has a certi cate in municipal government from the University of North Carolina School of Government.
At Monday’s Albemarle City Council meeting, council members made several unanimous
said Jonathan Rodden, a Stanford University redistricting expert who testi ed Monday for some plainti s about congressional boundaries. Rodden said the results were less-compact districts that make it harder for voters within them to act collectively toward a common policy goal.
The plainti s also allege GOP lawmakers unlawfully packed black voting-age residents into a Charlotte-area congressional district.
The trial’s lawyers agreed not to give opening statements Monday. But in a pretrial brief, lawyers for Republican leaders said the lawmakers used mapmaking rules that prohibited using data identifying the race of voters, in keeping with rulings on previous North Carolina redistricting maps in which judges chided them for emphasizing race.
Instead, Republicans were able to lawfully use partisan data — like statewide election results — in drawing the new maps, the lawyers said. They cite a 2019 U.S. Supreme Court decision and an April 2023 state Supreme Court decision that neutered legal claims of illegal partisan gerrymandering.
“The General Assembly has striven to end racial politics through race-blind redistricting,” wrote Katherine McKnight and Phil Strach, two lawyers for the GOP legislators, adding that a Voting Rights Act violation “would only return the State to the
membership decisions for ve city boards and commissions. Most are reappointments, with terms ending June 30, 2028 unless otherwise speci ed.
Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation
• Kristy N. Lee-Thao (new appointment)
• Megan King (new)
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
• Chris D. Almond (new)
Walk of Fame Advisory Board
• Foster Parker
• Judy Holcomb
The panel has set aside several days for a trial that won’t end until July 9. Other likely witnesses include individual plainti s, state legislators, historians and more mapping experts. No immediate decision is expected — the legal sides have until early August to le additional briefs.
The court’s ruling can be appealed. With candidate ling for the 2026 election starting Dec. 1, any required remapping would have to be completed by late fall to avoid election disruptions.
North Carolina has a long history of redistricting litigation in federal courts.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in landmark cases in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s involving racial bias and the extent to which racial considerations could be used in forming districts that favored the election of black candidates. The court’s 2019 decision on partisan gerrymandering stemmed from an N.C. case.
The current maps were drawn after the state Supreme Court, with a Republican seat majority, essentially struck down rulings the court made in 2022 when it had a Democratic majority. Two other lawsuits challenging the 2023 district boundaries are pending.
Statewide races in North Carolina are close, and Democrats have held the governor’s mansion for most of the past 30 years. But Republicans have controlled the General Assembly — and thus redistricting — since 2011. Redistricting maps can’t be blocked by a governor’s veto.
Historic Resources Commission
• Lauren Wagoner
• John Williams
• Lori Baucom (new)
Planning and Zoning Board
• Tanner Denton
• Robert McIntyre
• Aaron Deese
• Leslie Phillips (new, expires June 30, 2026)
• Amber Farmer, alternate (new)
The next Albemarle City Council meeting is scheduled for July 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
HANNAH SCHOENBAUM / AP PHOTO
The North Carolina Senate reviews copies of a map proposal for the state’s congressional districts starting in 2024 during a committee hearing in October 2023.
The two lawsuits claim that lines are so skewed for GOP candidates that many black voters cannot elect
Patricia Roth
June 20, 1942 - June 12, 2025
June 20, 1942 –June 12, 2025
OBITUARIES
Patricia Greene
Patricia Ann Roth, 82, of Albemarle, passed away on June 12, 2025, surround-ed by her loving family.
Albemarle — Patricia Ann Roth, 82, of Albemarle, passed away on June 12, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on June 20, 1942, in Bu alo, New York, to Edward and Marion Fletcher, and was the second oldest of eight siblings. Patricia devoted her life to her family, which was always the center of her world.
She was born on June 20, 1942, in Bu alo, New York, to Edward and Marion Fletcher, and was the second oldest of eight siblings. Patricia devoted her life to her family, which was always the cen-ter of her world.
She had a lifelong passion for genealogy and spent decades re-searching, documenting, and preserving her family’s history. Her proudest accomplishment was writing and publishing three books chronicling generations of her family’s roots. Through her work, she united distant relatives, uncovered lost stories, and ensured the legacy of those who came before would never be forgotten.
She had a lifelong passion for genealogy and spent decades researching, documenting, and preserving her family’s history. Her proudest accomplishment was writing and publishing three books chronicling generations of her family’s roots. rough her work, she united distant relatives, uncovered lost stories, and ensured the legacy of those who came before would never be forgotten.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Roth, and her son, Michael Roth.
She is survived by her children, Jennifer Crawford and Timo-thy Roth; her grandchildren, Jonathan Roth, Laura Hamann, Mason Snyder, Brianna Luci-ni, and Alan Crawford; and her greatgrandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Roth, and her son, Michael Roth.
She is survived by her children, Jennifer Crawford and Timothy Roth; her grandchildren, Jonathan Roth, Laura Hamann, Mason Snyder, Brianna Lucini, and Alan Crawford; and her great-grandchildren.
Patricia was cremated on June 13. Her ashes will be interred in Bu alo, New York, at a later date.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Oakboro, NC in the Old Sanctuary. Friends and fam-ily are invited to attend.
Patricia was cremated on June 13. Her ashes will be interred in Bu alo, New York, at a later date.
In lieu of owers, memorial donations may be made to the National Genealogical Society.
Patricia will be remembered for her strength, her warmth, and her unwavering devotion to her family—past, present, and future.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Oakboro, NC in the Old Sanctuary. Friends and family are invited to attend.
In lieu of owers, memorial donations may be made to the National Genealogical Society.
Patricia will be remembered for her strength, her warmth, and her unwavering devotion to her family—past, present, and future.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@ northstatejournal.com
Boone — Patricia Elaine Greene passed away at her home on Friday, June 6 surrounded by those she loved. She was 74 years old.
Jan. 21, 1951 – June 6, 2025
Patricia Elaine Greene passed away at her home on Friday, June 6 surrounded by those she loved. She was 74 years old.
Pat is survived by her loving husband, Stephen S. Greene, whom she married on November 12,1988; and his children, Jonathan Alexander Greene (Brooke), Richard Brian Greene (Alyson), Kristin Allison Utley (Garth). She was preceded in death by her son, Marshall Edward Drye, Jr., and her parents, Floyd Ray Rummage, Sr., and Isabelle Needham Rummage.
Pat is survived by her lov-ing husband, Stephen S. Greene, whom she married on November 12,1988; and his children, Jonathan Alexander Greene (Brooke), Richard Brian Greene (Alyson), Kristin Allison Utley (Garth). She was preceded in death by her son, Marshall Edward Drye, Jr., and her parents, Floyd Ray Rummage, Sr., and Isabelle Needham Rummage.
Pat’s memory will live on through the lives of her ve wonderful grandchildren; Douglas, Marshall, Alder, Finnegan, and Alexandria; and her nieces and nephews whom she loved so much. Pat’s child-like spirit and enthusiasm was contagious, and she could light up the world with her smile and her hugs. Her warmth and love will be missed by all.
Robert E. Dedmon Jr.
July 28, 1950 – June 14, 2025
Robert E. Dedmon Jr. known as Earl or Bob, was truly one of a kind who lived his life, or his 9 lives as the case may be, absolutely to the fullest. Earl passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Albemarle, North Carolina at the age of 74.
Pat’s memory will live on through the lives of her ve wonderful grandchildren; Doug-las, Marshall, Alder, Finnegan, and Alexandria; and her nieces and nephews whom she loved so much. Pat’s child-like spirit and enthusiasm was contagious, and she could light up the world with her smile and her hugs. Her warmth and love will be missed by all. Pat was born in Albemarle, NC, on January 21, 1951 and was a 1969 graduate of North Stanly High School. After high school, Pat began her career in banking as an employee of North Carolina National Bank, later Nations Bank, and nally Bank of America. During her career at Bank of America, she held many positions, retiring as the Senior Vice President of International Division-Letters of Credit Department. She retired in December 2002. After moving to Boone, North Carolina, Pat continued to work as Financial Manager at Appalachian Ski Mountain, from 2002-2012.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, from 6 pm until 8 pm at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care, Albemarle. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 11 am in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel.
Pat was born in Albemarle, NC, on January 21, 1951 and was a 1969 graduate of North Stanly High School. A er high school, Pat began her career in banking as an employee of North Carolina National Bank, later Nations Bank, and nally Bank of America. During her career at Bank of America, she held many positions, retiring as the Senior Vice President of International Division-Letters of Credit Department. She retired in December 2002. A er moving to Boone, North Carolina, Pat continued to work as Financial Manager at Appalachian Ski Mountain, from 2002-2012.
In her free time, Pat enjoyed gardening, tending to her owers, particularly her favorite Columbine in the spring and summer. Pat loved the ocean and the family took many vacations together at the beach. She and Steve also loved to travel taking their adventurous spirits to Europe and the United Kingdom. Pat and Steve also spent time basking in the Caribbean sun of St. Lucia and Barbados. ey also spent time in the northeast, as well as out west, taking adventures through the Rocky Mountains from Colorado to Canada.
In her free time, Pat enjoyed gardening, tending to her owers, particularly her favorite Columbine in the spring and summer. Pat loved the ocean and the family took many vacations together at the beach. She and Steve also loved to travel taking their adventurous spirits to Europe and the United Kingdom. Pat and Steve also spent time basking in the Caribbean sun of St. Lucia and Barbados. They also spent time in the northeast, as well as out west, taking adventures through the Rocky Mountains from Colorado to Canada.
Earl was born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1950 to Robert (Bobby) E. Dedmon Sr. and Juanita Gevedon. He was a graduate of N.B. Forrest High School, attended the University of Florida where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity and graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in Construction Engineering. He worked for the Jacksonville Port Authority, owned and operated the Londonaire Lounge with his father and worked for Daytona International Airport. After moving to North Carolina, Earl worked with his father at Construction and Preventative Maintenance, Inc., owned RED Eagle Contracting, Inc. with his daughters and worked as a consultant for CERmet, Inc. For his nal hoorah, the family opened Armadillo Axe Throwing, Inc. and he was especially proud to be a part of the axe throwing community. Earl was passionate about community involvement and strived to always make sure he gave back in both Florida and in North Carolina. Earl was a lifelong bicyclist and collected armadillos. He loved camping with his family, grilling and the Florida Gators. Earl could build almost anything, x almost anything, and if he couldn’t, he gured out how and always made it happen, especially for his girls. His go to phrase for every milestone, celebration, win, birth and anniversary was “Go Gators!”
Leonard Lauder, philanthropist who globalized family cosmetic
dies at age 92
His Estee Lauder owns Clinique and Aveda, among other brands
By Anne D’Innocenzio
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Leonard Lauder, a renowned philanthropist who expanded the family cosmetics business into a worldwide empire, has died at the age of 92.
Estee Lauders Cos. announced the news in a release on Sunday and said he died on Saturday surrounded by family.
global headquarters in New York and at its stores around the world until the time of his death, the company said.
“Throughout his life, my father worked tirelessly to build and transform the beauty industry, pioneering many of the innovations, trends, and best practices that are foundational to the industry today,” said William P. Lauder, son and chair of the board at The Estée Lauder Companies in a statement. “He was the most charitable man I have ever known, believing that art and education belonged to everyone, and championing the ght against diseases such as Alzheimer’s and breast cancer. ”
Lauder was a longtime patron of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and, in 2013, pledged his 78-piece collection of Cubist art to the museum in the largest single philanthropic gift in the museum’s history. He later added ve major works to that pledged gift, the company said.
Pat loved spending time with her family. She is survived by her sisters, Barbara Mauldin (Phillip), Sandy Anderson (Michael), and her brothers, F. Ray Rummage, Jr. (Penny) and Scott Rummage (Lynn). Many weekends were spent at her mom’s home, lled with jigsaw puzzles, card games, cooking, love, laughter, and just being together.
Pat loved spending time with her family. She is survived by her sisters, Barbara Mauldin (Phil-lip), Sandy Anderson (Michael), and her brothers, F. Ray Rum-mage, Jr. (Penny) and Scott Rum-mage (Lynn). Many weekends were spent at her mom’s home, lled with jigsaw puzzles, card games, cooking, love, laughter, and just being together.
A Celebration of Life reception will be held at the Badin Inn, 107 Spruce St., Badin, North Carolina 28009, on Saturday, August 2 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited to drop by to visit and reminisce with others whom Pat loved so much. In lieu of owers, you are encouraged to make donations to Medi Home Health and Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607 in Pat’s memory.
Online condolences may be shared with the Greene family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Greene family.
A Celebration of Life reception will be held at the Badin Inn, 107 Spruce St., Badin, North Carolina 28009, on Saturday, August 2 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Friends and family are invited to drop by to visit and reminisce with others whom Pat loved so much. In lieu of owers, you are encouraged to make donations to Medi Home Health and Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607 in Pat’s memory. Online condolences may be shared with the Greene family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Greene family.
Earl is survived by his loving wife of almost 55 years, Mary E. (Edie) Rountree Dedmon. After meeting in 1969, they eloped to Beaufort, South Carolina in September of 1970, and started their family in the spring of 1971. Earl and Edie happily de ed all odds over the years to create an incredible family lled with love. Earl loved Edie and his daughters with all of his heart and was extremely proud of them. The legacy he and Edie started is evident in the families that their girls have built. Melissa and D.J., Carrie and Bryan, and Erin and Andy loved Earl as much as he loved them. Earl is also survived by six loving grandchildren; Abigail (Matt), Zachary, Bryce, Lillian (Reagan), Ellison, Annabelle; one great-grandchild, Rosemary and Sunny, his beloved cat. Earl was an incredibly proud father and grandfather who encouraged and supported them in following their dreams.
Earl is also survived by 5 siblings; Karen (Gary), Eric, Steve (Suzanne), Scott, Dena (Joey), his sister-in-law, Kathy (Charlie), brother-in-law Jimmy (Tammy) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Earl will always be remembered for his love of a good time and would say to everyone he met “I’m lookin’ for a party, can you help me out?”
He was a great friend to so many people and we could not have asked for a better husband, father and grandfather and know that his memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him. Flowers are appreciated but if you would rather, donations may be made to the American Heart Association at heart. org or to Breakthrough T1D (American Diabetes Association) at diabetes.org .
Lauder, the oldest son of Estee and Joseph H. Lauder, who founded the company in 1946, formally joined the New York business in 1958. Over more than six decades, Lauder played a key role in transforming the business from a handful of products sold under a single brand in U.S. stores to a multi-brand global giant. He had held the title of chairman emeritus at the time of his death.
Estee Lauder’s products are sold in roughly 150 countries and territories under brand names including Clinique and Aveda, according to the company’s latest annual report. The company generated sales of nearly $16 billion in the scal year ended June 30, 2024, the ling said.
Estee Lauder went public in 1995, but members of Lauder family still have about 84% of the voting power of common stock, according to the latest annual ling.
Lauder served as president of The Estée Lauder Cos. from 1972 to 1995 and as CEO from 1982 through 1999. He was named chairman in 1995 and served in that role through June 2009.
Under his stewardship, Lauder created the company’s rst research and development laboratory, brought in professional management at every level, and was the impetus behind The Estée Lauder Cos.’ international expansion, helping to spearhead the company’s sales and pro ts exponentially, according to the company.
Lauder led the launch of many brands including Aramis, Clinique, and Lab Series, among others. Until his death, he remained deeply involved in the company’s acquisition strategy, including the acquisitions of such brands as Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Jo Malone London and MAC, the company said. During his years as chairman emeritus, Lauder was closely involved in the business and day-to-day operations and was a constant xture at its
In concert with his Cubist collection donation, he helped establish the Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art at the Met to support a program of fellowships, focused exhibitions, and public lectures. He also was the Whitney Museum of American Art’s chairman emeritus and a trustee from 1977 to 2011.
Lauder was married to Evelyn H. Lauder, who had been the senior corporate vice president at the cosmetic company and the founder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, from 1959 until she passed away in 2011.
On Jan. 1, 2015, Lauder married Judy Glickman Lauder, a philanthropist and internationally recognized photographer.
Lauder was born in 1933 in New York City. He was a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science, the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, and the O cer Candidate School of the United States Navy.
Lauder studied at Columbia University’s graduate school of business. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and as a Navy reservist, for which the U.S. Navy Supply Corps Foundation later recognized him with its Distinguished Alumni Award.
In addition to his wife and son William, Lauder is survived by his other son Gary M. Lauder and wife, Laura Lauder; ve grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, many stepchildren and step grandchildren, as well as his brother, Ronald S. Lauder, and wife, Jo Carole Lauder, and their daughters, Aerin Lauder and Jane Lauder.
Patricia Greene January 21, 1951 - June 6, 2025
STEPHEN CHERNIN / AP PHOTO
Leonard Lauder attends a gala launch party in New York in 2010.
STANLY SPORTS
Former Colt-turned-Cincinnati Bengals lineman celebrates 6th year of youth camp
B.J. Hill and 150 participants learned football skills and lessons in life from the 30-year-old NFL veteran
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
HE TURNED 30 in April, but there is much left to do for Stanly native B. J. Hill in his professional football career.
Hill returned this past weekend, as he has the past six years, to host his annual free football camp at West Stanly High School.. The former West Stanly and NC State standout signed a three-year, $33 million extension with Cincinnati in March. The upcoming season will be his
fth with the Bengals and eighth overall after being drafted in the third round by the New York Giants in 2018. Close to 150 children in grades kindergarten through eighth grade went through football drills coached by West high school football players. Hill said it was important for him to come back to town and visit with the kids, both in school and at the camp.
“I just love seeing the kids’ faces. You see their smile, and it puts a big smile on my face every time,” Hill said.
“It’s awesome just seeing these kids each and every year, and you can just see them grow up … seeing them just come through and sit here and we are just coaching football. We teach them more than some football; we talk about life.”
Stanly high schools announce basketball coaching changes
Both West Stanly and North Stanly have new coaches
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
STANLY COUNTY — Two
local high schools revealed they have made coaching changes for their boys’ teams for the upcoming 2025-26 basketball season.
In Oakboro, Brian Bean will be taking over head coaching duties from Dusty P ugner for the Colts varsity team.
Bean was West Stanly’s assistant varsity coach during the
“He’s a hard worker who is in this for the right reasons.”
previous season, as well as the school’s head coach for its junior varsity squad.
“From serving our country, to serving our students, to serving our athletes,” West Stanly said
See COACHES, page B3
Hill also talked about continuing to show the youth what happens when a person works hard for their goals.
“I believe if you put your mind to anything, you work really hard and be consistent, doing the little things, you can go a long ways in life, whether it be football or life in general,” he said. “We gave some of the high school coaches some words to preach to the kids while they were working, like hard work, being consistent. They’re not just learning about football; they’re learning about life.”
Hill said he was excited about his future in the NFL, saying, “I’ve still got a lot of juice in the tank. I’ve still got a while to play, and I’m excited about the future.”
Regarding his age, he said, “I know it comes to an end, but I’ve still got at least ve more years in the game.”
Former Bulldog Garrett nished second in hurdles event at NCAA Championships
Akala Garrett, a state champion at Albemarle, ran for Texas in the NCAA Track and Field championships
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
EUGENE, Oregon — One former Albemarle track and eld state champion competed for her university at the 2025 NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships at the University of Oregon.
Akala Garrett, competing for the University of Texas Longhorns track squad, ran in the 100-meter and 400-meter hurdles this week.
In the 400-meter hurdles, Garrett quali ed for thenals by winning the third semi nal in a time of 55.07 seconds. Her qualifying time was second in the semis to Savannah Sutherland of Michigan, who won the rst semi nal quali er in 54.13.
See GARRETT, page B3
CHARLES CURCIO / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
Former West Stanly and NC State player B.J. Hill speaks to campers at the NFL player’s sixth annual youth camp.
CHARLES CURCIO / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
Former West Stanly basketball coach John Thompson on Brian Bean
COURTESY PHOTO
Former Albemarle women’s track coach LaSonya Collins, left, and Akala Garrett share a moment at this year’s NCAA Track and Field Championships.
Young camper Drake McCormick hits the tackling dummies during a drill at B.J. Hill’s youth football camp
COURTESY WEST STANLY HIGH SCHOOL
Brian Bean is West Stanly’s new varsity boys’ head coach.
The former North Stanly star is coming back from an oblique injury
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect and former North Stanly ace Rhett Lowder is restarting the rehabilitation process following his latest injury.
On June 11, Lowder (forearm/oblique) reported to the Reds’ complex in Goodyear, Arizona, to begin a rehab program for a left oblique strain that occurred a few weeks earlier during his fourth minor league rehab start of the season and his second start for Triple-A Louisville.
The 23-year-old Albemar-
le native was previously recovering from a strained right forearm injury when his rehab assignment was paused after throwing just one pitch in the second inning in a game against the Gwinnett Stripers on May 22. After an MRI later conrmed the oblique injury diagnosis, Cincinnati manager Terry Francona said Lowder — the Reds’ No. 2 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) and seventh overall selection in the 2023 MLB Draft — had an injury that was “fairly signi cant” and that he would be out “for a while.”
The Reds then transferred Lowder from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on June 4, freeing up a spot on the 40-man roster for lefty Wade Miley.
It was originally reported
Feb. 15 that Lowder was being handled with caution in spring training due to a right elbow injury and that he might not be available for the Reds’ rotation by Opening Day — a delay that has continued to extend well into the 2025 season.
At this point, the former Wake Forest standout righthander might not be ready to return to big league action until sometime after the All-Star
break, if the Reds decide to bring him up at all and not hold him out until the 2026 season.
In his six starts on the mound for the Reds during his rookie season last year, he pitched his way to a 1.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 2-2 record, preventing opposing teams from hitting a home run o him in over 30 innings; Lowder did not allow a run in four of his six starts.
Heading into his most re -
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Rhett Lowder throws during a 2024 start. His 2025 season has been curtailed due to injury.
cent rehab assignment start on May 22, he entered with a 0-3 record, 14.21 ERA and 13 hits allowed in 61⁄3 innings at three minor league levels, with opposing batters recording a .394 batting average against him. Lowder will now look to heal up during his current rehab program in Arizona as he prepares to get back into
North baseball pitcher named 2025 2A Player of the Year
Heath Klingensmith was named the 2025 North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association as the 2A Player of the Year.
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
Year honors from the state’s baseball coaching association.
Klingensmith said it was an honor to be named Player of the Year, but added, “This award is about way more than just me. The guys around me made big plays all year and this could not have happened without them.”
Two of Klingensmith’s teammates, senior catcher Zach Lowder and pitcher/in elder
Charlie Shaver, were named to the 2A All-State squad.
The Comets were 26-2 this season, setting a school record while going undefeated in the regular season and winning the Yadkin Valley Conference regular-season title.
“Our team had an unforgettable season,” Klingensmith said. “We had a great group of seniors that led us, and the coaches always put us in a position to succeed.”
North Stanly head coach
Scott Clemmons said Klingensmith “gave us a chance to get a W every time he took the mound. Heath surprised us this year with his bat as well, hitting over .400 for the year. Heath has all the tools to play at the next level and I look forward to seeing what his senior year brings.”
The junior also wanted to give “a huge thanks to everyone in the community that supported us. We are looking forward to doing big things next year.”
CHARLES CURCIO / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
Heath Klingensmith
Van Gisbergen’s emotional win in Mexico City locks him into Cup Series playo s
By Jenna Fryer
The Associated Press
MEXICO CITY — Very little went right for Shane Van Gisbergen in the buildup to NASCAR’s rst international Cup Series points-paying race of the modern era.
A mechanical issue on takeo forced his team charter to abort the initial journey to Mexico City. He arrived at the venue Friday, a day late, and after winning the pole Saturday, the New Zealander fell seriously ill. He was sleeping on the oor of his hauler before Sunday’s race, unsure he’d be able to physically complete the 100-lap event at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
But there’s something special about the Kiwi and new venues, especially in the rain, and he salvaged the weekend by winning on the road course to earn an automatic berth into NASCAR’s Cup Series playo s.
Van Gisbergen led 60 of 100
laps and beat Christopher Bell by 16.567 seconds. “I tried to treat it like when I go to Asia, just drink bot-
tled water and be careful in the shower and brush your teeth with bottled water, but I just went downhill,” Van Gisbergen
said. “Couldn’t keep anything in. Everything just went straight through me. I felt really queasy and my mind was there, but my body just had so much pressure in my stomach. Crazy weekend and everyone dug deep.”
It was the second Cup Series victory of his career. He won in his Cup debut at the inaugural 2023 street course race in Chicago.
Although he had success in the X nity Series — he won three races last year as Trackhouse Racing developed him for a Cup Series ride — Van Gisbergen has struggled this year at NASCAR’s top level. He started the race ranked 33rd in the Cup standings with only one top-10 nish through the rst 15 races of the season. But his victory in Mexico City revived his season and gives him a shot to race for the Cup Series championship.
“It means everything to us; this is why I’m here,” Van Gisbergen said. “I am getting better and more competitive. We’re really making a lot of progress.”
Van Gisbergen celebrated in his traditional rugby-style way — he drop-kicked a signed football into the grandstands and then said he had recovered enough to enjoy “some Red Bulls mixed with adult beverages” later Sunday. Van Gisbergen bene tted from an early pop-up rain shower on the rst lap of the
Kicker Carlson, punter Cole put best feet forward for Las Vegas Raiders
By Mark Anderson
The Associated Press
HENDERSON, Nev. — Neither took the easy path to get here.
But because Daniel Carlson and AJ Cole persevered, the Las Vegas Raiders have perhaps the best kicker-punter duo in the NFL.
Las Vegas showed its appreciation to Cole by signing him late last month to an extension that brie y made him the league’s highest-paid punter.
Now the question is whether the Raiders will show the same kind of appreciation toward Carlson, who enters thenal season of his four-year, $18.4 million deal.
For kickers with at least 85 attempts over the past three seasons, Carlson was fth in conversion rate at 89.3%. His 24 made eld goals from 50 yards and beyond ranked fourth.
For those with at least 30 kicko s last season, Carlson was second in the league in allowing 23 yards per kicko return, just behind the 22.2 average of Greg Zuerlein of the New York Jets.
As a rookie in 2018 for Minnesota, he missed three eld goals — two in overtime — in a 29-29 tie with NFC North rival Green Bay. The Vikings waived him the following day.
Carlson caught on with the then-Oakland Raiders — he’s one of four players left who
played for the team in the Bay Area — and soon began to establish himself as the one of the league’s best kickers. He was a second-team AP All-Pro in 2021 and a rst-teamer the next season.
Cole’s path was di erent, but like Carlson, he became one of the top players at his position when the early odds appeared against him. Cole, who played in college at NC State, also began his NFL career in Oakland, entered minicamp in 2019 hoping just to remain on the roster after those three days.
He wound up beating out Johnny Townsend in training camp.
“I showed up to that minicamp and I really just felt like, ‘This could be it, and I’m going to go into every single one of
these three days and I’m going to get all the juice I can,’” Cole said. “I’ve been trying to keep that same mentality, and I’m just on absolute borrowed time. I enjoy every single day. I don’t think there’s anybody that has more fun at work than I do. It’s just such a blessing.”
Cole has averaged at least 50 yards three of the past four seasons, a feat that only Ryan Stenhouse has matched in league history. He also is third in gross punting average (48.6 yards) and eighth in net average (42.1 yards) since his rst season.
Such production earned Cole rst-team All-Pro in 2021 and 2023. And a contract extension.
Cole was rewarded with a four-year, $15.8 million deal on May 26 that included $11 mil-
Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole participates during a minicamp practice last week.
race because he’s an exceptionally skilled driver on a wet surface. His win at Chicago was in monsoon-like conditions.
Trackhouse now has two of its drivers — Ross Chastain and Van Gisbergen — locked into the playo s. But it was a bit of a disappointment for Daniel Suarez, the Monterrey native who thrilled the hometown crowd with a win in the X nity Series race on Saturday, as he failed to challenge his teammate for the win and nished 19th.
“I wish I was in the mix ghting for it a little more, but it just wasn’t in the cards,” Suarez said. “Every single thing about this weekend exceeded my expectations: the people, the fans, the sponsors, the excitement, the energy.
Suarez, who appeared to be blinking back tears as he sang along with the Mexican national anthem in prerace ceremonies, desperately wanted the home win in this contract year with Trackhouse. He was the face of this event as NASCAR ventured outside the U.S. with its top series for the rst time since 1958.
Bell nished second in a Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. He was followed by Chase Elliott in a Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Alex Bowman, who hurt his back in a crash last week at Michigan, withstood the pain for a fourth-place nish in his Hendrick Chevrolet.
from page B1
Garrett then raced Saturday in the nals and nished second in a time of 54.66 seconds. Sutherland won thenals with a personal-best time of 52.46 seconds, setting a Canadian record in running just the second time ever recorded under 53 seconds.
Garrett also ran in the 100-meter hurdles, nishing second in the second semi nal with a time of 12.93 seconds. She quali ed for the nals, where she was disquali ed for pushing a hurdle with her hand, per the NCAA website. Garrett set four high school 1A state meet records in 2023 as a member of the Bulldogs, winning state titles in all four events. She set records in the 100-meter dash (13.52 seconds), 200-meter dash (24.25 seconds) and the 300-meter intermediate hurdles (40.26 seconds.) She was also the anchor of the 1A championship-winning 4x100 meter relay team with Amari Baldwin, Abigail Clayton and Mary Grace Krol.
lion in guaranteed money. That gave him the distinction of being the NFL’s highest-paid punter, but this week was passed by two other players.
Not that Cole is complaining.
When asked if he planned a major purchase, he said that already had been made before signing the contract.
“All of my plants died, so we just relandscaped our yard,” Cole said. “So I’m really excited that I get to stay here and watch those plants grow up. I don’t know if you guys have bought plants before, but they’re really, really expensive.
“So that was the big-ticket purchase — a couple of new queen palm trees in the backyard and a couple sweet Bay laurels on the side.”
COACHES from page B1
in a June 5 statement. “We are happy to announce that Brian Bean will be taking over as our new head men’s basketball coach! Go Colts!”
Last season, West’s varsity team put together a 10-15 record, while its JV team had a 11-9 record.
“I couldn’t be happier for this guy,” former West Stanly basketball coach John Thompson said of Bean. “He’s a hard worker who is in this for the right reasons. Great role model for those kids and he will do well. Congratulations coach Bean, and Go Colts!”
In New London, North Stanly has made two coaching updates for its Comets teams for the next basketball season.
“We welcome two new basketball coaches to Comet Country,” the North Stanly Booster Club announced on June 12. “Gary Ellington, one of the best in the state, will be an assistant varsity coach this season as well as in the classroom. Sean Moore will be our head junior varsity coach. Great additions to our teams, athletes and school!”
Ellington will coach under George Walker as an assistant for the varsity team; Moore will take over head coaching duties for the JV team, replacing Ethan Conner.
For the 2024-25 campaign, North’s varsity team put together a 22-7 record, while its JV squad had an 8-7 record.
The local high school basketball campaign is set to kick o in mid-November.
GARRETT
FERNANDO LLANO / AP PHOTO
Shane Van Gisbergen celebrates after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Hermanos Rodríguez race track in Mexico City.
The former NC State punter is a key part of Las Vegas’ special teams
JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO
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NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 25CVSNOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION
JOSEPH B. MCMANUS (Unmarried), Plainti ,
JAMES A. PHILLIPS, JR., Guardian, Ad Litem for All Persons, Firms and Corporations, As Well As For All Lien Creditors, Including But Not Limited To Any Defendants Herein Referenced (Male, Female or Fictitious Entity Such As A Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Limited Partnership And The Like) Who Or Which May Be Under A Disability At Law (Including Incompetency, Minority Or Corporate/Company Suspension), As Well As All Persons En Ventre Sa Mere And All Persons, Firms or Corporations Who Or Which May Have Any Contingent, Leasehold Or Future Ownership or Lien Encumbrance Interest, Defendant.
TO: ALL DEFENDANTS HEREINABOVE NAMED OR REFERENCED (EXCEPTING JAMES A. PHILLIPS, JR., GUARDIAN AD LITEM):
TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: To have the Court declare the owner of a “30’ Road and Surrounding Area” as described on Exhibit A hereto on to be the real property of Joseph B. McManus, the Plainti herein, on the basis of his ownership of said realty in accordance with the doctrine of “Adverse Possession” under “Color of Title” in order to “Quiet Title” thereto. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than July 16, 2025, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the
Judge orders managers for late Johnny Winter to pay $226K in damages, alleging theft
The blues legend was ranked the 63rd-best guitar player of all time by Rolling Stone magazine
By Dave Collins The Associated Press
A CONNECTICUT judge has settled a bitter feud over the estate of the late legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter, ordering his managers to pay $226,000 in damages for improper payments they received after his 2014 death and rejecting their claim to the rights to his music.
Relatives of Winter’s late wife, Susan, sued Winter’s manager, Paul Nelson, and his wife, Marion, in 2020, claiming the Nelsons swindled more than $1 million from Winter’s music business. The Nelsons denied the allegations and countersued. They accused the relatives of improperly having Paul Nelson ousted as the bene ciary of Winter’s estate, and they claimed ownership of his music rights.
After a seven-day trial before a judge in January 2024, Judge Trial Referee Charles Lee ruled Friday that the Nelsons received improper payments and made improper withdrawals from Winter’s accounts but rejected claims they committed fraud, mismanagement and breach of contract.
“The court nds that the conduct for which it has awarded the damages set forth above was negligent or at least arguably legitimate,” Lee wrote in a 54 -page decision that also rejected the claims in the Nelsons’ countersuit.
The judge said the Nelsons’ most serious impropriety was withdrawing $112,000 from Winter’s business account and depositing it into one of their own
LEGAL NOTICE
The Budget O cers of The Town of Norwood ABC Board has submitted the Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 beginning July 1, 2026, to the Town of Norwood ABC Board on June 9th. The proposed budget is available for public review at the Norwood ABC Store at 317 North Main Street, Norwood, NC from 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday. A public hearing is scheduled for 6:00pm Thursday June 19th, 2025, to be conducted by the Town of Norwood ABC Board at the Norwood ABC Store, 317 North Main Street, to which the public is invited to o er written or oral comments at that time. Jan Myers Budget O cer
NOTICE
Notice of Meeting Change The New London Town Board Meeting has been changed from Tuesday, July 1st to Tuesday, July 8th at 7:00 pm at the Community Center located at 114 West Gold Street in New London.
Notice To Creditors
Having quali ed as Administrator of the estate of Charlie B Richardson, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this notice is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of said Charlie B Richardson to present them to the undersigned on or before September 14, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.
This the 7th day of June 2025
Kathy G Richardson 4648 Gaddys Ferry Road Norwood, NC 28128
NOTICE
18 and 25, 2025.
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000361-830
Having quali ed as EXECUTOR of the estate of James Claude Melton deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said James Claude Melton to present them to the undersigned on or before Sept. 22, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 16th day of June, 2025 Joyce Melton
Date: May 25, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of: Sheila Diane Kimrey Taylor aka Sheila Diane Taylor File#25E000301-830-Stanly County
Clerk of Superior Court
Date of Death: March 7,2025
Notice is hereby given that Letters For Administration have been issued to the undersigned on May 19th, 2025 in the matter of the estate of Sheila Diane Kimrey Taylor aka Sheila Diane Taylor, Deceased, by the Stanly County Clerk of Court. All persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate are required to present their claims in writing to the undersigned within 90 Days after the date of the rst publication, (May 28, 2025) of this notice, or their claims may be forever barred. Claims should be mailed to: Michelle H. Leonard 6176 Old Shallotte Road Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469
Michelle H. Leonard, Executor of the Estate of Sheila Diane Kimrey Taylor aka Sheila Diane Taylor
accounts in 2019 without listing Susan Winter as a signatory on their account. Susan Winter owned all of her husband’s assets — valued at about $3 million at the time of his death.
Paul Nelson, who managed Johnny Winter’s business from 2005 to 2019 and played guitar in his band, died in March 2024 from a heart attack during a music tour.
Susan Winter died from lung cancer in October 2019. Months before her death, she removed Paul Nelson as her successor trustee to her family trust, which included all of her late husband’s assets. She named her sister and brother, Bonnie and Christopher Warford, from Charlotte, as her new successor trustees, and they sued the Nelsons.
The Nelsons claimed the Warfords took advantage of Susan Winter and had her sign legal documents while she was medicated near the end of her life.
They also alleged the Warfords soured their relationship with Susan Winter with false embez-
NOTICE
The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Virginia Edith Peangatelli late of Stanly County, North Carolina, hereby noti es to all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before September 4, 2025, 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 4th day of June 2025. Lori Ann Waugh, Executor 117 Lincolnshire Street Oxford, Pennsylvania 19363 Jordan Morris McIntyre, Esq. Attorney for Executor Reed & Thompson, PLLC 204 Branchview Dr SE Concord, NC 28025 Estate File No.: 25E000114-830
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000326-830
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Bobby Reid Rushing, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the Estate of said decedent to present them to the undersigned on or before August 12, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 11th day of June, 2025. Executor:
Mary Rushing Stewart Rollirewood Ave. China Grove, NC 28023 (GS 28A-14-1)
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000317-830
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as EXECUTOR of the estate of IDA FAYE POPLIN POPE , deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina. This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said IDA FAYE POPLIN POPE to present them to the undersigned on or before September 4, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 4th day of June , 2025 Lloyd L. Pope 8793 Eddins Poplin Road Norwood, North Carolina 28128 Executor
zlement claims. The Warfords denied those allegations.
The judge ruled that the Warfords were entitled to damages because of improper payments the Nelsons received, including $68,000 in royalty payments from a 2016 auction of Winter’s assets, $69,000 in cash withdrawals, $18,000 in expense reimbursements and $15,000 in other royalty payments. John Dawson Winter III was born and raised in Beaumont, Texas. He burst onto the world blues scene in the 1960s, dazzling crowds with his fast licks while his trademark long, white hair ew about from under his cowboy hat. He and his brother Edgar — both born with albinism — were both renowned musicians.
Rolling Stone magazine listed him as the No. 63 best guitar player of all time in 2015. He released more than two dozen albums and was nominated for several Grammy Awards, winning his rst one posthumously in 2015 for Best Blues Album for “Step Back.”
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000297-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as executor of the estate of Ervin Perry Mauldin, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Ervin Perry Mauldin to present them to the undersigned
INVISION
Heritage Festival at Fair Grounds Racecourse in 2014 in New Orleans.
LIFELIKE DIGITAL Triceratops and Spinosaurus lumbering through a reimagined “Walking with Dinosaurs” and Benson Boone’s sophomore album “American Heart” 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: A documentary on trailblazing NASA astronaut Sally Ride and the third season of “The Gilded Age.”
MOVIES TO STREAM
Cristina Costantini’s documentary “Sally” (streaming on Disney+) richly details the story behind the headlines of the rst American woman to y in space. The portrait of Sally Ride, the trailblazing NASA astronaut, is narrated by her life partner of 27 years, Tam O’Shaughnessy. Her intimate perspective on Ride, along with archival footage and interviews with family and colleagues, captures a fuller backstory to an American icon.
“The Ballad of Wallis Island” (streaming on Peacock) was a standout in the rst half of 2025 but easy to miss. A funny and tender charmer set on the coast of Wales, it’s not a movie screaming for your attention. It stars Tim Key as an isolated widower who uses some of his lottery winnings to hire his favorite band, a folk duo named McGwyer Mortimer (Tom Basden, Carey Mulligan) to play by his rural home. In her review, AP lm writer Lindsey Bahr wrote that the lm feels “like a much-needed balm. Modest in scope and made with the lightest of touch, not unlike the lovely folk songs that populate its soundtrack, it’s also deceptively powerful: A gentle ode to moving on, in quirky packaging.” Net ix tends to bury older lms in its algorithms, but the streamer is hosting a good batch of Alfred Hitchcock movies. This month, it added “Vertigo,” “Rear Window,” “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” “Frenzy,” “The Plot” and “The Birds” to its collection, along with the already-streaming “Psycho.” These are movies often available elsewhere, and there are many other great Hitchcock lms. But a solid sampler pack on Net ix could help bring Hitchcock to some new audiences, and there’s never a bad time to see “Vertigo” for the rst time.
MUSIC TO STREAM
Boone, the “Beautiful Things” singer, will release his sophomore album, “American Heart,” on Friday. Expect big pop -rock ltered through a kind of post-Harry Styles mimicry and 1970s worship. For fans of Queen, ELO and gymnastic pop stars with a penchant for doing back ips on stage. The Los Angeles sister trio HAIM have returned with “I Quit,” 15 tracks of danceable breakup bangers perfect for your summertime sadness. It’s soft rock-pop for the Miu Miu crowd and a sonic cure for seasonal depression. For the indie crowd, the New York-based Hotline TNT have been a fan favorite for their shoegaze-y power pop that appeals to both classic rockers and
those emo pop-punkers who miss the Vans’ Warped Tour. On Friday, the group, led by Will Anderson, will release “Raspberry Moon” via Jack White’s Third Man Records.
SHOWS TO STREAM
In 1999 a series called “Walking with Dinosaurs” premiered in the UK and captivated audiences. Narrated by Kenneth Branagh, it was inspired by “Jurassic Park” and at the time was the most expensive documentary per-minute ever made. Special e ects like CGI and animatronics helped bring the dinosaurs to life. Twenty- ve years later, a reimagined “Walking with Dinosaurs” debuts on PBS in conjunction with the BBC using the latest technology to make the dinosaurs seem
even more lifelike. The six-episode series is now narrated by actor Bertie Carvel. It is available to stream on PBS platforms and its app.
It’s a great week for period pieces. First, Apple TV+’s Gilded Age, girl power series “The Buccaneers” is out for its second season. The soapy period piece features a cast that includes Kristine Froseth, Alisha Boe, Josie Totah and Christina Hendricks. It’s based on an unnished Edith Wharton novel about ve American women in London for debutante season. These women are a contrast to English high society because they’re extroverted and opinionated.
BritBox has the 1930s drama “Outrageous,” based on the true story of the Mitford sisters, six women born into an aristocratic family who made headlines for their personal lives and politics. Bessie Carter, who plays Penelope Featherington on “Bridgerton” plays one of the sisters, Nancy Mitford. “Outrageous” is inspired by a biography that was originally published in 2002. The TV adaptation of the popular YA novel “We Were Liars” is streaming on Prime Video. It follows the a uent Sinclair family who has enough secrets to ll one of their bank accounts. It follows Cadence, one of the granddaughters who pals around all summer with two cousins and a family friend, Gat, and their group of four is known as The Liars.
Another dysfunctional
family is introduced Thursday in Net ix’s “The Waterfront” about the Buckleys, a family of sherman and restaurateurs in North Carolina. Business has been dwindling, and questionable choices are made to stay a oat, keep their secrets and not get caught by authorities.
A third period piece out this week is the third season of “The Gilded Age” and there is a lot to catch up on. Cynthia Nixon’s Ada Forte, now a widower after a very short marriage, has just discovered her late husband left her a fortune. This makes Ada the new matriarch of her family, surpassing her sister Agnes (played by Christine Baranski.) Their niece Marian (Louisa Jacobson) seems to be in the early stages of a courtship with neighbor Larry Russell, whose family’s wealth comes from new money. Created by Julian Fellowes, the new season premieres Sunday on Max.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
The in uence of Disney’s movie “Tron,” with its icy, neon vision of cyberspace, far outweighs the number of people who actually saw it when it came out in 1982. (I know I spent a lot more time playing the arcade game.) We are getting a third movie, “Tron: Ares,” in October — but rst we get a new game, Tron: Catalyst. You are Exo, an advanced computer program in a glitchy electronic world. Check it out on PlayStation 5,
and
“The Ballad of Wallis Island,” left, the documentary “Sally,” center, and the series
ALISTAIR HEAP / FOCUS FEATURES VIA AP
Carey Mulligan, left, and Tom Basden star in “The Ballad of Wallis Island.”
Carrie Coon and Morgan Spector appear in a scene from “The Gilded Age.”
