Trump asks Supreme Court to take up tari s case, reverse ruling nding them illegal
The Trump administration is taking the ght over tari s to the Supreme Court, asking the justices to rule quickly that the president has the power to impose sweeping import taxes under federal law. In an appeal led late Wednesday, the government called on the court to reverse an appeals court ruling that most of President Donald Trump’s tari s were illegal under an emergency powers law. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit left the tari s in place for now. The administration nevertheless called on the high court to intervene quickly, arguing the ruling is harming trade negotiations and international relations.
D.C. lawsuit challenges
Trump’s National Guard deployment as forced “military occupation”
Washington, D.C.
The District of Columbia has sued to stop President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard during his law enforcement intervention in Washington, D.C.. The city’s top legal o cial says the surge of troops amounts to a forced “military occupation.” Brian Schwalb is the district’s elected attorney. He says in the federal lawsuit Thursday that the surge of troops essentially amounts to an “involuntary military occupation” and is an illegal use of the military for domestic law enforcement. The White House said deploying the Guard to protect federal assets and assist law enforcement is within Trump’s authority as president.
LSD shows promise for reducing anxiety in drugmaker study
A midstage study of the psychedelic drug LSD showed positive results for easing symptoms in people with generalized anxiety disorder. The results published Thursday pave the way for additional testing and possible approval of the mind-altering chemical for medical use. Drugmaker Mindmed says it is conducting follow-up research in hopes of applying for Food and Drug Administration approval. The company’s work is part of a resurgence of interest in the medical potential of psychedelics. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and other Trump o cials have suggested accelerating review of the drugs for veterans.
North Stanly instructor re ects on educational trip to Netherlands
Ron George examined the Dutch school system
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — North Stanly High School instructor Ron George shared insights from a professional development trip he took to the Netherlands between June 17-28 at Tuesday night’s Stanly County Board of Education meeting,
Albemarle receives multiple utility awards from ElectriCities
ElectriCities CEO Roy Jones presented the honors to city o cials
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — ElectriCities, a nonpro t group of municipally owned electric utilities, recently honored Albemarle with an economic development award and four public power provider awards. At the Albemarle City Council’s meeting on Tuesday night, ElectriCities CEO
George, the 2023-24 Stanly County Schools Teacher of the Year for his work teaching civics, traveled as the district’s representative on a program funded by the Hayes Charitable Trust. His trip was organized through Go Global NC, a nonpro t that connects North Carolina educators with international learning experiences so they can study education systems abroad. On Tuesday, George told the
Roy Jones began his presentation with the organization’s Innovation in Economic Development Award that was given to Albemarle for its Downtown Catalyst Grant Program.
“With this rst award, this is a brand new one that we just started as we look across our membership and identify things that we think are really innovative in economic development,” Jones said. “The team looked at Albemarle and what you are doing with your Downtown Catalyst
Tce coastal legislator seeks the GOP nomination in the swing congressional district
The Associated Press POWELLS POINT — A coastal North Carolina legislator announced his bid on Wednesday for a U.S. House seat next year, looking to unseat Democratic incumbent Don Davis in what is currently the state’s only swing congressional district.
State Sen. Bobby Hanig of Currituck County said he would seek the Republican nomination for the sprawling 1st Congressional District, which covers 22 counties from the northern Outer Banks to the Raleigh metro area’s outskirts.
Davis and Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson, also a Republican, have already led federal candidate paperwork for the 1st District seat in 2026. The o cial state election ling period is in December, with primaries set for early March.
Republicans currently hold
10 of North Carolina’s 14 U.S. House seats, with the 1st District seat the only other one for which the GOP has been competitive. The November 2026 outcome will be watched closely given Republicans’ narrow U.S. House majority and e orts in other states to redraw congressional maps to favor one major party or the other.
Hanig, who was initially elected to the state House in 2018 before moving to the Senate in 2022, highlighted his support for President Donald Trump’s policies and his legislative record with his entry.
“I’m a proven leader who has always been a erce advocate for my constituents and our shared values and beliefs,” Hanig said in a news release. “I will continue that ght when I get to Washington.”
Davis, himself a former state senator, won the 1st District seat in 2022 by defeating Republican Sandy Smith and earned a second term last fall over Republican Laurie Buckhout by less than 2 percentage points.
Roberson, who lost the GOP nomination to Smith in 2022,
“I’m a proven leader who has always been a erce advocate for my constituents and our shared values and beliefs.”
State Sen. Bobby Hanig
reported to the Federal Election Commission raising nearly $2.3 million for his campaign committee in the second quarter, of which $2 million came from his personal funds.
Hanig, a business owner and former Currituck County commissioner chairman, is perhaps best known at the Legislative Building for wearing colorful and striking suit jackets.
Hanig clashed with state Senate GOP leaders this year while opposing their e orts to ban inshore and coastal shoreline shrimp trawling. The legislation petered out in the House after shrimp industry members and their allies rallied in Raleigh against it.
Here’s
Sept. 9
Sept. 10
Sept. 11
Sept. 13
Downtown Second Saturday Event
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Local businesses come together to o er family-friendly festivities, including creative food options, games, face painting, live music and special shopping discounts to mark the occasion.
124 W. Main St. Albemarle
THE CONVERSATION
Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
Ideas for the next GOP reconciliation bill
The GOP can expand health savings accounts (HSAs) to millions more Americans.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S One Big Beautiful Bill changed the future and delivered historic tax cuts for American households and businesses. Hold onto your hats because there will soon be two more reconciliation bills to reduce and reform spending while reducing taxes on all Americans.
The Big Beautiful Bill was huge. Now families can plan decades into the future when they work, save and invest. Businesses can hire, increase salaries and wages, and invest in new plants and equipment with certainty in the tax rules governing their decisions.
Life in America can and will get better for workers, families and job creators.
But there is more to come.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senate Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) have both said reconciliation will be used by the Republican Congress and Trump to further bring down overspending and to reduce job-killing taxes, this fall and probably again next spring. What will those changes be? Here are some of the reforms that Trump and Republican lawmakers have supported in the recent past and that have broad public support.
End taxation of in ation
Today when you sell your home, farm, small business or stocks, you pay taxes not just on the increased value you created but also on the in ation that Joe Biden attached to the “price” of your home/farm/investments. The Biden in ation made every dollar worth 20% less.
If you are old enough, you will also be paying capital gains taxes on the in ation given to us by Jimmy Carter.
In ation is created by the government and then taxed by the government. Killing the in ation tax can be done by a Treasury rule but should be buttressed by being passed as a law in reconciliation.
Expansion of Health Savings Accounts
The GOP can expand Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to millions more Americans. HSAs introduce competition into health care since the dollars in the accounts are controlled by households. They are incentivized to shop
around, putting downward pressure on prices. HSAs o er several key bene ts: choice, portability and cost savings. Workers can choose the providers and treatments that work best for them, rather than being locked into narrow insurance networks. The One Big Beautiful Bill made great strides in expanding HSAs, setting the stage for more expansive reforms in upcoming bills.
Potential reforms include allowing seniors eligible for Medicare Part A to contribute to an HSA, allowing HSA funds to go toward quali ed tness expenses, increasing HSA contribution limits and simplifying rules around HSA contributions. In particular, rolling back laws that bar rolling over unused Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) balances into an HSA, bar HSA participation if one’s spouse has an FSA, and bar married couples from making catch-up contributions to the same HSA.
Fix capital gains penalty on mutual funds
Under current law, 120 million Americans invested in mutual funds pay capital gains taxes on the distributions of their fund even if they are fully reinvested and the investors do not receive them.
The GROWTH Act, introduced by Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) would instead defer capital gains taxes on the growth in mutual funds until shares are actually sold by investors, similar to the existing tax treatment of ETFs. Passing the GROWTH Act would promote economic growth, increase investment and allow households to better save for their retirement.
End double taxation of Americans working abroad
Trump campaigned on ending the double taxation of American citizens living abroad.
The U.S. is one of the few countries that taxes their citizens on worldwide income, regardless of where they live. This places American citizens working overseas at a disadvantage compared to expatriates from other countries, as it is substantially more expensive for a business to hire an American worker. This undermines U.S.
The Barbarians within
The only thing that matters is the destruction of the West
THIS WEEK, anti-American and pro-Hamas advocates gathered in Detroit at a “People’s Conference for Palestine.” There, they expressed radical solidarity with terrorism, celebrated the achievements of Hamas and denigrated the United States. “The average American will never understand the plight of the Palestinian person because the state of Israel is a carbon copy of the United States,” said one speaker. “And, therefore, the thing to do is to destroy the idea of America in Americans’ heads so that they can see the humanity of everybody outside the warping of American exceptionalism and imperialism and all these evil things.” Points for honesty. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) also showed up to express her raging hatred against the West. “They thought they could kill us, rape us, imprison us, violently uproot us from our olive tree farms, starve our children to death, and we would disappear,” she intoned. “Well, guess what? Now we’re in Congress.”
Putting aside Tlaib’s obvious lies — the only genocidal force in the Israeli-Arab con ict is Israel’s enemies — she is right about one thing: the Barbarians have entered Congress. As I write in my new book, “Lions and Scavengers,”
“The Barbarian is an outsider to Western civilization who believes that all of his own
maladies and ills can be laid at the feet of the ‘colonizers’ of the West. In fact, the Barbarian argues, only violence against his purported victimizers can free him of the servile mentality that these very colonizers have instilled in him. ... The Barbarians never posit a moral justi cation for the destruction of the Western order at their hands. They never explain just how, for example, a Palestinian state is somehow a burgeoning wellspring of human rights, or how an America without American values would make the world a better place. The only thing that matters is the destruction of the West -- for in that destruction lies the supposed reclamation of the Barbarian identity.”
And herein lies the reality of the West’s decline: We have ushered in the Barbarians. We have done so out of a misguided sense of guilt; we have done so because we have swallowed whole the lie that those who are successful are exploitative, and those who are unsuccessful are inherently victimized. We have opened our doors to those who despise our civilization, and who seek to tear it down out of a sense of envy and grievance. The West has not merely gone soft on the scavengers who would destroy it; we have allowed them to cultivate an entire generation of our children. According to a new Harvard-Harris poll, some 60% of
economic interests in terms of job creation and increasing exports.
Eliminate 10-11% federal excise tax on rearms
There should not be a federal tax on the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. How many Americans are unable to protect themselves and their families because the right to self-defense is heavily taxed? We do not and should not have taxes aimed at the First Amendment with a federal tax on newspaper subscriptions, and likewise, there should not be a federal tax on the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.
Reduce other federal excise taxes
Let states have such taxes if they must. These are taxes on middle class Americans. Let the states build and pay for roads. Some federal excise taxes were imposed to pay for an “emergency” and never went away. For example, the 1898 Spanish-American War tax on telephones when only “rich” households had phones.
The last vestige of this 3% federal excise tax is still in place, and it applies to the local portion of a landline phone bill. You might be surprised to learn that in Pennsylvania, for example, 47% of households still have a landline phone. That’s 5 million people. They should not have to pay a tax for a war that ended over a century ago. Currently, the swamp simply pockets the tax money from this ancient “temporary” phone tax and puts it into the general fund. Repeal it. It’s a tax that annoys households that see it on their bill each month.
The federal government imposes steep excise taxes on beer, wine, spirits and tobacco. Every American can do the math to see how a reduction in those taxes would leave them more dollars in their wallet each week.
The target list for tax reduction and elimination is long. We have one more bite at the apple this fall and again in the spring.
Suggestions welcome.
Grover Norquist is president of Americans for Tax Reform.
Americans aged 18-24 favor Hamas — not the Palestinians, Hamas — over Israel. That’s not because young Americans know a thing about the Israel-Hamas con ict. It’s because they have bought wholesale the notion that the civilization that has given them everything is uniquely horrifying, and that the only way to expiate that horror is to join those who would destroy the civilization.
Now perhaps they will grow out of all of this. They’re not the rst generation of Americans to turn against the country, only to age out of their ignorance and stupidity as reality took hold. But older generations didn’t have to grapple with a social media infrastructure that celebrates ignorance and performative breast-beating over understanding and moral clarity; older generations still had some leaders in the idea space willing to speak hard truths rather than perform for clicks.
The real question, then, isn’t whether the Barbarians can threaten the existing order. It’s whether we turn over our own children to them, sowing the seeds of our destruction. And that question has yet to be answered.
Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and co-founder of Daily Wire+.
COLUMN | GROVER NORQUIST
COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO
obituaries
obituaries
Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani dead at 91
Steve Ray Drye
Aug. 13, 1949 – Aug. 30, 2025
Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye
April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023
Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.
Steve Ray Drye, age 76, of Mountain Home, Tennessee, formerly of Albemarle, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center in Mountain Home, Tennessee, surrounded by his loving family.
Dwight Farmer
Drayton Lendell Smith Jr.
January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023
Dec. 22, 1936 – Aug. 31, 2025
Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.
Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor. Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Gar eld.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle, followed by a funeral service at 1 p.m. in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel, o ciated by Pastor Ron Lo in. Burial will follow at Stanly Gardens of Memory.
Born on August 13, 1949, in Stanly County, Steve was the son of the late Willard Heath Drye and Marcelle Hinson Page, and J.D. Page (Stepfather). He was a 1968 graduate of Albemarle High School and a proud U.S. Army veteran, having served in Vietnam with honor and distinction. Following his military service, Steve earned a degree in Criminal Justice and dedicated his career to helping others through his work with the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention at the Stonewall Jackson Youth Development Center.
Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.
Steve is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Kathy Padgett Drye; his children, Michael Drye (Jennifer) and Crystal Robinson (Richard); grandchildren, Katelyn, Hailey, Sarah, Jean, Jakob, and Noah; great-grandchildren, Malakai and Madeline; brother, Wayne Drye; sister, Joyce Osborn (Ken); as well as two nephews, one niece, and countless friends who felt like family.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Judy Drye.
A man of great faith, Steve lived with compassion and humility. He had a special gift for connecting with others, and those who met him often became lifelong friends. He was an amateur astronomer who loved gazing at the night sky, always nding wonder in the stars. Whether through his work, his church, or simple daily conversations, Steve touched many lives and will be remembered for his gentle spirit, generosity, and unwavering kindness.
In lieu of owers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Stroke Association, in honor of Steve’s memory and the challenges he faced with courage and grace.
The Drye family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the sta of the VA Medical Center in Johnson City for their compassionate care and support during Steve’s declining health. Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Drye family.
Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran.
Drayton Lendell Smith Jr., 88, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at Spring Arbor. His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Central United Methodist Church in Albemarle, with visitation to follow in the fellowship hall. Rev. Dr. David Blankenberg will o ciate.
He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheri ’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.
Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.
He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.
Born December 22, 1936, in Albemarle, NC, Lendell was the son of the late\ Drayton Lendell Smith Sr. and Ruby Smith. He graduated from North Carolina State with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and was a lifelong, passionate Wolfpack fan. Lendell served in the United States Army Reserve and was activated during the Berlin Crisis. Lendell worked his entire career for the City of Albemarle and retired as the Director of Public Works, where his leadership and high standards left a lasting impact on the community he loved. He was awarded the Samuel Greeley Award by the American Public Works Association for his long and faithful service with the City of Albemarle.
He was preceded in death by his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty. Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.
Lendell will be remembered by his family as a man of strong values and quiet strength. Family, friends and caregivers have described him as sweet, kind, and deeply appreciative. His grandchildren lovingly recalled him as always spending time with them.
Lendell had a lifelong passion for the outdoors, books, history, and sports, particularly tennis and golf. Yet, he also had a soft heart, cherishing his role as a husband, father, and grandfather above all else. His love for his church and his family was the foundation of his life. A devoted member of Central United Methodist Church, he lived a life grounded in faith, integrity, and service. He served Central United Methodist Church as Treasurer for many years, as Church Historian, as a member of the Administrative Board and in many other capacities. In addition, he served a number of years on the Stanly County Historical Society Board. Lendell had a great love for all animals and in particular for his dogs.
Lendell is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Peggie Lisk Smith; two sons, David and wife Kecia of Albemarle, and Doug and wife Joy of Roswell, GA; and ve beloved grandchildren, Drayton and wife Lauren, Sheldon, Savannah, Reid and Grant.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com
Those wishing to honor Lendell’s memory may send memorials to Central United Methodist Church or Tillery Compassionate Care (Hospice)
James Roseboro
By Colleen Barry The Associated Press
June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023
James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.
MILAN — Giorgio Armani, the iconic Italian designer who turned the concept of understated elegance into a multibillion-dollar fashion empire, has died, his fashion house conrmed. He was 91.
Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.
Armani died at home, the fashion house said. Armani, one of the most recognizable names and faces in the global fashion industry, missed Milan Fashion Week in June 2025 for the rst time during the previews of Spring-Summer 2026 menswear to recover from an undisclosed condition.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.
He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.
He was planning a major event to celebrate 50 years of his signature Giorgio Armani fashion house during Milan Fashion Week this month.
Armani, who maintained a rm grip on his empire and collections until the end, had been reluctant to discuss succession but had announced a foundation as a succession tool to avoid his businesses being split up.
He also indicated the creative succession to Leo Dell’Orco and his niece Silvana Armani, who have headed the menswear and womenswear collections, respectively, for all Armani collections: Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and Armani Exchange.
Starting with an unlined jacket, a simple pair of pants and an urban palette, Armani put Italian ready-to-wear style on the international fashion map in the late 1970s, creating an instantly recognizable relaxed silhouette that has propelled the fashion house for half a century.
Darrick Baldwin
January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023
From the executive o ce to the Hollywood screen, Armani dressed the rich and famous in classic tailored styles, fashioned in super-soft fabrics and muted tones. His handsome black tie out ts and glittering evening gowns often stole the show on award season red carpets.
Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.
At the time of his death, Armani had put together an empire worth more than $10 billion, which along with clothing included accessories, home furnishings, perfumes, cosmetics, books, owers and even chocolates, ranking him in the world’s top 200 billionaires, according to Forbes.
He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.
He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.
He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.
The designer also owned several bars, clubs, restaurants and his own basketball team, EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, better known as Olympia Milano. Armani opened more than than 20 restaurants from Milan to Tokyo since 1998 and two hotels, one in Dubai in 2009 and another in Milan in 2010.
Armani himself was the foundation of his style
Armani style began with Giorgio Armani himself, from the penetrating blue eyes
community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.
framed in a permanent tan and early-age shock of silver hair, to the trademark jeans and T-shirt work clothes and the minimalist decoration of his private homes. Armani’s fashion vision was that of easygoing elegance where attention to detail made the di erence.
When John purchased his rst Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!
“I design for real people. There is no virtue whatsoever in creating clothes and accessories that are not practical,” he liked to say when asked to identify his clientele.
October 11, 1944 - January 10,
Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away ghting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.
The 1980 lm classic “American Gigolo” launched both Armani and actor Richard Gere on their Hollywood careers. Dressed in Armani, Gere became America’s new favorite heart throb, and “Geeorgeeo,” as they called him, the glam set’s most popular designer.
The Hollywood connection earned him wardrobe lm credits in more than 200 lms, and in 2003 a place on Rodeo Drive’s “Walk of Fame.”
In conversation, the designer’s disarming smile and exquisitely mild manners belied the tough businessman underneath, who was able to turn creative talent into a fashion empire worth more than $10 billion. Never a merger nor a sale, Re Giorgio (King George), as the Italians call him, was always his own boss.
At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily. While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.
Born July 11, 1934, in Piacenza, a small town south of Milan, Armani dreamed of becoming a doctor before a part-time job as a window decorator in a Milan department store opened his eyes to the world of fashion.
John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level.
In 1975, Armani and his partner Sergio Galeotti sold their Volkswagen for $10,000 to start up their own menswear ready-to-wear label. Womenswear followed a year later.
This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men.
The symbol of his new style was the liningless sports jacket, which was launched in the late 1970s and became an instant success from Hollywood to Wall Street. The designer paired the jacket with a simple T-shirt, an item of clothing he termed “the alpha and omega of the fashion alphabet.”
Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC. Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.
Oscar night always sparkled, with smart suiting for the men, and glittering gowns for the ladies. The 2009 best actor winner Sean Penn picked up his statue in a black-on-black Armani out t, while best actress nominee Anne Hathaway walked the red carpet in a shimmering white strapless evening gown from Armani’s latest Prive couture collection.
Other longtime devotees included Jodie Foster, George Clooney, So a Loren and Brad Pitt. David and Victoria Beckham were the “face” of his 2009 underwear ad campaign.
So signi cant was the impact of Armani style, not only on how people dressed but how they approached fashion, that in 2000 New York’s Guggenheim museum presented a retrospective of Armani’s rst 25 years in fashion.
Doris was a gentle and sweet spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left you feeling uplifted after talking with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was sel ess, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.
“I love things that age well, things that don’t date and become living examples of the absolute best,” Armani said of his e orts.
John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Rich eld, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; ve great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.
The Armani suit soon became a must in the closet of the well-heeled man. And for women, the introduction of the pantsuit in the executive workroom was all but revolutionary. Dubbed the “power suit” with its shoulder-padded jacket and man-tailored trousers, it became the trademark of the rising class of businesswomen in the 1980s.
Over the years Armani would soften the look with delicate detailing, luxurious fabrics and brighter shades for his basic beige and gray palette. His insistence on pants and jackets led some critics to label his fashion “androgynous.”
She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, out ts for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.
Today, the Armani empire has an army of more than 9,000 employees, with women comprising half of the executive suite, along with seven industrial hubs and more than 600 stores worldwide, according to gures released in 2023. Along with clothes and accessories, the company produces perfumes, cosmetics and home furnishings, as well as selling its own candy, owers and even books. The designer opened his fth multibrand store on New York’s fashionable Fifth Avenue in February 2009.
Personally involved in several charity organizations devoted to children and a staunch supporter of the battle against AIDS, in 2002 Armani was named a U.N. goodwill ambassador for refugees.
Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.
The fashion icon built an empire from understated elegance
Armani hits Hollywood
LUCA BRUNO / AP PHOTO
Designer Giorgio Armani, centre, poses with models at the end of his women’s 2019 Spring-Summer collection, unveiled during the Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.
American Eagle soars as teen clothing retailer embraces Sydney Sweeney frenzy
Shares spiked 31% after as the controversial campaign draws new customers
By Michelle Chapman The Associated Press
SHARES OF AMERICAN Eagle Out tters spiked 31% at the opening bell Thursday after the teen clothing retailer said the frenzy surrounding its Sydney Sweeney ad campaign drew new customers during its most recent quarter.
American Eagle rolled out its new ad campaign starring 27-year-old actor over the summer. The fall denim campaign sparked a debate about race, Western beauty standard, and the backlash to “woke” American politics and culture.
Negative reactions centered on ads that used the word “genes” instead of “jeans” featuring the blonde-haired, blue-eyed actor known for the HBO series “Euphoria” and “White Lotus.”
But American Eagle did get noticed, executives said late Wednesday in a call after the Pittsburgh retailer posted second quarter earnings.
“We saw a record-breaking new customer acquisition and brand awareness cutting across age, demographics and genders,” said CEO Jay Schottenstein.
school board that his recent experience o ered valuable comparisons between Dutch schools — all funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Education, Culture and Science — and their American counterparts.
According to international rankings, the Netherlands places third worldwide in education, compared to 31st for the United States.
“This was one of the truly most amazing professional development opportunities of my life,” George said. “I assure you there are some things they do well, but I can also assure you there are lots of things we do well. One of the comments from someone from the Ministry of Education was that they are now starting to travel to the United States to see what we’re doing because of some of the issues that they have.”
George emphasized the
Tra c built up throughout the second quarter and continued into August, he said.
The company now expects comparable-store sales to rise by low single-digit percentages in the third and fourth quarters. The company withdrew its outlook for the year this spring citing volatility from the chaotic global economic situation. But it said Wednesday that same-store sales should be at this year with the bump.
American Eagle said the
“This was one of the truly most amazing professional development opportunities of my life.”
Ron George, North Stanly High School teacher
autonomy of Dutch schools, which are funded by the government but run independently.
He noted they resemble American charter schools, with parents, teachers and administrators guiding operations rather than school boards or central o ces. Funding is not linked to test scores, teacher pay is higher and schools set aside daily time for student mentoring.
While the Netherlands sets broad educational targets, individual schools decide curriculum, schedules, budgets and sta ng. Teacher collaboration
plays a central role, with subject-area educators meeting annually to determine what should be taught.
Students in the Netherlands also face high-stakes testing at age 12, which helps determine their path through secondary school; a nal exam at the end of secondary education dictates university placement.
George found that Dutch schools do not provide lunch programs, sports teams or transportation. Instead, parents pack meals, students join private sports clubs, and children often rely on bicycles or public transit to get to school.
“There are no school boards, there are no school districts, there is no central o ce,” George said. “Their schools are totally autonomous. They get state funding, and every school is funded, including religious schools. In fact, it would be a violation of their constitution if they didn’t
campaign was always about its clothing and not race when responding to criticism. A month later, retail rival The Gap put out its own ad featuring girl group KATSEYE. That campaign was praised for being inclusive.
American Eagle did say that its brand also bene tted from a new ad campaign featuring newly engaged NFL star Travis Kelce.
Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, wrote that the frenzy around the Sweeney campaign is something of a “tempest in a teacup.”
“While it generated strong reactions, it ultimately had no serious detrimental impact on sales,” he said. “Indeed, guidance for the second half points to improved momentum, supported by both the denim marketing and the ongoing Travis Kelce partnership.”
And attention from the Sweeney campaign doesn’t seem to have hurt the brand.
“Regardless of the merits of the collaborations, making more noise is exactly what American Eagle needs to do to cut through and regain ground among consumers for whom it has slipped o the radar, Saunders explained.
For the second quarter, American Eagle’s revenue dipped 1% to $1.28 billion.
Chief Marketing O cer Craig Brommers said Wednesday that the Sweeney ad campaign will continue.
“Sydney will be part of our team as we get into the back half of the year, and we’ll be introducing new elements of the campaign as we continue forward,” he said.
The company’s stock jumped more than 24% in premarket trading.
Shares of American Eagle Out tters Inc. are up 6% this year with the latest surge.
fund private religious schools.”
He also noticed some common challenges between the two nations, including declining reading and math scores tied to student apathy, cellphone distractions and the lingering effects of COVID-19.
“I think people get a misconception of the Netherlands and America, where one’s good and one’s bad, this and that. But it’s very di erent,” said George, pointing out that public school transportation and meal programs are essentials that would be di cult for U.S. schools to do without.
“They have their system and they have their problems and their struggles, and we have different struggles here in Stanly County.”
The Stanly County Board of Education will hold its next regular meeting on Oct. 7 at 6:15 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.
Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@ stanlynewsjournal. com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon
Mem ber FDIC
TRIP from page A1
TED SHAFFREY / AP PHOTO
The “Sydney Sweeney has great jeans” ad campaign is on display at an American Eagle Out tters store in the American Dream shopping mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Aug. 26.
Ecuador gangs Los Lobos and Los Choneros join Tren de Aragua
By Matthew Lee, Regina Garcia Cano and Jacquelyn Martin The Associated Press
QUITO, Ecuador — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the United States is designating two Ecuadorian gangs as foreign terrorist organizations in the Trump administration’s latest move against cartels.
The announcement came as Rubio traveled to Ecuador to meet with its leaders in a trip to Latin America this week that has been overshadowed by a U.S. military strike against a similarly designated gang, Tren de Aragua, that has raised concerns in the region about whether the Trump administration will step up military activity to combat drug tra cking and illegal migration.
The two new designees, Los Lobos and Los Choneros, are Ecuadorian gangs blamed for much of the violence that began since the COVID-19 pandemic. The designation, Rubio said, brings “all sorts of options” for the U.S. government to work in conjunction with the government of Ecuador to crack down on these groups.
That includes the ability to kill them as well as take action against the properties and banking accounts in the U.S. for the group’s members and people with ties to the criminal organizations, Rubio said, adding it would also help with intelligence sharing.
Rubio called them “these vicious animals, these terrorists”
Rubio’s meetings in Quito on Thursday follow talks a day earlier with Mexican leaders that were overshadowed by the U.S. military strike on suspected Tren de Aragua drug runners in the southern Caribbean.
The Trump administration asserts that it targeted a Venezuelan drug-running ship crewed by members of Tren de Aragua. U.S. o cials say the vessel’s cargo was intended for the United States and that the strike killed 11 people.
Rubio defended the action and o ered no justi cation other than to say the boat posed an “immediate threat” to the U.S. and that Trump opted to “blow it up” rather than follow what had been standard procedure to stop and board, arrest the crew and seize any contraband on board.
“Interdiction doesn’t work,” Rubio said Wednesday. “Instead of interdicting it, on the president’s orders, we blew it up. And it’ll happen again. Maybe
from the United States. U.S. of-
cials have said they would like to secure an agreement with Ecuador that would have it accept such deportees, but the status of negotiations with Quito was not clear.
it’s happening right now, I don’t know, but the point is the president of the United States is going to wage war on narco-terrorist organizations.”
The strike got a mixed reaction from leaders around Latin America, where the U.S. history of military intervention and gunboat diplomacy is still fresh. Many, like o cials in Mexico, were careful not to outright condemn the attack but stressed the importance of protecting national sovereignty and warning that expanded U.S. military involvement might actually back re.
Mexico Foreign A airs Secretary Ramón de la Fuente, speaking to reporters alongside Rubio, emphasized his country’s preference for “nonintervention, peaceful solution of con icts.”
Ecuador has its own issues with narcotics tra cking and also has been looked to by the Trump administration as a possible destination to deport non-Ecuadorian migrants
Ecuador’s president, Daniel Noboa, on Thursday thanked Rubio for the U.S. e orts to “actually eliminate any terrorist threat.” Before their meeting, Rubio had said on social media that the U.S. and Ecuador are “aligned as key partners on ending illegal immigration and combatting transnational crime and terrorism.”
The latest U.N. World Drug Report says various countries in South America, including Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, reported larger cocaine seizures in 2022 than in 2021, but it does not give Venezuela the outsize role that the White House has in recent months.
“The impact of increased cocaine tra cking has been felt in Ecuador in particular, which has seen a wave of lethal violence in recent years linked to both local and transnational crime groups, most notably from Mexico and the Balkan countries,” the report says.
Violence has skyrocketed in Ecuador since the COVID-19 pandemic, as drug tra ckers expanded operations in the coun-
try and took advantage of the nation’s banana industry.
The South American country is the world’s largest exporter of bananas, shipping about 7.2 million tons a year by sea. Trafckers nd containers lled with bananas the perfect vehicle to smuggle their product.
In addition, cartels from Mexico, Colombia and the Balkans have settled in Ecuador because it uses the U.S. dollar and has weak laws and institutions, along with a network of long-established, ruthless
gangs that are eager for work. Ecuador also gained prominence in the global cocaine trade after political changes in Colombia last decade. Coca bush elds in Colombia have been moving closer to the border with Ecuador due to the breakup of criminal groups after the 2016 demobilization of the rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, better known by its Spanish acronym FARC. Rubio is also visiting the Andean country to argue against its close ties and reliance on China.
JACQUELYN MARTIN / AP PHOTO Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa talks to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the presidential palace in Quito, Ecuador.
Federal judge denies injunction for Jordan’s 23XI Racing in NASCAR antitrust case
Teams can continue racing but without chartered status ahead of the trial
By Jenna Fryer
The Associated Press
CHARLOTTE — A federal judge on Wednesday denied two teams — one owned by NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan — a preliminary injunction in their antitrust suit against NASCAR to be recognized as chartered teams for the remainder of the season.
Judge Kenneth Bell of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina said there was no reason to issue 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports the injunction because NASCAR last Friday vowed not to sell the six charters the teams previously held until the end of the legal battle.
Bell has repeatedly said he doesn’t want to rule on the likelihood of one side prevailing over the other, and reiterated that Wednesday.
“As the Court noted at the hearing on this motion, the Court believes that it is best not to provide its forecast of the Plainti s’ likelihood of success on the merits, and thereby potentially bias the jury pool, unless it is necessary to do so, which is not here,” Bell wrote.
He also cautioned on what the landscape of NASCAR may look like if the case is not settled before trial.
“The uncertainty about what the 2026 season will look like unfortunately exists not just for the Parties, but for the other teams, drivers, crews, sponsors, broadcasters, and most regrettably, the fans,” he wrote.
NASCAR in a statement said the ruling “brings much-needed clarity to the remainder of the 2025 NASCAR season.
“For nearly 80 years, NASCAR and the France family have championed a bold vision by taking many personal and nancial risks to build a sport that fuels livelihoods, inspires generations, and delivers world-class competition,” NASCAR said. “That commitment remains unwavering, and we will continue to defend the integrity of NASCAR and preserve the values that have guided its growth.
“To the fans: We won’t let this lawsuit distract from what matters most — delivering the unforgettable moments you’ve come to expect from our great sport and
crowning the next NASCAR Cup Series champion on November 2.”
Trial is set for Dec. 1.
“With trial in this matter now less than three months away and the season on its proverbial last laps, NASCAR has agreed to extend those representations, in material e ect,” Bell wrote in denying the motion for a preliminary injunction.
“This will e ectively maintain the status quo pending a nal decision on the merits and any permanent injunctive relief following trial (that is, Plainti s will be able to race and disputed Charters will not be sold or otherwise transferred.”
Je rey Kessler, attorney for the teams suing NASCAR, wasn’t necessarily disappointed by the ruling.
“We are grateful that Judge Bell has made clear that the status quo is being maintained — protecting my clients’ rights to regain their charters if they prevail at trial and ensuring their ability to continue racing through the 2025 season based on NASCAR’s commitments,” Kessler said. “Equally important, Judge
Bell rea rmed his broad power to order meaningful changes in NASCAR should we succeed, so that teams, drivers, sponsors, and fans can bene t from a sport positioned for long-term growth and restored competition.
“We are ready to present our case at trial in December.”
23XI Racing, the team owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, are suing NASCAR over antitrust claims regarding the charter system. A charter is the equivalent of a franchise and guarantees chartered cars both a spot in the 40-car eld each week, as well as a signi cantly larger chunk of payouts.
NASCAR last September, after more than two years of contentious negotiations, presented teams with its nal o er on charter extensions; 13 organization signed the agreements, but 23XI and Front Row refused.
The two teams initially won a preliminary injunction to be recognized as chartered for this season until a jury verdict on the
“The uncertainty about what the 2026 season will look like unfortunately exists not just for the Parties, but for the other teams, drivers, crews, sponsors, broadcasters, and most regrettably, the fans.”
Judge Kenneth Bell
antitrust allegations. That was overturned, and 23XI and FRM are currently competing as “open” teams. NASCAR wants the money back the teams were paid during the portion of the season they were chartered.
The teams also have appealed to have the chartered status reinstated, but NASCAR argued in court last week it has an interested buyer for one of the six charters previously held by 23XI and FRM, and it plans to immediately begin redistributing the char-
Conservative news network Newsmax les antitrust lawsuit against Fox News
The company alleges its news rival uses intimidation to sti e competition
By David Bauder The Associated Press
NEW YORK — The conservative news network Newsmax led an antitrust lawsuit against Fox News on Wednesday, saying Fox has sought to maintain its market dominance through intimidation and exclusionary business practices designed to sti e competition.
Fox has sought to block television distributors from carrying Newsmax or minimize its exposure, pressured guests not to appear on the rival network and hired private detectives to investigate Newsmax executives, said the lawsuit, led in U.S. District Court in south Florida. Newsmax seeks a jury trial.
Fox, in a statement, said “Newsmax cannot sue their way out of their own competitive failures in the marketplace to chase headlines simply because they can’t attract viewers.”
Newsmax, which has operated since 2014, is attacking Fox News at perhaps its most popular point: the cable network’s opinion programming has consistently beaten broadcast networks ABC, CBS and NBC in prime
time over the summer months. Its rivals pointed at a series of hardball business tactics in the complex world of television distribution. Fox’s success enables it to charge distributors “outsized” fees to carry the net-
work, and it tries to force distributors either not to carry competitors who seek access to conservative viewers or make it hard to nd them.
Fox has also tried to deliberately block Newsmax from grow-
ing platforms like Hulu, Sling and Fubo, the complaint alleged. “Fox’s behavior represents a textbook abuse of monopoly power,” said Newsmax lawyer Michael J. Guzman. “The law is clear: competition, not coer-
ters. NASCAR backtracked after Thursday’s hearing, and a ruling on the preliminary injunction is expected to come from Bell this week.
NASCAR maintains that in holding o on redistributing charters, 23XI and FRM are no longer in danger of su ering irreparable harm. The teams countered Tuesday the threat still exists “because of the risk of breach claims from their irreplaceable drivers and loss of sponsors in the absence of charter rights.”
Tyler Reddick of 23XI has a clause in his contract that says the team would be in breach if his Toyota is not chartered. Je rey Kessler, the attorney for the two teams, indicated in court that Reddick has noti ed 23XI it is in breach.
Bell wrote in his Wednesday decision that “the loss of the ‘ xed’ Charter payouts and the uncertainty of ongoing relationships with drivers and sponsors can either be compensated with money damages at trial or is simply inherent in the risks associated with the lawsuit.”
“Fox’s behavior represents a textbook abuse of monopoly power.”
Michael J. Guzman, Newsmax lawyer
cion, should decide what news channels Americans can watch. By leveraging its must-have status, Fox has blocked new voices, suppressed consumer choice, and extracted excess pro ts.”
The lawsuit alleges Fox used an agency to set up social media accounts that attacked Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy, and hired private detectives to investigate Newsmax executives.
“Since the inception of Newsmax’s cable channel, Newsmax has faced threats and smear intimidation tactics to hurt or undermine the company and its executives,” the lawsuit said.
When Newsmax confronted Fox regarding anti-competitive conduct, Fox News responded, “welcome to the big leagues,” the lawsuit said.
Newsmax has never approached Fox News in ratings power, but court papers in lawsuits following the 2020 election revealed that Fox executives became greatly concerned that its rival would take advantage of viewer dissatisfaction following President Donald Trump’s election loss.
“Fox may have pro ted from exclusionary tactics and intimidation tactics for years, but those days are over,” Ruddy said in a statement.
BUTCH DILL / AP PHOTO
Bob Jenkins, owner of Front Row Motorsports, and Michael Jordan, co-owner of 23XI Racing, pose before a NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega on Oct. 6, 2024.
SETH
AWARDS from page A1
Grant Program like bringing in $2.5 million with the public-private partnership and nding innovative ways to really start revitalizing downtown.”
Launched in 2022, the program was established through a public-private partnership between the City of Albemarle, Uwharrie Bank and the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation.
The program aims to spur redevelopment and economic growth in the Downtown Municipal Service District by offering eligible businesses up to $50,000 in grants for building stabilization and interior upgrades.
In its most recent year, it helped leverage more than $1.5 million in private investment as a return on the initial grant funding.
“It brings back jobs, that vibrant downtown feel and it creates jobs downtown,” Jones said of the program.
He then presented Albemarle with four ElectriCities Public Power Awards of Excellence, highlighting the city’s commitment to outstanding electric service to the community.
“As we look each year across the three states — Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina — and look at our individual members and what they’re doing to advance and support the strategic plan and the community, I’m very pleased to say tonight that Albemarle has been awarded in four categories,” Jones said.
Albemarle received the Future-Focused Award for introducing a new utility billing system that supports an online customer portal with real-time usage monitoring,
account management and payment options.
The city also took home the Strengthen Public Power Award for communication efforts that emphasize the nancial value of public power as a nonpro t system.
Albemarle was given the Customer-Centered Innovation Award for adopting the Daupler outage reporting system, which sends instant noti cations to eld crews and helps them quickly identify and respond to a ected areas.
Lastly, the city won the People Award for its compensation adjustment plan, which has helped attract experienced electric sta and retain skilled employees.
The Albemarle City Council is set to hold its next regular meeting on Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
GOLF TOURNAMENT
We are holding our Annual Birdie Benefit where golf enthusiasts and amateurs alike come together to enjoy a day of friendly competition and camaraderie to benefit Tillery Compassionate Care.
ElectriCities CEO Roy Jones poses next to Albemarle utility workers during a Sept. 2 city council meeting.
STANLY SPORTS
Pfei er women’s soccer aims for improvement
The Falcons were 3-12 last season
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
MISENHEIMER — The Pfei er women’s soccer team is aiming for its rst winning season since 2019 as the Falcons enter Year 3 under coach Acasio Roche III. The team has a record of 5-26-2 with only one USA
South Athletic Conference victory across the past two seasons.
Last week, the Falcons (0-1) opened the 2025 season with a 2-0 nonconference home loss to Averett (1-0) at Lefko-Mills Field in Miseheimer. Falcons senior Kaylee Ollis made four saves in goal for the Falcons.
Averett’s Isobel Evans put her team up 1-0 in the third minute o a rebound and later set up Gianna Minafo’s goal in the 49th minute to provide more
padding in the Cougars’ win.
Pfei er is now set to face Piedmont on Saturday before hosting Bob Jones on Tuesday followed by Shaw on Friday. With votes cast by the league’s head coaches, the USA South recently released its annual preseason poll for the conference’s women’s soccer teams, and Pfei er placed ninth out of 10 teams with 17 points.
Defending regular-season champion Brevard, which went 8-0-1 in conference play
last year, was voted the preseason favorite, collecting 77 total points and ve of the 10 rst-place votes.
Southern Virginia followed in second with 71 points and three rst-place votes. Methodist was slotted third with 69 points, while Greensboro (57), Meredith (50), N.C Wesleyan (37), Mary Baldwin (30), William Peace (29) and Salem (13) rounded out the poll.
“Since the rst conference women’s soccer preseason poll in 2003, the program picked to capture the title has done so just nine times,” the USA South said in a release. “Conversely, the team picked second has won the conference championship seven times, including the past two seasons.”
“Since the rst conference women’s soccer preseason poll in 2003, the program picked to capture the title has done so just nine times.” USA South Athletic Conference
Conference play will begin for Pfei er on Sept. 23 at home versus William Peace, followed by a visit from Greensboro four days later. The Falcons have nine USA South matchups between now and Oct. 29.
The USA South Tournament will include the league’s top six teams. First-round matches are scheduled for Nov. 1, with seminals Nov. 5 and the championship Nov. 8.
West Stanly senior Payton Watson makes an acrobatic play in Wednesday’s road game at Southwestern Randolph.
West Stanly volleyball jumps to early conference lead
The Colts are aiming for their seventh consecutive conference title
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
OAKBORO — Over three weeks into the high school volleyball season, the West Stanly Colts have emerged yet again as one of the top teams in the Rocky River Conference.
Following up a 25-3 season where they were 12-0 in conference play and advanced to the fourth round of the state play-
offs, the Colts have picked up where they left off, starting the 2025 campaign with an 8-2 record and a first-place spot in the RRC standings at 4-0. The team is chasing its seventh straight RRC crown, as well as its rst under coach Alyssa Goforth. On Wednesday night, West Stanly dropped a nonconference road match at Southwestern Randolph, falling in the deciding set of a 3-2 loss to the Cougars (5-5) that ended the Colts’ four-game winning streak.
Prior to that loss, the Colts had not surrendered a single set in the previous four matchups with South Stanly, CATA, Parkwood and Monroe during thenal week of August.
Looking to bounce back from the loss, West traveled to winless Forest Hills on Thursday for a conference matchup with the Yellow Jackets. The Colts are scheduled to host Mount Pleasant on Tuesday before heading to Anson next Thursday.
The latter contest provides the Colts with an opportunity to pick up a game on the second-place Bearcats in the
RRC standings. Parkwood, Mount Pleasant, CATA, Forest Hills and Monroe currently round out the third- through seventh-place spots in the conference. So far, the 2025 Colts have been led by a group of older players in senior Saylor Edwards (84 kills, 11 blocks), senior Scarlet Gri n (23 aces, 187 assists) and junior Georgia Mo tt (89 digs). Among all returning players in the state’s 4A classi cation, Edwards entered this season 10th in kills (179) and 22nd in blocks (38) based on last sea-
son’s statistics, while Gri n was ranked rst in assists (821) and 18th in digs (249). Rounding out Stanly County’s volleyball programs this season are the North Stanly Comets (3-7, 0-1 Yadkin Valley), Gray Stone Day Knights (3-4), South Stanly Rowdy Rebel Bulls (3-6) and Albemarle Bulldogs (2-1), marking the Colts as the clear top contender in the county as the halfway mark of the season approaches. The Colts will head to New London to play the Comets on Sept. 15 and then travel to Misenheimer on Sept. 22 to face the Knights.
COURTESY PFEIFFER ATHLETICS
Pfei er senior goalkeeper Kaylee Ollis braces for a shot from the Averett Cougars on Aug. 29.
COURTESY NFHS NETWORK
Tennis’ unwritten rules — and why postmatch handshakes sometimes go awry at US Open
This year’s tournament has seen plenty of postmatch drama
By Howard Fendrich
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — There’s been a lot of talk about the unwritten rules of tennis during Week 1 of this U.S. Open, whether it’s the necessity of a “sorry, not sorry” raised hand after a let cord or the proper way to warm up with an opponent or the legitimacy of an underarm serve.
Another part of the game drawing attention — thanks to players’ complaints about each of the above — is the postmatch greeting at the net, which usually involves shaking hands and, sometimes, a hug or kisses on the cheek. It would seem to be a simple act of sportsmanship, but every so often, it ends up going awry.
Not every contest in every sport displays that sort of civility, but it is an entrenched ritual in tennis, from kids starting out to the pros, even if the word “handshake” never appears in the 61-page Grand Slam rule book.
“You do it in the juniors. You do it your whole life. It’s part of the fabric of our sport,” said Brad Gilbert, a former player and coach who is part of ESPN’s cast in New York.
“You’ve got to win with class,” he said, “and lose with dignity.” Townsend-Ostapenko back-and-forth at U.S. Open drew scrutiny
Chris Evert, who won 18 majors in the 1970s and ’80s, said: “I never had a bad moment at the net with anyone.”
That’s hardly the case for everyone — as a few episodes at the U.S. Open showed.
Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion from Latvia, got into a dustup with Taylor Townsend, the No. 1-ranked doubles player from the U.S., after clasping hands following Townsend’s victory.
Instead of going their separate ways, the athletes exchanged words, with Ostapenko pointing a nger at Townsend and saying she has “no education” — something Ostapenko apologized for Saturday via social media, explaining she meant to accuse Townsend of poor tennis etiquette. Ostapenko was upset Townsend didn’t apologize after a ball hit the net tape and
went over (that’s not actually a rule) and started their warmup with volleys instead of groundstrokes (not a rule, either).
“It was,” Venus Williams said, ”a lot of drama.”
U.S. Open handshake between Tsitsipas, Altmaier didn’t go well
Last Thursday, another net encounter went badly when the loser, two-time Slam nalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, let the winner, Daniel Altmaier, know he hadn’t appreciated an underarm serve — which is allowed.
Rather than engage, Altmaier turned his back on Tsitsipas.
Then, on Saturday, two players — Jaume Munar and Zizou Bergs — got into a postmatch set-to over grunting.
“In the heat of the moment, you can stay stu which you (wouldn’t) normally ... say (and) you regret afterward,” Altmaier said, adding that he’s not a fan of “discussions at the net.” Neither is 20th-seeded Jiri Lehecka, who thinks con icts are better resolved “in the locker room, behind closed doors,” instead of in front of a crowd and TV audience.
No one wants to eliminate tennis handshakes after to - dos at U.S. Open
No one wants to see this tradition go away, although two -time major semi nalist Maria Sakkari knows there are “going to be incidents where people don’t like each other.”
“We are ... from di erent
Gau , right, and Ajla
embrace across the net after Gau won their match during the rst round of the U.S. Open.
“You’ve got to win with class, and lose with dignity.”
Brad Gilbert
countries, di erent cultures,” Sakkari said. “It’s normal that two people are going to fall out.”
And not only after a match. Gilbert nearly came to blows during what he called “a big ti ” with David Wheaton at the 1990 Grand Slam Cup before an o cial separated them. Wheaton was upset about an overrule; things escalated from there.
“Got pretty heated,” Gilbert said, “but afterward, we still shook hands.”
FRANK FRANKLIN II / AP PHOTO
Coco
Tomljanovic, left,
A.J. Butler
Albemarle, football
A.J. Butler is a sophomore running back on the Albemarle football team.
Butler and the run game has the Bulldogs o to a 2-0 start. He scored
on runs of 41 and 19 yards in a win over North Wake. He is averaging 104.5 yards per game to lead the Yadkin Valley and ranks ninth in class 2A. His two touchdowns a week are second in the league and 12th in 2A.
Heels, Belichick drop their drawers
The legendary coach violated one of the cornerstones of his philosophy
By Shawn Krest Stanly News Journal
WE ALL HAVE A drawer. It’s the place where we need to place all the things — big and small — that might distract us. We then close that drawer and forget about what’s in there until our goals our accomplished.
Then, and only then, we can open our drawer and deal with all the things we stowed away.
The drawer is a major pillar of Bill Belichick’s coaching philosophy. He’s written about it in books on coaching and leadership. He’s preached it to his players.
“He’d bring up this drawer four or ve times like after Week 14,” former Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman said. “Like, ‘All right, put it all in the drawer. You gotta go out and do this. We all understand you have bills, taxes. Let’s just put it in the drawer and we’ll worry about that after the season.’”
Spending some of your newfound NFL salary on luxury items? Not during the season. Put that car, jewelry or boat brochure in the drawer. Endorsement deals? Contract issues? Personal business? It all goes in the drawer.
It’s why one of the phrases that pops up most often when searching Belichick’s name is “laser focus.” Another is “doesn’t want to talk about.” Belichick, in football mode, is completely dedicated to poring over lm for the one minor key that will give him an edge. He’s better at it and more consumed with it than other coaches, which is saying a lot, given the level of obsession displayed by many in the profession. Once, Belichick was asked about the “big news from the weekend.” He responded with a blank look. When told that Colts Pro Bowl quarterback Andrew Luck retired, he replied, “I didn’t see that, but I don’t really follow them.” Luck’s in the drawer with the rest of the break-
ing news on the ESPN crawl.
When Donald Trump mentioned Belichick in a speech the day before his rst inauguration, the coach was asked if he had a reaction.
“Not really just — we’ve got a big game.” The president goes in the drawer with the CNN breaking news crawl.
Hit TV shows or movies? Doesn’t watch. Doesn’t care. In the drawer.
Taylor Swift comes to town for a concert? Welcome to the drawer.
“I don’t really know anything about tickets. I’m really focused on trying to get our team ready to play.”
TikTok, Twitter and Instagram drama?
“I don’t really know or care anything about social media. I don’t even know what’s out there or isn’t out there, so that’s irrelevant to me. It doesn’t matter. We played football before there was social media, and it didn’t matter then, either.”
This is the Bill Belichick that won six Super Bowls. It’s the one the Tar Heels thought they were hiring. They thought they were getting the “forsaking all others” focus. They thought they were getting the drawer.
That’s not who showed up in Chapel Hill.
Since his hire in December, nothing has gone in the drawer. It’s on the dining room table, the nightstand, piled up in stacks around a room looking like a hoarder’s house.
Consider, in the 10 days leading up to his rst game as a college coach, Belichick:
• Sold his beach house in Nantucket
• Signed a deal with Hulu to do a documentary on his team
• Applied for trademarks to produce jewlery and other merch bearing phrases like “Gold Digger,” “Chapel Bill,” “Belestrator” and “The Belichick Way.”
Comedian and movie star Kevin Hart told a story of being invited into the Patriots’ headquarters by Rob Gronkowski.
“I’m like, ‘Rob, I don’t think this is a good idea for me to go in,’” Hart said. “The rst person I see when I walk in is Bill Be-
Newmark makes shift from racing exec to UNC’s athletic director-in-waiting
The former racing team president will take over Tar Heel sports in 2026
By Aaron Beard
The Associated Press
CHAPEL HILL — Steve Newmark has spent years working in a sport de ned by speed.
Maybe that will have the former NASCAR racing team president prepared for the rapidly shifting landscape of college sports as UNC’s designated next athletic director.
The school announced its succession plan in July, hiring Newmark away from RFK Racing for a transitionary position before becoming Bubba Cunningham’s successor in 2026. Newmark started working alongside Cunningham this month as an executive associate AD, giving him the better part of a year to study the intricacies and quirks of overseeing a power
conference athletics program.
“We were joking,” Newmark said of Cunningham, “some of it is just me following Bubba around and learning the ropes here.”
And yet, Newmark’s status as an outsider is exactly why he’s here at this particular moment.
UNC has touted the Chapel Hill native’s experience in sponsorships, marketing and contract negotiations after his 15-year run as president of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing. That announcement came the same day as the o cial start of revenue sharing following the $2.8 billion House antitrust settlement, clearing the way for schools to share up to about $20.5 million with their athletes in Year 1.
Starting a transition plan
Paying for all that — along with facing issues for the 28-sport program — will be Newmark’s responsibility by next summer.
Cunningham, UNC’s AD since late 2011, said the two had conversations going back to last summer about di ering approaches to generating revenue between auto racing and college sports, particularly with things changing so quickly in the latter since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cunningham described it as “an ongoing conversation,” leading to Newmark working on an advisory committee in the hiring of Bill Belichick as football coach in December before ultimately being named Cunningham’s successor.
“He and I shared the passion for what we were doing and where it was headed,” Cunningham said. “And then thinking about, all right, I’ve got two years left on a contract, I’m ready to do something else, how do we make this transition work for Carolina?
“He’s a perfect t for us right now. There wasn’t anything too magical to it. It was just kind of taking time over a developing re-
“He’s a perfect t for us right now.”
Bubba Cunningham, UNC AD
lationship between the two of us, and the thought of: ‘How do we continue to get better?’” Added Newmark: “I don’t think when we started the discussions that that was the objective. I wasn’t looking to leave RFK Racing. I really enjoyed it there.”
Mulling new revenue streams
Rather, Newmark said, he looked at moving to UNC as an opportunity to use his own professional sports experience in a college world looking more prolike by the day — or hour, for that matter.
Newmark said he’ll spend the
lichick. He’s walking this way. (I say,) ‘Hey Bill, what’s up?’ This mother-(expletive) didn’t speak, didn’t shake my hand. I said, ‘Oh, they serious up in here.’” Hart didn’t realize it at the time, but he was in the drawer. Contrast that with opening night at UNC, when enough celebrities to hold the ESPYs were on hand. There were folks with a connection to UNC: Michael Jordan, LT, Mia Hamm; with a connection to Belichick: Randy Moss, and ones who just wanted to be there, apparently, like Blake Snell and Aaron Boone.
There’s nothing wrong with selling property, signing media deals, cashing in on endorsement opportunities or hobnobbing with celebs. It’s just that there’s a time for that. And a drawer for that. And it’s not being used. And it shows.
“Each week, get ready to go for that week, do the best you can to help your team win, and after that game move on to the next one,” Belichick once said. “And at the end of the season, that’s the end of the season. But on a week-to-week basis, I don’t want to spend time or get caught up in what happened ve years ago, or what’s going to happen two years from now, and a bunch of other random stu . … I’m committed to the team that I’m coaching right now, the players that are here. They deserve my best every day, and that’s what I’m going to give them.”
That’s what the Tar Heels thought they were getting. They’ll have to decide if it’s what they got.
coming months looking at options for generating additional revenues in the long term. And it doesn’t take long to connect his history in auto racing — where sponsors turn cars into high-prole advertising for their brand — to the possibilities.
That’s of particular interest in Chapel Hill, where the school long refused to allow advertising in major athletics venues until roughly two decades ago. Yet now, UNC joins schools across the country in mulling options such as selling naming rights to venues, eld sponsorships or even jersey patches.
“I think it may have been something that would’ve been a shock to the system 20 years ago, but I think everybody has seen the evolution of sports,” Newmark said. “And collegiate athletics is clearly not on the leading edge of doing that. If you look at professional sports, they’ve been much more aggressive in integrating brands and properties.”
Still, Newmark stopped short of planning to replicate those adheavy racing looks in that trademark shade of light blue.
“Well, I have committed to several donors that I promise we won’t look like a NASCAR driver’s re suit,” he quipped.
CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick, left, his son, Steve Belicheck, right, the defensive coordinator, watch in the closing minutes of the second half of the 48-14 loss to TCU.
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NORTH CAROLINA UTILITIES COMMISSION A. Shonta Dunston, Chief Clerk
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS
PBS, NPR stations struggle with Trump-fueled government funding cuts
Emergency fundraising e orts show strong support from viewers
By David Bauder
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Coping with a sudden loss in federal funding, PBS a liate KSPS in Spokane, Washington, faced a surprise extra hurdle. Many of its contributing members — at one point almost half — lived in Canada, and they were withdrawing support out of anger at President Donald Trump’s desire to make the country the 51st member of the United States.
When Congress decided this summer to eliminate $1.1 billion allocated to public broadcasting, it left some 330 PBS and 246 NPR stations, each with unique issues related to their communities and history, to gure out what that means.
Many launched emergency fund drives and are heartened by the response. The national NPR and PBS networks are reducing expected dues payments, and a philanthropic effort focused on the hardest-hit stations is taking shape. No stations have shut down, but job and programming cuts are already beginning.
In Spokane, KSPS has always tried to keep its requests for member donations separate from appeals for public funding. Not anymore. Congress left the station with a $1.2 million hole to ll, about 18% of its budget, and the station is using that as a pretext to seek help from listeners.
“We have de nitely seen some attrition from our Canadian members,” said Skyler Reep, the station’s interim general manager.
Pleas for donations exceed expectations in many parts of country
Long suspicious of a liberal bent to public media news coverage, Republicans in Congress responded to President Donald Trump’s wishes in July and eliminated funding for the systems. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which distributes the funding, has taken steps to shut down.
In some parts of the country, the answer to pleas for help have exceeded expectations. Public radio station WHQR in Wilmington raised more than $200,000 in three days, lling a $174,000 hole and then some. It’s a small community growing fast with an in ux of retirees, many who depend on the station’s news to learn about their new home, said general manager Kevin Crane.
With $525,000 gone from its budget, Hawaii Public Radio has already raised $650,000 in an emergency fund drive. “It’s a validation that what you’re doing is essential to the community and is appreciated by the community,” said Meredith Artley, president and CEO. The 2023 wildres in Maui and their aftermath were covered steadily by Hawaii Public Radio news reporters.
“The initial response in terms of support for both stations and
the NPR network has been extraordinary,” said Katherine Maher, NPR president. “People did a lot of work leading up to the vote, in actions and calls. When that did not prove convincing, they turned to direct support.” Stations across the country have stories that make them smile: the youngster from Florida who collected money for public stations in Alaska, sending a note written in crayon; the regular $300 donor who came in to PBS SoCal with a $100,000 check, one of three six- gure donations the station has received.
Most stations aren’t in areas with so many wealthy donors. Most station managers are like Je Hanks of PBS’s LPTV in Lakeland, Minnesota. He lies awake wondering where he will nd $1 million to pay for things like his station’s nightly newscast, a primary news source for central and northern Minnesota.
“These are extremely, extremely challenging times,” Hanks said. “We’re ghting hard every way we can.”
He knows membership donations won’t make up for what is missing. Both PBS and NPR have taken steps to reduce the annual dues that stations pay for programming and other services. At PBS, it’s an average 15% reduction, but needy stations get more — in one case, more than half of next year’s dues will be forgiven, said PBS president Paula Kerger.
Adopting stations in poorer, more rural areas
NPR is encouraging donors in wealthier areas to adopt stations in poorer ones, perhaps in an area where a contributor has emotional ties.
Public media leaders are also working with a group of philanthropists led by the Knight and
MacArthur foundations that is hoping to raise some $50 million to support stations in areas hardest hit be the cuts. Ed Ulman, president and CEO of Alaska Public Media, which represents nearly two dozen radio and television stations in the largest state, said he’ll be seeking money from this fund.
Ulman said he’s been buoyed by the response from Alaskans in their e ort to raise $15 million through various sources by October. The services their stations provide is free, and citizens see its value.
“I’ve never been worried about the future of public television or radio because our community needs us,” he said, “and what we’ve seen in Alaska is an outcry about that.”
Still, Alaska Public Media has suspended the weekly public affairs television show “Alaska Insight,” which isn’t returning after a summer hiatus. The future of “Indie Alaska,” a weekly video series highlighting the lives of Alaskans, is also in danger.
Some stations are already making the di cult decisions of cutting sta , In Spokane, for example, 12 of KSPS’s 35 sta members have either been laid o , had their hours reduced or seen their pay cut. Reep is also considering that future seasons of local shows like “Northwest Pro les” or the arts showcase “Inland Sessions” will have fewer episodes. Similar programming decisions are also being weighed on a national level. While several upcoming shows, like Ken Burns’ six-part miniseries “The American Revolution” scheduled for November, are completed, PBS will have to consider making shorter seasons of its series, Kerger said.
“We’re working very hard so that the public doesn’t feel that there’s a change,” Kerger said. Looking for ways to share services
Between an increase in donations and “rainy day” resources set aside, the initial impact of the government action may be minimized. But that brings its own worries: It’s unlikely public media will be able to count on sympathy donors to the same extent in the future. And there’s a risk that some politicians will feel the response proves that public support isn’t necessary.
The bigger reckoning may come a year from now, Kerger said. “I am a realist,” she said. “I have to believe that there are some vulnerable stations that are not going to make it.”
The crisis is forcing some public stations to work together, searching for ways to share services in areas not before contemplated, in things like nances, management and programming, said Andy Russell, president and CEO of PBS SoCal. Public stations in Washington are meeting to see if they can get statenancing.
In Los Angeles, PBS SoCal has shared some of its templates for fundraising appeals with other stations. Several celebrities — people like Kerry Washington, Jack Black, Ziggy Marley, John Lithgow and John Leguizamo — have volunteered to lm pitches, and the station is making them available nationwide too, said Maura Daly Phinney, senior vice president for membership engagement and strategy.
“We’re going to make it,” Phinney said. “The system is going to be di erent. But we’re going to make it.”
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The
is to notify all persons, rms or corporations having claims against said decedent or her estate to present the same duly itemized and veri ed to the undersigned Executor or his Attorney on or before the 24th day of November, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their
WILLY SANJUAN / INVISION / AP
Paula Kerger, president and CEO at PBS, speaks at the executive session during the PBS Winter 2020 TCA Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena in Pasadena, California.
ARMANDO FRANCA / AP PHOTO
Katherine Maher gestures during a speech opening the technology conference in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023.
famous birthdays this week
Sonny Rollins is 95, Gloria Gaynor turns 82, Bernie Sander hits 84, Maria Muldaur turns 82
The Associated Press
THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.
SEPT. 7
Jazz musician Sonny Rollins is 95. Singer Gloria Gaynor is 82. Actor Julie Kavner is 75. Rock singer Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders) is 74. Actor Corbin Bernsen is 71. Actor Michael Emerson is 71. Evan Rachel Wood is 38.
SEPT. 8
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), is 84. Civil rights activist Ruby Bridges is 71. Singer Aimee Mann is 65. Alternative country singer Neko Case is 55. TV-radio personality Kennedy is 53. Singer-songwriter Pink is 46.
SEPT. 9
Singer Dee Dee Sharp is 80. Former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann is 76. Actor Hugh Grant is 65. Actor Adam Sandler is 59. Pop-jazz singer Michael Bublé is 50. Actor Michelle Williams is 45.
SEPT. 10
Scientist-author Jared Diamond is 88. Singer José Feliciano is 80. Rock musician Joe Perry (Aerosmith) is 75. Film director Chris Columbus is 67. Rapper Big Daddy Kane is 57. Film director Guy Ritchie is 57. Actor Ryan Phillippe is 51.
SEPT. 11
Composer Arvo Pärt is 90. Film director Brian De Palma is 85. Singer-actor-dancer Lola Falana is 83. Musician Mickey Hart is 82. Guitarist Leo Kottke is 80. Actor Amy Madigan is 75. Actor Virginia Madsen is 64. Singer Harry Connick Jr. is 58.
SEPT. 12
STEPHANIE SCARBROUGH / AP PHOTO
Former Washington
quarterback Joe Theismann acknowledges the crowd before an NFL game against the New York Giants in 2023.
The Hall of Famer turns 76 on Tuesday.
Actor Evan Rachel Wood attends the premiere of “Weird: The Al Yankovic
Brooklyn
95 on Sunday.
Kitsch’s
in
‘The Terminal List’ character gets origin story in ‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’
Real military veterans worked as advisers on the series
By Alicia Rancilio
The Associated Press
TAYLOR KITSCH’S character ends up a villain in 2022’s Chris Pratt-led series, “The Terminal List,” and in a new series, viewers learn how he got that way.
“The Terminal List: Dark Wolf,” now streaming on Prime Video, is set about ve years before the original show. Kitsch plays Ben Edwards, a Navy SEAL deployed to Iraq who is assigned to train local soldiers. He feels a deep loyalty to his comrades but begins to question some of the decisions made above him.
“Hopefully we can keep swinging,” said Pratt, who describes Carr as “a workhorse” with “no shortage of source material.”
Kitsch was intrigued to dive back in when he heard Carr and “Terminal List” co-creator and showrunner David DiGilio wanted to do more with his character.
“Anytime you get a call where it’s like, ‘Hey, we would love to do a full season and go way deeper into the psyche of the character you built, I mean of course, I was all ears,” said Kitsch.
How to watch “The Terminal List: Dark Wolf”
echelon of like a Jack Reacher or a Jack Ryan. There can be multiple iterations of this character over time. He now lives in the ethos of one of the greatest American badass heroes.” Who else stars?
Besides Kitsch and Pratt, the show also features Luke Hemsworth and Tom Hopper.
Actor Linda Gray is 85. Singer Maria Muldaur is 82. Author Michael Ondaatje is 82. Actor Joe Pantoliano is 74. Photographer Nan Goldin is 72. Composer Hans Zimmer is 68. TV host-commentator Greg Gutfeld is 61. Actor-comedian Louis C.K. is 58. Basketball Hall of Famer Yao Ming is 45. SEPT. 13
“I take the utmost pride to be authentic and rooted in Ben,” Kitsch said in a recent interview, “but there’s a dark side to service.”
Prime Video is invested in “The Terminal List” universe.
Actor Barbara Bain is 94. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Óscar Arias is 85. Rock singer David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat & Tears) is 84. Actor Jacqueline Bisset is 81. Singer Peter Cetera is 81. Actor Jean Smart is 74. Olympic gold medal sprinter Michael Johnson is 58. Fashion designer Stella McCartney is 54.
Brittany Mahomes, NFL, Donald Trump among those praising Swift, Kelce’s engagement
Some well-wishers may come as a surprise
The Associated Press
TAYLOR SWIFT AND Travis Kelce’s engagement following a two-year romance was swiftly praised by stars from the entertainment and sports worlds, British royalty and even the U.S. president.
“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” the couple announced in an Instagram post last Tuesday.
The couple took the spotlight after Kelce, a star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and Super Bowl champion, made a public appeal on his podcast, “New Heights,” two years ago, expressing a desire to meet the superstar singer.
The engagement post has amassed more than 14 million likes in just a couple hours, liked by scores of public gures, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, “Glee” star Lea Michele, and actors Nikki Glaser and Molly Shannon. Jenny Han, the author behind “The Summer I Turned Pretty,”
“I wish them a lot of luck. I think he’s a great player, and he’s a great guy, and I think she’s a terri c person.”
President Donald Trump
which notably relies on Swift’s music throughout the Amazon Prime show, also liked the post. Here are some celebrity reactions to the couple’s engagement.
Donald Trump
“I wish them a lot of luck. I think he’s a great player, and he’s a great guy, and I think she’s a terri c person,” Trump said when informed of the engagement during a multi-hour cabinet meeting. The president has at times been critical of Swift.
National Football League
“Congratulations to Travis and Taylor” — on X.
Iga Swiatek
“Obviously she had a lot of
Production is underway on a second season starring Pratt, and there are plans for more “Dark Wolf” — and perhaps standalone lms. The franchise is based on novels by former SEAL Jack Carr, who is also a creator and executive producer on its shows.
The rst four episodes of “The Terminal List: Dark Wolf” are now streaming on Prime Video. A new episode will drop weekly on Wednesdays. Thenale streams Sept. 24.
Where “Terminal List” got its start
In “The Terminal List,” Pratt plays James Reece, a Navy SEAL lieutenant commander who goes on a quest for vengeance after his platoon is ambushed.
“I love playing James Reese,” said Pratt. “But also I think James Reese is reaching that
“What’s so great about an origin story is we see the doors that these guys walk through and where it takes them,” said Hopper. “I think about that in my life, I look back on my life and go, ‘Oh, if I hadn’t walked through that door, then that would never have happened. I wouldn’t have met that person. It wouldn’t have led me there.’” Real vets help make ‘Terminal List’
“The Terminal List” employed actual military veterans to work in roles like adviseers and as background actors. They were also employed for “Dark Wolf.” Hemsworth said their presence was an incentive to make something they would be proud of.
“Everyone, particularly us as actors, feel a great weight and responsibility to make sure that it’s done very well.”
boyfriends, so we know all about that. So hopefully this one will, you know, stick forever. Travis seems like a great guy. She seems super happy, so I’m happy for her,” said Swiatek, a Swift fan, who commented right after winning her match Tuesday at the U.S Open.
Brittany Mahomes
“Two of the most genu-
ine people meet & fall in love.
Just so happy for these two.” — on Instagram. Her husband, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, reposted Kelce and Swift’s announcement.
Michael Danna
“Great for them. You know, that’s a blessing, I mean, anytime you nd that type of joy, happiness and love, I think
that’s a beautiful thing...I’m so happy for them, Trav, Taylor. That’s a wonderful time in life, wonderful part of their joint journey,” Chiefs defensive end Michael Danna said during a talk with reporters.
New Heights podcast
“NEW NEWS!!!!! Congrats to @tkelce and @taylorswift13” — on X.
TOM BEETZ VIA WIKIPEDIA Jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins, often hailed as the greatest living improviser, turns
ANDY KROPA / INVISION / AP PHOTO
Story” in
in 2022. The Raleigh native turns 38 on Sunday.
JULIO CORTEZ / AP PHOTO
Taylor Swift embraces Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce after Super Bowl 58 in 2024. The couple announced their engagement on last week.
MATT LICARI / INVISION / AP PHOTO
Actor Taylor Kitsch stars as Navy SEAL Ben Edwards
“The Terminal List: Dark Wolf,” a prequel of the Chris Pratt-led “The Terminal List.”
this week in history
Ford pardons Nixon, Queen Elizabeth II dies, terrorists attack Twin Towers and Pentagon
The Associated Press
SEPT. 7
1940: Nazi Germany began The Blitz, an eight-month bombing campaign on Britain that killed more than 40,000 civilians.
1921: The rst Miss America Pageant was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
1977: The Panama Canal Treaty, which called for the U.S. to turn over control of the waterway to Panama at the end of 1999, was signed.
1986: Bishop Desmond Tutu was installed as the rst black clergyman to lead the Anglican Church in southern Africa.
SEPT. 8
1504: Michelangelo’s towering marble statue of David was unveiled to the public in Florence, Italy.
1565: Spanish settlers founded St. Augustine, the rst permanent European settlement in North America, in modern day Florida.
1664: The Dutch surrendered New Amsterdam to the British, who renamed it New York.
1935: Sen. Huey P. Long (D -La.) was fatally shot in the Louisiana State Capitol building.
1974: One month after taking o ce, President Gerald R. Ford granted a “full, free, and absolute pardon” to former President Richard Nixon.
2022: Queen Elizabeth II, who spent more than seven decades on the British throne, died at age 96.
SEPT. 9
1776: The Second Continental Congress formally adopted the name “United States of America.”
1850: California was admitted as the 31st U.S. state.
1919: About 1,100 members of Boston’s 1,500-mem-
ber police force went on strike.
1948: The People’s Democratic Republic of Korea (North Korea) was declared.
1971: Prisoners seized control of the maximum-security Attica Correctional Facility in New York, taking 42 sta members hostage and demanding better treatment and living conditions.
SEPT. 10
1608: John Smith was elected president of the Jamestown colony council in Virginia.
1963: Twenty black students entered Alabama public schools following a stando between federal authorities and Gov. George C. Wallace.
1991: The Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on Clarence Thomas’ Supreme Court nomination, becoming a watershed moment when law professor Anita Hill accused him of sexual harassment.
SEPT. 11
1789: Alexander Hamilton was appointed the rst U.S. secretary of the Treasury.
1941: Groundbreaking took place for the Pentagon.
1954: The Miss America pageant made its network TV debut on ABC.
2001: Nearly 3,000 people were killed as 19 al-Qaida hijackers seized four jetliners, sending two into New
York’s World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and one into a eld in Pennsylvania. It remains the deadliest terror attack in history.
SEPT. 12
2013: Voyager 1, launched 36 years earlier, became the rst man-made spacecraft to leave the solar system.
1940: The Lascaux cave paintings, estimated at 17,000 years old, were discovered in southwestern France.
1962: In a speech at Rice University, President John F. Kennedy rea rmed support for the space program, declaring: “We choose to go to the moon in this decade … not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
SEPT. 13
1788: The Congress of the Confederation authorized the rst national election and declared New York City the temporary capital.
1948: Republican Margaret Chase Smith of Maine was elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the rst woman to serve in both houses of Congress.
1993: At the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO chairman Yasser Arafat shook hands after signing an accord granting limited Palestinian autonomy.
DIANE BONDAREFF / AP PHOTO
The twin towers of the World Trade Center burn after terrorists hijacked planes and crashed into them on September 11, 2001, in New York City.
AP PHOTO
Inmates of Attica Correctional Facility negotiate with state Prisons Commissioner Russell Oswald in Attica, New York, on Sept. 9, 1971, amid riots that became one of the deadliest prison uprisings in U.S. history.
