Republicans send Biden autopen report to Justice Department, urge investigations
House Republicans have released a long-promised report on former President Joe Biden’s use of the autopen and the alleged cover-up of his mental state while in o ce. Tuesday’s report issues a scathing critique of Biden’s team but cites largely public information and no speci c instances of illegal activity to back up the report’s explosive conclusions. While Republicans did not cite a speci c case of the autopen being misused in the Biden White House, they called all actions taken by the previous administration void. Congressional Republicans also sent letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and the D.C. Board of Medicine calling for further investigations into Biden’s former aides and his doctor.
Musk launches Grokipedia to compete with Wikipedia
Elon Musk has launched Grokipedia, a crowdsourced online encyclopedia that the billionaire seeks to position as a rival to Wikipedia. Musk announced on social media that “Grokipedia.com version 0.1 is now live” and promised further improvements. The site aims to present “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Grokipedia currently has a minimalist design with a search bar and claims to have more than 885,000 articles. Unlike Wikipedia, which relies on volunteers, it’s unclear how Grokipedia’s content is created.
Kirk murder suspect can wear street clothes in court
A Utah judge has ruled that the 22-year-old man charged with killing Charlie Kirk can appear in court wearing street clothes but must be physically restrained due to security concerns. Attorneys for Tyler Robinson said images of him shackled and in jail clothing would spread widely in a case with extensive media coverage. They argued it could prejudice future jurors. Judge Tony Graf agreed to make some allowances to protect Robinson’s presumption of innocence before a trial. Utah prosecutors have charged Robinson with aggravated murder and plan to seek the death penalty. Graf said the charges are extremely serious and present safety concerns, so Robinson must be restrained.
Longtime Stanly 911 dispatcher receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine
Hayley Franklin received the state’s highest civilian honor
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — A founding member of the Stanly County 911 Center with more than three decades of experience as a telecommunicator has been honored with North Carolina’s highest civilian award.
Hayley Franklin received a surprise when she was recognized with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for her years of service on Monday night. The moment arrived during a re -
Albemarle names planning and development director
Alysia Davis Steadman will begin the role Nov. 10
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Albemarle has announced its new planning and development director, with an ocial start date scheduled for Nov. 10.
The city revealed in a media release last week that City Manager Darren Rhodes has selected Alysia Davis Steadman for the directorial role to facilitate the city’s land use, zoning, development review
Alysia
tirement and special recognition ceremony at the Stanly County Courthouse.
“This has been my life for 30 years, so I still don’t know what the future holds, but I’m going to give it a go,” Franklin said. “You’re my second family. We spend more time together than I do with my own. We have seen some tough times, but we’ve got through it and we always have. We stood by each other during times when it was rough.”
Franklin has processed more than 200,000 calls for service during her time at the call center through three di erent computer-aided dispatch systems
The New Classic Pro Rodeo came to Albemarle over the weekend for two nights of wrangling, riding and racing at the Farm Bureau Livestock Arena. Above is South Carolina’s Wess Hawkins, who lasted the full eight seconds to take third place.
DIRECTOR
and growth-management e orts.
“Alysia’s deep expertise in strategic plan development and execution, as well as community engagement, make her an exceptional t for Albemarle,” Rhodes said. “Her leadership will be instrumental as we navigate the city’s growth through Envision Albemarle 2045, our new comprehensive land use plan.”
As a former assistant planning director for Charlotte with more than two decades of experience in urban planning, community development and strategic leadership, Steadman will now oversee Albemarle’s planning and development services department.
“I’m looking forward to serving as the new planning director for the city of Albemarle because I see tremendous potential in its growth story,” Steadman said. “I was drawn to this opportunity to help shape a vision that honors Albemarle’s small-town character while guiding thoughtful, inclusive development that strengthens its future. This is a place where
Oct. 13
• Johnny Charles Knotts, 62, was arrested for possession of rearm by felon, simple possession of schedule VI controlled substance, third degree sexual exploitation of a minor, and failure to register as a sex o ender.
• David Levander Little, 38, was arrested for communicating threats, injury to personal property, assault on a female, misdemeanor domestic violence, false imprisonment, and misdemeanor larceny.
Oct. 14
• Larry Eugene Stanback, 53, was arrested for domestic violence protective order violation, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Oct. 17
• Tony Ray Aldridge, 56, was arrested for maintaining a vehicle/ dwelling for controlled substances,
Alysia Davis Steadman
community and possibility meet. I’m looking forward to being part of that journey.”
Steadman holds a variety of professional certi cations and academic credentials, including recognition from the American Institute of Certied Planners and membership in the American Planning Association. She has also completed programs in nonpro t management at Duke University, commercial real estate at Cornell University, municipal and county government administration at UNC Chapel Hill and innovative leadership in public administration at Georgetown University.
While in Charlotte, Steadman contributed to the cre -
possession of drug paraphernalia, felony possession of cocaine, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance.
• Richard Scott Barber, 71, was arrested for possession of rearm by felon.
Oct. 18
• James Allen Largent, 32, was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon with serious injury, and assault on a female.
Oct. 19
• Christopher Wade McDaniel, 46, was arrested for larceny by anti-inventory device.
Oct. 21
• Timothy Raynard Bivens, 64, was arrested for felony possession of cocaine.
Oct. 22
• Nathaniel Wayne Ellis, 21, was arrested for interfering with electronic monitoring device.
ation of the Charlotte Future 2040 Comprehensive Plan, playing a key role in fostering partnerships among city departments and jurisdictions to advance the plan’s implementation. She also oversaw a combined $2.5 million budget where she directed strategic operations and sta development e orts.
Steadman began her Charlotte tenure as a planning coordinator, leading teams in strategic projects such as business corridor revitalization initiatives. She later developed a comprehensive land use strategy to support the city’s unied development ordinance, simplifying development regulations and ensuring they aligned with long-term goals.
Most recently, Steadman served as market director and planning and research lead for NEOO Partners, Inc., where she directed strategic initiatives centered on urban development and inclusive growth.
Earlier in her career, she was vice president of Charlotte Center City Partners and launched the business corridor’s rst comprehensive marketing and branding campaign.
• Jeremy Dion Davis, 34, was arrested for assault by strangulation.
Oct. 23
• Dezarae Lee Marshall, 37, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Oct. 24
• Andre McRae, 55, was arrested for possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for controlled substances, manufacturing, selling, delivering or possessing controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance.
Oct. 26
• Brandi Leigh Napier, 24, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, felony possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, driving while license revoked for impaired driving, and fraud.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County:
Oct. 30
Downtown Trick or Treat
5-7 p.m.
Downtown Albemarle
merchants host Halloween trick-or-treating for children. Participating businesses welcome costumed kids for candy and family-friendly Halloween fun.
Downtown Albemarle
Oct. 31
Trunk or Treat and Bake Sale
5 p.m.
Join the members of Mt. Olive Baptist Church as they welcome area families looking for a safe and fun Halloween experience. The parking lot will be lled with cars with trunks decorated for the holiday, and it will be lled with candy and goodies for trick-or-treaters. No admission charge.
Mt. Olive Baptist Church 1109 Love St. Albemarle
Nov. 1
Stanly County Fall Fest 3-7 p.m.
Community festival featuring vendor market, food trucks, kids’ zone, live music, breweries and adult beverages. The family-friendly event celebrates fall with activities for all ages.
Loping Crow Distillery 24030 Endy Road Albemarle
THE CONVERSATION
Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
The normie revolution
Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted
THREE WEEKS AGO, The New York Times released a poll of Americans on the question of whether America’s political system could still solve the nation’s problems. The overwhelming response: no. In September 2020, 51% of Americans believed that America’s system could still address America’s problems; by September 2025, that number had declined to 33%. Meanwhile, almost two -thirds of Americans believe that America’s political system is too politically divided to solve the nation’s problems.
It’s easy to attribute this growing dissatisfaction with some sort of unique period of gridlock. But that’s not what the data suggests. The number of bills passed into law by Congress has not markedly declined since the Obama era — in the 111th Congress (2009 -11), for example, there were 383 public laws passed; in the 117th (2021-23) there were 362. And major laws — huge omnibus packages costing trillions of dollars — continue to be signed into law on a regular basis, of course.
It’s also easy to attribute Americans’ growing sense of dread about our political divisions to the rise of social media. And there’s more truth to this: Social media exacerbates our divisions by highlighting the most extreme opinions and signaling on all sides, thus
incentivizing creation of such radicalism. The monetary and attention-laden bene ts of such radicalism are clear and obvious to anyone who spends any time on X, for example.
But even that isn’t enough to explain why Americans are so frustrated with their political system. Americans, of course, have been extraordinarily divided before over politics: violent radicalism was a regular feature of life in the 1960s and 1970s, for example.
And yet this time feels unique.
It feels unique because there are no institutional brakes on such radicalism.
Every major institution in American life — many of which were designed to act as moderating in uences on popular passions — have completely lost their credibility. From universities, which promoted propagandistic leftism to generations of college students, to churches, which emptied their pews by embracing liberalism above eternal values; from the FBI, which destroyed itself by targeting President Donald Trump, to the media, which wrecked itself on the shoals of Russiagate, BLM, COVID and Joe Biden’s incompetence; virtually all the institutions that would have authority to speak on behalf of truth and decency have collapsed. The result is chaos.
And that chaos means mistrust.
Trump moves to break US dependence on Communist China
China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner.
IT’S GREAT NEWS that the Trump administration agreed this week with Australia to take steps toward breaking Communist China’s chokehold on rare earth minerals. In addition to a July announcement of a project to extract rare earths from coal mined in Wyoming, President Donald Trump is moving us in a desperately needed direction. But our vulnerabilities to China go much deeper, and much more and faster action is needed.
Rare earth minerals are essential for modern technology. The good news is that they are available virtually everywhere. The bad news is that they generally require strip mining to produce ore, and then the ore must be processed and re ned.
Because environmentalists oppose both mining and processing, neither activity has been undertaken on a meaningful scale in the U.S. for decades. And while a few western nations allow rare earth strip mining, about 90% of rare earth processing occurs in China, where there is no green activism or bureaucracy to obstruct operations.
This means that virtually all our technology is dependent on China, even military technology like the advanced F-35 ghter jet. Imagine not being able to build war planes without China’s cooperation. Even if China was neutral toward the U.S., this situation would be unacceptable.
China’s plan is to become the lone global superpower by 2049, if not sooner. Toward that goal, China is quietly but certainly preparing itself for confrontation, if not war.
This is evidenced, in part, by China’s focus on electrifying its economy to reduce dependency on the global oil and natural gas market dominated by the U.S. China has also cleverly worked to avoid war against a superior foe by simply checkmating the U.S. and western nations through
economic and energy dependence, and even sabotage. After being mildly criticized by Australia during COVID, China announced it would use trade as a weapon and then promptly stopped trading with Australia. More recently, in response to U.S. and European e orts to build EV batteries domestically, China announced export limits on the rare earths and processed graphite needed to make batteries.
The Trump administration moved to stymie this part of the Chinese plan through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) enacted last July.
Our China-dependent technology includes all the wind turbines, solar panels, grid batteries and EVs that greens have induced us to buy over the past two decades. Worse than just the $250 billion in solar subsidies China expected to reap from U.S. taxpayers through the Green New Scam is the fact that electricity prices and equipment availability in the U.S. would be almost entirely dependent on the goodwill of China. The OBBBA reduced Green New Scam spending by about $500 billion, but there is still another $500 billion or so left over from its passage that can be spent on technology from China.
Further, there are genuine concerns that our electricity grid may already be contaminated with presabotaged Chinese technology. In 2024, Duke Energy removed Chinese-made batteries from the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune over concerns that China could communicate remotely with the batteries. In the U.K., there is concern that China can remotely control EVs.
At this point, we don’t even know how vulnerable to China we really are. It’s almost too scary to think about. But we must nd out. Here is how to start.
In the wake of the February 2022 invasion
What can restore that trust? Only leadership. Consistent, capable and able leadership: a willingness to speak the moral truth, to speak facts in a vacuum, to reach across the aisle to others willing to do the same. In an era in which utilitarianism has replaced Biblical morality, in which decency is now perceived as unilateral disarmament, only a bipartisan embrace of rules and decency can provide a path forward. Will that happen? It’s unlikely, but it has happened before. America has undergone spiritual revival; leaders have risen. But it cannot happen unless Americans are willing to tentatively trust one another again. And that cannot happen unless Americans get to know each other once again, o ine, in real life situations. Most Americans are normal people who want the same things Americans have always wanted: a better life for their children, freedom to pursue that life and communities rooted in traditional virtue. The normies must nd each other and must nd solidarity with each other. America does need a revolution — but it needs a Normie Revolution. The time is now. It cannot wait.
Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and co-founder of Daily Wire+.
of Ukraine by Russia, the U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) Commission noti ed publicly traded companies that, given the war, they might have to disclose their dependence on, or involvement with, Russia. Because our economy relies to a much greater extent on China than Russia, I subsequently petitioned the SEC to require that publicly traded companies report to their shareholders on their dependency to China. I didn’t expect the Biden administration to do anything, and it lived up to my expectations. But the Trump administration should follow up.
Over the past few decades, our political and business leaders have allowed and/or made us completely vulnerable to our chief geopolitical rival, if not enemy, China. We don’t actually know how vulnerable we are and can’t possibly even develop a plan to do something about it. We need to nd out before it’s too late.
Some may think that if we are vulnerable to China then they must somehow be vulnerable to us, and the vulnerabilities would be o setting. But Communist China is a ruthless totalitarian state that is willing to do unspeakable things and impose conditions on its own population that westerners can’t imagine or don’t appreciate. If economic and societal pain comes from war or confrontation, China’s zero tolerance for internal dissent will be a key advantage.
To be prepared to defend ourselves, we must understand our vulnerabilities as soon as possible. Communist China already knows them and may be ready to exploit them at any time.
Steve Milloy is a biostatistician and lawyer who posts on X at @ JunkScience. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.
COLUMN | STEVE MILLOY
COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO
NCWRC rehabs a dozen bear cubs, releases them back to wild
Black bear cubs were recently released back into the wild thanks to a NCWRC cub rehabilitation program that’s been running for nearly 50 years.
The last 20 hostages were released after spending two years in captivity
By Melania Lidman The Associated Press
THE N.C. WILDLIFE Resources Commission recently released 12 rehabilitated black bear cubs back to the wild, with four returning to the coastal region and eight to the mountains.
The releases were conducted through the commission’s cub rehabilitation program, which has operated since 1976 as one of the rst such programs in the country. While the program initially aimed to restore North Carolina’s black bear population, it now focuses on giving orphaned cubs the best chance of survival in the wild.
The commission receives orphaned cubs beginning in late January, with most arriving April through June after female bears emerge from dens with their young. The cubs are placed with the North Carolina Zoo or Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, both licensed wildlife rehabilitators experienced in black bear cub care.
The facilities provide specialized food and expert care with minimal human interaction until the cubs reach 7 to 8 months old. Some cubs receive tracking collars upon release, allowing biologists to monitor their movements and study their post-release behavior.
Five cubs with tracking collars that were released before Hurricane Helene in September 2024
all survived the storm, according to the commission. The cubs found shelter during the hurricane, became active again days later and located suitable den sites for hibernation. No conicts with people were reported.
Biologists release cubs in early fall when natural foods like acorns, fruits and berries are abundant. The cubs are released at heavier weights than their wild counterparts to provide extra fat reserves while they orient themselves to their new surroundings.
Research shows that minimizing captivity time while maximizing release weight improves outcomes for the cubs’ survival. Cubs are released on state-managed lands away from human development in the region where they were originally found.
Wildlife biologists caution that bear cubs seen alone are rarely orphaned, as mother bears often forage nearby and return within hours.
“People who try to capture or handle a cub are not only risking the cub’s safety, but their own if the mother bear is nearby, as she may try to defend her cubs,” said Jenna Malzahn, a black bear biologist with the commission, in a press release. “By trying to capture a bear cub, you may cause it to become orphaned, injured or both.”
By fall, the commission’s Wildlife Helpline receives fewer calls about suspected orphaned cubs and more inquiries about bears denning in urban areas. Cubs orphaned in late summer or early fall are typically old enough to survive independently, as demonstrated by the successful rehabilitation releases at this time of year.
National Geographic’s “Secrets of the Zoo: North Carolina” featured the state’s bear cub rehabilitation program in an episode. The series is available for streaming on Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV.
COURTESY PHOTO
Shootings at Maxton house party kills 2, injures several others
More than 300 people were at the event
The Associated Press
MAXTON — Shootings at a large outdoor Halloween party in Robeson County early Saturday killed two people — one of them 16 years old — and wounded several others, a sheri said.
Robeson County Sheri Burnis Wilkins’ o ce said that 13 people were shot at the party held at a home in a rural area outside of Maxton, which is about 95 miles southwest of Raleigh near
the South Carolina border. Wilkins said the shootings stemmed from two groups attending the event that attracted more than 300 people, with ages in attendance ranging from preteenagers to about 50.
“There’s a lot of interviews taking place, but apparently there was a confrontation between a couple of groups of people and then gun re between those two started,” Wilkins told WBTW-TV. The sheri ’s o ce later Saturday identi ed the other fatal shooting victim as 49-year-old
Jessie Locklear Jr. of Lumberton.
The o ce said the 11 others shot range in age from 17 to 43. One of the wounded was taken to a medical facility with life-threatening injuries, while several remain hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, a sheri ’s news release said. Others were treated and released.
No arrests had been made as of Saturday afternoon. But the sheri said his o ce had multiple persons of interest related to the shootings, The Robesonian reported. His o ce said that there was no current threat to the community.
Wilkins said his o ce believes multiple people red shots and multiple weapons were used, the newspaper said.
Sheri ’s deputies had been sent about 1:15 a.m. to what was the party’s location on a loud music complaint. But before they arrived, local 911 operators received reports of the shootings, a news release said.
“This was yet another senseless act of gun violence that has taken the lives of two individuals and left many others seriously injured,” Wilkins said in the release. “What makes this even more disturbing is the involvement of teenagers, alcohol, and guns at a large house party.” Alcohol law enforcement agencies also are involved in the investigation, his o ce said.
More than 150 people ed the location before law enforcement o cers arrived, Wilkins’
“Apparently there was a confrontation between a couple of groups of people and then gun re between those two started.”
Burnis Wilkins, Robeson County sheri
o ce said, while asking that anyone with information about what happened or who were at the scene to contact sheri ’s investigators.
Wilkins said law enforcement wasn’t initially aware of the party because the crowd number was below the local threshold to obtain a permit, news outlets reported.
installed through the years.
“To the other end of the radio and the ones that are here, thank you for putting your trust in my voice to know that I want to take care of you,” Franklin said. “That’s always been something I’m very proud of. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, and it’s been an honor to do this.”
North Carolina House Rep. Cody Huneycutt (R-Stanly) presented the award to Franklin, who began working for the Stanly County 911 Center in 1994 and dedicated her career to public safety communications.
“Congratulations on your retirement — 30 years is something to be proud of,” Huneycutt said. “On behalf of Stanly County and the state of North Carolina, I’m honored to present to you today the highest civilian award that’s been presented since 1963. By the order of North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award.” According to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine So -
ciety, the recognition is bestowed upon individuals “for exemplary service to the State of North Carolina and their communities that is above and beyond the call of duty and which has made a signi cant impact and strengthened North Carolina.”
“I’m incredibly excited for your next chapter in your lives,” Stanly County 911 Director Kyle Gri n said to Franklin and her family in attendance. “Thirty-plus years of service in a 911 center is unheard of and remarkable. In this line of work, it’s rare to see a complete and entire career working here. It’s a thankless job, we all know that, and yet it’s one of the most rewarding professions.
“From day one, you’ve been a calm and reassuring voice. You’re the kind of telecommunicator who gives eld responders a sense of comfort when they hear you. I’ve heard countless people say, ‘When I hear her voice, I know we’re in good hands.’ As a supervisor — and even as a telecommunicator — that’s one of the highest compliments.”
IN MEMORY
OBITUARIES
CHARLES W. GORDON
JAN. 14, 1949 – OCT. 22, 2025
Charles W. Gordon, age 76, a ectionately known as Bill, passed away on October 22, 2025, at his home in Albemarle, North Carolina. Bill lived a life full of love, laughter, and faith. He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in January 1973, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew him. He retired from Norfolk Southern (Conrail) Railroad.
Bill was preceded in death by his rst wife, Izora Gordon; his father, Johnnie Gordon; his brothers, Jerry Brooks and James Gordon; and his beloved daughter, Charvette Houston.
He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted mother, Goletha Gordon, age 99; sisters Savannah Jackson, Otha Brenke and Barbara (Mike)Hamilton; brother Robert (Gwen) Gordon; and his children Ronnell (Mandy) Rogers, Michelle Goodbar, Iniesha (Nehemiah) Hardiman, Charles W. (Beverly) Gordon II, Ciera Gordon and Tiera Gordon.
Bill also leaves behind his wife, Elizabeth Mindy Rivera-Gordon, and her children, Omar (Lydia), Michael (Mary), Andes (Abigail) Lopez and Eve (Jabal) Marte. 16 Grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Known for his kind heart, steady wisdom and love for family. Bill was a man who believed in hard work, honesty and helping others. He found joy in simple things: good conversation, shing, barbecuing and laughter that lled a room. His presence brought comfort and calm wherever he went.
His service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 32106 NC-740, Albemarle.
ALICE ANN GREEN MUNDY
MARCH 13, 1939 – OCT. 23, 2025
Alice Ann Green Mundy, 86, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, October 23, 2025, and was united with her Lord and Savior and her beloved husband, Flake.
Her funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Homeland Baptist Church with Pastor Ronnie Pugh o ciating. The family will receive friends at the church from 3-4 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Forest Lawn West Cemetery in Charlotte.
Born March 13, 1939, in Mecklenburg County, NC, Ann was the daughter of the late Robert Green and Jean Merritt Green. She was a devoted member of Homeland Baptist Church and a retired textile worker.
Her family remembers Ann as “a hoot” - determined, loving, hardworking, and always eager to help anyone in need. A faithful Christian, she loved the Lord deeply and found great comfort in her favorite passage, Psalm 23. She cherished the old church hymns and found joy in simple pleasures like gardening, shing, and tending her owers. Ann was also an avid NASCAR fan and proudly cheered for her favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt.
She loved her family dearly and never met a stranger, enjoying nothing more than sitting and talking with those around her. Above all, she adored her husband, Flake, and often said he was the love of her life. The two were inseparable and shared 62 wonderful years together until his passing on March 1, 2024.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Flake Lee Mundy; her brother, John Green; and her sister, Bobbie Crump. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Shirley Shaver of Concord, Frances Stamey of Midland, and Linda Potts of New London, along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to all the caregivers and friends who provided care, comfort, and support to Ann during her time of declining health.
In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to Tillery Compassionate Care (tillerycompassionatecare.org/donate-now), the Stanly Senior Center Nutrition Program (Meals on Wheels), 283 N. Third Street, Albemarle, NC 28001, or to Homeland Baptist Church, PO Box 114, Albemarle, NC 28002.
VIOLET HOPKINS SMITH
SEPT. 8, 1934 – OCT. 23, 2025
Violet Hopkins Smith, 91, of Norwood, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at her home.
Violet was born on September 8, 1934, in Stanly County to the late Rev. Fred Haywood and Maude Carpenter Hopkins. She married the love of her life, Jay Edward Smith, in 1958 and they had four children: Sheila Biles (Rick), Phyllis Morgan (Jonathan), Ron Smith (Tammy), and Sandy Ward (Bobby). Violet was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, with a sweet soul who raised her family in a faithful and loving home. She enjoyed attending church and loved her church family. She was a lifelong member of Porter Baptist Church. She also liked to sew, read, cook, and spend time with her family and friends.
Her family: 10 grandchildren: Eric Biles, Amanda Bowers (Kevin), Brian Burris (Jessica), Jason Burris (Hannah), Hali Ward (Jesse Woodle), Ashlyn Childers (Thomas), Weston Smith (Maggie), Damon Smith (Briana), Ally Rupert (Erik), and Bailey Freeman (Jillian).
Sisters: Lesca Bundy (Tom) and Helen Swaringen (Conrad); Brothers: Steve Hopkins (Juanita) and Larry Hopkins (Sharon); and sisters-in-law: Barbara Whitley (Don) and Gail Morton (Rick).
The family will receive friends at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Porter Baptist Church, followed by the funeral services at 4 p.m. Rev. Flynn Richardson will o ciate, and interment will follow in the church cemetery.
JANICE ANDERSON WILLIAMS
DEC. 18, 1941 – OCT. 24, 2025
Janice Anderson Williams, 83, of Stan eld, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 24, 2025, during her short stay at Stanly Manor Rehab Facility.
The family will receive friends on Monday, October 27, 2025, from 1-2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Stan eld. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m., o ciated by Rev. Je Springer. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Born December 18, 1941, in Stanly County, she was the daughter of the late Bill and Veda Mae Anderson.
Janice is lovingly survived by her children, Michael Lee Bost of Norwood, Terri Leslie (John) of Albemarle, and Becky Preslar (Robert) of Locust; grandchildren, Jonathan Leslie and Macy Preslar; siblings, David Anderson (Diane), Geneva Austin (Jerry), special brother Adam Anderson (Kathy), and Hazel Palmer (Randy); as well as many nieces and nephews who were very special to her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Williams, in 2004, and by siblings Wyndola Godwin, Henry Anderson and Fred Anderson.
Janice had a joyful and loving spirit. She cherished her family deeply and was known as a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend. She found joy in the simple things; gardening, owers, which was one of her great passions, laughter, sewing, quilting, collecting treasures and her beloved dog, Ollie. She had a gift for making others feel loved, often through her famous “Janice hugs.” Her faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, guided her life, and her smile could brighten any room. Janice enjoyed fashion, TV westerns and QVC, and she was always ready to share her good-natured critiques of others’ out ts.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Juanita Norris, Lisa Williams, Kathryn Carpenter and her daughters Deborah and Carrol for their kind care and compassion during Janice’s declining health.
Jack DeJohnette, acclaimed jazz drummer, dead at 83
He won two Grammy awards and worked with Miles Davis, Chet Baker and more
By Jocelyn Noveck
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Jack DeJohnette, a celebrated jazz drummer who worked with Miles Davis on his landmark 1970 fusion album and collaborated with Keith Jarrett and a vast array of other jazz greats, has died at 83.
The acclaimed drummer, bandleader and composer died Sunday in Kingston, New York, of congestive heart failure, surrounded by his wife, family and close friends, his assistant, Joan Clancy, told The Associated Press.
A winner of two Grammy awards, the Chicago-born DeJohnette began his musical life as a classical pianist, starting training at age 4, before taking up the drums with his high school band. He was in demand in his early years as both a pianist and a drummer.
Over the years he collaborated not only with Davis and Jarrett but also with names like John Coltrane, Sun Ra, Thelonious Monk, Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Betty Carter — “virtually every major jazz gure from the 1960s on,” wrote the National Endowment for the Arts, which honored him in 2012 with a Jazz Master Fellowship.
In an interview for the NEA at the time, DeJohnette described what he felt was the nature of his talent.
“The best gift that I have is the ability to listen, not only listen audibly but listen with my heart,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to play with a lot of musicians and leaders who allowed me to have that freedom.”
He added: “I just never doubted that I would be successful at this because it just feels like something’s going through me and lifting me up, and carrying me. All I had to do was acknowledge this gift and put it to use.”
In 1968, DeJohnette joined Davis and his group to work on music leading up to Davis’ 1970 in uential studio album, “Bitches Brew.”
In a Sessions Panel interview, DeJohnette spoke of how he he’d been freelancing in New York when the opportunity arose to join Davis in the studio, at a time when experimentation with genres had become “the new frontier, so to speak.”
“Miles was in a creative mood,” DeJohnette said, “a process of utilizing the studio to go in every day and experiment with grooves. A lot of the music is not that structured. ... It was a matter of grooves, and sometimes a few notes or a few melodies. You’d turn the tape on and just let it roll.”
“The best gift that I have is the ability to listen, not only listen audibly but listen with my heart.”
Jack DeJohnette
“Days and days and days of this would go on,” DeJohnette added. “We never thought about how important these records would be, it was just we knew it was important because Miles was there and he was moving forward with something di erent.”
Rolling Stone, which listed DeJohnette as one of the top 100 drummers of all time (at No. 40), cited the drummer’s “own innate knack for turning a memorable tune.”
Born Aug. 9, 1942, in Chicago, DeJohnette grew up in a family that placed great importance on music and its appreciation, according to background material on his website. He studied classical piano as a child privately and then at the Chicago Conservatory of Music. He turned to the drums at age 14, when he joined his school band.
“I listened to opera, country and western music, rhythm and blues, swing, jazz, whatever,” his website quotes him as saying. “To me, it was all music and all great. I’ve kept that integrated feeling about music, all types of music, and just carried it with me.”
As a sideman on piano and drums and also with his own groups, DeJohnette had become part of the Chicago jazz scene by the mid-1960s. He was active with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians and later drummed alongside Rashied Ali in the John Coltrane Quintet. It was his involvement with Charles Lloyd’s quartet, where he rst performed with Jarrett, that brought him international recognition.
In 1968, DeJohnette joined Davis’ group ahead of the recording of “Bitches Brew,” and remained with him for three years, contributing to further albums while also recording his own as a leader, beginning with the 1969 release “The DeJohnette Complex.”
DeJohnette recorded on various labels during his career but mostly on ECM. In addition to his own many projects and bands, he was a member of the Standards Trio, with Jarrett and Gary Peacock, for more than 25 years. His two Grammys were for new age album (“Peace Time”) in 2009, a continuous, hourlong piece of music, and for jazz instrumental album (“Skyline”) in 2022.
DeJohnette is survived by his wife, Lydia DeJohnette, and two adult daughters, Farah DeJohnette and Minya DeJohnette, Clancy said.
CLAUDE PARIS / AP PHOTO
American jazz drummer, pianist and composer Jack DeJohnette performs at the Five Continents Marseille Jazz festival in Marseille, France, in July 2018.
STANLY SPORTS
South
Stanly edges past Mountain Island Charter in home win
The Rowdy Rebel Bulls trailed 14-0 early
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
NORWOOD — South Stanly rallied from a two-touchdown de cit Friday to edge Mountain Island Charter 15-14 at home, claiming a narrow victory in a matchup of Yadkin Valley Conference contenders. Both teams entered the game with a 4-1 YVC record, desperately needing another win to stay
atop the conference standings. The Rowdy Rebel Bulls (7-2, 5-1 YVC), who held the Raptors (5-4, 4-2 YVC) scoreless for the nal three quarters, trailed 14-7 with 24 seconds remaining when senior quarterback Kaleb Richardson faked a hando and looked to the end zone for a target. He connected with sophomore wide receiver Wyatt Crawford on a 5-yard touchdown pass to bring the Bulls within one point of the Raptors. Following an MIC penalty that moved South Stanly to the
1-yard line, the Bulls opted for a two-point conversion rather than a tying extra point. South running back Carter Callicutt ran it in successfully, giving the home team the one-point victory. Callicutt, a senior, posted a team-high 78 rushing yards on 16 carries.
The win marks South Stanly’s third consecutive triumph and sixth in seven games.
MIC struck rst in the matchup at 7:14 of the opening quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run by Aamir Gilcreast. Five minutes later, quarterback
An’Dre Ramseur Jr. found wide receiver Charmond Ford for an 80-yard score, putting the Raptors up 14-0 early. Ramseur nished 5 of 8 for 123 yards, while Ford led both teams with 113 receiving yards.
Following its slow start on offense, South Stanly responded late in the second quarter. Richardson threw a 5-yard scoring pass to Jayden Woods, who juked multiple defenders on his 35-yard trip down the eld, cutting the de cit to 14-7 at halftime. Neither team scored in the
third quarter as both defenses held rm. South Stanly seniors Ikey Holt and Tripp Edwards each recorded eight tackles, anchoring the defense.
The Bulls’ passing attack featured standout performances from Richardson and his senior wideout duo, Jasiah Holt and Woods. Woods and Holt combined for 15 receptions and 187 yards, while Richardson nished 18 for 31 for 212 yards. Richardson now has 17 touchdown passes and 1,596 passing yards this season, second in the YVC to North Rowan’s Michael Alford (2,126).
The victory puts South Stanly in a three-way tie for rst in the YVC with North Stanly and North Rowan. The Bulls will now travel to Albemarle next to face the Bulldogs (4-5, 2-4 YVC) in both teams’ regular-season nale.
North Stanly set to host Union Academy in season nale
The Bulls and Cardinals are both coming o a win
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — As thenal week of the high school football regular season arrives, two Stanly County varsity teams are ghting to stay tied for rst place in the Yadkin Valley Conference standings.
Two other local teams will be aiming to close out the regular season with wins as they enter Week 11 with a 2-6 combined record during the month of October.
Union Academy at North Stanly
Sitting in a rst-place YVC tie with South Stanly and North Rowan, the North Stanly Comets (8-1, 5-1 YVC) are hoping that they can close out their regular-season schedule with their sixth conference victory.
The Comets, who are coming o a 55-6 road win at Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy, return home to New London to host Union Academy. The Cardinals (4-5, 2-4 YVC) just defeated Thomas Je erson Classical Academy 45-19 at home to put them in sixth place in the conference.
With only one loss this season — a 40-0 defeat at South Stanly on Oct. 10 — North Stanly has fielded a stronger team than last year’s 6-5
squad that finished third in the conference.
South Stanly at Albemarle
Just like the Comets, the South Stanly Rowdy Rebel Bulls (7-2, 5-1 YVC) only need one more win to claim at least a share of the YVC title. The Bulls slipped by Mountain Island Charter in a 15-14 home win last week.
South Stanly is set to head to Albemarle to face the Bulldogs (4-5, 2-4 YVC), who lost 21-14 at North Rowan last weekend. Albemarle’s loss arrived after the team had posted back-to -back wins following a four-game losing streak, dropping the Bulldogs to fth place in the conference.
In last year’s meeting between the two teams, South
pulled out a 26-20 road victory over the Bulldogs.
Mount Pleasant at West Stanly
The West Stanly Colts (1-8, 0-4 Rocky River Conference) have only one more chance to pick up a conference win at the end of a season where the Colts have been outscored 303-171.
On Friday, the Colts lost
North Stanly’s defense prepares for a drive from the opposing o ense.
45-42 at Parkwood, marking West’s closest loss of the season and its highest-scoring output since a 43-7 win at Albemarle on Sept. 5.
The Colts will now host the Mount Pleasant Tigers (6 -3, 3-1 RRC), who are coming o a 39-21 home loss to RRC frontrunner Monroe. West and Mount Pleasant currently rank sixth and second in their conference standings, respectively.
COURTESY CALEB STEWART PHOTOGRAPHY
South Stanly wide receiver Jayden Woods had six catches for 88 yards and a touchdown during Friday night’s game.
COURTESY NORTH STANLY ATHLETICS
Byron outduels Blaney for victory at Martinsville
William Byron, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe will race for the title next week
The Associated Press
MARTINSVILLE, Va. —
With a Championship 4 spot on the line, William Byron put the bumper to Ryan Blaney to win at Martinsville Speedway in the third-round nale of the NASCAR Cup Series playo s. Byron made his winning move with 43 laps remaining, seizing the bottom lane in Turn 1 and moving Blaney up the track by tagging him in the left rear.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver led the rest of the way and fended o Blaney on a restart with 11 laps remaining. Starting from the pole position, Byron led a race-high 304 of 500 laps for his third victory this season in the No. 24 Chevrolet.
“I thought William drove the race of his life,” said Hendrick vice chairman Je Gordon, a four-time Cup champion and nine-time winner at Martinsville himself.
It was the rst win in 11 races since August at Iowa Speedway for Byron, who won the regular-season championship despite a six-month drought after opening the year with his second consecutive Daytona 500 victory.
He had one top- ve nish in the previous eight playo races and opened the third round with a 36th at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and a 25th at Talladega Superspeedway that left him in a win-or-else position to make his third consecutive Championship 4 appearance.
Byron delivered with his 16th career Cup victory — his rst in a playo elimination race and third at Martinsville.
“Damn, I got a lot to say,” Byron said. “Things have a way of working out. God really tests your resilience a lot of times. We’ve been tested. Just unbelievable. We just worked so hard, and you put everything into Sundays. Sometimes you don’t get anything in return. That’s been the last couple of weeks and honestly throughout the year. But sometimes life is that way. You just got to keep being resilient. We were. Just feels damn good.”
Blaney was also in a
William Byron performs a burnout after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playo race in Martinsville.
must-win situation to advance to the championship round. Trying to win his third consecutive playo race at Martinsville, he came up one spot short despite qualifying 31st and leading 177 laps on the 0.526-mile oval.
There were no hard feelings afterward as Blaney congratulated Byron in Victory Lane.
“That’s just two guys going for it; I don’t blame him for taking that,” Blaney said about the contact with Byron on the pass for the lead. “I would have done the same thing. I knew it was going to be tight. I tried to crowd him as much as I could. Just proud of the e ort from the team. They gave 100% of what they had, and that’s all you can ask. Wasn’t quite enough.”
Kyle Larson, Byron’s Hendrick Motorsports teammate, captured the nal championship-eligible berth in the season nale with a fourthplace nish that put him seven points ahead of Christopher Bell, who was seventh.
“What a performance by William,” Larson said. “Happy for Hendrick Motorsports. This win is as good as it could have been for us to score more points than Christopher then have William win too. Hopefully one of us can win it.”
Bell again was the rst driver left out of the Championship 4, but he could live with the outcome more than last year’s race when he was bounced by Byron in a nish tainted by manipulation.
“I feel content with the results,” Bell said. “The four are legitimate contenders. Whoever the champion is, it’s going to be well-deserving.”
Byron and Larson advanced to face Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe in the title round Nov. 2 at Phoenix Raceway. The championship will be awarded to the driver with the best nish of the four drivers who are split evenly between Joe Gibbs Racing (Briscoe and Hamlin) and Hendrick Motorsports (Byron and Larson). Along with Bell and Blaney, third-place nisher Chase Elliott and defending series champion Joey Logano (eighth) also were eliminated from the playo s.
With Blaney and Logano locked out of the Phoenix title race, Team Penske’s streak of three consecutive Cup championships was snapped.
CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO
Season over for local volleyball squads after state tournament losses
Stanly News Journal sta
South Stanly volleyball, 9-15, 5-5 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 3-1 to Community School of Davidson in the NCHSAA Class 2A state tournament
This week’s schedule: Season complete
A loss to the top seed in the second round of the state playo s ended the Rowdy Rebel Bulls’ season. Despite the losing record, South Stanly posted its best win-loss mark since 2022-23. We’ll salute the senior players in our weekend edition.
South Stanly boys’ soccer, 2-12, 0-10 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A
Last week’s scores: No games
Upcoming schedule: Oct. 29 at Anson
The Rowdy Rebel Bulls have a two-week break in the schedule before their next attempt to break a 12-game losing streak.
West Stanly volleyball, 23-4, 12-0 in Rocky River 4A/5A
Last week’s scores:
• Won 3-0 over Bandys in the NCHSAA Class 4A state tournament
• Won 3-0 over North Surry
in the NCHSAA Class 4A
state tournament
• Lost 3-2 to South Rowan in the NCHSAA Class 4A state tournament
This week’s schedule: Season complete
The No. 2-seeded Colts beat the No. 15 and No. 7 seeds in straight sets before falling in an upset loss to No. 6 in a ve-set classic, losing the deciding game by a 15-13 score. West nished with its fourth straight 20-win season, sixth straight in a nonpandemic-shortened campaign, and ran their league winning streak to 75 in a row.
West Stanly boys’ soccer, 10-10-2, 7-4-1 in Rocky River 4A/5A
Last week’s scores:
• Won 7-1 at Anson • Tied 1-1 at South Rowan
This week’s schedule: Oct. 29 at North Rowan
The Colts have a three-match unbeaten streak and have lost just once in the last eight as the regular season schedule winds down.
North Stanly volleyball, 18-11, 9-1 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Won 3-0 over West Davidson in the NCHSAA Class 3A state tournament
• Lost 3-0 to Pine Lake Prep in the NCHSAA Class 3A state tournament
This week’s schedule: Season complete
The No. 8 seed Comets beat No. 9 West Davidson, which brought them face-to-face with top seeded Pine Lake Prep. A loss ended their season just shy of 20 wins for the rst time since 2022.
North Stanly boys’ soccer, 5-11-2, 2-6-2 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores: No games
This week’s schedule: TBD
The Comets completed the regular season schedule and will wait on the postseason brackets to be unveiled.
Albemarle volleyball, 7-10, 2-8 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores: No games
This week’s schedule: Season complete
Albemarle boys’ soccer, 9-9-1, 5-4-1 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores: Won at North Stanly, 7-3
This week’s schedule: TBD
The Bulldogs completed the regular season schedule and will wait on the postseason brackets to be unveiled.
Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@stanlynewsjournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon
Yadkin Valley 2A/3A
North Stanly, 8-1, 5-1
South Stanly; 7-2, 5-1
North Rowan; 5-4, 5-1
Mountain Island, 5-4, 4-2 Albemarle; 4-5, 2-4 Union; 4-5, 2-4
Thomas Je erson; 3-6, 1-5
Bonnie Cone, 0-9, 0-6
Games last week (Oct. 24)
• South Stanly 15, Mountain Island 14
• North Rowan 21, Albemarle 14
• North Stanly 55, Bonnie Cone 6
• Parkwood 45, West Stanly 42
Rocky River 4A/5A
Monroe; 5-3, 4-0
Mount Pleasant; 6-3, 3-1
Forest Hills; 8-1, 3-1 Anson; 1-8, 1-3
Parkwood; 2-7, 1-3
West Stanly; 1-8, 0-4
Games this week (Oct. 31)
• South Stanly at Albemarle
• Union Academy at North Stanly
• Mount Pleasant at West Stanly
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Having quali ed as _______EXECUTRIX______ of the estate of ____CLARENCE EDWARD MAYO____, deceased of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said ____CLARENCE EDWARD MAYO____ to present them to the undersigned on or before January 8, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 8th day of _____October, 2025_____ Amanda Hopson Mayo 8294 C Renee Ford Road Stan eld, North Carolina 28163 Executrix
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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the general public that the City of Albemarle City Council will conduct public hearing(s) concerning the item(s) listed below at the dates, times, and location provided herein:
ROW Abandonment: At the request of adjacent property owner, AOC 202, LLC., a public hearing will be held to consider abandonment of a 16,400 +/- sq. ft. section of City of Albemarle right-of-way of Je eries St. The hearing(s) will be conducted in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, located at 144 N Second St., Albemarle, N.C. 28001 at the following time(s): Monday, November 17, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing. Anyone wishing to speak for or against this action shall adhere to applicable City policies and statutes regarding open meetings. The City Council approved agenda can be found on the city’s website, www.albemarlenc. gov. Applications and other relevant information for this case is kept on le at the City of Albemarle Planning and Development Services Department in City Hall, which is open between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please contact city sta with any questions or comments at (704)-984-9424. Publish: Wednesday, October 15, 2025; Wednesday, October 22, 2025; Wednesday, October 29, 2025; and Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
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Having quali ed as Executrix of the estate of Dora JoAnn Sasser Bullins, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Dora JoAnn Sasser Bullins to present them to the undersigned on or before January 30, 2026, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 23rd day of October, 2025 Patty F. Randolph 97 LeCline Circle NE Concord, NC 28025 (GS 28A-14-1)
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Notice is hereby given that the Town of Oakboro will hold a public hearing at Oakboro Town Hall located at 109A N Main Street, Oakboro, NC 28129 on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 7:00pm. The purpose of this public hearing is to hear comments for or against the adoption of a moratorium on the processing of development applications and the consideration of development approvals for all major residential subdivisions and all other developments, with residential and non-residential, containing more than three dwelling units. Further information is available at Oakboro Town Hall. Any person wishing to speak should plan to attend the Public Hearing. Leslie Hatley-Murray Town Clerk
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Notice is hereby given that the Town of Norwood Town Council will, on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 6:00 pm, hold a public hearing at the Town Hall located at 212 S. Main St., Norwood, NC, to consider the following requests: Annexation of 3.20 acres in 3 parcels: PINs 657503045168,657503034943, and 657503033901 Rezoning of 3.20 acres in 3 parcels: PINs 657503045168, 657503034943, and 657603033901 Consider text amendment to Section 155.031 to add Vape shops, Tobacco stores, and Dispensaries with conditions. Persons interested in speaking for or against these requests will be heard.
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the stream
‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ ‘Sorry, Baby,’ Colin Farrell gambles
Florence + the Machine drops “Everybody Scream” on Halloween
The Associated Press
“JURASSIC WORLD Rebirth” roaring and snarling on Peacock and Florence + the Machine’s latest Halloween-ready album, “Everybody Scream,” are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming o erings worth your time this week, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Eva Victor’s “Sorry, Baby,” one of the most exciting debuts of the year, landing on HBO Max; the nine-member Japanese boy band &TEAM releasing their debut Korean album; and comedian Rachel Sennott’s new Gen Z comedy “I Love LA” pops up on HBO.
MOVIES TO STREAM
Victor’s “Sorry, Baby,” one of the most exciting debuts of the year, comes to HBO Max on Thursday. Victor wrote, directed and stars as Agnes, a graduate student in a quaint New England town, who is assaulted by her professor. But the lm, which unfolds across ve chapters, one being “the year with the bad thing,” is less about the incident and more about life after. In his review for The Associated Press, lm writer Jake Coyle wrote, “In this remarkably fully formed debut, the moments that matter are the funny and tender ones that persist amid crueler experiences. … Just as Agnes is sarcastically and self-deprecatingly resistant to convention, Victor’s lm sidesteps the de nitions that usually accompany such a story.”
Tessa Thompson and Nina Hoss are brilliant in Nia DaCosta’s ery, sensuous reimagining of the classic Henrik Ibsen drama “Hedda,” which is now streaming on Prime Video. The lm transports the “catastrophically bored” housewife to 1950s England where Hedda (Thomson) manipulates and schemes over the course of a lavish party at her country estate. DaCosta makes the story her own, seamlessly blending race, gender and queerness into the drama. In my review, I called it a “deliriously fun, intel-
ligent and impassioned spin” on a familiar tale that requires no previous Ibsen knowledge.
Colin Farrell plays a high-stakes gambler running away from his past in Macao in “Ballad of a Small Player,” streaming now on Net ix. The lm, a stylish neo-noir from “Conclave” director Edward Berger, received mixed reviews.
“Jurassic World Rebirth” also makes its Peacock debut Thursday. In his review for the AP, Mark Kennedy wrote that this installment, directed by Gareth Edwards and starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, proves there’s “still life in this old dino series” adding that “it captures the awe and majesty of the overgrown lizards that’s been lacking for so many of the movies.”
MUSIC TO STREAM
Leading up to Florence + the Machine’s latest album, “Everybody Scream,” out on Halloween, frontwoman Florence Welch su ered the e ects of an ectopic pregnancy onstage.
A fallopian tube then ruptured and she nearly died. It’s a harrowing story, one that no doubt
“There’s still life in this old dino series.”
Mark Kennedy, AP Film Writer
lends itself to the thematic horrors that abound on the band’s record. The title is appropriate. But for all the tragedy, there are pleasures across the release. Consider a song like “One of the Greats,” a erce indictment of double standards that also happens to be quite funny. “It must be nice to be a man and make borin’ music just because you can,” she sings. “Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan / You’re my second favorite frontman.”
The nine-member Japanese boy band &TEAM released their debut Korean album, “Back to Life,” via HYBE Japan and YX LABELS on Tuesday. It’s a big step for the group whose members rst turned heads on the South Korean survival show “I-Land” (the same that launched the popular boy band ENHYPHEN) and the Japanese program “&Audition — The Howling.” Their multigenre, multilingual
approach to pop is sure to earn them new fans.
SERIES TO STREAM
Adapting novels by Mick Herron has worked out for Apple TV with its acclaimed series “Slow Horses.” Now, they’ve got “Down Cemetery Road,” also from Herron’s catalog. It stars Emma Thompson as a brazen, brash detective and Ruth Wilson as her unlikely Girl Friday. The rst two episodes premiere are streaming now. A new “Robin Hood” reimagining on MGM+ is described as “a romance adventure.” It stars Jack Patten and Lauren McQueen as Robin (he goes by Rob) and Marian, who ght corruption together. Sean Bean plays the main antagonist, the Sheri of Nottingham. The 10-episode series debuts Sunday, Nov. 2. HBO loves a comedy about friendships and hopes it has found a Gen Z answer to ll the millennial void left by “Insecure” and “Girls.” Actor and comedian Sennott created and stars in a new Gen Z comedy “I Love LA” about a budding tal-
ent manager in Hollywood, and her friend group (featuring Josh Hutcherson as her boyfriend). It also makes its debut Sunday.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
In the galaxy of The Outer Worlds 2, three factions are battling for dominance: the hyper capitalist Auntie’s Choice, the authoritarian Protectorate and the quasi-religious Order of the Ascendant. If none of those sounds particularly appealing, that’s kind of the point. In order to accomplish your mission, you’ll nd yourself trying to meet the sometimes-preposterous demands of one faction without aggravating the other two. Developer Obsidian Entertainment brings a sarcastic edge to your usual space opera, hoping to leave you laughing while you’re hunting down radioactive mutants or malfunctioning robots. The studio has an impressive track record of role-playing games like Pillars of Eternity and Avowed, so if you’re hungry for that sort of action with rockets and lasers, prepare for lifto on Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5 or PC.
Eva Victor wrote, directed and stars in “Sorry, Baby.”
In “Ballad of a Small Player, Colin Farrell, left, plays a high-stakes gambler alongside Fala Chen. The lm is streaming on Net ix.
