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VOLUME 5 ISSUE 35
WWW.NSJONLINE.COM |
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020
MICHAEL PEREZ | AP PHOTOS
NSJ STAFF
From left, President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Greenville, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden arrives to speak during a campaign event at Riverside High School in Durham, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020. Vice President Mike Pence speaks at a campaign rally on Friday, Oct. 16, in Selma. Donald Trump Jr. speaks to supporters at a Republican Party sportsman's event in Clayton. KARL DEBLAKER | AP PHOTOS
the Wednesday
NEWS BRIEFING
Nearly 2 million voters cast votes Raleigh As of Tuesday morning, 1,853,540 votes have been cast in the state for the 2020 general election. Over 1 million of the votes have come from onestop early voting, which began on Thursday, Oct. 15. Registered Democrats lead among the early votes, with 833,736, or 45%, of the votes cast. Early voting continues through Oct. 31. NSJ STAFF
Federal judge keeps absentee ballot witness requirement Greensboro U.S. District Judge William Osteen ruled the state could not accept absentee ballots returned without a witness signature. He declined, however, to force the state to shorten the period during which county boards can accept absentee by-mail ballots after Election Day that were postmarked by Nov. 3. The state board made the deadline Nov. 12 as part of an agreement made with left-leaning plaintiffs. Senate leader Phil Berger blamed Democrats for the situation, saying, “The chaos over the past month was entirely avoidable.” THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Israel says it uncovers deep militant tunnel dug from Gaza Jerusalem The Israeli military said Tuesday that militants in the Gaza Strip dug a tunnel dozens of yards deep that crossed the security fence around the territory before it was detected by underground sensors. Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said the tunnel crossed into Israeli territory but posed “no threat” to nearby Israeli communities and that there was not yet an exit on the other side. He said troops will “neutralize” the tunnel in the coming days. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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CAROLYN KASTER | AP PHOTOS
NORTH
STATE
JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION
Tillis closes gap with Cunningham for that. I’m very clear that this campaign isn’t about my personal life; it’s about the people of RALEIGH — Republican North Carolina; it’s about the isU.S. Sen. Thom Tillis appears to sues that are important to North have momentum in his bid for Carolinians, and that’s what I’m re-election against Democrat- staying focused on,” Cunningic challenger Cal Cunningham, ham said. The Cunningham campaign after multiple affair allegations against Cunningham were con- has tried to pivot to discussfirmed by the former state sen- ing issues like health care. That same day, though, was when the ator. In two public polls, pub- Army Reserve confirmed it was lished by Emerson College and investigating the conduct by Lt. The Washington Post this week, Col. James Cunningham, calling Cunningham led by 1 and 2 him by his official first name. Adultery has long been a viopoints, respectively. In Septemlation of the Uniform ber and early October, Code of Military JusCunningham led some tice. Last year the polls by as many 10 wording was broadpoints. “I am ened to include any The race for the seat, “extramarital sexuwhich has been the most disgusted at al contact.” Service expensive in the nation, his behavior members can face a was rocked first by Tilmaximum penalty lis’ COVID-19 positive and how of dishonorable distest on Friday, Oct. 2. he has charge, forfeiture of Late that night, Cun- responded to pay and confinement ningham confirmed for a year. that sexual text messag- it. The people North Carolies obtained by the web- of North na Republican Parsite NationalFile.com Carolina ty Chairman Miwere authentic. chael Whatley held a Later, Cunningham expect press conference on admitted he had physiOct. 14 featuring Sgt. cal encounters with the better from a Josh Feeback, Unitwoman, Arlene Guz- United States ed States Army, Ret.; man Todd, the wife of a senator.” and Sean Kilbane, combat veteran. A secUnited States Army ond affair has also been veteran. alleged, but not con- U.S. Army “These are very sefirmed, and Cunning- Veteran Sean rious allegations, and ham in a Zoom press it’s very concerning,” conference on Oct. 9 re- Kilbane said Whatley. fused to say how many Kilbane harshly more affairs he has had. A memo released by the Til- criticized Cunningham for enlis campaign said the race has gaging in an affair with the wife been “dramatically and perma- of a fellow veteran. He also notnently altered, not by sex, but ed that Cunningham has failed by the hypocritical lack of judg- to answer questions about the ment and truthfulness now fully other alleged affair and “other on display by Cal Cunningham.” women.” “I am disgusted at his behavRepeated efforts by North State Journal to interview Cun- ior and how he has responded ningham or a member of his to it,” said Kilbane. “The people campaign staff have been ig- of North Carolina expect better from a United States senator.” nored. Kilbane also asked that if Cunningham told WNCNTV in an impromptu interview Cunningham was “willing to on Oct. 7, “I’ve made it clear that risk his candidacy” to have an I’ve hurt my family and that I’ve affair with another veteran’s disappointed my supporters, and I’m taking responsibility See SENATE, page A2 By Matt Mercer North State Journal
With voting underway, both presidential campaigns focus on NC Multiple events by Biden, Trump campaigns across state in October By David Larson North State Journal DURHAM — Both major presidential campaigns are making clear that North Carolina is a must-win state in their election strategies as key surrogates and the candidates themselves heavily canvass the state in the final days of the election. Democratic candidate Joe Biden’s campaign has been much more reticent to hold in-person events throughout the race, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and focusing on virtual events. But with only a couple weeks remaining and the important state in a dead heat, Biden’s campaign has in-
creased its physical presence dramatically. Last Sunday, Biden traveled to Durham to give a speech at Riverside High School. NSJ was present outside and witnessed many of the state’s high-profile Democratic politicians drive by following the event, waving at supporters gathered in the parking lot. Other events were also planned across Durham on Sunday by Democratic officials, like a “Todos Con Biden” car parade meant to drive turnout among the city’s Hispanic population. Biden was not at the event, but NSJ counted 21 vehicles in the caravan headed from Compare Foods on University Drive to an early-voting location at Durham’s South Regional Library. Biden was seen instead at an area Cook Out restaurant, See CAMPAIGNS, page A3
Gov Cooper’s claims about masks not reflected in case data COVID cases rose after the governor’s mask mandate By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Between the gubernatorial debate and the state’s elementary school children preparing to return to full-time in-person instruction, the topic of masks and face coverings is making the rounds again. Wake County, the state’s largest district, will require all students to wear a mask or face covering, and the district is “strongly encouraging” pre-kindergarten students as young as four to wear one. Students will be required to “produce documentation” or “proof of a condition” for not wearing a mask. Those not complying could face suspension or be forced to attend class remotely. Twice earlier this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that face masks were unnecessary for healthy people. Both the WHO and CDC have shifted language and varied guidance on masks over course of the pandemic. During the Oct. 14 gubernatorial debate, Gov. Roy Cooper pushed wearing masks to prevent viral spread of COVID-19 several times. He also made the claim that COVID-19 cases had “leveled off” after he instituted a statewide mask mandate, however, the data indicates otherwise. By placing the date of Cooper’s mask mandate on a weekly chart of the state’s COVID-19 cases, the claim that the mask mandate lev-
eled off cases is untrue given the continued to rise and fall of cases. Cooper’s mask mandate stayed in place with the announcement of Phase 3 at the end of September, yet according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ COVID-19 dashboard, the state’s cases rose to new highs See MASKS, page A2