VOLUME 148 ISSUE 16 | THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
Back at Bragg
PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
President Trump made a trip to the newly renamed Fort Bragg on Tuesday as part of weeklong festivities celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. Both the president and attendees received demonstrations of capabilities from Army units based at the facility, before speeches from N.C. native and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and the president himself.
BOTTOM PHOTOS BY ALEX BRANDON/ AP PHOTO
the
BRIEF this week
Inflation rose slightly last month as grocery prices ticked higher U.S. inflation picked up a bit last month as food costs rose, though overall inflation remained mostly tame. Consumer prices increased 2.4% in May compared to a year ago, according to a report released Wednesday. That is up from a 2.3% yearly increase in April. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 2.8% for the third straight month. The figures suggest any impact of new tariffs, predicted by economists to have a drastic effect on prices, have been generally limited.
U.S. to get rare earth minerals from China in trade deal, tariffs on Chinese goods will go to 55% President Donald Trump says the United States will get magnets and rare earth minerals from China under a new trade deal and tariffs on Chinese goods will go to 55%. Trump said Wednesday in return the U.S. will allow Chinese students to attend American colleges and universities. Trump says the deal is subject to final approval by him and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Senior U.S. and Chinese negotiators announced late Tuesday that they had agreed on a framework to get trade negotiations back on track after a series of disputes threatened to derail them.
Siler City approves $23M budget for 2025-26, tax rate stays flat Property owners may see increases in taxes due to value reassessments By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record SILER CITY — Siler City has its budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
That’s an approximately $3.7 million increase, or 26.8%, from the 2024-25 general fund total. “I commend the board and staff for putting together a pretty conservative budget,” said Mayor Donald Matthews. “We’ve asked for things that have to be done to make improvements to our town, and
Governor forms council to work on marijuana legalization policy Josh Stein wants final recommendations by the end of next year The Associated Press RALEIGH — Gov. Josh Stein says a panel he’s tasked with recommending cannabis
sale regulations — including potential legalization of adult use of marijuana — should aim to provide a structure in a state where products now from otherwise lawful hemp are unregulated and leave young people unprotected. The Democratic governor signed an executive order last
week creating a State Advisory Council on Cannabis. North Carolina is among a small number of states whose laws prohibit marijuana for both medicinal use or adult recreational use. The General Assembly would have to enact any law legalizing marijuana. The council’s findings could
8 now arrested in house party shootings, additional attempted murder charges filed “Gang motives were a part of this tragedy. We are still unraveling that as part of our larger investigation.” Catawba Sheriff’s Maj. Aaron Tur
$2.00
At its June 2 meeting, the Town of Siler City Board of Commissioners approved the FY 2025-26 recommended budget following a public hearing. The town’s budget is balanced at approximately $23.2 million, but just over $13.9 million of that is the general fund budget, which is the town’s basic operating funds.
The shooting appears gang-related, said prosecutors The Associated Press NEWTON — Eight people have now been arrested and charged in connection with last weekend’s shootings at a Catawba County house party where a barrage of gunfire ended with one person dead and 11 others injured, authorities said. Five defendants made court appearances last Friday. Four of the five were facing one count each of attempted first-degree murder. A judge
ordered two of those four to remain in jail without bond, according to the Catawba County Clerk of Court’s office. But late Friday, the sheriff’s office announced that 10 additional counts of attempted first-degree murder had been filed against each of the four who already faced one similar count. All four were jailed pending scheduled court appearances early next week, according to an office press release. A prosecutor handling the defendants’ appearances last Friday said in court that the See SHOOTINGS, page A7
in some places, we moved some stuff so it wouldn’t be a bigger burden.” The budget has five strategic priorities: facilitate and achieve economic prosperity, plan and implement sustainable infrastructure goals, strengthen organizational and operational See BUDGET, page A3
add pressure upon lawmakers to place regulations on products, many of which can be obtained at vape and convenience stores. The order directs the 24-member council also named this week to offer preliminary recommendations for a “comprehensive cannabis policy” and any proposed legislation by next March 15, with final recommendations by the end of 2026. Council members include representatives of state agencies, law See COUNCIL, page A7