VOLUME 148 ISSUE 8 | THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
GENE GALIN FOR CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
Jarin Stevenson (15) plays defense against fellow Chatham County product Drake Powell during Alabama’s game against UNC last December. Stevenson will be suiting up for the Tar Heels next season.
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BRIEF this week
White House restricts all wire service access in Gulf of America spat Washington, D.C. The White House enacted a new media policy this week that reduces access to President Donald Trump for wire services, including the AP, particularly in small venues like the Oval Office. This follows a court ruling that the administration violated the AP’s free speech rights by banning it from certain events for, the administration claims, not using the name “Gulf of America.” The new policy says the press secretary will choose who gets access to the president. It does, however, obey the court’s order by giving the AP the same access as competitor wire services. The White House Correspondents’ Association and AP have condemned the policy, arguing it undermines press freedom and the public’s right to information.
Salvation Army closes “emergency” homeless shelter as funds run dry Fayetteville The Salvation Army announced the immediate closure of its Pathway of Hope “emergency shelter” in Fayetteville, leaving more than 50 people who had been using the facility without a place to sleep. “We have no funding partners, and we cannot continue to offer shelter without funding,” said a Salvation Army representative. It was the primary emergency shelter in the county. Other agencies and nonprofits were working to assist those displaced by the sudden closure.
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Stevenson, former Seaforth star, commits to Tar Heels The 6-foot-11 forward averaged 5.4 points and three rebounds at Alabama By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record FORMER SEAFORTH basketball star Jarin Stevenson is coming back home. Stevenson, the Chapel Hill native who spent his first two
college seasons at Alabama, committed to UNC, per a late Sunday night report from On3’s Joe Tipton. The commitment comes days after reports announced the 6-foot-11 and 215-pound forward entered the transfer portal with a “do not contact tag” on April 9. Stevenson is another frontcourt addition for the Tar Heels in this transfer portal window, joining former Arizona big Hen-
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Points for Stevenson in the 2024 Elite Eight ri Veesaar, who committed to UNC on April 4. Bigger bodies in the paint and on the perimeter were huge needs for UNC
Superintendent delivers defense of DEI in response to federal mandate Anthony Jackson stated the district was in full compliance with federal law By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — Following the Trump administration’s
mandate earlier this month requiring districts to sign a certification stating they were complying with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and not utilizing “illegal DEI practices” in order to continue receiving federal funding, Chatham County Schools Superintendent Anthony Jackson delivered an impassioned speech defending the
district’s policies and practices. Jackson, who spoke during the Chatham County Schools Board of Education’s April 14 meeting, stated he wanted to publicly share his position after receiving multiple calls on the issue. “Chatham County Schools has always operated in full compliance with federal law,”
Ex-congressman Nickel launches bid to unseat Tillis “This is a moment for a new generation of leadership with a fresh vision and the courage to fight for what’s right. And that’s exactly what I’ll do in the U.S. Senate.” Wiley Nickel in a campaign video
The Democrat served one term in the U.S. House before his district was redrawn in 2024 By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press RALEIGH — Former Democratic U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel announced last Wednesday his candidacy to try to unseat Sen. Thom Tillis in 2026, saying a “fighter for what’s right for our state” is needed and criticizing the Republican incumbent for backing President Donald Trump’s agenda. Nickel signaled his interest in a Senate bid in late 2023, when the Raleigh-area congressman decided against seeking a second House term the next year because he deter-
mined congressional redistricting that year by Republican state legislators made it essentially impossible to win his seat again. A Nickel news release at the time said he would “explore a path forward” in the Senate. A lawyer and former state senator, Nickel served in Congress though the end of last year and sought to build up name recognition in Democratic circles statewide by supporting party policies and raising money for party candidates in 2024. In a campaign video marking the campaign’s formal launch, Nickel linked Tillis squarely to Trump and his early-term actions, as well as those of Elon Musk, who has spearheaded the Department See NICKEL, page A3
last season, especially after giving up 74.7 points per game (fifth-worst scoring defense in the ACC). Stevenson had an up‑anddown career at Alabama, averaging 5.4 points and three rebounds per game across the two seasons. As a freshman, Stevenson played significant minutes and made five starts for the Crimson Tide, notching a few double-digit scoring performances off the bench and solid defensive play. He became a valuable piece in Alabama’s fast-paced offense with his ability to run the floor and shoot 3s at his size. Stevenson’s abilities came up huge in the 2024 NCAA TourSee STEVENSON, page A10
he said. “I want to be clear that I’ve also signed the certification as required, affirming our legal obligation not to discriminate on the basis of race, color or national origin. However, I believe it’s essential to go further and to clarify not just what we are doing, but why. “While I respect the legal process, I am deeply concerned about the implication that diversity, equity and inclusion, commonly referred to as DEI, is unlawful. It is not. Let me be clear. DEI is not illegal. Nothing in current law prohibits See DEI, page A7