VOLUME 147 ISSUE 21 | THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
inside Chatham County Post 292’s Ian McMillan makes a throw to first against the Garner Nationals in Game 2 of the Area 1 semifinals. Chatham was swept in the three-game series, ending its season. For more, turn to B2.
PJ WARD-BROWN / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD
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BRIEF this week
County Manager LaMontagne to retire Chatham County Manager Dan LaMontagne will retire at the end of the year after 14 years with the county. LaMontagne joined the county in 2010 as solid waste director, then moved through a number of departments before being named assistant county manager in 2015 and he’s been county manager since 2018. “Though replacing Dan will be a tall order, the board will move quickly and deliberately to name a new County Manager,” said Board of Commissioners Chair Mike Dasher. “We wish Dan all the best in his new endeavors.” The retirement will be effective Dec. 27, giving the county ample time to find a replacement.
Aetna set to run N.C. state worker health plans Aetna is poised to administer health coverage plan benefits for North Carolina state workers and teachers next year because Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina won’t appeal a judge’s decision that upheld Aetna as the next contract winner. An administrative law judge last week determined that evidence showed the State Health Plan conducted the procurement process for a third-party administrator properly. Blue Cross had held the job for more than 40 years. The next contract begins in January. The administrator handles health care expenses for several hundred thousand state employees, teachers, their family members and retirees.
DNC sending $1.2M to N.C. campaign operations The Democratic National Committee announced Tuesday it’s transferring $15 million to state parties, meant to help them open more field offices and bolster staffing numbers. The funding will let the state parties add to the 217 existing coordinated campaign offices already employing more than 1,100 staffers in the swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The N.C. state Democrat party is earmarked for a cash infusion of $1.2 million.
EVAN VUCCI / AP PHOTO
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is helped off the stage by U.S. Secret Service agents after an attempted assassination on Saturday.
Amid chaos and gunfire, Trump’s raised fist projected characteristic image of defiance For supporters in the crowd, his response gave them assurance that he would not back down By Jill Colvin The Associated Press NEW YORK — He was bleeding from the head after a barrage of bullets flew through his rally when Secret Service agents gave the go-ahead that it was safe to move from the stage.
But Donald Trump had something he needed to do. “Wait, wait, wait!” the former president could be heard telling his agents, who had encircled him in a protective bubble and helped him to his feet. Trump, his face smeared with blood, forced his right fist through a tangle of agents’ arms. He raised it high into the air before pumping his fist. “Fight!” he mouthed to the crowd and cameras as he pumped his arm sharply three
times, in a sign of undeniable defiance and assurance that he was OK. The gesture sent the crowd cheering, with many rising to their feet. “We gotta move, we gotta move!” an agent shouted. The moment was an extraordinary illustration of Trump’s raw political instincts and of how keenly aware he is of the images he projects. Even during unimaginable chaos, Trump stopped and delivered his message, creating iconic photo-
graphs and video that are sure to become an indelible part of history. In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Trump said that when he looked up and saw that the crowd hadn’t left, he felt he needed to offer assurance and project strength. “The energy coming from the people there in that moment, they just stood there. It’s hard to describe what that felt like, but I See TRUMP, page A7
Reagan survived being shot; his response changed the course of his presidency
NC Medicaid expansion has enrolled 500,000 in first 7 months
Shooter John Hinckley said he wanted to impress actress Jodie Foster
The goal was to hit 600,000 in the first two years
By Del Quentin Wilber The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The would-be assassin got off six shots in 1.7 seconds, nearly taking the life of a president and changing the trajectory of a presidency. It happened on a dreary March afternoon in 1981. President Ronald Reagan was leaving the Washington Hilton hotel after giving a speech to a union
group when John W. Hinckley Jr. opened fire with his .22-caliber revolver. At the sound of the gunshots, Secret Service agents swarmed, and one of them shoved the president into the waiting limousine — but not before one of the bullets struck Reagan in his side. What transpired over the next few hours became the stuff of presidential and political legend. The life of the 70-year-old president was saved by the quick actions of his lead Secret Service agent, as well as the skill of medical personnel at George WashSee REAGAN, page A10
The Associated Press RALEIGH — More than 500,000 North Carolina residents have enrolled in the state’s Medicaid expansion program since it went live about seven months ago, officials announced Friday. Gov. Roy Cooper, joined by North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley and two health care profes-
sionals, held a news conference to tout the enrollment number as a significant milestone for the program. The original goal was to enroll 600,000 people in the Medicaid expansion over two years, See MEDICAID, page A2
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