VOLUME 9 ISSUE 2
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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2024
the
BRIEF this week
N.C.-based writer surrenders to face Jan. 6 charges Washington, D.C. A Durham-based writer for a conservative media outlet surrendered to authorities last Friday on charges that he joined a mob’s attack on the U.S. Capitol more than three years ago. Steve Baker, who has written articles about the Jan. 6, 2021, riot for Blaze News, faces four misdemeanor counts, including trespassing and disorderly conduct charges. Baker was released from custody after he made his initial court appearance in Dallas on Friday, according to defense attorney William Shipley. After the riot erupted, Baker entered the Capitol through a broken door and joined the mob at the barricaded doors to the House chamber, according to an FBI agent’s affidavit. Shipley provided The Associated Press with a copy of the affidavit, which wasn’t immediately unsealed. In another part of the Capitol, the affidavit says, Baker “antagonized” police officers who tried to keep him on the other side of a doorjamb, repeatedly asking, “Are you going to use that (gun) on us?” He remained inside the building for approximately 37 minutes before police led him out of the Capitol, according to the FBI. Shipley said all journalists should be concerned about the charges against Baker. The lawyer said the defense will argue that this is a case of selective prosecution and that Baker has been charged because he is a conservative writer.
Biden to give State of the Union on Thursday Washington, D.C. President Joe Biden will give the annual State of the Union address on Thursday, allowing the incumbent to make a pitch for four more years in the White House as a showdown with former President Donald Trump looms in November. Biden will defend policies responsible for “record job creation, the strongest economy in the world, increased wages and household wealth, and lower prescription drug and energy costs,” White House communications director Ben LaBolt said in a statement. It will also be an opportunity for the 81-yearold president to prove his mental acuity at a time when voters are skeptical of both his and the 77-year-old Trump’s ability to lead the country at an advanced age. Biden is already the oldest president in U.S. history, and Trump — who will turn 78 in June — would be the oldest to be inaugurated if he were to return to the presidency.
PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
President Donald Trump speaks during a rally Saturday in Greensboro ahead of Tuesday’s primary elections in North Carolina.
Trump endorses Robinson for governor during rally in NC Oversight committee questions DMV chief Customer service and modernization were among the issues discussed By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — During a Feb. 29 meeting of the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee, the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Wayne Goodwin was questioned about a host of issues, including long wait times, modernization delays, budget asks and vendor contracts, as well as license plate agency franchising and car dealer licensing. In a prehearing statement, the committee gave an example of frustrated customers — such as U.S. Army veteran Tyler Tickle, a recent arrival to the state who had to go to four DMV offices to get a license and had appointment issues as the system showed no availability for three months. Tickle gave the NCDMV a “Zero out of 10.” The hearing, which lasted nearly three hours, began by focusing on long wait times for
North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle (NCDMV) appointments and customer service issues like booking appointments. Frustration with booking teen license appointments was addressed at the onset of the meeting by Sen. Michael Lazzara (R-Onslow), one of the committee’s co-chairs who served as chair for last Friday’s meeting. The Onslow lawmaker recounted a law enforcement officer having to make “multiple trips” and “wait in line for hours” to get his teenagers their driving tests. For the better part of a year, Lazzara has made no secret he wants to see the NCDMV privatized. Goodwin, during his prepared remarks, said some of the issues at hand “predate” his tenure but he has tried “to learn as quickly as possible and consult experts” to reach common goals. “(It) hasn’t always been easy,” Goodwin said. “There have been some hiccups along the way, but I believe, respectfully, we’re doing much better now than we See DMV, page A3
GERRY BROOME | AP PHOTO
North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, pictured in 2019, faced questions during a Feb. 29 meeting.
The former president, visiting Greensboro, also lobbed attacks at Joe Biden’s immigration record The Associated Press GREENSBORO — Former president Donald Trump endorsed North Carolina Lt. Gov Mark Robinson for governor on Saturday, several months after the former president pledged to do so. At a rally at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, the former president also compared Robinson, who is black, to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the famed civil rights leader. He
referred to Robinson as “Martin Luther King on steroids.” Trump said Robinson wasn’t sure how to respond when Trump compared him to the legendary civil rights leader, telling him: “I think you’re better than Martin Luther King. I think you are Martin Luther King times two.” “You should like it,” Trump said. Trump listed Robinson among several candidates that people should vote for in Tuesday’s North Carolina Republican primaries, saying “they have my complete and total endorsement.” Trump is also on the primary ballot as he seeks to all but eliminate See TRUMP, page A8
Truitt pitches new plan for grading schools The state superintendent wants to revamp N.C.’s current A-F system
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The way the state grades its public schools may be getting a redesign according to a presentation given by N.C. State Superintendent Catherine Truitt to the House Select Committee on Education Reform on Feb. 26. Almost a decade ago, lawmakers passed a law creating an A-F grading system that bases a letter grade for each school on an achievement score, weighted at 80%, and on the academic growth of students, which is weighted at 20%. Since its inception, the A-F system has drawn criticism for relying too much on test scores and not considering other metrics that can impact a particular school and, in some cases, end up penalizing low-wealth or low-performing districts. Truitt, along with Deputy Superintendent Michael Maher, told lawmakers the current A-F system does not provide
a full, accurate view of school performance. Truitt outlined that part of the problem was being beholden to compliance with certain federal guidelines. “So the solution that we are going to present to you today is a multi-measure model of school performance that moves beyond compliance with federal guidelines,” said Truitt. “Because, folks, the federal government right now is driving the way we do school accountability in North Carolina, and we need to replace it with a model that represents our North Carolina educational values. “We have to do more than simply look at test scores that occur on one day of the year at the end of the year or semester. We must absolutely be as transparent as possible about the percentage of students who are proficient in reading and profiSee TRUITT, page A2
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