VOLUME 145 ISSUE 66 | WEEKEND EDITION, AUG. 23 – AUG. 24 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING Texas House approves redrawn maps ahead of 2026 elections Texas’ House of Representatives is approving a new map that creates up to five new, winnable congressional seats for the GOP. The map passed Wednesday after a push by President Donald Trump for Republican-controlled states to redraw their legislative maps to give his party a better chance of holding onto control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the midterm elections. The maps must be approved by Texas’ Republican-controlled Senate and Gov. Greg Abbott before they become official. The new maps are likely to trigger revised maps in California to create new Democratic-leaning seats, though they would need to be approved by voters.
U.S. home sales rose in July, mortgage rates dip, home prices grew slowly Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes rose in July as homebuyers were encouraged by a modest pullback in mortgage rates, slowing home price growth and more properties on the market. Existing home sales rose 2% last month from June to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.01 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. Sales edged up 0.8% compared with July last year. The latest sales figure topped the 3.92 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet. The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage held steady this week at its lowest level in nearly 10 months, an encouraging sign for prospective homebuyers. The long-term rate was unchanged from last week at 6.58%.
Tariffs not keeping Walmart from attracting shoppers, outpacing Target Walmart is showing it can keep pulling in shoppers and outpacing rivals like Target in an uncertain economic environment and tariff concerns to deliver solid second-quarter financial results Thursday, showing it keeps pulling in shoppers and outpacing peers like Target. The nation’s largest retailer delivered solid second-quarter financial results on Thursday. It reported a 4.6% quarterly increase in comparable sales. Company executives say Walmart is attracting customers with fast deliveries, grocery discounts and trendier clothes.
MY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
Sunrise kingdom There might be a hurricane offshore, but the sun rose over a peaceful Uwharrie Mountains and Lake Tillery on Thursday morning.
Albemarle honors outgoing city manager in presentation Todd Clark received a farewell tribute from the city council By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Former City Manager Todd Clark received a farewell tribute from the Albemarle City Council on Monday night as a resolution was adopted to honor his retirement from public service.
The city announced in May that Clark would retire in August after one year in Albemarle and a total of 35 years in local government. His final day came Friday, when he turned the role over to new City Manager Darren Rhodes, the city’s former assistant manager. During Monday’s council meeting, certificate of appreciation plaques were given to Clark and his wife, Jane, to honor them on behalf of the city.
Badin splits over Alcoa site permit
“This city is poised to do wonderful things.” Todd Clark, outgoing city manager
“I want to say thank you to each and every member of city council for your trust and faith in me,” Clark said. “I have been honored and privileged to be able to serve you during the last See HONORS, page A2
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on the site of the former Alcoa plant, applied July 2 for a new National Pollution Elimination Discharge System permit. Derek Denard, an environmental program consultant with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, presented the draft permit, with a final decision expected within 90 days. Public comment was accepted at the meeting and will continue through Wednesday via mail and email. The five-year permit includes increased monitoring requirements: cyanide and fluoride testing increases from monthly to twice monthly, with quarterly testing for suspended solids, aluminum and other chemicals at additional outfalls. The fluoride treatment system now requires a certified operator.
WE TEST. SO IT WE TEST. RUNS. SO IT RUNS. “Let’s move forward with what we’ve got. Let’s get some jobs in here and move forward.”
Dale Ward, Badin town councilmember
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Environmental concerns clash with job hopes as DEQ weighs hazmat permit By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — A public hearing Tuesday at Stanly Commons drew Badin citizens, Alcoa representatives and environmental advocates to discuss the Badin Business Park’s application for a permit to handle hazardous materials — a decision that could bring jobs to the area while raising environmental concerns about Badin Lake. The Badin Business Park,
year. This city is poised to do wonderful things. You have a tremendous staff, and they are ready to move the needle forward for Albemarle. I’m so excited for what Darren Rhodes is going to do to lead this city in the future.” Clark expressed gratitude to his family and the City of Albemarle staff for their support, emphasizing the importance of service in the community.
WE TEST. SO IT RUNS.
Pfeiffer University unveiled the newest members of the school’s Sports Hall of Fame. See more on B1.
See BADIN, page A5
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