VOLUME 146 ISSUE 19 | WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 7 – MARCH 8, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Snoozing the sun We’re doing it again: Daylight saving time began Saturday night, shifting Albemarle’s sunrise from 6:40 a.m. Saturday to 7:39 a.m. on Sunday. We’ll get that hour of morning daylight back by early April, but sunset moves from 6:22 p.m. to 7:23 p.m. The Sunshine Protection Act, introduced in Congress last year, would make daylight saving time permanent — but it has seen no movement despite having 31 cosponsors, including 7th Congressional District Rep. David Rouzer.
WHAT’S HAPPENING Trump replacing Noem as DHS secretary, taps Oklahoma senator
November matchups set for Stanly, state, federal elections County commissioner nominees emerged as voters cast 6,568 ballots
President Donald Trump says he’s replacing his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and will nominate in her place Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin. Trump made the announcement on social media Thursday, two days after Noem faced a grilling on Capitol Hill from GOP members as well as Democrats. Trump says he’ll make Noem a “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” a new security initiative that he said would focus on the Western Hemisphere.
North Carolina, 23 other states sue Trump over new global tariffs Two dozen states, including North Carolina, are challenging President Donald Trump’s new global tariffs in court. On Thursday, the states filed a lawsuit over import taxes he imposed after a stinging loss at the Supreme Court. Democratic attorneys general leading the suit argue that Trump is overstepping his power with planned 15% tariffs on much of the world. Trump has said the tariffs are essential to address trade deficits. He imposed duties under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 after the Supreme Court struck down tariffs he imposed last year. The new suit argues that law was intended to be used only in specific, limited circumstances.
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By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
TED SHAFFREY / AP PHOTO
North Carolina held its primary election Tuesday ahead of the general election in November.
ALBEMARLE — Stanly County voters selected nominees in local, state and federal primaries Tuesday, including four county commissioner races. According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections, a total of 6,568 ballots were cast in the county, representing 14.10% of its 46,590 registered voters. All winning candidates will advance to the general election on Nov. 3. In the Board of Commissioners District 1 Republican pri-
Stanly schools, teachers earn state growth honors Two schools had a perfect graduation rate By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Eight secondary schools and 35 teachers were recognized Tuesday by the Stanly County Board of Education for meeting or exceeding academic growth expectations during the most recent school year. The honors were tied to the North Carolina Academic Growth Award, presented by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education. The award recognizes schools whose students reach or surpass the state’s expect-
ed academic growth standard as measured by the Education Value-Added Assessment System. Albemarle High School, South Stanly High School and West Stanly High School met academic growth expectations, while North Stanly Middle School, South Stanly Middle School, West Stanly Middle School, Stanly Early College High School and Stanly STEM Early College exceeded expected growth. Two of the eight secondary schools — Stanly Early College High School and Stanly STEM Early College — were specifically honored with state recognition for achieving a 100% graduation rate. See HONORS, page A5
“It does go to show us that shiny new walls and buildings don’t make good students — it’s our folks in the buildings doing the hard work every day.” Carla Poplin, board member
mary, Lane Furr defeated incumbent Mike Barbee with 3,157 votes (68.51%) to Barbee’s 1,451 (31.49%). Furr, a former commissioner, will face Democratic nominee Brett Mathew in November. In the District 2 GOP primary, Shaun Morgan defeated Board of Education member Bill Sorenson. Morgan received 3,028 votes (66.01%), while Sorenson finished with 1,559 (33.99%). Morgan will advance unopposed for the seat currently held by Board of Commissioners Vice Chairman Bill Lawhon. In District 4, incumbent commissioner Trent Hatley secured the Republican nomination against challenger James Cagle. Hatley received 3,547 See PRIMARY, page A8