VOLUME 146 ISSUE 24 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING Georgia could become first state with weapons detection in all public schools Georgia lawmakers may require that every public school student be checked for weapons each day. On Monday, a state Senate committee advanced a bill, pushing it closer to final passage. The proposal follows a 2024 shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder that killed four. Supporters say detectors will help spot guns and knives. There’s little research, though, that their broad use stops school shootings. There are also concerns about how much the systems cost, how to guard against false alarms and whether detectors are really needed in elementary schools. Some opponents say the state should limit kids’ access to guns instead.
Some state officials say shifting mail ballot deadline will complicate November elections The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether mail ballots that arrive after Election Day should be counted. If the justices decide they should not be, it would leave little time for election officials and voters to adapt. Some election officials said some material related to November’s midterm elections has already been printed. Others said informing voters of the change would be the biggest hurdle, to ensure they are not disenfranchised. In 14 states, all mail ballots will be counted if sent by Election Day and received within a certain period of days. Another 15 states have grace periods for military and overseas ballots.
Bad time to hunt for new jobs, most U.S. workers say in new Gallup poll A new Gallup survey finds that Americans’ outlook on the job market is increasingly pessimistic. The negative shift may seem incongruous with the low unemployment rate, but the findings likely reflect an ongoing hiring drought. Just 28% of workers in a quarterly Gallup survey conducted in the last part of 2025 said now is a “good time” to find a job, with 72% saying it is a bad time. Those figures are a sharp reversal from just a few years ago, in mid-2022, when 70% said it was a good time. Pessimism is especially pronounced among young people and college graduates.
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PJ WARD-BROWN / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
Springing along
Cars drive down U.S. 52 under cherry blossoms on the first day of spring in Albermarle on Friday.
Arts Council honors local talent at Celebration of the Arts More than 200 pieces of student artwork were on display at the event By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Students and community members gathered Saturday at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center to celebrate the county’s arts scene during the annual Celebration of the Arts. The Stanly County Arts Council’s free event featured live performances, information tables, art displays and demonstrations, author sessions and an exhibition of stu-
dent artwork from schools across Stanly County. Attendees viewed more than 200 pieces of student art, with each school showcasing selections from its students. “What a great celebration it was!” the Stanly County Arts Council said in a statement. “Many thanks to all the artists, arts groups, volunteers, event sponsors and community members who joined together to recognize the positive impact the arts have in our community. Thank you for your support of the Arts Council’s mission of encouraging arts for all. The arts are See ARTS, page A4
COURTESY STANLY COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL
Banner contest winners pose with representatives from the Stanly County America 250 Committee, Stanly County Arts Council and Stanly County Schools.
1 dead in Stanfield house inside fire; origin of blaze under investigation
The government is refunding $1 billion to a French company that was to operate a wind farm off the North Carolina coast. See more on page A4
Several departments responded to the home on Brooks Road By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal STANFIELD — A house fire early on Saturday morning in western Stanly County resulted in one death, according to the West Stanly Fire Department. Emergency crews were dispatched just after 6 a.m. to the 13000 block of Brooks Road in Stanfield after a caller reported smoke and flames
visible on two floors of a residence, with the possibility of two people trapped inside, officials said. Fire departments from West Stanly, Oakboro, Ridgecrest, New Salem and Midland responded to the scene, with an additional tanker task force requested due to a lack of hydrants in the area. This task force added Fairview, Endy and Unionville Fire Departments to the response. The first unit to arrive found a 1.5-story single-family home approximately 60%
“We would like to thank all supporting agencies for their assistance.” West Stanly Fire Department
See FIRE, page A5
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