Stanly News Journal Vol. 146, Issue 35

Stanly NewS Journal

A bridge two far

The dual bridges of Highway 24/27 soar over Lake Tillery earlier this month.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Louisiana congressional primaries are suspended as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling

Baton Rouge, La.

Louisiana’s top elected o cials say the state’s congressional primaries won’t be going forward as scheduled in May as a result of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The high court on Wednesday struck down a majority Black congressional district. Republican Gov. Je Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill say that means the state is prohibited from holding elections under the state’s current U.S. House districts. Early voting had been scheduled to begin Saturday in advance of the May 16 primaries.

Powell plans to remain on Fed board, cites legal actions by Trump administration

Jerome Powell plans to remain on the board of the Federal Reserve after his term as chair ends next month “for an undetermined period of time,” saying the “unprecedented” legal attacks by the Trump administration have put the independence of the nation’s central bank at risk. The Fed Wednesday left its benchmark interest rate unchanged for the third straight meeting but signaled it could still cut rates in the coming months, moves that attracted the most dissents since October 1992. The Senate Banking Committee earlier approved Powell’s successor as chair, Trump appointee Kevin Warsh, on a party-line vote.

The report shows a high patrol presence and low serious crime

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

LOCUST — The Locust Police Department’s activity report for March, detailed in an expanded assessment on April 24, revealed a busy month of calls, tra c enforcement and proactive patrols across the city. During those 31 days, ofcers recorded 4,079 total monthly activities and handled 800 calls for service and

See LOCUST, page A5

First annual Bluegrass Festival coming to The Lodge on Hatley Farm Locust Police Department releases expanded activity report

The May 16 event will feature music performances and food trucks

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — A local farm in Stanly County is going all in on bluegrass this month.

The Lodge on Hatley Farm will host a day of live music, food and vendors at its rst annual Bluegrass Festival on May 16, running noon to 8 p.m. at 28338 Hatley Farm Road in Albemarle.

Tickets will be $10 at the gate, while children 12 and younger will be admitted free.

“Bring your lawn chair, kick back and enjoy a full day of incredible bluegrass music, good vibes and time with family and friends out on the farm,” The Lodge on Hatley Farm said in a statement.

Clayton & Wensil will open at noon, followed by Hiram from 12:30-1 p.m. The Hatley Family is set to perform from 1-1:45 p.m. and return for a second set from 3:15- 4 p.m. River Ridge Band is slotted for 1:45-2:30 p.m. and 5:30 - 6:15 p.m., while Strings of Faith is scheduled from 2:30-3:15 p.m. and 6:15- 6:45 p.m. McKinney Gap will take

“Thank you for helping make this dream a reality.”

The Lodge on Hatley Farm

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), now head of the Department of Homeland Security, speaks with reporters on the steps at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 5.

House approves bill to fund Department of Homeland Security, end record shutdown

The House broke the impasse by separating immigration and DHS funding

By Lisa Mascaro The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — After weeks of delay, the House voted Thursday to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security, but not its immigration enforcement operations, and send the bipartisan package to President Donald Trump to sign, ending the longest agency shutdown in history.

The White House had warned that temporary funding Trump had tapped to pay Transportation Security Administration and other agency personnel would “soon run out,” and that sparked new threats of airport disruptions.

DHS has been without routine funds since Feb. 14, causing hardship for workers, though much of Trump’s immigration agenda that is central to the dispute is being funded separately.

“It is about damn time,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, who proposed the bill more than 70 days ago.

The House swiftly voted by voice, without a formal roll call, to pass the measure.

The House’s narrow Republican majority has repeatedly stalled out under House Speaker Mike Johnson, with his own party tangled in internal disputes on a range of pending issues, including the Homeland Security funding.

The House ended a partial shutdown that kept the Department of Homeland Security from

“It is about damn time.”

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, House Appropriations Committee

While the Senate unanimously approved the bipartisan package a month ago, the bill languished in the House.

Democrats refused to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol without changes to those operations after the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents during protests against an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Republicans would no go along with a plan pushed by Democrats to fund TSA and the other parts of DHS without the money for ICE and Border Patrol.

To break the impasse, Republicans in both the House and Senate decided to tackle

the immigration enforcement funding on their own through what is called budget reconciliation, a cumbersome weekslong process ahead.

By beginning that budget process Johnson (R-La.) was able to unlock a broader bipartisan bill for TSA agents and the rest of DHS. House Republicans late Wednesday adopted budget resolution on a largely party-line vote, 215 -211, that is focused on eventually providing $70 billion for immigration enforcement and deportations for the remainder of Trump’s time in o ce and ensure Democrats can no longer block funding. Trump’s term ends in January 2029.

One key Republican, Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, said isolating the immigration-related money on a separate track is “o ensive to the men and women who serve in ICE and Border Patrol, and are serving this country every single day.”

Here’s

May 7

The

David

and

books. Tickets are $40 for

and $50 for nonmembers and include dinner; a cash bar will be available.

Five Points Restaurant, Pontiac Room 304 E. Main St. Albemarle Stanly County Concert Band — “Our American Journey in Music” 7:30 p.m.

The Stanly County Concert Band performs its America’s 250th anniversary concert program “Our American Journey in Music” as part of the opening night of the summer Thursdays at the Station outdoor concert series at downtown Albemarle’s historic train station. Admission is free. Market Station 501 W. Main St. Albemarle

May 9

9th Annual Still Runs Car, Truck & Bike Show 2 p.m.

The Still Runs Car, Truck & Bike Show returns to downtown Albemarle for its ninth year, featuring classic vehicles, live music from Blue Stones and Slim and the Gems, food trucks, a beer garden, valve cover racing and an awards presentation. Vehicle registration is $25 cash; the show runs until 8 p.m.

Downtown Albemarle Depot Street and Main Street Albemarle

City Youth Ballet presents “Peter & the Wolf” noon

City Youth Ballet and Uwharrie Youth Arts bring the beloved orchestral tale “Peter & the Wolf” to life in two outdoor performances at the historic Hall House & Gardens. A second showing is scheduled for 4 p.m.; the rain date is May 10.

Hall House & Gardens 343 N. Second St. Albemarle

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

What the UAE’s OPEC breakup actually signifies

The SPLC couldn’t nd enough racism in America, so it appears to have decided to subsidize it. The in uence of the OPEC+ alliance has been diminishing for years.

IN A MOVE that should surprise no one who’s been paying attention to the shifting realities of global energy, the United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday it is withdrawing from both OPEC and the broader OPEC+ alliance, e ective May 1.

After more than ve decades of membership — rst through Abu Dhabi in 1967 and then as the UAE since 1971 — the federation is done sacri cing production exibility on the altar of cartel-managed scarcity.

The o cial statement was straightforward: The UAE has “made signi cant contributions and even greater sacri ces” for the collective good of OPEC and OPEC+. Now, it’s time to prioritize “national interest” and its “commitment to our investors, customers, partners and global energy markets.” Going forward, Abu Dhabi will gradually ramp up output in line with actual demand and market conditions while continuing to invest across the full energy spectrum.

This pragmatic energy policy decision is a rational move by a government acting in the national interests of its country. The UAE sits on some of the world’s lowest-cost, most e cient reserves. Why should this major producer tie its hands behind its back with arti cial quotas when global demand keeps proving the prophets of imagined “peak oil” wrong?

The announcement points to near-term volatility in the Arabian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz alongside sustained long-term growth in energy needs. Translation: We’re not waiting around for cartel consensus while the world still desperately needs reliable hydrocarbons. This isn’t surprising in the wake of last month’s laughable OPEC+ announcement that it would plan to raise cartel production a meager 206,000 barrels per day amid a global market

that is undersupplied by roughly 10 million bpd.

Geopolitically, the move comes at a fascinating moment. It aligns perfectly with the realist, sovereignty- rst spirit animating the so-called Donroe Doctrine, President Donald Trump’s updated corollary to the Monroe Doctrine that asserts American primacy in the Western Hemisphere while pushing back against Chinese, Russian and Iranian encroachment.

The Donroe Doctrine rejects multilateral handcu s in favor of unapologetic national interest and strategic dominance. The UAE’s decision mirrors that same mindset, even from half a world away. Why subordinate your sovereign resources to a quota system increasingly dominated by Russia’s revenue needs and Iran’s survival strategy?

The in uence of the OPEC+ alliance has been diminishing for years. The UAE has long chafed under production limits that prevented it from fully utilizing its spare capacity. Exiting now hands Abu Dhabi full control over its massive reserves and allows it to respond nimbly to market signals rather than Moscow’s political calculus.

In a Trump-led world where energy dominance is again viewed as a national security imperative, this kind of independent action by a key Gulf producer is bullish for supply security and price stability. It weakens the cartel’s grip at precisely the time when American leadership is reasserting itself against adversarial in uence.

This exit from OPEC seems less a rejection of multipolarity than a reminder that rational acting governments prioritize national interest over ideological solidarity.

This is what China does — why shouldn’t the UAE do the same? Abu Dhabi isn’t abandoning hydrocarbons or global markets:

Why the left won’t let racism die

AMERICA ISN’T RACIST enough for the modern left, so the Southern Poverty Law Center appears to have paid white supremacists. Last Tuesday, the Department of Justice unveiled an 11-count indictment against the organization. The most shocking part of the indictment isn’t the alleged crimes. It’s what federal o cials believe led to the crimes.

“The SPLC was founded in 1971 to ensure that the promise of the civil rights movement became a reality for all,” the group says on its website. It brags that it “shut down some of the nation’s most violent white supremacist groups.”

White supremacy is an immoral and illogical belief. It also barely exists in the United States. In 1958, 4% of Americans supported interracial marriage, according to Gallup. In 2021, 94% did. For comparison, 84% of Americans said they believed the Earth is round in a 2018 YouGov poll.

Instead of declaring victory, the SPLC was allegedly subsidizing the groups it claimed to be trying to destroy. It paid individuals “associated with violent extremist groups, such as the Ku Klux Klan,” according to the indictment. Some inside the organization called them the “Fs,” short for eld sources.

“Between 2014 and 2023, the SPLC secretly funded more than $3 million in SPLC funds to Fs who were associated with various violent extremist groups,” the indictment reads.

One eld source who “was a liated with the neo-Nazi organization, the National Alliance,” received more than $1 million between 2014 and 2023.

SPLC interim president Bryan Fair admitted his organization did “use paid con dential informants.” But when you pay a group’s leaders, you aren’t merely gathering information. You’re funding the cause.

“In addition to directly paying leaders and others associated with the same violent extremist groups that the SPLC sought donations ostensibly to ‘dismantle,’ the SPLC also used Fs to indirectly funnel money to other violent extremist group leaders,” the indictment states.

That allegedly includes the most infamous racist rally in the last decade.

“F-37 was a member of the online leadership chat group that planned the 2017 ‘Unite the Right’ event in Charlottesville, Va. and attended the event at the direction of the SPLC,” the indictment states. “F-37 made racist postings under the supervision of the SPLC and helped coordinate transportation to the event for several attendees.”

The SPLC couldn’t nd enough racism in America, so it appears to have decided to subsidize it.

Leave aside the glaring hypocrisy. Think about why the SPLC would do this. One reason may have been nancial. In 2016, it took in less than $60 million in revenue. In 2017, the SPLC’s revenue soared to more than $130 million. Talk about return on investment.

But there are more cynical and self-centered reasons why the left won’t acknowledge that racism against black Americans has declined dramatically over the last 60 years.

It’s doubling down on them on its own terms. If anything, the move exposes the limits of cartel cohesion when it comes to actual energy policy. Russia wants high prices to fund its war machine. The UAE wants the freedom to meet demand and maximize long-term value for its sovereign wealth funds and citizens.

More than anything else, UAE’s exit plays into the natural evolution of a world that still runs on oil and gas and will continue to do so for decades. The age of managed scarcity enforced by cartels is giving way to pragmatic, market-responsive production from the most e cient players. That’s good news for consumers, good news for energy security and a direct rebuke to the net-zero fantasists who’ve spent years pretending fossil fuels are yesterday’s news.

In January, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke of the evolving “New World Order,” a reference to the view that the world is evolving into spheres of in uence dominated by either the United States or China.

But that analysis is overly simplistic, and the UAE seems to be carving out a third path, one in which market factors reign and rational actors leverage their resource blessings to enhance their own national security.

David Blackmon is an energy writer and consultant based in Texas. He spent 40 years in the oil and gas business, where he specialized in public policy and communications.

(Copyright Daily Caller Foundation)

For one, Democrats have long used the threat of racial discrimination for electoral gain, especially to unify the black vote. Former President Joe Biden said the Charlottesville rally — that the SPLC appears to have funded — was why he ran for president. In 2020, Joe Biden received support from 90% of black voters, according to AP VoteCast. That level of uniformity isn’t based on policy. In 2022, a KFF/theGrio Survey of Black Voters found more than 70% said they were moderate or conservative. It’s based on identity and fear.

Another is that critical race theory contends that white supremacy has fully permeated American society. Even with the propaganda press, that’s a hard claim to make without pointing to the existence of the types of groups the SPLC allegedly funded.

Crying “racist” also allows Democrats to avoid defending their unpopular policies, like open borders. In a recent California gubernatorial debate, the moderator asked if truck drivers should be required to learn English. Leading Democratic candidates equated that with racism. America’s embrace of judging people by their character instead of their skin color should be a point of bipartisan national pride. Instead, it’s an existential crisis for the SPLC in particular and the left more broadly.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and host of the “Sharpening Arrows” podcast. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

BAYNE “ALAN” THOMAS

MAY 4, 1953 - APRIL 28, 2026

Bayne “Alan” Thomas, 72, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at home surrounded by his loving family.

Alan was born May 4, 1953, in Charlotte, North Carolina to the late Bayne Ashley Thomas and the late Bennie Ruth Thomas. He grew up on Rocky River, a place he still loved to go shing and roast hot dogs.

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye

April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023

Dwight Farmer

David Allan Coe, who wrote ‘Take This Job and Shove It’ and other country hits, dead at 86

Alan served his country as a member of the Air National Guard. He established himself as a highly respected contractor. To those who knew him, Alan was a man of his word. He built a reputation on the foundation of honesty and hard work, becoming known as the person you could always count on to be dependable, reliable and trustworthy. If a job bore his name, it was built to last. During his career, he built over 100 homes here in Stanly County.

Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.

Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor.

She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor.

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.

His happiest of days were spent with a shing rod in hand on the shores of the Outer Banks or enjoying the peace of Ocean Isle Beach (his home away from home). Alan was a man who truly loved his family, and he considered himself incredibly fortunate to have played such a long and active role in their lives. One of his greatest rewards was the opportunity to watch his grandchildren grow from children into the remarkable adults they are today. He often spoke of their accomplishments with a quiet but immense pride, knowing the values he held dear would carry on through them.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Canton Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Gar eld.

Survivors include wife of 53 years, Debra Herrin Thomas; daughter, Lori (Trent) Huneycutt; grandchildren, Drew and Kinsley Huneycutt; and siblings, Susan, David and Mark. Also, brother-inlaw Tony Herrin and Aunt Carol Kelly.

Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran. He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheri ’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.

Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.

Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.

He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.

Former NFL defensive lineman Josh Mauro dead at 35

His best season came in 2016 when he had 32 tackles for Arizona

The Associated Press

TEMPE, Ariz. — Former NFL defensive lineman Josh Mauro, who played eight seasons for three di erent teams, has died. He was 35.

The Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders and Mauro’s family con rmed on social media that he died last week. A cause of death was not given.

The 6-foot-6, 290-pounder played six seasons with the Cardinals and one each with the New York Giants and then-Oakland Raiders. His most productive season came in 2016 with the Cardinals when he played in 15 games, starting 13, and nished with 32 tackles.

He played in college at Stanford and his nal season in the NFL was with the Cardinals in 2021. Mauro played in 80 total

He was preceded in death by his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty.

Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.

NFL games, starting 40, and had ve career sacks. “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Josh Mauro,” the Cardinals said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone grieving this loss.”

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

James Roseboro

He built a legacy as Nashville’s most de ant outsider and celebrated songwriter

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

The Associated Press

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.

DAVID ALLAN COE, the country singer-songwriter who wrote the working class anthem “Take This Job and Shove It″ and had hits with “You Never Even Called Me By My Name” and “The Ride” among others, has died. He was 86.

Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.

Coe’s wife con rmed his death to Rolling Stone on Wednesday.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.

Whether he was labeled outlaw or underground, Coe was clearly an outsider in Nashville’s music establishment, even throughout his successes as an in-demand songwriter and singer, eventually developing a core following around his raw, often obscene lyrics and a checkered and somewhat mysterious past.

He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.

His wife, Kimberly, posted on Facebook in September 2021 that he had been hospitalized with COVID-19, and he made few appearances since then. He did concert tours with Willie Nelson, Kid Rock, Neil Young and others. He wrote “Take This Job and Shove It,” a hit by Johnny Paycheck in 1977, and “Would You Lay With Me (in a Field of Stone),” a hit by Tanya Tucker in 1974. He was also the rst country singer to record “Tennessee Whiskey,” penned by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove, that has since become a genre standard and hits for George Jones and Chris Stapleton.

Darrick Baldwin

January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023

His own country hit recordings included “You Never Even Call Me by My Name,” written by Steve Goodman and an uncredited John Prine; “The Ride,” and “Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile.” Coe also appeared in a handful of movies, including “Stagecoach” and “Take this Job and Shove It,” which was named after his song.

Coe, born in Akron, Ohio, spent time in reformatories as a youngster, and served time in an Ohio prison from 1963 to 1967 for possession of burglary tools. He also has said he spent time with the Outlaws motorcycle club, but some of the tales about his prison time and his

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.

He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.

He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.

He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.

community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.

October 11, 1944 - January 10,

Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and 1944, in the mountains of Marion,

World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.

personal life have been wildly exaggerated over the years.

When John purchased his rst Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!

“I’d have never made it through prison without my music,” he said in an AP interview in 1983. “No one could take it (music) away from me. They could put me in the hole with nothing to do but I could still make up a song in my head.”

Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC.

called “Heartworn Highways,” in which he performs a concert at a Tennessee prison.

At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily. While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.

He recorded his rst album, a blues album called “Penitentiary Blues,” using songs that he wrote in prison. He later told reporters that he tried not to lean too heavily on prison as a topic for songs because of the similarities to the backstory of Merle Haggard, but that his criminal history was all people seemed interested in focusing on.

Coe recorded next for Columbia Records and did the album “The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy,” which became his nickname after performing in a rhinestone suit and wearing a mask.

John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level.

During the heyday of the outlaw movement, Coe placed himself at the center of the scene, with songs like “Longhaired Redneck,” which featured lyrics about performing in dive bars, “Where bikers stare at cowboys who are laughing at the hippies who are praying they’ll get out of here alive.” He was featured in the acclaimed documentary about the outlaw country movement

Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.

Coe, himself heavily tattooed and sporting long hair, claimed a diverse fan base that included bikers, doctors, lawyers and bankers. His last record, released in 2006, was a collaboration with Dimebag Darrell and other former members of the heavy metal group Pantera. He released two R-rated albums, 1978’s “Nothing Sacred” and 1982’s “Underground Album,” that he sold via biker magazines. The songs on these albums have been criticized for being racist, homophobic and sexually explicit. He told “Billboard” magazine in 2001 that author and songwriter Shel Silverstein convinced him to record the songs he had written, something he had come to regret.

Doris was a gentle and sweet spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left you feeling uplifted after talking with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was sel ess, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.

“Those were meant to be sung around the camp re for bikers, and I still don’t sing those songs in concert,” he said. In 2016, Coe was ordered to pay the IRS more than $980,000 in restitution for obstructing the tax agency and was sentenced to three years’ probation. Court documents say Coe earned income from at least 100 concerts yearly from 2008 through 2013 and either didn’t le individual income tax returns or pay taxes when he did le.

She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, out ts for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@stanlynewsjournal.com

This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Rich eld, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; ve great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.

Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.

self-initiated events, along with 480 tra c stops and 3,279 area or security checks.

“March 2026 re ects a balanced and proactive operational month for the Locust Police Department,” the department said in the report. “O cers effectively managed a steady call volume while maintaining high visibility through patrols and tra c enforcement. The data shows strong proactive policing e orts, low levels of serious violent crime, and a continued focus on tra c safety and community service.”

General service calls made up the largest call category with 140, led by 40 medical calls and 23 motorist assists. O cers also responded to 83 investigative or incident calls, including follow-ups, disturbances and suspicious activity, along with 60 tra c-related calls and 18 property or nancial crime calls.

The report listed two physical crime incidents, with no reported gunshot calls and no suicide threats during the month.

“O

cers e ectively managed a steady call volume while maintaining high visibility through patrols and tra c enforcement.”

Locust Police Department

Criminal activity remained limited, with 51 o enses requiring reports and 53 total incident reports generated. The most common o enses requiring reports were larceny from businesses, with 16, followed by six arrest warrant services, ve drug-related o enses and ve tra c violations requiring reports.

Serious or violent crime was low, with no reported murders, robberies, residential break-ins or vehicle-related larcenies.

O cers recorded 29 total arrest charges in March; the report listed three driving while impaired charges, along with

several drug-related, weapons-related and domestic-related charges.

“We never complain that there are not more individuals being arrested on a monthly basis in the ‘City With A Soul,’ but that just means there aren’t more people committing offenses requiring arrest, which is a good thing,” the department said. “Plus, we strongly believe our o cers’ visibility and strong, proactive response to criminal activity play a big role in that.”

Tra c enforcement remained a major focus, with o cers issuing 117 citations and 384 warnings, including 160 speeding warnings. The top citation categories were speeding, expired registration and driving while license revoked.

The department also reported 32 crashes, including 21 parking lot crashes and 11 street or highway crashes. Total damage was estimated at $101,700, with ve injuries reported.

The Locust Police Department’s monthly activity reports are accessible online at locustnc.com.

The diplomatic breakthrough lets families reunite directly for the rst time

The Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela — The rst direct commercial ight between the United States and Venezuela departed a bit early Thursday on its way to the capital of the South American country, seven years after the U.S. Homeland Security Department ordered an inde nite suspension, citing security concerns. The resumption of a nonstop commercial ight between the two countries comes months after the U.S. capture of then-President Nicolás Maduro in a stunning nighttime raid on his residence in Caracas in early January. It also comes a month after the U.S. formally reopened its embassy in Caracas following the restoration of full diplomatic relations with Venezuela.

“I’m very excited to go and see the family and I’m looking forward to see the country,” said passenger Lennart Ochoa of Miami shortly before boarding. He said that he was “ready to go” and got his ticket as soon as they were available. “Just to go and see the family on a direct ight from Miami to Caracas is priceless.”

The director of the U.S. National Energy Dominance Council, Jarrod Agen, was among the passengers on the inaugural ight. Agen is scheduled to meet with Venezuelan o cials and executives from energy and mining sectors as part of the Trump administration’s e orts to facilitate the entry of U.S. companies into the South American country, reported the Venezuelan government.

At Miami International Airport, American Airlines sta handed passengers small Venezuelan ags. Balloons with its colors — yellow, blue and red — adorned the gate door leading to the plane.

Flight AA3599 operated by Envoy Air, a subsidiary of American Airlines, departed Miami at 10:11 a.m. EDT, ve minutes ahead of its scheduled time, according to Miami International Airport ight departure information. The ight is due to arrive around three hours later in the Venezuelan capital, returning to Florida later in the afternoon.

Earlier, the airline said that a second daily ight between Miami and Caracas will start on May 21.

In late January, U.S. President Donald Trump said that he informed Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez that he would open up all commercial airspace over the country, allowing Americans to visit.

“American citizens will be very shortly able to go to Venezuela, and they’ll be safe there,” Trump said at the time.

The ights mark the resumption of nonstop travel between the U.S. and Venezuela for the rst time since diplomatic ties were severed in 2019. For the past seven years, passengers have relied on international airlines and indirect routes through neighboring Latin American countries.

In January, when the airline announced the resumption of ights, it said it would give customers the opportunity to reunite with families and pursue new business opportunities.

American Airlines was the last U.S. airline ying to Venezuela. It suspended ights in 2019 between Miami and Caracas, as well as ights to the oil hub city of Maracaibo. Delta and United Airlines pulled out in 2017 amid a political crisis that forced millions to ee the country.

“Parents will be able to connect with children, grandparents with grandchildren, and entire families with a home that shaped and raised them,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at a news conference before boarding started. “Miami-Dade is home to the largest Venezuelan community in the United States.”

Keir Starmer faces backlash despite pledging funds for community protection

By Jill Lawless The Associated Press

LONDON — The U.K. government on Thursday said that the country is facing an antisemitism emergency and pledged to increase security for Jewish communities after a string of arson attacks and a double stabbing that have sparked fear and anger among Jews.

The country’s o cial threat level from terrorism was raised from substantial to severe after Wednesday’s stabbing attack in London, which police have called an act of terrorism. Severe is the second-highest rung on a ve-point scale and means intelligence agencies consider an attack highly likely in the next six months.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that his government “will do everything in our power to stamp this hatred out” after two Jewish men, ages 34 and 76, were seriously injured in a stabbing in Golders Green, an area in north London that is an epicenter of Britain’s Jewish community. Both men are in a stable condition.

But some in the community turned their anger on the government, which they say is failing to tackle antisemitism. Starmer was heckled by about 100 protesters holding signs saying “Keir Starmer, Jew harmer” when he visited Golders Green on Thursday.

The prime minister said in response that “I absolutely understand the high levels of anxiety and concern that there are.”

“Antisemitism is an old, old hatred. History shows that the roots are deep, and if you turn away, it grows back,” he said during a televised statement at 10 Downing St. “Yet far too many people in this country diminish it.”

Police have arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder and labeled the stabbing attack as an act of terrorism. Detectives are working to determine a motive and whether there is any link to Iranian proxies.

The suspect, whose name hasn’t been released, had “a history of serious violence and mental health issues,” police said. In 2020, he was referred to the government’s Prevent program, which tries to steer individuals away from extremism. The police force said that his le was closed later the same year, and didn’t disclose the reason for the referral.

Stabbing follows arson attacks

Britain’s Jewish community, which numbers about 300,000 people, has faced growing attacks online and in the streets.

The number of antisemitic incidents reported across the U.K. has soared since the attack by Hamas-led militants on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza, according to the Community Security Trust charity.

In October, an attacker drove his car into people gathered outside a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur and fatally stabbed one man. Another

man died during the attack after being inadvertently shot by police.

Since the start of the Iran war on Feb. 28, there have been a string of arson attacks on synagogues and other Jewish sites in London as well as

on opponents of the Iranian government.

Police say that 28 people have been arrested over those attacks, which did not cause any injuries. A handful have been charged and one teenager has been convicted after pleading guilty.

Police investigate potential link to Iran proxies

Several arson attacks have been claimed online in the name of Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia. Israel’s government has described the group, whose name means the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, as a recently founded group with suspected links to “an Iranian proxy” that has also claimed responsibility for synagogue attacks in Belgium and the Netherlands.

An online post under the same name also claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s stabbing. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that authorities were investigating whether that claim is credible or “opportunistic.”

Security experts have warned that the name may be a ag of convenience rather than a coherent group, and its claims should be treated with caution.

The U.K. has accused Iran of using criminal proxies to conduct attacks on European soil targeting Iranian opposition media outlets and the Jewish community. Britain’s MI5 domestic intelligence service says that more than 20 “potentially lethal” Iran-backed plots were

disrupted in the year ending in October.

The government said the increased threat level was not solely a result of the Golders Green attack, but also due to increased danger “from Islamist and extreme right-wing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups based in the U.K.”

The threat level stood at severe for much of the time between 2014 and February 2022, when it was lowered to substantial.

Government under pressure to tackle antisemitism

Starmer pledged that the attacks would bring a “swift and visible” criminal justice response. Mahmood said that she’s treating antisemitism as “an emergency,” describing it as the top security issue she faced.

The government announced 25 million pounds ($34 million) for more police patrols and protection around synagogues, schools and community centers, and Starmer said that the courts would speed up sentencing on antisemitic attacks as a deterrent.

But some Jews and others say the government has allowed an atmosphere of antisemitism to grow. They say pro-Palestinian protests, held regularly since October 2023, have gone beyond criticism of Israel’s actions to foster an atmosphere of intimidation and hatred against Jews.

The protests have been overwhelmingly peaceful, but some say chants such as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” incite anti-Jewish hatred. Some protesters have been arrested for displaying support for Hamas, a banned organization in the U.K. Jonathan Hall, the government’s former reviewer of terrorism legislation, called for pro-Palestinian marches to be temporarily banned, saying they had helped “incubate” antisemitism.

The leader of the opposition Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, backed calls for a ban, saying the marches “are used as a cover for violence and intimidation against Jews.”

The government hasn’t backed a ban, but Starmer said that protesters who used the phrase “globalize the intifada” — seen by some as a call for attacks on Jews — should be prosecuted.

Starmer said that the government would fast-track powers “to tackle the malign threat posed by states like Iran — because we know for a fact that they want to harm British Jews.”

Musk gets apology from California regulators as SpaceX lawsuit settled

Coastal regulators committed to excluding Musk’s political views from SpaceX regulatory decisions

By Christopher Weber The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Califor-

nia regulators apologized to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk this week as they settled a lawsuit that claimed a state agency showed political bias against the rocket company and its chief executive.

As part of the settlement, the California Coastal Commission acknowledged its members made “improper” statements about Musk’s political beliefs at a 2024 hearing on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch program.

“The commission agrees that it may not consider irrelevant factors in performing its function and speci cally agrees that it will not take into account the perceived political beliefs, political speech or labor practices of SpaceX or its o cers in considering any regulatory action concerning SpaceX,” the commission said in federal court documents led Tuesday.

SpaceX had sued the commission over its opposition to expanding the launch schedule for Falcon 9 rockets from the Vandenberg Space Force Base on the Southern California coast near Santa Barbara.

“The commission agrees that it will not take into account the perceived political beliefs, political speech or labor practices of SpaceX or its o cers in considering any regulatory action concerning SpaceX.”

California Coastal Commission

a request for comment on the settlement.

The coastal commission acknowledged in a statement Wednesday that it had apologized for “irrelevant” statements made by its members. The commission said it continues to have serious concerns about the impacts to coastal resources from increased rocket launches at Vandenberg.

“These impacts include restrictions on public coastal access, harm to sensitive species and coastal habitat, as well as the frequency and intensity of sonic booms,” the statement said.

“Federal law requires the federal government to provide information to and coordinate with the Coastal Commission on such issues. The federal government has yet to provide su cient information to the Coastal Commission about these activities and their impact on the California coast.”

Walmart breaks no-frills mold with beauty experts, personalized advice

Walmart customers may nd something new the next time they shop there

By Anne D’Innocenzio

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Walmart customers may nd something new the next time they’re looking for makeup and skin care products: in-store advisers offering personalized tips and recommendations.

The massive retail chain is breaking out of its no-frills service model by sta ng its beauty aisles with trained specialists who can suggest foundation shades to match a shopper’s skin tone or know about a moisturizer trending on TikTok.

The roles were lled at 22 stores in Arkansas and Texas in recent months, and Walmart expects to have them in more than 400 of its 4,600 namesake U.S. stores by year-end.

The addition of “beauty experts” comes as Walmart, rival Target, specialty chains like Sephora and department stores all are vying for a bigger slice of the $129 billion U.S. beauty and personal care market, including by o ering customized advice and playful, interactive spaces to encourage consumers to shop in person as well as online.

A year ago, Walmart set up areas in 40 stores where customers could sample makeup and speak with beauty advisors. The pilot “beauty bar” concept is now in hundreds of stores, according to Vinima Shekhar, vice president of beauty merchandising for Walmart’s U.S. division. As part of plans to remodel 650 locations by the end of the year, the company is moving beauty departments to the front of stores and installing displays to showcase products getting attention on social media.

“We’re not trying to be an Ulta or Sephora,” Shekhar told The Associated Press. “We have the breadth of assortment that no one else has. We have convenience that no one else has. What we also then want to do is layer on a level of service for both our associates and our cus-

tomers: ‘Here’s what’s trending. Here’s what’s new.’”

The importance of a human touch

Department stores and beauty product chains always have employed people to assist customers with testing and buying cosmetics. Pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens added beauty experts to many of their locations in the last decade or so. Walmart’s decision to join them highlights how retailers with physical stores rely on a human touch to distinguish themselves from online shopping platforms and AI chatbots.

Walmart has added more premium brands to its beauty assortment in the last year, including French pharmacy skin care brand La Roche-Posay, Australian natural makeup brand Nude by Nature, and FHI Heat hair tools. They are not cheap. Some La Roche Posay sunscreens cost just under $40 for 1.7 oz.

The beauty refresh is part of a broader Walmart initiative to upgrade its merchandise and ambience as it attracts higher-income shoppers. Customers who buy higher-end products and not only everyday skin and hair staples are looking for inspiration when they shop, Shekhar said.

Target announced in early March that it planned to expand its assortment of upscale beauty products and to deploy sta members with enhanced product expertise this fall in 600 stores. In those stores, a new department called Target Beauty Studio will partly replace in-store Ulta shops. As part of a Target partnership ending in August, Ulta had beauty consultants in Target stores.

Experts providing enhanced customer service may become a feature in other departments of mass market retail stores.

Whitney Hunt, vice president of Walmart’s U.S. operations, notes there could be other departments like electronics that could bene t from experts.

Target began launching a “baby boutique” experience

The commission also agreed it wouldn’t require a coastal development permit pertaining to SpaceX’s launch program in the state.

Representatives for SpaceX didn’t immediately respond to

The company’s lawsuit accused the coastal commission of engaging in political discrimination by refusing to sign o on a U.S. Air Force proposal to boost the number of launches at the busy base owned by the federal government. The lawsuit alleged the commissioners voted against SpaceX because of their dislike of Musk’s outspoken political views, violating constitutional rights to free speech and due process. According to the settlement, the case will be permanently dismissed while both parties agree that the deal doesn’t constitute an admission “of any liability or unlawful conduct.”

The settlement came while Musk took the stand this week amid a separate court battle with OpenAI cofounder Sam Altman that could reshape the future development of arti cial intelligence.

last month in nearly 200 stores where a concierge helps shoppers nd products registries created by expectant parents.

Advice that’s in demand

While arti cial intelligence threatens to eliminate jobs across industries, online job postings for beauty experts and beauty advisers remained fairly stable between February 2020 and this month, according to Cory Stahle, an economist with the research arm of jobs site Indeed. Online postings for both marketing and software development jobs fell more than 20% in the same period, Indeed said.

“We’re not trying to be an Ulta or Sephora.”

Vinima Shekhar, Walmart vice president of beauty merchandising

The median wage for beauty expert roles was $19.54 per hour in March, roughly $2 more than the hourly wage for all other retail jobs, according to Indeed data. Walmart said its beauty experts can earn $14 to $35 an hour, depending on the store location. That’s similar to the hourly range of $14 to $37 for all

of Walmart’s hourly workers, the company said.

Walmart’s beauty advisers undergo a day of training at a company academy and receive ongoing instruction on products, seasonal trends and working with customers. They don’t apply products on shoppers or do makeovers, unlike some of the employees at department stores and specialty beauty chains.

Walmart is providing online tools to help the advisers understand the beauty department’s top-selling brands and how their store compares with the business generated in other Walmart locations, Hunt said. Helena Bacon, 21, a University of Arkansas junior studying biology, said the training she had last fall made her feel more empowered to help customers. Before then, she helped out in the area that covers pharmacy, health and personal care items like basic shampoos and toothpaste of a store in Fayetteville and occasionally helped customers nd items in the beauty area. Bacon said she now understands product ingredients, knows how to identify lipstick shades that atter di erent customers and is on top of TikTok trends.

“I was kind of everywhere before,” she said. “But now that I’m just in my section, if someone does come up to me and asks for a recommendation for something, ... I could go over with them into that section and say, ‘This what I know is good for the problem you’re trying to x.’”

A shopper looks at packages of meat at a

Tax refunds, AI boom o set some US economic pain from Iran war, high gas prices, so far

In ation surged to a three-year peak, threatening growth

By Paul Wiseman and Christopher Rugaber The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

Americans are paying for the war in Iran with every visit to the gas station, but some of the damage to the U.S. economy is being o set — for now anyway — by big tax refunds and an investment boom driven by AI.

Prices rose at the fastest pace in almost three years last month, U.S. economic growth is steady and layo s fell last week, according to a slew of economic data released Thursday. The in ation gauge favored by the Federal Reserve — the Commerce Department’s Personal Consumption Expenditures price index — rose 0.7% from February to March and 3.5% from a year earlier. The year- over-year gain was the biggest since May 2023.

No secret what was driving the increase: Gasoline prices shot up 21% in March from February after Iran responded to U.S. and Israeli attacks by closing the Strait of Hormuz and creating the biggest disruption of oil supplies in history.

The same data showed that prices outgrew American incomes — wages, business income and government benets — for the second straight month in March.

The Commerce Department also reported Thursday that U.S. gross domestic product — the output of goods and services — grew at a steady 2% annual pace from January through March, slower than economists expected, but a rebound from lackluster 0.5% growth during the nal three months of 2025. In the

from page A1

the stage from 4-4:45 p.m. and again from 6:45-7:15 p.m. Grass Strings is set to close out the night with sets from 4:45-5:30 p.m. and 7:15-8 p.m.

Nine food trucks will be on-site, ranging from Taqueria Puebla and Pork Peddlers BBQ Catering to DonutNV and Funnel Cakes by Pam. The full lineup also includes Bloom & Brew, Tiki Tropical Treats Italian Ice, Southern Sodas, Franks of Faith and The Weiner Van.

“This event would not be possible without the amazing support of each and every one of our sponsors,” The Lodge on Hatley Farm said. “Your

October-December quarter, the 43-day federal government shutdown had slashed more than a percentage point o growth.

Business investment is surging because of the AI boom. Excluding housing, business investment surged 10.4% in the rst quarter, biggest jump in nearly three years.

From January through March, consumer spending — accounting for 70% of U.S. economic activity — expanded at a 1.6% annual pace. Americans were helped by big tax refunds, the result of President Donald Trump’s 2025 tax cuts.

But the boost might not last long. “Rising tax refunds were outpacing the increased burden of gasoline spending two to one in March and most of April,” wrote Michael Pearce, the chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics. “With tax refund season winding down and gas prices still climbing, the hit to consumer spending will become more evident from May.’’

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped another 7 cents overnight to $4.30. The price on this date last year was $3.18. In each of the past three days, gasoline prices have set new multiyear highs.

Forced to spend more on gasoline, consumers are likely to cut back their spending on other goods and services. Economists are already expecting GDP to take a hit as they do. Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM, a tax and advisory rm, has downgraded his forecast for U.S. economic growth this year to 1.7% from the 2.4% he’d expected earlier.

“A year that was set to bene t from tail winds associated with a large tax cut and boom in arti cial intelligence-led investment has

been partially derailed by the impact of what as of today is an adverse and growing supply shock caused by the war in Iran,” Brusuelas said. “Unfortunately, war and the supply shock that ensued has altered the probable growth path this year.”

The combination of rising prices — and the threat to economic growth — has put the Fed and other central banks in a bind. Should they cut interest rates to help their economies? Or hold o — or even consider raising rates — to combat the threat of in ation?

So far, they are staying put. The Bank of England kept its main interest rate on hold at 3.75% Thursday and hinted of hikes to come as policymakers assess the war’s economic impact. Likewise, the Fed, the Bank of Japan and the European Central Bank, with all opting for no change as they assess the economic fallout from the con ict.

Still, U.S. workers enjoy considerable job security. The Labor Department reported Thursday that the number of Americans applying for unemployment bene ts — a proxy for layo s — tumbled last week to the lowest level in more than 50 years. Companies aren’t letting workers go — but they aren’t necessarily eager to hire much either. Job growth last year was the weakest outside a recession since 2002. And it’s been up and down so far this year — strong in January (160,000 new jobs) and March (178,000) but weak in February when employers slashed 133,000 jobs. Economists describe “no -hire, no- re’’ scenario that locks young applicants out of the job market. At the same time, there are growing worries that AI is taking entry-level jobs.

STANLY SPORTS

Three Stanly baseball teams capture regular-season championships

West Stanly, North Stanly and South Stanly nished atop their leagues

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Three Stanly County baseball teams closed out the 2026 regular season with conference championships this spring.

West Stanly captured the Rocky River Conference title, while North Stanly and South Stanly nished as Yadkin Valley Conference co-champions. All three teams posted

9-1 conference play records.

The Colts (22-2) secured their fourth consecutive regular-season conference championship in the nal two weeks of April, sweeping Mount Pleasant with a 10-3 home win and a 13-0 road victory. Anson nished second in the Rocky River standings at 8-3.

West Stanly’s latest title added to the program’s recent run of success. The Colts went 23-8 last season, posting an undefeated conference record and reaching the 2A West Regional nal. This year, West Stanly continued its winning ways while competing as a 4A program under the

Pfei er hosts inaugural Night of the Falcon award ceremony

The university honored its top athletic performers

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

MISENHEIMER — Pfei er Athletics began a new tradition on Tuesday night with the inaugural Night of the Falcon awards ceremony representing the 2025-26 academic year.

“The ceremony, held in Merner Gym, honored standout student-athletes, coaches and community members whose achievements and service dened a memorable season for Falcon Athletics,” Pfei er Athletics said in a statement.

The event was part of Pfei er’s campus-wide Week of Falcon Achievement celebration.

Softball standout Landry Stewart was named Female Falcon of the Year after leading Pfei er and the USA South with a .542 batting average while setting a school record with 58 stolen bases.

Track and eld athlete Jordan Jones and men’s soccer player Alex Michael shared

Male Falcon of the Year honors. Jones ranked rst nationally in Division III in the 100 meters, while Michael became Pfei er’s rst Division III-era men’s soccer All-American.

Freshman of the Year honors opened the ceremony, with softball pitcher Abigail Bowman receiving the female award and track and eld standout T.J. Palmer earning the male award.

Bowman, a Lenoir native, put together a strong debut season for the Falcons, carrying a 14-4 record, a team-best 1.90 ERA, 93 strikeouts and a .178 opposing batting average.

She also threw the rst seven-inning perfect game in program history, added a no-hitter and helped lead Pfei er softball to its fourth straight USA South regular-season title.

Palmer, of Charlotte, captured USA South champion-

5

Consecutive regular-season YVC championships for North Stanly

NCHSAA’s new classi cation model.

In the YVC, North Stanly (21- 4) earned a share of its fth consecutive conference crown.

The Comets maintained their rst-place tie with South Stanly by sweeping a road double-

header against North Rowan on April 23, winning 15-0 and 21- 0. North Stanly was 26-2 overall and 10-0 in conference play last season.

South Stanly (16-9) joined the Comets at the top of the conference standings after making a notable improvement in league play. After nishing 21-7 overall and third in the YVC at 6-4 last season, the Bulls improved by three conference wins and earned their most league victories in a season in seven years.

The Bulls kept pace late in the regular season with a 6-2 road win over Union Academy on April 21, then followed with a

10-7 home victory over the Cardinals three days later.

Stanly County’s other two baseball teams nished below .500 but still had notable moments. Gray Stone (8-10, 4-6 YVC) placed fourth in the YVC and recorded its most wins in a season since 2017. Albemarle (3-16, 1-9 YVC) nished fth while earning its rst conference win in seven years.

The postseason now becomes the focus for all ve local teams. Conference tournament play was scheduled for this past week, with the YVC championship game set for Thursday and the RRC championship game set for Friday. In early tournament action, West Stanly defeated Parkwood 10-0, North Stanly beat Union Academy 11-0, and South Stanly topped Gray Stone 11-5.

The NCHSAA is scheduled to release state playo brackets on Monday, with rst-round games beginning Tuesday.

Pfei er University held its

Tuesday night.

ships in the indoor and outdoor 400 meters, anchored a title-winning 4x400 relay and set a conference outdoor record with a time of 48.0 seconds.

The Childress Service Awards were presented to Stefan Iordache and Gabrielle Gama, while the evening also honored the Childress family’s contributions to the university.

For Comeback Athlete of the Year, honors went to women’s lacrosse player Annalise Robinson and baseball player Jack Brandle.

Night

Robinson returned from injury to lead the Falcons with 68 goals in 2025, nishing her career with 243 goals. Brandle, a Concord native, made a notable physical transformation and became a key part of Pfei er’s lineup with 37 RBIs and seven home runs. Gabby Edwards and Christian Daniels were named Captains of the Year, while men’s basketball coach Pete Schoch received the Jack and Nancy Ingram Coach of the Year Award.

“The ceremony, held in Merner Gym, honored standout student-athletes, coaches and community members whose achievements and service de ned a memorable season for Falcon Athletics.”

Pfei er Athletics

NHL playo s nearing record for penalty shots; rst round isn’t yet close to over

The rst 21 games featured more penalty shots than the last three years combined

By Stephen Whyno

The Associated Press

NO GAME IN the NHL’s Stanley Cup Playo s has ever ended with a goal on a penalty shot in overtime, and Carolina’s Jordan Martinook was not eager to make history.

He and the Hurricanes thought they’d won Game 2 of their rst-round series against Ottawa when teammate Mark Jankowski scored, but a league-initiated challenge ruled the play to be o side, took the goal o the board and rewound the clock. On the same shift, Martinook was hooked by Senators forward Warren Foegele on a breakaway and awarded a penalty shot.

“I was trying to tell (the referee) we needed the power play, not the penalty shot,” Martinook said. He got turned aside by Linus Ullmark, then scored the winner in double overtime.

Through last Thursday night’s games, there had been four penalty shots already in these playo s — more through 21 games than the previous three years’

tial, but I don’t really have a denitive answer one way or the other.”

Lyon stopped Arvidsson, Ullmark stopped Martinook, Philadelphia’s Owen Tippett missed the net against Pittsburgh’s Stuart Skinner, and Colorado’s Scott Wedgewood made such a highlight-reel save on Los Angeles’ Quinton By eld that jubilant fans in Denver broke the glass behind the Kings’ bench.

“Never really seen the glass shatter behind the bench,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said following a repair process that delayed the game more than 15 minutes. “That’s a di erent one. Stu happens. Fans get excited. Our guys were excited.”

Is more grabbing going on during play? More breakaways in a league that has increased the emphasis on o ense in recent years? Both could be true.

“Hockey’s crazy, sports are crazy and being able to score after that, I’ll tell my grandkids about that one, that’s for sure.”

Jordan Martinook

Still, four penalty shots before the end of the rst round is unusual. The only playo s with more penalty shots were 2019 ( ve) and 2008 (six).

worth combined, including zero in 2025 — and the goaltenders have saved all four.

Two more penalty shots would tie the record for the most in a single postseason. There doesn’t seem to be a reason for the uptick in refs calling for penalty shots over power plays, but there is no doubt it has added rare and must-see entertainment to a compelling rst round.

“Everything’s very circumstantial,” Bu alo goalie Alex Lyon said after denying Boston’s Viktor Arvidsson in Game 3 last Thursday night. He’s not sure if he’d rather face the 1-on-1 matchup or endure a 2-minute penalty kill.

“To be honest with you, every player in this league has the ability to score on penalty shots,” Lyon said. “So yeah, I guess it’s just more circumstan-

The NHL’s rule 24.1 says “a penalty shot is designed to restore a scoring opportunity which was lost as a result of an infraction being committed by the o ending team, based on the parameters set out in these rules.” That does provide some latitude for o cials to determine what constitutes a penalty shot if a player is unimpeded by an opponent with no one between him and the net.

These are potentially game-changing moments and add even more pressure to a playo game. Martinook described his experience as being the big guy on one end of a teeter-totter, acknowledging he didn’t feel good about himself after not scoring on his opportunity. The 33-year-old grinder made good on his next one to keep from being perceived as the goat.

“It was going to be a long night if that penalty shot came back to bite me,” Martinook said. “Hockey’s crazy, sports are crazy and being able to score after that, I’ll tell my grandkids about that one, that’s for sure.”

Japan awakens to Radio Taiso exercise tradition

The morning routine is credited for the country’s longevity

By Stephen Wade The Associated Press

TOKYO — This is how Japan wakes up. It’s called Radio Taiso — Exercise Radio in English — a simple yet dynamic way to start the day.

Japanese radio plays music every morning at 6:30 to accompany basic instructions for calisthenics, and millions perform in the choreography: in parks, workplaces, schools — and at home.

Radio Taiso has an almost 100-year history, formally introduced in 1928 and coinciding with the enthronement of Emperor Hirohito. The tradition endures because the exercises are suitable for all ages and capabilities, and easily accessible.

We’re talking about basic exercise movements: reach to the sky to limber up, twist at the torso, bend at the hips, swing the arms and get the shoulders loose, or jump or run in place.

Exercisers can make it as

strenuous as they wish, and it’s over in just 10 minutes, all done to the rhythm of a soft piano melody.

There are about a dozen basic moves that can be done standing or seated. The idea is to keep moving and, though the program runs early in the morning, many devotees repeat it on their own later in the day.

The routine features a trio of three-minute segments that get slightly more di cult — but not much. Most Radio Taiso followers know the sequences by heart, but beginners can join in and quickly pick up the routines. No equipment is needed.

The program begins with arms exercises — lifting the arms, circling the arms and stretching the arms side to side. It’s followed by bending from the waist and twisting at the waist.

Shoulder raises are incorporated with a few mini-jumping exercises and marching-in place moves. Along the way you add in neck exercises, moves to stretch the chest and small squats for leg power.

Each movement is repeated four to eight times with in-

“By moving my body, I feel better.”

Mieko Kobayashi, 88-year-old Radio Taiso practitioner

structions throughout to relax, breathe, and inhale and exhale slowly.

Mieko Kobayashi is 88 and goes to Kiba Park — an expansive layout in the east Tokyo area — almost every day, where a large group gathers without fail.

“If it’s cold or raining, I don’t go,” she said. “By moving my body, I feel better.”

She and her 77-year-old friend, Yoshiko Nagao, said that some who go to the park daily live alone, and this is an important social anchor — particularly for the elderly.

“Laughing and chatting while taking a walk after is also good,” Nagao added. “We come even on New Year’s Day.”

Kenji Iguchi is 83 — he’d pass for 60 — and he’s been a regular for about 20 years.

“It’s for my joints, mainly the

knees and back, because of my age,” Iguchi said.

“I get up at 5 a.m. anyway,” he added. “I come to the park about 6 a.m. and do a round of walking ahead of the Radio Taiso session. Most of the faces are familiar, and coming here and getting together with them is also one of the things I look forward to.”

Japan has one of the world’s longest-lived populations, attributed to its diet, healthcare system and a lifestyle that encourages the elderly to be active. The average life expectancy is about 85, and only Hong Kong is reported to be slightly higher. By comparison, the United States life expectancy is about 79.

The Japanese government announced late last year that 99,763 people were alive in Japan at 100 or more, a new national record for the 55th straight year. Japan holds the record for the most centenarians relative to its population, which is about 122 million.

Radio Taiso was inspired a century ago by a similar radio program in the United States sponsored by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. The Japan

Radio Taiso Federation says ofcials of the postal ministry visited the United States in the 1920s and returned to Japan with the concept.

Within a decade, millions were participating. The federation says the program was led by postal workers who distributed pamphlets and organized training sessions.

Japan was under United States occupation after its defeat in 1945 in World War II, and the exercises were banned — largely because they were done in groups. The federation says the practice was seen as “totalitarian” with a possible air of militarism.

The group exercises were resumed in 1951, backed by popular demand as the American occupation ended in 1952.

According to a 2023 survey by the federation, more than 20 million people in Japan practiced a Radio Taiso session at least once a week.

Radio Taiso has caught on in many countries abroad, most notably in Brazil, which has the largest population of people of Japanese descent living outside Japan.

People perform a stretching exercise while listening to music and guidance from radio at a public park in Tokyo.

1 football player from each ACC team to watch next season

17 schools in the conference had someone emerge in spring ball

By Aaron Beard

The Associated Press

A LOOK AT FOOTBALL players to watch in the Atlantic Coast Conference coming out of spring practices and heading into preseason camp.

Duke Duke added graduate transfer Nick Del Grande from Coastal Carolina to help bolster its o ensive line. The Blue Devils lost starting tackles Brian Parker II and Bruno Fina from last year’s ACC title run, so there’s an opportunity for the 6-4, 302-pound Del Grande with 35 career starts to jump right in up front.

NC State

Linebacker Harvey Dyson o ers transfer help for a unit that ranked 12th in the ACC in scoring defense (27.2) and 14th in total defense (411.9). Dyson started his career at Texas Tech before playing last year at Tulane, starting all 14 games for a CFP team. He nished as the team leader there with 11.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks.

UNC

Tight end Jordan Washington arrives as a transfer from Texas as the Tar Heels adapt to new o ensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s scheme. The 6-foot-4, 264-pound redshirt sophomore had seven catches for 109 yards and a score last year. Petrino described Washington as a “take charge, no-nonsense type of guy — and then has shown up on video playing that way.”

Wake Forest

Defensive back Davaughn Patterson could be a key piece of a defense that might have to lead the way for Jake Dickert’s second season with the Demon Deacons. He’s been a two-year starter with 154 tackles the past two seasons, showing the ability to help in coverage or close to the line of scrimmage.

Miami

Darian Mensah has moved on from Duke to be the quarterback for a Miami team that made the College Football Playo and pushed all the way to the championship game.

Then-Duke quarterback Darian Mensah passes during the ACC Championship Game. He’ll be passing for Miami this season.

Mensah nished second last year in the Bowl Subdivision ranks in both passing yardage (3,973) and touchdown throws (34). He had three touchdown throws during scrimmage work at last weekend’s spring game.

Virginia Tech

Duke transfer receiver

Que’Sean Brown is positioned to bolster the Hokies’ receiving corps. The redshirt junior had 64 catches for 846 yards and ve touchdowns for last year’s ACC champs, starting 12 games. He had a 14-yard touchdown grab in the Hokies’ spring game last weekend.

Boston College

Running back Evan Dickens could boost the ground game for the Eagles as they come o a 2-10 season. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound back ran for 1,339 yards and 16 touchdowns last season at Liberty.

California

Quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will garner national attention in returning from a strong freshman season with the Golden Bears.

Clemson

The plan has been for redshirt junior Christopher Vizzina to take over the o ense after the departure of Cade Klubnik.

Florida State

The Seminoles announced Auburn transfer Ashton Daniels as the starting quarterback after the completion of spring drills.

Georgia Tech

Quarterback Alberto Mendoza, the Indiana transfer and younger brother of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, was the o ensive captain for the team’s recent spring game.

Louisville

The Cardinals brought in quarterback Lincoln Kienholz after three seasons at Ohio State.

Pittsburgh

Receiver Bryce Yates had 11 catches for 202 yards while playing 11 games as a true freshman.

SMU

Running back Dramekco Green is a hard-running back with a strong frame, running for 90 yards in ve games as a redshirt freshman last year.

Stanford

Tight end Benji Blackburn could have a bigger role after making ve starts last year, nishing with nine catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Syracuse

Quarterback Steve Angeli helped Syracuse start 3-1 last year, including a win at Clemson, before going down to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.

Virginia

Receiver Rico Flores Jr. has gone from Notre Dame to UCLA and now Virginia.

West Stanly, girls’ soccer

Raygan Gainey is a junior on the West Stanly girls’ soccer team. The Colts are currently 15-2-2, 9-1-1 in conference and are winners of six straight matches, undefeated in seven consecutive.

Gainey has a personal four-game multigoal streak. She had two goals and an assist against Monroe and helped preserve the win with two saves in 10 minutes in goal. Against Forest Hills, she had three goals and an assist. She had another hat trick against Montgomery, netting three goals. And in a win over Anson, she had ve goals and six assists.

Her point streak stretches to six matches. She had two assists against Piedmont and also started the run with six goals against Gray Stone Day. Raygan is 21st in the nation in goals and 17th in points.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@stanlynewsjournal.com | Weekly deadline is Monday at noon

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Crystal C. Page Administrator of the Estate of William Claude Cook AKA William C. Cook PO Box 1273 Norwood, NC 28128 N. BLANE STANALAND Teague Rotenstreich Stanaland Fox & Holt, P.L.L.C. 101 South Elm Street, Suite 350 Greensboro, NC 27401 Telephone: (336) 272-4810 Fax: (336) 272-2448

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This year’s World Cup games could be sizzling; here’s what’s being done to prepare for extreme heat

Wet bulb temperatures could exceed 90 degrees

in Texas and Mexico

By Dorany Pineda

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — As global temperatures rise, extreme heat could threaten athletes, fans, workers and o cials during this year’s World Cup games.

Sixteen cities across the United States, Mexico and Canada will be hosting the 2026 World Cup in June and July. On average, July is the hottest month of the year for the contiguous U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and it’s only gotten warmer since record-keeping began in 1895. Wet bulb globe temperatures, which factor humidity, wind speed, sun angle and more, could exceed 90 F in the afternoons in the Texas cities of Dallas and Houston and Monterrey, Mexico, research shows.

“Almost all of the host locations, 14 out of 16 of them, experience levels of extreme heat, which could be potentially dangerous to players, match ocials and possibly spectators,” said Donal Mullan, a senior lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast who lead a paper last year examining the heat risks of this year’s host cities. Some stadiums have the advantage of being fully covered, reducing the risks.

Exposure to heat, amplied during exertion, can lead to nausea, dehydration, headaches, stroke and, in extreme cases, death. Worries from some that millions of people could be exposed during the tournament were ampli ed in March, when record-breaking temperatures hit large swaths of the U.S. And with global temperatures rising because of pollution from burning oil, gas and coal, scientists have warned that staging soccer tournaments in the summer is getting more dangerous.

The 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar was moved from summer to winter because of the threat of extreme heat. Last year’s Club World Cup experienced a heat wave that sent temperatures soaring into the 90s F and above in many areas. Following the event, the soccer players’ global union warned that extreme heat would likely be an even bigger problem at the next two men’s World Cups. The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

This year, host cities, stadiums and FIFA, the world governing body for soccer, are working to protect players and spectators by conducting heat risk assessments, enhancing shade, cooling zones and water access, stationing medical teams during events and more.

Some plans are still beingnalized, but here’s a look at what to expect inside stadiums and at outdoor events.

Protecting athletes, FIFA personnel

Players will get 3-minute hydration breaks midway through each half, regardless of weather conditions, FIFA said. Other welfare plans include allowing teams the usual of up to ve substitutions, a minimum of three rest days between matches, and sta and substitutes will have access to climate-controlled benches at outdoor matches. Climate conditions are factored into the match schedule.

“Outdoor matches during the hottest parts of the day have been strategically limited, kick- o times adjusted in certain markets, and matches expected in warmer windows prioritized for covered stadiums where possible,” FIFA said.

The federation has also created a Heat Illness Mitigation and Management Task Force made of medical and operational experts. Ahead of the games, they are nalizing heat-risk alert systems, coordinating stadium medical action plans and other standardized guidance.

Heat messaging, activating extreme heat plans, medical personnel

O cials will be monitoring weather conditions and be prepared to activate extreme heat plans if they determine that temperatures are too hot. If activated, plans will include sending out public safety messaging on how to protect yourself from heat and how to recognize signs of heat exhaustion and stroke.

If Canada’s federal agency, Environment and Climate Change Canada, issues an ocial heat warning, for instance, the city of Vancouver will add more temporary drinking fountains, handwashing and misting stations outside to complement its multilanguage heat awareness campaign.

Along main tournament and festival routes, volunteers will also be providing heat safety information to attendees and workers.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said it will be disseminating heat safety and proper hydration information leading up to and during the games. It will also be launching a heat dashboard for the public with near-real-time data on heat-related emergency room visits in the county.

New York City will be prepared to send out noti cations

in 14 di erent languages to its 1.5 million public warning subscribers, as well as international visitors on the Everbridge app and WhatsApp channels. Educational campaigns are helpful for promoting hydration, use of shade and more, but research shows passively disseminating information doesn’t always have the intended effect, said William Adams, assistant professor in kinesiology at Michigan State University who researches exertional heat stress among athletes. It requires a more active approach, but that isn’t really feasible with large events like this one, he said.

Medical personnel will also be stationed and available in FIFA Fan Festivals and around several stadiums during matches to manage heat-related illnesses, including at the Toronto Stadium in Canada

and the Dallas Stadium in Texas.

At Dallas’ outdoor events, all medical professionals will have access to ice and ice immersion bags, and the city’s festival site — where people can watch live matches — will also have two medical stations in climate-controlled locations.

Increased access to shade, water and cooling stations

Cities and stadiums will be increasing access to shade, cooling areas and water for spectators and workers.

In addition to being ready to implement its heat and smoke response plans if necessary, the Seattle O ce of Emergency Management in Washington State is exploring using air-conditioned buses, tents and water misters at fan fests and matches.

In Vancouver, there will be shaded seating areas at all the various tournament events and locations around the city.

Volunteers and workers at outside events in Dallas will have mandated rest and hydration breaks. And o cials will be working with volunteer organizations to hand out water.

These combined e orts hope to reduce heat-related illnesses and help minimize strain on local hospitals during the tournament.

Stadium coverage, cooler hours

Some stadiums are covered, such as Canada’s BC Place Vancouver stadium that will host seven games. It is “one of only four 2026 World Cup stadiums which are fully covered so players and fans will not be exposed to weather conditions while inside the stadium,” the City of Vancouver said in a statement.

The Dallas venue has air conditioning and is also enclosed, “so we don’t anticipate any weather-related issues inside,” said Tim Ciesco with the Arlington Police Department.

In Santa Clara, California, all matches will be played in the evening, when weather conditions are cooler.

Elliot Arthur-Worsop, founding director For Football for Future, a group focused on creating environmental sustainability in soccer, said the tournament’s organizers have a responsibility to keep people safe.

“That’s a social contract that exists between the fans and football governing bodies,” he said.

In a climate report they published ahead of this year’s games, they found heat and other climate risks will intensify in most stadiums hosting games in 2050.

“By the next time the World Cup comes back and is awarded in this part of the world,” he said, “it will have to be

and

famous birthdays this week

Christopher Cross turns 75, Carlos Alcaraz is 23, David Attenborough hits 100, Candice Bergen is 80

THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

MAY 3

Singer Frankie Valli is 92. Singer Christopher Cross is 75. Actor Amy Ryan is 58. Actor Bobby Cannavale is 56. Music executive-entrepreneur Damon Dash is 55. Country musician Eric Church is 49. Golfer Brooks Koepka is 36.

MAY 4

Jazz musician Ron Carter is 89. Pulitzer Prize-winning political commentator George Will is 85. Actor Richard Jenkins is 79. Country singer Randy Travis is 67. Comedian Ana Gasteyer is 59. Actor Will Arnett is 56. Basketball Hall of Famer Dawn Staley is 56. TV personality Kimora Lee Simmons is 51.

MAY 5

Actor Lance Henriksen is 86. Comedian-actor Michael Palin is 83. Actor Richard E. Grant is 69. R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn is 51. Actor Vincent Kartheiser is 47. Actor Danielle Fishel is 45. Tennis player Carlos Alcaraz is 23.

MAY 6

Rock musician Bob Seger is 81. Country musician Jimmie Dale Gilmore is 81. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is 73. TV host Tom Bergeron is 71. Actor-director George Clooney is 65. Actor Gabourey Sidibe (“Precious”) is 43.

MAY 7

Rock musician Bill Kreutzmann (Grateful Dead) is 80. Actor/former boxer Randall “Tex” Cobb is 76. Actor Breckin Meyer is 52. Reggaeton musician J Balvin is 41. Actor-comedian Aidy Bryant is 39.

MAY 8

Biologist/TV presenter David Attenborough is 100. Poet Gary Snyder is 96. Singer-songwriter Toni Tennille is 86. Pianist Keith Jarrett is 81. Singer Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind and Fire) is 75. Rock musician Chris Frantz (Talking Heads) is 75. Singer Enrique Iglesias is 51.

Lee

JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION / AP PHOTO Actor Gabourey Sidibe is 43 on Wednesday.

Musician Joe Bonamassa is 49.

MAY 9

Producer-director James L. Brooks is 86. Musician-songwriter Sonny Curtis (The Crickets) is 89. Actor Candice Bergen is 80. Musician Billy Joel is 77. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo is 75. Actor John Corbett is 65. Rock musician Alex Van Halen is 73. Singer Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) is 64.

Kahan’s new ‘The Great Divide’ meets moment as ‘Stick Season’ successor

For fans of The Lumineers, Taylor Swift’s pandemic albums and Jason Isbell

By Mike Catalini

Associated Press

The

GATHER AROUND. Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan is leading his audience to therapy — or a walk in the woods.

Kahan’s fourth studio album, “The Great Divide,” out Friday, picks up where “Stick Season” left o with folksy, introspective hooks and catchy choruses that hit like a windows-down drive on a cool summer night.

Recorded primarily in Nashville and upstate New York and produced by Gabe Simon with Aaron Dessner, the 17-track album nds Kahan reaching for new insights on familiar themes like family trauma, sobriety and home. The album sounds similar to its predecessor, but here, Kahan explores perspectives outside of his own.

It’s impossible to recapture the past, and the pressure to follow up “Stick Season” with

another successful release weighed heavily on Kahan, as he revealed in his new Netix documentary “Noah Kahan: Out of Body,” released just ahead of the album.

The result is “The Great Divide” — not a radical departure from the 2022 record that won him a best new artist Grammy nomination, but an enjoyable listen, nonetheless. Anyone hoping for a new style should look elsewhere. Though there are some new features, notably piano and some rockpop detours that stand out in “American Cars,” a sound best described as Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” meets Don Henley’s “The Boys of Summer.”

“Doors,” the second track, is all the best parts of Kahan: blistering guitars, searching lyrics, heavy subject matter.

“Have you ever stared directly at the sun? / Have you ever shared some closeness, so exposed, to have it spit back by someone?”

“The Great Divide,” the title track and lead single, has an aching humanity in its lyrics and a searing juxtaposition inviting the listener to view haunting spirits, killers and

“You know I think about you all the time and my deep misunderstanding of your life.”

Noah Kanan “The Great Divide”

illness as, well, not the worst things. “I hope you’re scared of only ordinary s---” / Like murderers and ghosts and cancer on your skin / And not your soul, and what he might do with it.”

But it’s the prechorus that resonates deeply. Rhythmic guitar chord changes come into the foreground, adding a layer to the quicker strumming that carries throughout the song.

“You know I think about you all the time,” he sings, “And my deep misunderstanding of your life.”

It’s impossible to recreate “Stick Season,” but the album doesn’t endeavor to rehash the past. It carries on, a kindred spirit to its predecessor, and why not? Seasons change, but they come back again.

Growing amateur choir brings joy, community to hundreds in Serbia

2,000 people have sung with Pop Hor since it started

By Jovana Gec

The Associated Press

BELGRADE, Serbia — An amateur pop choir that started with a couple dozen singers in a small Serbian town has found unexpected success across the country. Its motto? Anyone can sing.

While community choirs are common in other countries, they are relatively rare in Serbia. The no-stress and fun approach has attracted hundreds of people, mostly women of all ages.

Modeled after similar projects abroad, the choir is encouraging “everyone from 5 to 105” to join and sing for joy and stress relief.

Since starting out in a small town in central Serbia four years ago, Pop Hor has spread to 10 towns across the Balkan country with an ambition to grow further. There are no auditions or voice tests, and newcomers don’t have to know how to read music.

perform a song during a practice in Belgrade, Serbia on April 15.

“People come as total amateurs, most of them say they have no clue about singing,” said Nenad Azanjac, who trained as a music teacher and who founded Pop Hor, or Pop Choir, with his wife. Nevenka Bila, 72, said the choir has provided a much-needed positive contrast to the everyday reality of political tensions and pro-democracy protests in the troubled Balkan country.

their after-class chat and co ee together.

The choir has had “a very positive e ect on me, psychologically,” she said. “It is joyful, it reduces stress.”

Music is known for positive neurobiological and psychological e ects, psychologist and Singidunum University professor Aleksandra Djuric said. In a group, she added, “we release the energy together, cortisol (levels) come down and positive hormones rise out of union and happiness.”

“I keep telling my students that we can’t be exposed on a daily basis to information, to be bombarded by information and follow everything all the time,” Djuric said. “We need to nd a space to calm down, relax and connect.”

“In this madness that we are living, where I spend half of my free time in the streets ghting for basic human rights, I found something that feels so good for me,” Bila said. “I discovered a new world.”

The group packs halls and venues across the country weekly to belt out popular tunes — mostly in Serbian, though sometimes they also sing songs by Croatian and Bosnian bands and singers. Though amateur, the choir often performs at festivals and events in Serbia and abroad.

Serbia endured years of wars, international sanctions and economic crisis in the 1990s. The country remains politically divided and struggles economically. Youth-led protests against populist President Aleksandar Vucic erupted in 2024 over a train station tragedy blamed on widespread negligence and corruption in big state-run infrastructure projects.

“I never miss a class,” said Radmila Kozarac, a 62-year- old economist. The choir has changed her life for the better, she said, adding that she has made wonderful new friends and can’t wait for

Azanjac said many people have joined his choir after their therapists recommended singing as an anti-stress activity. They “ nd a sense of belonging here, they enjoy it,” he added, describing a “feeling of togetherness.”

“Singing comes second, socializing comes rst,” Azanjac said.

this week in history

Kent State students shot, Napoleon dies at 51, De Soto reaches Mississippi River

The Associated Press

MAY 3

1802: Washington, D.C., was incorporated as a city.

1937: Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel “Gone with the Wind.”

1948: The U.S. Supreme Court, in Shelley v. Kraemer, ruled that racially restrictive housing covenants were legally unenforceable.

MAY 4

1886: A labor rally at Haymarket Square in Chicago turned deadly when a bomb exploded, killing seven police ocers and at least four civilians.

1904: The United States took over construction of the Panama Canal from France.

1961: The rst group of Freedom Riders departed Washington, D.C., to challenge segregation on interstate buses and in terminals.

1970: Ohio National Guardsmen opened re on student demonstrators at Kent State University, killing four and wounding nine in an anti-war protest.

MAY 5

1821: Napoleon Bonaparte, 51, died in exile on the South Atlantic island of Saint Helena.

1925: High school teacher John T. Scopes was charged in Tennessee with violating a state law banning the teaching of evolution; he was later found guilty, though the conviction was set aside.

1973: Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby in 1:59.4, the rst of his Triple Crown victories and a record that still stands.

MAY 6

1889: The Ei el Tower opened to the public as part of the Paris World’s Fair.

1935: The Works Progress

Administration was established by executive order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

1937: The German airship Hindenburg caught re and crashed while attempting to dock at Lakehurst, killing 35 of the 97 people on board and one crew member on the ground.

MAY 7

1915: A German U-boat torpedoed and sank the British liner RMS Lusitania o the southern coast of Ireland, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans, out of the nearly 2,000 on board.

1945: Nazi Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Rheims, France, ending its role in World War II.

1975: President Gerald R. Ford formally declared an end to the “Vietnam era.” In Ho Chi Minh City — formerly Saigon — the Viet Cong celebrated its takeover.

MAY 8

1541: Spanish explorer Her-

nando de Soto reached the Mississippi River, the rst recorded European to do so.

1846: U.S. forces led by Gen. Zachary Taylor defeated Mexican forces near modern-day Brownsville, Texas, in the rst major battle of the Mexican American War.

1945: President Harry S. Truman announced in a radio address that Nazi Germany’s forces had surrendered, stating that “the ags of freedom y all over Europe” on V-E (Victory in Europe) Day.

MAY 9

1960: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration conditionally approved Enovid for use as the rst oral contraceptive pill.

1754: The famous political cartoon “Join or Die” was rst published by Benjamin Franklin in the Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper.

1914: President Woodrow Wilson, acting on a joint congressional resolution, signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.

May 6,