VOLUME 146 ISSUE 36 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING Presidential Physical Fitness Award returns as Trump revives annual fitness test President Donald Trump is reviving the Presidential Physical Fitness Award as he reintroduces a competitive physical fitness test in America’s schools. The award is part of Trump’s revamped Presidential Fitness Test, which had been a publicschool fixture for decades but was phased out under President Barack Obama. The earlier exam tested children on exercises including a 1-mile run and sit-ups. Those scoring above the 85th percentile received the presidential award. Details of the revived test have yet to be released. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the test is now mandatory in 161 schools on U.S. military installations.
MY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
Hay day It’s greening up (almost) everywhere at Oak Grove Farm on Highway 24/27 in Albemarle on Sunday.
U.S. job openings unchanged at 6.9 million in March; hiring improved U.S. job openings were essentially unchanged at 6.9 million in March, another sign the American labor market remained sluggish even before the full impact of the Iran war hit the economy. The job market has been up and down so far this year after a dismal 2025. And the Iran war has clouded the outlook. On Tuesday, the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey showed that layoffs rose in March. But hiring improved and more people quit their jobs — a sign of confidence in the economy.
Justice Department seeks names of 2020 election workers in Ga.’s Fulton County Atlanta The Justice Department is seeking the names of every person who worked in the 2020 election in Georgia’s Fulton County, a Democratic stronghold Donald Trump has accused of widespread voter fraud he says cost him victory against Joe Biden in the state that year. Lawyers for the county filed a motion Monday to quash a grand jury subpoena requesting the information. The action follows the FBI’s January seizure of ballots and documents from the county. The county’s lawyers argue the subpoena is meant to target the Republican president’s political opponents and is overly broad.
Albemarle council reviews proposed 2026-27 budget The budget will now go into the review process By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
COURTESY CITY OF ALBEMARLE
City Manager Darren Rhodes presents the proposed 2026-27 city budget Monday night.
“Friends” of Greg Biffle and his wife are alleged to have tried to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars from the couple’s estate. More on page A2.
“The dates are set for Thursdays at the Station at Market Station in beautiful downtown Albemarle.”
The free concert series returns to Market Station By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — An annual summer concert series is returning to Stanly County this week for its 26th season. Organized by Albemarle Parks and Recreation, the 2026 Thursdays at the Station lineup begins Thursday at Market Station, a renovated former railroad depot at 501 W. Main St. in downtown Albemarle. The free weekly concerts
will be held Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. from May 7 through June 25, with eight performances scheduled over the two-month series. “The dates are set for Thursdays at the Station at Market Station in beautiful downtown Albemarle,” the Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau said. “Come to Albemarle Downtown at the restored railroad depot on West Main Street for wonderful evenings of entertainment in May and June. These are free concerts — just bring your bag chair, sit back and enjoy the music.” The 2026 schedule opens See CONCERTS, page A5
Now Serving Cabarrus, Stanly & Montgomery Counties LOCATIONS
• Albemarle-West/ Coble Ave. • Albemarle-East/ Anderson Rd. • North Oakboro/ Red Cross Rd. • South Oakboro/ Rocky River Rd. • Mt. Pleasant • Biscoe • Locust
See BUDGET, page A4
Thursdays at the Station inside kicks off 2026 lineup
Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau
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ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle City Council received its first look on Monday night at the city’s proposed 2026-27 budget that covers the fiscal year beginning on July 1. Presented by City Manager Darren Rhodes, the proposal will now move into the council’s
review process, with a budget workshop scheduled for May 12 in the Ray Allen Community Room at City Hall. The proposed budget includes a general fund budget of $25 million, an increase of $119,925, or about 0.5%, from the current year’s original budget of $24.9 million. It also includes a 3% operating budget cut for departments and a projected 2% increase in employee health insurance costs. “I’m pleased to report that the city will again discharge all its financial obligations for the current budget year, and that we project the city will close the year in good financial position and with adequate fund balances in all funds,” Rhodes said. “This remains in
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