Stanly News Journal Vol. 146, Issue 38

Stanly NewS Journal

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Iran war hitting home as gas prices fuel in ation surge of 3.8% in U.S.

U.S. consumer prices climbed sharply again last month as the 10-week war with Iran pushed energy prices higher. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that its consumer price index rose 3.8% from April 2025. On a month-to-month basis, April prices were up 0.6% from March as gasoline prices rose 5.4%. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, so-called consumer core prices were up 0.4% last month from March and 2.8% from April 2025, relatively modest readings that suggest the energy price burst isn’t yet spilling over much into other prices.

Trump FDA chief leaving after angering pharma CEOs, vaping lobbyists and anti-abortion groups

Marty Makary is resigning as President Donald Trump’s Food and Drug Administration head, according to a White House o cial who was not authorized to speak before an o cial announcement and insisted on anonymity Tuesday. The surgeon and health researcher’s tenure had drawn complaints from health industry executives, anti-abortion activists and other Trump allies. Makary was an outspoken critic of COVID-19 health measures during the pandemic, but at the FDA, Makary failed to win the sta ’s con dence after mass layo s, leadership changes and a series of controversies.

Mo.’s new U.S. House map goes to court; La., S.C. consider redistricting Missouri’s new congressional districts are facing a key legal challenge while Republican lawmakers in Louisiana and South Carolina consider redistricting. The Missouri Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on two cases. One contends the new map backed by President Donald Trump should be tossed because the districts are not compact. The other contends the new districts should have been suspended when opponents submitted petition signatures seeking a referendum. Legislative committees in Louisiana and South Carolina are to consider redistricting plans Tuesday that could help Republicans win additional seats.

Stanly budget plan increases funding, keeps tax rate at

The $102.1 million proposal adds school and public safety funding

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Stanly County’s recommended $102.1 million budget for scal year 2026-27 would keep the property tax rate unchanged while increasing funding for education, public safety and capital needs.

At the Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting on Monday night, County Manager Andy Lucas presented his operating budget recommendation, outlining a plan that marks a 3.5% increase over the current year’s budget.

Lucas said that increase is consistent with the consumer price index over the past year, adding that it likely would have been closer to the upper 2% range before a recent spike in

“The department heads did a really good job of putting their budgets together.”

Andy Lucas, county manager

fuel costs pushed the CPI higher during the past 60 days.

The recommended property tax rate remains 51 cents per

South Stanly Middle School teacher awarded Kenan Fellowship

Kristin Owens-White will study the energy industry through the program

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — A South

Stanly Middle School teacher has been selected for a statewide fellowship designed to connect classroom instruction with hands-on industry experience. Kristin Owens-White has

$100 valuation, the same as the current rate.

“The department heads did a really good job of putting their budgets together,” Lucas said. “Obviously, what they requested is not what we can fund or what I can recommend to fund, and it’s certainly not going to t inside the 51-cent tax rate, but they do a really good job of explaining their budget requests and trying to work

We stand corrected

To report an error or a suspected error, email: corrections@nsjonline.com with “Correction request” in the subject line.

to justify those. There’s only so much money to go around.”

The total requested budget came in at about $125.7 million, creating more than a $23 million gap between requests and his recommendation.

“If I were to recommend the requested budget to you, I would have required a 24 cent tax increase,” Lucas said.

According to the presentation, the proposal includes a more than $725,000 increase in operating funding for the local school system, a 4.1% increase. It also includes more than $4 million in school capital outlay tied to anticipated sales tax amounts, along with $200,000 more for teacher supplements and $50,000 more for classi ed employee bonuses.

For Stanly Community College, the recommendation in-

The district relied on Google Classroom and other backups

Stanly News Journal sta

ALBEMARLE — Stan-

ly County Schools weathered last week’s Canvas outage without signi cant disruption to instruction, district public information o cer April Coble told Stanly News Journal, with teachers turning to Google Classroom and other backup tools while the state’s primary learning management system was o ine.

The disruption stemmed from a cybersecurity incident at Instructure, the Utah-based company that runs Canvas. The state Department of Public Instruction shut o Canvas access through NCEdCloud — the single sign-on portal used by North Carolina public schools — late last Thursday, May 7, after hackers defaced the platform’s login pages with a ransom message. Canvas is the platform most NC public schools use to post assignments, grades and class communications.

Coble said in an email Monday that access has been restored in phases. Teachers in Stanly were able to log into Canvas through the district’s Clever portal beginning Friday morning while NCEdCloud restoration continued.

“During the temporary disruption, sta utilized alter-

cludes a $76,600 increase in operating funding and $525,000 for capital outlay.

The proposal also includes added public safety funding, including salary supplements for sheri ’s o ce, EMS and 911 employees, seven sheri ’s o ce vehicles, three Animal Protective Services trucks, one new ambulance and additional money to assist volunteer re departments with radio purchases.

A budget public hearing is scheduled for June 8, with possible budget workshops recommended for June 15 and June 22. Budget adoption is tentatively scheduled for June 24. The Stanly County Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular meeting on June 8 at 6 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

nate instructional platforms and resources, including Google Classroom, which already had rostered classes available for all sta and students through In nite Campus integrations,” Coble said. “Teachers also used other digital and classroom-based instructional methods as needed to continue instruction and communication with students and families.”

She said the district has seen no signi cant impact on testing preparation, grade submission or end-of-year communications. Districts still don’t have speci cs on what student or sta data was accessed. Coble said Stanly County Schools “has not received additional con rmed details beyond the general categories already publicly referenced by state ofcials and Instructure.” Those

“Stanly County Schools has not experienced signi cant disruptions … as a result of the outage.”

April Coble, Stanly Schools PIO

categories include names, email addresses, student ID numbers, course names and messages, according to Instructure — but not passwords, dates of birth, government identi ers or nancial information.

Instructure announced Monday night it had reached an agreement with the hacker group ShinyHunters, which had threatened to leak data on roughly 275 million users from some 8,800 institutions worldwide. The company said the stolen data has been destroyed and that the agreement covers all a ected customers, meaning individual schools and districts do not need to negotiate separately. Instructure did not disclose whether it paid a ransom, though multiple cybersecurity outlets have reported a payment was made.

May 13

Beach Blast 5K 8 a.m.

The Uwharrie Running Club hosts its annual Beach Blast 5K run/walk through downtown Albemarle, with awards across nine age categories and a virtual option available.

Uwharrie Dash 154 S. First St. Albemarle

May 14

Stanly County Chorale — “America: 250 Years in Song” 7:30 p.m.

The Stanly County Chorale performs a free outdoor concert of American music spanning 250 years as part of the annual Thursdays at the Station summer concert series. The performance is a repeat of the chorale’s spring show celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial.

Market Station 501 W. Main St. Albemarle

May 15

Stanly County Habitat for Humanity Vacation Ra e Drawing 1 p.m.

Stanly County Habitat for Humanity holds the drawing for its 2026 vacation ra e, with the winner receiving a trip to Marriott’s Barony Beach Club. Proceeds support the organization’s home-building mission in Stanly County.

Stanly County Habitat for Humanity ReStore 1506 Highway 24/27 West Albemarle

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

Medicaid millionaires are hiding in plain sight

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

FRAUD IN GOVERNMENT programs is often treated like an urban legend — something that happens in faraway blue cities run by corrupt political machines. But the truth is more unsettling: Some of the most brazen theft of taxpayer money is happening in places governed by Republicans, right under their noses.

Consider Ohio.

At one address in Columbus, investigators found 94 di erent companies registered in the same building. The windows were covered. The o ces appeared empty. Yet according to The Daily Wire investigative team led by Luke Rosiak, that single address has billed taxpayers more than $66 million. This is not a minor accounting error. It is not mere “waste.” It is a system being exploited. Rosiak’s reporting exposes an ecosystem of “Medicaid millionaires”: not the poor recipients of bene ts but the companies and middlemen who pro t o them. Under the guise of “home health care,” Ohio pays people to visit Medicaid bene ciaries’ homes to perform “homemaking” services — cooking, cleaning and chores — tasks that don’t require medical training and often don’t receive meaningful oversight.

Ohio spent roughly $1 billion on home health care in 2024. The incentives are obvious: If government is handing out checks for loosely de ned services, the people best

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

positioned to get rich are not the disabled or elderly — it’s the billing operations.

The pattern is almost comical in its boldness: Cover the windows, hang a sheet of paper with a generic company name ending in “Home Health LLC,” and if someone asks questions, claim the employees “stepped out.” Why cover the windows? Because there is nothing inside.

Dig into the companies and you nd unpaid taxes, shady ownership structures and a bizarre number of LLCs registered in unrelated industries. The deeper you look, the clearer it becomes that government is not equipped to monitor who it is writing million- dollar checks to.

The business model is disturbingly simple.

A 40-year-old man becomes an “employee” of a Medicaid-billing rm and gets paid to “care for” his 65-year-old mother. But the only patient is Mom, and the only person who could con rm whether services are being provided is Mom herself. If she doesn’t want to rat out her son — or if she’s receiving a kickback — the state has no practical way to verify anything.

When Rosiak questioned one operator about what his company did, he was met with threats. The man reportedly dismissed the inquiry and then pivoted to the modern all-purpose defense: “I’m going to tell everybody you guys are racist.”

And there it is — the magic trick.

Steal millions. Exploit the system. Then accuse anyone investigating you of bigotry. Unlike food stamps and other capped welfare programs, this Medicaid service has no meaningful ceiling. It expands as far as doctors are willing to sign forms. One doctor willing to approve enough paperwork can bankrupt a state. For decades, the public couldn’t see this because Medicaid billing data was a black box. That changed in February, when the Department of Justice quietly released new data. In one case, a landlord whose buildings housed hundreds of Medicaid companies billed the federal government $250 million.

Now the question is whether leaders will act. Ohio has Republican leadership, and nationally President Donald Trump has made waste, fraud and abuse a central theme of his administration. That focus matters because this problem won’t be solved with speeches or “task forces.” It requires audits, subpoenas, prosecutions and real accountability. If government programs are going to exist, the bare minimum requirement is that they serve the people they claim to serve.

Right now, Medicaid is serving scammers — and taxpayers are footing the bill.

Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

The race-obsessed left complains when the Supreme Court issues a colorblind ruling

But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a colorcoordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination.

SUPREME COURT Associate Justice

Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion, joined by Justice Neil Gorsuch, in the recent case that restricted the use of race in designing a Louisiana congressional district.

Thomas wrote: “This Court should never have interpreted (Section) 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to e ectively give racial groups ‘an entitlement to roughly proportional representation.’ ... By doing so, the Court led legislatures and courts to ‘systematically divid(e) the country into electoral districts along racial lines.’ ... ‘Blacks (we)re drawn into ‘black districts’ and given ‘black representatives’; Hispanics (we) re drawn into Hispanic districts and given ‘Hispanic representatives’; and so on. That interpretation rendered (Section) 2 ‘repugnant to any nation that strives for the ideal of a color-blind Constitution.’ ... Today’s decision should largely put an end to this ‘disastrous misadventure’ in voting-rights jurisprudence.”

Critics argue the ruling is not colorblind in e ect because race-neutral districting can dilute minority voting power. But this assumes a) non-black and non-Hispanic voters would not vote for black or Hispanic candidates; and b) the interests of black and Hispanic voters can only be pursued by black and Hispanic members of Congress.

For Democrats, the e ect of this ruling could be politically catastrophic. A report from Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund said, “Combined with Republicans’ mid-decade gerrymandering, a ruling gutting Section 2 could help secure an additional 27 safe Republican U.S. House seats when compared to the 2024 House maps — at least 19 directly tied to the loss of Section 2.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries said, “Instead of protecting the ability for American citizens to freely cast their ballot, Republican extremists have embraced voter suppression and racial gerrymandering to desperately cling to power. The corrupt conservative majority on the Supreme Court appointed by Donald Trump has taken a blowtorch to the Voting Rights Act. Why? The extremists need to cheat to win.”

It is not clear how removing race as a criterion in constructing congressional districts amounts to “cheating.” Nor is it clear how this majority of justices, nominated by Republican presidents, renders the court “corrupt.”

As for “Republican extremists embracing voter suppression,” Je ries presumably means voter ID laws. But polls show a large majority of blacks support voter ID by percentages close to those of whites. Georgia, in 2021, enacted voter ID and voter-integrity laws called by President Joe Biden “worse than Jim Crow — it’s Jim Eagle.” But the percentage of blacks who voted exceeded the black voting percentages of most pre-2021 Georgia elections.

Let’s turn to Je ries’ accusation about Republicans’ supposed use of “racial gerrymandering.” In 2017, Politico wrote: “Former (Obama) Attorney General Eric Holder on Thursday o cially launched the National Democratic Redistricting Committee ... as the center of Democratic rebuilding in the era of President-elect Donald Trump and as Democrats’ main hope to roll back Republican gains in state legislatures and prepare for redistricting in 2021. The end goal: House majorities in Congresses elected after 2020.”

To that end, Eric Holder supported race - conscious redistricting e orts designed to increase black electoral in uence. About a district in Alabama in 2024, for example, The Associated Press wrote: “The National Democratic Redistricting Committee, which Holder chairs, supported the legal battle that led to the district being redrawn into a competitive seat where Black voters have the opportunity to in uence the outcome.”

Finally, about voters voting based on race, there are four black Republican members of the U.S. House, none of whom represents a majority-black district. Even Democrat Maxine Waters, a harsh critic of the court ruling and a co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, represents a district that is only about 20% black. Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white, succeeded Rep. Harold Ford Jr., who is black, in representing a majority-black district. And a recent Gallup poll nds Trump approval rating among blacks at 16%, up from 12% in his rst term.

Contrary to what many Democratic politicians say and how they act, this is not their grandfather’s America. But many Democrat politicians do not want a colorblind society. They want a color-coordinated one — as long as they oversee the coordination. My advice to Democrats after this ruling is simple: calm down. The days of poll taxes, literacy tests and grandfather clauses are long over. As Thomas Sowell says, “When people get used to preferential treatment, equal treatment seems like discrimination.”

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

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Trump wants to suspend federal gasoline tax; president can’t do it alone

The federal fuel tax generates $23 billion yearly for highways and transit

By Matthew Daly The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

President Donald Trump said Monday he will move to suspend the federal tax on gasoline to help Americans shoulder surging fuel prices caused by the Iran war.

The president cannot suspend the federal tax on his own. Congress would have to approve the move.

Lawmakers from both parties have pushed for a gas-tax suspension, saying it would provide much-needed relief for families and businesses that rely on their cars and trucks to get to work and school and run everyday errands.

As of Monday, the average national gas price was $4.52 a gallon, according to the AAA motor club, 50% higher than the average price of just under $3 a gallon before Trump began the war against Iran.

What the gas tax supports

The federal tax is currently set at 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel fuel, an amount that does not include state taxes, which often are higher. The tax provides more than $23 billion per year in revenue for federal highway and public transit programs.

Asked by reporters at the White House how long the tax should be suspended, Trump said, “Until it’s appropriate.” While the tax is only a small percentage of the price of gas, “it’s still money,” Trump said.

As gas prices have spiked, the Trump administration has released millions of barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve and temporarily lifted sanctions on some Russian and Iranian oil shipments already at sea. The U.S. is negotiating with countries reliant on Middle East crude to join a coalition to police the Strait of Hormuz, where about one- fth of the world’s traded oil normally ows.

been named a 2026-27 Kenan Fellow through a partnership between Union Power Cooperative, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives and the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership at NC State University.

Union Power Cooperative, based in Monroe, is an electric distribution cooperative serving more than 90,000 member accounts across ve North Carolina counties, including Stanly County. Through the fellowship, Owens-White will get a closer look

at that operation by spending part of the summer working with utility industry professionals and learning how electricity is generated, distributed and delivered across the region. She will then use the experience to develop classroom resources that help students understand energy systems and career opportunities in the utility eld.

“Congratulations to Kristin Owens-White, a teacher at South Stanly Middle School, on being selected as a 2026-27 Kenan Fellow,” Stanly County Schools said in a statement.

Trump needs Congress — and they’re beginning to react

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said on social media Monday that he will introduce legislation to suspend the gas tax. Democrats have previously sponsored similar legislation.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) also said in a post on X that she will introduce a bill “to suspend the federal gas tax in light of Trump’s recent remarks.”

The ongoing spike in gas prices has set o alarms among some Republicans that it could hurt the party’s chances in the midterm elections. Trump has previously said higher fuel prices are worth paying to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. That hardline message appeared to soften Sunday as Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Trump administration was “open to all ideas,” including a suspension of the gas tax, during an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

A bill sponsored by Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Mark Kelly of Arizona would suspend the federal tax through Oct. 1. A similar measure was sponsored in the House by Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas of New Hampshire.

“Trump’s war of choice with Iran is driving up gas pric-

es across the country — and Americans shouldn’t have to bear the additional economic burden of Trump’s reckless decision making,” Blumenthal said in introducing the bill. Several states, including Indiana and Georgia, have recently suspended their taxes to alleviate high prices amid the war. Kentucky and Utah have reduced their state tax. Other states are weighing similar suspensions or tax reductions. There are drawbacks, industry group says

The gasoline tax is the single largest source of revenue for federal highway and public transit programs.

While proposed bills would o set any lost Highway Trust Fund revenue with general funds, the tax suspension could raise the federal de cit and jeopardize the long-term sustainability of investments for highway and public transit programs, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, which represents the transportation construction industry.

The group cites studies showing that many retailers do not pass on the full amount of the gas tax reduction to consumers. Research also suggests that state and federal gas taxes are just one component of a complex pricing scheme that includes the global price of oil and other factors.

“We are incredibly proud of Owens-White for her commitment to meaningful, hands-on learning and for representing Stanly County Schools in this prestigious statewide program. She will bring this real-world learning back to her classroom, helping students better understand energy, innovation and future career opportunities right here in our community.”

As part of the fellowship, Owens-White will receive 80 hours of professional development and a $5,000 stipend as she joins a statewide network of more than 680 Kenan Fellows alumni.

“I believe that teaching is strongest when it’s collaborative, so I actively seek out opportunities to learn from and work alongside other professionals who share a passion for hands-on, meaningful learning,” Owens-White said. Founded in 2000, the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership is based at the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science at NC State. The program engages North Carolina educators through professional development and immersive experiences with industry partners. North Carolina’s Electric

Cooperatives, which supports the state’s 26 community-based electric cooperatives, has partnered with the Kenan Fellows Program for several years to connect teachers with the energy industry and help students learn more about possible career paths.

“North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives has been a trusted partner in this work for years,” said Vance Kite, director of the Kenan Fellows Program for Teacher Leadership.

“Together, we are building a bridge between the energy industry and the classrooms preparing the next generation.”

Va. Supreme Court strikes down Democrats’ redrawn US House maps, giving GOP win

Combined with weakened voting rights protections, the ruling strengthens Republican gerrymandering e orts

By David A. Lieb and Geo Mulvihill

The Associated Press

THE VIRGINIA Supreme Court on Friday struck down a voter-approved Democratic congressional redistricting plan, delivering another major setback to the party in a nationwide battle against Republicans for an edge in this year’s midterm elections.

The court ruled 4-3 that the state’s Democratic-led legislature violated procedural requirements when it placed the constitutional amendment on the ballot to authorize mid-decade redistricting. Voters narrowly approved the amendment on April 21, but the court’s ruling renders the vote’s result meaningless.

Writing for the majority, Justice D. Arthur Kelsey wrote that the legislature submitted the proposed constitutional amendment to voters “in an unprecedented manner.”

“This violation irreparably undermines the integrity of the resulting referendum vote and renders it null and void,” he wrote.

Democrats had hoped to win as many as four additional U.S. House seats under Virginia’s redrawn map as part of an attempt to o set Republican redistricting done elsewhere at the urging of President Donald Trump. Later Friday, Virginia Democrats said in a ling that they intended to le an emergency appeal of the state high court’s decision with the U.S. Supreme Court.

Friday’s ruling, combined with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that severely weakened the Voting Rights Act, has supercharged Republicans’ congressional gerrymandering advantage heading into this year’s midterm elections.

“Huge win for the Republican Party, and America, in Virginia,” Trump said about the decision on his social media account.

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the ruling was another sign of GOP momentum heading into the midterms.

“We’re on o ense, and we’re going to win,” he said in a statement.

Don Scott, the Democratic speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, said Democrats respect the court’s opinion but lamented that it overturned the will of the voters: “They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Suzan DelBene, chairwoman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, criticized the court majority for what she said was a decision that “cast aside the will of the voters,” but she said the people will have the nal say.

“In November, they will, and they’ll power Democrats to the House majority,” she said in a statement.

A longshot Democratic appeal

Democrats are taking a legal longshot in asking the nation’s highest court to reverse the Virginia ruling. The U.S. Supreme Court tries to avoid second-guessing state courts’ interpretations of their own constitutions. In 2023, it turned down a request by North Carolina Republicans to overrule a state Supreme Court decision that blocked the GOP’s congressional map.

Still, even an unsuccessful appeal would let Democrats try to blame their failure on the conservative majority that dominates the nation’s highest court, which has already infuriated the party and civil rights groups by neutering the Voting Rights Act.

Legislative voting districts typically are redrawn once a decade after each census to account for population changes. But Trump sparked an unusual urry of mid-decade redistricting last year by encouraging Republican o cials in Texas to redraw districts in a bid to win several additional U.S. House seats and hold on to their party’s narrow majority in the midterm elections.

California responded with new voter-approved districts drawn to Democrats’ advantage, and Utah’s top court imposed a new congressional map that also helps Democrats. Meanwhile, Republicans stand to gain from new House districts passed in Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. They could add even more after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Voting Rights Act case, which has prompted some other Republican states to consider redrawing their maps in time for this year’s elections.

Virginia is currently represented in the U.S. House by six Democrats and ve Republicans, all elected from districts imposed by a court following a bipartisan redistricting commission’s failure to agree on a map after the 2020 census. The new districts could have given Democrats an improved chance to win all but one of the state’s 11 congressional seats.

The state Supreme Court’s majority was critical of the state’s redrawing of the congressional maps to bene t one political party. Those justices noted that 47% of the state’s

“They voted yes because they wanted to ght back against the Trump power grab.”

Don Scott, Virginia House of Delegates speaker

voters supported GOP congressional candidates in 2024, but the new map could result in Democrats making up 91% of the state’s House delegation.

What was in the Democrats’ map

Under the Democratic-drawn map, ve districts would have been anchored in the Democratic stronghold of northern Virginia. Revisions to four other districts across Richmond, southern Virginia and Hampton Roads would have diluted the voting power of conservative blocs in those areas. And a reshaped district in parts of western Virginia would have lumped together three Democratic-leaning college towns to o set other Republican voters.

The state Supreme Court’s seven justices are appointed by the state legislature, which has toggled back and forth between Democratic, Republican and split control over recent years. Legal experts say the body doesn’t have a set ideological pro le.

The case before the court focused not on the shape of the new districts but rather on the process the General Assembly used to authorize them.

Because the state’s redistricting commission was established by a voter-approved constitutional amendment, lawmakers had to propose an amendment to redraw the districts. That required approval of a resolution in two separate legislative sessions, with a state election sandwiched in between, to place the amendment on the ballot.

The legislature’s initial approval of the amendment occurred last October, during early voting for the general election, before it concluded. The legislature’s second vote on the amendment occurred after a new legislative session began in January. Lawmakers also approved a separate bill in February laying out the new districts,

State Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, right, speaks outside the Supreme Court of Virginia after arguments were heard in a redistrictingrelated case at the court in Richmond, Virginia, on April 27.

subject to voter approval of the constitutional amendment.

Arguments over the de nition of “election”

Judicial arguments focused on whether the legislature’s initial approval of the amendment came too late because early voting already had begun.

Attorney Matthew Seligman, who defended the legislature, argued that the “election” should be de ned narrowly to mean the Tuesday of the general election. In that case, the legislature’s rst vote on the redistricting amendment occurred before the election and was constitutional, he told justices.

But in its ruling, the Supreme Court said, “this view appears to be wholly unprecedented in Virginia’s history.”

An attorney for the plainti s, Thomas McCarthy, argued an “election” should be interpreted to cover the entire period during which voters can cast ballots, which lasts several weeks in Virginia. If that’s the case, he told justices, then the legislature’s initial endorsement of the redistricting amendment came too late to comply with the state constitution.

The Supreme Court agreed with that argument, writing: “The General Assembly passed the proposed constitutional amendment for the rst time well after voters had begun casting ballots during the 2025 general election.”

By the time lawmakers initially endorsed the amendment, voters already had cast more than 1.3 million ballots in the general election, about 40% of the total votes ultimately cast, the court said.

The Supreme Court’s ruling a rms a decision by a judge in rural Tazewell County, in southwestern Virginia. The court had placed a hold on that ruling and allowed the redistricting vote to proceed before hearing arguments on the case.

In the dissent to Friday’s ruling, Chief Justice Cleo Powell said the election for the purpose of considering the amendment does not include the early voting period.

“The majority’s de nition creates an in nite voting loop that appears to have no established beginning,” she wrote, “only a de nitive end: Election Day.”

Karen Radke Allan

Aug. 14, 1950 – May 7, 2026

Karen Radke Allan, 75, of Concord, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2026, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Karen was born on August 14, 1950, in South Dakota. She lived a life centered around family, laughter, hard work, and caring for others. She was known for her wicked sense of humor, her stubborn spirit, and the deep love she had for the people and animals around her.

Karen worked for the City of Albemarle and later for Harris Teeter, where she made many lasting friendships through the years. No matter where life took her, family remained the center of her world. She was incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren and treasured every moment spent with them.

She loved baking for those she cared about and was happiest

Dec. 2, 1931 – May 9, 2026

Sarla Menon, 94, of Oakboro, North Carolina, left this earth on May 9, 2026, surrounded by God’s presence and the love of her family. Sarla was born on December 2, 1931, in India to Dr. Dukhbhanjan Lal Sachdeva and Shyam Devi Sethi Sachdeva. She served others through her nursing career in the Indian Army, later leading a nursing school in India, and eventually continuing her calling in the United States as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Educator in Maryland.

OBITUARIES

when feeding family, friends, or anyone lucky enough to stop by her kitchen. Karen also had a special love for animals and found joy in donating treats for children attending summer camp at a local barn. Her kindness, humor, and generous heart touched many lives. Karen was preceded in death by her husband, William Craig Allan; her mother, Dorothy Schley; her stepfather LaVerne Schley; and her brothers, Robert Radke and Ronald Radke. She is survived by her son, William Christopher Allan and his wife, Jennifer; her daughter, Jennifer Shore and her husband, Ethan; her ve cherished grandchildren CJ, Libee, Andrew, Rebekah, and Daniel; her beloved best friend, Pat Whitley; and her faithful dog, Bailey.

Karen will be remembered for her strength, her laughter, her erce love for her family, and the warmth she brought into the lives of those who knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 14th at 7:30pm in the chapel at Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord, 460 Branchview Dr. NE, Concord, NC 28027.

In lieu of owers, memorial donations are asked to be made to Atrium Hospice and Palliative Care Cabarrus at www.fundraise. atriumhealthfoundation.org Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Allan family.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.hartsellfh. com

She was gentle yet strong in her nurturing spirit, encouraging growth in everyone God placed along her path. Sarla was as intentional in her living as she was in her passing. She enjoyed getting to know people and hearing their life stories. She loved board games, especially Scrabble, where she often won. She also loved her entire extended family dearly, both here in the United States and spread across the world.

Sarla is survived by her daughter, Anjana Menon Young, and her grandchildren, Evan Young and Ti any Menon Young. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. M.K.K. Menon.

A memorial service will be held at Gurdwara Sahib Charlotte later this month.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all of her caregivers and physicians during her declining health. They were truly man’s hands doing God’s work. The family also wishes to thank Tillery Compassionate Care and Senior Helpers of Monroe for the exceptional support shown to Sarla and her family during this time.

Sarla Menon will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

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

IN MEMORY

ROBERT LEE PETRO

NOV. 9, 1945 – MAY 6, 2026

Robert Lee Petro, born November 9, 1945, passed away at home on May 6, 2026, a man of steady grit and high-octane passion, has taken his nal ride. Born in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, to the late Thomas and Jean Thrasher Petro. He was an alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh. Bob was a unique blend of “high-tech” and “high octane.”

A proud Vietnam Veteran, he served with honor aboard the USS Fred T. Berry (DD-858). He carried that Navy discipline into a lifelong career de ned by precision and entrepreneurship. Formally educated as a computer systems analyst, he possessed a sharp mind for logic that served him well in the world of wheels.

For decades, Bob was a xture of the St. Petersburg automotive landscape as the owner of Bobb’s Auto Sales. As a successful Independent Automobile Dealer, he lived surrounded by American steel. He curated an impressive classic car collection, though none held a candle to his pride and joy: a “black 1969 Z28 Camaro”. He was a man who understood that a car was more than just transportation—it was a work of craftsmanship. This passion was matched only by his love for the rumble of a Harley-Davidson.

His in uence on the Gulf Coast extended to the shoreline, where he owned and operated Shadrack’s on St. Pete Beach for 25 years. Under his watch, Shadrack’s became a legendary landmark—a premier biker bar where the salt air met the roar of engines.

After 45 years on the Florida West Coast, he returned to his roots, moving to North Carolina for retirement. Through every chapter, he was de ned by his loyalty. He spent 54 years alongside the true love of his life, Jennie, and his faithful Dobermans, Willie, Amos, Andy, Jake, Elwood, Red and Shadow.

He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, a legendary bar, and a life lived exactly on his own terms.

In addition to his wife he is survived by his brothers, Harry T. Petro (Darlene) and Thomas J. Petro Jr. (Linda). Sister-in-law, Mary Shankle Miller (Sugarman), brothers-in-law, Dan Shankle (Ann) and Bruce Shankle (Carla), and many nieces and nephews as a “one of a kind Uncle Bob.”

He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard E. Petro.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery. Rev. Mary Hatley will o ciate. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service. Mr. Petro will lie in state on Friday afternoon, May 8, 2026, from 2:00 until 5:00, where friends are welcome to pay their respects.

Memorials may be made to Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c% Carla Shankle, 3665 Plank Road, Wadesboro, NC 28170.

CNN founder Ted Turner, brash and outspoken television pioneer, dead at age 87

The media mogul transformed cable news while amassing sports teams, ranches and billions

By David Bauder

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Ted Turner, a brash television pioneer who raced yachts, owned huge chunks of the American West and transformed the news business by launching CNN and introducing the 24 -hour cable news cycle, died last Wednesday. He was 87.

Turner died surrounded by his family, according to Turner Enterprises, the company that oversees his vast business interests.

Turner owned professional sports teams in Atlanta, defended the America’s Cup in yachting in 1977 and donated a stunning $1 billion to United Nations charities. He married three women — most famously actor Jane Fonda — and earned the nicknames “Captain Outrageous” and “The Mouth of the South.”

He once bragged: “If only I had a little humility, I’d be perfect.”

He was slowed in later years by Lewy body dementia. Long out of the television business, he concentrated on philanthropy.

His garrulous personality sometimes overshadowed a risk-taking business acumen. By the time he sold his Turner Broadcasting System to Time Warner Inc. in 1996, Turner had turned his late father’s billboard company into a global conglomerate that included seven major cable networks, three professional sports teams and a pair of hit movie studios.

President Donald Trump, reacting to Turner’s death, called him “one of the Greats of All Time.”

The creation of CNN

Turner’s signature achievement was creating the Cable News Network, the rst 24 -hour, all-news television network in 1980. In part, Turner’s own frustration with television news was the instigator. He often worked past 8 p.m., after the ABC, CBS and NBC nightly newscasts had already gone o the air.

He took a chance by start-

ing the operation in the early days of cable television, living in an apartment above its Atlanta o ce.

CNN’s breakthrough moment came during the Gulf War with Iraq in 1991. Most television journalists had ed Baghdad but CNN stayed, capturing arresting images of a war’s outbreak.

Turner was promised a continued role in CNN after his company’s sale to Time Warner but was gradually pushed out, much to his regret.

“The mistake I made was losing control of the company,” he later said.

Building TBS SuperStation

Robert Edward Turner III was born Nov. 19, 1938, in Cincinnati. When he was 9, his family moved to Savannah, Georgia, where he grew up. After being expelled from Brown University, Turner came to Atlanta to work for his domineering father’s billboard company, Turner Advertising.

After his father’s 1963 suicide, Turner took over the company. In 1970, he bought an independent UHF station with a weak signal that didn’t even cover Atlanta. On Dec. 17, 1976, he began transmitting the station to cable systems across the country via satellite. It became the TBS SuperStation.

TBS’s motley collection of old movies and sitcom reruns was augmented by Turner’s acquisition of baseball’s Atlanta Braves. Perennial doormats, the Braves slowly attracted fans nationwide through their superstation exposure.

In the 1980s, Turner went deeply into debt to buy MGM, a move again greeted with skepticism. But the acquisition gave his company a library of vintage movies that even-

tually were parlayed into the TNT and Turner Classic Movies networks.

He revealed his ambitions as a younger man: “I used to tell people I wanted to become the world’s greatest sailor, businessman and lover all at the same time.”

Acquiring sports teams and land

For much of his life a partying roustabout who wooed beautiful women, the lean, mustachioed sportsman married three times. He was married to Fonda from 1991 to 2001. She tired of his philandering and divorced him, although they remained friends.

Perhaps Turner’s greatest love was for the land. He acquired millions of acres in ranches complete with roaming bu alo and was Nebraska’s largest private landholder. Researchers at Texas A&M University credited his donation of a few bulls in 2005 with helping increase the genetic diversity of the last herd of southern Plains bison.

He had a net worth of $2.5 billion in 2023 but had dropped o Forbes magazine’s ranking of the 400 richest Americans in 2021.

“See, my life is more an adventure than a quest to make money,” Turner once said. Turner managed to insult many with his shoot-from-thelip style. An atheist since his only sister died of lupus at age 17, he called Christians “losers” and “Jesus freaks,” later apologizing for both remarks.

Dedication to various causes

Turner, the father of ve children, grabbed a leadership role in American philanthropy with his Sept. 18, 1997, pledge to give $1 billion to United Nations charities. He promoted a range of humanitarian causes. Turner joined former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn to start the Nuclear Threat Initiative, a U.S.-based nonpro t dedicated to reducing the threat of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. As he poured millions into nonpro ts on a global scale, Turner was also fond of spreading his wealth in small ways. He once gave $500 to a volunteer re department that helped extinguish a blaze on one of his ranches.

STANLY SPORTS

Stanly baseball, softball teams move deeper into playo s

Seven local teams reached Friday’s second round

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Five Stan-

ly County baseball and softball teams extended their postseasons Friday night with second-round wins in the NCHSAA state playo s.

Nine local teams were originally selected for the postseason, with seven advancing to the second round and ve moving on to Tuesday’s third

round. The fourth round is scheduled for Friday. All three county baseball teams that received rst-round byes won their second-round openers at home over the weekend.

West Stanly (24-2), the top overall seed in the 4A West bracket, defeated No. 17 West Stokes (10-13) by a score of 6-3 in Red Cross. The Colts, who won the Rocky River Conference regular-season and tournament titles, hosted No. 8 R-S Central (19-5) on Tuesday. North Stanly (23-4), the No. 1 seed in the 3A West

bracket, rolled past No. 17 East Surry (9-13) 16-4 in New London. The Comets — Yadkin Valley Conference regular-season co-champions and tournament champions — hosted No. 9 Union Academy (19-9) on Tuesday.

Over in Norwood, South Stanly (17-10), the No. 5 seed in the 2A West bracket, topped No. 12 Christ the King (10-14) with a 10-2 decision. The Rowdy Rebel Bulls, who shared the YVC regular-season title with North Stanly, traveled to Charlotte on Tuesday to face No. 4 Corvian Community (17-9).

West Stanly (22-5), the No. 4 seed in the 4A West bracket, had a 6-3 win over No. 13 Hibriten (13-10) at home Friday. The Colts, Rocky River Conference regular-season champions, hosted No. 5 Pisgah (19-3) on Tuesday.

24

Gray Stone and Albemarle were previously eliminated in the rst round on May 5. In softball, the county’s squads split in the second round — both home teams won, while both road teams lost.

Donnie Poplin to join Stanly Hall of Fame

Donnie Poplin is a 2026 inductee for the Stanly County Sports Hall of

The Norwood native works in the Kansas City Royals’ front o ce

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Long before Donnie Poplin built a decades-long career in professional baseball, he was one of South Stanly High School’s top athletes.

The Norwood native, now working in the Kansas City Royals’ front o ce, is one of three inductees in the Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame’s 2026 class. Poplin, David Smith and the late Roger Whitley will be honored during an induction ceremony June 16 at Pfei er University’s Stokes Student Center in Misenheimer.

As a three-sport athlete at South Stanly, Poplin competed in baseball, basketball and football before baseball became the sport that shaped his future. On the diamond, he lettered for four years and became one of the area’s top players during the mid-1980s.

Victories this season for West Stanly baseball, the county’s winningest team 34

Years Donnie Poplin has worked in professional baseball

Over his nal two seasons, he hit better than .400, totaled 25 home runs and drove in 78 runs. He was named to the All-Rocky River Conference team and selected as South Stanly’s team MVP in 1983, 1984 and 1985. In 1984, he was named the Rocky River Conference Player of the Year.

His success at South Stanly helped lead him to UNC Charlotte, where he became the rst player to sign with the 49ers’ baseball program as part of its 1985-86 recruiting class. Poplin lettered at Charlotte from 1986-89 and served as team captain during his nal three seasons.

He earned second-team All- Sun Belt Conference honors

South Stanly (22-2), the top seed in the 2A West bracket, had a 21-0 shutout over No. 17 Hayesville (3-16). The Bulls, who won both the YVC regular-season and tournament titles, carried the county’s longest active win streak into Tuesday’s third-round home matchup with No. 9 East Wilkes (13-11).

North Stanly, seeded 13th in the 3A West bracket, fell 7-2 at No. 4 Pine Lake Prep (15 -3). Gray Stone, seeded 15th in the 2A West, was beaten 20-0 at No. 2 Roxboro Community (19-2). Both teams had won rst-round matchups May 5 to reach the second round.

in 1987 and 1988 before being named to the rst team in 1989. As a senior, he was also selected to the all-region team and voted Charlotte’s team MVP. He also found success in collegiate summer baseball, playing for the Winchester Royals of the Valley Baseball League in 1987 and 1988. Winchester won the league championship in 1987, and Poplin was named the team’s MVP the following season.

After his playing career, Poplin moved into professional scouting, beginning in 1992 as a part-time associate scout with the Seattle Mariners. He was promoted to area supervisor in 1993 and remained with the organization through 1999.

Poplin later worked in scouting roles with the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians. He spent 20 seasons with Cleveland, including 13 years in scouting roles, before becoming a special assistant to the team president and general manager. He joined Kansas City in 2022 as special assistant to the general manager for pro personnel strategy. Now in his fth season with the organization, the role marks the latest stop in a 34-year career in professional baseball.

NBA Washington wins NBA Draft lottery, chance to pick rst on June 23

Chicago The league’s worst team this season is getting the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. The Washington Wizards won the draft lottery and will pick rst overall for the rst time since choosing John Wall in 2010. Wall was the Wizards’ on-stage representative for the lottery. Washington had a 14% chance of winning No. 1, tied with Brooklyn and Indiana for the best odds. Utah will pick No. 2, Memphis will pick No. 3 and Chicago will pick No. 4.

MLB Orioles hold Tupac bobblehead night, sister throws out ceremonial rst pitch

Baltimore Fans lined up well before the gates opened at Camden Yards in anticipation of a Tupac Shakur bobblehead giveaway. Shakur was raised in New York and Baltimore before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1980s. That made the matchup between the Orioles and Athletics an appropriate time to honor the rap icon, who was killed in 1996. The ri from “California Love” was played while the starting lineup for the A’s — who left Oakland last season — was announced.

NFL

Domestic battery case against Chiefs assistant Merritt dismissed without prejudice Kansas City, Mo.

A misdemeanor domestic battery case against Chiefs assistant Dave Merritt has been dismissed without prejudice. It comes less than three weeks after Merritt entered a plea of not guilty. The 54-year-old former NC State player has been with the Chiefs since 2019 and has helped teams win ve Super Bowls, including his time with the Giants. He participated in the Chiefs’ rookie minicamp last weekend. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Merritt has been very up-front about the situation.

NHL Maple Leafs win lottery for No. 1 pick in 2026 NHL Draft

Secaucus, N.J.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the lottery for the rst pick in the NHL Draft. The victory comes at a critical time for Toronto after hiring John Chayka as general manager and franchise legend Mats Sundin as a hockey operations adviser. The future of captain and best player Auston Matthews is the biggest question after missing the playo s for the rst time in his career. It’s the rst time the Maple Leafs have won the lottery since taking Matthews with the No. 1 pick in 2016. The San Jose Sharks won the lottery for the second pick.

NCAA FOOTBALL

Ex-Ohio State players, including NFL veterans, join sexual abuse lawsuit against school

Thirty former Ohio State football players, including former NFL players, joined a federal lawsuit against the university over sexual abuse of student-athletes decades ago by a team doctor. Ohio State is accused of failing to stop abuse by Dr. Richard Strauss. Hundreds say they were abused by him. Some other former football players have settled in sealed agreements. Ohio State says it has tried to reconcile with survivors through settlements, counseling services and medical treatment. Al Washington, Ray Ellis and Keith Ferguson, three members of the 1980 team, are the only plainti s to go public.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements to be published in Stanly News Journal. community@stanlynewsjournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at noon

Albemarle baseball saw its season end in the NCHSAA playo s with a loss at East Wilkes. The Bulldogs lost their last eight to nish the season 3-17.

The team bids farewell to a senior class that included shortstop/pitcher Liam Jordan, who led Albemarle in batting and ERA, rst baseman/pitcher Kendon Phillips, who led the team in doubles, and third baseman Malakhi Harrison.

Gray Stone Day fell to Mitchell in the rst round of the playo s, ending its season at 9-11. The team parts ways with its top two batters: third baseman/ second baseman/out elder Logan Aikman and shortstop/pitcher/third baseman Cli ton Hatley, who both served as co-captains of the team. The third senior in the class is out elder/third baseman Logan Lisk.

In softball, North Stanly dropped a second-round game to Pine Lake Prep. The future is bright for the Comets, who turned in an 8-14 record but had no seniors on the team’s roster.

Gray Stone Day also fell in the second round, falling at Roxboro Community and ending its year at 6-13. The Knights don’t list player class year on their roster, however.

In girls’ soccer, North Stanly nished its season at 2-16-1 but had no seniors listed on its roster.

South Stanly lost to East Wilkes in the rst round of the NCHSAA playo s to end the year at 6-9. That ends the high school runs for senior mid elders Maleah Goodwin and Peyton Chavis, forwards Lydia Casteen and Ta’Miya Stanback and defender Anna Amaya.

Van Gisbergen remains NASCAR’s road-course ace with Watkins Glen win from pole

The Trackhouse Racing driver wiped out a half-minute de cit to win

The Associated Press

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. —

Shane van Gisbergen insists his NASCAR Cup Series roadcourse dominance is harder than it looks and that he feels “a lot of pressure” to beat the best in stock-car racing.

But the Trackhouse Racing driver was in another league Sunday, schooling the stars of the Cup Series at Watkins Glen International.

Starting from the pole position, van Gisbergen scored his seventh Cup Series victory — all on road or street courses — and his second consecutive on the 2.45-mile track by leading 74 of 100 laps in his No. 97 Chevrolet.

“We weren’t very good in practice, and then qualifying was amazing, and then today, what a race car,” van Gisbergen said. “And then (crew chief) Stephen (Doran) made great calls. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, and then to run them down like that, it’s very, very special to do two in a row.”

Pitting from the lead under green with 24 laps remaining, van Gisbergen emerged in 24th and was nearly 30 seconds behind leader Ty Gibbs.

Extending his Cup record of

wins by a driver born outside the United States, the New Zealand native needed only 17 laps to retake the lead from Gibbs, winning by 7.288 seconds over Michael McDowell.

“He’s made it pretty clear, especially at these tracks, he likes to be on o ense, so we put him

there and just let him go do his thing,” Doran said of the call to make a late stop for four tires instead of pitting earlier and conserving fuel as many others did.

Gibbs nished third, followed by Chase Briscoe and points leader Tyler Reddick.

McDowell, who started second, also had to charge through the pack after falling to 27th on his last pit stop. He occasionally thought he could keep pace with the race winner but soon realized van Gisbergen was playing possum.

“It felt like he was just pacing

“I wasn’t sure how it was going to work, and then to run them down like that.”

Shane van Gisbergen

himself o me, and he’d take back o ,” McDowell said. “We still got a little work to do, but it’s a good building block.”

Dating to Mexico City last June, van Gisbergen has now won six of the past seven races on road or street courses in Cup.

“It’s not easy,” van Gisbergen said. “Everyone’s really good. McDowell was good. Connor (Zilisch) was good. Tyler Reddick. There were some really good guys and a lot of pressure. So just stoked to execute every facet of our game. And speechless. This is so cool.”

Trackhouse sweep

The win by van Gisbergen came a day after a win in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series by rookie teammate Zilisch, who nished 20th Sunday after a tire problem late in the race. It still was a strong showing for Trackhouse, which quali ed all three of its cars in the top ve after compiling only four top-10 nishes in the rst 11 races.

“Just frustrating because we had a really good day going,” Zilisch said. “At worst, we were going to get ourselves our rst top ve and walk out of here with something. But congrats to Shane, Trackhouse and everybody who makes this happen.”

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NOTICES

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000202-830

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Administrator CTA of the estate of Ray Edward Mesimer deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Ray Edward Mesimer to present them to the undersigned on or before July 30, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 29th day of April 2026. Wanda Mesimer PO Box 2021 Albemarle, NC 28002 Administrator CTA

NOTICE OF ALBEMARLE CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING

The Budget O cer of the City of Albemarle has submitted the Proposed Budget for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 beginning July 1, 2026, to the City Council and has also led a copy with the City Clerk in the City Hall for public inspection from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and at the Stanly County Library. Copies are available for news media in Stanly County. The proposed budget is also available at www. albemarlenc.gov

A public hearing will be conducted by City Council in Council Chambers of City Hall, located at: 144 North Second Street, Albemarle, N.C. 28001 on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing. Anyone wishing to speak for or against any items in the proposed budget should plan to attend the hearing. City Council will make any nal amendments to the proposed budget after the Public Hearing and adopt the Appropriation Ordinance after the Public Hearing. Christina Brown City Clerk Friday, May 8, 2026

Publish: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

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NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000180-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE

Stanly County Schools Exceptional Children’s Department Public Notice The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-Part B, Public Law 108.446) Project is presently being amended. The Project describes the special education programs that Stanly County Schools proposes for Federal funding for the 2026-2027 School Year. Interested persons are encouraged to review amendments to the Project and comment on the implementation of special education under this Federal Program. All comments will be considered prior to submission of the amended Project to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IDEA-Part B Project is open to the public for review and comments during the week of May 18 -May 22, 2026 in the o ce of Megan DePasquale, Executive Director of Exceptional Children’s Programs, located at 1121 Austin St, Albemarle, NC, 28001. Please call 704-9615300 to schedule a time to review the Project.

DIVISION

of

Gordon Furr deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Donald Gordon Furr to present them to the undersigned on or before August 14, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 13th day of May 2026. Mary Jo Furr 25838 Lingerfelt Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Executrix

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000194-830

NORTH CAROLINA

STANLY COUNTY Having quali ed as Co-Administrators of the Estate of the late, MICHAEL TODD HOWELL, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before August 4, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This the 6th day of May, 2026. Scarborough Law, PLLC Whitney T. Scarborough 107 A East Wade Street Wadesboro, NC 28170 Brandon Todd Howell 213 Kelty Ave. Norwood, NC 28128 Brandi Howell Talbert 1355 Hwy 109N Troy, NC 27371 STANLY NEWS AND PRESS

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NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000201-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Reba Starnes Bowers deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Reba Starnes Bowers to present them to the undersigned on or before August 14, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 13th day of May 2026. Amanda Bowers Thompson 36827 Reba Drive Albemarle, NC 28001

Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Joann Rushing-Shelton deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Joann Rushing-Shelton to present them to the undersigned on or before August 7, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 5th day of May 2026. Foreman Rushing 16077 Liberty Hill Church Road Oakboro, NC 28129 Executor

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NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000219-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administrator of the estate of Sylvia Austin Smith deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Sylvia Austin Smith to present them to the undersigned on or before August 14, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 13th day of May 2026. Debbie Rinehardt 37307 Barnhardt Rd. Albemarle, NC 28001 Administrator

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000200-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Co-Executor of the estate of Ruby Lambert Brooks a/k/a Ruby L. Brooks deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Ruby Lambert Brooks a/k/a Ruby L. Brooks to present them to the undersigned on or before July 30, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 29th day of April 2026. Tommy Dewayne Rushing 13526 Brooks Road Stan eld, NC 28163 Co-Executor Tracy Howard Rushing PO Box 1023 Locust, NC 28097 Co-Executor

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NOTICE

the stream

‘Dutton

Ranch,’ Colin Jost plays games, Maluma, Stanley Tucci, ‘The Crash’

“Pop Culture Jeopardy!” gets a second season

The Associated Press

THE LONG-AWAITED

“Yellowstone” spino “Dutton Ranch” and a fresh collection from the Colombian superstar Maluma, are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time this week: The Net ix true crime documentary “The Crash,” pop -punk paragons The All-American Rejects return with their fth studio album and Season 2 of Stanley Tucci’s gastronomic tour “Tucci in Italy” lands on Disney+.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Théodore Pellerin slyly in ltrates the inner circle of Archie Madekwe’s pop musician Oliver in the psychological thriller “Lurker,” streaming on HBO Max on Friday. The lm explores the parasocial relationship of internet fandoms and the power dynamics within the entourage of an on-the-cusp star. It was written and directed by Emmy-winner Alex Russell (“The Bear,” “Beef”), who looked to “obsessive thrillers” like “Whiplash” and “Black Swan” for inspiration.

The Net ix true crime documentary “The Crash” looks into a 2022 car crash in Ohio, in which 17-year-old Mackenzie Shirilla slammed her car into a brick building at 100 mph, killing her boyfriend and his friend, and the con icting narratives around that night. It begins streaming Friday. Also coming to Net ix? “Black Phone 2,” streaming on Saturday, which sees the return of Ethan Hawke’s The Grabber (who, yes, was killed in the rst movie), who is intent on getting revenge against Mason Thames four years later.

MUSIC TO STREAM

On Friday, a new collection from the Colombian

er,” drops. It’s a celebration of his culture and then some: from the reggaetón/dancehall hybrid “Pa’ la seca” with Ryan Castro to

“Con El Corazón” with the late great Yeison Jiménez and everything in between, these are songs that celebrate his roots

while modernizing folkloric sounds.

Pop-punk paragons The All-American Rejects are back, preparing to release their fth studio album and rst full-length in nearly 15 years, since 2012’s “Kids in the Street.” Expect what they’re known for: big hooks, big chords, big choruses and bigger fun.

SERIES TO STREAM

“Pop Culture Jeopardy!” has a new home for its second season. The game show, hosted by Colin Jost, makes the jump to Netix, with a new episode dropping each weekday through June 5. Sample categories include “bummer movie endings,” “Broadway on the big screen” and “TV of the 2010s.” If trending topics make up your FYP on TikTok, this one’s for you. Tucci is fresh o a world tour to promote “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” and now he’s taking us to Italy for season two of “Tuc-

“The sandbox is thirsty / Outside, the bombs are bursting.”

The All-American Rejects

ci in Italy.” In the new episodes, the actor visits regions like Sicily, Campania and Sardinia to meet with locals and eat food native to those areas. Travel along on Disney+ and Hulu. Fans have to wait until 2027 for a new season of “Heated Rivalry,” but there’s another series available in the hockey romance genre. “O Campus” debuts its rst season on Prime Video. It’s about the love lives of a group of college hockey players. Each season follows a di erent relationship. The leads of Season 1 are Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright, while Season 2, starring Antonio Cipriano and India Fowler, begins lming very soon.

Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser’s long-awaited “Yellowstone” spino debuts Friday on Paramount+. “Dutton Ranch” takes place one year after the events of the series nale of “Yellowstone,” and characters Beth and Rip have relocated to Texas. They’ve got a new ranch now, but if we’ve learned anything from the other shows, owning land can be very dangerous. Annette Bening and Ed Harris also star.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

U.K. developer Supermassive Games has built its reputation on horror gems like “Until Dawn” and “The Quarry” that evoked classic movies like “Friday the 13th.” For its latest thriller, “Directive 8020,” the inspiration appears to be “Alien” and “The Thing.” You are 12 light-years from Earth when your colony ship crashes on Tau Ceti f. The organisms there aren’t happy to meet you, and they are quite adept at imitating their prey. Can you trust your crewmates? Can you prevent the predators from hitching a ride when you try to return home? Get squishy on