VOLUME 146 ISSUE 44 | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING Trump taps housing regulator Pulte to be acting director of national intelligence President Donald Trump has tapped Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to be the acting director of national intelligence — elevating a real estate scion without any clear national security credentials to a key post as the U.S. remains at war with Iran. Trump made the surprise announcement Tuesday on social media that Pulte would be replacing Tulsi Gabbard, the former Hawaii congresswoman who had served as the director of national intelligence. Trump said Pulte will keep his other positions even as he fills in for Gabbard, who resigned last month after revealing her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
Trump signs executive order to vet top AI models for national security risks President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order on artificial intelligence. The order establishes a framework for the federal government to vet the national security risks of the most advanced AI systems for up to a month before their public release. The government will be able to work with trusted partners “that will have early access to covered frontier models to promote secure innovation and strengthen the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure,” the order says.
Canada calls for U.S., Mexico free-trade agreement to be renewed for 16 years Canada is calling on the United States and Mexico to renew the free trade agreement between the countries for another 16 years just as U.S. President Donald Trump revives talk of making Canada the 51st state. Canada’s minister for U.S. trade sent a letter to United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard on Tuesday that conveys Canada’s recommendation. The letter comes ahead of the scheduled July review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, the latest version of free trade agreements among the U.S., Mexico and Canada dating back to the early 1990s that have intertwined the economies of the three North American countries. Trump posted “51st State!” on social media late Monday.
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Kickin’ up some dust West Stanly Colts Malia Whitley, left, and Katie Broadaway get fired up ahead of their 4A NCHSAA state championship softball series at UNC Greensboro on Friday. Turn to Sports for more.
Albemarle city leaders promote upcoming patriotic drone show Officials discussed details for the event By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Local officials used Monday night’s Albemarle City Council meeting to highlight the upcoming Lights of Liberty Drone Show, a free patriotic event set for Friday night at City Lake Park. The event, planned for
9 p.m. at 815 Concord Road, will serve as the aftershow for the city’s regular Food Truck Friday gathering and is tied to local America 250 celebrations. It will mark Stanly County’s first drone show. “I hope you’ll join us on this Friday, June 5, at 9 p.m. as we celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary,” City Manager Darren Rhodes said. “The America 250 NC Stanly County Committee will have a spectacular free drone show at City
Lake Park. This one-of-a-kind show will feature 250 illuminated drones choreographed to narration and music, creating vivid moving images and patriotic scenes across the night sky.” The show is being organized by the America 250 NC Stanly County Committee, with Uwharrie Bank serving as presenting sponsor and Open Sky Drone Light Shows handling drone operations. Before the drone show,
LOCATIONS
• Albemarle-East/ Anderson Rd. • North Oakboro/ Red Cross Rd. • South Oakboro/ Rocky River Rd. • Mt. Pleasant • Biscoe • Locust
See SHOW, page A5
Locust Police Department inside reports officer training, advancement gains
Pixar’s “Hoppers” lands on Disney+ on Wednesday. To see what else hits streaming services this week, turn to The Stream on page B5.
“I am incredibly proud of the work each Locust officer puts in to be more knowledgeable and well-trained in their roles as officers here.” Jeff Shew, police chief
The department said the training push reflects a focus on professional development By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal LOCUST — Locust Police Department officers have logged more than 4,000 combined training hours since 2020 while earning new certifications, promotions and educational credentials, according to a recent department news release. On Friday, the LPD reported a series of officer training and professional development
accomplishments. Police Chief Jeff Shew said the department has sought to develop officers while also supporting a family-first approach when job duties allow. “I am incredibly proud of the work each Locust officer puts in to be more knowledgeable and well-trained in their roles as officers here,” Shew said in a statement. “Though it betters them as officers overall, it even more so benefits our community, our residents, and visitors here in Locust.” Since 2020, the LPD has reported eight North Carolina Criminal Justice Education See TRAINING, page A4
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guests are encouraged to arrive early for Food Truck Friday, which will run 5:30-9 p.m. at City Lake Park. The event will include food trucks, open lawn seating and live music from Heart Breaker, a Mooresville-based classic rock tribute act specializing in the music of Heart and Led Zeppelin. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. Mayor Ronnie Michael also
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DISNEY/PIXAR VIA AP