VOLUME 146 ISSUE 62 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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WHAT’S HAPPENING Mich. reports first 2 U.S. deaths related to cyclospora parasite Detroit State health officials say two people have died in the cyclospora outbreak in Michigan. They are the first confirmed deaths in the U.S. related to the microscopic parasite. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Monday that both had underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by the intestinal illness and dehydration. The CDC says cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.” The parasite spreads through feces. In the past, people have been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables that were exposed to contaminated irrigation water.
Divided federal appeals court says Trump administration wrong to terminate climate funds Washington, D.C. A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration improperly ended a multibillion-dollar program for clean energy projects. This decision supports a lower court’s ruling that nonprofits chosen to run the Biden-era effort should have access the funds. The ruling is temporarily on hold, allowing the Environmental Protection Agency time to appeal to the Supreme Court. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, known as a “green bank,” was designed to finance small energy projects. The Trump administration accused the nonprofits of mismanagement and fraud, freezing the funds. The groups denied wrongdoing and sued, claiming legal violations.
Guard deployment to Washington, D.C., into 2029 will cost roughly $1.4B, estimate shows The extension of the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C., until January 2029 will cost roughly $1.4 billion, according to a Defense Department estimate provided to Congress. The figure offers a glimpse of how much taxpayer money will be spent on a deployment that has been criticized by local officials as an infringement of their city’s autonomy and by Democrats who say it has militarized the streets of nation’s capital.
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Stump speech Stanly County Sheriff Jeff Crisco, center, and other North Carolina law enforcement officials endorsed Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley at an event in Harrisburg last month, saying the election is “about the kind of North Carolina we want to leave behind for our kids and our grandkids.” Crisco is running for election unopposed.
SCC trustee resigns amid scrutiny over Facebook posts, comments Kelly Lowder’s term was set to continue through 2028 By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Kelly Lowder resigned last Thursday from the Stanly Community College Board of Trustees amid controversy over his recent Facebook activity. The resignation came one
week after Lowder published a July 23 Facebook post about race and a racial slur; he later commented that “people are suffering from black fatigue.” It also came three days after the college released a statement saying trustees’ personal social media activity does not represent the institution or its board. The board did not provide a reason for Lowder’s resignation or indicate whether it was related to his Facebook remarks.
“In a called meeting this afternoon, the Stanly Community College Board of Trustees accepted Trustee Kelly Lowder’s resignation from the Board,” the board said in a statement. “We thank Trustee Lowder for his service and will now work with the North Carolina General Assembly as it follows policy and procedures to select a new Board member.” The General Assembly See LOWDER, page A2
Albemarle council appoints Poplin to ABC Board “My motion is based on the fact that we have three very qualified candidates.” Councilmember Bill Aldridge
Split vote follows debate over interviewing three applicants By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle City Council appointed Gerald Poplin to the Albemarle ABC Board on Monday after rejecting a proposal to interview the three applicants for the vacancy. The appointment, originally tabled at the council’s July 20 meeting, fills the remainder of a term expiring March 16, 2029. The seat had been held by John McIntyre, former chairman of the ABC Board,
who died June 16. He was 68. Poplin was one of three applicants, along with Keith Doucette and John Williams. The council first considered a motion to appoint Poplin before Councilmember Dexter Townsend offered a substitute motion to delay the appointment until a five-member panel could interview the candidates. “We hardly ever make an appointment to the ABC Board,” Townsend said. “I think this may be only the second or third time that we’ve had to do this.” Townsend suggested that interviews would promote transparency and help the See COUNCIL, page A4
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inside Ted Lasso returns for its fourth season this week on Apple TV. See what other TV shows and movies are hitting screens in The Stream on page B5.
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