When President Joe Biden’s approval numbers began to plummet in early August, driven by public disgust with the disastrous American withdrawal from Afghanistan, hopeful Democrats suggested that as the news cycle moved on, Biden would recover.
All in Columns
Reece Gardner: ID requirement is not a novel idea
Just recently, on September 17, a 3-judge panel of the Wake County Superior Court ruled 2-1 that North Carolina's Voter ID Law violates the State Constitution and cannot be put in force. These two judges wrote that the attorneys defending the law failed to prove that it was not discriminatory.
John Hood: Mayberry fans seek solid ground
Mount Airy is a real place. Mayberry is fictional. But in the minds of its many millions of fans, Mayberry is a real place, too — not a physical location but a moral one. A place where mistakes earn people second chances, not everlasting scorn. A place where parents teach their children the virtues of honesty, responsibility, and compassion — and sometimes get schooled themselves in those same virtues by those same children.
Mike Parker: flyExclusive increases investment at NCGTP
More good news is coming from the North Carolina Global TransPark. flyExclusive, the fifth-largest private jet charter service in the United States, is constructing a new 24,000 square-foot facility at the GTP. flyExclusive operates a point-to-point private jet service.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Fall is the season for apples!
Even though it still feels more like summer, fall is definitely on the way, and fall means fresh NC apples! We grow a wide variety of delicious apples here in NC and even though we don’t grow too many of these in Eastern NC, you can generally find them at most farmers markets!!
Mike Parker: Marker dedication and concert set for Sept. 25
A special part of Kinston’s history is going to be recognized on Saturday, Sept. 25. At 4 p.m. that day, the African American Heritage Commission of Kinston/Lenoir County will unveil a marker commemorating the listings Kinston had in The Negro Motorist Green Book. This book, compiled by Victor H. Green, provided a list of places that African American travelers could go to eat, spend the night, shop, and have their cars serviced and repaired.
John Hood: Income and poverty facts matter
The income of the median American household fell by nearly 3% last year as the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent regulations shuttered many businesses for months, closed others for good, and forced still other employers to cut back on hours and wages for the people they still employed.
Reece Gardner: Take time to travel!
Three very special young ladies are traveling in Italy this week and I want to highlight some of their experiences. These ladies are my Daughter Jessica, my Grand Daughter Rachel, and a special friend, Carla Gray. They are all extremely busy in their everyday business and personal lives. Jessica holds a very important position with Natural Stone Services headquartered in Alpharetta, Ga., and she also is a leader in her church and community. Rachel is also a very busy young executive, and Carla stays on the move as well. So if you are planning to travel, don't let your busy schedule keep you from doing so.
Mike Parker: Choir of nurses 'Not Giving Up'
I am not a big fan of America’s Got Talent, but Sandra, my wife, wanted me to watch the finale of this year’s competition. I acquiesced and took my seat to watch. I subscribe to the motto: “Happy wife – happy life.” Some of the acts I enjoyed. Others, I tolerated.
BJ Murphy: LCPS Chairman Bruce Hill Admonishes Parents for Contacting Him
At the September 13th Lenoir County Public Schools board meeting, Chairman Bruce Hill admonished the public on when it’s appropriate to contact a school board member. He cited a chain of command, the need to go straight to the source, and emphasized the school board’s primary goal is to be policymakers. However, Mr. Hill seemingly chastises parents, guardians, and stakeholders for attempting in any type of way to hold school board members accountable. In an eye-opening statement, Mr. Hill says about the school board, “[we] aren’t as versed in education” and “we as board members we don’t know what goes on at the schools.”
Tammy Kelly: Fresh flounder – catch and cook them while you can
The N. C. Division of Marine Fisheries has adjusted the recreational and commercial seasons for 2021 to ensure a sustainable fishery. The recreational flounder season will open September 1 and close September 14 in internal and ocean waters of North Carolina. So, like I said catch and cook them while you can!!
John Hood: Biden’s mandate goes too far
I got the COVID-19 vaccine shortly after it became publicly available. I did so because I was persuaded that the benefits of vaccination far outweighed the risk.
John Hood: What’s more Democratic than an election?
Do the ends justify the means? This familiar question produces strong feelings precisely because its answer is necessarily complicated. Just about all of us admit to a scenario, such as the proverbial ticking time-bomb, in which we would countenance unsavory means if required to save lives. In general, however, most religious and ethical traditions teach that we are not permitted to use injurious or unethical means to accomplish even noble ends.
Obituary: Glenn Fields
Glenwood Allen Fields, 77, was received into the open arms of his Savior on Monday, September 13, 2021. A service to celebrate and remember Glenn’s life will be held by the graveside at Fairview Cemetery on Friday, September 17, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.
Reece Gardner: How to age gracefully
Age is undoubtedly a subject that we hear a lot about, which is understandable since we all experience it. Today, I want to explore this topic with an emphasis on how we might age gracefully. Wisdom, resilience, and a well-rounded and mature perspective on life are often credited as the hard-earned rewards of aging. Looking and feeling good as we age requires a fine-tuned combination of aging gracefully and defying the very laws of time.
Mike Parker: Northeast needs supporters to rocket the school to solar success
On July 6, Kristy Bock wrote a story about Northeast Elementary School here in Kinston. Northeast is one of 15 North Carolina schools awarded a solar educational package valued at $42,000. The package includes donated SunPower solar modules, a STEM curriculum, and teacher training.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Celebrate the bee!
Each year we celebrate National Honey Bee Day, on the third Saturday in August. The celebration began in 2009 with the purpose of the bringing together beekeepers, bee associations, and other interested groups to connect with the communities to advance beekeeping, using a united effort one day a year. What better way to celebrate the honorable honeybee than to enjoy their delicious honey!
Kristy Bock: We broke our vows to never forget
As I scrolled through Facebook, the “Never Forget” memes that are ever-present in the month of September fill my feed with sad reminders of a day that devastated our nation. Everyone from every walk of life in our country who was alive on September 11, 2001, can remember what they were doing when they learned about the horrific events that transpired on that day.
Mike Parker: ‘Wings Over the Neuse’ takes flight Friday
This year marks the 13th consecutive year the CSS Neuse Foundation has hosted “Wings Over the Neuse,” the foundation’s major fundraiser.
John Hood: Make licensing reform a priority
According to the most-recent ranking I can find, North Carolina requires state-approved licenses in more occupations (nearly 200) than most other states do. North Carolina licenses twice as many occupations as Virginia does, and three times as many as South Carolina.