Uncategorized – The Carolinian Newspaper

Juneteenth Grand Cookout Celebrates Culture, Community And Black-Owned Businesses

Judaea Ingram — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:45:50 +0000

By Judaea Ingram

Special To The Carolinian

RALEIGH, N.C — Line dances broke out across the North Carolina State Fairgrounds, children competed in dance-offs and the aroma of food from Black-owned food trucks filled the air as hundreds gathered Saturday for NC Throw Down's Juneteenth Grand Cookout.

The event, held from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., brought together community members from across the Triangle to celebrate Juneteenth through food, music, art and fellowship. Featuring Black-owned vendors, live performances and family-friendly activities, the gathering felt less like a public event and more like a large family reunion.

Rows of Black-owned food trucks served a variety of dishes as visitors waited in line to sample local flavors. Nearby, vendors displayed merchandise ranging from custom T-shirts and purses to handmade jewelry and artwork, creating opportunities for attendees to support Black-owned businesses while celebrating the holiday.

Entertainment remained at the center of the celebration throughout the day. Local artists performed for the crowd while attendees danced, sang and enjoyed the festive atmosphere. Two groups of young Black women took the stage with energetic dance performances that drew cheers and applause from spectators gathered around the performance area.

One of the event's most eye-catching attractions was a live painting demonstration by artist Ra James. Throughout the day, attendees watched as James created a piece featuring a raised brown fist, a symbol often associated with Black pride, resilience and unity. The artwork attracted a steady crowd as visitors stopped to watch the creative process unfold.

Families were a major part of the event's success. Children participated in activities designed specifically for younger attendees, while a kids dance-off quickly became one of the day's most popular attractions. Parents, relatives and friends gathered around to cheer on participants as they showcased their best moves.

As the afternoon turned into evening, line dances formed throughout the fairgrounds as attendees of all ages joined together. Classic cookout songs filled the venue, prompting singalongs and creating moments that connected multiple generations through music and shared cultural traditions.

"This is my kind of therapy," attendee Diavian McNeil said while taking in the festivities.

McNeil's comment reflected the mood throughout the event, where community members embraced an opportunity to relax, celebrate and connect with one another.

The celebration also featured a special appearance by Capella Grey, the New York artist best known for his hit song "Gyalis." His appearance added another layer of excitement to an already energetic atmosphere as attendees gathered near the stage for live entertainment.

While music, food and entertainment were major attractions, the event also served as a celebration of Juneteenth's historical significance. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

Today, Juneteenth celebrations across the nation honor freedom, resilience and the enduring contributions of Black Americans. At NC Throw Down's Juneteenth Grand Cookout, those themes were reflected through artistic expression, entrepreneurship and community fellowship.

As the sun set over the fairgrounds, the energy remained high. Music continued to play, families lingered and dance circles remained full as attendees celebrated well into the evening.

For many in attendance, the Juneteenth Grand Cookout represented more than a holiday event. It was an opportunity to support Black-owned businesses, embrace cultural traditions and celebrate the sense of community that remains at the heart of Juneteenth observances across North Carolina.

JetZero Ribbon Cutting

Jheri Hardaway — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 18:38:00 +0000

By Jheri Hardaway

Staff Writer

Greensboro, NC - On Monday, June 15, JetZero officially broke ground on an 8-million-square-foot aircraft manufacturing facility. Greensboro, North Carolina, the company has stated this, “is where the future of aviation gets built.” This is the largest manufacturing investment in the state's history, the first greenfield large-aircraft production facility built in the United States in a generation, and the foundation for the first clean-sheet American commercial aircraft in 15 years. The monumental ceremony brought together federal procurement officials, airline executives, military planners, and state leaders to celebrate a once-in-a-generation leap in aviation history.

JetZero was founded in 2021 by aviation legend Mark Page and startup veteran Tom O’Leary, in Long Beach, California. In early 2024, the company expanded into a 285,000-square-foot, seven-building headquarters, home to their business operations, design team, cabin lab, fabrication shop, scale model program, and aero labs, with room for continued growth. JetZero teammates work remotely in support of the program throughout the United States, near suppliers, customers, and partners. This flexibility gives JetZero access to top talent worldwide, reinforcing its competitive edge.

The groundbreaking took place on hallowed ground that looks drastically different from what it did just over a decade ago. During the ceremony, local officials recalled when the sprawling site was an 18-hole golf course. The expansion across the highway required a massive airplane taxiway bridge, championing a bold, growth mindset setting the Piedmont Triad International (PTI) Airport apart during JetZero’s nationwide site search.

The centerpiece of JetZero's mission is the Z4, a revolutionary Blended Wing Body (BWB) aircraft. Unlike traditional legacy "tube and wing" commercial airliners that have dominated the skies since the 1950s, the BWB design fuses the airplane's fuselage and wing into a single, seamless structure. While engineers and academics at NASA have studied the concept for over three decades, investing more than $1 billion to mature the technology, JetZero is taking it from research to commercial reality. The result is a game-changing platform that is 50% more fuel efficient than current airliners, drastically lowering carbon emissions and reducing operational costs for commercial airlines.

Beyond commercial air travel, federal leaders see the Z4 as a national security imperative. Speaking at the event, Dr. Kevin Rhodes, Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, and representatives from the U.S. Air Force and Defense Innovation Unit highlighted the aircraft's military capabilities. By significantly expanding the distance an aircraft can travel on a single tank of fuel, the Z4 acts as a vital force multiplier capable of overcoming logistical hurdles in global operations.

The Greensboro facility will be unlike any other aircraft assembly plant on Earth, serving as a human-centered global headquarters and epicenter for digital manufacturing. JetZero CEO Tom O’Leary announced partnerships with Siemens, Deloitte, AWS, and NVIDIA to construct a "digital twin" of the entire factory inside an omniverse. This allows engineers to run millions of virtual manufacturing simulations to optimize assembly, workflow, and safety systems before the first physical concrete is poured or the first piece of hardware is touched. The FAA Administrator spoke about their commitment to working hand-in-hand with JetZero to digitize the formal certification process, paving a smooth path from type certification to active production.

The massive project serves as a masterclass in collaboration across federal, state, and local entities. Governor Josh Stein praised the regional economic strategy, emphasizing that North Carolina's status as a top-tier state for business rests heavily on its unmatched pipeline for workforce development. To prepare citizens for these high-paying advanced roles, the state has invested heavily in the University of North Carolina system (notably NC A&T, NC State, and UNC Charlotte) and the NC Community College System. Furthermore, JetZero has joined the state's workforce initiative to train 25,000 new electrical workers over the next decade.

While an infrastructure delay due to the missing state budget pushed the initial timeline for certain roles from 2027 to 2028, the excitement on the ground remains absolute. Reflecting on the state's broader momentum, North Carolina Representative Amber Baker noted, "It's all about teamwork, and our goal here is to acknowledge as many of the people who came together to team with JetZero. This is an exciting milestone for Guilford County, proving that when we invest in our workforce and our communities, North Carolina leads the nation."

For Alaska Airlines, JetZero’s first commercial airline investor and partner, the groundbreaking represents a deep historical symmetry. Company representatives drew parallels to Boeing's modest 1909 "Red Barn" factory in Seattle, reminding the audience that true breakthroughs arrive rarely in aviation.

The ceremony occurred during a historic 12-hour sports and culture wave for the state, directly following the Carolina Hurricanes' clinching the Stanley Cup.

Exactly 123 years after the Wright Brothers achieved the first powered flight in Kitty Hawk, the next great evolutionary leap in flight has returned to its native soil. Decades from now, the global aviation community won't look back at this Greensboro site as a mere factory—they will look back at it as the birthplace of the future of flight.

From First in Flight to Future of Flight: JetZero Breaks Ground In Greensboro

Judaea Ingram — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 18:31:00 +0000

By Judaea Ingram

Special To The Carolinian

GREENSBORO, N.C. – More than a century after North Carolina earned the title "First in Flight," state leaders say the next chapter of aviation history may be taking shape in Greensboro.

Gov. Josh Stein joined lawmakers, local officials, and business leaders Monday at Piedmont Triad International Airport to celebrate the groundbreaking of JetZero's first commercial airplane manufacturing facility, a project expected to create more than 14,500 jobs and bring billions of dollars in investment to the Triad region.

State officials have described the development as the largest economic development project in North Carolina history based on job commitment.

For much of the ceremony, speakers repeatedly referenced North Carolina's aviation heritage while emphasizing a new vision for the state's future.

"Today a great new chapter in North Carolina's storied history of flight is taking off," Stein said in a statement. "JetZero's decision to build here is a vote of confidence in North Carolina's workforce, our universities and community colleges, and our long aerospace tradition."

Stein continued the theme by declaring that North Carolina is "not only First in Flight; we are also the future of flight."

The California-based aerospace company plans to construct an 8-million-square-foot manufacturing facility on more than 600 acres at Piedmont Triad International Airport. The development will also include The Hub, a 108,000-square-foot headquarters and research center that will serve as a focal point for innovation and operations.

The facility will manufacture JetZero's Z4 blended-wing aircraft, a first-of-its-kind commercial airplane design that combines the wings and fuselage into a single structure. The company says the design will improve fuel efficiency while reducing emissions, offering a new approach to commercial aviation.

Supporters believe the project could place North Carolina at the forefront of next-generation aircraft manufacturing.

Leaders at the groundbreaking repeatedly emphasized that North Carolina's willingness to invest in infrastructure helped secure the project. State officials highlighted years of preparation at Piedmont Triad International Airport and efforts to ensure the land was ready for large-scale industrial development.

They argued that those investments helped demonstrate that North Carolina is a state willing to partner with businesses looking to make long-term commitments.

The economic impact is expected to be substantial.

Over the next decade, JetZero is projected to create more than 14,500 jobs in Guilford County. According to state officials, the average annual salary at the company will be $89,341, and no position will pay less than $18.75 per hour.

The project is also expected to create thousands of indirect jobs through suppliers, contractors, transportation providers, restaurants, retailers, and other businesses that support large manufacturing operations.

To secure the project, state and local governments approved significant incentive packages tied to performance benchmarks. North Carolina's incentive package could total $1.17 billion over 10 years, while Guilford County approved incentives worth nearly $76 million over a 20-year period. The Greensboro City Council also approved additional incentives based on job creation goals. All incentives are contingent upon the company meeting employment and economic development targets.

Local leaders expressed optimism that the investment could transform not only Greensboro, known as the Gate City, but the entire Piedmont Triad region.

Many hope the facility will serve as the foundation for a larger aerospace ecosystem that attracts suppliers, technology companies, research organizations, and additional aviation-related businesses. Some officials have gone even further, expressing hopes that the Triad could become a global epicenter of aviation innovation.

The project's timeline has faced some adjustments. Originally targeting portions of the project for completion in 2027, company and state officials now expect some milestones to shift into 2028 due in part to delays related to state budget funding.

Despite those challenges, enthusiasm surrounding the project remains high.

The groundbreaking marks another step in the transformation of Piedmont Triad International Airport into a major aviation manufacturing center. Already home to several aerospace companies, the airport has steadily expanded its role within the industry over the past decade.

For North Carolina, the project represents more than a new factory. It is an opportunity to build upon the state's aviation legacy while creating thousands of jobs for future generations.

More than 120 years after the Wright brothers made history at Kitty Hawk, leaders gathered in Greensboro with a similar sense of possibility.

The state's nickname may always be First in Flight, but if JetZero's vision becomes reality, North Carolina could soon be known for something more: helping shape the future of flight.

International African American Museum in South Carolina To Furlough All Of Its Staff

The Carolinian — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 11:59:00 +0000

THE GUARDIAN - The International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, South Carolina, announced on Wednesday that, beginning in July and lasting through 31 December, all of its staff will be furloughed. The 20-daylong furlough will be staggered over the months and impact all levels of staff, including the museum’s leadership. The museum will remain fully operational, museum officials said.

The decision comes as the museum faces “financial pressure”, the IAAM said in a statement.

“We are navigating a shift in the political and funding environment that has made financial operations uniquely more challenging for our institution. This action is being taken to reduce expenses and avoid layoffs while we refocus on sustainable revenue growth and fundraising efforts,” the statement reads.

“We know this affects our employees and their families in real ways. Keeping this team together and supporting them through difficult times is why we chose this path rather than deeper cuts.”

The IAAM opened on 27 June 2023 in Charleston after two decades of planning. The museum sits on Gadsden’s Wharf, along the Cooper River waterfront, where about 40% of Africans who were trafficked in the Middle Passage and enslaved in the United States first landed in the country.

Earlier this year, the museum surpassed half a million visitors since its opening almost three years ago.

Camping: Tips And Recipes For Nutritious Food On The Trail

The Carolinian — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 14:00:00 +0000

(AP)—Few things feel better than a long hike in the woods, exhausting yourself as you soak in the fresh air and tranquility. Then, back to camp, where you chip away at those health benefits with packaged hot dogs slapped into a white-bread bun with a slice of plasticky processed cheese food.

It doesn’t have to be that way, said Aaron Owens Mayhew, a dietitian and long-haul trekker in Orcutt, California.

“It always made me sad that people who train so hard, they exercise, they eat well at home, and then they go backpacking and pick up honey buns,” Owens Mayhew said.

Getting outside generally improves mental and physical health. But too often, campers and hikers resort to the convenience of processed foods high in saturated fat, salt and sugar.

Here’s how to rethink campsite cooking to eat healthy while acting healthy.

Eat outdoors what you eat at home

Many people rightly assume that a little processed food is fine, especially when you’re exerting outsize energy that can help counter excess calories. The problem lies in the way the body processes it, said Owens Mayhew, who founded Backcountry Foodie, a website dedicated to bringing nutrition to the trail.

Simple carbohydrates like sugary baked goods and candy bars can cause rapid blood glucose spikes followed by a sharp drop, leaving hikers more fatigued than before. Meanwhile, heavily processed foods tend to be dense in calories but lacking the vitamins, minerals and protein the body needs to perform well.

A healthy diet can provide consistent energy throughout the day and improved recovery.

“I like to think of food as one variable that can be controlled, unlike a sprained ankle or bad weather,” Owens Mayhew said.

She said the best way to eat in the wilderness is to find ways to continue eating the food you normally do at home. Instead of frying bacon and eggs on the fire because that’s what you did at camp as a kid, have that bran cereal you eat every morning, this time with powdered milk (find it in the baking aisle).

Many of the recipes on Owens Mayhew’s website are healthier versions of her family’s classic recipes, including tuna casserole, garlic-Parmesan noodles and sweet potato casserole. As a supplement to grilled meat or fish, she suggested packing instant brown rice, quinoa and couscous, which are lightweight, healthy and require only boiled water.

To boost flavor, add fresh ginger, herbs, or garlic or onion powder. Adding nuts, dried mushrooms, grated Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes or dried fruit turns the starch into a meal of its own.

Cooking at camp is much harder than when you’re comfortably home in your kitchen, so winging it is usually a bad idea, said Rashad Frazier, founder of Camp Yoshi, a gourmet adventure outfitter.

Well before a trip, take time to plan meals and prep as many ingredients as will stay fresh in zip-top bags or containers. Chopping onions or grating fresh ginger at home frees time to enjoy the sunset and spend time with family when you’re outdoors.

“There’s no extra bonus points for cutting onions and making mango chutney at camp,” he said.

Frazier’s cookbook, “Cook Out,” devotes a section to pantry ingredients that can be prepped at home. His universal spice mix, salsa verde, chutneys, curry paste, pickled onions and other flavor boosters pack a punch without adding many calories. They can be mixed and matched, he said, with whatever meat, vegetables or grains you have.

NC Business Committee for Education Launches Twelve New Careers Electric Summer Academies

The Carolinian — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:34:40 +0000

(RALEIGH) The North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), through the generous support of the Siemens Foundation’s groundbreaking $9.5 million total investment into the Careers Electric initiative, is launching 12 Summer Electrical Academies skilling 220 students at community colleges across North Carolina. In February, Governor Stein and the Siemens Foundation launched the program to train 25,000 North Carolinians for electrical careers within 10 years.

“North Carolina’s greatest strength is its people, and the state’s continued growth starts with an investment in our future workforce,” said Governor Josh Stein. “These electrical academies will prepare the next generation of electrical professionals, create opportunities for students, and support the long-term growth of our economy.”

Each academy is a partnership between a community college and one or more local school districts, with employer partners serving as work-based learning hosts and pre-apprenticeship sponsors. Each student will enroll in one or two community college electrical courses for college credit, earn industry-valued credentials, participate in hands-on work experiences with local employers, and complete a registered pre-apprenticeship. Upon completing the academy, the student will be positioned to enter entry-level employment through registered electrical apprenticeships or continue their education toward a certification or an Associate Degree in Electrical Systems Technology at their community college.

Each student will receive a $2,000 completion stipend, along with support services including career coaching, financial literacy instruction, and employability skills training. All necessary instructional materials will be provided at no cost to students.

Earlier this week, ABB announced its commitment to joining the Careers Electric Coalition as a co-chair with the Siemens Foundation, providing a strategic pledge of $1 million over the first two years to support the coalition’s efforts to scale electrical workforce development nationwide. More information about founding partners can be found here.

Why This Matters: A State and Nation in Need of Skilled Electrical Workers

Careers requiring electrical skills and licenses are among the fastest growing in North Carolina. According to state labor market data from the NC Department of Commerce, employment for electricians is projected to grow from approximately 25,800 to more than 28,500 from 2024 to 2034. Among occupations requiring electrical knowledge – from power-line installers and telecommunications technicians to electrical engineers and electronics repairers – North Carolina supports more than 70,000 electrical jobs, with growth projected in nearly every category.

The urgency is compounded by the age of today’s electrical workforce. The average age of a licensed electrician in North Carolina is in the upper 50s. Unless young people enter the trade in far greater numbers, the retirement of the current generation of skilled electricians will leave North Carolina employers, contractors, and communities without the workforce they need. The Careers Electric Summer Academies are a direct response to that reality.

“For years we’ve heard about the widening skills gap and growing worker shortages in skilled trades,” said David Etzwiler, CEO of the Siemens Foundation. “Careers Electric provides a model to solve this – validating the solution in one state, then working together to scale it nationwide. Now we are thrilled to witness these pre-apprenticeship opportunities being developed and scaled to jump-start the promising careers of our young people while supporting the nation’s infrastructure and innovation goals.”

Peach Fest Celebrates Carolina Peaches & Summer Traditions At Phillips Farms

The Carolinian — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:20:00 +0000

CARY, N.C – One of North Carolina's sweetest summer traditions returned to Cary this weekend as families gathered at Phillips Farms for its annual Peach Fest celebration.

Held only once each year, the festival welcomed visitors from across the Triangle to enjoy fresh Carolina peaches, homemade desserts, local vendors, and family-friendly attractions. The event transformed the farm into a celebration of agriculture, community, and summertime fun, giving guests the opportunity to spend quality time together while enjoying one of the state's most beloved seasonal fruits.

From the moment visitors entered the grounds, peaches were at the center of the experience.

Fresh Carolina peaches were available throughout the festival, along with a variety of peach-inspired treats. Guests lined up for Mama Sue's homemade peach cobbler, a longtime favorite among returning visitors. Other popular offerings included peach lemonade, peaches and cream served over pound cake, and a new peach vanilla ice cream that helped attendees cool off during the warm weekend temperatures.

For many guests, the food is one of the main reasons they return year after year.

"Phillips Farms is one of my favorite spots. The peach cobbler made by Mama Sue is my favorite," said attendee Megan.

The festival also featured specialty vendors offering unique twists on the peach theme. Lizzie's Apple attracted visitors with its peach cobbler and other sweet treats, while food vendors and local businesses provided additional options throughout the weekend.

Among the featured food vendors was Taco Jazz by A Toda Madre food truck, which drew crowds looking for savory options to complement the festival's sweet offerings.

While the peaches may have been the star of the show, the event offered much more than food.

Admission included access to the Phillips Farms Family Fun Park, where children and families spent the day exploring attractions across the property. Popular activities included face painting, a petting zoo, a giant bounce pillow, slides, and a train ride that carried young guests through the farm grounds.

To help visitors stay comfortable in the summer heat, Phillips Farms operated sprinklers and misters throughout the fun park area. Children could run through the water while parents relaxed nearby, creating a welcoming atmosphere that encouraged families to spend the day outdoors together.

Visitors said the event's family-centered environment is what makes it stand out from other festivals.

"This event embodies what North Carolina is all about. It's all kid friendly and family oriented," said attendee Hailey.

That spirit could be seen throughout the weekend as families gathered around picnic tables, children laughed while exploring the attractions, and friends shared peach desserts under the summer sun.

Beyond the entertainment, Peach Fest also served as a celebration of North Carolina agriculture. Peaches remain one of the state's most recognized summer crops, and events like Peach Fest help connect consumers with local farms and the agricultural traditions that continue to shape communities across the state.

The festival also provided local vendors and small businesses with an opportunity to showcase their products and connect with customers. From food trucks to specialty dessert vendors, many businesses benefited from the steady crowds that filled the farm throughout the weekend.

For Phillips Farms, the annual event has become more than a seasonal attraction. It has grown into a community gathering that brings together people of all ages to celebrate local agriculture, family traditions, and the simple joys of summer.

Throughout the weekend, guests could be seen carrying baskets of fresh peaches, sipping peach lemonade, and enjoying slices of peach cobbler while children raced between attractions.

The combination of fresh food, outdoor activities, and family entertainment has helped make Peach Fest one of the most anticipated events of the summer season in the Triangle.

As summer continues across North Carolina, Peach Fest offered a reminder that some of the season's best memories are often found close to home. For one weekend each year, Phillips Farms becomes a destination where families can unplug, enjoy the outdoors, and celebrate a fruit that has become a symbol of North Carolina summers.

Judging by the crowds that filled the farm this weekend, that tradition remains as popular as ever.

Pepper pot stew was survival food for the poor and a path to freedom for Black women in early Philadelphia

The Carolinian — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 15:11:00 +0000

The Conversation - Americans typically commemorate the nation’s birthday with hot dogs and hamburgers. Instead, I think we should mark the 250th anniversary of the United States with a hearty bowl of pepper pot stew.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, pepper pot stew was a popular street food. A dish of Afro-Caribbean origin, it was typically made with tripe and other cheap cuts of meat mixed with vegetables, hot peppers and other spices.

Enslaved Africans likely brought the dish to Philadelphia from the Caribbean in the 18th century, when the two regions were tightly connected through trade.

As a historian of women and labor in the early republic, I have learned how important impoverished and ordinary individuals were to the country’s founding. Cooking and preparing food, spinning and weaving cloth, washing and mending clothes, and caring for the sick were just some of the kinds of labor that supported the fledgling nation. Much of this work was carried out by marginalized women who are often overlooked in national commemorations.

One such woman I’ve researched represents both the possibilities and sharp limitations of freedom in that era. She was a pepper pot seller in Philadelphia known to us only as Dina.

Pennsylvania, like many northern states, responded to the Declaration of Independence’s rhetorical commitment to liberty by enacting a gradual emancipation law. On the day the law went into effect in 1780, however, its provisions freed no one. Children born to enslaved mothers before March 1, 1780, would remain enslaved for the rest of their lives. Children born after that date remained in bondage until they were 28 years old. So-called “slaves for life,” the status Dina held, would have had no hope of gaining legal freedom.

In the face of this grim reality, some, like Dina, seized freedom for themselves.

She slipped away from her enslaver, Rev. James Anderson, in Middletown, Chester County, sometime in 1785 or 1786 and made her way to nearby Philadelphia.

Almost all of the information we have about Dina comes from a notice Anderson placed in a local newspaper offering a reward for her return. Each detail is stained with his opinions about the woman he held as property. Anderson described Dina as “lusty,” a word that can be interpreted in a number of ways.

White people generally held insidious ideas about Black women’s sexuality in this period. In the 18th century, lusty also meant insolent, which might have conveyed Anderson’s frustrations with Dina’s unwillingness to accept his authority over her. The word also could refer to health and vigor, so it’s possible Anderson was describing Dina’s physique and general affect.

Nonetheless, the advertisement exemplifies the paradox of liberty and enslavement at the nation’s founding.

It is impossible to know how familiar Dina was with Philadelphia, or if she had friends or family there when she arrived. She might have simply decided that her best chance of avoiding recapture was in an urban area where she could blend in with the free Black community that was growing rapidly due to migration from neighboring states and people manumitted by their enslavers. Dina might have imagined she could tuck herself into the hustle and bustle of this incredibly dense city more easily than in a thinly populated rural area.

After Dina got to Philadelphia, she made an interesting decision. Instead of finding more discrete employment, such as working as a domestic, she supported herself by selling pepper pot stew in one of the city’s markets. According to Anderson, she had been seen “numerous times” over the past 18 months.

One of many Black women selling the dish, Dina could essentially hide in plain sight from Anderson and anyone who hoped to collect the US$4 reward he offered.

It is unclear how long she was able to evade Anderson, but the fact that she maintained her freedom for at least a year and a half is remarkable. Philadelphia’s vagrancy docket is full of examples of freedom seekers who were apprehended almost immediately.

Dina’s ultimate fate is unknown. After Anderson’s three newspaper notices, she disappears from the archive. She may have been captured and returned to Anderson. Or it’s possible that working as a pepper pot seller allowed her to gain her freedom permanently.

Opportunity in Philly’s informal economy

Spiraling war debt and inflation during the 1780s fell heavily on the neediest Americans. In Philadelphia, impoverished people often subsisted on bread. Affordable, hearty street food like pepper pot stew would have offered important nutrients and perhaps pleasure from a good meal. By providing cheap, nourishing food for working Philadelphians, pepper pot sellers could be seen as participating in a kind of informal mutual aid.

However, city officials characterized some market activities during this period as “riotous and disorderly” and imposed stricter regulations around when and where pepper pot sellers could operate. Boisterous gatherings of Black and white working-class people might have seemed potentially threatening or disruptive to city leaders.

Dina’s role as an informal trader echoed across the 19th century. Many Black women took up the pepper pot trade, and some earned decent incomes. These women, in turn, contributed to a range of charitable, religious and abolitionist organizations that formed the backbone of a vibrant Black Philadelphia. They also helped support their families, even in an economic order that devalued Black women’s labor.

As the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial this year, many Americans will be reminded of the stories of popular Revolution-era figures such as Paul Revere or George Washington.

But I’ll be thinking of Dina and the countless other Black women who sold pepper pot stew on the streets of Philadelphia, the nation’s first capital. To me, they symbolize the fragile hope, terrible failures and tireless quest for true freedom that defined the founding era.

Music, Dance and Spoken Word Bring Juneteenth Celebration to Knightdale

Dominique Heath — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 15:10:00 +0000

By Dominique Heath

Staff Writer

KNIGHTDALE, N.C. — Music filled Knightdale Station Park while dancers took the stage, spoken word artists shared stories and residents joined together in celebration during the Town of Knightdale's annual African American Festival on June 13.

Held in recognition of Juneteenth, the festival transformed the park into a showcase of African American culture through live performances, food, art and community engagement. Despite temperatures climbing into the 90s, families gathered beneath umbrellas and tents throughout the afternoon and evening, settling into lawn chairs as performers took the stage and vendors welcomed visitors.

The day's entertainment opened with a performance by the Spade Music Group featuring Joshua Harris, setting the tone for an event centered on artistic expression. Later, spoken word artist Petrina Bryant, known professionally as Trina Thoughtz, captivated attendees with a performance that blended storytelling, reflection and empowerment, demonstrating the enduring role spoken word continues to play within Black cultural traditions.

The celebration of culture extended beyond music and poetry. During the Divine Nine Roll Call hosted by DJ Fatz The Governor, members of historically Black fraternities and sororities proudly stood to represent their organizations. The moment highlighted the legacy of Black Greek-letter organizations and their longstanding contributions to leadership, service and community building.

Dance remained a central part of the festival throughout the evening. Performers from Expressions in Rhythm Studio showcased their talent before an attentive crowd, while a later line dancing session led by Z-Fitness invited attendees to become part of the entertainment themselves. Residents left their seats and gathered near the stage, turning the area into a community dance floor as music played across the park.

The festival also recognized local youth, including members of the Lady Knights football program, whose accomplishments were celebrated before the crowd. The recognition reflected the event's commitment to highlighting the next generation alongside established artists, performers and community leaders.

Away from the stage, attendees explored a variety of vendor booths featuring handcrafted products, jewelry, clothing, baked goods, wellness items and specialty beverages. Community organizations and local businesses lined the festival grounds, providing opportunities for residents to learn about local resources while supporting entrepreneurs.

Food remained another important part of the celebration. Vendors including Beef Street and a Pig, Devour, Fancy Faye's, Lil's Cheesesteaks, Taste of Baltimore and WaffleDup served a variety of options throughout the day, while frozen treats and lemonade vendors helped festivalgoers stay cool in the summer heat. Long lines formed at several food trucks as attendees sampled offerings between performances.

As the evening progressed, the crowd continued to grow in front of the amphitheater stage. Musical performances by Klaxton Brown and headliner Elle Varner brought attendees closer to the stage, closing out a day that showcased the many ways culture can be expressed through music, movement, storytelling and shared experiences.

While Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States, Knightdale's African American Festival demonstrated how that history continues to be honored through living traditions. From spoken word and music to dance and community gathering, the event highlighted the creativity, resilience and cultural contributions that continue to shape communities across North Carolina.

Farmer Kamal Bell Presents Juneteenth’s ‘Roots of Discovery’

Jordan Meadows — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:05:00 +0000

By Jordan Meadows

Staff Writer

Kamal Bell, a North Carolina farmer, educator and founder of Sankofa Farms, delivered a talk Tuesday at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, offering a personal and historically grounded look at agriculture, food systems and the future of farming.

Bell, who describes himself as a “Food Systems Architect,” spoke about his journey into agriculture, the structural challenges facing farmers today, and the cultural and historical significance of land ownership—particularly within Black communities.

“One of the questions that I had was: how can I always be in a position to help my family and then my community?” Bell said during the talk. “And that question ended up coming out to be to become a farmer.”

Founded while Bell was a student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Sankofa Farms in Efland, NC—roughly a half hour drive NW of Durham—has grown into an agricultural and educational hub focused on food access, environmental stewardship and youth development.

Bell emphasized that modern farming requires far more than traditional labor:

“Now that it’s 2026, I use the word farmer, but I think a proper title would be Food Systems Architect,” he said. “Because now you just can’t be on the tractor and produce food… you have to be more diverse as a farmer.”

Throughout the event, Bell tied his personal story to broader historical trends, particularly the dramatic loss of Black-owned farmland over the past century. He pointed to U.S. Department of Agriculture data showing that Black farmers once owned millions of acres of land that have since largely disappeared.

“Something happened to 17 million acres of land,” Bell said. “And when you think about freedom and struggle and progression of the people… you have to have land.”

Bell also discussed systemic barriers within agriculture, including his own experience fighting for access to land through federal programs.

“I actually ended up having to go and battle the USDA because I was denied my farm… I ended up winning,” he said. “But there’s a policy piece here… there’s a land loss piece here… all these different systems here that made me think about why farming would be so important.”

A former middle school agricultural teacher, Bell stressed the role of education in reshaping how younger generations view farming. He described working with students who had been written off by society and seeing them thrive through hands-on agricultural programs.

“These young men would come to my class, they would learn about agriculture… and we ended up seeing some great results,” he said.

Bell emphasized that one of the biggest challenges facing the industry is a lack of youth engagement and a limited pipeline into agricultural careers. He also warned that larger structural changes—including market instability, climate variability and shifts in global trade—are reshaping the food system in ways many Americans are not prepared for.

Bell encouraged attendees to think more critically about where their food comes from and whether current systems are sustainable.

“I think the first thing could be for us to start identifying where our food is coming from,” he said. “I don’t think Walmart and large chains will always be the simple answer.”

In discussing his own path, Bell traced his decision to become a farmer back to his college years, when he studied Black history and philosophy and was moved by Elijah Muhammad's question, “What can you do for your people?”

That decision came despite skepticism from peers.

“One of the things I heard whenever I told somebody I wanted to be a farmer was that you’re going to be a poor farmer,” Bell said.

Bell also spoke about the steep learning curve involved in agriculture, noting that it took nearly a decade for him to feel confident in his work.

“I think it’s taken me like 10 years to be like, ‘I know what I’m doing’,” he said. “If a person was really seriously committed… I think they can do it in about three years.”

In addition to farming, Bell has expanded his work into cultural storytelling and education. He co-authored a children’s book with his son, “Akeem Keeps Bees,” which highlights Black youth engagement in agriculture and science.

“It debunks a lot of the ideals of us not being present in our children’s lives,” Bell said. “Our whole family is in the book… our interest in science and nature.”

The book has sold more than 10,000 copies and received national recognition.

“My introduction to agriculture and farming was slavery and sharecropping. It’s a huge turnoff,” he said. “So now we want to rewrite that history for the next generation.”

The Reasons Why Christians Should Celebrate Juneteenth

The Carolinian — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:28:00 +0000

By Andrea Bradford

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks a significant milestone in American history, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. The day derives its name from a combination of “June” and “nineteenth,” the date in 1865 when Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery in the United States. This announcement came more than two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, declaring that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territories were to be freed.

Despite the Proclamation, enforcement of the order was limited, and many enslaved individuals remained unaware of their freedom until Granger’s arrival. On that day, Granger publicly read General Order No. 3, which formally announced to those in Texas that all enslaved people were free. This revelation was a moment of immense joy and celebration for the formerly enslaved individuals and their families, signaling the end of a painful chapter in American history.

Juneteenth has evolved into a significant celebration for many, while for others, it has brought existing divisions to light. Nevertheless, the understanding of Juneteenth can be regarded as a profound reflection of God’s response to the earnest prayers of countless Black individuals who endured the hardships of bondage. In many Black communities in the United States, this day is often affectionately referred to as “Jubilee Day.”

In biblical tradition, as outlined in Leviticus 25, a Jubilee year signifies a distinct period of release and restoration that occurs every 50 years. This sacred time encompasses the emancipation of enslaved individuals, the forgiveness of debts, and the reinstatement of land to its original owners. While the themes of debt and land ownership don’t closely correspond with Juneteenth, the emancipation of enslaved individuals certainly does.

Juneteenth’s Theological
Implications

Juneteenth holds profound theological significance, particularly within Christian traditions. It invites contemplation on essential themes such as liberation, justice, delayed fulfillment, communal memory, and divine providence. At its core, Juneteenth celebrates the idea of freedom, specifically, the liberation from bondage and the affirmation of human dignity.

This theme resonates strongly with the biblical narrative of the Exodus, which depicts God’s deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. For many Blacks, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries, the story of Exodus provided a meaningful framework for understanding both their suffering and their aspirations for hope. Enslaved preachers often drew parallels between themselves and Moses, while Pharaoh represented the oppressive forces of the slaveholding class. In this context, Juneteenth emerges as a significant moment when the promise of divine deliverance is ultimately realized, albeit after a painful delay. This observance echoes the biblical assurance that God remains attentive to the plight of the oppressed.

Delayed Justice

One of Juneteenth’s most profound theological implications is the concept of delayed justice. The people of Galveston remained enslaved for more than two years after legal emancipation. This delay raises questions about the nature of justice and theodicy: Why does liberation not come swiftly? Why must the oppressed wait? These questions are not merely historical, but also deeply theological. The prophets of the Hebrew Bible, such as Habakkuk and Isaiah, often grappled with delayed justice. In the words of the prophet Habakkuk: “How long, Lord, have I called for help, And You do not hear? I cry to You, ‘Violence!’ Yet You do not save” (Habakkuk 1:2, NASB). This verse expresses the prophet’s plea to God about the ongoing injustice and violence in the world, and it voices his passionate query of why God is not intervening. Juneteenth thus serves as a call to remain steadfast in faith, even when freedom is not immediately attainable. It reflects the tension between the “already” and the “not yet” that pervades Christian eschatology.

The Image of God

Secondly, Christian theology holds that all people are made in the image of God (Imago Dei), which implies inherent dignity and worth. The very existence of slavery is a theological contradiction, a rejection of that divine image. Millard J. Erickson, author of Christian Theology, declares, “Because all are made in the image of God, nothing should be done to encroach upon another’s legitimate exercise of dominion. Freedom should not be taken from humans. This means, most obviously, that slavery is improper.” Juneteenth is a day of reclaiming that image, a collective assertion of dignity by a people long denied their humanity. It challenges Christians to examine how institutions have betrayed the core of their faith by upholding systems of oppression.

Remembrance

Thirdly, the act of remembering is deeply spiritual. Throughout Scripture, God calls people to remember, not just their triumphs but their trials. Juneteenth is both a celebration and a lament. On the one hand, the day is a celebration of freedom, and on the other, it’s an opportunity to lament its delay and the suffering that preceded it. Theologically, lament is not despair; it is an act of faith that God hears and answers. Juneteenth invites a communal memory that is honest, redemptive, and oriented toward justice. It reminds believers that the road to liberation includes acknowledging pain and confronting uncomfortable truths.

Redemption

Lastly, the story of Juneteenth also offers a vision of redemptive history. While the delay in freedom can be hard to understand, the eventual arrival of justice represents a form of historical and theological reconciliation. In Christian theology, redemption is both personal and communal, restoring right relationships. Juneteenth calls on the church to participate in that redemptive work by advocating for racial justice, equality, and reconciliation in contemporary society.

Why Should All Christians Acknowledge Juneteenth?

As Christians, we should celebrate God’s remarkable acts throughout history and honor the significance of Juneteenth alongside American Independence Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Each of these observances reflect sacrifice and resilience, including Juneteenth, which acknowledges the struggles of enslaved individuals whose contributions have shaped our nation’s identity. By celebrating Juneteenth, we recognize their humanity and the profound impact of their experiences on our collective history. If you haven’t already, let Juneteenth enter your holiday repertoire as a chance to celebrate God’s work in the life of our nation.

Moreover, let us allow Juneteenth to serve as a bridge to foster understanding and empathy within our diverse communities. By engaging in meaningful conversations about race, history, and justice, we can help bridge divides and work towards a future where unity prevails within the Christian community. Embracing the lessons of the past allows us to work toward a more equitable and compassionate society for all.

Anti-Trafficking Conference Featuring Kiricka Yarbough Smith

Jordan Meadows — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 21:14:00 +0000

By Jordan Meadows

Staff Writer

The North Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NCCAHT) hosted its statewide “Collective Impact: NC Anti-Trafficking Conference” on Tuesday at Campbell University’s Oscar N. Harris Student Union in Buies Creek.

The one-day event included service providers, law enforcement, educators and community leaders from across the state to strengthen collaboration and develop a more unified response to what experts describe as a complex and rapidly evolving criminal industry.

At the center of the conference was keynote speaker Kiricka Yarbough Smith, a leading figure in North Carolina’s anti-trafficking movement whose career spans more than two decades in social work and advocacy.

Smith currently serves as Human Trafficking Program Director for the North Carolina Council for Women and Youth Involvement and has held leadership roles with the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault and the NCCAHT. Her work has focused on building statewide systems of support, training law enforcement and service providers, and addressing the intersections of trafficking with domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and systemic inequities.

Smith’s path into anti-trafficking work was shaped by her early career in mental health and developmental disability services, where she witnessed firsthand the impact of interpersonal violence on families and communities. A native of Roxboro in Person County, she has emphasized the disproportionate impact trafficking has on Black and Brown communities, particularly in rural areas where resources are limited and oversight is often weaker.

“As a black woman from rural North Carolina, I felt more and more compelled to do the work,” Smith said. “A larger percentage of trafficking victims are African American.”

Her work has consistently emphasized that trafficking does not exist in isolation but emerges from broader patterns of poverty, housing instability, substance use and systemic neglect. NCCAHT focuses on the concept of “collective impact,” a framework that calls for shared goals, coordinated strategies and sustained collaboration among stakeholders of a community, not just law enforcement. She has identified one of the state’s biggest challenges as a lack of coordination across agencies, with organizations often operating in silos despite pursuing similar goals.

“We have so many passionate people doing really good work,” she said, “but human trafficking is such a complex issue that it’s hard to address it effectively without a unified system.”

Smith also points to geographic disparities in how trafficking is identified and addressed. While urban centers such as Charlotte, Raleigh, Fayetteville and Wilmington report higher numbers of cases, advocates believe trafficking is significantly underreported in rural communities. These areas present ideal conditions for traffickers due to isolation and limited access to services. Labor trafficking, in particular, is often overlooked, with cases emerging in industries such as agriculture, food processing and personal care services.

The conference featured speakers including leaders from organizations such as the Charlotte Metro Human Trafficking Task Force, the NC Demand Reduction Task Force, Safe Alliance and Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina.

The urgency of the issue is underscored by data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which ranks North Carolina ninth in the nation for reported trafficking cases. In response, state lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at improving prevention, enforcement and victim support.

“I think in North Carolina, we've been recognizing the issue and responding to it for the last 10 years,” Smith said. “But I feel like we're at a turning point—we have the data, we have policies, our legislators have been pretty good at passing some really good policies related to trafficking here in North Carolina.”

Senate Bill 1007, currently under consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee, proposes a coordinated statewide system for collecting and sharing trafficking-related data among law enforcement agencies, service organizations and policymakers.

Style, Culture, & Brotherhood: Inside the Epsilon Rho Lambda Beautillion

Jheri Hardaway — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:54:00 +0000

By Jheri Hardaway

Staff Writer

There is a distinct, palpable energy that fills the room when our community gathers to pour into our young people. It is an atmosphere where preparation meets opportunity, and where historic traditions form the foundation for future success. That exact excellence was on full display at the "Young Men Leading With Purpose" Beautillion, hosted by the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Rho Lambda Chapter.

From the immaculate coordination to the impactful words of the guest speakers, the evening was a beautifully executed masterclass in what it looks like to build a supportive village. To grasp the weight of the evening, one must understand history. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., holds the distinction of being the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans, founded at Cornell University in 1906 by seven visionary college men known as the "Jewels". What began as a vital support system for minority students facing racial prejudice has grown into a global brotherhood dedicated to scholarship, fellowship, good character, and the uplifting of humanity. The Beautillion directly aligns with these overarching fraternity goals. It serves as the formal culmination of the "I Am Alpha" program, a series of transformational self-development and improvement workshops designed to fortify the personal, social, and academic well-being of local high school students. Through more than nine months of dedication, these young scholars are paired with mentors and role models, training them to step forward as the next generation of leaders.

The event itself was an absolute vibe, balancing high-class formal tradition with genuine community joy. My face hurt from smiling. Fort Bragg’s Iron Mike Conference Center was packed with suits, dresses, and proud fiends and family. The evening ran seamlessly under the direction of the Master of Ceremonies, Brother Bryan Johnson, a dynamic Fayetteville native and Coastal Carolina and Fayetteville State alumnus whose professional accolades and community service made him the perfect voice to guide the night.

Every detail was thought through and executed with excellence. The smooth choreography by Bruington of the Dance Academy, the sharp soundtrack provided by DJ Chris Parker, and the crisp photography by Phil Woods captured a milestone moment for the families involved. Even the sharp haircuts and trims—secured through local styling partners—and the formal white gloves donated by Bridal and Pageant Connection ensured the young men looked every bit the part of emerging leaders

A particularly moving moment of the evening came when the fraternity acknowledged "the village"—asking the parents, family members, educators, and friends to stand alongside the Alpha brothers. The program emphasizes that while the Beautillion is a spectacular grand finale, the fraternity's commitment to these young men doesn't stop at high school graduation. In Alpha, mentorship is a lifelong resource that follows them into their collegiate and professional years.

Many distinguished guests were on hand to celebrate, including North Carolina State Senator Val Applewhite, Fayetteville City Council Member Malik Davis, and guest speaker and Alpha Brother Retired Col. Donald Porter. The heart of the evening was, of course, celebrating the hard work the participants put in over a rigorous nine-month period, spanning workshops, community events, and Sunday afternoon rehearsals. The camaraderie and mutual support among the cohort were palpable as the final awards were announced:

Beaus of Distinction: Mr. Glenn Brooks Jr. and Mr. Elijah Harvin were both honored for their exceptional growth and dedication throughout the program.

Fourth Runner-Up: Mr. Camden Graham

Third Runner-Up: Mr. Christian Brown

Second Runner-Up: Mr. Machi Fox

First Runner-Up: Mr. Andre Evans

2026–2027 Beau of the Year: Mr. Nicholas Carey, who received a well-deserved standing ovation from the entire room.

The evening also shone a light on the next wave of talent, introducing two junior Beaus, Lewis Little, a standout 8th-grade scholar-athlete. Also, Oscar Robledo, a rising 9th-grader entering early college, proving that the pipeline of excellence is always growing.

Events like the Epsilon Rho Lambda Beautillion remind us how vital youth mentorship is to the health of our communities. The leadership principles highlighted throughout the night: integrity, empathy, collaboration, and civic responsibility, are exactly what our society needs more of.

If you know a young man who would benefit from a community of positive role models, structured life-skills workshops, and an unforgettable experience that transitions them toward manhood, keep an eye out for future iterations of the "I Am Alpha" program. Programs like this exist all over the country. A simple internet search for local chapters of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Divine Nine fraternities, or sororities like Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, or Sigma Gamma Rho, which all came out to support the event, can unlock incredible mentorship, scholarship, and youth development programs right in your backyard. Let’s keep supporting our young scholars and ensuring they have the tools to go out, make long-lasting impacts, and boldly lead with purpose.

Durham to activate Stage 2 Water restrictions next week due to worsening drought conditions

The Carolinian — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:57:00 +0000

WUNC NEWS - The city of Durham has announced Stage 2 water restrictions will go into effect starting next Monday as drought conditions worsen.

It comes as two of the city’s drinking water reservoir levels–Lake Michie and Little River Reservoir–have dropped.

What you should know about Stage 2 Water Restrictions in Durham:

No spray irrigation of landscapes with city water is allowed.

No drip irrigation of landscapes.

Car washing is limited to compliant commercial facilities.

Large water users are asked to reduce water usage by 30%.

No new landscape-exemption licenses will be issued during Stage 2.

Stage 2 restrictions remain in effect until both reservoirs return to full levels.

Violations may result in enforcement actions as allowed under city ordinance.

Drought conditions

Durham's upgrade in water restrictions comes as part of the Triangle and Triad are experiencing exceptional drought conditions, which is worse than extreme drought. According to the North Carolina drought monitor, Chapel Hill is off to its driest start of any year, dating back to 1893.

Meanwhile, the city of Raleigh is increasing its enforcement of Stage 1 water restrictions over the next few weeks.

“What it will entail will be more thorough patrols, usually early in the morning or late at night, because that typically is where a lot of folks will be irrigating,” said Ed Buchan, the assistant director with Raleigh Water.

He said those who violate the water restrictions could face a civil penalty up to $200 for multiple offenses or even getting their water deactivated.

He is urging residents in Wake County to conserve water by adhering to the following restrictions:

Outdoor use

For folks with automatic or manual sprinklers, water lawns only between midnight and 10 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses should water on Tuesdays and even-numbered addresses on Wednesdays.

For those with hose-end sprinklers, use them from 6 to 10 a.m. or 6-10 p.m. on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

Households with handheld hoses and drip irrigation can water lawns anytime.

Fix plumbing or service leaks within 48 hours after written notice.

Indoor use

Restaurants will serve tap water only upon request.

Hotels, motels and B&Bs will ask guests to reuse towels and bedsheets if they are staying more than one night.

Buchan said other tips to help conserve water include taking shorter showers, washing clothes when there is a full load as well as washing dishes or running the dishwasher when there is a full load.

Right now, Raleigh's reservoir Falls Lake remains at 69%. For Stage 2 water restrictions to be triggered, the reservoir would have to be at 45%. Buchan said another reason to move to Stage 2 would be if there are operational issues in the terms of meeting irrigation demand on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Meanwhile, outside the Triangle, Rocky Mount is also now requesting Stage 2 conservation, as the Tar River Reservoir has 84% of its water supply remaining.

Canes’ Stanley Cup Win, And The Vital Role Of Black Players In NHL

Jordan Meadows — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:59:00 +0000

By Jordan Meadows

Staff Writer

When the Carolina Hurricanes hoisted the Stanley Cup on Sunday night, completing a 3-0 shutout of the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6, the celebration belonged to the whole locker room. Jordan Staal, 37, took the Conn Smythe. Brandon Bussi got his first career playoff shutout. Rod Brind'Amour got his name on the Cup a second time, this time as a coach.

The team that pulled it off was built on defense. No one embodied that more than K'Andre Miller and Jalen Chatfield, two of the Hurricanes' defensemen, who anchored a back end that held Vegas to five total goals in Games 4 and 5 before shutting them out entirely in Game 6.

Both are Black. Both cut right to the heart of what it takes to make it in a sport that has historically made it very hard.

K'Andre Miller was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and raised primarily by his single mother. Miller spent the early part of his hockey life as a forward, modeling his game after Minnesota Wild captain Mikko Koivu. He only moved to the blue line during his sophomore year at Minnetonka High School, when the team's defense corps was depleted by injuries. Within a single year, USA Hockey's National Team Development Program had scouted him as a defenseman.

The rest of the résumé assembled quickly: a first-round selection, 22nd overall, by the New York Rangers in 2018; a standout rookie season alongside Jacob Trouba that earned him NHL All-Rookie Team honors; and then, in July 2025, a trade to Carolina. He signed an eight-year, $60 million extension and made his Hurricanes debut count with two goals on opening night.

Miller has been open throughout his career about what it cost him to get here. Growing up as one of the very few players of color on his Minnesota youth teams, he has described being racially targeted by opposing players, parents, and coaches. In 2020, shortly after signing with the Rangers, he became a victim of a racist Zoombombing attack during a team video chat—an incident condemned by the NHL, the Rangers, and USA Hockey.

In a statement afterward, Miller said it was not the first time and that he had chosen to stay in the sport out of love for it, not because the sport had always made it easy.

Another black member of the Canes, Jalen Chatfield, has carved out something underappreciated: a role as a genuinely indispensable piece of a championship team's depth. Born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Chatfield grew up a Detroit Red Wings fan and spent his formative hockey years in the Ontario Hockey League with the Windsor Spitfires, helping them win the 2017 Memorial Cup before beginning his professional career with the Vancouver Canucks organization.

He joined Carolina as a free agent in 2021. Locked into a three-year, $9 million contract through the 2026-27 season, Chatfield is, by all accounts, exactly what head coach Rod Brind'Amour prizes: a shutdown defenseman who skates exceptionally well, kills penalties, and transitions pucks out of the defensive zone at a pace that changes games.

The backdrop to all of this is a sport still grappling with its own demographics. There are currently somewhere between 34 and 43 Black players active across NHL systems—roughly 3% to 5% of the league's total rosters.

The NHL's color barrier wasn't broken until January 18, 1958, when Willie O'Ree debuted for the Boston Bruins. Sixteen years passed before the next Black athlete reached the league. Val James didn't suit up for the Buffalo Sabres until 1981, becoming the first American-born Black player in league history. Grant Fuhr debuted with Edmonton in 1983 and went on to win five Stanley Cups and become the first Black player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The most Black players ever to appear simultaneously on one active NHL roster was five—first with the 2000-01 Edmonton Oilers, then again with the 2010-11 Atlanta Thrashers. No team has topped it since. In 2022, former NHLer Mike Grier became the first Black General Manager in league history when the San Jose Sharks hired him.

None of that history erases because the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. But it does make the Hurricanes' championship season worth reading on more than one level. This was a team that won because of its defense, and two of its most reliable defensemen are Black men who had to outwork every obstacle the sport put in their way to get here.

‘Black Voters Matter’ Advocacy Day At The North Carolina General Assembly

Jordan Meadows — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:49:00 +0000

Screenshot

By Jordan Meadows

Staff Writer

A series of events across Raleigh this month has brought together Black leaders, organizers, and community members to focus on advocacy, youth development, and long-term political engagement.

On Tuesday, the organization Black Voters Matter hosted a day of advocacy at the North Carolina General Assembly, centered on the leadership and voices of Black men. Organizers described the gathering as both a policy-driven effort and a space for connection, reflection, and strategy-building.

“This is a space for Black men to come together, build community, and advocate on critical issues impacting us—gun violence, economic opportunity, housing and voting rights,” organizers said.

Participants engaged directly with lawmakers while taking part in discussions focused on mental health, community healing, and policy priorities.

The day of action reflects a broader effort by Black Voters Matter and the North Carolina Black Alliance to build sustained political power through year-round organizing rather than limiting engagement to election cycles.

Advocacy efforts have focused on a range of issues affecting Black communities across the state, including expanding health equity, protecting voting rights, increasing access to economic opportunities, addressing housing affordability, and combating gun violence.

Through initiatives like statewide bus tours and community events, they aim to reach rural and historically underrepresented communities. Their “We Won’t Black Down” campaign, for example, has brought voter registration drives and town halls to smaller towns often overlooked in traditional political outreach.

In addition to legislative advocacy, organizers are also investing heavily in youth engagement. Efforts include outreach at historically Black colleges and universities, as well as large-scale voter mobilization events designed to energize younger generations.

“We need to start reimagining what this country and its governing documents look like,” April England-Albright, Chief of Staff and Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter, said. “We know that there are aggressive efforts to redefine this nation into a nation that existed in 1776. We’re creating a program to help Black imagination to think about what America is beyond the 14th Amendment and to make sure our protections aren’t linked to the benevolence of others.”

The advocacy day follows another major community event earlier in the month: The 2026 Dayla, hosted by 100 Black Men of Triangle East, held last Saturday at Hibiscus Event Venue—inviting community leaders to invest in the future of Black youth across Wake and Durham counties.

“Our Dayla is more than a celebration,” said CJ Guion, president of 100 Black Men of Triangle East. “It is an opportunity for the community to come together in support of the young people and families we serve. Fundraising events like this allow us to continue offering impactful programming free of charge to mentees while expanding our reach and deepening our impact.”

Funds raised support mentoring initiatives, educational programs, and community-based services provided at no cost to participants. Leaders say these programs are critical to addressing opportunity gaps and creating long-term pathways for success among Black youth.

The North Carolina Black Alliance held a mobilization call with faith leaders and members of historically Black fraternities and sororities on Tuesday evening focused on election protection and get-out-the-vote strategies for 2026. The call aimed to unify efforts across organizations and develop a coordinated voter mobilization strategy in advance of upcoming elections.

Together, these events reflect a broader, interconnected strategy: investing in youth, strengthening community networks, and translating that foundation into sustained political engagement and policy advocacy in North Carolina.

Federal Government Seeks To Halt The First US Reparations Program For Black People

The Carolinian — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 20:28:00 +0000

In this Nov. 25, 2019 file photo, Alderman Robin Rue Simmons, 5th Ward, proposes a reparations fund during a City Council meeting in Evanston, lll.

(AP)—The federal government on Tuesday asked a judge to halt the United States’ first reparations program that offered Black people in a small Illinois city $25,000 for 20th century race-based housing discrimination, joining an existing lawsuit that called the program unconstitutional.

The program, launched in Evanston, Illinois in 2021, is the first and only one of its kind in the U.S., allotting $20 million to Black residents — their direct descendants — who lived in the city between 1919 and 1969 and suffered housing discrimination because of city ordinances, policies or practices. Residents, regardless of race, who experienced discrimination due to the city’s policies or practices after 1969 also qualified.

The city has already distributed over $7 million — using revenue from a local tax on legal marijuana sales — to hundreds of people in $25,000 increments to be used for home repairs, down payments on property, and interest or late penalties on property in the city.

The U.S. Department of Justice called the program “racially discriminatory” in a court filing Tuesday, saying that it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution because it allotted different benefits on the basis of race.

“There are sound ways for a city to remedy past discrimination or direct resources to its most vulnerable citizens and neighborhoods. Simply handing out money based on race, however, is not the answer,” Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said in a statement.

Approximately 14% of the city’s roughly 76,000 residents are Black, according to the U.S. Census, with 11% identifying as more than one race. A majority of the city’s Black residents live in the city’s Fifth and Second Wards, which are historically low-income areas, according to a 2024 study on the reparations program.

Reparations has been a hot-button issue across the country since the abolition of slavery in 1865. But it has become especially polarizing in recent years after momentum grew for similar programs across the country in the wake of George Floyd’s death in police custody in 2020. At least five states, including California, New York and Maryland, and more than a dozen cities, including Boston, Detroit and Philadelphia, have created have created task forces or commissions to study slavery reparations. But none have gone as far as Evanston to actually distribute resources.

Robin Rue Simmons, who pioneered the program in Evanston and now leads the committee that presides over the funds, said that the lawsuit and the federal government’s support is a “fear tactic” aimed at dissuading other governments from pursuing similar programs.

Michael Bekesha, one of the attorneys who initially sued the City of Evanston on behalf of six plaintiffs in May 2024, said in an interview that applicants weren’t required to demonstrate that they were specifically harmed by the City of Evanston, leaving race as the only criteria. His clients would all be eligible for the program if they were Black, he said.

Bekesha said Evanston’s program is different from those in the past, pointing to the program that compensated Japanese people after the U.S. government imprisoned over 100,000 people in internment camps during World War II, or the people in Chicago who were paid after being tortured by the city’s police department between the 1970s and the early 1990s.

DOE Shifts Focus On Dismantling Special Education And Civil Rights

The Carolinian — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 18:49:15 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday accelerated its dismantling of the Education Department, delegating much of its work to protect the nation’s at-risk students in a move that carves away the vast majority of its functions for other agencies to handle.

The Department of Justice will take on enforcement of civil rights in education, while the Department of Health and Human Services will oversee special education, administration officials announced.

The two agencies involved — the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Office for Civil Rights — defend the rights of children with disabilities and those who experience discrimination based on race, sex or religion. Advocates worry the change could mean lapses in communication for families and school officials who need help.

Trump, a Republican, campaigned on shutting down the Education Department, saying he would “move education back to the states where it belongs.” While only Congress can close the department, Trump’s education secretary, Linda McMahon, a billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, has formed agreements with other federal agencies to handle much of her department’s work.

McMahon said the agreements align federal responsibilities with the agencies best positioned to support them.

“The Trump Administration has been clear: as we scale back federal micromanagement when it hinders success, we are equally committed to bolstering the efficacy of federal oversight where it is essential,” McMahon said in a written statement.

Critics warn of impacts to student services

Advocates said the changes would create uncertainty around services relied upon by millions of students and families.

“As is too often the case, traditionally underserved students — including students with disabilities, Black and Latino students, multilingual learners, students from low-income backgrounds, and students in rural communities — will bear the greatest burden created by this reckless decision, to which the disability and civil rights communities have already been vehemently opposed,” said a written statement from EdTrust, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank that advocates for educational equity.

The Education Department already has offloaded some of its programs through 10 earlier internal agreements, but the agencies affected by Tuesday’s announcement were among the most closely watched.

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services manages billions of dollars in grants and oversees state compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Office for Civil Rights, which has been thinned by mass layoffs, investigates complaints of discrimination at the nation’s schools and universities.

The Department of Justice also will take over work protecting student privacy and will provide some training and advisory help to schools.

While HHS and the Department of Justice will take over most day-to-day duties of the assigned offices, the Education Department will continue to perform some tasks, such as responding to audits and issuing final determinations in civil rights cases, that it is explicitly required to do by law.

Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, said the announcement Tuesday was a political one intended to fulfill the president’s campaign promise. The changes, he said, will likely widen inequities for students of color and students with disabilities.

The agreements are scattering education programs to agencies that do not have the expertise to manage them, said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.

“Instead of helping kids get a great education, this administration is spending its time, energy, and taxpayer resources fixated on where employees sit and illegally trying to shutter the Department of Education,” Murray said in a written statement.

Rachel Gittleman, president of the union that represents department employees, said the moves will create chaos for families, students and schools.

“This will leave our most vulnerable students and families who have been shut out of our education system without the services they need and without protection when they face discrimination,” Gittleman said in written a statement.

Families of students with disabilities opposed the decision

The transfer of special education to Health and Human Services most alarmed disability advocates, who say oversight of whether schools are adequately serving children with disabilities is best handled by education experts — not medical experts.

“The IDEA is intended to equip students as they learn alongside their peers, not cure them — the HHS is not prepared to oversee and administer the IDEA program effectively. Health and education systems speak in entirely different languages, including variations in terminology, training, and disciplines,” said Jennifer Coco, interim executive director of the Center for Learner Equity.

The Education Department said McMahon spent over six months in listening sessions with families, advocates and educators to better understand concerns around how the department’s dismantling could affect special education. Many families raised concerns about obstacles to obtaining proper services for their children, but Coco said participants in those sessions were united in their opposition to moving special education oversight out of the Education Department.

“I think we agree on the problem,” Coco said. “We have stark disagreement on the solution and these transfers today don’t feel like a solution to that problem.”

‘Ragtime’ Is Still Resonating With Audiences After 30 Years On Broadway

The Carolinian — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 15:55:00 +0000

New York (AP) — It’s been nearly 30 years since Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens wrote the music and lyrics for the musical “Ragtime,” an American epic tracking the intertwining lives of three families in New York at the turn of the 20th century.

Staged at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, the musical is in its third run on Broadway — and earned 11 Tony nominations, including for best revival. It’s resonating the most with audiences this time, they said. “Three is the charm,” Ahrens said.

“When we originally did it on Broadway, which was 1998, I think a lot of people, if not most people, were thinking about this piece as a period piece,” Flaherty said. “I think now, people are responding to it as a contemporary story.”

Adapted from the 1975 novel by E.L. Doctorow, the show’s book is by the late playwright Terrence McNally. It depicts a wide swath of the American experience in New York at the turn of the 20th century, from Black Americans in Harlem to Jewish immigrants on the Lower East Side to the white upper-class residents of the suburbs of Westchester County.

The story that unfolds is fiction, but features historical figures like activist Emma Goldman, educator and leader Booker T. Washington, banker J.P. Morgan, auto founder Henry Ford and illusionist Harry Houdini. The show’s breadth — encompassing immense tragedy as well as great optimism — and the depth of the actors’ performances has been bringing Broadway audiences to their feet, often mid-act.

It also has people returning. “They’re like, ‘I’m coming back with my parents,’ ‘I’m coming back with my grandchildren,’ ‘I’m coming back with my grandparents,’ and it’s not even like they have to see it. They want to experience it with them,” said Brandon Uranowitz, who had his own return to the show, decades after he acted as a child in the pre-Broadway production.

Now, he’s nominated for best lead actor in a musical for playing the role of Tateh, a Jewish immigrant from Latvia. “I think it’s sort of speaking to this generational reckoning that we’re having with America and our national identity.”

‘Ragtime’ at the Tony Awards

The original production lost the best new musical Tony Award to “The Lion King,” but Ahrens and Flaherty took home the prize for best original score, McNally best book and William David Brohn best orchestrations in a competitive year. It also won Audra McDonald, the Tonys’ most decorated performer, her third award. A 2009 revival received six nominations, but lost best revival to “La Cage aux Folles.”

This could be the year it finally wins a best show award: “Ragtime” is a front-runner for best musical revival, against strong competition from “Cats: The Jellicle Ball” and “The Rocky Horror Show.” Among its other nods are nominations for all three leads, and for featured performers Nichelle Lewis and Ben Levi Ross.

Portraying a range of American experiences

Joshua Henry, nominated alongside his costar for best lead actor, plays Coalhouse Walker Jr., a celebrated Black pianist at the center of his community in Harlem. Caissie Levy, nominated for her role of Mother, is the matriarch of a wealthy white family in a suburb outside New York City.

A cast of supporting characters, and a large ensemble, flesh out the lead trio’s lives, relationships and eventual connections: Lewis plays Sarah, Coalhouse’s beloved; Ross is Mother’s Younger Brother and Colin Donnell her husband, Father; Shaina Taub is Goldman, the real-life activist.

Emotions in the first act peak during “Wheels of a Dream,” Lewis’ iconic duet with Henry, which draws standing ovations, mid-song, nearly every night.

“She is a person who represents women — especially women of color — who don’t have a voice, women of color who are fighting to have a voice, women of color who find strength in other ways because we weren’t allowed to have it,” Lewis said of Sarah. But above all, she said, the character represents the power of trust, love and hope as a buoying force.

That hope is also what propels Uranowitz’s Tateh. “Despite everything he goes through, despite the rejection, despite the oppression, despite the othering, despite antisemitism,” it’s what persists.

In the song “Journey On,” his character arrives in New York with his young daughter just as Mother’s husband, Father, leaves on an expedition to the North Pole.

“You depart on a ship from a country like this,” Tateh sings, watching Father leave. “Why on Earth would you want to be leaving?” The two men are perched on separate, moving staircases on a sparsely furnished stage, but sing from the same height, emphasizing the valley between their experiences.

Like many of the characters, Father and Tateh (also “father,” in Yiddish) are nameless. The intention, Uranowitz said, is for aspects of Tateh’s journey — from immigrant artist to successful moviemaker — to reflect the experience of Jewish Americans, and to resonate with people from other backgrounds as well. “If you pan out, which ‘Ragtime’ does so beautifully, it also holds just a capital ‘I’ immigration experience. And I think that’s really important for people to see right now.”

Holding a mirror to the current moment

The musical feels so relevant to 2026 that audience members have asked director Lear deBessonet, also Tony-nominated, if the creative team rewrote the script for this production. Lyrics by Ahrens and dialogue by McNally about the discrimination and brutality that Black Americans and immigrants face can seem straight out of the current moment. There are also references to keeping the country “great,” and commentary on celebrity culture and the power of industry leaders.

But the text hasn’t changed. “We, in the audience, are hearing it differently,” deBessonet said. “There’s something that actually, I think is very unifying about coming together with a community of our time to look at this other time, and to look at the promise and the wound of America right next to each other.”

A 2027 tour, with deBessonet and the Broadway run’s creative team at the helm, will bring the show to a wider audience around the country.

“It does not feel like we’re looking back. It feels like we’re looking in a mirror at ourselves,” Flaherty said.

There is one small change, however. When “Wheels of a Dream” is reprised in the final number, the ensemble sings “Our son will ride on the wheels of a,” and then takes a long pause before a final, resonant, “dream.” The goal is not to prescribe a particular emotional response, but to allow viewers — and the actors themselves — space for their own interpretations.

“In that moment, every single actor, every artist on that stage is invited to fill that moment with whatever feels honest to them that night,” deBessonet said. “Sometimes you can really feel that there is exuberant hope in the air. And sometimes there is grief or rage or confusion,” she added.

Ahrens said it’s been a “revelation” to see how audiences have responded to the production, before and after the 2024 presidential election — and throughout this Broadway run, which concludes on Aug. 2. “It’s such a visceral thing,” she said. “I don’t think we’ve ever experienced anything like it.”

Largest Study of AI Hiring Algorithms To Date Finds ‘Clear Racial Disparities’ — Over 25% of Black Applicants Tainted By Bias

The Carolinian — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 12:00:00 +0000

FORTUNE - The most comprehensive independent study of AI-powered hiring algorithms ever conducted has found stark racial disparities embedded in the tools used to screen millions of job applicants, with more than one in four applications submitted by Black job seekers directed to positions where the algorithm produces outcomes that trigger federal discrimination scrutiny.

The paper, “Algorithmic Monocultures in Hiring,” was authored by researchers at Stanford University, Chapman University, and Northeastern University, and will be presented at the ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency in Montreal next month. It analyzed more than 4 million job applications submitted by 3 million applicants across 156 employers — mostly companies with $5 billion and up in annual revenue — all screened by algorithms built by the same vendor, a talent platform called Pymetrics.

“We find clear racial disparities in applicant outcomes,” the authors write.

“As a single vendor comes to dominate decision-making in a space, their quirks or shortfalls can be present across that entire sector in a way that wasn’t possible before,” Northeastern professor and research co-author Kathleen Creel told the Financial Times, which previously reported on the study.

Pymetrics’ owner, Harver, did not respond to a request for comment.

How the algorithm works—and where it breaks down

Pymetrics, which was acquired in 2022 and whose algorithms are used by major employers across finance, manufacturing, and technology, screens applicants not through resumes but through a battery of online games designed to measure cognitive traits like risk tolerance, processing speed, and altruism. The company has long marketed this approach as more objective than traditional resume screening, and, in its own prior analysis, found no disparities that rose to the level of legal scrutiny.

The new research challenges that conclusion — not by disputing Pymetrics’ math, but by arguing the company was asking the wrong question.

Pymetrics had measured bias by pooling all of its applicants and outcomes together, across all employers and positions. The Stanford-led team instead analyzed each of the 1,746 individual positions separately, which is how U.S. employment discrimination law — specifically the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s so-called “four-fifths rule” — is actually designed to be applied.

When analyzed position by position, 10.62% of jobs in the dataset showed an adverse impact on Black applicants, meaning the algorithm recommended Black candidates at a rate below the federal threshold relative to the most-selected racial group. Thirty percent of Black applicants applied to at least one such position. And 25.87% of all applications submitted by Black applicants — nearly 40,000 submissions — were for positions where the algorithm produced what federal guidelines define as discriminatory outcomes.

Asian applicants were also significantly affected: 14.74% of their applications went to positions with discriminatory outcomes.

“Aggregating from individual positions to occupation groups suffices to mask the per-position adverse impact,” the authors write, calling the practice of reporting only aggregate results an “improper, or at minimum an incomplete,” interpretation of federal guidance.

The ‘Algorithmic Blackball’ effect

The study’s second major finding may be even more consequential for job seekers: the same vendor’s algorithms are so highly correlated across employers that being rejected by one company meaningfully predicts rejection by the next.

Researchers call this “systemic rejection.” Among applicants who applied to 10 positions screened by Pymetrics, 4% were rejected from every single one — a rate statistically higher than what chance would predict if each employer were making independent decisions.

To put that in concrete terms: when an applicant plays Pymetrics’ assessment games, their scores are stored and reused for up to 330 days. If two different companies both use Pymetrics, an applicant isn’t really getting two separate evaluations — they’re getting the same score, twice. Some applicants are, in effect, algorithmically locked out of multiple companies at once without knowing it.

The researchers describe this as an “algorithmic blackball” — a term previously theorized in academic literature but never before documented at this scale in deployed real-world data.

To understand how deep the problem runs, the team ran a large-scale simulation, exploiting the fact that algorithms — unlike human reviewers — produce the same output for the same input every time. They asked Pymetrics to run its models on a sample of 1,000 applicants against every applicable position in the dataset. The good news: no applicant was rejected by all models. The bad news: to reduce the probability of being systemically shut out to below 0.1%, an applicant would need to apply to at least 25 different positions — more than double the 10 applications that would suffice if hiring decisions were made independently.

And, the authors note, a Pymetrics recommendation only gets an applicant into the pool of candidates reviewed by a human. It doesn’t guarantee an interview.

The concentration problem

The findings land at a moment when the AI hiring industry has become highly concentrated. As of May 2023, over 60% of the Fortune 100 and eight of the 10 largest U.S. federal agencies used HireVue’s algorithms, according to the paper. The authors warn that this concentration creates systemic risks beyond bias — if a single dominant vendor goes offline or is found to be producing discriminatory outcomes, hiring at thousands of employers could be disrupted simultaneously.

“By consolidating part of the hiring decision process across distinct employers, hiring algorithms impact collective adverse impact rates and patterns of systemic rejection,” the authors write.

Policy implications

The study arrives as regulators in both the U.S. and Europe are actively grappling with how to govern AI hiring tools. New York City passed Local Law 144 in 2021, the first legislation directly targeting algorithmic hiring — but the authors found that its existing government guidance appears to instruct auditors to pool data across positions and employers, exactly the aggregation method they argue masks disparities.

In Europe, the EU AI Act designates hiring algorithms as high-risk AI systems by default, with compliance requirements taking effect August 2, 2026 — just weeks away.

The authors make four policy recommendations: measure adverse impact at the position level; strengthen cross-employer market surveillance; monitor risks from algorithmic concentration; and create legal pathways for independent researchers to access hiring algorithm data, similar to provisions in the EU’s Digital Services Act that compel large platforms to share data with academics.

The last point carries an implicit warning. This study was only possible because Pymetrics voluntarily provided its data under an agreement that guaranteed the researchers’ independence. The authors acknowledge their findings could inadvertently discourage future data sharing by vendors who would prefer their algorithms remain opaque.

“Independent research is necessary to illuminate otherwise-opaque hiring algorithms,” they write. Without it, the racial disparities documented in this study — affecting tens of thousands of applicants across some of America’s largest companies — might never have come to light.

A US spying law expires amid distrust of Trump moves on national security

The Carolinian — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:04:00 +0000

NC Newsline — For the first time in nearly two decades, Congress missed a deadline for reauthorization of a key surveillance authority, raising questions about whether the U.S. government can continue to monitor certain communications.

Lawmakers have regularly approved short- and long-term extensions for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act since 2008, clearing the way for intelligence agencies to collect and analyze electronic communications from people living in other countries.

The government says it uses the program to secure information that can protect the United States or its citizens from attacks by foreign powers, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, the trafficking of illegal drugs and other threats.

Intelligence agencies aren’t supposed to target U.S. citizens but lawmakers across the political spectrum and civil liberties organizations have repeatedly raised grievances with how officials handle the information they get when an American is part of a targeted conversation.

Even though lawmakers let Section 702 lapse on June 12, the annual certification from the court that oversees the program should allow intelligence agencies to keep collecting data, experts say.

Kia Hamadanchy, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, said during an interview with States Newsroom that Congress included a safety net in a previous authorization that planned for this exact scenario.

“We feel pretty confident that there will be no immediate consequences,” he said. “The way the statute is crafted, it basically says if there is an existing certification, you can continue Section 702 surveillance until that certification expires.”

That won’t happen until March 2027.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, agreed with the assessment there are safeguards in place, but he contended members of Congress should not have taken the risk of letting that section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act expire.

“There’s a dangerous assumption that the program will function seamlessly if this statute expires on Friday,” he said. “While I hope the certifications issued a few months ago will still apply in the event of the statute lapsing. This is not a certainty. There will be high-stakes litigation and a very real possibility that intelligence collection will cease at least temporarily. And in this work of intelligence gathering, minutes do matter.”

Pulte announcement

Republicans and Democrats have worked for the past few months to broker consensus on another years-long reauthorization with overhauls. Those negotiations included significant debate about what the government should do when Americans are part of the conversations swept up by intelligence agencies.

But President Donald Trump’s announcement that Bill Pulte would temporarily run the Office of the Director of National Intelligence following Tulsi Gabbard’s exit raised concerns on Capitol Hill and stopped negotiations.

Democrats said someone trustworthy must lead the ODNI even for a brief amount of time, while Republicans argued the two issues shouldn’t be linked and that letting Section 702 lapse represents a national security risk.

Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said not extending the program for a few weeks while lawmakers work out their differences on a longer-term bill could have severe, even fatal, consequences.

“Well over half of every item in the president’s daily brief is derived from Section 702,” he said. “It has stopped terrorist attacks, it stopped the flow of deadly drugs into our country, it’s protected our troops overseas, it’s allowed us to rescue troops overseas.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., contended that having Pulte temporarily run the ODNI even though he has “zero relevant experience” would place “Americans in danger.”

“We need real leadership in the intelligence community, not a national security novice sent to undermine the work of intelligence professionals,” he said.

Schumer added that Pulte couldn’t be expected “to speak truth to power, to conduct objective analysis, to resist efforts to politicize the intelligence community in a job where facts are so important, and the president knowing the real facts are so important.”

Trump’s choice of Jay Clayton as his official nominee for the role June 11 as both chambers of Congress ended their work week didn’t ease concerns or clear the way for a short-term extension of Section 702.

“Pulte has to go. He cannot be in the DNI role,” Schumer said. “Our national security is too important.”

Scientists Warn El Niño Could Bring Extreme Weather Disasters This Year

The Carolinian — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 19:02:48 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) — El Nino, Nature’s chaotic climate agent, has formed in a warmed-up Pacific Ocean and is expected to grow to historic strength, meteorologists announced Thursday.

Experts said the El Nino, a natural warming cycle, should further heat a globe already warming from fossil fuel pollution and will likely turbocharge extreme weather across the planet. Meteorologists forecast it will rival — or exceed — a record El Nino that began in 1997 and helped trigger billions of dollars in damage from heat waves, floods, droughts, tornadoes and wildfires.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officially confirmed the existence of the El Nino, which is a warming of the Pacific near the equator that affects weather patterns across the globe. NOAA’s announcement said there’s a 63% chance that the El Nino will get so intense this late fall and early winter that it “would rank among the largest El Nino events in the historical record going back to 1950.”

The warm, deep waters of an El Nino affect weather patterns by bringing “a lot of extra heat to the surface, fueling a lot of extreme events for a lot of places around the world,” said Clark University climate scientist Abby Frazier.

She said, especially in the Pacific, “it can get dire very quickly.”

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described El Nino as an “urgent climate warning.”

“El Nino conditions will pour fuel on the fire of a warming world,” Guterres said in a video message.

El Nino’s impacts spawn winners and losers

The weather pattern’s effects vary by region. El Nino often dampens — but doesn’t eliminate — Atlantic hurricane season activity, but increases it in the Pacific. So while the U.S. East and Gulf coasts may get a break, Hawaii and other islands are more in danger, Frazier said.

The drought-stricken Middle East could benefit, climate scientists said. Other places are looking at more danger. Parts of western South America — where the first El Ninos were noticed decades ago — often get heavy rain and floods, along with an extra warm summer. India faces more intense heat waves, while drought, wildfires and heat threaten Australia.

Northeastern Africa is likely going to get weather whiplash from intense drought to dangerously heavy rains, said Columbia University climate scientist and El Nino expert Muhammad Azhar Ehsan.

In the U.S., El Ninos can cause more intense storms with heavier rainfall in the South, but they also tend to generally benefit the U.S. agriculture industry, said Jon Gottschalck, operational branch chief at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center

Michael Ferrari, meteorologist and head of research at the investment research firm Moby, said conditions for grains and seed, especially soybeans, look favorable in 18 major growing states, but are more mixed when it comes to dairy and cattle.

The northern Rockies and Southwest — where there’s an “off the charts” snow drought — could get some strong summer rains, Gottschalck said. The biggest effect in the U.S. is often in the winter, when the south can get wetter and the Pacific Northwest warmer and drier.

But overall, temperatures raised by the weather pattern can dampen American economic growth, said Stanford climate economist Marshall Burke. Several climate scientists forecast that 2027 will be the hottest year on record because of lagging effects of this El Nino, which is expected to peak in the fall or winter.

“We have pretty clear evidence that the U.S. economy grows more slowly when temps are above normal,” Burke said.

Strong early signs

The weather extremes caused by an El Nino also depend on when it develops.

Usually El Ninos form in the summer, peak in the late fall or early winter, and peter out the next spring, scientists said.

However, Ehsan’s team forecasts that this El Nino will peak a month or two earlier based on strong early signs from recent weeks. Princeton University climate scientist Gabriel Vecchi said large El Ninos like these also tend to last longer.

The early indications — including warmer water pushing toward the surface of the Pacific — have been so strong and noticeable that forecasters have all been predicting the same ultra strong El Nino, Vecchi said, adding that El Nino forecasts often are all over the place at this time of year.

Scientists predict stronger El Ninos as the world warms from the burning of coal, oil and gas, Frazier and others said. But she said it is too early to say if this El Nino is part of that.

Even before it officially formed, this El Nino has gotten nicknames ranging from “super” to “Godzilla.”

“Instead of scared, we can ask people to be prepared,” Columbia’s Ehsan said.

Crypto ATM Regulations Move Forward In North Carolina despite pushback from industry

The Carolinian — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +0000

NC NEWSLINE - A proposal to regulate the growing cryptocurrency ATM industry in North Carolina is moving forward in the state House — but not without some concessions to the industry.

Crypto kiosks are ATMs that allow a user to convert currency to blockchain cryptocurrency. They’re currently unregulated in North Carolina, and they’re often used in criminal scams because cash converted to crypto can’t be traced or retrieved.

For example, a scammer might call and claim to be an IRS agent or a member of law enforcement. The scammer tells the victim they’ll be arrested unless they pay a massive “fine” using a crypto ATM. Once the transaction has begun, it can’t be canceled, and the money can’t be retrieved even after the scam is revealed.

Bill sponsor Rep. Neal Jackson (R-Moore) said senior citizens are the primary target of crypto scams, and North Carolina is one of the hardest-hit states, with more than 4,300 fraud complaints in 2025.

“More than half of victims are over age 60. Seniors lost $257 million last year to these scams,” Jackson said.

House Bill 920 would subject crypto kiosk operators to the state’s Money Transmitters Act, under oversight of the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks. It requires consumer protections like scam alert signs on kiosks, live customer service, receipts for transactions, and the ability to cancel a transaction while in progress until it’s finalized. It also allows a 30-day window for customers to claim refunds for fraudulent transactions.

The original version of the bill heard in House Commerce last week included daily transaction limits of $1,000 per day for new customers and $2,500 for existing customers, and capped transaction fees at 3%.

Claire Wolfson, a representative of kiosk operator CoinFlip, told lawmakers her company supported most of that version, but had “some concerns with some of the numbers.”

The version of H920 that emerged from House Finance Tuesday is considerably more generous to the industry. It would move the fee cap from 3% to 14%, and raise the daily transaction limits to $2,500 for new customers and $5,000 for existing customers.

CoinFlip didn’t immediately respond to NC Newsline’s questions about its involvement in the changes to the bill.

Rep. Tim Longest, a Wake Democrat, tried unsuccessfully to change the bill back to its original limits and caps. He said the 14% fee cap is too high, while a 3% cap, which is what conventional ATMs can charge, would still allow kiosk operators to make a profit without taking “a large chunk” of the transaction.

Longest also said lowering the daily transaction caps would offer more protection to customers targeted by scammers.

“If they want to put a large chunk of money into the crypto market, they can do so online,” he said, “but if you’re going to go do it in person like this, I think there should be some more guardrails.”

Jackson spoke against Longest’s proposed changes.

“We have to decide if we want to regulate a current industry that’s not regulated at all, or do we want to put it out of business?” he asked. “I believe this amendment would put the industry out of business.”

Jackson pointed out that kiosk operators are currently charging fees of 20% to 30%. He said seven other states have capped fees at 15%.

Longest responded, “There are also plenty of states that have outright banned this industry, so I don’t think that settling at 3% is an inappropriate place to land.”

The amendment at first passed the committee, but bill supporters used a parliamentary move to force another vote on it, which failed on party lines.

The bill could be up for a vote on the House floor as soon as Tuesday afternoon. It would then go to the state Senate.

Wake Library Workers Protest Budget Cuts As County Debates New Site

Jordan Meadows — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 15:04:00 +0000

By Jordan Meadows

Staff Writer

Library workers and residents gathered outside the Wake County Commons Building off Poole Road in east Raleigh Monday afternoon to protest what they describe as chronic understaffing and cuts that are hollowing out library services across the county.

Wake Library Workers United organized the demonstration ahead of a public hearing on the county's fiscal year 2027 budget. The union says a 30% cut to temporary staff hours has forced the library system to scale back family storytime, adult programming, offsite library events, online chat support, and job and technology help appointments.

The county budgets for 285 library worker positions across 23 locations. Workers say understaffing and reduced temporary hours have produced high burnout and turnover throughout the system.

Wake County Public Libraries Director Tammy Baggett disputed the union's account in a statement. She said the modest decline in programming was largely attributable to the temporary closure of West Regional Library during renovations, and that attendance actually grew by more than 11,000 participants over the same period. Specifically regarding temporary staffing, Baggett noted that the library system significantly expanded its use of those hours between 2020 and 2023, then pulled back after exceeding its temporary staffing budget in fiscal year 2024.

The Wake County Board of Commissioners signaled their stance on a separate but related library matter during a meeting in which they discussed the site of a new Athens Drive High School Community Library. At a special meeting Monday, where Deputy County Manager Ashley Jacobs presented a plan for a new library, five of the seven commissioners indicated support for a 2.6-acre Well Fed Community Garden site directly across the street from Athens Drive High School in Southwest Raleigh, over a 12-acre school system-owned site near Tryon Road and Yates Mill Road, roughly three miles away inside Cary town limits.

The decision will be funded by a $142 million library bond voters approved in 2024. County staff negotiated a purchase agreement with Well Fed Community Garden owners Arthur and Anya Gordon for $1.586 million, down from an initial asking price of $1.8 million. The Well Fed site would serve 125,148 residents within a 10-minute drive, compared to 99,874 for the Tryon Road location, and offers stronger public transit access.

As Commissioner Tara Waters noted, the Tryon Road site has no bus stop, with the nearest GoTriangle stop two-thirds of a mile away.

Commissioners Susan Evans and Vickie Adamson backed the Tryon Road site, citing its size and room for future expansion. County guidelines call for four to five acres for a community branch and seven to eight for a site with expansion potential.

“We’ve had libraries that were simply too small for the communities they serve, and when there’s no room to expand, we can’t meet those needs,” Adamson said. “Moving the library would place it on a larger site, but it would also reduce the number of residents within a 10-minute drive time,” she added.

Evans, whose district covers both proposed sites, said she is thinking beyond the immediate neighborhood.

"I'm focused on how we serve the entire region that is Southwest Raleigh, Swift Creek, unincorporated area going down toward Lake Wheeler, all of that needs to be served by this library as effectively as possible, and we need to plan for the years to come," she said. "The pro for the Well Fed Garden site is it is in the existing community, it has walkability, it's close to the high school. But it is not the optimal size for what we would like to see, and it doesn't allow us any ability for expansion of the library … That causes me some concern."

Commissioner Safiyah Jackson countered that the area is already ringed by regional libraries—Southeast Regional and Oberlin Regional in Raleigh, and Cary Regional and Eva Perry Regional in Cary—making a community-scale branch the right call.

"There is something to be said about a community library sitting in the middle of the regional libraries and presenting all of those residents with the option of having a quaint community library experience as well as the choice of a regional library," Jackson said. "We should be thinking about growth in this county … but I don't get the sense … that the growth in this area is putting pressure on these other libraries such that this one has to be regional to account for that much more growth."

The pending vote follows years of advocacy from Athens Drive residents who pushed to keep the library close to home. Several attended Monday's meeting and celebrated when commissioners tipped their hand.

Could New Tax Credit Scholarships Help Public Schools?

The Carolinian — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 12:49:00 +0000

WUNC - In the first successful veto override of this year's legislative session, North Carolina lawmakers are opting the state into a new federal tax credit program. The federal program lets taxpayers get a dollar-for-dollar tax credit up to $1,700 for making a donation to North Carolina non-profits that grant scholarships to K-12 students.

The federal bill that originally proposed the tax credit was designed to support scholarships for private school tuition, so it's been widely cast as being akin to a school voucher program. But supporters of North Carolina's new law say the final version of the federal program passed in President Trump’s "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act could serve students in both private and public schools.

Senator Michael Lee sponsored the new state law, also known as the Educational Choice for Children Act.

"A lot of folks have kind of just tied this to private schools or other types of non-public type institutions. That's really not true," Lee said during the bill's final vote on the Senate floor. "This really applies to all children in all schools."

Lee has also argued that the bill would cost the state nothing, because the program provides a tax break on federal taxes without affecting state revenue.

Critics of the tax credit say that based on the way the program is written, it would primarily help private school students. The Public School Forum of North Carolina is working with other organizations to strategize how the program might support public school students too.

"We're going to do the best that we can to help steer it in a way that benefits as many public school students as it can," said Sara Howell, the Public School Forum's associate director of policy programs.

But, she added, that's a complicated task.

"Could it benefit public school students? Yes, with like the biggest asterisk of all time, it could," Howell said. "According to the law, it can, but the how and the practical parts of it are what are problematic right now."

The law says scholarships can pay for many expenses that public schools don't charge for, including: tuition, room and board, transportation, special education services, books, supplies and technology. The scholarships must go to elementary and secondary school students, and it is not intended to pay for college scholarships.

Howell said there might be room to support public schools via supplemental programs that schools are not legally required to provide free of charge.

"So that's something that people are talking about: tutoring programs, supplemental summer programs, after-school tutoring, things like that," Howell explained.

"Is it a net benefit for public school students? I would say almost certainly not," said the Public School Forum's interim director Lauren Fox.

Fox said she worries the loss of federal revenue from this tax credit will lead Congress and the U.S. Department of Education to make further funding cuts to public schools.

Gov. Josh Stein said he vetoed the bill to wait for more federal guidance on exactly how the program will work. That guidance has not yet been released by the U.S. Treasury Department, but could be later this summer. Stein said he would have opted into the program himself if it was more clear how it could serve public school students.

Cisco Connected Black Professionals For AI Ready Summit

The Carolinian — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 20:58:00 +0000

Raleigh, NC – Cisco Connected Black Professionals (CBP) RTP, in partnership with the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) Raleigh-Durham Chapter, proudly hosted the "AI Readiness Summit", bringing together more than 165 professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, educators, and emerging leaders for a day of learning, collaboration, and future-focused conversations centered on artificial intelligence.

The summit was designed to move beyond the headlines and hype surrounding AI, equipping attendees with practical insights on how to lead, learn, and leverage artificial intelligence in today's rapidly evolving workplace.

The event kicked off with a keynote panel discussion, "Beyond the Hype: How to Lead, Learn, and Leverage AI," with Cisco's Gretchen Sleeper, Senior Director, AI Orchestration and Capabilities, Cisco Systems; Kenyetta Hall, CEO, Katalyst HQ & Professor of Practice, Shuford Program for Entrepreneurship at UNC-Chapel Hill; Bobby McNeil, VP of Development, RDU Triad Chapter of NBMBAA & Talent Acquisition Manager, Enac; and Professor Richard Tillies, Department Head, Computer Programming & Information Sciences, Wake Tech Community College; and moderated by Andrea Parker, Business Operations Analyst & AI Summit Event Curator, Cisco Systems where industry leaders explored the opportunities, challenges, and responsibilities organizations face as AI continues to transform business operations, workforce development, and leadership practices.

"Artificial intelligence is no longer a future conversation; it is a present-day leadership imperative," said Andrea Parker, event host and Chapter Advisor of Cisco Connected Black Professionals-RTP. "Our goal was to create a space where professionals could engage in meaningful dialogue, gain practical knowledge, and leave empowered to navigate the future with confidence."

Throughout the day, attendees participated in engaging discussions focused on AI adoption, workforce readiness, innovation, ethical implementation, career development, and organizational transformation. The summit emphasized the importance of ensuring diverse voices remain at the forefront of technological advancement and decision-making.

Square to Square Street Festival Brings Summer Fun To Clayton and Community Spirit to Downtown Clayton

Judaea Ingram — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 17:52:47 +0000

By Judaea Ingram

Special To The Carolinian

Children laughed as they raced between rides and activities, families enjoyed snow cones under the June sunshine, and Main Street buzzed with excitement as the Square to Square Street Festival returned to Downtown Clayton on Saturday.

The annual event transformed downtown into a vibrant community gathering space, drawing residents and visitors for a day filled with entertainment, local vendors, family activities, and summer fun. Stretching from Town Square to Horne Square, the festival served as an unofficial kickoff to the summer season while highlighting the strong sense of community that continues to define Clayton.

This year's festival marked a notable change for the longtime tradition. Previously connected to the town's Independence Day celebration, Square to Square moved to an earlier June date and daytime schedule. Town officials made the change to allow families to enjoy the festivities before the hottest part of summer while still preserving many of the activities residents have come to expect each year.

The event began with the popular Children's Bike Parade, where young riders decorated their bicycles and wheeled vehicles before traveling down Main Street. Families gathered along the route to cheer on participants and officially begin a day packed with activities.

Throughout the festival, children could be seen enjoying rides, inflatables, and trackless train rides as they explored the downtown area. One of the busiest attractions was the mechanical bull, where participants tested their balance while spectators laughed and cheered them on.

Many families spent the afternoon moving between activity stations, games, and entertainment areas. Hula hoop performers, bubble artists, jugglers, and stilt walkers created excitement throughout the festival grounds, often drawing crowds of children eager to watch and interact with the performers.

The Poetry Fox provided one of the event's more unique experiences. Visitors had the opportunity to receive custom poems, adding a creative and personal element to the day's festivities. Nearby, face painting, balloon art, chalk activities, and games gave children additional opportunities to express themselves and stay engaged throughout the afternoon.

The festival also featured a variety of local vendors and businesses. Booths lined portions of Main Street while attendees browsed products, spoke with business owners, and supported local entrepreneurs. The Clayton Farm and Community Market joined the celebration, giving visitors another opportunity to shop local and connect with members of the community.

Food remained a major attraction throughout the event. Families gathered around food trucks and treat vendors while many took advantage of complimentary refreshments. Free snow cones and watermelon slices provided welcome relief from the warm temperatures and became popular stops for attendees throughout the day.

A new addition to this year's event was the Silent Disco Dance Party. Participants wore wireless headphones and danced along to music while others watched and joined the fun. The attraction added a fresh element to the festival and reflected organizers' efforts to continue evolving the event while maintaining its family-friendly atmosphere.

Beyond the attractions themselves, the festival showcased the importance of community-centered events in a growing town. Throughout the day, families stopped to take photos, friends gathered to enjoy the activities together, and neighbors connected with one another in the heart of downtown Clayton.

The event's location along Main Street also helped bring attention to local businesses and organizations. By drawing visitors into the downtown district, Square to Square provided an opportunity for residents to explore shops, interact with vendors, and experience the community gathering spaces that make downtown Clayton unique.

As the afternoon came to a close, anticipation built for one of the festival's most popular traditions. Children gathered near Main and Church Streets wearing swimsuits and eagerly awaiting the annual fire truck spray down.

When firefighters began spraying water into the crowd, children ran through the streams laughing and cheering. Parents watched from nearby as young attendees embraced the refreshing finale. For many families, the spray down represented the perfect ending to a day dedicated to community, fun, and the beginning of summer.

As children left soaked and smiling, the scene captured the spirit of the Square to Square Street Festival itself. More than just a collection of rides and activities, the event brought together families, local businesses, community organizations, and residents for a celebration of everything that makes Clayton feel like home.

With packed streets, enthusiastic crowds, and a successful transition to its new summer schedule, this year's festival demonstrated why Square to Square remains one of Clayton's most anticipated community traditions.

Preservation NC Explores The Layered History Of Hillsborough

Jheri Hardaway — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 13:46:00 +0000

By Jheri Hardaway

Staff Writer

Hillsborough, NC - Historic Hillsborough is full of character, history, and life. The morning of our Hillsborough Ramble, the main street was flooded with signs defending democracy, calling for healing and love. These same sentiments were felt throughout the tour. This sweltering Saturday ramble, hosted by Preservation North Carolina (PresNC), brought history buffs and preservationists to the quaint, historic, and stunningly beautiful town of Hillsborough. Traveling to each location primarily on foot, the tour offered an intimate look at structural landmarks that have borne witness to our state’s complex evolution from elite antebellum social circles and the foundational architecture of higher education to the brutal realities of Jim Crow and the seemingly unending fight for racial equity. Rather than sweeping the contradictions of the past under the rug, the tour served as a vivid reminder that history is built on stubborn facts. By analyzing the bricks, timbers, and oral histories left behind, the Ramble showcased how physical preservation keeps our true, unvarnished heritage vividly alive.

A memorable stop on the tour was Dickerson Chapel, a historic African American church led by Reverend Kerri A. Rigsbee that recently secured a major $400,000 grant from the National Black Church Heritage Fund. While the sum sounds vast, church leaders noted that structural contracting for historic landmarks requires highly specialized craftsmen and premium, historically accurate supplies. Local advocates expressed hope that the massive project would champion economic diversity by deliberately utilizing qualified Black and minority contractors. The stop was profoundly enriched by the testimony of Horace H. Johnson Jr., whose father served as Hillsborough’s first Black mayor. Johnson shared a visceral, personal account of integrating the Orange County school system as a ten-year-old boy in the fall of 1966, three years before mandatory desegregation took full effect in 1969.

Johnson recounted the terrifying silence of walking into a hostile sixth-grade classroom at what was then Orange Junior High (now the county-owned Whitted Building). He detailed the systemic racism of a teacher who weaponized grading scales until a local white grocery cashier, Miss Apple, intervened after discovering Johnson’s test answers were vastly superior to her son’s, a classmate of Johnson who received an "A" despite inferior academic performance. Miss Apple made a point to inform Mr. Johnson of how his son’s work was being unfairly evaluated based on his race. Decades later, a chance encounter at a local Walmart brought an apology from another former white classmate who revealed a horrific truth about the school's cooking class. The girl confessed that students had intentionally contaminated Johnson’s donuts with blue floor wax and urine. The hurt yet pride in his perseverance was evident as Johnson explained that none of this stopped his greatness. He went on to play college basketball and had a long career in New York City before returning home to tell his stories and inspire change in his home community. Johnson noted that many of his childhood tormentors went on to become prominent doctors and lawyers. "That’s why they don’t want to study the history—because we see who they are."

The Ramble next moved to Eagle Lodge No. 19, an architecturally stunning structure built in 1823 and the ninth-oldest active Masonic lodge in North Carolina. The lodge holds a unique place in regional history; chartered in 1791 under Governor William Davie, its early members laid the literal cornerstones for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, including Old East, Old West, and South Building. The building’s design features a heavily over-engineered superstructure, including massive timber tie beams cut at precise angles to support a historic astronomical observatory added to the roof in 1832 by UNC President Joseph Caldwell, although it had to be removed due to leaks and other structural issues.

Inside the lodge room, where the Master's station is symbolically elevated above the floor, the conversation turned remarkably candid regarding the racial fractures of American history. For more than two centuries, the mainstream Masonic order in North Carolina remained completely segregated from Prince Hall Freemasonry, the historically Black branch of the fraternity.

While the Grand Lodge of North Carolina and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge formally recognized each other in the early 2000s, area Masonic leadership openly acknowledged the lingering sting of that legacy. "From 1791 to 2000... I'm honestly quite ashamed of it," a lodge leader shared during the tour. "The past is the past, and I'm not going to hide it... But we can only go forward."

An additional notable stop of the Ramble brought attendees to the historic Coachman's Quarters at Burnside, a rare, surviving outbuilding that stands in stark contrast to rural plantation sites like nearby Stagville. To run your hands along the structural walls of the quarters is to touch raw history; the exterior surfaces are covered in the literal fingerprints of the enslaved child laborers who formed and turned the clay bricks in the sun. The site is tethered to the legacy of Jesse Ruffin, an enslaved coachman for North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin. Historical accounts paint Jesse as a fierce, defiant intellectual. William Kirkland, the antebellum owner of Ayr Mount, once formally requested that Chief Justice Ruffin ban Jesse from his land because the coachman was actively speaking to the enslaved population at Ayr Mount, encouraging them to demand their freedom. Family oral history dictates that on December 5, 1865, the day following the ratification of the 13th Amendment, Jesse accompanied Thomas Ruffin to the Hillsborough Courthouse. Upon learning that slavery had officially ended, Jesse rushed back to the quarters to announce the dawn of freedom to his community.

Jesse and his wife, Rebecca Norwood, continued to live on the land after emancipation, operating a successful seed business. Today, the quarters and their massive adjacent carriage barn featuring twenty separate stalls for horses and mules are fully protected under a permanent preservation easement. The barn itself contains a remarkable architectural mystery: its massive timber frames are secured using "scarf joints," an intricate, highly specialized technique explicitly utilized in transatlantic shipbuilding. The presence of these joints strongly indicates that the building was framed by an enslaved master carpenter who possessed sophisticated, highly transferable maritime engineering skills. The property was lovingly preserved for decades by the late Gwen Reed, who lived inside the restored barn structure up until her passing at age 99 this past January. Her descendants are currently working to transition the historic site into a public museum, ensuring that the stories of Jesse Ruffin, Rebecca Norwood, and the skilled laborers who built Hillsborough are preserved forever.

We also ventured into some of North Carolina’s most stunning mansions and historic churches. One of the homes on the tour belonged to a couple who wrote scripts for years for The Guiding Light. The row of Emmys was overshadowed by the gorgeous custom bookshelves and primary bedroom French doors that open up to the private pool and pool house. This house is actually for sale by Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby's International Realty. Out of all the PresNC Rambles I’ve attended, this one felt the most personal. The Hillsborough Ramble was mostly walking, which empowered more personal conversations and interactions. These special experiences cultivated by PresNC empower the relevance of historical properties and help all Americans process with structural evidence how vivid and important our collective history truly is.

Duke Energy Offers $500,000 To Support Small Businesses In NC

The Carolinian — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 17:03:10 +0000

CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Duke Energy Foundation today announced $500,000 in grants to support nonprofit-led programs that help small businesses start, grow and thrive across North Carolina.

Zoom in: Nonprofit organizations can apply for $25,000 grants, which will then fund microgrants of up to $5,000 to individual small businesses. Funding can be used by local businesses like restaurants and retail stores to complete renovations, buy equipment or technology, purchase inventory or meet other business needs.

Flashback: Twenty North Carolina organizations were awarded funding for small business support in 2025, including Beaufort Business Association and Moore County Economic Development Partnership. Since 2020, Duke Energy Foundation has committed more than $2.9 million to support small businesses across North Carolina.

Why it matters: "Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, especially in North Carolina where they employ nearly half of the state's workforce," said Kendal Bowman, Duke Energy's North Carolina president. "Through strategic grantmaking, the Foundation helps to stimulate local economies, create jobs and foster economic growth in the communities where Duke Energy operates."

How to apply: Eligible nonprofits can find additional program details and apply via the Duke Energy Foundation's website. Applications are open now through June 30, 2026.

For Black women in abusive relationships, gun‑control loopholes can engender deadly disparities

The Carolinian — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +0000

The Conversation - In April 2026, Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax was shot and killed by her husband while their divorce was pending.

She had done what she was supposed to do. She had initiated the legal process to leave Justin Fairfax, the former lieutenant governor of Virginia. It didn’t save her.

What happened to Wanzer Fairfax has a name: femicide.

Femicide is the intentional killing of women on the basis of gender. Women are most often killed by their partner, former partners or another person who believes they have a claim on their life. It happens in living rooms and driveways and parking lots. It happens during marriage, divorces, separations and in the weeks after a woman finally walks out the door.

As a scholar focused on the intersection of firearm violence and intimate partner homicide, I examine the policy and structural conditions that determine who is at risk and where prevention efforts are falling short.

Intimate partner homicide doesn’t affect all women equally. Black women have the nation’s highest rates of homicide by an intimate partner, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A 2024 study in The Lancet tracking homicide deaths from 1999 to 2020 found that Black women ages 25 to 44 are killed at nearly four times the rate of their white peers.

Spring 2026 saw three such cases make national headlines.

Just prior to Wanzer Fairfax’s death, Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen of Coral Springs, Florida, was shot to death – allegedy by her husband. Also in April, in Louisiana, Shaneiqua Pugh was shot by her husband, as was Christina Snow, the mother of three of the killer’s children. Pugh and Snow are both expected to survive. Eight children, however, were killed.

Three cases. Three states. One month. All, sadly, preventable.

Intimate partner homicide claims more than 1,800 lives in the United States every year. Nearly half of victims are killed by a current or former intimate male partner – not a stranger. These aren’t random acts of violence.

Separation is one of the most dangerous times in an abusive relationship. This is why we cannot see the death of Wanzer Fairfax and others like hers as one-off tragedies. They represent a decades-long pattern of intimate partner femicide in Black relationships – a pattern driven by firearm access coupled with inadequate policy enforcement.

Guns are what make intimate partner violence so deadly. About half of the roughly 1,800 annual intimate-partner femicide cases involved a gun. And in every region of the country, firearm homicide disproportionately kills Black women.

‘The partner loophole’

If the gun is what escalates the risk, it is also where policy has its best chance to intervene.

State law can explicitly restrict perpetrators of domestic violence from purchasing or possessing firearms through two types of civil protection orders: final domestic violence restraining orders and temporary restraining orders. Research demonstrates that states with strong gun restrictions along these lines have meaningfully lower rates of intimate partner homicide.

Generally speaking, though, these laws are not working as designed.

In most states, for example, only certain kinds of relationships qualify for protective orders to be issued against an abusive partner. The most common qualifying relationship is romantic partner or former partner. This characterization poses a problem called “the partner loophole.”

Federal gun-possession restrictions had a similar limitation for decades. If the relationship was a dating partnership, the prohibition against abusive partners obtaining a firearm did not apply. This came to be known as the “boyfriend loophole.”

In 2022, the bipartisan Safer Communities Act extended the gun prohibition to abusive dating partners. While the law now covers more kinds of relationships, it does not yet offer equal protection to Black women in those kinds of relationships.

Research using the National Violent Death Reporting System found that state-level enforcement of the policy was associated with reductions in intimate partner homicide among unmarried white victims, but not among victims of color.

Firearm-relinquishment laws are another weak spot I’ve identified in protecting Black women from intimate partner violence.

When a court issues a domestic violence protective order, federal law prohibits the restrained person from possessing a gun. But this prohibition does not automatically remove guns already in the person’s possession: A gun-relinquishment law must be invoked to compel them to surrender their weapons.

Some states, including California and Washington, have strong relinquishment provisions. They require judges to mandate surrender, set compliance deadlines and authorize law enforcement to recover unrelinquished weapons. These laws are associated with reductions in intimate partner homicide.

But other states give judges discretion. A 2025 review of civil protection order cases in South Carolina found that courts issued a firearm-protection order in only 32% of eligible cases in 2019. In North Carolina, a 2024 study examining state enforcement laws found that despite 93% of cases meeting the conditions for gun relinquishment, the policy was enforced in only 37% of cases.

As a result, researchers have found, firearms are discussed in fewer than 1 in 4 protective-order hearings nationwide, and courts order abusers to surrender their guns in 66% of applicable cases.

The result of unequal state policy enforcement is a prohibition that exists on paper and a gun that stays in the home.

The racial equity gap

The evidence is clear: When gun prohibition and relinquishment laws are fully enforced in abusive relationships, they can save lives.

Yet most states have gaps that limit how effective these policies are in practice. And that failure falls hardest on Black women.

Research shows that state firearm restriction laws with relinquishment provisions were associated with a 16% reduction in firearm intimate partner homicide for white victims. For Black victims, the reduction was not statistically significant.

This is especially concerning given that Black women experience the highest incidence of injury and death from intimate partner violence in the country.

The problem isn’t the laws themselves. It’s that the mechanisms of the law depend on a delivery system – courts, law enforcement, protective orders – that doesn’t work well for Black women.

After reporting domestic abuse, Black women are more likely to be incarcerated for defending themselves against their abuser, and they lose custody of their children more often once CPS becomes involved. A study examining preferences of intimate-partner violence survivors found that Black women report fear and distrust of police as a barrier to engaging with the legal system.

Because of these experiences, Black women understandably engage the criminal justice system less frequently. And laws protect only the people who can use them.

The media usually get Black femicide wrong

Another problem surrounding intimate partner homicide inflicts its harms after death.

When a woman is killed by her partner, media coverage often follows a familiar script: a name, a location, a grieving community. What it almost never includes is the word that I believe most accurately describes what happened: femicide.

Feminists in many countries, particularly in Latin America, have fought to enact femicide laws in response to pervasive violence against women. But the U.S. has no such laws and lags behind here.

Research has documented consistently that news coverage of intimate partner homicide depicts it as episodic rather than systemic, treating each killing as an isolated event rather than part of a preventable pattern.

When the victim is a Black woman, the issues compound.

Coverage of Black women’s deaths is less frequent, less sustained and less likely to generate the kind of public outrage that drives policy change. The focus in these stories, when they do run, tends to fall on the relationship or the victim’s personal history rather than on the systems that failed her.

This matters because media framing helps to determine what the public believes is fixable.

When journalists cover intimate partner homicide as a private tragedy, it becomes politically inert. When they contextualize it as the result of an unenforced gun law or a legal loophole, it becomes a policy failure – and policy failures have a policy remedy.

I believe the U.S. needs comprehensive standards for firearm restrictions in domestic violence cases, more robust enforcement and targeted efforts ensuring these protections reach all communities equitably.

For Black women, delay or failure may be the difference between life and death.