North Carolina News – March 10

RACIAL INJUSTICE-REPARATIONS

A price tag on trauma? College town weighs Black reparations

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — A New England college town is among hundreds of communities nationwide weighing how to provide reparations to Black residents for slavery and systemic racism. The town council in Amherst, Massachusetts, recently passed a resolution committing the town to the effort amid the country’s latest and ongoing racial reckoning. Edwin Driver was the first Black professor at the University of Massachusetts. Now 96, he says reparations should compensate him for years of being underpaid. Kathleen Anderson, a former president of Amherst’s NAACP chapter, says reparations should address public school disparities. Amilcar Shabazz, a UMass professor, said it should recognize local Black contributions. Other locations look to use marijuana tax revenues to fund similar efforts.

AP-VIRUS-OUTBREAK-ONE-YEAR

After pandemic year, weary world looks back — and forward

It happened gradually, then all at once. On March 11, 2020, weeks and months of warning signs — a mysterious infection, spreading across the globe — culminated in the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a pandemic. Few could foresee the long road ahead or the many ways in which they would suffer — the deaths and agonies of millions, the ruined economies, the disrupted lives and near-universal loneliness and isolation. As the world marks one year of the global emergency, people are looking back on that time, assessing their lives now and looking to the future.

CONTAMINATED BIRD FEEDERS

Contaminated bird feeders could be killing some birds

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission says that a “concerning number” of goldfinches and pine siskins may have died after being infected with salmonella from bird feeders. The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that state officials warned that salmonella is often fatal in songbirds that frequent bird feeders. The group Carolina Waterfowl Rescue added that the disease is typically transmitted “through food or water contaminated with feces.” The state is urging residents with bird feeders to clean them using a bleach solution. But if residents suspect salmonella, they should take the bird feeder down for two to three weeks.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-POWERS

NC House Republicans pitch changes to emergency laws

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Some North Carolina Republican legislators want to change state laws that have allowed Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to place severe restrictions upon businesses, schools and activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. House Republicans scheduled a Legislative Building news conference on Wednesday to talk about their proposal involving the state Emergency Management Act. Wednesday is the one-year anniversary of Cooper issuing his first executive order related to the coronavirus. Lawmakers have tried unsuccessfully to overturn portions of Cooper’s orders with their own legislation. Cooper vetoed many of their bills and defended his actions in the name of public health.

BC-NC-FORMER BALLPLAYER-FATAL SHOOTING

Former professional baseball player shot to death

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Authorities in North Carolina say a former professional baseball player was shot to death and a suspect has been arrested. The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office says 41-year-old Jeffrey Goldbach was found suffering from a gunshot wound Sunday night. The sheriff’s office arrested 37-year-old Brandon Christopher Hyde and charged him with second-degree murder. A motive for the shooting wasn’t immediately released. Authorities say a second person was wounded in the shooting. Hyde is jailed on a $75,000 bond. It’s unclear whether he has an attorney. Goldbach was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1998, but spent his entire professional career in the minor leagues.

ELECTION 2022-SENATE-NORTH CAROLINA

Ex-Republican Rhinehardt seeks NC Senate bid as independent

PITTSBORO, N.C. (AP) — A longtime Republican and former Capitol Hill staffer says she’s aiming to run for a North Carolina U.S. Senate seat next year as an independent candidate. Kimrey Rhinehardt of Pittsboro has started collecting over 83,000 signatures of registered voters she’d need for her name to be on the ballot in fall 2022. She says she officially changed her affiliation a few days after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot by extremist supporters of Donald Trump. GOP Sen. Richard Burr announced several years ago his plans not to seek another term in 2022.  Several other people have already announced their candidacies.

AP-US-WORLD-WAR-II-VETERAN-MEDALS

World War II veteran receives medals 77 years after heroism

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Nearly 80 years have passed since Marvin Cornett was wounded by a German mortar during a battle in World War II. The humble soldier with the 82nd Airborne Division didn’t think much about the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals he didn’t receive after returning home. For him, the recognition belonged to the ones who didn’t make it back. But his family disagreed, and they worked with Cornett’s former unit to get him the credit he deserved. Just shy of his 100th birthday, Marvin Cornett recently stood in his Army greens and shining jump boots as two uniformed soldiers pinned the medals on his chest.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-SCHOOL REOPENING

Cooper, GOP Senate leader aim to reach school reopening deal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Senate leader Phil Berger are working on a deal to get more K-12 public schools reopened. The terms of the agreement were still being discussed Tuesday but could end a fight over how best to get kids back into classrooms. Republicans want middle schools and high schools reopened with daily instruction available. The Democratic governor wants local school boards to have flexibility to adjust their plans in the event of a COVID-19 resurgence. Word of negotiations came as House Republicans advanced legislation Tuesday to give more than a dozen districts the ability to hold daily in-person classes.