Be one of the brave individuals to take their support of Special Olympics to new heights this Fall! Join Special Olympics North Carolina on Saturday, September 27, at their annual Over The Edge fundraiser. Join us at 301 Hillsborough Street at the Raleigh Crossing building in downtown Raleigh! Amanda will be going Over the Edge at 11am. Don’t miss this opportunity to support nearly 53,000 Special Olympics of North Carolina athletes and Unified partners. Click HERE to donate to Amanda’s team!
By AARON BEARD AP Sports Writer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina bet big on Bill Belichick to elevate its football program beyond decades of also-ran status and mid-tier bowl appearances.
More simply, though, it was a bet Belichick could do something he never has before.
The 73-year-old with six Super Bowl titles as an NFL head coach is now a college rookie. He’s traded rosters of 30-somethings for recruiting teenagers yet to emerge from under their parents’ wings. He’s greeted donors at fundraising gatherings. And he’s working amid a wildly evolving landscape of player empowerment across college athletics.
The first on-field look comes Monday night when the Tar Heels host TCU.
“I’ve been through a lot of opening days,” Belichick said, “and every one is the same in that there’s some things you kind of feel good about, there’s some other questions that you have.”
The spotlight will lock on Belichick taking the field — possibly with his trademarked hoodie look — as he pushes a vision of building the NFL’s “33rd team” at a school better known for its storied men’s basketball program.
ESPN will host a pregame show from Kenan Stadium. UNC has sold out season tickets (at higher prices, no less) and single-game seats. And beyond Monday, streaming provider Hulu will feature the program in a behind-the-scenes show.
TCU coach Sonny Dykes has experience with spectacle, at least. Two years ago, his ranked Horned Frogs hosted Colorado in retired NFL star Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes debut — and lost.
“Never thought I would, no,” Dykes said of facing Belichick. “Just assumed he would aways coach in the NFL and assumed I’d always coach in college, and didn’t really consider that possibility. One thing I’ve learned about college football though is never say never.”
Belichick’s NFL career featured a 24-year run leading the New England Patriots, producing six world titles alongside star quarterback Tom Brady. When Belichick and the Patriots split in January 2024, he held 333 regular-season and playoff wins, trailing only Don Shula (347) for the NFL record.
Belichick was later linked to NFL jobs but nothing materialized. That eventually led to the unlikely pairing with UNC when the school moved on from Mack Brown. At the time, Belichick said he “always wanted” to try college coaching and cited his late father Steve’s connection as a Tar Heels assistant in the 1950s.
In months since, he’s popped up at men’s basketball and baseball games and can rattle off a list of stops — Atlanta, New York and Chicago, included — on the donor circuit.
“It’s really fun to be part of a school,” Belichick said last month. “I grew up in Annapolis at the Naval Academy and there’s only one team: there’s Navy. It didn’t matter if it was Navy baseball, Navy lacrosse, Navy football, Navy swimming, Navy this, Navy that — you always root for the same team. … So you’re really part of a community.”
UNC gave Belichick a five-year deal, the first three guaranteed at $10 million in base and supplemental pay, to spark a program that last won an ACC title in 1980. It comes as the sport’s role as the revenue driver in college athletics has never been more important, particularly with July’s introduction of revenue sharing.
In a recent athletics department podcast, chancellor Lee Roberts pointed to early returns in added buzz from Belichick’s mere presence.
“I’d say, in a lot of ways the experiment — and I think that’s the right word — has already been successful,” Roberts said.
Of course, questions abounded. Among the biggest: would the NFL lifer known for terse and gruff responses in Patriots news conferences really hit the recruiting trail?
Rolesville High coach Ranier Rackley was quickly convinced.
His school, about 40 miles east of Chapel Hill, was an immediate stop for Belichick with the Rams featuring multiple prospects, including four-star senior edge rusher Zavion Griffin-Haynes.
“There was a situation for me with my schedule that I had to change the dates of him originally coming,” Rackley said. “He was like, ‘No, we’ll make it around your schedule.’ And he did that. For me, I’m like, ‘Wow, this is Bill Belichick adjusting to my schedule to come see my kids.’”
Rackley recalled Belichick spending two hours in his first visit “talking about ball, talking about life” while working to build relationships. Rackley said there’s an “open-door policy” for him to visit or talk with UNC’s staff, and that Belichick had been receptive to Rackley’s observations.
That included a tip to look at defensive lineman Xavier Lewis, landing the former Austin Peay recruit on UNC’s roster as a freshman.
Rackley said six of his players have UNC offers with three committed: Griffin-Haynes; his brother Jayden, a linebacker and fellow senior; and junior running back Amir Brown.
“Even when I go out to practices, when (Belichick) sees us, before he goes to anybody else, he’ll come talk to us,” Rackley said. “That means something to me. Not saying other coaches haven’t done that, but the fact that I know my guys will be in good hands — that makes me settled in my spirit, in my heart, that they’re going to be OK.”
Winning over Mom, however, is a tougher sell. And Latara Griffin, mother to the Griffin-Haynes brothers, wasn’t going to be easily swayed by numbers on a résumé.
“I am really a football mom,” she said. “I care about my kids. I care about being able to lay my head down at night and know my kids are good and being taken care of.”
So she didn’t hold back when questioning Belichick, including how he’d go from coaching grown men to teenagers never having lived away from home. Or whether this was a one-year pitstop before returning to the NFL.
Griffin said she sensed some nervousness from the coaching great in early conversations, though that faded into a welcoming vibe. She described establishing a strong connection with UNC’s defensive coordinator — Belichick’s son, Steve, and his family — and appreciated the elder Belichick’s effort to understand the importance for the brothers to play together.
After prayer-filled days for her, the brothers announced their commitment to UNC in June for a January enrollment.
“I think after being around us a little bit more, I’ve seen him kind of be a little bit more open: telling jokes, laughing and smiling,” she said with a laugh. “When you see Bill Belichick on pictures, you don’t really feel like he’s funny and cool like that. But he is.”
Belichick’s current players, meanwhile, have had time to get past star-struck first encounters with a man they grew up watching at the sport’s highest level.
“It’s pretty normal now,” receiver Alex Taylor said.
Still, that doesn’t mean Belichick’s presence has lost its luster, or that friends and families have stopped inquiring about what Belichick is like.
“Honestly it’s just every meeting I walk into, every new day,” Boise State transfer linebacker Andrew Simpson said, “I just sit there and I understand that I’m in front of greatness.”
The only thing left now? Actually winning games.
“The whole college football world is going to notice in regards to what they’re going to bring,” Rackley said of UNC’s staff. “It’s going to be interesting to see, man.”
___
AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins in Fort Worth, Texas, contributed to this report.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) — Charlie Gaddy, one of North Carolina’s most recognizable broadcasters and a longtime anchor on WRAL-TV, has died at age 93.
Before beginning his television career, Gaddy worked for a time at WPTF, the flagship station of the North Carolina News Network. In a 2024 interview marking WPTF’s 100th anniversary, he recalled the early days of local radio programming, including a show called Ask Your Neighbor.
“It was just something that somebody came up with as an idea, and they tried it to see how it would work,” Gaddy said. “And it worked beautifully. It was a very popular program and lasted a long time. But that’s how it started.”
Gaddy was born in Biscoe, North Carolina, attended Guilford College, and served in the U.S. Army. He became a household name across central North Carolina during his years anchoring WRAL’s evening newscasts, known for his calm demeanor and trusted presence.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
One of the main reasons you listen to QDR is for the music, and we want to be sure we’re playing what you want to hear as often or as little as you want to hear it. You can help design the QDR playlist to give you the BEST listening experience, and you could win a $50 Visa Gift Card.
Click here to check out a list of newer Country songs and tell us which ones you like best. Your opinion will help us decide how often you hear these songs play on QDR.
By the way, you’ll be asked to enter a station code when you take the survey – use the code A36 and only that code. We appreciate you taking the time to give us your opinion.
Our Fursday Pet of the Week is Shila from Second Chance Pet Adoptions!
Shila, a quiet middle-aged hound, is looking for a forever home, preferably with another dog and a fenced-in yard. She’s an independent gal who likes to chew on bones and play with toys, but at the end of the day, she also likes to snuggle up with her humans for the night. As a hound, she’s got a good sniffer on her, so she also enjoys long walks with lots of smells to be had; she’s honestly obsessed with being outside. Shila is both silly and awkward and she’ll keep you entertained for years to come. Her adoption fee has been reduced, as she will also need a hot wire fence, which Second Chance will help pay for and install for her adopter. You can learn more about Shila and set up a meeting with her by going over to www.SecondChanceNC.org and submitting an adoption application today!
Second Chance Pet Adoptions
6003 Chapel Hill Rd., Ste. 133
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 851-8404
This week, we are highlighting our furbabies from this month that are still available at our Fursday Pet Partners!
Beatrice from Second Chance Pet Adoptions
Beatrice, a 5-year-old black and white pit mix. We rescued Beatrice from a county shelter after being absolutely dazzled by her pearly whites! She’s such a happy girl, whether she’s sitting quietly at your feet while you work from home or riding in the car on her way to a long hike. Beatrice has exactly one issue that’s kept her from being adopted, which is that she is 100% the boss when it comes to other animals, so she needs a home with no other pets and an owner who will keep her safely away from any other cats or dogs. With humans, though? Beatrice is just remarkable—silly, snuggly, and smiley. Visit Beatrice at Second Chance Pet Adoptions, or learn more about her and apply to adopt at www.SecondChanceNC.org. You can also catch her on Instagram—her username is @AdoptPrettyBeatrice!
Libby from Wake County Animal Center
Are you looking for that one special dog that will cuddle with your family or play a game of frisbee in the backyard? A dog that is house trained and has great manners in your home? Well, look no further! Libby is a volunteer favorite! When a volunteer took her home for a day, the volunteer’s entire household was very impressed and noticed that she has a playful and friendly demeanor, but she’s also pretty shy and quiet, too.
Libby already knows sit, come, stay, and down. She’ll do best as an only pet or in a home with no cats.
Libby has heartworms, but it’s treatable and not contagious. To help with the medical cost, a $750 sponsorship for treatment is provided by Friends of Wake County Animal Center ([email protected]). Friends of Wake County Animal Center can walk you through the process of treatment and help you find a vet.
Libby is ready to go home today – she is up to date on vaccinations, flea/tick, and heartworm prevention, is microchipped, and is already spayed. If you have dogs or cats, we recommend slow introductions over time. If you have children in your home, we recommend supervision between animals and children at all times.
Rabies Clinic | Saturday, April 2nd | 9AM-11AM | Wake County Animal Center
Get your furbabies their rabies vaccine for $5! First come, first serve basis. Cash Only. For more information, click here.
Merken from SPCA of Wake County
Merken is everything you could ever want in a cat! He’s a staff favorite at the SPCA. This 4-year-old guy is a huge snuggle bug who loves curling up on your lap or putting his paws up on you to ask for some attention. He likes to spend his days hanging out with people, lounging in cozy beds, or chirping all of his thoughts at you. He’s very tolerant of being picked up and handled, so he’d probably be great with children! Merken has FeLV, which is communicable to other cats, so he’d do best in a home where he can be the only cat (or live with other FeLV+ cats). But frankly, Merken is all the cat you’ll ever need! Merken is neutered, microchipped, and fully vaccinated. Plus — his adoption fee is waived! Learn more about adopting this handsome snuggle bug by going to spcawake.org or visiting the SPCA Wake Pet Adoption Center in Raleigh.
Rayo from Animal Protection Society of Durham
“Good looking, check; affectionate check; sweet, double check! I’m a darling and good boy who’s a bit stressed here at the shelter. I’m sure to settle well in my new home. I’m a bit unsure meeting new friends, please go slow with me. I’d love a home where I can gain confidence, have gentle affection, and lots of love! I’m so special that I’ve been crowned Pet of the Week! Won’t you come and see me today?”
Help us find these furbabies a home!
Our Fursday Pet of the Week is Rayo from Animal Protection Society of Durham!
“Good looking, check; affectionate check; sweet, double check! I’m a darling and good boy who’s a bit stressed here at the shelter. I’m sure to settle well in my new home. I’m a bit unsure meeting new friends, please go slow with me. I’d love a home where I can gain confidence, have gentle affection, and lots of love! I’m so special that I’ve been crowned Pet of the Week! Won’t you come and see me today?”
Visit Rayo’s profile here!
Rayo is a charmer and a sweetheart who is a little shy at the shelter. Come by and visit him to see if he’s the right fit for your family!
Heather tours the Animal Protection Society of Durham!
Walk for the Animals: May 28, 2022 from 10AM – 1PM
Animal Protection Society of Durham (APS) is excited to announce registration is open for the 2022 Walk for the Animals Event. An annual fundraiser, this year the Walk for the Animals is back in person on May 28th from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The community is encouraged to register, raise funds and join us for the fun 1.5-mile walk around Duke University’s East Campus. The purpose of this community effort is to raise money and awareness for the nearly 4,000 homeless and neglected pets throughout the Durham community that rely on APS’s care.
Participants can register as individuals or as a team – recruiting friends, family and coworkers to join. Registration is available online through our Walk webpage: www.apsofdurham.org/2022walk. The Walk for the Animals this year promises to be fun for all ages with entertainment, food, adoptable animals, a children’s fun zone and even pet contests for Best Kisser, Best Look-alike, Best Trick, Biggest and Smallest Dog, and Best Dressed. GFL Environmental and the Riefkohl Family are the 2022 Walk for the Animals Presenting Sponsors, along with Top Dog sponsors Broadway Veterinary Hospital and Verdesca Creative
APS of Durham
2117 E. Club Blvd. | Durham, NC | 27704
Our Fursday Pet of the Week is Merken from SPCA of Wake County!
Merken is everything you could ever want in a cat! He’s a staff favorite at the SPCA. This 4-year-old guy is a huge snuggle bug who loves curling up on your lap or putting his paws up on you to ask for some attention. He likes to spend his days hanging out with people, lounging in cozy beds, or chirping all of his thoughts at you. He’s very tolerant of being picked up and handled, so he’d probably be great with children! Merken has FeLV, which is communicable to other cats, so he’d do best in a home where he can be the only cat (or live with other FeLV+ cats). But frankly, Merken is all the cat you’ll ever need! Merken is neutered, microchipped, and fully vaccinated. Plus — his adoption fee is waived! Learn more about adopting this handsome snuggle bug by going to spcawake.org or visiting the SPCA Wake Pet Adoption Center in Raleigh.
Visit Merken’s profile here!
Join Heather on a tour of the SPCA of Wake County!
SPCA Wake is hosting a low-cost vaccine/microchip clinic on Saturday, March 26th. Rabies vaccines and microchips are just $5 each, and feline FVRCP and canine DAPP vaccines are FREE thanks to a grant from PetcoLove. There are no income or residence requirements — all are welcome! All you need to do to attend is pre-register to secure your spot. Visit spcawake.org for more information about participating in this clinic.
SPCA Wake offers low-cost spay/neuter surgeries for cats and dogs through its Saving Lives Spay/Neuter Clinic (right next door to the SPCA’s Pet Adoption Center in Raleigh). The purpose of this clinic is to make spay/neuter accessible for pet owners from all over by substantially reducing the cost. Other services are available at the time of spay/neuter such as microchips, heartworm testing for dogs, FIV/FeLV testing for cats, vaccines, and more. For more information or to schedule your pet’s spay/neuter appointment, visit spcawake.org/fix
SPCA of Wake County
200 Petfinder Lane | Raleigh, NC | 27603
(919) 772-2326 | spcawake.org
Our Fursday Pet of the Week is Libby from Wake County Animal Center!
Are you looking for that one special dog that will cuddle with your family or play a game of frisbee in the backyard? A dog that is house trained and has great manners in your home? Well, look no further! Libby is a volunteer favorite! When a volunteer took her home for a day, the volunteer’s entire household was very impressed and noticed that she has a playful and friendly demeanor, but she’s also pretty shy and quiet, too.
Libby already knows sit, come, stay, and down. She’ll do best as an only pet or in a home with no cats.
Libby has heartworms, but it’s treatable and not contagious. To help with the medical cost, a $750 sponsorship for treatment is provided by Friends of Wake County Animal Center ([email protected]). Friends of Wake County Animal Center can walk you through the process of treatment and help you find a vet.
Libby is ready to go home today – she is up to date on vaccinations, flea/tick, and heartworm prevention, is microchipped, and is already spayed. If you have dogs or cats, we recommend slow introductions over time. If you have children in your home, we recommend supervision between animals and children at all times.
Visit Libby’s profile here!
Wake County Animal Center | 820 Beacon Lake Drive
Raleigh NC 27610 | pets.wakegov.com
Our Fursday Pet of the Week is Beatrice from Second Chance Pet Adoptions!
Today we’re looking for a special listener for a special dog: Beatrice, a 5-year-old black and white pit mix. We rescued Beatrice from a county shelter after being absolutely dazzled by her pearly whites! She’s such a happy girl, whether she’s sitting quietly at your feet while you work from home or riding in the car on her way to a long hike. Beatrice has exactly one issue that’s kept her from being adopted, which is that she is 100% the boss when it comes to other animals, so she needs a home with no other pets and an owner who will keep her safely away from any other cats or dogs. With humans, though? Beatrice is just remarkable—silly, snuggly, and smiley. Visit Beatrice at Second Chance Pet Adoptions, or learn more about her and apply to adopt at www.SecondChanceNC.org. You can also catch her on Instagram—her username is @AdoptPrettyBeatrice!
Visit Beatrice’s profile here!
Touring Second Chance Pet Adoptions With Heather:
Check out these Second Chance Events:
March 6 | 1PM-2PM | Yoga With Your Dog!
March 19 | 11AM-3PM | Dog Wash Fundraiser
March 24 | 7PM-10PM | Canes & Canines Night
May 1 | 8:30AM-11:30AM | Racing For Rescues
Second Chance Pet Adoptions
6003 Chapel Hill Rd., Ste. 133
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 851-8404
Our Fursday Pet of the Week is Johnny Cash from Animal Protection Society of Durham!
Visit Johnny Cash’s profile here!
Prepare yourself for FUN! I’m a great and jolly guy ready to find the home and yard of my dreams! I’m a cheery guy who loves to have fun and play. I’m a bit jumpy and am high energy. I’d love a home where I can learn basic manners, play, and have plenty of activities to do. Let’s meet today!
APS of Durham
2117 E. Club Blvd. | Durham, NC | 27704
Our Fursday Pet of the Week is Elicia from SPCA of Wake County!
This happy little wiggle-butt is 9-month-old Elicia! Elicia is 32 lbs. and may grow to be around 40-50 lbs. Elicia is a lovable, snuggly, and playful puppy that was rescued by SPCA Wake after being found abandoned. But she doesn’t let it get her down — she is just excited to be here and to meet and greet everyone she can! Elicia knows a few tricks like “sit” and “lie down”. She’s working on finishing up her housetraining so she can be a great inside dog for her new family. Luckily, she’s very food-motivated, so she’s an eager student to learn as much as she can! Since she’s still basically a puppy, Elicia would do best with a family who can spend plenty of time with her to play, practice training, and help her use her energy in positive ways. She should have a home without cats, though (they’re a little too interesting to her). For more information on adopting Elicia, please visit spcawake.org.
Visit Elicia’s profile here!
ADOPTION SPECIAL: For Valentine’s Day, SPCA Wake is offering 50% off adoption fees for all adult dogs! Find your pawfect match and forever valentine by adopting a shelter pet. For more information, click the link above to visit the SPCA’s website.
SPCA of Wake County
200 Petfinder Lane | Raleigh, NC | 27603
(919) 772-2326 | spcawake.org
Our Fursday Pet of the Week is Katydid from Wake County Animal Center!
Awesome dog alert!! Katydid is a four-year-old American Staffy mix. She loves hugs and cuddles and is a volunteer favorite. Her previous owner had great things to say about her – she’s crate training, potty trained, and is an all-around good girl. She does currently weight roughly 95lbs and should weight about 50-55lbs at her ideal weight. Katydid will need a home that can help her lose the weight appropriately – not too fast and without a ton of strenuous exercise. Slowly and will shorter walks and exercises will be best. Right now, she can get fatigued quickly and could get grumpy with less respectful dogs and humans. She is already spayed, is up-to-date on vaccines, and ready to go home today.
Visit Katydid’s profile here!
Wake County Animal Center | 820 Beacon Lake Drive
Raleigh NC 27610 | pets.wakegov.com
Our Fursday Pet of the Week is Nesquik from Second Chance Pet Adoptions!
Meet Nesquik, this adorable 6 month old boy is looking for his forever home. Nesquik is a social butterfly and loves to be around people. He is the life of the party. Like all kittens Nesquik loves to play. You will almost always find him chasing a toy around the room. Or wrestling with one of his roommates. He is also very cuddly and enjoys being held. He does need to go to a dog free home. He MUST have another cat in the home. If there are no other cats he MUST have a home with children to keep him busy. If you think this adorable little boy is a good fit for your family come meet him today!
Visit Nesquik’s profile here!
Don’t miss Second Chance Pet Adoptions February Fundraisers:
Mookie’s New York Deli Fundraiser: Mookie’s New York Deli is once again hosting a fundraiser for Second Chance in celebration of their namesake’s birthday! You (and your dog–they have a K9 menu!) can join the birthday pawty for their big Samoyed pup by ordering from Mookie’s NY Deli on February 8, when 10% of sales will be donated to the cats and dogs in our care.
Papa Murphy’s Fundraiser: Whether you’re feeling ravenous or romantic (or both), Papa Murphy’s has got you covered on February 9: using the code “DONATE,” place an order for take-and-bake pizza (make it a Heart Baker if ya want!), mention Second Chance Pet Adoptions when you pick up the pizza, and Papa Murphy’s will donate 33% of your order to the cats and dogs in our care!
Second Chance Pet Adoptions
6003 Chapel Hill Rd., Ste. 133
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 851-8404
Our Fursday Pets of the Week are Muse and Pauline from the Animal Protection Society of Durham!
Muse and Pauline are a senior bonded pair with their adoption fees completely waived. Come by and meet them today!
Visit Muse’s profile here!
Visit Pauline’s profile here!
APS of Durham
2117 E. Club Blvd. | Durham, NC | 27704
Our Fursday Pet of the Week is Chloe from SPCA of Wake County!
Nope that’s not a wolf — that’s a Chloe! This heart-meltingly sweet 3-year-old girl has been waiting for a home at SPCA Wake since June of 2021. She’s been patiently waiting to find her future family, and all the staff and volunteers at SPCA Wake has been rooting for her! Chloe has a heart condition that she will live with for the rest of her life, but with the help of daily medication and the right diet, she is maintaining well and can continue to live a happy, exciting life in her forever home. She’s looking for someone who’d be willing to take a special needs dog like her into their family and love her unconditionally. Chloe is very gentle and affectionate. She loves cuddling and leaning into your legs to give “dog hugs”. She knows “sit” and “lie down”. And the best thing in the world according to Chloe? Squeaky toys! Squeak a toy within a 50 foot radius of Chloe to watch her eyes light up and her bounces come out. For more information about Chloe please go to spcawake.org — or visit her in person and experience all her love first-hand at the SPCA of Wake County Pet Adoption Center in Raleigh!
Visit Chloe’s profile here!
SPCA of Wake County
200 Petfinder Lane | Raleigh, NC | 27603
(919) 772-2326 | spcawake.org
Meet Rocko from The Wake County Animal Center!
Rocko is a low-key senior that came to the shelter recently as a stray. Like most seniors, he appreciates a good soft padded bed and naps. Despite his age, he still enjoys going out for (slow) walks and loves a good treat. He is extremely sweet and the look of love in his eyes will capture your heart in an instant.
Rocko is ready to go home today – he is up to date on vaccinations, flea/tick, and heartworm prevention, is microchipped, and is already neutered. If you have dogs or cats, we recommend slow introductions over time. If you have children in your home, we recommend supervision between animals and children at all times.
Rocko’s profile: https://pets.wakegov.com/gallery/43241
Wake County Animal Center | 820 Beacon Lake Drive
Raleigh NC 27610 | pets.wakegov.com
Meet Leo from Second Chance Pet Adoptions, our Fursday pet of the week!
Leo is an 11 year, 5-month-old calm kitty that is ready to give you the biggest hug! He loves his humans, and would be fine with other mellow cats, but would also thrive as the only kitty! He is currently on a prescription diet to keep his urinary tract healthy, and, even better news, his adoption fee has been sponsored! Leo came to Second Chance declawed in his front paws, and is ready to prepare many biscuits for his future humans!
Leo’s profile: https://us16b.sheltermanager.com/service?account=li2142&method=animal_view&animalid=8251
Check out these events by Second Chance Pet Adoptions:
Kitten Yoga Event: January 15 from 10:00-11:00.
January Dog Wash: January 15 from 11:00-2:00.
Second Chance Pet Adoptions
6003 Chapel Hill Rd., Ste. 133
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 851-8404
Meet Dora from The Wake County Animal Center!
Sweet and gentle is how the volunteers described Dora. She came to the Center as a stray so we don’t know her background. Dora does head butts for attention. She uses her litter tray so she is probably litter box trained. Dora is a small kitty with beautiful gray stripes on her legs and tail. Her left eye is cloudy due to an old injury. It doesn’t seem to bother her and seems to be improving. She is shy at first and will need a patient adopter. Dora should be an inside kitty. Dora needs a quiet home, possibly with a single person or couple.
Wake County Animal Center | 820 Beacon Lake Drive
Raleigh NC 27610 | pets.wakegov.com
Our Fursday Pet of the Week is Buffy!
With eight years of practice in the fine art of friendship, Buffy is more than prepared to be your co-pilot in life! She prefers to fly solo in terms of other furry friends, but Buffy has plenty of personality to fill your heart alone. This gal loves to join her humans on adventures and walks but avoids spending too much time on the grass due to her allergies. She is currently on a prescription diet and medication regimens (in addition to allergy drops) due to some severe allergies she holds. With these medications, she is stable and comfortable! The staff would be happy to tell you more about her medical needs upon inquiry. Buffy needs a foster home or a forever home; if you are interested in learning more about her, please visit www.secondchancenc.org. Most of our dogs are housed in foster homes, but since Buffy is still in need of one, she currently resides at Second Chance Pet Adoptions, where you can stop by Monday through Friday between the hours of 11 AM and 5 PM and meet her!
Buffy’s profile: https://us16b.sheltermanager.com/service?account=li2142&method=animal_view&animalid=7468
Second Chance Pet Adoptions Wishlist: https://www.secondchancenc.org/our-shopping-list/
Art-N-Soul Event this Saturday: https://www.secondchancenc.org/event/art-n-soul-market/
6003 Chapel Hill Rd., Ste. 133
Raleigh, NC 27607
Meet Missy!
“Hello there! I’m a sweet and friendly girl who loves gentle affection! I’m super happy to meet new people and also love to explore. I’m playful too, toss a ball or toy for me and see! I really enjoy gentle affection and might even crawl into your lap or lean into you for more. I’d benefit from plenty of playtime and basic manners. Visit me today!”
Missy has had her adoption fee waived so that she can find a wonderful home soon. Please come by to meet her today!
Don’t miss our famous annual Gala coming up! Tails at Twilight 2021 is a “beyond the ballroom” online celebration of APS, with a live and silent auction, a mixology session with Alley Twenty Six and more. For more information: https://event.gives/tails2021.
APS of Durham
2117 E. Club Blvd. | Durham, NC | 27704
Meet Jane! This sweet, smushy girl was found as a stray in Harnett County, and now she’s looking for a family of her very own. Jane is 2 years old and weighs about 50 lbs. Unfortunately she is battling heartworms, but she is receiving a full course of treatment through SPCA Wake. Jane is playful, cuddly, and up for anything! She loves meeting all kinds of people and has a very outgoing, curious personality. Jane is spayed, microchipped, and fully vaccinated. Interested adopters can get more information about Jane at spcawake.org
Did you know your holiday gifts could be helping save homeless pets? Shop SPCA Wake’s Holiday Gift Guide at spcawake.org/giftguide for symbolic sponsorships that support the SPCA’s life-saving programs in most urgent need of funding, such as the Hope for Heartworm Positive Dogs which contributes to heartworm treatments for dogs just like Jane!
SPCA of Wake County
200 Petfinder Lane | Raleigh, NC | 27603
(919) 772-2326 | spcawake.org
This Fursday on QDR, we want to celebrate our pet partners for our 19th Howl-O-Ween Harvest Ball coming this Saturday at Lincoln Theater in Raleigh! Thank you SPCA of Wake County and APS of Durham! AND a huge thank you to our other Fursday sponsors, Second Chance Pet Adoptions and Wake County Animal Center!
… Continue Reading
Our QDR Fursday pet of the week is Tyson from the Wake County Animal Center!
Hello there, thanks for stopping by to meet me. I’m Tyson and as you can see, I’m a handsome young man. I’ve been at the shelter for a while now and eager to find a family of my own. Being just over a year, I’m out of the puppy stages, but I do need regular exercise. I am an active boy and love to go on walks or romp in the doggy play yard. I have been in supervised playgroups with male and female dogs at the shelter and have done well. In fact they call me the unisex tester because they use me to try out the other dogs, males and females. I enjoy running around and being chased. I also love when the nice volunteers take me on long walks. It helps get my energy out. I would do best in a home with an active family that can keep me busy and give me several walks per day. A yard to run in would be a huge bonus for me. I am a happy boy and eager to please. Please visit me today and see how special I am. Big hugs, Tyson.
Tyson’s profile: https://pets.wakegov.com/gallery/224133
Wake County Animal Center
820 Beacon Lake Dr
Raleigh, NC 27610
Meet Jade from Second Chance Pet Adoptions!
By DOUG BONJOUR Associated Press
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — Gio Lopez threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, freshman Demon June had 148 rushing yards and a touchdown, and North Carolina beat Richmond 41-6 on Saturday for its first home win of the Bill Belichick era.
Both passing touchdowns went to Jordan Shipp, who caught four passes for 52 yards.
Lopez went 10 of 18 for 119 yards and also threw an interception.
North Carolina’s defense was no match for the Spiders (1-2), who gained just 199 total yards. The Spiders also committed three turnovers, including a fumble that Makai Gbayor returned for a 62-yard touchdown.
The Tar Heels scored on their first four possessions and outgained Richmond 193-58 in the opening half to grab a 20-3 lead.
Hoping to regain momentum, Richmond recovered a surprise onside kick to begin the second half. The Spiders took their subsequent drive all the way down to the 1, where Kyle Wickersham was stuffed on a fourth down run.
Wickersham was 6 of 8 through the air for 47 yards.
THE TAKEAWAY
Richmond: The Spiders didn’t record a first down until early in the second quarter and managed just 199 total yards.
North Carolina: The Tar Heels authored their most complete performance under Belichick, scoring the first 20 points and never looking back.
UP NEXT
Richmond: Hosts VMI next Saturday.
By ERIC TUCKER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hours after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, FBI Director Kash Patel declared online that “the subject” in the killing was in custody. The shooter was not. The two men who had been detained were quickly released, and Utah officials acknowledged that the gunman remained at large.
The false assurance was more than a slip. It spotlighted the high-stakes uncertainty surrounding Patel’s leadership of the bureau when its credibility — and his own — are under extraordinary pressure.
Patel now approaches congressional oversight hearings this coming week facing not just questions about that investigation but broader doubts about whether he can stabilize a federal law enforcement agency fragmented by political fights and internal upheaval.
Democrats are poised to press Patel on a purge of senior executives that has prompted a lawsuit, his pursuit of President Donald Trump’s grievances long after the Russia investigation ended, and a realignment of resources that has prioritized the fight against illegal immigration and street crime even though the agency has for decades been defined by its work on complicated threats like counterintelligence and public corruption.
That’s in addition to questions about the handling of files from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case, the addition of a co-deputy director to serve alongside Dan Bongino, and the use of polygraphs on some agents in recent months to identify sources of leaks. Republicans, meanwhile, are likely to rally to his defense or redirect the spotlight toward the bureau’s critics.
The hearings will offer Patel his most consequential stage yet, and perhaps the clearest test of whether he can convince the country that the FBI, under his watch, can avoid compounding its mistakes in a time of political violence and deepening distrust.
“Because of the skepticism that some members of the Senate have had and still have, it’s extremely important that he perform very well at these oversight hearings” on Tuesday and Wednesday, said Gregory Brower, a former FBI executive who served as its top congressional affairs official.
The FBI declined to comment about Patel’s coming testimony to the committee.
Kirk’s killing was always going to be a closely scrutinized investigation, not only because it was the latest burst of political violence inside the United States but also because of Kirk’s friendships with Trump, Patel and other administration figures and allies.
While agents from Salt Lake City investigated, Patel’s account on the social media platform X posted that “the subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody.” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said at a near-contemporaneous news conference that “Whoever did this, we will find you,” suggesting authorities were still searching. Patel soon after posted that the person in custody had been released.
“That does not deliver the message that you want the public to hear,” said Chris O’Leary, a retired FBI counterterrorism executive. “It had the opposite effect. People start to wonder what is going on. This looks like the Keystone Cops and it continues to get worse.”
The next day, a scheduled afternoon news conference was canceled for “rapid developments” as Patel and Bongino flew to Utah. It was held instead in the evening. Patel appeared but did not speak.
As the search stretched on for over a day, Patel angrily vented to FBI personnel Thursday about what he perceived as a failure to keep him informed, including that he was not quickly shown a photograph of the suspected shooter. That’s according to two people familiar with the matter who were not authorized to discuss it by name and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. The New York Times earlier reported details of the call.
Asked about the scrutiny of his performance, the FBI issued a statement saying that it had worked with local law enforcement to bring the suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, to justice and “will continue to be transparent with the American people.”
Patel’s overall response did not go unnoticed in conservative circles. One prominent strategist, Christopher Rufo, posted on X that it was “time for Republicans to assess whether Kash Patel is the right man to run the FBI.”
Patel, at a news conference Friday and again on social media Saturday, touted his oversight of the investigation, highlighting his decision to publicize photographs of Robinson as a key break in the investigation. Robinson’s father recognized him from the photos, setting off a chain of events that resulted in the son turning himself in.
Patel received support Saturday from Trump. He reposted on X a post from a Fox News Channel journalist who said she had spoken with Trump and that the president had said that Patel and the FBI “have done a great job.”
On the same day Kirk was killed, Patel faced a separate problem: a lawsuit from three FBI senior executives fired in an August purge that wiped away decades of institutional experience and that they characterized as a Trump administration retribution campaign.
Among them was Brian Driscoll, who as acting FBI director in the early days of the Trump administration resisted Justice Department demands for names of agents who investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. Driscoll alleged in the lawsuit that he was let go following a clash with Patel over administration demands to fire an FBI pilot who had been wrongly identified on social media as the case agent in the classified documents investigation of Trump.
The lawsuit quotes Patel as having told Driscoll his job depended on firing people the White House wanted gone. The FBI has declined to comment on the lawsuit.
The other plaintiffs are Spencer Evans, a former top agent in Las Vegas whose termination letter cited a “lack of reasonableness and overzealousness” in implementing COVID-19 policies while serving as a human resources official — a claim his lawyers call false — and Steve Jensen, who helped oversee FBI investigations into the Jan. 6. Capitol riot.
The upheaval continues a trend that began even before Patel took over, when more than a half-dozen of the bureau’s most senior executives were forced out under a Justice Department rationale that they could not be “trusted” to implement Trump’s agenda.
There’s since been significant turnover in leadership at the FBI’s 55 field offices. Some left because of promotions and planned retirements, but others because of ultimatums to accept new assignments or resign. The head of the Salt Lake City office, an experienced counterterrorism investigator, was pushed out of her position weeks before Kirk was killed at a Utah college, said people familiar with the move.
In July, an agent based in Norfolk, Virginia, Michael Feinberg, authored a first-person account saying he was told to brace for a demotion and a polygraph exam because of his friendship with Peter Strzok , a lead FBI agent in the investigation into ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 campaign fired over derogatory text messages sent about Trump. Feinberg resigned instead.
Patel arrived at the FBI having been a sharp critic of its leadership, including for investigations into Trump that he says politicized the institution. Under Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi, the FBI and Justice Department have become entangled in their own politically fraught inquiries, such as one into New York Attorney General Letitia James.
He’s moved quickly to remake the bureau, with the FBI and Justice Department working to investigate one of the Republican president’s chief grievances — the years-old Trump-Russia investigation. Trump has routinely called that probe, which did not establish a criminal conspiracy between Russia and Trump’s campaign, a “hoax” and “witch hunt.”
The Justice Department appeared to confirm in an unusual statement that it was investigating former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan, pivotal players in the Russia saga listed by Patel in a book he authored as “members of the Executive Branch Deep State,” but did not say for what. Bondi has directed that evidence be presented to a grand jury, and agents and prosecutors have begun requesting information and interviews from former officials related to the investigation, according to multiple people familiar with the outreach.
Critics of the fresh Russia inquiry consider it a transparent attempt to turn the page from the fierce backlash the FBI and Justice Department endured from elements of Trump’s base following their July announcement that they would not be releasing any additional documents from the Epstein investigation.
Patel has meanwhile elevated the fight against street crime, drug trafficking and illegal immigration to the top of the FBI’s agenda, in alignment with Trump’s agenda.
The FBI has been key to the federal government’s takeover of the Washington police department, participating with partner agencies in arrests for crimes, like drunken driving, not historically thought of as central FBI priorities.
The bureau makes no apologies for aggressive policing in American cities the Trump administration contends have been consumed by crime. Patel and Bongino have been promoting the number of arrests involving federal law enforcement in an initiative they dub Operation Summer Heat. Patel says the thousands of cumulative arrests, many of them immigration-related, are “what happens when you let good cops be good cops.”
But some are concerned the street crime focus could draw attention from the sophisticated public corruption and national security threats for which the bureau has long been primarily, if not solely, responsible for investigating. In one example, a federal corruption squad in Washington was disbanded this past spring.
“One of the big problems that I see is that the investigative programs that have been hurt the most this year are the ones that really only the FBI does, or the FBI does better than anybody else,” said Matt DeSarno, who retired in 2022 as head of the Dallas field office.
By ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writer
The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking $3.1 million in fines from Boeing over safety violations, including ones related to an Alaska Airlines jetliner losing a door plug panel on its fuselage in midflight.
The proposed penalty is for safety violations that occurred from September 2023 through February 2024, the FAA said Friday.
That period includes the January 2024 blowout of a paneled-over exit door — called a door plug —- on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 shortly after it took off from Portland, Oregon.
None of the 171 passengers or six crew members on the flight were seriously injured. Pilots landed the plane safely back at the airport.
In June, the National Transportation Safety Board said its 17-month long investigation found that lapses in Boeing’s manufacturing and safety oversight, combined with ineffective inspections and audits by the FAA, led to the door plug blowout.
The FAA said Friday that it identified hundreds of quality system violations at Boeing’s 737 factory in Renton, Washington, and Boeing subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems’ 737 factory in Wichita, Kansas.
Among other violations, the regulator also found that a Boeing employee pressured a member of Boeing’s ODA unit, which is tasked with performing certain inspections and certifications on the FAA’s behalf, to sign off on a 737 Max airplane “so that Boeing could meet its delivery schedule, even though the ODA member determined the aircraft did not comply with applicable standards.”
Arlington, Virginia-based Boeing has 30 days to respond to the FAA.
In a statement Saturday, Boeing said it is reviewing the agency’s proposed civil penalty, noting that the company put in place a safety and quality plan last year, under FAA oversight, that aims to enhance safety management and quality assurance in its airplane production.
“We regret the January 2024 door-plug accident and continue to work on strengthening our safety culture and improving first-time quality and accountability across our operations,” the company said.
The Max version of Boeing’s bestselling 737 airplane has been the source of persistent troubles for the company since two of the jets crashed, one in Indonesia in 2018 and another in Ethiopia in 2019, killing a combined 346 people.
The Justice Department reached a deal in May allowing Boeing to avoid criminal prosecution for allegedly misleading U.S. regulators about the Max before the two crashes.
Boeing was also in the news in June when a 787 flown by Air India crashed shortly after takeoff and killed at least 270 people. Investigators have not determined what caused that crash, but so far they have not found any flaws with the model, which has a strong safety record.
By JESSE BEDAYN, HANNAH SCHOENBAUM, LINDSEY WASSON and RIO YAMAT Associated Press
OREM, Utah (AP) — One student holed up in his house for two days after witnessing Charlie Kirk’s assassination, nervous about going back to the Utah college campus where the conservative activist was shot. Another, unable to sleep or shake what she saw and heard, called her dad to come take her home.
As investigators spend the weekend digging deeper into suspect Tyler James Robinson ahead of his initial court appearance Tuesday, students who witnessed Wednesday’s shooting at Utah Valley University are reckoning with trauma, grief and the pall the killing has cast on their community.
Robinson’s arrest late Thursday calmed some fears. Still, questions persist about the alleged shooter’s motive and planning, as well as security lapses that allowed a man with a rifle to shoot Kirk from a rooftop before fleeing.
The university has said there will be increased security when classes resume on Sept. 17.
In Robinson’s hometown, about 240 miles (390 kilometers) southwest of campus, a law enforcement presence was significantly diminished Saturday after the FBI executed a search warrant at his family’s home. A gray Dodge Challenger that authorities say Robinson drove to UVU appeared to have been hauled away.
No one answered the door Saturday at his family’s home in Washington, Utah, and the blinds were closed.
The killing has prompted pleas for civility in American political discourse, but those calls were not always heeded, and some people who have criticized Kirk in the wake of his death have been fired or suspended from their jobs.
On Friday, Office Depot said it fired a worker at a Michigan store who was seen on video refusing to print flyers for a Kirk vigil and calling them “propaganda.” On Thursday, a conservative internet personality filmed a video outside Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s home, urging viewers to “take action” after Kirk’s assassination. Pritzker’s security has been stepped up.
At a makeshift memorial near Utah Valley University’s main entrance in Orem, people have been leaving flowers. Cars looped nearby streets Saturday, honking horns, flying American flags and displaying messages such as “We love you Charlie,” “Charlie 4 Ever” and “RIP Charlie.”
In the area where the Turning Point USA co-founder was shot, a crew has begun taking down tents and banners and scrubbing away reminders of the killing.
Student Alec Vera stopped at the memorial after finally leaving his house Friday night for a drive to clear his head. Vera said he had been in a daze, unable to concentrate and avoiding people, since watching Kirk collapse about 30 or 40 feet (9 to 12 meters) in front of him.
“I just kind of felt the need to come here, to be with everyone, either to comfort or to be comforted, just to kind of surround myself with those that are also mourning,” Vera said.
One woman knelt, sobbing. Others stood quietly or spoke softly with friends. On the campus’ perimeter, trees were wrapped in red ribbons.
A handful of cars remained stranded in parking lots by students who left behind keys while fleeing the shooting. One student pleaded with an officer to let him retrieve his bike from beyond the police tape and cracked a smile as the officer let him through. The university said people can pick up their belongings early next week.
Student Marjorie Holt started crying when she brought flowers to campus Thursday, prompting her to change her mind about returning to campus this weekend.
Hours after the shooting, the 18-year-old said she lay in bed, haunted by the horror she witnessed: the sound of a single gunshot as Kirk answered a question and then, “I saw him fall over, I saw the blood, but for some reason it couldn’t click to me what happened.”
Unable to sleep because of a pounding headache, nausea and the day’s trauma, she called her dad, who brought her home to Salt Lake City, about 40 miles (65 kilometers) to the north.
Returning to campus, Holt said, is “going to feel like a terrible, like a burden on my heart.”
Vera said Kirk was shot in the campus’ main gathering spot — where students take naps, meditate, do homework and hang out.
“Seeing it when I go back, I will be pretty uncomfortable at first, knowing I have to walk past it each time, knowing what had just occurred here,” Vera said.
Student Alexis Narciso said he has flashbacks when he hears a bang, a honking horn or other loud noise. He was about 10 feet (3 meters) away.
“I just feel numb. I don’t feel anything,” Narciso said. “I want to cry but at the same time I don’t.”
Jessa Packard, a single mother of two who lives nearby, said even with a suspect in custody, her feeling of unease hasn’t lifted. Packard’s home security system captured video of the Dodge Challenger that police say Robinson drove to campus. After the shooting, she said, law enforcement officers descended on her neighborhood, searching yards and taking security footage.
“There’s this really weird heaviness and I think, honestly, a lot of fear for me personally that hasn’t gone away,” Packard said. “The fact that there was like this murderer in my neighborhood, not knowing where he is but knowing he’s been through there, coursing things out, is a really eerie feeling.”
Halle Hanchett, 19, a student at nearby Brigham Young University, said she had just pulled her phone out to start filming Kirk when she heard the gunshot followed by a collective gasp. Hanchett said she saw blood, Kirk’s security team jump forward and horror on the faces around her. She dropped to the ground in the fetal position, wondering: “What is going on? Am I going to die?”
On Friday, she brought flowers and quietly gazed at the place where the kickoff to Kirk’s “American Comeback Tour” ended in violence.
“The last few days I’ve just, haven’t really said much, I just kinda like zone out, stare off,” Hanchett said, standing with her fiancé as water fountains bubbled nearby. “The memory, it just replays.”
She’s praying for the strength to move forward, she said, “and take it as: ‘OK, I was here for this. How can I learn from this? And how can I help other people learn from this?’”
In Robinson’s hometown, neighbor Kris Schwiermann recalled him as a shy, studious and “very respectful” student who loved to read. Schwiermann, 66, was head custodian at the elementary school that Robinson and his siblings attended.
She said she was stunned by the news of his arrest, describing the Robinsons as a “very tight-knit family.”
Like the Robinsons, Schwiermann is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She said they belonged to the same congregation, though she said the family hadn’t been active in the church in at least eight years.
“I want to make sure that people know that we don’t have any ill feelings towards their family or him,” Schwiermann said. “He made the wrong choice.”
___
Yamat reported from Washington, Utah, and St. George, Utah. Associated Press reporters Sejal Govindarao in Phoenix, Nicholas Riccardi in Denver and Michael R. Sisak in New York also contributed to this report.
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“The bee is more honored than other animals not because she labors, but because she labors for others.” – Saint John Chrysostom
By ERIC TUCKER, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER, JESSE BEDAYN and HANNAH SCHOENBAUM Associated Press
OREM, Utah (AP) — The man accused of assassinating Charlie Kirk had expressed opposition to the conservative activist’s views and indicated that he was responsible for the shooting, authorities said Friday as they announced an arrest in the killing that raised fresh alarms about political violence in a deeply polarized United States.
Tyler Robinson, 22, had become “more political” in the run-up to the shooting and mentioned during a dinner with family that Kirk would be visiting Utah, Gov. Spencer Cox told a news conference. The governor cited as evidence engravings on bullet casings found in the rifle that authorities believe was used in the attack, as well as chat app messages attributed to the suspect that a roommate shared with law enforcement.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we got him,” Cox told a news conference soon after the arrest was first heralded by President Donald Trump on the Fox News show “Fox & Friends.”
Robinson, who was from Utah, is believed to have acted alone, and the investigation is ongoing, Cox said. He was arrested on suspicion of capital murder, weapons and obstruction offenses. He was expected to be formally charged early next week ahead of an initial court appearance.
Robinson’s arrest late Thursday capped a frenetic day-and-a-half search that just hours earlier seemed stuck when authorities pleaded for tips and leads from the public. The assassination captivated the public not only because of Kirk’s outsize influence in conservative political circles and his close connections with Trump but also because of the pressing questions it raised about the escalating toll of political violence that has spanned the ideological spectrum.
“This is our moment: Do we escalate or do we find an off-ramp?” Cox asked, making an impassioned plea for young people to bridge differences through common ground rather than violence. “It’s a choice.”
Authorities have yet to reveal a motive, but they did describe evidence they said shed potential light on the slaying.
That includes engravings on bullet casings recovered from the high-powered rifle believed used in the attack, including one that said, “Hey, fascist! Catch!” Cox said.
In addition, a roommate shared with authorities messages from the chatting app Discord that involved a contact named Tyler and discussed a rifle wrapped in a towel, engraved bullets and a scope, the governor said. A Mauser .30-caliber, bolt-action rifle was found in a towel in a wooded area along the path investigators believe Robinson took after firing a shot from a distant roof and then fleeing.
The clothes the suspect wore when confronted by law enforcement late Thursday were consistent with what he had on when he arrived on campus a day earlier, and a family member confirmed that a drove a grey Dodge Challenger that surveillance video captured him driving to the universities, Cox said.
Robinson’s father recognized him from the photos released by the FBI and told him to turn himself in. Robinson refused at first, but then changed his mind, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. His father reached out for help to their youth pastor, who also occasionally works with the U.S. Marshals and called the agency so he could turn himself in.
Meanwhile, investigators continued to dig into the background of Robinson, who was admitted to Utah State University on a prestigious academic scholarship, according to a video of him reading his acceptance letter posted to a family member’s social media account. However, he attended for only one semester in 2021, a university spokesperson said.
Robinson’s address was still listed as his parent’s home, and he is registered as an unaffiliated voter, according to Utah state records. He does not appear to have a prior criminal record. The family lives in a suburb of the city of St. George in southern Utah, about a 3.5-hour drive south of the Utah Valley University campus where Kirk was shot.
Family members of Robinson did not immediately return messages seeking comment. It was not clear if he had a lawyer.
Kirk was a conservative provocateur who became a powerful political force by rallying young Republican voters and was a fixture on college campuses, where he invited sometimes-vehement debate on social issues.
Kirk co-founded the nonprofit political organization Turning Point USA, based in Arizona. He had had been speaking at a campus debate on the first stop of his “American Comeback Tour,” at the time of Wednesday’s shooting.
He was taking questions from an audience member about gun violence. when suddenly a shot rang out. Kirk reached up with his right hand as blood gushes from the left side of his neck. Stunned spectators gasped and screamed before people started running away.
Trump, who was joined by Democrats in condemning the violence, said he would award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, visited with Kirk’s family Thursday in Salt Lake City. Vance posted a remembrance on X chronicling their friendship, dating back to initial messages in 2017, through Vance’s Senate run and the 2024 election.
“He wanted to help young people, and he didn’t deserve this,” Trump said Friday. “He was really a good person.”
___
Tucker and Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Nicholas Riccardi in Denver; Michael Biesecker, Brian Slodysko, Lindsay Whitehurst and Michelle L. Price in Washington; Ty O’Neil in Orem, Utah; Hallie Golden in Seattle; and Meg Kinnard in Chapin, S.C., contributed to this report.
By DAVID A. LIEB and M.K. WILDEMAN Associated Press
President Donald Trump has approved federal disaster aid for six states and tribes following storms and floods that occurred this spring and summer.
The disaster declarations, announced Thursday, will allow federal funding to flow to Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota and Wisconsin, and for tribes in Montana and South Dakota. In each case except Wisconsin, it took Trump more than a month to approve the aid requests from local officials, continuing a trend of longer waits for disaster relief noted by a recent Associated Press analysis.
Trump has now approved more than 30 major natural disaster declarations since taking office in January. Before the latest batch, his approvals had averaged a 34-day wait from the time the relief was requested. For his most recent declarations, that wait ranged from just 15 days following an aid request for Wisconsin flooding in August to 56 days following a tribal request for Montana flooding that occurred in May.
The AP’s analysis showed that delays in approving federal disaster aid have grown over time, regardless of the party in power. On average, it took less than two weeks for requests for a presidential disaster declaration to be granted in the 1990s and early 2000s. That rose to about three weeks during the past decade under presidents from both major parties. During Trump’s first term in office, it took him an average of 24 days to approve requests.
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told the AP that Trump is providing “a more thorough review of disaster declaration requests than any Administration has before him” to make sure that federal tax dollars are spent wisely.
But delays mean individuals must wait to receive federal aid for daily living expenses, temporary lodging and home repairs. Delays in disaster declarations also can hamper recovery efforts by local officials uncertain whether they will receive federal reimbursement for cleaning up debris and rebuilding infrastructure.
Trump’s latest declarations approved public assistance for local governments and nonprofits in all cases except Wisconsin, where assistance for individuals was approved. But that doesn’t preclude the federal government from later also approving public assistance for Wisconsin.
Preliminary estimates from Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ administration said more than 1,500 residential structures were destroyed or suffered major damage in August flooding at a cost of more than $33 million. There was also more than $43 million in public sector damage over six counties, according to the Evers administration.
Evers requested aid for residents in six counties, but Trump approved it only for three.
“I will continue to urge the Trump Administration to approve the remainder of my request, and I will keep fighting to make sure Wisconsin receives every resource that is needed and available,” Evers said in a statement in which he thanked Democratic officeholders for their efforts, but not Trump or any Republicans.
Trump had announced several of the disaster declarations — including Wisconsin’s — on his social media site while noting his victories in those states and highlighting their Republican officials. He received thanks from Democratic North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and Republican officials elsewhere.
Trump’s approval of six major disaster declarations in one day would have been unusual for some presidents but not for him. Trump approved seven disaster requests on July 22 and nine on May 21.
But Trump has not approved requests for hazard mitigation assistance — a once-typical add-on that helps recipients build back with resilience — since February.
___
Associated Press writers Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Scott Bauer, Jack Dura and Gary D. Robertson contributed to this report.
These homemade sweet potato fries are the perfect addition to any meal. They’re crispy, warm and the best combination of sweet and savory.
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees f.
2. Prep the potatoes
Wash and peel the sweet potatoes, then cut them into thin, even wedges.
3. Season the fries
In a bowl, coat the sweet potato wedges with the oil and toss, then add the salt and/or spices and toss until they are evenly distributed.
4. Bake
Line the fries up evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then, bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes and take them out to flip. Next, put the fries back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes, or until they are crispy.
5. Serve and enjoy
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
These homemade sweet potato fries are the perfect addition to any meal. They’re crispy, warm and the best combination of sweet and savory.
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees f.
2. Prep the potatoes
Wash and peel the sweet potatoes, then cut them into thin, even wedges.
3. Season the fries
In a bowl, coat the sweet potato wedges with the oil and toss, then add the salt and/or spices and toss until they are evenly distributed.
4. Bake
Line the fries up evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then, bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes and take them out to flip. Next, put the fries back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes, or until they are crispy.
5. Serve and enjoy
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!