I'm a K-12 education reporter for The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. I also post about history, baseball and Star Trek. Posts aren’t endorsements -- unless about New York Yankees.
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Wake Forest University athletic trainer fired after social media comment about Charlie Kirk. US Rep. Pat Harrigan pushed for firing of trainer who posted Instagram story with lyrics “he had it coming, he had it coming.” (Via Shane Connuck) www.newsobserver.com/news/state/n... #nced #ncpol
Want to lead NC’s largest school district? How to apply for Wake County school board vacancy. Wake is now accepting applications to fill the District 8 seat. Board will interview candidates with new person taking office Dec. 2. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #wcpss #nced #wakepol #ncpol
Tuition in the UNC System could go up next year, but not everyone will pay more. In-state tuition can rise by up to 3% for new students in 2026. Existing in-state undergraduates won't pay more tuition due to state law. (Via @koriedean.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #nced
Supt. Robert Taylor on why teacher wasn't suspended: “Regardless of what we may feel individually and personally as a board, we will always side on what the law allows us to do and it doesn’t allow us to do.”
School board member Wing Ng: “People all over the country, and even here in our own Wake County, are spending time being keyboard warriors from the comfort of their own homes. But in the era of social media, nothing that you post is truly private."
School board member Cheryl Caulfield: "You think he should rot in hell? You think he should deserve this nightmare? His family and children deserve this?”
Jen Smith: "We ask & expect staff to lay down their lives for our children. So to then threaten them if they do not mourn an influencer’s death the same as they have mourned teachers & students who were shot in school shootings begs the question of whose lives are ranked more important.”
Diane Chandler: “He did not show integrity or respect. He is not a positive role model for his students. He has shown a severe lack of character. He demeaned and insulted others online and used crude language.”
Renee Sekel: “You are under no obligation to take the feigned outrage of the Moms for Liberty seriously. The people who will stand up here and perform shock and outrage that people were insufficiently reverent of a bigot who himself traded in hate speech consistently."
Becky Lew-Hobbs of Moms for Liberty: “Adults employed to educate and influence our children must be held to a high moral and ethical standard. Celebrating murder and assassination is neither ethical nor moral, and anyone who does this does not belong anywhere near children."
#wcpss #nced #ncpol There was a lot of heated rhetoric at Tuesday's night Wake County school board meeting about a high school teacher who posted after Charlie Kirk's death that he should "rot in hell."
Caroline Godwin named principals of Jones Dairy Elementary School in Wake Forest. Godwin is currently the AIG specialist for Pender County Schools & was previously principal of Pender High School. Godwin will start Oct. 1 with a salary of $111.340. #wcpss
Wake County schools face calls to fire teacher who said Charlie Kirk should ‘rot in hell.’ Moms for Liberty & 2 school board members criticized the comments. as ‘vile.’ But some speakers defended the teacher’s 1st Amendment rights. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #wcpss #nced #ncpol
Queens University of Charlotte and Elon University announce plans to merge next year. Elon will operate Queens, which has faced enrollment challenges & budget cuts. (Via @rebeccanoel.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #nced
Wake County school board regular meeting at 5:30 pm. Topics include new religious exemption policy. Several people have signed up to speak about a teacher who said Charlie Kirk should ‘rot in hell.’ Agenda at simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/... Watch at www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKfS... #wcpss
Wake County school board isn't planning to fill Lindsay Mahaffey's vacant seat until after student assignment plan is adopted. Vice chair Tyler Swanson said they didn't want to put new board member at disadvantage joining during assignment vote. simbli.eboardsolutions.com/Meetings/Att... #wcpss
The Atlantic announced today that it is offering every public high school in the United States free digital access to its journalism and 168-year archive. Students, teachers, and administrators can get unlimited access while on campus. www.theatlantic.com/press-releas... #nced
Wake County says it's increasingly turning to international teachers to fill 'critical needs.' #wcpss #nced
With the exception of special-education teachers and special-ed instructional assistants, Wake County has fewer school vacancies than the same time a year ago. #wcpss #nced
More students are being restrained or secluded. Why Wake County says it’s too much. New data shows 1,802 cases of restraint or seclusion by school employees -- a 38% increase. It's disproportionately Black & special-ed students. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #wcpss #nced
Wake County school board work session meeting now to discuss use of AI in schools, update on staffing vacanciies & filling vacant District 8 board seat. Agenda at simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/... Watch at www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aS2... #wcpss
Wake County school board’s student achievement cmte meeting now to discuss district’s mental health improvement plan and the use of seclusion & restraint on students. Agenda at simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/... Watch at www.youtube.com/watch?v=00J0... #wcpss
Former US Rep. Wiley Nickel jumps into Wake County DA race to succeed Lorrin Freeman. No Republicans but 3 Democrats have announced. Because Raleigh is the state capital, its DA decides when to investigate state officials. (Via Josh Shaffer) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a... #ncpol #wakepol
North Carolina order expands COVID booster access after laws led CVS, Walgreens to limit shots. State health officials issued a standing order allowing pharmacists to vaccinate adults over 65 and at-risk individuals. (Via @lucianaperezu.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol
Durham City Council backs police chief after social media comments on Charlie Kirk. Council members said they're honored to work in a city with a 'police chief who holds values consistent with the values of our community.' (Via Kristen Johnson) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ncpol
NC courts asked to intervene in Raleigh elementary school’s bullying dispute. The family of an elementary student sued the Wake County school board after it overruled the principal and an area supt. to say their son was guilty of bullying. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #wcpss #nced
Durham police chief under fire for comment following death of Charlie Kirk. In a now-deleted Facebook post, Patrice Andrews said she's 'outraged' by how Kirk is being honored. Durham PD says it's reviewing the matter. (Via Kristen Johnson) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ncpol
Just 16, she built a food pantry on a rural Wake County road. The hungry flocked to it. Rusty Reid, now a senior at Heritage High School, came up with the idea to set up the 'blessing box.' Now neighbors take turns restocking it. (Via Josh Shaffer) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a... #wcpss #nced
Thank you @madonnaots.com for hosting this fun amnesia experience. Back next week for scary Troi. #TNGSunNight
Great watch, everyone! #TNGSunNight #TOSSatNight #StarTrekTNG #StarTrek
According to Memory Alpha, this is the only appearance of the Lysians. #TNGSunNight
You can feel Riker’s pain right now. #TNGSunNight
Those are still some good effects. #TNGSunNight
TNG sure can’t resist whumping Worf. #TNGSunNight
The Enterprise is doing a number of the Lysian defense forces. The Federation is going to owe some big reparations when this is all over. #TNGSunNight
They did reuse the design from "Justice." But there's no connection between the Lyssians and the Edo. #TNGSunNight
The Saterrans have got some seriously good tech to disguise their physical appearance and to fool Crusher’s equipment to think he’s human. #TNGSunNight
TNG could have used the events in “Conundrum” as a way to restart the Riker-Troi romance instead of stringing things out to the movies #TNGSunNight
Data is more right than he knows. #TNGSunNight
Stinks for Worf that one of the few times he gets to blow up another ship it’s all a mistake. #TNGSunNight
I don’t think either Riker or Ro got much sleep that night. #TNGSunNight
I wouldn’t object if Ro showed up unannounced in my bedroom. But how did she gain access to Riker’s quarters without asking him first? #TNGSunNight
No one else in Starfleet respects the Cali class. #TNGSunNight
Great acting by Michael Dorn showing Worf reacting to the realization he’s only security chief and not the captain as he had thought. #TNGSunNight
The looks Worf is giving Picard mean it’s probably a good thing he didn’t remember the Klingon rituals for dealing with annoying subordinates. #TNGSunNight
I wonder how long Worf would have waited before removing Picard’s fish from the ready room. #TNGSunNight
Worf seems to think having the most bling makes him captain. #TNGSunNight
Hello MacDuff, our version of a Skrull. #TNGSunNight
Everyone on the bridge with their memories gone is one of my favorite TNG teasers. #TNGSunNight
I’ve always been skeptical of Troi beating Data in 3-D chess. Guinan is the only one on the ship I could see besting him. #TNGSunNight
Here for TNG: Love Boat with Captain Worf, Ro as cruise director, Riker with his horga’hn and Data as your friendly bartender. #TNGSunNight
Here's the deleted scene where we would have seen what happened to Peter Kirk after becoming an orphan. www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIzJ... #TOSSatNight
Peter Kirk is kept in the same room that TNG later used for Jeremy Aster and Timothy Vico, to name a few. #TOSSatNight
Next week: #TOSSatNight
Thank you @tossatnight.bsky.social for overseeing tonight’s breakfast for dinner viewing. Back next week for Uhura’s amazing abs. #TOSSatNight
The previously unknown Vulcan inner eyelid is the lamest get out of jail free card used in TOS. #TOSSatNight
I would not want to be on pancake cleanup duty on Deneva. #TOSSatNight
Kirk’s anger at McCoy for blinding Spock is wildly misplaced. He was the one who kept pushing McCoy to make shortcuts.#TOSSatNight
I wonder how TOS would have gone if they had left Spock blind. Maybe make him the first Geordi with an early visor or a version of Miranda Jones’ sensor web. #TOSSatNight
They should have saved this recording for posterity. Maybe have Spock play it every time McCoy gets annoying. #TOSSatNight
It would have been nice for continuity purposes if Kirk had mentioned General Order 24 when talking about not letting the pancakes spread from Deneva. An earlier version of the script had Kirk kill all the colonists. #TOSSatNight
Props to Spock for not trying to handle any of those blobs with his bare hands. #TOSSatNight
This fight would be laughable if not for viewers wondering if Spock is still hampered by that creature inside him. #TOSSatNight
Leslie’s look as he nurses the pain from being pinched by Spock says it all. #TOSSatNight
I’m enjoying the ride on “Strange New Worlds” watching Scotty mature into the badass here who is willing to take on Spock. #TOSSatNight
If pain was only as simple as what Spock says here. #TOSSatNight
This is arguably Chapel’s finest hour in TOS. She knew to bring something to the bridge to knock Spock out. #TOSSatNight
Someone at least try to stun Spock. #TOSSatNight
My head canon now is Chapel is basically telling McCoy that she thinks M’Benga would have done more to help Spock in his condition. #TOSSatNight
Leonard Nimoy sure goes all out selling this moment. #TOSSatNight
That’s one smart pancake. I’m not sure it’s wise of Kirk to remove it with his bare hands. #TOSSatNight
The yeoman’s line about the flying space pancakes seems almost like a 4th-wall break to the viewers. #TOSSatNight
This scene is so laughably silly using 1960s effects. #TOSSatNight
The yeoman should be loudly saying if you’re going to set your phasers to kill then either give me one or don’t send me inside with you. #TOSSatNight
I’m sorry, but don’t beam me down on stairs. Suppose you’re a few inches off on beam down and go falling down the steps? #TOSSatNight
It would be nice if “Strange New Worlds” gives us a glimpse of a non-possessed Aurelan Kirk. #TOSSatNight
RIp again Sam Kirk. #TOSSatNight
Spock’s attempts to offer Kirk his sympathies takes on a lot more meaning now that we know he served with Sam. Thankfully, Spock doesn’t comment on how messy Sam’s lab looks. #TOSSatNight
Is Kirk thinking now if there was any way he could have persuaded Sam to stay on the Enterprise after he took command? This episode comes right after the loss of Edith Keeler in stardate, production & broadcast order so it’s been a rough period for Kirk. #TOSSatNight
This will not be the first time in the episode I wonder why the yeoman isn’t allowed to pack a phaser to defend herself. She does have a belt she could clip the phaser on. #TOSSatNight
These are the politest rioters you’ll ever meet. #TOSSatNight
We haven’t met Sam Kirk’s family yet on “Strange New Worlds” so I’m wondering if Uhura recognized Aurelan’s voice over subspace. #TOSSatNight
Now that we’ve had “Strange New Worlds,” that head turn by Uhura after McCoy mentions Sam Kirk is on Deneva takes on a lot more meaning. #TOSSatNight
RIP brave Denevan colonist. Earlier version of script didn’t have Sam Kirk. Instead, the doomed person on the ship was Aurelan’s brother. Imagine if it was Kirk trying to talk Sam out of flying into the sun? #TOSSatNight
It’s time for the plastic flying vomit. #TOSSatNight
Teachers across the U.S. get suspended or fired over posts linked to Charlie Kirk. Public school employees can be censured for speech that is so inflammatory it interferes with their effectiveness as public workers. (Via Education Week) www.edweek.org/teaching-lea... #nced #ncpol
Here’s the Wake County school system’s social media guidelines for employees. It was included as part of a memo the district sent to staff on Friday about being careful of what they post on social media in the aftermath of the Charlie Kirk killing. #nced #ncpol #WCPSS
CMS school board member responds to criticism for Charlie Kirk social media post. Melissa Easley says she wasn't speaking for the board when she posted on Facebook that she didn't feel "mournful" for Kirk. (Via @rebeccanoel.bsky.social) www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/e... #nced #ncpol
Wake County says the teacher who posted on Facebook that Charlie Kirk should 'rot in hell' remains in the classroom. Wake won't say if it's investigating his comments. Wake sent a memo telling staff to be careful of what they post online. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #nced #ncpol #wcpss
2 Charlotte-area educators under investigation for Charlie Kirk comments. Gaston County schools & Lake Normal Charter are investigating employees who said Kirk should go to hell & questioned why people would mourn him. (Via @rebeccanoel.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #nced #ncpol
Wake County teacher faces backlash for posting Charlie Kirk should ‘rot in hell.’ In the now-deleted Facebook post, the teacher said it was 'crazy talk' for Black people to say RIP for Kirk. US teachers are facing scrutiny for Kirk comments. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #nced #wcpss #ncpol
After FDA limits, Gov. Stein explores ways to expand COVID vaccine access in NC. FDA limited COVID booster to older adults and high-risk groups in 2025. NC law restricts pharmacist vaccine access without prescriptions. (Via @lucianaperezu.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez postpones Raleigh event after Charlie Kirk shooting. AOC said she postponed Sunday's rally with the NC Democratic Party out of respect for Kirk and due to security concerns. (Via @kyleingram.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol
Raleigh City Council member cancels weekend event after Charlie Kirk shooting. Jonathan Lambert-Melton, who has been a past victim of stalking, said he feels afraid & disheartened by the recent political violence. (Via @annamroman.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ncpol #ralpol
Wake County schools haven’t resumed tutoring program. Federal funding freeze blamed. Wake hopes to resume the high-dosage tutoring program this fall. The federal dollars for tutoring were released later than normal by the Dept. of Education. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #wcpss #nced
NC GOP leaders sound alarm about violence, safety after Charlie Kirk assassination. Speaker Destin Hall said U.S. is 'a different country today than it was, frankly, yesterday.' Sen. Phil Berger says it 'calls us to act.' (Via @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol
NC GOP looking at bail laws and restarting death penalty after Charlotte stabbing. GOP lawmakers are looking at ways to require secured bonds for violent criminals following the killing of Iryna Zarutska. (Via Avi Bajpal & @dawnbvaughan.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol #ncga
1 transgender SC student still can choose school bathroom, US high court says. Supreme Court denied request to block appellate court injunction. 4th Circuit, which also has jurisdiction over North Carolina, had cited Gavin Grimm ruling. (Via The State) www.thestate.com/news/politic... #nced #ncpol
At Duke University event, Jerry Seinfeld reported to compare ‘Free Palestine’ language to KKK. The remarks came during a Duke Jewish Studies Center event introducing Israeli hostage survivor Omer Shem Tov. (Via @lucianaperezu.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #nced #ncpol
Trump wants to end school desegregation grant. How it could impact Wake County. Dept. of Education -- which wants to end the Magnet Schools Assistance Program -- has withheld $2.4 million in magnet funds while it reviews Wake's equity policy. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e... #wcpss #nced