Opinion Roundup: An uprooted GOP convention; protest respect and clashes; COVID-19 still here; and more

Wednesday, June 3, 2020 -- A round up of opinion, commentary and analysis on: GOP convention turmoil; protest peace and confusion; COVID-19 doesn't relent; death of last Civil War pensioner; and more.

Trump says GOP is pulling convention from North Carolina (WRAL-TV reports) -- President Donald Trump announced Tuesday night that he is seeking a new state to host this summer’s Republican National Convention after North Carolina refused to guarantee the event could be held in Charlotte without restrictions because of ongoing concerns over the coronavirus.

Republicans Will Move Trump Convention Speech Out of Charlotte (New York Times reports) -- After a stalemate with Democrats in North Carolina, Republicans said the president wouldn’t accept the party’s nomination at its convention in Charlotte, as planned, but would do so in another city.

Trump says GOP is pulling convention from North Carolina (AP reports) -- President Donald Trump said he is seeking a new state to host this summer’s Republican National Convention after North Carolina refused to guarantee the event could be held in Charlotte without restrictions because of ongoing concerns over the coronavirus.

Trump says GOP will look to move convention out of North Carolina (Washington Post reports) -- President Trump said Tuesday that the Republican Party would seek to pull its August nominating convention out of North Carolina, after Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper refused to heed a party demand that he pre-authorize a gathering of at least 19,000 people.

Trump Again Threatens to Move Republican Convention (Wall Street Journal reports) -- Gov. Roy Cooper told the GOP that he couldn’t guarantee that the state could hold a “full” convention in Charlotte in August, prompting President Trump to again threaten to move the gathering to another state.

Trump, Republicans say they’re moving national convention from Charlotte (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- President Donald Trump said he is moving the Republican National Convention from Charlotte, hours after N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper said he couldn’t guarantee that the August event would be at full capacity due to the coronavirus. In a tweet Tuesday night, Trump said: “Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, a place I love. Now, @NC_Governor Roy Cooper and his representatives refuse to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena - Spend millions of dollars, have everybody arrive, and then tell them they will not be able to gain entry.

Cooper insists on smaller Republican convention. RNC looks to leave Charlotte (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- President Donald Trump said he is moving the Republican National Convention from Charlotte, hours after N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper said he couldn’t guarantee that the August event would be at full capacity due to the coronavirus. In a tweet Tuesday night, Trump said: “Had long planned to have the Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, a place I love. Now, @NC_Governor Roy Cooper and his representatives refuse to guarantee that we can have use of the Spectrum Arena - Spend millions of dollars, have everybody arrive, and then tell them they will not be able to gain entry.

GOP Says Trump Will Celebrate In Another City, But Business Side of RNC Could Remain (WFAE-FM reports) -- President Donald Trump tweeted Tuesday evening that the RNC will be "forced to seek another state to host" the event that is slated to be held in Charlotte's Spectrum Center in August. The GOP, however, clarified that the "celebration of the president's acceptance" of the nomination will take place in another city, but the business side of the convention could remain in Charlotte. Trump's tweet was the latest, and perhaps final, volley in a back-and-forth exchange between the RNC and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who earlier Tuesday told convention organizers they needed to plan for a scaled-back convention with face masks amid the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic.

The president just tear-gassed peaceful Americans. Where are you, Thom Tillis? (N.C. McClatchy editorial) -- Donald Trump’s officers teargassed peaceful Americans. So he could use a church as a stage and a Bible as a prop. It was terrifying. It was shameful. If it leaves you shaking your head and asking where the bottom is with this president, we understand. If it leaves you speechless, however, then maybe your name is Thom Tillis. … Can Tillis rise to the moment this time? His fellow Americans are getting tear-gassed for a presidential photo op. His country is hurtling down a dangerous road. We hope he’s not speechless about his president once again.

Beware of these inaccurate reports about the George Floyd protests (PolitiFact/WRAL-TV) -- Demonstrations erupted in Minneapolis over the death of George Floyd, who died May 25 after a white police officer pinned his knee against the black man's neck. Amid the chaos, misinformation took off on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Cooper says "blessed are the peacemakers" as Republicans question protest response (WRAL-TV reports) -- With governor's race in the backdrop, Forest says Cooper should have called up the National Guard sooner. Cooper says he responded to local requests.

Line of Fayetteville officers in riot gear kneel before protesters (WRAL-TV reports) -- The moment a line of police officers wearing riot gear took a knee in front of a crowd of protesters was captured on camera.

Inspiring moment between Fayetteville police and protesters has a backstory (Fayetteville Observer) -- Monday’s moment of mutual respect did not happen without work being invested, on both sides. There were bumps along the way.

Fayetteville leaders respond to protests, explain purpose of restrictions (WRAL-TV reports) -- Fayetteville's mayor, police chief and fire chief held a press conference to discuss the recent protests and the city's planned response. They also explained the reasoning behind their restrictions, including the curfew and blocked streets--and spoke on the emotional moment when police knelt beside protesters.

Alamance County commissioner draws fire over police brutality comment (Burlington Times-News reports) -- GRAHAM — A harsh but largely dismissed comment by a county commissioner last month is standing out more strongly in the wake of demonstrations and riots over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Peaceful protests extend past curfew another night in Raleigh, but no arrests made (WRAL-TV reports) -- For a fourth day, people protesting the police tactics that killed George Floyd gathered in downtown Raleigh.

Fifth Night Of Demonstrations Draws Thousands Of Peaceful Protesters Uptown -- Chaos Later (WFAE-FM reports) -- Tuesday marked the fifth day of protests in Charlotte in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Several thousand people participated in what was one of the city's largest demonstration in recent memory. But just as in recent days, a peaceful afternoon protest gave way after dark to confrontations between police and protesters uptown.

Third night of protest ends with tear gas (Asheville Citizen-Times reports) -- While the third day of protests over the death of George Floyd remained mostly peaceful, the night ended with police tear-gassing demonstrators to make them disperse.

Emotional NC Supreme Court chief says racism, prejudice ‘stubbornly persist’ in courts (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley said Tuesday that racism and prejudice “stubbornly persist” in the state and that blacks continue to see unequal treatment through the judicial system. Tearful at times, Beasley gave a short address from the court chambers in Raleigh, calling for the state to listen to protesters decrying police violence and understand the deep roots of their frustration. ”We must do better,” she said. “We must be better. Too many people believe that there are two kinds of justice. ... In our courts, African-Americans are more harshly treated, more severely punished and more likely to be presumed guilty.”

NC Chief of Justice: Changes to legal system are 'desperately' needed (WRAL-TV reports) -- Chief Justice of North Carolina Cheri Beasley holds a press conference to speak about the intersection of the justice system and the George Floyd protests..

'Destruction is not the answer:' After Raleigh riots, those arrested express regret (WRAL-TV reports) -- The Wake County Justice Center re-opened for Tuesday, and on the first day of regular business post-pandemic, several of those arrested for their roles in weekend protests were on the docket.

Fort Bragg paratroopers, MPs in Washington, D.C. area, official says (Fayetteville Observer reports) -- About 1,600 active-duty troops on military bases near the capital

Durham's peaceful approach to protest contrasts with Raleigh, Fayetteville (WRAL-TV reports) -- Around the country--and even around the state--we've seen the images of clashes between riot police and protestors. Images of tear gas, flash bangs, fires, looting and rubber bullets sometimes distract from the message protesters are fighting for. Durham, however, has gone a different direction.

WILLIAM BARBER: Trump’s use of the Bible was obscene. He should try reading the words inside it (Wasington Post column) -- On Monday evening, federal authorities used tear gas to clear Lafayette Square so President Trump could pose for a photo while holding a Bible in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church. It wasn’t the first time Trump has used the word of God as a political prop. But it was obscene, even for him.

THEODORE SHAW: In NC and the US, stifling civil rights lawsuits fuels black Americans despair and anger (N.C. McClatchy column) -- The protests that recently have swept over the United States are yet another boiling point in a long history of degradation and devaluation of black lives. In 21st century America innocent black people continue to be killed by law enforcement officers, vigilantes, and white supremacists. Poverty and lack of opportunity, internalized within poor black and brown communities, further claim and degrade black lives.

Barbershop owner told to leave building after allegation of racist comment. Bananas had been left at Old Winston Barber & Style (Winston-Salem Journal reports) -- The owner of Old Winston Barber & Style Co. was told by the building's owner that he could no longer rent there because of racist comments from his Facebook account. Michael Berrier, the owner of the barbershop, was singled out by people in the community after the comment began to circulate on social media during a weekend of protests and heightened awareness of police brutality. Social media posts had encouraged citizens to leave the bananas to protest a racially charged screen grab on an account that appears to belong to Michael Berrier, the shop owner.

We Really Must Be All In This Together (Southern Pines Pilot) -- There is almost no question that professional inciters of violence — if that’s even a “profession” — have capitalized on anger and resentment that has long simmered. But the destruction they have wrought on cities across the globe must not distract from the very real issues that the legitimate protesters have voiced these past nine days: that, for the best efforts made, race — be it health, justice or simply the pursuit of happiness — remains a serious dividing issue across America.

Victims of COVID-19: So big, bringing Christmas and new life (WRAL-TV reports) -- With deaths from coronavirus in North Carolina approaching 1,000, WRAL remembers the lives lost, families mourning and stories of our neighbors.

PRISON UPDATE: (The Insider reports) -- COVID-19 has made it difficult for the prison system to fix a longstanding staffing shortage, Commissioner of Prisons Todd Ishee told legislators Tuesday. Ishee gave an update on coronavirus and prison safety issues to the Senate’s prison safety committee. He said the vacancy rate for prison staff and corrections officers is about 30%. “Before COVID-19 hit, we were really seeing some signs that things were improving,” Ishee said. “We’re still at almost 30%. We have not slipped drastically but we have lost the momentum that we had going into 2019.”

Butner federal prison begins mass COVID testing after six inmates die in seven days (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- After six coronavirus-related deaths over the past seven days, Butner officials have ordered mass testing for all inmates at a low-security prison in the federal correctional complex, according to an email.

Medical mask becomes protest symbol (New York Times reports) -- The mask “signifies strength and compassion for others,” Roy Cooper, the Democratic governor of North Carolina, tweeted recently. Meanwhile, mask defenders suggest that those who refuse the mask are deceiving only themselves. A study of American attitudes toward masks found that men are less likely to believe they will be “seriously affected by the coronavirus,” though the opposite is true. “This macho stuff,” Biden said after Trump retweeted a jab at the candidate’s own mask. “It’s cost people’s lives.”

LabCorp launches website to help people connect with COVID-19 research trials ​​​​​​​(WRAL-TV/TechWire reports) -- The Burlington-based corporation’s Covance drug development business has created COVID-19 Clinical Trial Connect in the U.S., a website designed to help people find information about how they can take part in coronavirus research.

Behavioral, anxiety issues: When humans go back to work, dogs will suffer (WRAL-TV reports) -- During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have spent more time at home than at their workplace. For pet owners, no one could be happier about that than their dogs.

N.C. ballot access bill clears Senate panel with changes (AP reports) -- Consensus legislation designed to help North Carolina voters with worries about COVID-19 gain access to absentee ballots this fall received a few changes on Tuesday and then cleared a state Senate panel.

NC senator on colleague’s complaint: I ‘apologize if she felt disrespected or unsafe’ (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- State Sen. Paul Lowe is addressing an ethics complaint filed by fellow Sen. Erica Smith. In a statement, Lowe said he never “threatened” Smith and that he only “engaged in vigorous debate.” “I wholeheartedly apologize if she felt disrespected or unsafe during those debates,” Lowe said in the statement.

Bill would waive road tests, temporarily, for young drivers (WRAL-TV reports) -- New licensees would have to take a road test later, when the NC DMV starts offering them again.

HOME SCHOOLING (The Insider reports) -- Requiring more information from North Carolina’s home-schooled families did not go over well with a group of legislators Tuesday morning. House Bill 1047 failed in the House Committee on Homeland Security, Military and Veterans. The bill would require home schools to file a report with the Department of Public Instruction every two years. If they do not respond within 60 days, the home school would no longer be allowed to operate.

Rocky Mount mayor says city council votes to remove Confederate monument at local park (WRAL-TV reports) -- Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson tells WRAL News the city council has voted to remove a Confederate monument that has stood for years at Battle Park.

Biotech startup bringing 400 jobs to Durham after landing incentive package (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- GRAIL, a venture-backed biotech startup that makes blood tests for cancer, will bring 390 jobs to Durham over the next five years after landing an incentive package from North Carolina. The company has promised to create the jobs by 2025 and invest $103 million into facilities in exchange for the incentive package, which is valued at $5.7 million. Durham County is also pledging $678,000 in incentives.

Judge rules Zion Williamson must answer questions regarding eligibility at Duke (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- A Miami judge ruled Tuesday morning that Zion Williamson must answer questions under oath regarding his eligibility to play basketball at Duke. The former No. 1 overall NBA draft pick’s eligibility has been questioned by his former agent during a contract dispute.

State Board of Ed urged to jettison firm hired as part of controversial Innovative School District scheme (N.C. Policy Watch analysis) -- A confidential letter delivered to the State Board of Education alleges that the school management firm Achievement for All Children has failed to meet its contractual obligations in running Southside-Ashpole Elementary, to the detriment of its students. The letter, obtained by Policy Watch, recommends that state education officials terminate the contract — three years early — under which the firm oversees Southside-Ashpole, the lone school in the state’s controversial Innovative School District.

MELBA NEWSOME: Teletherapy in the Age of COVID-19 (N.C. Health News reports) -- The mental health crisis brought on by the pandemic has helped speed up the adoption of teletherapy.

Why Blue Cross NC is waiving copays for nearly 70,000 members (Triangle Business Journal reports) -- North Carolina's largest insurer is waiving copays through the end of 2020 for its Medicare Advantage members.

State Now Has Plan For Climate Resilience (Coastal Review reports) -- North Carolina in the last decade has gone from the state that passed a bill in 2012 restricting the use of sea level rise data for regulatory purposes, which drew criticism for “outlawing science,” to introducing this week what the state calls its most comprehensive effort to address climate change. Submitted to Gov. Roy Cooper by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, the North Carolina Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan is to serve as a framework to guide state action, engage policymakers and stakeholders and facilitate collaboration across the state, officials said Tuesday. The plan is also intended to focus the state’s attention on climate resilience actions and address underlying stressors such as the changing climate, aging infrastructure, socioeconomic disparities and competing development priorities.

Cooper administration releases another new climate report (WRAL-TV reports) -- Report lays out expected impacts from climate change and a road map for response.

As trails reopen in Pisgah Forest, some worry about overcrowding (Hendersonville Times-News reports) -- Paul Koerber, a retiree who lives in Weaverville, hikes the trails in the Bent Creek and Shut-In Trail areas of Pisgah National Forest at least 6.5 miles a day, five days a week.

Wilkesboro Woman, Last to Receive Civil War-Era Pension, Die​​​​​​​s (Wall Street Journal reports) -- Irene Triplett of Wilkesboro, N.C., the last person receiving a pension from the U.S. Civil War, has died at the age of 90. Ms. Triplett’s father, Mose Triplett, started fighting in the war for the Confederacy, but defected to the North in 1863. That decision earned his daughter Irene, the product of a late-in-life marriage to a woman almost 50 years his junior, a pension of $73.13 a month from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ms. Triplett, who suffered from mental disabilities, qualified for federal financial support as a helpless adult child of a veteran. She died Sunday from complications following surgery for injuries from a fall, according to the Wilkesboro, N.C., nursing home where she lived.

Two mysteries unfold on Outer Banks, involving missing soldier and body washed ashore (N.C. McClatchy reports) -- Two investigations are underway on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, involving the whereabouts of a missing Fort Bragg soldier and the identity of a body found on a Shackleford Banks beach. The National Park Service has not said if the two cases are related.