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Bill Belichick won big in the NFL. Can he do it as a rookie college coach at North Carolina?

Bill Belichick won big in the NFL. Can he do it as a rookie college coach at North Carolina?

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 setting

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.”

College pivot

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.

Coaching relationships

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.”

Convincing a mother

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.”

What’s ahead

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.

Longtime WRAL anchor Charlie Gaddy dies at 93

Longtime WRAL anchor Charlie Gaddy dies at 93

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.

Wet Nose Wednesday: Marcus

Wet Nose Wednesday: Marcus

This week we are highlighting Marcus the dog as our APS Pet of the Week!

“Hi, new friend! Want to hang out? I’m a sweet guy who loves playtime and affection. I can be a little anxious and insecure in new situations, but I warm up fast! I’d love to be in a home where I get plenty of attention and exercise. If you’re looking for an activity buddy, I could be your guy! Come see me!”

Photo Credit: Alaina Barth Photography

Visit Marcus’ Adoption Profile Here!

APS Walk For The Animals | May 28, 2022 | 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. Find out more at www.apsofdurham.org/2022walk/

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Narwhal

Wet Nose Wednesday: Narwhal

This week we are highlighting Narwhal the dog as our Pet of the Week!

“Can you be my new best friend? I’m a super sweet and loving girl with lots of love to give. I’m pretty young and I’m still learning how to dog. Can you help me with that? I’d love to go to basic training and learn new fun things! I also love to play with other dogs and humans, toss a ball or toy for me and I’ll happily bound after it! Visit me today!” 

Narwhal is a young pup and is growing into a lovely little lass. She’s been with us since March so we’ve waived her adoption fee in hopes of finding her a warm, happy home!

Visit Narwhal’s Adoption Profile Here!

APS Walk For The Animals | May 28, 2022 | 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. Find out more at www.apsofdurham.org/2022walk/

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Kitten Season Is Heating Up!

Kitten Season Is Heating Up!

Although the name “kitten season” sounds precious, the reality of the strain it puts on shelters isn’t so cute. When warmer months hit, female cats go into heat and litters upon litters of kittens are born. For newborn kittens found without a mother, they face a treacherous path.

The most vulnerable are neonatal kittens (newborns to 4 weeks of age), otherwise known as “bottle babies”. Kittens this old cannot fend for themselves, necessitating round-the-clock care from kind and giving humans. Care that includes bottle feeding every two to three hours and helping the babies with what their mother would typically do, including stimulating them to urinate and defecate, keeping them warm and clean, and teaching them to wean onto solid food once they reach a certain age.

At Animal Protection Society of Durham, this is where foster volunteers come in. Without their assistance, shelters around the country like ours are overwhelmed with tiny felines that cannot survive on their own. APS of Durham counts on our foster volunteers to be the safe, warm homes that this abundance of “bottle babies” needs. Bring a willing heart and APS of Durham can give you all the supplies and training necessary for success.

APS of Durham foster volunteers find the situation to be very rewarding. One kitten foster mom said, “I’ve enjoyed seeing these tiny kittens blossom into happy, healthy little beings who move on to wonderful homes that love and adore them. You know you’ve done right in the world and feel good. Then you get to start over with a new kitten or 2 or 3! If you’ve ever thought about fostering, don’t hesitate any longer, it really is a great opportunity to help kittens AND make your heart swell.”

For those who can’t foster at this time, there are so many other ways you can help APS of Durham during Kitten Season. You can volunteer in the shelter to help keep cats and kittens healthy and happy. Donations of goods to support fosters are also incredibly important. Simply head to the How You Can Help section of the APS website to find the wish list with much-needed items specifically for kitten season, including essentials like replacement milk formula and heating pads to keep bottle babies warm. Monetary support is always appreciated and can go directly where it is needed most – in the Kittenfoster program. Lastly, if you’re looking to adopt, there’s no better time than kitten season to adopt from APS because you’re giving more cats and kittens a chance.

APS of Durham is asking for Durhamites to stand up and sign up as a foster to the many “bottle baby” kittens that will need our care this summer. Fostering the littlest of the kittens makes the biggest of impact.

APS of Durham
2117 E. Club Blvd. | Durham, NC | 27704

Wet Nose Wednesday: Penelope

Wet Nose Wednesday: Penelope

This week we are highlighting Penelope as our Pet of the Week!

“I’m a fun-loving girl ready to play all day! Are you ready too? I’m a curious, playful, fun, and sweet girl ready to bring some sunshine into your home! I’m also really affectionate and love cuddles! I’d really enjoy a home where I can explore with my nose, play with toys, and learn some basic training. Let’s go play today!”

Penelope is a sweet, active dog. She’s been with us since February so we’ve waived her adoption fee in hopes of finding her a warm, happy home.

Visit Penelope’s Adoption Profile Here!

APS Walk For The Animals | May 28, 2022 | 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. Find out more at www.apsofdurham.org/2022walk/

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Casanova

Wet Nose Wednesday: Casanova

This week we are highlighting Casanova as our Pet of the Week!

“My bright blue eyes may be stunning but wait till you get to know me – my personality shines even brighter. Get your pack ready, let’s go for a hike! I’m a guy who loves to explore and be in the great outdoors. I’d love a home that will go slow with me and let me take my time to feel comfortable. Once I know you, I enjoy treats and gentle affection. I may even lean in for more. Let’s get out and GO!”

Casanova is an intelligent, active pup. He’s been with us since January so we’ve waived his adoption fee in hopes of finding him a warm, happy home.  He is in a foster home, so please complete and submit an adoption application if you would like to arrange for a visit with him.

Visit Casanova’s Adoption Profile Here!

APS Walk For The Animals | May 28, 2022 | 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. Find out more at www.apsofdurham.org/2022walk/

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Dory

Wet Nose Wednesday: Dory

This week we are highlighting Dory as our Pet of the Week!

“Meet your new best friend! I’m a sweet, playful girl who loves to learn new things. Ask me to sit or give you my paw! Some of my favorite things are toys, treats, and exploring. I’d love to visit new places with you. I’d benefit from brain games, lots of exercise, and leash training. I can be a bit timid at times, but I know you’ll show me the way. Come see me!” 

Dory is a great gal and super smart. She’s been with us for a bit so we’ve waived her adoption fee in hopes of finding her a warm, happy home. Come on out and meet her to see if she’s the right fit for your family!

Visit Dory’s Adoption Profile Here!

APS Walk For The Animals | May 28, 2022 | 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. Find out more at www.apsofdurham.org/2022walk/

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Mable & Abby

Wet Nose Wednesday: Mable & Abby

This week we are highlighting Mable and Abby as our Pets of the Week!

Mable (left) and Abby (right)

Abby is a beautiful 3 years young gal looking for a new beginning. She’s a bit reserved at first but will warm up to new human friends. She’ll be happy in any loving home as long as she has her bestie, Mable, by her side. At 4 years young, this friendly, sociable, and pretty gal Mable just knows she can bring happiness to whoever takes them home! Give her a compliment and maybe she’ll wink at you. This bonded pair is so close they’ll need to be adopted together for twice as much fun. Come visit these lovely cats today!

Abby and Mable are a bonded pair of cats with a lot of love to give, so they’ll need to be adopted together. Come on out to APS of Durham to see if these sweeties are the right fit for your warm, happy home.

Visit Mable’s Adoption Profile here!

Visit Abby’s Adoption Profile here!

APS Walk For The Animals | May 28, 2022 | 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. Find out more at www.apsofdurham.org/2022walk/

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Badger

Wet Nose Wednesday: Badger

This week we are highlighting Badger as our Pet of the Week!

“Well, hello there. I’m a sweet old man looking for a comfy place to lay my big ol’ head. Even though I’m slowing down, I still like to explore and do my own thing. I would love a home with gentle people who give me my independence. And I’d prefer a home with no stairs. I have plenty of love and good times to share. I’m in foster care so please arrange to visit me soon!”

Visit Badger’s Adoption Profile here!

APS Walk For The Animals | May 28, 2022 | 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. Find out more at www.apsofdurham.org/2022walk/

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Rayo

Wet Nose Wednesday: Rayo

Photo Credit: Assorted Poppies Photo

This week we are highlighting Rayo as our Pet of the Week!

“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 on out and meet him to see if he’s the right fit for your family!

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Isla

Wet Nose Wednesday: Isla

This week we are highlighting Isla as our Pet of the Week!

“Need help with your homework? I’ve got the smarts for that! I’m a highly intelligent girl with lots of energy! I can be worried by new people, go slow with me please. I’m super sweet and very playful. I love a tossed ball! I really enjoy gentle affection once I’m comfortable. I’d love a home where I can learn and be challenged with brain games.”

Visit Isla’s profile here!

Isla is a very distinctive looking dog, and she is eager to please. Come on out and meet her to see if she’s the right fit for your family!

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Listen to Win $25 Tribeca Tavern Gift Cards

Listen to Win $25 Tribeca Tavern Gift Cards

Listen to 96.1 BBB on St. Patrick’s Day, this Thursday, for a chance to win gift cards to Tribeca Tavern! Don’t miss their 2nd Annual Best Patty in Town celebration on St. Patrick’s Day!

Tribeca Tavern: With locally crafted beers flowing from their taps, creative entrees prepared in the from-scratch kitchen, and authentic North Carolina hospitality, it’s all about flavor and charm at Tribeca Tavern. Exceeding expectations since 2010.

Wet Nose Wednesday: Peppy

Wet Nose Wednesday: Peppy

This week we are highlighting Peppy as our Pet of the Week!

“Prepare yourself for lots of fun! I’m a friendly, playful, and curious girl who loves to chase a tennis ball! I’m super friendly, and warm up quickly. I really enjoy a good game, plenty of scritches, and lots and lots of exploring. I’d love a home where I can play and go for long walks or hikes. I’m pretty active and high energy! Let’s play today!”

To visit Peppy’s Profile, click here!

We appreciate your help in helping Peppy find a home. She’s been with us a while and deserves to finally get a warm, happy place of her own. So we’ve waived her adoption fee! Yep, this pretty gal is free to adopt! Come on out and meet her to see if she’s the right fit for your family!

Photo Credit: Assorted Poppies Photo

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

BBB Box Office: Win Tickets to Air Supply at DPAC

BBB Box Office: Win Tickets to Air Supply at DPAC

The BBB Box Office is HOPPING on 961bbb.com! This week we celebrate the return of one of the great live bands to DPAC this Summer, Air Supply. Air Supply has been the recipient of unprecedented, world-wide radio airplay for their countless love songs. The soft rock duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock will be bringing their hits to DPAC on Friday, June 24, 2022.

Listen for your chance to score tickets before they go on sale on 96.1 BBB. PLUS, enter below for an extra chance to win tickets! Don’t miss your chance to see Air Supply at DPAC.

Lunch With Kitty: Win Slash Tickets

Lunch With Kitty: Win Slash Tickets

This week, Kitty has your tickets to see Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators on Saturday March 19 at DPAC! Tickets are on sale now but listen to 96.1 BBB weekdays at noon with Kitty for a chance to win!

Listen to Win Bon Jovi Tickets

Listen to Win Bon Jovi Tickets

Bon Jovi is bringing their 2022 Tour to PNC Arena Raleigh on Saturday April 9th and GREAT SEATS ARE STILL AVAILABLE! Tickets are on sale now here but you can listen to 96.1 all week for a chance to win tickets!

Fun Zone: Win OneRepublic Tickets

Fun Zone: Win OneRepublic Tickets

Listen all week in the mornings at 7:15 during the Fun Zone and get a chance to win a pair of tickets before you can buy them to see OneRepublic with NeedToBreathe on July 9th, 2022 at Coastal Credit Union Music Park in Raleigh. When Madison opens up the phone lines to call, be the correct caller, and you’re a winner for tickets to see OneRepublic @ CCUMP in Raleigh. Don’t miss your shot to win these tickets!

Wet Nose Wednesday: Ferdinand

Wet Nose Wednesday: Ferdinand

This week we are highlighting a great, gentle dog – Ferdinand – as our Pet of the Week.

“Are you looking for a curious guy who’d love to go for long walks and hikes with you? That’s ME! I’m an independent guy who loves to follow his nose wherever it might take me. I do take my time getting to know new people, but once I do I’d love to just hang out with you. Let’s go exploring together!”

To visit Ferdinand’s profile click here!

Ferdinand is so eager to find his new home that he’s asked us to waive his adoption fee. Come on out and meet him to see if he’s the right fit for your family!

Photo credit: Double Paw Photography

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Arnold

Wet Nose Wednesday: Arnold

This week the Pet of the Week is Arnold the dog! 

“Let’s have an action packed adventure! I’m Arnold, a sweet, and affectionate guy who LOVES to play! I’m pretty active and enjoy running around, playtime, and long walks. I’d love to learn basic manners, can you help teach me? I’d also benefit from calming exercises, and lots of affection. Let’s meet up today!”

To visit Arnold’s profile click here!

Arnold is a lovely, handsome guy who has been on our adoption floor since January 28th, so he is eager to find his new home. He has just gone into foster care today, so anyone interested in meeting Arnold should submit an application here to schedule a visit: https://www.apsofdurham.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Dog-Adoption-Application.pdf

Photo credit: Double Paw Photography

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Sound Palate Pairing with Max Trujillo of Craften Neighborhood Food and Drink

Sound Palate Pairing with Max Trujillo of Craften Neighborhood Food and Drink

Listen as Kitty speaks with Max Trujillo of Craften Neighborhood Food and Drink.

… Continue Reading
Wet Nose Wednesday: Isaac

Wet Nose Wednesday: Isaac

This week the Pet of the Week is Isaac the dog! 

“Are you ready to have a good time? I am! I’m a playful, friendly, and enthusiastic guy who’s excited about life! I love to chase a ball, learn, and explore! My absolute favorite thing is chasing a ball, toss one and see! I’m a pretty active guy who’d love a home with plenty of things to do and explore. Let’s meet today!” To visit Isaac’s profile, click here.

Isaac is so eager to find his new home that he’s asked us to waive his adoption fee. Come on out and meet Isaac to see if he’s the right fit for your family!

Photo credit: Double Paw Photography https://doublepawphotography.pixieset.com/

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Scarlett

Wet Nose Wednesday: Scarlett

This week the Pet of the Week is Scarlett the dog! 

“Oh hi! I’m a friendly girl who likes to keep herself busy. I’m truly a sweet girl with lots of energy but I also love to cuddle and snuggle with people. I love to play and would be a great companion for walks and daily trips to the park. I am VERY into treats—I bet you’ll find I’m a fast learner! Meet me today!” To visit Scarlett’s profile, click here.

Scarlett is so eager to find her new home that she’s asked us to waive her adoption fee. Come on out and meet Scarlett to see if she’s the right fit for your family!

Photo credit: Assorted Poppies Photo

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Smalls

Wet Nose Wednesday: Smalls

This week the Pet of the Week is Smalls the dog! 

“Well hello there! I’m so happy to meet you! I’m Smalls, although I’m not that small! I’m a sweet and goofy athletic guy with lots of love in my heart. I love to chase after a ball and enjoy learning fetch in a fenced yard. I’ve done well with basic training – I’m crate trained and I already know sit, down, halt, drop it, and more commands. My favorite thing is to play and exercise. Adopt me today!”

To view Smalls’ profile, click here. Smalls has had his adoption fee waived so that he can find a wonderful home soon. Please come by to meet him today!

Photo credit: Assorted Poppies Photo

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Pete

Wet Nose Wednesday: Pete

This week, the Pet of the Week is Pete the cat!

Are you looking for a sweet feline to snuggle with on these winter nights? Pete is your guy! He’s a very loving cat that really enjoys being petted. He’ll even come for pets when called! Kane has a tiny meow you’ve gotta hear, so come meet him today.

To view Pete’s profile, click here. Come by and meet him today!

Photo credit: Cathi Bodine

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Piglet

Wet Nose Wednesday: Piglet

Update: Piglet has recently been adopted!

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Wet Nose Wednesday: Delaney

Wet Nose Wednesday: Delaney

This week, the Pet of the Week is Delaney the dog!

Meet Delaney!

“Hello, want to be friends? I’m a sweet, curious girl who’s so delighted to meet you. I think life is so exciting, and I’d love to explore the world with you close by. My favorite things are treats, affection, and play. I could use some basic training and a routine to help me really shine. Visit me today and let’s see how much fun we can have!”

To view Delaney’s profile, click here. Come by and meet her today!

Photo credit: Anthony Garza
Double Paw Photography

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Wet Nose Wednesday: Ojhama

Wet Nose Wednesday: Ojhama

Update: Ojhama has now been adopted!

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Wet Nose Wednesday: Elan

Wet Nose Wednesday: Elan

Update: Elan has recently been adopted!

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Wet Nose Wednesday: Mildred

Wet Nose Wednesday: Mildred

This week, the Pet of the Week is Mildred the dog! Mildred has had her adoption fee waived so that she can find a wonderful home for the holidays. Please come by to meet her today!

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Wet Nose Wednesday: Lola

Wet Nose Wednesday: Lola

Update: Lola has now been adopted!

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Sound Palate Pairing with Scott Crawford of Crawford Cookshop

Sound Palate Pairing with Scott Crawford of Crawford Cookshop

Listen as Kitty speaks with Scott Crawford of Crawford Cookshop.

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Wet Nose Wednesday: Chuck

Wet Nose Wednesday: Chuck

Chuck has now been adopted!

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Fun Zone: Madison’s Favorite Things

Fun Zone: Madison’s Favorite Things

This week, Madison shares her favorite things with you … her favorite jewelry from CMI Jewelry Showroom! Listen to 96.1 BBB all week at 7:15AM and play the Fun Zone for your chance to win Madison’s favorite jewelry of the day!

Since 1970, CMI Jewelry has been helping the Triangle sparkle with the area’s best selection of diamonds and fine jewelry. Join CMI Jewelry this December for a grand reopening at their new location at 6501 Falls of Neuse Road. CMI has the same owner, same quality jewelry, and same no-pressure sales staff you have always loved. Make your holiday season shine by visiting CMI Jewelry at 6501 Falls of Neuse Road. 

Three Diamond Drop Pendant- 14kt White Gold 18-inch Cable Chain
Cluster Diamond Ring – 14kt White Gold
Diamond Hoop Earrings – 14kt White Gold
Diamond Stud Earrings – 14kt White Gold or 14kt Yellow Gold
Solitaire Diamond Necklace- 14kt White Gold 18-Inch Chain

All items are $1,000 to $1,100 retail value.

6501 Falls of Neuse Rd. Raleigh, NC 27615 | (919) 872-3346 | cmijewelry.com

Wet Nose Wednesday: Victor

Wet Nose Wednesday: Victor

Victor has now been adopted!

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Wet Nose Wednesday: Mali

Wet Nose Wednesday: Mali

This week, the Pet of the Week is Mali the cat!

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Wet Nose Wednesday: Missy

Wet Nose Wednesday: Missy

Missy has been recently adopted!

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Fun Zone: Win Tickets to Genesis

Fun Zone: Win Tickets to Genesis

It’s your last chance to see Genesis at PNC Arena November 19th! Play Fun Zone this week with Madison for your chance to grab tickets! Plus get a bonus chance by signing up above. Tickets still on sale through ticketmaster.com.

Genesis is one of the world’s biggest selling and most successful bands of all time. They have sold an estimated 100 million albums and have played to sold-out stadiums and arenas all over the world for decades.

The evolution of Genesis is unique, their sound developed and progressed throughout their career and with multiple line-up alterations in the early years, the classic line-up of Tony Banks, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford took shape in 1976.

‘And Then There Were Three’ (1978) was the first album the band released as a three-piece and spawned the single ‘Follow You Follow Me’ which was their first UK top ten and US top 30 single and proved to be the start of huge commercial global success. The albums ‘Duke’ (1980), ‘Abacab’ (1981), ‘Genesis’ (1983), ‘Invisible Touch’ (1986) and ‘We Can’t Dance’ (1991) followed for the trio, alongside almost constant global stadium tours cementing the band as one of the most successful of all time.

Tony, Phil and Mike reunited again as a band in 2007 after almost 10 years for the Turn It On Again Tour which went on to be one of the biggest grossing tours on the year playing sold-out stadiums around the world.

2021 will see Genesis tour for the first time in 14 years, in North America, the UK, and Ireland.

Wet Nose Wednesday: Blondie

Wet Nose Wednesday: Blondie

Meet Blondie!

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Fun Zone: Win a $50 Gift Card to Brigs Restaurants

Fun Zone: Win a $50 Gift Card to Brigs Restaurants

This week, Madison covers your breakfast with a $50 Gift Card to Brigs Restaurants in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Wake Forest!

When you think breakfast, think Brigs.

And this month, think Brigs’ Pilgrim Benedict – homemade cranberry stuffing topped with smoked turkey, poached eggs, and a savory holiday Hollandaise Sauce.

Brigs is also serving Pumpkin Pancakes hot off the griddle and topped with real whipped cream!

But, hurry! These specials will be available this month only, at Brigs – In Raleigh, Durham, Wake Forest and Cary!

AND, Brigs has a special Cranberry-Pecan Avocado Toast with gorgonzola and a drizzle of honey.

View Brigs full menu and locations at brigs.com

Hendrick Automotive Group Year-Long Hunger Initiative Reveal

Hendrick Automotive Group Year-Long Hunger Initiative Reveal

Hendrick Automotive donated $80,000 to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina yesterday in Raleigh! This marks a total of $500,000 raised for 27 food banks across the country! In partnership with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, Hendrick Automotive Group revealed the overall results of its current year-long, employee-powered fight against hunger. This event included a special appearance by NASCAR driver Kyle Larson, who is conducting a three-city tour today in recognition of food bank partners and Hendrick Automotive Group employee fund-raising efforts in Charlotte, Charleston (South Carolina) and Raleigh (North Carolina). Larson, driver of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE, is fighting to win his first NASCAR Cup Series title.

Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina serves 34 counties throughout the Raleigh area and distributed nearly 51.7 million pounds of produce to nearly 600,000 people currently facing hunger. Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina advocates on behalf of those who experience hunger and helps empower people to make to make healthy and nutritious food choices. For more information, visit https://foodbankcenc.org/.

Due to the pandemic, Hendrick Automotive Group adjusted its annual Thanksgiving meal drive in 2020 to a “virtual” program in order to continue supporting our food bank partners. It marked the company’s first hunger initiative powered by employee donations, allowing the company to keep its employees safe while continuing to serve our communities during the holidays.

Hendrick Automotive Group is proud to have supported Thanksgiving hunger initiatives since 2001.

Wet Nose Wednesday: Brownie

Wet Nose Wednesday: Brownie

This week the Pet of the Week is Brownie the dog! 

Well hello friend! I’m a sweet and affectionate girl with lots of love to give! I’m super friendly and love meeting new people. I also enjoy exploring, but my favorite thing is gentle affection. I’d love a home where I can just relax and unwind after a long exploration. Can we do this together? Visit me today! Brownie is still receiving medical care, so we are looking for someone to Foster to Adopt only, please. If interested, please complete the Foster application.

Brownie’s profile: https://www.apsofdurham.org/dogs/brownie/

Photo credit: Ashley Sherrow Assorted Poppies Photography

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, entertainment, a mixology session and more. For more information: https://event.gives/tails2021

Box Office: Win Tickets to Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators

Box Office: Win Tickets to Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators

On the way home, be sure to call up John when he opens the BBB Box Office. You could land a pair of tickets to see Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators on Saturday, March 19th 2022! OR, enter below for a chance to win! Tickets go on sale Friday, October 29th through Ticketmaster.

One Song, One Second: Win a $25 to Penn Station

One Song, One Second: Win a $25 to Penn Station

What can you do in a second? Ooops too late, times up!  Actually, you can pad your bank account in one second!  With the 96.1 BBB One Song, One Second, up to one THOUSAND dollars game!

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Wet Nose Wednesday: Cutie Pie

Wet Nose Wednesday: Cutie Pie

This week the Pet of the Week is Cutie Pie the Guinea Pig – and his adoption fee has been waived!

Meet Cutie Pie!

Cutie Pie lives up to his name as a cute Guinea Pig! Did you know that Guinea pigs were first domesticated in 5,000 B.C.? And they’re still great pets today. Guinea pigs don’t sleep a lot and when they’re awake they like to talk. You’ll notice Cutie Pie is a social little guy, and he, like others, produces six main vocalizations: chutts, squeaks, whines, whistles, purrs and chirps. Each vocalization conveys a different meaning, so in essence, he’s talking to you, his new friend. Guinea pigs are typically considered gregarious, outgoing animals. If you’ve never had a Guinea Pig before, now is the time to take Cutie Pie home with you today!

Cutie Pie’s Adoption Fee has been waived so we can find him a new home quickly. This amazing guy is so ready for his new home. Will it be with you? Come adopt Cutie Pie today and fill your home with love.“

Cutie Pie’s Profile: https://www.apsofdurham.org/other_animals/cutie-pie/

Photo credit: Ashley Sherrow –Assorted Poppies Photography

Don’t forget that we have 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, entertainment, a mixology session and more. For more information: https://event.gives/tails2021

Animal Protection Society of Durham
2117 East Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
(919) 560-0640

Fun Zone: Win NC State Fair 4-Pack Passes

Fun Zone: Win NC State Fair 4-Pack Passes

It’s NC State Fair Week! If you’re still looking to skip lines and grab some tickets, Madison has your chance to grab a 4-pack all this week on The Fun Zone!

Listen to win weekday mornings for a chance to win! Buy tickets now at ncstatefair.org

Wet Nose Wednesday: Bonnie

Wet Nose Wednesday: Bonnie

This week, the Pet of the Week is Bonnie the dog – and her adoption fee has been waived!

Meet Bonnie!

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Lunch With Kitty: Tickets to Hill Ridge Farms Fall Festival

Lunch With Kitty: Tickets to Hill Ridge Farms Fall Festival

This week, take the family out with your chance to grab a 4-pack to Hill Ridge Farms – the Triangle’s best destination for old-fashioned family fun, group and family outings, picnics, school field trips, birthday parties, and more! Their annual Fall Pumpkin Festival is happening NOW through October 31st. Receive a FREE PUMPKIN with each admission!

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Wet Nose Wednesday: Leo

Wet Nose Wednesday: Leo

Meet Leo!

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Lunch With Kitty: Win Gift Cards to Brigs Restaurants

Lunch With Kitty: Win Gift Cards to Brigs Restaurants

This week, it’s Brunch with Kitty with your chance to win a gift card to Brigs Restaurants! Listen weekdays at noon for a chance to win!

Brigs’ October Specials

Pumpkin Pancakes Back by overwhelming demand, our most popular pancake special every year will be available this year for two full months! Our famous Pumpkin Pancakes are served moist and fluffy and topped with real whipped cream! They’re the best! They’re available in stacks of one, two, or three; our Griddle Combos; and our Kidstuff!

Benedict of the Month

Oktober BenedictBrigs Bratwurst Benedict – A quarter pound grilled North Carolina’s own Heritage Farm® fresh bratwurst, two poached fresh eggs* and stone-ground mustard Hollandaise atop a toasted English muffin! Served with fresh fruit and choice of grits or homefries.

Sandwiches of the Month

The German Brat – A warm soft pretzel roll filled with grilled Heritage Farm® fresh bratwurst, spicy mustard and sauerkraut! Served with your choice of sandwich side.

The Swiss Brat – A warm soft pretzel roll filled with grilled Heritage Farm® fresh bratwurst, melted Swiss cheese and roasted red peppers! Served with your choice of sandwich side.

To view the full menu or see locations, please go to www.brigs.com

Fun Zone: Listen To Win $75 Visa Gift Cards

Fun Zone: Listen To Win $75 Visa Gift Cards

This week, is it Famous or Fraud? Madison will give a landmark or historical artifact … but is it Famous .. or a Fraud? You could score a $75 Visa Gift Card thanks to CW22. Listen to Madison, Weekdays at 7:15 a.m. for a chance to win!

In the new supersized version of Nickelodeon’s long-running classic competition series Legends of the Hidden Temple — premiering Sunday, October 10 — the challenges are now much tougher, the obstacles far greater, and the stakes much higher!

This promotion is sponsored by The CW Network. Watch Legends of the Hidden Temple, Sundays at 8pm on CW22!

Wet Nose Wednesday: Cole

Wet Nose Wednesday: Cole

Meet Cole!

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Wet Nose Wednesday: Samantha

Wet Nose Wednesday: Samantha

Meet Samantha!

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Listen to Win FREE Rolling Stones Tickets

Listen to Win FREE Rolling Stones Tickets

Listen to Madison weekdays at 6 a.m. – 10 a.m. for a chance to win FREE Rolling Stones Tickets!

Box Office: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Box Office: Trans-Siberian Orchestra

This week, listen for John to open up the BBB Box Office for your chance to grab a pair of tickets to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra at PNC Arena December 15th. Get a bonus chance by signing up below! Tickets now on sale here, through ticketmaster.

Kitty Interviews Bryan Parker from Union Home Mortgage

Kitty Interviews Bryan Parker from Union Home Mortgage

Join Kitty as she interviews Union Home Mortgage Producing Area Sales Manager and Loan Officer Bryan Parker.

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Lunch with Kitty – Win Tickets to Indigo Girls

Lunch with Kitty – Win Tickets to Indigo Girls

This week, Kitty’s got your last chance to grab tickets to see Indigo Girls … coming to DPAC September 25th! Tickets still on sale at dpacnc.com! Listen while you have Lunch with Kitty for you to win!

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Fun Zone: Listen AND Enter To Win Guns N’ Roses Tickets!

Fun Zone: Listen AND Enter To Win Guns N’ Roses Tickets!

This week, Madison takes you to Paradise City with your last chance to grab tickets to see Guns N’ Roses at PNC Arena September 30th! Tickets still on sale at ticketmaster.com! And … get a bonus chance of Guns N’ Roses tickets AND VIP prize package by signing up for the BBB Box Office Below!

September 14th 2025

September 14th 2025

Thought of the Day

September 14th 2024
Photo by Getty Images

Children need love, especially at those moments when they don’t deserve it.

Fun Zone: Win a $50 Gift Card to Rocco’s!

Fun Zone: Win a $50 Gift Card to Rocco’s!

All this week in the Fun Zone, win a $50 Gift Card to Rocco’s! Looking for your new favorite hangout in Raleigh? Swing by Rocco’s at Eagle Ridge Golf Course – where great food, cold beer, and top-shelf bourbon come together in one unforgettable spot!

Whether you’re hitting the links or just hungry for a killer burger, Rocco’s is open to the public serving up a full menu that hits the spot every time.

Win this week with Madison in the Fun Zone just after 7am!

Gio Lopez accounts for 3TDs as North Carolina dominates Richmond for Belichick’s first home win

Gio Lopez accounts for 3TDs as North Carolina dominates Richmond for Belichick’s first home win

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.

Patel faces congressional hearings after missteps in Kirk assassination probe and turmoil at FBI

Patel faces congressional hearings after missteps in Kirk assassination probe and turmoil at FBI

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.

He claimed the subject was ‘in custody’

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.”

Then there’s the personnel purge

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.

FBI’s priorities shift under Patel

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.

FAA seeks $3.1 million in fines from Boeing over safety violations, 2024 midair panel blowout

FAA seeks $3.1 million in fines from Boeing over safety violations, 2024 midair panel blowout

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.

They witnessed Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Now students reckon with the trauma

They witnessed Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Now students reckon with the trauma

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.

Charlie Kirk was killed Wednesday during an outdoor debate event on campus. Students who witnessed his assassination are reckoning with trauma and grief. Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of the conservative youth organization Turning Point USA, was a top podcaster, culture warrior and ally of President Donald Trump. (AP video by Thomas Peipert)

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.

A memorial to Kirk brings stunned students together

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.

Anxious about returning to campus

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.

Struggling with flashbacks and a weird heaviness

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.”

Searching for closure from one campus to another

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?’”

A neighbor of Robinson’s looks for answers

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.

September 13th 2025

September 13th 2025

Thought of the Day

September 13th 2024
Photo by Getty Images

“The bee is more honored than other animals not because she labors, but because she labors for others.” – Saint John Chrysostom

Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination expressed opposition to conservative activist’s views

Suspect in Charlie Kirk assassination expressed opposition to conservative activist’s views

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.”

New details on evidence

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.

‘He didn’t deserve this’

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.

Trump approves federal disaster aid for storms and flooding in 6 states

Trump approves federal disaster aid for storms and flooding in 6 states

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.

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet Potato Fries

These homemade sweet potato fries are the perfect addition to any meal. They’re crispy, warm and the best combination of sweet and savory.

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. sweet potatoes (3 medium-sized)
  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • (optional) 1/s tsp. smoked paprika or 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Instructions

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!

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