Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley continued their swing through South Carolina yesterday, appealing to voters at meetings across the state. The campaigning followed Friday’s night’s election forum at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, where the candidates answered questions individually from moderator and MSNBC host Rachel Maddow. Sanders and O’Malley went after Clinton for her environmental positions, her coziness with Wall Street and more.
On Saturday, Sanders told the state's Democratic Women's Council his economic agenda should appeal to the state's women. The Vermont senator highlighted his support for gender equal pay legislation, paid family leave and access to abortion and birth control. Clinton went to the majority African-American community of Orangeburg and later Saturday addressed the state's leading gay rights organization in Columbia. Women and black voters are expected to dominate South Carolina's Feb. 27 primary.
See NPR.org, "Rivals' Gloves Come Off Against Clinton in Democratic Forum"
MAN ARRESTED AT WINTHROP FORUM
Meanwhile, at Friday’s forum, an 18-year-old man was arrested after he entered a restricted area set aside for candidates three times – even after being told to keep out. The Herald of Rock Hill reports the man was charged with public disorderly conduct and resisting police.
DOT HELMS PASSES AWAY
Dorothy Coble Helms, wife of the late U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, died Friday in Raleigh. She was 96. Dot Helms was among the first women to graduate from the school of journalism at the University of North Carolina. She went to work as the society editor at The News & Observer of Raleigh, where she met Jesse Helms. They were married in 1942. Her husband, a Republican conservative, was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972. He died in 2008. Dorothy Helms was a regular speaker for Republican women's groups and other gatherings. Her funeral is scheduled for Tuesday in Raleigh. Brown-Wynne Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Gov. Pat McCrory issued a statement, saying: "Mrs. Helms was one of North Carolina’s most beloved citizens – as a loyal wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was also a pioneer among women in journalism and a leading community volunteer in Raleigh and Washington. It was a personal privilege to present her with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2013. Our prayers will remain with her family."
JUDGE REPRIMANDED FOR COMMENTS
The North Carolina Supreme Court has ordered a public reprimand against a District Court judge after he told parents at a child custody hearing they were "acting like idiots." James T. Hill, a Durham judge since 2002, was reprimanded for making inappropriate comments, improperly exercising his contempt powers" and "failing to maintain order and decorum" in the proceedings. The order was issued Friday. Hill was also cited for referring to the county jail as "The Durham County Bed and Breakfast."
SC AUTHORITIES TO DISCUSS DEATHS OF 4
Authorities in Anderson County, South Carolina have scheduled a news conference at 1 o’clock this afternoon to discuss their investigation into the shooting deaths last week of four people in Pendleton. Last Sunday, police found a husband and wife and their two mothers dead in the home they shared. Autopsies revealed that 58-year-old Mike Scott; his 60-year-old wife, Cathy Scott; Mike Scott's mother, 80-year-old Barbara Scott; and Cathy Scott's mother, 82-year-old Violet Taylor, were all shot to death. Their bodies were discovered by the daughter of one of the victims.
MALL RELENTS, BRINGS BACK CHRISTMAS TREE
And here’s an update to a story that made headlines this weekend, the Christmas display at Charlotte’s SouthPark Mall. The Charlotte Observer reported Friday that the mall was skipping a Christmas tree in its holiday display this year, putting Santa Claus under a faux glacier. But after an outpouring of complaints, the mall announced Saturday it would bring back the tree. See the full Observer story, “SouthPark mall changes course, will have Christmas tree after all.”
SPORTS: WILL PACKERS SPOIL PANTHER’S 7-0 RECORD?
The Carolina Panthers are undefeated so far this NFL season, at 7-0, and they’re hoping to keep it that way. But they’ll have to get past the Green Bay Packers, who routed the Panthers 38-17 a year ago in a game where quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes. The Packers this year have six wins and one loss, which came last week against the Broncos. Kick off is 1 o’clock at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
- In college games yesterday, Marquise Williams threw for a school-record 494 yards to lead No. 21 North Carolina over Duke, 66-31. Williams passed for four touchdowns and ran for another to help the 8-1 Tar Heels to their eighth straight win.
- UNC Charlotte Junior Austin Duke caught three touchdown passes, but it wasn’t enough as the 49ers lost 48 to 31 at Florida International University. The 49ers have lost seven in a row. They play their final home game next Saturday at 2 p.m. against the University of Texas-San Antonio.
- In the NBA, San Antonio cruised past Charlotte, 114-94, as Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 16. Patty Mills scored 15 points for the Spurs, who made eight 3-pointers in the second half of their highest scoring game of the season.
- The Charlotte Checkers lost their American Hockey League home opener 3-0 last night to the Manitoba Moose. They’ll get a rematch this afternoon at 1 at Bojangles Coliseum.
- NASCAR’s Chase for the Sprint Cup continues at Texas Motor Speedway today at 2 o’clock. It’s the second of three elimination races that will determine four finalists for the championship.
- And Queens University of Charlotte’s men’s soccer team plays Wingate this afternoon for South Atlantic Conference Championship. The game is 1pm at Manchester Meadows in Rock Hill.