Outer Banks storms are sending a message. North Carolina isn’t listening.

#1:Outer Banks storms are sending a message. North Carolina isn’t listening

 

. The writer is a professor emeritus of Earth Sciences at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University.
Regarding “‘Sharks are in the collards!’ King tides, winds flood NC’s Outer Banks, photos show,” (Nov. 8) and related articles
On Nov. 7 another nor’easter struck the Outer Banks, once again demonstrating the ever-increasing hazard of living on these low, narrow barrier islands.
The storm occurred simultaneously with an extreme high tide, pushed up by the ongoing sea-level rise. Historically, such superpositions of storm/tide/sea-level are not uncommon.
By 9 a.m. Nov. 7 portions of N.C. Highway 12 were either flooded or buried by sand overwash. The highway was closed from Rodanthe north to the Marc Basnight Bridge at Oregon Inlet, about 13 miles. Crews pushed sand off the road for two days before Highway 12 completely reopened on the afternoon of Nov. 9.
Given that this was not a major storm, mandatory evacuation wasn’t necessary. But if anyone had needed to escape by vehicle from the Outer Banks, the blockage made such impossible.
An NCDOT spokesperson characterized the storm as “probably a little worse than usual.”
Major storms are certainly in the future of the Outer Banks with even higher high tides that will again prevent lifesaving evacuation.
An economist must wonder why property values remain high under such a losing situation? A realist must wonder why property owners aren’t deciding it’s time to “get out of Dodge?”
The time has come to discourage further development, to consider moving some existing development out of harm’s way, and for everyone on the Outer Banks to contemplate the mounting losses that they will experience with the coming of the storms on time’s horizon.
A systematic plan for moving off the Outer Banks is a necessity and overdue.
Orrin H. Pilkey, Raleigh
NC needs to act fast on RGGI
The writer is a former Charlotte mayor.
As the U.N. climate summit in Scotland comes to a close, the writing is on the wall when it comes to climate change — and every North Carolinian has felt it.
Recent weather disasters have led North Carolina to be in the top two states for the cost of recovery, second to Texas. Recent data from NOAA confirms that the summer of 2021 was the hottest on record. And just ask anyone in western North Carolina about the toll that severe flooding took on their communities this season.
We know that power plants are by far the biggest emitters of the pollution that contributes to climate change. Implementing a system to make polluters pay for what they emit will help. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will do just that.
RGGI incentivizes power plants to rapidly transition to cleaner renewable energy sources. It also funds energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in communities that need them most.
Other states are already leveraging RGGI. In one year, RGGI has already yielded $43 million that Virginia can invest in energy efficiency, renewable energy and resilience projects. Those earnings will reach $109 million by year’s end.

READ MORE - Outer Banks storms are sending a message. North Carolina isn’t listening.

Black Friday 2021: Here are the best deals at Best Buy, Kohl's, Walmart and more

#1:Black Friday 2021: Here are the best deals at Best Buy, Kohl's, Walmart and more 

Black Friday 2021 is Nov. 26 and it's that special time of the year when retailers present some of their best deals.
Big box retailers such as Walmart and Best Buy have already started releasing details on super deals, and several other stores are planning to do the same as we move through November.
As global supply chains have disrupted the retail industry, now is a good time to start your holiday shopping.
This year, you can score savings on everything from home items to great buys for your fur babies.
"GMA" will update this list as more deals become available. Be sure to check back often for the latest.
MORE: Walmart Black Friday: 'Deals for Days' discounts on TVs, air fryer and more
By clicking on these shopping links, visitors will leave Goodmorningamerica.com. These e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies than Goodmorningamerica.com. ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
Old Navy
While all U.S. stores will be closed on Thanksgiving, Black Friday sales will kick off online with 50% off purchases and styles starting from $2.50.
Outerwear from $18
Sweaters from $15
Shirts from $13
Tops from $8
Sweatshirts & Sweatpants from $15
Jeans from $10
Active from $8
Sleep from $8
Stores will be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Black Friday where shoppers can snag 50% off select categories including everything from jeans to activewear. There will also be $5 PJ pants promotions on select family styles.
Victoria’s Secret
From Nov. 25-29, Victoria’s Secret will have exciting deals on the following:
Fine Fragrance: $55 3.4oz EDP; $35 1.7oz EDP (originally $78, $58)
Natural Beauty: Buy two, get two free
Accessories: $35 for crossbodies and $55 for shoulder bags
Candles: Buy two, get one free
Impulse (keychains, rollerballs, card cases): Buy one, get one free
Bombshell Collector’s Edition Launch (launching Nov. 26) – a digital exclusive will retail for $88
Etsy
The e-commerce platform is kicking off its annual Cyber Week sales event running from Nov. 19 through Dec. 1 -- three extra days from previous years.
Shoppers with the Etsy app will have exclusive early access to the sales event starting Nov. 19. The full sales event begins on Etsy.com on Nov. 20.
Participating sellers will be offering discounts up to 60% off.
Starting Nov. 20, shoppers can visit etsy.com/cyber to shop discounted items across all categories. On Giving Tuesday, which is Nov. 30, Etsy is also encouraging shoppers to round up their orders to donate to the Uplift Fund and support the Gullah basket weavers and Gee’s Bend quilters as part of the Uplift Makers Program -- which serves to provide financial opportunities to historic artisan communities that often face economic hardships.
Amazon
Amazon deals will be in full swing starting Nov. 25 for an epic 48-hours deal event. The shopping event will take place online or you can snag deals on the company’s shopping app, an Amazon four-star store, Books store or ask your Amazon device, “Alexa, what are my deals?”
Amazon deals sneak peek
Home Entertaining and Décor:
Save up to 40% on Instant Brands kitchen appliances.
Save up to 43% on robot, cordless and upright vacuums from Shark.
Save up to 30% on air purifiers from Levoit and Coway.
Save up to 15% on select furniture.

READ MORE - Black Friday 2021: Here are the best deals at Best Buy, Kohl's, Walmart and more

Morning Joe’ Compares Trump’s Response to Mitch McConnell Disinvite to ‘5-Year-Old’s Tantrum’

#1:Morning Joe’ Compares Trump’s Response to Mitch McConnell Disinvite to ‘5-Year-Old’s Tantrum’

 

 The hosts of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” were stunned Tuesday while reading a statement in which former President Donald Trump insulted Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, comparing Trump’s comments to those of “a five-year-old.”
“Oh my gosh. I’m reading this. He’s like a five-year-old. I know we knew this, but I guess we haven’t read his words,” co-host Mika Brzezinski lamented.
Joe Scarborough said Brzezinski may have been “overshooting the mark” with the age comparison, then moved on to discuss speculation over whether Trump will run for president again in 2024. Brzezinski, meanwhile, whispered, “We lived with that for four years…”
The statement that got such a reaction from the hosts came Monday after ABC News’ Jonathan Karl reported that McConnell sought to disinvite Trump from President Joe Biden’s January inauguration.
“From Election Day, November 3rd, the day I realized that the 2020 Presidential Election was rigged, I would never have agreed to go to Joe Biden’s Inauguration,” Trump’s statement read. “This decision was mine, and mine alone. The old broken-down Crow, Mitch McConnell, had nothing to do with it. According to third-rate reporter Jonathan Karl of ABC Fake News, McConnell unsuccessfully tried getting a letter signed by others for me not to go. This was nothing I ever heard of and actually, if he ever did get it signed, I probably would have held my nose and gone.”

READ MORE - Morning Joe’ Compares Trump’s Response to Mitch McConnell Disinvite to ‘5-Year-Old’s Tantrum’

The Most Disgusting Thing’: Minnesota Teen Scared to Return to School After Being Taunted by Fellow Student She’d Exposed for Posting a Racist Video

#1:The Most Disgusting Thing’: Minnesota Teen Scared to Return to School After Being Taunted by Fellow Student She’d Exposed for Posting a Racist Video

 

 “I’m at a loss of words for what they’ve done,” Nya Sigin, a Minnesota teenager said earlier this week after a now-viral video showed a fellow student at Prior Lake High School in Savage, Minnesota, engaging in racist behavior, targeting her and her sister Elizabeth Sigin.
“It was just the most disgusting thing I’ve ever witness in my entire life,” the freshman told KSTP of one of the many videos that reportedly were shared on social media, including one where the student encouraged Nya to end her life while hurling racist attacks at her. “I was feeling I was confused. I didn’t really know what I had done to even deserve it,” the girl said.
The sisters say the conflict began when a girl, who has not been named, recorded a video of herself attacking a pillow that featured the N-word inscribed on it. “She beat up the pillow while calling the pillow racial slurs, pretending as if the pillow was a Black person,” her sister Elizabeth, a senior at the school, said.

Nya said another classmate shared the video with her earlier this week, telling the outlet that when she initially “saw the video, I hadn’t really processed everything that was going on.” she added, “I was hearing the words but yesterday I was in my counselor’s office, and I was really talking about it to them, and that’s when it all really hit me and how personal it was to me. That was just really hard because I just had this wave of emotions.”
The teens said when they spoke out about the disturbing clip, more videos were created, appearing to target the siblings specifically. The young girl — who said she suffers from depression and anxiety — told reporters just months after she was released from an inpatient hospital following a bout with a mental health issue, another video began circulating.
“You dark ass n–ger,” the outlet reported the student said in the video. “You dark ass chocolate bar. Get the f-ck out of here. No one likes n–gers. No one likes them. F-cking kill yourself right this time. Do it f-cking right. Cut deep enough this time, or f-cking tie the rope higher. Like, what the f-ck.”
The school sent out a letter to parents on Wednesday, Nov. 11, with Principal John Bezek telling staff and families that Prior Lake “does not tolerate racism or hate speech.”
Superintendent Dr. Teri Stalock revealed that “An investigation into the students involved with the video is underway and we will take appropriate action. We remain focused on our priority of providing safe, supportive and inclusive learning environments for all students.”
“I want to see them hold these people accountable,” Elizabeth told KSTP. “It’s already hard enough being in such a predominantly white area as a Black family, and as Black women, it makes it so much harder for us. I really just want to see my school do something about this video and give real consequences to the students who are involved.”
Still despite an overwhelming amount of support from peers, Nya remains uncertain what her days at the high school will look like, telling FOX9, “I really can’t imagine what the next four years are going to look like, and it scares me. It really does scare me to have to go through this.” She added, “No one should ever have to go through this, especially regarding the color of their skin.”
The Savage Police Department are also looking into the situation as it is illegal to encourage someone to commit suicide in the state of Minnesota.

READ MORE - The Most Disgusting Thing’: Minnesota Teen Scared to Return to School After Being Taunted by Fellow Student She’d Exposed for Posting a Racist Video

Ugg Is On Sale For as Little as $25 in This Secret Early Black Friday Sale

#1:Ugg Is On Sale For as Little as $25 in This Secret Early Black Friday Sale

 

 We'd like to thank Gigi Hadid for ringing in Ugg season properly this year. The supermodel was spotted out in New York days before Halloween in a pair of platform Ugg mules, and that's when we knew it was time to start taking ours out for the season. Hadid's look was so well received that the Tazz mule is now on track to be the next big 'It' Ugg, and it's already started selling out in certain sizes at Nordstrom. And while it may not be discounted for many months to come, plenty of other Ugg shoes and accessories are secretly on sale ahead of Black Friday at Rue La La right now.
Finding Uggs on sale during peak Ugg season, especially as a new style picks up in popularity, is extremely rare to say the least. And right before Black Friday? It's essentially unheard of. But Rue La La has got the goods, and a lot of underrated, unexpected Ugg pieces are up for grabs for members of the designer discount site (FYI, signing up for Rue La La is free and only requires an email address).
Best Early Black Friday Ugg Deals at Rue La La
Ugg Headband, $25 (Originally $45)
Ugg Pearle Slipper, $59 (Originally $80)
Ugg Carter Gloves, $90 (Originally $155)
Ugg Logo Mittens, $79 (Originally $180)
Ugg Keagan Suede Slipper, $40 (Originally $60)
Ugg Corvin Suede Loafer, $79 (Originally $110)
Ugg x Eckhaus Latta Court Suede Mule, $90 (Originally $475)
Ugg Oh Yeah Slipper, $80 (Originally $100)
Ugg Suede Earmuffs, $49 (Originally $85)
Most people picture boots and slippers when they think of Uggs — and rightfully so. Maybe you've been dreaming of the Ugg Oh Yeah slipper that virtually everyone in Hollywood seems to own. It's now just $80. If you're as obsessed with Eckhaus Latta as every fashion editor out there, you'll be thrilled to see the Court Suede Mule — which was part of its collaboration with Ugg — for only $90, marked down from $475 (yes, really). There's also the pearl slipper for $59, and the Keagen suede slipper for just $40.

Shop now: $45; ruelala.com
But we think the star of this flash sale might just be the Ugg headband, which is available for $25 (!!!). Ugg boots keep your feet warm, but this accessory will keep your head warm, which can be an easy oversight as you're layering up for colder temperatures. You'll also find the popular Ugg suede earmuffs for under $50. Considering Gen Z and TikTok's obsession with over-the-ear headphones, these earmuffs will no doubt be a staple this winter.So while Black Friday is happening next week, this early sale is the perfect way to warm up for it — literally. Shop the best Ugg deals at Rue La La before everything sells out.

READ MORE - Ugg Is On Sale For as Little as $25 in This Secret Early Black Friday Sale

Prosecutor pleads guilty and resigns as jury deliberates

#1:Prosecutor pleads guilty and resigns as jury deliberates

 

 As a jury was deliberating over his fate, a Georgia district attorney on Monday pleaded guilty to several charges stemming from improper acts while in office and agreed to resign.
Mark Jones had already been suspended as Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit district attorney after the state attorney general’s office obtained the indictment on Sept. 7. It accused him of trying to influence a police officer’s testimony, offering bribes to prosecutors in his office and trying to influence and prevent the testimony of a crime victim.
Jones took office in January, overseeing the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit, which serves Muscogee, Harris, Chattahoochee, Marion, Talbot and Taylor counties in west Georgia.
After deliberating briefly Thursday and then all day Friday, jurors had indicated Friday afternoon that they were unanimous on three of the nine charges, and the judge instructed them to keep working on the others, according to local news outlets. After about an hour of deliberations Monday, jurors said they had reached a consensus of guilty on five charges, but Jones had decided to agree to a plea deal, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported.
He pleaded guilty to four counts in the indictment in exchange for a sentence of five years — one year to be served in prison and the remainder on probation — and a $1,000 fine, Attorney General Chris Carr said in a news release. Jones also agreed to resign, submitting a resignation letter to Gov. Brian Kemp.
“By abusing his power and abdicating his responsibility as district attorney, Mark Jones did a disservice to those he was elected to protect and put our very justice system at risk," Carr said in the release. "This outcome is a victory for integrity in prosecutions and the rule of law.”
Superior Court Judge Katherine Lumsden had Jones taken into custody immediately, denying his request to turn himself in on Friday.
The governor can now appoint a district attorney to serve until one can be elected. Until he does, Acting District Attorney Sheneka Terry, who took over when Jones was suspended, will continue to hold the role.
The judge noted that the corruption case against Jones was different from some others.
 “You didn’t line your own pockets. You didn’t do some of the things that normally are involved when we think of public corruption,” she said. “But I think you got so caught up in being the DA that you forgot about the people you ran to represent.”
Jones pleaded guilty to one count of influencing witnesses for telling a police officer to testify a certain way. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted violation of oath by a public officer for offering two prosecutors in his office $1,000 each in exchange for following instructions he gave them. And he pleaded guilty to one count of violation of oath by a public officer for not helping a crime victim's nephew understand the court system and his rights.
Juror Iesha James told reporters after the plea that jurors had reached guilty verdicts on five counts, the Ledger-Enquirer reported. That included two of the ones involved in the plea agreement.
Jurors heard three days of testimony from prosecution witnesses last week. Jones’ defense attorney, Katonga Wright, didn’t call any witnesses. Jones didn’t testify.

READ MORE - Prosecutor pleads guilty and resigns as jury deliberates

Donkey found roaming streets of Georgia county was wearing a ‘mask,’ deputies say

#1:Donkey found roaming streets of Georgia county was wearing a ‘mask,’ deputies say 

A donkey — wearing a “mask” — was captured on the streets of Dawson County, Georgia, over the weekend.
The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office posted news of the incident Nov. 14 on Facebook, adding: “It’s not every day you get a call for a donkey walking in the road with a mask on.” The county is northeast of Atlanta.

A photo shared by the department shows the donkey was cooperative when taken into custody.
Department officials were alerted to the free-roaming animal when someone reported “there is a donkey walking in the roadway (and it) has some kind of mask on.” A street location was not provided, but it was near a water tower, the person said.
Lisa Silvestri-Casey says she is the owner of the 7-year-old donkey, and its name is Buford. He likely escaped through some boards in the fence, which have since been repaired, she says.
As for the face mask, he wasn’t wearing one when he left the property, she says. It’s possible 911 callers mistook Buford’s halter for some kind of face mask, she says.
Hundreds of people have reacted to the Facebook post, including some who cheered the donkey for doing his part to prevent the spread of COVID.
One TV station also suggested the “donkey’s social distancing efforts (were) thwarted” by deputies.
“It’s not the first jackass wearing a mask in Georgia,” one person wrote on Facebook.
“Shouldn’t he have a lawyer present,” another said.
Family pets and even zoo animals have tested positive for COVID-19, the FDA says, but animals wearing protective face masks remains uncommon during the ongoing pandemic.

READ MORE - Donkey found roaming streets of Georgia county was wearing a ‘mask,’ deputies say

Corey Lewandowski said Trump knew the election was over but wanted to 'create enough doubt' so he could 'say he didn't lose and that it was stolen': book

#1:Corey Lewandowski said Trump knew the election was over but wanted to 'create enough doubt' so he could 'say he didn't lose and that it was stolen': book

 

 Corey Lewandowski said Trump knew the election was over but wanted to sow doubt about the results.
"He just wants to create enough doubt" to be able to "say he didn't lose," Lewandowski said.
The comments are in the ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl's book.
Corey Lewandowski, Donald Trump's 2016 campaign manager, said Trump knew the 2020 election was over when the major news networks projected his loss but wanted to sow doubt about the results so he could say "he didn't lose," a new book by the ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl says.
Lewandowski, who was also an aide to Trump in 2020, made the comments during a call with Karl days after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the election last November. Trump had not conceded, and he continued to baselessly claim that the election was stolen from him. Karl said he'd asked Lewandowski for his thoughts on how the situation would play out.
"He knows it is over," Lewandowski told Karl about Trump. "He just wants to create enough doubt about Biden's victory so that when he leaves he can say he didn't lose and that it was stolen from him."
The conversation is reported in Karl's book "Betrayal: The Final Act of the Trump Show," which comes out on Tuesday. Insider obtained an early copy of the book.
In the months leading up to Election Day, Trump repeatedly claimed without evidence that voting by mail would lead to fraud. Election officials and experts rejected the statements as misinformation, and millions of Americans securely cast their ballots by mail.
After Trump lost, he elevated conspiracy theories that the election had been "stolen" from him and "rigged" against him through widespread voter fraud. Election officials said that the claims were false and that there was no evidence of fraud. Trump's own Department of Homeland Security said the election "was the most secure in American history."
Still, Trump spread falsehoods about the election. A Gallup poll conducted last November found that only 17% of Republicans said they thought reports about Biden's victory were accurate.
In a farewell speech a day before he left the White House, Trump acknowledged that a new administration would be inaugurated, but he did not formally concede or admit he lost the election.
More than a year after the election, Trump continues to cling to this narrative. Several polls this year suggested that many Republicans were still convinced the election was stolen from him.
In an NPR poll in November, most Republicans indicated they didn't trust elections in the country.
Lewandowski did not immediately return Insider's request for comment.

READ MORE - Corey Lewandowski said Trump knew the election was over but wanted to 'create enough doubt' so he could 'say he didn't lose and that it was stolen': book