By Mickey Hutchings
In campus news, Chancellor Sheri Everts announced a possible return to normal for next semester. In her Friday email, Everts said that prospects for more face-to-face interactions are promising. The Appalachian reports that App State can expect to see in-person classes, a return to in-person work for faculty and employees, fully occupied residence halls and more in-person events. The announcement comes after the university said that spring graduates have the option to participate in de-densified commencement ceremonies.
In state news, Governor Roy Cooper announced yesterday that more state coronavirus restrictions will be lifted beginning this Friday. According to The Appalachian, Cooper’s new executive order will lift restrictions on late-night sales of alcohol and will allow some businesses and venues to greatly increase their capacity limits depending on their size. General mass gathering limits are increased to 50% indoors and 100% outdoors. Cooper said mask mandates and social distancing guidelines will still be in effect. Additionally, Cooper announced that people in Group 5 could begin receiving their vaccines before May. Group 5 is considered “everyone” according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human services.
In national news, President Biden and congressional democrats called for stricter gun legislation yesterday following the second mass shooting in a week. The Monday shooting at a Colorado grocery store left ten dead according to Boulder officials. Biden is calling on the Senate to pass a ban on assault weapons and close background check loopholes. The New York Times called the announcements a “doleful ritual in Washington” where lawmakers call for gun safety legislation after a deadly shooting.
And now for your weather update courtesy of booneweather.com. Expect the sun to peek through the clouds a bit this afternoon along with some light wind. Today’s high is 62 degrees and the low is 46 degrees.