Media

KANNAPOLIS — On Wednesday, the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers praised the newly created Save Minor League Baseball Task Force that has been organized by members of Congress to prevent Major League Baseball (MLB) from eliminating 42 minor league franchises, nearly one quarter of all minor league teams around the country.

At the end of “Bull Durham,” the movie that encapsulated life in the minor leagues, Crash Davis is summoned into the manager’s office. Still shirtless and dripping wet from the shower, Crash learns that he’s being released so the team can make room for “some kid hitting .300 in Bluefield.”

SALISBURY — How does a “massive, impersonal bureaucracy” address the needs of individual people?

It’s a core question for the VA Health Care System, U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson said Monday after a meeting with caregivers, veterans and representatives of the nonprofit advocacy group Independence Fund.

Hudson heard stories Monday about difficulty accessing care, accusations of malpractice and confusion surrounding the ramifications of the VA Mission Act, a bill whose goal was to give veterans greater access to health care in VA facilities and at private providers.

CONCORD — What were you doing 100 years ago?

American Legion Post 51, on Wilshire Boulevard in Concord, was just getting started.

Post 51 has been honoring veterans, serving in the community and hosting meetings for a century.

It hosted an open house on its grounds Wednesday to recognize its long-standing contributions to the area.

Post 51 invited the public into its home; talked about its mission goals and what it does; and showed documents of its history.