Tom Joyce
South Shore
Articles by Tom Joyce
More America 250 events planned locally
DOBSON — The America 250 spirit continues to live on with the scheduling of two programs this week and next focusing on the area’s role in the Revolutionary War. “These two events, sponsored by the Surry County Historical Society, are part of our ongoing America 250th celebration,” the group’s president, Dr. Annette Ayers, explained.
More America 250 events planned locally
DOBSON — The America 250 spirit continues to live on with the scheduling of two programs this week and next focusing on the area’s role in the Revolutionary War. “These two events, sponsored by the Surry County Historical Society, are part of our ongoing America 250th celebration,” the group’s president, Dr. Annette Ayers, explained.
Same-sex Canadian couple sues surrogate mother who refused to have an abortion
A same-sex Canadian couple is suing the surrogate mother who carried their son after she refused their request to abort the preborn baby over signs of a cleft lip and possible health problems. The dispute began about two years ago when an ultrasound raised concerns about the unborn child’s health, according to the National Post. The two men asked the Ontario woman carrying the child to have an abortion at about 22 weeks of pregnancy. She refused.
State Government - NewBostonPost | Massachusetts Conservative News
Tom Joyce is a seasoned journalist and political commentator with a rich background in covering politics, sports, and pop culture. Since 2019, Tom has been a prominent contributor to NewBostonPost. State House News Service is an independent, nonpartisan news organization covering Massachusetts state government, politics, and public policy. Its reporting provides in-depth coverage of developments on Beacon Hill and across the Commonwealth.
LGBT support continues dropping nationwide, Gallup poll shows
American support for LGBT issues continues to fall, according to a new Gallup poll. The poll found 65% of U.S. adults say same-sex marriage should be legal. While the number is a majority, it is down from 71% in 2022 and 2023, a nearly 10% drop. Gallup also found 62% of Americans say gay and lesbian relations are morally acceptable – the lowest number Gallup has recorded on this question since 2016. Support for changing one’s so-called gender identity is lower.
Duke lifts pro-Palestine group’s suspension over anti-Zionist imagery
Duke University has reinstated a pro-Palestine student group after suspending it over a social media graphic that critics called antisemitic. Duke suspended Students for Justice in Palestine earlier this year after the group promoted an event about Iran, Zionism and so-called American imperialism. The graphic showed a pig with a Star of David. Critics said the image used antisemitic stereotypes and offended Jewish students.
Missouri Amendment 3 would protect the unborn, make permanent the ban on sex-changes for kids if passed
Missouri voters have a chance in November to increase protections for unborn children and ensure sex-change treatments for minors remain illegal. State lawmakers approved a new Amendment 3 ballot measure that would effectively ban abortions except in cases of medical emergency, fetal anomaly, rape or incest, according to the legislation.
West Virginia transgender athlete wins girls’ track and field state championship
Bridgeport High School sophomore Becky Pepper-Jackson won the West Virginia Class AAA girls shot put state championship this past weekend while awaiting a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case challenging the state’s girls’ sports law. The biological male won the event with a personal-best throw of 38 feet, 11.75 inches. He also finished fourth in discus with a throw of 112 feet. Pepper-Jackson is the lead plaintiff in West Virginia v.
Ron DeSantis signs legislation outlawing Chinese, Russian surrogacy contracts
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation banning surrogacy contracts involving citizens of several U.S. adversaries. The new law bars preplanned adoption agreements and gestational surrogacy contracts with citizens of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela and Syria, LifeSiteNews reported. The law takes effect July 1. DeSantis said Florida wants to stop foreign nationals from using American surrogacy arrangements to obtain children and U.S. citizenship.
Canvas defends paying off hackers who disrupted online university platform
Canvas operator Instructure paid a ransom to hackers after a cyberattack disrupted colleges and universities during finals week and threatened to expose private user data. Hackers tied to the group ShinyHunters claimed they obtained information connected to roughly 275 million users at more than 8,800 colleges and universities. Instructure did not disclose the amount of money it paid the group, the College Fix reports. The attack caused widespread problems at schools worldwide last week.
Fire changes will impact city, officials say
MOUNT AIRY — The shutdown facing two volunteer fire departments located outside Mount Airy also will impact operations inside the city, officials say. “They will be missed,” Mayor Jon Cawley said Thursday regarding the Franklin Community and Bannertown volunteer departments.
Event to honor slain K9 officer
It’s been more than nine months since a K9 officer with the Mount Airy Police Department made the ultimate sacrifice after tracking down a murder suspect — but Draco’s memory lives on in hearts and minds. This not only includes a statue of him which is nearing completion, but an upcoming event to honor Draco and 20 other K9 heroes around the country who died while bravely serving their communities. The sixth-annual Fallen K9 Memorial Ruck & Run is scheduled for Monday, Sept.
Budbreak festival to uncork in Mount Airy on May 3
MOUNT AIRY — What might be considered a truly spirited event is coming to downtown Mount Airy, the annual Budbreak Wine and Craft Beer Festival. The gathering now in its 15th year lists 16 different beverage vendors that will offer their wares, representing wineries and breweries from near and far. kAmxE :D D4965F=65 7@C |2J b 7C@> ?@@? E@ d A]>][ 2=D@ E@ 36 9:89=:89E65 3J =:G6 >FD:4 H:E9 4@F?ECJ 2CE:DE %:> t==:@EE 7@C E96 E9:C5\DEC2:89E J62C]k^Am kAmp D64E:@? @7 }@CE9 |2:? $EC66E 5@H?E@H?
'Unfair': Critics cry foul as two men compete in women’s fencing championship - The Lion
Two men competed in the USA Fencing championships over the weekend, just two weeks after another fencer took a knee rather than face a male opponent, pro-woman website Reduxx.info reports. Annika Suchoski, 40, and Daniel “Anne” Crocket, who is believed to be 66, competed in their respective age categories at the tournament this weekend in Los Angeles. Protestors, including one holding a sign that read “Women Stand / No Men in Women’s Sports,” attended the event to voice their displeasure.
3 ballot measures introduced in Colorado to combat trans agenda
Pro-child and pro-family advocates in Colorado are proposing three ballot measures to push back against the state’s pro-transgender stance supported by the Democrat-controlled government. The proposals, which need 125,000 signatures each to get on the ballot, would safeguard children from sex trafficking, keep males out of female sports and ban irreversible sex change surgeries for minors. It’s official! We The People are going to take back Colorado.
Popular Republican won’t run for Senate in New Hampshire - The Lion
Republicans won’t be getting help from a popular politician as they seek to hold or expand their slight majority in the U.S. Senate. Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu announced he won’t run next year for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, who is retiring. “I’m not going to run,” the moderate Republican said, according to NH Journal. “I really thought about it. I actually talked to the White House this morning. I talked to (Sen.) Tim Scott.
Here’s why lone Dem voted against the bill treating transgender 'wrongthink' as child abuse - The Lion
(The Daily Signal) – One Democrat in the Colorado House of Representatives voted against a bill Sunday that would remove kids from parents’ custody for behaviors like “misgendering” and “deadnaming,” but he didn’t do so because he disagrees with transgender orthodoxy. The bill, HB 1312, passed with 36 votes in favor, 20 against, and nine absent. Among Democrats, only state Rep. Bob Marshall voted against it.
Nevada bars transgender athletes from girls' sports; Georgia could be next - The Lion
Two more states are taking action to prevent transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) announced Tuesday it will no longer allow athletes to compete on high school sports teams based on their so-called “gender identity.” Instead, the sporting body will require them to compete based on their anatomical sex listed on an unaltered, original birth certificate.
Maine secretary of state who tried to keep Trump off the ballot running for governor
A politician who attempted to remove President Donald Trump from the Maine 2024 Republican primary ballot wants to be governor of the blue state. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows last week announced a run for governor ahead of the 2026 election. The Democrat is running to replace fellow liberal and incumbent Gov. Janet Mills, who is term-limited. Maine law prevents governors from serving three consecutive terms. “I believe now more than ever, we need a new day in America.
Poll: New Englanders support banning transgender athletes from girls' sports - The Lion
New England is one of the most liberal regions in America, but its residents have embraced at least one conservative position: keeping males out of female sports. Residents of its six states all overwhelmingly oppose male transgender-identifying athletes competing in girls’ sports, according to a poll released by the University of New Hampshire last week.
Missouri House passes born-alive protections; Virginia governor vetoes pro-abortion bill - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — Pro-life legislators are taking action in Missouri, and so is Virginia’s governor. The Missouri House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act” 109-32 on Thursday, with four Democrats joining all Republicans in approving it.
Maine won’t comply with Trump on trans athletes, even though most Mainers oppose males in girls’ sports - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — Ten days after the Trump administration singled out Maine for allowing men in women’s sports, the liberal state is refusing to comply with federal policy. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights concluded that Greely High School in Cumberland and the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) are violating Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 by allowing biological males to compete in girls’ sports.
World Athletics will introduce genetic tests for women's sporting events - The Lion
Olympic gold medalist Sebastian Coe wants to ensure only biological women compete in women’s sports. The World Athletics president announced this week that female athletes will have to take a one-time genetic test to compete in the athletic body’s women’s sports events. The organization, which governs elite road running and track and field events, will find a test provider that offers non-invasive exams, including cheek swabs or blood spot analysis tests, Reuters reports.
Texas Senate passes Parental Bill of Rights - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — Texas lawmakers want parents, not the government, to have more control over their children’s education. The Texas Senate passed a Parental Bill of Rights last week along party lines, with Republicans in support. The legislation would bar diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in public K-12 schools and prohibit instruction on sexual orientation and so-called gender identity. Sen.
NJ school cancels ‘Gender Justice’ field trip for 2nd graders after criticism - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — A New Jersey elementary school will not send its 2nd graders on a field trip to the Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice after receiving online backlash. Fleetwood Elementary School in Mount Laurel planned to send three teachers and 76 2nd graders to the center on April 4. The school over 400 students and is about 15 miles east of Philadelphia. However, Mount Laurel Schools Superintendent George J. Rafferty said the trip is off due to negative social media posts about it.
Oregon transgender state champ track runner dominating once again
It’s a different year but more of the same in Oregon: a male transgender-identifying track runner is besting the female competition in the Beaver State. Former state champion and McDaniel High junior Ada Gallagher recently dominated another girls’ outdoor track meet, taking first place in the 200-meter (25.76 seconds) and 400-meter (57.62 seconds) at a March 19 tri-meet to open the season, according to Athletic.net.
NJ hospitals ask parents if their newborns are transgender
Four hospitals and eight healthcare centers in New Jersey ask parents whether they identify their newborns as transgender, The Telegraph reports.
‘That honor was stolen from me. I want it back.' Female athlete breaks silence after losing championship to biological male - The Lion
No more silence from Minna Svärd, the first woman to lose a collegiate medal to biological male. Nearly six years after losing the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the NCAA Division II championships to Cece Telfer, a senior at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire, Svärd is speaking out about the experience. The Swedish runner, who was a sophomore at East Texas A&M University at the time, lost the race by about two seconds.
Arizona legislation would allow chaplains to counsel public school students - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — Public school chaplains could have a positive effect on student mental health, according to proponents of an Arizona Senate bill now advancing in the House. Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, filed legislation to permit volunteer religious chaplains to offer counseling and programs to public school students. Participating school districts would provide parents with a list of the available chaplains and their religious affiliations.
Portland archbishop condemns Oregon governor over abortion supporter appreciation day - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — A Catholic leader in Portland, Oregon, has condemned the state’s governor for celebrating abortion. Portland Archbishop Alexander Sample spoke out against Gov.
Federal investigation: Maine violated Title IX by allowing male athletes in girls’ sports - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — Maine is violating the civil rights of girls when it allows biological males to compete in girls’ divisions of sports. That is according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights, which announced Monday that a Maine public high school and the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) are violating Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
DJ Daniel’s father says someone offered cash for him and his son to leave the public eye - The Lion
Some people want a 13-year-old cancer survivor who Donald Trump recognized out of the public eye. President Trump called out Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel and made him an honorary U.S. Secret Service agent during his speech to a joint session of Congress on March 4. DJ received a brain and spinal cancer diagnosis in 2018. Since then, he’s had 12 brain surgeries and has been sworn in as an honorary law enforcement agent by 900 agencies nationwide.
President Donald Trump has identified what he says is a winning issue for Republicans, as retirements are hurting Democrats’ prospects in the 2026 midterm elections. Trump recently credited his opposition to transgender-identifying males competing in women’s sports for his electoral success, as Democrats either defended or evaded the issue. “Who would allow men to play in women’s sports? And they’re still fighting it … It’s gotta be a 95% issue,” Trump told reporters Wednesday.
West Virginia Gov. signs Riley Gaines Act to protect single-sex private spaces - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — Another state just passed a law to combat transgenderism as West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed the Riley Gaines Act this week. The new law serves two purposes: it enshrines the definitions of “male” and “female” into state law based on biology, not so-called gender identity and bars transgender-identifying males from accessing women’s single-sex spaces, including locker rooms, bathrooms, rape crisis centers, dormitories and prisons.
Trump admin pauses funding for University of Maine due to state's transgender athlete policy - The Lion
President Donald Trump made a promise – and he’s keeping it. After vowing to withhold federal funding from Maine due to the state allowing male transgender-identifying athletes to compete in women’s sports, his administration has made good on that threat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently paused funding to the University of Maine System (UMS), a group of eight public colleges.
Ivy League university fires employee for antisemitic act of removing Israeli hostage poster - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — Harvard University recently took action against an anti-Israel protester. The Massachusetts school condemned and fired one of its employees for taking down a poster on campus featuring Israeli hostages. Harvard’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, Sherri Charleston, sent staff a letter last week denouncing the act “in the strongest possible terms.” The employee in question was Jonathan Tuttle, a cataloguer at the Radcliffe Institute’s Schlesinger Library.
Missouri lawmakers file bills on porn restrictions, PRC tax credits, illegal immigration - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — On pornography, abortion and illegal immigration, Missouri lawmakers are fighting for conservative values. A measure that aims to prevent children from accessing pornography by requiring age verification on adult websites has bipartisan support in the state Legislature. Rep. Connie Steinmetz, D-Hazelwood, an elementary school teacher for almost 40 years, supports House Bill 236. “My district did have firewalls, but these kids are really smart, and they know how to get around it.
KU launches $1 million ‘Trans Studies Initiative’ - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — Studying “questions of trans life,” a transgender journal and hosting new LGBTQ events is on the docket at the University of Kansas thanks to a $1 million grant. The planned “Trans Studies Initiative” aims to build a “network of interdisciplinary engagement” using “coursework, a lecture series, a fellowship program, community grants, and the publication of TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly,” the initiative’s website says.
Maine Republicans back censured rep as national support for protecting girls’ sports grows - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — After Maine Democrats censured a Republican lawmaker for opposing transgender-identifying athletes competing in girls’ sports, the GOP is fighting back with a messaging bill. State Rep. Liz Caruso, R-Caratunk, plans to file legislation to prevent males from competing in school sports. It would also require students to use the locker room that corresponds with their anatomical sex.
Trump promises to withhold federal funding from Maine after trans athlete wins two girls’ track state titles - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — President Donald Trump is threatening to withhold federal funding from Maine amid reports that a transgender-identifying athlete won two state titles at a girls’ indoor track and field state championship earlier this week. Trump brought the issue up during a speech before the Republican Governors Association on Thursday, first asking whether anyone present was from Maine.
Girls’ basketball player files complaint, is under investigation for refusing to play transgender opponent
A Washington state high school girls’ basketball player is being investigated for bullying and harassment because she called a male player on an opposing team a boy. Tumwater School District (TSD) sophomore Frances Staudt, her family and the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights due to the recent incident. Tumwater is located near the state capital of Olympia.
Illinois county votes to rename courthouse in rebuke to author of pro-life Hyde Amendment
Democrats in Illinois’ second-largest county have voted to remove the name of a deceased Congressman from a local courthouse because of his pro-life views. The DuPage County Board voted 10-5 along party lines Tuesday to strip the name of Rep. Henry Hyde, a Republican who served 32 years in Congress, from the county’s Wheaton, Illinois, courthouse, the Chicago Tribune reports. The courthouse, which is about 25 miles from Chicago, will now be known as the DuPage County Judicial Office Facility.
Washington bill would give unemployment benefits to illegal immigrants
Illegal immigrants would receive unemployment benefits if one Washington lawmaker gets her way. Sen. Rebecca Saldaña, D-Seattle, recently filed a bill that would make the state’s estimated 156,000 illegal immigrant workers eligible for unemployment insurance. “We know that inaction and hostility to the immigrant workforce is really harmful to a place like Washington state,” Saldaña told Washington State Standard.
Transgender dancer wins girls' Irish step dancing competition - The Lion
A biological male won a second straight Southern Regional Oireachtas Championship in girls’ Irish step dancing in Dallas, Texas. After winning a U-14 championship in 2023, Alyssa Saltzman won the U-15 solo championship in December 2024, beating out nearly 100 girls. The transgender competitor, who was born Elias Saltzman, also received a spot in the World Championships. The boy received backlash after winning the event for the first time in December 2023. “Oh, my gosh.
New York lawmakers pursuing assisted suicide legalization - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — The push to legalize physician-assisted suicide in New York continues this legislative session. State Rep. Amy Paulin, D-New York, recently filed Assembly Bill A136, which would make assisted suicide legal. Paulin said last year that passing the bill is her top legislative priority. “The urgency to pass this bill is clear as each year strong advocates for the bill continue to die from terminal illnesses,” Paulin said in a June statement.
NYC public school teacher reads trans book to preschoolers outraging parents - The Heartlander
(The Lion) — Should children read books about transgenderism? A Manhattan preschool recently had a transgender-identifying substitute teacher do just that in a classroom of 3- and 4-year-olds. “Most of the parents were in shock and clueless of the decision that the school made,” mother Vivian Cialini told WPIX. Cialini’s child was present when the substitute teacher read It Feels Good to Be Yourself to a 16-student class at the New York Kids Club, a city-funded school on Amsterdam Avenue.
Laken Riley Act poised to pass in Senate - The Lion
As more Senate Democrats join Republicans in support of the Laken Riley Act, which passed the House this week, the measure to crack down on illegal immigration appears likely to be approved. If passed, the law would require the detainment of illegal immigrants suspected of nonviolent crimes, including burglary, shoplifting and larceny. The bill passed with bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, with 216 Republicans and 48 Democrats in favor.
Dobson gets early Halloween start
DOBSON — With Halloween falling on a Tuesday this year, some events were held during the weekend when folks had more time to celebrate, which was the case with the Dobson Spooktacular. Dobson Square Park was filled for the day-long carnival on Saturday, when rare late-October weather that included sunny skies and temperatures in the lower 80s was anything but scary. kAm“}@E 2D 9@E 2D DF>>6C[ ?@E 2D 4@=5 2D H:?E6C — 3FE ;FDE A6C764E[” u:56= |2CE:?6K[ 2? 6>466 7@C E96 s@3D@?
'Original' sonkers draw crowd
MOUNT AIRY — With America being the copycat league that it is, nearly every great idea inevitably gets “borrowed” by someone else trying to capitalize on the fame — which includes the sonkers of Surry County. A festival bearing that name has been held for 42 years, in more recent times being joined by a local sonker trail and restaurants adding the dessert unique to this area onto menus.
'Original' sonkers draw crowd
MOUNT AIRY — With America being the copycat league that it is, nearly every great idea inevitably gets “borrowed” by someone else trying to capitalize on the fame — which includes the sonkers of Surry County. A festival bearing that name has been held for 42 years, in more recent times being joined by a local sonker trail and restaurants adding the dessert unique to this area onto menus.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Tom
Contact Tom, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack