Tim Funk
newsobserver.com
Charlotte, NC, United States
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Past articles by Tim:
ABC’s ’20/20’ to air special on PTL’s Jim and Tammy Bakker
ABC’s news show “20/20” will look back at the rise and fall of televangelists Jim and Tammy Bakker, whose PTL empire near Charlotte crumbled amid financial and sexual scandal. The special will include never-seen archival footage. → Read More
From sit-ins to landmark lawsuits, NC role in Civil Rights Movement was ‘huge’
What did the Civil Rights Movement look like in North Carolina? From sit-ins to school desegregation to voting rights crusades, NC played a big role. And the push for equal rights here started earlier than most of the history textbooks say. → Read More
NC election officials knew of fraud claims in 2016. Why did they continue in 2018?
As more details emerge about the North Carolina election board’s investigation into Bladen County election improprieties in 2016, unanswered questions linger: How did it happen again in 2018? → Read More
From politics to the pulpit and back again: Mark Harris’ rise on the religious right
Who is Mark Harris? The former pastor of First Baptist Church in Charlotte, Harris’ rise paralleled the fusion of the religious right and the Republican Party. He won the 9th District congressional seat over Democrat Dan McCready, but that’s in jeopardy. → Read More
‘An innocent victim’: Amid election fraud claims, NC GOP defends Mark Harris
The leaders of the North Carolina Republican Party said Thursday that Republican Robert Pittenger may have mentioned the vote totals in Bladen County, but there was nothing the party could do. → Read More
Democrat McCready takes back concession in disputed 9th congressional district race
Democrat Dan McCready said Thursday he is renouncing the concession he made in his 9th congressional district battle with Republican Mark Harris. → Read More
‘Run everything over’: Top House Democrat calls for new election in disputed NC race
The NC elections board is investigating voting irregularities in the race between Mark Harris and Dan McCready. U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, a top Democrat in Congress, wants a new election, including primaries. → Read More
Alleged fraud clouds North Carolina’s 9th District vote. Is a new election possible?
If North Carolina has a new election for the 9th congressional district, it will apparently be the first time in NC history that alleged fraud has caused voters to go to the polls to vote a second time to decide a congressional race. → Read More
Trump is on the minds — if not ballots — of NC voters this year. Who does that help?
President Trump has said the election is about him, even though he’s not on the ballot. Whether they’re for him or against him, voters told the Observer that’s one reason they’re excited about the election → Read More
The legends behind the names of Outer Banks towns (and the more likely stories)
A reader asked CuriousNC to investigate the origins of town names in the Outer Banks, specifically Duck, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Ocracoke. Here are the legends and true stories behind the names of the vacation towns. → Read More
Carolina Panthers stadium sits on top of Charlotte’s first documented lynching site
In 1913, Joe McNeely, a 19-year-old African-American, was dragged from his bed at Good Samaritan Hospital and riddled with bullets by a white mob. A local historian says it happened at what is now part of Bank of America Stadium. → Read More
Minister’s daughters ask: Why is photo of our father, a pedophile, on a church wall?
Lane Hurley’s daughters saw their father and former minister’s photo hanging with other preachers in a Matthews NC Methodist church. He’s a convicted child sex abuser and molester, and both women say they are his victims. → Read More
Was she denied Communion because she’d been chewing gum — or because she’s transgender?
A transgender teen was refused Communion during Mass at St. Vincent de Paul in Charlotte North Carolina. The teen’s mom says it’s because her daughter is transitioning. The church says she broke a rule. → Read More
Prayer delivery may change at many NC government meetings after Supreme Court action
The U.S. Supreme Court refused Thursday to review a lower court ruling that found Rowan County, NC, commissioners' practice of saying Christian prayers before their public meetings violated the U.S. Constitution. → Read More
Black Caucus chair: Ex-NC Gov. Pat McCrory played 'race card in reverse' on talk show
Former N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory, speaking on his morning show on Charlotte's WBT radio, makes post-election comments about the Black Political Caucus that spark outrage. McCrory says he was just offering political analysis, but head of caucus hears 'race-baiting' → Read More
Franklin Graham talks about his last days with Billy Graham and what he misses most
In wide-ranging interview, Franklin Graham, talks to the Observer about his new book about Billy Graham, about his views on President Trump, about the future of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and about the last time he saw his father alive. → Read More
A holy weekend for 2 faiths begins with Christian commemoration of Jesus' Last Supper
Christians marked Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, a remembrance of Jesus' Last Supper, on Thursday night. This weekend also brings Good Friday and Easter Sunday for Christians. Jews will usher in the start of Passover at sundown Friday. → Read More
Now through the Easter season, you can hear Billy Graham preach again
Sirius XM radio will air “The Billy Graham Channel” through the Easter season, March 19 through April 3. Those who tune in will hear long-ago sermons and messages from the Charlotte-born evangelist, who died Feb. 21 at age 99. → Read More
Jim Bakker’s theme park was like a Christian Disneyland. Here’s what happened to it.
Now owned by Rick Joyner’s MorningStar Ministries, the heart of the property that was once home to Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker and PTL in Fort Mill, S.C., is a Christian hub again. Bakker once imagined the property, located near Charlotte, as a Christian theme park. → Read More
In life, presidents embraced Billy Graham. In death, he has same pull for politicians.
President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Governor Roy Cooper were among the politicians for Reverend Billy Graham funeral Friday, March 2 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The funeral was at the Billy Graham Library. → Read More