I want to highlight a couple of items today. First, let's talk about the upcoming GOP second primary election scheduled for July 9. If you are registered Republican or unaffiliated, you can vote in this election.

There is a catch, as Election Board Director Dana King pointed out recently on my television program: if you are unaffiliated you must stay with the party in whose primary you voted in April. That means if you, as an unaffiliated voter, chose to vote in either the Democratic or Libertarian primary, you won't be permitted to vote in the July 9 primary. 

There are now more than 2 million voters registered unaffiliated in North Carolina, with a huge number of them in the 3rd Congressional District, so this could have a significant impact on this second primary. Of course, in the general election on Sept. 10, all registered voters are encouraged to vote. 

The candidates for the Democratic and Libertarian Parties were chosen in the first primary. On the July 9 ballot are Dr. Joan Perry of Kinston and Dr. Greg Murphy of Greenville, two truly outstanding candidates. Voters will decide which one of them will move on to the general election on Sept. 10. 

Whomever ultimately wins will head immediately to Washington and begin the process of representing us on such vital issues as protecting the unborn; defending religious freedom; defending our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms; building the wall; supporting our military, along with many other issues with which we as a nation are faced with today. 

Let's make our voices heard on July 9 and then on Sept. 10. 

I will now briefly discuss the status of education. I recently had educational administrator Patrick Holmes on my show, and he came forward with some heartening news about the enhancement of quality education both regionally and statewide. 

It is important we be apprised of this news since there are so many negatives about our educational status that, for whatever reasons, the N.C. Association of Educators (NCAE) seems to concentrate on. Space will not permit me to expound on this today, but I will devote some time in the near future to do so. 

For now, just some highlights: The NCAE recently called on teachers to strike despite historic increases in teacher pay and education spending.

Here are some statistics provided by Senate Leader Phil Berger:

• Over the past five years North Carolina teachers have received the third-highest pay raise in the entire country

• Education spending has been significantly increased every year since 2011

• The 2018-19 education budget is now the highest in state history

• Graduation rates are up by 8.4 percentage points since 2011

• The gap in education rates between black students and all students has been cut in half during the past eight years. 

Folks, I definitely plan to go into some detail about this in the near future.

Now, to close on a humorous note:  A judge was punishing three men for crimes they had committed. Their sentence was to spend a few months in the desert. The judge said they could each take one thing with them. 

The first guy decided to take an umbrella so he could have shade whenever he desired. 

The second guy decided to take a water bottle so that he wouldn't get thirsty.

Finally, the third guy decided to take a car door. The judge asked him, "Why in the world would you want to take a car door?" 

The man replied, "If it gets too hot, I can roll down the window!"

Have a wondrous day!