Morning, everyone. Here’s what you missed over the weekend.

1. Orange County GOP headquarters vandalized, burned in Hillsborough.

From the N&O:

The Orange County Republican Party headquarters was firebombed overnight Saturday and graffiti was spray-painted nearby in an attack that the GOP called “political terrorism.”

A flaming bottle was thrown through a window of the office and a swastika and “Nazi Republicans leave town or else” were painted in black on the side of an adjacent building, Hillsborough officials said in a news release.

The inside of the office, which contained campaign signs and other election materials, was blackened by soot, and broken glass littered the floor Sunday evening. Office equipment including a printer had melted.

Here’s how the presidential candidates responded:
Governor Pat McCrory called it an “attack on our democracy,” while NCGOP Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse called it a “hate crime” and “political terrorism.” In a statement, NC Democratic Party chairwoman Patsy Keever said, “The North Carolina Democratic Party strongly condemns this attack. Violence has no place in our political system. We hope the perpetrators of this attack are brought to swift justice, and we are thankful that no one was hurt. Our deepest sympathies are with everyone at the North Carolina Republican Party.”

You can check out some pictures at the NCGOP’s Twitter account. We’ll keep you updated on this story throughout the week.

2. Feds arrest three in Kansas in connection with terrorist plot against Somali Muslims.

Via CBS News:

Three members of a Kansas militia group were charged Friday with plotting to bomb an apartment complex that’s home to Somali immigrants in the western Kansas meatpacking town of Garden City, a thwarted attack prosecutors say was planned for the day after the November election.

[…]


The men are members of a small militia group that calls itself “the Crusaders,” and whose members espouse sovereign citizen, anti-government, anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant extremist beliefs, according to the complaint.

The complaint alleges group members chose the target based on their hatred for Muslims, people of Somali descent and immigrants – and out of a desire to inspire other militia groups and “wake people up.”

The FBI began a domestic terrorism investigation of the group in February, and a confidential source attended its meetings in southwestern Kansas.

In a June meeting, Stein brought up the Orlando nightclub shooting, and proposed carrying out a similar attack against Muslim refugees in Garden City, according to the complaint.

No word from the Republican presidential nominee, who once called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.” He did find some time to tweet about SNL, however.
3. Voter registration extended in thirty-six counties affected by Hurricane Matthew.

North Carolina Democrats won an extension on voter registration from a state court. Via Reuters:

The Democratic Party in North Carolina challenged the state election board’s refusal to extend the cutoff date, saying in its suit that thousands of people would have been deprived of their fundamental right to vote in the Nov. 8 election if Friday’s deadline was not extended by at least five days.

The judge ordered an extension to next Wednesday in 36 counties, a lawyer for the state Democratic Party said on Twitter.

“This ruling will ensure that those communities who have suffered from the devastating flooding brought on by Hurricane Matthew have the grace period that they need in order to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard in this critical election,” party officials said.

[…]

The Republicans weren’t too happy about it.

The state’s Republican Party opposed any extension.

“It is clear that North Carolina Democrats, who have been dominated in voter registration by Republicans, want to use a horrific natural disaster to change the rules in the middle of the game,” state Republican Chairman Robin Hayes said in a statement.

Yep, voting is such a sacred and fundamental right that people who might’ve otherwise registered to vote if they weren’t busy trying to save everything they own from catastrophic flooding shouldn’t be given a few extra days. Thanks, Congressman.

4. Hurricane Matthew recovery continues.

Speaking of Hurricane Matthew and donations, Eastern North Carolinians are still very much in crisis because of the devastation wrought by the storm. From the N&O:

Three rivers remained in major flood stage Sunday afternoon and more than 2,000 people were still living in shelters, officials said. To help people get into temporary housing and out of shelters, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said it is working quickly to get money and resources to residents.

“We’ve got 33,000 people registered so far, and about $12.5 million is out on the street and in the hands of people who need it,” said Andrew Innis a public assistance manager in the state’s emergency management division.

FEMA has set up two disaster recovery centers in Rocky Mount as well as sites in Lillington and Wilson, and more are expected to be opened soon, Innis said.

Disaster survivors may also register for FEMA assistance at Disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 800-621-3362.


5. Panthers lose again, fall to 1-5.

Probably safe to say the Panthers won’t be going back to the Super Bowl this year. Via the Charlotte Observer:

Before that, Newton had actually been incredible. In a 21-point Carolina fourth quarter, he finished the comeback from a 21-0 first-half deficit. Newton threw for 322 yards, passed for two touchdowns and ran for another. His two-point conversion pass to Devin Funchess – after Graham Gano’s nasty extra-point miss earlier in the quarter – allowed Carolina to tie the game at 38-all with 2 minutes, 58 seconds to go.

But if you’ve been watching the Panthers this season, you could almost predict what would happen next. A secondary that has been decimated by injuries and general manager Dave Gettleman’s decision-making gave up several more big chunks of yardage to New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees (465 passing yards).

So, for the second time in six days, Carolina lost on a field goal in the last 15 seconds – this time on Wil Lutz’s 52-yarder.

Have a good week.