Pence at Liberty, UNCC-Charlotte graduation, Mother's Day: 5 things you need to know this weekend
Pence speaks to conservative Christians at Liberty University
Vice President Mike Pence will deliver the commencement address at Liberty University Saturday, an important move as the 2020 campaign gears up. Pence offers full-throated defense of President Donald Trump's faith credentials to Christian conservatives – a bedrock constituency for the Republican president. Liberty is one of the country’s best-known Christian universities and often supports conservative policies. But Pence is facing new challenges in his role as divisions in the faith community widen over issues like homosexuality and immigration, and as Pence’s religious-based views have increasingly become a target for Democrats and late-night comedians. Polls show there may be some softening of support for Trump among white evangelical Protestants.
UNCC to complete its graduation ceremonies
Just 11 days after a gunman stormed a classroom and killed two people while wounding four others, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte will continue its graduation ceremonies on Saturday. Students from the university’s education, computing, engineering and liberal arts colleges will graduate Saturday. Graduation ceremonies for the business, health and human services and architecture colleges were held Friday. Riley Howell, 21, who was commended for saving lives by tackling the attacker and honored for his sacrifice, and Ellis "Reed" Parker, 19, were killed in the April 30 assault. An affidavit accompanying a search warrant of Trystan Andrew Terrell’s apartment and interviews conducted by The Associated Press reveal the assailant zeroed in on the students sitting at a table in the anthropology and philosophy of science class. But his reasons for carrying out the attack remain elusive. Terrell, 22, has been indicted on charges of murder and attempted murder, among other counts.
On Sunday, America celebrates moms. But what do they really need?
The ads tell us Mother's Day is about flowers, jewelry and breakfast made by someone other than her. The greeting card platitudes encourage us to celebrate the women who never cease sacrificing for those they love. But is the Instant Pot what she needs? And is endless sacrifice the version of motherhood to revere? American moms are struggling. More moms are in the workforce than ever before, yet the U.S. is the only developed nation that doesn't offer paid leave on a national basis. Universal affordable childcare remains out of reach. And while dads are doing more, moms still do the most. Experts say mothers need help, and to get it they must recognize what they deserve – support (from their government), equity (from their partners) and gratitude (from everyone!) that goes beyond a box of chocolates (even beyond that tender Mother's Day card from your preschooler).
Trump targets Buttigieg, Warren make appearances Saturday
Democrats running in the 2020 presidential race continue to campaign across the country in hopes of seeking support ahead of the first primary elections later this year. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren will take part in a town hall in Cincinnati Saturday, her campaign website states, and South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg will be the keynote speaker at the Human Rights Campaign’s Las Vegas Gala on Saturday night. President Donald Trump hasn't been afraid to attack multiple Democratic candidates, but he took aim at both Warren and Buttigieg this week. On Wednesday, Trump in a tweet called out a specific bill Warren supported, and House Democrats withdrew the bill. On Friday during an interview with Politico, Trump called Buttigieg Alfred E. Neuman, the gap-toothed fictional character, who graced the cover of MAD magazine. Buttigieg said he had to Google what the insult meant. That came a day after Buttigieg trolled Trump with a Chinese proverb after Trump threw a sarcastic jab Buttigeg’s way at a rally in Florida on Wednesday.
Basketball bonanza: NBA to feature two Game 7's on Sunday
NBA fans are in for a treat Sunday as two Game 7’s are on tap, one in each conference. First, in the Western Conference, the Portland Trailblazers take on the Nuggets in Denver (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC). Columnist Martin Rogers called the series "a modern classic from the outset" that has been overshadowed by other players and series. But the game will feature All-Stars on both sides as Serbian center Nikola Jokic leads the Nuggets with his scoring, rebounding and "silky passing hands" and the Blazers have major scoring threats in Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Later in the East, Jimmy Butler, coming off a stellar Game 6, Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers take on Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors in what is sure to be a rocking Scotiabank Arena in Toronto (7 p.m. ET, TNT).
Bonus: Celebrate mom with Mother's Day deals
To help families honor mom Sunday, several restaurants are offering free Mother's Day treats, meals and discounts. One of the best deals is available everywhere mimosas are served. Mobile shopping app Ibotta is offering moms across the country a free mimosa Sunday at all bars and restaurants through a special cashback rebate. Here's a list of several discounts and freebies in the works, including some that are also available Saturday. For those who want a night out without the kids, Kraft is footing the bill for a babysitter Sunday with the brand's Mother's Day Away promotion, up to $100 per household and limited to $50,000.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pence at Liberty, UNCC-Charlotte graduation, Mother's Day: 5 things you need to know this weekend
