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Shortly after her youngest son died of AIDS in 1994, Patsy Clarke received a phone call at her Raleigh home from a woman she’d never met. The woman, Eloise Vaughn, also of Raleigh, introduced herself. 

“I understand you’ve lost a son to AIDS,” Vaughn said. “So have I.” 

The women were bound by the deaths of their sons–and also by their distaste for U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms and his frequent, bitter denunciations of gays and lesbians, including criticism of Clarke’s son. They founded Mothers Against Jesse In Congress in 1995 and campaigned against him.

Always, they were driven by the memory of their sons, both named Mark, John Drescher writes. 

Their friendship lasted until December, when Clarke died at 95. Then Vaughn died just a month later at 92.

These Moms Never Stopped Fighting For Their Sons

Eloise Vaughn and Patsy Clarke, who each lost a son to AIDS in the 1990s, joined forces to advocate nationally for gay acceptance. The women, who remained close friends into their 90s, recently died a month apart. 

“They were so lovely,” said Nicole Brodeur, a former columnist for The News & Observer. “But inside of them were these steel backbones–steel magnolias, indeed.”

Have a news tip for our team? You can reach us at scoops@theassemblync.com.

It’s a Yes or No Question

Diddukewin.com answers its titular question about Duke University men’s basketball games in a pretty pared-down fashion.

When Alex Galonsky built the site, he didn’t know he’d still be updating it 15 years later–much less that the bulk of its visitors would be fans gloating about Duke losses by sharing the website’s big, glaring “NO” across social media.

“I don’t have hard feelings about it,” said Galonsky, who was once a fervent Duke basketball supporter. “It’s all just fun and funny to me.”

The ‘Did Duke Win?’ Guy Didn’t Mean to Dunk on Duke

Easley Out

Eastern North Carolina’s top federal prosecutor, Michael Easley Jr., announced his resignation this week as part of the Trump administration transition.

Easley, who was appointed by President Joe Biden appointed in 2021, said he will step down February 3. 

While stepping down has become standard practice for U.S. attorneys when a new president takes office, Easley’s departure brings into question the future of the corruption investigation into the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office. Carli Brosseau and Sarah Nagem have more on what that means.

U.S. Attorney Resigns, Leaving Columbus Corruption Probe in Limbo

Michael Easley Jr. announced his resignation on Wednesday as part of the Trump transition. His replacement has yet to be named.

What We’re Reading

Awful News: An American Eagle flight crew from Charlotte was onboard a plane that collided with a military Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., via The Charlotte Observer.

Enough Already: CBS News looks at the conditions that have contributed to several wildfires in Western North Carolina this week, including below-average rainfall and high winds.

Gucci Gulch: Universities have responded to the Trump administration by hiring lobbyists Republican leaders might view favorably, The New York Times reports. Duke brought in DLA Piper, where former Sen. Richard Burr is an executive.

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