Judge rejects request to sideline SJSU volleyball playerShortly after completing a 31-year tenure as the coach of the Towson men’s lacrosse program, Carl Anthony Runk was celebrated widely for his accomplishments. He was inducted into the Towson Hall of Fame in 2007, the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018, the University of Arizona Men’s Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2019 and received the John F. Steadman Lifetime Achievement Award from the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022. But according to his son, Keith Runk, Mr. Runk downplayed the accolades. “He would say, ‘I haven’t cracked an egg in my life, and they’re recognizing me with this,’” his son said. “He never did anything for the recognition. He did it for the love of it.” Mr. Runk, who shepherded the Tigers from NCAA Division II to Division I status and the 1974 Division II national championship, died Sunday of pancreatic cancer at his home in Baltimore. He was 88. From 1968 to 1998, Mr. Runk compiled a 262-161 record that included that national title against Hobart, seven consecutive College Division Tournament berths from 1973 to 1979, an appearance in the 1991 Division I Tournament final against North Carolina, five East Coast Conference championships and 24 seasons with winning records. Tony Seaman, who succeeded Mr. Runk at Towson and met him as rivals when the former coached at Penn and Johns Hopkins, described his predecessor’s legacy as “long-lasting.” “I’ll always remember how well his teams were coached and how well his players played for him,” Seaman said. “They loved him, and they’d give everything in the world. You knew that you would get a game from beginning to end anytime you played against a Carl Runk team.” One of 13 children raised by George and Anna Runk and Josephine McGill in Highlandtown, Mr. Runk grew up working on tugboats and picking beans on farms on the Eastern Shore, according to his son. “They kicked and scratched for everything they got,” Keith Runk said. “Just making ends meet to get through and help the family out.” After graduating from Patterson Park High, Mr. Runk attended the University of Maryland on a football scholarship for a year-and-a-half, but then transferred to the University of Arizona, where he was an offensive tackle. Already married to the former Joan Johns who also graduated from Patterson Park, Mr. Runk squeezed in earning a master’s degree and teaching at an area high school between two stints coaching men’s lacrosse for the Wildcats. After the births of sons Carl, Keith and Curt, Mr. and Mrs. Runk decided to return to Maryland after Curt contracted spinal meningitis and lost his hearing. Upon his return, Mr. Runk joined what was formerly known as Towson State College to coach lacrosse. Mr. Runk added football to his coaching responsibilities when the coach quit before the program’s debut in 1969. In three seasons, the Tigers went 11-14-1 under Mr. Runk, who handed the reins to one of his assistant coaches, Phil Albert. Lacrosse is where Mr. Runk made his greatest impact. From 1968 to 1979, Mr. Runk amassed a 115-63 at the NCAA Division II level with only one losing season. His crowning achievement was shaping the 1974 squad into a group that outlasted Hobart, 18-17, in overtime for the NCAA Division II championship. Tom Moore, a midfielder and co-captain of that 1974 team, said Mr. Runk insisted on a culture absent of favoritism. “The ones that didn’t buy into the culture, they had to work harder to get into the starting lineup,” he said. “Some of them did, and some of them decided to quit. The bottom line was we expected everybody to work really hard and we expected everybody to be a team player.” Keith Runk, who played goalkeeper for the Tigers from 1979 to 1982, said his father extended that expectation to his son. “There was no special treatment,” he said. “When I was on the field, I was a player. I wasn’t his son. I was no better or no worse. But on the way home, it was different. He was Dad.” Members of Towson and Hobart and their parents dined together on the eve of the 1974 title game. While the Hobart coach praised his players’ efforts and dedication, Mr. Runk took a different approach. “Coach Runk got up there in front of our parents, and he started making fun of all of us. He was saying, ‘I don’t know how these kids got into school because their SAT scores weren’t really that good,’” Moore said with a laugh. “This was one of the most intense moments we all had because we were looking at the guys we had to fight against the next day, and he’s got everybody in tears and laughing by making fun of us. And we didn’t mind it because we knew he was doing it to just have a good time.” Mr. Runk had a certain command of his teams. Tensions always ran high between Towson and Maryland. So when a skirmish broke out during a scrimmage between the area rivals in 1980, the Tigers players were more than willing to jump into the fray. “Our entire bench started to run out on the field, and Coach Runk turned around and put up his hand, and you never saw 40 guys stop on a dime like that in your life,” said former Baltimore Sun sports editor Gerry Jackson, who was a defenseman for Mr. Runk from 1978 to 1981. “The kind of respect he had from the team was amazing.” After back-to-back 5-7 records in 1997 and 1998, Mr. Runk was not retained by Towson, which hired Seaman after he had been let go by Johns Hopkins. While Seaman quipped that Mr. Runk was too upset with the administration to take out his anger on Seaman, the latter said Mr. Runk was always supportive. “We were such good friends that it never came up,” said Seaman, who had known Mr. Runk since Seaman was a coach at a high school on Long Island where Mr. Runk often visited to recruit players. “He never felt bitter toward me. He knew that I needed the job.” Mr. Runk enjoyed playing musical instruments such as the guitar, banjo and harmonica and was a member of a barbershop quartet while he was a student at Arizona. But next to lacrosse, he prioritized his family. In 1978, Mr. Runk took a partial sabbatical to enroll at Gallaudet University and sign up for classes in sign language, audiology and the sociology of deafness. The following year, he taught basic sign language at Towson at least once per semester for 20 years. “It was important for him to teach people how to communicate with those who were hard of hearing,” his son said. “It was a tribute to the care that he had for the family and for people in similar positions. It wasn’t just about us or him.” Mr. Runk is survived by three sons (Carl of Burke, Virginia, Keith of Bel Air, and Curt of Jacksonville, South Carolina), one daughter (Brenda Parker of Ocean City), three brothers (Alfred of Forest Hill, David of Tampa, Florida, and Ted of San Francisco, California), two sisters (Joan of Daytona, Florida, and Donna of Port Richey, Florida), 11 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. The family will hold a private service. A celebration of Mr. Runk’s life is planned for a later date. Have a news tip? Contact Edward Lee at eklee@baltsun.com , 410-332-6200 and x.com/EdwardLeeSun .
BOSTON COLLEGE (6-1) Sidberry 8-9 1-2 18, Daley 3-5 4-5 10, Ivey 1-5 0-0 3, Todd 3-6 2-3 9, Waggoner 6-9 2-4 15, Jackson 2-3 0-0 4, Krasovec 0-1 0-0 0, Ndiaye 1-5 0-0 2, Greene 2-4 0-0 5, Thompson 2-3 1-2 5, Tomlinson 4-9 0-0 10, Totals 32-59 10-16 81 HOLY CROSS (3-3) Cahalan 5-9 1-2 14, Donnelly 0-2 2-2 2, Eddy 3-11 0-0 7, Flanagan 5-10 0-0 10, Foreman 4-10 0-0 8, Lewis 3-4 0-0 6, Bachmann 1-3 1-2 3, Gougoufkas 0-1 0-0 0, Griffin 0-1 0-0 0, Huber 2-3 0-0 5, Totals 23-54 4-6 55 3-Point Goals_Boston College 7-14 (Sidberry 1-2, Daley 0-1, Ivey 1-1, Todd 1-2, Waggoner 1-1, Ndiaye 0-2, Greene 1-1, Tomlinson 2-4), Holy Cross 5-21 (Cahalan 3-6, Donnelly 0-2, Eddy 1-5, Flanagan 0-2, Foreman 0-3, Griffin 0-1, Huber 1-2). Assists_Boston College 16 (Ivey 4), Holy Cross 13 (Eddy 3, Flanagan 3). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_Boston College 38 (Greene 5, Jackson 5), Holy Cross 25 (Foreman 8). Total Fouls_Boston College 13, Holy Cross 18. Technical Fouls_None. A_1,074.
Van Lith scores 17 to help No. 11 TCU women beat Brown 79-47Demarco, a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience, has proven himself to be a pivotal player for Atlanta United FC. His versatility on the field, strategic thinking, and ability to execute crucial plays make him a valuable asset to the team. Whether defending against formidable attacks or leading the charge in offense, Demarco's presence on the field is felt by teammates and opponents alike.In conclusion, the A-share market in China is undergoing significant changes, with four major transformations reshaping its structure and dynamics. Investors must remain vigilant and adaptable in response to these developments, balancing market vitality with a defensive mindset to navigate the evolving landscape successfully. By staying informed, disciplined, and proactive, investors can position themselves for long-term success in the ever-evolving A-share market.
As the Herrona squad gears up for what promises to be a thrilling showdown against Liverpool, the coach's words serve as a rallying cry for his players. The team knows that they are facing a formidable opponent in Liverpool, but they also understand the significance of the challenge and the opportunity it presents for them to showcase their skills and determination on a global stage.
NoneBy JESSICA DAMIANO Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. A pepper grinder, really? Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. To build a fire Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. The place for a ladle is on the pot The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. Up your birdwatching with this feeder The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. Printing old-fashioned photos via Bluetooth Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. Houseplants don’t get much easier than this The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. Making your own (plant-based) milk Related Articles Things To Do | US airports with worst weather delays during holiday season Things To Do | The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels Things To Do | Holiday gift ideas for the movie lover, from bios and books to a status tote Things To Do | ‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained? Things To Do | Beer pairings for your holiday feasts If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. The perfect temperature for 350,000-plus wines For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. Casting light on the grill after dark Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40.The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted the airstrikes in response to what they deemed to be an imminent threat posed by Iranian forces in Syria. The IDF spokesperson stated that the strikes were aimed at thwarting a planned attack against Israel by Iran and its proxies.
When a player is not performing up to par, it not only affects the individual's performance but also the overall team dynamics and morale. As a former player who experienced both the highs and lows of professional football, Ferdinand understands the impact that underperforming players can have on a team. He has emphasized the importance of setting high standards and not tolerating mediocrity if Manchester United is to reclaim its status as a dominant force in football.Furthermore, the “Factory Direct Sales” approach of the “Spring Dawn Plan” benefits both consumers and manufacturers alike. Consumers are able to access a wider range of products at lower prices, while manufacturers can reach a larger market without incurring the costs associated with traditional retail channels. This mutually beneficial relationship creates a win-win situation that supports economic growth and promotes innovation within the industry.
Judge rejects request to sideline SJSU volleyball playerAs fans and pundits wait anxiously for developments in the Dani Olmo transfer saga, one thing is certain - the footballing world is watching closely. The outcome of this saga will not only impact the player himself but also the clubs involved and the broader landscape of football transfers. In a world where millions are spent on securing top talent, the story of Dani Olmo serves as a reminder of the complexities and uncertainties that underpin the beautiful game.
The connections are clear between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, longtime NFC South rivals. The teams get together for a meeting on Sunday in Charlotte and showed recent signs they can play with any team. "It's an NFC South battle," Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. "All of them are going to be hard, none of them (are) going to be easy. ... They're playing pretty good football. They missed some games here and there, but they're playing very good football. It's going to be a tough battle." Few introductions are needed on Sunday, as first-year Panthers coach Dave Canales came to Carolina after serving as Buccaneers offensive coordinator a season ago. Canales' prized pupil last season, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was with the Panthers for part of the 2022 campaign. "There's some familiarity," Canales said of his connection to the Buccaneers. "Knowing coach Bowles, he's got a really sophisticated system and he attacks each team with a specific game plan. There's some principles that carry over. I know that he's going to have some things up his sleeve." The Buccaneers (5-6) playing a division opponent for the first time since an Oct. 27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The goal will be notching back-to-back wins for the first time since the first two weeks of the season. Four different ball-carriers, including Mayfield, found the end zone on the ground during a 30-7 drubbing of the New York Giants last Sunday. Mayfield also completed 24 of 30 passes for 294 yards. "For me, the biggest thing was blocking and tackling," Bowles said of what his team did well last weekend. "We cleaned up the fundamental and technique part of it." Star wideout Mike Evans was back in action for Tampa Bay following a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He finished with five receptions for 68 yards against the Giants and now gets a crack at a Carolina team allowing a league-high 30.9 points per game this season. However, the Panthers have tightened up their play as of late, winning two games in a row before hanging with the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-27 setback last Sunday. The outing against Kansas City may have been the most efficient performance of Panthers quarterback Bryce Young's two-year career. Young completed 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards and one score without throwing a pick. "It's not all Bryce, it's the whole unit," Canales said. "It's a collective effort, but he certainly needs to be the voice and driver of that." Wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps), tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) and safety Lonnie Johnson (personal) were all missing from practice on Wednesday for Carolina. Defensive end LaBryan Ray is dealing with a hand issue and was among those limited. Safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) was one of four Buccaneers to miss practice on Wednesday. Evans practiced in full. Carolina and Tampa Bay might as well get used to each other, as the two teams will collide again in Week 17. --Field Level Media
Liberty 38, Western Kentucky 21Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023, spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. "Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia," the center simply said in posting about Carter's death on the social media platform X. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation's highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. "My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference," Carter once said. A president from Plains A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon's disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. "If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don't vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president," Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women's rights and America's global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter's electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 "White House Diary" that he could be "micromanaging" and "excessively autocratic," complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington's news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. "It didn't take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake," Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had "an inherent incompatibility" with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to "protect our nation's security and interests peacefully" and "enhance human rights here and abroad" — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. And then, the world Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. "I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia," Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. "I wanted a place where we could work." That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter's stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors. He went "where others are not treading," he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. "I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don't," Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton's White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America's approach to Israel with his 2006 book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid." And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center's many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee's 2002 Peace Prize cites his "untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. "The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place," he said. "The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect." 'An epic American life' Carter's globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little "Jimmy Carters," so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington's National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners. He acknowledged America's historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. "I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore," Stuart Eizenstat, Carter's domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. "He was not a great president" but also not the "hapless and weak" caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was "good and productive" and "delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office." Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton's secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat's forward that Carter was "consequential and successful" and expressed hope that "perceptions will continue to evolve" about his presidency. "Our country was lucky to have him as our leader," said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for "an epic American life" spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. "He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history," Alter told The Associated Press. A small-town start James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter's political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery's tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian, would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it "inconceivable" not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. "My wife is much more political," Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn't long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist "Dixiecrats" as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as "Cufflinks Carl." Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. "I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over," he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. 'Jimmy Who?' His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader's home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats' national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: "Jimmy Who?" The Carters and a "Peanut Brigade" of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter's ability to navigate America's complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared "born-again Christian," Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he "had looked on many women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times." The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC's new "Saturday Night Live" show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter "Fritz" Mondale as his running mate on a "Grits and Fritz" ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady's office. Mondale's governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname "Jimmy" even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band's "Hail to the Chief." They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington's social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that "he hated politics," according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Accomplishments, and 'malaise' Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation's second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon's opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn't immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his "malaise" speech, although he didn't use that word. He declared the nation was suffering "a crisis of confidence." By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he'd "kick his ass," but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with "make America great again" appeals and asking voters whether they were "better off than you were four years ago." Reagan further capitalized on Carter's lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: "There you go again." Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages' freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. 'A wonderful life' At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with "no idea what I would do with the rest of my life." Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. "I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything," Carter told the AP in 2021. "But it's turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years." Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. "I'm perfectly at ease with whatever comes," he said in 2015. "I've had a wonderful life. I've had thousands of friends, I've had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence." Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.