Cherry Point Gets $1B F-35 Squadron Boost

Construction of a $1 billion project to modernize six F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadrons stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point is underway.

The two-year project includes the design and construction of three advanced aircraft maintenance hangars, a new air traffic control tower, a range support facility, an airfield operations building, a facility for F-35 simulators, and aviation maintenance support facilities, among other enhancements. 

Cherry Point’s Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 542, part of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, became the first East Coast F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter squadron in the Fleet Marine Force to achieve initial operational capability on Feb. 5, 2024.

In September 2024, the base’s Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 became the first East Coast-based Marine Corps squadron to receive the F-35C Lightning II. Watch a video of the F-35C in flight here.

More Student Visas Revoked

Duke University announced Monday that the U.S. government had revoked the visas of two graduate students and an alumnus. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was notified, and the students’ visa records were terminated in Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

The revocations came without explanation and follow broader visa enforcement trends under travel restrictions circulated by the Trump administration. Duke officials said they were not directly informed of the changes and are working with the affected students.

On Tuesday, UNC-Chapel Hill confirmed that six international students also had their visas terminated, but did not comment further or identify the students.

Last week, NC State reported that two Saudi Arabian students had their visas revoked and returned to their home country. Similar visa terminations have been reported at other universities across the country.

Super Scoopers to the Rescue

As the threat of wildfires looms over North Carolina, the United States Forest Service has deployed several Super Scooper planes to help fight them.

Bridger Aerospace says its Super Scoopers are purposely built for aerial firefighting because they’re “fully amphibious” and can refuel in 12 seconds at speeds of up to 100 mph before heading back to drop water on a fire. Super Scoopers can repeat this process for up to four hours at a time.

The aircraft collect large amounts of water through two onboard tanks located underneath the wings. Watch a video of how the Super Scoopers work here.

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➤ Statewide: Lawmakers held committee hearings on similar bills in both chambers on Tuesday that seek to ban foreign adversaries from buying farmland or land near military bases in North Carolina. (More)

➤ Wake County: Former U.S. Congressman Wiley Nickel announced Wednesday that he will challenge U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, in the 2026 midterm elections. (More)

➤ Greensboro native Ryan Wesley Routh, who was arrested in September for allegedly attempting to assassinate President Trump, tried to buy a rocket launcher from Ukraine just weeks before he was arrested, according to court papers. (See Details)

➤ Charlotte: The Canadian government confirmed that it made a “strategic investment” to install billboards around Charlotte and other parts of North Carolina warning against President Trump’s tariffs with messages like, “Tariffs are a tax at the gas pump.” (More)

➤ Chimney Rock: NCDOT is constructing a temporary bridge to Chimney Rock State Park, with the goal of reopening the park by Memorial Day weekend. Plans are in place to build a permanent bridge in 2026. (More)

➤ Buxton Beach: Buxton Civic Association and North Carolina Beach Buggy Association members presented Buxton Beach remediation issues at the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association Summit in Washington, D.C. in March. (More)

➤ The Charlotte Hornets fell to the Memphis Grizzlies 124-100 Tuesday night, but concerns immediately shifted to Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells, who was stretchered off the court after a scary fall. Wells was awake, alert, and able to move all extremities, but suffered a broken wrist and facial injuries. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes were shut out in a 3-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night, marking their third straight defeat. (More)

➤ The North Carolina High School Athletic Association announced the sites for the state’s 2025 spring sports state championships. (See Locations)

➤ The North Carolina Supreme Court delayed oral arguments in lawsuits between the ACC and member schools Clemson and Florida State. Attorneys for the ACC and Clemson requested more time to finalize a settlement. The court delayed both cases to keep them on the same schedule. (See Details)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAABB | NCAASB | Soccer 

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➤ A House committee passed a workforce development pilot project that provides grants to encourage employer-sponsored training, increase job creation, reduce employee turnover, enhance wages, and upgrade worker skills. (More)

➤ U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, is among a group of Republican lawmakers supporting a bill that would require the White House to notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing new tariffs and submit an explanation and impact report. The tariffs would expire in 60 days unless Congress approves them. (More)

➤ High-speed internet is coming to households and businesses in Dare and Hyde counties thanks to $22.1 million from the federal American Rescue Plan and nearly $9.6 million from selected broadband providers. (More)

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➤ North Carolina House members voted unanimously Tuesday to require that all North Carolina and American flags purchased with taxpayer dollars be 100% made in America. (More)

➤ Southport Police and Animal Protective Services safely captured and relocated an alligator trying to climb a fence near traffic. (See Photos)

➤ An interactive map created by USA Today using Project FeederWatch data shows where hummingbirds are commonly sighted across the U.S. during April. (See Map)

➤ Meanwhile, Hummingbird Central created a video showing when different hummingbird species migrate to the U.S., and where they are concentrated. The most common species visiting North Carolina is the ruby-throated hummingbird. (Watch Video)

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