Bill Would Extend Driver’s License Expiration

A North Carolina House bill would temporarily extend the validity of certain Class C driver’s licenses by up to two years past their expiration, aiming to ease a backlog at the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles.

The House Transportation Committee has already approved HB 821, which would take effect immediately if passed and remain in place through Dec. 31, 2027. The extension would not apply to licenses that are canceled, revoked, suspended, or to Real ID-compliant licenses that have been valid for eight years or more.

Some House members want to study the cause of the backlog first, with Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan) suggesting the bill would facilitate “the incompetency of the DMV by alleviating them of the responsibility of their job.”

Catholic High School Coming to Cary

Cardinal Gibbons High School (CGHS) and the Diocese of Raleigh announced Friday that a new Catholic high school will open in Cary in fall 2028.

The school, which will remain “distinct in name, Catholic identity, and charism” from CGHS, will serve approximately 400 students and be located at 801 Buck Jones Road on the lower school campus of GRACE Christian School.

CGHS, which enrolls roughly 1,600 students each year, is operating at full capacity. The new high school comes in response to increasing demand for Catholic education in the Triangle.

GRACE Christian School is in the process of expanding and relocating to Apex, and will lease the property from CGHS while constructing its new campus.

Sunset Road Fire Expands to 1,500 Acres

A Brunswick County wildfire dubbed “The Sunset Road Fire” had expanded to 1,500 acres and was just 10% contained as of Sunday morning, according to the North Carolina Forest Service, which is now in command of the fire.

Crews blamed “erratic winds and regionally dry conditions” for preventing containment, but said a half-inch of rain that fell overnight into Sunday helped diminish flames in the “tree canopy” area.

All roads are open, and mandatory evacuations that had been expanded Saturday were lifted.

Several outbuildings—but no homes—were destroyed, and several firefighters received treatment for smoke- and heat-related illness over the weekend.

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➤ Wilmington: Genetic testing at area seafood restaurants revealed that 77% (34 of 44) of establishments led consumers to believe they had purchased premium U.S. wild-caught shrimp when they had actually been served farm-raised imported shrimp. (See Details)

➤ Charlotte: Investigators determined a Dilworth home was intentionally set on fire after an explosion engulfed it in flames Friday, injuring two people and causing around $445,000 in damages. No one was home at the time of the explosion. (More)

➤ Wake County: A portion of Lake Crabtree County Park’s hiking and cycling trails will close June 1 as part of a land lease with Raleigh-Durham International Airport set to expire June 30. (More)

➤ Moore County: Fort Bragg is partnering with Three Rivers Land Trust to protect 25 acres on the base’s perimeter, creating a buffer between training zones and nearby development. (More)

➤ Bald Head Island: An increase in the white-tailed deer population indicates a round of contraception administered to females five years ago is wearing off, prompting consideration of selective hunting and other population controls. (More)

➤ Raleigh: St. Augustine’s University graduated 25 students Saturday—down from 168 in 2024—following a year of financial struggles and multiple lawsuits. (More)

➤ Duke men’s lacrosse took a tough loss against Syracuse in the ACC championship yesterday, falling 9-8 after missing the game-tying shot as time expired. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes’ second-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals begins tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The Hurricanes went 2-1-1 against the Capitals this season. (See Schedule)

➤ UNC football head coach Bill Belichick is reportedly seeking outside PR help amid criticism over his book tour and recent media appearances, some involving his girlfriend. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | LPGA | PGA | NASCAR | F1 | INDY

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➤ An Iowa-based developer purchased a former Castle Hayne senior living facility and 7.4 acres surrounding it for conversion into an addiction treatment center. (More)

➤ Asheville’s March hotel bookings were on par with last year’s, indicating tourism recovery in the area despite Hurricane Helene’s impacts, leading officials to boost ad spending in cities like Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte. (More)

➤ The Leon Levine Foundation has gifted $24.9 million to UNC-Charlotte’s merit-based Levine Scholars Program, extending the scholarship through 2032-33. (More)

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➤ Duke University’s Puppy Kindergarten director, Vanessa Woods, says dogs are capable of learning around 1,000 words the same way children do—by inference instead of repetition. (See Details)

➤ A small alligator surprised a Sunset Beach homeowner by hiding under a car inside the garage, marking the third alligator discovery in Brunswick County in less than a month. (See Photos)

➤ Good Faith Media chose Gardner-Webb University historical theology professor Steve Harmon to cover the selection of the new pope in Rome, calling him “one of the world’s foremost Baptist scholars on the Roman Catholic Church.” (More)

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Have you ever driven with an expired driver’s license?

1. Once or twice
2. Never
3. I plead the fifth

Yesterday’s Results:

Which North Carolina country singer do you like best?

1. Charlie Daniels: 32%
2. Randy Travis: 24%
3. Scotty McCreery: 12%
4. Emmy Lou Harris: 11%
5. Luke Combs: 11%
6. Other: 10%

What duet did Swannanoa resident Billy Edd Wheeler write that was popularized by Johnny Cash and June Carter?

Show me the answer