Saturday, June 28, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1931, American auto racer Robert Glenn “Junior” Johnson was born in Wilkes County. Considered one of the most influential drivers in NASCAR history, Johnson is credited with discovering the drafting technique and inventing the bootleg turn, which involves braking and turning a car 180 degrees.

A Wilmington woman will once again attempt a 135-mile endurance race in 100-degree heat that fewer people have finished than have climbed Mount Everest. See below for all the details.

We’re sponsored today by a local favorite, euphoria 2025 in Greenville, SC, offering several fun activities this summer you won’t want to miss!

Don’t feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

$700 Million Helene Aid Passes

The North Carolina Senate and House unanimously passed a bill that will allocate $700 million for Hurricane Helene relief, allocating $500 million for immediate use, with $200 million set aside for future aid.

The funding will aid rail repairs, dam safety, tourism, and local governments with interest-free loans but excludes small business grants, a point of contention among lawmakers.

The bill passed amid a last-minute legislative session push, adding to the nearly $2 billion already spent by lawmakers for Helene’s recovery.

Benjamin Cole Released under Alford Plea

A man convicted of murdering a Greensboro resident during a 1998 robbery has been released from prison after 27 years under an Alford plea.

Benjamin Cole has maintained his innocence, saying he was in Ohio at the time of Calvin Jenkins’ murder. Cole also has a Jamaican accent, a fact no witness testified to, including a witness at the scene.

Duke Law’s Wrongful Convictions Clinic, which investigates plausible claims of innocence from people incarcerated for felonies, helped free Cole after new evidence supported his Ohio alibi.

An Alford plea allows Cole to maintain his innocence while accepting a punishment. He is allowed to return home, and his legal team is working to get a pardon of innocence from Gov. Josh Stein.

Meteor Seen in NC

Multiple meteor sightings were reported Thursday afternoon across the Southeast, including western North Carolina, before the fireball landed near Blacksville, Georgia.

NASA said the fireball was first seen about 48 miles above Oxford, Georgia, and was moving at 30,000 mph. A lightning detection system also picked up a streak in a cloudless sky over the Virginia and North Carolina border.

Officials believe the fireball came from a three-foot asteroidal fragment that disintegrated, releasing energy equal to about 20 tons of TNT and creating booms heard in the region.

If you captured a picture or video of the fireball, send it to the American Meteor Society.

Flying together with our sponsor

Now celebrating 20 years, euphoria puts you front & center with celebrated chefs, musicians, craft brewers, sommeliers, and one-of-a-kind events. This milestone year marks two decades of unforgettable flavors, soulful sounds, and a lasting commitment to the Greenville and hospitality communities.

While many events are sold out for euphoria 2025, there are plenty of opportunities to savor the weekend festivities!

FOR THE COCKTAIL ENTHUSIAST: Bold flavors, smooth bourbon, and beats from Steel Toe Stiletto collide at Aged to Perfection! Expect eclectic bites, signature cocktails, beer, and wine to keep the good times flowing.

FOR THE MUSIC AFICIONADO: Get ready for a rhythm-fueled night at Party in the Park as The Vegabonds and St. Paul & The Broken Bones ignite the stage. Indulge in flavorful tastes, along with cocktails, brews & wine to satisfy your thirst.

FOR THE FIRST-TIMER: If you’ve never been to euphoria before, Feast by the Field is a great place to start. Sip, sample, and savor your way through an incredible lineup of chefs, winemakers, brewers, and distillers.

All-inclusive tickets are available at euphoriagreenville.com.

➤ Statewide: The Firearm Law Revisions bill passed the state House 61-46 and heads to Gov. Stein’s desk, allowing permitted individuals to carry weapons at private schools with school approval. (More)

➤Chimney Rock: Chimney Rock State Park reopened after nine months of post-Helene recovery and will remain open through Monday with reservations required. (More)

➤Raleigh: Movie star and comedian Adam Sandler announced his “You’re My Best Friend Tour,” which will visit 30 cities, with Raleigh being the only North Carolina. (More)

➤Johnston County: Pennsylvania police arrested a fifth person North Carolina authorities say is connected to the 2022 shooting that left reality TV stars Sophie Hagy paralyzed and Alex Shirley dead. (More)

➤Moore County: Bystanders rescued a missing girl in Pinebluff Lake and performed lifesaving CPR before authorities arrived and transported her to a hospital. (More)

➤Outer Banks: The National Weather Service is offering three free public forums about hurricane preparedness, featuring presentations from meteorologists. (More)

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➤ The Carolina Hurricanes traded the No. 29 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Chicago Blackhawks for Nos. 34 and 62, plus a fifth-rounder in 2027—marking their fourth first-round trade in five years and third trade-down since 2021. (More)

➤ Duke had its entire 2024-2025 starting basketball lineup drafted to the NBA after Tyrese Proctor and Sion James were both selected on Day 2 of the NBA draft. (More)

➤ Carolina Panthers undrafted rookie safety Jack Henderson has reportedly been impressing coaches at training camp and has a chance to make the team’s 53-man roster. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | PGA | LPGA

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Flying together with our sponsor

Raise your fork, glass & voice – and celebrate 20 years of euphoria!

euphoria 2025 (Sept. 18–21) promises to be bigger, bolder, and more unforgettable than ever before. While many events are already sold out, there are still plenty of ways to savor the celebration!

From guest chef dinners to educational classrooms, lively lunches & brunches, and signature events, there’s something for every food lover, cocktail enthusiast, and music aficionado. Plus, don’t miss exclusive hotel & ticket packages!

All-inclusive tickets & packages are available at euphoriagreenville.com.

➤ Asheville’s Radical Hotel will open RAD Rendezvous, a studio and retail space for 40 artists to showcase their work in an area heavily impacted by Helene. (More)

➤ Greensboro’s Steven Tanger Center is presenting the Broadway musical Some Like It Hot this weekend, featuring North Carolina native Tavis Kordell in the touring cast. (More)

➤ A Wilmington woman is one of 100 runners selected to run the Badwater 135 Ultra Marathon, a race that covers 135 miles in Death Valley, California, where temperatures can reach 120 degrees. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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