Saturday, July 26, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1951, Colonel William S. McArthur Jr. was born in Laurinburg. A West Point and Georgia Tech graduate, he served in the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, became a NASA astronaut, and completed four spacewalks during Space Shuttle missions and International Space Station service.

Tigers aren’t native to Charlotte, but one recently made an unexpected appearance near a Southside apartment complex—sort of. Learn more about this wild story in Et Cetera.

The North Carolina heat hits hard—and today’s sponsor, LMNT, hits back. This electrolyte mix has become a favorite among The Flyover staff, and we fully endorse it. If you’re sweating through summer, this is one simple way to feel better fast.

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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.

Heat Warnings Issued Across State

North Carolina has entered its fourth heat wave of the year with an extreme heat warning in effect through Sunday evening.

Highs near 100 degrees, paired with tropical humidity, are pushing heat index values to a sweltering 105–115 degrees.

Much of central North Carolina, including the Raleigh-Durham and Fayetteville areas, is under heat warnings or advisories.

Authorities urge folks to stay hydrated, check on neighbors, and never leave kids or pets in parked cars. The heat wave is expected to last until the middle of next week.

Missing NC Women Found in CO

A missing North Carolina woman last seen in St. George, Utah, was found alive in Colorado nine months after she was reported missing.

Authorities say Kelsey Pittman was initially reported missing last November before her car, a 2009 Chevrolet HHR, was discovered near Slab City, a remote California tourist attraction about 63 miles south of Joshua Tree.

The discovery sparked a months-long search involving drones, cadaver dogs, and multiple law enforcement agencies, but no trace of her was found until now.

Officials haven’t said where in Colorado she was found or shared details about her condition out of respect for her family’s privacy.

NC Volunteer Wins America’s Hardest Worker Award

A contractor from Bat Cave has earned America’s Hardest Worker award for his volunteer recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene.

Jake Jarvis was selected from hundreds of nominees and earned national recognition for clearing landslides, rebuilding bridges, and reinforcing homes at no cost across Western North Carolina.

“Unbelievable. America’s hardest worker. I mean, my dad would be proud—because he really was,” Jarvis said, with tears in his eyes.

Earlier this year, Jarvis lost $77,000 in a bulldozer scam while trying to buy equipment to speed up his volunteer work—but kept going anyway, using personal savings to continue supporting the community.

Flying together with our sponsor

From mountain hikes to coastal heat, North Carolina summers have one thing in common: serious sweat.

LMNT is a zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix that helps replace what your body actually loses: sodium, potassium, and magnesium.

The Flyover staff swears by it—it’s made a huge difference during long hikes, yard work, and even post-travel recovery. As for the best flavor? That’s a hot debate. (Raspberry is dominating, but don’t count out Citrus.)

You can get a free sample pack with any order—no strings attached.

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Try them all, and let us know which flavor wins your vote.

➤ Winston-Salem: A Thursday night house fire and explosion injured four people, including a firefighter. One person was rescued as crews from multiple departments battled the blaze. (See Damage)

➤ Raleigh: The major pop culture convention GalaxyCon is drawing tens of thousands of visitors downtown this weekend for celebrity panels, fan meetups, and vendor showcases—the event is expected to generate more than $10 million. (More)

➤ Statewide: The Education Department will release $35.7 million to aid North Carolina’s after-school programs as part of a $1.3 billion national grant program. Funds will support academics, childcare, and educational development in low-income and rural areas. (See Details)

➤ Durham: Elmo’s Diner, a neighborhood staple since 1997, was named North Carolina’s best diner by Food Network thanks to its classic diner decor, scratch-made breakfasts, and Southern staple entrees. (See Details)

➤ Cary: The first electric fire truck on the Eastern Seaboard is now in service at Station 9, beating out Charlotte’s Station 30, which remains without its long-awaited truck. (See Photos)

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➤ Wake Forest’s motorcycle-riding Demon Deacon ranked No. 3 in ESPN’s mechanized mascot division, placing him among the best mascots in the country. (See Full List)

➤ Jackson Blake has signed an eight-year, $45 million contract extension with the Carolina Hurricanes, set to begin in 2026–27 after a strong rookie season with 34 points and six in the playoffs. (More)

➤ UNC Greensboro golf alumnus Ryan Heisey was just named associate women’s golf coach at Arizona State, one of the premier programs in the country. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

Whether you’re hiking, at the lake, or just trying to survive the humidity—LMNT helps you recover faster.

It’s a zero-sugar electrolyte mix we love on the Flyover team, and we’re still arguing about the best flavor. (Raspberry vs. Citrus: ongoing.)

Grab the free sample pack and help us settle it.

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➤ Top Chef will film Season 23 in Charlotte this summer, highlighting local ingredients, Southern hospitality, and outdoor cooking as contestants compete across the Carolinas. (See Details)

➤ Chrispymate, a Holly Springs streamer, was shocked mid-broadcast by a nearby lightning strike, leaping from his chair and saying, “Bro, I just got struck by lightning.” (More)

➤ North Carolina ranked No. 8 among top U.S. hiking states, with over 2,400 trails, 41 state parks, and scenic routes stretching from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the coastal plains. (See Details)

➤ A worried Uber driver in south Charlotte called 911 after spotting what looked like a tiger, which turned out to be a giant stuffed animal near an apartment complex. (See Tiger)

Flying together with our sponsor

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