Sunday, October 5, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1946, Marvin “Popcorn” Sutton was born in Maggie Valley. A legendary moonshiner known for his “White Lightning” recipe, Sutton documented his craft in a self-published biography, parts of which were later included in a 2008 documentary about moonshine that won a Southeast Emmy Award.

In today’s edition, a top North Carolina high school graduate earned a national recognition, and Gov. Josh Stein signed a major criminal justice bill into law. See below for all the details.

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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.

Stein Signs Iryna’s Law

Gov. Josh Stein signed a criminal justice bill Friday in response to the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte commuter train.

The legislation, dubbed “Iryna’s Law,” passed with bipartisan support amid debate over public safety, mental health funding, and the state’s stalled death penalty.

The new law bars cashless bail for violent crimes and repeat offenders, expands mental health evaluations, and gives the state’s chief justice the authority to suspend magistrates. It also sets deadlines for death-row appeals and allows alternate execution methods if lethal injection becomes unavailable.

Stein Approves $10.4 Million for Aerospace Expansion

Gov. Josh Stein has approved $10.4 million in state funding to expand aerospace development at Coastal Carolina Regional Airport in Craven County.

The investment will fund infrastructure improvements across 90 acres designated for commercial aerospace use, supporting manufacturing, maintenance, and flight operations. The site’s prime location along the airport’s main runway positions it for both civil and military aviation activity.

Local and state leaders said the project will strengthen Eastern North Carolina’s role in the aerospace industry and attract high-quality jobs to the region.

South Lenoir Grad Named U.S. Presidential Scholar

Rachel Noble, a 2025 South Lenoir High School graduate, has been named a U.S. Presidential Scholar—one of only 161 students nationwide and the first ever from Lenoir County Public Schools.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, established in 1964, is among the nation’s highest honors for high school students, recognizing excellence in academics, the arts, and career and technical education.

Noble excelled in academics, athletics, and FFA leadership, earning an associate degree alongside her diploma before enrolling at NC State as a Park Scholar studying agricultural business management.

District officials called her selection “a shining example” and a milestone for both Noble and the district’s growing academic reputation. Check out the full list of U.S. Presidential Scholars here.

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➤ Brunswick County: The six people injured in last weekend’s Southport waterfront bar shooting have been released from the hospital as police continue investigating the deadly incident that left three people dead. (More)

➤ Mecklenburg County: Voters will decide in November whether to approve a 1% sales tax for transportation, expected to raise about $19.4 billion over 30 years for rail, road, and transit improvements. (More)

➤ Coastal: King tides arriving next week could worsen flooding and erosion along North Carolina’s coast, following a week of storm swells that caused several home collapses in Buxton. (More)

➤ Craven County: Nine Limbs Strikers in New Bern has moved to a larger Tatum Drive location, expanding its children’s programs through a new Ninja Zone partnership that combines gymnastics and martial arts. (More)

➤ Mecklenburg County: More than 200 Charlotte- and Matthews-area property owners could be forced to sell land for NCDOT’s $198 million Independence Boulevard widening project, set to begin by 2027. (More)

➤ Lenoir County: La Grange residents are voicing frustration as delayed NCDOT resurfacing work leaves town roads full of potholes and debris, with repairs now pushed to 2026. (More)

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➤ A 21-point second quarter lifted Wake Forest to a 30-23 win over Virginia Tech. Robby Ashford was 24-of-39 passing for 256 yards and a touchdown. (Recap)

➤ North Carolina committed no turnovers, but Clemson outgained the Tar Heels 488 yards to 270 in a 38-10 win. (Recap)

➤ NC State scored 49 first-half points in a 56-10 win over Campbell, and Duke traveled to California for a late kickoff against the Golden Bears. (See Scores)

➤ The Carolina Panthers will be without star running back Chuba Hubbard for today’s game against the Miami Dolphins. (More)

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➤ Swansboro’s 71st Annual Mullet Festival returns Oct. 11–12 with a fish fry, parade, live music, and the popular Mullet Toss, filling downtown with coastal charm. (More)

➤ Ashe County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Keeko received a new bullet- and stab-resistant vest from Vested Interest in K9s, a nonprofit that’s outfitted more than 6,000 police dogs nationwide. (See Photo)

➤ Wake County will lease 252 acres at Umstead State Park for new mountain bike trails, a long-awaited win for riders after the closure of Lake Crabtree’s popular routes. (More)

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