Incumbent Mayors Triumph Across NC

Incumbent mayors dominated several key races in North Carolina’s municipal elections on Tuesday. In Charlotte, Mayor Vi Lyles secured a resounding victory for her fifth term, capturing 70.25% of the vote against Republican Terrie Donovan and Libertarian Rob Yates.

In Greensboro, Mayor Pro Tem Marikay Abuzuaiter fended off challenger Robbie Perkins, earning 61% of the vote to Perkins’ 39% with all precincts reporting. Kernersville Republican incumbent Dawn Morgan led with 56.35% over Democrat Kevin Hansford, with 92% of precincts reporting.

In Durham, Mayor Leonardo Williams secured a victory over challenger Anjanee Bell, claiming 57.6% of the votes to Bell’s 42%.

Wilmington’s incumbent mayor, Democrat Bill Saffo, was reelected with 49.09% of the vote, defeating fellow Democrat Jonathan Barfield and Republican Billy Craig. Look up your county’s results here.

DMV Offers Online Upgrade for Teen Drivers

North Carolina teen drivers can now skip the Division of Motor Vehicles line and upgrade provisional licenses from Level 2 to Level 3 online, acquiring full nighttime driving and passenger privileges.

Previously, teens needed an in-person appointment after holding a Level 2 license for at least six months without violations.

The upgrade is a two-step process. A parent or guardian logs in, enters the necessary information, and consents to the upgrade. The teen then receives an email, logs in to myncdmv.gov, completes the transaction, and receives a temporary driving certificate to use until their new Level 3 full provisional license arrives in the mail.

At age 18, a teen driver can upgrade to a regular Class C license online.

NC Earns Top Adventure Town Honors

North Carolina towns dominated Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine’s annual Top Adventure Towns contest, thanks to plentiful sources of outdoor thrills and cultural vibrancy.

Asheville won the large town division, praised for access to Pisgah National Forest hikes, Blue Ridge Parkway drives, and a booming craft beer scene amid post-Hurricane Helene recovery.

Boone earned the runner-up spot in the mid-size town category for its diverse range of skiing and hiking opportunities, while Brevard won the small town division thanks to hundreds of miles of purpose-built trails and a designated International Mountain Biking Association Epic route in Pisgah National Forest.

Tiny town standouts included Blowing Rock, lauded for its access to Blue Ridge Parkway trails, and Cherokee, praised for 10.5 miles of singletrack mountain biking along the Fire Mountain Trails.

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➤ Statewide: A nationwide listeria outbreak has killed six and hospitalized 27, prompting food recalls at Trader Joe’s, Marketside, Kroger, and other stores. Public health officials say the risk to the general food supply remains very low. (See Details)

➤ Western NC: Arctic air will bring freezing temperatures and single-digit wind chills to the Carolinas next Monday and Tuesday, with several inches of snow possible in higher elevations near and along the Tennessee state line. (More)

➤ Elizabeth City: The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor found city employees and former city manager Montre’ Freeman misused $93,806 in P-cards—which function like government credit cards—on food, prompting calls for the city to hire a permanent finance director. (More)

➤ Charlotte: The city settled a 2018 lawsuit alleging discrimination, retaliation, and unfair promotional practices with former fire department battalion chief Lance Patterson on Oct. 28—just days before his wife, Estella, was named Charlotte-Mecklenburg police chief. (More)

➤ Pinehurst tops GOBankingRates’ 2025 list as the safest, wealthiest U.S. retirement town, due to low crime, high retiree income, and 40% of the population aged 65 or older. (More)

➤ Asheville: Nonprofit Hearts with Hands is sending 45,000 pounds of relief supplies to Jamaica due to Hurricane Melissa’s impact, but still needs $38,000 to rent a 737 cargo plane to transport the supplies. (More)

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➤ North Carolina FC announced that it won’t field a soccer team next year as it prepares for a possible move to USL Division One in 2028. Management will instead focus on long-term stadium plans and shift more resources toward the North Carolina Courage. (More)

➤ Freshman forward Cam Boozer scored all 15 of his points in the second half, leading No. 6 Duke to a 75-60 win over Texas. Coach Jon Scheyer told Boozer he was “playing soft” at halftime, and Boozer responded with a dominant finish. (More)

➤ No. 9 NC State women’s basketball defeated No. 8 Tennessee 80-77 in its season opener. Zam Jones led the Wolfpack with 18 points—nine of them in the fourth quarter. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | Soccer | NCAAF | NCAAM | NCAAW

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➤ Gov. Josh Stein and Labor Commissioner Luke Farley led delegations to Japan and Taiwan to promote North Carolina’s economy, highlighting biotech, the business climate, and Japanese investment, including Toyota’s $14 billion battery plant opening Nov. 12. (More)

➤ The North Carolina Rate Bureau is seeking public comments by Nov. 19 on its request for a 68.3% average increase in dwelling insurance over two years, suggesting a 28.5% increase in 2026 and a 30.9% increase in 2027. (More)

➤ Lithuania-based SBA Group has officially opened its first U.S. plant in Mocksville. The $70 million furniture factory is expected to create 250 jobs and produce over two million pieces annually. (More)

➤ AAR Corporation has acquired HAECO Americas in a $78 million deal, boosting the Triad’s aviation sector, where HAECO employs more than 1,600 people across two locations. (More)

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➤ Carolina Country announced its 2025 Carolina’s Finest awards, with 4,000 readers voting in 10 categories ranging from finest barbecue to finest landmark. (See Winners)

➤ CitraQuench’l by Heist Brewery in Charlotte was named North Carolina’s highest-rated IPA based on BeerAdvocate rankings of beers with more than 100 reviews. (See Winners)

➤ A ranking of 100 U.S. cities revealed North Carolina’s best cities for veterans—based on livability, affordability, and veteran-friendliness—are Raleigh at No. 4, Durham at No. 21, Charlotte at No. 29, Greensboro at No. 55, and Winston-Salem at No. 60. (See Rankings)

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Did you get your driver’s license at age 16?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I can’t remember
4. I don’t drive

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you been to a Michelin-starred restaurant?

1. No: 29%
2. Yes: 26%
3. No clue: 26%
4. Hopefully: 19%

When did driver’s licenses become mandatory in the U.S.?

Show me the answer