Saturday, December 6, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1949, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist and author Doug Marlette was born in Greensboro. Renowned for his syndicated comic strip, Kudzu, Marlette also worked for publications such as The Charlotte Observer and Newsday. He was known for skewering Southern culture and politics. He died in a 2007 car accident.

Christmas spirit is alive in North Carolina as a Monroe car dealer braves the elements to collect bikes for children in need, and the Salvation Army continues its annual effort to support Charlotte-area families. See today’s Et Cetera section for full details.

You’ve probably heard of LMNT—maybe even tried it before. But their Lemonade Salt flavor has become a full-blown favorite around our office, and if you haven’t tasted it yet, now’s the time. AND they make great stocking stuffers!

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.

NASCAR Antitrust Trial Continues

The federal antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR that began Monday continued into the weekend as plaintiffs and defendants took the stand.

NASCAR’s executive vice president for strategy, Scott Prime, made the case that the charter system that began in 2016—the crux of the case—was designed to grow the sport and level the playing field.

Jeffrey Kessler, the attorney representing the Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin-owned racing team 23XI, described NASCAR chairman Jim France as a “holdout” during renegotiations of the original charter. Michael Jordan was set to testify yesterday.

The lawsuit was originally filed in 2024 by racing teams 23XI and Front Row Sports, and alleges that NASCAR’s charter system is monopolizing the sport.

Wrongful Death Suit Settled

The City of Raleigh agreed to pay $975,000 to the family of Darryl Williams, who died in police custody in 2023.

The incident, which was captured by a police body cam, shows Williams had started running after police believed he had illegal drugs in his possession. Police used a Taser on Williams, who said he had a health condition. Williams later died in the hospital.

The five police officers listed in the lawsuit weren’t criminally charged and the use of force was ruled justified, according to the Wake County District Attorney.

The Williams family had originally sued for $25 million, saying Darryl was tased six times.

The Tall Tour Comes to Charlotte

The Tall Tour, started by 6’9” social media creator Tyler Bergantino, is set to meet in Charlotte today.

The tour, which was originally formed to be a place for tall people to hang out and connect, started as a local gathering but has quickly grown. Some events draw thousands of people, like the gathering in New York City that drew nearly 2,000 people.

The tour will be at Brewers at 4001 Yancey from 4-7 p.m.

Next stops on the tour include Greenville, South Carolina, on Dec. 20 and Miami on Jan. 3. Minimum height requirements are 5 feet, 8 inches for women and 6 feet, 1 inch for men.

Cold weather doesn’t mean you stop needing electrolytes. In fact, winter is when most people quietly under-hydrate, while heaters, dry air, and long work days all take a toll. That’s why our team has been leaning hard on LMNT’s best-selling Lemonade Salt. It’s light, refreshing, and somehow hits even better this time of year.

LMNT gives you everything you need and nothing you don’t: no sugar, no artificial ingredients, no filler. Just a clean, smart balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium that actually makes you feel better throughout the day.

Around The Flyover office, Lemonade Salt has turned into the go-to afternoon pick-me-up. Some of us use it before workouts, some during the endless Zoom days, and others just to stay hydrated when the winter dryness kicks in.

If you’ve tried LMNT before, this is the flavor you’ll wish you’d found sooner.

Try Lemonade Salt here.

➤ Statewide: Duke Energy requested a $1 billion annual revenue increase that would raise rates 15%, prompting Gov. Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson to voice concerns over the potential cost spike. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: A prior October recall from Ohio-based Great Lakes Cheese Co. was upgraded to a Class II recall, affecting products sold under multiple brands at major retailers including Walmart, Target, and Aldi. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Operation Safe Season, a new multiagency effort featuring the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department, aims to increase visibility and crack down on violent crime and repeat offenders. (More)

➤ Also Charlotte will host the 2027 Military World Summer Games, bringing 8,000 athletes from 142 countries to compete in Olympic-style and military events held across both Carolinas. (More)

➤ Gastonia: A man posing as an FBI agent stole $584 from a Subway restaurant, and no arrest has been reported as he faces up to three years in prison under federal law. (More)

➤ Waxhaw: Museum of the Waxhaws officials say an electrical arc sparked the fire that destroyed the historic 1840 Secrest Cabin, leaving the building a complete loss. (More)

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➤ Duke football faces No. 17 Virginia at 8 p.m. tonight in the ACC championship game, needing a win to keep hopes alive for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. (More)

➤ College basketball unbeatens No. 4 Duke and No. 7 Michigan meet at noon today as each team chases a pivotal early-season win. (More)

➤ The North Carolina High School Athletic Association voted to give high school referees a 5% pay bump starting next season. (More)

➤ Former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones tapped two of his former college teammates to 3D-print a custom pad to protect his leg after fracturing his fibula. (More)

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Flying together with our sponsor

Lemonade in winter might sound odd, but trust us—this is the flavor that converted half The Flyover office into LMNT loyalists. It’s crisp, balanced, and makes staying hydrated effortless, whether you’re working, traveling, or trying to dodge that mid-day slump.

LMNT keeps it simple: real electrolytes, no sugar, no junk. And Lemonade Salt is a best-seller for a reason. If you’re looking for a clean hydration boost as the weather dries out, this is the one to start with.

Grab Lemonade Salt today.

➤ Stranger Things creators and Durham natives Matt and Ross Duffer enlisted the help of one of their old high school drama teachers to play the role of Miss Harris in season five of their hit Netflix series. (More)

➤ Car dealership owner Brandon Reeves is living on his rooftop to collect 1,017 bikes for children in need this Christmas, and he has gathered 350 so far despite rain and cold. (More)

➤ The Salvation Army’s Magical Toy Drive marks its 25th year of providing Christmas gifts to thousands of Charlotte-area families, with donations accepted through Dec. 14. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

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