Sunday, January 4, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1801, David Lowry Swain was born in Buncombe County. He served as North Carolina’s 26th governor from 1832 to 1835 and advocated for education and constitutional reforms. He then presided over the University of North Carolina from 1836 to 1868, protecting it during the Civil War.

If you like hot rod racing, check out Around North Carolina for the latest news on what’s happening at Rockingham Speedway, then hit reply to let us know if you’ve ever attended a race there.

Today’s sponsor, Audien Atom, offers an affordable, discreet hearing aid that delivers clear, natural sound and modern features—without the high costs or doctor visits of traditional hearing aids.

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.

NC AG Sues Department of Education

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced and filed a lawsuit on Dec. 31 against the U.S. Department of Education to halt the abrupt termination of nearly $50 million in federal grants supporting rural and low-income schools.

Awarded in 2023 through the Full-Service Community Schools program, the funding was set for five years to aid approximately 23,000 students across 55 schools in 18 districts. The department notified North Carolina on Dec. 12 that the grants would end on Dec. 31.

Jackson argues the cut is “unlawful and harmful,” and violates the Administrative Procedure Act, federal education regulations, and constitutional spending authority, as multi-year grants require justification for termination.

The termination threatens mid-year disruptions, including potential layoffs and program shutdowns, exacerbating challenges in rural areas hit by Hurricane Helene.

NC Hospitals Implement Visitor Restrictions

Several North Carolina hospital systems are implementing visitor restrictions due to spikes in flu and other respiratory illnesses across the state.

UNC Health will implement temporary restrictions across its Triangle facilities beginning Monday that prevent children under age 12 and visitors with respiratory symptoms from visiting inpatient and waiting room areas. Beginning Tuesday, Duke Health will require daytime visitors to be 12 and will prohibit visits from those with flu-like symptoms.

WakeMed implemented restrictions on Dec. 22, preventing children under 12 from visiting patients in nursing units, patient areas, and waiting rooms; and Asheville-based Mission Health imposed temporary restrictions on Dec. 31, allowing only two visitors per patient age 13 and older across all facilities, with exceptions for special cases.

According to state health data, approximately 2,000 people have reported flu-like symptoms, while 39 have died from the flu this winter.

Project Kitty Hawk Enables Remote Degrees

Project Kitty Hawk, the UNC System’s online education initiative for working adults, reports that 2,000 students were enrolled in the program by fall 2025 across 15 “Flight Path” programs in fields like psychology, business, healthcare, and cybersecurity.

Launched in 2023, the online degree programs are offered across UNC System institutions like North Carolina Central University, East Carolina University, Appalachian State, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, expanding access to flexible education in high-demand fields.

North Carolina A&T State University partnered with Project Kitty Hawk in August to launch seven new online programs, including the human resources management concentration of the university’s MBA program last fall. This month, A&T will launch two Flight Path programs: a B.S. in criminal justice and a B.A. in liberal studies.

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➤ Mint Hill: Gov. Josh Stein and other state officials praised law enforcement for thwarting an alleged ISIS-inspired terrorist attack by 18-year-old Christian Sturdivant, who was arrested for planning to attack people at a grocery store and fast food restaurant on New Year’s Eve. (More)

➤ Rockingham Speedway has been acquired by the International Hot Rod Association, which plans to revitalize the iconic track, host festival-style events alongside race weekends, and restore its prominence in motorsports after years of limited activity. (More)

➤ Wilmington: Former Surry County Elections Chairman James Edwin Yokeley had three drug charges made by Wilmington Police dropped after tests showed pills allegedly placed in his step-granddaughter’s and her friend’s ice cream were not controlled substances. He still faces a felony intentional child abuse charge. (More)

➤ Nags Head: After a prolonged standoff and litigation, North Carolina’s Rules Review Commission reinstated Area of Environmental Concern protections for Jockey’s Ridge State Park on Dec. 18, following amendments to resolve disputed language. (More)

➤ Stokes County: Duke Energy has applied for Nuclear Regulatory Commission early site permit approval to potentially build up to six small modular reactors at its Belews Creek site, with plans to add 600 megawatts of new nuclear capacity by 2037. (More)

➤ Harnett County: Kayden Beasley, a 19-year-old double-leg amputee from Coats, has been named to the initial U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, set to debut at the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Milan, Italy. (More)

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➤ The Carolina Panthers lost control of their playoff fate last night following a 16-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the Panthers could still advance to the playoffs if the Atlanta Falcons can pull off a win over the New Orleans Saints today. (More)

➤ Duke football wide receiver Que’Sean Brown celebrated his go-ahead touchdown during Duke’s 42-39 win in Wednesday’s Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl by diving into an inflatable bowl of “Frosted Flakes.” (Watch Video)

➤ Carolina Hurricanes star Seth Jarvis was shockingly left off of Team Canada’s initial roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics despite earning playing time for the team in last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off. (More)

➤ Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford scored five total touchdowns on Friday night to lead the Demon Deacons to a 43-29 win over Mississippi State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. (More)

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➤ A roundup of North Carolina’s five oldest incorporated towns—Bath (1705), New Bern (1710), Edenton (1712), Beaufort (1713), and Hillsborough (1754)—summarizes their historical significance and how settlements in each town impacted the region. (More)

➤ A $5 Peppermint Payout lottery ticket gifted to Gracie Burgess of Apex by her grandmother for Christmas led to $150,000 prize. Purchased at Han-Dee Hugo’s on Jenks Road, the ticket provided a $107,600 payout after taxes and withholdings. (More)

➤ Carolina Panthers lineman Jake Curhan’s wife, Alex, has turned her hobby of crafting custom NFL gameday shirts, hats, boots, and vinyl pants into a budding business. (Watch Report)

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