Saturday, May 9, 2026

SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1923, Johnny Grant was born in Goldsboro—the radio and TV personality who became Hollywood’s beloved honorary mayor and spent decades emceeing Walk of Fame ceremonies.

North Carolina native and country music singer Luke Combs was honored by Appalachian State University with an honorary degree. Learn more in Et Cetera.

A deadly virus just killed three people aboard a cruise ship, and passengers have now scattered to more than a dozen countries, including here in the United States. It’s not COVID. It’s not the flu. It’s Hantavirus, and the way it spreads might already be hiding in your home. On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Amy Hess reveals the five things every American needs to know before this gets any closer. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Oricle Hearing Aids, is helping readers hear more clearly without the sky-high prices—offering a tiny, easy-to-use hearing aid with clear sound and all-day power for under $100.

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 Voters May Decide on Marijuana

North Carolina could become the last major Southern state to let voters weigh in on cannabis legalization, after Senate Bill 1072 was filed in the General Assembly on Monday.

The bill would place two questions on the November 2026 ballot: one on personal-use decriminalization, one on medical cannabis. North Carolina is one of only a handful of states with no legal cannabis framework of any kind.

SB 1072 cleared its first Senate reading and now advances to committee. If it clears the full legislature, voters would see it framed as for or against a “constitutional amendment allowing the possession of limited amounts of cannabis for personal use subject to certain conditions enacted by the General Assembly.“

NC Tourism Hits $37.2B Record

North Carolina set a new record for tourism spending in 2025, with visitors putting $37.2 billion into the state’s economy—up from the previous record of $36.7 billion in 2024.

The milestone, announced by Gov. Josh Stein on May 7, means tourism now supports nearly 231,000 jobs in North Carolina, with a payroll of $9.8 billion—a 3.5% increase over the year before.

Visitor spending also generated more than $2.7 billion in state and local tax revenues. Pitt County alone saw room tax collections rise about 3% heading into the summer season.

Raleigh, Charlotte Rank Well for Jobs

Two North Carolina cities rank among the nation’s top job markets for 2026 college graduates, according to ADP Research’s annual analysis of payroll data across 53 metro areas.

Raleigh slipped from the top spot to fifth this year, but it remains a strong contender for new graduates.

In addition, Charlotte cracked the national top 10 this year, ranking in ninth place, driven by strong hiring rates, wage growth, and relative affordability compared to peer metros.

The cities were part of a Southern sweep, as Birmingham and Tampa led the full rankings, with six of the top 10 cities located in the South. ADP’s index weighs hiring volume, entry-level wages, and cost of living.

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➤ Greensboro: Guilford County Manager Victor Isler presented his budget recommendation on Thursday, proposing a $935 million spending plan that would raise the property tax rate, but a state bill could force significant changes before it’s finalized. (Details)

➤ Statewide: The North Carolina Forest Service is lifting burn restrictions for all North Carolina counties following this week’s rainfall, which eased but did not fully end drought conditions. (More)

➤ Raleigh: North Carolina State University beefed up security for its spring commencement this weekend after a threat-related arrest last month, with officials calling the precautions a “robust security plan.” (More)

➤ Western NC: The National Forest Foundation and U.S. Forest Service are partnering to speed reforestation in Pisgah National Forest, expanding seed collection and nursery capacity to restore landscapes damaged by Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ Buxton: Outer Banks residents are hopeful after a bill targeting North Carolina’s ban on hardened coastal structures was introduced in Raleigh, potentially allowing seawalls and other erosion barriers on barrier islands. (Details)

➤ Pender County: The Pender County Animal Shelter is urging adoptions before a state-mandated temporary closure for repairs, asking the public to help place dozens of animals into new homes. (More)

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➤ A bill moving through the North Carolina legislature would require mental health training for all middle and high school coaches in the state. (More)

➤ Wake Forest and Syracuse will open the 2027 ACC football season with a game in Toronto, marking the conference’s first regular-season game played in Canada. (More)

➤ The Charlotte Hornets signed head coach Charles Lee to a contract extension after a 25-win improvement this season. Charlotte went 44-38 and reached the play-in tournament after winning just 19 games in Lee’s first year. (More)

➤ The Hurricanes are one win away from the NHL Eastern Conference Finals and could seal the sweep over the Flyers tonight. (How to Watch)

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➤ Boone: Country superstar Luke Combs received an honorary degree from Appalachian State University on Thursday. (See Video)

➤ Asheville: The iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, a giant hot dog on wheels, rolled into Asheville on Thursday and is making stops around town. (See Photos)

➤ Durham: A Durham assistant principal donated a kidney to his coworker’s husband, a gesture that turned two coworkers into lifelong family. (See Video)

➤ New Bern: Tildy Florals is hand-delivering more than 100 bouquets to senior centers across New Bern ahead of Mother’s Day—a community project the downtown florist started to honor local seniors. (See Photo)

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