Overnight Floods Hit Western NC

Western North Carolina woke up to another round of flooding Tuesday after overnight rains hammered Buncombe, Henderson, and Rutherford counties, washing out roads and triggering water rescues.

Gerton Fire rescued residents on Bear Wallow Mountain Road after their driveway washed out and floodwaters surrounded their home. Charlotte Highway (U.S. 74 Alternate) in Buncombe County was closed after Fairview Volunteer Fire crews found a 12-foot-deep hole beneath the roadway near the county line.

A landslide shut down Hutch Mountain Road in Henderson County on Tuesday morning, and Gerton Fire warned that many roads “may look okay but have nothing under them.” NCDOT is replacing a collapsed culvert on U.S. 74A, with repairs expected through at least Tuesday.

Top Court Upholds Duke Energy Hikes

The North Carolina Supreme Court split 5-2 on Friday in upholding Duke Energy rate increases approved by state regulators in 2023. The Republican majority affirmed the Utilities Commission’s decisions despite challenges from the attorney general.

Democrat justices Anita Earls and Allison Riggs dissented, criticizing the approval of higher rates for North Carolina customers in western areas of the state compared to eastern areas for identical service, calling the disparity unlawful and arbitrary.

The North Carolina Utilities Commission approved Duke Energy’s 2023 rate increases despite a challenge by then-Attorney General Josh Stein, even as the utility seeks an 18% residential rate hike over two years to improve reliability and harden the grid.

The Soccer Tournament Returns to Cary

The Soccer Tournament kicks off its fourth year in Cary this week, transforming WakeMed Soccer Park into a six-day global soccer festival from May 27 to June 1.

Over 2,000 athletes from 15 countries will compete in men’s, women’s, and new mixed 7v7 divisions, all chasing $1 million prizes under the exciting Target Score Time format.

Professional clubs like Club América, Villarreal CF, and North Carolina Courage join celebrity teams including Gerard Piqué’s Kings League All-Stars, Sergio Agüero’s KRÜ FC, and J. Cole’s Dreamville FC. In the women’s bracket, two-time defending champions U.S. Women return alongside Hope Solo’s Solo FC. Landon Donovan competes with Sneaky Fox separately in the new mixed bracket.

Organizers expect record crowds at the event, surpassing last year’s 51,730 fans, with food vendors, meet-and-greets, and youth events adding to the festival atmosphere. View the schedule here.

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➤ NC Coast: The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1 using a rotating name list from the World Meteorological Organization, starting with Arthur, Bertha, and Cristobal. Deadly storm names are permanently retired. (See Names)

➤ Raleigh: Gwendolyn White, accused of shooting two attorneys outside the Wake County Courthouse last Friday, has been formally charged with attempted murder. She will remain in jail without bond. (More)

➤ Warren County: An explosion at a paper mill on Tuesday sent workers to the hospital with minor injuries. The cause remains under investigation. (More)

➤ Concord: Police arrested 43-year-old Johnny Steven Talbert in connection with the 2008 “Sun Drop Murders,” a double homicide at the Sun Drop Bottling Company, where one employee and one job applicant were killed in a robbery. (More)

➤ New Bern: U.S. District Judge Louise Flanagan set James Comey’s arraignment for Sept. 30 and trial for Oct. 21 in New Bern, on charges he threatened President Trump’s life via an Instagram post of seashells spelling “86 47.” (More)

➤ Gastonia: Kamryn Penny, paralyzed after a January robbery shooting, defied doctors’ odds by walking across the stage to receive his diploma at Stuart Cramer High School’s graduation in Gaston County. (More)

➤ Liberty: A Marine Corps ring engraved with Platoon 3032 and the year 2019 was found in Liberty by the father of Greensboro’s Jimmy Jacobs, who is working to return it to its rightful owner. (See Ring)

➤ Four North Carolina schools made the 64-team NCAA baseball tournament field: UNC, NC State, Wake Forest, and East Carolina. Regionals begin on Friday. (See Schedule)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes lead the Canadiens 2-1 in the NHL Eastern Conference Finals after back-to-back overtime wins in Games 2 and 3. Game 4 is tonight in Montreal. (More)

➤ NC State football landed Moses Barker, the No. 1-ranked kicker in the 2027 recruiting class. Barker is a Fuquay-Varina native and grew up as a die-hard fan of the Wolfpack. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | MLB | Soccer 

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➤ Charlotte Douglas International Airport extended its current lease agreement—set to end June 30—with American Airlines and other carriers for one year after failing to reach new terms, with talks continuing on future rent and fees. (More)

➤ Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., introduced the bipartisan FARM AI Act on Thursday to boost USDA grant funding for artificial intelligence projects, aiming to help farmers adopt new technologies, enhance productivity, and strengthen U.S. agricultural competitiveness. (More)

➤ VinFast has named the founder’s son, Pham Nhat Quan, as chairman of the board of directors as the Vietnamese EV maker faces mounting losses and a North Carolina attorney general’s lawsuit over its abandoned Chatham County megasite. (More)

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➤ Someone broke into a Greensboro Popeyes overnight, cooked themselves a full shrimp dinner with fries and biscuits, then stole some items on the way out. Police are still searching for the suspect. (More)

➤ The North Carolina Zoo announced the names of two newborn sand cat kittens after a public vote drew over 21,000 ballots. The female is named Ziri and the male is named Zayn. (See Photo)

➤ WRAL meteorologists explain that an “Omega Block”—a high-pressure weather pattern shaped like the Greek letter Ω—will bring a cooler-than-normal start to June across North Carolina this weekend. (More)

➤ Grandfather Mountain announced 2026 Grandfather Glows firefly viewing dates for June 16-21, implementing a lottery ticketing system due to high demand. Entries close tomorrow at 11:59 p.m. (More)

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Have you shared your name with a hurricane?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Not yet
4. Not sure

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you keep a paper map in your car?

1. No: 47%
2. Yes: 40%
3. I should: 13%

Who gave North Carolina’s first public reading of the Declaration of Independence?

Show me the answer