NC Leaders React to Graham’s Death

North Carolina’s Republican senators and a Senate hopeful are mourning South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died Saturday at 71 after what his office called a “brief and sudden illness” that a medical examiner attributed to an aortic tear.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, remembered Graham as a friend and colleague, and “a tireless champion” for South Carolina. Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC, called him an “unapologetic champion for America and our allies,” and GOP Senate candidate Michael Whatley praised him as a “committed statesman and public servant.”

Graham was first elected in 2002 and won South Carolina’s Republican primary last month with almost 60% of the vote. He was seeking another term in November.

His death sets a South Carolina special election in motion. Gov. Henry McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement, and Rep. Nancy Mace is weighing a run for the seat.

Tar Heels Lead NC’s MLB Draft Haul

North Carolina shortstop Jake Schaffner, a transfer standout who batted .356 with strong on-base skills, went 20th overall to the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, the headline pick in a strong showing for the state’s talent at the 2026 MLB Draft.

Teammates Owen Hull, an outfielder, went 67th to the Red Sox, pitcher Jason DeCaro went 80th to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and pitcher Ryan Lynch went 97th to the San Diego Padres, marking a historic first day with four Tar Heels in the top 100 picks.

NC State also produced strong results, led by outfielder Ty Head, taken 46th overall by the Baltimore Orioles after a sophomore campaign with 14 home runs. Pitcher Jacob Dudan went in the third round to the Athletics, while pitcher Ryan Marohn and infielder Luke Nixon went in the fifth round to the Pirates and San Francisco Giants, respectively.

Overall, 14 players who attended North Carolina high schools were chosen.

NC Nonprofits Join Anthropic’s AI Push

Durham’s Code the Dream and the YMCA of Greater Charlotte are among the initial host sites for Anthropic’s new Claude Corps program, a $150 million initiative that trains early-career fellows to deploy AI for public good.

Code the Dream co-founder Dan Rearick said fellows will enhance tools serving students, families, and farmworkers while gaining hands-on experience. The YMCA aims to use AI for better program delivery and community impact across Charlotte.

The program addresses skepticism about AI, with Anthropic’s Elizabeth Kelly emphasizing using Claude to accelerate nonprofit work and build skills for the next generation.

Applications for the paid fellowships close July 17 for an October start. The initiative offers relocation support and positions North Carolina as a leader in ethical AI adoption for community benefit.

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➤ Statewide: North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis is a pivotal vote as the Senate Judiciary Committee opens confirmation hearings this week for attorney general nominee Todd Blanche. Tillis says he is leaning toward yes, but wants guarantees that the Department of Justice will stay independent. (More)

➤ Shallotte: The Quarry Road Fire, which broke out July 10 and grew to roughly 300 acres, was about half contained by Sunday, with a firefighter credited with rescuing a baby amid the battle. (More)

➤ Selma: A Michigan man has been arrested and charged in connection with the 2001 Selma cold case kidnapping and rape of a 24-year-old woman, with DNA evidence linking 71-year-old Jaman Mohammad Al-Jassi to the crime after nearly 25 years. (More)

➤ Carolina Shores: A traveling American Revolution exhibit, featuring interactive panels on the war’s key stories and events, will be on display Aug. 14-21 at Southwest Branch Library as part of the America 250 celebration. (More)

➤ Leland: The Brunswick Town Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was honored by the North Carolina House for its service during the nation’s 250th anniversary, with Rep. Charlie Miller and State Auditor Dave Boliek presenting the recognition at the July 4 festival parade. (Read Story)

➤ Dare County Emergency Management and the National Weather Service will host three free Hurricane Preparedness Forums—one on July 28 and two on July 29—to educate residents, property owners, and visitors on hurricane season, safety strategies, and storm impacts. (See Details)

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➤ As the 2026 college football season approaches, UNC’s strongest position groups under coach Bill Belichick are tight end—bolstered by experienced transfers—and defensive line, which returns key producers after a challenging 2025 season. (More)

➤ Ryan Blaney won a weather-delayed, three-hour-plus rain-halted NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta Sunday, edging Bubba Wallace and Christopher Hill in a three-wide overtime battle after leading 171 laps. The Cup Series moves to North Wilkesboro next weekend. (More)

➤ The North Carolina Courage fell to the Washington Spirit 2-0 on Saturday. Leicy Santos and Trinity Rodman scored as Washington earned their third straight win and eighth in nine matches. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: WNBA

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➤ Gov. Josh Stein visited Shelby on Monday to promote his Careers Electric Initiative, touring summer electrical academies at Cleveland County Community College. The program aims to train 25,000 North Carolinians for energy and infrastructure jobs over its first decade. (More)

➤ New Hanover County commissioners were expected to consider a multimillion-dollar investment in the Blue Clay Road project Monday, aimed at expanding workforce housing for essential workers who often can’t afford to live in the communities where they work. (More)

➤ Wrightsville Beach businesses are seeking more details on NCDOT’s $105 million project to replace three aging bridges connecting the island, amid concerns over construction impacts on traffic, customers, and tourism through 2032. (More)

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➤ A bright fireball streaking across the early morning sky over North Carolina and several other states last Thursday was not a meteor but debris from a rocket launch, the American Meteor Society confirmed after dozens of sightings and videos. (More and See Photos)

➤ Duke University’s Office of Strategic Enrollment Management is ramping up targeted recruitment of transfer, humanities, veteran, and low-income students while setting its incoming class size at 1,776—a nod to America’s 1776 founding in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. (More)

➤ The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a cooler-than-average fall across the Southeast, with September and October temperatures about a degree below normal and significantly drier conditions, especially in northern and southern areas. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ How can you make your phone battery last significantly longer without buying a new device? (Hear More)

➤ Homeless encampments have taken over 12 blocks near a popular New York City museum, and workers say the city has stopped clearing them. (Hear Episode)

➤ A fire tore through a crowded bar in Thailand this weekend, killing dozens. (Listen Now)

How often are Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts accurate?

1. Almost always
2. Sometimes
3. Rarely
4. Never
5. No clue

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you feel about physical vehicle registration cards becoming digital?

1. Don’t care either way: 40%
2. Love it: 32%
3. Hate it: 28%

What is North Carolina’s “thermal belt,” and which mountain crops does it make possible to grow commercially?

Show me the answer