Stein Unveils 10-Year Helene Recovery Plan

Gov. Josh Stein’s recovery office released a long-term economic plan for Western North Carolina, with five- and 10-year targets, ahead of the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene.

The plan was built with input from 28 counties, the Qualla Boundary, and regional business groups. It covers housing, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and tourism, among other areas, but carries no new funding.

Helene killed 108 people in the mountains and caused an estimated $80 billion in damage. The Republican-led General Assembly has appropriated more than $2.8 billion for recovery, while Stein’s June request to Congress for $10 billion more is still pending.

“While the headlines about Helene have faded over the last two years, the work remains,” Stein said in announcing the plan.

Senate Rivals Spar over Helene Records

Republican Michael Whatley said Friday he has done more for Helene recovery as a private citizen than Democrat Roy Cooper did as governor, a claim Cooper rejected.

“The state was completely unprepared for that storm,” Whatley said. President Trump tapped Whatley, then chairman of the Republican National Committee, to help steer the region’s recovery months after the storm.

Cooper said his administration put more than 3,000 soldiers to work and reopened hundreds of roads in the three months after Helene hit. He argued federal help has lagged since he left office in January 2025, saying Whatley has “completely failed” as the region’s recovery czar.

Whatley’s campaign says he has helped deliver nearly $11 billion to Western North Carolina communities. Voters decide the race Nov. 3.

Nor’easter Can’t Stop Nags Head Wedding

A Delaware couple said “I do” beneath Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head on Thursday evening as nor’easter waves crashed behind them.

Jessica Dassen and Randy Knight, both dressed in white, held the ceremony at their special spot under the pier as seafoam blew past. “The weather honestly did not matter to me; I was marrying my best friend,” Knight said.

An Outer Banks photographer out documenting the storm happened to catch the whole thing on camera.

The same storm closed N.C. 12 between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe after the ocean breached dunes near Pea Island. NCDOT says about 500 feet of pavement was undermined or broken, and the road will likely stay closed through at least the weekend.

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➤ Randolph County: Randolph Community College is training workers on a heavy equipment simulator ahead of the opening of Ross Stores’ distribution center in Randleman. The facility is expected to bring 852 jobs to the county. (More)

➤ Charlotte: City Council votes Monday on a 10 p.m. curfew every night for everyone under 18, following a summer of teen takeovers. The pilot would start in November and run through August 2027, with exceptions for work, school, religious activities, and emergencies. (See Details)

➤ Elizabethtown: Bladen Community College will host a free “Funding Toolbox” roundtable for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs Monday evening. The session covers loan options, including those backed by the State Small Business Credit Initiative, and how to prepare financial documents for lenders. (See Details)

➤ Sherrill’s Ford: A 15-year-old boy is reportedly in critical condition after he was shot by a deputy in Catawba County on Thursday night after police received a call about a stolen gun. (More)

➤ Topsail Beach: The town broke ground this week on a nearly $10 million police and fire complex on Flake Avenue, replacing its 50-year-old station on South Anderson Boulevard. Fire Chief Bo Fussell said modern engines no longer fit the old bays, and on-site crew quarters will speed up responses. (See Details)

➤ Guilford County: Norfolk Southern crews will close six rail crossings Monday through Thursday, starting as early as 7 a.m., to lay new track for a passenger and freight rail upgrade. Affected roads include Frieden Church, Wagoner Bend, Buchanan Church, Maxfield, Ward roads, and O’Ferrell Street. (More)

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➤ Wake Forest stunned No. 16 Louisville 30-27 on the road as Gabe Kirschke blocked a 57-yard attempt with 15 seconds remaining to seal it. (Watch Kick)

➤ Appalachian State erased a 21-0 deficit to tie it at 31 in the fourth quarter, but NC State scored the final 10 points to win 41-31. Jayden Scott rushed for 168 yards and two scores. (More)

➤ Duke rolled past William & Mary 62-7 as Walker Eget and Dan Mahan combined for five touchdown passes. The 4-0 Blue Devils have won eight straight for the first time since 2013. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers will look to improve to 2-1 today, taking on the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m. The Panthers enter the game favored to win by a field goal. (More)

➤ Roanoke Rapids High School suspended head football coach Chris Lyons indefinitely Friday after a 15-year-old player suffered broken bones and lost part of a finger Thursday after practice. Interviews with more than 20 players uncovered bullying and hazing incidents, and police have opened a criminal investigation. (See Details)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | MLB | Soccer | NHL | Golf | F1

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➤ A Wilmington couple’s daughter weighed less than a pound when she was delivered by emergency C-section at 23 weeks on March 28. After 137 days in the NICU, her parents, Taylor Grennan and Gregory Rizzo, are sharing her story for NICU Awareness Month. (Read Story)

➤ The World’s Largest Chest of Drawers, High Point’s 38-foot landmark on North Hamilton Street, sold this week for $195,000 to an Indiana-based company. The buyer hasn’t announced plans for the roughly 100-year-old building, but the realtor said it “will remain a part of High Point.” (More)

➤ Fourth-generation Triad farmer Steven Robertson says a new Airbnb grant won’t go far for farms that must build lodging from scratch. Airbnb and the American Farmland Trust will award roughly 25 to 30 grants of up to $10,000 for farm stays and agritourism, with applications opening late November. (See Details)

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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, straight from the heart of the country. 

➤ France’s first papal visit in 18 years brought 700,000 people to a Paris Mass. (Hear More)

➤ Could your belly button hold clues to brain health? A small study found intriguing patterns. (Listen Now)

➤  A recruiter’s iced coffee rule stirred up a surprisingly heated hiring debate. (Podcast Available)

Would you book an overnight stay on a working farm?

1. Absolutely
2. Maybe for a night or two
3. Probably not
4. I only stay in hotels

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever voted by mail?

1. Yes: 32%
2. No: 64%
3. I don’t remember: 4%

Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head first opened in what year, making it the oldest pier on the Outer Banks?

Show me the answer