Stein Announces Energy Saver Rebate Plan

Gov. Josh Stein announced the statewide expansion of the Energy Saver North Carolina program on Tuesday, making it available in all 100 counties.

The federally funded initiative, supported by $208 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, offers rebates to help eligible households reduce energy costs amid rising power bills.

The program provides up to $16,000 for whole-home efficiency upgrades, such as heat pumps, insulation, and HVAC systems, and up to $14,000 for high-efficiency electric appliances. Officials estimate that qualifying families can save nearly $1,000 annually on utility bills.

The Department of Environmental Quality’s State Energy Office administers the rebates, with applications open at energysavernc.org for income-eligible residents. Learn more about the income eligibility breakdown here.

House Demands ICE Communication Details

North Carolina House Republicans, led by Majority Leader Brenden Jones and co-chairs of the House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform, have demanded extensive records of all communications with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden.

The 12-point request, sent on Wednesday, includes specific emails from March 18-19, 2025, that lawmakers claim McFadden failed to provide. It also seeks data on ICE detainer requests received and fulfilled since January 2020, plus the current number of ICE detainees in county custody.

Additional demands concern information about jail operations, inmate deaths by race and ethnicity, staff training, settlements, and taxpayer-funded travel records. The sheriff’s office indicated plans to comply.

The request follows a heated Feb. 9 hearing where McFadden faced aggressive questioning on public safety and accusations of combative responses, deflections, and resistance during the transit safety hearing.

NCDPI Set to Update Math Standards

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is set to update its K-12 mathematics standards to better align with evolving workforce demands.

Officials presented the proposal to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on Tuesday, emphasizing practical skills like data science and career-specific math applications.

Key changes include maintaining the four-credit high school graduation requirement but shifting to two required courses—NC Math 1 and NC Math 2. Students would then take two additional math courses tailored to their post-secondary plans, providing more flexible and relevant options within existing and revised pathways.

A second draft of the revised math standards will be released in April 2026, with full implementation tentatively targeted for the 2028-29 school year, pending State Board of Education approval.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Statewide: Gov. Josh Stein appealed a ruling that upheld legislative limits on his power to fill appellate judicial vacancies. The Appeals Court also heard his separate challenge to a law shifting state elections board appointments to Republican Auditor Dave Boliek. (See Judicial and Elections Details)

➤ NC Schools: Stein also announced he is directing federal Workforce Innovation funds to expand NC Career Launch in an effort to double the number of statewide youth apprenticeships for high school students within three years. (More)

➤ Triangle: Public health officials warned of potential measles exposure at three Durham locations on Feb. 6, around the same time a contagious person visited five Raleigh locations. A case has also been confirmed in Johnston County. It’s unclear if the cases are connected. (More)

➤ Charlotte: The Military World Games, based in Charlotte, sent official invitations to 142 nations this week. Scheduled for June 25-July 4, 2027, the games will be held across the Carolinas. (More)

➤ Rockingham County: State leaders and health officials announced a $40 million investment from the NC CARE program in UNC Health Rockingham to expand access to care, upgrade infrastructure, and strengthen medical services. (More)

➤ Guilford County: State and National Guard leaders cut the ribbon on the new $100 million-plus McLeansville Readiness Center. The 70-acre facility will serve more than 440 soldiers from the 113th Sustainment Brigade to enhance training, staging, and rapid response for emergencies across central and western North Carolina. (More)

➤ Macon County: The Winding Stairs Alpha Fire, which broke out Monday morning and grew to over 250 acres, was 100% contained as of Thursday morning. (More)

Enjoy reading Flyover North Carolina? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ UNC spent a record $188 million on athletics during the 2024-25 academic year, while NC State spent $134.5 million in the same time period. (More)

➤ The NBA suspended Hornets forwards Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabaté for four games for fighting and escalating the altercation against the Pistons earlier this week. (See Details)

➤ The Carolina Panthers hired Darrell Bevell as their associate head coach and offensive specialist. Bevell worked with Panthers head coach Dave Canales in Seattle from 2011 to 2017. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: Olympics | NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Spruce up your outdoor space this spring! Jet Surge turns any garden hose into a powerful pressure washer to blast away dirt, grime, and stains from driveways, decks, cars, and fences in minutes. Easy-attach, no power needed—make spring cleaning faster and more satisfying! (LEARN MORE)

➤ The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a bankruptcy order blocking asbestos claims against DBMP LLC. However, Judge Robert Bruce King dissented, cautioning that the circuit has become a ‘safe haven’ for corporations seeking to use bankruptcy as a way to avoid asbestos-related liability. (More)

➤ Atrium Health’s Charlotte-area and Georgia operations reported a record $1.73 billion net profit in 2025, doubling the prior year’s $867 million, fueled by strong investment income, operational gains, and steady patient volumes. (More)

➤ Norfolk, Virginia-based Work Program Architects has opened its first office outside Virginia in Raleigh, led by managing principal Sam Bowling and architect Rae LeClair. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Thinking About a Big Financial Move? Buying a home, investing more, or retiring earlier can feel overwhelming without a plan. Unbiased makes it simple to get started in under a minute by matching you with a vetted, SEC-regulated advisor. You’ll receive a free, no-obligation consultation, with your information securely shared only with your matched expert. FIND AN ADVISOR.

Flying together with our sponsor

If you have outstanding credit card debt, getting a new 0% intro APR credit card could help ease the pressure while you pay down your balances. On top of all that, these top credit cards offer insane cash back and a generous welcome bonus.

Click through to see what all the hype is about.

➤ A long-lost 1552 Portrait of a Canon Regular by Renaissance artist Sofonisba Anguissola, one of the era’s most celebrated female painters, was rediscovered in a Durham private collection and offered for $450,000 at New York’s Winter Show in January. (More)

➤ A new report ranks North Carolina 22nd among U.S. states in education with a score of 52.30 based on attainment, school quality, and achievement gaps. (See Map)

➤ Charlotte-based Krispy Kreme has launched a Valentine’s Day collection available through tomorrow featuring four themed treats—including the heart-shaped I Love You a Choco-Lot, Teddy Bear Cookies & Kreme, You’re Berry Sweet, and Sprinkled with Love varieties. (See Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Is Your Heart Running on Empty? If you’re taking statins or noticing fatigue, muscle weakness, or brain fog, your body may be starving for CoQ10—the molecule that powers your cells. Research shows statins can slash CoQ10 levels by 40%. Replenishing CoQ10 helps restore the steady energy your heart and mind need to thrive. Don’t let this silent deficiency drain your vitality. LEARN MORE.

What’s your favorite type of Valentine’s Day gift to receive?

1. Chocolate
2. Flowers
3. Jewelry
4. Tools
5. A night out
6. Other (reply to tell us)

Yesterday’s Results:

Will you vote in the upcoming North Carolina primary?

1. Yes, during early voting: 30%
2. Yes, on March 3: 27%
3. Probably not: 22%
4. I’ll try: 21%

What makes Ayr Mount in Hillsborough different from other colonial homes of its era?

Show me the answer