NC House Proposes $500M for Helene Recovery

The North Carolina House Committee on Helene Recovery filed part one of the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 Tuesday which, if passed, would appropriate $500 million toward recovery efforts. 

The entire package would include $150 million for home construction and repairs, $150 million for agricultural and restoration projects and assistance, and $100 million for private road and bridge repairs and replacements.

Remaining funds would go toward state facilities repairs, debris removal, recovery volunteer organizations, and volunteer fire departments in impacted areas.

On Wednesday, legislators reviewed the spending proposal—less than half of what Gov. Josh Stein requested Monday—but they have not yet voted on it.

50+ FBI Agents Search Chatham County Woods

More than 50 FBI agents searched a wooded area in Chatham County for a “missing item” Wednesday morning. Sheriff’s deputies and unmarked cars were also on the scene near the intersection of Bell Circle and Woodbridge Road in Chapel Hill.

Agents—some wearing “evidence recovery team” uniforms—said they were conducting “court-authorized investigative activity in connection with an ongoing federal law enforcement investigation.”

One nearby resident said an agent told him they were looking for a drone and asked if he had seen one.

Another resident said 30 minutes prior to the agents’ arrival a “loud bang” woke her up. When asked about the noise, agents declined to comment. Watch a video report of the search here.

Eric Church Buys Land for Helene Victims’ Homes

Country music singer and North Carolina native Eric Church has closed on land in Avery County that will accommodate the construction of at least 40 homes for residents displaced by Hurricane Helene.

Church’s Chief Cares nonprofit is managing the land purchase and hopes to break ground in April so homes will be move-in ready by June.

Church, who grew up in nearby Granite Falls and attended Appalachian State University, has promised to build up to 100 homes for displaced residents in Avery County.

In October, Church signed over the publishing rights and proceeds from his song Darkest Hour to the state as a tribute to the hurricane victims. He also joined fellow North Carolinian Luke Combs in headlining Concert for Carolina, which raised over $24 million for Helene relief efforts.

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➤ Statewide: Republican state senators filed a bill Wednesday to block Democratic North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson from making any legal argument that would invalidate “any executive order issued by the President of the United States.” (More)

➤ Onslow County: Republican Rep. Wyatt Gable of Onslow County introduced a bill to shorten early voting, shifting the start date from the third Thursday to the second Monday before an election. It would still end the Saturday before Election Day. (More) 

➤ Mecklenburg County: A federal investigation resulted in a search warrant for the home of Ryan Thomas Cahill, a 45-year-old Wells Fargo employee accused of orchestrating an organized retail crime network involving stealing Lego products from local retailers and then reselling them. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Construction of the long-awaited Rail Trail Bridge over I-277 connecting the city’s 3.5-mile Rail Trail has been awarded to Blythe Construction. (More)

➤ Fuquay-Varina: Local resident Jonathan Allen said his 60-day-old iPhone 15 exploded in his pocket during a walk with his family. Apple dismissed his claims and refused to offer a replacement. (See Photos)

➤ Raleigh: NC State University will tear down Lee, Bragaw, and Sullivan residence halls; Fountain Dining Hall; and the West Dunn building to construct new student housing and dining facilities that will offer more capacity. (More)

➤ The Charlotte Hornets have traded 2022 first-round pick Mark Williams to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for two players and additional draft compensation. (More)

➤ Ron Rivera, former Carolina Panthers fan favorite head coach, has taken a front office role with Cal football, his alma mater. (More)

➤ No. 2 Duke men’s basketball preserved its undefeated conference record Wednesday by defeating Syracuse 83-54. (More)

 ➤ Yesterday’s results: PGA | LPGA | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer 

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➤ Charlotte-based Honeywell will split into three independent companies, spinning off its advanced materials business by early next year, and separating its automation and aerospace technologies businesses by the second half of 2026. (More)

➤ Energy and storage company Paradigm will build its global headquarters in Yancey County, investing $175 million into the area and creating 150 new jobs. (More)

➤ Duke Energy Progress told confused customers whose bills more than doubled in January that the increase was due to cold temperatures triggering more energy usage, which nullified a December rate drop related to lower gas prices. (More)

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➤ Country music star Brad Paisley performed in Charlotte Thursday night to celebrate the retirement of 96.9 The Kat’s morning show host Paul Schadt. (More)

➤ A Charlotte programmer created Exit 3A: The Game to mimic I-277 Exit 3A’s chaotic lane-switching traffic pattern. The Charlotte exit has long been compared to games like Frogger due to the anxiety it induces in drivers. (More)

➤ A Grandfather Mountain bald eagle named Ajax the Great died Wednesday from complications after an infection. The 11-year-old eagle was born in Florida but came to North Carolina to live with another bald eagle named Griffin in 2015. (Read Obituary)

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Do you agree with shortening the early voting period?

1. Definitely
2. Keep it the way it is
3. Get rid of it completely

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you prefer beer, wine, or liquor?

1. Beer: 24%
2. Wine: 22%
3. Liquor: 19%
4. All three: 18%
5. I don’t drink: 17%

What’s the name of the bridge that crosses Croatan Sound, connecting North Carolina’s mainland to Roanoke Island?

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