GOP Calls for Nat’l Guard Presence in Charlotte

Three Republican congressmen are urging Gov. Josh Stein to deploy the National Guard to Charlotte, citing a “violent crime crisis” and police staffing shortages. Stein previously rejected the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police’s request for National Guard assistance.

In a Nov. 5 letter, Reps. Mark Harris (NC-08), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), and Chuck Edwards (NC-11) called the situation “increasingly dire,” highlighting eight homicides in seven days and a 200% spike in murders in Uptown Charlotte.

Charlotte police report that while overall violent crime and homicides have decreased, aggravated assaults involving knives and guns have risen from 86 in 2024 to 111 in 2025, and personal strong-arm robberies increased from 26 to 31 during the same period.

Stein, who is pushing a $195 million package for law enforcement raises, recruitment bonuses, and mental health funding, rejected the lawmakers’ call, insisting local law enforcement is best equipped to maintain community safety.

DHS Approves $155M in Helene Aid

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem approved $155 million in FEMA public assistance reimbursements on Tuesday for Western North Carolina communities ravaged by Hurricane Helene.

The funds will reimburse local governments and the North Carolina Department of Transportation for cleanup and rebuilding efforts, including completed projects by French Broad Electric Membership Corporation, among others. 

U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., called the assistance vital to easing strained local budgets more than a year after the storm caused an estimated $60 billion in damage. He also agreed to lift his procedural hold on the Department of Homeland Security general counsel nominee James Percival once funds reach communities.

Nonprofits Acquire Chimney Rock Climbing Area

Two nonprofit rock climbing groups have acquired 17 acres in Chimney Rock’s Lower Ghost Town area to reopen public access to what they call an iconic climbing area.

Carolina Climbers Coalition and Access Fund expect the area, which includes more than 50 established routes, to open by spring 2026.

The acquisition also supports the local outdoor recreation economy by connecting a key section of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail, a 100-mile hiking trail linking the village of Chimney Rock, Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure, and Upper Hickory Nut Gorge.

The purchase, funded through an Access Fund loan and the Great Trails State grant program, marks the culmination of a 25-year campaign to secure public access to the area, which climbers first discovered in the 1970s when it housed the Silver City amusement park.

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➤ Raleigh: A Motel 6 on Appliance Court, local operator Shri Hari, and G6 Hospitality LLC—which owns the location—face a federal lawsuit accusing them of enabling a months-long sex trafficking operation in 2017-18. The plaintiff, identified only by initials, was a minor at the time. (More)

➤ Rutherford County: Investigators found that a group calling itself the “Get Shot” gang used Snapchat to locate pop-up parties in rural areas like Spindale. They’re also looking into a separate party in Ellenboro that turned violent. (More)

➤ Mecklenburg County: Voters approved a 1-cent sales tax hike by a 52% to 48% margin, unlocking $25 billion over 30 years. Of that, 40% will go to roads, 40% to rail, and 20% to buses and other transit. (More)

➤ Montreat: The North Carolina Court of Appeals on Wednesday reversed a 2023 trial judge’s ruling that blocked the Montreat Retreat Association from building a new 29,000-square-foot lodge with 40 guest rooms, offices, meeting spaces, and an underground garage. (More)

➤ Pitt County: A North Carolina Appeals Court ruled 2-1 on Wednesday to uphold the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the 2020 removal of a Confederate monument, finding the plaintiffs lacked legal standing to sue under state law. (More)

➤ Hatteras Island: The Buxton Civic Association is requesting a dedicated coordinator to oversee debris cleanup efforts after 15 oceanfront homes in Buxton and one home in Rodanthe collapsed. (More)

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➤ UNC football coach Bill Belichick was one of nine coaching semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 Class. (More)

➤ Former Duke basketball player Cooper Flagg went viral this week after throwing down an alley-oop dunk over a Pelicans defender—drawing a foul and earning a free throw. (More)

➤ Former NC State and UNCW basketball coach Kevin Keatts will make his debut as a studio analyst for ESPN and ACC Network tonight during UNC’s matchup against Kansas. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | Soccer | PGA | NCAAF | NCAAM | NCAAW 

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➤ Starting today, Charlotte Douglas International Airport is one of 40 airports the Federal Aviation Administration has slated for a 10% reduction in air traffic due to the federal shutdown. Up to 4,000 flights nationwide are expected to be impacted daily. (More)

➤ Durham-based Vulcan Elements and ReElement Technologies announced a $1.4 billion partnership to build a 10,000-ton rare-earth magnet facility, scaling a fully domestic supply chain from recycling to production. (More)

➤ The John Locke Foundation filed a legal brief Wednesday backing New Bern eye surgeon Dr. Jay Singleton’s constitutional challenge to North Carolina’s certificate-of-need law. A three-judge panel will hear oral arguments on Nov. 18 in Raleigh. (More)

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➤ The Senate Indian Affairs Committee held a hearing on Wednesday regarding legislation sponsored by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) to grant federal recognition to North Carolina’s Lumbee Tribe—the first hearing on the matter since 2021. (More)

➤ UNC Health doctor Sarah Spelsberg, part of the CBS Survivor medical team, treated contestant Jake Latimer after he was bitten by a highly venomous sea krait. Fortunately, no venom was injected. (More)

➤ After Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle joked about starting a GoFundMe to pay his celebration fine, he redirected the effort to benefit the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina. The fundraiser has brought in over $20,000. (More)

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Which fall activity do you enjoy most?

1. Hiking
2. Leaf-peeping
3. Attending festivals
4. Sampling seasonal menus
5. Preparing seasonal meals
6. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

Did you get your driver’s license at age 16?

1. Yes: 44%
2. No: 22%
3. I can’t remember: 17%
4. I don’t drive: 17%

What is former North Carolina Gov. William B. Umstead most famous for?

Show me the answer