Brown Federally Indicted for Light Rail Murder

A federal grand jury charged Decarlos Brown, 34, on Wednesday for the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska aboard the Charlotte Area Transit System’s LYNX Blue Line light rail on Aug. 22.

Brown faces a federal charge of knowingly and unlawfully using a dangerous weapon with intent to cause death on a mass transit system, which carries the potential for the death penalty.

CATS leaders say ridership on the LYNX Blue Line has fallen in the two months following the stabbing. Officials attribute the decline to safety concerns and heightened public scrutiny, and say restoring rider confidence hinges on visible security upgrades and robust safety enforcement.

CATS Director Brent Cagle said efforts are being made to increase security, noting that off-duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers logged 930 hours of security work in the past week alone.

Court Skeptical of Reopening Blackbeard Case

A federal appeals court expressed skepticism on Wednesday over a decade-old copyright lawsuit filed by Frederick Allen and Nautilus Productions claiming the state of North Carolina misused images captured during the recovery of Blackbeard’s flagship, the Queen Anne’s Revenge.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that North Carolina is protected by sovereign immunity under the Copyright Remedy Clarification Act, and Allen’s claim over the footage was dismissed.

Despite that ruling, U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle reopened the case in 2021, allowing Allen to amend his complaint. North Carolina appealed, arguing the reopening contradicted the Supreme Court’s decision.

Judge Paul Niemeyer questioned the need for reopening the case, calling it a “second bite,” at a claim already addressed, suggesting no new evidence justifies prolonged litigation.

Opportunity Scholarship Enrollment Nears 100K

The North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program is approaching 100,000 student enrollments, with 98,917 students as of Oct. 6, reflecting a 204% increase over the past two years.

The program, which provides vouchers for private school education, has seen significant growth since expanding eligibility to all K-12 students last year. This semester, $279.9 million in vouchers were awarded, with projections of reaching $559.8 million by year-end.

The program’s expansion has led to notable shifts, with 65,491 renewals and 15,000 non-renewals from last year. Wake County leads in scholarship awards at $34 million, followed by Mecklenburg at $25 million. North Raleigh Christian Academy received the most funding at over $3 million.

View a summary of the data, provided by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, here.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ NC Coast: The General Assembly on Tuesday approved $7 million for North Carolina’s ferry system, allocating $3 million for operations and $4 million for essential shipyard maintenance. (More)

➤ Wake Forest: Wake Preparatory Academy closed on Thursday and switched to virtual learning while police investigated threats directed at the charter school. (More)

➤ Durham: An unsanctioned North Carolina Central University homecoming party drew thousands and was shut down over safety concerns after traffic gridlock, illegal parking, and trespassing prompted sheriff intervention. (More)

➤ Raleigh: A search committee made up of business leaders John Kane, Tom Looney, Ward Nye, and Chris Chung is looking for the next president of North Carolina’s Community College System. Current President Jeff Cox is retiring in June. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Netflix’s popular series The Hunting Wives, currently filming in the Charlotte area, is seeking background extras of all ages, types, and ethnicities. Interested applicants can email THW2extras@gmail.com. (More)

➤ Asheville: Jason Speier, a former minister turned cabin builder, pleaded guilty to $2.5 million in wire fraud after defrauding over 30 clients. He faces restitution and awaits sentencing. (More)

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

➤ Former Duke basketball star Cooper Flagg scored 10 points in his NBA debut with the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night. When asked to assess his game, he said, “Not great.” (More)

➤ Charlotte football takes on 6-1 University of North Texas tonight at 7 p.m. in what looks to be a lopsided affair. The 49ers rank No. 128 nationally in scoring at 17.1 points per game, while their opponent leads the nation with an average of 45.0 points. (More)

➤ Longtime Wake Forest radio analyst Mark Freidinger announced his retirement this week after 35 years. He’s called more than 1,000 games for the Demon Deacons over the course of his career. (More)

➤ Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan, are suing NASCAR for unlawful monopolization for refusing to sign the 2025 charter agreement. Mediation continues to avoid a December 2025 trial. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAF | Soccer | Golf | Tennis

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Want to hit straighter, longer drives instantly? Flightpath Golf Tees are engineered to reduce friction and correct off-center hits—helping you add distance, accuracy, and confidence to every swing. Used by pros and everyday golfers alike, Flightpath helps you play your best game every time you tee off.  (SHOP NOW)

➤ San Francisco-based SoFi Technologies will open an East Coast office in Charlotte, creating 225 jobs in the Ballantyne area by 2030 with an average annual wage of $108,436. State and local incentives total $2.38 million. (More)

➤ Houston-based Hines purchased Birkdale Village, a 673,000-square-foot mixed-use open-air development in Huntersville, for $274.4 million on Wednesday. (More)

➤ Federal tariffs implemented in April and May cut North Carolina auto imports by 26%, from $4.4 billion to $3.3 billion by July, while boosting exports 37% and hurting Toyota and GM. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ This tiny Hearing Aid is changing lives—and it’s under $100. Oricle Hearing delivers crystal-clear sound, wireless charging, and all-day battery life—all for under $100. No doctor visits, no hidden fees—just amazing hearing at an unbeatable price. Join over 150,000 satisfied customers and experience better hearing today!  (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

Be The Reason Hope Arrives

When disaster strikes or hunger threatens, compassion in action can change everything.

Right now, through Convoy of Hope, you can provide food, water, and hope to families in need — while reminding you of the power of love in motion.

With your gift, you’ll also receive What Really Matters by Hal Donaldson—a heartfelt book that encourages you to live with courage, kindness, and purpose in a hurting world.

 Every act of giving makes a difference. Every life touched matters.

Give today and let your compassion be the reason someone finds hope again—and rediscover what really matters in your own life.

➤ The Thomas Wolfe Memorial in downtown Asheville will host From Death to Mourning on Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring eerie tales of death and spiritualism for $10 per person. (More)

➤ North Carolina’s median property tax is $1,971 per year, according to new tax data, well below the U.S. median of $3,500. (See Map)

➤ The Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas is underway, with Asheville-based A Biltmore Christmas airing this Sunday, Oct. 26, at 10 p.m. Additional showings are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 5, and Tuesday, Nov. 18—both at 8 p.m. (More and See Lineup)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ When disaster strikes, don’t be caught unprepared. The 4Patriots 3-Month Survival Food Kit provides 704 servings of delicious, easy-to-store meals with a 25-year shelf life. Stay self-reliant through storms, blackouts, or emergencies—nutritious peace of mind you can count on when it matters most. Stock up today.

How many Hallmark Christmas movies do you watch each year?

1. At least 10
2. Five to nine
3. One to four
4. Zero

Yesterday’s Results:

When did you buy your first home?

1. Under age 30: 42%
2. Over age 30: 32%
3. I don’t own a home: 26%

Who leads the Duke vs. NC State football series?

Show me the answer