Monday, August 4, 2025

The Roundup

Article Icon 1Stein Grants $11M for 37 Central NC Trail Projects

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein announced $11 million in grants under the Great Trails State Program for 37 trail projects in 19 counties throughout the state’s Piedmont and Sandhills regions.

Established in 2023, the program typically awards grants in a cycle that distributes $25 million in funding and, Stein says, “will spur local tourism and encourage more people to explore North Carolina’s incredible beauty.”

The grants can also be applied to greenways. Wendell received $500,000 to create its first—Buffalo Creek Greenway—which will connect the downtown, neighborhoods, and schools.

The announcement follows Stein’s July 23 awarding of $2.6 million in Great Trails State Program grants to 10 eastern North Carolina trail projects, with $44.5 million in matching funds.

Article Icon 1Contaminated Soil Closes Buxton Shoreline

Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) closed a three-tenths of a mile stretch from Buxton Village to Old Lighthouse Beach Saturday due to erosion exposing petroleum odors and sheens from the Buxton Formerly Used Defense Site.

CHNS authorities advise against swimming or wading in the water from Old Lighthouse Beach to the northern boundary of Ramp 43.

Operated by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard from 1956-2010, the site reopened June 12 following the lifting of a precautionary public health advisory issued by Dare County’s Department of Health and Human Services after it had consulted with the U.S. Public Health Service.

Before reopening, the site had been closed since Sept. 1, 2023. The Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, and the Coast Guard’s National Response Center have been notified.

Article Icon 1America250 NC Advances Celebration Plans

The North Carolina General Assembly’s Centennial Committee met on July 24 to continue planning America’s 250th anniversary, discussing efforts to broaden highway marker publicity and market branded merchandise.

The committee praised the placement of Charters of Freedom displays, replicating the nation’s founding documents. NC250 leaders also announced cultural partnerships and proposed youth civic initiatives, including contests and virtual field trips.

Upcoming events include a Kings Mountain Revolutionary Drama and an interactive Charlotte exhibit covering the entirety of the American Revolution. The North Carolina State Fair will feature America250-themed competitions that include decorated Christmas trees, fresh flower arrangements, 4-H haybales, a cake decorating challenge, and more.

Read the planning guide here.

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Around North Carolina

Statewide: A woman’s disability discrimination lawsuit over denied remote work during endometriosis episodes may go to trial, potentially setting a precedent for others with the condition. (More)

Also statewide: State and federal permits have been approved for NCDOT to build a temporary river bridge and haul road in Pisgah National Forest, enabling rock extraction to reconstruct a section of I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge damaged by Hurricane Helene. (More)

Wake County: The Raleigh-Durham International Airport began adding 500 parking spaces to its Park Economy 3 lot today as part of a $164 million expansion to reach 11,000 spaces by next summer. The project also includes covered walkways, EV chargers, and a customer amenity building. (More)

Chapel Hill: UNC will cut $70 million in spending due to federal funding cuts by reducing staff, consolidating roles, prioritizing in-state student enrollment, and decreasing financial aid for out-of-state students. (More)

Mecklenburg County: Ezell Park, an $8.5 million, 91-acre park, will open in Mint Hill later this year with four pickleball courts, a splash pad, a basketball court, a playground, trails, public art, and an open play field. (More)

Mooresville: Residents worry that the departure of over 100 city officials amid “hostile” workplace claims will weaken zoning oversight and ease the path for developers. (More)


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North Carolina Sports

➤ Cameron Young won his first PGA Tour title on Sunday with a final-round 68, finishing six shots ahead at the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club. He is the 1,000th unique winner in PGA Tour history.  (More)

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced that starters will play in the first two preseason games, a shift from 2024 when he kept quarterback Bryce Young out of the entire preseason. (More)

➤ Former Wake Forest pitcher Chase struck out two in one inning for the Reds during Saturday’s Bristol Motor Speedway Classic, which was completed Sunday after a rain delay. The Braves won 4-2. (See Burns)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | PGA | LPGA | NASCAR | F1

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North Carolina Business

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon visited Charlotte’s SouthPark to celebrate the bank’s 1,000th branch opening under its recent expansion initiative. It’s Chase’s 24th branch in Charlotte. (More)

Jeffrey Cox, president of the North Carolina Community College System since June 2023, announced on Friday that he will resign in June 2026, allowing the board time for a smooth leadership transition. (More)

The Urban Land Institute panel recommended Asheville rebuild by relocating the River Arts District, improving flood controls, diversifying the economy, and prioritizing legacy neighborhoods under a “one water” strategy. (More)

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Et Cetera

U-Haul’s 2025 midyear report shows that people moving into North Carolina choose metro areas like Charlotte, the Triangle, and Wilmington, while people moving out of the state are attracted to cities like Atlanta, Orlando, and Tampa. (More)

Oak Island held a Dutchman Dinghy Dash at Dutchman Creek Park on Saturday, during which participants built and raced cardboard boats held together with duct tape and glue. (More)

Nine-banded armadillos, which are native to South and Central America, are expanding into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where sightings at high elevations raise questions about their ecological impact. (More)

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The Poll

When do students return to school in your area?

  1. Early August
  2. Mid-August
  3. Late-August
  4. September
  5. We have year-round schools


Yesterdays Results:

Were you raised to say “Yes, ma’am” and “Yes, sir” to your elders?

  1. Yes ma’am/sir: 60%
  2. No ma’am/sir: 25%
  3. Can’t remember: 15%
North Carolina Trivia

How many U.S. states have adopted the Honor and Remember flag?

Show me the answer

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