Monday, December 9, 2024

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 2018, an impressive 18.5 inches of snow fell in Saluda, creating a history-making winter wonderland in western North Carolina. Even parts of the Triangle got 11 inches of snow, and about 200,000 North Carolinians lost power during the storm.

Hopefully, those folks had a generator. Do you? Let us know by answering our poll.

Speaking of snow, check out Around North Carolina for photos of two white deer on the same property, with one of them enjoying the recent snowfall.

Today’s sponsor is Better Help. Invest in yourself.

Biden Approves Helene Aid Request

President Joe Biden has approved North Carolina’s request for federal aid to pay for 90% of certain Hurricane Helene recovery costs. After an initial period, the coverage will increase to 100%.

The funds, approved Friday, can be used for public assistance, hazard mitigation, and other FEMA-approved expenses such as medical care, funeral costs, and personal property replacement.

Biden approved the funds the same day business owners in Buncombe County confronted FEMA and county officials regarding the agency’s slow response.

The timing coincides with NCDOT estimates that it will cost $5 billion to repair 90 Buncombe County bridges and numerous mountain roads destroyed by Helene.

Vice President-elect JD Vance also visited western North Carolina Friday to survey storm wreckage and offer assurance to residents, saying “We haven’t forgotten you—we love you.”

NC College Football Coaching Shakeups

A flurry of college football coaching announcements came out this past week.

In addition to the news that six-time Super Bowl champion coach Bill Belichick had interviewed for UNC’s head coach vacancy, The Guardian’s Ollie Connolly reported that Belichick’s potential move could come with a condition that his son, Stephen Belichick, be named “head coach-in-waiting.”

Meanwhile, Appalachian State announced that South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains will replace Shawn Clark as head football coach, and the Charlotte 49ers announced the hiring of Ohio University head coach Tim Albin to replace Biff Poggi.

N.C. State is losing Defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson, who will take Marshall’s head coach position. Marshall’s current head coach, Charles Huff, is leaving to become head coach for Southern Miss.

Volunteers Rescue 180+ Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles

Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.) volunteers identified and rescued 180 cold-stunned sea turtles along Hatteras Island over a two-day period last week, then took the turtles to the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (STAR) center at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

Meanwhile, a nonprofit called Turtles Fly Too flew 30 cold-stunned sea turtles down from New England to receive treatment at North Carolina rehabilitation centers.

As cold-blooded reptiles, sea turtles’ metabolism slows when they get too cold, prohibiting them from migrating to warmer waters. This can cause them difficulty raising their heads above water to breathe, which can cause them to drown.

Do you have any friends or family who would like to receive Flyover North Carolina? Feel free to refer us to them!

Flying together with our sponsor

4 Million People Found Peace with BetterHelp – Whats Stopping You?

Feel like you’re spinning your wheels, juggling endless responsibilities? Work, school, relationships—everything adds up.

BetterHelp makes finding the right therapist fast and easy with a 5-minute quiz that matches you with one of 32,000 licensed professionals.

Connect with your therapist through phone, video, or text so therapy fits your life. You can even use FSA or HSA dollars toward therapy.

Join the 4 million people already finding support with BetterHelp. Sign up today and enjoy 30% off your first three months—reclaim your peace of mind in just 48 hours.

➤ Statewide: The North Carolina Democratic Party filed a lawsuit Friday to move Republicans’ challenges of 60,000 ballots from state to federal court. (See Details)

➤ Western NC: Thousands of private wells may still be contaminated with harmful bacteria due to damage from Helene’s floodwaters. (More)

➤ Asheboro: The North Carolina Zoo confirmed the “exceedingly rare” existence of two white deer on the zoo’s property—a male and female. (See Photos)

➤ Apex: A Pittsboro couple learned that 20 acres of Apex land they own was almost sold without their knowledge. (More)

➤ Maggie Valley: LoveFOOD chose Joey’s Pancake House as North Carolina’s best pancake restaurant based on user reviews, awards, accolades, and firsthand experience. (More)

➤ Mitchell County: Officials addressed rumors that 40 generators were stolen, confirming they were stored on county property under National Guard supervision. (See Details)

➤ Alamance County: An elementary school principal was arrested on fraud-related felony charges involving pet insurance. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers put up a strong fight against the heavily favored Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, but fell just short, largely due to this potential game-winning touchdown grab from Xavier Legette being ruled incomplete. (Watch Video)

➤ N.C. State will face ECU in the Go Bowling Military Bowl on Dec. 28, and UNC will play UConn in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl, also on Dec. 28. (See All Bowl Selections)

➤ Brandon Miller provided a bright spot amid the Charlotte Hornets’ eight-game losing streak with this acrobatic third-quarter buzzer-beater shot. (Watch Video)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes suffered a frustrating 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders Saturday after giving up all four goals in the second period. (More)

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

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Breathe Better. Perform Better. Better Breathing Sport uses a revolutionary process to naturally improve your breathing over time while boosting your athletic performance to new heights. It’s safe, works quickly, and is trusted by top athletes around the world. Experience optimal performance and faster recovery times!

➤ Biotech company Amgen will expand its manufacturing operation in Holly Springs via a $1 billion investment economists say will grow the state’s economy by $3.59 billion. (More)

➤ The 1,100-acre Veridea development project in Apex is finally under construction—nearly 16 years after it was pitched. (More)

➤ Charlotte City Council members will vote today on whether to authorize a $40 million upgrade to Concourse D at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Kailo’s Flex™ is an all-natural pain patch, designed to quickly relieve pain anywhere on your body. It is the most flexible, comfortable, and affordable Pain Patch device we have ever made! (See It Here)

Flying together with our sponsor

Do you find yourself stuck in a loop of worry and self-doubt? You’re not alone.

Millions struggle with these thoughts, but you don’t have to. BetterHelp therapists specialize in helping clients change unhelpful thinking patterns and build healthier habits.

Answer a free 5-minute quiz to get matched with a therapist today and start therapy from your phone, computer, or through text.

Plus, use your FSA/HSA dollars to cover therapy and enjoy 30% off your first three months. Don’t wait—take control of your mental health now.

➤ NC By Train will operate its Santa Train this Saturday, Dec. 14, for the first time since 2019. Passengers can board at any stop between Raleigh and Greensboro for a chance to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. (See Details)

➤ Caesars Virginia, the highly anticipated $750 million casino near the North Carolina state line, will open Dec. 17 and feature an appearance by NBA great Dennis Rodman. (See Details)

➤ UNC-Chapel Hill students Guillermo Estrada and Alex Jones, who defended the American flag during a pro-Palastine protest last May, received a Fox Nation Award for Courage Thursday during the network’s sixth annual Patriot Awards. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ A stocking stuffer that can change someone’s life? Meet the Audien Atom, the most premium, discreet, and affordable hearing aids everyone is talking about. The world’s first wireless charging gearing aids for less than $100. (See It Here)