Fort Bragg Unit Led Venezuela Raid

The elite operators from the U.S. Army’s Delta Force who captured Venezuela’s disputed President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas on Saturday are based at Fort Bragg.

The operation, dubbed Absolute Resolve, involved helicopter insertions supported by air cover, with troops rehearsing on a mock-up of Maduro’s fortified compound and preparing with blowtorches in case safe rooms had to be breached.

President Trump confirmed the mission’s success, praising Delta Force for extracting the couple without U.S. fatalities amid explosions and power outages in the capital. Maduro, indicted on U.S. narco-terrorism charges, was flown to a warship and then to New York to stand trial on charges of alleged drug trafficking.

North Carolina’s Venezuelan community celebrated the operation’s success, with Triangle residents expressing hope for democracy and Charlotte restaurant owner Michel Meza viewing it as a necessary step toward freedom. U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC, praised Trump’s decisive action to bring the “illegitimate dictator” to justice, though some Democrats and Venezuelan Americans raised concerns about U.S. overreach and constitutional authority.

Republicans Overtake Dems on Voter Rolls

For the first time in modern North Carolina history, Republicans have surpassed Democrats in voter registrations. As of Jan. 3, state data show 2,315,067 registered Republicans compared to 2,312,990 Democrats—a narrow lead of 2,077 voters.

Total registered voters stand at 7,655,591, with unaffiliated voters remaining the largest group at 2,976,558. Minor parties include 46,608 Libertarians and 4,368 Greens. View the official data here.

Experts describe the shift as a gradual realignment driven by declining Democratic numbers, steady Republican growth, population influx, and the rapid rise of unaffiliated voters, who overtook Republicans in 2017 and Democrats in 2022.

The change reflects evolving battleground dynamics ahead of the 2026 elections.

Measles Exposure Found in Gaston County

North Carolina health officials issued a measles exposure warning after an infectious traveler visited Gaston County on Dec. 26.

Potential exposure occurred at Constantine’s Restaurant in Gastonia after 8:30 p.m. There was also potential exposure at Christmas Town USA in McAdenville from 5:30 to 8 p.m., although the risk was lower there due to the event being outdoors.

Anyone at the restaurant during that time should monitor for symptoms—which include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and rash—through Jan. 16. Officials urge contacting a health care provider immediately if symptoms appear and avoiding public contact.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recommends the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for all unvaccinated residents age 1 and older. So far, 2,065 measles cases have been confirmed in 44 states this year.

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➤ Charlotte: American Airlines, for which Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a major hub, canceled all flights into and out of the Eastern Caribbean after the Federal Aviation Administration closed airspace over Venezuela and surrounding regions following U.S. military strikes. (More)

➤ Raleigh: Zoe Welsh, 57, a mother and Ravenscroft teacher, died from severe head injuries after a home invasion assault Saturday. Police arrested Ryan Camacho, 36, and charged him with murder and breaking and entering. (More)

➤ Kannapolis: Gov. Josh Stein announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the Jan. 6, 2025, shooting death of 28-year-old Khari Ikeem Shytez Wilkes. (More)

➤ Hillsborough: A truck, driven by someone suffering a medical emergency, crashed through a wall at Hillsborough Town Cemetery on Wednesday, damaging several family gravestones. (See Photos)

➤ Newland: A magnitude 1.7 earthquake struck 4.2 miles west-southwest of Newland at 1:06 a.m. Saturday at a depth of about 1 mile, with no damage or injuries reported, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. (More)

➤ Clyde: The town received over $200,000 in state funds to restore native plants that will help stabilize 5 acres of land along the Pigeon River for flood recovery. It’s also working with FEMA to elevate downtown buildings in preparation for future floods. (More)

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➤ The Carolina Panthers clinched the NFC South after the Atlanta Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints 19-17 yesterday, winning a three-way division tiebreaker to reach the playoffs. (More)

➤ Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges helped erase a 15-point deficit with this go-ahead dunk in the third quarter of Saturday’s game, leading to a 112-99 Charlotte win over the Chicago Bulls. (See Dunk)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes crumbled against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, allowing four third-period goals before ultimately falling 5-3. (More)

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

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➤ North Carolina’s Department of Labor is threatening civil contempt charges against CJF America President Kristen Picot for failing to provide pay records tied to allegations that the nonprofit owes summer camp workers hundreds of thousands in unpaid wages. (More)

➤ 360 Virtual Drone Services owner Michael Jones continues to push for U.S. Supreme Court review of a ruling upholding North Carolina’s requirement for a surveyor’s license to offer aerial mapping services, citing a deepening circuit split on First Amendment protections. (More)

➤ Kansas City-based Railcrew Xpress will lay off 87 workers across eight North Carolina locations by Feb. 27 after CSX Railroad canceled its contract for crew transportation services. (More)

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➤ Tryon is described by WorldAtlas as one of the most hospitable towns in the U.S., praised for its residents’ genuine warmth, community pride, equestrian heritage, vineyards, and welcoming events. (More)

➤ Dare County commissioners will be updated today on the A250 committee’s plans for America’s 250th birthday celebrations, which will include parades, a patriotic festival, and a new historical sites passport program. (More)

➤ Also in commemoration of the nation’s 250th birthday, U.S. national parks—including North Carolina sites like the Blue Ridge Parkway and Cape Hatteras—have introduced digital America the Beautiful passes, expanded fee-free days for U.S. residents only, introduced higher fees for nonresidents at 11 popular parks, and planned special events. (More and Find NC Parks)

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Have you personally experienced an earthquake?

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Yesterday’s Results:

Did you live in North Carolina during the 1960s?

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2. Yes: 35%
3. I wasn’t even born yet: 26%

Which national historic site ranges across nine states, including North Carolina?

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