NCDMV Expands Road Test Options for Adults

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles has expanded options for adult drivers by allowing certified private driver education schools to administer road tests for those 18 and older seeking Class C driver’s licenses.

Effective March 16, the program aims to provide greater flexibility and convenience while reducing long wait times and lines at NCDMV offices. Applicants who pass at a private school only need to visit an NCDMV location to finalize their license issuance.

Division spokesperson Marty Homan said recent improvements, including added staff and online services, have cut average wait times from about 2.5 hours to 40 minutes, and NCDMV Commissioner Paul Tine described the expansion as a step toward modernizing and streamlining the licensing process.

View a list of private schools statewide participating here.

NCDHHS, App State Launch Child Care Academies

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Appalachian State University have launched a series of Child Care Academies to help address staffing shortages in early childhood education.

The accelerated training programs are designed to prepare new child care workers quickly and strengthen the state’s early learning workforce.

App State received a grant of approximately $50,000 to develop the academies, which provide free, short-term training that meets state requirements for child care professionals, covering health, safety, and early childhood development topics.

The initiative includes partnerships with UNC-Chapel Hill, Elizabeth City State University, and 13 community colleges across the state.

NC Manages, Finds Use for Invasive Bird and Tree

Researchers from NC State and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences found that discarded eggs from invasive house sparrows can help detect heavy metal contamination, offering a novel environmental monitoring tool.

Bluebird enthusiasts—who frequently throw out house sparrow eggs and remove their nests to keep them from overtaking the nest boxes bluebirds use—can submit the house sparrow eggs to the Sparrow Swap cooperative program for analysis of environmental pollution levels, helping monitor toxins in shared environments.

Meanwhile, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension is hosting a series of “Bradford Pear Bounty” exchanges, encouraging residents to remove and exchange the invasive tree for a free native tree.

The first event was held on Saturday in Hayesville, with remaining exchanges on April 25 in Asheville and Hendersonville, and on May 9 in Burlington. Register for an exchange here.

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Buncombe County: Officials purchased a 342-acre Deaverview Mountain property in Asheville, partnering with the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to create the county’s largest public park for recreation and environmental education. (More)

➤ Charlotte-Mecklenburg: Police broke up an attempted street takeover along Sugar Creek Road and University City Boulevard during targeted operations Friday night, seizing firearms and narcotics while preventing illegal gatherings in the area. (See Photos)

➤ Iredell County: Authorities arrested accused serial squatter Jessica Springs on trespassing charges Thursday after she allegedly occupied a $4.3 million, 58-acre equestrian property in Davidson following a failed seller-financed deal. (More)

➤ Rutherford County: Forest City’s Legacy Soccer Park held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday for the $17.4 million complex, featuring six fields, two enclosed urban pitches, a clubhouse, and a concessions building. (More)

➤ Cornelius: Michael Smith, 54, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after using AI to create hundreds of thousands of songs and bots to stream them on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, fraudulently collecting over $8 million in royalties. (More)

➤ Fletcher: The Western North Carolina Build & Remodel Expo debuted its Pawrade of Homes on Saturday, spotlighting custom doghouses built by students from Buncombe and Henderson counties. (See Doghouses)

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

➤ Duke women’s basketball cruised to a 69-46 win over Baylor to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament after four Blue Devils tallied double-digit points. (More)

➤ UNC women’s basketball defeated Maryland 74-66 on Sunday to advance to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, as sophomore guard Elina Aarnisalo led the Tar Heels with 21 points. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, NC State women’s basketball struggled to keep pace with second-seeded Michigan, falling 92-63 after getting outscored by 26 in the second half. (More)

➤ UNC-Wilmington men’s basketball saw its season come to an end on Saturday after an 80-61 loss to Dayton in the second round of the NIT. (More)

➤ Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball scored 29 points on Saturday, helping guide the Hornets to a 124-101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies—the team’s third straight victory. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf | Tennis | NASCAR

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ I got rid of dark spots and stubborn eye bags in just weeks. After nearly giving up, I tried this skin-smoothing probiotic—just 3 drops under my eyes before bed. By morning, I noticed a glow, and it kept improving. Soon, dark circles, fine lines, and spots visibly faded. Watch the short video to see how it works.

➤ Gov. Josh Stein announced $8.5 million in a third round small business infrastructure grants for 13 western North Carolina projects supporting businesses rebuilding after Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ Charlotte-based Electrolux Group recalled more than 174,000 Frigidaire gas ranges manufactured in North Carolina and sold nationwide after a delayed oven ignition issue was linked to at least 30 burn injuries. (More)

➤ Red Storm Entertainment, the Cary-based game developer co-founded by novelist Tom Clancy, will lay off 105 employees due to economic pressures, cease game development, and shift remaining staff to engine development. (More)

➤ Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Friday launched North Carolina’s first nonstop flight to the Middle East as Etihad Airways began four weekly flights to Abu Dhabi, UAE, on the airport’s longest route at more than 14 hours. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Looking for fast, drug-free pain relief? Paingone Plus uses advanced microcurrent technology to help ease aches, reduce inflammation, and improve recovery—anytime, anywhere. Compact, easy to use, and reusable, it’s a simple way to manage everyday discomfort and get back to feeling your best without pills or prescriptions.

Flying together with our sponsor

Scientists at Washington University discovered that doing this simple couch-yoga pose fixes constipation, bloating, and embarrassing gassy moments.

At the same time, they were shocked to see that something SO simple can empty your bowels faster than any laxative or fiber-rich diet can.

Read all about this revolutionary trick here:

This couch-yoga pose clears your gut fast

➤ A message in a bottle, tossed into the ocean in 2021 by Ocracoke School graduate Hannah Belch, was found in December in the Bahamas, more than 800 miles away. (More)

➤ Raleigh Little Theatre will stage the Tony Award-winning musical 1776 from March 27 through April 19 at the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre, depicting the founders’ heated debates over independence with humor, history, and music. (More)

➤ The North Carolina Zoo announced the birth of two sand cat kittens born in February to parents Sahara and Cosmo in the Desert Dome habitat. The couple now has a total of five kittens. (See Kittens)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Worried about declining bone density after your latest DEXA scan? Instead of relying solely on prescriptions, new research highlights a natural protein that supports bone strength and helps maintain the structure that keeps bones resilient. Discover what thousands are learning about protecting their bone health and aging stronger. (Learn more)

Would you rather take your driving test through the DMV or a private driving school?

1. DMV
2. Private driving school
3. Not sure

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you booked a summer vacation?

1. Haven’t thought about it: 36%
2. Of course: 30%
3. I will soon: 18%
4. Too early: 16%

Which bird species are considered invasive in North Carolina?

Show me the answer