Stein, United Way Add to Helene Aid

Gov. Josh Stein announced $40 million in grants on Friday to bolster long-term recovery and resilience in Western North Carolina communities devastated by Hurricane Helene.

The funding includes over $24 million for mitigation projects, such as flood control, wastewater improvements, transportation upgrades, dam restoration, and relocating facilities from flood-prone areas. It also includes $16 million for volunteer nonprofits aiding home repairs and rebuilding.

Awarded through the state’s Disaster Relief and Mitigation Fund and Volunteer Organizations Active in Rebuilds program, the grants target hard-hit areas like Asheville, Black Mountain, Hendersonville, and Marion.

Complementing state efforts, United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County awarded $800,000 on March 1 to nine local organizations in Buncombe County. The funds support housing repairs, debris removal, private road reconstruction, and operational needs.

Dare County Wildfire Expands

A wildfire on the Dare County mainland that started March 4 reached 1,410 acres as of Saturday afternoon, according to AirNow.gov. Reportedly human-caused, the East Tower fire is burning in a remote area of the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge near military bombing ranges and Stumpy Point.

The North Carolina Forest Service’s firefighting efforts remain focused on monitoring and addressing hot spots using aircraft and drones, with a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Type 1 helicopter available to assist. A Friday drone flight detected no visible smoke, though infrared monitoring for residual heat continues.

No evacuations or immediate threats to structures have been reported.

Meanwhile, in Western North Carolina, a wildfire on Georges Branch Road in Candler grew to 100 acres with 65% containment, according to the North Carolina Forest Service Saturday evening. No structures or injuries were threatened at that time.

Microschools Grow Across NC

Microschools—small, personalized learning environments that blend homeschool flexibility with a private school structure—are growing across North Carolina. These schools typically serve around 22 students and emphasize project-based, experiential education in small groups, with teachers, parents, and students often co-creating curricula.

At least 40 microschools operated in North Carolina last year, with some directories listing up to 58, many clustered in Charlotte, the Triangle, and Western North Carolina. Examples include hybrid programs like Harmony Homeschool Academy in Cary and the agriculture-focused SELAH Institute near Kinston.

Growth of microschools accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic, as families sought alternatives to traditional public schools amid record homeschooling and rising private school enrollment.

Some advocates say policy reforms could include recognizing microschools as nonpublic schools, expanding scholarship access, and providing regulatory clarity to support broader educational choice.

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➤ Statewide: North Carolina State Board of Elections Republican member and former state senator Bob Rucho resigned Thursday amid allegations he violated state law by making roughly $1,200 in prohibited campaign donations to two county sheriffs’ reelection efforts while serving on the board. (More)

➤ Eastern NC: North Carolina’s Mobile Crisis (MC) Dispatch pilot program launched in Duplin, Edgecombe, Greene, Halifax, Lenoir, Nash, Sampson, Warren, Wayne, and Wilson counties. It enables real-time dispatch of mobile crisis teams or resource connections for 988 callers in mental health emergencies. (More)

➤ NC Coast: Two great white sharks recently pinged off the coast via OCEARCH tracking: Nori, an 8-foot-10-inch, 423-pound female on March 3; and Cayo, a 10-foot-3-inch, 689-pound female on March 6. (More)

➤ NC Schools: The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction announced nine finalists for the 2026 Wells Fargo North Carolina Principal of the Year, chosen from eight regions plus one charter school principal. The overall winner will be named May 15. (More)

➤ Campbell University: The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression criticized the university after a law student’s flyers referencing Charlie Kirk and calling to “end political violence” were removed from the law school, raising concerns about the school’s free speech policies. (More)

➤ Fort Bragg: The U.S. Army said a headquarters element of the 82nd Airborne Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Bragg adjusted its planned participation in a scheduled training exercise at Fort Polk amid the conflict with Iran. (More)

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➤  The Carolina Hurricanes fell 5-4 to the Calgary Flames on Saturday despite a late comeback attempt. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers are reportedly interested in adding defensive help, including a linebacker, when NFL free agency begins March 11. (More)

➤ No. 13 Duke women’s basketball defeated Louisville 70-65 in overtime in the ACC title game yesterday. Duke sophomore guard Riley Nelson sealed the win for Duke with this three-pointer at the end of the overtime period. (Watch Video)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf | World Baseball Classic | NASCAR | F1

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➤ Ralliant Corp. officially opened its new global headquarters in Raleigh’s North Hills area, moving from temporary offices and housing about 150 employees with plans for up to 180 high-paying jobs averaging $189,479. (More)

➤ The State Health Plan will partner with Novant Health to expand its Lantern surgical benefit, providing eligible state employees, retirees, and dependents with access to no-cost non-emergent surgeries at Novant facilities. (More)

➤ Pickles and Play, an indoor pickleball facility, will open its fourth Triangle location in Brier Creek in late May or early June. The 24,000-square-foot facility will include eight dedicated courts, a party area, and a bar. (More)

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➤ Personal items from the estate of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were auctioned at Brunk Auctions in Asheville on Feb. 25, fetching $658,296 across 216 lots. A 24-karat Presidential Inaugural Proof Gold Medal set a record at $159,900. (See Photos)

➤ Elon University football alum and nursing student Jake Marion became the first participant in a school program with the National Marrow Donor Program to donate bone marrow, providing stem cells to a 62-year-old cancer patient after a match in January. (More)

➤ Durham is the nation’s No. 2 city overall and top midsize city for college basketball fans, according to a new ranking. Meanwhile, Chapel Hill took the No. 8 position overall and No. 4 among small cities, while Raleigh ranked No. 23 among large cities. (See Rankings)

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Should Durham, Chapel Hill, or Raleigh claim the title of North Carolina’s best basketball town or city?

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Yesterday’s Results:

Have you been to Biltmore in the spring?

1. No: 37%
2. Yes: 36%
3. Not yet: 27%

Which North Carolina A&T alumnus became a famous NASA astronaut?

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