Charlotte Airport Workers Threaten Holiday Strike

A group of 700 service workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport are voting on whether they should go on a 24-hour strike sometime during the holiday season. 

The workers are employed by ABM and Prospect Air Services, which clean plane interiors, remove trash, and escort passengers in wheelchairs.

The workers say the strike would protest poor working conditions, low wages, and a lack of respect. “If we stop working, the airport is going to stop. The planes can’t go,” said Dorothy Griffin, who works for ABM.

ABM issued a statement saying it would take steps to minimize disruptions, should the strike occur. Results of the voting have not yet been announced.

FEMA Provides Temporary Housing Update

FEMA held a briefing Friday to provide an overview of the Direct Temporary Housing Assistance Program, which was created to ensure displaced Hurricane Helene survivors are placed in safe, functional housing.

Fourteen homes have been delivered to Helene victims in Buncombe, Haywood, McDowell, and Henderson counties, and keys will be handed over to additional qualifying families in the next few days.

Officials also said the agency has provided $48 million to 13,600 requests for displacement assistance and that, in total, FEMA has provided more than $247 million to 135,000 North Carolina households. The agency has also provided hotel vouchers to 4,800 families in the Buncombe area alone.

Learn more about how to qualify for the FEMA temporary housing program here.

Snowy Scenes at Beech Mountain and Biltmore

The season’s first big snowstorm dumped 9 inches of snow across Beech Mountain and 7 inches over Sugar Mountain. Hot Springs and Banner Elk received 3-4 inches.

Asheville and Swannanoa got around an inch—just enough to dust the festive decor at Biltmore Estate, which is all decked out for its annual Christmas at Biltmore event through Jan. 5.

See aerial videos of the snow-covered estate here.

Looking ahead: Prepare for a chilly Thanksgiving in North Carolina. The same system that could produce snow in the Northeast will deliver a cold front with rain here on Thanksgiving Day and possibly Black Friday.

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

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➤ Brunswick County: The Sherriff’s Office arrested dozens of alleged drug dealers Friday while attempting to carry out 53 search and arrest warrants as part of a crime crackdown. More arrests were expected over the weekend. (More)

➤ Triangle: Agents for Coldwell Banker–Howard Perry and Walston delivered 3,000 turkeys donated by Butterball LLC to 200 local nonprofits, active-duty military, and veterans. (More)

➤ Wake County: CNN has filed to dismiss Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s defamation lawsuit, calling it “political theatre.” (More)

➤ Newland: A local nonprofit, Broken Wheel Ministries, is asking community members to donate vehicles and car parts as volunteers work to provide transportation to Hurricane Helene victims. Monetary donations are also being accepted. (See Details)

➤ Yancey County: Rangers in the Grandfather Mountain and Pisgah National Forest areas announced the reopening of several roads and 85 miles of trails that have been closed since Hurricane Helene hit the area. (See Details)

➤ Raleigh: The Breeze Thru convenience store on Poole Road celebrated its reopening by offering gas for $1.76 a gallon Thursday and presenting a check for $10,000 to the Raleigh Rescue Mission. (More)

➤ Former NFL center Jason Kelce attended Appalachian State’s 34-20 win over JMU Saturday. Kelce was in North Carolina to watch his brother, Travis Kelce, play the Carolina Panthers Sunday. (More)

➤ The Panthers almost pulled off the biggest upset of the year with a late touchdown and 2-point conversion to tie the Kansas City Chiefs at 27. With 1:46 remaining, KC QB Patrick Mahomes ran 32 yards to set up a 31-yard field goal for a 30-27 win. (More)

➤ Carolina Hurricanes goalie Pyotr Kochetkov suffered an injury three minutes into overtime during Saturday night’s game against Columbus after being run into by his own defender. The Canes lost 5-4 in the shootout. (More)

➤ Duke defeated Virginia Tech on Saturday with a thrilling 31-28 victory, while UNC got blown out 41-21 by Boston College. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NCAAF |NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | PGA | LPGA | MLS

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➤ Morehead City announced a proposal for Calico Bay Park, which would include an outdoor amphitheater, open lawns, a tree grove, “outdoor rooms,” public walking trails, a waterway access, docks, and more. (See Renderings)

➤ St. Augustine’s University will reduce its staff by 50%, reduce expenses by $17 million, and cut a limited number of programs as part of an effort to secure its accreditation. (More)

➤ ProKidney will pay $22.5 million in cash for two buildings adjacent to its existing Winston-Salem location to be used for manufacturing rilparencel, an investigational treatment for patients with Type 2 diabetes and advanced chronic kidney diseases. (More)

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➤ Outer Banks Forever is promoting opportunities to adopt one of 11 wild ponies on Ocracoke Island as Christmas gifts. A photo and official adoption certificate will be mailed to recipients. (More)

➤ Four sea turtle nests are currently incubating on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. At least 19,200 eggs have already hatched this season. (More)

➤ Pinehurst, Hickory, and Marion are among nine North Carolina towns considered “most comfortable” for seniors, based on their diverse topography, low cost of living, and pleasant weather. (See Full List)

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Are you flying somewhere for Thanksgiving this week?

1. Yes—hoping all goes well
2. Nope, staying put
3. Still trying to decide
4. I’m traveling, but by car

Friday’s Results:

How many states have you lived in?

1. Four or more: 35.9%
2. Three: 22.1%
3. Two: 21.6%
4. One: 20.4%

What famous battle in North Carolina preceded the American Revolutionary War?

Show me the answer