Reported Crime Drops across NC

Reported crime in North Carolina fell across all four major categories in the first half of 2026, with property crime down 11.9% from a year earlier.

The Department of Public Safety report covers January through June against the same period in 2025. Violent crime fell 5.8%, drug crime 3.2%, and financial crime 2.1%. Several individual offenses saw steeper drops. Motor vehicle theft was down 22.6%, robbery 17.7%, and murder 12.4%.

Caroline Farmer, executive director of the Governor’s Crime Commission, said the trends let agencies “understand where we are seeing success and where emerging needs are developing.”

Analysts noted the numbers still vary sharply by community, with murder rates in Fayetteville and Greensboro running well above Raleigh’s.

Elon Poll Examines AI Companion Use

A new Elon University study found that 27% of American adults who use the internet now turn to AI chatbots like ChatGPT for emotional or social support.

The Imagining the Digital Future Center and the Elon University Poll surveyed 1,000 such users, with 31% reporting they consider their chatbot a friend, and 59% saying AI gives them the support they need.

Respondents said they see benefits and drawbacks ahead. Looking to the future, 74% expect education and information to become more accessible, while 57% expect more social isolation and loneliness.

Lee Rainie, who directs the center, said the survey offers “the first wave of insights” into how people are forming bonds with large language models.

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➤ Statewide: A new report reveals that former governor and Democrat Senate candidate Roy Cooper appointed former Bloods gang member Kerwin Pittman, convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, to a 2020 Racial Equity in Criminal Justice task force. (More)

➤ Charlotte: California Gov. Gavin Newsom rallied for down-ballot Democrats in Monroe over Labor Day weekend, closing his four-day “Take It Back” tour of Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina in Union County, which President Trump carried in 2024. (More)

➤ Moore County: A federal judge cleared the way for Heather Ammel’s alienation-of-affection lawsuit against former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. Ammel claims Sinema’s affair with her husband, a Sinema staffer, ended the marriage. (More)

➤ Raleigh: A new report reveals that the downtown area drew 22.5 million visitors between July 2025 and June 2026, with Saturday crowds topping 121,000. About 21,500 people now live within a mile of the city center, which includes more than 300 bars and restaurants. (More)

➤ Avery County: Multi-agency rescue crews extracted an injured hiker Saturday from Lost Cove Trail in Pisgah National Forest after the person was hurt while hiking, carrying the patient in a Stokes basket to an ambulance. Injury details remain undisclosed. (More)

➤ Carolina Beach: Lifeguards prepare for post-Labor Day staffing cuts, ending stationary tower coverage today and shifting to limited vehicle patrols, while urging swimmers to heed rip current risks and stay near active guards during the busy holiday. (More)

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Genius Gadgets: The 37 That Actually Earn Their Keep

Smart shoppers know the secret: the best gadgets earn their keep. These 37 picks prove it. They aren’t gimmicks or dust collectors, they’re practical innovations that deliver real value every single day.

Whether you’re organizing your space, upgrading your routine, or getting a head start on gifts, this list highlights what’s genuinely worth buying right now. The catch? These popular items are selling faster than anticipated, so availability won’t last.

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What’s on your to-do list for Labor Day?

1. Pool or beach day
2. Cookout
3. Other
4. Nothing—it’s a holiday
5. All of the above

Yesterday’s Results:

Did you live in North Carolina when Hurricane Fran hit in 1996?

1. Yes: 58%
2. No: 42%

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ A famous TV crime-show host in Egypt has been sentenced to death by hanging. Prosecutors say her off-camera business was a criminal enterprise. (Hear Charges)

➤ Federal agents demanded a list of everyone near Minneapolis who bought one specific green beanie in the last two years. (Hear Why)

➤ Why do you still remember the most popular kid from high school? Psychologists say those teenage rankings quietly shape our lives for decades. (Hear More)

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➤ The No. 1 “Heart Strong” Nutrient You May Be Missing. A Duke University doctor says low levels of one overlooked nutrient could affect your heart health—even with normal cholesterol and blood pressure. And it’s not Omega-3s. Dr. Rick Cohen reveals a nutrient, backed by hundreds of studies, plus a simple pre-shower technique to support a stronger heart. Watch Here

In what movie was Evan Rachel Wood’s first role as a leading actress?

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