Saturday, April 11, 2026

SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1930, longtime North Carolina resident and radio personality Bill Hefner was born in Elora, Tennessee. He owned WRKB radio in Kannapolis and represented North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District as a Democrat in the U.S. House for 12 terms.

See today’s Et Cetera section to learn how a local artist discovered he could paint, and how he’s now using that gift to honor the mountain churches that held their communities together after Hurricane Helene.

The conflict in Iran is dramatically affecting global oil markets, with crude oil briefly topping $100 a barrel this week. What does that mean for gas prices? On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, our team breaks down how rising oil prices are expected to push gas and diesel prices even higher, with some Americans already paying nearly $6 a gallon. What does this mean for you and your family? Tune in here for the full breakdown.

Say goodbye to backbreaking scrubbing and tangled cords. Today’s sponsor, the HydroX5 Cordless Pressure Washer delivers powerful, hassle-free cleaning that makes spring refreshes faster, easier, and oddly satisfying.

Don’t feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

Drought Conditions Persist

A statewide report shows 23 North Carolina counties face extreme drought as one of the driest seasons on record strains water supplies and raises concerns about agriculture, wildfire risk, and long-term impacts.

The severe drought was 89% last week, with a 10% increase in extreme drought conditions. The dry spell has placed extra pressure on farmers, who are in the midst of planting season, with some farms looking at half of their normal crop. Some communities have taken water preservation measures.

North Carolina had its fifth-lowest March rainfall total, and weather forecasts predict the drought will last through April.

Marine Stabbed in Wilmington Fight

Police have released surveillance footage of a person of interest in the stabbing death of a U.S. Marine killed in a downtown Wilmington brawl early Sunday.

Around 2 a.m., authorities responded to reports of multiple fights around North Front Street. Police deployed pepper spray to break up the fight. The Marine, Lance Cpl. Daniel Montano, was one of two people stabbed.

According to surveillance footage, police are looking for a man with dreadlocks who was wearing a denim jacket and a pink shirt. Police are urging people to come forward with any information that can help track the individual down.

Study: Degree Shortage in Key Industries

A University of North Carolina study revealed that the state’s economic growth is outpacing its ability to provide degree-holding workers in key industries.

The study, called the Workforce Alignment Report and done every two years, reveals that the state’s 16 public universities need to produce 5,000 to 10,000 more graduates annually to meet workforce demands, particularly in key industries like healthcare and engineering.

In recent years, legislators have worked to produce more funding for public colleges, such as the $40 million healthcare-related degree expansion the General Assembly approved in 2023.

The UNC System Board of Governors will meet next week to discuss the study’s findings.

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➤ Outer Banks: NASA conducted open-water splashdown tests for the Orion capsule off Atlantic Beach in March 2019, simulating conditions ahead of the Artemis II crew’s return. (More)

➤ Orange County: Charges were dropped against Dwight Poole, a farmer who faced accusations of aiding and abetting underage drinking following a 2,500-person party that drew numerous complaints last May. (More)

➤ Greenville: Officials approved $500,000 for Farrington Trace Phase II, adding 84 affordable homes as the HOME Partnership Fund continues expanding housing, surpassing 500 units built since 2010. (More)

➤ Boone: Samaritan’s Purse will add 19 locations across four states to expand Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, urging residents to apply for home rebuilds while crews work in 17 counties statewide. (More)

➤ Charlotte-Mecklenburg: Police identified twins Deven and Desmon Moore as the suspects in a negligent horse-riding case after a loose, frightened horse was struck by a car but not seriously injured. (More)

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➤ Eleven former NC State athletes told ESPN they were subjected to unwanted sexual contact by former sports medicine director Robert Murphy under the guise of medical treatment, detailing the alleged abuse publicly for the first time. (More)

➤ Duke coach Jon Scheyer earned $2.38 million this season, ranking 64th among Division I coaches despite his 124-25 record. UNC’s new hire, Michael Malone, will make $8.3 million. (More)

➤ The PPA Tour will open its 2026-27 season in Cary with the Veolia Pickleball National Championships, running Aug. 31–Sept. 6. (More)

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Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ The Savannah Bananas bring their theatrical brand of baseball to Chapel Hill today for two sold-out games expected to draw 50,000 fans each, making it one of the largest ticketed events in the city’s history. (More)

➤ A Charlotte nonprofit that employs blind people will open a Braille Trail on May 21, linking its workers to public transit, nearby neighborhoods, and eventually a light rail station. (More)

➤ North Wilkesboro artist David Haynes is creating paintings of churches that were either impacted by or served victims of Hurricane Helene, completing 73 of 150 mountain churches so far while working entirely pro bono. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ 19 Things to Cut When Money Gets Tight (Most People Ignore #11). Money is tight, and with prices on the rise, deciding where to cut back can feel overwhelming. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight to see a difference. Here is how to start: Browse our list of money-saving strategies below and choose just one or two to try today. Even a single small change can create the breathing room you need to breathe a little easier. (LEARN MORE)