Saturday, January 3, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1837, Cherokee leader Nimrod Jarrett Smith was born during the Trail of Tears era. Smith was well acquainted with William Holland Thomas and enlisted in his 69th N.C. Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. In 1889, as Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Smith secured official state recognition of the tribe.

Stranded 65 miles offshore, two people—and their cat and dog—were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard off Cape Hatteras. See how the rescue unfolded in today’s Around North Carolina section.

Today’s edition will be a bit shorter than usual as we ring in the new year. The full Flyover North Carolina will return on Monday.

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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.

FBI Foils NYE Attack

Federal authorities are holding a Mint Hill teenager accused of plotting an ISIS-inspired New Year’s Eve attack using knives and hammers at a fast-food restaurant and grocery store.

Officials say Christian Sturdivant, 18, allegedly planned to attack a North Carolina grocery store or Burger King with a knife, citing retaliation for U.S. strikes on ISIS targets after two National Guardsmen were killed in December.

The FBI executed a search warrant at Sturdivant’s home, finding weapons under his bed and notes outlining an alleged attack plan. Investigators say the suspect discussed his plans with an undercover FBI agent he believed was affiliated with ISIS.

Sturdivant appeared in court on Friday and will remain in custody pending a hearing on Jan. 7.

New Laws Taking Effect for 2026

Several new laws have gone into effect around the state on Thursday.

The 2025 State Investment Modernization Act was passed last summer and shifts investment decisions from the State Treasurer to a board and a chief investment officer. The Birth Certificates for Persons Adopted law requires that birth certificates of adopted children look identical to those of non-adopted children.

House Bill 959 aims to help school boards regulate wireless device usage. The bill mandates that, at a minimum, school boards require students to have their phones off during instructional time. The bill also requires schools to teach a social media literacy course.

The most controversial measure was House Bill 805, which was initially set to crack down on trafficking and exploitation on adult websites. The legislation was later expanded to include blocking state funding for gender transition care for minors.

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➤ Statewide: North Carolina will receive more than $213 million in federal funding to expand rural health care access, modernize medical technology, and grow the health care workforce. (More)

➤ Also Statewide: AARP’s Fraud Watch estimates phone scams cost North Carolinians $277 million, or $400 per person, in 2024, urging residents to report fake calls to its fraud hotline. (More)

➤ Harnett County: An off-duty firefighter and his wife rescued two people from a burning vehicle near their home after hearing a loud bang and rushing outside to help. (More)

➤ Swannanoa: Local fire officials say a 4.5-acre wildfire that started early Friday morning is largely contained, with no structural damage reported. (More)

➤ Cape Hatteras: U.S. Coast Guard crews rescued two people, a cat, and a dog from a disabled 40-foot catamaran 65 miles off Cape Hatteras. (See Rescue)

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