Saturday, May 3, 2025

SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1918, North Carolina’s first professionally trained historian, Stephen Beauregard Weeks of Pasquotank County, died at age 53.

Have you listened to The Flyover Podcast yet? If you haven’t—you are really missing out. We have broken into the Top 100 news podcast in our first few days—and are knocking on the door of the Top 50! Be sure to tune in today and meet our weekend host, Amy Hess! Amy will be bringing you the day’s top headlines every Saturday and Sunday. Listen HERE. Watch HERE.

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FBI Arrests Third Kidnapper

Authorities arrested Eleodoro “Leo” Estrada-Hernandez on Friday, the third suspect in the kidnapping of a mother and her 1-year-old daughter from their Wake County home Tuesday.

Estrada-Hernandez faces two counts of first-degree kidnapping, one count of second-degree kidnapping, one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, and two counts assault by pointing a firearm.

He will be held at Wake County Detention Center while police continue the investigation.

Handgun Legislation Passes House

The North Carolina House passed a bill 62-44, allowing permitted employees, teachers, and volunteers at private schools to carry firearms on site with school approval.

The Senate version of the bill includes the same restrictions but would also permit parents, teachers, or others to serve as volunteer armed guards with eight hours of annual training.

Supporters say the law would protect children at private schools lacking armed security, while opponents argue that more guns in schools is not the solution.

Lovin’ Life Fest Kicks Off

The Lovin’ Life Music Festival in Charlotte kicked off last night with performances by local bands and big-name stars.

The festival is expected to attract nearly 20,000 people per day, delivering an economic boost that many vendors say marks their most profitable weekend of the year. People can catch acts from four different stages on the festival grounds.

The festival runs through Sunday with performances by Weezer, Switchfoot, and Dave Matthews Band, though attendees may face rain and storms over the weekend.

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➤ Statewide: House Bill 864, which would limit left-lane highway use and raise minimum speeds, cleared a committee this week and would take effect Dec. 1 if passed. (More)

➤ Statewide: UNC-Chapel Hill and Wake County schools are among those that had grants cancelled on the basis of diversity hiring and training goals. (More)

➤ Western NC: Gov. Stein announced Friday that $55 million in grants were distributed to nearly 3,000 small businesses through the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative. (More)

➤ Asheville: No charges will be filed against the trash truck driver who struck and killed a pedestrian; the driver stopped immediately and called 911. (More)

➤ Hyde County: Authorities are searching for a man who escaped a Hyde County correctional facility Thursday. he was serving a 5–8-year sentence for drug trafficking and due for release in January 2029. (More)

➤ Wilmington: At least seven false distress calls since December have sparked a joint Coast Guard and Sector North Carolina investigation to identify the person responsible. (More)

➤ Duke basketball added NBA assistant coach Evan Bradds to their coaching staff as a replacement for Jai Lucas, who left to become head coach of the Miami Hurricanes this offseason. (More)

➤ Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith is being sued for $100K by a fan who claims he had an affair with his wife. (More)

➤ UNC men’s basketball will participate in the CBS Sports Classic tournament this December, which will also feature Ohio State, St. John’s, and Kentucky. (More)

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➤UNC graduate Paul Tazewell earned his 10th Tony nomination for Broadway’s Death Becomes Her after recently winning an Oscar for costume design for the movie Wicked. (More)

➤Hurricane Helene had little effect on western North Carolina’s bear population, as officials said their natural instincts helped them adapt to habitat changes. (More)

➤A Sampson County deputy bought four children’s bikes at a Walmart to replace some that had been stolen after responding to a theft call. (More)

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