Saturday, October 18, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1921, Sen. Jesse Helms was born in Monroe. Initially a Democrat, Helms switched to the Republican Party in 1970 and became a U.S. senator in 1973, serving for 30 years.

After 84 years, a New Bern sailor lost at Pearl Harbor has finally been laid to rest. Read his story in Top Stories.

Flyover tested. Flyover approved. If you’re serious about cooking, today’s sponsor, Matsato chef knives, are a must-have for your kitchen.

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.

Stein Announces $6 Million for Flood Prevention

Gov. Josh Stein announced $6 million in new grants Thursday to reduce flood risks across North Carolina, including areas still recovering from Hurricane Helene’s devastating floods last fall.

The funding, part of the state’s Flood Resiliency Blueprint program, will support 11 projects across the Cape Fear, French Broad, Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, and Lumber river basins. In Marshall, nearly $800,000 will help restore the French Broad River, where communities saw record flooding in 2024.

“Last year’s flooding of the French Broad River after Helene is a somber reminder of how damaging flooding can be to an area,” Stein said. “This funding will help communities become more resilient and less vulnerable in the future.”

NC Weighs Data Center Boom Amid Rising Costs

North Carolina officials warn residents to expect higher electricity demand and rising rates as tech and AI companies rapidly expand data center construction across the state.

During a two-day Utilities Commission hearing in Raleigh, Duke Energy and other stakeholders debated how to meet soaring energy needs while protecting ratepayers. Experts say data centers, some drawing half the output of a nuclear reactor, could double or triple statewide power demand by 2028.

Residents in Wake County are already voicing concerns over a proposed 250-megawatt facility near Apex, citing energy costs, light pollution, and water use. Regulators say transparency and careful planning will be critical to avoid overbuilding—and overbilling.

New Bern Sailor Lost at Pearl Harbor Laid to Rest

A New Bern sailor killed at Pearl Harbor and identified decades later was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, surrounded by relatives, ending an 84-year effort to bring him home.

U.S. Navy Fireman 1st Class Edward Daniel Bowden was aboard the USS California when Japanese torpedoes struck, sinking the ship and killing 103 crew members. For decades, his remains were listed as unrecoverable.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency contacted his great-niece, Anne Edwards, in 2018 for a DNA sample, which led to his identification earlier this year.

Edwards said she chose Arlington for his final resting place so that any surviving relatives could visit and honor his service. “He’s not just a name anymore,” she said. “Now he can always be found.”

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➤ Triangle: Nine “No Kings” protests are planned across the Triangle today, including rallies in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Apex, organized by volunteer groups and coalitions. (More)

➤ Asheville: The school board approved a one-time $1,000 retention bonus for all staff after a strong fiscal year, though health insurance premiums will rise for most employees in January. (More)

➤ Morrisville: Avelo Airlines is cutting three RDU routes—to Wilmington, Delaware, and Fort Myers, Florida—and pulling one of its two stationed aircraft from the airport this winter. (More)

➤ New Bern: Scammers are deceiving local contractors with fake invoices mimicking city emails and logos, officials warn, urging recipients not to wire money, share information, or click suspicious links. (More)

➤ Raleigh: Police arrested a 27-year-old woman accused of injuring one victim with a campaign sign and another with a glass bottle in separate incidents this month. (More)

➤ Statewide: North Carolina’s median household income reached $73,958 in 2024, below the national median of $81,604, according to a new study. (More)

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➤ East Carolina football defeated Tulsa 41-27 on Thursday thanks to a 300-yard passing performance from quarterback Katin Houser. Running back London Montgomery added 125 yards rushing and a score on the night. (More)

➤ UNC football’s general manager, Michael Lombardi, traveled to Saudi Arabia this summer to explore possible investment interest in the Tar Heels’ football program. (More)

➤ Panthers running back Rico Dowdle dismissed any debate over the starting job, saying it “don’t really matter” between him and Chuba Hubbard, whose return from injury complicates both roles. (More)

➤ UNC Charlotte fired athletic director Mike Hill on Thursday after seven years with the school. (More)

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➤ Mill Camp Wines and Ciders, located near Boone, is celebrating its grand opening this weekend with handcrafted drinks, live music, food trucks, mountain views, and a family-friendly atmosphere. (More)

➤ A local photographer captured a Brocken spectre, a rare rainbow-shadow phenomenon, at Grandfather Mountain, calling the weather-driven occurrence “just magical.” (See Spectre)

➤ Twelve black bear cubs, four from the coast and eight from the mountains, were released into the wild through the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s cub rehabilitation program. (See Photo)

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