Sunday, April 27, 2025

SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1584, two ships funded by Sir Walter Raleigh departed England on expeditions chartered by Queen Elizabeth, landing on the coast of North Carolina nearly three months later, on July 13.

Welcome to Flyover North Carolina’s inaugural Sunday edition! We’ve expanded our news coverage to seven days a week starting this weekend. Please enjoy, and let us know what you think!

Today’s sponsor is Next Thing Technologies—giving everyday Americans a rare shot to invest in the only U.S. sodium-ion battery company positioned to win from tariffs.

Stein Seeks to Extend Aid

Gov. Josh Stein appealed to the White House to overturn FEMA’s decision and extend the 100% cost share for Hurricane Helene recovery by another six months, according to a Friday letter.

FEMA began its 180-day, 100% cost-sharing effort last September, but U.S. Army Corps delays left the state with only three months of aid, according to Stein.

If Stein’s request is denied, the cost match will drop to 90%, potentially costing North Carolina $200 million with $1-$2 billion in debris removal remaining.

State Recovery Grant Approved

The Department of Housing and Urban Development on Friday approved North Carolina’s $1.4 billion Housing Recovery Action Plan to help western areas rebuild after Hurricane Helene.

Announced in January, the plan required approval before North Carolina could receive a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery grant to help areas recover from natural disasters.

The funding is often considered as “last resort” funds, used after exhausting other recovery sources like private insurance. According to the state’s action plan, the grant will focus on long-term rebuilding, especially among low- to middle-income housing.

Gov. Josh Stein called the announcement great news and thanked the Trump administration for quickly approving the plan to help rebuild people’s homes.

Chicken Case Before Supreme Court

The North Carolina Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week in a case involving a Waxhaw family that paid more than $31,000 in Homeowners Association fines for keeping chickens on their property.

The homeowners contend the fines were unjust, claiming they complied with HOA rules by keeping 60 chickens as pets, not for profit, as permitted under the association’s guidelines.

The family also claims that the HOA approved their chickens before they moved, but a leadership change later led to fines.

Their reimbursement lawsuit against the HOA failed, but they won an appeal to have their case heard by the state Supreme Court.

Click here to share Flyover North Carolina with all your friends!

Flying together with our sponsor

Does your neck hurt from all that stock market whiplash?

On April 9, markets threw a massive party after President Trump paused some of the scariest tariff hikes. But on April 10, markets plunged. The Dow dropped nearly 1,000 points, and the Nasdaq tumbled. Why? The China trade fight didn’t pause—it escalated. Badly.

This kind of shockwave forces a hard truth: relying on fragile global supply chains is a losing game. America must build critical tech here—especially batteries. This is exactly why Next Thing Technologies exists. We’ve focused on non-lithium batteries since 2019.

Our chemistry of choice after four years of research? Sodium—an element abundant in the United States, with enough supply to last hundreds of thousands of years.

So, when tariffs make lithium batteries impossibly expensive, our domestic solution becomes the obvious choice: affordable, secure, and American-made. This isn’t luck—it’s strategy meeting the perfect moment. And right now, you can invest in our campaign—the only U.S. sodium-ion battery company open to public investors.

<< CLICK HERE TO INVEST >>

➤ Kings Mountain: A hacker group has threatened to release blueprints of a planned $700 million casino, including vault and surveillance details, unless Catawba Nation officials meet their demands. (More)

➤ Whiteville: The Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial featuring the names of every fallen U.S. service member, will be on display through today before moving to Roxboro. (More)

➤ Western NC: Baptists on Mission, a North Carolina Christian group, has built 205 homes and has more than 269 underway as it works toward its goal of rebuilding 1,000 homes damaged by Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ Wilmington: Authorities are searching for a suspect in a Thursday road rage incident where a woman was shot, taken to the hospital, and is now in stable condition. (More)

➤ Statewide: The House Transportation Committee advanced House Bill 406, requiring car manufacturers to share 20% of revenue from subscription-based features on new car sales with dealerships. (More)

➤ Carolina Beach: King tides are expected to begin this weekend and last through the month, with officials warning of potential flooding, especially in low-lying areas, due to a “super new moon.” (More)

➤ Duke basketball finalized an agreement to play Michigan during the 2025-26 season in Washington, D.C., with coach Jon Scheyer expecting a tough matchup as both teams project to start in the top 10. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes, leading their first-round series 2-1, will face the New Jersey Devils on the road today after a 3-2 overtime loss Friday. (Preview)

➤ East Carolina shortstop Parker Byrd, who lost a leg and underwent 22 surgeries after a boat accident, received the Laurel Wreath Award from Gov. Josh Stein for outstanding athletic achievements. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Experience peaceful nights with Snore Away—the sleek, rechargeable anti-snoring device designed for comfort and effectiveness. Utilizing dual vortex technology, it enhances airflow to reduce snoring, while its medical-grade silicone ensures a comfortable fit. Lightweight and travel-friendly, Snore Away helps you and your partner enjoy uninterrupted, restful sleep.

Flying together with our sponsor

This breakthrough sodium-ion battery technology, made in America, uses materials 1,400× more abundant than scarce lithium, costs 90% less, and lasts 33% longer.

Already creating commercial-caliber cells and the nation’s first home-ready sodium-ion battery pack, this company is targeting a $2.1 trillion market opportunity.

Invest for as little as $498, with bonus shares for larger investments. Over 7,700 patriotic investors have already contributed $6.1+ million to support American energy independence.

[LEARN MORE]

➤ Boo, a 40-year-old formerly blind therapy cockatoo, regained his sight after a rare surgery and will resume his work with autistic children and the elderly. (More)

➤ Herons in Cary and Afternoon Tea in Greensboro were named among OpenTable’s Top 100 brunch restaurants, joining a select group of eateries from 24 other states. (More)

➤ The Western North Carolina Parade of Homes, featuring remodeled houses along with builders, architects, and tradespeople, continues today and resumes next weekend. The event is free to the public. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Stay connected wherever you go with the Ryoko Pro Portable Wi-Fi Router. Enjoy high-speed internet in over 75 countries, connect up to 10 devices, and benefit from features like ad blocking and data optimization. With up to 8 hours of battery life and a compact design, it’s perfect for travel, remote work, and more. No contracts, no roaming fees—just reliable, secure internet on demand.