Hurricane Erin Strengthens to Category 5

Hurricane Erin surged to a Category 5 storm Saturday with 160 mph winds, the first major hurricane of the season.

Hurricane Erin is expected to remain offshore as it curves north, but its size and strength will still impact the U.S. mainland in the coming days.

Record Freshman Class Arrives at NC State

NC State is welcoming one of its largest freshman classes ever, with 6,000 new students arriving on campus this weekend.

University leaders say initiatives like Engineering North Carolina’s Future have fueled larger class sizes, and they are preparing to manage that growth amid looming federal budget cuts.

Move-ins continue this weekend at NCCU, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Duke, part of a broader trend of rising enrollment in recent years.

NC’s HanesBrands Gets Billion-dollar Deal

Gildan Activewear agreed Wednesday to buy U.S. undergarments maker HanesBrands for $2.2 billion in cash and stock as the Canadian firm expands its foothold in basic apparel.

The deal combines HanesBrands’ popular retail brands, including Hanes, Bonds, Maidenform, and Playtex, with Gildan’s strong wholesale presence across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.

HanesBrands’ sales have declined for three straight years, and the North Carolina company has not posted an annual profit since 2021 after selling its Champion brand for over $1 billion.

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➤ Statewide: Unemployment claims fell slightly last week to 3,396, down from 3,419 the week before, mirroring a national decline. (More)

➤ Fayetteville: The Cumberland County Fair and the Fayetteville Greek Festival are among 25 late-summer and fall events in the area, offering everything from rides and games to food, music, and cultural activities. (More)

➤ Craven County: Officials announced one lane of US 70 in both directions will close between Thurman Road and Taberna Way from 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18. (More)

➤ Moore County: A winning Jumbo Bucks ticket bought in Aberdeen earned $600,000, with the winner choosing the lump sum over $50,000 annually for 20 years, the NC Lottery announced. (More)

➤ Holden Beach: The National Weather Service reported an EF0 tornado briefly touched down at Holden Beach on Thursday, causing minor tree and beach furniture damage. (More)

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➤ Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton injured his right elbow in Saturday’s 20-3 loss to the Houston Texans, with coach Dave Canales saying it appears to be a sprain that will be evaluated today. (Box Score) 

➤ The Charlotte Hornets announced their 2025-26 NBA schedule, opening the season at home against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. in Spectrum Center. (See schedule)

➤ UNC football landed a commitment Friday from four-star athlete CJ Sadler, Michigan’s top recruit, who joins a Tar Heels recruiting class already ranked in the national top 20. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | NASCAR | PGA | LPGA | WNBA | Soccer | LLWS

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➤ iNaturalist launched a wildlife photo contest featuring 100,000 observations by North Carolina’s young scientists, inviting the public to vote for the top 10 entries by Sept. 1. (Vote Here)

➤ A Lenoir woman reclaimed her Guinness World Record for collecting unique Coca-Cola items, amassing 5,623 and surpassing a fellow collector by nearly 400 pieces.  (More)

➤ The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation added Leroy, a rescued bald eagle from Oklahoma with a permanent wing injury, to its eagle habitat after his recovery and rehabilitation center visit. (See Leroy)

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Do you have any last-minute summer vacations planned?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Maybe … there’s still time

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your favorite Southern saying?

1. Other: 24%
2. For cryin’ out loud: 18%
3. Diddly squat: 18%
4. Cute as a button: 15%
5. High on the hog: 14%
6. Smack dab: 11%

What are the top five most populated cities in North Carolina?

Show me the answer