Sunday, February 1, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2010, the International Civil Rights Center & Museum in Greensboro opened on the 50th anniversary of the Woolworth sit-ins. Located in the original F.W. Woolworth building, its exhibits feature the historic luncheonette counter and chairs where four North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University students were denied service, sparking protests that inspired nationwide civil rights actions.

Most of the state has experienced the effects of a fast-developing winter storm this weekend. Learn more in today’s Top Stories.

From today’s sponsor, the Winter Essentials Checklist from the Consumer Gift Guide—see the 11 must-have items people are using to stay safe, warm, and prepared as extreme winter weather sets in.

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.

Snowstorm Blankets Entire State

Nearly all of North Carolina felt the effects of a bomb cyclone on Saturday, including dangerous cold and blizzard conditions in a fast-developing storm that’s the winter equivalent of a hurricane.

Charlotte experienced heavy afternoon snow and high wind gusts, along with the possibility of single-digit wind chills overnight into today.

Blizzard conditions and wind gusts near 70 mph were expected along Coastal North Carolina, along with some snowfall totals expected to reach 8-10 inches. Check the Outer Banks webcams to see the current conditions.

Across the Triad, heavy snow fell through yesterday afternoon, as road conditions deteriorated and visibility worsened.

While heavy snow fell in portions of the Piedmont, anticipated snowfall totals for parts of the Triangle area were reduced to 1-3 inches.

NTSB Finds Biffle Did Not Pilot Fatal Crash

Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle was not flying his own jet when it crashed in December in Statesville, killing him and six others, according to a preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board on Friday.

Biffle and the retired airline pilot at the controls, Dennis Dutton, and Dutton’s son Jack, were all licensed pilots. However, federal safety officials also concluded that no one on board was qualified to be the required copilot.

It is not clear whether the experience of the copilot played any role in the crash of the Cessna Citation 550, which occurred approximately 400 feet short of the runway at Statesville Regional Airport.

Biffle’s wife, Cristina, and their two children were killed in the crash along with his friend, Craig Wadsworth.

NC Added Most New Residents in 2025

North Carolina attracted more new residents, 84,000 people, than any other state in 2025.

The Tar Heel State replaces Texas (2024) and Florida (2023) as the top state for domestic migration—people moving within the country. North Carolina is now the ninth most populous state with close to 11.2 million residents.

The state’s population projections suggest North Carolina could surpass the population sizes of Georgia and Ohio early next decade to become the seventh largest state in the nation.

Not only does population growth add more taxpayers, but it can also affect the nation’s political landscape. After the next census in 2030, the state could potentially gain seats in Congress and influence in the Electoral College.

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Winter Is Here: These 11 Must-Have Winter Essentials Make It Better

As Arctic air sweeps across the country, many are rethinking how they prepare for extreme cold. This winter weather checklist breaks down the must-have essentials people rely on to get through snow, ice, and dangerously low temperatures.

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➤ Mount Airy: Two adults and two juveniles were arrested on Friday in connection with a shooting that left two teenagers dead and two others wounded during an attempted robbery. (More)

➤ Durham: Stephon Dubose accepted a plea deal in a 2023 double shooting that left Duke graduate student Angela Risi dead. Dubose pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and attempted murder, with a prison sentence ranging from 35 to 44 years. (More)

➤ Goldsboro: A North Carolina state trooper is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries after he was injured Friday night in a head-on crash. The suspect, Dylan Smith, of Pikesville, faces multiple charges. (More)

➤ Winston-Salem: A 65-year-old woman was killed on Friday while walking in the westbound lanes of New Walkertown Road when she was struck by a pickup truck traveling the same direction. (More)

➤ Mars Hill: Hatley Pointe Ski Resort expected close to 4,000 guests over the weekend, after re-opening its aerial lift in time for the snowy weather. (More)

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➤ NC State men’s basketball showcased its dangerous offense yesterday, defeating Wake Forest 96-78 after NC State guard Paul McNeil Jr. scored 28 points to help secure a Wolfpack season series sweep of the Demon Deacons. (More)

➤ NASCAR’s Cook Out Clash at North Carolina’s Bowman Gray Stadium has been compressed into a one-day event to be held today amid historically cold temperatures and predicted snow. The 200-lap race is the first of this year’s NASCAR Cup Series. (More)

➤ Former Charlotte Hornets guard Amari Bailey is seeking eligibility to return to the NCAA and play college basketball in the near future despite playing multiple NBA games since being drafted in 2023. (More)

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“Arctic Blast” Winter Weather Checklist:

Stay warm, comfortable, and prepared all season with Winter Essentials from the Consumer Gift Guide. This curated collection features practical, must-have items designed to beat the cold—from cozy gear to smart winter-ready solutions for everyday life. Perfect for gifting or upgrading your own routine, these essentials combine comfort, usefulness, and seasonal style. Discover winter favorites people love and see which essentials make cold days easier, warmer, and more enjoyable.

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➤ Outer Banks: A late-season foal provided a heartwarming addition to the Outer Banks wild horse herd, marking the 10th birth of 2025. (More)

➤ Carolina Beach: The owner of Kate’s Pancake House has raised more than $150,000 over the past 12 years for families facing breast cancer. (More)

➤ Asheville: The local chapter of Habitat for Humanity hosted a build day for elected officials to showcase what it takes to build safe, affordable homes in western North Carolina. (More)

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