Cyclosporiasis Cases Climb Past 200

North Carolina health officials are now tracking more than 200 cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic intestinal illness tied to contaminated produce, since May.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services said Wake County has the most confirmed cases, while Western North Carolina has also seen infections in Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell and Rutherford counties.

Symptoms include watery diarrhea, cramping, nausea, and loss of appetite, according to Dr. Jonathan Schwartzman of Pardee Urgent Care. “Low-grade fever, some abdominal cramping, then going into some more profuse diarrhea” are the most common signs, he said.

State officials said the parasite often travels on imported herbs and vegetables and is invisible to the eye, so they’re urging residents to wash produce. By Saturday, the statewide count had climbed to 240.

Wildfire Forces Evacuations in Brunswick County

A wildfire near Shallotte and Ocean Isle Beach in southern Brunswick County has burned an estimated 300 acres and forced some residents to evacuate.

Fire crews from Brunswick and New Hanover counties, Horry County, South Carolina, and the City of Wilmington are working to establish containment lines, though officials have not yet released a containment percentage.

One firefighter suffered a minor injury, and officials believe a few structures were damaged, though the types haven’t been confirmed. Law enforcement went door-to-door issuing evacuation orders, and the Red Cross opened a shelter at the Brunswick Center in Shallotte.

Several roads near the fire remain closed, and officials reminded residents that flying drones near an active wildfire is illegal under state law.

NASCAR Sets Public Memorial for Kyle Busch

NASCAR will hold a free, public memorial service for two-time champion Kyle Busch on Oct. 9 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, following the Craftsman Truck Series race there.

Busch, 41, died in Charlotte on May 21, a day after passing out in a team simulator. His family said the cause was severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis.

He won 234 races across NASCAR’s three national series, more than any driver in history.

Organizers said additional details, including speakers and event logistics, will be released in the coming weeks.

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➤ Asheville: UNC Health has purchased the Westgate Shopping Center property, positioning it as the site of a proposed new hospital serving the surrounding mountain counties. (See Details)

➤ Greensboro: Researchers at North Carolina A&T are using a robotic dog equipped with artificial intelligence to compare healthy and unhealthy crops, part of an effort to help farmers assess plant health more efficiently. (See Video)

➤ Mecklenburg County: A third-party excavator struck a gas line near a home in Matthews Thursday, the second such incident in the area in two months after a May explosion destroyed two houses on Morningwood Drive. (See Video)

➤ Charlotte: The city is asking residents to request free street tree plantings through a new online portal, part of a push to plant 800 trees a year and reach 50% canopy coverage by 2050. (More)

➤ Coastal NC: Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity and Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity have begun a formal review of a potential merger that would combine affordable housing operations across New Hanover, Pender, Duplin, and Brunswick counties. (See Details)

➤ Raleigh: The city’s second-quarter crime report shows violent crime and property crime each down 1% from last year, with homicides dropping from six to four—but traffic fatalities are up 67%, from nine deaths to 15. (See Report)

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➤ Former UNC men’s basketball star Caleb Wilson scored 35 points in his team debut with the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Summer League on Friday, the second most by any player in a game in the history of the Summer League. (More)

➤ Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is facing backlash for not engraving defenseman Joel Nystrom’s name on the Stanley Cup, who played 38 games for the Hurricanes last season, instead opting to engrave the names of each of his five children. (More)

➤ UNC baseball has added 10 players in the transfer portal this cycle as it looks to work its way back to the Men’s College World Series finals. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | Wimbledon | Golf | WNBA

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While the rest of the market goes crazy for “the mother of all IPOs,” a new Elon Musk innovation is quietly being rolled out nationwide. It’s been 27 years in the making, and it could have a radical impact on how millions of people manage their money… and even collect Social Security. Here’s everything you need to know.

➤ An 18-year-old recent Chapel Hill High School graduate has grown his landscaping business despite North Carolina’s drought by shifting toward mulch delivery, spreading and rock work; his six-person crew plans to expand into Charlotte. (See Video)

➤ The Cape Fear Rotary Club honored the bystanders, lifeguards, and first responders who saved UNCW women’s basketball coach Nicole Woods after she was pulled unconscious from a rip current in May. (See Details)

➤ Leland flooring-business owner Brittany Boltinhouse, 27, was crowned Miss North Carolina USA after overcoming five failed businesses before finding success; she’ll represent the state at Miss USA in Florida on Aug. 27. (See Photo)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ This tiny implant may change weight-loss treatment for months at a time. (Hear More)

➤ Humanoid robots successfully performed surgery and stunned medical researchers. (Listen Now)

➤  One child’s kindness sparked an incredible neighborhood tradition. (Podcast Available)

Have you visited Figure Eight Island?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I own property there

Yesterday’s Results:

What’s your least favorite thing about the beach?

1. Crowds: 37%
2. Hot sand: 18%
3. Sunburns: 17%
4. Rip tides: 16%
5. Other: 12%

What was Figure Eight Island originally part of before it became a private island?

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