Feds Release $550M for S-Line Rail

The Trump administration released $550 million in federal money Thursday for the S-Line, a planned passenger rail route between Raleigh and Richmond, Virginia.

It isn’t a new grant but about half of the $1.09 billion the project won under the Biden administration in 2023. Federal officials say the finished line will cut travel time by up to 90 minutes and add more trains.

Gov. Josh Stein joined federal officials at a construction site on Durant Road in Raleigh, where crews expect to finish a bridge separating cars from trains in November. 

Work is underway on the first stretch, from Raleigh to Wake Forest, but the state hasn’t set a finish date for the full 162-mile route. 

Long-Duration Storm Threatens OBX

A developing nor’easter is expected to become a long-duration event along North Carolina’s Outer Banks, with significant coastal impacts lasting through Monday night or longer, according to the National Weather Service.

Saturday’s midday high tide passed without ocean overwash on N.C. 12, but conditions were forecast to worsen overnight. Coastal flood warnings remained in effect for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands Saturday night, where moderate to major flooding and repeated overwash are likely during high tides today and tomorrow. 

Wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph and dangerous marine conditions are expected through midweek.

Dare County’s mandatory evacuation for Hatteras Island visitors remained in effect Saturday night as soundside flooding began and ferry service was suspended. Officials warned that residents and remaining visitors could face multi-day isolation if roads become impassable.

NC Awards $28M to Protect 10K Acres

North Carolina’s Land and Water Fund awarded more than $28 million Friday to protect more than 10,000 acres, most of it eventually open for hiking, hunting, fishing, and boating.

The largest of the 48 grants, $4 million, targets Hickorynut Mountain, part of 4,620 acres headed to South Mountains State Park. Another $3.6 million buffers more than 1,960 acres around the Cherry Point and Seymour Johnson military bases.

More than $22 million goes to rural and economically distressed counties, and the grants protect habitat for 68 types of rare plants, animals, and natural communities. Other projects will remove barriers to reconnect more than 200 miles of fish spawning habitat in the Cape Fear River basin.

Requests topped $90 million, but the fund had under $30 million to give, down from $36 million last year.

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➤ Statewide: The UNC System awarded $400,000 to 15 campuses to build teacher apprenticeships and other routes into K-12 classrooms. More than 4,000 North Carolina educators are teaching on temporary licenses, and teacher attrition hit 10.11% last school year. (More)

➤ Hendersonville: Vice President JD Vance will hold a Republican rally Monday in the 11th District, where Republican state Rep. Jennifer Balkcom faces Democrat Jamie Ager in a race two major forecasters now rate a toss-up. President Trump rallies in Greenville on Tuesday. (More)

➤ Rocky Mount: Buc-ee’s wants to build its second North Carolina store on nearly 34 acres near the I-95 and Halifax Road interchange, and the city is reviewing a rezoning request. Its first, under construction in Mebane, is expected to open in November 2027. (More)

➤ Wilmington: Fiber-optic maker Corning is reportedly behind a proposed $585 million expansion that could bring 414 jobs to the area. Wilmington and New Hanover County leaders are expected to weigh a combined $5 million in incentives next week. (More)

➤ Charlotte: CATS Micro, a $2.20-a-ride on-demand shuttle, now serves west Charlotte along Wilkinson and West boulevards, paid for by last year’s transit sales tax. It’s the second of 19 planned zones. (More)

➤ Davidson: Sen. Thom Tillis will join Davidson College’s Martin Institute for Public Good as a leader-in-residence after his Senate term ends in January. Former UN Ambassador Susan Rice and Arab American Institute President James Zogby will join him. (More)

➤ NC Coast: Artificial oyster reefs could go in at nine sites in 2027 to boost future harvests, and state fisheries officials want fishermen and boaters to help choose among nine possible sites for artificial oyster reefs in 2027. (See Details)

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➤ North Carolina built an early 17-0 lead before Duke stormed back to take a late 20-17 advantage. Jaylen McGill answered with a 24-yard touchdown run with 1:53 remaining, lifting the Tar Heels to a 24-20 rivalry win. (Watch Touchdown)

➤ Charlotte earned its first win of the season, 38-31 at Temple, as quarterback Conner Harrell passed for 281 yards and two touchdowns while running for two more. (More)

➤ No. 21 Wake Forest traveled cross-country to face Cal in Berkeley late last night as a 10-point favorite, bringing with it a 5-1 record. (See Result)

➤ The Carolina Panthers hit the road to face the Philadelphia Eagles today, coming off a Week 5 bye week. Philadelphia, meanwhile, enters the game without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | MLB | WNBA | NHL | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree returns to Ocracoke Oct. 30-31, restaging the pirate’s 1718 last stand against British naval forces. Expect a pirate parade, cannon demonstrations, and live music. Pirate costumes are encouraged. (See Schedule)

➤ State wildlife officers have charged 71 people with illegally digging wild ginseng this year and seized more than 6,400 roots, with many cases bringing drug and weapon charges. Wild ginseng can sell for $500 or more per dry pound. (More)

➤ Ten Aggie alumni at least 100 years old will serve as honorary grand marshals in NC A&T’s centennial homecoming parade at 8 a.m. on Oct. 31 in Greensboro. (More)

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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. 

➤ A grandfather built a $2 million business by giving families a reason to get lost in a cornfield. (Hear More)

➤ The NBA has built an AI detective to sniff out suspicious bets. (Listen Now)

➤  Three studies suggest that the cold shoulder sometimes conceals a guilty conscience. (Podcast Available)

Do you put out Halloween decorations?

1. Yes, lots of them
2. Just a few
3. I used to
4. Not my thing

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you clear fallen leaves off your property?

1. Use a leaf blower: 40%
2. Landscaper handles it: 26%
3. Let nature handle it: 19%
4. Rake them up: 15%

Which structure became the architectural symbol of the modern North Carolina State Fair?

Show me the answer