House Outlines Helene Recovery Fund Allocations

The North Carolina House Select Committee on Helene Recovery outlined on Tuesday how $500 million proposed in part one of the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 would be used in western North Carolina.

The Department of Agriculture would receive $150 million for stream debris removal, streambank stabilization, cropland restoration, and crop loss.

Another $100 million would pay for repairs to and replacements of private roads and bridges. Cities and counties would receive $55 million for expediting small business repairs.

The remaining $195 million would go toward the Home Reconstruction and Repair Program, debris removal, volunteer organizations, fire station vehicle or building repairs, rental assistance, and tourism-boosting efforts. The legislation now goes to the House Committee on Appropriations.

Keep track of repairs and improvements in western North Carolina with a new dashboard launched by the state auditor’s office.

Nearly 79% of Dem Donations Out-of-State

An analysis of 2024 election data from the North Carolina State Board of Elections reveals that 78.5% ($4.2 million) of the North Carolina Democratic Party’s individual contributions came from out-of-state donors. Less than 22% ($1 million) came from in-state donors.

Meanwhile, 71.8% ($2.8 million) of individual contributions to the North Carolina Republican Party came from in-state donors while 28% ($1.1 million) came from out-of-state donors.

Two donations made up nearly half of the Democrats’ in-state individual contributions. Gov. Josh Stein’s parents donated $570,000 and the family of SAS Institute co-founder John Sall donated $4.5 million. 

Financier and international activist George Soros donated $250,000 to North Carolina Democrats.

On the Republican side, the party’s top individual donors gave a combined $762,000 in donations. 

NC Restaurants, Restaurateurs Recognized

If you still need to make Valentine’s Day dinner plans, USA Today’s second annual Restaurants of the Year list includes Olivero in Wilmington, thanks to its “familiar menu with unexpected twists.”

The media outlet also spotlighted Asheville restaurants for feeding first responders and other community members in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Yelp’s Top 100 Date Night Restaurants include Chestnut in Asheville, M Sushi in Durham, Yunta Nikkei in Charlotte, Green Valley Grill in Greensboro, and The Cellar at Duckworth’s in Charlotte.

North Carolina also claims several 2025 James Beard nominees in Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, Asheville, and Cashiers who operate restaurants offering a romantic dinner for two.

Do you have any friends or family who would like to receive Flyover North Carolina? Feel free to refer us to them!

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➤ Asheville: A new cost reduction strategy enabled NCDOT to cut $125 million from the I-26 Connector Project, lowering the total project cost to just over $1 billion. (See Breakdown)

➤ Fayetteville: The daughter of Pfc. Roland Bragg, for whom Fort Liberty is being renamed, remarked that her father would be humbled and surprised by the name change. (More)

➤ Roanoke Island: Dare County announced the installation of a plaque designating Roanoke Island the first Purple Heart Island due to its “highly decorated active duty and veteran population.” (See Photo)

➤ Raleigh: The Lenovo Center’s rezoning application was approved by the city’s Planning Commission despite concerns from the Cardinal Gibbons High School community about traffic and pedestrian safety. (See Details)

➤ Charlotte Catholic High School Principal Lori Phillips will resign Friday to allow the school to “move forward with a renewed focus on teaching and learning.” President Kurt Telford will fill the position while the school searches for a replacement. (More)

➤ Winston-Salem schools will phase out the virtual learning program for elementary students over the next three years due to low enrollment numbers and concerns about its suitability for younger children. (More)

➤ Wake County Public School System will roll out the Rave Panic Button app Monday at more than 130 schools, enabling teachers to initiate a lockdown in seconds and instantly alert authorities to a threat. (More)

➤ Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball did not play last night in the team’s final game against the Orlando Magic before the All-Star break. (More)

➤ Four Carolina Hurricanes players are participating in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off, an international hockey tournament that began last night. (More)

➤ No. 13 Duke women’s basketball plays at Wake Forest at 6 p.m. tonight. The Demon Deacons have struggled against ACC opponents this season, but earned seven of their eight wins at home. (More)

Yesterday’s results: NBA | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Motorsport IP Acquisition Co. I LLC. wants to invest $75-$85 million in Concord to build a new Formula 1 team facility that would support the development of Cadillac F1 engines. (More)

➤ DetraPel, which produces PFAS-free protective coatings, will relocate its headquarters and manufacturing operations to Charlotte, investing $3.5 million and creating at least 30 jobs in the area. (More)

➤ Charlotte-based Copper Builders hosted a public meeting in Wilmington on Tuesday to address concerns about how a proposed 4,000-home development would impact traffic, flooding, natural resources, and wildlife. (More)

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➤ North Carolina spends 51% of state funds on K-12 and higher education, making it one of 11 states to earmark nearly 50% or more of state expenditures to education. (See Map)

➤ Asheville teen Emma Roberts was named to the USA Paralympics Swimming national team just months after competing in her first para swim meet. (See Roster)

➤ Raleigh’s infamous “Snowpocalypse” photo, taken 11 years ago, is being compared to what an artificial intelligence photo might look like today. The original photo was also turned into several memes in 2014. (See Photo and Memes)

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Have you ever donated to a political campaign?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I might someday

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you think Fort Bragg’s name change should honor Braxton or Roland Bragg?

1. Braxton: 28%
2. Roland: 25%
3. Both: 20%
4. Neither: 14%
5. Change it to Fort Liberty: 13%

Which North Carolina town did Blackbeard make his unofficial home?

Show me the answer