Ballot Challenge Can Proceed in State Court

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday it would not reverse a federal trial judge’s decision to send Republican Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin’s challenge to 65,000 ballots back to state court.

The North Carolina State Board of Elections had requested to keep the dispute in federal court.

The unanimous ruling also keeps in place a state order blocking the certification of Democrat Allison Riggs as the Supreme Court race winner. Riggs currently leads Griffin by 734 votes.

The panel gave Riggs the ability to return to federal court to plead her case if state court appeals result in the removal of ballots from the tallies and Griffin overtaking her in the race. 

Auto Insurance Rate Hikes Possible

Automobile insurance rates could increase statewide by an average of 22.6% if North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey accepts the North Carolina Rate Bureau’s request to hike it.

The bureau, which represents the state’s automobile insurance companies, filed the request Monday and asked for the new rates to take effect on Oct. 1.

Causey has 60 days to determine if the data submitted by the bureau justifies the rate increase. He can negotiate a settlement or call for a hearing if he deems it necessary.

The bureau filed an even higher 28.4% rate increase request in February 2023, which resulted in a negotiated settlement to increase rates by 4.5% for two consecutive years, in 2023 and 2024.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Seen Across NC

People from across North Carolina reported seeing SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch Tuesday night.

WFMY News 2 viewers in Greensboro, Brown Summit, Chatham County, Madison, Pelham, Mebane, and Cape Carteret shared their photos of the rocket’s vapor trail. Take a look here.

WRAL viewers from across the Triangle captured photos of the rocket launch as well. View the photo collection here.

An Outer Banks resident shared a nearly 5-minute-long video of the launch, available here. The video and photos were taken during the launch window of 6:07 to 7:09 p.m. EST Tuesday.

The Falcon 9 was carrying a pair of WorldView Legion satellites on behalf of Maxar Intelligence.

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➤ Western NC: State Treasurer Brad Briner announced Tuesday that cities and counties affected by Hurricane Helene will receive portions of a $100 million relief loan by the end of February, with damage assessments determining how big a slice each area gets. (More)

➤ Wake County: The board of education drafted a proposal Tuesday opposing the Trump administration’s executive order to eliminate the federal Department of Education, calling it “vital” for “ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students.” (More)

➤ Raleigh: Protesters gathered at the state capitol Wednesday to join a national movement to stage 50 protests in 50 states opposing President Donald Trump’s early actions. (More)

➤ Durham: Secretary of State Marco Rubio tapped former Duke visiting professor Darren Beattie to serve as the acting undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs. (More)

➤ Winston-Salem: A local mom created the Masters League Foundation for Boys, a Christian philanthropy organization focused on preparing minority boys to become future leaders. (More)

➤ Greensboro: The city’s water resources department proposed a $2.7 million project with the Haskell Company to replace existing carbon filters and build more contactors, which are areas where water is filtered to meet safe standards. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes were the recipients of another controversial “goalie interference” call on Tuesday night. The team eventually lost to the Winnipeg Jets 3-0. (More) 

➤ UNC Athletics reported $164.5 million in total operating revenue for the 2023-24 fiscal year, a record mark for the university. (More) 

➤ The Charlotte Hornets got in on the NBA trade deadline action with a pick swap with the Oklahoma City Thunder. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer 

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➤ The PhotoStick® OMNI automatically finds, sorts, and saves up to 60,000 photos and videos across all your devices with just ONE click.  Over 1.5 Million People Use ThePhotoStick® OMNI!

➤ Breeze Airways announced five new nonstop flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport: Memphis, Tennessee; Pensacola and Orlando, Florida; and Rochester and Albany, New York. One-way flights will range from $39 to $49. (More)

➤ The CEO of Charlotte-based steel giant Nucor praised President Donald Trump’s tariff initiatives, stating that he looks forward to working with the president to “enforce our trade laws and strengthen American manufacturing.” (More)

➤ Toyota announced it will start shipping batteries from its Randolph County plant in April. The site, 20 miles south of Greensboro, employs 5,000 North Carolinians. (More)

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➤ Uptown Charlotte’s 2025 Lovin’ Life Music Fest May 2-4 will feature 44 bands in a lineup that includes the Dave Matthews Band, Gwen Stefani, Benson Boone, and Ludacris. Ticket packages are available for purchase now. (See Details)

➤ A beer map showing how much beer residents drank by state during 2022 reveals that North Carolinians consumed 1.03 gallons per capita and came in 30th overall. (See Map)

➤ A list of five great winter hikes in western North Carolina features the Flat Laurel Creek Trail, Bell Trail, Pinnacle Trail, Big Bald Trail, and Rainbow Falls Trail in Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, and Transylvania counties, respectively. (See Details)

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3. Liquor
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Yesterday’s Results:

Were you alive during the Vietnam War?

1. Yes: 77%
2. No: 23%

Which North Carolina hiking trail offers the best chance to see black bears, red wolves, and alligators?

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