I-40 Causeway at Pigeon River Gorge Complete

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that the causeway along I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge is “functionally complete” as part of over $1 billion in repairs following flood damage caused by Hurricane Helene that washed away part of the highway.

The reconstruction spans mile markers 0-4. It maintains one narrow lane in each direction and a reduced speed limit of 35 mph, helping to restore critical connectivity between North Carolina and Tennessee. Standard tractor-trailers are allowed along the 12-mile stretch, but trucks with oversized loads must take alternative routes.

NCDOT announced the installation of a series of monitors on July 14, designed to gather real-time readings on potential earth movements. Watch a video explaining how the monitors work here.

State Dashboard Reveals Internal Spending

The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (NCOSA) announced the online publication of an internal budget dashboard on Tuesday to establish what State Auditor Dave Boliek described as a “new standard of government transparency.”

The first-of-its-kind dashboard breaks down NCOSA’s revenue sources, expenses, and spending by vendor for the 2025 fiscal year, displaying figures such as audit fees, the amount of funds carried forward to the following year, and operational costs like payroll and software services.

It appears alongside the NC Financial Snapshot dashboard, which tracks the state’s weekly cash balances, reserved funds, and available cash.

The dashboard will be updated in August and periodically after that as part of NCOSA’s mission to hold government accountable, which includes “shining a light on our own office,” Boliek said.

NC Improves and Reopens More Trails

North Carolina’s Great Trails State Program recently awarded grants for trail enhancements. In Watauga County, the town of Blowing Rock received $500,000 for the Glen Burney Trail, and the Blue Ridge Conservancy received $500,000 for Angler Park.

In Ashe County, the Blue Ridge Conservancy was awarded $150,000 for the Northern Peaks State Trail and $312,000 for the Lansing Creeper Trail Park. The New River Conservancy received $130,666 for the New River Paddle Trail expansion.

In other trail news, the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville reopened the Lower Wesley Branch and Lower Willow Pond trails on July 20 after months of closure for maintenance and safety improvements.

In Brunswick County, state legislation that has passed the North Carolina House would, if signed into law, support the establishment of a 14-mile Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail to celebrate the historical contributions of the Gullah Geechee people, who are descendants of enslaved Africans.

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➤ Statewide: The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a 200-month prison sentence for Donald Booker, convicted of running a $12 million Medicaid fraud operation in North Carolina. (More)

➤ Southeastern NC: The North Carolina Department of Transportation awarded contracts for road improvements in Pender and Brunswick counties, with work including milling, resurfacing, and shoulder reconstruction starting as soon as late summer. (More)

➤ NC Coast: A new report finds North Carolina needs more fisheries scientists to meet conservation and management goals, and that the shortage hinders effective monitoring, research, and sustainable practices for the state’s coastal fisheries. (More)

➤ Davidson County: A federal judge confirmed a $20,000 settlement for a former student who was suspended for using the words “illegal alien” in class. The school board was also ordered to apologize to the student and remove any reference to racial bias from his school records. (More)

➤ Chapel Hill: Mama Dip’s, an iconic Southern restaurant founded by Mildred “Mama Dip” Council 49 years ago, announced its permanent closure Tuesday but said the brand will “stay alive,” with more details to come. (More and See Post)

➤ Carolina Beach: Parts of Carolina Beach Avenue and several connecting roads are closed today and will be closed again on Monday for filming of an ABC TV pilot titled RJ Decker. (See Details)

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➤ UNC is reportedly eyeing a move from the ACC to the SEC once its exit fee decreases to $75 million in 2030. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers signed a multiyear promotional partnership with Catawba Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain. (More)

➤ The Charlotte Observer recounted the top 10 record-breaking feats in North Carolina high school sports this year, with Olympic High’s girls’ wrestling title taking the top spot. (See List)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | Tour de France

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➤ The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a $189.7 million award that included $140 million in punitive damages to Charlotte-based CPI Security, ruling Vivint engaged in widespread unfair competition. (More)

➤ Eco King Solutions, a subsidiary of China-based Zhejiang Kingsun Eco-pack, announced Tuesday it will invest $80.5 million and create 515 jobs in Robbinsville, where it will open its first North American manufacturing site. (More)

➤ Biogen, North Carolina’s largest biotechnology employer, announced a $2 billion expansion of its manufacturing capabilities and infrastructure at its two Research Triangle Park campuses. (More)

➤ German biotechnology company Coriolis Pharma will invest $10 million and create 50 jobs in Morrisville, where it will establish its first U.S. facility with a state-of-the-art research lab. (More)

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➤ NC State professor Harvinder Gill co-authored a study on a needle-free flu vaccine delivered using vaccine-coated dental floss that triggered robust immune responses in mice. (More)

➤ A $2.22 million, 4,038-square-foot Scandinavian-style cabin in Black Mountain is now on the market, featuring mountain views from every bedroom, multiple decks, and a wraparound porch with a fire pit. (See Photos)

➤ Approximately 180 skimboarders from around the world will participate in the annual OBX SkimJam at Jennette’s Pier this weekend, which will also include a fundraiser for a teen who injured his spinal cord while skimboarding near Avalon Pier in June. (More)

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Do you have a home security system?

1. Yes, I use it daily
2. No, don’t need one
3. No, need to get one
4. It’s installed but not activated

Yesterday’s Results:

Did you watch NC State win the 1983 men’s basketball national championship?

1. Yes: 38%
2. No: 37%
3. Too old to remember: 13%
4. Too young to remember: 12%

What is North Carolina’s oldest surviving opera house?

Show me the answer