Thursday, June 25, 2026

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1963, the North Carolina General Assembly rushed through the Speaker Ban Law. It barred Communist Party members, those advocating the overthrow of the Constitution, and Fifth Amendment pleaders from speaking on state campuses.

Yale just tracked over 11,000 seniors for more than a decade, and what they found breaks every rule you’ve been told about getting older. Nearly half of them didn’t decline. They got BETTER. Cognitively. Physically. And the researchers found the one hidden factor driving it… It’s not genetics. Ayla breaks down what it is, and the four things you can start doing today to be in that improving half. Coming up on The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

Your home address, phone number, and even family connections may be easier to find online than you think. Later today, watch for a message from our partner, Incogni, on how to take that information back.

Today is the day. Over the past week, we’ve shared details about the Freedom Summit. If you’ve been meaning to sign up, this is your last chance before the event begins later today. Registration is FREE, and you can claim your spot here.

Today’s sponsor, Sonic Glow Tooth Brush, uses powerful sonic vibrations and built-in blue light technology to help remove plaque, protect sensitive gums, and promote a cleaner, brighter, healthier smile in just seconds a day.

Lumbee Vote Down Casino Amendment

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina voted against a proposed amendment to its constitution that would have cleared the way for a casino along I-95 in Robeson County, Tribe Chairman John Lowery announced Monday evening.

The amendment was seen as a necessary step for the tribe to pursue a gaming operation in the county, home to the Lumbee Tribe, the largest federally recognized tribe east of the Mississippi. Supporters, who constituted 38% of the vote, had argued the casino could bring jobs and economic development to a region that has long struggled.

Critics within the tribe, who made up 62% of the vote, raised concerns about governance, the amendment’s specific language, and whether the community had enough time to consider the changes.

Lowery stated that the vote ensures the tribe will “not move forward with gaming,” and that he “will honor the wishes of the majority” by not bringing the issue forward again over the remaining 18 months of his tenure.

NC Transgender Care Case Dismissed

A federal lawsuit challenging North Carolina’s State Health Plan exclusion of coverage for gender-affirming treatments has been voluntarily dismissed with prejudice. The Kadel v. Folwell case had been on hold pending a related ruling from West Virginia.

The dismissal follows the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ March decision upholding West Virginia’s Medicaid exclusion of gender-affirming surgeries, citing concerns over cost, medical efficacy, and safety.

That ruling came after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Skrmetti decision affirming states’ authority on such policies.

State Treasurer Brad Briner, who oversees the plan, welcomed the outcome, emphasizing the role of elected officials in managing benefits to keep costs affordable. The exclusion, dating to the 1990s, remains in place, though the plan covers related psychological care.

NC Tourism Anticipates Visitor Decline

North Carolina’s tourism industry faces an anticipated slowdown as visitor numbers are projected to decline across coastal, mountain, and some urban destinations.

Recent travel outlook reports highlight moderating growth due to rising costs, inflation, and shifting consumer habits, impacting key economic drivers like hotel occupancy and local spending.

Western North Carolina continues to grapple with lingering perceptions from Hurricane Helene, which have slowed recovery in areas like Asheville despite improving booking trends. Vacation rentals remain below pre-storm levels, though current summer bookings show a 14% increase year-over-year.

Despite the challenges, North Carolina ranks ninth among U.S. states for summer road trips, according to personal finance site WalletHub, excelling in scenic byways and affordability. The state’s beaches, mountains, and attractions continue to draw domestic travelers amid a stabilizing national tourism market.

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➤ NC Schools: A state task force is considering replacing the complex, proprietary Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS) growth metric used for years in public school accountability with more transparent alternatives that educators and parents can better understand. (More)

➤ Eastern NC: Former FBI Director James Comey has bolstered his defense team with high-profile attorneys in his Eastern North Carolina federal case, where he faces charges of threatening President Trump via a now-deleted social media post showing seashells arranged to form the numbers 86 47. (More)

➤ NC Coast: A state science panel is weighing the risks of hardened shoreline structures like seawalls, warning they may shift damage to neighboring coastal properties. (More)

➤ Wake County: The State Board of Elections will revisit a Wake County case after it was revealed that ballots cast by voters who died before Election Day were counted in the 2024 election. (More)

➤ Raleigh: The city issued 92 water restriction violation warnings in one week amid ongoing drought concerns and declining Falls Lake levels, ramping up enforcement on conservation rules. (More)

➤ Wilmington: A Disney+ TV pilot titled Saltwater about a teen discovering her mermaid heritage is set to begin production in August. (See Details)

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➤ NC State’s Carter-Finley Stadium ranked No. 23 on Electronic Arts College Football 27’s 2026 list of the 25 toughest places to play—the only North Carolina venue to make the cut. (More)

➤ The NCAA approved a waiver allowing the NC State vs. Virginia football game on Aug. 29 to remain a Week 0 contest. The matchup was relocated from Brazil to Charlottesville earlier this month. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, NC State men’s basketball backed out of their scheduled road game at VCU this season, which will force them to pay a $190,000 buyout. (More)

➤ Members of the Carolina Hurricanes, including Coach Rod Brind’Amour, visited the North Carolina General Assembly on Tuesday to celebrate their Stanley Cup title, with lawmakers praising the team as a unifying force across the state. (More)

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

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➤ Eight local governments received over $4 million in state grants to support infrastructure projects, building reuse, and economic development, with projects projected to create nearly 400 jobs and attract more than $126.2 million in investment. (More)

➤ Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon stated the Lenovo Center in Raleigh has at least another decade of viability before the franchise will seriously consider a new arena, amid ongoing renovation talks. (More)

➤ Triad mayors from Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point expressed support for data centers with environmental safeguards to balance economic growth and community concerns over power and water use. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Asheville’s city council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development Tuesday. It currently has no zoning definition for data centers and will use the pause to develop rules. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Markets are volatile. Inflation remains a concern. And every week seems to bring a new economic headline. When times are uncertain, getting good information matters. That’s why we’ve partnered with the Freedom Summit, a free online event happening tomorrow, featuring economists, investors, and business leaders discussing what’s next for the economy, inflation, and financial markets. Registration is free. Save your spot today.

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ An equine-inspired mural by artist Nicole Leth is bringing messages of hope and inner-child healing to the Asheville River Arts District on the Aura Arts building. (See Mural)

➤ Durham Fire Department’s Junior Fire Marshal summer camp aims to inspire the next generation of firefighters and combat national recruitment shortages through hands-on training for middle schoolers. (More)

➤ A grave at St. John in the Wilderness Cemetery in Flat Rock marks young Edward Rutledge, descendant of Declaration of Independence signer Edward Rutledge, who was the youngest signer at age 26. His descendant died at the age of 20 in 1856. (More)

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

➤ A Yale study tracked 11,000 seniors for over a decade and found nearly half didn’t decline with age; they improved, and one hidden factor explains why. (Hear What)

➤ The military is reinstating flu shots for recruits after an outbreak swept a Texas training base. (Listen Now)

➤ The average couple drops over $6,000 on the honeymoon now, and Gen Z would rather splurge there than on the wedding. (Listen More)