Thursday, March 13, 2025

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1993, the “storm of the century” blasted the East Coast, covering over 550,000 square miles and impacting nearly 120 million people. It closed every major airport in affected cities, caused a storm surge on North Carolina’s coast, and dumped snow on our mountains. At its height, snow fell at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour.

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ICE Nabs Migrants in Charlotte Rail Crackdown

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials released a statement Tuesday announcing the arrest of five illegal migrants on Feb. 6 for allegedly endangering Charlotte rail operations.

ICE worked with Norfolk Southern Railroad Federal Police, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to make the arrests after receiving increasing reports of gang-affiliated threats to citizens and employees on the rail tracks.

Reports also allege the migrants were selling drugs, trespassing, and engaging in other criminal activity along the tracks.

All five illegal migrants were arrested on administrative charges and are in ICE custody pending removal.

Senate Bills Bar Anti-Trump Suits, K-12 DEI

The North Carolina Senate passed bills on Tuesday that ban the state attorney general from being allowed to sue the president and prevent diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools.

Senate Bill 58, which passed 29-19, prohibits the state attorney general from filing or joining lawsuits outside of North Carolina that invalidate any presidential executive order. The House is considering a similar bill. If Republicans can override a potential veto from the governor, the law could take effect immediately.

Senate Bill 227 targets DEI initiatives in the K-12 public schools system preventing employees from teaching or being taught about “divisive concepts.”

Both bills passed along party lines, with Democrats opposing the measures, and now advance to the North Carolina House, which also has a Republican majority.

Tip Leads to Illegal Gambling Raid

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office received a “valuable tip” about an illegal gambling business operating inside a Fayetteville karaoke bar that led to the seizure of 80 gambling terminals, 17 stand-up casino machines, and $28,993.

View a photo of the gambling terminals here.

Detectives discovered the operation after executing two search warrants at 5048 Yadkin Road, suites 202 and 203, on the morning of March 7.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional tips should contact the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office or leave an anonymous message online for CrimeStoppers.

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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➤ Statewide: Gov. Josh Stein issued an executive order on Monday establishing the Task Force for Child Care and Early Education, to be co-chaired by Democratic Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt and Republican Sen. Jim Burgin. (More)

➤ Western NC: The North Carolina House voted 115-0 on Tuesday to table the Senate’s amended version of the $535 million relief package for victims of Hurricane Helene, saying they need more time to consider the proposed changes. (More)

➤ Raleigh police chased down a car with an expired registration, leading to the discovery of four rifles, five handguns, cash, marijuana, cocaine, packaging materials, drug paraphernalia, and cocaine manufacturing equipment. (More)

➤ York County police are asking for the public’s help with a string of vehicle break-ins in Lake Wylie and Fort Mill. In one incident, a security video showed an armed suspect dancing mockingly in front of the camera while another suspect stole items from a car. (Watch Video)

➤ Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools face up to $100 million in federal cuts due to the expiration of COVID-19 stimulus funds. (More)

➤ Charlotte: The Billy Joel/Sting concert originally scheduled for May 10 at Bank of America Stadium has been rescheduled to July 3, 2026, due to Joel recovering from a recent surgery. Tickets will automatically be valid for the rescheduled show. (More)

➤ No. 1 seed Duke tips off against No. 8 seed Georgia Tech today at noon, then No. 4 seed Wake Forest takes on No. 5 seed UNC at 2:30 p.m. in the 2025 T. Rowe Price ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament. UNC advanced after beating Notre Dame 76-56 on Wednesday. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers plan to sign a one-year, $3 million deal with 35-year-old Sam Martin this week. The former Appalachian State player was released by the Buffalo Bills on March 6. (More)

➤ The Panthers also released running back Miles Sanders, who was one of the team’s biggest free agent signings in the 2023 NFL offseason. (More)

➤ Carolina Hurricanes center Jack Roslovic scored his 100th career goal during the team’s 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, helping the Canes get their fifth consecutive win. (More)

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➤ The North Carolina Senate advanced a bill Tuesday that would remove a state mandate for Duke Energy to reduce carbon emissions by 70% of 2005 levels by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. (More)

➤ Avelo Airlines announced new routes out of Wilmington International Airport starting in June to Houston, Detroit, Long Island, and Washington, D.C. (More)

➤ Ralliant Corp., which creates application technologies for aerospace, defense, and space subsystems, will make Raleigh its headquarters, investing $2.1 million and creating 180 jobs in Wake County. (More)

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➤ Josh King, a singer, songwriter, and volunteer piano player at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, will appear on Season 23 of American Idol this Sunday. (More)

➤ Raleigh’s Brewgaloo ranked sixth and Durham’s Blacktoberfest ranked ninth on USA Today’s list of the United States’ 10 best beer festivals. (See List)

➤ The Outer Banks was named Southern Living’s “Vacation of the Year 2025” thanks to its biodiversity, recreational opportunities, boardwalks, restaurants, attractions, and more. (More)

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