Post-Helene Searches Continue; 92 Still Missing

Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday that at least 92 victims of Hurricane Helene are still unaccounted for in western North Carolina and that a state task force has been formed to help find them. 

The National Guard and first responders continue searching for those reported missing.

The North Carolina death toll reached 118 Tuesday—nearly half of the 243 Helene-related fatalities across the Southeast.

FEMA has shifted its focus from rescue to recovery in 25 counties, canvassing door-to-door and manning disaster recovery centers. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said over 2,000 agents are in the state and that the agency plans to open 15 additional disaster recovery centers by the end of this week.

Early Voting Starts, NC Polls Shift

Early voting kicks off in 419 sites across North Carolina today amid new poll results showing North Carolina voters leaning toward electing Former President Donald Trump.

An Oct. 15 Rasmussen poll puts Trump ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris 51% to 46% in North Carolina. An Oct. 15 Trafalgar poll has Trump ahead of Harris 46.5% to 44.6%, and Polymarket’s latest betting odds give Trump a 63% to 37% chance of winning the Tar Heel State.

An Oct. 16 YouGov poll lists North Carolina as a toss-up state but gives Trump a 49% to 48% lead over Harris. Meanwhile, an Oct. 16 Quinnipiac poll gives Harris a 50% to 47% lead in North Carolina, suggesting a tight race within the margin of error.

A team of Trump supporters are traveling across the state on a bus tour that started Wednesday in Alamance County and ends Friday in Wayne County.

Voters can identify the nearest early voting site in their county using this search tool. Hours of operation vary by location but typically include weekend and evening hours.

Going to the State Fair? Make a Parking Plan 

The North Carolina State Fair kicks off today in Raleigh at the state fairgrounds. If you go, be sure to make a parking plan.

Free parking is available at Carter-Finley Stadium (4600 Trinity Road), the Lenovo Center (1400 Edwards Mill Road), the Dogwood Lot (4501 Reedy Creek Road), and the Cardinal Lot (5766 Chapel Hill Road).

Handicap parking is available at the corner of Blue Ridge and Trinity roads near Gate 10, with overflow handicap parking at Carter Finley Stadium.

Hop on a free shuttle in two spots: the Dogwood Lot, with dropoff and pickup services at Gate 8; and the Cardinal Lot, with dropoff and pickup services at Gate 7.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 18, AMTRAK will also operate a special train stop in front of Gate 1.

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➤ Raleigh: State inspectors announced Tuesday they were ahead of schedule inspecting nearly 100 rides at the North Carolina State Fair, with 80 passing inspection at that time. (More)

➤ Moore County: The local Democratic Party announced on Facebook that chair Lowell Simon resigned following his arrest for theft of Trump campaign signs. (See Post)

➤ Bostic: A man arrested for threatening FEMA agents is defending his Second Amendment rights and says he was actually volunteering at the Lake Lure site prior to his arrest. (See Details)

➤ Western NC: Schools in multiple counties reopened this week, with bus routes adjusted to road conditions and accessibility. (More)

➤ Durham: Republican students at Duke University have reestablished Duke College Republicans, which disbanded in 2020 due to ideological tensions within the group. (Read Statement)

➤ Concord: NASCAR’s Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday scored a 1.35 household rating with 2.42 million views—the most watched Roval race since 2021. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers have signed linebacker Jacoby Windmon as injuries pile up on defense ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Commanders. (More)

➤ Duke, UNC, and Wake Forest are ranked first, second, and third, respectively, in the ACC preseason men’s basketball poll. N.C. State ranked eighth despite a final four run in March Madness last season. (More)

➤ Former N.C. State linebacker Payton Wilson will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor. Wilson won the 2023 Butkus Award and the 2023 Bednarik Award—two of the most prestigious honors for an NCAA defensive player. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NBA | NHL | WNBA 

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➤ The Outer Banks Seafood Festival, which takes place Saturday, will give a grant to the North Carolina Watermen United group, which advocates for commercial and recreational watermen along the state’s coast. (See Details)

➤ A Court of Appeals ruled that the North Carolina Utilities Commission can regulate a mainland parking lot tied to the Bald Head Island ferry, but not the barge operation itself. (More)

➤ Raleigh’s City Council voted 6-2 to close a half-block portion of South Street starting early next year in preparation for moving Red Hat Amphitheater one block south of its current location. (More)

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➤ Three Hatteras Island museums will host a Halloween Mystery Tour Oct. 30 that features visits to and stories about haunted locations in the area. (See Schedule)

➤ The Biltmore Hotel in Greensboro was included on a list of the “creepiest and most haunted hotels” in America. (See List)

➤ The North Carolina judge who presided over the 1996 murder trial of NBA great Michael Jordan’s father, James Jordan, is petitioning for Daniel Green’s release due to the omission of inconclusive forensic tests. (More)

➤ Scotty McCreery, The Avett Brothers, Chase Rice, and Parmalee have joined the lineup for Concert for Carolina on Oct. 26 in Charlotte. The event will be livestreamed due to overwhelming demand. (See Details)

Would you spend the night in a haunted hotel?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I could be persuaded
4. Not ever under any circumstance

Yesterday’s Results:

Do you think the Ten Commandments should be displayed in schools?

1. Yes: 54.2%
2. No: 25.1%
3. Only in private schools: 20.6%

Where was the first North Carolina State Fair held?

Show me the answer