Stein Declines Debate Invite

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein has declined North Carolina Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson’s invitation to hold a televised debate.

Stein currently leads Robinson in several statewide polls.

A new artificial intelligence ad featuring a parody version of Robinson created by Democratic donor Todd Stiefel will begin airing next week via broadcast, cable, and streaming services. Stein’s campaign has stated its opposition to the use of AI in this way.

Both Stein and Robinson are vying for unaffiliated votes. An uptick in recent North Carolina voter registrations indicates more than half are unaffiliated.

General Assembly Passes Immigration Crime Bill

The North Carolina General Assembly passed House Bill 10 last week, which would require the state’s sheriff’s offices to comply with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officials in cracking down on violent crimes committed by inmates identified as being in the country illegally.

Gov. Roy Cooper has until Saturday to sign or veto the bill.

Specifically, the legislation would require sheriffs to temporarily hold inmates who committed violent felonies or serious misdemeanors—such as an assault on a female or violation of a protective order—for up to 48 hours.

The bill also includes $493 million for North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship, which awards private school vouchers to North Carolina families who request them.

Because the General Assembly has a Republican super majority, Cooper’s expected veto will not likely impact passage of the bill.

Celebrate ‘Talk Like a Pirate’ Day

The “Talk Like a Pirate” movement that started during a Sept. 19, 1995 racquetball game in Oregon garners annual attention in North Carolina, thanks to our state’s storied Pastafarian past.

Looking for a way to celebrate? Raleigh Parks and Recreation is hosting a greenway treasure hunt today.

You can also visit the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort to see cannons, grenades, glass beads, and wine bottles from the Queen Anne’s Revenge. Or check out Ocracoke Island—the town Blackbeard called home—Nov. 1-2 for the island’s annual Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree.

Lastly, be sure to follow the Pirate Code of Conduct and check out this glossary of terms, matey.

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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➤ Brunswick County: Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency after historic “firehose” flooding closed roads, schools, and businesses. (More)

➤ Greensboro: Retired police officer Eric Rascke says he had around 100 encounters with would-be assassin Ryan Routh related to theft, suspended driver licenses, and numerous hit-and-runs. (More)

➤ Asheville: A $38.5 million restoration of McCormick Field kicked off after Labor Day weekend with a leveling of its iconic arch entryway. (See Renderings)

➤ Raleigh: Republican nominee for vice president JD Vance hosted a rally Wednesday afternoon at Union Hall in Raleigh. (More)

➤ Fayetteville: The levels of PFAS in Gray’s Creek homeowners are coming down, according to recent testing. PFAS chemicals were first detected in private wells there in 2017. (More)

➤ Chatham County: The sheriff’s office added two K-9 officers to its school safety team. Leo and Cheeno will work alongside two K-9 certified student resource officers. (See Photos)

➤ Carolina Panthers legend Luke Kuechly is officially a Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2025 nominee. He joins former Panthers teammate Steve Smith Sr. on the ballot, who was a semifinalist last year. (More)

➤ Five-star basketball recruit Braylon Mullins suddenly canceled his visit with Duke. There is no public explanation for the cancellation, but it is believed Mullins removed Duke from his list of top schools. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes put together an impressive showing at the 2024 prospects showcase, going 2-1 with wins over the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | MLS

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➤ Spectrum, North Carolina’s largest broadband provider, has guaranteed free internet speed upgrades via new bundled pricing for up to three years. (See Details)

➤ Raleigh City Council voted Tuesday to close the street between Dawson and McDowell streets as part of a plan to relocate Red Hat Amphitheater and expand the Raleigh Convention Center. (More)

➤ Downtown Greensboro Incorporated launched a grant program giving small businesses up to $2,500 for improving services, expanding commercial opportunities, and enhancing storefronts. (More)

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➤ The MICHELIN Guide’s 2024 “One Key” rankings include five North Carolina hotels: Blind Tiger Asheville, The Ivey’s Hotel, Proximity Hotel, ARRIVE Wilmington, and Dreamers Welcome. (See Full List)

➤ The Cape Fear River may look red or pink this week due to a dye study training project the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and USDA started Wednesday. (More)

➤ “Bull Durham, A New Musical”—currently playing at Duke University—inspired this roundup of Triangle spots celebrated in the original 1988 “Bull Durham” movie. (Explore Locations)

Do you think gubernatorial candidates Josh Stein and Mark Robinson should debate?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I really don’t care

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you like your cheeseburger?

1. All the fixins’: 18%
2. Carolina Style: 17%
3. None of the above: 15%
4. Ketchup only: 14%
5. I don’t like cheeseburgers: 13%
6. Ketchup and mustard: 12%
7. Plain: 11%

What is North Carolina’s oldest continuously operating hotel?

Show me the answer