Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1993, legendary NC State basketball coach Jim Valvano, “Jimmy V,” died of cancer at the age of 47. Valvano led the Wolfpack to the miraculous 1983 NCAA championship before being diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1992. He founded the V Foundation for Cancer Research and delivered his iconic “Don’t Give Up … Don’t Ever Give Up!” speech at the 1993 ESPYs.

Speaking of NC State, researchers there released predictions for the 2026 hurricane season. Get the scoop in Top Stories.

Still figuring out what to get Mom? We did the hard part for you. Our 2026 Mother’s Day Gift Guide has picks she’ll actually use, love, and maybe even brag about.

Life insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, and picking the wrong policy can mean overpaying for coverage you don’t need or leaving your family short when it matters most. Who’s the most affordable? Who has the best customer service? Who’s the best if you want to skip the medical exam? On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown breaks down the top life insurance companies for seniors in 2026, shedding light on which one might be best for you. Tune in here!

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Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Public Universities Lay Out Budget Cuts

Public universities across North Carolina are implementing significant budget cuts amid fiscal uncertainty from federal and state funding.

East Carolina University is on track to achieve $25 million in reductions over three years—about 2% of its budget—by discontinuing roughly 50 low-productivity academic programs. Officials report $6.2 million in cuts already identified ahead of schedule.

UNC-Chapel Hill leaders approved a $4.79 billion all-funds budget while pushing for $89 million in savings over three years. Cuts to administrative staff will result in the largest savings, at $25 million. Other measures include reducing nonresident financial aid and trimming underenrolled programs, centers, and institutes.

NC State is tightening controls on administrative hiring and contracts in response to similar pressures, with approval only for positions considered critical to the continuation of the university’s mission.

NC Leaders React to Press Dinner Shooting

North Carolina leaders united in condemning political violence after the Saturday arrest of 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California, who allegedly rushed security with a Mossberg Maverick 12-gauge shotgun while trying to reach President Trump and other officials at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in the Washington Hilton ballroom.

Democrat Gov. Josh Stein said political violence “is absolutely unacceptable and has no place in America.” Republican Sen. Thom Tillis cited social media’s role in amplifying instability and urged Americans to “take a breath” and confirm facts before judging.

Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) offered prayers for Trump, his Cabinet, and attendees, and thanked the Secret Service for their “swift and decisive action.”

Allen’s manifesto reportedly vowed to target Trump officials and referenced anti-Christian views. Trump and attendees were unharmed. One Secret Service agent who was struck while wearing a bulletproof vest is expected to recover.

NCSU Predicts Average Hurricane Season

NC State researchers are forecasting an average 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, predicting 12 to 15 named storms, six to nine hurricanes, and two to three major hurricanes.

The outlook aligns closely with recent averages from 1994-2025, which show about 15 named storms, seven hurricanes, and four major hurricanes.

Led by Xia Sun, an NC State adjunct assistant professor of marine, earth, and atmospheric sciences, the forecast draws on over 100 years of historical data that includes storm tracks, sea-surface temperatures, and weather patterns.

Colorado State University researchers released a slightly below-normal outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season earlier this month, calling for 13 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. The season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

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➤ Northeast NC: The Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC backed by U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, is pouring nearly $10 million into the 1st Congressional District race between Laurie Buckhout and incumbent Don Davis ahead of the 2026 midterms. (More)

➤ NC Schools: Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall objected to a stay requested by five school boards in the 32-year Leandro education funding case, urging prompt execution of the state Supreme Court’s dismissal. (More)

➤ Asheville: NCDOT held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $1.8 billion I-26 Connector project, which will link I-26 south of the city to U.S. 19/23/70 north. Construction is underway with completion expected in 2031. (More)

➤ Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is proposing to merge its International Baccalaureate and Learning Immersion-Talent Development programs into a single unified K-12 pathway, with expanded coursework and teacher opportunities. The plan will be presented to the school board next week. (More)

➤ Cary: Christopher Aaron Murray, 40, of Cary, was arrested at Charlotte Douglas International Airport after a month-long State Bureau of Investigation probe into an alleged scam that targeted a Jones County family by falsely claiming their bank accounts were compromised. Murray faces multiple felony charges. (More)

➤ Rocky Mount: A police officer fatally shot a person Sunday in the 3300 block of Sunset Avenue after witnesses reported a car crash and a foot chase. The State Bureau of Investigation is conducting an independent probe. (More)

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➤ Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin was diagnosed with a concussion after taking a heavy hit in the series-clinching win over Ottawa. He’ll have an extended recovery time thanks to the series sweep, giving him a good chance to come back for Round 2. (More)

➤ App State swept Georgia Southern in baseball for the first time in the 40-year history of the rivalry. They’ve now won seven in a row and sit tied for second place in the Sun Belt. (More)

➤ UNC football didn’t have a single player selected in this year’s NFL draft for the first time since 2016. (More)

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➤ Eco TIP West LLC, led by UNC Board of Governors member Kirk Bradley, has sued Chatham County to overturn its one-year moratorium on data centers, arguing the ban on a planned 750-megawatt data center, for use in cryptocurrency mining, violates the firm’s rights and state downzoning laws. (More)

➤ North Carolina Central University won its first-ever Honda Campus All-Star Challenge national title, defeating Hampton University with an all-women team in the prestigious HBCU academic competition April 11-14 and earning a $100,000 grant. (More)

➤ Geluna Gelato in Cary was named the best gelato outside of Italy by Southern food magazine The Local Palate in its Summer 2026 issue, which highlights the shop as a must-try destination for gelato lovers. (More)

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➤ The Quail Hollow mansion of late LendingTree founder and CEO Doug Lebda, who died in an ATV accident last fall, has been listed for sale by his widow for nearly $15 million in Charlotte. (More and See Photos)

➤ Visitors to Kure Beach’s southern tip can see a rare, protected coquina rock outcropping: a 55,000 to 70,000-year-old coastal treasure formed from shell fragments that is now a protected natural area and home to diverse marine life. (See Photos)

➤ The Corolla Wild Horse Fund announced that four healthy wild horse foals—three fillies and one colt—have been spotted in the Corolla region, with more possibly roaming around the marsh and maritime forest areas. (See Photos)

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