OBX Leaders Attend Coastal Summit in DC

Outer Banks leaders are in Washington, D.C., this week to advocate for vulnerable coastal communities at the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association’s 100th anniversary Coastal Summit, which provides a platform to address shoreline protection, funding challenges, and long-term resilience strategies.

The delegation includes Dare County Manager Bobby Outten, who will participate in panel discussions on FEMA reauthorization reforms and preserving access to North Carolina’s coastal villages and America’s First National Seashore.

Representatives from the Buxton Civic Association, the Ocracoke Access Alliance, Hatteras, and Ocracoke will highlight local concerns about erosion, sea-level rise, and threats to public infrastructure, including NC 12.

Meanwhile, a 2025 shoreline analysis highlights three high-risk Currituck County oceanfront areas: Horse Gate to Corolla Village Road, Whalehead Beach, and Spindrift communities. Ongoing erosion in Buxton has also prompted the relocation of a 265,000-pound house.

ICE Not Yet Deployed to NC Airports

As of Monday, North Carolina’s major airports have not seen deployments of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, despite President Trump ordering ICE personnel to assist at select U.S. airports starting yesterday amid a partial government shutdown.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) officials confirmed they were “not aware” of any ICE presence, and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) was not included on the current Department of Homeland Security list.

The agents are assisting with non-screening tasks, such as crowd management and ID verification, to reduce TSA-related delays to accommodate severe staffing shortages among unpaid TSA workers.

Travelers at CLT, RDU, and other North Carolina airports should plan to arrive early due to potential delays.

US Rep Davis Dodges Voting Record Questions

A recent investigation revealed that U.S. Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), who faces a tough reelection in North Carolina’s redrawn 1st Congressional District, collected $4,576 in per diem across 19 days during his time as a state senator after missing all votes.

Davis also collected additional payments post-session and shortly after entering Congress. He provided no personal explanation, with his office deferring to past state legislative policies.

Critics, including Vice President JD Vance at a recent Rocky Mount event, have blasted Davis’ congressional voting record on issues like rural health funding and voter citizenship requirements.

The National Republican Congressional Committee is targeting Davis’ seat in a district carried by President Trump during the 2024 general election by adding retired Army Col. Laurie Buckhout—who narrowly lost to Davis in 2024—to its “MAGA Majority” program which provides candidates with additional campaign resources.

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➤ Rockingham/Guilford Counties: Election officials randomly chose sets of ballots Monday for a second recount in the contested state Senate primary race between Republican Senate leader Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, who currently leads by 23 votes. (More)

➤ Cabarrus/Union Counties: The U.S. Drought Monitor has classified nearly 90% of Cabarrus County and over half of Union County as extreme, stressing local farmers’ crops and threatening higher grocery prices and shortages for consumers. (More)

➤ Charlotte: The city council was expected to approve a $25 million upgrade plan for the BOplex (Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium) yesterday, funding critical mechanical, electrical, and plumbing fixes via tourism taxes. (More)

➤ Robeson County: Ethan Lee Spaulding (27) was arrested for the murder of Triston Goins (28), Howard Dean Jones (51), and Ashley N. Jacobs (35), who were found dead inside a camper in Pembroke on Sunday. Their cause of death has not been released. (More)

➤ Smoky Mountains: The National Park Service will conduct prescribed burns March 25-31 on 180 acres in Wear Cove Gap and 243 acres in Lynn Hollow, which may require temporary road and trail closures in the area. (See Details)

➤ Asheville: A woman-led group embarked on the Great Mother March on Sunday, a 32-day, nearly 500-mile pilgrimage from the River Arts District to Washington, D.C., inspired by Buddhist monks’ recent Walk for Peace. (More)

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➤ North Carolina resident Tyler Reddick won the NASCAR Darlington race on Sunday despite his cool suit failing and the car battery needing replacement halfway through the race. (More)

➤ The Charlotte 49ers are signing former Cincinnati basketball coach Wes Miller as their next head basketball coach. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes announced they’ll be playing a game in Helsinki, Finland, next November as part of the NHL Global Series. (More)

➤ Wake Forest men’s basketball fell to Illinois State 78-75 in the NIT tournament this weekend on a buzzer-beater three by the Redbirds. Their season is officially over. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Charlotte ranked 13th among 30 major U.S. cities for rent increases from 2020 to January 2026, with average rents rising 36% to $1,704 per month, matching the national surge driven by pandemic migration and strong demand across the Sun Belt. (See Map)

➤ Demolition of Mission Hospital’s St. Joseph campus appears imminent as HCA Healthcare has filed pending permits with the City of Asheville for complete teardown of the century-old facility following its closure, deterioration, and high maintenance costs. (More)

➤ Raleigh-Durham International Airport will raise daily parking rates between $1.50 and $2.50 starting April 1 as part of an approved budget. Facilities are now fully cashless, with ReadySTATION kiosks available for guests without credit cards. (More)

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Is This the Next $110B Coffee Giant?

Dunkin’ was acquired for $11B. JDE Peet’s IPO’d at $17B. Starbucks today is valued at a $110B market cap. They all achieved this without owning the whole coffee supply chain. Imagine how much more market they could capture if they did.

Green Coffee Company controls its entire coffee-making process from seed to sale. As Colombia’s #1 producer, they’ve seen revenue grow from $1M to $37M since 2021.

Now, they have exclusive U.S. rights to the legendary Juan Valdez® brand, and they’re reigniting it in the U.S. coffee market. We’re now in the final days to become a pre-IPO investor in Green Coffee Company.*

➤ Travel+Leisure hails Southport as a more affordable alternative to Nantucket with similar coastal charm, a historic downtown, maritime museums, waterfront activities, and a reputation as the “Fourth of July Capital of North Carolina.” (See Photos)

➤ Meanwhile, Southern Living’s readers’ choice list of the South’s 10 best classic restaurants includes Biscuit Head in Asheville, praised for its giant cathead biscuits, Southern comfort cuisine, and expansions since opening in 2013. (More)

➤ Outer Banks sites like Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial collectively welcomed more than 3.3 million visitors during 2025, according to a National Park Service report. (More)

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Have you visited the Outer Banks?

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Yesterday’s Results:

Would you rather take your driving test through the DMV or a private driving school?

1. Private driving school: 36%
2. Not sure: 33%
3. DMV: 31%

What was the original name of Southport?

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