8 Arrested in Human Trafficking Operation

The Wake Forest Police Department and Wake County Sheriff’s Office have arrested eight men from different parts of Central North Carolina as part of a multi-agency undercover operation targeting child sex predators and human traffickers.

Officers and agents posed as children and traffickers between Nov. 12-15, then arranged to meet the men soliciting the agents at various locations around Wake Forest and arrested the suspects when they arrived.

Multiple state and federal agencies assisted in the operation, including Homeland Security Investigations, the State Bureau of Investigation, the Wake County District Attorney’s Office, and police departments from other jurisdictions.

The suspects have been charged with attempted statutory rape, solicitation of a child by computer, attempted statutory sex offense, and indecent liberties with a child.

$221M Disaster Fund Shortfall

North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency officials admitted during a committee meeting Monday that a disaster recovery funding gap previously reported to be $175 million is closer to $221 million.

NCORR Director Laura Hogshead admitted her team “was not watching closely enough” regarding the budget. When asked by Rep. Brenden Jones, R-Robeson, if she would resign after admitting the responsibility fell on her, Hogshead replied “That is for the governor to decide.”

The agency, established by Gov. Roy Cooper after Hurricane Florence hit in 2018, employs 200 staff and has faced ongoing legislative scrutiny related to Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Despite operating on a $1 billion budget, it still has 1,400 homes pending construction with 766 families currently rebuilding.

The agency is also behind on contractor payments and owes $37.6 million in outstanding invoices.

CNN Moves Defamation Suit to Federal Court

CNN filed a Notice of Removal Nov. 15 requesting that  Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s defamation suit against the organization be moved from Wake County Superior Court to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

The network’s attorneys argued that Robinson linked CNN to Louis Money, a former porn store clerk who criticized Robinson in a music video, as a way to justify filing the suit in state court.

They also emphasized that “there is no allegation that anyone at CNN even spoken to Money at any time ever” and that “Robinson’s claims against Money have nothing to do with Robinson’s claims against CNN.”

The case now sits before U.S. District Judge Louise Wood Flanagan.

Do you have any friends or family who would like to receive Flyover North Carolina? Feel free to refer us to them!

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Statewide: North Carolina is among 18 states reporting an E. coli case linked to an outbreak caused by Grimmway Farms organic carrots that were available for purchase Aug. 14-Oct. 23. (See Brands Impacted)

➤ Asheville: The city’s boil advisory was lifted Monday after sampling results showed tap water was free of E. coli and other harmful contaminants. (More)

➤ Pender County: A hunter who got lost in Holly Shelter Game Lands for nearly 20 hours was rescued by multiple first responder agencies Thursday. (More)

➤ Lake Lure: Crews have cleared more than 5,500 cubic yards of debris caused by Hurricane Helene. It took 407 dump truck loads to remove the debris. (See Video)

➤ Holly Springs: Employees of FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies were evacuated Monday morning due to a fire that started in a cooling tower on the roof. (See Video)

➤ River Basins: The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality will administer $96 million in funding to implement flood reduction and floodplain protection projects across six North Carolina river basins. (More)

➤ Lamelo Ball has been fined $100,000 by the NBA for saying “no homo” during a postgame interview. (More)

➤ Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced that Bryce Young will start at quarterback on Sunday for the fourth straight week. (More)

➤ The New York Giants have benched former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones amid his sixth season starting for the team. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW

Flying together with our sponsor 

➤ Never lose your reading glasses again! With ThinOptics®, you’ll always have your reading glasses handy! These thin, incredibly durable, and comfortable glasses stick right to the back of your phone, keeping them safely tucked away until you need them. (See It here)

➤ Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority says the county could end up with a 79% decline in tourism revenue during the last three months of 2024—a $584 million loss. (More)

➤ Raleigh’s City Council is considering changing the wording of its zoning laws to allow construction of more high-density co-living buildings and boarding houses. (More)

➤ Durham-based Wolfspeed announced that CEO and President Gregg Lowe will step down. Board chairman Thomas Werner will serve as executive chairman until Lowe’s replacement is hired. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

Flying together with our sponsor

The Ibuprofen Alternative You Need to Know

Scientists recently discovered a little-known nutrient that dramatically reduces joint pain, fights inflammation and improves your joint, heart, and brain health… in as little as 7 days… Unlike Ibuprofen this is all natural. It ALSO protects your heart and helps prevent memory loss… (Learn More)

➤ A new list shares 30 North Carolina museums everyone should visit, with Biltmore qualifying and grabbing the No. 1 spot. (See List)

➤ A Carteret County gardener grew an okra plant over 17 feet tall, besting the most recent Guinness World Records okra plant, which reached 16 feet, 4 inches. (See Video)

➤ The Highlander Mountain House boutique hotel in Highlands made Veranda’s list of 21 Beautiful Thanksgiving Destinations in the U.S. (See List and Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Say Goodbye to Gluten Worries with Gluten Guardian. Don’t let gluten hold you back—experience the freedom to eat what you love. Thousands have already discovered the relief that Gluten Guardian provides. Try Gluten Guardian today and enjoy your meals with confidence! Use coupon code Dropdeal10 to get 10% OFF your purchase.

Which of these North Carolina-grown veggies do you like best?

1. Cabbage
2. Carrots
3. Okra
4. Squash
5. Sweet potatoes
6. I love them all equally
7. I hate them all equally

Yesterday’s Results:

How much do you spend on groceries each week?

1. $100–$200: 44.5%
2. Less than $100: 27.9%
3. $200+: 27.6%

What annual Lake Lure festival is named after a famous movie?

Show me the answer