NC Honors Pope Francis

North Carolinians paid their respects to Pope Francis on Monday, just hours after he died at the age of 88 from a stroke that led to heart failure.

The Basilica of Saint Lawrence in Asheville held a noon prayer service Monday, while Catholic churches across the Diocese of Charlotte hosted 7 p.m. memorials in his honor.

In Raleigh, Cardinal Gibbons High School community members gathered at Mary’s Grotto to pay their respects to the Argentine Pope. Around 80 of the school’s students attended the Easter Sunday service in St. Peter’s Square, where Francis made his final public appearance.

Gov. Josh Stein ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags to fly at half-staff Monday, and Bishop Luis Zarama of the Diocese of Raleigh remembered Francis for his “warmth and compassion and sense of humor.” Francis’ funeral will be held Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, and he will be laid to rest at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. 

Wildfires Prompt Air Quality Warnings

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued a Code Orange air quality alert Sunday across Graham, McDowell, and Swain counties due to unhealthy levels of smoke from nearby wildfires. The alert remained in effect through midnight Tuesday.

The advisory warns that fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, could approach or exceed federally recognized unsafe levels, posing risks to children and other sensitive groups. More than 13,000 children under age 18 live in the three affected counties.

As of Monday night, the Haoe Lead Fire in Graham County had burned 2,436 acres and was 12% contained, the Bee Rock Creek Fire in McDowell County had reached 1,397 acres and was 27% contained, and the Sam Davis Road Fire in Swain County had burned 400 acres and was 85% contained.

Edwards Seeks to Cut Helene Red Tape

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican representing 15 counties in western North Carolina, submitted a 62-page report to the White House and FEMA task force last week, detailing his recommendations for reforming FEMA in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

In the report, Edwards asked President Trump to sign nine executive orders and one proclamation. He also called on Congress to act on one item and the Office of Management and Budget to act on another.

Edwards’ recommendations focus on reimbursing affected residents more quickly and cutting bureaucratic red tape preventing rebuilding efforts. Read the full report here.

Edwards released the report four days after the Trump administration denied North Carolina’s request to continue a 100% federal cost share for Helene disaster recovery.

Click here to share Flyover North Carolina with all your friends! 

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Statewide:  Republican Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin wants a federal judge to allow a state court review of his election dispute, while his Democratic opponent and others are asking the 4th Circuit to block it. (More)

➤ NC Schools: Wake County public school students earned 29,400 workforce credentials during the 2023-24 school year—the most of any state school system—followed by Cumberland County students, who earned 16,944. (More)

➤ Chimney Rock: More than 2,000 volunteers—including an Amish organization from Pennsylvania—are helping to rebuild the Hurricane Helene-ravaged village. (More)

➤ Blue Ridge Parkway: NCDOT is constructing a new bridge over I-26 in Buncombe County as part of the I-26 widening project. It’s expected to be completed by the end of summer. (More)

➤ Charlotte: An American Airlines flight was diverted to Charlotte Douglas International Airport Sunday due to a possible maintenance issue, just hours after another American Airlines flight returned to the Charlotte runway due to an unspecified issue. (More)

➤ Mebane: The 37th annual Dogwood Festival takes place this weekend, featuring a golf tournament and 5K race on Friday, followed by a car show and beer garden on Saturday. (More)

➤ Duke men’s basketball star Cooper Flagg has officially declared for the NBA draft, where he is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick. (More)

➤ UNC men’s basketball player Ian Jackson is officially transferring to St. John’s to play in his hometown of New York. Jackson averaged nearly 12 points per game for the Tar Heels last season. (More)

➤ Sled hockey is gaining popularity in North Carolina, offering athletes with physical disabilities a chance to compete in the sport of hockey. (More)

➤ Sign up here in one click to receive NIL Wire to stay up-to-date on everything related to name, image, and likeness in college sports. 

Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Disasters can strike without warning—be ready. The Medical Go-Bag equips you with critical tools, medications, and guides to handle a wide range of crises. Whether it’s a natural disaster, power outage, or unexpected emergency, stay prepared and protect your family with the kit trusted by survival experts.

➤ Charlotte’s City Council approved a rezoning petition on Monday for Bank of America Stadium, clearing the way for renovations that include 25% more publicly accessible open space, which will serve as public plazas and festival areas. (More)

➤ Pinehurst Resort announced Monday it will construct its 11th golf course and additional lodging about 5 miles south of the main clubhouse, next to Pinehurst No. 10. The No. 11 course is expected to open in 2027. (More)

➤ MOCA Systems, Inc. which provides software and services to the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, has acquired QuikCal, an artificial intelligence startup founded by three Duke University engineering students. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Car insurance costs to hit record highs in 2025. With car insurance premiums projected to hit $2,101 in 2025, overpaying isn’t an option. Switching providers could save you $1,300 yearly–don’t leave it on the table. View Money’s best car insurance list to see if you could save. SEE IF YOU COULD SAVE

Flying together with our sponsor

Are You Taking Advantage of Your Amazon Prime Perks?

Free music and podcasts, access to lightning deals, and Whole Foods discounts are just a few of the many lesser-known perks that Amazon Prime has to offer.

Don’t miss out—get the most out of your Prime membership with help from our deal-finding experts.

Whether you’re already a Prime member or considering signing up, here are 9 Prime member benefits you should be using!

➤ The Cigarette Surfboard, a surfing documentary, was screened at Manteo’s Pioneer Theater last week and tells the story behind Ciggy Boards—functional surfboards made from discarded cigarette butts. (See Photos)

➤ Upcoming concerts and sporting events at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte include Metallica (May 31), the sold-out Savannah Bananas games (June 6–7), FIFA Club World Cup matches (June 22 and 24), and a rescheduled Sting and Billy Joel concert (July 3). (See Details)

➤ Several WRAL News viewers in Central North Carolina captured photos of the SpaceX launch out of Cape Canaveral, Florida, Monday night. (See Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Tired of the pressure to look younger? Skip surgery and discover the “3-month natural facelift” helping women look 9 years younger—no chemicals, needles, or gimmicks. Backed by science and real results, this all-natural solution is changing the way women over 40 fight aging. See the difference yourself!

Are you attending a concert this summer?

1. Already bought my ticket
2. Those days are over
3. Waiting for the right band
4. I only watch them on TV

Yesterday’s Results:

What are your retirement plans?

1. Stay put: 40%
2. Tighten my budget: 17%
3. Other: 16%
4. Move to a cheaper state: 15%
5. Buy a vacation home: 12%

Which North Carolina University ranks among the nation’s best surfing colleges?

Show me the answer