Kidnapped Mom, Baby Found Safe

A mother and her 1-year-old daughter were found safe in Wake Forest at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday after being abducted from their Garner home by two armed men and a woman wearing masks.

The suspects broke into the home on Buck Branch Drive sometime before 2 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities issued an Amber Alert shortly afterward for Alondra Michelle Benitez De Jesus and her daughter, Grecia Salome Alejandro-Benitez.

The intruders reportedly demanded $1 million from De Jesus’ husband, Eliuth Martinez. When he refused, they restrained him with tape and abducted his wife and daughter.

Police have not confirmed the motive or relationship between those involved. The FBI and SBI are assisting in the investigation.

Judge Backs Same-Day Voter Challenge Deal

U.S. District Judge Thomas Schroeder signed an agreement Monday that ends two legal challenges against the “undeliverable mail provision” approved as part of a 2023 state election reform measure.

Originally, the law required officials to discard a same-day voter’s ballot if one mailed address verification card was returned as undeliverable, instead of two undeliverable mailings as previously required.

Under the new agreement, officials must now notify the voter and give them an opportunity—within one business day—to correct the address issue before discarding their ballot.

The Democratic National Committee, state Democratic Party, and left-of-center activist groups had challenged the provision, but reached an agreement with the State Board of Elections and legislative leaders, ending the legal dispute.

Bear Week: Basics, Protections, Poll

It’s Bear Week at WLOS in Asheville, when black bears begin to emerge from their dens and are more likely to come into contact with people.

In western North Carolina, where the black bear population has grown from 3,000 to over 8,000 over the last few decades, residents are reminded to follow “BearWise Basics,” including limiting and securing outdoor garbage and avoiding actions that alter bear behavior. If you see a bear while hiking, make noise, raise your arms, and slowly back away.

Meanwhile, NCDOT is working on ways to reduce human-wildlife collisions by installing fences and wildlife guards along I-40 that discourage animals from crossing high-traffic areas.

Do you live in bear country? WLOS in Asheville wants to know and is polling viewers to find out. Take the poll here.

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

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Statewide: Supreme Court candidates Allison Riggs and Jefferson Griffin filed final briefs Monday with U.S. Chief District Judge Richard Myers in their ongoing election dispute. Riggs opposes and Griffin supports enforcing a court-ordered process that could disqualify at least 1,675 ballots. Myers says he plans to rule “as soon as practicable.” (More)

➤ Statewide: North Carolinians age 60 and older and adults with disabilities are eligible to receive free fans—and in some cases, air conditioners—through Operation Fan Heat Relief, running May 1 to Oct. 31. (More)

➤ McDowell County landowners have until tomorrow, May 1, to apply for complimentary pickup of eligible debris. (See Details)

➤ Wilmington: NCDOT is discontinuing real-time bridge updates for the Wrightsville Beach, Cape Fear Memorial, and Isabel Holmes drawbridges while transitioning to a new notification system. (More)

➤ UNC-Chapel Hill says five of six international students whose visas were revoked are getting them back, while the student body president seeks answers on what caused the revocations. (More)

➤ NC State’s Therapeutic Horticulture Program has partnered with the North Carolina Botanical Garden to offer four online classes designed to improve mental health, increase physical activity, reduce stress, and provide other benefits. (See Details)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes edged the Devils 5–4 in double overtime, winning the series 4-1 on Sebastian Aho’s power-play goal at 4:17 of the second overtime. (More)

➤ Four North Carolina-based schools secured a spot in the NCAA Division I men’s tennis tournament, with Wake Forest earning the No. 1 overall seed. (More)

➤ UNC baseball was ranked as the third-best team in the country in the USA Today Coaches Poll after a dominant stretch of play. The Tar Heels haven’t lost a series since the middle of March. (More)

➤ The North Carolina Senate’s new budget proposal would double the state’s current tax rate on sports betting, taking it from 18% to 36%. (More)

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

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Somalia is suffering from natural disasters, poverty, conflict, and disease, pushing millions toward starvation. With little media coverage, the crisis remains largely unseen. Christian humanitarian group World Concern is on the ground providing vital food, water, and emergency aid. Your donation today can help save families facing desperate conditions.

➤ Biltmore Village is still recovering from severe flooding during Hurricane Helene, but expects 75-80% of its businesses to reopen by fall, with several already back in operation. (More)

➤ Nugget Comfort in Butner, which makes rearrangeable, family-friendly furniture, has introduced an ottoman called the “Chunk” that can be configured into a variety of builds. (More)

➤ The owners of Sammy’s Sliders in Kernersville plan to franchise their fast-casual restaurant, which makes 16 types of slider sandwiches, including the Yellowstone Cowboy Burger and Hot Honey Chicken slider. (More and Menu)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Beat the heat with CoolWave Air! This compact, powerful cooler uses advanced evaporative technology to deliver refreshing, cool air wherever you need it. Lightweight, portable, and energy-efficient. Stay cool and comfortable all summer long—anytime, anywhere! (Shop Now)

Flying together with our sponsor

The Most Valuable Tech You’ve Never Heard Of

While everyone’s focused on AI, one company is quietly building the infrastructure to power it.

Cities, schools, and industrial sites will never see all the benefits of cutting-edge AI innovation with Wi-Fi alone—it’s simply too costly. But IotaComm’s Internet of Things (IoT) platform and nationwide wireless network provide the strong, secure, low-cost connectivity to make it possible.

Even major brands like Crayola and GigNet are already partnering with IotaComm to modernize environments—from classrooms to entire regions.

Learn how you can invest in IotaComm (and receive a limited-time bonus) as they build the future.

➤ North Carolina wildlife officials used a large pipe mounted to a small trailer to capture a 14-foot alligator relaxing in a Southport backyard on Sunday. The trailer was hauled to another location where the gator could be released. (See Photos)

➤ The inaugural Ray Gray Classic surfing competition took place on Sunday at the original Cape Hatteras Lighthouse site in honor of former Cape Hatteras Elementary principal Ray Gray, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2014. (See Photos)

➤ UNC-Chapel Hill made Forbes’ list of 10 public institutions it considers “New Ivies,” which identifies schools enjoying newfound popularity with employers, students, and parents as elite private schools fall out of favor. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Protect your hands in style with Fox Gloves! These durable, flexible gloves are perfect for gardening, yard work, and outdoor projects. Keep your hands safe and comfortable while tackling any task with the trusted performance of Fox Gloves!

What’s your favorite kind of slider?

1. Barbecue
2. Beef
3. Poultry
4. Ham
5. Other
6. What’s a slider?

Yesterday’s Results:

Which airline do you typically fly on?

1. American: 27%
2. Delta: 19%
3. I don’t fly: 19%
4. Southwest: 13%
5. United: 12%
6. Other: 10%

What North Carolina bodies of water are named after alligators?

Show me the answer