Wake Schools Restrain, Seclude 371 Students

Wake County Public School System staff physically restrained or secluded 371 students in a total of over 1,000 incidents during the fall 2025 school period, according to new county data.

The incidents include 768 cases of physical restraint and 288 of seclusion, up from 628 restraints and 264 seclusions during the same period last year.

The report stems from a 2023 legal settlement with the family of a disabled elementary student who was repeatedly locked in a closet at Scotts Ridge Elementary. WCPSS paid the family $450,000 and agreed to mandatory same-day parent notifications, public data releases every six months, and third-party reviews of behavior support programs.

As part of broader reforms to special education services, WCPSS announced last summer that it would expand staff training on crisis intervention and de-escalation, clarifying roles and improving support for complex cases.

State Board Names Election Security Director

The North Carolina State Board of Elections announced on Monday that Ron Herring has been appointed Director of Election Security and Enforcement, effective immediately.

A Mount Olive native and West Point graduate, Herring offers 29 years of federal law enforcement experience, including working as a supervisory criminal investigator with Homeland Security Investigations and a senior role with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces program.

Herring will oversee investigative operations, support election security initiatives, and collaborate with federal, state, and local partners to safeguard election integrity.

National Cost of Living Outpaces South

The cost of living in North Carolina and other parts of the South rose more slowly than the national average in recent months, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

The Consumer Price Index for the South increased 1.9% over the 12 months ending January 2026, compared to 2.4% nationally. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, was 2% in the South versus 2.5% nationwide.

Steeper gasoline price declines of 9% in the South versus 7.5% nationally helped moderate overall inflation across the region, despite a 6.4% rise in electricity (versus 6.3% nationally), 9.5% rise in natural gas (versus 9.8% nationally), 2.8% rise in food (versus 2.9% nationally), and 2.6% rise in shelter (versus 3% nationally).

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Morrisville: A three-alarm fire at Camden Westwood Apartments displaced approximately 70 residents and injured six people on Monday. The fire’s cause is not yet known. (More)

➤ Reidsville: The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that federal probation officers violated a couple’s constitutional rights in a warrantless search, throwing out the seizure of $25,325 and reversing a lower court’s decision that the cash was subject to forfeiture. (More)

➤ Burke County confirmed its first measles case on Monday, with potential exposures on Feb. 13 at Walmart in Morganton, Feb. 14 at NY Hibachi Buffet in Hickory and Bo’s Family Entertainment in Lenoir, and Feb. 17 at UNC Health Blue Ridge ER in Valdese. (More)

➤ Raleigh: Michael Vernon, 66, charged with four counts of second-degree murder in an April dump truck crash that killed four linemen and injured two others, died Sunday in Raleigh’s Central Prison before his trial. (More)

➤ Carrboro: A state business court judge explained that his Feb. 12 ruling on the town’s climate lawsuit against Duke Energy was based on the case not being judicial in nature, stating energy policy decisions should be made by the legislature and regulators, not courts. (More)

➤ Cape Hatteras National Seashore recorded 2,751,885 visitors in 2025, a slight decline from the previous three years, according to Outer Banks Visitors Bureau data. (See Data)

➤ NC State asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by 12 former faculty, staff, and students claiming toxic PCB exposure in Poe Hall, arguing the claims reflect negligence, which is covered by workers’ compensation laws—not constitutional violations. (More)

Enjoy reading Flyover North Carolina? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ Women’s Basketball AP Poll: Duke fell three spots to No. 12 this week, while UNC rose one spot to No. 21. (See Full Poll)

➤ UNC-Charlotte hired Kevin White—the deputy athletic director at Clemson the past four years—to become their next athletic director. (More)

➤ Charlotte FC signed 21-year-old Ghanaian defender Morrison Agyemang to a deal that keeps him with the club until 2029. He’ll occupy the team’s designated international roster spot for the 2026 season. (More)

➤ Bradley Bozeman, the popular former Carolina Panthers center, announced his retirement from football after eight seasons. (More)

➤ Zebulon’s new Coastal Plain League baseball team, set to play at Five County Stadium starting in May 2026, has officially unveiled its name as the Devil Dogz, selected from fan submissions following the departure of the Carolina Mudcats. (More)

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

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Clario View glasses give you instant, adjustable vision without a prescription — twist the dials on each lens to dial in crisp clarity for reading, screens, or distance, all with one lightweight, comfortable pair that replaces multiple glasses and saves you money. Get up to 50% off while supplies last!

➤ Tariffs have failed to shrink North Carolina’s trade deficit, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data shows. Unmanufactured tobacco exports declined, while manufactured tobacco exports increased, and pharmaceuticals grew by 13.3%. Imports, however, surged by 74.2%. (More)

➤ Ketchie CEO Courtney Silver credits President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” tax legislation for boosting her Concord machine shop’s growth through immediate expensing of investments, enabling $1.5 million in new machinery, AI tools, and new hires. (More)

➤ Pop Mart, the global collectibles brand and toy designer known for figures like Labubu, will open its first North Carolina store this spring at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ You do the normal money-saving things… you love a deal at the clearance rack. You don’t eat lunch out too much. And you meticulously selected the perfect combo of streaming services to watch your favs for as cheap as possible. But there are some tips you may not know (yet) from our friends at FinanceBuzz!

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Two pairs of NC State alumni who portrayed Mr. and Ms. Wuf mascots—Chandler Smith and Savanna Stone, and Chase Smith and Rachel Fenton—are now planning real-life weddings after finding love through their shared Wolfpack mascot roles. (See Photos)

➤ A FinanceBuzz analysis revealed 30 favorite fast-food restaurants across the U.S., with Bojangles ranking as North Carolina’s top choice, based on Google Trends search data and locations per capita. (See Map)

➤ Sound alchemist Racquel Washington runs “sound bath” sessions for North Carolina caregivers using tuned crystal bowls, wind chimes, and an ocean drum to reduce stress. Participants report peaceful sensations that help them “feel the colors.” (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Top Weight‑Loss Docs Are Using This… Now You Can Too. Explore how Eden connects you with licensed providers to access personalized GLP‑1 treatment plans. Get tailored care, home delivery, and expert support that aligns with your weight‑loss journey.  (LEARN MORE)

Would you try “sound healing”?

1. Sure, why not?
2. Nope, not for me!
3. What’s sound healing?

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever ridden on the NC By Train Amtrak line?

1. No: 52%
2. Yes: 25%
3. Not yet: 23%

Where was the first Bojangles located?

Show me the answer