Bill Allows Suits Against Sanctuary Policies

North Carolina Sen. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and two other senators filed Senate Bill 153 on Monday to protect residents from sanctuary policies and to ensure that state law enforcement cooperates with federal immigration laws.

In addition to requiring Gov. Josh Stein’s administration to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, the North Carolina Border Protection Act would hold municipalities and counties accountable for creating sanctuary policies by allowing citizens harmed by illegal migrants to sue them.

Republicans say the bill also protects taxpayers by requiring the Office of State Budget and Management to ensure public benefits only go to eligible individuals. The office must also determine whether, and to what extent, any public benefits are being provided to illegal migrants, then post those findings publicly.

The Senate has a Republican supermajority capable of overriding Stein’s potential veto of the bill, but the House is one seat shy of a supermajority.

Medical Helicopter Crashes Near Wilmington

Novant Health confirmed an AirLink helicopter carrying three team members, but no patients, crashed Monday around 8:30 p.m. near the New Hanover/Pender County line in the Wilmington area. The team members were transported to a Novant Health hospital for evaluations.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s incident report states the aircraft crashed under “unknown circumstances in a wooded area.”

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened an investigation of the pilot, aircraft, and operating environment to gather flight track data, air traffic control communications, aircraft maintenance records, the pilot’s license, electronic devices, surveillance video, and other evidence.

The NTSB will issue a preliminary report within 30 days and a final report within six to 12 months.

Michael Jordan Love Letter Up for Bid

A love letter handwritten by NBA great and North Carolina native Michael Jordan is up for bid in the 2025 Lelands Winter Classic Auction.

In the letter, dated May 20, 1981, Jordan professes his love to his Laney High School girlfriend but makes it clear that she must share his love of basketball in order to have his heart.

“I hope I can never stop thinking about you,” Jordan wrote. “You are my whole life but you can’t have basketball.”

Bidding starts at $10,000. Interested buyers have until March 15 to place their bid. See the latest bids here.

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

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➤ Burke County: A massive operation resulted in the arrest of 27 people with 19 charges of simple possession of meth, cocaine, and fentanyl; and 14 charges of possession of drug paraphernalia. Multiple guns were also seized. (More)

➤ Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police have identified Larry Gene Bell as the offender in a 40-year-old homicide cold case involving the death of 26-year-old Sandee Cornett. Bell was executed in 1996 for two murders in South Carolina. (More)

➤ Raleigh’s City Manager will select one of three finalists to replace Police Chief Estella Patterson by Saturday. (Meet the Candidates)

➤ Swannanoa: Hurricane Helene-damaged Whitson Avenue Bridge, which connects U.S. 70 to Old U.S. 70, reopens today at noon. (More)

➤ Asheville: The WNC Nature Center, which also suffered damage from Helene, reopens to members on March 10 and to the general public on March 17. (More)

➤ NC State English professor Tim Stinson worked with vet school colleagues to expedite the process of collecting DNA from centuries-old parchment by using cytology brushes, specifically, those used to test for cervical cancer. (See Details)

➤ Duke men’s basketball moved up to No. 2 in this week’s AP Top 25 poll. On the women’s side, UNC and NC State ranked inside the top 10, while Duke fell five spots to No. 16. (Men’s Poll, Women’s Poll)

➤ The Charlotte Hornets suffered another loss Monday, falling 130-88 to the Sacramento Kings after a disappointing fourth-quarter performance. (More)

➤ Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen helped renovate the weight room of Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte. (More)

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

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➤ Introducing FIXD: the smart at-home car diagnostic scanner that translates your car’s check engine light into simple terms on your smartphone. By identifying issues early, FIXD helps prevent costly repairs and unnecessary mechanic visits, saving you time and money. Compatible with most gas-powered vehicles from 1996 onward.

➤ Wilmington-based Clean Eatz is partnering with Jesse Palmer, host of The Bachelor. The former NFL quarterback said the partnership “aligns seamlessly” with his “passion for living a well-rounded, balanced lifestyle.” (More)

➤ Charlotte-based Driven Brands will sell its U.S. car wash business for $385 million to Whistle Express Wash Operations, a smaller rival also based in Charlotte. (More)

➤ Former Carolina Panthers player Greg Olsen, his wife Kara, and their HEARTest Yard Foundation hosted the fourth-annual Ungala to raise funds for children with congenital heart disease. Their 2024 event raised $305,000. (More)

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➤ Grammy-winning singer and pianist Roberta Flack, who was born in Black Mountain, died Monday at age 88, surrounded by family. In 2022, Flack announced that she had ALS. (More)

➤ Wake County Deputy Robert Hunter wowed The Voice judge Kelsea Ballerini Monday night during his blind audition. Michael Bublé also spun his chair, but Hunter chose Ballerini to be his coach. (Watch Performance)

➤ The Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s eighth annual Charlotte climb will be held on April 27 at Bank of America Stadium for the first time. Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC owners David and Nicole Tepper offered the venue for this year’s event. (More)

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Have you shared your DNA with Ancestry or another genealogy company?

1. Yes
2. No
3. I might
4. I won’t ever

Yesterday’s Results:

How do you like your pretzels?

1. With salt: 39%
2. Without salt: 20%
3. Stuffed with savory fillings: 16%
4. Stuffed with sweet fillings: 13%
5. Not a pretzel fan: 12%

Who was Roberta Flack’s hit song ‘Killing Me Softly’ a tribute to?

Show me the answer