Bomb Removed from Blue Ridge Parkway

Multiple agencies responded to the discovery of an improvised incendiary device on a Blue Ridge Parkway dirt pull-off near the Folk Art Center in Asheville Sunday around 11:45 a.m.

The Asheville Police Department’s bomb squad, FBI, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, two fire departments, and National Park Service personnel arrived on the scene to safely remove the device.

Authorities temporarily shut down a portion of the parkway and evacuated the Folk Art Center during the removal process. As of Monday, the device was no longer a threat to the public. 

An investigation into how the device was placed on the parkway is underway. Anyone with information is asked to contact the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch by calling 888-653-0009, online at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip, or by email at nps_isb@nps.gov.

FDA Issues Highest Alert on Tomato Recall

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has upgraded a May 2 recall of tomatoes sold to wholesalers and retailers in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to a Class I salmonella risk.

The upgraded designation, added to the recall on May 28, indicates a risk of “serious adverse health consequences or death.”

Williams Farms Repack LLC recalled nine package sizes of tomatoes sold between April 23 and 28 under the Williams Farms Repack and H&C Farms labels. View a list of the specific lots recalled and photos of their labels here.

No deaths or illnesses had been reported as of the recall date. Consumers are urged to discard the tomatoes or return them for a refund.

Saharan Dust Heads Toward Southeast

A large plume of Saharan dust moving westward across the Atlantic is expected to arrive in Florida today and parts of the Southeast by Thursday. Impacts in North Carolina are expected to be minimal, with negligible air quality concerns.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that more than 180 million tons of Saharan dust leave the African continent each year. It can cause hazy skies, vibrant sunsets, “dirty rain,” and respiratory issues for sensitive groups.

The dust also creates extremely dry air that reduces thunderstorm activity and tropical cyclone formation, while also reflecting sunlight away from the ocean, which reduces sea surface temperatures.

Here’s a collection of photos showing Saharan dust sunrises over the Outer Banks in 2020.

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➤ Statewide: The North Carolina Alliance for Retired Americans, represented by Marc Elias’ law firm, is seeking to intervene in a Justice Department lawsuit against North Carolina that alleges the state’s voter rolls violate the Help America Vote Act. (More)

➤ Catawba County: The FBI is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the identity, arrest, and prosecution of suspects involved in the June 1 house party shooting that killed one and injured 11 others. (More)

➤ Eastern NC: Road closures in Craven, Duplin, Lenoir, and Carteret counties are impacting traffic patterns in New Bern, Wallace, Beulaville, Kinston, and Morehead City. (See Details)

➤ Greensboro: Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon will headline the 2025 NCGOP Convention in Greensboro, June 5-8. Additional speakers include Jason Miller and RNC Chairman Michael Whatley. (More)

➤ Wake County commissioners voted 6-1 Monday to adopt a $2.1 billion budget for 2026, which includes increasing school system funding by $40.3 million and raising the property tax by .11 cents, on top of a .25-cent increase voters already approved. (More)

➤ Scotland Neck Police Chief Tommy Parker resigned after receiving a “career-damaging” letter from the Halifax County district attorney amid scrutiny over the department’s handling of a 2021 murder case now under SBI review. (More)

➤ Charlotte City Council is considering a $25 million upgrade to the NASCAR Hall of Fame that would relocate the education space and café, add an event space, and create a new gear shop. (More)

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➤ The College World Series super regional matchups are set for this weekend. Duke will play Murray State and North Carolina will play Arizona. (More)

➤ Soccer teams from around the world will descend on WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary starting today to compete in The Soccer Tournament, a 7-on-7 contest with a million dollars on the line. Hometown team NC Courage will participate on the women’s side. (More)

➤ Former Panthers QB Cam Newton will appear on the ballot for the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class, recognizing his legendary 2010 season at Auburn. (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 | WNBA | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ North Carolina has the nation’s sixth-best state economy based on an analysis of GDP growth, unemployment rate, average income, startup activity, high-tech jobs, and other factors. (See Rankings)

➤ Since taking over the Hatteras Island Ocean Center from Virginia’s Hampden-Sydney College, the Hatteras Village Civic Association has added interactive exhibits, eco-programming, a Turtle Patrol program, and a revamped gift shop. (More)

➤ Asheville Regional Airport’s new concourse opens June 25 with seven new gates, more concessions, new restrooms, two mothers’ rooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows. (More)

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➤ Jockey’s Ridge State Park will celebrate its 50th anniversary June 5-8 with a drone show over the dunes, special educational and recreational activities, disc golf and horseshoe tournaments, sunrise yoga, a sunset toast, and more. (More)

➤ NC State engineers have developed autonomous robotic seed-tossing shells inspired by plants that launch seeds, leaping into the air without a remote control, offering a potential method for dispersing seeds in agricultural fields. (More)

➤ Down East Preservation has proposed restoring Edenton’s historic Hotel Hinton by transforming it into a 60-room boutique hotel with limited long-term lease residences following 10 years of development delays. (More)

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Have you ever been in a dust storm?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Depends on how you define it

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever gotten a speeding ticket?

1. Yes: 54%
2. No: 20%
3. Just a warning: 14%
4. Talked my way out of it: 12%

What North Carolina mountain claims the Southeast’s oldest Precambrian-era rocks?

Show me the answer