Wednesday, March 19, 2025

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1865, Confederate General Joseph Johnston’s troops attacked a wing of General William T. Sherman’s Union forces at Bentonville. A Union counterattack and the arrival of reinforcements the next day gave Sherman the advantage and led to the Confederates’ withdrawal in what would become known as the Battle of Bentonville.

Now let’s turn our focus to battles on the basketball court. If you’re looking for tickets to the first two rounds of the NCAA Men’s Tournament in Raleigh this weekend, get ready to shell out some cash. Learn more in Top Stories.

If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, be sure to check out today’s sponsor, Brad’s Deals, to take advantage of special deals with Prime you may not be aware of.

NCAA Tourneys Come to the Triangle

The Lenovo Center in Raleigh will host the first two rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament this weekend, with No. 1 seed Duke facing the winner of No. 16 seeds American University and Mount St. Mary’s Friday at 2:50 p.m.

Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, and Carmichael Arena in Chapel Hill will host the first two rounds of the women’s tournament, with No. 2 seed Duke playing No. 15 seed Lehigh Friday at 8 p.m., No. 2 seed NC State playing No. 15 seed Vermont Saturday at 2 p.m., and No. 3 seed UNC playing No. 14 seed Oregon State Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

Ticketmaster’s least expensive ticket for the men’s Friday games was $496.92 as of Tuesday afternoon. Tickets for the women’s games had not yet been posted.

Tillis Receives Death Threats

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC, said he and his staff have received a large number of death threats in recent weeks amid Democratic groups’ protests outside his Greensboro office in response to President Trump’s policies and Elon Musk’s position.

A spokesperson for Tillis said U.S. Capitol Police recommended the senator’s employees work remotely when they know a protest has been scheduled outside of his office.

Tillis’ staff confirmed that he declined to attend a Greensboro town hall event Tuesday hosted by a left-leaning group due to the death threats. The event proceeded anyway, with organizers expressing disappointment that Tillis did not attend.

Democratic leaders and organizations have stated they strongly condemn the threats. “Death threats are unacceptable, in any way, shape, or form,” said Guilford County Democratic Party Chair Kathy Kirkpatrick.

250th Anniversary Event Planners Meet

The General Assembly’s Semiquincentennial Committee met for the fourth time on March 13 to discuss how North Carolina will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

In addition to a children’s book and digital exhibit celebrating the Edenton Tea Party, a nonprofit called Foundation Forward is working to install memorial plazas that resemble the National Archives’ display of America’s founding documents.

The committee also discussed upcoming events that will pay tribute to the adoption of the Halifax Resolves on April 12, 1776, and the Mecklenburg Declaration on May 20, 1775.

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

10 Amazon Prime Perks You Need to Be Using

Once upon a time, we had to make lists and physically go to stores when we needed things. Sometimes we’d have to go to several stores or even shopping malls for what we needed.

Then, one day, Amazon came out of the heavens. For many of us, free shipping and access to exclusive shows and movies are enough reasons to pay $14.99 per month for Prime.

But if those reasons haven’t been enough to entice you to join Prime, maybe some of these lesser-known incentives will tempt you to sign up. Here are 10 of those perks.

➤ Statewide: House Democrats proposed a bill to restore public access to General Assembly records, restricted by Republicans in 2023. The legislation coincides with Sunshine Week, which highlights the importance of government transparency. (More)

➤ Perquimans County: The National Weather Service confirmed two EF-1 tornadoes in the area Monday morning, one of which destroyed multiple homes and injured eight people. A waterspout was also spotted in Southport. (See Photo)

➤ Banner Elk: A woman who won a $466,415 jackpot playing a $10 digital lottery game says she will use some of the money to help friends who “lost a lot” due to Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ Franklin County: The search for a 7-year-old boy who fell into the Tar River is ongoing after rescuers were unable to find him Monday. (More)

➤ Asheville: The Radical, a boutique hotel in the River Arts District, was the only North Carolina location to make Time’s World’s Greatest Places list. (More and See List)

➤ Statewide: A House bill could change public high school math graduation requirements from NC Math 1, 2, 3, and a fourth course aligned with post-secondary plans to NC Math 1 and 2, and two additional courses aligned with post-secondary plans. (More)

➤ UNC crushed San Diego State 95-68 in an 11-seed matchup Tuesday night to qualify for the first round of the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The Tar Heels will play No. 6 seed Ole Miss on Friday at 4:05 p.m. (See Stats)

➤ Duke men’s basketball head coach Jon Scheyer told the media he expects star forward Cooper Flagg to be ready for the start of the NCAA tournament. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to pursue Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner in free agency this offseason. The Canes were working to get a deal in place ahead of the NHL trade deadline, but Marner used his no-trade clause to nix the transaction. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Experience unparalleled comfort and freedom with Barestep Active 2.0 barefoot shoes. Designed to emulate natural foot movement, they feature a wide toe box, zero-drop sole, and ultra-flexible design. Ideal for those seeking relief from foot pain, plantar fasciitis, or neuropathy, these shoes promote improved posture and foot strength. (Shop Now)

➤ Charlotte’s City Council is considering a rezoning petition for Bank of America Stadium’s renovations, which include massive exterior LED screens, new signage, upgraded seating, a skyline viewing patio, and more. (See Details)

➤ Reynolds American will expand production at its Tobaccoville operations center and create 300 jobs to accommodate the production of Velo Plus, a brand of smokeless nicotine pouches. (More)

➤ NCInnovation, a private nonprofit that received $500 million from state taxpayers to back public university research with market potential, cleared its first performance audit with no legal violations. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Introducing the Cordless MiniSaw: a lightweight, compact mini chainsaw designed for effortless cutting and trimming. With a powerful 21V rechargeable battery and high-quality guide chain, it cuts through 3-inch logs in about four seconds. Ideal for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts, it’s perfect for all your landscaping projects. (Shop Now)

Flying together with our sponsor

Are you taking advantage of your Amazon Prime perks?

Free music/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. Make sure you’re not missing out, and 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 10 Prime member benefits you should be using!

➤ A reality TV series called Air Angels: Flight Helene will honor private pilots who flew to western North Carolina to help victims of Hurricane Helene. Filming will take place in Wilmington this summer. (More)

➤ Renowned Greensboro artist William Mangum won the Most Original category in Boom Supersonic’s global design contest for the company’s Overture jet. Inspired by the American flag, Mangum’s design was selected from among 1,100 entries. (See Design)

➤ North Carolina’s U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte and its portion of the Appalachian Trail made Outside’s list of The 50 Best Adventures in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, coming in at No. 26 and 42, respectively. (See List)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Prioritize your personal wellness with LMNT. Our zero-sugar, electrolyte-rich drink mix is crafted to support hydration, energy, and recovery. With the perfect balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium, LMNT helps you feel your best anytime, anywhere. Stay balanced, stay energized, and stay well with LMNT. Right now get a FREE sample pack with any order to help you discover new flavors you’ll love.