Stein Proposes $891M for Western NC

Gov. Josh Stein is urging lawmakers to approve more than $891 million in additional Hurricane Helene recovery funding as part of his second rebuilding budget proposal, which he announced during a visit to Carolina Domes in Union Mills on Monday.

Carolina Domes was a recipient of a Small Business Infrastructure Grant.

The proposal includes funding for economic recovery, infrastructure repair, housing recovery, farmland and waterway restoration, food insecurity, and community colleges. It also includes $152 million for state matches to federal disaster programs and emergency system upgrades.

Stein’s budget also includes $50 million for wildfire prevention and response—addressing longtime requests from Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler—and proposes more than $100 million to match federal funds, unlocking up to $1 billion in additional disaster aid.

Home Depot Murder Goes to Jury Soon

The murder trial of Terry McMillian Jr., accused in the 2022 death of Home Depot worker Gary Rasor, is nearing its conclusion and is expected to go to the jury soon.  

McMillian allegedly shoved 82-year-old Rasor to the ground at the Home Depot in Hillsborough on Oct. 18, 2022, while leaving the store during a suspected theft. Rasor fell, suffered a pelvic injury, and died weeks later due to complications from his injuries.

Closing arguments began Tuesday. Jurors will be instructed to consider charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, or involuntary manslaughter—along with a separate robbery charge—or choose not to convict.

‘Click It or Ticket’ in Effect

Patrols will be making sure drivers buckle up over the next two weeks as part of NCDOT’s Memorial Day “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which runs through June 1.

Law enforcement agencies will increase the number of patrols and officers in an area, set up checking stations, and use local media to spread the word to drivers during the campaign.

According to NCDOT, 158 unbuckled drivers or passengers have died in crashes so far this year. In 2023, 492 unbuckled drivers were killed in car crashes across North Carolina.

Violators of North Carolina’s seat belt law are fined $180. The fine goes up to $266 if a passenger under age 16 is not properly restrained.

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➤ Wake County: Raleigh police officer Kyle Epps is no longer with the department, and the Wake County District Attorney is already dropping some of the hundreds of cases where Epps is listed as the arresting officer “due to findings.” (More)

➤ Raleigh: Former Vice President Mike Pence spoke out against President Trump’s tariffs Monday as part of a series of events in support of extending individual income tax reductions enacted by Trump and fellow Republicans set to expire at year’s end. (More)

➤ Chapel Hill: Twin boys diagnosed with Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome received in-utero laser surgery to cauterize the blood vessels connecting them. Born prematurely on their father’s birthday, these “miracle babies” are now home. (More)

➤ Boone-based Samaritan’s Purse mobilized aid to the Midwest following storms and tornadoes that hit Kentucky and Missouri Friday night. The storms killed at least 27 and damaged or destroyed thousands of homes. (More)

➤ Salisbury: Two officers are recovering after breaking up a fight involving unruly minors at the Salisbury Cheerwine Festival on Saturday. Salisbury Police detained the juveniles but later released them to their parents after being denied secure custody orders. (More)

➤ Morrisville: Two years after fatally shooting his wife and staging the crime scene to look like a suicide, Michael Matthews pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last week and is now serving 13-16 years in prison. (More)

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➤ The Carolina Hurricanes dropped Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final, falling 5–2 to the Panthers in Raleigh last night. Florida dominated special teams. Game 2 is on Thursday. (See Results) 

➤ Wake Forest captured the Men’s Tennis National Championship last weekend with a 4-2 win over TCU, earning their first title since 2018. (More)

➤ Two North Carolina-based players—one from UNC and one from Wake Forest—were named semifinalists for the Golden Spikes Award, which honors the top amateur baseball player in the country. (More)

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

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➤ Fort Mill residents renewed opposition to Silfab Solar’s facility at a recent York County Council meeting, citing safety concerns over hazardous chemicals stored near two schools. Silfab maintains that the plant is safe and compliant. (More)

➤ Florence H. Phillips, a former resident of the Well-Spring senior living community in Greensboro, left a $24 million bequest supporting resident care—the largest in its history and among the largest ever to a U.S. retirement community. (More)

➤ Three former North Carolina Symphony musicians have dropped their discrimination lawsuit, which alleged wrongful termination in 2022 for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations on religious grounds. (See Details)

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➤ Brevard will host its annual White Squirrel Weekend from May 23–25. This free, family-friendly festival celebrates the town’s unique white squirrels with live music, vendors, local food, and craft beer. (More)

➤ The first four sea turtle nests of 2025, belonging to loggerheads, were discovered this week across Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s three districts: Ocracoke, Hatteras, and Bodie Islands. (More)

➤ The 12th annual Blumey Awards celebrated Charlotte-area high school musical theater talent on May 18. Among the winners were Weddington High School’s Chicago: Teen Edition and North Lincoln High School’s Pippin for Best Musical honors in Tiers 1 and 2, respectively. (See All Winners)

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Have you ever been to the symphony?

1. Yes
2. No
3. It’s on the list

Yesterday’s Results:

Should ABC stores open on Sundays?

1. Six days a week is enough: 45%
2. Not a problem for me: 34%
3. I could go either way: 21%

In what other states besides North Carolina do white squirrels live?

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