Redfield Claims COVID-19 Came From UNC Lab

Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield said COVID-19 was “probably” first engineered in a UNC-Chapel Hill lab by one of its researchers, instead of in a Wuhan, China lab.

Redfield said Dr. Ralph Baric at UNC-Chapel Hill, who had been researching coronaviruses for three decades, was the “scientific mastermind behind the research.”

Redfield made the accusation on the Third Opinion podcast last week, adding that he believes the virus was “intentionally engineered as part of a biodefense program” and called the U.S. role in helping fund the research “substantial.”

In 2021, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) also accused Baric of collaborating with Dr. Shi Zhengli of the Wuhan Virology Institute on creating super-viruses.

FEMA Admin Defends Decision to Fire Agent

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told a U.S. House Transportation Subcommittee and House Oversight Committee Tuesday she did not believe the actions of a fired agent in Florida were indicative of wider practices in other hurricane-ravaged regions.

She stood by her decision to fire Marn’i Washington for instructing staffers to bypass Hurricane Milton-impacted Florida homes displaying Trump campaign signs and maintained it was an isolated incident. She also denied that FEMA had deleted Washington’s files.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) pressed Criswell on reports that FEMA advised agents to be “mindful of the type of people in western North Carolina,” and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) questioned her about reports of FEMA agents describing North Carolinians as “hicks,” “rednecks,” and other names. Criswell said this was the first she had heard of it and would look into it.

Criswell also said she has called for an Office of Inspector General investigation to determine if Washington acted alone.

Washington told NewsNation Monday she was “framed” and claimed she was following orders from supervisors.

State Supreme Court Candidate Sues NCBOE

Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin, who is running for State Supreme Court, sued the North Carolina State Board of Elections Monday after claiming the board didn’t provide data quickly enough for him to request a recount prior to the Nov. 19 noon deadline.

Griffin also formally requested a recount anyway.

Riggs led Griffin by 623 votes at the time of filing the recount request but the Carolina Journal reports that lead is now 625.

NCBOE spokesman Patrick Gannon said the board abided by the law by providing the requested records and that Griffin’s lawsuit is “thoroughly unnecessary.”

Three other recounts have also been requested: one by Mecklenburg County Democrat Nicole Sidman, who trails incumbent House Rep. Tricia Cotham (R) by only 216 votes; and two by State Senate Republican candidates.

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➤ Statewide: A cold front will deliver the lowest temperatures of the season so far across the state beginning today, with snow expected in the mountains. (See Details)

➤ Western NC: NCDOT engineers are working to stabilize the collapsed portion of I-40 by anchoring massive soil nails to bedrock beneath the road. (More)

➤ Marion: Baxter International, one of the nation’s largest IV fluid producers, has released its first post-Helene production after construction of a bridge that allows trucks to resume deliveries. (More)

➤ Swannanoa: More details were released about Mark Anthony Smith, 56, a Florida doctor charged with stealing and then reselling $12,000 worth of Hurricane Helene donations. (See Details)

➤ Cary: A 54-year-old woman and two 19-year-olds were found dead in a home on Smokemont Drive Monday afternoon. An investigation is underway. (More)

➤ Morrisville: WestJet will begin seasonal nonstop service between Raleigh-Durham International Airport and Calgary International Airport June 9 through Oct. 13, 2025. Tickets are on sale now. (More)

➤ Carolina Panthers receiver Adam Thielen expressed optimism that he would be able to play on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. (More)

➤ The NHL announced that the Carolina Hurricanes will play a makeup game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 7 after the originally scheduled game on Oct. 12 was canceled due to Hurricane Milton. (More)

➤ No. 12 Duke men’s basketball will take on No. 17 Arizona Friday in one of the most anticipated matchups of the college basketball season thus far. (Details)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: CFP | NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW  

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➤ North Carolina created the seventh most jobs in the gaming industry across the U.S. during 2023, according to a 2024 Entertainment Software Association report. (More)

➤ In a 2-1 ruling, the North Carolina Court of Appeals rejected a state government retiree’s lawsuit seeking larger cost-of-living retiree benefit adjustments. (See Details)

➤ New data from the North Carolina Health Talent Alliance shows a significant shortage of healthcare workers across the state, with nursing having the largest number of openings. (More)

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➤ A 226-pound female loggerhead displaying unusual behavior was rescued in Nags Head Monday so the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center could run tests to ensure she is healthy. (More)

➤ K9 Titus and Officer A.J. Berna of the Smithfield Police Department won the “Top Dog” award at a K9 readiness competition in Dover. (See Photos)

➤ An Alamance County farmer and her dad are helping restock chicken flocks for western North Carolinians who lost their chickens to Hurricane Helene. (More)

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What is your favorite North Carolina beach region?

1. Wilmington beaches
2. Crystal Coast
3. Outer Banks
4. I love them all
5. I’m not a beach person

Yesterday’s Results:

Which of these North Carolina-grown veggies do you like best?

1. Sweet potatoes: 19.5%
2. I love them all equally: 18.4%
3. Okra: 13.3%
4. Squash: 12.6%
5. Cabbage: 12.6%
6. Carrots: 12.5%
7. I hate them all equally: 11.1%

What North Carolina beach has the most sea turtles?

Show me the answer