Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1998, a major winter storm dumped heavy, wet snow across Western North Carolina, resulting in accumulations of 18 to 36 inches of snow over the course of two days. The storm caused widespread power outages, structural damage, and road closures, prompting federal disaster declarations in Ashe and Watauga counties.

Sound familiar? Check out Top Stories for an update on how Winter Storm Fern brought its own brand of winter trouble to North Carolina as the workweek kicked off.

🎧 The long-awaited great wealth transfer may fall short of expectations, economists say, as Baby Boomers begin turning 80 this year. The shift is raising questions about why trillions of dollars may never reach heirs. Host Ayla Brown unpacks it all on today's episode of The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here.

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Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Fern Maintains Icy Grip on NC

The North Carolina Department of Transportation urged drivers Monday to stay off roads as overnight temperatures threatened to refreeze accumulations of ice, freezing rain, sleet, and snow left by Winter Storm Fern.

The State Highway Patrol reported more than 600 crashes over the weekend, and around 5,800 North Carolina households remained without power as of Monday evening, with the heaviest outages in Henderson and Transylvania counties.

Road conditions improved in the Triangle and Charlotte on Monday as warmer temperatures melted ice on major highways, but many secondary roads remained icy.

NCDOT will continue plowing and applying brine across the region until all state-maintained roads are clear, starting with interstates, then moving to primary and secondary roads. The agency will also use chainsaw crews to cut downed trees and remove them from roads and power lines.

So far, 17 storm-related deaths have been reported nationwide, but none are in North Carolina. View a county-by-county breakdown of Fern's snowfall here.

NC Teacher Leader Challenges Merger

In October 2025, Professional Educators of North Carolina (PENC) affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The group then rebranded as the American Federation of Professional Educators of North Carolina (AFPENC).

A former PENC president is now questioning the merger's transparency and legitimacy. Tim Barnsback is criticizing the board for making a unanimous decision without sufficient member notice, direct consent, or a ratification vote, alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and inadequate disclosure.

Barnsback said responses to formal requests he made for bylaws, board minutes, vote details, explanations of ratification requirements, and the affiliation agreement have been delayed or denied in some cases. He added that he isn't trying to prevent the affiliation but wants to ensure the organization is "transparent, accountable, and member-driven."

AFPENC meets Jan. 31 via video conference, at which time the board will vote on amendment changes.

Panel to Probe Erosion Control Structure Ban

A North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission science panel will meet on Thursday to review the state's ban on hardened erosion control structures like seawalls and groins, assess their effects, and consider alternatives for managing erosion.

The fall 2025 collapse of 16 homes on Cape Hatteras National Seashore and rapid shoreline loss in Buxton have intensified pressure to lift the ban, which its supporters say protects natural coastal processes.

Dare County Board of Commissioners Chair Bob Woodard urged legislators in November to reconsider the ban, citing limited tools for battling erosion. The county is currently pursuing a $45 million shoreline project that includes beach nourishment and repair of an existing groin.

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➤ Louisburg: Buddhist monks on a 2,300-mile peace walk stopped in Louisburg Monday. Their final North Carolina stop is Warrenton on Tuesday before continuing toward Virginia and reaching Washington, D.C., by Feb. 11. (More)

➤ UNC-Greensboro: Criminal charges against student Alisia Rea and her partner Quinten Thomas were dismissed on Jan. 21 following their arrest by campus police in October 2025. Rea still faces potential disciplinary action from the university. (More)

➤ Duke: New documents confirm former journalism professor Stephen Buckley resigned in December after an investigation found he engaged in "a romantic and/or sexual relationship" with an undergraduate student. Buckley denies sexual misconduct, calling it consensual. (More)

➤ Reidsville: Police are searching for 38-year-old Ronnie Junior Brim, who is described as armed and dangerous. He is wanted for first-degree murder after 22-year-old Christian Deshaun Pollard was fatally shot on Jan. 14 on Madison Street. (More)

➤ Blowing Rock: A basement fire destroyed the historic Bistro Roca restaurant on Sunday morning. The building, opened in 1932 and formerly known as Antlers, once housed a speakeasy in its basement. No injuries were reported. (See Photos)

➤ Cherokee: Cherokee Central Schools, the tribally operated education system for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, announced its full alignment with the 2024-30 strategic direction of the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Education. (More)

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➤ Men's Basketball AP Poll: Duke rose one spot to No. 4 this week, while UNC rose six spots—the most of any team in the country—to No. 16. (See Poll)

➤ Kurt Busch, Harry Gant, and Ray Hendrick were inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown Charlotte on Friday. (More)

➤ UNC football coach Bill Belichick is regarded as "radioactive" to most NFL teams looking to hire a coach right now because of his tumultuous first season in Chapel Hill. (More)

➤ Duke football secured a commitment from former San Jose State quarterback Walker Eget, as the Blue Devils remain involved in a lawsuit with last year's starting quarterback, Darian Mensah. (More)

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➤ Holly Christina Photography, a Raleigh wedding photographer accused of ghosting dozens of brides after collecting thousands in payments, ceased operations on Sunday. The company cited "unforeseen circumstances" but made no mention of refunds. (More)

➤ The Outer Banks lodging industry is forecast to see modest revenue growth through 2027 after a 2024 decline, according to a report by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company. (More)

➤ North Carolina's rate of households with self-employed individuals is 10.4%, near the national average of 11.1%, based on 2024 U.S. Census Bureau data. (View Data)

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➤ A collection of winter storm photos from across the state features university campuses, deserted city streets, snowmen, kids sledding, animals enjoying the snow, and other icy scenes. (See Photos)

➤ A Duke Law student traced a 200-year chain of custody for an ancient Greek amphora—a two-handled clay jar—from Lucien Bonaparte's 1829 find in Etruria, an ancient region in Italy, through auctions, debt-ridden nobles, reformers, and collectors to its current location at the Nasher Museum. (See Photo)

➤ Eastern-style pork barbecue reigns as North Carolina's favorite food. It's made with a whole hog, slow-cooked over wood, chopped, and dressed in a vinegar-chili sauce, according to a state-by-state guide from The Takeout. (See Guide)

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