TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2022, organizers broke ground on the latest phase of the $80 million North Carolina Civil War & Reconstruction History Center in Fayetteville. The interactive facility is expected to open in 2028.

North Carolina has one of the nation’s top economies, according to a new report. Check out the details in Top Stories.

Will you be watching Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final tonight? If so, hit reply and send us your score predictions.

Grocery prices just hit a four-year high, and your beef, tomatoes, and morning coffee are leading the charge. What is actually driving these numbers? Will the high prices continue? On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, Ayla has the scoop. Plus, stick around for exclusive tips on how to keep more money in your pocket at the checkout line. Tune in here!

Later today, you’ll receive a message from our sponsor, Doroni Aerospace, about a current investment opportunity and its work to bring flying cars to neighborhoods as soon as 2028.

Another of today’s sponsors, Compare.com, helps drivers quickly compare car insurance quotes from more than 100 top insurers to find the right coverage at the best possible price.

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.

NC Claims 6th Top Economy in Nation

North Carolina has landed sixth overall in state economy rankings, finishing ahead of 44 states and the District of Columbia. Only Massachusetts, Washington, Utah, California, and Delaware ranked higher, making North Carolina the Southeast’s clear frontrunner.

The state placed eighth in economic health and ninth in both economic activity and innovation potential, reflecting fiscal stability, low unemployment, and a strong job market.

The state placed sixth nationwide for gross domestic product growth, 10th for its percentage of jobs in high-tech industries, and 10th for growth in nonfarm payrolls.

Other key economic indicators that helped boost North Carolina’s ranking included placing 14th for startup activity, 20th for the unemployment rate, and 23rd for annual median household income.

WNC Forest Sites Spared from Cuts

Western North Carolina’s forest research facilities will escape the U.S. Forest Service’s major restructuring that threatens dozens of sites nationwide.

The agency’s plan to move its headquarters to Salt Lake City, Utah, consolidate operations, and close select facilities amid budget constraints leaves approximately 12,000 acres of experimental forests in North Carolina untouched.

Key sites, including Bent Creek Experimental Forest, Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, and Blue Valley Experimental Forest, will continue operating.

These long-term research areas provide essential data on forest ecology, hydrology, and silviculture while serving as popular recreation spots for hikers and bikers.

Blue Ridge Pkwy: Most Visited, 2nd Deadliest Site

The Blue Ridge Parkway drew 16.5 million of the National Park System's overall 323 million visitors in 2025—making it the NPS’s most visited site. It also recorded 13 deaths, ranking it the second deadliest in the entire NPS system.

Vehicle crashes accounted for most of the fatalities, including three June 2025 incidents: 60-year-old motorcyclist Edward Zigata struck a deer near Milepost 162 on June 1, a second motorcycle crash occurred on June 20, and a cyclist was struck by a car near Milepost 7 on June 21. A hiker also died after falling into water on Boone Fork Trail near Blowing Rock.

Safety advocates have raised concerns about NPS staffing cuts reducing ranger patrols along the 469-mile corridor.

The parkway ranked second behind Lake Mead's 18 fatalities, ahead of the Natchez Trace Parkway (11) and Great Smoky Mountains (10), out of more than 200 deaths recorded across all national parks last year.

Flying together with our sponsor

Car insurance rates have surged over the last two years, but many drivers are still overpaying simply because they haven’t compared quotes.

Today’s sponsor, Compare.com, makes it easy to shop rates from top insurers side-by-side in just minutes, helping drivers find coverage that fits their needs and budget without filling out endless forms. Some users save hundreds per year by switching providers.

If you haven’t checked your rate lately, now may be the perfect time to see how much you could save. Start comparing quotes today and keep more money in your pocket.

Learn More

➤ Northwest NC: U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx filed a final brief Monday urging a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit from suspended Columbia University student Khymani James, arguing her actions investigating antisemitism on campus are protected by congressional immunity. (More)

➤ Raleigh: The Carolina Hurricanes announced Sunday that the Lenovo Center will host watch parties for all Stanley Cup Final road games against the Vegas Golden Knights, offering fans an arena experience for Games 3, 4, and 6 if necessary. (More)

➤ Surry County: Michael Puckett, suspected of fatally shooting a Carroll County, Virginia, sheriff’s deputy, was captured on Sunday after a two-day cross-state manhunt, after he was spotted on a wildlife camera just before his arrest. (More)

➤ Dare County: Hotline Outer Banks is the new name for the county’s crisis support organization, rebranding after 40-plus years of service with a refreshed identity and new website that reflects its expanded offerings. (More)

➤ Durham: Duke University began construction on a 13,000-square-foot GPU data center near Central Campus to expand AI and research computing capacity, with officials emphasizing its small scale and sustainability features are aligned with the university’s “Climate Commitment.” (More)

➤ Fort Fisher: The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher has closed for a major renovation project that will take over two years and add a 400,000-gallon shark habitat, new coral exhibits, and an expanded education center. (More)

Enjoy reading Flyover North Carolina? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes host Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights at Lenovo Center. The Canes lost just one game all postseason. (How to Watch)

➤ The U.S. men’s national soccer team beat Senegal 3-2 on Sunday in a World Cup warmup at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. (More)

➤ Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young hosted his third annual free youth football camp at Harris YMCA in Charlotte, with head coach Dave Canales and teammates attending. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NHL | NBA | MLB | College Baseball

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Losing weight is hard, but getting access to modern weight-loss treatments doesn’t have to be. Today’s sponsor, TrimRx, connects qualified adults with GLP-1 weight-loss medications through a simple online process. If you’re looking for support on your weight-loss journey, see whether you qualify and explore your options from the comfort of home. (LEARN MORE)

➤ ArtsAVL released a draft Asheville–Buncombe Arts Recovery Framework for public review, outlining strategies to rebuild the region’s creative sector after Hurricane Helene and seeking community feedback before finalization. (More)

➤ Gov. Josh Stein visited Pitt Community College in Greenville this week to highlight construction apprenticeship programs, framing skilled-trades workforce development as a supply-side fix for the state’s housing affordability crisis. (More)

➤ California-based furniture retailer Living Spaces paid $7 million for a 20.95-acre Charlotte site on Tyvola Road, advancing plans for its first North Carolina showroom, a 154,500-square-foot retail store and café. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Selling a home doesn’t have to mean repairs, showings, or months of uncertainty. Today’s sponsor, Liz Buys Houses, helps senior homeowners sell quickly for cash, often as-is, with a simple process built around convenience. Get a fair cash offer and see how easy moving forward can be. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

Car insurance costs are climbing, but that doesn’t mean you have to overpay. Today’s sponsor, Compare.com, lets you compare real-time quotes from more than 100 top insurance companies in just a few minutes. All in one place.

Drivers who shop around can save hundreds per year, and Compare.com makes the process fast, simple, and hassle-free. Enter your information once, compare rates side-by-side, and see if a better deal is waiting for you today.

Learn More

➤ North Carolina’s favorite ice cream flavor is birthday cake, according to an Innerbody Research analysis of Google Trends data from April 2025 to April 2026. (More)

➤ The U Love R&B Food Truck and Music Festival comes to Concord on June 20, featuring food trucks and live R&B performances, with discounted tickets still available. (More)

➤ Asheville’s summer 2026 events calendar includes HoneyFest, the Swannanoa Gathering folk music workshops, the Asheville Comedy Festival, free craft markets, and more. (See Events)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Eye Doctors Alarmed by Vision Threat Standard Exams Miss. More people now suffer age-related vision loss than ever—yet routine exams don't screen for it. A study found four specific nutrients improved tear production by 10%, cut dryness in half, and sharpened vision by a full eye-chart line. Learn More