SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1993, a hurricane warning was issued at 2 p.m. for the North Carolina coast, about 26 hours before Hurricane Emily’s closest approach. The intensifying storm continued its northward track toward the Outer Banks as a strengthening hurricane.

North Carolina residents can submit a design for consideration for a new specialty license plate honoring the Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington. Learn more in Et Cetera.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Amy counted down the 10 habits that actually predict how long you’ll live. When researchers tracked tens of thousands of people for decades, the habits that mattered most weren't the ones anyone expected. Amy broke down each one and revealed the number one predictor science keeps landing on. So before you overhaul your grocery list or your gym routine, find out which habits actually move the needle. And if you're already a creature of habit, see how many of yours made the list. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor is RevelationMedia. Whether you’ve studied the Book of Revelation for years or are simply interested in the history behind one of the Bible’s most fascinating books, their acclaimed documentary brings the ancient world of Revelation to life, and they’re making it available to watch for free.

FEMA Adds $137 Million for Recovery

FEMA approved another $137 million for 114 North Carolina recovery and mitigation projects, pushing federal support for Hurricane Helene and other recent disasters past $7.5 billion.

Most of it, $102 million, reimburses 104 Public Assistance projects covering debris removal, emergency work, and repairs to roads, bridges, and buildings. The largest single award is $23.4 million to the state Department of Transportation.

The Hendersonville Affordable Housing Corporation gets $16.8 million to repair the Lincoln Circle and Robinson Terrace apartments, both flooded by Helene. Another $5.7 million covers road repairs and debris removal from Tropical Depression Chantal.

More than $34 million will buy out roughly 80 flood-prone properties in Buncombe, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Yancey, and Mecklenburg counties and the towns of Belhaven and Bolton. That land becomes permanent open space.

CMS Investigation Cost Nearly $380,000

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools was billed at least $379,429 for the outside investigation of Superintendent Crystal Hill, according to invoices released under public records requests.

Greensboro law firm Brooks Pierce billed $130,652.50 for work starting in May and another $248,776.50 for work through July 31, at a discounted rate of $275 an hour. The second invoice includes $62,381.50 in disbursements, which cover public relations counsel from Fitzpatrick Communications.

The board placed Hill on paid leave June 17 over what it called matters of administrative and operational oversight, then voted Aug. 11 to return her to the job. Hill said at the time that she had not been told why she was under investigation and would participate fully.

The board said it had an obligation to investigate the concerns thoroughly and act in the district's long-term interest. It voted Aug. 25 to release a detailed report by the end of September.

Rabid Petting Zoo Goats Prompt Warning

Four baby goats from a traveling petting zoo tested positive for rabies, and state health officials are now trying to find everyone who handled them.

Farm Adventures, based in Harmony in Iredell County, took the goats to events in several counties. Anyone who touched a baby goat at the farm or at an event between July 28 and Aug. 27 should call their local health department, NCDHHS said.

Davidson County traced one exposure to the Community Connections event at Breeden Amphitheater in Lexington on Aug. 1. Another was an Aug. 9 event on Miller Mill Road in Hickory.

The zoo said a skunk got into a pen holding the goats, which were too young to be vaccinated, and bit them. All four were euthanized, and the farm's remaining animals are quarantined.

No human rabies case has been reported in North Carolina since 2011.

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See the Real Places Behind the Book of Revelation

The seven churches described in Revelation were real communities in real places, and many of their ruins can still be visited today.The 7 Churches of Revelation: Times of Fire takes viewers to the island of Patmos and to three of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation, exploring the history, archaeology, and biblical events associated with these ancient sites.

Rather than simply reading about these places, you’ll see the landscapes, ruins, and historical context that shaped the world in which Revelation was written.

RevelationMedia is currently making this critically acclaimed documentary available to watch for free.

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➤ Chocowinity: Boater's World Manufacturing Group will build a 212,000-square-foot boat plant on the Pamlico River, promising 179 jobs and $6 million in investment. The state is putting up a $375,000 performance-based grant, which the company collects only if it hits hiring and investment targets. (See Details)

➤ Fayetteville: Public Works Commission customers will pay about $1.24 more per month starting Sept. 1 after the utility approved a temporary Power Supply Adjustment. Wholesale power from Duke Energy Progress ran $18.1 million over budget, and PWC is deferring roughly $5 million of that. (More)

➤ Union County: The sheriff's office says its 1994 jail was built for 264 inmates but now holds 290 to 300 a night, with some men sleeping three to a cell. Voters decide a $200 million bond for a 500-bed replacement on Nov. 3. (See Details)

➤ Ballantyne: The YMCA is selling its Morrison branch to Moments of Hope Church, turning down a purchase offer from Mecklenburg County. (More)

➤ Raleigh: Dr. Radhika Sharma flew out of RDU on Friday for Kathmandu to search for her parents, Ramesh and Neelam Sharma, missing since flash floods hit the Nepal-China border Wednesday. The couple were on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash. (Read Story)

➤ Burgaw: Pender County Schools cleared the last two classrooms at C.F. Pope Elementary on Friday after mold remediation, with Rooms 121 and 127 passing lab tests. Results are still pending at South Topsail Elementary, where mold turned up in a classroom last week. (More)

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➤ North Carolina started Bill Belichick’s second season with a 15-10 win over TCU in rainy Dublin, Ireland, behind 232 passing yards from Billy Edwards Jr. and two late fourth-down stops by the Tar Heels’ defense. (More)

➤ NC State opened the season with a 34-8 loss at Virginia, trailing 24-0 before scoring its only points in the third quarter. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers must trim their roster to 53 players by 6 p.m. today ahead of the NFL’s roster cutdown deadline. (More)

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Explore the History Behind Revelation

From Patmos to the ancient churches of Asia Minor, Times of Fire offers a fascinating look at the people, places, and events behind one of the Bible’s most discussed books.

If biblical history, archaeology, or the Book of Revelation interests you, this is worth a watch. RevelationMedia is offering the documentary for free at the link below.

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➤ Al's French Fries is leaving the North Carolina State Fair after nearly 70 years, citing the fair's switch from a flat $180-per-linear-foot vendor fee to a 15% cut of sales. Fair manager Kent Yelverton says the change follows industry practice. (See Details)

➤ N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island turns 50 on Sept. 9 and is marking it with four days of events, including divers swapping shipwreck stories with visitors from inside the 285,000-gallon shark tank. A Sea-lebration by the Sound follows Sept. 12. (See Details)

➤ Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington wants North Carolinians to design its future specialty license plate. Entries are due Sept. 25, cost $20, and are open to anyone from professional designers to students; the plate needs 500 paid pre-orders before the DMV will consider it. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country.

➤ Forecasters can’t agree whether fall will bring sweaters, storms, or lingering summer heat. (Hear More)

➤ Thieves pull off a massive beer run involving 1,600 cases.(Listen Now)

➤ A veteran’s final words capture a life filled with family, laughter, and adventure. (Podcast Available)