TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1711, Tuscarora Indians, perceiving a threat from a Swiss colony at New Bern, massacred over 130 settlers and wounded or captured many others. South Carolina’s Col. John Barnwell responded to North Carolina’s call for aid, leading a militia and capturing the Tuscaroras’ Fort Narhantes by Jan. 29, 1712.

Leaf season is almost here, and one North Carolina mountain town is leading our top stories today: Blowing Rock just made Airbnb's list of the country's trendiest fall getaways. It's got us dreaming about our own fall plans, so vote in today's Poll and hit reply with your favorite place to catch the color.

Have you picked your retirement date yet? A new study says that choice may shape how long you live, not just how much you save. What happens to your odds if you work one more year? And does it matter whether you leave the job healthy or already sick? Ayla walks through what the researchers found on today's episode of The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor is hear.com, offering the sleek, AI-powered Horizon IX hearing aid designed to deliver clearer, more natural sound with personalized technology you won’t find at big-box stores.

More Than 140 Helene Projects Underway

Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, more than 140 projects are underway across Buncombe County and its municipalities.

The work includes rebuilding parks, helping property owners reduce future storm risks, and adding generators and other backup power systems. Crews are also continuing to reconstruct roads and bridges in hard-hit Henderson County communities, including Bat Cave.

Buncombe County's broader recovery plan also focuses on housing, infrastructure, natural resources, and disaster preparedness as the region continues its long-term rebuilding effort.

Stein Won’t Oppose WakeMed-Atrium Merger

Gov. Josh Stein will not oppose the proposed combination of WakeMed and Atrium Health after the health systems revised the agreement to address concerns about costs, charity care, and planned investments.

Atrium agreed to limit certain WakeMed price increases for five years, raise minimum charity-care spending from 4.8% to 8% of adjusted revenue, and fully fund $2 billion in capital projects. The revised agreement also creates a $150 million community benefit fund.

Wake County commissioners are scheduled to vote today on a transfer agreement needed for the deal to advance. Supporters say the combination would expand services and create 3,300 jobs, while opponents continue to question its potential effects on prices, patient care, and local oversight.

Blowing Rock Ranks Among Top Fall Getaways

Blowing Rock landed on Airbnb's top 10 list of the places U.S. travelers most want to visit for fall weekend getaways.

The mountain town of about 1,300 people, roughly 90 miles west of Winston-Salem, was the only North Carolina spot on the national list. Airbnb credited the high-elevation views along the Blue Ridge Parkway just outside town, where leaves typically turn from late September through late October.

The nod adds to a run of recognition for Blowing Rock, which has also been named the state's top small town and a leading mountain town for retirees. Visitors should note that parts of the region are still rebuilding from Hurricane Helene, though many area attractions have reopened.

Flying together with our sponsor

This #1 Hearing Aid Isn’t Sold at Your Neighborhood Costco

Walk into a big-box store looking for a hearing aid, and your options are bulky, beige, and one-size-fits-all. Horizon IX is different—sleek, modern, and personalized to your ears.

Meet Horizon IX by hear.com: the AI-powered hearing innovation hearing experts rank #1 in the category, built with dual-processing chips to separate speech from background noise in real time. Unlike standard devices, the result isn't louder sound. It's cleaner, more natural clarity anywhere life gets loud.

Nearly invisible. Rechargeable. Bluetooth-ready. Only available with hear.com. The IX is trusted by over 670,000 people experiencing a new level of clarity. Qualify for a 45-day, no-risk trial today to test the technology.

Qualify today

➤ Triangle: Residents near Raleigh's Smoky Hollow district are asking the city to install a marked crosswalk along a busy pedestrian route, saying the current configuration creates risks for drivers and people on foot. (More)

➤ Coastal NC: Wilmington ranked fourth nationally in RentCafe's 2026 Best Cities for Renters report, receiving high marks for employment growth, rising renter incomes, and an expanding supply of apartments. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Four homicides within one week, including the shooting death of a 4-year-old, prompted anti-violence advocate Alesha Brown to call for greater investment in youth programs and violence prevention. (More)

➤ Piedmont Triad: Vice President JD Vance campaigned in Greensboro on Monday for Republican U.S. Senate nominee Michael Whatley, who is running against former Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper. (More)

➤ Charlotte Region: The city council was scheduled to cast its final vote Monday on proposed Interstate 77 South toll lanes connecting Uptown Charlotte with the South Carolina state line. NCDOT has offered at least $300 million in related community improvements if the project moves forward. (More)

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

➤ Palisades High School football coach Jonathan Simmons resigned this week after being suspended without explanation before the season opener in August. Simmons built the Charlotte program from scratch when the school opened in 2022 and led it to back-to-back 8-4 seasons. (More)

➤ No. 11 UNC field hockey fell 2-1 at home to No. 9 Virginia despite dominating the final quarter. The Tar Heels had seven scoring chances in the fourth but couldn't convert. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers' win over the Falcons on Sunday was their first victory as a betting favorite in nearly five years, a drought that stretched back to September 2021. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | WNBA | NHL | Soccer

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ We think we’ve found one of the easiest ways to add something healthy to your daily routine. It takes seconds, tastes surprisingly good, and makes getting your greens feel much less complicated. If you’ve been looking for one small habit you can actually stick with, this is worth checking out. See the daily greens we’ve been using.

➤ A longtime Greenville Chick-fil-A will reopen Sept. 24 at 320 SW Greenville Blvd. under the new name Chick-fil-A University Blvd. The newly built restaurant will add 60 jobs and feature a dual-lane drive-thru, an indoor playground, outdoor seating, and expanded parking. (More)

➤ Charlotte-based Flagship Healthcare Properties completed its largest acquisition to date, paying $51 million for a 92,516-square-foot medical office building and ambulatory surgery center in Hickory. (More)

➤ Fayetteville's inaugural 910 Future Festival Week will run Sept. 24-26 with workforce programs, business events, and live entertainment. Ten local business owners will compete in a pitch competition, with four receiving prizes to support their companies' growth. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ See who’s at your door from virtually anywhere with the BellGuard Smart Doorbell. Its HD camera, infrared night vision, real-time phone alerts, and two-way audio help you keep an eye on visitors whether you’re home or away. Upgrade your front-door security and get BellGuard today.

Flying together with our sponsor

This is The Hearing Innovation Americans Are Switching To

Why settle for muffled conversations when the world’s smartest hearing aid is here? Join thousands of Americans making the switch to Horizon IX by hear.com: the AI-powered hearing innovation that separates speech from background noise in real time.

The result isn't louder sound. It's cleaner, more natural clarity anywhere life gets loud. No more missing out. No more pretending. No more listening fatigue.

Nearly invisible. Rechargeable. Bluetooth-ready. The IX is trusted by over 670,000 people experiencing a new level of clarity. Qualify for a 45-day, no-risk trial today to test the technology.

➤ Wilmington families reunited with NICU caregivers at the city's first NICU reunion, an event organized by the NICU Family Collective that celebrated NICU graduates and that organizers hope to make annual. (More)

➤ Several Triad schools received $5,000 awards through T-Mobile's Friday Night 5G Lights contest to support football field and facility improvements. (More)

➤ Five Southern barbecue pitmasters, including Charlotte's Lewis Donald of Sweet Lew's BBQ, gathered Sunday at The Hunter Farm in Weddington for a tasting luncheon marking their selection in Southern Living as the next generation of barbecue legends. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Take your adventures to new heights with the Skyhawk Drone. Capture impressive aerial photos and video while enjoying an easy-to-fly design built for beginners and experienced pilots alike. Whether exploring the outdoors or capturing unforgettable moments from above, Skyhawk makes flying fun. Get yours today and take to the skies.

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

➤ Researchers found the timing of your retirement may matter far more than just to your savings account. (Listen Now)

➤ Insiders at major AI companies are openly mocking viral warnings that the technology could wipe out humanity. (Hear Episode)

➤ The New York Times writer behind the 1619 Project now says her decade-long public school experiment may have cheated her own daughter. (Hear Details)