FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1939, Jesse “Sweet Joe” Russell was born in Henderson. Russell was a tenor vocalist who rose to fame as a founding member of The Persuasions, an a cappella group.

Changing a single number in a web address was all it took to pull up strangers’ Social Security numbers and medical records on the state’s jury duty website. See what was exposed in Top Stories, then tell us in today’s Poll how much you trust government websites with your data. Have a story about a data scare of your own? Hit reply and tell us.

Today’s sponsor is Curated Gift Guides, rounding up 37 of the most useful and ingenious gadgets of 2026 designed to solve everyday problems and make great gifts.

Stein Unveils 10-Year Helene Rebuild Plan

Gov. Josh Stein released a 10-year plan to rebuild western North Carolina’s economy Wednesday, modeled on the Marshall Plan that rebuilt Europe after World War II.

The framework organizes recovery into nine lines of effort, including infrastructure, housing, health care, agriculture, and tourism. Each has a named lead and five- and 10-year targets.

Helene struck a region already losing ground, as North Carolina has shed more than 40% of its manufacturing jobs over three decades. The region’s labor force also shrank by more than 16,000 people from April 2023 to April 2026, even as the state’s population grew.

The plan creates no new funding and instead aligns existing economic-development strategies, and it will be presented today to the governor’s recovery advisory committee at Mars Hill University.

Jury Duty Website Exposed Private Records

Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, and medical records uploaded by North Carolinians seeking jury-duty exemptions or deferrals were publicly accessible on the N.C. Courts website.

Zach Duda discovered the vulnerability after uploading his father’s death certificate through the state’s online jury excuse form. Changing one number in the document’s web address revealed files submitted by other people.

WBTV found dozens of exposed files containing employment and medical information, including a rape incident report naming the victim. The N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts blocked public access within days and said the form and records repository are secure.

The office declined interview requests about how long the records were exposed and did not say whether it considers the incident a security breach, which would require notifying those affected.

Nor’easter Breaches Dune, Closes N.C. 12

A nor’easter shut down N.C. 12 Thursday after high tide broke through the dune near the Pea Island Visitor Center, closing the highway between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe.

An NCDOT camera captured a large crack forming in the pavement around 8 a.m. as a state vehicle struggled to pass. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph drove waves up to 18 feet just off the coast.

The National Weather Service warned that minor overwash may continue into the weekend, especially on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands around high tide. The storm also pushed coastal flooding up the East Coast into Virginia and New Jersey.

Hatteras Island schools are holding remote learning Friday, and the National Park Service has closed all ORV beach ramps.

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➤ Greensboro: Police arrested a fourth man Thursday in the Aug. 23 double stabbing at Four Seasons Town Centre. David Narice Bush Jr., 23, faces three counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. (See Charges)

➤ Chapel Hill: UNC-Chapel Hill trustees recommended enrolling 5% of the state's high school seniors by 2030, which would bring up to 46% more in-state freshmen to a campus where many facilities are described as "undersized and outdated." The UNC System, not the trustees, sets enrollment. (See Growth Plan)

➤ Transylvania County: A 2.3-magnitude earthquake rattled the ground about five miles southeast of Brevard around 9:35 a.m. Wednesday, the 31st quake recorded in North Carolina this year. (See Quake)

➤ Western North Carolina: Summer heat and drought killed most of the fish at the state's remaining trout hatchery while its largest, in Brevard, is under renovation, so fall stocking of mountain streams will be delayed until November and use smaller fish. (See Stocking Plans)

➤ Statewide: A media coalition led by the Daily Tar Heel appealed Wednesday after a judge ruled in August that UNC-Chapel Hill can keep a $1.2 million report on its School of Civic Life and Leadership secret. The case heads to the state Court of Appeals. (See Appeal)

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➤ The Carolina Hurricanes enter the NHL season as defending Stanley Cup champions with virtually the same roster, minus goaltender Frederik Andersen. Their 16-3 playoff run trails only Wayne Gretzky’s 1988 Oilers since four best-of-seven rounds became standard in 1987. (See Preview)

➤ NC State’s former sports medicine director was arrested in Florida on 32 charges alleging sexual misconduct involving male athletes. Robert Murphy Jr. led the program from 2012 to 2022 and was previously sued by more than 30 athletes. His attorneys deny wrongdoing. (See Charges)

➤ NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip, 79, is stepping away from public life after being diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration. His family said he is “happy and otherwise healthy.” (Read Statement)

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➤ Thalian Hall’s capital campaign has raised $11 million toward its $25 million goal after community donors met a $4 million challenge, unlocking the final $2 million of a $3 million grant. Construction in Wilmington is expected is expected to finish by mid-2028. (See Campaign)

➤ The Pisgah Inn opened on schedule April 1 with its stretch of the Blue Ridge Parkway accessible, and owner Bruce O’Connell said business returned “with a vengeance” after Helene disrupted 2024 and closures slowed the 2025 season. The inn employs about 65 people. (Meet Owner)

➤ North Carolina’s ports plan to nearly double refrigerated cargo by 2031, surpassing 54,000 TEUs annually. Wilmington recently began receiving weekly Brazilian beef shipments and completed its first Chilean grape season, while overall containerized traffic fell 30% in fiscal 2026. (See Plan)

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➤ A dune breach near the Pea Island Visitor Center sent ocean water across N.C. 12 Thursday, undermining or breaking about 500 feet of pavement and closing the highway between Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe. (See Damage)

➤ Full-ride scholarships will cover five eastern North Carolina students in the program’s first cohort at NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in fall 2027. The $10 million gift came from alumnus David Peele, the son of a farmer and schoolteacher who grew up in Aurora. (See Gift)

➤ A rare albino hammerhead shark, estimated at 8 to 9 feet long, was caught on video Tuesday swimming near Johnnie Mercer's Fishing Pier in Wrightsville Beach. Anglers pulled their bait from the water so they wouldn't hook it. (See Video)

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