Sunday, October 4, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1926, Jo Jo Wallace—the longest-serving guitarist and singer with the Sensational Nightingales—was born in Williamston. He wrote The Twist, later a huge hit for Chubby Checker, and the Sensational Nightingales were inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

A family is trying to return a photo of a Vietnam veteran from Greensboro to either him or his family. Learn more in Et Cetera.

In case you missed it on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla counted down the seven pets linked to longer lives. One study that followed 3.4 million people over 12 years found that owners of a particular pet were 40% less likely to die during that period, and it's not the one you'd guess. Some surprising animals made the cut, and the pet that landed at No. 1 isn't even the most popular choice in American homes. Ayla ran through the full countdown and the research behind each one. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Dr. Steven Gundry, is sharing why he recommends an alternative to bone broth for collagen support and the simple “collagen reset technique” he says can help your body support its own collagen production.

GOP Super PAC Pauses Senate Spending

The top super PAC backing Senate Republicans has paused further ad spending in North Carolina's Senate race and is moving money to Kansas.

The Senate Leadership Fund has already spent about $32 million backing Republican Michael Whatley against Democratic former Gov. Roy Cooper. It had planned to spend $18 million more in North Carolina and has instead reserved nearly $8.2 million to defend Republican Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas.

Whatley trailed by 15 points in the latest Carolina Journal Poll. Andy Jackson of the John Locke Foundation's Civitas Center told WLOS the pullback is "a reaction to this lack of movement on Whatley's part."

Whatley's campaign said it's "confident we have the resources" to win in November. Cooper's campaign manager, Jeff Allen, said the team remains focused on "building a campaign to earn every vote."

12-Week Parental Leave Now in Effect

Eligible state employees, including public school, community college, and UNC System workers, can now take up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.

Until Oct. 1, mothers who gave birth got eight weeks and other parents got four. The new benefit covers both parents equally, whether a child arrives by birth, adoption, foster care, or other legal placement.

It applies only to births and placements on or after Oct. 1, the law's effective date.

The leave is part of the Public Workforce Modernization Act, which the General Assembly passed unanimously, and Gov. Josh Stein signed in July. The Office of State Human Resources calls it the biggest overhaul of the state's personnel system in more than six decades.

The law also extends veterans' hiring preference to spouses of active-duty service members.

Kinston Cabinet Plant Planning Layoffs

MasterBrand Cabinets plans to lay off up to 391 workers at its Kinston plant starting in late November.

The company is shutting down its Value Semi-Custom cabinet line at the Collier-Loftin Road facility, according to a state layoff notice. Its custom and component operations there will continue.

A company spokesperson told Neuse News that about 180 workers will stay on building frameless cabinets, while the other production moves to plants in Indiana, Illinois, and Oregon. MasterBrand tied the decision to a review of its factories as it merges with American Woodmark.

The cuts come nearly five years after then-Gov. Roy Cooper announced a MasterBrand expansion that promised more than 450 new jobs in Lenoir County. The state backed it with an incentive grant worth up to $3.9 million, which its 2025 report lists as terminated.

Flying together with our sponsor

Doctor unveils dark bone broth secret (avoid now)

If you think bone broth is a great way to get collagen, think again.

According to a former surgeon, animal bones are known for absorbing heavy metals.

This can potentially lead to brain fog, fatigue, or even muscle weakness.

That's why he recommends a "collagen reset technique" instead.

To his knowledge, it's the only technique that can help your body build its own collagen.

Anyone can do it without drinking broths.

See the technique here.

➤ Statewide: A dozen Atrium Health hospitals and clinics will join the State Health Plan's lower-cost Access tier on Jan. 1, 2027. The deal spares many of the more than 130,000 state members who use Atrium from higher costs. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Idlewood Capital plans a roughly $3 million overhaul of a vacant warehouse in the NoDa neighborhood, creating 8,000 square feet of shops. Founder George Kornegay said tenants could add a rooftop bar or a large outdoor patio. (See Details)

➤ Alligator River: The $523 million replacement for the 65-year-old Lindsay C. Warren Bridge on U.S. 64 is 52% complete and on track to open in 2028. The 3.2-mile span will rise 65 feet over the water, so boats can pass under without a swing span having to open. (See Details)

➤ Asheville: Residents' complaints about open drug use and aggressive behavior along West Asheville's Haywood Road have put homelessness on the City Council Public Safety Committee's agenda. (Read Story)

➤ Fayetteville: City Council approved a $17.3 million Axon contract that will station police drones at five sites and launch them remotely to calls, sometimes before officers arrive. Council member Shaun McMillan voiced concerns about "the amount of power being authorized." The program starts in 2027. (See Details)

➤ Raleigh: NC By Train will add daily State Fair stops at the fairgrounds Oct. 15-25, eight stops near the Lexington Barbecue Festival on Oct. 24, and an earlier Raleigh-to-Charlotte departure for the Panthers' Oct. 25 home game. (See Schedule)

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➤ The Carolina Panthers will get their first taste of primetime action tomorrow night on Sunday Night Football, hosting the Lions at Bank of America Stadium as they look to even their record at 2-2. (More)

➤ NC State held off Louisville 31-28 behind a career-high 373 passing yards from CJ Bailey. Louisville erased a 14-point deficit before a late field goal sealed the win. (More)

➤ Wake Forest routed Stanford 57-3, its most lopsided ACC win ever, as Gio Lopez accounted for five touchdowns. North Carolina pulled within a point of No. 3 Notre Dame at the start of the second half before falling 37-26. (See Scores)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ FREE Full-Size Tube: This “CMO Key” cream is replacing standard joint creams that rely on temporary icy-hot distractions. Most formulas never get past your skin’s natural “Dermal Dam.” Rub On Relief uses CMO to help unlock deeper soothing support instead of another 20-minute menthol trick. Claim your free tube!

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California Surgeon: “Muscle Loss in Seniors is Real, But It Doesn't Have to Be”

If you think collagen is only for supporting healthier skin, hair, and nails, think again.

Not only does it play a role in holding the teeth in your mouth, keeping your heart walls intact, and reinforcing your gut lining…

It's also what allows you to enjoy your favorite outdoor activities without getting tired.

But unfortunately, eating more collagen isn't the answer.

That’s why Dr. Steven Gundry has created what he calls the “collagen reset technique.”

And to his knowledge, it’s the only technique that’s designed to help your body build its own collagen.

See the technique here ==>

➤ An Ohio family is looking to return a photo of a Vietnam veteran from Greensboro to the people who should have it. (See Video)

➤ Engineering and computer science students at UNC Wilmington have spent since June programming a $60,000 humanoid robot that stands over 4 feet tall and runs on 43 motors, making UNCW one of the few schools in the state with one. The plan is to eventually bring it out at basketball games. (Read Story)

➤ The 1901 Odd Fellows Lodge in Ocracoke Village, which once housed the island's school and later the Island Inn, passed its final inspection, wrapping up an eight-year restoration that outlasted hurricanes, flooding, and a pandemic. It will reopen as a visitor and cultural center. (Read Story)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ “Impossible” Bone Density Improvements Linked to Overlooked Protein. Recent DEXA scans have shown surprising bone density improvements in some women over 60 after adding a specific protein to their diets. Researchers are examining how this protein compound may provide nutritional support that calcium supplements alone cannot, potentially offering a new approach to maintaining stronger bones as you age. Learn More

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.

➤ Senior Trump officials gathered at Camp David as the seven-month Iran war fueled fresh fighting and a major U.S. military buildup. (Hear More)

➤ Amazon’s refund drama landed in shoppers’ inboxes with a proposed $309.5 million settlement and a deadline worth circling. (Listen Now)

➤ A ranking of America’s best fall foliage destinations revealed where travelers headed for autumn’s brightest reds, oranges, and golds. (Podcast Available)