FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1853, the first North Carolina State Fair kicked off just south of downtown Raleigh. The fair ran for four days and received up to 4,000 visitors on a single day. Cash prizes were awarded for first and second place in plant, animal, and handicraft competitions.

The state fair is in town until Oct. 27! Be sure to check out Et Cetera to see a Viking throne crafted by a western North Carolina artist that will be auctioned at the fair to raise funds for victims of Hurricane Helene.

If you’re staying home, don’t miss the Duke-Florida State football game at 7 p.m. on ESPN2!

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Absentee Ballot Suit Moves to Federal Court

A federal judge held a hearing in Wilmington on Thursday to consider whether to dismiss a GOP lawsuit over absentee ballot envelopes, or move it back to state court, where it was originally filed before the N.C. Board of Elections moved it to federal court.

At issue is an NCBOE memo stating that absentee ballots need not be returned in sealed container-return envelopes.

The Republican National Committee and North Carolina Republican Party argue that this violates state law, as the absentee ballot container return envelope must be sealed, and that any returned unsealed absentee ballots must be spoiled and a new absentee ballot sent to the voter.

We'll report on the ruling as soon as it is announced.

Another absentee ballot issue concerns voters receiving packets with the return envelope already sealed. NCBOE officials say this is likely due to "moisture and humidity from Hurricane Helene and other rain events," and instructs voters to leave it sealed and request a new ballot from their county's board of elections.

Parents Seek Bathroom Protections for Students

A father representing group of Cabarrus County parents asked the district’s school board to create a policy allowing students who are uncomfortable using the same bathroom as transgender students to be able to use a different bathroom.

In a statement released to WSOC-TV, Cabarrus County Schools said there isn’t a specific policy addressing this, adding “we will continue to provide appropriate bathroom accommodations to any student who may feel uncomfortable.”

Brandon Matthews, who represents the group, says it isn't satisfied with this response and are now discussing the matter with the district’s superintendent.

Map Shows WNC Areas Open for Business

VisitNC, the official tourism website for North Carolina, has created an interactive map showing which parts of western North Carolina are open to visitors.

The map highlights counties impacted by Hurricane Helene in red, with color-coded circles indicating the areas that are open (green), partially open (yellow), and closed (red) for business.

VisitNC also maintains a western North Carolina Travel Advisory page that provides updates on road conditions and links to resources accepting donations for relief efforts.

A new Southern Living article offers suggestions for things to do in the western North Carolina areas open for business.

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➤ Blue Ridge Parkway: Rangers are issuing citations due to increasing instances of visitors entering closed areas and vandalizing safety barriers. (More)

➤ Asheville: Officials say 75-80% of the city's water system is able to run non-potable water, but the water must be boiled for at least one minute before it's consumed or used for cooking. (See Details)

➤ Buncombe County: A western North Carolina veterinary team rushed Kira, a Highpoint K9 helping officers in Biltmore Forest, to an emergency vet for surgery after she experienced a bloated stomach. (See Photo)

➤ Raleigh: Council leaders approved a pilot program to introduce free two-hour parking in the city's five downtown parking decks. The program will start in November. (More)

➤ Wake County: Parental rights group Moms for Liberty defended a mom who wanted her daughter transferred out of a class after a male teacher wore a tutu on Spirit Day. (More)

➤ Central NC: Sixteen members of the Hell's Angels and Red Devils motorcycle gangs have been charged with murder, accessory to murder, attempted murder, and assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of a criminal racketeering enterprise case. (See Details)

➤ Duke hosts Florida State tonight at 7 p.m. on ESPN2. Duke enters the game with a 5-1 record and is favored by 3 points over FSU, which is currently 1-5. (See Preview)

➤ East Carolina University travels to West Point Saturday to take on No. 24 Army. (See Details)

➤ The N.C. State and University of Florida football programs mutually agreed to cancel their two-game series that was scheduled to begin in 2026. (More)

➤ A NASCAR official admitted it was a mistake for officials to wait more than 15 seconds before putting out the caution flag after an accident occurred during the final laps of the Xfinity Series Race. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: NFL | NCAAF | MLB | NBA | NHL | PGA | LPGA

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➤ Mooresville-based Lowe's worked with Samaritan's Purse to bring hundreds of volunteers to western North Carolina to help with clean-up efforts. (More)

➤ Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order to increase state weekly unemployment benefits from $350 to $600 and to enable those who work or live in Helene-ravaged counties to receive federal unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks. (See Details)

➤ NASCAR described an antitrust lawsuit filed by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin-led 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports as "meritless," and requested expedited discovery. (More)

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➤ Two artists from western North Carolina are at the state fair to auction off a Viking throne and shield they crafted after the customer who ordered it opted to donate it to Hurricane Helene relief. (See Throne)

➤ Former Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore, who now plays for the Chicago Bears, listed his Lake Wylie estate in southwest Charlotte for $5 million. (See Photos)

➤ Charlotte-Based Krispy Kreme unveiled a one-day-only Supermoon Super Donut Thursday in honor of the rare Hunter's Supermoon appearance last night. (See Donut)

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