TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1856, a Republican UNC chemistry professor named Benjamin S. Hedrick became the only faculty member in the university’s history to be dismissed because of his political views. Hedrick supported John C. Fremont for the U.S. presidency and was subsequently attacked in the Raleigh press, and the scandal ended with Hedrick's dismissal.

We remain mindful of the growing death toll from Hurricane Helene’s impact on North Carolina, and continue to keep those who have lost loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.

If you like Billy Joel and Sting, our third top story will cheer you up!

Later today, you'll receive a special message from our partner, World Concern. Hurricane Helene, one of the strongest storms ever to hit North Carolina, has torn through multiple states, leaving a path of destruction. We're partnering with World Concern to match Flyover North Carolina reader donations up to $5,000, helping provide emergency supplies, clean water, and immediate support to families in need. If you haven’t been affected, consider giving here.

We’re sponsored today by Audien Atom 2, the next generation of over-the-counter hearing aids from Audien Hearing.

Helene Death Toll Rises

Search and recovery efforts have confirmed somber statistics of dozens of deaths in western North Carolina and more than 1,000 missing person reports.

Gov. Roy Cooper says the death toll will continue to rise as emergency workers reach areas isolated by flooding and collapsed roads.

The City of Asheville has issued a boil-water advisory while the Water Resources Department works to restore water to customers experiencing outages.

Buncombe County’s assistant emergency services director Ryan Cole described Tropical Storm Helene as “the most significant natural disaster that any one of us has ever seen in western North Carolina.”

Helene is forecast to leave behind at least $95 billion in damage and economic loss.

Outages and Shortages Widespread

Power, telephone, mobile phone, and internet outages are still impacting thousands of western North Carolinians.

As of Monday afternoon, over 400,000 homes in North Carolina were still without power.

AT&T has opened its network to allow customers from other carriers to use it if their carrier’s service is unavailable, and T-Mobile deployed charging and WiFi connectivity teams in Fletcher, North Carolina, and Greenwood, South Carolina.

Transportation has been severely impacted, as hundreds of roads remain closed indefinitely, preventing fuel and food supply replenishments. The National Guard is airlifting supplies to communities impacted by Helene.

Reports of arguments breaking out at gas stations have prompted the Buncombe County Sherriff's Office to consider posting deputies there. Check out this online list of grocery stores and gas stations open for service.

Billy Joel and Sting to Perform in Charlotte

Billy Joel and Sting will perform at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium May 10, 2025. Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 4 at livenation.com.

The announcement was pre-marketed as a major act, drawing speculation from some that it could be Taylor Swift.

Joel will only be in six markets next year, with Charlotte his only southeastern show. He's currently touring in major cities across the United States with tickets ranging from $125 to over $550.

Sting’s last performance in Charlotte was Nov. 15, 2007 when he temporarily rejoined The Police for a reunion tour.

Sting is currently on his Sting 3.0 tour, with tickets ranging from the $122 to over $500.

Do you have any friends or family who would like to receive Flyover North Carolina? Feel free to refer us to them!

Flying together with our sponsor

The World’s Most Affordable Hearing Aids

Meet the Atom 2, Audien Hearing’s next generation of over-the-counter hearing aids. Enjoy crystal-clear sound the moment you put them on!

Get your hearing back for $1000s less than traditional hearing aids. No doctor visits required!

➤ Rutherford County: Much of the Town of Chimney Rock, which hugs the Broad River along U.S. 64, has been wiped out by massive flooding from Helene. (See Photos)

➤ Bladen County: Foundation Church is asking for water case donations for western North Carolina residents impacted by Helene. (See Details)

➤ Asheville: Biltmore Estate is temporarily closed due to flooding and outages from Helene. Updates will be published online. (See Updates)

➤ Western NC: Appalachian State University, UNC-Asheville, and Western Carolina University have suspended classes and closed facilities due to damage from Helene. (See Details)

➤ Fayetteville: Former President Donald Trump will host a town hall Friday at 7 p.m. at the Crown Complex in Fayetteville. (More)

➤ Dortches: A man who stole a 10-year-old Airedale-terrier mix named Lucky in a car theft was caught in Nash County, but Lucky was missing. A $500 reward has been offered for Lucky’s return. (More)

➤ Carolina Panthers star linebacker Shaq Thompson will miss the rest of the NFL season after tearing his Achilles in Sunday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. (More)

➤ Duke football received zero votes in this week’s AP Top 25 poll despite the team’s 5-0 start. (See Rankings)

➤ NC State football is collecting supplies to help North Carolina residents affected by Hurricane Helene. (More)

Yesterday's Results: NFL | MLB | NHL

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➤ ZQuiet is a ready-to-use, anti-snoring mouthpiece that provides immediate relief by gently moving your jaw forward. With ZQuiet, you can finally stop snoring at the source—for good! (See It Here)

➤ Most flight activity at Asheville Regional Airport resumed Monday. Check the airport’s Facebook page for updates. (Visit Page)

➤ Wilmington leaders may sell two tracts of city-owned land that would help pay for the Skyline Center purchase. (See Details)

➤ Local businesses and organizations supporting victims of Hurricane Helene have provided a list of ways you can help. (See List)

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Drone footage captured by WLOS in Asheville shows aerial views of the region’s historic flood damage. (See Photos)

➤ For just under $8 million you can own a house nicknamed “Baby Biltmore,” which many believe resembles Biltmore Estate. (See Photos)

➤ An IQ map based on data from a 2022 National Library of Medicine report shows the average IQ in each state. North Carolina's is 100.2. (See Map)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Today is International Coffee Day! Celebrate by trying our very own Flyover Roast Coffee, roasted at our favorite coffee shop right across the street from our office. We offer two exclusive single-origin coffee roasts: the Afterburner Nicaraguan Dark Roast and the Cruising Altitude Guatemalan Medium Roast, both in whole bean and ground. This coffee is how we stay fueled to bring you the best news every morning at no cost to you!