MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 1854, Lunsford Richardson, inventor of Vics VapoRub, was born in Johnston County. Richardson graduated from Davidson College in 1875 with a Latin degree and started working with his brother-in-law, Dr. Joshua Vick, at his drug manufacturing company.

Today we report on Gov. Roy Cooper's commutations and pardons in Top Stories and one of the country's top 15 towns for boating enthusiasts in Around North Carolina.

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Later today, we'll share a special message about Todd Nettleton's collection of stories, When Faith Is Forbidden. As we approach the end of the year, we invite you to consider supporting persecuted Christians—your gift to The Voice of the Martyrs will bring you this powerful book from the frontlines of faith.

Cooper Grants Commutations and Pardons

Gov. Roy Cooper granted six commutations and nine pardons during the Christmas holiday.

His decisions primarily concern cases handed down decades ago that involve crimes such as murder, armed robbery, possession and trafficking of Schedule II substances, and injury to personal property.

The governor's actions reflect a policy trend toward reducing the use of the death penalty and life imprisonment without parole, and are similar to those of President Joe Biden, who recently pardoned a Buncombe County man on death row.

Cooper has been pressured by activists to commute all 136 death sentences in North Carolina before he leaves office Wednesday.

Storms Knock Out Power, Cancel Flights

Multiple tornado warnings were issued across North Carolina Sunday as a line of strong storms pushed through. Among the impacted counties were Alamance, Cabarrus, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Orange, and Rowan.

A 70-year-old man was killed at 10:10 a.m. in Mooresville after a tree fell on his pickup truck while he was driving on NC 152 through heavy rain.

As of 2:45 p.m. Sunday, 698 flights were delayed and 34 were canceled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport due to the storms. At Raleigh-Durham International Airport, 23 flights were delayed and two were canceled around that time.

Nearly 22,000 customers lost power during the storms, which lasted until about 5 p.m.

Whale Washes Ashore in Kitty Hawk

A juvenile female humpback whale measuring 27.5 feet long and weighing roughly 19,000 pounds washed ashore in Kitty Hawk near the Bennett Street beach access Friday morning.

Marine biologists performed a necropsy Saturday, but results were not released as of Sunday afternoon. The biologists say the whale was likely migrating south for the winter.

In an unrelated incident, an aerial survey conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration revealed images of an endangered North Atlantic right whale entangled in fishing gear about 60 miles east of the Outer Banks on Dec. 16. The whale has suffered a serious injury and NOAA officials say she is likely to die.

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Dear Reader,

This time last year, Flyover North Carolina didn't even exist!

Now we're at 70,000.

How did we make it this far together in just a year? Simply put, we got here because of you.

We supply the elbow grease, the late nights, and about 1,500 words per day, sure.

None of it would matter if you weren't with us. Flyover North Carolina would crash and burn without the direct support of our readers, and we appreciate you.

Now, we're turning our attention to 2025.

We have big plans, and we need lots of help to accomplish them. If you enjoy reading Flyover North Carolina in the mornings, would you consider giving us a year-end gift?

Despite all those big numbers, we're still a small operation. I would really appreciate your support!

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I'm grateful for all your support in 2024, and I'm excited to grow together in 2025.

Thank you!
-Cole, CEO

➤ Durham: A pipe burst at Duke University Hospital late Thursday night causing flooding in several areas, including the emergency room. (See Video)

➤ Outer Banks: A two-part Island Free Press series displays memorable photos of the area taken during 2024, including collapsed Rodanthe houses, Cape Hatteras lighthouse renovations, and sea turtle rescues. (See Part 1 and Part 2)

➤ Asheville: Police report that only one person missing due to Hurricane Helene remains unaccounted for. The list originally had 500-plus missing persons on it. (More)

➤ Southport was named one of America's 15 best small towns for boating enthusiasts thanks to its river, sea, and creek access; pristine beaches; affordable housing; and historic lighthouse. (See List)

➤ Southeast NC: Bird rescue organizations in Castle Hayne and Oak Island treating injured pelicans believe the same individual(s) may be harming the birds when they land on boats to get fish. (More)

➤ Cabarrus County: A 31-year-old mother and her 12-year-old daughter were killed after a deer struck by a different vehicle was launched into their windshield. Both were pronounced dead on the scene. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers fell to Tampa Bay 48-14 during their Week 17 game, which included a duck wandering onto the field and a blocked punt by the Bucs. (Watch Video)

➤ UNC suffered a tough 27-14 loss to UConn in the Fenway Bowl, while ECU came up with a 26-21 win over NC State in the Military Bowl after Rahjai Harris scored an 86-yard game-winning touchdown run. (Watch Video)

➤ Eight players—five from NC State and three from ECU—were ejected following the Military Bowl when a fight broke out, leaving official Rod Tucker with a cut under his eye. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2 after a tense game during which a fight broke out following a controversial hit. (More)

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➤ Construction on a long-awaited Amazon center is set to begin in early 2025 at Pender Commerce Park, located off U.S. 421 in Pender County. (More)

➤ Henderson-based Variety Wholesalers will buy between 200 and 400 Big Lots stores from Gordon Brothers Retail Partners pending bankruptcy court approval. The move could save thousands of retail jobs. (See Details)

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Dear Reader,

Flyover North Carolina wouldn't exist without you.

It might sound like a cliche, but it's true. If you didn't tell your friends and family about us, we wouldn't grow. If you didn't support us directly, we couldn't keep the lights on.

Flyover North Carolina is all about you!

We're grateful for all your support this year, and we're excited to make this even better in 2025. Would you help us with a year-end gift? I would truly appreciate it!

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➤ Wilmington artist and photographer Arrow Ross turned his neighborhood block into a whimsical wonderland adorned with ceramic sculptures he crafted himself. (See Photos)

➤ Nearly 600 cold-stunned sea turtles have been cared for at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation Center on Roanoke Island over the past few weeks. (See Photos)

➤ Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, a North Carolina Central University sophomore, traveled to Orlando on Saturday to prepare for the 2025 Miss America pageant on Jan. 5. (More)

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