THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024

Good morning! On this day in 2002, three-quarters of the lettermen from UNC men's basketball coach Dean Smith's first five teams (1961-66) gathered in Chapel Hill, marking the first time they had reunited since the 1986 Dean E. Smith Center dedication.

Do you like white or multicolored Christmas lights? Let us know by taking our poll.

Also, we're talking about drones today! Check out Top Stories and Around North Carolina to learn more.

Later today, we'll be sending you a special email featuring our partner, GoldCo, offering free financial advice to help safeguard your retirement savings. We hope you find their offer valuable!

Today's new sponsor, WorldTree, has an exciting ecological investment opportunity you won't want to miss.

High Radon Levels Detected in 77 Counties

Officials have released data showing 77 of the state's 100 counties contain at least one building with high radon levels.

Radon, a type of gas that can't be seen, smelled, or tasted, forms when radioactive materials break down in soil, rocks, and water. It can seep through cracks in foundations, walls, and floors. Prolonged radon exposure can potentially cause lung cancer.

A radon level measuring over 4 pCi/L is considered a high risk. According to this NCSHHS map, Wake County has the state's highest level, at 257.8 pCi/L.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends residents of Wake County test the air inside their buildings and private well water.

NCDOT Gets $1M+ for Drone Project

The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded NCDOT's Division of Aviation a $1.1 million grant Monday to create a program that will help guide the use of drones in response to natural disasters.

Aviation staff will develop "drone-in-a-box" technology enabling placement of autonomous drones in communities before storms touch down. These drones can later be deployed remotely to collect images of damage and deliver emergency supplies, such as insulin.

Remote deployment of drones also reduces the risk of putting people in further danger.

NCDOT is one of 47 recipients nationwide to receive the grant.

Gov. Cooper Gives Farewell Address

Gov. Roy Cooper delivered his farewell address in his home of Nash County Wednesday to a mix of locals and Democratic Party movers and shakers.

With 25 days left in office, the two-term governor celebrated success in expanding Medicaid, luring new clean tech factory investments, and repealing controversial aspects of state law HB2, which banned local governments from enacting pro-LGBTQ ordinances.

He also touted the state's contribution to electric vehicles, saying it is "quickly becoming a made-in-North Carolina industry."

Cooper did not address what his political future holds but has been floated as a potential challenger in the 2026 midterms for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Thom Tillis.

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

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➤ Statewide: U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, Republican from N.C.'s 8th Congressional District, responded to a newly released Parents Defending Education report, stating: "DEI, like the rest of this administration, is being bagged up and placed on the curb come January—it's time to take out the trash." (More)

➤ Raleigh: Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's lawyers filed a motion Monday to remand his defamation lawsuit against CNN to the state court system. (See Details)

➤ Raleigh: A convenience store clerk was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter Wednesday for the 2023 stabbing of a customer who stole a Gatorade from his downtown store. (More)

➤ Cape Fear: Wildlife officials credit the increase of coyote sightings in New Hanover and Pender counties to new developments taking away their habitats. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Residents of Gaston and Cleveland counties shared videos of recent drone sightings with WCCB Charlotte. (See Videos)

➤ Smithfield: Investigators tracked down scammers who stole nearly $1 million from a 98-year-old Johnston County woman, but law enforcement agencies have not yet pressed charges. (More)

➤ Carolina Panthers first-round rookie receiver Xavier Legette is considered week-to-week with a groin injury. (More)

➤ UNC men's basketball fell 90-84 to No. 7 Florida at the Jumpman Invitational basketball tournament Tuesday. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, No. 5 Duke and Wake Forest put together dominant wins over mid-major opponents. (More)

➤ Yesterday's results: NCAAF | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW

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➤ Infosys asked the state to cancel a $22.4 million jobs-creation grant after the company was unable to create hundreds of jobs in Wake County as it had promised. (More)

➤ The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals threw out the class certification for a lawsuit involving Bojangles shift managers in North Carolina and South Carolina, stating the district court "abused its discretion." (More)

➤ Houston-based MetOx International plans to create 333 jobs and invest $194 million in Chatham County as part of a long-range plan to provide more efficient power for data centers. (More)

➤ Frontier Airlines suspended over 40 routes indefinitely, including one between Charlotte Douglas International Airport and San Juan and nine involving Raleigh-Durham International Airport. (More)

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➤ NASCAR legend Richard Petty's foundation is organizing Operation Appalachian Christmas to collect new, unwrapped gifts for kids in the state's mountain areas. (More)

➤ An 80-year-old who started her education journey 46 years ago at North Carolina A&T State University was finally able to complete her degree as part of the Aggies at the Goal Line program. (More)

➤ Asheville is No. 2 and Wilmington is No. 4 on a list of the "20 Most Scenic River Towns in the Southeast," thanks to Asheville's River Arts District near the French Broad River and Wilmington's Riverwalk along the Cape Fear River. (More)

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