TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1985, the temperature at Mount Mitchell dropped to -34°F, setting a state record that still stands as the coldest temperature ever recorded in North Carolina.

It may feel just as cold in some parts of our state this week. Check out Top Stories to learn more about our weather and how North Carolina played a role in President Donald Trump's inaugural address yesterday.

We're sponsored today by Audien Atom, the most affordable hearing aid on the market.

Trump Launches His 'Golden Age of America'

President Donald Trump, sworn in Monday as our 47th U.S. president, stated during his inauguration address that "the golden age of America begins right now."

North Carolina was the first state Trump mentioned during his speech saying, "Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina, who've been treated so badly."

Trump then announced key executive orders he would sign immediately to declare a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, ease regulatory burdens on oil and natural gas production, revoke the electric vehicle mandate, and roll back social engineering policies, adding that "there are only two genders, male and female."

Several North Carolinians will serve in the Trump administration, including Daniel Driscoll as Secretary of the Army and Michael Whatley, who will continue serving as chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Single-Digit Wind Chill, Snow on the Coast

A cold weather advisory is in effect across North Carolina, with temperatures dipping into single digits to create the state's coldest weather in two years. Wind chills make it feel even colder.

Snow accumulations of 1-3 inches are expected beginning late Tuesday afternoon in southern and eastern parts of Central North Carolina, while less than an inch could fall in the Triangle and areas southeast of it. Some schools in the Wilmington area switched to remote learning ahead of the storm.

White flag shelters are available to anyone needing a warm place to stay, and utility companies are prepared for potential outages.

Read tips for how to winterize your home here.

Suit Filed Against Saluda Grade Rail Trail

Around 150 residents in North Carolina and South Carolina—from individual property owners to entire municipalities—are suing the federal government for taking property along the Saluda Grade rail corridor without offering compensation.

The government's actions triggered the Takings Clause under the Constitution's Fifth Amendment, according to Lewis Rice law firm, which represents the clients.

"A portion of their property was taken, so under state law, they should have their land free and clear of any easements on their property," said Lewis Rice attorney Lindsay Brinton.

The properties lie along a 31.5-mile stretch of the centuries-old Saluda Grade railroad track between Inman, South Carolina and Zirconia, North Carolina. The line was previously owned by Norfolk Southern Company, which granted the Saluda Grade Trail Conservancy's request to use it for the new trail.

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

Hear Like Never Before—Premium Crystal-Clear Sound

Yes, the Atom is comfortable. Yes, it's almost invisible. Yes, it lasts all day on a single charge. But most importantly: Atom works.

Thanks to the advanced capabilities of the revolutionary Audien Atom you can now have consistent and superior audio clarity. Hear every word with Atom.

➤ Statewide: A three-judge State Appeals Court panel unanimously issued a stay Friday on the GOP lawsuit challenging 60,000-plus ballots cast in the November General Election. (See Details)

➤ Western NC: Gov. Josh Stein expanded a temporary jobs and training program from 25 to 39 counties for residents affected by Hurricane Helene. (More)

➤ Western NC: FEMA extended Transitional Sheltering Assistance through May 26, giving residents displaced by Hurricane Helene an additional two months to find permanent housing. Gov. Josh Stein has asked the agency to extend it by six months. (More)

➤ Holly Springs: The driver of a stolen SUV crashed into a front yard and overturned the vehicle following a car chase triggered by reports of several people attempting to break into cars. (Watch Video)

➤ Durham: Duke University settled a lawsuit Friday filed by a professor who alleged the university paid her less than her male colleagues and limited her professional opportunities. The settlement amount was not released. (See Details)

➤ Wake County: Democrat Rep. Joe John, 85, has resigned from the North Carolina General Assembly due to a terminal diagnosis for throat cancer. (More)

➤ Asheville: Beloved Asheville, a local nonprofit, hosted a propane giveaway for western North Carolinians in need, and also gave away electric heaters and other donated items. (More)

➤ Duke men's basketball moved up one spot in this week's AP Top 25 poll to No. 2 in the nation. (See Poll)

➤ UNC football head coach Bill Belichick has added former Broyles Award-winning assistant coach Bob Diaco to the team's defensive coaching staff. Diaco is leaving LSU to join UNC. (More)

➤ Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball went viral on Instagram for a post he made after facing his brother, Lonzo Ball of the Chicago Bulls, in an NBA game for the first time in three years. (See Post)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Kailo's Flex™ is an all-natural pain patch, designed to quickly relieve pain anywhere on your body. It is the most flexible, comfortable and affordable pain patch device we have ever made! (See It Here)

➤ Participating Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Charlotte and Triangle areas are giving way free chicken biscuits and sandwiches through Saturday, Jan. 25. Customers will need to claim their biscuit or sandwich through the Chick-fil-A mobile app. (More)

➤ Sports betting in North Carolina brought in $21 million that is being divided between 10 public universities' athletic departments. The schools received $1 million each during 2023-24 and will split the remaining $7 million this school year. (More)

➤ North Carolina ranked 15th on a new list of best states to start a business based on 25 key indicators of startup success. (See List)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ The easiest way to preserve all of your photos in one place. The PhotoStick® OMNI automatically finds, sorts, and saves up to 60,000 photos and videos across all your devices with just ONE click. Over 1.5 Million People Use ThePhotoStick® OMNI!

Flying together with our sponsor

The World's First Wireless Charging Hearing Aids for Less Than $100

Meet the Audien Atom, the most premium, discreet, and affordable hearing aids that everyone is talking about.

-Superior Sound Quality
-Wireless Charging
-20 Hour Battery Life
-No Hearing Test Required

Hear every word in conversations without spending thousands of dollars.

➤ A Raleigh meteorologist met with an aspiring meteorologist who attends the Governor Morehead School for visually impaired students to offer him career advice. (More)

➤ U.S. Coast Guard members from Station Hatteras Inlet teamed up with the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles and the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island to release 25 rehabilitated sea turtles offshore into the Gulf Stream's warmer waters. (See Photos)

➤ An 855-pound, 9-foot manatee named Pamlico rescued from the Tar River in November has been successfully released back into the ocean. (See Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Keep your hands warm all winter long. Check out CozyCharge, the rechargeable hand warmer that provides 8 hours of warmth whenever you need it. (See It Here)