FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1916, Mount Mitchell was declared North Carolina's—and the Southeast's—first state park. At 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the highest point in the eastern United States.

Yesterday we reported on how DNA is being used to study the lineage of Outer Banks wild horse herds. Today you'll find out how DNA helped crack a 46-year-old cold case—and you'll meet Corolla's newest foal, Finola. Learn more in Top Stories and Et Cetera!

Are you ready for some basketball? Find out which North Carolina teams are playing this weekend in Sports.

Did you know that the team that makes Flyover North Carolina also produces a national publication called The Flyover? Click here to subscribe and stay up to date with the latest national headlines—without the bias of legacy media outlets.

We're sponsored today by Organixx, offering health products to combat collagen deficiency.

Stein Approves $524M for Hurricane Relief

Gov. Josh Stein signed a $524 million relief package into law late Wednesday to rebuild areas devastated by Hurricanes Helene, Matthew, and Florence.

Key funding items related to Helene damage include $200 million for crop loss and farm restoration, $120 million for rebuilding and repairing homes, $100 million for repairing private roads and bridges, and $55 million for small business infrastructure grants.

Other funds related to Helene include $20 million for debris removal, $10 million for essential volunteer organizations, $10 million for volunteer fire departments, $9 million to help with learning recovery for students, and $4 million for travel and tourism marketing.

The bill provides $217 million for home rebuilding operations in eastern North Carolina related to damage from Matthew and Florence, and $110 million to assist farmers with non-Helene-related crop loss.

DNA Helps Crack 1979 Cold Case

Thanks to genetic genealogy, the FBI and multiple police departments have solved a 46-year-old cold case.

The FBI worked with police in Maryland and North Carolina to arrest 82-year-old Rodger Zodas Brown of Pinehurst on March 11 for the 1979 rape and murder of 31-year-old secretary Kathryn Donohue of Arlington, Virginia.

Police solved the case after discovering a relative of Brown's by using genetic genealogy, an investigative tool through which unknown DNA from the crime scene is identified by comparing it to family members who voluntarily submit DNA samples to a database.

Brown is charged with first-degree murder, rape, and related charges. He remains in North Carolina pending extradition to Prince George's County in Maryland.

Terrapin Tally Volunteers Wanted

A community science project that counts North Carolina's diamondback terrapin population from Carteret County to Brunswick County kicks off in April, and volunteers are needed to help make it happen.

The 11th Terrapin Tally—coordinated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Bald Head Island Conservancy, state and national park services, and other organizations—is conducted via volunteers on kayaks during collection sessions in two-hour blocks on April 25-27, May 10-11, May 15-18, and June 12-15.

To participate, volunteers must register to attend a training session on April 12 at either the Carolina Beach State Park Visitor Center, Hammocks Beach State Park Visitor Center, or via Zoom.

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: The North Carolina Department of Revenue will introduce a 1.5% tax on gross receipts for exclusive-ride services and 1% for shared-ride services on July 1. The taxes will be passed on to customers via fare payments. (See Details)

➤ Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden issued a lengthy statement Wednesday in response to claims from Immigration and Customs Enforcement that his office is not holding illegal migrants on immigration detainers. (See Statement)

➤ Union County homeowners are experiencing the largest increase in property values ever recorded, with values rising by 60% this month—nearly double the increase since the 2021 revaluation, which was 35.5%. (More)

➤ Winston-Salem: A tractor-trailer carrying glue overturned on the ramp from I-40 to U.S. 52 on Wednesday morning, spilling glue into the median. The ramp was closed while hazmat crews worked to clean up the glue. (See Photo)

➤ Greensboro: City leaders unanimously agreed to extend the use of 30 temporary pallet homes through the summer, and will move them from Pomona Park to the site of the former Regency Inn on North O. Henry Boulevard. (More)

➤ Raleigh: NC State alum Kevin Howell will officially become the university's chancellor on May 5. In a speech to the NC State community Tuesday, he pledged to "be the right person at the right time for this university for many years to come." (More)

➤ Raleigh: Speaking of NC State, the student newspaper published a timeline of the university's dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. (See Timeline)

➤ Duke and UNC tip off in their first games of the March Madness men's bracket today at 2:50 and 4:05 p.m. EDT, respectively. (More)

➤ UNC-Wilmington, the No. 14 seed in the men's NCAA basketball west bracket, took on No. 3 seed Texas Tech in a late first-round game Thursday. (See Who Won)

➤ In the women's bracket, Duke takes on Lehigh tonight at 8 p.m., NC State plays Vermont Saturday at 2 p.m., and UNC faces Oregon Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (More)

➤ Mark Williams may still be on the trade block this summer, as NBA executives expect the Charlotte Hornets to revisit deals after his failed Lakers trade. (More)

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➤ Charlotte-based Gambling.com's revenue increased by 17% last year, reaching $127.2 million. Its net income experienced a 68% increase, reaching $30.7 million, and earnings per share climbed to 35 cents, topping estimates of 25 cents. (More)

➤ Canadian furniture manufacturer Prepac Manufacturing Ltd. is moving some operations to North Carolina to be closer to its customer base. The specific location in North Carolina was not disclosed. (More)

➤ The Charlotte Sports Foundation—which formed when Charlotte Collegiate Football and Charlotte Regional Sports Commission combined in 2013—selected Will Pitts as its new CEO, effective April 1. Pitts replaces former Carolina Panthers President Danny Morrison. (More)

➤ Zillow economists project U.S. home prices will rise by 3% in Wilmington, 2.5% in Charlotte, 1.2% in Raleigh, and 1.7% in Asheville between February 2025 and February 2026. (See Map)

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➤ North Carolina's House unanimously passed a bill this week proposing that the Moravian cookie become the state's official cookie. The cookie's history dates back to 1766 when Moravian settlers founded the town of Salem, now known as Winston-Salem. (More)

➤ The House also unanimously passed bills this week to make November Military Appreciation Month and officially include Space Force as a branch of the armed services in North Carolina, allowing members to receive benefits. (More)

➤ The Corolla Wild Horse Fund announced the birth of the Corolla herd's first foal of 2025. Finola was born during St. Patrick's Day weekend. (See Photo)

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