SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1956, American boxer Sugar Ray Leonard was born in Wilmington. Leonard won Olympic gold in the light-welterweight class at the 1976 Montreal Games and went on to win 36 of 40 professional bouts, claiming titles in multiple weight classes.

In today's edition, the North Carolina Zoo provides a behind-the-scenes look at how it delivers excellent healthcare to its animals, including Miracle, the 27-year-old zebra, who received a clean bill of health.

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Don't feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

HUD Approves Action Plan

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved Asheville's revised Action Plan, allocating $225 million in disaster recovery grants primarily for infrastructure, economic revitalization, and housing.

HUD allocated the money for Asheville in January, stating that a valid action plan from the city was needed before distributing funds. The original action plan was rejected by HUD in March due to the inclusion of diversity, equity, and inclusion language.

HUD will now review financial, procurement, and grant management practices to ensure proper management and handling of the funding. The two parties will sign a grant agreement once HUD has certified the paperwork.

Charlotte Population Nearing 1 Million

According to newly released U.S. Census Bureau data, Charlotte has become the 14th largest city in the U.S., surpassing Columbus, Ohio.

With a population now at 943,476, the city added 23,423 residents between July 2023 and July 2024, making it the sixth-fastest-growing major city.

Overall, North Carolina ranked third nationally in housing unit growth at 1.9%, highlighting continued rapid growth across Southern metro areas.

Charlotte has grown an average of 17,197 people per year since 2020, putting it on pace to surpass 1 million people by 2028. Fort Mill and Monroe also experienced significant growth.

Abu Dhabi Flights Added at CLT

Travelers, starting in May 2026, will be able to fly nonstop from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Abu Dhabi, making Charlotte the sixth U.S. city served by Etihad, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates.

Airline officials believe the new route will boost business and investment opportunities for both cities, while CLT CEO Haley Gentry says it "strengthens Charlotte's role as a key gateway for global travel."

Weekly flights will occur on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays and will be on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Tickets for the CLT-Abu Dhabi route are on sale now.

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➤Gastonia: Texas-based burger chain Whataburger will open its first North Carolina location on May 29, with plans for eight additional restaurants across the state. (More)

➤Garner: Authorities mistakenly released a Raleigh man convicted of double homicide, returning him to prison in May after he allegedly injured one person and tried to kill another in an April 21 shooting. (More)

➤Wrightsville Beach: Police will host a Bike Rodeo for children on May 20, offering bike safety lessons from certified officers and the chance to navigate cone courses. (More)

➤Charlotte: A wild scene unfolded near the Mecklenburg County Courthouse as ICE agents chased down and tackled a shirtless man into a pond before arresting him. (See Video)

➤Catawba County: A 15-year-old girl who went missing Thursday after an attempted robbery was found safe and returned to her family yesterday. (More)

➤Wilmington: Fans of the 2004 cult classic Napoleon Dynamite can join three of the film's stars for a full-length screening and a lively, unmoderated post-movie discussion. (More)

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➤ Five UNC softball players were selected to the All-Region team—the most in a season since the year 2000. (More)

➤ NC State announced on Thursday that they've hired Bo Andrews as the school's new golf coach. Andrews was an assistant coach for six years at the University of Tennessee before becoming the team's associate head coach last season. (More)

➤ The Carolina Panthers' 6th round rookie wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. is dominating at the team's rookie minicamp, apparently outplaying first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan. (More)

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➤The North Carolina Museum of Art has begun a major renovation project that will include updates to existing spaces and a new open-air pavilion. (More)

➤Miracle, a 27-year-old zebra at the North Carolina Zoo, passed her annual health exam with a clean bill of health, receiving minor dental and hoof adjustments. (See Miracle)

➤Keith Lee, a popular social media food critic, visited several Triangle-area restaurants this week, including food trucks Corner Boys BBQ and Hibachi Papi, where he left $1,500 tips at each stop. (More)

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