Sunday, August 24, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1566, the Spanish ship La Trinidad, carrying a Dominican mission and a Virginia Native American named Paquiquineo, anchored off the coast of North Carolina. After failing to locate the Chesapeake Bay, the expedition claimed the area for Spain and returned to Europe.

Legendary actor Chevy Chase is set to bring Christmas to Charlotte early. See today’s Et Cetera section for details on what’s in his holiday bag.

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New Trial Over Covid-19 Lockdowns

The state Supreme Court ruled 5-2 that former Gov. Roy Cooper’s pandemic shutdown orders will face trial, reviving a lawsuit by North Carolina bar owners.

The justices said restricting businesses from earning income could violate state constitutional rights. Two Democratic justices dissented, citing the need for swift action in emergencies.

The case now returns to the trial court, more than four years after the lockdowns ended.

Millions Spent on Litter Cleanup

Duke University’s Environmental Law and Policy Clinic found that North Carolina spent over $56 million of taxpayer money on litter cleanup in 2023.

Most of the cost falls on NCDOT, which maintains 80,000 miles of roadways and spent over $25 million last year. Local governments and nonprofits also contributed millions more and collected millions of pounds of trash.

The report warns that cleanup costs are increasing and recommends policy changes, including a bottle deposit program and restoring local authority to regulate single-use plastics.

Student Crowned Miss Teen All-American

Greenville’s Noelia Velazquez, a sophomore at High Point University, was crowned Miss Teen All-American in Charleston.

Velazquez runs “Girl Strong by Noe” and “Girl Talk by Noe,” platforms that aim to empower young women through leadership, confidence, and mental health advocacy.

She plans to use her new title to expand her community service and showcase Greenville on the national stage.

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➤ Statewide: North Carolina approved $204 million for water and wastewater upgrades, a separate fund from the recent $409 million federal resilience grant. (More)

➤ Wrightsville Beach: A high school senior sailed 1,800 miles solo along the East Coast to Newport, Rhode Island, honoring his grandmother’s battle with Parkinson’s. (More)

➤ Washington: The city’s electric system received a 2024 Public Power Award of Excellence, joining 23 other North Carolina providers recognized for outstanding service. (More)

➤ Lenoir County: Health officials confirmed a resident contracted West Nile virus and are urging precautions against mosquito bites. (More)

➤ Kinston: The Airport Road bridge closure has been extended until mid-November as crews replace a culvert with a new bridge. (More)

➤ High Point: A woman filed a lawsuit against Roblox, alleging her 10-year-old daughter was exploited through the online gaming app. (More)

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➤ The Carolina Panthers have agreed to a two-year contract extension with veteran offensive tackle Taylor Moton. (More)

➤ Tony Haynes, a broadcaster for NC State football for the last 28 years, has announced he will retire following the 2025 season. (More)

➤ Ryan Blaney surged from 13th place to first over the final two laps to win the Coke Zero Sugar 400, moving to second in the standings. Drivers Alex Bowman and Tyler Reddick also clinched spots in the 16-driver postseason field. (More)

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➤ Chevy Chase will visit Charlotte on Dec. 12 for a Christmas Vacation screening and a live Q&A, sharing stories from his decades-long comedy career. (More)

➤ Chef Vivian Howard, known for her PBS series and North Carolina restaurants, returns to TV this Fall with a new show. (Listen Here)

➤ Garner-based Feelgoodz has grown into a global lifestyle brand, making sustainable footwear and home goods while supporting farmers and artisans worldwide. (More)

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