Saturday, August 23, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1934, NFL quarterback Christian “Sonny” Jurgensen, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins, was born in Wilmington. Jurgensen played 18 seasons and threw 255 touchdown passes with a 57.1% completion rate. He was selected to five Pro Bowls.

Today's edition kicks off the football season a bit early with some history, a meme, a poll, and some trivia, giving you a full lineup of football news.

Later today, we’ll be sending you a special email featuring our partner, Gundry MD, offering advice on how to maintain vibrant, youthful health even into older age.

We're sponsored this weekend by Quicken Home Equity Line of Credit, tap into your home's equity today with this incredible offer.

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.

FEMA Approves More Helene Relief

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be sending $96 million to the state to help with ongoing Helene recovery efforts.

The funding will go toward over 200 projects, ranging from road repairs to infrastructure restoration. The grant comes through the Public Assistance Program, which reimburses state and local governments at a 90% federal share.

Data shows more than 1,400 roads have reopened since Helene, while 41 are partially repaired and 37 remain closed and awaiting repairs.

Gov. Josh Stein wrote letters to federal officials, including U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, in July asking for more Helene recovery relief.

MLB Expansion to NC Possible

A new study shows Raleigh and Charlotte are contenders for an MLB expansion team based on feasibility and the projected economic impact on their cities.

The study found that both cities have fan support and will support a franchise, with Raleigh having the edge in economic output, employment, and tax revenue. The study says that a new MLB stadium would create about 5,500 jobs and $1.14 billion in revenue.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred hinted at potential expansion during an ESPN broadcast, saying he hopes there will be two new expansion teams by 2029. He says Salt Lake City and Nashville are the two strongest contenders at the moment.

Hotel Arson Investigation in Chapel Hill

A 60-year-old Chapel Hill man is believed responsible for Friday’s early morning fire at the Siena Hotel, where he was later found dead inside.

Police and fire crews responded to the Chapel Hill hotel fire around 4:30 a.m., evacuating 50 guests without injuries. A barricaded man, unrelated to the blaze, was rescued and found.

Authorities found suspect Randall Moore Bullock dead shortly after noon on the building’s third floor. Investigators have not identified a motive or determined any prior connection to the hotel.

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➤ Statewide: The National Hurricane Center is tracking two Atlantic tropical waves, expecting one to develop into a depression or storm, though it is unlikely to hit the U.S. (More)

➤ Mebane: Gov. Josh Stein and other community leaders visited Thermo Fisher Scientific's new 375,000-square-foot facility in a ribbon-cutting ceremony welcoming the Massachusetts-based biotech company. (More)

➤ Piedmont: The Piedmont Triad Regional Council was awarded a $500,000 grant from the state to make a 19-mile shared-use greenway, which will connect various cities in the Triad. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Police issued arrest warrants for a 66-year-old man accused of stealing more than $120,000 in sunglasses and other eyewear from area eye doctor offices in recent weeks. (More)

➤ Also Charlotte: Officials held an open house Friday to discuss November's one-cent sales tax referendum to fund transit improvements addressing population growth. (More)

➤ Asheville: A popular stretch of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway between Mount Pisgah and Graveyard Fields reopened nearly 11 months after Helene caused extensive damage. (More)

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➤ The UNC women's soccer team continues to struggle to open the season, losing 2-0 to the Georgia Bulldogs earlier this week. The defending champions are now 1-2 on the season. (More)

➤ Duke quarterback Darian Mensah is set to be paid at least $4 million this season, which may be the highest price tag in the entire country. (More)

➤ Humpy Wheeler, a NASCAR track promoter and longtime Charlotte Motor Speedway executive, died this week at 86. (More)

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➤ An Apex teen will attend Berklee College of Music in Boston, her dream school, after a surprise email revealed a scholarship covering the $52,440 annual tuition. (More)

➤ The Triangle saw a 5.1% rise in tourist spending in 2024, as 19 million visitors generated a record $3.4 billion in economic activity. (More)

➤ High Point's Thomas Built opened its factory to show how North America's leading school bus manufacturer builds each bus with a focus on student safety. (More)

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