Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1919, North Carolina Sen. Lee Overman chaired a U.S. Senate subcommittee investigating the influence of Bolshevism in America amid postwar fears following the Russian Revolution. The hearings, a precursor to later anti-communist probes, aired accusations and conspiracy theories but produced little concrete evidence, helping fuel the first Red Scare.

Today's edition features several animal-related stories, including one in Et Cetera about a pigeon rescue. Have you ever rescued an animal? Hit reply and let us know.

An Olympic moment was overshadowed when a Norwegian biathlon bronze winner publicly admitted to an affair during an emotional on-air interview at the Milan Games. Host Ayla Brown shares the full story on today's episode of The Flyover Podcast. Tune in here.

Today's sponsor, Frontieras, is racing toward a potential trillion-dollar energy opportunity, giving investors just one day left to get in at $7.38 a share before the window closes.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Lawmakers Press Charlotte Leaders on Crime

North Carolina Republican lawmakers pressed Charlotte-area leaders during a tense House Oversight Committee hearing in Raleigh on Monday. The focus was on public safety following high-profile light-rail stabbings, including the fatal August 2025 killing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.

GOP members, led by co-chairman Rep. Brenden Jones, criticized local officials for alleged incompetence in criminal justice. They pointed to repeat offenders and policy failures as contributing factors to violent crimes, including Zarutska's killing. "Her blood is on your hands," Jones said.

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, who faced sharp questioning about jail operations and cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said, "I am the elephant in the room, but I'm the proud elephant in the room."

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Estella Patterson highlighted a 21% drop in violent crime in 2025, acknowledged public concern, and called for increased state support, including competitive pay, to help fill officer vacancies.

US Forest Service, NC Wildlife Seal $290M Deal

The U.S. Forest Service and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) announced on Feb. 5 a landmark $290 million Good Neighbor Agreement to speed Hurricane Helene recovery in the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests.

The deal, the largest in U.S. Forest Service history, allows the state commission to lead a decade-long effort, cutting federal red tape with local expertise.

Federal funds will finance debris removal, road and trail repairs, invasive species control, watershed restoration, and wildlife habitat recovery following Helene's destruction of timber and infrastructure, which also increased wildfire risk.

U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz called the forests an "economic powerhouse" essential for communities. NCWRC Executive Director Kyle Briggs stressed rebuilding devastated habitats to reduce future threats and support jobs.

Video Leads to NCSU Pride Center Firing

NC State fired Jae Edwards, assistant director of its LGBTQ Pride Center, after an undercover video surfaced showing him discussing ways to continue diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)–related support despite recent UNC System policy changes restricting such initiatives.

The video, released on Feb. 5 by Accuracy in Media, captured Edwards explaining how staff continued supporting LGBTQ students and events by shifting activity to student organizations, saying they were "finding ways around" restrictions.

"We're still able to do the things that we want to do, have these events and programs. We have to be a little more careful," Edwards was recorded saying.

The university terminated Edwards shortly after being notified of the recording. The incident has sparked controversy, with some viewing the video as evidence of resistance to state-mandated changes, while others criticize the secret recording as intrusive.

Flying together with our sponsor

One Day Left: Invest in America's Trillion-Dollar Energy Comeback at $7.38/Share

Under a White House that favors energy production on our home soil, Frontieras North America could unlock up to $2.1 trillion in energy potential. They can convert coal into high-value products like hydrogen and diesel without burning it.

But that's not even the best part. They're doing it in what was once the heart of American industry: Appalachia. Their new land purchase in Mason County, West Virginia, has earned praise from West Virginia Gov. Morrisey for its potential to transform the region into an energy powerhouse.

Here's why you shouldn't miss this last chance to invest at $7.38/share:

"FASF" ticker reserved on the NASDAQ
$850 million flagship facility now being built
$10 million raised from investors so far

Reaching just 2% of the global coal market could mean a trillion-dollar valuation for Frontieras.

As a perfect storm of breakthroughs set up the company for potential valuation impact, you have just one more day to invest at the current price. Lock in the $7.38 share price before the window closes tomorrow, Feb. 12, 2026.

➤ Statewide: More than 3,600 landowners lost protections for fishing and streambed access on private property after the legislature repealed the Registered Property Program in October, a move that took full effect this week after a pending access lawsuit was dropped. (More)

➤ UNC System schools will accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT) for admissions starting in fall 2027, alongside the SAT and ACT. The standardized exam emphasizes traditional liberal arts education and Western canon texts and will be accepted for applicants with a GPA of 2.8 or higher. (More)

➤ Nash County: Deputies arrested and charged Ascencion Yanez-Castro, 60, and Marcos Autrey Sr., 41, each with cockfighting and 20 felony animal cruelty counts after seizing more than 650 roosters, a dog, and four cats during an investigation that began Jan. 20. (More)

➤ Mooresville: Former assistant police chief Frank Falzone sued the town, Mayor Chris Carney, Police Chief Ron Campurciani, and Town Manager Tracey Jerome on Monday, alleging retaliation that forced his retirement after he investigated incidents involving the mayor. (More)

➤ Macon County: U.S. Forest Service crews are battling the Winding Stairs Alpha Fire, which has burned about 100 acres south of Winding Stairs Gap off U.S. Route 64 in the Nantahala National Forest. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire was 50% contained. (More)

➤ Outer Banks: The National Park Service identified Matthew Marshall, 36, of Western North Carolina as the man found deceased on Jan. 25 in the dunes of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, describing it as an isolated incident with no threat to public safety. (More)

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➤ Two Charlotte Hornets players, Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate, were ejected Monday night following a third-quarter fight against the Pistons. Detroit's Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart were also tossed. (More)

➤ Women's Basketball AP Poll: Duke continued rising this week, jumping six spots to No. 11. UNC also rose four spots to No. 21. (See Poll)

➤ Garner native and San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White was shot in the ankle early in the morning following the Super Bowl. (More)

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➤ Lenovo and the Carolina Hurricanes surprised 10 Triangle-area small businesses with $5,000 worth of technology tools on Monday as part of the Empowering the Heart of the Triangle initiative. Recipients are also finalists for a $50,000 NHL advertising package. (More)

➤ Avantor Fluid Handling, a life science company, plans to permanently close its Morrisville facility by mid-July, resulting in 54 job losses, with separations occurring in two waves starting April 10 and July 10. (More)

➤ State Sen. Julie Mayfield and Reclaim Healthcare WNC urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Monday to investigate unsafe patient discharges at HCA's Mission Hospital in Asheville, citing cases of oxygen-dependent patients sent home without oxygen. (See Photos)

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The Next $435 Billion Energy Empire Is Being Minted

In today's dollars, John D. Rockefeller would be worth $435 billion. But "oil money" is old news, and what's next might surprise investors in 2026: a $2.1 trillion opportunity in "clean" coal.

Now is the "Rockefeller" moment for Frontieras as they reform coal into hydrogen, diesel, and other valuable commodities (just like Rockefeller did with oil). With a White House that favors domestic energy, the NASDAQ ticker FASF reserved, and land officially purchased for their flagship coal reformation plant, Frontieras is positioned for potential valuation impact.

You have until 11:59 p.m. PT tomorrow to invest in Frontieras at $7.38/share.*

This is a paid advertisement for Frontieras's Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at https://invest.frontieras.com/

Reservation of the ticker symbol is not a guarantee that we will be listed on the NASDAQ. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.

Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC

➤ Guilford County Animal Services and Charlotte-area bird rescues saved more than 550 pigeons from a shed behind a Greensboro home this week. Many of the birds were emaciated and are now receiving care at Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, where healthy pigeons will be evaluated for adoption. (Watch Video)

➤ NCDOT engineer Kenny McCourt helped construct a "bat wall" on I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge to provide a roosting habitat for bats affected by bridge replacement. NCDOT is planning a native flower bed to support insect prey for the bats' spring return. (See Photos)

➤ The second annual WNC Pizza Week runs through Feb. 15 across Western North Carolina, featuring specialty pies at local pizzerias, a charity launch party at Soprana Rooftop Cucina, and a Hot Slice Contest. (More)

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