Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Durham Chief Threat, Apex No. 3, Hatteras Lens Restored

Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews received a letter Tuesday morning containing racial slurs, a threatening message, and a powdery substance later determined not to be harmful.

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The Roundup

Article Icon 1Police Chief Targeted With Threatening Letter

Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews received a letter Tuesday morning containing racial slurs, a threatening message, and a powdery substance later determined not to be harmful.

The letter was opened in Andrews' office suite around 7:15 a.m., prompting a response from the Durham Fire Department. Forensics collected the material as police opened an investigation into the letter's source.

Officials emphasized there is no current threat to staff or the public. Local leaders expressed support for Andrews, who has served as Durham's police chief since 2021.

Article Icon 1Private Schools to Offer Teen Road Tests

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles has begun certifying private driver education schools to administer road tests for teens seeking a Level 2 Limited Provisional License.

Officials say the change will reduce long wait times at DMV offices and offer families more flexibility. Teens who test through certified schools will still complete their license transaction at a DMV office, but with less time spent in line.

The move follows recent legislation aimed at modernizing driver services, including provisions that will soon let teens upgrade from a Level 2 to a Level 3 license online.

Article Icon 1Apex Named No. 3 Best Small City in America

WalletHub's 2025 ranking of the best small cities in America placed Apex third overall out of more than 1,300 cities studied, citing low unemployment, strong incomes, and high credit scores.

Other North Carolina towns also scored well, including Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Holly Springs, Mooresville, Morrisville, Huntersville, Concord, and Cornelius.

WalletHub evaluated cities with 25,000 to 100,000 residents across 45 metrics: affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life, and safety.

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Around North Carolina

Southport: Family has identified 64-year-old Joy Rogers as one of three victims killed in Saturday's waterfront bar shooting that also left five others injured. (More)

Charlotte: A U.S. House subcommittee heard from families of violent-crime victims after the fatal stabbing of refugee Iryna Zarutska, prompting calls for tougher justice policies. (More)

Outer Banks: Officials closed beaches in Buxton and Rodanthe as Hurricane Imelda's surf and flooding raised fears that oceanfront homes could collapse. Coastal flood warnings remain in effect. (More)

Asheville: Police responded to a bomb threat at Moldovian Missionary Baptist Church, part of a broader hoax campaign tied to Moldova's election. No explosives were found. (More)

Hickory: Police charged three people with stealing water from fire hydrants, prompting city officials to warn about health risks, infrastructure damage, and penalties tied to illegal hydrant use. (More)

Durham County: Deputies responded to a fight involving more than a dozen non-students outside the Southern School of Energy and Sustainability, briefly placing the campus on hold but not lockdown. (More)


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North Carolina Sports

UNC officials are weighing whether to renovate the Smith Center or build a brand-new arena to improve the Tar Heels' home basketball experience. (More)

The Carolina Panthers will activate wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. for this week's game against Miami. He has been inactive for each of the first four games this season. (More)

Former Duke basketball star Cooper Flagg said his goals for this season are to win NBA Rookie of the Year and a championship with the Dallas Mavericks. He also said he's been connecting with former Blue Devil Kyrie Irving because of their shared alma mater. (More)

➤ Yesterday's Results: WNBA | MLB | NHL | Soccer

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North Carolina Business

Entrepreneurs in southeast Raleigh launched the Rock Quarry Road Corridor Small Business Alliance with a kickoff event at John Chavis Park, aiming to boost local businesses and drive economic growth. (More)

The New Hanover Community Endowment announced $20.3 million in new grants across 16 projects, including $2.7 million for public schools and $5.1 million to expand dementia care services. (More)

Enbridge Gas is seeking a 12% residential rate increase in North Carolina, which would raise average monthly bills by about $6.30 if approved this fall. (More)

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Et Cetera

October brings more than 100 events to the Triangle, from the State Fair and fall festivals to concerts, markets, and Halloween fun. (See List)

A 10-foot, 5,050-pound reproduction of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse's original 1853 Fresnel lens, crafted by Florida engineer Dan Spinella, is nearly complete and set for installation. (More)

Banner Elk is set to host its annual Woolly Worm Festival Oct. 18-19, where racing caterpillars predict the winter forecast and winners earn bragging rights in the Blue Ridge Mountains. (More)

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Harvard scientists just uncovered shocking evidence: the same bacteria that eat holes in your teeth were found inside the brains of 97% of patients with total memory loss. If your gums are this unusual shade of red, you may be at serious risk of dementia. Could you be affected? Watch this short video now: If Your Gums Look Like This, You're at Risk of Memory Loss.

The Poll

Have you ever invested in gold?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. I'm thinking about it


Yesterday's Results:

What's your favorite fall activity in North Carolina?

  1. Other: 23%
  2. Visiting an apple orchard: 21%
  3. Exploring a pumpkin patch: 19%
  4. Anything Halloween-related: 19%
  5. Navigating a corn maze: 18%
North Carolina Trivia

Where is the lost Confederate gold rumored to be hidden?

Show me the answer

Flyover North Carolina

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Manhunt for Missing Murderer, Starbucks Closings, and an Ancient Canoe

A man serving a life sentence in federal prison for a brutal double-murder is on the run after being mistakenly released from a Miami-Dade jail, prompting a multistate manhunt led by U.S. Marshals.
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Heat Wave Nears Records, Austin Airport Sets Them, and a Wandering Kinkajou

Austin has already logged  21 triple-digit days this August, putting the all-time record for the month, 29, within reach. ͏ ‌   ͏ ‌   ...

Top Stories

Article Icon 1Manhunt Underway for Released Murderer

A man serving a life sentence in federal prison for a brutal double-murder is on the run after being mistakenly released from a Miami-Dade jail, prompting a multistate manhunt led by U.S. Marshals.

Miami-Dade Corrections said 60-year-old James Edward Daniels, nicknamed "45," was freed from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center because of a procedural error now under internal affairs investigation.

Daniels was convicted last year of kidnapping three men from an Opa-locka truck yard in 2020. Investigators said the victims were bound and tortured during the attack, which left two dead. He was sentenced to life in federal prison earlier this year.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office warned that Daniels should be considered armed and dangerous. A $5,000 reward is being offered for tips leading to his capture.

Article Icon 1Cities and Counties Sue Over New Law

Twenty-five Florida cities and counties filed a lawsuit Monday challenging a new state law they argue strips local governments of authority to impose stricter land-use and development regulations for the next two years.

A Miami-based law firm filed the suit in Leon County, arguing that parts of Senate Bill 180 are unconstitutional and prevent local governments from regulating development in the aftermath of a hurricane, including the imposition of moratoriums on construction regulations.

The changes took effect June 26, when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law, and are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2024. The challenge targets top state officials, including Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly, and seeks to invalidate the law.

Local officials say the moratorium has already nullified growth management proposals in places like Manatee County.

Article Icon 1Metroplan Orlando Asks for Input

The metropolitan planning organization for Central Florida, Metroplan Orlando, sought input from residents of Osceola, Orange, and Seminole counties about their top traffic concerns, as the group works to address roadways over the next 25 years.

Metroplan is working to finalize the Metropolitan Transportation Plan for 2050, with a board vote on the first five years of the overall plan scheduled for Dec. 10.

During a Journey to 2050 meeting on Monday, residents expressed that their main concerns are safety and daily traffic delays.

Metroplan reports that 2.4 million people live in the Metro-Orlando area, and predicts 778,000 more people will move into the area, resulting in a 70% increase in freight tonnage over local roads by 2050.

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The Flyover

Shop the Best Deals from Amazon Prime Big Deal Days!

With Amazon Prime Big Deal Days right around the corner on Oct. 7-8, there's no better time to sign up for Brad's Deals! Take full advantage of the biggest sale of the fall season, with curated picks from our deal experts sent directly to your inbox.

Signing up for Brad's Deals is free. Saving you money is at the heart of what we do. We know that saving money is more important now than ever, and with Brad's Deals, you can be sure you're getting the best deals on your favorite brands.

Around Florida

Statewide: A new law doubles the maximum prison sentence for people convicted of a deadly DUI more than once. Trenton's Law is named in honor of a Stetson University student who was killed by a drunk driver. (See Photos)

Palm Beach County: Commissioners voted to make West Palm Beach the 12th municipality with speed zone cameras. Those traveling over 10 mph above the speed limit will be fined $100 in 23 school zones across the city. (More)

Pasco County: A Hudson man was charged with aggravated animal cruelty after he told a neighbor that he had killed and eaten two of his own pet peacocks "because she continued feeding them" after he told her not to. (More)

Jacksonville: The first of eight public workshops by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be held on Oct. 6, allowing public input on the state taking control of red snapper fishing in the Atlantic Ocean. (More)

Escambia County: A Molino man is facing new felony charges for stolen property after attempting to sell a stolen boat while in jail. The boat, registered to a deceased man in Pensacola, was found hidden at a relative's house. (See Photo)

Martin County: Rio, an unincorporated community in the county, was named the number one place to retire on the U.S. East Coast in a new ranking by Niche. Florida dominated the list, with 23 of the top 25 locations. (See List)


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Florida Sports

Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee during Monday night's game. (More)

IMG Academy topped the latest Florida high school football rankings, followed by St. Thomas Aquinas, Chaminade-Madonna, and Miami Northwestern. (More)

Concerns are mounting that Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy could miss the start of the season rehabbing the undisclosed injury he suffered two weeks ago. (More)

Yesterday's Results: NFL | NHL | Soccer

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Score big in the kitchen! For a limited time only, our premium Matsato chef's knife is 70% off — just $29.95 (normally $99.83)! Crafted with ice-hardened stainless steel and a beech wood handle, it's sharp, balanced, and ready to elevate your cooking. Order now!

The Business Of Florida

Eight Starbucks locations in the state have closed since the Seattle-based coffee giant announced last week it will close about 180 coffeehouses in the U.S., Canada, and Europe and eliminate about 900 jobs. (See List)

A new report by Area Development magazine ranks Florida 17th on the list of top states for business in 2025. Across 15 categories, Florida was in the top 10 for corporate tax structure, cost of doing business, and water availability. (More)

Happy Place Yarns, a new retail shop, opened today in Jupiter to build a creative community. The store will offer classes, technique workshops, and knit-alongs with world-renowned designers. (See Photos)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Why Buffett's Limitations Are Your Opportunity Warren Buffett can't touch small-cap stocks, creating lucrative opportunities for you. We've identified 5 stellar small-cap companies uniquely positioned to deliver impressive returns. Turn Buffett's blind spot into your profitable advantage. Claim your free report here!

(By clicking this link, you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. You can opt out at any time. Privacy Policy)

Flying together with our sponsor

Brad's Deals is a free service. There's a real-life human behind every post on Brad's Deals. We're proud consumer advocates, scouring the internet every day for best-of-web prices on just about everything. Brad's Deals isn't a store—instead, we're here to help you find the best deals online, no matter where they are.

Et Cetera

Volusia County ranked as the world's top location for shark attacks, with 359 reported to date, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History's International Shark Attack File. Brevard County ranked No. 4, while Palm Beach County ranked No. 8. (See List)

Today, the Florida State Fair is offering advance one-day-only tickets. The 12-day event, beginning on Feb. 5, will be themed America's Sunniest Celebration, commemorating 250 years of American history. (See Details)

State archeologists completed a painstaking preservation of an ancient wooden canoe discovered by a resident of Fort Myers during the cleanup from Hurricane Ian in 2022. (See Photo)

Flying together with our sponsor

Harvard scientists just uncovered shocking evidence: the same bacteria that eat holes in your teeth were found inside the brains of 97% of patients with total memory loss. If your gums are this unusual shade of red, you may be at serious risk of dementia. Could you be affected? Watch this short video now: If Your Gums Look Like This, You're at Risk of Memory Loss.

The Polling Station

Do you take naps?

  1. Every day
  2. Sometimes
  3. Rarely
  4. Never

Tuesday's Results:

Would your vote be influenced by the crimes of a political candidate's parent?

  1. Depends on the crimes: 27%
  2. I'm not sure: 25%
  3. No: 25%
  4. Yes: 23%
Florida Trivia

What signature Florida salad was first developed in the 1940s by a waiter named Tony Noriega?

Show me the answer

Flyover Florida

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