Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved their first successful powered flight in Kitty Hawk, with Orville piloting. The flight lasted 12 seconds and covered a distance of 36 meters (120 feet).

President Trump plans to visit Rocky Mount on Friday. Get the details in Top Stories. Have you ever met a U.S. president? Hit reply to let us know who and how it went.

Later today: watch for a partner message from Elf Labs on why Disney's $1 billion AI deal matters, and what it could mean for you as an investor.

If you're watching how AI is reshaping entertainment and wondering where everyday investors fit in, today's sponsor, Elf Labs, shows how the game may be opening up beyond Hollywood's inner circle.

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.

Trump to Visit Rocky Mount on Friday

President Trump is scheduled to visit Rocky Mount on Friday, with doors opening at the Rocky Mount Event Center at 6 p.m. and remarks beginning at 9 p.m.

Trump is expected to speak in support of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley, whom he endorsed for the 2026 election to replace retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.

Whatley, former Republican National Committee chairman, announced the visit on social media, along with an RSVP link for those who wish to attend.

Rocky Mount falls within North Carolina's 1st Congressional District, currently represented by Democratic Rep. Don Davis. The district was recently redrawn, shifting boundaries in the 1st and 3rd Districts in an effort to improve Republican electoral prospects.

Stein Announces $370M+ Infrastructure Aid

Gov. Josh Stein announced over $370 million in funding within the last week for infrastructure recovery in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

Last Thursday, he pledged $270 million from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to fund 58 water, wastewater, and septic projects across 26 counties, aimed at enhancing resilience against future flooding.

On Monday, Stein announced nearly $50 million in state grants to help local governments repair storm-damaged facilities that are ineligible for FEMA aid. Another $57.4 million in federal disaster recovery funds will go toward small rental property rehabilitation for affordable housing.

Stein emphasized the importance of rebuilding stronger communities, stating, "Making these investments today makes us more resilient in the face of future disasters."

Car Break-ins Continue across Triangle

Durham police are investigating a series of vehicle break-ins that occurred overnight Monday into Tuesday near N.C. 55. At least 18 vehicles were targeted across three locations, including at least 12 at Bentley Ridge Apartments in south Durham, where windows were shattered.

Additional break-ins were reported in nearby neighborhoods on Purdue Drive, Colby Place, Vassar Drive, and Piperwood Court. No arrests have been reported, and police are canvassing the area for any video footage that could assist with the investigation.

Separately, there have been multiple reports of tire and wheel thefts involving unattended vehicles along major highways across the Triangle, particularly along I-40 near Aviation Parkway. At least four cars were found missing wheels.

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What Disney's $1 Billion AI Deal Means for Investors

Disney just signed a $1 billion deal with OpenAI. The three-year licensing agreement will enable users to generate characters from Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar using AI.

But the real story today is the future of AI and IP, and how much legacy studios will pay to get in.

For as long as the $2 trillion entertainment industry can remember, IP deals like this one have been a walled garden for a handful of billion-dollar studios. Disney buys Marvel for $4 billion. Universal buys DreamWorks for $1 billion. Now Disney invests $1 billion into OpenAI. It's like a poker game where the minimum buy-in is the GDP of a small island nation.

But the game is now changing.

While Hollywood giants scramble for their place in the AI future, one $6 billion IP powerhouse team already owns over 500 trademarks and copyrights, including iconic characters such as Cinderella, Snow White, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Rapunzel, and many more.

Their use of AI and other next-gen patented tech is on another level. They're bringing their characters off the screen and into your living room with 3D holograms, headset-free VR, and AI-powered talking toys. And they're giving everyday investors access as they do it.

Note: This company is not affiliated with Disney.

They spent a decade building this portfolio. Now they have a team that has executed $6 billion in merchandising deals in their careers, and they have already earned $15 million in royalties for Elf.

Their proprietary interactive content, built on 12 cutting-edge tech patents, has just secured a $200 million TV distribution deal.

As giants like Disney reveal their cards, everyday investors finally have a seat at the table.

Invest in Elf Labs by tonight at 11:59 p.m. PST and get up to 25% bonus shares.

➤ Statewide: Four North Carolinians were among 22 members of the neo-Nazi "Blood Tribe" found in a U-Haul stopped by police in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Dec. 6. The driver was cited for a traffic violation, then the group was released and told to arrange "lawful transportation." (More)

➤ Charlotte and Raleigh are among the top larger U.S. cities for population, job, and economic growth. They rank alongside Atlanta, Tampa, and Salt Lake City, according to California-based Chapman University's 2026 economic forecast. (See Details)

➤ Greensboro: The police department received a $500,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant to enhance real-time crime center technology and training, following a 42% homicide decline in 2024 and continued reductions in 2025. (More)

➤ Cary: The town council accepted Town Manager Sean Stegall's resignation Monday amid an investigation of his spending and transparency practices. He'll receive a $194,832 severance, and Deputy Town Manager Russ Overton will serve as interim manager. (More)

➤ Salisbury: Twelve firefighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries after an explosion caused a roof collapse while battling a house fire on Laurel Street Monday. Eight people were displaced from the home and assisted by the American Red Cross. (More)

➤ Fuquay-Varina: A fire that started in a storage area behind the kitchen of Aviator Brewing's Morning Hangar breakfast restaurant caused significant damage Monday. No one was injured, and the main brewery building was unaffected. (More)

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➤ Women's AP Poll: UNC fell six spots to No. 18 in this week's rankings. They're the only team in the state that made the Top 25. (See Poll)

➤ Former Duke basketball player Cooper Flagg became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points, dropping 42 against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes take on the Nashville Predators tonight as they look to extend their winning streak to five games. (More)

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➤ AdventHealth received the go-ahead to build its approved 67-bed hospital in Weaverville after the North Carolina Supreme Court declined Mission Health's final appeal, with orders reported on Friday. The decision ends years of legal delays. (More)

➤ The North Carolina Supreme Court unanimously ruled Friday that Wireless Center of North Carolina owed sales tax only during periods when its prepaid cards were limited to wireless services, granting the company a partial win over the state Revenue Department. (More)

➤ Eleven former Akerman lawyers in Winston-Salem, along with support staff, have joined Baker Donelson as it opens a new office there, following Akerman's consolidation into Charlotte. (More)

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The $4B Deal Everyday Investors Missed

In 2012, Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4 billion—one of the most profitable entertainment deals ever made.

But everyday investors never had the chance to participate, missing the upside.

Elf Labs spent a decade securing over 500 trademarks and copyrights featuring Cinderella, Snow White, and other iconic characters to ensure that these dynamic changes.

The company is building a tech-powered character universe, using AI, immersive technology, and 12 patents to activate these globally recognized characters across entertainment, gaming, and consumer products—a market estimated to be worth over $2 trillion.

Analyst interest increased even before any national rollout, following multiple unsolicited offers exceeding $70 million.

And unlike the Lucasfilm deal, investors can get in while the company is still private.

Timing matters here—a limited allocation remains, and up to 25% bonus shares expire tonight.

Invest in Elf Labs by tonight at 11:59 p.m. PST and get 5% bonus shares.

This is a paid advertisement for Elf Lab's Regulation CF offering. Please read the offering circular at https://www.elflabs.com/

➤ North Carolina ranks 12th among U.S. states with the most data centers, claiming 110, according to Datacentermap.com. Virginia tops the list with 665, followed by Texas with 413, California with 321, and Illinois with 244. (See Map)

➤ The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse restoration project marked a milestone with the October 2025 completion of a replica first-order Fresnel lens by specialist Dan Spinella. Structural issues may delay the lighthouse's anticipated summer 2026 reopening. (See Photos)

➤ A new ranking of the top five Blue Ridge Mountains camping spots includes two in North Carolina: Davidson River Campground in Pisgah National Forest and Doughton Park Campground in Laurel Springs. Both are known for their river access, trails, privacy, and views. (See List)

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