SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2025, a 4.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Greenback, Tennessee, was felt across Western North Carolina, in addition to other parts of the Southeast. It caused no reported damage or injuries, despite being one of Tennessee’s strongest earthquakes in 50 years.

Happy Mother’s Day to our mom readers out there!

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown shared new concerns about what heavy AI use may be doing to our brains. Researchers are warning about a trend they call “cognitive surrender,” but is AI really making us worse thinkers? More importantly, how can we avoid falling into the trap ourselves? Listen here.

Today's sponsor is American Veterans Center. They're reminding us that Memorial Day is a time to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served our country. This year carries even more significance as America approaches its 250th birthday. The American Veterans Center is leading one of the most meaningful ways to honor that legacy.

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.

Duke Energy's Campaign Cash Draws Scrutiny

A new investigation finds Duke Energy has showered North Carolina lawmakers with campaign donations, and some policy decisions appear to reflect that generosity in return.

Carolina Public Press combed through campaign finance records for the joint report, raising fresh questions about regulatory capture in the state's energy sector. Duke Energy is the dominant electricity provider in North Carolina, giving it enormous stakes in decisions made by lawmakers and state regulators.

The scrutiny comes as Duke Energy recently received approval to merge its two North Carolina utilities—a move critics say could reduce competition and efficiency for ratepayers. The company now controls an even larger share of the state's energy market.

North Carolina has limited rules governing utility campaign spending. Every NC ratepayer has a stake in how this plays out.

Lawmakers Eye Corporate Spending Amendment

North Carolina lawmakers have introduced a constitutional amendment that would let voters decide whether to prohibit corporations from spending money to influence state elections.

The measure would go before voters on the November 2026 ballot if approved by the General Assembly. Backers say the amendment would curb corporate influence on North Carolina's political process.

The proposal arrives as scrutiny over money in NC elections has grown, with critics questioning whether large corporate donations tilt races toward well-funded interests. North Carolina could become one of the first states to place such a restriction directly in its constitution.

The amendment would still need to pass the legislature before reaching the ballot. Opponents of similar measures elsewhere have argued they raise First Amendment free speech concerns.

NC State Donor Erases Student Loan Debt

At North Carolina State's Wilson College of Textiles graduation ceremony, donor Anil Kochhar and his wife Marilyn delivered a stunning surprise, pledging to erase all student loans taken out in the 2025-26 school year for roughly 200 graduates.

The gift carries deep personal meaning for the Kochhar family. Anil's father, Prakash Chand Kochhar, immigrated from India to Raleigh 80 years ago to study textiles at NC State, and Anil called this moment a tribute to everything that journey made possible.

For the graduates walking out of the ceremony Friday, the announcement landed like a thunderbolt. The room reportedly erupted in tears and cheers as the reality of zero debt set in.

Flying together with our sponsor

This year’s National Memorial Day Parade, hosted by Honorary Grand Marshal Gary Sinise, is set to be the largest in its history. It stands as a powerful tribute to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedoms.

What makes this event even more meaningful is how it is funded. The American Veterans Center receives no federal funding for the parade. It is made possible entirely by private citizens who believe in honoring those who served.

Your support helps bring this national moment of remembrance to life while also funding year-round efforts to preserve veterans’ stories, educate future generations, and produce documentaries that highlight the true cost of freedom.

If honoring our veterans matters to you, this is a meaningful way to take part.

➤ Greenville: Former FBI Director James Comey formally asked that a hearing set for Monday be waived. He would be appearing on charges that he threatened the president. (Details)

➤ Fairview: A 16-year-old girl and a man were charged with three counts of first-degree murder after three people were found dead at a home in Fairview. Both suspects are in custody. (More)

➤ McDowell County: Sheriff Ricky T. Buchanan announced plans to retire later this year after more than eight years serving as the county's top law enforcement officer. (More)

➤ Raleigh: Frustrated families were turned away from NC State's Department of Biological Sciences graduation Friday evening after Reynolds Coliseum reached its occupancy limit. (More)

➤ Jacksonville: Onslow County officials approved administrative job cuts expected to save more than $500,000 in the next fiscal year, citing improved efficiency and fiscal responsibility. (More)

➤ Winston-Salem: A new AI-powered pet finder from Petco is helping reunite lost animals with their owners in Forsyth County by syncing photos across social media and community groups. (More)

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➤ ECU softball fell 5-1 to top-seeded USF in the American Conference championship game. The Pirates were held to just one hit and committed three errors in the field. (More)

➤ The Charlotte Hornets have an outside shot at the top pick in the NBA Draft, holding a 0.5% chance to win tonight’s draft lottery. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes completed a sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers last night after an overtime goal by winger Jackson Blake to earn a 3-2 win and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. (See Goal)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

Beyond the parade, your contribution supports programs that record oral histories from veterans across generations, host conferences connecting young cadets with firsthand accounts of service, and produce television specials that keep these stories alive.

As we approach America’s 250th birthday, there is a unique opportunity to ensure these sacrifices are never forgotten.

Consider making a gift today to support the National Memorial Day Parade and its mission.

➤ A Triad woman is celebrating her first Mother's Day with a one-month-old "rainbow baby," arriving two years after a heartbreaking loss, and she's grateful to her prenatal care team. (See Video)

➤ Queen Latifah brought pride, humor, and hard-earned wisdom to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro on Saturday, telling the Class of 2026 to believe in themselves before the world catches up. (See Photo)

➤ UNC football players have racked up a string of parking tickets and speeding complaints on campus in Chapel Hill. (More)

➤ The North Carolina Folk Festival unveiled two marquee headliners for 2026—The Roots and Molly Tuttle—at a packed reveal event Friday night at Natty Greene's Brewing Co. in Greensboro. (See Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Elon Musk’s latest venture is making headlines nationwide after reportedly receiving White House clearance and expanding across all 50 states. Some analysts believe this new currency initiative could surpass the impact of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI combined. Discover why investors are calling it one of the biggest opportunities of the decade — before the rollout gains even more momentum.