TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1957, the Rev. Douglas Moore and six young black citizens in Durham staged a sit-in at the segregated Royal Ice Cream parlor. They occupied “white only” booths, refused to leave, and were arrested for trespassing after police were called.

Did you watch the College World Series final last night? If not, check out Top Stories for a recap.

Why is everyone suddenly arguing about tipping? The coffee counter, the takeout window, the screen that flips around before you’ve gotten anything at all. Have you ever felt the pressure, hit “No Tip,” and felt a little guilty? The debate over tipping is heating up. But did you know the rest of the world thinks our 20% habit is bizarre? And a lot of Americans agree. Tune in to today‘s Flyover Podcast as Amy breaks down the facts about tipping and why foreign visitors might not be the confused ones. Listen now, and JOIN THE DEBATE. Tell us in the comments: Is tipping out of hand?

Today’s sponsor, Oricle Hearing Aids, is helping readers hear more clearly without the sky-high prices—offering a tiny, easy-to-use hearing aid with clear sound and all-day power for under $100.

UNC Falls in College World Series

The quest for North Carolina’s first-ever College World Series title ended last night in Omaha when Oklahoma pulled away for a 13-2 win in the winner-take-all Game 3. The Tar Heels never led in the decisive game, falling behind early and unable to mount a comeback.

The Sooners scored early and often, chasing UNC pitcher Jackson Rose off the mound before the third inning was over. Oklahoma then blew the game wide open in the fourth, and the Tar Heels—who cycled through seven pitchers on the night—never found an answer.

It's a heartbreaking end to a historic season for the Tar Heels, who entered the College World Series finals with a 54-13-1 record.

North Carolina has now appeared in three championship series—2006, 2007, and 2026—without winning one. Despite the loss, it was a landmark year for Scott Forbes’ program, which reached the finals for the first time in 19 years.

NC Advances Transportation Reforms

North Carolina lawmakers are advancing major transportation reforms this summer, including simpler driver’s license renewals, expanded e-bike rules with youth helmet requirements, and eased restrictions on larger delivery robots and drones.

A Senate committee swiftly advanced House Bill 1094, which also supports privatizing highway signs and improving accident report access.

Senate Bill 1010 proposes overhauling future infrastructure planning, creating a new committee with legislative, gubernatorial, and treasurer appointees to coordinate long-term strategies for roads, utilities, health facilities, and more amid rapid growth.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Transportation allocated $908 million in emergency relief for Hurricane Helene-damaged roads and infrastructure in the state, part of a $1.86 billion package.

Lumbee to Vote on Casino Amendments

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, which received full federal recognition in December, is holding a special election today on constitutional amendments that would open the door to casino gaming in Southeastern North Carolina.

Tribal Chairman John L. Lowery said the tribe would pursue gaming and potentially build a casino on approximately 240 acres of recently purchased land along I-95 in Robeson County if the amendments pass, with a simple majority required for approval among the tribe's more than 55,000 members.

The proposed governance structure mirrors that of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which operates two casinos in Western North Carolina.

The tribe encouraged all enrolled citizens to visit LumbeesChoose.com to read the amendments, review frequently asked questions, and learn about the proposed economic development district before casting their votes.

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➤ Statewide: North Carolina voter registrations show a strong shift toward unaffiliated status. In the past 12 weeks, over 53,000 net additions saw nearly all go to independents, pushing unaffiliated to a record 39.8% of 7.7 million total voters. (More)

➤ Durham: Alexander Justin White of Durham was sentenced to eight years in federal prison after pleading guilty to supporting ISIS and attempting to join the group. He was arrested in December 2024 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport while trying to fly to Morocco. (More)

➤ Beaufort County: Cedric Razor Jr., 28, pleaded guilty to stealing bushes and shrubs for wedding decorations last year. He received a suspended sentence, probation, and must pay restitution for damaging multiple properties. (More)

➤ Western NC: A live camera on an owl nest in an undisclosed area has attracted over 62,000 viewers worldwide, offering rare footage of owlets hatching and growing amid drought challenges. (See Photos)

➤ Montreat: The North Carolina Supreme Court will hear a dispute over a proposed new lodge. Neighbors oppose the project, citing environmental concerns, while lower courts had cleared the way for construction. (More)

➤ Dare County: Cape Hatteras National Seashore recorded roughly 818,000 visitors through May 2026, a strong start to the year with May alone drawing 259,732 visitors, up from the same period in 2025. (More)

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➤ The Charlotte Hornets will select at No. 14 and No. 18 in tonight’s NBA draft. (How to Watch)

➤ Former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly chose his father, Tom, to present him at the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony this summer, surprising his dad with a new suit for the occasion. (More)

➤ Coach Rod Brind'Amour revealed that having the Carolina Hurricanes players perform secret “blue collar presses”—which involved lifting a 35-pound cinder block overhead after every workout for five years—was to prepare them mentally and physically for hoisting the 35-pound Stanley Cup. (Watch Video)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | College World Series | WNBA | Men’s Tennis

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➤ The North Carolina Supreme Court will hear a Brunswick County developer's takings claim against the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. LDI Shallotte alleges an unconstitutional property taking after delays in issuing a stormwater permit for a subdivision project. (More)

➤ State lawmakers are advancing a “Make E-Verify Great Again” bill targeting employers with over 25 employees, who would be subject to random compliance checks, graduated penalties, and good-faith protections. (More)

➤ A curfew at Charlotte’s Camp North End shopping center, which was prompted by recent teen takeovers and bans unsupervised minors after 6 p.m., has hurt some of the businesses, with one candy shop owner reporting it turned the area into a “ghost town.” (More)

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➤ Raleigh officials revised the crowd estimate for Saturday's Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup parade to 180,000, up from an initial count of 150,000. Coach Rod Brind'Amour, who captained the Canes’ last Cup winner 20 years ago, said he was “just kinda speechless.” (More)

➤ Meanwhile, Canes fans lined up for autographs and photos on Sunday during a meet-and-greet for Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis at Dick’s Sporting Goods in Cary. (More)

➤ Harbour Early, 20, became one of the youngest female captains in Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament history, helming the Carolina Blonde and breaking barriers in the male-dominated offshore fishing industry. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ Everyone's suddenly fighting about tipping, and the rest of the world thinks Americans are the confused ones. (Listen now)

➤ Nearly 50 years after little Etan Patz vanished on his way to the school bus, the Supreme Court just had the final say. (Listen here)

➤ A new book traces a question the Catholic Church keeps reopening but never answers: Were women once ordained as deacons? (Listen here)