Sunday, June 28, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1986, country singer, actress, and TV personality Kellie Pickler was born in Albemarle. She gained fame on American Idol Season 5, where she placed sixth, and launched a successful music career with hits like Red High Heels. She also won Dancing with the Stars Season 16.

Red light cameras are coming back to some Charlotte intersections. Find out why in Around North Carolina.

ICYMI: Did you miss the Yale study that followed more than 11,000 seniors for over a decade? Researchers found that nearly half actually improved with age—not declined—and uncovered four hidden factor that made the difference. Which factors made the biggest difference? Ayla breaks down what they discovered and shares four practical habits you can start today. Listen and find out the hidden factor here!

Today's Sponsor believes Independence Day is about more than fireworks, it's about taking control of your future. If you've been looking for a medically guided way to lose weight while improving your long-term health, DirectMeds is making that journey more accessible than ever.

SAS Cuts 300 Jobs

SAS, the Cary-based analytics software company and one of Wake County's largest employers, eliminated 300 positions across the company last week.

The company called the move "targeted changes" and said affected workers can apply for other open roles or use transition services. A spokesperson said the cuts are meant to align resources with long-term priorities, including R&D, sales, and cloud.

It's unclear how many of the jobs were based in the Triangle, and SAS says it still has several hundred open positions worldwide.

Founded in the 1960s by eight universities, including NC State, to analyze agricultural data, SAS grew into one of the largest privately held software companies in the world.

AMBER Alert Cancelled for New Bern Teen

An AMBER Alert was cancelled Saturday for Isaiah Kavon Owens after he was found safe. Owens, a 15-year-old with autism, was reportedly taken at gunpoint from a motel in New Bern around 3 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Owens was found in Marion, South Carolina, along with his brother, 13-year-old Kenneth Brantley Jr., according to the New Bern Police Department. Both were located with 44-year-old Kenneth Lee Brantley Sr., who is now in custody.

New Bern police had obtained arrest warrants charging Brantley Sr. with the abduction and endangerment of Owens.

NC Steps Up Holiday Boating Patrols

North Carolina wildlife officers are stepping up patrols this Fourth of July as part of Operation Dry Water, a national campaign against impaired boating.

The state Wildlife Resources Commission says the effort follows last August's crash on Shearon Harris Lake in Chatham County, where an impaired boater struck swimmers, killing 10-year-old Brooklyn Carroll and leaving a family friend with an amputated leg.

Sgt. Claude Smith, who investigated the case, called it preventable. "This was a terrible situation, and these families will never fully recover from it," he said.

The commission says 62 boating incidents have been reported statewide this year, including nine fatal crashes. Last year's Operation Dry Water put 153 officers on the water and removed 43 impaired operators.

Dear Flyover Reader,

If you chose not to invest in The Flyover’s fundraising campaign but still want to support us, this one's for you.

The Flyover will always be free. Producing it isn't.

So, two honest questions:

Do you rely on us for news without the spin? Is fact-first journalism worth fighting for?

If your answer is yes, hear me out.

Behind every morning email is a team of real people working to bring you the news clearly and fairly, without an agenda pulling the coverage one way or the other. We don't answer to advertisers or a corporate parent, we answer to you.

So today, we're asking: if The Flyover has earned a place in your morning, will you chip in to help keep it going strong?

Maybe you're wondering whether $10 really makes a difference. It does. But here's the thing—it makes a huge difference when a thousand of you decide to chip in together.

We've seen it work. When we opened The Flyover up to investment, thousands of readers stepped in—not billionaires, not a corporation with an angle, just people who read this every morning. That's how we stay independent: lots of readers, each doing a little, adding up to something no single backer could buy.

This is a simple, powerful way to support true, independent journalism.

So, will you be one of the thousand? Even $10 says you believe in what we're building. $50 or $100 helps us grow, launch new editions, and deliver more of the news America is hungry for.

Donations from readers are an important revenue source for The Flyover, and I hope you will help if you can.

Give $10
Give $25
Give $50
Give $100

Thanks for reading—every morning, and today.
— Cole

Flying together with our sponsor

Declare Independence From Stubborn Weight

This Fourth of July, what if you could finally break free from the weight that's been holding you back?

DirectMeds connects qualified patients with licensed medical providers who can prescribe GLP-1 medications like semaglutide, helping many people lose significant weight while supporting healthier blood sugar levels and improved heart health. Research has also shown GLP-1 medications can help lower triglycerides and reduce certain cardiovascular risks in appropriate patients.

The process is simple: complete an online medical consultation, connect with a licensed provider, and, if prescribed, have your medication shipped directly to your door.

If you've been waiting for the right time to invest in your health, this could be it. Learn more and see if you qualify today.

➤ Charlotte: The YMCA of Greater Charlotte's sale of the Morrison YMCA in Ballantyne to Moments of Hope Church for $42.5 million has drawn a petition with more than 4,600 signatures asking the board to pause the deal. (See Details)

➤ Charlotte Again: The city will reinstate red-light cameras at 10 high-crash intersections under a one-year pilot program aimed at cutting traffic deaths, after 34 people died on city streets in the first half of 2026. (More)

➤ Onslow County: A swimmer was rescued on Friday at the north end of North Topsail Beach after being pulled off a sandbar and caught in a strong current, prompting a multi-agency response. (Details)

➤ Dare County: The Billy Mitchell Airport in Frisco will close Sept. 8 for a runway pavement rehabilitation project expected to last 90 days. (More)

➤ Brunswick County: A Stage 2 mandatory water-conservation alert has been issued which calls for limiting irrigation to overnight hours and allows enforcement through warnings, fees, and possible service shutoffs. (More)

➤ Greensboro: Recent showers are bringing relief to crops at the Positive Directions for Youth and Families Community Garden after months of relying on irrigation and greenhouse watering systems. Staff members say the changing weather patterns have "affected us a lot this year." (More)

Enjoy reading Flyover North Carolina? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to be without 2025-2026 leading goal scorer Seth Jarvis for the start of next season, as he is expected to undergo shoulder surgery that will sideline him for four to six months. (More)

➤ UNC baseball landed a transfer portal commitment from former Coastal Carolina relief pitcher Scott Doran, who recorded 39 strikeouts in 28 ⅓ innings with the Chanticleers in 2026. (More)

➤ The Carolina Hurricanes traded back again on Day 2 of the NHL draft yesterday, sending pick No. 42 to the Calgary Flames in exchange for picks No. 51 and 68 before selecting Swedish defenseman William Hakansson No. 51 overall, their first selection of the draft. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA | Golf

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Reclaim your backyard by zapping 15,000 mosquitos in 1 night with the Zap Zone Defender. This powerful anti-mosquito device is transforming backyards by silently eliminating thousands of mosquitoes overnight, without chemicals or noise.

Flying together with our sponsor

A Healthier Future Starts With One Decision

Losing weight isn't just about the number on the scale. It can mean more energy, greater confidence, and better long-term health.

DirectMeds makes it easy to explore whether a GLP-1 treatment plan is right for you through a convenient online process and ongoing medical support. This Independence Day, take the first step toward a healthier future and discover whether you qualify for treatment.

➤ A fisherman hooked an 8-foot bull shark on the Neuse River near New Bern Thursday morning, and caught a 33-second video of the struggle over the line. (See Video)

➤ A black bear wandered through a proposal photoshoot at The Biltmore in Asheville last weekend. (See Photos)

➤ Three NC State researchers landed USDA grants to help fight the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating fly larva that turned up in the U.S. earlier this year for the first time since the 1960s. Their work includes breeding sterile, male-only flies to crash the parasite’s population. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Wake Up Refreshed — Not Running to the Bathroom Waking up to pee every night? Or worried about embarrassing leaks during the day? A breakthrough discovery from Cornell researchers uncovers a simple, natural way to reclaim bladder control. Enjoy deeper sleep, fewer accidents, and lasting confidence — so you can feel like yourself again. Learn more

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

➤ A cutting-edge cancer procedure promises less scarring and a quicker recovery. (Hear More)

➤ A scorching European heat wave prompted an unusual ban in Paris. (Listen Now)

➤ Your green bananas may have been healthier than you realized. (Podcast Available)