Selasa, 18 Agustus 2026

Judge Suspension Bill, Dragon’s Lair Competition, and Culver’s in Wilmington

TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1899, surfman Erasmus Midgett was patrolling the Outer Banks near Salvo on horseback when he heard cries from the wrecked cargo ship Priscilla—and pulled all 10 stranded crewmen ashore by himself.

Fort Bragg made two of our Top Stories today, with one involving a potentially classified invention. Learn more below.

Before you pour the coffee, go take a look at your thermostat. Do you know why it's set to that number, or did you pick it years ago and never touch it again? You're not alone. A federal energy survey found that only 12% of American households program their thermostats to match their actual schedules. Everyone else runs one flat number all day on the single biggest expense in their power bill. There's a specific setting, a certain number of degrees for a certain number of hours, that unlocks real savings with no new equipment. Ayla has the numbers on today's podcast. Tune in here!

Later today, watch for a message from our partner Fisher Investments on 13 common retirement investing mistakes that could quietly cost you over time, and how to spot them before they derail your long-term plans.

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Stein Vetoes Judge-Suspension Bill

Gov. Josh Stein vetoed House Bill 377 on Monday, which allows state Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby to suspend trial judges without pay while they are under investigation.

Stein says the measure is a threat to judicial independence and warns it could be used to punish judges over their rulings or their politics.

Republicans, who passed the bill on party-line votes of 62-45 in the House and 26-11 in the Senate, say it protects public confidence in the courts. House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, has urged Newby to use the authority against judges he considers too lenient on crime.

Supporters note the Judicial Standards Commission must first recommend any suspension. Democrats counter that investigations can drag on for more than a year, effectively forcing suspended judges to resign rather than go without pay.

NC State, Army Forge Partnership

NC State University and the U.S. Army signed a Regional Intergovernmental Support Agreement on Aug. 10, creating a strategic partnership to boost innovation, workforce development, and collaboration.

Chancellor Kevin Howell and Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Col. Luke Wittmer formalized the deal at a campus ceremony. Howell said the deal expands NC State’s “longstanding relationship with the Army,” and Wittmer said it enables the Army to “tap into top-tier academic expertise.”

The agreement enables NC State to support the Army in natural resource management, infrastructure sustainment, habitat restoration, and facility design. It builds on the university’s long military ties and allows flexible expansion into other priorities across its colleges and centers.

North Carolina ranks high in active-duty personnel, and Fort Bragg—the nation’s largest installation—supports more than 260,000 people. NC State is a military-friendly institution with $49 million in annual Department of War research spending.

Soldiers' Invention Wins $12K Army Grant

Speaking of Fort Bragg, two soldiers there won the XVIII Airborne Corps’ 12th Dragon's Lair competition with a device they call the “Night Haunter,” earning a $12,000 development grant.

The Shark Tank-style contest lets soldiers pitch inventions to a panel of judges. Sgt. 1st Class Brian Potts and Spc. Alex Kimbirskyi, a paratrooper originally from Ukraine, took the top prize after roughly five hours of presentations.

The Army asked reporters covering the event not to disclose what the Night Haunter does, suggesting the invention may soon be classified.

The competition draws soldiers from across the corps, which stretches from Fort Bragg to posts in Georgia, Kentucky, and New York. Past winners' ideas—including a jumpable drone case—have moved into production.

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➤ Lake Lure: As the town works on designing and financing to replace its century-old dam, early construction estimates for replacing it have reached $174 million. (More)

➤ Grandfather Mountain: A hiker with serious injuries was hoisted to safety by helicopter Saturday on the mountain after being reported hurt around midday. Rescue teams lifted the hiker out and to a medical helicopter. (More)

➤ Charlotte: Robert Propst, a former Wells Fargo executive, is suing the bank for more than $1.2 million, alleging he was pushed into early retirement after raising concerns about discrimination, a disability accommodation, and the treatment of his team. (More)

➤ Johnston County: The mother of Vice President JD Vance was the keynote speaker at a New Roots Gala in Selma Saturday night that benefits a sober-living nonprofit. (More)

➤ Harnett County: A kidnapping suspect sought by deputies after being seen at the Erwin DMV was arrested hours later after a public appeal and is now in custody, with the investigation ongoing. (More)

➤ Cary: The Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival marks its 50th year Aug. 22-23, drawing more than 250 artists from 22 states to the downtown area for two days of art, food, and entertainment. (More)

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➤ Carolina Hurricanes forward Logan Stankoven brought the Stanley Cup to his hometown of Kamloops, British Columbia, to visit his former elementary school and a local hospital with the NHL championship trophy. (More)

➤ Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee said he believes Charlotte’s retooled roster can exceed expectations this season: “We'll shock some people. We’ll be better than people realize.” (More)

➤ No. 8 UNC women’s soccer routed Quinnipiac 8-0 this weekend behind a hat trick from sophomore Bella Devey, the program’s first three-goal game since 2021. Devey has five goals through the Tar Heels’ first two matches. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | WNBA | Tennis

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➤ Charlotte-based medical device maker Sonablate signed an agreement Aug. 6 with Eleven Ventures—an investment platform founded by Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud—to raise up to $200 million for global expansion. (More)

➤ Culver’s, the Wisconsin chain known for ButterBurgers and frozen custard, filed plans for its first Wilmington restaurant—a roughly 4,500-square-foot building with a drive-thru at 6 Van Campen Blvd., off Market Street. (More)

➤ Trig Modern, the mid-century modern furniture showroom at Dock 1053 in Raleigh, plans to add a wine-and-cocktail bar to its space off Whitaker Mill Road. (More)

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➤ A traffic-safety course launched at Raleigh’s Poe Center for Health Education, teaching kindergartners through eighth-graders bike and pedestrian safety on a simulated street, as part of an effort to curb North Carolina’s high cyclist and pedestrian death rates. (More)

➤ A Duke University summer program taught students from Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Durham Technical Community College traditional stained-glass techniques to restore a broken window in a historic Durham church. (See Photo)

➤ In North Carolina, the median household income of $72,388 falls $10,738 short of the $83,126 needed to comfortably afford a median-priced home, placing the state among those facing a notable homebuying income gap. (See Data)

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➤ What’s the Best Breakfast Food in 2026? Oatmeal, eggs, cereal, coffee…The best breakfast choice may not be what you think and how you prepare it could make all the difference. A leading cardiologist reveals his surprising breakfast recommendation, plus one simple morning change that may help support a healthy metabolism and your weight-management goals. See the Full List of Breakfast Recommendations >> "

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:

➤ Most Americans never program their thermostats, and it's costing them. There's an exact degrees-and-hours setting that can trim real money off heating and cooling costs. (Hear Setting)

➤ Newly declassified files show the FBI stumbled onto former Rep. Eric Swalwell's affair with a suspected Chinese spy while trying to recruit her as a confidential informant. (Hear Story)

➤ A popular Maryland state park is partially closed after rabid beavers attacked two teens. Experts say there are warning signs to watch for. (Hear Warning Signs)