Jumat, 01 Agustus 2025

Whatley Announces Senate Run, a Spinycheek Scorpionfish, and Toasted Cicadas

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley announced his candidacy for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat at a media event in Gastonia yesterday, a day after he filed his official paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.

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The Roundup

Article Icon 1Whatley Announces Senate Run

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley announced his candidacy for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat at a media event in Gastonia yesterday, a day after he filed his official paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.

The seat, vacated by Sen. Thom Tillis, has drawn other GOP contenders, including Andy Nilsson and Don Brown. Whatley, endorsed by President Trump, is favored to secure the Republican nomination.

Whatley's likely Democratic opponent, former Gov. Roy Cooper, announced his candidacy Monday and raised $3.4 million in 24 hours. The 2026 Senate race is expected to be one of the costliest, as Democrats aim to flip four seats nationwide to regain Senate control.

Whatley's campaign will focus on immigration, law enforcement, gun rights, and the economy, aligning with Trump's policies.

Article Icon 1General Assembly Sends ‘Mini-Budget’ to Stein

The North Carolina General Assembly approved House Bill 125 this week, sending a “mini-budget” to Gov. Josh Stein for approval.

The bill appropriates more than $1 billion for public education, $823.6 million for infrastructure, $600 million for Medicaid rebasing, and $252 million toward developing an aircraft manufacturing site in Guilford County—widely expected to be JetZero’s. Another $198 million will go toward the project over four fiscal years.

The mini-budget also adds 40 new full-time driver license examiners at Department of Motor Vehicles offices during the 2025-26 fiscal year, and an additional 21 the following fiscal year, to help reduce wait times and other challenges.

New oversight measures through the Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency are also included in the bill, which House Speaker Destin Hall said he anticipates Stein will sign.

Article Icon 1UNC Grad Commands NASA Crew-11 Launch

UNC-Chapel Hill graduate Zena Cardman will serve as the mission commander for NASA's SpaceX Crew-11 launch from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, rescheduled potentially for this morning at 11:43 a.m., after being scrubbed Thursday due to weather.

Cardman studied biogeochemistry and was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017 from over 18,000 applicants. She will lead a team consisting of NASA's Mike Fincke, Japan's Kimiya Yui, and Russia's Oleg Platonov on the Dragon spacecraft, which is expected to reach the International Space Station after a 39-hour journey.

Cardman, who delivered the spring 2024 commencement address at her alma mater, has conducted research spanning geobiology and geochemical cycling, with fieldwork from the Arctic to Antarctica.

The Crew-11 team replaces the Crew-10 aboard the ISS since March, where they will undertake experiments and maintenance tasks.

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Around North Carolina

Statewide: An anonymous Charlotte man created ncdmvappointments.com, which scans the Department of Motor Vehicles website at all times, then, for a $5 fee, emails customers as soon as it identifies an open appointment. (More)

Durham and Pitt Counties: State health officials identified North Carolina's first 2025 case of West Nile virus in Durham County and confirmed the presence of West Nile-infected mosquitoes in Pitt County via routine monitoring. (More)

Wilmington: New Hanover County officials will revisit their single early voting site plan on Aug. 6, following public outcry over an overlooked email requesting more locations. (More)

Brunswick County: Swim advisories were issued for Ocean Isle Beach and Oak Island due to high enterococci bacteria levels in the water. The North Carolina Recreational Water Quality Program will test additional samples to determine further actions. (More)

Weaverville: A man was sent to the ER after a large bear swatted at him and pushed him down while trying to exit his front porch on July 2. The home's residents said the bear was likely there to eat food they put out for feral cats. (More)

Blowing Rock: A hiker identified as Barry H. Dubner of Parkland, Florida, died Wednesday after falling off the side of Glen Burney Trail. The trail is closed until further notice. (More)

Ocracoke: Jody Hopkins and his son, Oden, set North Carolina state records after Jody caught a 7-pound, 3.2-ounce Channel Scabbardfish and Oden caught a 4-pound, 6.4-ounce Spinycheek Scorpionfish off Ocracoke Island on July 13. (See Photos)


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North Carolina Sports

The PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship kicked off yesterday at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro. Follow all the action live at this link. (More)

UNC is discussing plans to build a $5 billion stadium to serve as a “global sports capital” for hosting soccer, cricket, and rugby games. Current projections put the stadium’s occupancy at 25,000. (More)

Tar Heel football game days were ranked among the most expensive in the country, with an average total cost of $267 per person. Wake Forest ranked No. 9 nationally at $114. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | PGA | LPGA

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North Carolina Business

Nominations for the annual “Coolest Thing Made in NC” contest have opened with the North Carolina Chamber recognizing three winners for the first time: businesses with under 100 employees, 100-999 employees, and over 1,000 employees. (More)

➤ Several first-phase projects in the $300 million Lenovo Center renovation in Raleigh, including lower-level suites and a third-level viewbar, are on track for fall completion. (More)

Kane Realty is seeking approval from the City of Raleigh to rezone North Hills for four 37-story towers, sparking residents’ concerns over traffic and density. (More)

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Et Cetera

Foothills Conservancy acquired 22 acres in McDowell County for the 170-mile Wilderness Gateway State Trail to boost ecotourism and protect rare species like the four-toed salamander, mole salamander, and bog turtle. (More)

Fairview resident Lauren Steiner will host a six-course cicada-themed backyard dinner on Aug. 24, featuring cicada-centered dishes and cocktails crafted by renowned Asheville chefs. (More)

Country music star Brad Paisley thanked local police officers for their service by inviting them up on stage during his July 24 performance at Live Oak Bank Pavilion in Wilmington. (Watch Video)

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The Poll

Have you ever seen the original Declaration of Independence in person?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Maybe?
  4. Hope to


Yesterdays Results:

Who has the best chance of winning North Carolina’s open 2026 U.S. Senate seat?

  1. Michael Whatley: 39%
  2. Roy Cooper: 28%
  3. Don’t care: 17%
  4. Other: 16%
North Carolina Trivia

Where is the original Declaration of Independence?

Show me the answer

Flyover North Carolina

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Auto Insurance Rates Drop, Mosquito-Friendly Cities, and Hulk Hogan Day

A morning newsletter focused entirely on news from the state of Florida. We scour the internet for stories so you don't have to, and we summarize them all in a quick email. Enjoy!
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Kamis, 31 Juli 2025

FBI Burn Bag Discovery Prompts Questions

We uncovered this annex, along with thousands of other documents, buried in a back room at the FBI" - Patel, FBI Director  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
Top Stories

Article Icon 148 Arrested in Child Predator Sting

A sweeping undercover sting in Florida dubbed Seek and Ye Shall Find Out led to the arrest of 48 suspected child predators, including six foreign nationals with ICE detainers.

Undercover officers posing as minors used apps like Snapchat to arrange meetings with men who believed they were talking to children ages 13 to 15. Most suspects traveled to a specific location, where they were met by law enforcement.

Florida’s attorney general, James Uthmeier, filed a lawsuit against Snapchat in April, accusing the platform of violating Florida laws designed to protect children.

Authorities also seized guns, drugs, cash, and vehicles during the operation. More arrests are expected as detectives continue to investigate.

Article Icon 1Insurers Cut Auto Premiums

Florida's top insurers are cutting auto premiums by an average of 6.5%, with some slashing rates by as much as 11.5% in 2025, offering relief after years of double-digit hikes.

Officials credit reforms, passed in 2022–2023, aimed at curbing lawsuit abuse, helping push the state's liability loss ratio to a nationwide low of 53.3%.

With a 6.5% rate cut, drivers currently paying $2,000 a year for car insurance would save $130 annually.

Critics warn that the reforms don't go far enough, and that high rates of uninsured drivers still burden the system.

Article Icon 1Tampa Ranked No. 1 City for Mosquitoes

Florida cities account for six of the 10 most mosquito-friendly spots in the U.S., according to a report that ranked cities based on high annual rainfall and average temperatures above 70°F.

Tampa topped the list thanks to 78 inches of rainfall yearly and an average temperature of 75.5°F.

Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Tallahassee, and West Palm Beach also cracked the top 10.

Experts say the best way to keep mosquitoes off your property is to eliminate standing water and use mosquito-repelling plants.

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Whether you want to supplement your income or achieve true financial freedom, this guide breaks it all down in a clear, beginner-friendly way.

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Around Florida

Tallahassee: Gov. Ron DeSantis declared that today is "Hulk Hogan Day," ordering flags flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset at the Capitol and all state buildings in Pinellas County. (More)

Statewide: Median monthly rent has risen by nearly $500 from 2019 to 2023. More than 900,000 low-income households now spend nearly 40% of their income on housing, according to a University of Florida report. (More)

Cape Canaveral: NASA and SpaceX plan to send four astronauts from Kennedy Space Center to the ISS today aboard the Dragon spacecraft for the Crew-11 mission. Yesterday's attempt was scrubbed due to weather. (More)

Tampa: Authorities arrested a woman after finding 117 fake credit cards, stolen personal bank data, and a gun when searching her home in connection with a social media-based ATM fraud scheme. (See Details)

Statewide: Teacher vacancies have dropped nearly 30% in two years, with a 17.7% decline this year, a shift state leaders credit to higher pay, policy changes, and new entry pathways into the profession. (More)

Orlando: Local nonprofit Skate Bud uses skateboarding to keep kids active while building community and confidence. They recently hosted Florida's first Skate Heritage Fair to celebrate the sport. (See Details)


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Florida Sports

Millions of dollars in memorabilia were stolen from the Miami Heat over the course of the last 18 months, which some observers believe is the largest sports memorabilia heist in United States history. (More)

➤ Florida State announced it will play an exhibition baseball game against Mississippi State this October in Pensacola. Tickets go on sale Aug. 12. (More)

 The Tampa Bay Rays traded pitcher Zack Littell to Cincinnati in a three-team trade that netted them two minor league pitchers. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | PGA | LPGA

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The Business Of Florida

Hardware stores are bracing for a rush as a new tax break lets shoppers skip the 7% sales tax on hurricane prep gear, with generators expected to fly off shelves first. (More)

White Castle will open its second Florida location in Clermont’s Plaza Collina on Aug. 12. City officials predict the new chain will create 75 new jobs. (More)

Breeze Airways will launch four new routes in December from Orlando and Fort Myers to destinations in Nebraska, Tennessee, and New York, with fares starting at $49. (See Details)

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The Penny Hoarder shares genius money-saving hacks that actually work. From slashing your monthly bills to finding hidden discounts and maximizing rewards, these practical tips can help you spend smarter without sacrificing your lifestyle.

Whether you're on a tight budget or just looking to save more, these simple strategies can make a big difference.

Don't miss out—start using these genius hacks today and watch your savings grow!

Et Cetera

A Miami couple went viral after tourists photobombed their Greece proposal, stepping in front of the camera just as the groom-to-be dropped to one knee. Now the couple wants to find the photobombers and invite them to the wedding. (See Video)

After 906 days at Miami-Dade Animal Services, Stormy, a 7-year-old terrier mix, finally found her forever home. (See Photos

A rare iridescent cloud formed over Jacksonville on Wednesday, creating a colorful, rainbow-like display caused by sunlight diffracting through ice crystals atop a fast-growing thunderstorm. (See Photos)

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The Polling Station

Have you ever visited Naples?

  1. Yes
  2. No

Thursday's Results:

Have you ever been the victim of identity theft?

  1. Yes: 39%
  2. No: 61%
Florida Trivia

What abandoned Florida town was originally known as Cooks Ferry and is marked by an old, outdoor bank vault?

Show me the answer

Flyover Florida

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