Raleigh Sites Host Artemis II Watch Parties

Crowds gathered at NC State’s Talley Student Union Center and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh on Wednesday to watch the launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years.

Of particular interest at the NC State gathering was alumna Christina Koch, who will become the first woman to travel beyond low Earth orbit. As one of two mission specialists, she will assist with scheduled correction burns to adjust Orion’s trajectory, monitor options during decisions, and step in as commander or pilot if required.

One of Koch’s first responsibilities on Wednesday, however, was to quickly fix a toilet malfunction on the Orion spacecraft after the upgraded urine collection system shut down. She followed the steps radioed from Houston to successfully restore normal operations.”

Watch live views, as bandwidth allows, from the Orion spacecraft here.

NC Auditor to Oversee BOA Stadium Upgrades

North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek’s office announced on Wednesday that it will provide independent financial oversight of $650 million in public funds for Bank of America Stadium renovations in Charlotte, which the North Carolina Local Government Commission unanimously approved.

The funds will come from the city’s issuance of special-obligation bonds, backed by the Mecklenburg Meals Tax. The roughly $1.3 billion project pairs the city’s contribution with more than $668 million from Tepper Sports & Entertainment.

Upgrades will include modernized seating, restrooms, LED screens, enhanced audiovisual systems, and sustainability features. Construction will occur in phases over five to six years while keeping the stadium operational.

As ticketed stadium events surged to 47 last year, separate traffic improvement studies are underway to ease congestion.

Currituck County Launches Lighthouse Challenge

Currituck County has launched the USA 250 NC Lighthouse Challenge to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this year.

The initiative, which runs throughout 2026, was organized by the county’s America 250 NC Task Force and invites participants to visit all 10 historic lighthouses along North Carolina’s coast.

Travelers who complete the challenge by photographing each lighthouse will receive a personalized certificate from Currituck County, a free lighthouse climb at select locations, and recognition for exploring the state’s maritime heritage. Registration is free and available here.

The challenge highlights the vital role lighthouses played in guiding ships and supporting America’s growth while encouraging appreciation of the state’s iconic coastal landmarks.

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➤ Statewide: North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson urged the state Supreme Court to uphold his TikTok lawsuit, noting courts—including three state high courts—have rejected the company’s jurisdictional challenges. (More)

➤ Western NC: A federal judge ruled the U.S. Forest Service’s 2023 plan for Pisgah and Nantahala forests violated the Endangered Species Act by failing to adequately protect four endangered bat species. (More)

➤ Charlotte: A new analysis ranks Charlotte the “stickiest” city in the nation, finding one in four movers stay in the metro area, a rate that is 76% higher than the national average. (See Data)

➤ Rutherford County: Rep. Tim Moore, R-NC14, announced Wednesday that the county received $9.39 million in FEMA reimbursements for Hurricane Helene recovery, covering debris removal from roads, waterways, and public property. (More)

➤ Winston-Salem State University students are leading the first “Beyond the Track: NASCAR Uncovered” event through NASCAR’s Campus Lab program, featuring show cars, racing simulators, and a mobile museum, providing hands-on experience. (More)

➤ Ocracoke Island: Residents and business owners in the newly formed Ocracoke Access Alliance will send state lawmakers recommendations on structuring and implementing potential tolls for state-run ferries. (More)

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➤ Former UNC basketball standout Marcus Paige joined Wes Miller’s staff at Charlotte as an assistant coach. Paige spent three seasons on UNC’s coaching staff before Hubert Davis was fired last week. (More)

➤ Panthers GM Dan Morgan described quarterback Bryce Young as “our future” at the league meetings, signaling a contract extension could be coming soon. (More)

➤ Four-star safety Marquis Bryant decommitted from UNC football this week and reopened his recruitment. He was the highest-ranked recruit in the Tar Heels’ 2027 class. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Tennis | Golf

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➤ North Carolina-based Ingles Markets rejected a board seat bid from Summer Road LLC, a Sackler-backed firm with a 3% stake, citing opioid crisis ties and concerns about customer trust. (More)

➤ Britt’s Donut Shop on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk reopens today for its 87th season, honoring longtime owner Bobby Nivens after his death in October 2025. It’s the first season without him in more than 50 years. (More)

➤ AdventHealth broke ground on its new 67-bed hospital in Weaverville on March 26, expanding emergency, medical, surgical, and specialty care access in Buncombe, Madison, Yancey, and Graham counties. (More)

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➤ Rock legend Robert Plant dined at Whiskey Kitchen in downtown Raleigh on Monday night ahead of his Tuesday concert at the Martin Marietta Center, the News & Observer reported. (See Post)

➤ The Wake County Sheriff’s Office partnered with Helping Horse Therapeutic Programs in Wendell to offer equine therapy sessions, giving deputies and staff a mental health outlet to ease job-related stress and anxiety.  (Watch Report)

➤ The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is livestreaming a nesting pair of barn owls and six eggs in a mountain nest box through “Barn Owlet Watch 2026,” with hatching expected around April 12. (See Photos and Access Livestream)

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Have you ever tried moonshine?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Can’t remember

Yesterday’s Results:

Should public elementary schools return to using math textbooks?

1. Of course: 51%
2. When did they stop? 19%
3. Not sure: 16%
4. Not necessary: 14%

What simple ingredients did Amos Owens use to make his popular moonshine drink?

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