AGP Executive Report

Local Arts & Community: Asheville playwright Sofia Costanzo turns Helene recovery interviews into the original play “Raining on Sunny Street,” staged Aug. 21-22 at Asheville High School Arts Theatre. Public Art: Buncombe County Special Collections invites the community to an exhibit tied to Asheville mural artist Max Dowdle’s Pack Memorial Library mural, with the free “History of Asheville Street Art & Murals” show running alongside the project. Gospel Music Spotlight: Charlotte’s 41st Stellar Gospel Music Awards (taped Aug. 15) will air on WBTV Aug. 30 and on BET the same day, celebrating artists like Kirk Franklin and Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Health & Family: ECU Health’s “I Gave Birth” postpartum wristbands are expanding across North Carolina and beyond, aiming to cut maternal deaths by flagging postpartum risks. Transit Accountability: A state audit of Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) cites fare-enforcement gaps and security shortfalls tied to last year’s deadly light rail stabbing. Entertainment & Film: The Halloween International Film Festival returns Oct. 23-24 on the Outer Banks, with early selections and ticket info now live. Sports Culture: WNC high school football power rankings and top recruits for the Class of 2027 are out ahead of the Aug. 21 season kickoff.

College Football Culture: UNC is in the final stretch of fall camp as it turns toward its Ireland opener vs. TCU, with Bill Belichick outlining the shift from practice to regular-season routines and a closer look at the defense’s depth chart. Local Sports & Community: Police in Kenly recovered a stolen 53-foot J.B. Hunt trailer and about $258,000 worth of copper wire after a multi-jurisdiction cargo theft tip. Music & Live Events: The 80s tribute band “The Rewind: A Tribute to the 80s” returns to Old Barn Winery in West Jefferson for its final 2026 area performance on Sept. 5. Entertainment & Personal Stories: Content creator Arij Fatyma shared her cancer survivor update and life after acting, including her move from Pakistan to the U.S. Tech & Infrastructure: Trane Technologies and Eaton announced a data-center reference design aimed at boosting AI-factory efficiency and cutting installation costs. Arts & Travel Buzz: Don Toliver added a second London show due to demand, with his tour also stopping in Greensboro, N.C. on Aug. 24.

College Sports Leadership: North Carolina A&T names Katreshia Louis-Verrett, a familiar Aggies alum and current deputy AD at Alabama at Birmingham, as its next athletics director starting Sept. 1. Local Media & Advertising: Spectrum and Optimum expand local news access, including bringing Spectrum News to Optimum TV customers in Texas and North Carolina soon. Music & Pop Culture: J. Cole gets emotional during “Love Yourz” as Cleveland fans sing back to the North Carolina star on his Fall-Off tour. Community & Heritage: Asheville’s Shindig on the Green returns for its 60th season, keeping Appalachian bluegrass and dance traditions alive with more shows Aug. 22 and 29. Arts & Books: A new biography spotlights Mahalia Jackson’s role in the civil rights movement, tying her March on Washington impact to her lasting cultural power. Local Life: A Greensboro couple marks 70 years of marriage, while Surry County’s Mill River Farm works to recover after historic flooding damaged the root cellar, driveway, and more. Weather & Safety: A lightning strike sparks a major house fire in Alexander County, sending residents out and sending at least one person to the hospital. Sports Betting Buzz: Multiple promos target NFL preseason and college football prediction markets, including BetMGM, DraftKings, Kalshi, and ProphetX.

Health & Care: FirstHealth’s lung cancer program in Pinehurst was named a GO2 for Lung Cancer Center of Excellence, highlighting its screening push and multidisciplinary treatment approach. Outdoors & Policy: Conservation groups are urging the National Park Service to rethink a nearly 900-acre Blue Ridge Parkway fuel-reduction plan after Tropical Storm Helene, warning heavy equipment could worsen damage and erosion. Sports (NC ties): Eagles preseason standout Willie Lampkin—an ACC blocking trophy winner at UNC—continues to impress after the team claimed him off waivers while he rehabbed. Local Sports/Community: UNM unveiled a logo and video for the Pit’s 60th anniversary as Lobo basketball season ticket sales begin. Entertainment/Film: A look back at “Talladega Nights” turns 20, tying its Ricky Bobby humor to modern politics and culture. Sports Betting (21+): bet365, Fanatics, Novig, and DraftKings are all running welcome-bonus promos tied to major MLB/NFL matchups, with sign-up eligibility listed for North Carolina. Weather: Charlotte-area heat advisories and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued Saturday across multiple counties. Public Safety: A Concord driver says he was hit with a $325 towing bill after parking in a private lot, sparking renewed calls for stricter towing rules.

Democratic 2028 Primary Calendar: The DNC approved a new early-state lineup that puts South Carolina first (Jan. 22, 2028) and Nevada next (Feb. 1), aiming to test candidates with Black and Latino voters and union members early. NASCAR Spotlight: 16-year-old Tristan McKee made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Richmond after storms delayed the race, finishing strong in eighth. Sports & Community: Carowinds has finished its new Rip Roarin’ Falls Tower for Fury 325, with opening planned for next year. Local Human Interest: A Kannapolis police incident ended with a fatal shooting during an alleged carjacking. Entertainment & Culture: LeBron James launched a YouTube Golf channel, debuting with a Scotland reunion round featuring his 2016 Cavs teammates. North Carolina Arts/Local Flavor: Flavor Hills announced it’s closing its Downtown Raleigh and Durham locations immediately. Weather Watch: Charlotte-area heat advisories and severe thunderstorm warnings were active Saturday, Aug. 15.

Golf & Film Spotlight: “Tin Cup” turns 30, with the Kevin Costner classic’s Texas-and-North-Carolina filming lore and fun trivia keeping the golf movie buzz alive. Sports on the Field: Ohio State’s playoff run ends with Miami’s big swing plays, while college football fans get a look at how the sport’s 2026 feel is changing. Local Arts Calendar: The Aug. 15 arts & entertainment lineup plus a Greenville-area mix of theater, documentary, and comedy fundraisers. Music Festivals: Kinston’s Labor Day Weekend music festival returns as a “labor of love,” and Stonington Farms in Kinston debuts its Music Fest lineup. Community & Culture: Chicod student Gracyn Dudding earns national art honors; Grifton hosts its first National Night Out; and Pender County seeks public input for a new Long Creek Community Park playground. Tech & Privacy: A new site lets drivers check whether Flock cameras searched their plates, adding fuel to the surveillance debate.

Boone Music & Arts: Registration is open for Boone Junior Appalachian Musicians’ fall semester at the Jones House Cultural Center, with small-group classes in fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin and ukulele, plus a Dec. 8 student recital at the Appalachian Theatre. NASCAR & Local Sports: Rockingham Speedway won’t host NASCAR racing in 2027, with Track Enterprises citing “uncertainty at the facility” after the track’s recent return. College Athletics: NC A&T names Katreshia Louis-Verrett athletics director, bringing back a former Aggies administrator to lead the program starting Sept. 1. Community & Training: Stanly County’s $87M emergency training center is preparing first responders for deadly flood rescues with a simulated flooded village and high-volume swift-water drills. Entertainment & Culture: The Hillbilly Thomists, Dominican friars, drop their album “Strange Land” while on tour, with a stop in Asheville. Sports Pipeline: Upshot League’s Dallas Wings sign UConn guard Christyn Williams to a developmental contract. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Flock camera controversy continues as a new site lets drivers check whether their plate was searched, based on public records.

Live Music in Eastern NC: Trace Adkins brought his 30 Years Anniversary Tour to Roanoke Rapids’ Weldon Mills Theatre, with local opener Presley Barker. The venue also teased a packed fall lineup, from Morgan Wade and Brett Young to Ghostbusters in Concert and Bill Engvall. Community Scholarships: The Blowing Rock Women’s Club awarded a record $140,000+ in scholarships for 2026-27, handing out $1,000 to $7,000 to 39 students through a blind review process. Local Business & Inclusion: Bitty & Beau’s says its Annapolis Dock Street location will close Sept. 13, a blow to the Wilmington-founded coffee chain known for jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Energy & Home Savings: North Carolina rooftop solar installs dropped about two-thirds after the federal 30% tax break expired, though installers say demand is starting to rebound as bills rise and new incentives/leases help. Sports Promo: Penn Station Sandwiches is bringing back “Who Dey Tuesday” for Bengals fans, offering a free small sub or half sandwich every Tuesday after games in participating markets. Public Health Spotlight: Dr. Allen Mask is being celebrated for decades of medical care and local broadcast guidance as he retires after a 30+ year run. Crime & Safety Watch: Authorities say a tomb-raiding trio linked to cemetery thefts has hit at least nine states, including North Carolina.

Durham Foundation Probe: The SBI is investigating leaders of the Courtney Jordan Foundation (CJF America) after a new civil lawsuit alleges they failed to pay an employee more than $56,000, adding to prior Troubleshooter reports. Concert Incident: A North Carolina man was arrested in connection with an alleged urination assault on a family at a Morgan Wallen show in Baltimore, with extradition expected to Maryland. Local Governance & Access: Watauga Commissioners set a September hearing on proposed changes to gate access rules for gated communities, while Surry County residents push back hard against an NC 89 road expansion that could force dozens of businesses and homes to relocate. Weather & Water: Rain has helped Falls Lake recover to 89%, but drought remains across central NC, with restrictions still in place in some areas. Arts & Music: Asheville’s AVL Sounds Fest returns as the city moves “back toward normal,” and Warren Haynes released a new track from his Asheville-recorded symphonic album. Business/Travel: flyExclusive reported record revenue and a return to positive adjusted EBITDA, signaling momentum in premium private jet travel. Sports Schedule: The NHL announced a reduced preseason slate ahead of the 2026-27 season, including a Carolina matchup at Florida.

Music & Tours: Luke Combs announced the My Kinda’ Night Stadium Tour 2027, with a Gillette Stadium stop on May 1, 2027 (tickets go on sale Aug. 21). Local Arts & Community: Sunset Vision Art Show & Sale returns Aug. 20-22 in Sunset Beach, expanding into two ballrooms with 140+ artists and 400+ works. Theater Spotlight: Lexington’s Arts Davidson County stages “Hairspray” Aug. 21-23, featuring longtime dancer Tishana Jackson. Hobby Spotlight: Three Triad women are gearing up for the Aug. 15 North Carolina Speed-Puzzling Championship after building a competitive community around “speed-puzzling.” Pageant Drama: Brittany Boltinhouse, recently stripped of Miss North Carolina USA, says she’s “not sorry” for past N-word posts and plans legal action. Media & Tech: Lawmakers push the Stealth Bot Prohibition Act to curb “bad bots” that scrape and slow news sites. Sports/Entertainment Crossover: A North Carolina man, Jayson Reed, was arrested in connection with an alleged urination incident during Morgan Wallen’s Baltimore concert.

NASCAR: The NASCAR All-Star race is back at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2027, returning to the 0.625-mile track for a prime-time Fox Sports broadcast and a tripleheader weekend. Baseball/Film Tourism: MLB’s Field of Dreams game is now in a permanent ballpark in Iowa, with the Twins hosting the Phillies—corn, nostalgia, and all. Local TV/Charlotte Sports: WSOC Channel 9 and TV64 become the season-long free over-the-air home for Charlotte Hornets games starting this fall. Arts/Community: Newton’s New State Cinema celebrates its 90th anniversary Aug. 28–29 with a grand re-opening and classic-film lineup. Music/Live: Guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel brings his virtuosity to App Theatre on Doc Watson Day weekend. Tech & Privacy: Flock license-plate cameras spark debate in Harnett County and Pioneer, with residents raising privacy concerns. Sports/College Basketball: UNC guard Seth Trimble transfers to Louisville after a Colorado eligibility ruling. Gospel: Charlotte hosts the 2026 Stellar Awards at the Spectrum Center Aug. 15 with Kirk Franklin hosting.

NASCAR Spotlight: North Wilkesboro Speedway is locking in a massive 2027 moment—its first NASCAR tripleheader weekend May 21-23, with the All-Star Race returning under the lights to celebrate “One Hot Night” turning 35. College Hoops: Seth Trimble is headed to Louisville for a fifth season after a court ruling opened the door for 2022 entrants, a move that reshapes the Cardinals’ transfer-heavy roster. Music Releases: LP drops “Mi Corazón,” a new single from upcoming album Room 12 (Sept. 2), while Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats announce collaborative album ii with the track “DIFFERENCE.” Pop Culture: Rosario Dawson says her Claire Temple cameo was filmed for Spider-Man: Brand New Day but cut from the final theatrical cut. Community & Safety: Wilmington is joining a statewide nightlife pilot to tackle public safety, licensing, and entertainment issues, and Pitt County’s K-9 “Chilli” death in a hot cruiser is headed to the SBI as outrage grows over lack of charges. Local Business: Another Broken Egg Cafe expands with a new Concord, NC location as its daytime-only franchise model keeps rolling.

Local Arts & Community: Boone artist Raleigh Adams is debuting “12 Found Objects,” a one-night mixed-media exhibition and film screening Aug. 13 at the Appalachian Theatre, turning found items into story-rich assemblage pieces. Sports & Entertainment: Charlotte FC is set for its Leagues Cup matchup vs. Pachuca tonight, with Allan Saint-Maximin expected to make his debut; the game streams on Apple TV+. Pageants & Pop Culture: Dethroned Miss North Carolina USA Brittany Boltinhouse’s lawyer says she’ll pursue legal action after her title was removed over alleged racist posts. Music & Fundraising: Fayetteville’s Cape Beard club returns “Show Me Your Cans,” a live local-music food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank. Sports Crossover: Fayetteville Woodpeckers are teaming up with the Carolina Hurricanes for “Hurricanes Night” at Segra Stadium Aug. 15. Public Safety Reminder: 811 Day is Aug. 11—utility officials urge North Carolinians to call before digging, even for small projects.

Music & Touring: Fuerza Regida adds a fall extension to its “This Is Our Dream” tour, with a Charlotte stop at Truliant Amphitheater on Oct. 9. Local Sports Spotlight: Ashe County High School releases its fall 2026 schedule for boys soccer, volleyball, and girls tennis as programs chase playoff momentum. Big Screen Buzz: Rosario Dawson says her “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” cameo was filmed but “got cut out,” sharing the behind-the-scenes fallout. Arts & Community Learning: HeartHaven Education’s Lake Norman-area team plans a new “learning studio” this August, positioning it as real-world education support rather than a traditional school. North Carolina Health & Recovery: PAM Health announces plans for a 42-bed inpatient rehab hospital in Greensboro, aiming to create about 200 jobs. Remembering a Screen Legend: Ben Jones, known as Cooter on “The Dukes of Hazzard” and later a two-term U.S. House member, dies at 84.

College & Sports: Wingate landed rising pitching prospect Colby Fesler, a standout from Broadway who earned All-Region honors after a 2.09 ERA junior season. Local Politics & Ballots: The NC GOP picked Jennifer Balkcom to replace Rep. Chuck Edwards on the NC-11 ballot, setting up a fast sprint to November against Democrat Jamie Ager. Tech & Privacy: Raleigh-area wedding photo owners faced court over allegations they took thousands without delivering services, while a separate report highlights how Flock license-plate cameras can turn plate tracking into people tracking. Arts & Education: NCCU opened the first AI research institute at an HBCU, backed by a $1M Google grant and Lenovo support. Entertainment: “Dukes of Hazzard” actor Ben Jones, who played Cooter Davenport and later served in Congress, died at 84. Public Safety: Apex police are investigating a suspected accidental death at a construction site.

Local Sports Spotlight: Lake Norman’s U12 All-Stars kept their momentum going with back-to-back undefeated Southeast Regional bids, but fell in two tight games in Warner Robins, Georgia, ending their run just short of Williamsport. High School Football Buzz: USA TODAY named its East Region preseason All-USA team, with North Carolina standouts including Braylon Clark (Providence Day) and Jaxon Dollar (East Lincoln). Music & Touring: Portugal. The Man frontman John Gourley looked back on the 15th-anniversary deluxe of In the Mountain in the Cloud and said the band’s U.S. tour supporting Muse kicks off in Charlotte. Country Pop: Luke Bryan dropped the title track “SIGNS” from his upcoming album and announced a Charlotte stop at Truliant Amphitheatre. Community & Culture: Vintage Market Days® in High Point is adding a new Sound Stage + Market Lounge for Sept. 11–13. Health & Care: PAM Health plans 42-bed inpatient rehab hospitals in both Charlotte and Raleigh, aiming to expand therapy access and create about 200 jobs per site. Pageant Drama: Brittany Boltinhouse, the former Miss North Carolina USA, says her crown was stripped over her “conservative Christian” beliefs as organizers cite conduct over time. Business/Local Delivery: Hemp Hop extended Charlotte THCa pickup and same-day delivery hours to 11 PM daily.