North Carolina
2nd break found on Carowinds roller coaster the Fury 325
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Another break or crack has been found on a North Carolina amusement park ride, weeks after the roller coaster was shut down when a visitor spotted a crack in a steel support pillar, state officials say.
The discovery of the additional “weld indication” was made during an investigation into the structural integrity of the closed Fury 325 roller coaster at Carowinds amusement park in Charlotte, according to a statement from the North Carolina Department of Labor.
The agency said the indication “could be either a break or a crack,” the statement said.
The Fury 325 will stay closed until inspections and repairs happen, park officials have said. It’s one of the tallest and longest rides in a massive park that straddles the North and South Carolina state line. The park says the Fury 325 takes riders to a peak height of 325 feet and reaches 95 mph.
Crack in Carowinds roller coaster may have formed 6-10 days before closure, commissioner says
Carowinds said it’s not “uncommon to discover slight weld indications in various locations of a steel superstructure” when conducting a maintenance review, in a statement given to CNN. The park added that such indications “do not compromise the structural integrity or safety of the ride.”
The amusement park closed the roller coaster on June 30 after visitor Jeremy Wagner took a video of the crack and said he immediately showed it to guest services before following up with the Charlotte Fire Department. The fire department called him back and said the ride had been shut down, CNN previously reported.
“I’m not an engineer, but that’s not right,” Wagner thought on his visit to Carowinds park, he previously told CNN.
At the park with family, Wagner knew something was wrong when he spotted the crack, he told CNN. He pulled out his phone and hit record, zooming in to show the support pillar moving slightly out of place as passengers flew by.
“My daughter and niece rode it six times,” he told CNN.
Carowinds said it “continues to conduct a comprehensive series of detailed tests and inspections” to prepare for the ride’s reopening.
The North Carolina Department of Labor said there is no timeline for issuing the certificate of operation and that the investigation continues.
The-CNN-Wire
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Decatur (Ill.) Mt. Zion four-star tight end JC Anderson remains a prospect on Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels’ radar heading into a busy summer stretch.
Anderson, a Top-10 tight end in America, is coming off of an impressive junior campaign with a myriad of schools entering the mix.
The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder has the Ole Miss Rebels, North Carolina Tar Heels, Illinois Fighting Illini and Auburn Tigers, among several others, battling for his services this offseason.
Kiffin and Co. are set to receive an official visit from Anderson during the weekend of May 30-June 1 as his recruiting process ramps up.
North Carolina and Auburn are also on the official visit schedule for the summer as they turn up the heat for his services.
Ole Miss is in pursuit of multiple top tight ends in the 2026 Recruiting Cycle with both Anderson and five-star Mark Bowman at the top of their list.
Bowman, the No. 1 tight end in America, is currently on an official visit to Ole Miss as Kiffin and Co. role out the red carpet.
Meet the Visitor: Top-Ranked Tight End in America
Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei five-star tight end Mark Bowman has cemented his status as one of the top prospects in America after a dominant sophomore campaign in 2024.
Bowman, the No. 1 rated tight end in America, recently reclassified into the 2026 Recruiting Cycle and will skip junior campaign.
After making the move to reclassify, Bowman remains aa Top-25 prospect in America and the most sought-after tight end on the market.
He’s heard from the top programs in America throughout his process with multiple powerhouse schools turning up the heat.
That includes Lane Kiffin and the Ole Miss Rebels.
Kiffin and Co. were the first program to extend Bowman a scholarship as a freshman and have been on the prowl ever since.
Now, he’s locked in an official visit with the Ole Miss Rebels, according to 247Sports.
Bowman arrived in Oxford on Friday to begin his visit with the program.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder remains one of the top targets on the program’s “Big Board” with the Rebels battling the Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns and Ohio State, among others.
Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs appear to be the frontrunners as it currently stands with the Rebels and other schools looking to make noise this summer.
Bowman’s official visit to Oxford this weekend will be the first official visit of his recruiting process.
What will the California native provide the school of his choice at the next level? On3 Sports National Scout Cody Bellaire chimed in.
“Mark Bowman was the most consistent tight end threat throughout the OT7 Championship. He was constantly moving the chains and made the occasional strong-handed dunk on top of a defender in the end zone that made the highlight reel as well.
“His frame, twitchy movements and route-running are impressive for a 2027 prospect. Bowman’s skill set allowed him to work himself open both underneath and up the seam. If Vance Spafford was covered, Bowman was the next man up. He stepped up his game in a big way this weekend and made his presence felt throughout the OT7 Championship.” – National Scout Cody Bellaire
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It’s May 16th, and that means it’s time to fire up the grill—it’s National BBQ Day! Across the country, pitmasters and backyard chefs alike are serving up smoky, slow-cooked goodness in honor of one of America’s most beloved culinary traditions.
Nowhere does BBQ quite like North Carolina, where vinegar-based sauces and whole-hog smoking define the state’s iconic style. Whether you’re Team Eastern or Team Lexington, there’s no wrong way to enjoy NC ‘cue.
Celebrating is easy: try a new BBQ recipe, support a local smokehouse, or invite friends over for a backyard cookout. Don’t forget to snap a pic of your plate and share it with #NationalBBQDay.
BBQ isn’t just food—it’s history, community, and a whole lot of flavor. Today, we celebrate it all.
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