WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – North Carolina’s film productions have generated more than $302 million in direct in-state spending this year, marking 2024 as the second-highest year-end total since 2015.

“North Carolina’s strong economic recovery includes our amazing film industry which had been devastated by HB2 and other destructive legislation when I took office,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “Since 2017, movie, television and streaming productions have invested more than $1.4 billion in the state while creating nearly 97,000 jobs for our skilled film professionals and background talent, completing the comeback and proving that North Carolina is ready for center stage.”

More than 55 productions were filmed in the state in 2024, with 12 projects receiving awards from the N.C. Film and Entertainment Grant.

“Our skilled workforce and beautiful, diverse filming locations have continued to bring more productions and job opportunities to our state,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “North Carolina’s film industry is an economic multiplier that we can expect to positively impact the small businesses that surround and support each production set.”

TV or streaming shows released in 2024 produced in North Carolina include “100 Day Hotel Challenge”, “Battle on the Beach”, “Blue Ridge”, “The Hunting Wives”, “The Runarounds,” “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and “The Waterfront.”

Films produced were “Apopka / Christy Martin Biopic”, “Capsized”, “Deadly Intentions”, “Henry’s Ebb”, “Merv”, “Roofman”, “The Double”, “The Gardener” and “The Shot”.

“This year’s success highlights the continued evolution of North Carolina’s film industry and our reputation as a location that offers filmmakers exceptional talent, diverse locations, and a robust incentive program,” said Guy Gaster, director of the North Carolina Film Office. “As we head into a new year with dozens of projects already in the pipeline, we remain dedicated to fostering an environment that strengthens our communities and drives economic growth and look forward to building upon our strong momentum.”

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North Carolina’s already battered mountain communities are facing yet another setback from Mother Nature, as Sunday morning’s storms damaged some of the repairs installed after Hurricane Helene.

Several residents in Avery County reported heavy rain and flooding carried away temporary bridges, which were built after the September storm to reconnect stranded neighborhoods with the outside world.

Robin Ollis, with the group Bridges for Avery, said the organization is still tallying up the damage from Sunday but is already getting reports of some footbridges, including one that serves multiple families, washing away.

Phillip Barrier, Avery County Manager, said officials are still assessing all the damage as well, and there’s already work underway to fix some of Sunday’s impacts.

“We do have a state road, the Elk River Road, that has been compromised from its emergency access,” Barrier said. “DOT is working on that now.”

Read the full story on wcnc.com.

WCNC also reported that a 70-year-old man was killed in Iredell County during Sunday’s storms.

The North Carolina women’s basketball team beat Miami 69-60 on Sunday afternoon, and after the buzzer, they were greeted by a special visitor: Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson, one of women’s basketball’s most decorated players. Wilson, fresh off her third MVP season, was in attendance in Miami watching two elite college teams battle, and while she’s not an alumnus of either program, her status as one of the game’s top players made her a worthwhile locker-room visitor.

The Tar Heels were thrilled when Wilson entered the locker room visit after the big win — and the video speaks for itself.

The North Carolina women’s basketball team (13-2), ranked #17 overall, has been led by guard Alyssa Gustby (108 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists per game) and Gakdeng, who averages 10.4 points and 5.8 rebounds this season. Gakdeng, North Carolina’s top scorer with 21 points on Sunday, turned to Twitter/X after the game to express her initial reaction: “The way I couldn’t believe my eyes.”

A’ja Wilson is not a Tar Heels alum — she spent four years at South Carolina, where she the Gamecocks to a national championship in 2017. But, that didn’t seem to matter to the women in the locker room, who were thrilled to meet one of the sport’s top players.

Wilson’s accolades speak for herself — she’s fresh off a unanimous MVP season in which she set single-season WNBA records for both scoring and rebounding. At 28 years old, she’s a two-time WNBA champion, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and three-time MVP.

So, although she might not have been in attendance specifically to support North Carolina, the Tar Heels took a photo with Wilson to commemorate the special occasion regardless.