North Carolina
New damage delays I-40 reopening in North Carolina closed by Helene
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The reopening of a section of Interstate 40 in western North Carolina that collapsed during Hurricane Helene’s historic flooding has been delayed after more asphalt from eastbound lanes fell this week, the state Department of Transportation said on Friday.
The primary road connection between North Carolina and eastern Tennessee was severed in late September as flooding in the Pigeon River gorge washed away over 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) of I-40’s eastbound lanes.
Transportation crews and contractors had focused initially on reopening the westbound lanes in Haywood County to two-way traffic during the first week of January. Now the new damage will keep it closed until engineers determine the area is safe enough for drivers in such a narrow pattern in the gorge, according to a state DOT news release.
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“It is an unfortunate situation,” division engineer Wanda Payne said. “It’s a new hurdle that we have to overcome in order to provide a safe facility for the travelling public.”
The department attributes the new slide to wet weather and freeze-thaw conditions. Contractors have been working to stabilize one lane in each direction from Harmon Den to the Tennessee line, or about 7 miles (11.3 kilometers).
“We would like to open the corridor as soon as it is safe to do so,” Payne said. “We know it is a critical route for folks who live here, visit here and travel through here.”
Hurricane Helene and its resulting destruction damaged roads and bridges in more than 6,900 sites, according to a state government damage and needs assessment report. The department, its contractors and partners have reopened more than 1,200 roads that were closed.
North Carolina
NC Made cookie mix gives homemade taste with ingredients you feel good about
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — This time of year, the to-do list is as long as Santa’s naughty/nice list, and you’re probably looking to save time any way you can.
So, sometimes that means ripping open a box of cookie mix. One Kernersville mom is hoping her mix will add more deliciousness and less mom guilt.
“I wanted something that tasted homemade. I wanted something that had really clean ingredients,” said Lindsay Hancock, My Better Batch.
And that’s where My Better Batch comes in.
“If you’ve ever gone to the grocery store and picked up a box or a bag off the shelf, the ingredients are not great. They’re not things you would find in your own kitchen pantry. That is actually what defines our product and that homemade taste is that these are things you can find in your own kitchen pantry,” Lindsay said.
I wanted something that tasted homemade.
Lindsay mixed up My Better Batch and shipped out her first order in April of 2024. Now you can buy the cookie mix at Costco, Lowes Foods, and Amazon. And this year, she even launched exclusive holiday flavors at Target-chocolate mint and holiday cheer.
“When you’re working on this day in and day out, you certainly have dreams of being able to get to the shelf, but it is pretty surreal to see. And the fact that we were able to get there so quickly,” Lindsay said.
A single mom and entrepreneur-mixing up holiday cheer for her family from her kitchen to yours.
“They taste homemade and they’re ingredients that you can feel good about feeding to your family,” Lindsay said.
See More NC Made Stories Here
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North Carolina
Research on animal nutrition at the North Carolina Zoo
ASHEBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — The North Carolina Zoo continuously collects data on its animals to make sure they are thriving in their environments. As a result, zoo researchers recently made some major changes to how and what they feed some animals.
FOX8’s Shannon Smith shares their findings in today’s Zoo Filez.
North Carolina
Lee and Booker lead No. 2 Texas past No. 11 North Carolina 79-64 in ACC-SEC challenge :: WRALSportsFan.com
AUSTIN, Texas — AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Jordan Lee scored a career-best 22 points, Madison Booker added 18 and No. 2 Texas beat No. 11 North Carolina 79-64 on Thursday night in the ACC-SEC challenge.
Texas (9-0) has won 31 straight home games, this one largely by outscoring North Carolina (8-2) 47-25 in the middle two quarters. Texas led by 24 late in the game.
Lee helped Texas pull away in the second half by stealing two passes and converting them into fast-break layups. Booker hit 10 of 11 free throws.
Kyla Oldacre had 16 points and seven rebounds for the Longhorns, and Justice Carlton scored 11 points. Rori Harmon had eight assists and three of Texas’ 11 steals.
Elina Aarnisalo led North Carolina with 17 points. Indya Nivar scored 16.
North Carolina outshot Texas 47% to 46%, but the Tar Heels committed 20 turnovers that the Longhorns turned into 24 points.
The Tar Heels came in averaging nine 3-pointers a game, but shot just 2 for 11 against Texas.
Texas has been without rotation players Aaliyah Crump (foot), Bryanna Preston (ankle) and Ashton Judd (knee) for its last four games. Judd has yet to appear in a game after transferring from Missouri.
The Longhorns had difficulty guarding North Carolina at the start of the game. The Tar Heels hit 10 of 13 from the field in the first quarter, outscoring the Longhorns 16-4 in the paint and taking a 21-16 lead.
The Longhorns pushed back in the second quarter with characteristic rugged defense while driving inside, getting to the free throw line and outscoring North Carolina 23-10. Oldacre scored 10.
Texas dominated the third quarter as well, 24-15, with Carlton scoring 10.
North Carolina hosts Boston University on Sunday. Texas hosts Prairie View A&M on Sunday.
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