August 29, 2025 • 32 mins
Tourism in North Carolina hit a record in 2024, with visitors spending more than $36 billion statewide. A Canadian citizen has been indicted for illegally voting in state elections. Meanwhile, an elections official has resigned after allegedly putting drugs in their grandchildren’s food. The state Appeals Court has once again ruled against Bald Head Island village leaders in an ongoing dispute. Looking ahead, lawmakers have scheduled September veto override votes on bills targeting DEI initiatives.
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
It's five oh five and welcome into a Friday edition
of The Carolina Journal News Hour News Talk eleven, ten
ninety nine to three WBT. I'm Nick Craig. A good
morning to you. We start off with some positive news
across the state of North Carolina this morning. Looking at
the economy. In twenty twenty four, growth in seventy one
of North Carolina's one hundred counties contributed to a total
(00:32):
of thirty six point seven billion dollars in visitors spending statewide.
That number is up from where it was in twenty
twenty three by almost two billion dollars. That number set
at thirty five point six billion in twenty three. These
numbers are based on a tourism Tourism economies studies commissioned
(00:54):
by Visit and C, which is part of the Economic
Development Partnership of North Carolina. Democrat Governor Josh Stein said
in a press release quote, this news underscores what we
all know. North Carolina is not only a fantastic place
to live, but it's a special place to visit. Whether
you are visiting our coast, touring the Piedmont, or returning
(01:18):
to support Western North Carolina's comeback there's an incredible trip
waiting for every visitor. I am excited to welcome more
tourists to North Carolina this fall to discover our unforgettable state.
The study itself offers preliminary estimates of both domestic and
international travelers spending across the state of North Carolina. It
(01:40):
also measures the employment payroll income, as well as state
and local tax revenues generated by this activity. The analysis
is based on a statistical model incorporating detailed visit n
SEE data, as well as information from federal and state agencies,
nationally recognized prime and public nonprofit travel organizations, and other
(02:04):
sources within the travel industry. Commerce Secretary and Lee Lilly said, quote,
North Carolina has something for everyone, and that's why so
many of our destinations shared the wealth in a record
year for visitors spending despite the impact of Hurricane Helene.
This report speaks to the resilience and enduring appeal of
(02:26):
the cultural, recreational, and culinary experiences that make North Carolina
a top choice for so many travelers. The Commerce Secretary
emphasized that although the study encompasses the three months of
twenty twenty four, of course, following the unimaginable devastation and
destruction from Hurricane Helene. It does not provide a full
(02:50):
comprehensive accounting of hurricane related losses statewide, or, of course,
in some of those hardest hit counties, which would be
in western North Carolina. The report's timing, methodology and purpose
are not designed to measure the storm's impact on visitation
or spending, but assess the overall health of the visitor
(03:11):
economy in twenty twenty four. So here are the numbers.
In twenty twenty four, visitors spending increase seventy one percent
increased rather in seventy one percent of North Carolina's one
hundred counties compared to the previous year. According to the
press release, Cleveland, Burke, and Ayerdale County led the state's
(03:32):
overall three point one percent growth, pushing that visitor spending
to that record at thirty six point seven billion dollars.
Seven counties experienced double digit gains in visitor spending. They
also included Cleveland, Burke, Eyerdale, Stokes, Union At Gaston, and
Ash County. Nearly two thirds of the state's counties also
(03:53):
saw growth in direct tourism employment, with Stokes County leading
at eight point eight percent. Here are some of the
other numbers. Big jumps also coming from Burke County with
a seven point six percent increase, Gaston seven percent, Union
six point seven percent, and Ash six point two. Mecklenburg County,
(04:14):
of course, the home of Charlotte, leading the entire state
with a six point four billion dollars worth of visitor spending.
That's up aout whopping nine point one percent from where
that number was in the prior year. Wait County followed
Charlotte and Mecklenburg with three point five billion, up seven
point eight percent, and bunkhom County brought in two point
(04:36):
seven billion dollars. However, that was actually down more than
ten percent. Darek County saw two point one billion dollars
in spending as well, which was also a slight dip
of two point two percent. Some of those other counties
rounding out the top Guildford one point eight billion dollars
up nearly seven percent, Brunswick County that's in southeastern North
(04:58):
Carolina one point two bill million, a five percent increase there.
Durham also seeing one point two billion dollars. That's a
three percent new Hanover County, which hosts the city of
Wilmington one point one billion dollars up a modest one
point six percent, Forsyth County also at one point one
billion dollars, up about one percent, and finally More County
(05:20):
at eight hundred and sixty million dollars up nearly seven percent.
Turning our attention back to Mecklenburg and not only leading
in spending across the state of North Carolina, but it
had the largest tourism workforce, with nearly thirty eight thousand
people employed directly as a result of the tourism industry.
(05:40):
That was almost a five percent increase. Four other counties
also employed more than ten thousand people directly in the
tourism business. Wit Tuttele, who is the executive director of
Visit and See, emphasized that the report highlights the tourism
industry's importance to every county across our state. He explained
(06:03):
that although the data includes the three months following Hurricane Helene,
which affected the state in September of last year, the
studies design, its timing, methodology, and purpose was not intended
to measure the storm's impact on visitation or spending. Instead,
he said, it serves as an overall assessment of the
visitor economy's health in twenty twenty four, saying it's certainly
(06:27):
an indication of where the efforts were felt, but given
the complexities of the tourism industry the time frame of
this research, we need to reassess the temptation to view
this data as a definite report of the storm's economic impact.
As travelers return, we will celebrate the resiliency behind the
(06:48):
mountain recovery efforts that fortify the industry and underscore its
value to our workforce, our businesses, and our tax base.
North Carolina welcome nearly forty million visitors from across the
country last year, ranking fifth and domestic travel behind California, Florida, Texas,
(07:09):
and New York, according to a May report from visit ENDC.
Over the past four years, the state has closely competed
with Pennsylvania and Tennessee for that overall fifth position, and
in twenty twenty four, domestic travel spending reached record levels,
and the state also experienced substantial growth in the international market.
(07:30):
More than nine hundred thousand international travelers came to North
Carolina sixteen and a half percent, driving an increase in
spending to nearly one point two billion dollars.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
All in all.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Looking at this report from the top to bottom, a
great news for North Carolina's economy, great news for the
continued growth across the tar Heel state. You can read
some additional details on this study from a grow and
see check out the quotes from the governor, Commerce secretary,
and other folks over on our website. This morning, Carolina
Journal dot com that headline story visitor spend over thirty
(08:07):
six billion dollars in North Carolina in twenty twenty four.
Turning our attention to some other statewide news this morning,
a federal grand jury report return to an indictment earlier
this week charging a Canadian citizen with illegally registering to
vote and voting in federal elections in both twenty twenty
(08:30):
two and twenty twenty four. Right here in North Carolina.
US Attorney for the Eastern District in Ellis Boyle said, quote,
every single time a non citizen casts an illegal vote
in North Carolina, it steals and nullifies the vote of
an actual citizen. If the records are correct. This Canadian
(08:51):
citizen appeared to have voted in New Hanover in Pender County,
elections over the past twenty years. We intend to approve
of his illegal conduct in court and put an end
to it. James C. Barnacle, Junior, the FBI Special Agent
in Charge in North Carolina, said, quote, Every American deserves
(09:12):
the right to vote without interference in this domestic process.
We appreciate the North Carolina Board of Elections partnership and
commitment to working together to ensure fair elections in our state.
According to the indictment, Dennis of Bouchard, who's sixty nine
years old, falsely claimed to be a United States citizen
(09:34):
to vote in federal elections, including most the most recent
presidential election in November of last year. Bouchard, who has
resided in the United States since the nineteen sixties, never
obtained legal US citizenship status. Despite his status, he certified
that he in fact was a US citizen on voter
(09:55):
registration applications in both twenty twenty two and twenty two
twenty four, where he cast ballots in the twenty twenty
four presidential election and in the twenty twenty two congressional
elections as well. Sam Hayes, the executive director of the
North Carolina State Board of Elections, says quote, I am
proud of the efforts our investigation, our investigators who worked
(10:19):
with this case prior to handing it off to law
enforcement partners at the FBI. Nothing is more crucial to
our democracy than confidence in our electoral process, which is
why vigorous enforcement of our election laws must be a priority.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections team continues to
stand ready to assist the US Attorney's Office as they
(10:42):
investigate and prosecute voter fraud in North Carolina. Again, that's
Sam Hayes, the executive director of the State Board. This
is a very interesting story to watch unfold, this indictment
seemingly popping out of nowhere yesterday afternoon, popping up on
the website for the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern
District of North Carolina. We are continuing to track down
(11:06):
details on all of it. As soon as we get those,
we'll pass them along to you right here on the
Carolina Journal News Hour, and I'll have a story up
shortly on our website, Carolina Journal dot com. It's five
twenty three. Welcome back to the Carolina Journal News our
newstock eleven ten ninety nine three WBT. The North Carolina
(11:30):
State Board of Elections has announced the resignations of James Yoakley,
the Surrey County Board of Elections chairman, as he is
currently facing accusations of drugging food, child abuse, and other crimes.
This is a wild story goes all the way back
to August eighth, when Yokeley contacted the Wilmington Police Department
(11:52):
claiming that his granddaughters had found two pills in ice
cream that they had bought at a dairy queen in Wilmington. However,
cording to the Wilmington Police Department as they began their investigation,
video evidence shows that the two pills were placed in
the ice cream by the Surrey County Board of Elections
chairman himself. The blue Press pills were field tested by
(12:15):
WPD and found to contain both MDMA and cocaine. Since then,
he has been charged with two counts of felony contaminating
food or drink with a controlled substance, felony child abuse,
and felony possession of Schedule IE narcotics. A very weird
story unfolding. North Carolina State Board of Elections records showed
(12:37):
that Yoakley lived in New Hanover County before relocating to
Surrey County some time after the twenty twenty general election.
State Auditor Dave Bollock's office, who appointed him to this
role in June, called the allegations disturbing and urged the
chairman to resign. In a statement, Bolick said, quote, the
(12:58):
arrest and investigation of the Surrey County Board of Elections
chair is very disturbing. This matter distracts from the election
management in Surrey County and must be addressed quickly and directly.
Our office is built on holding individuals accountable. He needs
to resign, and in Surrey County needs a new Board
(13:19):
of Elections chair. If he doesn't resign, I'll be requesting
the State Board take action today to remove him as chair.
And so things revolved pretty quickly. Yesterday afternoon there was
an emergency a State Board of Elections meetings scheduled for
one PM, in which the State Board was likely to
take action to remove him as the chairman. However, about
(13:43):
thirty minutes before that meeting, it was canceled and the
individual himself did resign in a letter to the Estate
Auditor's office and the State Board. The letter reads a
weirdly Dear Auditor Bullock, I am writing to formally resign
my position as the Board Chair with the Surrey County
Board of Elections, effective immediately. This is directly from the letter.
(14:07):
This decision has not been made lightly. After much prayer,
thoughtful reflection, and consultation, I have concluded that it is
in the best interests of the State Board of Elections
and Surrey County Board of Elections regarding my own falsely
accused circumstances to step down at this time. Based on
the truth and facts, I remain prayerfully confident that I
(14:30):
will be exonerated of all accusations levied against me. During
my tenures serving on the Surrey County Board of Elections,
I have been honored to serve a board guided by fairness, integrity,
and steadfast commitment to the constitutional republic process. I am
pleased of the work we have accomplished together to serve
(14:51):
the citizens of Surrey County and those in my home
state of North Carolina. I remain deeply committed to ensuring
a smooth and effective te transition. Thank you for the
opportunity to serve alongside such dedicated public servants. I wish
the State Board the Surrey County Board of Elections and
our electorate continued success moving forward, Signed Jimmy Oakley, the
(15:15):
board chair of the Surrey County Board of Elections. The
State Board did confirm his resignation in that statement and
also noted that a new chair for the Surrey County
BOE will be named once the North Carolina Republican Party
submits nominations. That's how that process plays out, to State
Auditor Dave Bollick, following up in another comment after the resignation, saying, quote,
(15:39):
as I have called for, the chair of the Surrey
County Board of Elections has resigned. With his resignation, the
Surrey County Board and the State Board can now, without distraction,
move forward with the process of appointing a replacement. There
are a lot more questions than answers this morning. The
investigation does continue by the Wilmington Police Department. They have
(16:02):
been consistently providing updates as they are available. Again, this
individual from Surrey County of presumably visiting or vacationing somewhere
in southeastern North Carolina, New Hanover County, where his granddaughters are,
or where he had been for a period of time beforehand.
Being charged again in this case with allegedly putting two
(16:25):
pills containing both MDMA and cocaine into Dairy Queen ice
cream that he had given to his granddaughters. Again a
lot more questions than answers. Will continue to track the
details as they are relevant. We've got a story this
morning with some additional details over on our website Carolina
Journal dot com, and of course we'll keep you up
(16:46):
to date with those details right here on the Carolina
Journal News Hour. It's five thirty six. Welcome back to
the Carolina Journal News Our recapping one of our big
story ray this morning. North Carolina set a new tourism
record in twenty twenty four, as visitors a spent to
thirty six point seven billion dollars statewide, a three point
(17:10):
one percent increase from the previous year's high of thirty
five point six billion dollars. This is all from a
new study conducted by Tourism Tourism Economics from Visit NC
and that shows that seventy one of the state's one
hundred counties saw gains in visitors spending, underscoring the continued
(17:31):
strength of that industry across North Carolina. Governor Josh Stein
praised the results, calling North Carolina not only a fantastic
place to live, but a special place to visit. Stein
said visitors to the coastal area, Piedmont and Western Mountains
will continue to find an incredible trip waiting in every
corner of the state. The report highlights both domestic and
(17:54):
international travel. This is a pretty cool number. More than
nine hundred thousand international travelers came to North Carolina in
twenty twenty four, driving a sixteen and a half percent
increase in spending to nearly one point two billion dollars
for those international travelers. In total, the state welcome nearly
forty million travelers, ranking fifth nationally in domestic visitation, behind California, Florida, Texas,
(18:21):
and New York. Several counties stood out on their strong performance,
including Cleveland, Burke, and Ayerdale County, which led statewide growth
that some other counties. To some notable mentions. Mecklenburg led
all counties with six point four billion dollars in visitors spending,
up over nine percent compared to where it was last year.
(18:42):
Wait County also seeing some big time gains three point
five billion dollars there a seven point eight percent increase However,
not every not everybody saw those increases. Bunkhom County, of course,
the city of Asheville reported two point seven billion dollars
in spending, However, that fell ten point six percent. Commerce
(19:04):
Secretary and Lee Lilly said that the strong numbers are
specially notable statewide given the disruption caused by Hurricane Helene
in western North Carolina. Lily emphasized that while the report
includes the months following the storm, it is not intended
to measure hurricane specific losses. Instead, the study offers a
(19:24):
broader look at the health of tourism across the state
of North Carolina, with Lily saying North Carolina has something
for everyone despite the impact of Hurricane Helene. This report
speaks to the enduring appeal of our cultural, recreational, and
culinary experiences across North Carolina. Visit NC director Will Tuttle
(19:47):
echoed some of those same comments, noting that the data
demonstrates the industry's importance to every corner of the state.
He cautioned, however, against interpreting this study as a full
accounting of the true true economic damage and impact that
Hurricane Helen had on Western North Carolina. With another record
(20:07):
year in the books. State leaders remain optimistic that North
Carolina will continue attracting visitors not only from across the
United States, but from around the globe. You can read
some additional details on this story this morning over on
our website Carolina Journal dot com. This headline there visitors
spend over thirty six billion dollars in North Carolina in
(20:29):
twenty twenty four. It's now five point thirty nine. You're
listening to the Carolina Journal News Hour. Baldhead Island is
a small village off the coast of Brunswick County in
southeastern North Carolina. There's been a lengthy legal proceeding that
has gone on as it relates to the fairy and
barge system that brings folks and supplies back and forth
from the island. To get some details on this this morning,
(20:50):
Mitch Koki from the John Locke Foundation joins us on
the Carolina Journal News Hour. Mitch Ferry Barge. This has
been like a multi year legal dispute. What is going
on in the village, a very small village of Baldhead Island.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Well, the latest ruling is more bad news for the
village government of Baldhead Island because what happened was the
State Court of Appeals in an unpublished opinion which has
limited value as a precedent and usually is kind of
buried among the court cases that are put out there.
In this unpublished opinion, the Court of Appeals agreed with
(21:25):
the lower Court that Baldhead Island could not enforce this
right of first refusal or ROFR to purchase that infrastructure
that we're talking about, the ferry system, the barge, the
tram system on the island, and the parking lot on
the mainland that goes along with all of this. The
(21:46):
dispute really stems from the fact that Baldhead Island was
developed privately, and when the gentleman who developed the island
died in twenty thirteen, eventually, as the state decided they
wanted to sell that private infrastructure. By that time there
was a village of Balldhead Island, so there is a
village government and the government had talked about buying all
(22:08):
this infrastructure, but the two sides could not come to
an agreement. So at some point the private owners of
the property, the estate of the original developer, decided to
sell to this outside into t Sharpview Capital, which sparked
a lot of different legal battles from the village of
(22:29):
bald Head Island. Now. Earlier this year the State Supreme
Court decided not to take up the case of the
actual sale of the system from the previous owners, the
estate of the developer bald Head Island two Sharpview Capital.
But now the Court of Appeals has stepped in most
recently and said it's not going to enforce this right
(22:53):
of first refusal that the village claimed that it have
had for buying the infrastructure, because that had never been
put forward to the Utilities Commission. The Utilities Commission is
involved because the Utilities Commission has for many years had
authority over the ferry system and the tram system that
(23:14):
operates on Baldhead Island because there's very little auto traffic
on the island. And you might remember that there was
some dispute for a while about whether the barge which
carries materials other than people to Baldhead Island, whether that
was going to be part of the Utilities Commission, and
(23:37):
whether a parking lot that goes along with this on
the mainland would also be under the Utilities Commission's purview.
That has been the source of another legal battle. But
the latest decision basically says, no, Baldhead Island Village, the
local government, you did not have the right to buy
this property before it was sold to Sharpview Capital. So
(23:58):
it seems as if other than a ruling that allowed
the Utilities Commission to take over more control than it
had before. Other than that ruling, which was something that
Baldhead Island the village government had pushed for, the rest
of the rulings that have been coming out recently have
been against the village government and in favor of the
(24:20):
sale of the infrastructure from one private owner to another
private owner.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
Mitch, what makes this kind of interesting is we talk
about the village of Baldhead Island, the island. This is
truly an island. The only way to get to and
from Baldhead Island from the portions of southeastern North Carolina
is through some sort of boat, ferry or barge. There
is no land connector there's no bridge. Even when the
tide is low, there's no way to physically get there.
So I guess that's probably part of the reason why
(24:48):
the village itself is fighting so hard to try and
claim that they had the right to purchase some of
these assets. Because it truly is the only connector to
the municipality that they are as the local government.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
Yeah, I think that's true that the village government wants
to ensure that there's mainline access, and I think there
is some concern that if it is owned privately and
not by the private owner who developed this, which was
the original arrangement, that there could be some concern that
there would be cutbacks or corners are cut and so
(25:23):
people aren't getting the service that they want. There's also
been along the sideline here a concern that Sharpview Capital,
in buying this is trying to make it a money maker,
and so other than just having the normal services that
Baldhead Island is used to, they might do something on
(25:43):
the private parking lot that would be substantially different than
what is seen today. I mean, I remember in some
of the court discussions and court filings there was talk
about maybe they're going to build a huge hotel on
this parking lot, which would completely change for some people
the character of of what Baldhead Island is all about.
And so there has been a mix of reasons why
(26:05):
the village has been interested to try to get this one,
just to ensure that they could kind of keep services
as they are and also to block private owners from
doing something different that might change the character of Baldhead
Island by adding a lot more people in the area.
Speaker 1 (26:23):
Now there is a little bit of safeguard for that.
As you mentioned, the North Carolina Utilities Commission is an
overview and does have some responsibility for certain assets, including
the ferry system which transports people back and forth, Mitch.
And with that, for any sort of major rate hike
or any sort of substantial changes in service, wouldn't this
new owner in sharpview, wouldn't they have to go to
(26:45):
the Utilities Commission propose that and would not have to
be approved by in this case the state government.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Yes, that's right. The Utilities Commission does have oversight over
the ferry system, over the island operated trams them. And
the recent rulings that have been dealing with what the
Utilities Commission has oversight over and doesn't have kind of
been a mixed bag. I believe that the parking lot
was ruled as being under the Utilities Commission's purview, but
(27:15):
the barge system was not, and so and so there's
a mix of what is a public utility and what
is not, which it does, as you mentioned, give a
safeguard to the people of Baldhead Island that there can't
be major changes in the costs of these things without
Utilities Commission approval. But what seems likely from the recent
(27:36):
rulings is that Baldhead Island is as a village government
is not going to be able to step in and
block the private sale. Now, another piece of this that
we haven't really gotten into is that there had been
discussions shortly after the developer's death, which goes back to
twenty thirteen, about the village purchasing this. The only reason
(27:58):
this went to court is that the two sides couldn't
come to an agreement about what cost would be paid.
I think the developer or the estate of the developer
wanted more money. They said this is a valuable asset,
and the village government, whether it's just out of penny
pinching or trying to make sure that they're not having
to pass along exorbitant costs to the residents, try to
(28:23):
keep the sale price low. And because they couldn't reach
an agreement, that's why the move was turned to try
to get private investors instead, and that's what ended up
sparking all this court battle.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
Yeah, it's definitely been a lengthy, ongoing, very interesting legal
case that's been going on over the last couple of years.
You can read the most recent details and some of
the backstore on all of this by visiting our website.
This morning, Carolina Journal dot com. Mitch Kokai from the
John Locke Foundation joins us on the Carolina Journal News Hour.
(28:58):
It's time for the sixth annual WBT Little Heroes Blood
Drive headed your way next Thursday, That's September fourth. WBT
and the One Blood, Big Red Bus will be at
the Doghouse in Uptown Charlotte from ten am to three pm.
Will be broadcasting live and encouraging you to make a
life saving blood donation. The sixth annual wbt's Little hero
(29:19):
Blood Drive headed your way Thursday, September fourth, at the
Doghouse in Uptown Charlotte. It's five point fifty four. Welcome
back to the Carolina Journal News Hour, News Talk eleven
ten ninety nine. Three WBT State lawmakers convene this week
for a brief session in Raleigh in which they were
originally scheduled to consider VETO overrides on several bills. However,
(29:40):
lawmakers there Tuesday and Thursday, the session ended without overrides
being taken up. Instead, lawmakers have now scheduled those overrides
for a late date in late September. The bills on
the state House side that were scheduled for consideration included
three measures House Bill one seventy one, Senate Bill two
twenty seven, and Senate Bill five point fifty eight, which
(30:03):
were all designed to curb the diversity, equity and inclusion
agenda in K through twelve, education, higher education, and in
state and local governments. Those three pieces of legislation getting
some significant movement, at least at the national level the
discussions over the last couple of months. Governor Josh Stein
(30:24):
veto to those three bills. However, Senate Bill five point
fifty eight and two twenty seven were overridden in the
state Senate, where Republicans have a veto proof majority. However,
as we turn our attention back to the North Carolina House,
the GOP needs at least one Democrat to side with
them to have the override come forward. In the initial
(30:47):
House votes approving each measure, no Democrats, not one of
them voted on the DEI bills and to this point publicly,
no Democrats have publicly pledged to join Republicans in overriding
those vetos. Shortly before the veto overrides were scheduled earlier
this week, the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus put out
(31:08):
a press release claiming a full commitment from all forty
one members to vote to sustain vetos on any DEI bills.
The press release right as follows. If enacted, these bills
would tear down the programs and policies that help create
equitable opportunities in schools, workplaces, and state agencies. They would
(31:29):
send a message to every black North Carolinian and our
community of color that their voices, experiences, and futures do
not matter. However, Democrats are unlikely to maintain unity at
least one of the other education related bills that lawmakers
are scheduled to take up when they returned to Raleigh
around September. The twenty second a veto override on House
(31:53):
Bill eighty seven already does have public backing from at
least one Democrat, that is, Representative Shelly Willingham of Edgecombe County.
We've got some additional details this morning on these a
veto override votes, which could be coming as soon as
about a month from now. You can read those details
on our website at Carolina Journal dot com. That's going
(32:14):
to do it for a Friday edition at WBT News
is next, followed by Good Morning BT. We're back with
you at Tuesday morning live right here on Newstalk eleven,
ten and ninety nine to three WBT
It's five oh five and welcome into a Friday edition
of The Carolina Journal News Hour News Talk eleven, ten
ninety nine to three WBT. I'm Nick Craig. A good
morning to you. We start off with some positive news
across the state of North Carolina this morning. Looking at
the economy. In twenty twenty four, growth in seventy one
of North Carolina's one hundred counties contributed to a total
(00:32):
of thirty six point seven billion dollars in visitors spending statewide.
That number is up from where it was in twenty
twenty three by almost two billion dollars. That number set
at thirty five point six billion in twenty three. These
numbers are based on a tourism Tourism economies studies commissioned
(00:54):
by Visit and C, which is part of the Economic
Development Partnership of North Carolina. Democrat Governor Josh Stein said
in a press release quote, this news underscores what we
all know. North Carolina is not only a fantastic place
to live, but it's a special place to visit. Whether
you are visiting our coast, touring the Piedmont, or returning
(01:18):
to support Western North Carolina's comeback there's an incredible trip
waiting for every visitor. I am excited to welcome more
tourists to North Carolina this fall to discover our unforgettable state.
The study itself offers preliminary estimates of both domestic and
international travelers spending across the state of North Carolina. It
(01:40):
also measures the employment payroll income, as well as state
and local tax revenues generated by this activity. The analysis
is based on a statistical model incorporating detailed visit n
SEE data, as well as information from federal and state agencies,
nationally recognized prime and public nonprofit travel organizations, and other
(02:04):
sources within the travel industry. Commerce Secretary and Lee Lilly said, quote,
North Carolina has something for everyone, and that's why so
many of our destinations shared the wealth in a record
year for visitors spending despite the impact of Hurricane Helene.
This report speaks to the resilience and enduring appeal of
(02:26):
the cultural, recreational, and culinary experiences that make North Carolina
a top choice for so many travelers. The Commerce Secretary
emphasized that although the study encompasses the three months of
twenty twenty four, of course, following the unimaginable devastation and
destruction from Hurricane Helene. It does not provide a full
(02:50):
comprehensive accounting of hurricane related losses statewide, or, of course,
in some of those hardest hit counties, which would be
in western North Carolina. The report's timing, methodology and purpose
are not designed to measure the storm's impact on visitation
or spending, but assess the overall health of the visitor
(03:11):
economy in twenty twenty four. So here are the numbers.
In twenty twenty four, visitors spending increase seventy one percent
increased rather in seventy one percent of North Carolina's one
hundred counties compared to the previous year. According to the
press release, Cleveland, Burke, and Ayerdale County led the state's
(03:32):
overall three point one percent growth, pushing that visitor spending
to that record at thirty six point seven billion dollars.
Seven counties experienced double digit gains in visitor spending. They
also included Cleveland, Burke, Eyerdale, Stokes, Union At Gaston, and
Ash County. Nearly two thirds of the state's counties also
(03:53):
saw growth in direct tourism employment, with Stokes County leading
at eight point eight percent. Here are some of the
other numbers. Big jumps also coming from Burke County with
a seven point six percent increase, Gaston seven percent, Union
six point seven percent, and Ash six point two. Mecklenburg County,
(04:14):
of course, the home of Charlotte, leading the entire state
with a six point four billion dollars worth of visitor spending.
That's up aout whopping nine point one percent from where
that number was in the prior year. Wait County followed
Charlotte and Mecklenburg with three point five billion, up seven
point eight percent, and bunkhom County brought in two point
(04:36):
seven billion dollars. However, that was actually down more than
ten percent. Darek County saw two point one billion dollars
in spending as well, which was also a slight dip
of two point two percent. Some of those other counties
rounding out the top Guildford one point eight billion dollars
up nearly seven percent, Brunswick County that's in southeastern North
(04:58):
Carolina one point two bill million, a five percent increase there.
Durham also seeing one point two billion dollars. That's a
three percent new Hanover County, which hosts the city of
Wilmington one point one billion dollars up a modest one
point six percent, Forsyth County also at one point one
billion dollars, up about one percent, and finally More County
(05:20):
at eight hundred and sixty million dollars up nearly seven percent.
Turning our attention back to Mecklenburg and not only leading
in spending across the state of North Carolina, but it
had the largest tourism workforce, with nearly thirty eight thousand
people employed directly as a result of the tourism industry.
(05:40):
That was almost a five percent increase. Four other counties
also employed more than ten thousand people directly in the
tourism business. Wit Tuttele, who is the executive director of
Visit and See, emphasized that the report highlights the tourism
industry's importance to every county across our state. He explained
(06:03):
that although the data includes the three months following Hurricane Helene,
which affected the state in September of last year, the
studies design, its timing, methodology, and purpose was not intended
to measure the storm's impact on visitation or spending. Instead,
he said, it serves as an overall assessment of the
visitor economy's health in twenty twenty four, saying it's certainly
(06:27):
an indication of where the efforts were felt, but given
the complexities of the tourism industry the time frame of
this research, we need to reassess the temptation to view
this data as a definite report of the storm's economic impact.
As travelers return, we will celebrate the resiliency behind the
(06:48):
mountain recovery efforts that fortify the industry and underscore its
value to our workforce, our businesses, and our tax base.
North Carolina welcome nearly forty million visitors from across the
country last year, ranking fifth and domestic travel behind California, Florida, Texas,
(07:09):
and New York, according to a May report from visit ENDC.
Over the past four years, the state has closely competed
with Pennsylvania and Tennessee for that overall fifth position, and
in twenty twenty four, domestic travel spending reached record levels,
and the state also experienced substantial growth in the international market.
(07:30):
More than nine hundred thousand international travelers came to North
Carolina sixteen and a half percent, driving an increase in
spending to nearly one point two billion dollars.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
All in all.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Looking at this report from the top to bottom, a
great news for North Carolina's economy, great news for the
continued growth across the tar Heel state. You can read
some additional details on this study from a grow and
see check out the quotes from the governor, Commerce secretary,
and other folks over on our website. This morning, Carolina
Journal dot com that headline story visitor spend over thirty
(08:07):
six billion dollars in North Carolina in twenty twenty four.
Turning our attention to some other statewide news this morning,
a federal grand jury report return to an indictment earlier
this week charging a Canadian citizen with illegally registering to
vote and voting in federal elections in both twenty twenty
(08:30):
two and twenty twenty four. Right here in North Carolina.
US Attorney for the Eastern District in Ellis Boyle said, quote,
every single time a non citizen casts an illegal vote
in North Carolina, it steals and nullifies the vote of
an actual citizen. If the records are correct. This Canadian
(08:51):
citizen appeared to have voted in New Hanover in Pender County,
elections over the past twenty years. We intend to approve
of his illegal conduct in court and put an end
to it. James C. Barnacle, Junior, the FBI Special Agent
in Charge in North Carolina, said, quote, Every American deserves
(09:12):
the right to vote without interference in this domestic process.
We appreciate the North Carolina Board of Elections partnership and
commitment to working together to ensure fair elections in our state.
According to the indictment, Dennis of Bouchard, who's sixty nine
years old, falsely claimed to be a United States citizen
(09:34):
to vote in federal elections, including most the most recent
presidential election in November of last year. Bouchard, who has
resided in the United States since the nineteen sixties, never
obtained legal US citizenship status. Despite his status, he certified
that he in fact was a US citizen on voter
(09:55):
registration applications in both twenty twenty two and twenty two
twenty four, where he cast ballots in the twenty twenty
four presidential election and in the twenty twenty two congressional
elections as well. Sam Hayes, the executive director of the
North Carolina State Board of Elections, says quote, I am
proud of the efforts our investigation, our investigators who worked
(10:19):
with this case prior to handing it off to law
enforcement partners at the FBI. Nothing is more crucial to
our democracy than confidence in our electoral process, which is
why vigorous enforcement of our election laws must be a priority.
The North Carolina State Board of Elections team continues to
stand ready to assist the US Attorney's Office as they
(10:42):
investigate and prosecute voter fraud in North Carolina. Again, that's
Sam Hayes, the executive director of the State Board. This
is a very interesting story to watch unfold, this indictment
seemingly popping out of nowhere yesterday afternoon, popping up on
the website for the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern
District of North Carolina. We are continuing to track down
(11:06):
details on all of it. As soon as we get those,
we'll pass them along to you right here on the
Carolina Journal News Hour, and I'll have a story up
shortly on our website, Carolina Journal dot com. It's five
twenty three. Welcome back to the Carolina Journal News our
newstock eleven ten ninety nine three WBT. The North Carolina
(11:30):
State Board of Elections has announced the resignations of James Yoakley,
the Surrey County Board of Elections chairman, as he is
currently facing accusations of drugging food, child abuse, and other crimes.
This is a wild story goes all the way back
to August eighth, when Yokeley contacted the Wilmington Police Department
(11:52):
claiming that his granddaughters had found two pills in ice
cream that they had bought at a dairy queen in Wilmington. However,
cording to the Wilmington Police Department as they began their investigation,
video evidence shows that the two pills were placed in
the ice cream by the Surrey County Board of Elections
chairman himself. The blue Press pills were field tested by
(12:15):
WPD and found to contain both MDMA and cocaine. Since then,
he has been charged with two counts of felony contaminating
food or drink with a controlled substance, felony child abuse,
and felony possession of Schedule IE narcotics. A very weird
story unfolding. North Carolina State Board of Elections records showed
(12:37):
that Yoakley lived in New Hanover County before relocating to
Surrey County some time after the twenty twenty general election.
State Auditor Dave Bollock's office, who appointed him to this
role in June, called the allegations disturbing and urged the
chairman to resign. In a statement, Bolick said, quote, the
(12:58):
arrest and investigation of the Surrey County Board of Elections
chair is very disturbing. This matter distracts from the election
management in Surrey County and must be addressed quickly and directly.
Our office is built on holding individuals accountable. He needs
to resign, and in Surrey County needs a new Board
(13:19):
of Elections chair. If he doesn't resign, I'll be requesting
the State Board take action today to remove him as chair.
And so things revolved pretty quickly. Yesterday afternoon there was
an emergency a State Board of Elections meetings scheduled for
one PM, in which the State Board was likely to
take action to remove him as the chairman. However, about
(13:43):
thirty minutes before that meeting, it was canceled and the
individual himself did resign in a letter to the Estate
Auditor's office and the State Board. The letter reads a
weirdly Dear Auditor Bullock, I am writing to formally resign
my position as the Board Chair with the Surrey County
Board of Elections, effective immediately. This is directly from the letter.
(14:07):
This decision has not been made lightly. After much prayer,
thoughtful reflection, and consultation, I have concluded that it is
in the best interests of the State Board of Elections
and Surrey County Board of Elections regarding my own falsely
accused circumstances to step down at this time. Based on
the truth and facts, I remain prayerfully confident that I
(14:30):
will be exonerated of all accusations levied against me. During
my tenures serving on the Surrey County Board of Elections,
I have been honored to serve a board guided by fairness, integrity,
and steadfast commitment to the constitutional republic process. I am
pleased of the work we have accomplished together to serve
(14:51):
the citizens of Surrey County and those in my home
state of North Carolina. I remain deeply committed to ensuring
a smooth and effective te transition. Thank you for the
opportunity to serve alongside such dedicated public servants. I wish
the State Board the Surrey County Board of Elections and
our electorate continued success moving forward, Signed Jimmy Oakley, the
(15:15):
board chair of the Surrey County Board of Elections. The
State Board did confirm his resignation in that statement and
also noted that a new chair for the Surrey County
BOE will be named once the North Carolina Republican Party
submits nominations. That's how that process plays out, to State
Auditor Dave Bollick, following up in another comment after the resignation, saying, quote,
(15:39):
as I have called for, the chair of the Surrey
County Board of Elections has resigned. With his resignation, the
Surrey County Board and the State Board can now, without distraction,
move forward with the process of appointing a replacement. There
are a lot more questions than answers this morning. The
investigation does continue by the Wilmington Police Department. They have
(16:02):
been consistently providing updates as they are available. Again, this
individual from Surrey County of presumably visiting or vacationing somewhere
in southeastern North Carolina, New Hanover County, where his granddaughters are,
or where he had been for a period of time beforehand.
Being charged again in this case with allegedly putting two
(16:25):
pills containing both MDMA and cocaine into Dairy Queen ice
cream that he had given to his granddaughters. Again a
lot more questions than answers. Will continue to track the
details as they are relevant. We've got a story this
morning with some additional details over on our website Carolina
Journal dot com, and of course we'll keep you up
(16:46):
to date with those details right here on the Carolina
Journal News Hour. It's five thirty six. Welcome back to
the Carolina Journal News Our recapping one of our big
story ray this morning. North Carolina set a new tourism
record in twenty twenty four, as visitors a spent to
thirty six point seven billion dollars statewide, a three point
(17:10):
one percent increase from the previous year's high of thirty
five point six billion dollars. This is all from a
new study conducted by Tourism Tourism Economics from Visit NC
and that shows that seventy one of the state's one
hundred counties saw gains in visitors spending, underscoring the continued
(17:31):
strength of that industry across North Carolina. Governor Josh Stein
praised the results, calling North Carolina not only a fantastic
place to live, but a special place to visit. Stein
said visitors to the coastal area, Piedmont and Western Mountains
will continue to find an incredible trip waiting in every
corner of the state. The report highlights both domestic and
(17:54):
international travel. This is a pretty cool number. More than
nine hundred thousand international travelers came to North Carolina in
twenty twenty four, driving a sixteen and a half percent
increase in spending to nearly one point two billion dollars
for those international travelers. In total, the state welcome nearly
forty million travelers, ranking fifth nationally in domestic visitation, behind California, Florida, Texas,
(18:21):
and New York. Several counties stood out on their strong performance,
including Cleveland, Burke, and Ayerdale County, which led statewide growth
that some other counties. To some notable mentions. Mecklenburg led
all counties with six point four billion dollars in visitors spending,
up over nine percent compared to where it was last year.
(18:42):
Wait County also seeing some big time gains three point
five billion dollars there a seven point eight percent increase However,
not every not everybody saw those increases. Bunkhom County, of course,
the city of Asheville reported two point seven billion dollars
in spending, However, that fell ten point six percent. Commerce
(19:04):
Secretary and Lee Lilly said that the strong numbers are
specially notable statewide given the disruption caused by Hurricane Helene
in western North Carolina. Lily emphasized that while the report
includes the months following the storm, it is not intended
to measure hurricane specific losses. Instead, the study offers a
(19:24):
broader look at the health of tourism across the state
of North Carolina, with Lily saying North Carolina has something
for everyone despite the impact of Hurricane Helene. This report
speaks to the enduring appeal of our cultural, recreational, and
culinary experiences across North Carolina. Visit NC director Will Tuttle
(19:47):
echoed some of those same comments, noting that the data
demonstrates the industry's importance to every corner of the state.
He cautioned, however, against interpreting this study as a full
accounting of the true true economic damage and impact that
Hurricane Helen had on Western North Carolina. With another record
(20:07):
year in the books. State leaders remain optimistic that North
Carolina will continue attracting visitors not only from across the
United States, but from around the globe. You can read
some additional details on this story this morning over on
our website Carolina Journal dot com. This headline there visitors
spend over thirty six billion dollars in North Carolina in
(20:29):
twenty twenty four. It's now five point thirty nine. You're
listening to the Carolina Journal News Hour. Baldhead Island is
a small village off the coast of Brunswick County in
southeastern North Carolina. There's been a lengthy legal proceeding that
has gone on as it relates to the fairy and
barge system that brings folks and supplies back and forth
from the island. To get some details on this this morning,
(20:50):
Mitch Koki from the John Locke Foundation joins us on
the Carolina Journal News Hour. Mitch Ferry Barge. This has
been like a multi year legal dispute. What is going
on in the village, a very small village of Baldhead Island.
Speaker 2 (21:05):
Well, the latest ruling is more bad news for the
village government of Baldhead Island because what happened was the
State Court of Appeals in an unpublished opinion which has
limited value as a precedent and usually is kind of
buried among the court cases that are put out there.
In this unpublished opinion, the Court of Appeals agreed with
(21:25):
the lower Court that Baldhead Island could not enforce this
right of first refusal or ROFR to purchase that infrastructure
that we're talking about, the ferry system, the barge, the
tram system on the island, and the parking lot on
the mainland that goes along with all of this. The
(21:46):
dispute really stems from the fact that Baldhead Island was
developed privately, and when the gentleman who developed the island
died in twenty thirteen, eventually, as the state decided they
wanted to sell that private infrastructure. By that time there
was a village of Balldhead Island, so there is a
village government and the government had talked about buying all
(22:08):
this infrastructure, but the two sides could not come to
an agreement. So at some point the private owners of
the property, the estate of the original developer, decided to
sell to this outside into t Sharpview Capital, which sparked
a lot of different legal battles from the village of
(22:29):
bald Head Island. Now. Earlier this year the State Supreme
Court decided not to take up the case of the
actual sale of the system from the previous owners, the
estate of the developer bald Head Island two Sharpview Capital.
But now the Court of Appeals has stepped in most
recently and said it's not going to enforce this right
(22:53):
of first refusal that the village claimed that it have
had for buying the infrastructure, because that had never been
put forward to the Utilities Commission. The Utilities Commission is
involved because the Utilities Commission has for many years had
authority over the ferry system and the tram system that
(23:14):
operates on Baldhead Island because there's very little auto traffic
on the island. And you might remember that there was
some dispute for a while about whether the barge which
carries materials other than people to Baldhead Island, whether that
was going to be part of the Utilities Commission, and
(23:37):
whether a parking lot that goes along with this on
the mainland would also be under the Utilities Commission's purview.
That has been the source of another legal battle. But
the latest decision basically says, no, Baldhead Island Village, the
local government, you did not have the right to buy
this property before it was sold to Sharpview Capital. So
(23:58):
it seems as if other than a ruling that allowed
the Utilities Commission to take over more control than it
had before. Other than that ruling, which was something that
Baldhead Island the village government had pushed for, the rest
of the rulings that have been coming out recently have
been against the village government and in favor of the
(24:20):
sale of the infrastructure from one private owner to another
private owner.
Speaker 1 (24:26):
Mitch, what makes this kind of interesting is we talk
about the village of Baldhead Island, the island. This is
truly an island. The only way to get to and
from Baldhead Island from the portions of southeastern North Carolina
is through some sort of boat, ferry or barge. There
is no land connector there's no bridge. Even when the
tide is low, there's no way to physically get there.
So I guess that's probably part of the reason why
(24:48):
the village itself is fighting so hard to try and
claim that they had the right to purchase some of
these assets. Because it truly is the only connector to
the municipality that they are as the local government.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
Yeah, I think that's true that the village government wants
to ensure that there's mainline access, and I think there
is some concern that if it is owned privately and
not by the private owner who developed this, which was
the original arrangement, that there could be some concern that
there would be cutbacks or corners are cut and so
(25:23):
people aren't getting the service that they want. There's also
been along the sideline here a concern that Sharpview Capital,
in buying this is trying to make it a money maker,
and so other than just having the normal services that
Baldhead Island is used to, they might do something on
(25:43):
the private parking lot that would be substantially different than
what is seen today. I mean, I remember in some
of the court discussions and court filings there was talk
about maybe they're going to build a huge hotel on
this parking lot, which would completely change for some people
the character of of what Baldhead Island is all about.
And so there has been a mix of reasons why
(26:05):
the village has been interested to try to get this one,
just to ensure that they could kind of keep services
as they are and also to block private owners from
doing something different that might change the character of Baldhead
Island by adding a lot more people in the area.
Speaker 1 (26:23):
Now there is a little bit of safeguard for that.
As you mentioned, the North Carolina Utilities Commission is an
overview and does have some responsibility for certain assets, including
the ferry system which transports people back and forth, Mitch.
And with that, for any sort of major rate hike
or any sort of substantial changes in service, wouldn't this
new owner in sharpview, wouldn't they have to go to
(26:45):
the Utilities Commission propose that and would not have to
be approved by in this case the state government.
Speaker 2 (26:52):
Yes, that's right. The Utilities Commission does have oversight over
the ferry system, over the island operated trams them. And
the recent rulings that have been dealing with what the
Utilities Commission has oversight over and doesn't have kind of
been a mixed bag. I believe that the parking lot
was ruled as being under the Utilities Commission's purview, but
(27:15):
the barge system was not, and so and so there's
a mix of what is a public utility and what
is not, which it does, as you mentioned, give a
safeguard to the people of Baldhead Island that there can't
be major changes in the costs of these things without
Utilities Commission approval. But what seems likely from the recent
(27:36):
rulings is that Baldhead Island is as a village government
is not going to be able to step in and
block the private sale. Now, another piece of this that
we haven't really gotten into is that there had been
discussions shortly after the developer's death, which goes back to
twenty thirteen, about the village purchasing this. The only reason
(27:58):
this went to court is that the two sides couldn't
come to an agreement about what cost would be paid.
I think the developer or the estate of the developer
wanted more money. They said this is a valuable asset,
and the village government, whether it's just out of penny
pinching or trying to make sure that they're not having
to pass along exorbitant costs to the residents, try to
(28:23):
keep the sale price low. And because they couldn't reach
an agreement, that's why the move was turned to try
to get private investors instead, and that's what ended up
sparking all this court battle.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
Yeah, it's definitely been a lengthy, ongoing, very interesting legal
case that's been going on over the last couple of years.
You can read the most recent details and some of
the backstore on all of this by visiting our website.
This morning, Carolina Journal dot com. Mitch Kokai from the
John Locke Foundation joins us on the Carolina Journal News Hour.
(28:58):
It's time for the sixth annual WBT Little Heroes Blood
Drive headed your way next Thursday, That's September fourth. WBT
and the One Blood, Big Red Bus will be at
the Doghouse in Uptown Charlotte from ten am to three pm.
Will be broadcasting live and encouraging you to make a
life saving blood donation. The sixth annual wbt's Little hero
(29:19):
Blood Drive headed your way Thursday, September fourth, at the
Doghouse in Uptown Charlotte. It's five point fifty four. Welcome
back to the Carolina Journal News Hour, News Talk eleven
ten ninety nine. Three WBT State lawmakers convene this week
for a brief session in Raleigh in which they were
originally scheduled to consider VETO overrides on several bills. However,
(29:40):
lawmakers there Tuesday and Thursday, the session ended without overrides
being taken up. Instead, lawmakers have now scheduled those overrides
for a late date in late September. The bills on
the state House side that were scheduled for consideration included
three measures House Bill one seventy one, Senate Bill two
twenty seven, and Senate Bill five point fifty eight, which
(30:03):
were all designed to curb the diversity, equity and inclusion
agenda in K through twelve, education, higher education, and in
state and local governments. Those three pieces of legislation getting
some significant movement, at least at the national level the
discussions over the last couple of months. Governor Josh Stein
(30:24):
veto to those three bills. However, Senate Bill five point
fifty eight and two twenty seven were overridden in the
state Senate, where Republicans have a veto proof majority. However,
as we turn our attention back to the North Carolina House,
the GOP needs at least one Democrat to side with
them to have the override come forward. In the initial
(30:47):
House votes approving each measure, no Democrats, not one of
them voted on the DEI bills and to this point publicly,
no Democrats have publicly pledged to join Republicans in overriding
those vetos. Shortly before the veto overrides were scheduled earlier
this week, the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus put out
(31:08):
a press release claiming a full commitment from all forty
one members to vote to sustain vetos on any DEI bills.
The press release right as follows. If enacted, these bills
would tear down the programs and policies that help create
equitable opportunities in schools, workplaces, and state agencies. They would
(31:29):
send a message to every black North Carolinian and our
community of color that their voices, experiences, and futures do
not matter. However, Democrats are unlikely to maintain unity at
least one of the other education related bills that lawmakers
are scheduled to take up when they returned to Raleigh
around September. The twenty second a veto override on House
(31:53):
Bill eighty seven already does have public backing from at
least one Democrat, that is, Representative Shelly Willingham of Edgecombe County.
We've got some additional details this morning on these a
veto override votes, which could be coming as soon as
about a month from now. You can read those details
on our website at Carolina Journal dot com. That's going
(32:14):
to do it for a Friday edition at WBT News
is next, followed by Good Morning BT. We're back with
you at Tuesday morning live right here on Newstalk eleven,
ten and ninety nine to three WBT
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