FRIDAYS TOGETHER WITH YOU

To-Do!

✅ Unhook and drain your garden hoses

✅ Consider installing an insulated faucet cover and possibly a heat lamp

✅ Bring in or cover plants

Significant Changes Coming to NC Laws in 2025—How They Could Affect Your Wallet

[NC Leg] New laws take effect in North Carolina on Jan. 1, 2025. Key changes include lower income taxes, stricter auto insurance requirements, transparent ticket pricing, and updated juvenile definitions. State employees will switch to Aetna for health coverage, and campaign contribution limits will increase. A controversial bill also reduces the governor’s authority, sparking lawsuits.

• Power Shift in State Leadership (Senate Bill 382)

  • Strips authority from incoming Governor Josh Stein, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, and State Superintendent Maurice Green.

  • Lawsuits have been filed challenging the bill.

• Income Tax Decrease (House Bill 259)

  • Individual income tax rate drops from 4.5% to 4.25% in 2025.

  • Gradual decreases continue, reaching 3.99% by 2026.

  • Corporate income taxes will also change.

• Auto Insurance Updates (Senate Bill 452)

  • Minimum liability coverage increases to $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident.

  • Property damage coverage rises to $50,000.

  • Adjusts underinsured motorist coverage calculations for better financial protection.

• Juvenile Definition Changes (House Bill 834)

  • Defines delinquent juveniles as those aged 10–16 committing crimes.

  • Includes 16–18-year-olds for certain offenses.

  • Children 8–10 years old can also be classified as delinquent for certain felonies.

• Ticket Pricing Transparency (Senate Bill 607)

  • Requires ticket sellers to display total prices upfront, including all fees.

  • Prevents hidden fees during checkout for live events (concerts, sports, theater).

  • Enforces penalties for violations under unfair trade practices laws.

• State Employees' Health Coverage (House Bill 1020)

  • Aetna replaces Blue Cross NC as the administrator for the State Health Plan.

  • Affects teachers, state employees, retirees, and their dependents.

• Campaign Contribution Limit Increase (N.C.G.S. 163-96)

  • Contribution limit for candidates and committees rises from $6,400 to $6,800 per election.

  • Exceptions apply for candidates contributing to their own campaigns.

Read More »

News Roundup

Local News:

• New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office mourns the loss of K9 Oscar

• Over 800 Duke Energy customers without power near Wrightsboro

• Oak Island Water Rescue receives donation of new rescue boat

What you should know:

• Mask mandates return in multiple states as doctors warn of 'quad-demic'

• Cybertruck driver and New Orleans driver both served at Fort Bragg

What might surprise you

• Biden Announces Liz Cheney to Receive Presidential Medal

National & World News:

• Shooting outside New York City nightclub in Queens leaves 10 injured

• World's fastest bullet train that can reach 280mph unveiled

Weather Forecast

Fri 03 AM Clouds/PM Sun | 55°/30° | 1% | WSW 15 mph
Sat 04 Sunny | 44°/30° | 0% | NW 15 mph
Sun 05 Mostly Sunny | 48°/44° | 2% | NW 6 mph

Provided by weather.com

Tide Forecast

Friday, January 3
3:09 AM: -0.40 ft (Low Tide)
9:38 AM: 4.37 ft (High Tide)
3:55 PM: -0.42 ft (Low Tide)
10:02 PM: 3.50 ft (High Tide)

Saturday, January 4
3:58 AM: -0.23 ft (Low Tide)
10:27 AM: 4.19 ft (High Tide)
4:42 PM: -0.41 ft (Low Tide)
10:56 PM: 3.66 ft (High Tide)

Sunday, January 5
4:57 AM: -0.02 ft (Low Tide)
11:17 AM: 3.97 ft (High Tide)
5:35 PM: -0.40 ft (Low Tide)
11:50 PM: 3.83 ft (High Tide)

Provided by Marineweather.net