The town of Lake Lure is reopening after months of storm recovery, with a phased soft opening allowing limited public access. Meanwhile, a North Carolina drone operator is taking his case to the U.S. Supreme Court, challenging state regulations on occupational licensing. The North Carolina legislature is also gearing up for a busy session, with lawmakers set to tackle issues like the state budget and drone regulation. [... more]

Navigating tax season requires careful consideration of financial advisors, tax filing status, and government benefits. A certified kingdom advisor can provide biblical wisdom and professional guidance to make informed decisions about long-term care insurance, home equity loans, and reverse mortgages. [... more]

A small toy company, Kenner, took a risk by manufacturing Star Wars toys after the big companies passed on the opportunity. The toys became a huge success, and the company's president, Bernie Loomis, made a decision that would change the course of toy history. Meanwhile, a museum curator shares the story of how Star Wars revolutionized movie merchandising and licensing, and how it influenced kids' toys and imagination. [... more]

Biblical financial wisdom and faith-based financial guidance are essential for making informed decisions about your money. Certified Kingdom Advisors can provide sound advice grounded in God's word, helping you navigate complex financial situations and achieve your goals. Whether you're seeking to understand reverse mortgages, improve your credit score, or manage debt, these experts can offer valuable insights and support. [... more]

The NFL is dealing with a surge in injuries, with several players suffering from hamstring and knee issues. Meanwhile, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson is set to return to work after a contract dispute. In other news, Charles Barkley is reportedly unhappy with the decision to license his popular NBA show to ESPN, and the Savannah Bananas, a wacky baseball team, are making headlines with their unique brand of entertainment. Looking back, we take a look at some notable events in sports history, including Michael Johnson's record-breaking 400-meter dash at the 1996 Olympics and Tim Donaghy's sentencing for his role in a betting scandal. [... more]

North Carolina is still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which tore through the state nine months ago, causing widespread destruction and flooding. The town of Black Mountain has received $800,000 in FEMA funding, but still faces significant challenges in rebuilding its infrastructure and economy. Meanwhile, Governor Josh Stein has vetoed a slew of DEI bills, and the General Assembly is expected to return to session later this month to consider override votes. Additionally, the state is implementing new occupational licensing laws, which aim to streamline the process for licensed professionals to work in North Carolina. [... more]

The North Carolina legislature has given final approval to the Power Reduction Act, which eliminates the state's statutory goal to cut carbon emissions by 70% by 2030. Supporters say this policy change could save North Carolinians up to $15 billion in future energy costs and will help meet skyrocketing power demands. Meanwhile, the Foster Care in NC Act aims to modernize and strengthen the state's child welfare system through a wide-ranging set of reforms. Additionally, the Neighbor State License Recognition Act advances occupational licensing reform by allowing individuals licensed in neighboring states to apply for equivalent licenses in North Carolina without having to start the process from scratch. Wolfspeed, a Durham-based company, is one step closer to filing for bankruptcy after creditors secured a $750 million financing deal. The company manufactures wide bandgap semiconductors and has faced financial woes and layoffs in recent months. [... more]

Choosing the right tax preparer and understanding the benefits of charitable giving from an IRA can help individuals make informed financial decisions. Meanwhile, managing small business finances requires careful planning, including separating personal and business expenses, establishing a budget, and setting aside money for taxes and retirement. Prioritizing one's well-being by implementing a 'pay yourself first' system can also be a biblically sound approach to financial management. [... more]

Jared Rolle, a museum curator, shares his experience growing up with Star Wars action figures and how they allowed him to be his own storyteller. He recounts how Kenner toys tried to keep the Star Wars franchise alive after the original trilogy ended, but ultimately failed. Jared's story is a nostalgic look at how Star Wars impacted his childhood and the impact it still has on him today. [... more]

The nostalgia awakens as museum curator Jared Roll shares the story of how the small toy company Kenner took the offer from George Lucas to manufacture Star Wars toys, revolutionizing movie merchandising and licensing. The exhibit features every action figure toy made by Kenner from 1978 to 1985, showcasing the impact of Star Wars on kids and adults alike. [... more]

The Star Wars franchise revolutionized movie merchandising and licensing, allowing kids to be their own storytellers through action figures and playsets. Museum curator Jared Roll shares his experience growing up with Star Wars toys and how they became valuable collectibles, sparking a new generation of adult collectors. [... more]

The story of how a small toy company, Kenner, revolutionized movie merchandising and licensing with the Star Wars franchise, creating a cultural phenomenon that has stayed with fans for decades. [... more]

Jared Roll shares his experience growing up with the original Star Wars trilogy and how it influenced his childhood. He discusses how Kenner Toys created a new line of action figures, the Power of the Force, after George Lucas announced he wouldn't be making more movies. Roll also talks about how he started collecting vintage Star Wars toys and how his passion for collecting eventually led to creating an exhibit called The Nostalgia Awakens. [... more]

A landmark case in Texas challenged the state's cosmetology laws, which required eyebrow threaders to spend nine months in a private beauty school learning nothing about their craft. The case, defended by the Institute for Justice, established that under the Texas Constitution, there must be a real and substantial connection between government regulations and how they function in the real world. [... more]

The Star Wars franchise revolutionized movie merchandising and licensing, with the small toy company Kenner taking a risk to produce action figures for the original three movies. The company's decision to create a smaller, more affordable line of figures helped make the toys a huge success, and the franchise's staying power was fueled by the anticipation of the sequel, as well as the creation of various products such as trading cards, comic books, and books on tape. [... more]

Jared Roll, a museum curator, shares his experience of growing up with Star Wars action figures and the impact they had on his childhood. He discusses how the toys allowed him to recreate scenes from the movies and be his own storyteller. As he grew older, he began to collect vintage Star Wars toys, which eventually led to the creation of an exhibit called The Nostalgia Awakens. [... more]

The story of how the small toy company Kenner took the offer from George Lucas to manufacture Star Wars toys after the big toy companies passed on the opportunity. Kenner's decision to create a smaller action figure line and focus on play sets and vehicles helped make the toys a huge success, and the early bird kit, which was an empty package with a promise of the figures to come, became a collectible item. [... more]

The story of Coca-Cola's rise to success is a remarkable tale of innovation, entrepreneurship, and franchising. From its humble beginnings as a syrup invented by John Pemberton to its current status as a global brand, Coca-Cola's journey is a testament to the power of business and marketing. With its unique blend of flavor and branding, Coca-Cola has become an iconic symbol of American culture, and its story is a fascinating look at the history of business and entrepreneurship in the United States. [... more]

Jared Roll, a museum curator, shares his experience of growing up with the original Star Wars trilogy and how action figures allowed him to be his own storyteller. He discusses how Kenner Toys' decision to continue producing Star Wars toys after the original trilogy ended, despite George Lucas's lack of plans for new movies, ultimately led to the toys becoming highly valuable among collectors. [... more]

The story of how a small toy company, Kenner, revolutionized movie merchandising with the Star Wars action figure line, and how the franchise's staying power influenced kids and adults alike in the late 1970s. [... more]