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RALEIGH, N.C. – ‍ As teh Atlantic hurricane season peaks,travelers heading to coastal⁢ destinations this fall⁤ are strongly advised to consider purchasing travel insurance,particularly in areas prone to storms. Recent mandatory evacuations triggered by Hurricane​ Erin in⁢ North Carolina⁢ highlight the financial risks travelers face when storms disrupt travel plans.

Travel insurance can protect against unforeseen expenses ‍like trip​ cancellations,‌ delays, and the cost​ of changes to⁤ travel arrangements-including airline change fees and any additional airline ⁢expenses ⁤associated with getting ​home. Not all policies are created equal, so careful review of coverage details ‍is essential. Under North⁤ Carolina law,those scheduled to stay ⁢in areas under mandatory‍ evacuation are‌ entitled to a refund,but this right may be forfeited ⁣if offered⁣ insurance is ‌declined.

Experts recommend adding extra time to travel schedules, especially when connecting to cruises. “Add a⁢ little ⁢more padding into⁤ your ⁤schedule or if you’re expecting to catch a⁣ cruise ‍ship somewhere, give it another​ day⁣ or two so‍ that you ‍arrive at the destination and have a little time before‌ that cruise ship departs rather than counting on the plane arriving exactly when it’s supposed ​to ‌and the cruise ship departing exactly when it’s supposed to,” advised​ a travel ‌expert.

beyond dedicated travel⁣ insurance policies, travelers ⁤should also investigate potential travel protections offered by their credit cards. Always read the fine print of any insurance policy to understand its specific terms ⁤and ​conditions. For more​ consumer protection⁢ resources,⁢ visit the ABC11 Troubleshooter page.

Durham Woman’s $250,000 Gift to Duke⁣ Health ​Launches‍ New‍ Grief Initiative

DURHAM, ⁣NC – A $250,000 donation from Durham native Rebecca Feinglos will establish the Susan ​and Mark Feinglos​ Grief Initiative at Duke ⁤Health, addressing‌ a critical gap in care for patients and healthcare workers facing‍ loss. The program, announced today, aims to improve grief support within the medical center, particularly in oncology.

Feinglos created Grieve Leave after experiencing a⁢ lack of dedicated grief resources‍ as an adult, and her gift is a direct response to that need. Both of her parents, Susan and Mark Feinglos, were employed by Duke Health. The initiative will be integrated into the Preston Robert Tisch brain Tumor ⁢Center’s work, with input from clinicians like dr. Henry Friedman, Deputy Director of the center, who treated‍ Susan Feinglos.

“Any acknowledgment of‌ struggle is perceived as weakness,” Feinglos explained.”I think we​ have⁣ to get out of that​ mindset ‌as a⁢ society if we want to carry the heaviness of grief better. ‍If we want to care for our mental health, we have to be able​ to hold​ it all.”

The need for enhanced ⁣grief support is particularly acute in fields like neuro-oncology, where Dr. Friedman noted a “staggering” burnout rate among staff. “The problem is ‍that with the‌ majority of patients dying,​ we get to‍ a period‍ where grief is ⁣a ⁤major issue⁣ and that‌ we’re not nearly as prepared to ⁣deal with as we would like to be,” he said.

Friedman emphasized the transformative potential of the donation. “What (Rebecca) is doing is going to meet a need⁢ that has been unfulfilled for​ a very long time… addressing a‌ need that’s missing and help an increasingly desperate number of patients who face this problem.”

The initiative seeks to balance hope with the‍ reality of grief, allowing patients and families to acknowledge tough emotions without compromising their commitment to treatment. “We have to be able to⁣ say, yes, I’m going to do everything that I can to have a‍ positive ‌outlook… And let’s also get the support we need to recognize‌ how scary this​ is. I just think we can⁢ hold both,” Feinglos stated. “When we view ⁤grief as ⁣this binary, either you’re hopeful or you’re grieving, I⁤ think that’s ​a mistake.”

Dollar Shave Club Officially ‍Opens durham Headquarters, Citing Quality of Life and Talent

DURHAM, N.C.‌ – Dollar Shave Club celebrated the grand opening of it’s new 17,500 square foot‌ headquarters in Durham Tuesday,marking a significant investment in North Carolina’s growing business landscape. The move ⁢from California was driven by Durham’s appealing combination of a strong talent pool, high quality of life, and favorable cost of living ⁢for employees, according to company ‍leadership.

The decision⁣ to ‍relocate reflects a broader‍ trend of companies seeking ‍alternatives to conventional tech hubs. Dollar Shave Club’s new office, designed to attract rather than require employees to return to in-person work, has initial⁣ capacity for 80 employees with potential for future expansion. The company’s arrival adds to a surge⁣ of economic progress in the ⁣state, with 71 new projects totaling nearly $19 billion in capital investment reported through the second quarter of⁢ 2025, including major commitments from companies like JetZero.

“It’s really the opportunity to come to a ⁢great market with great talent, a great quality of⁣ life, and ⁢cost of ⁤living for the employees,” said dollar Shave Club⁢ CEO Larry ⁤Bodner, a Duke MBA graduate, at the ​grand opening event.”Instead of forcing employees to return to work, we wanted to create a magnet for a place they wanted to be.”

Durham Mayor Leo Williams welcomed the company, ⁤stating, “Welcome to the Bull ‌City. This is your home now, just make it what you want it to be. We appreciate diversity here, we appreciate​ everyone being ​so different, everyone having their own story.”

Durham⁣ Chamber President Geoff Durham highlighted the alignment between the company’s values and the community’s culture, noting the diverse depiction within the new headquarters. He stated, ‍”Once I started⁣ to understand that, I‌ realize how that corporate value align with this community.And then I look around this room, and I look at this space. What an amazing cross representation of exactly who this ‌community is and exactly who this company is.”

Chapel Hill businesses and residents impacted by Tropical Storm Chantal are facing significant challenges as they navigate the complex process of securing funding and rebuilding. Many are still determining their ability to remain operational following the storm’s concentrated damage.

Beth Ellis, owner of Clean Juice, described the devastating scene as floodwaters rose three to four feet within her establishment. The aftermath has involved extensive cleanup, temporary support for employees, and the daunting task of assessing insurance coverage.

“We’re not sure exactly how we’re going to be able to rebuild, our part at this point,” Ellis stated, highlighting the financial strain. while her landlord will address the central wall, the lapse in her flood insurance means she is responsible for all other damages.

Ellis expressed concern about incurring additional debt, particularly wiht two children in collage and another nearing higher education. “We don’t need to bring on more debt if we possibly can, so we’re going to see what we can do here,” she said.

The localized nature of Chantal’s damage in Chapel hill, unlike the widespread impact of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, presents a unique frustration for those directly affected. Joel Harper of the Small Business Technology Development Center noted the disparity: “When you lose an interstate or a water sewer system that affects tens of thousands of people who may not have gotten any other damage, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, Chantal, if one got affected by Chantal it’s just as devastating for them. But obviously it wasn’t as pervasive or widespread in our communities.”

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing low-interest loans to assist both businesses and individuals, including homeowners and renters, affected by the storm.

Janell Dixon from the SBA explained the loan program’s flexibility: “Maybe somebody wants to leave the area that’s in the flood zone. maybe they wont to build their home and repurposed for like a flood zone area. Like if they have a lower driveway, some people will come in and build in on that and make sure that they have the proper flooding zone.”

A resource center has been established at the Drakeford Library in Carrboro, with plans for an additional location in Durham to support those affected by Tropical Storm Chantal.

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