Hi there, Raleigh! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness and 9 more events.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Richard J.!
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Wake's 2026 State of the County Address (caro.news) — Wake County's State of the County address highlighted major investments that directly affect Raleigh, including a new public health facility in East Raleigh, expanded affordable housing, and continued support for Wake County Public Schools. Leaders also warned about state-driven budget pressures, upcoming school and Wake Tech bond votes, and initiatives on homelessness, water planning, and farmland preservation that will shape daily life across Raleigh and surrounding communities.
2. Dix Park demolition clears way for new Raleigh green space (abc11.com) — Demolition of four former state hospital buildings at Dix Park is clearing the way for a large new green space that could open to Raleigh visitors later this fall or early winter. City leaders are adding restrooms, planning a water garden and theater area, and designing Rocky Branch Restoration to better connect downtown Raleigh to Gibson Play Plaza while preserving select historic buildings.
3. Fired Raleigh cop pleads not guilty to coercing sex from women he pulled over (newsobserver.com) — A former Raleigh police officer has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced sex from women during traffic stops in exchange for dropping charges, along with related obstruction and prostitution counts. After being fired by Raleigh police and briefly jailed for failing to appear, he now faces a possible 2027 trial while the FBI continues a civil rights investigation and seeks additional potential victims.
4. Wiring Damage Leads to Beech 58 Landing Gear Collapse (generalaviationnews.com) — An NTSB report describes how a Beech 58's landing gear unexpectedly retracted during takeoff at the Raleigh airport, causing the plane to collapse onto the runway and sustain substantial fuselage damage. Investigators later found damaged, arcing wires to the landing gear selector switch, and the report is being shared to help pilots and aviation enthusiasts around Raleigh learn from the incident.
5. NC traffic safety experts call for tougher laws on speeding, impaired or distracted driving • NC Newsline (ncnewsline.com) — A statewide traffic safety summit held in Raleigh is pushing for tougher North Carolina laws on speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving, including ignition interlocks for first-time DWI offenders and a hands-free requirement. Experts also urged wider use of speed cameras in school zones and clearer e-bike rules, changes that could eventually affect how you drive around Raleigh and across the state.
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Ok Raleigh! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
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