Community Corner
🌱 NC Death Penalty Jury Picking Controversy + N.C.S.U. Facing Lawsuit
The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Raleigh.
Happy World Letter Writing Day Raleigh!
Hot dog! (sorry, too much Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with my toddler made me say that.) Today was definitely not a quiet day in Raleigh. There is so much to unpack below, so tear off that packaging tape and dive into:
- The state fair seeking home chefs to try and win $500 prizes
- A Q&A today about Impact Partner Grants
- Who Wake County Educators want to represent them
First, today's weather:
Sunshine and pleasant. High: 90 Low: 65.
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Here are the top six stories today in Raleigh:
- A trial in Raleigh began Wednesday that calls into question the legality of North Carolina's death penalty. The trial of Brandon Xavier Hill officially begins on September 12, but yesterday and today, testimony of Kami Chavis will be presented regarding current-day racial inequities. The ACLU has filed a motion that says "the removal of community members from capital juries under 'death qualification' is an unconstitutional practice." According to a study by Michigan State University's College of Law, the death disqualification in Wake County's last 10 capital trials excluded potential Black jurors at twice the rate of white jurors. (INDY Week)
- A Raleigh woman was injured by gunfire prior to a vehicle crash on Wednesday morning. According to police, the woman's car was damaged by gunfire at a different location, before crashing at the Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and South Raleigh Boulevard intersection. Both the woman and the driver of the other involved vehicle were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. (CBS17, WRAL)
- North Carolina State University is responding to a lawsuit that was announced on Tuesday regarding an athletic trainer facing allegations of sexual misconduct. According to the University, a former student-athlete reported allegations of sexual misconduct on January 19, for incidents that occurred between 2015 and 2017. On Tuesday, N.C. State released a statement claiming that January was the first time they heard of the accusations, and said the former student-athlete and other student-athletes had not previously reported the types of allegations. (CBS17)
- A Wayne County man was hit by a Raleigh police cruiser and shocked by a taser on Sunday in his second arrest in the day. Lance Mitchell Scott was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and assaulting a law enforcement officer. Before the chase, police say Scott stole a 1997 Lexus, but stalled the car, giving the owner the opportunity to remove him from the vehicle. The owner called police and they approached him down the road, a bystander was able to catch the end of the chase on video that shows Scott being struck by the patrol car, assaulting an officer, and being struck with the taser. (WRAL)
- Wake County Fire Services held a community meeting on Tuesday night to discuss the need for fire services in the northwest part of the county. According to Darrell Alford, Fire Service and Emergency Management Director of Wake County, data shows a delay in services as the Creedmoor Fire Department has responded to calls in that area for years. Officials are looking to create a fire station that would be north of Highway 98 to serve the area. (abc11)
- The North Carolina State Fair is looking for home chefs to participate in 11 days of cooking challenges. Among the competitions will be loaded nachos, ultimate brownies, spirited pies, quirky cobbler, a make ahead breakfast challenge, chili cook-off, grain bowls, sirloin salad, and fair foods featuring bacon. The winner for each challenge will take home a prize of $500, and the deadline to enter is October 3. (YES Weekly)
Today in Raleigh:
- 2nd Anniversary Celebration at Bumble Brews (8 a.m. - 6 p.m.)
- Bingo with Columbus Club of Raleigh (5:30 - 10 p.m.)
- Jazz in the Square: Free Outdoor Jazz Concerts at Moore Square (6 - 8 p.m.)
- Trivia: Vault Craft Beer (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.), Norse Brewing WF (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.), Buffalo Brothers Cary (7 - 9 p.m.), Rick & Morty Theme at Bigfoot Taphouse (7 p.m.), JoCo Brewing Garner (7 - 9 p.m.), Real McCoy's WF (7 - 9 p.m.), Fortnight Brewing (7 - 9 p.m.), PourWorks (7:30 - 9:30 p.m.), Compass Rose (7:30 - 11 p.m.)
- Music Bingo: Brueprint Taproom (7 - 9 p.m.), Lonerider Brewery (7 - 10 p.m.), Doherty's Apex (8 - 10 p.m.)
- Comedy Open Mic at Crafty Beer, Wine & Spirits (7:30 - 9:30 p.m.)
Friday in Raleigh:
- First Friday Downtown Raleigh (5 - 11 p.m.)
- First Friday at Transfer Co. (6 - 9 p.m.)
- Bands, Bites, & Boats at Bond Park (5:30 - 7:30 p.m.)
- Trivia at Clouds Brewing (7:30 - 9:30 p.m.)
- "A House Party" at House of Art Raleigh (8 p.m. - 2 a.m.)
- Karaoke Night at Brickhouse of Raleigh (9 p.m. - 1 a.m.)
From my notebook:
- It's World Letter Writing Day, and the great thing about that is even if you don't know who to write to, there is someone who would love a letter. Recently another Raleigh resident shared with me that they participated in Letters Against Isolation to write letters to seniors, and today is the perfect day for you to join!
- The City of Raleigh is hosting a virtual Q&A today with information about Impact Partner Grants. The grants fund organizations that help underrepresented businesses start, grow, and stay in Raleigh. (City of Raleigh Facebook)
- The Wake County branch of the N.C. Association of Educators released endorsements for midterm elections, including picks for school board. (INDY WeekINDY Week)
Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.
— CJ Fullford
Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Raleigh Daily? Contact me at raleigh@patch.com