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Community Corner

🌱 North Carolina Freedom Park Delay + Weekly General Assembly Recap

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening today in Raleigh.

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Christina Fullford, Neighbor
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(Patch Media)

Happy Self-Love Day Raleigh!

It really is the perfect time for some self-love. A whole lot has happened and is happening in our area and our state, and you can never take care of yourself enough. Take some time, catch up, and then go do something for you! Here's a small peek at what you've got to catch up on:

  • NCSU mourns the loss of another student on campus.
  • Valentine's Cookie Decorating Class
  • It turns out, the internet does talk about Bruno of Raleigh.

But first, today's weather:

Warmer with clouds and sun. High: 64 Low: 37.

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Here are the top three stories today in Raleigh:

  1. The North Carolina Freedom Park has been in the works for some time, but ongoing supply chain issues have pushed back the opening. The park was originally scheduled to open in January, but inscribed panels with quotes from Black North Carolinians arrived late and pushed back plans. Around half of the panels have now been installed, but the others are still pending install and the landscaping and planting has been pushed back, making the new estimated opening June. (CBS17)
  2. North Carolina State University is inspecting yet another student death on campus. A female undergraduate student was found at Sullivan Hall on the main campus. The NC State University Police Department does not suspect foul play and is investigating the death as an apparent suicide. The Counseling Center and Prevention Services will be providing drop-in counseling services for students over the next few days. (NCSU Technician)
  3. The North Carolina General Assembly has been busy filing, and passing legislation in our state, here's your weekly roundup:
    1. The State Senate unanimously passed a bill that changes the safe surrender bill that went into effect in 2001. The bill originally gave people the ability to surrender an infant to another responsible adult so long as they were under 7 days old and not victim to abuse or neglect. The changes passed in the Senate would limit the surrender to health care providers, first responders or social service workers. The State Department of Health and Human Services proposed the changes to limit risk of human trafficking and exploitation of children. (CBS17)
    2. A bill that would increase punishments for violent protests passed in the North Carolina House on Wednesday. There was some bipartisan support, with enough in favor to override a potential veto from Governor Roy Cooper. Existing state law already makes it a misdemeanor to participate in or incite a riot, with felony charges when it leads to serious injury or property damage exceeding $1,500. The new legislation not only increases penalties, but also allows property owners to seek compensation against a perpetrator. (AP News, CBS17)
    3. On Monday, House Bill 43 was introduced, that would prohibit sterilization surgeries, puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors. If passed, the bill would make it illegal for a minor to receive any hormone treatments that are not in line with their assigned sex at birth. The bill would also prohibit a minor from receiving any surgery to remove a "non-diseased body part or tissue." Providers who offer gender-affirming care for minors could have their medical license revoked and face civil fines. (Daily Tar Heel)
    4. On Tuesday, the North Carolina Senate passed State Bill 49, the Parents' Bill of Rights that would require all public schools to notify parents of any changes to student's name or pronouns. (Daily Tar Heel)
    5. The North Carolina Senate approved a bill that would make landlord-tenant protections kick in after someone stays at a hotel, motel or campground for 90 days. A similar bill was vetoed in 2021 by Governor Cooper who said that it was not the right way to provide safety in hotels. (WWAY3)
    6. N.C. House GOP members filed a new Medicaid expansion bill that would extend health coverage to an estimate of 600,000 North Carolinians. Last year, a Medicaid expansion bill passed in the state Senate, but it never made it through the house. The new proposal, House Bill 76, would give Medicaid coverage to people making 138% of the federal poverty level, and have the state join the federal Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program. (Spectrum News 1)

Today in Raleigh:

Tuesday in Raleigh:

From my notebook:

  • It's Self-Love Day and you should go out and treat yourself with a little self-care. RAL Today has even compiled a list of various places to take care of yourself in Raleigh.
  • Wake County SPCA's Bruno is going viral, after an employee noted that he tore an ear off his favorite toy, mirroring his own missing ear. (abc11)
  • Fan Fest is coming to Raleigh as we are less than a week away from the NHL Stadium Series game at Carter-Finley Stadium. (abc11)

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— CJ Fullford

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Raleigh Patch newsletter? Contact me at raleigh@patch.com

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