Community Corner
π± Patch AM: Why is Raleigh still holding out on a data center moratorium?
Be sure to catch Rising Clinician Scholarship Info Session on the Raleigh Patch calendar

Good morning Raleigh! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why is Raleigh still holding out on a data center moratorium?
- Stretch your Raleigh back-to-school budget with these smart shopping moves
- How tall is the record‑setting wheel coming to Raleigh's State Fair?
Also on today's calendar: Rising Clinician Scholarship Info Session and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, warm and humid, with a high of 93 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., temps: high: 97, low: 74.
- Friday: Humid with a heavy t-storm, with a high of 86 and low of 73 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Raleigh is the largest city in the state without a data center moratorium. Why? (wral.com) — Raleigh leaders are under pressure to explain why the city remains the largest in North Carolina without a temporary pause on new data centers, even after a controversial southeast Raleigh proposal was withdrawn. Officials outlined how small and large data centers are currently approved and signaled they want better public notice when big projects come forward, but have not committed to a moratorium.
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2. Back-to-school shoppers guide to cost cutting with planning and strategy (abc11.com) — With Raleigh families gearing up for a new school year, consumer experts are urging parents to set a clear back-to-school budget, comparison shop, and watch for online scams. Checking what you already have at home and using credit cards for added fraud protection can also stretch your dollars further this season.
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3. America 250 Wheel coming to NC State Fair, organizers say (cbs17.com) — Raleigh residents heading to the 2026 North Carolina State Fair can ride the towering America 250 Wheel at the fairgrounds, offering some of the best views in town. Standing 230 feet tall with 45 presidential‑themed gondolas, the wheel will operate during the Oct. 15–25 fair, celebrating America's 250th birthday with a new skyline‑dominating attraction.
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4. An old NC locomotive gets a new skin to honor America's 250th birthday (newsobserver.com) — A freshly overhauled locomotive that helps power Amtrak's Piedmont route between Raleigh and Charlotte is back on the rails with a patriotic new paint job honoring America's 250th birthday. Renumbered RNCX 1776, the nearly 50-year-old engine will debut at a late-August celebration in Spencer as ridership on North Carolina's passenger trains continues to climb.
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5. Southern Living says you can run away to the British countryside... in NC (newsobserver.com) — If you're craving a British countryside-style escape without leaving the Triangle, Fearrington House Inn in nearby Pittsboro is only about an hour from Raleigh and half an hour from RDU. The former dairy farm now offers high tea, a Forbes-starred restaurant, spa services, and bucolic farm animals, with rooms starting around $356 a night.
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📸 Around Raleigh
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Raleigh
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Rising Clinician Scholarship Info Session →
Virtual - Register on Zoom
12:00 pm - RTP 180: Energy →
Frontier RTP, 800 Park Offices Dr, Durham
5:00 pm - National Latinas Day 5K Fun Run - with Latinos Run and Latinas Run of Raleigh Durham →
The Glass Jug Beer Lab - Downtown Durham, 545 Foster St, Durham
6:30 pm - XOXOK Live Music →
The Glass Jug Beer Lab - RTP, 5410 NC-55, Durham
6:00 pm - Ragie Ban at The Fruit →
The Fruit, 305 S Dillard St, Durham
7:00 pm - McWally's One-Year Anniversary Celebration →
McWally's, 1475 N Judd Pkwy NE, Fuquay-Varina
11:00 am - Summer Celebration →
Artspace, 201 E Davie St, Raleigh
11:00 am - Level Up Live →
Boxyard RTP, 900 Park Offices Dr, Durham
5:30 pm
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Friday August 28
📣 Raleigh Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- AM Tech Theatre Interviews 2
Longleaf School of the Arts Raleigh, NC 27603
7:45 am - Coffee + Connect with the Exploris Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO
The Exploris School Transfer Co. Food Hall, 500 E Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
8:30 am - Business After Hours sponsored by Springhill Suites
Garner Chamber of Commerce Springhill Suites 4108 Virtuous St. Garner, NC 27529
5:30 pm - Bingo, Books and Bagels for Adults at East Regional Library in Knightdale →
East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Ct, Knightdale
10:30 am
Wednesday August 19
Thursday August 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- ISO someone to help install a simple light fixture immediately.
As in tonight- right now. I don't have the ability to do it and have tried. It's a small bathroom one. Also need someone to help put some glass… (Nextdoor Meadowood Crossings) - It's national black cat day and this little cutie would love to be yours!
Sal is just pure cuteness. He's 4-5 month old, handsome with a sleek shiny coat, purrs readily, loves to play and loves other cats! Who wants to… (Nextdoor Five Points)
- Wake County Public School System posted a job opening for Custodian - 70% in Raleigh. Apply here.
- Sumitomo Electric posted a job opening for Import/Export Coordinator in Raleigh. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Raleigh here.
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: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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