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Community Corner

🌱 State & Local Election Results Recap + Wake Library Controversy

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 Area Code Day Raleigh!

Well election results are in, and if you love them, awesome, if you hate them, then plan ahead. Until then, you can follow along with everything that unfolds over the next two years, right here. Check out everything you need to know and more below, including:

  • Sanderson High teacher arrested.
  • Here's a chance to enjoy some foosball again.
  • NC by Train has record ridership.

But first, today's weather:

Cloudy, a shower in the p.m.. High: 70 Low: 65.

Here are the top six stories in Raleigh today:

  1. North Carolina election results are in, and the State has shifted to the right. Republicans won all judicial races, giving the North Carolina Supreme Court a 5-2 majority for Republicans that will remain in place until at least 2028. The party also claimed seats in the State House and Senate, giving them a supermajority in the Senate, and being one seat shy of a supermajority in the House. This means that the legislature does not have the power to override a veto from Democratic Governor Roy Cooper. Ted Budd also beat out Cheri Beasley for the U.S. Senate Race to replace retiring Senator Richard Burr. The results have not been finalized, and will remain unofficial until a canvass is finished on November 18. (abc11, Axios, CBS17, CharlotteObserver, WCNC, WRAL, WXII12) Full preliminary election results can be found here.
  2. Raleigh incumbent Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin won re-election for her second term in office, in spite of efforts to recall her last year. Baldwin said that she will focus on public transportation and gun violence prevention, but affordable housing is her biggest goal. In this term, she will work with four new city council members that were endorsed by anti-growth groups who opposed of her growth plans. (abc11, WRAL) Voters also selected Democratic nominee, Willie Rowe to lead as Wake County Sheriff, beating out former Sheriff Donnie Harrison (R). Voters also passed all three referendum on the Wake County ballot, including the Community College Bonds Referendum, the School Bonds Referendum, and the Parks and Recreation Bond Referendum. (CBS17) Full preliminary election results can be found here.
  3. A teacher at Sanderson High School is facing 10 counts of second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Eric Kyle Belk is accused of distributing, receiving and exchanging child pornography involving children ranging in age from 7-12 years old. Belk has been suspended from his position as a science teacher, and in an email to parents, it was said that the minors involve do not appear to be students. Knightdale police arrested Belk on Tuesday, and he is being held on a $500,000 bond. (abc11, CBS17, WRAL)
  4. Before 10 a.m. on Wednesday, firefighters responded to the Pines of Ashton apartments off Sunnybrook Road near WakeMed. Around 10:30a.m. smoke was still billowing out of the first floor apartment. One man was injured after jumping from the third floor, and 12 adults and 10 children were displaced. Apartment management was at the scene helping open other apartments to give displaced residents somewhere to stay, and the Red Cross was also present and assisting. (abc11, CBS17, WRAL)
  5. Raleigh police have released a mugshot of a man they are looking for in connection to the death of Jamila Rogers on Sunday. The suspect, Stanley Lemont Johnson, "Tadpole" was last seen leaving the scene on foot, heading eastbound on Bragg Street. Police are asking for help from the public in locating Johnson. (abc11, CBS17, WRAL) Police have also announced a suspect in the stabbing that took place at a Raleigh Days Inn. Antonius Tivoli Jackson was arrested on Tuesday after the incident and has been charged with first-degree kidnapping, assault with intent to kill, and more. (CBS17)
  6. Wake County Public Libraries were under scrutiny last year when staff tried to remove LGBTQ themed books from library shelves. Now the public library system is under fire again after adding 'Johnny the Walrus' to its collection. The book was written by Matt Walsh, a conservative columnist and anti-trans activist. The library system implemented a new policy after the removal of the LGBTQ+ graphic novel, Gender Queer. Although the book has been flagged for review, it is unlikely it will be removed from libraries under the new policy. (INDY Week)

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Today in Raleigh:

Friday in Raleigh:

  • My Grown Up & Me Yoga Class at Strickland Road Neighborhood Park (9:30am)
  • Vintage Market Days® of NC Triangle presents 'Tis the Season' at the State Fairgrounds (10:00am-5:00pm)
  • 21+ Superhero Showdown at Marbles (6:30pm-9:30pm)
  • Music Bingo at PourWorks (7:30pm-10:30pm)
  • Southern Soul Music Festival at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts (8:00pm-11:00pm)
  • Karaoke Night at the Brickhouse Raleigh (9:00pm-1:00am)

From my notebook:

  • It's Area Code Day and although you may be familiar with Raleigh's 919 area code, you may be less familiar with Raleigh's 984 area code.
  • The Solarize the Triangle Solar Social is taking place today at Bond Brothers Beer Co. (5:00pm-7:00pm)
  • NC by Train hit a new monthly record of riders in October. The number of passengers for The Carolinian and Piedmont trains hit 55,493 in October. (CBS17)

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Events:

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday off right! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with another update.

— CJ Fullford

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

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