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Community Corner

🌱 Voting Machine Tests Underway + Local Solidarity With Iranian Women

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 World Tourism Day Raleigh!

What a beautiful city to celebrate World Tourism Day in! I don't know about you, but the more time I spend in Raleigh, I fall in love even more. From touristy spots, to the hidden gems, there's so much to enjoy in our city. Below, I have a small glimpse of our city with news and more, including:

  • Progress made at North Carolina's Freedom Park in Raleigh
  • Notable changes to the State Fair
  • Commute times in Raleigh comparisons

But first, today's weather:

Sunny and nice. High: 77 Low: 51

The National Weather Service Raleigh Bureau expects that Hurricane Ian will strengthen over the next days, bringing an increase of rain and winds to the Triangle. (abc11, rrspin, WRAL)

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Here are the top five stories today in Raleigh:

  1. North Carolina's first state monument honoring African Americans is set to be installed this week. The Beacon of Freedom is a 40-foot-tall metal structure to be erected in Raleigh's Freedom Park. The structure will be installed between the state legislature and the governor's executive residence, at the intersection of five walkways, and will shine a light into the sky every night. The groundbreaking for the project began in October 2020, but supply chain issues has delayed the project with the grand opening expected in spring of 2023. (WCNC)
  2. Bipartisan teams of precinct officials have begun testing voting machines ahead of the November elections. The Wake County Board of Elections has 273 tabulators that count paper ballots and approximately the same number of touchscreen "Automark" voting machines that are used by people with disabilities. The process of "logic and accuracy" testing tests multiple ballots to to ensure they are reading the ballot properly. So far the teams have tested around 159,000 ballots. (WRAL)
  3. North Carolina State University students and other Triangle residents held two events on Monday in support of Iranian protests for women. Dozens of protestors have been killed in the country as they call for justice and an end to the "morality police." Women in Iran have spent days protesting their government following the death of 22-year-old Masha Amini in police custody over a violation of the country's dress code. Students gathered to stand in solidarity at 10:00 am, and an Iranian woman living in the Triangle planned a vigil from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm on the steps of the Wake County Justice Center to support those protesting. (WRAL)
  4. Blood banks have been sounding the alarm around the blood shortage that has been rampant throughout the pandemic. Now, a Cary family is pushing people to donate blood, as the families children were born with multiple rare genetic disorders that makes them susceptible to cancer. The family notes that they re grateful for the medical community and donors who helped save their son's life. This week, The Blood Connection will make a donation to Alex's Lemonade Stand for each person who gives blood during two of their drives this week, and the Krishnan Family Foundation will match those donations. (CBS17)
  5. The North Carolina State Fair has announced changes ahead of the upcoming festivities. Due to a driver shortage, there will only be two park and ride shuttle options this year. This year the fair will also run an hour later than previous years. (WRAL) There will also be a Vegas-style comedy hypnotist and a fire artist being introduced as new attractions this year at the fair. (WRAL)
  6. Two individuals were injured when a pickup truck driver veered off the street and hit a parked car on Sunday evening. One man and one woman were standing just off the sidewalk where cars typically park along the road, and were taken to a hospital for treatment. The incident took place outside of The Player's Retreat restaurant. The driver, Jonathan Ashley Ryals is facing charges of driving while impaired and injury to personal property. (CBS17) In an unrelated incident, a 1-year old was taken to the hospital after a family member backed up a Ford Mustang into the toddler. The boy was taken to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. (CBS17)

Today in Raleigh:

  • Mindful Museum: Tai Chi Cane at NCMA (5:30 - 7 p.m.)
  • R&D Brewing Run Club at Seven Saturdays (6 - 7 p.m.)
  • IBMA Night at Beer & Banjos (6:30 p.m.), IBMA Ramble at the Pour House (6:30 p.m.), IBMA Showcase at Raleigh Convention Center (7:30 p.m.)
  • Get Lit and Knit at Lonerider at Five Points (7 p.m.)
  • Trivia: Bottle Rev (7 - 9 p.m.), Sammy's Tap & Grill (8 - 10 p.m.)
  • Dark Shadow Recording Bluegrass Ambassadors International Night at Marriot City Center (10 p.m. - 2 a.m.)

Wednesday in Raleigh:

From my notebook:

  • It's World Tourism Day and sometimes it's fun to take a day and be a tourist in your own city. Raleigh has some incredible spots that in all honesty, I just haven't gotten to go to because you never think about it when you aren't a "tourist." Check out the Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Raleigh courtesy of Attractions of America.
  • Raleigh author Chasta Hamilton released her new book today, Handle the Horrible: Change. Triage. Joy. (WRAL)
  • Commercial Cafe published a study on commute times comparing 2019 and 2021. The remote workforce has increased from 10.5% to 33.1% with commute times reported to be 11% shorter!
  • Tickets for WRAL's Night of Lights go on sale this Friday. (WRAL)
  • Carrigan Farms will begin Spooky festivities this week, with Scarrigan Farms opening on September 30, and pumpkin picking available on October 1!

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon!

— CJ Fullford

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

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