Five giant trolls are headed to @dixpark.bsky.social this fall. These plus a troll each in Charlotte and High Point will be the largest troll installment in North America. Details: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ralpol

The first session of the Black Maternal & Infant Health Conference at NC State is underway. #wakepol

A strained foster care system means some children and teenagers are sleeping on air mattresses in converted county conference rooms. Reality Check by @annamroman.bsky.social.

They range in age and sleep on air mattresses in converted meeting rooms. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #wakepol

"Duke Energy’s delay in turning on the lights at a new affordable apartment building in Chapel Hill is running up a local nonprofit’s bill, while leaving some prospective tenants on the verge of homelessness" via @tammygrubb.bsky.social www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...

"A Durham woman being held hostage in her home was repeatedly beaten and raped — but police left without speaking to her when she first called 911, according to a newly released search warrant." www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... A really disturbing story from @solomonlexib.bsky.social

JetZero has selected the Greensboro for its first factory, an ambitious $4.7 billion project the California aviation startup says could one day employ 14,500 workers. If successful, it will be the biggest new workforce in recent North Carolina history. www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...

Protesters were in downtown Raleigh again last night. The Raleigh demonstration was the second this week to show solidarity with protesters in Los Angeles www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...

“This is not a gotcha moment that we’re trying to surprise anybody. These are going to be our focus areas during the summer.” www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a... #ralpol

“You can’t set yourself on fire to keep others warm,” said the commissioner who opposed the cuts. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #wakepol

“I feel like the system failed her and her boys” www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...

"Please, don’t make me go there. I’ve never had to do that in all 17 years I’ve been mayor. Please, I beg you ..." www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...

There is a “notable level of mistrust” between nightlife venues and the city of Raleigh, according to a new report. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a... #ralpol

A new restaurant is opening this weekend in Moore Square in downtown Raleigh. #ralpol www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...

Wake County wanted an “independent review” of test results for possible mold spores, radon gas and formaldehyde. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #wakepol

Cary voters rejected a new stadium. What happens to the $75 million promised for it? www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #wakepol

Wake County’s homeless population is growing. Volunteers counted 1,258 people, inc. 56 children, who slept in cars, tents, shelters and on the streets. School district count is over 5K b/c it includes kids in motels. (Via @annamroman.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #wakepol

There are more than 400 children in foster care and there are only 67 foster homes in Wake County. Interested in helping? There are upcoming foster parent information meetings. Details: wake.gov/foster. From a previous story: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #wakepol #ralpol

You might be seeing photos of well-dressed high schoolers carrying small bouquets this spring. No, they're not all getting married. It's just for the prom. www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...

Details about the feline candidate who got "bi-pawtisan support" #ralpol www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...

Harnett County Commissioners put on hold a decision to remove fluoride from the water. County Board of Health voted to recommend keeping fluoride in the water. But RFK Jr. will tell CDC to stop recommending flouride in water. (Via @annamroman.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a... #ncpol

"Among current proposals: a cluster of bipartisan bills to expand statewide “missing middle” housing — like duplexes, townhomes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — in single-family neighborhoods." www.newsobserver.com/news/busines... #ncpol #ralpol

The wait is almost over! 🎉 Gipson Play Plaza opens to the community the weekend of June 6 - 8! Join us for a Grand Opening Celebration presented by @dixconservancy as we celebrate the opening of the largest adventure playground in the Southeast! We can't wait to welcome you!

The original idea raised neighbors’ concerns. Here’s how they’re trying to resolve them. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...

Tensions persist as Sheriff Clarence Birkhead claims county commissioners aren’t addressing problems at the jail, among other concerns. www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

Lots of people are eager to see congested Capital Boulevard turned into a six-lane expressway between Raleigh and Wake Forest. But are they willing to pay tolls to make it happen sooner? www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ralpol #wakepol #ncpol

South Street will close April 14 between Dawson and McDowell to make way for a new Red Hat Amphitheater. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ralpol

The original idea raised neighbors’ concerns. Here’s how they’re trying to resolve them. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ralpol

The city's loose leaf program has been plagued with problems. Now the city might be calling it quits and end the program. Details about what they could do instead: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ralpol

Wake County is launching a new campaign to stop the spread of HIV. Wake County saw 161 new HIV cases in 2024, a 13.3% increase over 2023. Details about the new campaign: wake.gov/PrEP #wakepol

It’s the latest improvement to Fayetteville Street meant to make working, living and visiting downtown more enjoyable, and to help lure people back to downtown after the COVID-19 pandemic. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ralpol

“Music and music festivals have been an integral part of this community for a very, very long time — long before many lived here, and long before either of those big festivals came. I’m quite confident in the future of music festivals in Raleigh.” www.newsobserver.com/entertainmen... #ralpol

Raleigh recognizing LGBTQ+ history as Trump administration removes it. City of Raleigh is identifying 20 locations significant to the LGBTQ+ community that could become local historic landmarks. (Via @annamroman.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ncpol #ralpol #wakepol #nced

The two-day, hip-hop festival showed that big concerts could work at Dix Park. What happens after J. Cole’s Dreamville festival takes its final bow? www.newsobserver.com/entertainmen...

It's the fifth and final #Dreamville Music Festival. But city leaders want to keep the music going at Dix Park www.newsobserver.com/entertainmen... #ralpol

Chapel Hill turns off town webpages about LGBTQ issues and racial equity. An official says the goal was streamlining the website. But after a furor from residents, the pages were back Wednesday afternoon. Good Reality Check story from @tammygrubb.bsky.social.

"The principal of the Durham School of the Arts announced Wednesday she is taking a leave of absence hours after criticizing students who walked out of classes last week over a classmate’s death by suicide." www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...

“We’ve had a lot of questions about federal dollars and a lot of uncertainty,” www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ralpol #wakepol

ICYMI: The Raleigh skating community wants a new DIY skate park in the city. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ralpol

Kevin Howell was NC State's first Black student body president. Now, he'll be the university's first Black chancellor. Howell is "the personification of what makes NC State an extraordinary institution," UNC System President Peter Hans said. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...

It’s the first physical space for the nonprofit since the COVID-19 pandemic. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...

Wake County will be the first county in North Carolina to take this step, though it’s common elsewhere. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c...

Breaking news from @koriedean.bsky.social. NC State has picked a new chancellor: www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...

Soaring costs put Raleigh’s Six Forks Road improvements way over budget. Again. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ralpol

Checks totaling over $300,000 have been stolen in the last year through “check washing” scams in Orange and Wake counties. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #wakepol

IBM has ended its policy allowing "diversity" hiring to influence executive compensation, the company tells The News & Observer. Even the word "diversity" has been completely cut from IBM's new annual report. www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...

Triangle area skaters want a replacement for Graveside DIY. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/c... #ralpol

It will be interesting to see how many other candidates we get in the mix with two open seats on the Wake County Board of Commissioners #ralpol #wakepol www.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

"Children are dying in North Carolina at the second-highest rate recorded in over a decade — and Black and American Indian youth are at special risk," according to a new report. Details from @solomonlexib.bsky.social www.newsobserver.com/news/state/n...

Why Raleigh is now giving money to residents of a former homeless camp. Raleigh pilot program will pay 45 families and individuals experiencing homelessness at least $1,450 every month to spend however they like. (Via @annamroman.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ralpol #ncpol