New district data show about 18% of Wake County students are chronically absent this year, with the largest gaps among Hispanic, LEP and special‑education students. Wake is launching a task force and a community campaign to try to reverse the trend.

Detroit volunteers with The Karens found a Rottweiler chained and wounded after an emergency call; the grassroots team freed the dog and arranged urgent veterinary care. Authorities were notified and the case is being documented.

Raw sewage spilled into a Cleveland apartment Tuesday; residents recorded the incident and called for city inspections to determine who’s responsible.

County officials say tourism generates about $3.8 billion in activity and supports roughly 32,400 local jobs. The post underscores how dependent the county remains on visitors.

Gaston County Schools is weighing a plan that could close W.B. Beam Intermediate in Cherryville; the district projects about $288K in annual savings while families say the gains would be smaller.

Charlotte set aside $100,000 after November Border Patrol sweeps; six months later the city says none of the money was spent and nonprofits stepped in.

A 63-year-old Wayne County woman won a $1 million Lady Luck 777 scratch-off and accepted a one-time payout of about $693,000. She bought the ticket in Lincoln Park and plans to buy a car and save.

Clarence B. Jones, Martin Luther King Jr.’s lawyer and speech co‑writer, died May 22 in Cupertino at 95. He co‑founded USF’s Institute for Nonviolence and earned a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The state’s new HOPE program seeds $3,000 trust accounts for eligible foster youth and children who lost a caregiver to COVID. Applications and pilot sign‑ups are rolling out this spring.

Local advocates pressed City Hall Tuesday to protect the Historic Colored Addition as council considers a study to upgrade roads, drainage and preserve burial grounds.

Las Vegas Metro Police expect the new Hollywood Area Command to open in early August after receiving keys in late June or July. Southeast Area Command will relocate temporarily while repairs are made.

Two $50,000 Minnesota Millionaire Raffle tickets remain unclaimed; the winning retailers are in Andover and Burnsville and other five-figure prizes are also listed.

A Jacksonville veteran's service dog Mal'i was struck in a hit-and-run and ran off in East Arlington; the owner is asking locals to call with tips.