Triangle shelters are urgently seeking short-term foster homes as a near-record heat wave approaches the July Fourth weekend.

Durham Rescue Mission activated Operation Cool Shelter as heat advisories blanket the Triangle, offering air-conditioned space, meals, showers and outreach to people at risk.

Apex-based LiveSwitch says it will hire 100 workers through a new second‑chance initiative that will include applicants with criminal records. The hires would roughly double local headcount.

Chapel Hill will replace its traditional Fourth of July fireworks with a 300‑drone light show at Chapel Hill High School, a move tied to resident feedback and climate goals.

A Dudley resident scratched a $200,000 Mega Bucks ticket and walked away with $144,021 after taxes; she says she’ll use the money toward buying a home.

Wake Forest’s North Carolina Gateway will cover tuition for many in‑state students starting fall 2026 and offers living‑cost help for lower‑income families.

Naomi Dix and Club ERA sued Meta after their Instagram and Facebook pages were disabled in mid‑June. The complaint seeks account restoration and damages.

A Charlotte man says he had 'visions' before a $3 Quick Pick became a $100,000 Powerball win; after taxes he took home $72,011 and plans to buy a house.

Out! Raleigh Pride takes over Fayetteville Street this weekend with an adults-only Friday and a family-friendly Saturday. Expect timed street closures, city decks and accessibility zones.

Wake County asked residents at NC State for input on spending roughly $67.7M in opioid‑settlement dollars, with a near‑term plan to channel about $19.47M into treatment, housing and recovery.

A rebuilt Eastman Leadership Academy has opened in Enfield — a 101,000‑sq‑ft campus built largely with $48.5M in lottery grants and nearly $53M in total cost.

A Riegelwood man hit the $1 million Jumbo Bucks top prize on a $10 ticket and says he’ll use the money to buy a house. He took a lump-sum payout and walked away with a reduced amount after taxes.

A Cary resident hit the $100,000 top prize on a $30 Cash Payday scratch-off and claimed $72,018 after taxes.