What is the state fair looking like this years? I’ve never been and I would like suggestions on what to do and the best place to park. Thank you in advance

I reported this story about a career path that stretches across the Triangle: Raleigh police officer → Apex small-business owner → counseling in Cary.

April Buchanan says The Perky Lady was profitable when she closed it. What interested me was why she chose to leave anyway — and how the three very different jobs ended up having more in common than they might appear to.

Read the story for free: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article317594991.html?giftCode=82d665766f83eff5699e42710b3390d0811132a5558fa6562e15990512c45688

In case you are undecided, I hope you'll consider what I'm suggesting, but you deserve an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates to make your own informed decision. Here is how candidates responded to the INDY questionnaires: https://indyweek.com/news/politics/elections/2026-general-election-candidate-questionnaires/

My view, for your consideration:

In many respects, Raleigh is headed in the right direction. We're one of the safest cities in the country; our property tax rate is one of the lowest in the area; we have excellent public services and programs; the city has an AAA bond rating; our parks and greenways are amongst the best of any urban area in the country; we have relatively strong environmental and stormwater standards, and we continue to enjoy a high quality of life.

We're also experiencing growing pains during a period of increased inflation. So many of our residents are struggling to afford housing; our resources to help the unhoused and those struggling with mental health challenges are limited; our downtown area faces challenges, including public safety concerns around Glenwood South and the bus station, and our public transportation system is lacking. There are also ongoing debates about whether and how we grow and the influence of developers in the political process.

When I look at the upcoming election, I ask three basic questions. Who has the knowledge and temperament to lead us during these turbulent times? Who can balance competing priorities in a way that delivers a more affordable city that can accommodate growth without causing displacement? And who puts in the work to consider all viewpoints before making a final decision?

My recommendations:

For Mayor: Janet Cowell

Mayor Cowell isn't perfect, and there are some rezoning cases where I believe she voted the wrong way. However, when it comes to the question of who has the knowledge and temperament to lead our city in these turbulent times, Cowell fits that criteria without question. She treats residents with respect, something her predecessor didn't do (to put it mildly). The Mayor serves as the city's lead spokesperson, and Cowell does this well. Her opponent is unqualified and has an unfortunate history that I won't get into here, but one can do a criminal records search and come to the same conclusion. Cowell is the clear choice.

For Council At-Large: Sana Siddiqui

Sana Siddiqui understands the issues Raleigh faces, having served on city boards and commissions and taken the time to listen, learn, and articulate a clear vision for the future based on the idea that our city has to accommodate growth while protecting current residents from displacement. Her focus has been affordability, ensuring the public has a voice in government, and supporting local businesses. There are four candidates for two seats. The top vote-getter will get a 4-year term, which is why I advocate for only casting a ballot for Siddiqui. Joshua Bradley, Stormie Forte, and Clark Rinehart are also running. Rinehart has failed to offer voters a coherent vision for the future, and his message seems to change from time to time. The last thing we need on Council is a typical politician who speaks in platitudes. Siddiqui is the easy choice.

For District A Council: Mitch Silver

Incumbent Mitch Silver is an award-winning city planner with decades of experience in municipal planning, service delivery, and solving problems in government. On Council, he has been a champion for increased housing density and anti-displacement tools. This balance is exactly what's needed as Raleigh grows. Silver has the expertise we need to guide our city for the next four years, and that's what he intends to do if re-elected. His opponent, Whitney Hill, deserves credit for volunteering his time to run one of the city's CACs. However, Hill has demonstrated that he doesn't have a firm grasp of the issues facing Raleigh. His affiliation with the Republican Party in the age of Trump is an affront to the values the vast majority of residents in our city hold dear. Silver is deserving of residents' votes.

For Council, District B: Megan Patton

Incumbent Megan Patton is unopposed in this election. Patton brings a data-driven approach to governing and has detailed knowledge of public policy in the city. She's also responsive to residents and is a gifted communicator with a knack for turning complex ideas into memorable language. Patton has delivered huge wins for her growing northeastern district, including expanding frequency on the Route 1 bus from Triangle Town Center, getting a master plan approved for a future Forestville Road Park, and bridge improvements on Falls of Neuse Road. She's also fought to fund a master plan for city parks, use renewable natural gas to power city buses, and increase traffic safety in the city. Patton has been a reliable vote for affordable housing and community engagement, and her platform in this campaign would build on the work she's already done. Even if she weren't unopposed, she'd be deserving of re-election.

For Council, District C: Corey Branch

Incumbent Corey Branch's vast knowledge of transportation planning and economic development is noteworthy, as was his vote against disbanding Citizens Advisory Councils despite political pressure from the former mayor. Branch is running against Jared Ollison in this election. Ollison's campaign seems more like a personal vendetta against Branch as opposed to the kind of issues-based campaign residents deserve. Corey Branch is the better choice.

For Council, District D: Jane Harrison

Incumbent Jane Harrison brings unique professional experience and expertise to her position, coupled with a thoughtful approach to governing. Her background in coastal economics and environmental science has served the city well as we navigate the challenges and opportunities associated with climate change. On Council, Harrison has helped lead efforts to increase the city's tree canopy, adhere to our climate commitments, improve our noise ordinance to protect quality of life, and address public safety challenges at Glenwood South. She's also been an advocate for community engagement, having helped lead the West CAC prior to her council service. Her focus moving forward will be to continue to support affordable housing, community engagement, and environmental protections. Harrison's opponent, Javon Smith, is an affable person with some good ideas. But he doesn't have Harrison's experience or track record. Smith should stay involved in city government, but Harrison is deserving of re-election.

For Council, District E: Christina Jones

Incumbent Christina Jones has an incredible work ethic, a passion for community engagement, and a record of bringing people together to do big things. She's known for being accessible to residents and willing to consider opposing points of view. On Council, Jones has led efforts to restore city funding and recognition of Citizens Advisory Councils, bring the first affordable housing complex to her district in years, bring greater transparency to the municipal budget process while including residents, and ensure rezoning decisions take stormwater management and fire response times into consideration. Jones has put forward a detailed vision for the future focused on affordability, public safety, and community engagement. Jones' opponent is Marc Scruggs, a Republican who served as Councilor at-large in the 1990s, lost re-election, and then served as a District E Councilor for one term during the early 2000s. Scruggs hasn't campaigned much this cycle, but has run social media ads focused on law enforcement issues, even as crime continues to decline and the city is safer today than it was when he was on Council. Additionally, Scruggs was involved in a social media scandal earlier this cycle in which he sent strange and offensive messages to a resident (source: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article316859356.html ). Jones is deserving of re-election.

I started a google group: https://groups.google.com/group/NC-FILM-GROUP

Anyone welcome to join! Veterans, hobbyists, newcomers. I'm trying to see who's out here and interested in this craft. Talent, creative, crew--whatever! If it gets traction, I'm down to start hosting meetups, use the group to share resources, etc...

Longterm not-so-secret subgoal: I'd love to get a small band of ragtag filmmakers together to create stuff regularly. Music videos, shorts, trailers, features, TV concepts, verticals, if it's in the audio-visual medium, I'm down. I just love set, the chaos it brings, and the family you build along the way.

I'm Jack, an actor/writer/director/producer and my wife Christine is a producer/accountant with her own firm. We're all about making cool things with cool people.

This industry is built on favor farming and networking. I know I'm not alone out here. Spread the word!

My favorite extremely awkward Getty images picture of my wife and I is attached for no reason.

I’m devastated- I was sure to get my tickets this morning for my son and I (he’s 3 and obsessed with trains) but he had a medical situation this morning and had to go to urgent care so I couldn’t get the tickets. Is anyone by chance have an extra 2 tickets they can spare?! Any time and date will work.

Thank you 🙏🏻

Greetings all,

My wife and I are new(ish) to the area, and are looking to establish a relationship with a primary care, or internal medicine, physician. We are on Medicare and have a Plan G medi-gap policy.

Calling around, the earliest we can get an appointment for a Wellness/first visit is April, some 6 months in the future. My wife has been mostly investigating in the Duke system.

If someone out there has recently been through this process any advice, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Why is 440 Completely shut down heading towards Cary?

I was driving headed towards Raleigh and say tons of police and fire trucks and DOT workers blocking the whole side of 440 and a sign said road closed.

There was no accident or anything on the other side. I noticed there was no cars for mile or so before I saw the road blocked.

Does anyone know what’s going on? I’d advise to take another way to Cary.

Like go down Tryon Rd and get on the 40.

NC State Fair Website

and in honor of the yearly festival here is my small collection of media passes from years past. Be safe and have fun!

hi all! I'm moving to Raleigh this winter from Wisconsin. I'm a bit nervous, because online all I see are horrible things about the area, like crime, super high price of living, no jobs, etc.

I'm looking for honest takes on living in the area, especially if you moved there from somewhere else. What are your favorite parts? Things to consider? Tell me everything.

As a passenger, just passed 8 cops that pulled cars over. I've never seen that level before anywhere let alone 540 between those mile markers. Just trying to give a heads up!

Edit: didn't type my sentence correctly

Also, fuck stiltgrass. This little guy was safely relocated to a much better habitat away from humans.

looking for someone who can redo a front porch that has some railings that are rotting

I have a 4 year old beagle who is great but needs some fine tuning on leash manners, eating sticks, and staying in place when guests come over. Long story short, she has a lot of energy and doesn’t know what to do with it.

I am also willing to expand to cary/ morrisville are since I’m located in crossroads

With voting starting today who's got the comprehensive candidate comparison site? Maybe it's hiding, but I didn't see anything in the stickied post, and haven't seen any posts pop up on the sub. I looked at the beginning of this month and saw surprisingly little. Doesn't at a minimum Indie put something out? Feel like there's been other sites I've used before too, but don't recall the names.

I try and vote for at least a couple token non-dems on the smaller stuff, usually a couple deserve it. Would also like to avoid supporting d in name only candidates if possible.

Specifically I'm looking at Wake Board of Commissioners, Clerk of Superior Court, Sheriff, Soil and Water, Mayor, City Coucil at large and my district. I usually just vote yes on City/County bonds if I'm doing well financially, but would take info on those. Ammendments are obvious death traps.

Any and all guides are appreciated

What’s your NC State Fair budget? Between parking, food and rides you may have to take out a second mortgage.

Or are you not attending ?

was anyone else here around 5:30? I don’t understand why the woman stopped the car right there and was yelling at the man/phone and stopped traffic during rush hour and didn’t move the car over a bit

I've been really curious about our local government and wanted to be able to explore just how complex funding our schools are.

So I built this gamified version of the WCPSS budget and it's quite eye-opening to see just how complex it is!

Seeing a visual of my own property taxes going to charter schools is quite wild. And also seeing it visualized just how punished WCPSS is from the state in terms of state funding is quite disappointing to see.

Would love any feedback or suggestions for ways to improve. My goal is to make it free for all users. I've done 50 or so other communities if you want to check any others out (or feel free to make a request for your town).

https://towntoonify.com/wcpss-nc

From Orlando

i’m looking for a wedding photographer in the area that does more than just white weddings. i’m a hispanic bride, and i want someone who has background photographing different cultures

TL;DR - North Carolina is already LAST in the country for public ed funding effort - this is just going to cause further harm to the 1.5MILLION kids in public schools in NC!!

Income tax cap: Lowers the existing cap from 7 to 3.5 percent
It is not a tax cut. It applies to both the corporate and personal rate. Both rates are already scheduled to be below 3.5 percent next year.

The NC General Assembly has been cutting income taxes for 13 years. This has disproportionately benefitted large corporations and those with high incomes.

State revenue is falling as our population and costs grow. This is unsustainable and has led to underfunding of services and programs, and local governments paying for what are supposed to be state costs.

Income tax cuts lead to increases in fees and sales taxes, and cuts to services.

The income tax amendment would lock us into this situation effectively permanently.

NC has never had a rate this low, and it will be locked into the constitution. This leaves the state unprepared for economic downturns and unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters.

Property Tax Levy Limit: Caps what local governments can collect, NOT your bill
It is not a cap on an individual’s property tax bill. It is a cap on the total revenue a local government can collect in property taxes.

State lawmakers already have the power to set a levy limit. Don’t need a constitutional amendment.

Increasingly, local governments have been taking on costs that are supposed to be covered by the state and/or federal government. This amendment is likely to lead to service cuts as local governments struggle with state and local revenue constraints.

It does not address housing unaffordability and would disproportionately benefit large corporate landowners like tech companies and corporate landlords.

What the limit would be and how it would be derived is not public.

Before voting, consider the impact these amendments will have on your community:
Who would benefit from these changes and who would be negatively impacted?

What would these amendments mean for the funding of quality of life services my family and community rely on, like emergency services, community centers, libraries, public schools, water and sanitation…?

How would these revenue constraints impact the ability of the state and local governments to provide services for a growing or aging population and respond to natural disasters or other unforeseen circumstances in the future, especially as costs rise?

What are specific projects prioritized by our community that are most at risk for delay or cancellation if state funding is uncertain and local government cannot collect sufficient revenue from property taxes to supplement decreases in state investment? 

How have state and federal funding levels changed over the last 5-10 years? What state funding responsibilities has my local government taken on over that same period?

What specific funding shortfalls are we experiencing now,

including staffing shortages, school closures, or services interruptions?
What are the other methods of generating revenue if income tax and property tax revenue is constrained? Will our locality be forced to rely more on unpopular fees?

I'm moving to Raleigh in January to start my PhD and wanted to ask if y'all knew where a good place would be to look for available subleases. I'm hoping to sublease Jan-Jul/Aug so definitely not looking for like a whole apartment contract or something like that

Hi Raleigh! I’m getting married next month and having my wedding reception at Café Luna! We aren’t having our ceremony there, but we are having the reception and plan to rent out the entire main restaurant.

For those of you who have celebrated at Caffé Luna, is there anything we should know? If you’ve attended a wedding reception there is there anything you noticed that threw you off or something that would’ve made the experience more enjoyable?

Or if you had a perfectly wonderful time and everything was awesome let me know!

For the record, everything has been wonderful this far. Planning with their staff has been a breeze, and everyone has been so kind and helpful.

Looking for any feedback on the experience!

Thanks everyone in advance 😊

We ride our bikes from N. Raleigh to the fair, so we normally go down Beryl and cross over at Blue Ridge. Can you cross there yet?