Linden
Linden, NC · Municipal
Lovely Garden Roots
Albert Rodebaugh of Craigsville, West Virginia, Took the N.C. State Fair Giant Pumpkin Title at 2,123 Pounds, and a Blacksburg Couple Set a Virginia Record
Albert Rodebaugh won the N.C. State Fair giant pumpkin title at 2,123 pounds, and a Blacksburg couple's 1,861.8-pound pumpkin set a Virginia record.
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Raleigh News & Observer
How Cary's spending scandal is already shaping the 2027 mayor's race
The 2027 Cary mayoral race is taking shape unusually early, driven in part by the fallout from Town Hall’s spending controversy . Two former elected officials — former Morrisville Mayor Mark Stohlman and former Apex council member Scott Lassiter — are already campaigning to replace longtime Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, both arguing that Cary’s elected leaders failed to adequately oversee former Town Manager Sean Stegall. Weinbrecht, mayor since 2007, said on his blog in January that he intends to seek reelection. He has not faced a close race since defeating Michelle Muir 58%-41% in 2011. He ran unopposed in 2015 and 2023 and won 84% of the vote in 2019, meaning a three-way contest could become his most competitive reelection campaign in 16 years. Weinbrecht did not respond to an N&O interview request. On his blog, he has said he began questioning Stegall’s spending in fall 2025, contacted Cary’s outside auditor Nov. 14 and supported removing Stegall after staff raised additional concerns. He has also argued that Cary remains financially strong and that most of the roughly $24.2 million in town P-card transactions from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2025, listed by the state auditor represented routine expenses. The council
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WITN
Axios Raleigh
Wake Forest's Blackbird Brewing is bringing its beer to downtown Durham
Wake Forest's Blackbird Brewery is opening a taproom in downtown Durham's Unscripted hotel , taking over the space formerly occupied by Pour . Why it matters: The move introduces a new local spot for drinks and food downtown looking out onto CCB Plaza. State of play: Blackbird plans to begin selling beer this month in the Corcoran Street space. "A rolling opening is what we're calling it," Blackbird co-founder Harmony VanGundy says, laughing as she adds: "We still have no money. We need to sell some beer to make things happen." Because what they do have is product — a wide selection of beers brewed in Wake Forest — as well as permits, furniture and taps on the wall. Hours are not set, but Blackbird in Durham will "for sure" be open for the downtown tree-lighting on Nov. 21 and for other holiday events in December. What they're saying: "I just hope Durham likes us as much as we like them. They're tough, man. Tough crowd there. They kicked out Dampf BBQ real quick," she says with a laugh. Durham's beer drinkers have advanced palates, she tells Axios. "We're excited to have a space that when we make a smoked