Good Morning Wake County - Your Daily Dose of Good News

Misty Copeland came to Raleigh, gardens are glowing after dark, and a couple turned their farm into a wildlife sanctuary. Your daily dose of good news from Wake County with Steve Rhode.

Links:

• Moonlight in the Garden at JC Raulston Arboretum: https://www.wakenewsandevents.com/p/346
• Raleigh makes list of best cities for dog owners: https://abc11.com/post/best-cities-dog-owners-3-north-carolina-including-raleigh-make-list/18153105/
• Misty Copeland speaks at Women Lead NC Conference: https://ground.news/article/world-famous-dancer-misty-copeland-speaks-at-women-lead-nc-2025-conference
• Alan and Susan Jones - 2025 Farm Family of the Year: https://www.wake.gov/news/six-decades-conservation-excellence-wake-county

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A bluegrass legend from the North Carolina mountains receives the state's highest honor TODAY, kids are about to climb all over fire engines at a free Cary event, and Zebulon's baseball stadium is getting a $10 million glow-up. Your daily dose of good news from Wake County with Steve Rhode.

Links to today's stories:

Truck Day at Bright Horizons in Cary: https://triangleonthecheap.com/truck-day-bright-horizons/

Wake approves lease for Zebulon's Five County Stadium: https://www.springhopeenterprise.com/news/wake-approves-lease-for-zebulons-five-county-stadium-82065a13

Governor announces 2025 North Carolina Award Winners: https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/08/26/governor-stein-announces-2025-north-carolina-award-winners-states-highest-honor

Free GOUGE Wrestling at Mason Jar Lager Co.: https://triangleonthecheap.com/mason-jar-lager-company-fuquay-varina/

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Your Wednesday dose of good news from Wake County with Steve Rhode. Today: A basketball winning streak that won't quit, a milestone cultural celebration, a teacher's incredible 27-year dedication, and a free party with all the fixings.

Links:

NC State women's basketball 24-game home winning streak: https://ground.news/article/10th-ranked-north-carolina-state-cruises-past-umaine-womens-basketball

30th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration Nov 22: https://triangleonthecheap.com/american-indian-heritage-celebration/

Missi Baker named Teacher of the Week: https://wral.com/video/teacher-of-the-week-missi-baker/22243684/

Free Backyard Party at Tobacco Road Harley-Davidson Nov 15: https://triangleonthecheap.com/tobacco-road-harley-davidson/

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Got a good news story or completed today's challenge? Use the contact form at TapYourNews.com

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Thomas Dambo spent three weeks building five giant trolls from recycled materials at Dix Park—and what he's done with 24 tons of trash and a mission called "Waste No More" is something you need to see. Also: emergency response times improving and the biggest Christmas light displays returning to Wake County.

Your daily dose of good news from Wake County with Steve Rhode.

Stories: Wake EMS response times improving: https://www.cbs17.com/news/cbs17-investigates/new-data-shows-wake-ems-response-time-for-high-priority-calls-is-dropping/

Lake Myra Christmas Lights returning to Wendell: https://triangleonthecheap.com/lake-myra-christmas-lights-wendell/

NC Chinese Lantern Festival 10th anniversary: https://ground.news/article/nc-chinese-lantern-festival-2025-back-for-its-10th-year-at-koka-booth-amphitheatre

Thomas Dambo trolls at Dix Park: https://indyweek.com/culture/trolls-thomas-dambo-dix-park-raleigh/

More about Thomas Dambo's work: https://www.visitraleigh.com/plan-a-trip/visitraleigh-insider-blog/post/thomas-dambo-trolls-dix-park-raleigh/

Dix Park Conservancy info: https://www.dixparkconservancy.org/art/dambo-trolls

Raleigh Christmas Parade info: https://abc11.com/post/raleigh-christmas-parade-2025-parking-start-time-route-more/18137236/

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Got a good news story or completed today's challenge? Use the contact form at TapYourNews.com

Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com https://TrueCrimeUnheard.com

Your daily dose of good news from Wake County with Steve Rhode. Today: 45 foster children hoping to find their forever families, a baseball player who overcame incredible odds to reach the majors, a map of every pinball machine in the Triangle, and a new Indian restaurant opening in Cary.

LINKS: Wake County Hosts Adoption Fair: https://hoodline.com/2025/11/wake-county-hosts-adoption-fair-to-connect-with-prospective-parents-for-children-in-need/

Otto Kemp Overcomes Odds to Make Major Leagues: https://viewpoint.pointloma.edu/otto-kemp-overcomes-odds-to-make-major-leagues-in-2025/

Discover The Triangle's Pinball Scene with the Pinball Map: https://triangleonthecheap.com/pinball-map-raleigh-durham-chapel-hill/

In Cary, surge in upscale Indian restaurants continues: https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2025/11/10/reserve-indian-cary.html?ana=brss_5045

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Got a good news story or completed today's challenge? Use the contact form at TapYourNews.com

Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com https://TrueCrimeUnheard.com

Your daily dose of good news from Wake County with Steve Rhode.

Stories:

• Night with Santa events: https://triangleonthecheap.com/night-with-santa-raleigh-parks-police/
• Raleigh Inclusive Market Nov 22: https://triangleonthecheap.com/raleigh-inclusive-market/
• Raleigh Reclaimed furniture: https://abc11.com/post/nc-made-raleigh-business-turns-old-wood-heirloom-furniture/18131283/
• Hurricanes win streak: https://www.wralsportsfan.com/hurricanes-extend-winning-streak-to-3-games-with-a-6-3-victory-over-the-sabres/22239049/

Join the email list at TapYourNews.com https://TapYourNews.com

Got a good news story or completed today's challenge? Use the contact form at TapYourNews.com

Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com https://TrueCrimeUnheard.com

Lindsey Vonn defies medical odds, free Santa photos with skyline views, and an army of tubas is coming to Apex. Your daily dose of good news from Wake County with Steve Rhode.

Links:

Lindsey Vonn achieves offseason goal: https://unofficialnetworks.com/2025/11/06/lindsey-vonn-achieves-offseason-goal-of-gaining-12lbs/

Free Santa Pictures at Willard Rooftop: https://triangleonthecheap.com/santa-willard-rooftop/

Cary Community Choir's Messiah: https://triangleonthecheap.com/cary-community-choir-messiah/

TubaChristmas in Apex: https://triangleonthecheap.com/tubachristmas/

Join the email list at TapYourNews.com https://TapYourNews.com

Got a good news story or completed today's challenge? Use the contact form at TapYourNews.com

Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com https://TrueCrimeUnheard.com

rom Puerto Rico to a Wake County art room, Aurelis Lugo is changing lives. Plus: the holiday tradition returning to downtown Raleigh, and why buildings are glowing green this week. Your daily dose of good news from Wake County with Steve Rhode.

Story Links:

• Raleigh Christmas Parade November 22: https://triangleonthecheap.com/raleigh-christmas-parade/
• Coastal coffee shop expansion to Raleigh: https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article312760480.html
• Aurelis Lugo wins Star Among Us Award: https://www.wakeed.org/2025/09/30/wakeed-partnership-announces-2025-recipients-of-its-wake-county/
• Aurelis Lugo's work with students with disabilities: https://www.cbs17.com/community/the-bright-side/wake-county-teacher-wins-unsung-heroes-award-for-showcasing-artwork-of-students-with-disabilities/
• Operation Greenlight for veterans: https://www.wakeweekly.com/news/wake-county-turns-green-to-honor-veterans-and-connect-them-to-local-services-f9666a8c

Join the email list at TapYourNews.com https://TapYourNews.com

Got a good news story or completed today's challenge? Use the contact form at TapYourNews.com

Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com https://TrueCrimeUnheard.com

Your daily dose of good news from Wake County with Steve Rhode. Today: Teen entrepreneurs showcase their work at Dix Park, Raleigh restaurants earn Michelin Guide recognition, Dr. Alice J. Garrett receives lifetime achievement award for 45 years transforming education, and North Hills lights up for the holidays.

Links: Teen Vendor Market at Dix Park: https://triangleonthecheap.com/teenspace-events-dix-park/

Raleigh Restaurants in Michelin Guide: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-food-drink/article312518027.html

Dr. Alice J. Garrett Lifetime Achievement Award: https://www.wakeed.org/2025/07/15/stars-of-education-2025-honorees/

North Hills Tree Lighting: https://triangleonthecheap.com/north-hills-tree-lighting-raleigh/

Join the email list at TapYourNews.com https://TapYourNews.com

Got a good news story or completed today's challenge? Use the contact form at TapYourNews.com

Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com https://TrueCrimeUnheard.com

NC State grad and Jacksonville native Christina Koch just received North Carolina's highest civilian honor for her record-breaking space career. Plus, over 3,000 neighbors raised more than half a million dollars for diabetes research in one morning, runners took over downtown for the City of Oaks Marathon, and the Pack put on an unforgettable show at Carter-Finley.

Your daily dose of good news from Wake County with Steve Rhode.

Stories in this episode:

Christina Koch receives North Carolina Award for Science: https://engr.ncsu.edu/news/2024/11/01/christina-koch-to-be-honored-with-north-carolina-award-for-science/

Breakthrough T1D Walk raises over $506K: https://www.wral.com/news/local/breakthrough-t1d-walk-raleigh-nov-2025/

City of Oaks Marathon brings runners from across the country: https://wral.com/video/runners-from-across-the-country-begin-the-2025-city-of-oaks-marathon/22226427/

NC State dominates #8 Georgia Tech: https://www.lockedonpodcast.com/https:/www.lockedonpodcasts.com/video/sports/locked-on/lo-charlotte/wolfpack-show/nc-state-football-dominates-8-georgia-tech-wild-scenes-in-raleigh-nc-state-podcast/535-da2bd0c7-b493-494c-afb7-4129f9a8d9f4

Join the email list at TapYourNews.com https://TapYourNews.com

Got a good news story? Use the contact form at TapYourNews.com

Check out Steve's true crime podcast at TrueCrimeUnheard.com https://TrueCrimeUnheard.com