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RIOT ACCELERATOR AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDITION: FROM THE COUNCIL OFFICE OF STEVE RAO 

From the Council Office of Steve Rao

July 7, 2023

Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes.

My Weekly Update

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/223387263442330

As we continue to progress in our Smart City Initiatives in Morrisville, it is important that we also see enourage more start up growth, particularily in the IOT space, to help our Town and other local governments address challenges, enhance the quality of services and to grow jobs in our local communities.  


In this newsletter, I am bringing to your attention the RIOT Accelerator Program, and encourage start ups to participate in the RIOT programs.  I am working on bringing an Accelerator Program to Morrisville and think that this would fit in well with our Town Center.  


Finally, I am sharing thoughts on the significance of the recent Supreme Court case striking down Affirmative Action and will also be summarizing the 2023 Court Decisions in my next few updates. 

11 years of DACA


Last month, DACA celebrated eleven years.  More on DACA in next newsletter. https://www.fwd.us/news/daca-anniversary/

ELECTION ALERT:  


2023 Municipal Election Filing begins July 7: https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/board-elections/campaign-information/candidate-filing-information

MAJOR LEAGUE CRICKET ALERT:  


The cricket Schedule is Out!  


Get your tickets at www.majorleaguecricket.org! 

Tune in today to WPTF at 3 pm for my commentary and on Sunday at 4 pm for our Radio Nyra Interview with Mark Stohlman on the Major League Cricket Tournament!  


Radio Nyra - 99.9 FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! 


WPTF - 98.5FM and 680AM. 


https://rss.com/podcasts/wptf-afternoon-news/

Check out CBS 17 story on Apple expansion and its impact on Morrisville.  


https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/wake-county-news/apple-moving-forward-with-281-acre-campus-near-morrisville-documents-show/

Congresswoman Deborah Ross Presents Town with Community Solar Funding Check ($250,000)


Insights from Deb Ross: 


Last Friday, at a Press Conference in Morrisville, Congresswoman Ross discussed the importance of a clean, renewable energy strategy fot the country and congratulated the Town for our sustainability efforts.  


During this event, she presented the Town with a Community Funding Project check for solar projects. 


After the event, she joined Council and Staff for a bus tour across the Town, where we showed her developments along McCrimmon, the Town Center, and the site for the new High School. 


A special thanks to her for taking the time to be with us in Morrisville.   

GROW YOUR START UP AT RIOT ACCELERATOR PROGRAM


Submit Your Application NOW at https://riot.org/startup-accelerator/


 The deadline to apply is this Friday, July 7th at 5 PM


This is a 12-week, program based out of Stafford, VA. RAP facilitate a variety of entrepreneurial processes - from research commercialization to startup growth to corporate innovation projects. Applications are open to new startups and corporate innovation teams!  


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!  


Cost and Equity FREE programming


Hosted In-Person & ONLINE


In-Person location at the Virginia Smart Community Testbed in Stafford, VA!


Advance your startup idea or business with access to 100+ mentors and corporate partners


Learn validation strategies, startup foundations, customer discovery, product development, go to market strategy, and growth!


Pitch your business to launch your startup or need for investors support in expansion

Are you a good fit?


RAP is open to all industries and a range of development stages. In past programs we have supported tech startups in public safety, environmental monitoring, healthcare, manufacturing, consumer products, two-sided marketplaces, and more. 


While we will work with teams at an idea stage, our sweet spot is startups that have at least validated a proof of concept and are beginning to attract and pilot with early customers (but are typically pre-revenue). We aim to support teams who are well positioned to leverage the program curriculum and network. 

WHAT IS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION?


My Message on Affirmative Action Decision:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/559984796333762


Affirmative action refers to policies or programs that aim to address historical and ongoing discrimination and promote equal opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged groups, particularly in areas such as employment, education, and business. It involves taking proactive steps to ensure that individuals from underrepresented or marginalized groups have access to the same opportunities as those from more privileged backgrounds.


The concept of affirmative action originated in the United States in the 1960s as a response to systemic racial discrimination. It was initially introduced to increase the representation of African Americans and other minority groups in educational institutions and workplaces. Affirmative action policies may involve various measures, such as preferential hiring, targeted recruitment efforts, scholarships or grants for underrepresented groups, and the establishment of diversity quotas or goals.


The specific implementation and scope of affirmative action can vary between countries, jurisdictions, and organizations. While some view affirmative action as a necessary tool to address historical injustices and promote diversity, others criticize it for potentially leading to reverse discrimination or unfairly treating individuals based on their race, gender, or other protected characteristics. The topic of affirmative action is often a subject of debate and has generated legal challenges in various countries.


RECENT SUPREME COURT RULING AND WHY THIS IS A BIG DEAL? 


The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday struck down race-conscious policies in college admissions, ending decades of precedent that had allowed schools nationwide to use such programs to increase the diversity of their student bodies.


Here is an explanation of the policies commonly known as affirmative action, their history, and the possible consequences of the court's decision.


WHAT IS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION?


In the context of higher education, affirmative action typically refers to admissions policies aimed at increasing the number of Black, Hispanic and other minority students on campus.

Colleges and universities that take race into consideration have said they do so as part of a holistic approach that reviews every aspect of an application, including grades, test scores and extracurricular activities.


The goal of race-conscious admissions policies is to increase student diversity in order to enhance the educational experience for all students. Schools also employ recruitment programs and scholarship opportunities intended to boost diversity, but the Supreme Court litigation was focused on admissions.


WHICH SCHOOLS CONSIDER RACE?


While many schools do not disclose details about their admissions processes, taking race into account is more common among selective schools that turn down most of their applicants.


In a 2019 survey by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, about a quarter of schools said race had a "considerable" or "moderate" influence on admissions, while more than half reported that race played no role whatsoever.


Nine states have banned the use of race in admissions policies at public colleges and universities: Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Washington.


WHAT IS THE CURRENT LITIGATION ABOUT?


The Supreme Court decided two cases brought by Students for Fair Admissions, a group headed by Edward Blum, a conservative legal strategist who has spent years fighting affirmative action.


One case contended that Harvard's admissions policy unlawfully discriminates against Asian American applicants. The other asserted that the University of North Carolina unlawfully discriminates against white and Asian American applicants.


The schools rejected those claims, saying race is determinative in only a small number of cases and that barring the practice would result in a significant drop in the number of minority students on campus.


HOW HAS THE SUPREME COURT RULED IN THE PAST?


Before Thursday, the court had largely upheld race-conscious admissions for decades, though not without limits.


A divided Supreme Court took up the issue in the landmark 1978 case, Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, after schools began using affirmative action in response to the Civil Rights era to correct the effects of racial segregation.


The swing vote, Justice Lewis Powell, ruled that schools could not use affirmative action to rectify past racial discrimination and struck down the university's practice of setting aside a certain number of spots for minorities.


Nevertheless, Powell found that increasing campus diversity was a "compelling interest" because students of all races - not just minorities - would receive a better education if exposed to different viewpoints. Powell ruled that schools could weigh race in admissions as long as it remained only one factor among many.


In 2003, the court struck down the University of Michigan's use of a system that awarded "points" to minority applicants as going too far, but affirmed Bakke's central finding that schools could use race as one of several admission factors.


The court in 2016 again upheld race-conscious admissions in a challenge backed by Blum to University of Texas policies. But the court has moved sharply to the right since then, with six conservative justices now and only three liberals.


WHAT WILL COLLEGES DO IN RESPONSE?


The decision on Thursday will force elite colleges and universities to revamp their policies and search for new ways to ensure diversity in their student populations. Many schools have said other measures would not be as effective, resulting in fewer minority students on campuses.


In briefs filed with the Supreme Court, the University of California and the University of Michigan - top public college systems from states that have outlawed race-conscious admissions - said they have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on alternative programs intended to improve diversity, but that those efforts have fallen far short of goals.


HOW WILL NC SCHOOLS BE AFFECTED BY THIS DECISION?


The most immediate change to admissions processes could be seen in how, or if, prospective university students are asked to identify their race on admissions applications moving forward.


Though the ruling did not explicitly call for the end of students being asked to self-disclose their race on an application — either by checking a box or indicating it in other ways — “it seems clear that race cannot be used as a blanket category,” Klasik said.


Ted Shaw, a professor at the UNC School of Law who specializes in civil rights and affirmative action, told The N&O on Thursday he thought the ruling would cause colleges to reexamine how their applications ask about an applicant’s race.


Students for Fair Admissions, the anti-affirmative action group that brought the case against UNC to the Supreme Court, said in a statement the court’s decision compelled “the removal of all racial and ethnic classification boxes from undergraduate and postgraduate application forms,” adding that the group would “remain vigilant and intend to initiate litigation” if universities did not follow the ruling.


Klasik said universities may still include such questions and boxes on their applications to collect data about students who apply or subsequently enroll, though he is “almost certain” that data will be hidden from admissions officers.


The Common Application, a membership-based platform used by more than 1,000 colleges nationwide, said in a statement Thursday member schools will soon be able to hide from admissions officers any race or ethnicity information students choose to disclose.


Adrienne Amador Oddi, vice president of strategic enrollment and communications at Queens University of Charlotte, told The Charlotte Observer her chest tightened while reading the decision. It was a feeling all too familiar, Oddi said.

Even as the court appeared to end the use of race as a factor or category for admissions officers to consider, Chief Justice John Roberts’ majority opinion could leave open a door for students to discuss their race in application essays and have colleges consider it in some way, as long as it is tied to personal experiences or their character qualities.


During oral arguments in October, and again in her dissenting opinion, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted considering a student’s experiences without regard to race could create unequal opportunities for students of color. For example, a white student, Jackson suggested, might be able to discuss their family’s history of attending UNC for generations — an experience that is not equally available to students of color, given the university’s history of segregation.


Klasik noted that the narrow, and somewhat unclear, confines in which students might be able to pen “a successful portrayal” of their experiences as tied to race could create additional barriers in the admissions process. Some students, he said, may be able to be coached or tutored through that process, but that will most likely not be the case for all students.


Race-neutral alternatives


Aside from deciding how, or if, to use racial indicators on students’ applications, colleges may consider alternative factors to race — often called “race-neutral alternatives” — to continue to yield some level of diversity on their campuses.


Socioeconomic status and where a student lives are generally the two most common race-neutral alternatives cited by opponents of race-conscious admissions.


In considering applicants’ socioeconomic status, “the idea would be that, rather than giving a boost to race, you would give it to students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds,” Klasik said, noting that “traditionally underrepresented racial minority students tend to come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.”


Top 10 percent law


In considering or emphasizing where students live, colleges often develop plans to give equal opportunity by granting assured admission to top students at every high school in a state.


In Texas, for example, a “Top 10 Percent Law” guarantees admission to the state’s public universities for in-state students who graduate in the top 10% of their high school academically. At the University of Texas at Austin, which was involved in its own Supreme Court case over race-based affirmative action a few years ago, the university said the top 10% plan has “had a positive impact on increasing geographic diversity and providing more accessibility to UT Austin to students from all schools around the state.”


Colleges could also pursue more strategic and comprehensive approaches to diversity on their campuses, including by offering targeted outreach to underrepresented minority groups, bolstering community college transfer programs, increasing financial aid or eliminating legacy admissions preferences for children of alumni.


About two weeks prior to the ruling, Duke University announced it would begin offering free tuition this fall to students of families from North Carolina and South Carolina who make $150,000 or less, though the university has not explicitly tied that announcement to a then-potential decision by the Supreme Court.


Even with alternative factors or comprehensive strategies, selective colleges may experience declines in the racial diversity of their students.


Both the University of California system and the University of Michigan submitted briefs to the Supreme Court in support of UNC, saying the universities had experienced decreases in racial diversity after race-conscious affirmative action was banned in their respective states, despite race-neutral alternatives they implemented.


Prior to the Supreme Court ruling, a federal judge ruled there was “no non-racial approach that would promote such benefits about as well as” UNC’s race-conscious approach.

Highlights of the Week:

Thanks to everyone who came out to our July 4th Celebration! 




Congresswoman Ross Hosts Community Solar Funding Press Conference in Morrisville.



Start ups encouraged to apply for RIOT Accelerator Program.    





GET THE MORRISVILLE APP AT THE APP STORE!


Get all the latest information about news and events around Town with the authoritative app, Morrisville Central. Learn about free community events, view an interactive map of Town facilities and parks to learn about court and field status, and get the latest information about the Town straight from the source. You can also report concerns as you see them using the app’s interactive tool.


Download the app from the Apple App Store or from Google Play.

BREAKING NEWS: 

Another Tragic Shooting in Durham leaves a 4 year old dead.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/5-year-old-girl-killed-in-durham-shooting-could-light-up-the-darkest-room/ar-AA1dwCur

Supreme Court strikes down Affirmative Action! 


https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-strikes-affirmative-action-programs-harvard-unc-rcna66770 

Major League Cricket coming to Morrisville on July 20th!  


Major League Cricket has announced the full schedule for America’s first-ever professional franchise cricket league, set to launch on Thursday, July 13, 2023.


Two cricket-specific venues in North Texas (Grand Prairie Stadium, 1600 Lone Star Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX) and Morrisville (Church Street Park, 5800 Cricket Pitch Way, Morrisville, NC) will host 19 matches.


Many of the world’s top cricketers will represent six MLC teams competing to be crowned as the inaugural season champion on Sunday, July 30.


Tickets start at $15 for games in Morrisville.

Tickets are on sale now at tickets.majorleaguecricket.com.


Read the full news release at https://bit.ly/43YYfYt

NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK VISITS

Mi Cancun:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/563048302582861

EMPANADAS NOW:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1443909203062868

The Shed at Perimeter Park: 

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/905867964052478

Bond Brothers Beer at Park West Concert:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/737542471497889

Enjoyed my visit with Ravi Samavedam of Azurro Clean Rooms on Demand!


https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1298921004350840

PBS CAROLINAS:

STATE LINES AND BLACK ISSUES FORUM: 

STATE LINES: 


A roundtable discussion about political affairs and current events in North Carolina.


https://video.pbsnc.org/show/state-lines/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic

Black Issues Forum

Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!


https://www.pbsnc.org/watch/black-issues-forum/


Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.

Link to the show:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg

Radio Nyra

Join us on Radio Nyra on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with HSS on Darsana Exhibit.  99.9HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! 


Join us on Radio Nyra Sundays at 4pm for interesting interviews with local thought leaders


99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!


Great Interview on Radio Nyra with Hill Carrow on the 2029 FISU World University Games.  

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/596450559170578/?t=18


Radio Nyra Interview with NAACP Raleigh President Gerald Givens

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1498398340651739/?t=35

Radio Nyra Interview


Radio Nyra Asian American Heritage Interview with AAPI Caucus

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/201692958860555/?t=39

ROKU and POD TV

Great US Open Roku TV Interview with Andy Andrews!


https://youtu.be/-Uy7aX-M2AI?t=79

88.1 FM Geet Bazaar


Wonderful interview with Secretary of State Elaine Marshall on 88.1 FM Geet Bazaar!  


https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/454623026620604

On the Porch
On the Porch with Randy Voller on WCHL 97.9 FM!

https://chapelboro.com/?s=on+the+porch



WPTF

September 20 - Steve Rao on WPTF Talking Direct Flight To India.  

http://steverao.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Steve-Rao-9-20-2022.mp3

WPTF Steve O'Bryan show
Get with the Program

Get with the Program with Gary Jones!


GARY JONES SHOW - GET WITH THE PROGRAM - 2/2023


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL1UyROGNX4

Op Ed Alert:

Join Our Mailing List

This Week in Morrisville. June 19 - June 23

Upcoming Meetings

Meetings



July 11 – 6 p.m. – Town Council Meeting 

Town Now Accepting Fats, Oils, and Greases to be Re-Purposed as Biofuel


The Town of Morrisville now has an FOG Collection for household fats, oils, and greases outside the Public Works Department building at 414 Aviation Parkway. The collection is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it accepts fats including butter, shortening, cheese, and meat trimmings; oils including vegetable, olive, canola, and other cooking oils; and greases including bacon and sausage grease, gravy, mayonnaise and melted meat fats. A full list is included on the side of the collection. The FOGs can be repurposed into renewable biofuel. The collection also helps to keep these harmful substances out of the local water supply and protects household plumbing.


Now Hiring: Join the MAFC Team


The Town of Morrisville is now hiring for both full and part-time positions including:


Check out additional employment opportunities in the Town here.

Shiloh Park Basketball Court and Playground Renovations Will Begin in July


The Town of Morrisville is preparing to conduct some renovations at Shiloh Park. This work is anticipated to begin in July and go through the end of the year. This work will include replacing the existing basketball court and playground, adding additional sidewalks, and re-striping parking lot lanes to add ADA parking. Visitors to the park can expect to see construction workers present onsite. The basketball court and the playground will be closed while renovations are underway. Visitors are asked to stay clear of these zones while construction work is happening to ensure a safe project site. Visit the project page for more information.


MAFC to Offer 'How To' Class Series in July


The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (MAFC), 1301 Morrisville Parkway, will be hosting seven how to classes in July that will focus on specific fitness and wellness topics. Examples include programming your own workout, creating a running routine, using gym equipment, and meditating. Registration for these classes will open one week in advance. To view the complete list, including dates and times, or to sign up, please visit www.tinyurl.com/signupmafc, under the Fitness tab. Class attendance will require a membership or the purchase of a single-visit pass.


Glen Ingram All Stars to Play at Music in the Park on July 7


Our Music in the Park series continues on July 7 at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. with the Glen Ingram All Stars. Join us for music from this five-piece combo featuring Angela Bingham on vocals. Tasty Turkey Que and Kona Ice will be there with dinner and cool treats for purchase. Bring chairs or a blanket, and find a comfortable spot on the lawn for this free concert.


Harris Mill Road to be Closed July 17-21 for Improvements


The Town of Morrisville has contracted with Turner Asphalt to complete the Harris Mill Road improvement project. This project will require a complete closure of Harris Mill Road from McCrimmon Parkway to J Morris Commons Lane for the week of July 17-21. This requires that any traffic for J Morris Common Lane will have to detour and use Lake Brink Drive, Midvale Avenue, and Craigemeade Drive during the closure. This work is being timed with the construction of Fire Station No. 3 on Harris Mill Road, and it is being performed because the roadway is in poor condition and needs reconstruction. Click here to see a map of the closure.



Registration Now Open for Fall Sports


Registration is now open for fall sports programming offered by the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department, including developmental baseball, developmental softball, and recreational girls’ volleyball. Players will enjoy two activities per week from August to October. The developmental baseball and softball programs are designed to prepare players for the spring Little League season. Baseball programs are available for kids ages 5-12, softball is available for kids ages 8-12, and volleyball is available for girls ages 7-15. Registration is available online, or in person at any of the Town’s Parks and Recreation offices, including the Cedar Fork Community Center and the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center.


Registration Open for Ultimate Frisbee Summer Camp in June and July 


The Town of Morrisville and Triangle Ultimate are partnering to offer the Ultimate Frisbee Summer Camp June 26-30 and July 10-14, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway. Participants can learn new skills, develop their game, create new friendships, enjoy mini games and scrimmages, and build character. The camp is open to children ages 7-15, and all experience and skill levels are welcome. Each week of camp will create groups of beginners and advanced players so that every camper can have a fun and challenging experience. The cost is $175 per week. Register for the June session here or the July session here.



Registration Now Open for Esports STEM Camp at Cedar Fork Community Center


The Town of Morrisville and the Triangle Esports Academy are partnering to provide a STEM camp at the Cedar Fork Community Center (CFCC), 1050B Town Hall Drive, that will combine education and esports coaching. The camp, which will take place Aug. 14-18, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., will give children the opportunity to explore ideas in different contexts and connect their learning across disciplines. The curriculum aims to blend scientific inquiry and technological design processes through project-based learning that fosters critical thinking, problem solving, logical reasoning, communication, self-direction, and creativity. Topics for each day include architecture and engineering, technology, coding and scripting, science and math, and a surprise lesson. Games used in the program will include Minecraft, Roblox, Scratch, Fortnite Creative, and Piskel Arr. The camp is open to children ages 6-14, and the cost is $260. Registration is open online now.

July Senior Center Events 


👉 July 12, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Being Greek with Effie Barbee includes a short presentation on growing up Greek, free samples of salads, pastry and coffee, and printed recipes. Register now at https://bit.ly/44dpWNp

👉 July 19, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Resources for Seniors - Home Meds includes a free review of your medications and their usage, as well as medication management tips. Register now at https://bit.ly/3PKKjgH

👉 July 28, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Free Blood Pressure Screenings Register now at https://bit.ly/3D2uQkz


The Morrisville Senior Center hosts activities all month long including bingo, chair yoga, zumba, and line dancing. Register for these and more at https://bit.ly/44wHqUL


📍 Morrisville Senior Center

4117 Davis Drive

919-463-7140


Shop Local at the Western Wake Farmers' Market


The Western Wake Farmers' Market (WWFM) offers healthy and fresh food and goods from small and local businesses from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. every Saturday at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive.  


Visit http://wwfm.ag/ to see a complete list of local vendors and shop local.

Around the Region

Played some Hoops at Basketball with a Cop!




Inspired at AVSAR event, celebrating Gujarati Culture at Raleigh Convention Center.  





Great Time at City of Raleigh Fireworks with Congressman Wiley Nickel!  




Morrisville Update with Mayor Cawley at Morrisville Elementary School!  




Time with Living Legend Ralph Ashworth at Ashworth Drugs in Cary! 




Small Business Listening Tour: 

Send me an email at sr@steverao.com to book a Business Listening visit to your company.

SMALL BUSINESS VISIT OF THE WEEK


Enjoyed my visit with Nilesh Surti from Curry in a Hurry at July 3rd Family Fun Festival!


https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/193779486689957

NC State Extension Composting:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/959841225036371

Yes Solar Solutions

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1080676136223189

Towards Zero Waste and NC Composting Council:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/537361191935765

Insights from ExtoBio:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/969332764115332


I had a wonderful visit with Jose Pecheco, CEO of ExtoBio, whose company pitched at the TIE Carolinas Launch Event at the American Underground Bull Penn in Durham.  Leading with scientific research and a thorough dedication to data, ExstoBio is disrupting the pharmaceutical industry, formalizing cannabis-as-a-medicine, and personalizing patient care.


Congratulations to all of the Companies who pitched to the Expert Pitch Panel and a special congrats to Pitch Winner, Wolfspider. Wolfspider is an Ag Tech company that brings together genetics and robotics to ensure confidence in crop yield and limiting chemical use. The company would love to connect individuals with experience in the ag tech space. 


Thanks to ExstoBio (UNC), Aurganics (Duke), Vistara (NCSU), WolfSpider (NCSU), BioSensys (NCSU), and Collab (UNC) for participating in the event.  

 

WolfSpider will be going to Silicon Valley for a global pitch tournament with ~40 other companies to compete for $100K+ in cash prizes.


And Thanks to Tim Scales from American Underground for hosting and to all the judges and attendees!   

SBA ADMINISTRATOR THOMAS AND I VISIT SMALL BUSINESSES IN MORRISVILLE!


During Allen Thomas’ visit to Morrisville, he and I were able to drop in and visit some Small Businesses in Grace Park Office Center.  During our visits, he was able to connect with these companies, and provide them guidance on how to navigate through a very complex system to get access to SBA resources.  

Visit with New York Deli:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/596452855872694

Visit with Acme Pizza:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/971277980525504

Visit with Empanadas and More:

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/607568900925114

Morrisville Compounding Pharmacy


Visit with Morrisville Compounding Pharmacy at Brierpoint: 

https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/240100088382575

North Carolina News

New 12 week Abortion Law will go into effect... 


The North Carolina General Assembly on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill that includes some last-minute changes to the state’s recently passed abortion law.


The Republican-controlled legislature sent the bill to the Democratic governor’s desk, just a day before a federal judge is set to hear a motion seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the abortion law from taking effect. The new law, which bans most abortions after 12 weeks, is set to go into effect on July 1.


CNN has reached out to Gov. Roy Cooper’s office about his plans for the bill.


The surprise amendment, which makes significant tweaks to the new abortion law, was added to House Bill 190, an unrelated measure focusing on the Department of Health and Human Services late last week in the state Senate.


In a Tuesday filing in opposition to granting the temporary restraining order, on behalf of Republican House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger, attorneys admitted that the changes contained in the amendment were addressing issues raised by the lawsuit.


Read More at https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/27/politics/north-carolina-abortion-law-changes-lawsuit/index.html


Federal Judge will Not Block 12 week Abortion Ban


A federal judge said Wednesday that she won’t temporarily block most of a newly revised abortion law from taking effect this weekend in North Carolina, including a near-ban on the procedure after 12 weeks of pregnancy.


U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles said at a court hearing that she won’t grant the request by lawyers for Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and a physician to set aside most of the new restrictions before they are to come into force on Saturday, calling it overbroad.


The 12-week ban, which was approved in the spring by North Carolina’s Republican-controlled General Assembly and includes new exceptions for rape, incest and “life-limiting” fetal anomalies, would replace the current ban on most abortions after 20 weeks.

Read More at https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-abortion-ban-lawsuit-legislature-e2fc5597a32a8bbd6a1d4380b8f6bb02

LATEST NATIONAL AND GLOBAL UPDATES 

1. At least 20 people died in mass shootings over the July Fourth holiday weekend.


What to know: There have been at least 21 shootings — in which four or more people were killed or injured — since the start of July, according to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive.

The bigger picture: The latest incidents continued an uptick of violence over the holiday weekend that began in 2020. Large gatherings and alcohol are part of the problem, experts said.


2. July 4 was Earth’s hottest day on record.


How hot? The average surface temperature was 62.92 degrees Fahrenheit. The U.S., China, Antarctica and the north of Africa were all much hotter than usual.

Why? Our summer, the return of El Niño, and climate change are to blame.

It’s an alarming trend: A run of record-setting global heat — including a scorching June — could lead to this being Earth’s warmest year on record.


3. UPS moved a step closer to a nationwide strike.


What to know: Contract talks between the shipping giant and a union representing its workers broke down yesterday. If no deal is reached, a strike could start next month.

Why it matters: A walkout could cause chaos. It would threaten the transportation of goods across the country and have far-reaching implications for the economy.


4.A migrant boat tragedy in Greece may have been preventable.


A reminder: A boat with as many as 750 migrants on board capsized off the Greek coast last month. It was the deadliest Mediterranean shipwreck in years.

The latest: The Post retraced the route of vessel. Our investigation casts doubt on claims by Greek officials that they did everything required of them in the rescue mission.


5. CoCo Lee, the singer and Disney star, has died.



CoCo Lee in 2016. (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

How she’s best known: For selling millions of albums in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Lee also voiced the lead character in the Mandarin version of the 1998 Disney animated film “Mulan.”

What we know: The 48-year-old was hospitalized after an attempted suicide this weekend and had struggled with her mental health for years, her family said. She died yesterday.


6. The U.S. approved its largest offshore wind project yesterday.


The plan: Dozens of new turbines off the coast of New Jersey could power hundreds of thousands of homes. It’s part of President Biden’s effort to boost offshore wind energy production.

Fierce opposition: Some Republican lawmakers and local residents want to stop the project. They say the turbines might disrupt tourism and whale migration.


7. Meta launched Threads, its Twitter rival.


What is it? A new text-based social media app. You need an Instagram account to sign up, and you’ll have to use the same handle. You get 500 characters per thread.


Will it take off? With access to Instagram’s billions of users, it may beat rivals in attracting Twitter users alienated by Elon Musk’s reign. Meta said it already has over 10 million sign-ups.


UPCOMING EVENTS

July 1 Basketball with a Cop at Cedar Fork Community Center from 1 pm to 3 pm!  

July 3th Family Fun Festival at Fireworks!  



5 pm at Town Hall Drive! 

July 7th Music In the Park at 6 pm at the Healthy Food Hub!  





Sunday at 4 pm for our Radio Nyra Interview

Join me every Sunday at 4pm for a new show. 99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!

Radio / TV
Radio NYRA

Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio NYRA for another update on local issues.



99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!  Listen at www.radionyrausa.com!


99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! 

ROKU and POD TV
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Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville. 

For more information or to schedule a time to speak with Council Member Rao, please email SRao@TownofMorrisville.org and copy Town Clerk Eric Smith, esmith@townofmorrisville.org, 463-6150.
Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
Learn more at: SteveRao.com
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