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2022 YEAR IN REVIEW AND HAPPY NEW YEAR EDITION | |
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
January 2, 2023
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Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes. | |
Breaking News and Updates | |
ARTEMIS AND UKRAINE INSPIRED HUMANITY IN 2022 | |
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In 2022, all of us continue to be inspired by the fearless fight for Freedom that Ukraine is waging against Russia and I continue to be inspired by our reach to the heavens and Moon again as we celebrated the successful launch of the Artemis to the moon and back
"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we’re willing to accept. One we are unwilling to postpone. And therefore, as we set sail, we ask God’s blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure that man has ever gone."
- John F. Kennedy at Rice University Sept. 12, 1962
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Queen Elizabeth
In Picture: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth being welcomed by my late great Uncle, U. Krishna Rau , Mayor of Madras (on left) at a reception at the Mayor’s residence in 1961.
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Breaking News Updates for the Week: | |
Rose Bowl Parade is today! | |
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North Carolina gas tax goes up 2 cents Jan 1. | |
Nate Lozinsky becomes new Fire Chief!
(see section below)
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National Collegiate Football Championship
Georgia and TCU will play for National Collegiate Football Championship next Monday!
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CWI Under-19 Rising Stars T20 Championship
USA Women's Under 19 team left RDU to the Caribbean yesterday for the CWI Under-19 Rising Stars T20 Championship. We wish them well!
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Join the Town of Morrisville Virtual Marathon!
Radio Nyra - New Years Day at 4 pm
Tune in on New Years Day at 4 pm to Radio Nyra for our interview with Bob Phillips from Common Cause for our discussion on Moore v. Harper.
99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM, and 1490 AM and www.radionyra.com.
Jan 4th Raleigh Chamber Launch Event. 2- 5 pm,
Reception following at Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts.
Jan 5th Cary Chamber Economic Forecast at Preston Wood Country Club.
https://web.carychamber.com/events/Economic-Forecast-Breakfast-4089/details
Jan 6th NC Bankers Economic Forecast from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
at Sheraton Imperial! https://ncchamber.com/event/economic-forecast-forum/
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HAPPY NEW YEAR! AND WHAT A YEAR IN MORRISVILLE! | |
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Komal, Sonia, Rayan and hope each of you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas, Hannukah and Holidays with your families and wish you a Happy and prosperous 2023. We began this year without many of the Covid restrictions that we had lived with for the past few years, which brought us back to many in person events, and it was nice to get back to a new normal.
A war in Ukraine, rising gas prices, inflation, landmark Supreme Court decisions like the overturning of Roe v Wade, continued senseless gun tragedies and an increasingly divisive and turbulent political environment, certainly made 2022, a very eventful and unforgettable year. I am also enjoying my work with the media, continuing my work with PBS Carolina on Black Issues Forum (may be doing some more things with them this year), working as an Opinion Writer for WRAL Tech Wire, and also hosting radio shows and podcasts on Radio Nyra and Roku TV.
I continue to be grateful for the opportunity to lead one of the most innovative, diverse, and best places to live, work and play in the United States. It has been another exciting and productive year for the Town:
- The Morrisville Carpenter Road project is expected to be completed by the end of the year,
- Council moved forward with a Developer Partner, Singh Development, on the Town Center Project. Stay tuned!
- $1.5 million announced expansion of Church Street Cricket Park to recruit more International and World Cup Matches and we broke ground on our new Fire Station 3.
- Continued economic development momentum with the announcement of the $1.5 billion Sparks Life Science campus, and more tech and life science companies moving to the Town.
- A newly announced public high school at Wake Tech RTP and the opening of the Town’s first STEM High School at Wake Tech’s Lilly Science and Technology Center and plans are underway to bring Parkside Middle School in the near future.
- Finally, our Town ended the year with a Fortune Magazine ranking of one of the top places in the nation to raise a family.
None of this would have happened without your continued engagement and support.
Let me end this letter with congratulations to our Council, Wake Tech, the Wake County School Board and staff (and Wake County Schools staff) for their innovative and collaborative efforts to bring a new High School in Morrisville. These efforts clearly demonstrate the positive outcomes which can result from collaborative and innovative problem solving by local governments and we hope to see more collaboration like this in the future.
For years, officials, and residents assumed that we did not have the land for a new High School. School Board Member Chris Heagarty changed this mindset. He led efforts for an innovative and collaborative new agreement between Morrisville and Wake County schools.
Through joint use agreements, Wake County Schools and Morrisville can share important recreational facilities between the new high school and the public, and Morrisville will get a brand new site for its new fire station. Innovative collaboration, is what is making our future high school possible.
This monumental achievement did not happen by accident. Congratulations to all who made this happen.
We also thank the engaged residents of our Town who never gave up and continued to express their desires for a new High School and now can see their dream come true.
Finally, the highlight of my year was attending the White House Diwali Reception hosted by President Biden, First Lady Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
As I heard the Marine Corps Band play Hail to the Chief, and saw the President enter the East Room, I broke down in emotion for never in my own lifetime, as the son of immigrants from India, did I ever imagine the President of the United States delivering a Diwali message. I never imagined that I could be in the same House, where President Lincoln and Roosevelt led our nation through the darkest of times, or where President John F. Kennedy would inspire a nation to be bold in our vision and to serve our nation. During the event, it was an honor for me to meet some of the Presidents Cabinet and advisors, including Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Covid Response Director, Dr. Ashish Jha, and number of national leaders.
The President shared with all of us that during the darkest moments of his life, including the loss of his first wife and two children, he would have to look to the light in others to find purpose. His moving message reminded me of the fact that the light and love of our hearts is our true navigation system, our true GPS!
I look forward to continuing to serve, to look to the light and love in others as much as I can and to am grateful to be living and leading a diverse, inclusive, and innovative Town of Morrisville, one where the shared heritage of all faiths, ethnicities, and cultures allow us to see American Democracy at its best work, that we can all come from far away places, live up to our God Given Potential, and live out our Dreams.
We wish each of you a Happy and Prosperous 2023.
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TOWN ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR:
A NEW PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL!
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For years, officials, and residents assumed that we did not have the land for a new High School. School Board Member Chris Heagarty changed this mindset. He led efforts for an innovative and collaborative new agreement between Morrisville and Wake County schools.
Through joint use agreements, Wake County Schools and Morrisville can share important recreational facilities between the new high school and the public, and Morrisville will get a brand new site for its new fire station. Innovative collaboration, is what is making our future high school possible.
This monumental achievement did not happen by accident. Congratulations to all who made this happen.
We also thank the engaged residents of our Town who never gave up and continued to express their desires for a new High School and now can see their dream come true.
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MAJOR MORRISVILLE HIGHLIGHTS | |
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Pete Acosta sworn in as new Police Chief.
(pictured with Apex Chief Jason Armstrong)
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Congratulations Fire Chief Lozinsky | |
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Major League Cricket
Town of Morrisville and Major League Cricket sign agreement to invest Millions to transform Church Street Cricket Park!
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Minor League Cricket
Minor League Cricket Championships played in Morrisville! Atlanta Thunder wins!
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Team USA Cricket
Team USA Cricket trains at Church Street Park before T20 World Cup in Papa New Guinea!
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New Fire Station
Broke Ground on a New Fire Station!
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Wake Early College
Cut the Ribbon at the Wake Early College of Biotechnology and Information Technology!
Wake Early College
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New Public High School
A New Public High School Coming in 2027!
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Nepal Day
Nepal Day was a blast!
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Juneteenth
We celebrated Juneteenth in Morrisville and I presented Shiloh with Juneteenth Proclamation!
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Family Fun Festival
July 4th Family Fun Festival!
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Morrisville Diwali event!
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Town Center Project
Town signs Memo of Understanding with Singh Development to move Town Center Project forward!
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Sparks Life Sciences
Sparks Life Sciences announces a $1.3 Billion Life Science Campus in Morrisville.
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Santa at the Farmers Market | |
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Santa Run
Enjoyed Time with Santa on Santa Run!
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Santa at MAFC
Santa spotted swimming at MAFC!
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Solarize the Triangle
Sustainability team leads again by joining Solarize the Triangle!
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Fortune Magazine top 5 places
The Town of Morrisville recognized by Fortune Magazine as one of the top 5 places to raise a family in the United States!
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WAKE COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS
- Wake County Passes $537 million School Construction Bond (1.3 billion of bonds pass, including Wake Tech and Parks/Greenways)
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- A New Wake County Sheriff! Sheriff Willie Rowe!
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- A New Wake County Commission! Welcome Commissioners Don Mial and Cheryl Stallings!
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New Wake County Commission! | |
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Commissioner Cheryl Stallings | |
- A New Wake County School Board! Welcome Lynn Edmonds, Tyler Swanson, and Dr. Wing Ng. Congrats to my best friend Chris Heagarty for being re elected!
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- A New Raleigh City Council!
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NORTH CAROLINA HIGHLIGHTS!
- Governor Cooper lifts North Carolina State of Emergency and most Covid Restrictions….
- Moore v Harper heads to US Supreme Court for oral arguments.
- NC Supreme Court strikes down 2022 Congressional Maps.
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- We have a New US Senator, Tedd Budd, and two new Supreme Court Justices…
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- And we welcome Wiley Nickel, Valerie Foushee, Jeff Jackson and Don Davis to the United States Congress!
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WE CELEBRATED SOME HOMETOWN HEROES!
- Swadesh Chatterjee and Dr. PM Shah receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Governor Roy Cooper.
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- Guri Burmi rides Coast to Coast from Morrisiville to California and back to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research!
- Dr. Priya Kishnani wins NC Science Award!
- Andy Andrews inducted into USTA Southern Tennis Hall of Fame!
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NC Congresswoman Deb Ross Has Been a Stellar Leader for Wake County!
Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) has secured $26,890,641 for community projects across Wake County in the omnibus funding bill for Fiscal Year 2023. This critical funding will invest in accessible health care, affordable housing, public safety projects, quality education, and more.
The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate are expected to vote on the package this week.
From Raleigh to Wendell, these projects address critical needs in Wake County and represent transformational investments in families, students, seniors, and more. I look forward to voting for this package and working with local leaders to ensure these projects deliver tangible results for North Carolina..
Our Town and Council is grateful to her for her efforts to secure funding for Solar Panels along with $300,000 for a Small Business Recovery Program for the Town, which we are finalizing and putting in place this quarter.
Earlier this year, Congresswoman Ross secured $10.7 million in funding for Wake County community projects in the Fiscal Year 2022 government funding package.
The projects and funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 package are listed below.
Community Projects
Project Name: WakeMed Behavioral Health Hospital
Amount Secured: $6,000,000
Description: WakeMed Health & Hospitals will use this funding to establish a behavioral health hospital that will help Wake County cope with the rising number of mental health and substance-use cases. The facility will accept all clinically appropriate patients regardless of their ability to pay. It will provide a full continuum of mental health services to adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients and substance-use services to all ages.
Project Name: Wake County Public Health Center
Amount Secured: $2,000,000
Description: Wake County will use this funding to construct a new Public Health Center. The new 151,000 square foot building will house a variety of health clinics, along with pharmacy and lab facilities, as well as ancillary and complimentary social services programs. Wake County Public Health is the safety net clinical provider for uninsured residents. The County’s 11 clinics served approximately 26,000 residents in 2021. Its pharmacy provides approximately 60,000 prescriptions each year, many of which people could not obtain without Wake County Public Health services.
Project Name: Maynard Road Multifamily Housing in Cary
Amount Secured: $1,000,000
Description: The Maynard Road Multifamily Housing is a planned 127-unit housing development that will provide quality, affordable, mixed-income rental units at below-market rents in a prime area of Cary, North Carolina. The development is needed to help address rising housing costs, especially for low-income individuals and families, because of booming population growth, employment opportunities, and economic development in Cary over the last 20 years. The funding will be used to construct a street to the development. A well-designed and integrated street network is the backbone for a viable, complete neighborhood.
Project Name: Wake Tech Electric Vehicle Training
Amount Secured: $939,041
Description: Wake Technical Community College will use this funding for Grid to Plug to Wheels: Technician Training for Safe and Efficient Electric Vehicle Power Utilization and Maintenance. This job training program will prepare a next generation workforce of 2-year technicians to build and maintain power supply infrastructure and service electric vehicles. The growing demand for skilled labor in this sector will lead to good careers, greenhouse gas reductions, and consumer savings at the pump.
Project Name: Saint Augustine’s University Tuttle Public Health Center
Amount Secured: $490,000
Description: St. Augustine's University, a Historically Black University (HBCU), will use this funding to open its Tuttle Public Health Center (TPHC), which will support health and wellness education, student research regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19, and related programs that will benefit St. Augustine’s students and the surrounding community. Funding will be used to support faculty, establish smart classrooms for students, and purchase research and lab equipment.
Project Name: GoTriangle Wake County Transit Access and Safety Improvements
Amount Secured: $900,000
Description: This project will address critical transit access and operation safety concerns at GoTriangle bus stops across Wake County. The project will make improvements at several locations where the design speed, traffic volumes, constrained right-of-way, and number of transit passengers require safety and ADA accessibility improvements. These improvements include bus bays, sidewalk connections, ADA curb ramps, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals. Proposed locations are distributed throughout the county, benefiting customers on several regional GoTriangle routes.
Project Name: Raleigh-Durham International Airport North Cargo Taxilane Reconstruction
Amount Secured: $5,000,000
Description: This project will reconstruct the Taxilane that provides access to the North Cargo aircraft parking apron at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. This Taxilane access is critical to the operation of both FedEx and UPS, which provide freight and logistics services to central North Carolina.
Project Name: Town of Holly Springs Water Reclamation
Amount Secured: $3,000,000
Description: The Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility is nearing capacity due to population and economic growth. This project will employ innovative and sustainable techniques to increase capacity and divert treated wastewater for other reuses in the community.
Project Name: Triangle Regional Water Partnership
Amount Secured: $3,326,400
Description: This project will help address the inadequate water supply intended to serve the recently announced VinFast manufacturing facility, the largest economic development project in North Carolina to date, and to provide a safe water supply for the Town of Pittsboro. The funding will be used to construct one of two horizontal directional drills under the Cape Fear River from the City of Sanford’s Water Treatment Plant, which will provide a safe and resilient source of potable water for local government partners that include Chatham County, Pittsboro, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina. Congresswoman Ross secured this funding with Congressman David Price (NC-04).
Project Name: Garner Senior Center Facility Improvements
Amount Secured: $505,200
Description: The project will enhance safety, increase accessibility, and improve functionality of the Garner Senior Center (GSC), which hosts over 42,000 annual visits by Garner-area seniors. The facility also houses Wake County’s largest congregate Meals on Wheels site serving 1,700 monthly meals on-site and is a distribution site for 1,100 monthly delivered meals. Improvements to the facility include replacement of aging HVAC systems to improve air handling, renovations to restrooms to improve safety and accessibility, the addition of an accessible route to outdoor programing areas of the facility, installation of technology to ensure safe user access, enhancements to the kitchen and dining facility to improve food distribution, and other general facility upgrades.
Project Name: Pleasant Grove Community Center in Wendell
Amount Secured: $2,000,000
Description: The Pleasant Grove Community Center Project is a collaborative partnership with the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Town of Wendell, and Wake County to reimagine a future use of the historic African American Carver School. This site is located within a low-income area near a public housing development and will serve as a focal point of inclusion and opportunity. The community center rehabilitation will provide a space to offer families afterschool, track out, and summer camp programs; job development services; and a business incubator to host the entrepreneurial program, LaunchWENDELL. This funding will be used for community engagement, project design, construction documents, and the rehabilitation of the old Carver Elementary School.
Project Name: Tingen Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Design in Apex
Amount Secured: $550,000
Description: This funding will be used for the study and design of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the railroad crossing of Tingen Road in Apex, North Carolina. This railroad crossing is expected to close in 2025. Construction of the bicycle and pedestrian bridge will provide a route for the community to safely cross the railroad tracks on Tingen Road.
Project Name: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences Education Center at Prairie Ridge
Amount Secured: $750,000
Description: The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will use this funding to construct an Education Center at Prairie Ridge, which will expand services to significantly increase the number of visitors the facility can accommodate. Designed for easy accessibility, including for those with limited pedestrian mobility, families with young children, and school groups, the building will feature three new assets: an indoor classroom, furnished with scientific instruments and teaching tools; universally accessible restroom facilities; and a nature porch. This funding will contribute to economic development by creating an important public amenity along the Blue Ridge Corridor, turning an existing community resource into a year-round ecotourism destination, and fostering the creation of new jobs.
Project Name: Town of Morrisville Solar Panel Installations on Town Facilities
Amount Secured: $250,000
Description: The Town of Morrisville wants to lead community adoption of sustainable practices and technology. The Town will use $250,000 in funding to purchase and install solar arrays on three of the Town’s largest energy consuming facilities to reduce its carbon footprint. The facilities include the Morrisville Aquatics and Fitness Center, Public Safety and Municipal Services Building, and Harris Mill Road Fire Station.
Project Name: Town of Fuquay-Varina Continuous Operation Body Camera System
Amount Secured: $180,000
Description: The Town of Fuquay-Varina will use this funding to supply police officers with continuous operation body camera systems. This funding will enable Fuquay-Varina to purchase improved body-worn camera equipment for Police Officers to enhance safety, transparency, and community trust. Body cameras enhance community safety and trust and are essential for 21st century policing.
The Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus funding package also includes:
- $21 billion increase for veterans’ health care to help with implementation of the PACT Act
- Reform of the Electoral Count Act of 1887, which will help thwart attempts to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power
- Robust funding to provide security, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in its fight for freedom and democracy
- Emergency disaster assistance to help victims of hurricanes and wildfires throughout the country
- $72 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help address the affordable housing crisis, a $6 billion increase above last year’s levels
The package also includes Congresswoman Ross’ legislation, the Unleashing American Innovators Act, critical legislation that will address disparities in the U.S. patent system and expand access to patents for underrepresented communities. The bill will also establish a U.S. Patent Office in the Southeast.
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WE SAID GOODBYE TO CONGRESSMAN DAVID PRICE!
Thanks to my friend, David Price, who has represented our region and state for 35 years. Our nation will miss his wisdom, and grace in the Congress, and I do hope to stay in touch with him. We also know that this Holidays must have been tough for him without his beloved wife, Lisa.
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SOME COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS….
RDU DIRECT FLIGHT TASK FORCE TO INDIA IS MAKING PROGRESS!
Our Town Hall meeting with the RDU Airport in September resulted in a Task Force to focus on results and we are starting to proceed with the following Focus:
Key takeaways:
- Short term
- Work with the airlines and ask them to review their connecting times coming and going to India
- Medium Term
- Work to add another Europe hub providing additional competition to India
- Work to add connectivity to the middle east which would provide a gateway to India
- Long term (10 year +)
- Continue to monitor the demand to India in hopes we can secure non-stop service
Congrats to BAPS for their Expansion and to SV Temple for Raj Goparum!
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SOME PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS:
- Wiley Nickel, one of my closest friends is a Congressman!
- Proud of Guri Burmi’s Coast to Coast Ride
- Two visits to White House in a year!
- North Carolina Communities Day in Action
- White House Diwali Reception
- Dharsana Exhibit at State Capital
- Congrats to BAPS for Expansion and Centennial Celebration of Pramukh Swami!
- Enjoyed another year as a Political Analyst on Black Issues Forum, Roku TV, and Radio Nyra!
- Spent much time with Santa this Year in Morrisville!
- Ran into the Grinch in Cancun!
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North Carolina Communities Day in Action
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White House Diwali Reception | |
Dharsana Exhibit at State Capital | |
IN MEMORIAM: AND I LOST SOME DEAR FRIENDS:
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Former Zebulon Mayor Bob Matheny
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Former Holly Springs Mayor Dick Sears
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Chacko Verghese, Community Leader
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Yash Kataria, founder of North Carolina Indian American Physicians. | |
AND MADE SOME NEW ONES AT THE WHITE HOUSE
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Dr. Ashish Jha
White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator.
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Vivek Murthy
Surgeon General of the United States.
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Doug Emhoff
First Gentlemen of the United States.
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IMPORTANT MORRISVILLE UPDATES: | |
Morrisville Substation Alert:
(For Addison Park and Ridgemont Residents)
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Duke Energy seeks to add a second transformer to the existing Morrisville 230kV substation at 940 Morrisville Carpenter Road. Approval by the Town of Morrisville would allow for the expansion of the substation by almost 150 ft where new equipment will be added to increase its electric capacity. This substation expansion is an important project needed to support the significant growth of the Town of Morrisville and allow Duke Energy to continue delivering reliable electricity to all its customers.
I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting with Duke Energy representatives for the week of January 5th to address concerns and explore options moving forward. The meeting will most likely be held on Jan 5th or Jan 6th evening but stay tuned for details which will be sent next week.
Planning and Zoning has recommended approval.
You can listen to the Audio of the Dec. 8th Planning And Zoning Board Meeting at: https://morrisville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=11&clip_id=63
More Details will be provided after the Holidays
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Nate Lozinsky assumes role of Fire Chief on Dec. 31, 2022 | |
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Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department Deputy Fire Chief Nathan Lozinsky will become the Town’s next fire chief, effective Dec. 31, 2022. Lozinsky will be filling the role vacated by Chief Scott Criddle, who has served as the Town’s fire chief since November 2018.
“I am honored to serve the Town of Morrisville residents, businesses and visitors as the fire chief,” said Chief Lozinsky. “I am excited about the opportunity to continue to build off the progressive foundation Chief Criddle cultivated and further lead an already excellent fire department forward.”
Chief Criddle has requested to return to his former battalion chief role within the fire department where he looks forward to once again providing direct service to the community. Read the full story at https://bit.ly/3Y9RSPK.
Congratulations to Nate for this new opportunity and I am honored to call him not only our Fire Chief, but a great friend, whose jovial nature, charming personality, and positive attitude will continue to lead our Fire Department to great heights.
Chief Criddle’s return to the Fire Truck is inspiring as he demonstrates that his true love of the Fire Profession is what truly drives him, and his humility and servant leadership is inspiring.
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Suicide Prevention Line to 988 |
On Saturday, July 16, the U.S. will transition the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988 – an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care.
The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need.
Starting tomorrow, simply calling or texting 988 or chatting https://988Lifeline.org will connect you to compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. #988Lifeline
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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!
Enjoyed our Radio Nyra Interview with Bob Phillips from Radio Nyra.
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1917301445271106/?t=20
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Great US Open Roku TV Interview with Andy Andrews!
https://youtu.be/-Uy7aX-M2AI?t=79
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On the Porch with Randy Voller on WCHL 97.9 FM!
https://chapelboro.com/?s=on+the+porch
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WPTF Steve O'Bryan show on the Dream Act and DACA!
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Get with the Program with Gary Jones!
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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!
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
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This Week in Morrisville: January 2nd - 8th | |
Town Offices Closed for Christmas and New Year's Holidays
The Town of Morrisville administrative offices and the Morrisville Senior Center will be closed from Dec. 23-27 and on Jan. 2 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The Cedar Fork Community Center will be closed from Dec. 23-27 and on Jan. 1-2, and the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center will be closed from Dec.23-26 and on Jan. 1.
Police, fire, and rescue services will remain available. For life-threatening or in-progress emergencies, call 911.
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Community Invited to Enjoy Trails on First Day Outdoors on January 1
The Great Trails State Coalition has announced the launch of the 2023 North Carolina Year of the Trail campaign, which will celebrate and draw attention to North Carolina’s vast network of trails, greenways, and blueways. The campaign will start on Jan. 1 with “First Day Outdoors,” and everyone is invited to participate by finding a trail to walk, run, hike, bike, paddle, or ride. Morrisville Parks and Recreation invites the community to participate in a #firstdayoutdoors guided walk on Jan. 1 at Cedar Fork District Park, 228 Aviation Parkway, at 2 p.m. Participants can choose between a one-mile or half-mile out-and-back guided walk, which will start at Crabtree Creek Greenway. Participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes before the start of the walk.
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Free Tennis Clinic for Beginners on January 8
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (MAFC), 1301 Morrisville Parkway, is hosting a free tennis clinic for beginners on Sunday, Jan. 8, from 3-4 p.m. The clinic is open to players ages 18 and up. Tennis balls will be provided, and racquets will be available to borrow. Participants will get a great workout while learning how to play tennis. Reserve your spot on MAFC’s Sign-Up Genius. Registration will open on Jan. 1.
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Some Greenway Bridges to be Closed for Repairs in January
The Town of Morrisville has contracted with Span Builders to complete maintenance and repairs to pedestrian bridges located on Town greenways. This work will continue through January and may require temporary closures of bridges for short periods of time. The contractor will work with greenway users to ensure safe passage through work zones. For any questions, please contact Public Works at (919) 463-7070.
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Happy Trails Wake County Tree Recycling
Recycle your Christmas tree to mulch trails at Wake County parks. Drop off your undecorated holiday trees at designated locations from Dec. 26-Jan. 22. (All facilities will be closed for New Year’s Day on Jan. 1.) Local residents can drop off their trees at Lake Crabtree, 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville. Check out additional locations and hours here.
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Art and Photo Contest Winners Announced
The winners for the Student Art Poster Contest and the Stormwater Photo Contest have been announced. The grand prize winner of “Bees, Seeds, and Butterflies,” hosted by the Morrisville Environment and Stormwater Committee, is Bryce Cao. Check out all the winning entries here. The winner of the “We Are All Upstream” photo contest is Nisarg Mounachar of Panther Creek High School.
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Trees Planted at Cedar Fork District Park
The Public Works Department recently planted 20 new large trees throughout Cedar Fork District Park. A variety of native trees were chosen to continue the Town’s efforts to create more native landscape installations and spread awareness about the benefits to the public. The tree installation was one of many projects meant to provide a more robust and beautiful park for all users.
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Have You Joined Engage Morrisville?
Engage Morrisville is a place for residents and businesses to get involved by sharing ideas and feedback with Town staff on various projects and topics affecting the Morrisville community. Current topics of conversation include the Town Center Project, What's Happening Around Town, and the Morrisville Smart Shuttle. Register and join the conversation today.
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MAFC Hosting Virtual Marathon Starting January 1
Start the new year right with a focus on healthy living! Join the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center for a virtual marathon, from Jan. 1 to Feb. 4. You can choose to run a full marathon (26.2 miles), an ultramarathon (50 miles), or a mega marathon (100 miles). All miles completed can be logged toward fulfillment of the marathon, including those completed at home or at the MAFC, those walked or ran, and those swam or biked. Registration opens on Dec. 12. Click here to sign up.
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Now Hiring: Join the MAFC Team
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center is currently recruiting for the following positions:
- Senior Aquatics Specialist (FT)
- Marketing & Membership Coordinator
Both positions provide benefits. Learn more and apply here. The Town is offering financial incentives for part-time lifeguards who can work during the day in the off-season. Experienced swim instructors, as well as, day and early evening desk staff are needed. Learn more and apply here.
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Now Hiring: Join the Public Works Team
The Town of Morrisville Public Works Department has three exciting career opportunities open now. Join one of only three North Carolina municipalities with an American Public Works Association (APWA) accredited Public Works Department. We are looking for individuals to serve in our Streets Maintenance, Athletics Maintenance, and Grounds Maintenance divisions. For more information click on the following links:
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Morrisville Smart Shuttle Service is Now Operating! |
The Morrisville Smart Shuttle, the Town’s newest public transit service, allows riders to request a pick-up or drop-off from one of 15 nodes, or stops, located around the Town using the Smart Shuttle application on their smartphone.
Watch this short video on how to use the Morrisville Smart Shuttle App by clicking here!
The service runs seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Additional details on the Morrisville Smart Shuttle visit TownofMorrisville.org/SmartShuttle
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SMART SHUTTLE FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING!
Need some help getting around Morrisville for your holiday shopping? Our Smart Shuttle is here for you! Connecting riders from 15 locations throughout the area, the Shuttle provides residents, commuters, and visitors FREE, on-demand transit throughout the Town of Morrisville.
Check out stops, plan your ride, download links and watch tutorials for the Shuttle app, FAQs, and more at https://bit.ly/smartshuttle
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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. The market will host a Winter Wonderland on Dec. 17, when vendors will be selling holiday gifts. There will also be a hot chocolate bar and gifts for kids from Santa.
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Great Outdoors Trail Day
Great Time at the Jan 1 Great Outdoors Trail Day Walk at Crabtree Hatcher Creek Greenway at Cedar Fork District Park!
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Disc Golf
Disc Golf at Cedar Fork District Park with Mayor TJ and friends!
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SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY VISITS | |
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Last week, I visited a number of businesses on Small Business Saturday. This went so well, that I am going to continue this throughout the year, visiting a business or two every Saturday or during the week. I also plan to focus on different markets like Technology, Health Care, Manufacturing, etc.
If you have a business and you want me to visit you and highlight your company, please email me at sr@steverao.com.
Thanks to all the companies who let me drop by.
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Small Business Listening Tour: | |
Send me an email at sr@steverao.com to book a Business Listening visit to your company. | |
Yeet Street Disc Golf
Visit with Yeet Street Disc Golf at Cedar Fork District Park!
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Inside Out Sports
Thanks to Sid Cardoza for running a very successful sports company, Inside Out Sports, a destination for many of our top runners, and triathletes! We also thank him for hosting another very successful Turkey Trot.
Insights from Sid:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/549414760532828
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National and North Carolina News | |
DA seeks removal of Columbus County Sheriff from office
Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene faces allegations of racism, politically motivated arrests and other misdeeds. He’s under criminal investigation for obstruction of justice. He recently resigned. Yet Greene was sworn in Thursday to his second term as the top law enforcement officer in his rural county in southeastern North Carolina, after voters reelected him this November. Almost immediately after he was sworn in Thursday morning for what is supposed to be a four-year term, the local district attorney filed a petition in court seeking — for the second time — to have Greene permanently removed from office.
Almost immediately after he was sworn in Thursday morning for what is supposed to be a four-year term, the local district attorney filed a petition in court seeking — for the second time — to have Greene permanently removed from office.
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NC Supreme Court Rejects Independent State Legislature Theory
In a lawsuit that mirrors a nationally watched case on legislatures’ power, the N.C. Supreme Court on Friday delivered a ruling that rejects the “independent state legislature” theory Republican lawmakers have been promoting. The case drawing national attention, Moore v. Harper, is at the U.S. Supreme Court. It’s an appeal of the N.C. Supreme Court’s decision in February to throw out the new congressional districts that GOP leaders had wanted, due to unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering. The argument from Republican leaders is that no state courts — in North Carolina or anywhere else in the country — should be allowed to overturn laws on federal elections that the legislature passes.
Critics say a win for the legislature could spell the end of American democracy, The News & Observer has reported, by allowing for unchecked gerrymandering of U.S. congressional districts. Some contend that it even has the potential to allow for the overturning of future presidential elections.
But the theory isn’t only at the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in the case this month and is currently mulling a ruling on whether to apply the theory to federal elections. State lawmakers had used Friday’s case to try making similar arguments at the local level for state elections — that state courts shouldn’t be allowed to rule state legislative districts unconstitutionally gerrymandered, either.
Otherwise, this court is barreling into the political wilderness, where the legislative authority to redistrict will be transferred from the legislature to the courts,” a GOP attorney told the court in October during oral arguments, The N&O reported at the time. On Friday the Supreme Court rejected that theory, in a 4-3 opinion down party lines that affirmed the right of state courts to rule on gerrymandering cases. The ruling saw all the Democrats in the majority, and all the Republicans dissenting.
BEDROCK OF OUR SACRED SYSTEM’
At face value, the case was over the state legislative maps that were just used in the 2022 elections. The court ruled that the state House maps can continue to be used in future elections, but the state Senate maps are unconstitutional and must be redrawn. But the court’s most senior Democratic justice, Robin Hudson, wrote in the majority opinion that her ruling goes beyond just ordering new state Senate districts. “In so doing, we expressly and emphatically reaffirm the fundamental right of citizens to vote on equal terms enshrined within our Constitution’s Declaration of Rights, and this Court’s constitutional responsibility and authority to assess legislative compliance therewith,” she wrote.
These principles are — and must remain — the enduring bedrock of our sacred system of democratic governance, and may be neither subordinated nor subverted for the sake of passing political expediency.”
The court’s Republicans were unconvinced.
Chief Justice Paul Newby, in the dissent, wrote that courts should not have a say in redistricting. The state constitution gives that power to the legislature, he said, and when judges try to decide whether the legislature’s actions violate other parts of the state constitution, they end up improperly taking redistricting power for themselves. The ruling in February overturning the maps, due to the massive advantage the lines would have given Republicans even in elections in which they lost the statewide vote, was wrong, Newby wrote.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The legislature was already planning on redrawing the congressional maps this summer, for the 2024 elections and beyond. Republican lawmakers originally wanted a map that would’ve allowed Democrats to win only three or four of the state’s 14 seats in Congress, even if the statewide vote was split evenly for Republicans and Democrats. Instead, the court-ordered maps used in 2022 led to an even 7-7 split for the two parties. With Republicans about to take control of the court, and with Newby’s dissents in February and again on Friday stating he doesn’t think courts should be involved in redistricting, the legislature has been expected to draw an aggressively pro-Republican congressional map.
What would happen with the state legislative maps had been more of an open question. If the legislature follows Friday’s court order, it would now redraw the state Senate districts, and leave the state House districts as-is.
Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article270115877.html#storylink=cpy
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NC Supreme Court Stands Firm Against Voter ID
The North Carolina Supreme Court on Friday upheld a lower court ruling that struck down the state’s 2018 voter ID law, agreeing with the lower court that it had been passed with the intent of targeting Black voters who were unlikely to vote for Republicans.
“We hold that the three-judge panel’s findings of fact are supported by competent evidence showing that the statute was motivated by a racially discriminatory purpose,” the Democratic-majority court said, adding that the lower court also correctly applied the relevant precedent.
The state Supreme Court’s three Republican members dissented from the ruling Friday.
The law, known as SB 824, was passed in 2018 after Republicans lost their supermajority in the legislature but before the new legislature took over. The law was put on hold under a preliminary injunction, after North Carolina’s Court of Appeals said in 2020 that voter ID provisions could negatively impact Black voters. A three-judge state court panel then permanently blocked the law in September 2021.
Republicans will regain control of the North Carolina Supreme Court in the coming weeks, after the party flipped two seats on the court in last month’s midterm election, which could lead to overturning the Democratic Majority Court Decision.
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WHY IS MOORE V. HARPER SO IMPORTANT?
Last week, the Supreme Court heard Oral Argmuments for Moore v. Harper.
The Moore case hinges on a legal proposition known as the “independent state legislature theory.” The theory asserts that, when it comes to making state laws that apply to federal elections — from drawing congressional district lines, to determining the who-what-when-where of casting a ballot — only the state legislature itself has the power to set the rules. The theory claims that the state legislatures’ power is so exclusive that they can ignore the requirements of their own state constitution, including the fair districting requirements that the North Carolina Supreme Court has enforced under its own state constitutional power of judicial review.
If the Supreme Court adopts the North Carolina legislators’ proposed rule in Moore, it will make it even easier for state legislatures to suppress the vote and subvert election results, and it will give both political parties the green light to draw gerrymandered election districts. Adopting the legislators’ rule would also require the court to turn its back on principles ostensibly favored by its current majority, like original meaning and federalism, which stand against the legislators’ radical and disruptive legal theory.
Moore is an opportunity for the court to reject that radicalism, and to reaffirm the common-sense rule that has been in place since the Constitution was ratified: State legislatures always act subject to the state constitutions that charter them and define their powers.
Nothing less than that basic principle of American constitutional government is at stake.
We will be watching this case closely, and I predict that the Court may rule in favor of NC which will have a significant impact on North Carolina elections.
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LATEST NATIONAL AND GLOBAL UPDATES | |
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Waves of drones targeted key infrastructure in Ukraine overnight.
· What to know: The Russian attacks damaged some energy facilities, forcing power outages in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. At least four civilians were killed and dozens injured across the country over the weekend.
· What else? Russian President Vladimir Putin gave an unusually aggressive New Year’s message, timing his broadcast with more missile attacks.
Southwest Airlines said flights will be nearly back to normal today.
• The latest: Only a handful of flights have been canceled so far, compared with about 2,500 yesterday, as tens of thousands of passengers try to return home from the holidays.
• This will be a huge relief: A storm and a breakdown of the airline’s internal technology caused a travel meltdown over the past week, stranding people across the country. Over 15,000 flights were canceled.
Donald Trump’s tax returns are expected to be released today.
• How we got here: A House panel voted last week to make the former president’s financial information public after a years-long legal battle.
• Why it matters: Trump broke with tradition by not making these returns public as a candidate and president. Today’s reported release could help explain why.
• What else to know: This is coming in the final days of Democratic control of the House. Republicans will hold the majority when a new session of Congress starts Tuesday.
It looks like 2023 will begin with storms across the South.
• What we know: Multiple storm systems are expected to hit the south-central U.S. in the days ahead, bringing flooding rains, damaging winds and possibly some tornadoes.
• The bigger picture: The U.S. suffered 15 “billion-dollar disaster” weather events this year, according to federal officials, driven in part because the planet is warming.
Pelé, Brazil’s “king of soccer,” died yesterday.
• How we’ll remember him: The 82-year-old was the world’s most celebrated athlete for decades. He helped Brazil win World Cup titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970.
• What else to know: Pelé died at a hospital in São Paulo of complications from colon cancer, his manager said.
• The tributes: Soccer’s biggest present-day stars, including Brazil’s Neymar and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, have paid their respects.
Vivienne Westwood, the provocative British fashion designer, has died.
• Her legacy: She was a style icon and environmental activist who helped clothe the 1970s punk movement before dressing supermodels on the runways of Paris and Milan.
• The 81-year-old died in London yesterday, her fashion house said. We don’t yet know the cause.
The College Football Playoff semifinals are tomorrow.
• In the Fiesta Bowl: Michigan will face TCU at 4 p.m. Eastern. This is TCU’s first time in the playoff.
• In the Peach Bowl: Top-seeded Georgia, the defending champion, will play Ohio State at 8 p.m. Both games will be on ESPN.
• What next? The winners will meet in the championship game Jan. 9.
There are lasting benefits to “Dry January.”
• What to know: People who take a month-long break from alcohol often drink less in the long run, research shows. They also report benefits like lower blood pressure, better sleep and weight loss.
• If you plan to participate: Try using one of these habit-tracking apps and replacing alcohol with some fancy mocktails.
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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!
Please watch for the Black Issues Forum on UNC-TV! Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 4 pm!
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
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PBS NC
- Fridays at 7 p.m. (premiere)
- Sundays at 4 p.m.
- Thursdays at 1:30 a.m.
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NC Channel
- Fridays at 8:30 p.m.
- Saturdays at 1:30 a.m.
- Sundays at 6 p.m.
- Mondays at 12 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
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Jan 4th Raleigh Chamber Launch Event. 2- 5 pm,
Reception following at Duke Energy Center for Performing Arts.
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Sunday at 4 pm for our Radio Nyra Interview | |
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 me every Sunday at 4pm for a new show. 99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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Radio NYRA
Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio NYRA for another update on local issues.
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99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! Listen at www.radionyrausa.com!
99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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Join us every Friday on World Edition at 10 am for the Great America Project Panel where we discuss how we rebuild Americas' image with leaders from around the country and world.
OFFICIAL International Broadcast Media
Public Open Dialogue TV is a worldwide multilingual, multi-demographic network focused on inspiring, educating and entertaining the global community. We provide unique programming in areas not covered by traditional media, and provide a platform for the audience to engage with those shows. Formerly IBMTV.
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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.
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Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
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