College Athlete Pay + Amphitheater Upgrade + Roast Grill Reopened

Happy Hop A Park Day,

I'm actually really excited about my "National Today" share below, so make sure you check that out in the notes, and there's actually an event that is pretty awesome and related as well. Today you're also going to get news about some arrests, some legislation, and some things that I think you'll want to know.

First, today's weather: Clear throughout the day. High: 85 Low: 67.

Here are the top stories today in Raleigh:

1. Governor Roy Cooper has signed an executive order that sets rules paving the way for college athletes to be paid. The rules serve as an intermediary set of guidelines until congress can pass federal legislation for standard name, image, and likeness compensation. The executive order ensures that compensation will not affect student athlete's scholarship eligibility. (WBTV)
2. Three men have been arrested, and officials are looking for a fourth suspect in the shooting and death of a North Carolina high school basketball player. Messiah Pit had just completed his junior year at Wakefield High School when his life was tragically taken from him. (WNCT)
3. Thursday night there was a crash along Raleigh Boulevard that ended in tragedy, but not for the reasons you would expect. Antonio Luis Quinones, who was involved in the crash, died at the hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound following the accident. It is still unknown how the crash occurred and police are asking for anyone with information to contact Raleigh Crimestoppers. (CBS17)
4. Raleigh's Red Hat Amphitheater unveiled its newest upgrades on Thursday. The popular event destination now includes gender neutral bathrooms and an artist green room. The renovations are part of a capital improvement project launched earlier this year. (WRAL)
5. Many snake experts are speaking out about Christopher Glifford after he allowed his venomous zebra cobra outside in order to shoot a TikTok video, allowing it to escape. North Carolina is one of only three states that allows exotic pet ownership and experts fear that one person's poor handling could change that. Multiple venomous reptiles were "safely secured from the Glifford home, but many neighbors are still left wondering if any charges will come to the negligent snake handler. (WRAL, WXII12)

Today in Raleigh

• Live Music: Saints and Scholars, Tin Roof Raleigh, O'Malleys, Bottle Rev, Bowstring Brewyard, The Pour House, Scooters, and more.
• Free Raleigh Soccer Pick-Up hosted by MSL Sports: the current makeup of teams is a mixture of beginner to experienced players from 16 to 80 years old. (2:00 pm-4:00 pm)
• Sweet Dreams Deserts Launch Party: enjoy samples, games, and get the chance to win in the raffles being held. (1:00 pm)
• Macro Photography Meetup: Explore your macro settings while trying to catch life-sized shots of insects and flowers. (11:00 am-1:00 pm)

Raleigh Patch Notebook

• To celebrate National Hop A Park Day, I want to share with you an awesome resource from the Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department. Raleigh Find A Park.
• Wake Monarch Academy is the first school of its kind in the Triangle. The school supports a typical high school education, with recovery support for students recovering from addiction. (WRAL)
• The Roast Grill has finally reopened it's downtown Raleigh location. The small char-grilled hotdog spot is a favorite to locals and has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic.

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Taxes In Retirement Webinar (July 21)

I hope you all have been able to feel connected through the Raleigh Patch Daily. I would like to say that every edition you all contribute to, I love that much more. If you have any friends who need a little connectivity, forward them this issue so they can click this link to subscribe. The more people reading and contributing, the more hidden gems in Raleigh I can share with you. Raleigh has incredible food, venues, parks, etc. but the best part of Raleigh is the people like you who care about the city.

— CJ Fullford

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Raleigh Daily? Email all inquiries to me at raleigh@patch.com.