Hospital Expansion + New School Standard + Chavis League Is Back

Happy National Kitten Day,

Today there is a lot of news about the future. We saw stories about educational futures, judicial futures, and even hopefully future justice for Antonio Luis Quinones. We may not know exactly what the future holds, but it's great that we can stay updated on the knowledge we have in the present, so we can go toward it with hopeful anticipation.

Today's weather: Humid and partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 90 Low: 74.

Here are the top stories today in Raleigh:

1. Duke Raleigh hospital is expanding to meet growth in the Triangle. The hospital is getting a 210,200 sq. ft. addition known as the South Pavilion. The addition cost Duke Health around $196 million and will not only expand bed capacity, but also provide opportunity to utilize innovative new technology. (CBS17) This expansion couldn't come at a better time, as many hospitals continue to run at full capacity, even as the pandemic winds down. (WRAL)
2. A suspect has been arrested in the murder of Antonio Luis Quinones, the man who was found shot after being involved in a car crash. The suspect Darius Lamar Watson has been charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. Specific details have not been released, however the 911 caller identified the passenger in Quinones' car as having a firearm, and saw the driver of the other vehicle flee following the gunfire. (CBS17)
3. A set of updated standards has been passed for North Carolina's social studies educators. The updated standards allow school districts to decide which of the standards will be added to their curriculum, including but not limited to racism, xenophobia, extremism, and marginalized groups. Some of the criticisms the new standards face revolve around the negative nature of the topics, as well as the fear for inconsistency throughout the states chosen curriculums. (WNCT9, WRAL)
4. Two NC Supreme Court seats are already gearing up for an aggressive election. Two seats, currently held by Democrats, will be up for grabs in 2022, and campaigning has already begun. Associate Justice Robin Hudson faces mandatory retirement in 2024 due to age, and although unconfirmed, it is unlikely she will run for reelection. The outcome of the 2022 election cycle could shift the Supreme Court majority in North Carolina, and candidates are already fundraising. (The Johnston County Report)
5. The Chavis League in Raleigh is finally returning after a hiatus caused by the pandemic. The league is one of the longest running basketball leagues in the nation, and has been a part of the Raleigh community for nearly 50 years. The Chavis League is an incredible platform for unknown players to make a name for themselves, many of whom have graduated to the NBA. Residents are eager to get in the stands and watch new talent grow. (CBS17)

Today in Raleigh

• Love & Laughs Comedy Show: Featuring comics from Fox Soul, TV One, and the Apollo. (7:00 pm-9:30 pm)
• Red Bull 3X: A 3x3 basketball tournament hosted by Red Bull in partnership with USA Basketball. (8:30 am for Women, 10:30 am for Men)
• Morning Makers DIY Wood Workshop: Choose from a variety of customizable woodworking projects (10:00 am-1:00 pm)
• "a party... reborn... :)" 12 hours of curated house+ techno by local artists as well as beer by Clouds Brewing (12:00 pm-12:00 am)
• Kids Night Out at Color Me Mine: Luca themed kids activities with pizza and the movie. (6:00 pm-8:00 pm)

Raleigh Patch Notebook

• For National Kitten Day, I actually just learned that Raleigh NC has a cat café! Honestly, I'm a dog person, but who would pass up the chance to sip coffee and play with cats from SAFE Haven Cat Rescue. (Purr Cup Café)
• Registration for Raleigh Parks fall youth tackle football and cheerleading leagues opens on Monday to kids age 7-13. Register Here.
• Unvaccinated North Carolinians make up more than 99% of new COVID-19 cases statewide, a win for the vaccinations circulating. The Delta variant accounts for more than half of new nationwide cases. (abc11)

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Alright friends, I hope your day is nothing short of purr-fect... I'm so sorry, I make dad jokes. In all seriousness though, thank you all for supporting the Patch Daily Newsletter, and thank you even more for being an informed member of Raleigh's population. You can't know where we're going, unless you know where we've been. Staying updated on the relevant local news helps all of us move forward with informed confidence.

— CJ Fullford

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Raleigh Daily? You can email me at raleigh@patch.com.