Deadly Snake Loose + Energy Bill Opponents + Eviction Moratorium

Happy International Asteroid Day,

Today has some news you do not want to miss. A deadly African snake let loose in a local neighborhood, the Delta variant of COVID-19 identified in Raleigh, and some hope in the form of new vaccine research and a non profit for local parents. Check out everything happening below.

Today's Weather
Humid and partly cloudy throughout the day. Temps: High of 91° & low of 74°

Here are the top 5 stories in Raleigh today

1. Raleigh residents got a warning that sounds like something from Jumanji on Tuesday morning. A venom spitting zebra snake got loose in a northwestern neighborhood. The snake originates from Africa, and a single bite or spray could be deadly. (CBS17, USAToday)
2. Many of us have been following the untimely elimination of the Wolfpack baseball team, and now there is a bit more answers for everyone. Chancellor Randy Woodson has confirmed that eight players tested positive for the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19, prior to the teams elimination. (abc11)
3. Textile executives and environmental advocates are pushing back against the new proposed NC energy bill. A coalition of individuals spoke out in a Monday press conference, worried that the costs of the proposal upon Duke Energy ratepayers would harm their businesses and chances for in-state expansion. (Spectrum News 1)
4. The pastor at St. John's Metropolitan Community Church got the opportunity to meet with President Biden on Thursday to discuss ways to help the LGBTQ+ community. Rev. Vance Haywood, senior pastor and self-identified gay man, wrote a letter to President Biden on Inauguration Day that prompted the meeting. (WNCT)
5. Governor Roy Cooper has called the Council of State to discuss extending the current state eviction moratorium following last week's decision by the CDC to extend the national moratorium. To this point, North Carolina has paid more than $133 million in CARES funding to help 36,000 people stay in their homes. (CBS17)

Today in Raleigh

• The Office Trivia at Umami: Challenge yourself with trivia based around the classic sitcom at Umami Asian Bistro. (7:00 pm-9:00 pm)
• Wine, Women, & Style Sip N' Shop: Enjoy a wine tasting while socializing and shopping at North Hills. (5:30 pm-7:30 pm)
• Acoustic Evenings in the Park with Ron and Donna Davis. Waverly Place is doing Acoustic Evenings in the Park, Wednesday nights, all summer long! (6:00 pm-9:00 pm)
• Oakwood After Hours Trivia Night: Enjoy Raleigh and Oakwood Cemetery history trivia in a one-of-a-kind event to help preserve the Historic Oakwood Cemetery. (7:00 pm-8:00 pm)

Raleigh Patch Notebook

• In honor of International Asteroid Day and National Meteor Watch Day, you should take the whole family out to The NC Museum of Natural Sciences.
• The Diaper Train in Raleigh is an organization that has been helping children and families for over 10 years. If you have a child growing out of their diapers, are in need, or you want to help, check out this amazing organization. (CBS17)
• New research has been released that indicates you may not need an annual booster for the COVID-19 vaccine. This news is exciting for North Carolinian's who were hesitant to get the vaccine, thinking they would have to continually subscribe to boosters. (abc11)

Didn't I tell you that was a lot! Life can move pretty fast in Raleigh, and as Abe Froman the sausage king of Chicago once said, if you don't stop to look around every once in a while, you could miss it. So thank you for taking a minute to slow down with me and check out everything we have going on. If I missed out on anything or there's any happening in Raleigh you want to celebrate, send me an email to raleigh@patch.com to let me know!
Stay curious,
CJ Fullford