🌱 BrickUniverse LEGO Convention Is Back + Too Many Guns

Good morning, Raleigh. I'm here in your inbox per usual to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including updates on...

• In need of transportation.
• Too many guns.
• BrickUniverse LEGO Convention is back.

But first, today's weather: Cloudy, a t-storm; humid. High: 82 Low: 69.

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Here are the top stories in Raleigh today:

1. Wake Harvest nonprofit is in need of a new vehicle to help transport summer camp participants. One of the organization's buses recently broke down and Wake Harvest has been forced to rent a vehicle at a cost of $446 for just two days. According to CBS17.com, "Wake Harvest is turning to the community for help in hopes of being able to get a new transportation van for kids. Wake Harvest says they are working to raise $10,000 to get a new van. If you’d like to donate you can check out their website here. (CBS17.com)
2. The consensus is too many guns are getting in the hands of kids. According to WTVD, "During a meeting of the North Carolina Task Force for Safer Schools, the Department of Public Safety deputy secretary said too many guns are getting in the hands of kids and guns are now the leading killers of children overtaking car accidents in 2021. In response, North Carolina Department of Public Safety is launching a campaign with the hope of curtailing kids from getting a hold of and using weapons. Officials said there were more than 1,100 school threats in North Carolina in 2022.'(Threatening schools) was raised from a misdemeanor crime to a felony crime, so we have seen that kids are held accountable,' NC Public Safety Deputy Secretary William Lassiter said." (WTVD-TV)
3. BrickUniverse LEGO Convention is returning to Raleigh this summer. There will be six artists from around the country featured. BrickUniverse started in Raleigh nine years ago and travels across the country. It will be at the Raleigh Convention Center now through June 25. Hope to see you there! (WRAL News)

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Today in Raleigh:

Friday, June 23

• CTE ACE: Cafeteria/ CTE l1800 — Athens Drive High (7:00 AM)
• Little Richard: I Am Everything (NR) (2:00 PM)
• Polite Society (PG-13) — Town of Cary Cultural Arts (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• NC State University: "Certified Bee Campus. From classrooms and research labs to gardens and hives, there are more than 20 spaces dedicated to protecting pollinators at NC State." (NC State University via Instagram)
• City of Raleigh - Government: "Want to learn about volunteer opportunities in Raleigh? Join us for a Connect Raleigh event on June 25 at Moore Square from 2-5 p.m.! This family-friendly event will highlight volunteer-based organizations in the city." (City of Raleigh - Government via Facebook)
• Raleigh Convention Center: "Big news! We’re proud to be named the 2023 Education & Service Award winner by @iavmhq for our commitment to professional development and community service." (Raleigh Convention Center via Instagram)
• GoTriangle: "Hey Triangle commuters, have you heard about the fantastic #ShareTheRideNC program? You can record your daily smart commutes to earn points and exchange them for rewards!" (GoTriangle via Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday! I'll see you soon.

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Raleigh Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com