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🌱 Patch AM: What Raleigh leaders just learned about housing, spending, and 2026’s economy

And on the Raleigh Patch calendar - BJ's Wholesale Club Pre-Opening Limited-Time Offer

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Hello Raleigh! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Raleigh leaders just learned about housing, spending, and 2026’s economy
  • How are Raleigh’s civilian crash teams changing police response times?
  • How training service dogs is reshaping futures for NC inmates

Also on today's calendar: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Raleigh, NC and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Raleighfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Sponsored: BJ's Wholesale Club opening soon in Selma. Join the club today for just $20 (reg. $60) and start saving big Click here for details.

Find out what's happening in Raleighfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 71 and low of 58 degrees.
  • Saturday: Cloudy, windy; a p.m. shower, temps: high: 75, low: 53.
  • Sunday: Rather cloudy and cooler, with a high of 60 and low of 33 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Raleigh Chamber Economic Forecast 2026 Delivers Essential Insights (caro.news) — Raleigh business, real estate, and civic leaders packed the Martin Marietta Center to hear 2026 economic forecasts tied directly to local housing, spending, and business trends. Speakers linked national issues like federal debt and digital currency to Triangle-specific challenges, stressing that building more homes is key to affordability and that local spending and on-the-ground indicators still matter for Raleigh’s economy.
   

2. More NC cities are getting civilian crash investigators. What impact are they having? (wral.com) — Raleigh’s civilian crash investigation team handled more than 2,500 crash reports and over 3,100 service calls in 2025, easing pressure on sworn officers. Similar programs in Apex and Durham are freeing police to focus on higher-priority incidents and improving response times for non-injury crashes, with departments planning to expand these efforts.
   

3. Training service dogs prepares NC inmates for life outside of prison (cbs17.com) — Reported from Raleigh, a North Carolina prison program is helping inmates train service dogs that will eventually assist people with disabilities or medical needs. Participants say working with the dogs through the ABEL program has given them job skills, confidence, and a new sense of purpose as they prepare to re-enter communities across the state, including the Triangle.
   

4. Small group rallies against ICE in downtown Raleigh (cbs17.com) — Protesters gathered Thursday in downtown Raleigh’s Moore Square to denounce ICE after a woman was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, calling for murder charges and even the agency’s removal. Countering them, local law-enforcement supporters with Back the Blue NC defended officers’ work while affirming peaceful protest rights, underscoring a sharp divide Raleigh residents may see play out in future demonstrations.
   

📸 Around Raleigh

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Raleigh

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • UPDATE: He is with a RPD officer and will be scanned in the AM at the shelter.
    (My dog was very upset and is epileptic so we couldn’t keep stressing her out) FOUND: behind Bada Wings on Creedmoore rd and Lynn rd in Raleigh… (Nextdoor Westlake)
  • Good morning, I have a 18 year old son we are new to this area and we are looking for work for him that is hiring immediately as well as proper and slow training.
    He just graduated from high school last year. He is also willing to do work with any real companies that have jobs for him to do. Please if you have… (Nextdoor North Hills)
  • Happy #ThrowbackThursday! Pictured is (retired) Major. Smith wearing the Raleigh Police Department winter uniform from 1956. The uniform featured... (X: raleighpolice)
  • @billkingDTR of @DowntownRaleigh lays the foundation for #LeadershipRaleigh’s VIP State of Downtown presentation... highlighting why Downtown is vital... (X: raleighchamber)
  • Nordstrom posted a job opening for Beauty Concierge - Triangle Town Place Rack in Raleigh. Apply here.
  • Food Lion posted a job opening for FT Manager Customer Service (H) in Raleigh. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Raleigh here.

Ok Raleigh! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I really dig you!
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