The Budget Lands, the Rain Returns, and Durham Gets a Korean Convenience Store

🍜 Dosirak Outpost, Durham's first Korean-style convenience store, just opened downtown. Cup noodles for everyone.

💰 Gov. Stein signed a $34.3 billion state budget Tuesday, North Carolina's first since 2023.

🌻 Dix Park's sunflower field is hitting peak bloom, with a free Sunflower Celebration on Saturday.

Durham will pay artists to help solve city problems: A new residency is selecting artists for three public projects that use creative storytelling to tackle community issues. (WUNC)

Durham is testing guaranteed income for reentry: A pilot program gives monthly payments to formerly incarcerated residents to see if financial stability improves reentry and reduces recidivism. (WUNC)

North Carolina has a budget again: Gov. Josh Stein signed the $34.3 billion spending plan Tuesday, the state's first budget since 2023, with raises across state government and for teachers. (Chapelboro)

12 weeks of paid parental leave: A new law expands paid leave for teachers and state employees for the birth, adoption, or placement of a child, covering both mothers and fathers. (WUNC)

Stein vetoed the homeless camping ban: House Bill 437 would have banned public camping and sleeping statewide and let private citizens sue local governments that allow it. (WUNC)

A youth curfew is on the table in Raleigh: After the July 4th "teen takeovers" ended in 29 arrests, the police chief and city council are weighing a citywide curfew and more youth resources. (WUNC)

53 Hurricanes names go on the Stanley Cup: The engraving list from the Canes' championship season includes 24 players, plus owner Tom Dundon, his wife, and their five children. (WRAL)

Myrtle Beach banned the Shibumi: The wind-powered beach shade invented by three UNC grads is now outlawed on South Carolina's most crowded sand. (Chapelboro)

Carolina Flyers vs. Austin Sol: Durham County Memorial Stadium, Durham. Pro ultimate frisbee under the lights. 👨‍👩‍👧 (Details)

2nd Friday ArtWalk: Downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro, 6 to 9 p.m. Galleries, studios, and live music, with the Ackland open late until 9. (Details)

North Carolina Peach Day: State Farmers Market, Raleigh, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free peach samples at peak harvest. 👨‍👩‍👧 (Details)

Summer Concerts in the Park: Dr. Bacon: Rock Quarry Park, Durham, 6 to 8 p.m. Free show with food trucks and local flavor. 👨‍👩‍👧 (Details)

Star Families: Summer Skies: Morehead Planetarium, Chapel Hill. Learn this summer's constellations, then blast off from the dome. 👨‍👩‍👧 (Details)

Sunflower Celebration: Dix Park, Raleigh. The sunflower field is at peak bloom and free to visit; just leave the flowers where they grow. 👨‍👩‍👧 (Details)

Forest Dino Dig: Spring Haven Farm, Chapel Hill, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Runs Wednesday through Sunday until September 13. 👨‍👩‍👧 (Details)

Bike Maintenance Class and Group Ride: Lake Raleigh, Raleigh. The Greenway Gear Collective's free basics class starts at 10 a.m., ride to follow. (Details)

Summer Concert Series: Invitation: Fletcher Park, Raleigh, 6 to 8 p.m., free. 👨‍👩‍👧 (Details)

Last call for blueberry picking: Sweet Retreat Orchard, Orange County, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The pick-your-own window runs through today. 👨‍👩‍👧 (Details)

Evening Garden Stroll: JC Raulston Arboretum, Raleigh. Wander the gardens after work at your own pace, or join the free public tour. (Details)

Duke Farmers Market: Duke Medicine Pavilion Greenway, Durham. Farm-fresh produce and local goods in a relaxed lunchtime setting. (Details)

Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week begins: Downtown Raleigh, July 16 to 26. Specials at restaurants across downtown, new spots and old favorites alike. (Details)

Live After 5: River Shook: Moore Square, Raleigh, 7 to 9 p.m. Free family-friendly concert with local vendors. 👨‍👩‍👧 (Details)

ADF presents Shen Wei Dance Arts and Guangdong Modern Dance Company: Reynolds Industries Theater, Durham. The co-commissioned MindScape, 60 to 70 minutes, no intermission. (Details)

Durham's community-built bus stop benches are multiplying. The "On The Bench" project, a partnership of three local nonprofits, posted a progress update and the replies are pure Bull City pride. (Thread)

A Triangle native who moved away and boomeranged back wrote a field guide for people considering the move, the stuff Google won't tell you. Locals are filling the comments with their own additions. (Thread)

A "Hell Pig" is rising from the primordial swamps of North Carolina to conquer Durham, according to the Main Library, which clearly has the best event copywriter in the Triangle. (Thread)

A North Hills studio apartment listed at $2,600 a month has neighbors comparing Raleigh rents to Los Angeles. Unfavorably. (Thread)

Dosirak Outpost, Durham: The city's first Korean-style convenience store opened downtown Thursday, stocked with Korean snacks, shelves of cup noodles, and stationery. (WUNC)

Jimmy John's + Baskin-Robbins, Chapel Hill: A combination sandwich-and-ice-cream shop is coming to 143 West Franklin Street, in the same building as Target. (Chapelboro)