• Blue Cross NC has invested $130,000 into local nonprofit El Centro Hispano, which supports Latinx populations around the Triangle. The funding will help provide health communications in Spanish and distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to local residents. Of the coronavirus cases across the state for which ethnicity has been reported, 42% are from the Latinx community. (The News & Observer)

• UNC’s new comprehensive coronavirus dashboard will track community spread among students and faculty on campus this coming year. The data will be used to inform public health decisions and provide contact tracing. So far, 137 students + 36 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 since March. (Chapelboro)

• By the numbers: INDY Week recently reported on the increase of coronavirus cases throughout NC’s rural communities. Data collected shows clusters of minority populations and the elderly + draws connections between unreported outbreaks at meat-packing plants across the state. Read more here.

Closed

• Lady Luck — which opened on Glenwood South in March just days before the City of Raleigh announced its stay-at-home order — has shuttered its doors and deleted all social media profiles. The business reopened during Phase Two, but in June received accusations of misconduct against then-co-owner Balu Torres. Chef Kevin Ruiz has confirmed the restaurant will remain closed indefinitely. 🍹 (WRAL)

Civic

• Wake County is currently accepting public input regarding local transit investments that have been scheduled through 2027. Share your thoughts on possibly extending those projects through the fiscal year 2030, via this survey. 🚗  

Biz

• Local startup Bryn Pharma raised $11 million during its most recent funding round, totalling $26 million since October 2016. The company is currently conducting human trials to launch a needle-free, portable, intranasal epinephrine spray — a product that could be a gamechanger for Americans with life-threatening allergies or those at risk for anaphylaxis. ⚕️(TechWire)

ShopLocal

• There will be more than 25 vendors at today’s Moore Square Market (weather permitting, follow @downtownraleigh for updates) + brews from Bad Cat Coffee Co. and a live musical performance. The market features local produce, art, and wares each Wednesday, 3-6 pm. through October 28. DYK: SNAP benefits are accepted + the market matches up to $10 per visit. 🥬
• August is National Black Business Month. Click here to see our round-up of 25+ locally-owned Black businesses around the Triangle and be sure to tag us on social whenever you #ShopLocalRaleigh. 🛍️

Job

• The Downtown Raleigh Alliance offers paid performance opportunities for local musicians and artists — apply now to be considered for Courtyard Concerts, Virtual First Friday + Moore Square Market gigs. 🎸
• UNC Healthcare is currently hiring a nursing assistant for its emergency department. Qualifications include a high school diploma or GED + six months’ related experience. Learn more and apply online. 🏥

Contest

• Wake County Parks’ year-long photo contest continues this month with a new theme: reptiles and amphibians. Post your photo to Instagram with #WakeParks365 to enter, plus tag us #RALtoday for a chance to have your creature capture featured in an upcoming newsletter. 🦎

Virtual

• Today at 12 p.m., Frontier RTP will host RTPFit yoga for beginners and intermediates. Registration is free + you can sign up or view upcoming classes here. 🧘

Number

•  The NC Department of Public Safety reported nearly 370,000 power outages across the state yesterday morning, in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias. Wake County saw 6,000+ outages, flooding, and downed trees. Call 919-996-3100 or email the City of Raleigh’s storm recovery office if you need to report storm damage in your area. ⚡️ (CBS 17)

PlanAhead

• The virtual NCMA film club will hold its inaugural meeting Friday, August 14 at 7 p.m. Participants are invited to discuss the feature film Hoop Dreams (1994) + the short film Game (2017). Guest speaker and NC State professor Natalie Bullock Brown will help lead the conversation. Tickets are $6+ for members and $8+ for nonmembers. Register here. 🏀