The 2026 Winter Olympics start next Friday, Feb. 6 in Milano Cortina, Italy, followed by the Paralympic Winter Games opening March 6. Some of the best athletes in the world will take the stage — including some from Raleigh + NC. Here are our local Olympians + Paralympians competing in everything from hockey to speed racing.
Kayden Beasley, sled hockey | From Coats, NC | Hailing from the Harnett County town of Coats, Kayden Beasley is a congenital bilateral amputee and a member of the US Paralympic Sled Hockey team. Beasley plays for the Carolina Hurricanes Sled Hockey team and played for the US national team in the International Para Hockey Cup and was named US Player of the Game in their win over Italy.
Eunice Lee, short track speed racing | Duke University student | Skater Eunice Lee is a Duke student studying chemistry and biology on a pre-med track and helped take home a silver medal at the 2024 wold championships for the relay, the first world medal for the American women in the event since 2012.
The new season of “Top Chef” is taking on the Carolinas and will feature the Triangle’s own Oscar Diaz. Diaz is the culinary mind behind Aaktun, Little Bull, and more local favorites — make sure to watch him when the new season premieres March 9. (People)
Community
Heads up. We’re seeing snow in the forecast, and many events are expected to be canceled, changed, or postponed, like the NC Museum of Science’s Astronomy Days. Keep an eye out before you make any concrete plans — more on the weather later in this newsletter.
Weather
Speaking of weather, Triangle healthcare facilities have seen an uptick in winter weather-related injuries after last weekend’s sleet + ice. Make sure to stay safe while sledding, playing in snow, and being around potential ice. (WUNC)
Opening
Velvet Taco, a Dallas-based fusion taco restaurant, will open its doors in North Hills on Monday, Feb. 16 in the former World of Beer. Expect toppings like Korean fried rice, Nashville hot tofu, and fish and chips, all in a tortilla.
Drink
Boatman Spirit Co.'s first Raleigh-distilled spirits are ready for you. Starting this Sunday, you can buy spirits made on site, including gin and vodka. Plus, you can find them in local ABC Stores, too.
Shop
Belk at Crabtree Valley Mall will consolidate its two stores into one, adding the previously separate men’s department to the main store. The new consolidated store will open by the holiday season and will include a wine and coffee bar on the main level. (Triangle Business Journal)
Finance
You’re smart — but your spending can still be dumb. From overpaying when online shopping to sticking with a car insurance plan instead of shopping for a lower rate, here are 11 of the dumbest things smart people waste money on.*
Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440, where 4.5 million Americans find their daily, fact-based news fix. It’s free to subscribe.*
Editor’s Pick
☃️ Snow incoming
Bundle up for another snowy weekend. | Photo via @patrick.jerome on Instagram
Got deja vu? Another winter storm is heading to Raleigh this weekend, and it could mean up to six inches of snow for the Triangle.
According to CBS 17 head meteorologist Wes Hohenstein, this winter precipitation is set to be all snow because it’s just so cold, and could measure to up to six inches in some parts of the Triangle between today and Saturday.
Since sleet and ice aren’t in the forecast, power outages aren’t expected, but traffic hazards are still a concern. This snow should be light and fluffy, not great for snowballs or snowmen, but track down a sled.
The Buy
The countdown to Valentine’s Day has begun. Discover our favorite gifts for loved ones, perfect for any kind of Valentine:
🧳 Gift them this premium leather toiletry bag that’s top rated for style and function.
👣 You can never go wrong with a heated foot massager that was designed with insights from real massage therapists.
🌹 Instead of a bouquet that only lasts a week, opt for these forever roses that will stay beautiful for years to come.
🧥 Keep them warm with this 4.6-star rated sherpa-lined flannel that’s both dapper + durable.
⛳ The golf lover in your life will appreciate this accessory case for storing their gloves, balls, tees, and markers.
North Carolina culture really comes out when snow is about to hit. From Bojangles cajun seasoning trucks, iconic Snowmageddon comparisons, and this video I saw on X set to “Raise Up,” consider me excited for this weekend’s weather.
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