Question: What country owns the Galápagos Islands?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Cary Spotlight: Extra

Your long-form companion to the Cary Spotlight newsletter is live!
This blog will align with our mission — to amplify local voices, inform residents, and showcase what makes Cary unique. Read the latest on Cary Spotlight: Extra

KōMANA Brewing Company

KōMANA Brewing Company is one of the local food places nominated by Cary Spotlight's readers for our Discover Cary project. If you've had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below..

KōMANA Brewing Company is a unique craft brewery and taproom in Cary that specializes in fresh kombucha, craft beer, and other world ferments, creating the Triangle's first truly inclusive non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinking environment.

Check out their menu on their website: KōMANA Brewing Company

Address: 1020 Ryan Rd, Cary, NC 27511 | Get Directions

Do you have a favorite place to eat in Cary, NC? Click to share your pick.

Stop Soldier Suicide Analyzes Digital Clues in Mental Health Crisis

In Raleigh, the nonprofit Stop Soldier Suicide is using data science to help prevent veteran suicides. Led by former Army member Austin Grimes, the organization’s Black Box Project analyzes smartphones and other devices donated by families of deceased veterans. The goal is to detect digital patterns that may signal rising suicide risk.

The research has identified consistent behaviors, such as sleep disruptions and financial strain, that emerge in the year before a suicide. Despite maintaining normal outward communication through texts and calls, many veterans show clear signs of internal struggle.

This effort highlights the difficulties in detecting mental health crises from external behavior alone and shows how technology can play a vital role in early intervention. With veteran suicides averaging 6,500 annually, the stakes are high, and the findings offer a path forward rooted in empathy and data. Read Full Report

NC State Launches Guaranteed Admission Program

NC State University has launched Wolfpack Connect, a guaranteed admissions program for community college students in North Carolina. The initiative currently partners with Wake Technical, Central Piedmont, and Forsyth Technical community colleges, with plans for more schools to join.

To qualify, students must have fewer than 30 transferable credits, enroll in a participating college, and pursue an eligible major. Those who complete an associate degree, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, and meet transfer deadlines will be admitted to more than 100 majors and concentrations at NC State.

University leaders say the program will make the transfer process easier and expand access to higher education. With more than half of NC State’s transfer students already coming from community colleges, Wolfpack Connect is designed to create clearer pathways for students across the state.

Read Full Report

NC Courage and NCFC Grab Home Wins in Playoff Push

It was a winning weekend at WakeMed Soccer Park as both the North Carolina Courage and North Carolina FC picked up vital home victories in front of their Cary fans. With playoff races heating up, every point mattered.

Weekend Highlights:

• North Carolina Courage beat Angel City 2-1 thanks to early goals from Manaka Matsukubo and Brianna Pinto. Manaka’s curling strike in the 6th minute marked her team-leading sixth goal, and Payton Linnehan notched her first assist in a Courage jersey.

• Brianna Pinto added to the lead in the 19th minute, capitalizing on a second-chance shot following Linnehan’s cross. Angel City scored late, but the Courage held firm to secure a key win in the NWSL playoff chase.

• Kaleigh Kurtz made NWSL history with her 108th consecutive regular-season appearance, now holding league records for consecutive minutes, starts, and games played.

• North Carolina FC edged El Paso 1-0 in a physical USL battle Friday night. Evan Conway scored just before halftime, finishing a clever lob from Pedro Dolabella, and later reached the 10,000-minute milestone in his USL career.

• Conor Donovan made a clutch goal-line clearance to preserve the shutout as NCFC stayed third in the East with 36 points.

There’s never a dull moment in Cary when soccer season’s in full swing!

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🎟️ Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information. Here are a few ideas for the week, so plan ahead:

• Today: Stroller Stretch and Condition 9:30AM-10:30AM
• Today: Yoga 6PM-7PM
• Wednesday: Wellness Walk 6PM-7PM
• Wednesday: Maren Morris: Dreamsicle Tour 7PM
• Thursday: Live at Lunch: Peter Lamb/Mark Wells Duo 11:30AM-1:30PM
• Thursday: NC Senior Games Silver Arts State Finals 5PM-7PM
• Friday: Veterans Benefit Live 9AM-3PM
• Friday: NC Senior Games Silver Arts State Finals 5PM-7PM
• Saturday: Farmers Fall Festival 9AM-2PM
• Saturday: Good Hope Farm Monthly Volunteer Workdays 9AM-11AM
• Saturday: 10th Annual Asia Fest with Dragon Boat Racing 9AM-5PM
• Sunday: TBD
• Monday: Stretch and Refresh 10AM-11AM


But wait! There’s more. To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead: See Full 2-Week Calendar