🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 🍽️ Discover Cary: Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen Reviews
• 📰 News: Cary’s Quarterly Report Highlights Community Growth
• 📰 News: Tuition Set to Rise at UNC and NC State in 2026
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• 🎁 Support the businesses that support Cary: Show your support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.

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Question: Which of the Seven Dwarfs comes first alphabetically?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen Reviews

Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen is one of the local food places nominated by Cary Spotlight’s readers for our Discover Cary project. If you had a chance to sample their food, feel free to share your opinion below.

Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen in Cary serves classic Southern dishes crafted from seasonal local ingredients, offering everything from crispy crab cakes and skillet fried chicken to grilled salmon and bacon-wrapped meatloaf in a warm, upscale setting.

Check out their menu on their website: Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen

Address: 7307 Tryon Rd, Cary, NC 27518 | Get Directions

Reader Poll Results

Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen (45 Votes)

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Love this place! (35)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 😊😊😊 I might give it a try (10)

Cary Spotlight Reader’s Feedback:

“Everything we ever had was very good.” “Best atmosphere and service in town!”

“I always try one of their new entrees and I've never been disappointed!”

“A lovely place with exceptional decor, service and twists on traditional Southern farm to table food. The restaurant hosted the Cary Crosstrailers Dinner Night out recently, graciously accommodating folks arriving beyond reservation. A perfect evening! Check them out often!”

“Delicious southern food in a lovely decor and efficient staff”

“Great food, wonderful service. one of our favorites”

“Always delicious and wonderful service”

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

Cary’s Quarterly Report Highlights Community Growth

The Cary Town Council reviewed its latest quarterly report during its regular meeting on Thursday, continuing its practice of using quarterly updates to inform long-term planning and budgeting. These meetings are a key component of Cary’s rolling budget approach, which emphasizes continuous input and collaboration.

Among the highlights from the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 are community engagement events and infrastructure improvements. The Lazy Daze Arts and Crafts Festival drew 55,000 attendees to downtown Cary, while the Shane Pegram Family Foundation contributed $400,000 toward playground renovations at Davis Drive Park.

The Town also introduced a Children’s Sensory Garden at the Page-Walker Arts and History Center and received an improved FEMA flood rating that could lead to insurance savings for residents. Additionally, Cary hosted its first Scam Jam and Senior Home Fair to support and inform its aging population.

These updates reflect Cary’s focus on community, safety, and sustainability as it continues to grow.

Read Full Report

Just curious…

Tuition Set to Rise at UNC and NC State in 2026

Tuition at two of North Carolina’s largest public universities is poised to increase for incoming students. NC State University is seeking to raise annual tuition by nearly $200 for in-state undergraduates and nearly $950 for out-of-state undergraduates. Graduate students at NC State would also see increases, with in-state tuition going up by $307 and out-of-state by $946.

Meanwhile, UNC-Chapel Hill approved a 3 percent tuition hike for in-state undergraduates and a 10 percent increase for those from out of state. This decision followed a close board vote that reversed an earlier committee recommendation to keep in-state tuition flat.

These changes would not affect current students at either university. The proposals now await a final decision from the UNC Board of Governors in early 2026. If approved, this will end an eight-year freeze on in-state tuition increases at the schools.

University officials say the higher tuition is necessary to improve faculty retention and support academic resources for students. Read Full Report

Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.

What’s faster than word of mouth? Cary Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

🎟️ 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:

• Friday: PONDER Alzheimer’s Program in the Park 10:30AM-12PM
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 9AM-Noon
• Saturday: Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair 9AM-2PM
• Saturday: Harvest Fest 12PM-4PM
• Sunday: ACC Men's Soccer Championship Finals 1PM-3PM
• Sunday: Obedience and Manners Dog Training 2PM-3PM
• Sunday: Paws and Pals: Adoption Event with Peak Lab Rescue 4PM-6PM
• Monday: NC Chinese Lantern Festival

To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead with access to this week and next! See Full 2-Week Calendar