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🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:
• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 📰 News: Property Tax Increase Approved in Wake County
• 📰 News: Cary Kicks Off Pride Month With Community-Wide Celebration
• ⚽ Sports: Courage Extend Streak With 2-1 Road Win
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for Laughs
• 🎁 Your gift fuels local fun: Show Your Support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)
👉 Browse the highlights. Scroll or Skip to your favorites.
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Question: What was the first U.S. federal law enforcement agency?
(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)
Cary Roll Call 👇
When friends move to Cary, what’s the one local business you always tell them to try first?
It could be a restaurant, coffee shop, boutique, service business, or a hidden gem you don’t want people to miss.
We’re building a community-powered list of Cary favorites this week.
👉 Join the conversation on Facebook and see what others are recommending:
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Cary Experience Suggestion Box
Let’s shine a spotlight on the businesses that make Cary special.
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Property Tax Increase Approved in Wake County
Wake County commissioners unanimously adopted a $2.28 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27, raising the property tax rate by two cents to 53.71 cents per $100 of assessed value. For a median-priced Raleigh home assessed at $450,000, the increase will cost homeowners about $90 per year.
County leaders said the increase is needed to address a roughly $35 million revenue shortfall caused by property tax appeals and the Blue Ridge property tax loophole, while also covering rising costs and service demands. Additional revenue will support public safety initiatives, including reopening the jail annex and hiring more emergency medical personnel.
Commissioners also approved $110,000 in funding for two food security programs that were previously supported by federal pandemic relief dollars. The programs provide locally sourced food to childcare providers and offer matching incentives for SNAP and EBT users at participating farmers markets.
Education remains a major priority in the new budget. More than $823 million is allocated for education operating expenses, including full funding for Wake County Public Schools, expanded early childhood education opportunities through Wake ThreeSchool, and support for staffing and facility needs at Wake Technical Community College.
Just curious…
Wake County's new budget will raise property taxes by about $90 per year for the owner of a median-priced home. Which best reflects your view?
- 👍 Worth it — Investing more in schools, public safety, and community programs is the right move.
- 🤔 Mixed feelings — The investments are important, but I'm concerned about higher taxes.
- 👎 Not worth it — County leaders should have reduced spending or found other revenue sources.
- 🏠 Depends on the homeowner — The impact will vary based on household finances and property values.
- Other (please specify)
Cary Kicks Off Pride Month With Community-Wide Celebration
Cary remains committed to fostering a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all, including our LGBTQ+ residents, employees, and visitors.
June 1st marked the beginning of Pride Month! Pride Month commemorates the events of June 1969 in New York, known as the Stonewall Uprising, that sparked a liberation movement in the United States. The purpose of this month is to recognize the impact that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
Don’t miss the Downtown Pride Light Show, happening June 1–12 and June 22–30. The display will light up the exterior columns of the Cary Arts Center, Downtown Cary Park, the Cedar Street Parking Deck, and the marquee of The Cary Theater.
For more information about Cary’s Pride resources and events, please visit carync.gov/pride
Courage Extend Streak With 2-1 Road Win
The North Carolina Courage wrapped up the first part of the NWSL season in style Sunday, earning a 2-1 road victory over Angel City FC in Los Angeles. The win gives the Courage three straight victories and sends them into the midseason break sitting above the playoff line.
Weekend Highlights:
North Carolina Courage 2, Angel City FC 1 — The Courage picked up their third straight win thanks to goals from Evelyn Ijeh and Manaka, improving to 5W-3D-3L (18 points) and moving into seventh place in the NWSL standings.
Evelyn Ijeh stays red hot — The Swedish forward scored her third goal in three consecutive matches, finishing a well-worked attack after passes from Ashley Sanchez and Manaka. Ijeh has now found the net against Chicago, Louisville, and Angel City.
Angel City answers quickly — Just three minutes after the opener, Maiara Niehues headed home a cross from Evelyn Shores to level the match at 1-1, setting up a tense final stretch.
Manaka delivers the winner in the 79th minute — After a strong buildup involving Ijeh, Sanchez, and Riley Jackson, Manaka finished calmly for the game-winning goal, capping another impressive attacking performance from the Courage.
The Courage head into the June break with momentum, proving once again that exciting soccer is helping make the Triangle a great sports community.
Panic is a financial news strategy. Clarity is ours.
Markets move. Headlines catastrophise. But somewhere inside the noise is the story that matters — the opportunity, not the fear.
The Daily Upside was built by Wall Street insiders to find it — global business and finance, reported without the alarm.
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.
When do YOU throw your kitchen sponge away?
- 1️⃣ Still looks brand new – I replace it before it gets gross.
- 2️⃣ Starting to show wear – A little discoloration and it's gone.
- 3️⃣ Looking rough – I squeeze a few more weeks out of it.
- 4️⃣ Hanging on for dear life – If it still scrubs, it stays.
- 5️⃣ Sponge Zombie – I'll use it until it practically dissolves.
🎁 Your gift fuels local fun.
Every gift helps us curate the best events and bring more locals together for the experiences that make Cary vibrant. Join readers who’ve already donated.
June 2 - June 8, 2026
🎟️ 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: Art Cart 10AM-1PM
• Today: Yoga 7PM-8PM
• Wednesday: Adventures in Wonderland 5:25PM-6:20PM
• Wednesday: Tai Chi: Downtown Cary Park 6:30PM-7:30PM
• Thursday: Trivia Night 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Thursday: Zumba 6PM-7PM
• Friday: Adventures in Wonderland 5:25PM-6:20PM
• Friday: Movie Night: Back to the Future 6PM-10PM
• Friday: Bands, Bites, and Boats 6PM-8PM
• Friday: Adventures in Wonderland 7:25PM-8:30PM
• Saturday: Cary Farmers Market 8AM-12PM
• Saturday: Greenway Discovery Walk on National Trails Day 9AM-10:30AM
• Saturday: NC Symphony: A Space Spectacular 6PM-9:45PM
• Sunday: Sunday Sound Bath 4PM-5:30PM
• Monday: Drop-in Puzzling and Puzzle Swap Meet 2PM-8PM
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
The Answer to the Cary Spotlight Hook Trivia Question 👇👇👇
A: United States Marshals Service
What was the first U.S. federal law enforcement agency?The United States Marshals Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency in the United States, officially created on September 24, 1789, under the Judiciary Act of 1789 during George Washington's presidency.
However, if tracing historical lineages before formal independence, the United States Postal Inspection Service can trace its origins back even further to 1772, when Benjamin Franklin appointed the first colonial "surveyor" to regulate and secure the mail system.
Learn more, United States Marshals Service