Wake County

Good Morning Wake County: Love Sparks Action in Local Advocacy

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In this episode of the Good Morning Wake County local news podcast, we delve into the inspiring stories of a Rolesville family who transforms their son’s tragic death into a powerful advocacy campaign through Aven’s Quest for Amoeba Awareness. Additionally, we explore how Camp Ignite partnerships between Cary, Apex, and Morrisville fire departments are igniting the next generation of women firefighters across seven counties. Host Steve highlights how Wake County residents are turning personal challenges into lasting community impact, showcasing the overlooked news that truly matters. These meaningful narratives focus not on crisis but on the resilience and capacity of people within our community. Tune in for 7-9 minutes of heartfelt conversations that respect your intelligence and time, featuring real stories and real neighbors making a difference. Discover the good news happening around you—one episode at a time.

Coded for California: Tesla Homes and AI Teachers

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Two Wake County businesses are making very specific bets about who’s moving to our area. A Cary development company is building 25 luxury homes starting at nearly $1 million, each with standard EV chargers, specifically targeting California tech workers relocating to Research Triangle Park. Meanwhile, an AI-powered school called Alpha Raleigh opens this fall where kindergarteners work with robot tutors and sixth graders manage Airbnb properties.

Host Steve explores how Legacy Carolina Development’s Guarang “Greg” Gala is “bullish on RTP” and confident enough to build houses that basically profile their buyers: California transplant + tech job + Tesla owner = perfect customer. At the same time, Alpha Schools is betting the same demographic wants their kids taught by artificial intelligence rather than traditional teachers.

From Wake Forest, North Carolina, Steve brings you these overlooked local stories that reveal how different industries are reading the same trend about Wake County’s future – and making million-dollar investments based on very specific assumptions about who’s moving here and what they want.

Real stories. Real conversations. Worth knowing.

Jumping In, Looking Up: Courage, Currents, and Commuter Whales

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You ever have that moment where your brain blanks and your body just moves? Today we’ve got two stories about exactly that kind of decision-making.

First: Eddie Hunnell, a 57-year-old software engineer from Holly Springs, was at his son’s wedding rehearsal when Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina. When he saw 66-year-old Leslie Worth swept into the flooded North Fork New River, his Plan A with a canoe didn’t work. So he jumped in himself. Now he’s receiving the Carnegie Medal—North America’s highest honor for civilian heroism.

Then: Sydney commuters are discovering that sharing their morning ferry rides with 40,000 migrating humpback whales is just part of life now. These school bus-sized creatures are turning one of the world’s busiest harbors into the gentlest traffic jam you’ve ever seen. It’s a conservation success story happening in real-time, complete with whales who seem genuinely curious about the humans they’re meeting.

Both stories reveal something about what happens when the unexpected shows up and people—or whales—decide to engage instead of look away.

Plus: a dad joke that might actually make you groan out loud.

From Wake Forest, North Carolina, this is Good Morning Wake County—where we find stories that remind you what’s possible when ordinary people decide to jump in.

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Secret: How Smart Buyers Get Houses 22% Below Market

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James Watson, 64, bought his first home in Southeast Raleigh for $850/month through a housing model most people have never heard of. Steve discovers how Community Land Trusts work, why a former real estate developer had no idea they existed, and the surprising origins that make it all possible.

Learn exactly how James saved 22% below market value and why this 50-year-old solution feels revolutionary in 2025.

Plus: a dad joke about getting tired.

New episodes Monday through Friday.

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From Shark Skin to Job Security: Three Stories That Change Everything

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Three overlooked stories worth knowing: A Cary nuclear engineer’s true impact had nothing to do with his PhD or judicial career, Australian engineers copied 400-million-year-old shark skin to save airlines billions in fuel costs, and why your plumber has more job security than corporate executives in the AI age. Featuring Jeff Jeffries’ mentorship approach that touched “numerous men,” MicroTau’s biomimicry breakthrough saving 4% fuel per flight, and Lowe’s CEO Marvin Ellison’s honest assessment of which jobs AI can’t replace. Real stories from Wake Forest, North Carolina about what actually lasts versus what we think matters.

Join our community at https://tapyournews.com/podcast for show reminders and to suggest stories you think we should cover. The best reporting often starts with neighbors who know where to look.

When 1% Becomes Everything. Good News to Start Today.

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Today we share incredible stories of second chances and service from right here in Wake County and beyond. From John Walter’s miraculous recovery after defying 1% survival odds following a tragic accident near Wakefield High School, to twenty new firefighters who chose to run toward sirens through Wake Tech’s Career in a Year program.

Plus, meet the Taylor family in Oklahoma who are teaching their kids that service isn’t just an act, it’s a way of seeing the world. These are the stories that remind us good news is happening all around us – sometimes it’s as simple as showing up with your whole heart.

Join our listener community at https://tapyournews.com/podcast where you can get show reminder emails and send in suggestions and stories you think we should tell. Because the best good news often comes from neighbors who know where to look for it.

From Tank’s Big Escape to Eliza’s Lasting Light: Good News Stories of Hope, Heart, and Second Chances

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Today on Good Morning Wake County, we take you from a missing tortoise named Tank in Greenfield, Illinois to the streets of Raleigh, where law enforcement officers ran for the Special Olympics. Then we head west to California for the inspiring story of Trevor Turner, a former inmate turned award-winning college graduate, before coming home to Raleigh to remember Eliza Craven and the $2.5 million gift that will help other families facing childhood illness. These are stories of good, stories of heart… and the kind of feel-good news that stays with you.

🎧 Featuring:

  • Tank the Tortoise 🐢 (Greenfield, IL)

  • Wake County Special Olympics

  • Trevor Turner (Bakersfield College, CA)

  • Amanda & Lee Craven + Transitions LifeCare (Raleigh, NC)

  • Team Speedy Sloth + Eliza Alice Craven Pediatric Fund (Duke University, Durham, NC)

🔗 SOURCES & LINKS

Tank the Tortoise – First Alert 4:

https://www.firstalert4.com/2025/05/28/illinois-town-comes-together-find-missing-tortoise/

Torch Run / Special Olympics:

https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/wake-county-news/wake-county-law-enforcement-runs-through-rain-to-benefit-nc-special-olympics/

Trevor Turner, Bakersfield College Grad:

https://www.bakersfield.com/bakersfield-life/bakersfield-matters-bc-grad-defies-odds-earns-collegiate-recognition-with-inspiring-story/article_b47665db-424d-4ac8-8555-f5d02d1dff75.html

Eliza’s Story / Transitions Kids

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/raleigh-nc/eliza-craven-10806995

https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/wake-county-news/the-whole-family-is-the-patient-childrens-hospice-program-in-raleigh-receives-2-5-million-gift/

https://www.supportdukehealth.org/site/TR/Angels/AngelsAmongUs?pg=team&fr_id=2621&team_id=30983

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