Coronavirus NC Rebound Coverage

Balloon festival in Raleigh highlights area's tourism rebound
The impact of recent festivals and events in Raleigh is also making a difference in hotel stays, with occupancy rates up by 21 percent.

Artists stepping up COVID-19 protocls at Triangle event venues
As live performances emerge during the coronavirus pandemic, concert venues and even performers are stepping up COVID-19 protocols.

Raleigh alliance wants outdoor dining regulations to continue through rest of 2021
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance wants sights like that to continue. The alliance is asking City Council to extend the existing emergency outdoor seating regulations to Dec. 31. and keep the outdoor dining permit free through June 2022.

Employees working from home at least part of time likely to be norm for most companies
Companies are once again scrambling to deal with the soaring number of coronavirus cases after things felt like they were just starting to return to normal.

'Humans should get together and fight': Durham man hopes COVID yard signs convince passersby to get a shot
Months ago, Jim Lindsley and his wife Renee made signs to put along the street outside his Durham home to encourage COVID-19 safety measures like wearing masks and getting vaccinated. Neighbors have been on board, letting them post signs in their yards as well.

Some COVID-19 vaccine sites already out of $100 incentives
WRAL News has learned some vaccine clinics in the area have run out of the prepaid gift cards not long after the program launched.

Not enough manpower: Holly Springs restaurant owner struggles to hire
There is a lot of uncertainty for business owners as the pandemic continues to surge on. Many have already closed and others are now struggling to hire staff.

Cooper: NC focused on vaccinations, not new pandemic-related mandates
Gov. Roy Cooper dismissed questions Wednesday about the possibility of a new state mask mandate or business shutdowns amid a surge in coronavirus cases statewide.

Faculty question UNC-Chapel Hill's 'damn the torpedoes' strategy for fall semester
Faculty leaders at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said Wednesday that they fear a repeat of last year's disastrous fall semester, when a spike in coronavirus infections in the first week prompted an end to in-person undergraduate classes and eventually forced most students to leave campus.

NC to give out $100 gift cards in new COVID-19 vaccine incentive
The state will pay people $100, at least in some counties, to get their first COVID-19 vaccine shot.

Durham waffle king finds inspiration from his father
Everyone loves feel-good food, and in the Bull City, nobody is doing it better than Carl Richardson, aka Big C.

Durham man is changing lives, one waffle at a time
Big C Waffles in Durham is serving up some of the best chicken and waffles you'll ever try.

DPAC to reopen doors next week
Durham Performing Arts Center will reopen its doors on Aug. 2 with a show by the band Squeeze. Find out what changes guests can expect.

DPAC: Expect to wear face masks for some early events
The curtains at Durham Performing Arts Center have remained closed for over year. When doors reopen next week, guests should expect that some early performances will require people to wear face masks.

Concerts returning to Walnut Creek in Raleigh
Big concerts are back at Coastal Credit Union Music Park. Back-to-back shows will bring thousands of people to Walnut Creek starting Friday night.

Concerts return to Coastal Credit Union Music Park
It's been a while, but big concerts are finally back at Coastal Credit Union Music Park.

NC ending state mask mandate in schools, but officials urge masks remain in place for K-8 students, staff
The statewide mask mandate for North Carolina's schools will end next week, but officials said Wednesday that they would like to see masks remain in place at elementary and middle schools and for any unvaccinated high school students and staff.

UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke to provide more flexibility for staff returning to office
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill welcomed employees back to campus Monday after more than a year of remote work during the pandemic. But the normal workday at UNC-Chapel Hill and at Duke University will likely not be the same as it was before the pandemic.

Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill allowing some people to continue working from home at least part of the time
UNC-Chapel Hill welcomed employees back to campus Monday after more than a year of remote work during the pandemic. But the normal workday at UNC-Chapel Hill and at Duke University will likely not be the same as it was before the pandemic.