Good morning, Fayetteville.

Fayetteville announced its new late-night program for teens aged 12 to 17 will start tomorrow at the Community Outreach Center at 651 Country Club Drive—interested attendees must preregister by 1 p.m. today.

The event will offer basketball, board games, video gaming, mentoring sessions and free food while police are on site to ensure safety.

A Vander firefighter fell nearly 20 feet through an attic floor on Monday while fighting a lightning-induced fire on Halibut Street—he was treated at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and released later with a broken hand.

Lonyae McCune, 39, is the founder and CEO of Queen of All Thingz and was named to Fayetteville's 40 Under 40 class for her leadership and community dedication—she runs group fitness classes and supports local initiatives like the Senior Sassy Pageant.

She also won the HER Pitch competition and partners with local groups to empower women and youth—demonstrating her impact on community wellness and business growth.

A Cumberland County woman named Yoashica Johnson-McKeithan was shot and killed at a Lillington birthday party on June 22 when a dispute led to gunfire that injured two others—police said the shooters left before deputies arrived.

North Carolina lawmakers passed a bill this week that would require every school board to keep cellphones and other devices off during class time unless used for emergencies or health needs.

The law also asks schools to teach social media lessons and ban TikTok for school activities— it now goes to Governor Josh Stein for review.

Homelessness advocates urged county officials to choose an emergency shelter option after the Salvation Army shelter—the only one open to all—closed on April 15, and they proposed using the Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center to shelter those at risk from extreme heat.

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed the Fostering Care in NC Act into law on Thursday to give the state clearer oversight of county social services and to tighten deadlines for investigating abuse and neglect (House Bill 612).

The bipartisan law was signed in front of families, advocates and officials (including social workers) and will help protect vulnerable children.

DIY for the 4th of July

6-8 p.m. — Cape Fear Studios Inc — $45 — Unleash your creativity with a patriotic painting class to celebrate Independence Day.

FRC Firecracker 4 Miler

7-10 a.m. — North Carolina Veterans Park — Entry fee required — Celebrate Independence Day with a fun 4-mile race and a Kids/Fun run through historic Downtown Fayetteville.

Breakthrough Basketball Skills Camp

July 8th-10th — Freedom Courts Sports Complex — Registration required — Enhance your shooting and ball-handling skills with expert coaching and tailored drills.

Fayetteville Roller Derby

5-6:30 p.m. — Crown Complex — One ticket covers both games — Witness an exciting double header with Fayetteville Roller Derby taking on Low Country.

Whispers of Villa Romance Styled Shoot

6-8:30 p.m. — Villa Mirabela — Early Bird Special available — Elevate your portfolio with a glamorous styled shoot featuring romantic setups and stunning European-inspired aesthetics.

Rhythm & Rodeo Line Dancing Series

3-8 p.m. — 5319 Yadkin Rd, Fayetteville, NC — Free entry — Enjoy a high-energy line dancing series with music, food, and fun for the whole family.

Video Editing Course for High School Students

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Image Graphics Inc. — Cost varies — Dive into the world of video editing and motion graphics with hands-on training in Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects.

Day of the Cowboy Benefit Rodeo

5-10:30 p.m. — 7 Branch Farm & Arena — Tickets available — Experience thrilling rodeo action and family fun while supporting local cancer patients.