🥳 Friday. Let's go!

🌧️ Today's weather: Mostly sunny then chance of rain. High 93, low 71.

🎂 Happy birthday to our member Johnathan Tucker! And happy early birthday to Jeff Baynham and Todd Huestis!

Today's newsletter is 848 words — a 3-minute read.

UNC-Chapel Hill says defensive coordinator Steve Belichick will resign from the football program next month following an investigation that also cost general manager Michael Lombardi his job.

Why it matters: Both men were hand-picked by head coach Bill Belichick, whose time at Carolina has been beset by scandals.

Zoom in: Steve Belichick, Bill Belichick's son, will leave Carolina when a period of medical leave ends on Oct. 27, per the university.

• He hasn't been on the field this season and neither has Lombardi, whose resignation took effect Sept. 3.

What they're (not) saying: UNC hasn't answered questions about the investigation's scope or said why Steve Belichick is on medical leave.

• University spokesperson Dean Stoyer said the investigation uncovered behavior that "demonstrated a disregard for Carolina's values and standards of conduct," but described it as isolated and not indicative of systemic issues.
• ESPN and WRAL both cited anonymous sources who say investigators were asking questions about drug use and sexual relationships. The Athletic reported the probe began "after unspecified allegations against Lombardi first surfaced in July."

State of play: The Tar Heels are off to a 2-0 start, and look to have improved from last season's disappointing 4-8 finish.

🏈 There's a full slate of games tomorrow.

• The Tar Heels play Clemson at noon.
• N.C. State faces Vanderbilt at 12:45pm.
• And Stanford comes to Duke for a 4pm game.

Share the Belichick news

North Carolina's estimated tariff burden from President Trump's trade actions since the start of 2025 is over $8.8 billion, or $1,967 per household.

By the numbers: You may have noticed added costs if you bought a vehicle recently — imported cars and trucks are the state's largest category of new tariffs ($881 million), followed by clothes and shoes ($661 million) and electrical equipment ($664 million).

Context: The data reflect tariffs collected through June, including some costs that could ultimately be refunded.

Yes, but: Consumers may not get much in the way of refunds.

• According to National Taxpayers Union Foundation data, 67% of added tariffs fell on manufacturers purchasing raw materials, parts and equipment.

The bottom line: Trump's tariffs are international. Their economic impact is local.

Go deeper into the national data

🚔 Raleigh City Council members say they're no longer planning to enact a youth curfew. (News & Observer)

• Police had called for a curfew after July 4 celebrations turned violent, but teens are now back in school and interest has faded.

🎤 Most local music venues are not profitable. The owners of Pour House, Kings and Motorco all say that one factor is young people drinking less. (🔒 Triangle Business Journal)

⚖️ Three lobbyists charged with giving state lawmakers gifts reached deals to have their charges dropped, Wake County's district attorney says. (WRAL)

The Triangle is hosting two wacky spins on baseball this weekend.

Why it matters: Baseball, long accused of being boring, is embracing weird and fun alternative formats, led by the viral Savannah Bananas and their sold-out stadium shows.

State of play: Tonight, the Durham Bulls stadium hosts a 3-on-3 MLBx competition.

• Each team includes a retired MLB player, a pro softball star and a baseball standout from a college in North Carolina.
• 🎟️ If you go: Tickets start at $18.

Zoom in: Tomorrow, Boom Ball heads to Nomaco Park in Zebulon for a game and open tryouts.

• Boom Ball got its start this spring. It combines baseball, softball and entertainment for a "wild, fast and family-friendly" experience, the organization says.
• Local athletes interested in joining the traveling team in 2027 should sign up for tryouts online.
• 🎟️ If you go: Game tickets start around $35 and parking is $25 online.

Tell a friend

🎨 Stroll through Durham tonight for Third Friday.

🐛 Hop on over to BugFest tomorrow at the Museum of Natural Sciences.

🧙 Nerd out at Moore Square's Hobbit Fest. The full "Lord of the Rings" trilogy is playing starting at 10am tomorrow.

9️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ Celebrate 919 Day on N.C. State's Centennial Campus. Sept. 19 ... 9/19 ... Get it?

⚽️ Cheer on the NC Courage when they play top-ranked Gotham at 6:30pm tomorrow.

🐲 Celebrate Asia Fest tomorrow at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

• 🤘 Head back Sunday for a Rainbow Kitten Surprise concert.

🪩 Get your '90s on with TLC, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue at Walnut Creek tomorrow night.

🤣 Laugh it up at one of Marlon Wayans' sets at Raleigh Improv.

🎻 Take a kiddo to Sunday's instrument petting zoo at Gipson Play Plaza.

🏠 Visit the fairgrounds for the Ideal Home Show starting today.

🎶 Or travel to Greensboro for the free North Carolina Folk Festival all weekend. Tomorrow's headliner is The Roots.

Keep reading

⚾️ Mary Helen wonders who got to keep Muddy the Mudcat's outfit when the team moved to Wilson.

📺 Zachery is excited for the possibility of a new Lonesome Dove television show.

Thanks to Melissa Oyler for editing this newsletter.