Local Business Spotlight: Bean House Coffee Co. in Bean Station is drawing customers with a winter-friendly coffee menu alongside grab-and-go breakfast items, built with help from an Asheville roaster. Downtown Revitalization: Franklin’s Town Council approved a $60,000 push to rejoin the N.C. Main Street program via a new nonprofit, Main Street Franklin, Inc., aimed at events, planning, and downtown business support. Public Safety & Services: High Point’s All Star Plumbing of the Triad is expanding 24/7 rapid response across the Piedmont Triad, while Murphy’s fire department earned improved insurance ratings after an OSFM inspection. County & Community Governance: Durham commissioners highlighted a new digital property tax payment platform (PayDCoNC) and set a closure for solid waste convenience sites. Environment & Development: Residents packed a public hearing over Martin Marietta’s proposed quarry expansion in New Hanover County, citing impacts to wetlands and waterways. Health Watch: Cyclosporiasis continues to spread nationwide, with North Carolina reporting hundreds of cases, as FDA traceback investigations focus on produce. Workforce & Growth: Intelligent Office is opening a Winston-Salem flexible workspace location in September, targeting small businesses and entrepreneurs. Tech & Policy: A major multistate settlement over the 23andMe genetic data breach is moving money to states, including North Carolina.