MudGirl Run 2026 Brings Thousands Together in Raleigh for Strength, Support, and Survivorship

By Dominique Heath Columnist Thousands gathered in Raleigh for MudGirl Run 2026, an obstacle mud run that has grown from a grassroots empowerment event into an international movement centered on resilience, community, and support. Founded with the mission of creating an inclusive event focused less on competition and more on personal strength, MudGirl has expanded across multiple cities and countries, drawing participants from all walks of life. What began as

NCACC Student Film Festival Celebrates Student Storytelling and Creative Voices Across North Carolina Counties

By Dominique Heath Columnist The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) brought student filmmakers, educators, local leaders and community members together at The Cary Theater for the Second Annual NCACC 100 Strong Productions Student Film Festival, a statewide event centered around storytelling, local history and community impact through film. Hosted by NCACC's documentary division, 100 Strong Productions, the festival gave students from counties across North Carolina an opportunity to

What Sexual Assault Awareness Month Really Demands of Us

By Dominique Heath Guest Columnist Each April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month returns with a familiar call to attention. Teal ribbons appear, statistics are shared, and conversations begin to surface again. But awareness, in practice, is often misunderstood. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. Nationally, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 6 men experience sexual violence in their lifetime.