The bash featured free backpacks and school supplies for children of all ages, helping ease the financial burden on families as the new academic year approaches.

On a typical day during the school year, more than 14,100 school buses carrying nearly 800,000 students operate on North Carolina roads.

Voter registration deadlines are approaching for eligible North Carolinians who wish to vote on Election Day in September, October, and November municipal elections.

“North Carolina is home to more than 600,000 veterans and has the fourth-largest active-duty population of any state in the country. We owe it to our service members and families to address the unique challenges they face and give them a bright future here in North Carolina.”