The long weekend is almost here, and there are plenty of ways to enjoy Labor Day without traveling far from home. From local shopping and live music to family activities and one last taste of summer, the Twin Counties have several ways to fill your weekend. The weekend kicks off Friday night in Downtown Rocky Mount with the final First Friday Night Market of the 2026 season. From 7 to 10 p.m., the downtown area will feature more than 60 local vendors, food and drinks, music,

A new transportation connection between Rocky Mount and Raleigh is moving closer to reality after the North Carolina Department of Transportation awarded $3 million to launch a commuter bus service between the two cities. The project cleared another major hurdle when the Rocky Mount City Council approved the matching funds needed to secure the grant. The initial service is expected to provide weekday transportation between Rocky Mount and Raleigh during peak commuting hours.

Summer may be winding down, but the live music isn’t. After a season filled with outdoor concerts, local performers and live music throughout the Twin Counties, there’s still plenty to look forward to as we head into fall. Whether you’re looking for bluegrass at the Mills, jazz close to home or a night of Fleetwood Mac favorites, September is already shaping up to give local music lovers a few more reasons to get out and listen. Will West & Friends | August 28Before August co