Good News Friday: How hungry goats gave North Carolina’s Dix Park a makeover

It’s time for Good News Friday, our weekly round-up of good news in North Carolina. This week, grazing goats, LEGOs, and NC players in the NBA Draft.

It’s been a hot week – both outside and in the news cycle. We think it’s helpful to cool off and decompress with a little positivity.

That’s why we do a weekly round-up of good news! This week, goats beat the heat in Dorothea Dix Park, while a few North Carolina basketball players are hot new additions to the NBA.

If you’re in the mood for even more cheerful news, check out our previous editions of “Good News Friday.”

Grazing goats in Dorothea Dix Park

A herd of goats had a snack, and Dorothea Dix Park got a refresh this week.

Goats on the Go, a Raleigh-Durham-based organization, is a group of hungry goats-for-hire that help clear overgrown vegetation and invasive plant species. The City of Raleigh hired the group to clear out kudzu, porcelain vines and other invasive plant species.

After about two weeks of work, the goats cleared vegetation growing up to 6 feet high, leaving behind a clearer view of the Raleigh skyline. The goats plan to return later this year to permanently clear the invasive vegetation.

NC scores in the first round of the NBA draft

Duke’s Khaman Maluach reacts after being drafted tenth overall by the Houston Rockets during the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

North Carolina’s college basketball fans might have seen a few familiar faces selected during the first round of this year’s NBA draft on Wednesday night. 

Cooper Flagg, a former Duke University forward, was the No. 1 draft pick by the Dallas Mavericks. Flagg played for only a year at Duke, yet earned numerous accolades during his freshman year, including ACC Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and AP Player of the Year.

In fact, three Duke players, including Flagg, went in the first round. The hometown Charlotte Hornets selected Kon Knueppel 4th overall, and the Houston Rockets picked Khaman Maluach 10th before trading him to the Phoenix Suns.

As a UNC-Chapel Hill student and lifetime Tar Heel, I just have to add that UNC forward Drake Powell was the 22nd pick and will be playing for the Brooklyn Nets. Go Heels! 

Ready, Set, Build!

Are you a master LEGO builder or simply an enjoyer of all the colorful brick creations? Then this weekend’s BrickUniverse convention in Raleigh is an event built just for you.

The convention is a family-operated LEGO fan exhibition with over 100 events in cities all across the United States. This year’s event marks their 11th trip to NC and features acclaimed LEGO artists, local builders and interactive building zones. 

BrickUniverse will take place at the Raleigh Convention Center from June 28 to 29. General Admission tickets start at $20 at the door, with free admission for children under four.