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Plus, NC leaders are pledging to save the monarch butterfly, and more good news from North Carolina.

If it’s Friday, it’s time for our Good News Friday roundup. 

Here’s what we have for you this week:

Saving the Monarchs 

More than 20 mayors in North Carolina are honoring a commitment they made to conserve the monarch butterflies. These butterflies pass through western North Carolina every year on their migration from Canada to Mexico. They’re beautiful and essential to the ecosystem

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In response to their declining numbers, mayors from Holly Springs to Bald Head have signed the National Wildlife Federation pledge to make conservation efforts that range from raising awareness about the butterflies to converting vacant lots into monarch habitats.

North Carolina leaders are pledging to preserve the beautiful (and important) monarch butterfly. (Shutterstock)

 Half-Price Train Tickets in July  

Now through the end of July you can travel across the state in a whole new way for half the price! NC by Train is celebrating several changes to their train schedule like the newly-added, daily round trips from Raleigh to Charlotte, and additional routes throughout the day. 

The discount is available on all Piedmont and Carolinian routes and can be applied with the code V854. 

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NC is the Ice Cream Queen

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I scream for ice cream, you scream for ice cream, we all scream for ice cream – and on Sunday you can take that energy even further. Not only is it National Ice Cream Day, but five of the top rated ice cream shops in the nation are right here in North Carolina.

On Yelp’s second annual  Top 100 Ice-Cream Shops list, these NC creameries made the list: 

#15 Surfin’ Spoons, Nags Head 

#17 Sugar Koi, Cary

#20 Ozzie’s Ice Cream, Greensboro

#44 Boombalatti’s, Wilmington 

#81 Andia’s Homemade Ice Cream, Cary