Good morning, Hickory.

The North Carolina State Board of Education approved the Instructional Innovation Grant to support digital learning programs in public schools, offering up to $50,000 for districts and $20,000 for charter and regional schools.

Applications opened April 2 and will close June 18 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

The City of Hickory earned five communications awards at the NC3C Excellence in Communications Awards on April 9—receiving two first‑place and three third‑place honors among 266 statewide entries for projects like Crafting Hickory Magazine and the James Pond Stormwater video.

North Carolina ended tax incentives for job creation Tuesday for two companies including one based in Hickory — another company received extra time to meet its incentive goals.

West Caldwell High School named George Saffos as head football coach effective April 14; Saffos, a 1994 West Iredell graduate with over two decades of local coaching experience (including championship runs), said he is honored to lead the Warrior team.

The Hickory Crawdads beat the Salem RidgeYaks 5-4 on Wednesday, Apr.

15 to move to 9-2; Aidan Deakins started and Paulino Santana hit his first home run in the seventh, and the team will take on the RidgeYaks again tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Lenoir-Rhyne’s Sam Clarke was named SAC Women’s Tennis Coach of the Year after leading the women's program to a record 13-2 season (10-1 in conference play) and a season-high ranking of #18.

Several players, including Runa Muderrisoglu and Nellie Wahlberg, earned All-Conference honors in singles and doubles.

Live Again Tribute Fest

5-9 p.m. — The Premier — Ticketed event — Enjoy a night of powerful tribute performances from iconic rock bands.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans vs. Hickory Crawdads

7:59-10:59 p.m. — L. P. Frans Stadium — Tickets available — Enjoy a live baseball matchup between the Myrtle Beach Pelicans and Hickory Crawdads.

Green Day Tribute Concert with Confetti Cannon

7-11 p.m. — The Premier — Tickets starting at $17.45 — Enjoy explosive punk covers that will tickle your nostalgia glands.

Paul Gilbert Concert

7-10 p.m. — The Premier — Tickets from $29.25 — Experience the guitar virtuosity of Paul Gilbert with exciting new music from his album WROC.