The Daily Dispatch (Henderson, NC)

Back-to-school shopping is expected to reach a record $146.8 billion this year, driven in part by college spending that crossed $100 billion for the first time. Families with K-12 students plan to spend an average of $864 each. For parents sending a student to college, that number climbs to nearly $1,438. The basics take care of themselves. What takes more thought are which products are worth spending money on that make the rest of the year easier.

(Yopa via SWNS) By Isobel Williams A real-life Barbie house has hit the market for $967,875, decked out in almost entirely pink decor. The five-bedroom home in Sandhurst, Berks., is filled with pink furniture and has pink walls. There are also Barbie-themed pillows and signs - giving it the feel of a Dreamhouse come to life. There are only two rooms in the entire home which are void of pink - an office and one downstairs bedroom.

Benedict Blythe, 5, suffered from anaphylaxis after eating a snack at school. (Family Handout / Leigh Day via SWNS) By Faye Mayern Schools in England are providing allergy awareness training for all staff for the first time following the death of a schoolboy who was given milk. The landmark protections, backed by statutory guidance, have been introduced after 5-year-old Benedict Blythe suffered a fatal allergic reaction in school.

(LOS ANGELES) At the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term, 1.3 million individuals from 17 countries were living and working in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status, or TPS. TPS is a humanitarian form of protection from deportation for people who cannot return to their home countries because of an armed conflict, environmental disaster or other extraordinary circumstances.

HENDERSON — After an hour’s worth of deliberation, the Vance-Granville Board of Trustees voted unanimously to remove the college from the responsibility of planning an educational event focused on data centers, though affirmed that it would host an event if an outside organization wanted to organize one. The proposal came after the board’s regular meeting last month and a request from members in the community.

North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi has resigned, ending the tenure of an immediate hire in Bill Belichick's NFL-to-college coaching transition who had been on on paid administrative leave as the subject of a school investigation. The school announced Lombardi's resignation Thursday. It also stated it would continue its ongoing investigation and "consider all appropriate corrective actions" as needed.

Picture of microplastics from biopsies. (Ilias Dimeas / European Respirat via SWNS) By Stephen Beech Patients diagnosed with lung cancer have more microplastic in their lungs, reveals new research. Scientists discovered that people with lung cancer are more likely to have microplastics in their lungs and to have larger quantities of the tiny plastic particles in their lungs.

HENDERSON — On Aug. 17, a vehicle collision on US 15 killed 16-year-old South Granville High School athlete Emma Wallace. After responding to the scene of the crash, Highway Patrol troopers charged Caden Sanders, a 19-year-old, with misdemeanor death by vehicle along with other citations. According to a search warrant, the crash occurred around 8 a.m. on US 15 near White Oak Drive. A blue Ford Explorer crossed the centerline and struck a Toyota, which attempted to swerve out of the way.

HENDERSON — On Thursday, local man Mark Randall visited the Dispatch to talk about an issue he noticed with the parking lot at Henderson Marketplace on North Beckford Drive — a lack of disability accessible parking spots outside the Planet Fitness. Randall suffers from osteoarthritis and has had to undergo 17 surgeries, including one that put titanium components in both knees and his hip. He’s a member of Planet Fitness and has had to park as far as 100 yards away.

HENDERSON — Make it six consecutive victories for Vance Charter, which is having another outstanding volleyball season so far and currently sits atop the Triangle North conference standings. The Knights (8-2 overall, 5-0 conference) have already posted some significant wins in the first half of the season including the takedown of reigning state champion and league rival Falls Lake Academy last Thursday.