Local

The week in photos captures NC through the lens of News & Observer journalists

By Scott Sharpe

Here’s a curated selection of moments across North Carolina as captured through the lens of The News & Observer visual journalists. They include a rainbow over downtown Raleigh following a summer downpour, a tender moment inside a Durham animal shelter, and the beauty of late afternoon light on the complex work of an orb spider. This feature can be seen in Sunday’s newspaper, as well as in our online Edition. See it at eedition.newsobserver.com.

A rainbow appears over downtown Raleigh after a storm passed by Wednesday, July 2, 2025.
A rainbow appears over downtown Raleigh after a storm passed by Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Ethan Hyman ehyman@newsobserver.com
Jonathan Terrell, 10, jumps from a rock in the Eno River on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Durham, N.C.
Jonathan Terrell, 10, jumps from a rock in the Eno River on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Ka’mora, 2, plays with cats while visiting the Animal Protection Society of Durham with her mother Jasmine Thorpe on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
Ka’mora, 2, plays with cats while visiting the Animal Protection Society of Durham with her mother Jasmine Thorpe on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
An orb-weaver spider, completes a massive web in the glow of the evening sun along Suttles Road on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Pittsboro, N.C. Orb-weavers are know for their distinctive spiral shaped webs, prefect for capturing prey.
An orb-weaver spider, completes a massive web in the glow of the evening sun along Suttles Road on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Pittsboro, N.C. Orb-weavers are know for their distinctive spiral shaped webs, prefect for capturing prey. Robert Willett rwillett@newsobserver.com
Magdalena Cruz-Vazquez plays with her granddaughter Lali under the waterfall at Gipson Play Plaza in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
Magdalena Cruz-Vazquez plays with her granddaughter Lali under the waterfall at Gipson Play Plaza in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, July 3, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com
Allen Rammer plays under the waterfall at Gipson Play Plaza in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
Allen Rammer plays under the waterfall at Gipson Play Plaza in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, July 3, 2025. Grace Richards grichards@newsobserver.com

This story was originally published July 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM.

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