Josh Shaffer is a general assignment reporter on the watch for “talkers,” which are stories you might discuss around a water cooler. He has worked for The News & Observer since 2004 and writes a column about unusual people and places. In April, Josh wrote about unforgettable North Carolinians from a 90-year-old reunited with a piece of his father’s lost ship to a beloved Raleigh bartender.
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Here’s a roundup:
April 6: A beloved Raleigh bartender remembered
April 13: NC’s first mosque honored with historic marker
April 20: Tribute to a legendary alligator wrangler
April 27: A treasure from a long-lost father
This roundup of original Josh Shaffer columns was generated by with the help of AI tools and edited by N&O business editor Dave Hendrickson.
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This story was originally published May 16, 2026 at 1:14 PM.