Protecting Dix Park's neighbors

1 big thing: Protecting Dix Park's neighbors

2. Details of last week's in-custody death emerge

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3. The Tea: Headlines worth sharing

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4. N.C. auditor breaks her silence after hit-and-run 

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New jobs to check out

5. Watching the news: The Assembly ups its game

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6. Stat du jour: A 500-game streak

🧘‍♀️ Tuesday! Take it easy today. 

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This newsletter was edited by Jen Ashley and copy edited by Lucia Maher.

Raleigh

Axios Raleigh

The Triangle's baby boom continues

1 big thing: Births in the Triangle keep climbing

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Local Limelight with Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley

2. Local Limelight: Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley

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3. 🗣 The Tea: News worth sharing

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4. 🍻 An image shakeup for an old stalwart

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Weather: A slight chance of rain in the morning before it gradually gets sunnier. High around 51°. 

Today's Smart Brevity™ count is 926 words — a 3.5-minute read.

✂️ Zachery got a much-needed haircut at Rock's. Shout out to Rachael for the clean up. 

👀 Lucille wants to know how many of y'all are participating in Dry January and still succeeding. 

The Triangle's most popular vehicles

1 big thing: The trucks keep getting bigger 

Urgent care center for pets opens in Cary

2. New startup offers urgent care for pets

3. The Tea: Keeping you in the know

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4. N.C.'s Cherokees want representation

Wake up to a brighter future

5. 🔮 Future travel technology

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It's Wednesday, readers of the Triangle and beyond. 

🌧️ Weather: Chances for rain throughout the day, including thunderstorms after 4pm. High of 63°. 

Situational awareness: Raleigh City Council did not take a vote on the Dix Edge Area Study Tuesday night. Instead it sent the plan to the Growth and Natural Resources Committee for more discussion.

Today's Smart Brevity™ count is 902 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🎸 Zachery is listening to the new song "It's Time" by Raleigh band Truth Club. 

🚊 Lucille is feeling very grateful for the train.

1 big thing: Our James Beard nominees

Fiction Kitchen and Mala Pata opening in Raleigh's Gateway Plaza

2. Gateway Plaza lands 2 new restaurants

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N.C. doctor sues state over abortion pills restrictions

4. A new abortion fight begins in N.C. 

Now hiring: New job openings

5.🎾 Pic du jour: A North Carolinian wins in Australia 

6. Downtown pedestrian traffic levels off

☀️ Weather: We're back to our sunny ways, with a high in the low 50s. 

Today's Smart Brevity™ count is 981 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🍤 Zachery surprised himself by how good of a shrimp scampi and sticky coconut chicken he made at home this week. Send him more recipes to try out.

✏️ Lucille is excited to cover another legislative session at the N.C. General Assembly. Tell her what you want to know and dig into. 

North Carolina's banned vanity license plates

1 big thing: You can't put these on your car

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2.✈️ Boom Supersonic's jet plant breaks ground

3. The Tea: Spreading the news

4.  🏈 Panthers choose new head coach

Seeking employment?

5. 📆 Get out and about this weekend

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☀️ Weather: Sunny with a high of 49°. 

Today's Smart Brevity™ count is 821 words — a 3.5-minute read.

🎙️ Zachery is listening to a lot of Van Morrison for some reason. 

🥴 Lucille is still thinking about the strangest campaign ad she’s ever seen.

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Editor's note: A brief roundup item in yesterday's newsletter has been corrected to reflect that CLEAR — which now operates at RDU — allows users to bypass TSA's ID check, not the entire security process.

North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood released a statement Monday, following reports last week of charges she's facing for a hit-and-run. 

"I was shaken by the incident and, when I was unable to move my vehicle, I left the scene," Wood said. "That was a serious mistake and I regret my decision."

Why it matters: Wood's statement Monday comes after days of mounting criticism over her silence.

Catch up quick: Wood, a Democrat who has served as state auditor since 2009, wrecked her state-owned vehicle Dec. 8, by driving her car over the hood of a parked car near Salisbury and Hargett Streets in downtown Raleigh. She fled the scene. 

Wood is charged with a Class 2 hit-and-run, leaving the scene and property damage. Wood also received an infraction for unsafe movement. She'll appear in court Thursday.  

Between the lines: Wood said she was returning from an unspecified Christmas party. Rufus Edmisten, a Democratic lobbyist who previously served as secretary of state and attorney general, threw one the same evening of Wood's accident, according to two people who said they were invited.

Wood's wreck happened almost directly in front of Edmisten's law office. 

Edmisten declined to comment in an email to Axios Monday, citing the ongoing case. 

The details: At least three people called 911 in quick succession to alert police of the incident, saying a black Toyota Camry, which one caller described as "a state-owned vehicle," was on top of a parked white car.

"Two of the wheels are no longer on the ground," one caller said of the black Toyota. "The other two are on the ground, and the car is on, and nobody's in it."

It's unclear when or how Wood left the scene.

What they're saying: The NC Republican Party and a billboard located on US-1 in Youngsville have called for Wood's resignation. 

Gov. Roy Cooper also issued a statement Monday saying the incident is "troubling," and that he's glad Wood addressed the issue publicly. 

Labor commissioner Josh Dobson and state treasurer Dale Folwell, both Republicans, said in statements that Wood is a "committed," "dedicated and effective public servant," WRAL reported. 

Insurance commissioner Mike Causey, also a Republican, called for more transparency on the incident, according to WRAL. 

What's next: Wood will appear in court and enter a plea on the charges Thursday. 

"It will be handled the same way any of those sorts of charges typically are," said Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman, who is also pursuing charges against state Attorney General Josh Stein. 

N.C. Auditor Beth Wood was leaving Christmas party before hit-and-run

After days of silence, Wood made a statement about charges she's facing for a December hit-and-run.

Photo illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios. Photo: North Carolina State Auditor's Office

State government

North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood released a statement Monday, following reports last week of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="charges she&#x27;s facing for a hit-and-run" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/01/19/north-carolina-state-auditor-beth-wood-charged-hit-run" data-vars-content-id="830320fd-a3a4-42c5-a983-1362e20baac8" data-vars-headline="N.C. Auditor Beth Wood was leaving Christmas party before hit-and-run" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/01/19/north-carolina-state-auditor-beth-wood-charged-hit-run" target="_self">charges she&#x27;s facing for a hit-and-run</a>. <ul><li>&quot;I was shaken by the incident and, when I was unable to move my vehicle, I left the scene,&quot; Wood said. &quot;That was a serious mistake and I regret my decision.&quot;</li></ul>

Politics

News

North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood is facing a misdemeanor charge for a hit-and-run on Salisbury and Hargett Streets in downtown Raleigh the evening of Dec. 8, records show. 

Details: Wood is charged with a Class 2 hit-and-run, leaving the scene and property damage. Wood also received an infraction for unsafe movement. 

The latest: At least three people called 911 in quick succession to alert police of the incident, saying a black Toyota Camry, which one caller described as "a state-owned vehicle," was on top of a parked white car.

The intrigue: The incident remained under wraps until it came to light Wednesday, more than a month after it happened. 

The Raleigh Police Department provided scant details on the wreck, releasing only the location of the incident and the name of the responding officer.

Wood did not return numerous phone calls, and her office declined to comment on the matter Thursday morning. 

What's next: Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman confirmed the charges against the auditor and said there was an investigation surrounding the incident. 

"It will be handled the same way any of those sorts of charges typically are," said Freeman, who is also pursuing charges against state Attorney General Josh Stein. 

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. 

North Carolina Auditor Beth Wood charged with hit-and-run

A portrait of N.C. state Auditor Beth Wood. 

State Auditor Beth Wood's official portrait. Photo: N.C. State Audtior's Office. 

North Carolina State Auditor Beth Wood is facing a misdemeanor charge <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for a hit-and-run" data-vars-click-url="https://www1.aoc.state.nc.us/www/calendars.Criminal.do?defendant=wood%2Cbeth&amp;op=Search&amp;county=999&amp;court=BTH&amp;start=0&amp;navindex=0&amp;fromcrimquery=yes" data-vars-content-id="8ab239f8-f710-4cbd-8cc4-f4dc1372a168" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Auditor Beth Wood charged with hit-and-run" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www1.aoc.state.nc.us/www/calendars.Criminal.do?defendant=wood%2Cbeth&amp;op=Search&amp;county=999&amp;court=BTH&amp;start=0&amp;navindex=0&amp;fromcrimquery=yes" target="_blank">for a hit-and-run</a> on Salisbury and Hargett Streets in downtown Raleigh the evening of Dec. 8, records show. <ul><li>She&#x27;ll appear in court Jan. 26. </li></ul>Details: Wood is charged with a Class 2 hit-and-run, leaving the scene and property damage. Wood also received an infraction for unsafe movement.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein confirmed the worst-kept secret in state politics Wednesday: He's running for governor in 2024. 

Driving the news: Stein, a Democrat, jump-starts a battle over who will succeed outgoing Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

Why it matters: Cooper has served as the party's last line of defense against the Republican-controlled state legislature since his election in 2016. 

Stein's bid will likely determine whether Democrats will have much say in the direction North Carolina goes in the coming years.

What he's saying: "I believe in a different North Carolina — and that the fights we choose determine what kind of state we’ll become," Stein said in his announcement video. "We’ll build a better and brighter North Carolina by standing together for what’s right, fighting to fix what’s wrong, and doing right by every single North Carolinian."

Between the lines: Stein wasted no time in taking shots at Republicans and their presumptive nominee, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who has yet to announce his run. 

In his announcement, Stein painted the race as a battle to protect democracy from politicians who spark "division, ignite hate and fan the flames of bigotry." 

The intrigue: Stein's announcement comes a little early considering the 2024 election is still nearly two years away — 657 days, to be exact, as the Assembly pointed out — but it came as no surprise to many political observers. 

His career has been building up to this moment: Stein has followed the same trajectory as Cooper and former Gov. Mike Easley, both of whom served as attorney general before being elected governor of North Carolina. 

Zoom in: Stein enters the race as an attorney general with a track record of helping win a $26 billion opioid settlement, the second largest state attorney general settlement in history, after the tobacco settlement of 1998.

He's also tackled price gouging, robocalls, the state's backlog of sexual assault kits and now, TikTok. 

What's next: It's not clear when Robinson will announce his run for governor, as he's expected to, but Stein's announcement ramps up the pressure. 

Charlotte

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Axios Charlotte

North Carolina AG Josh Stein announces his 2024 bid for governor

Stein's announcement kick-starts what is sure to be a contentious 2024 governor's race.

North Carolina

North Carolina <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Attorney General Josh Stein" data-vars-click-url="https://charlotte.axios.com/317268/ncs-attorney-general-is-coming-for-tiktok-spam-texts-and-opioids-in-2023/" data-vars-content-id="8c0ad02a-ace2-49c1-b767-f07106c37fe0" data-vars-headline="North Carolina AG Josh Stein announces his 2024 bid for governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://charlotte.axios.com/317268/ncs-attorney-general-is-coming-for-tiktok-spam-texts-and-opioids-in-2023/" target="_blank">Attorney General Josh Stein</a> confirmed the worst-kept secret in state politics Wednesday: He&#x27;s running for governor in 2024. Driving the news: Stein, a Democrat, jump-starts a battle over who will succeed outgoing Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.Why it matters: Cooper has served as the party&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last line of defense" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2022/05/04/north-carolina-governor-roy-cooper-abortion-rights-fight" data-vars-content-id="8c0ad02a-ace2-49c1-b767-f07106c37fe0" data-vars-headline="North Carolina AG Josh Stein announces his 2024 bid for governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2022/05/04/north-carolina-governor-roy-cooper-abortion-rights-fight" target="_self">last line of defense</a> against the Republican-controlled state legislature since his election in 2016. <ul><li>Stein&#x27;s bid will likely determine whether Democrats will have much say in the direction North Carolina goes in the coming years.</li></ul>What he&#x27;s saying: &quot;I believe in a different North Carolina — and that the fights we choose determine what kind of state we’ll become,&quot; Stein said in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="his announcement video" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/JoshStein_/status/1615698844892766208?s=20&amp;t=sB-_n3Nj7cW4n3XFjIYVtA" data-vars-content-id="8c0ad02a-ace2-49c1-b767-f07106c37fe0" data-vars-headline="North Carolina AG Josh Stein announces his 2024 bid for governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/JoshStein_/status/1615698844892766208?s=20&amp;t=sB-_n3Nj7cW4n3XFjIYVtA" target="_blank">his announcement video</a>. &quot;We’ll build a better and brighter North Carolina by standing together for what’s right, fighting to fix what’s wrong, and doing right by every single North Carolinian.&quot;Between the lines: Stein wasted no time in taking shots at Republicans and their presumptive nominee, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson" data-vars-click-url="https://ltgov.nc.gov/about/mark-robinson" data-vars-content-id="8c0ad02a-ace2-49c1-b767-f07106c37fe0" data-vars-headline="North Carolina AG Josh Stein announces his 2024 bid for governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ltgov.nc.gov/about/mark-robinson" target="_blank">Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson</a>, who has yet to announce his run. <ul><li>In his announcement, Stein painted the race as a battle to protect democracy from politicians who spark &quot;division, ignite hate and fan the flames of bigotry.&quot; </li></ul>The intrigue: Stein&#x27;s announcement comes a little early considering the 2024 election is still nearly two years away — 657 days, to be exact, as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Assembly pointed out" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/josh-stein-governor-2024/" data-vars-content-id="8c0ad02a-ace2-49c1-b767-f07106c37fe0" data-vars-headline="North Carolina AG Josh Stein announces his 2024 bid for governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/josh-stein-governor-2024/" target="_blank">Assembly pointed out</a> — but it came as no surprise to many political observers. <ul><li>His career has been building up to this moment: Stein has followed the same trajectory as Cooper and former Gov. Mike Easley, both of whom served as attorney general before being elected governor of North Carolina. </li></ul>Zoom in: Stein enters the race as an attorney general with a track record of helping win <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a $26 billion opioid settlement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/25/pharma-record-opioid-addiction-settlement" data-vars-content-id="8c0ad02a-ace2-49c1-b767-f07106c37fe0" data-vars-headline="North Carolina AG Josh Stein announces his 2024 bid for governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/02/25/pharma-record-opioid-addiction-settlement" target="_self">a $26 billion opioid settlement</a>, the second largest state attorney general <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="settlement in history" data-vars-click-url="https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-josh-stein-announces-26-billion-agreement-with-opioid-distributors-manufacturer/" data-vars-content-id="8c0ad02a-ace2-49c1-b767-f07106c37fe0" data-vars-headline="North Carolina AG Josh Stein announces his 2024 bid for governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-josh-stein-announces-26-billion-agreement-with-opioid-distributors-manufacturer/" target="_blank">settlement in history</a>, after the tobacco settlement of 1998.<ul><li>He&#x27;s also tackled price gouging, robocalls, the state&#x27;s backlog of sexual assault kits and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="now, TikTok" data-vars-click-url="https://charlotte.axios.com/317268/ncs-attorney-general-is-coming-for-tiktok-spam-texts-and-opioids-in-2023/" data-vars-content-id="8c0ad02a-ace2-49c1-b767-f07106c37fe0" data-vars-headline="North Carolina AG Josh Stein announces his 2024 bid for governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://charlotte.axios.com/317268/ncs-attorney-general-is-coming-for-tiktok-spam-texts-and-opioids-in-2023/" target="_blank">now, TikTok</a>. </li></ul>What&#x27;s next: It&#x27;s not clear when Robinson will announce his run for governor, as he&#x27;s expected to, but Stein&#x27;s announcement ramps up the pressure.

A UNC Health doctor sued North Carolina Wednesday over a law that restricts the use of abortion pills, arguing that its limitations run counter to federal law. 

The lawsuit asks for the courts to block North Carolina's laws around the drug, mifepristone. 

A similar lawsuit was filed in West Virginia the same day.

Why it matters: North Carolina's case is one of the first challenges to abortion laws since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in its Dobbs decision last year.

The case is expected to be watched closely by abortion opponents and advocates alike, as North Carolina has the least restrictive abortion laws in the Southeast.

State of play: UNC OB-GYN Amy Bryant's lawsuit argues that the state should follow Food and Drug Administration guidelines that the drug can be prescribed in person or through telehealth and dispensed by a health care provider or at retail pharmacies so that patients can take the medication where they wish.

North Carolina currently requires patients to obtain the drug from a doctor at a certified surgical facility following a 72-hour wait. 

State Attorney General Josh Stein, who is named as a defendant, told news outlets through a spokesperson he is reviewing the lawsuit. 

Stein, who supports abortion rights, previously recused himself from defending the state's blocked 20-week abortion ban after Roe v. Wade was overturned. 

Republican lawmakers have repeatedly criticized Stein, saying his job is to defend the state's laws.

Go deeper: Pair of lawsuits kick off state-federal battle over abortion pills (Politico)

The lawsuit will try to overturn North Carolina's restrictions on abortion pills.

Abortion

A UNC Health doctor sued North Carolina Wednesday over a law that restricts the use of abortion pills, arguing that its limitations run counter to federal law. <ul><li>The lawsuit asks for the courts to block North Carolina&#x27;s laws around the drug, mifepristone. </li><li>A similar lawsuit was filed in West Virginia the same day.</li></ul>Why it matters: North Carolina&#x27;s case is one of the first challenges to abortion laws since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in its Dobbs decision last year.<ul><li>The case is expected to be watched closely by abortion opponents and advocates alike, as North Carolina has the least restrictive abortion laws in the Southeast.</li></ul>

North Carolina state officials waited six weeks to revoke State Auditor Beth Wood's ability to drive a state vehicle over her December hit-and-run, a spokesperson for the state Department of Administration said Friday. 

Why it matters: The move came Tuesday, nearly a week after Wood's misdemeanor charge for her role in the hit-and-run came to light, rather than right after the incident.

Driving the news: The state's Motor Fleet Management division, which is under the Department of Administration, told Wood Jan. 24 that her vehicle assignment was "temporarily suspended due to the ongoing investigation", the agency spokesperson said in an email. 

The agency's regulations outline that a vehicle assignment can be recalled if abuse of the vehicle occurs, which includes "reckless disregard for the proper operation of the vehicle," or "if substantiated violations of motor vehicle laws are committed." 

Catch up quick: Wood was charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor for hit-and-run, leaving the scene and property damage on the evening of Dec. 8, when she ran a state vehicle over the hood of another car in downtown Raleigh.

She also received an infraction for unsafe movement. Her next court date is March 23. 

The latest: The accident cost the state nearly $8,000 for towing and repair, the Department of Administration said in an email. DOT is tasked with managing the state's motor vehicle fleet and assigning cars to state employees.

The department did not immediately respond to a question from Axios on whether Wood was allowed to — or did — drive a state vehicle after the December crash. 

NC auditor's state vehicle privileges revoked after hit-and-run

The move came nearly a week after Wood's misdemeanor charge for her role in the hit-and-run came to light

North Carolina state officials waited six weeks to revoke State Auditor Beth Wood&#x27;s ability to drive a state vehicle over her <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="December hit-and-run" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/01/19/north-carolina-state-auditor-beth-wood-charged-hit-run" data-vars-content-id="ca4655fc-91bf-4db3-962d-3d22b8a1c035" data-vars-headline="NC auditor&#x27;s state vehicle privileges revoked after hit-and-run" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/01/19/north-carolina-state-auditor-beth-wood-charged-hit-run" target="_self">December hit-and-run</a>, a spokesperson for the state Department of Administration said Friday. <ul><li>Why it matters: The move came Tuesday, nearly a week after Wood&#x27;s misdemeanor charge for her role in the hit-and-run came to light, rather than right after the incident.</li></ul>

Lucille Sherman

Stories

NC auditor's state vehicle privileges revoked after hit-and-run

N.C. doctor sues state over abortion pills restrictions

N.C. Auditor Beth Wood was leaving Christmas party before hit-and-run

North Carolina Auditor Beth Wood charged with hit-and-run

North Carolina AG Josh Stein announces his 2024 bid for governor

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