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The Raleigh City Council will vote next month on whether to enact a moratorium on any new data center applications in the city while it develops new rules for their construction. 

Why it matters: Raleigh would join a wave of cities and counties placing moratoriums on new data center development across the state, as an increasing number of residents express concerns over the electricity costs, water usage, noise levels and visual aesthetics of data centers. 

Durham and Charlotte have added similar pauses. 

Driving the news: Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell told reporters that the City Council will consider a six-month moratorium while it asks staff to develop new standards for data centers. 

High land costs have largely kept Raleigh from attracting the large-scale data centers that have drawn opposition in rural areas.

But an application for a 100,000-square-foot data center earlier this summer led the Raleigh City Council to consider the pause. 

Zoom in: A vote could happen on Oct. 6, while staff works on updating the city's unified development ordinance. 

The rewrite would focus on rules around noise and vibration limits and how the data centers use water. 

Exact rules have not yet been drafted, but the UDO already has rules around data centers. But, Cowell said, the technology has changed so much that a rewrite is needed. 

State of play: Cowell said there are eight data centers in the city at the moment — though they are mostly small-scale types under 10,000 square feet, according to a city spokesperson.

She said she doesn't want to write rules that potentially infringe on the city's technology industry and plans to speak with N.C. State leadership about their needs around data centers. 

What they're saying: "As an you know elected official, it's hard to even have a conversation about this because there's so much emotion" around data centers right now, Cowell said. "But I think we all felt like a pause gives us a chance to actually have a conversation, do the work and maybe lower the temperature." 

Cowell added she hopes the N.C. General Assembly can write more statewide rules around data centers. 

The most recent state budget eliminated some tax breaks for data centers. 

"It would be really great to have a cohesive statewide plan," she said. "Do we try to to use this as an opportunity to upgrade the entire electric grid? Or are we going to devolve into a bunch of data centers with private energy use that don't feed into a grid upgrade? Those are the sort of strategic decisions that I think the General Assembly could really help by working with cities and rural counties." 

Raleigh is considering a six-month moratorium on data centers

The pause would last for six months while the city develops new rules around data center construction.

Illustration of data center servers on an abstract vector background

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Stock: Getty Images

The Raleigh City Council will vote next month on whether to enact a moratorium on any new data center applications in the city while it develops new rules for their construction. Why it matters: Raleigh would join a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wave of cities and counties" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/23/data-center-opposition-grows-across-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="82f0a1e5-0e01-4925-b1ba-dc4131d0f9ad" data-vars-headline="Raleigh is considering a six-month moratorium on data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/23/data-center-opposition-grows-across-north-carolina" target="_self">wave of cities and counties</a> placing moratoriums on new data center development across the state, as an increasing number of residents express concerns over the electricity costs, water usage, noise levels and visual aesthetics of data centers. <ul><li>Durham and Charlotte have added similar pauses. </li></ul>

News

Data: UNC System; Note: Only includes 10 largest expenses by UNC System schools ; Chart: Zachery Eanes/Axios

UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State each spent more than $130 million on athletics in the 2024-2025 academic year, according to a new report from the UNC System. 

Why it matters: The report comes as the UNC System, which oversees public universities in the state, takes a closer look at its policies amid a historic boom in spending on college sports.

Driving the news: The report showed that none of the schools' athletics departments are self-sufficient through athletics revenue alone. 

UNC and N.C. State came closest, with athletics revenue making up 88% and 93% of expenses respectively. 

What they're saying: "I certainly want our universities to remain competitive and continue to demonstrate excellence," UNC System President Peter Hans said during the presentation, according to WRAL.

"At the same time, we should check in on costs, which, with the changing national landscape, are growing at an unsustainable rate."

Ballooning athletics spending is getting a closer look by the UNC System 

UNC-Chapel Hill spent $188 million in 2025 on athletics.

Horizontal orange bars show 2025 UNC System athletics spending by school. Leaders: UNC-Chapel Hill $188m; NC State 134m; East Carolina 68m; UNC-Charlotte 59m; App State 57m; others 22m–18m.

UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State each spent more than $130 million on athletics in the 2024-2025 academic year, according to a new report from the UNC System. Why it matters: The report comes as the UNC System, which oversees public universities in the state, takes a closer look at its policies amid a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic boom in spending" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/press/dem/release/runaway-athletics-spending-threatens-the-financial-health-of-americas-colleges-cantwell-snapshot-report-shows/" data-vars-content-id="8d89db05-076a-415d-bc60-8819f417065b" data-vars-headline="Ballooning athletics spending is getting a closer look by the UNC System " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/press/dem/release/runaway-athletics-spending-threatens-the-financial-health-of-americas-colleges-cantwell-snapshot-report-shows/" target="_blank">historic boom in spending</a> on college sports.

Sports

As Republican Rep. Brad Knott vies for another term representing North Carolina's 13th District, he reports holding assets worth between $3.3 million and $13.4 million, according to a financial disclosure report filed in August.

Why it matters: Financial disclosure reports are one of the key tools the public has for examining how policymakers in Washington make their money and whether they have potential conflicts of interest.

They've played a big role in the Senate showdown between Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley.

Driving the news: Axios Raleigh is taking a look at the financial disclosure reports of the Triangle area's congressional representatives ahead of the midterm election this November.

State of play: Knott, a former U.S. attorney who lives in Raleigh, has represented the 13th district since 2024. The district — drawn in 2024 — includes parts of Wake County and towns like Wake Forest, Clayton and Sanford.

Knott's reported assets are from 2025 and vary from companies in the oil industry to real estate investments.

Zoom in: Some of Knott's largest holdings include:

Between $1 million and $5 million in Canadian oil and natural gas producer Baytex Energy Corp stock, which pays annual dividends between $15,000 and $50,000.

An investment worth between $100,000 and $250,000 in the Texas oil company Mewbourne Oil that produces monthly income between $50,000 to $100,000 depending on oil production.

Investments in a Roth IRA worth between $500,000 and $1 million into the metal payment card maker CompoSecure and asset management company Resolute Holdings.

Resolute is led by Knott's brother — Tom Knott, who contributed $700,000 to Brad's 2024 campaign — and the company acquired CompoSecure in 2024 before spinning it into a separate public company in 2025.

Two real estate investments worth between $200,000 and $500,000.

What they're saying: Knott was not made available for an interview about his financial report. But in a statement, he noted that he voted in favor of the Stop Insider Trading Act, which would ban members of Congress from holding individual stocks.

"His retirement investments have barely changed since he entered Congress and are outlined, per House requirements, in his financial disclosure forms available online for everyone to see," Knott's spokesperson said in a statement.

The other side: Knott's opponent in November is Paul Barringer, a Lee County native who is a healthcare consultant.

His financial disclosure report for 2025 reports assets ranging between $4.9 million and $18.9 million. The report covers half of 2025 and Barringer has filed for an extension to submit a fuller report.

Real estate investments into timberland in Sanford, Lillington and Vermont worth between $1.6 million and $6.3 million as well as properties in Sanford, Virginia and Maryland worth between $1.1 million and $5.3 million.

Fidelity-managed investment accounts worth between $1.5 million and $6 million.

Shares of UnitedHealth Group worth between $50,000 and $100,000.

It also showed that Barringer reported no income in 2025 but was paid for consulting work for Crestline Advisors, The Menges Group, Weber Consulting and MBO Partners.

He also reported positions with clothing company Mill & Mountain, his family's fertilizer company Sapona Mills and his consulting firm Enterprise Support Partners.

What they're saying: Barringer also said he backs a ban on stock trading for Congress.

"I don't think it's right for public servants to be using private information for personal gain — whether in the legislative or executive branch," he told Axios.

spinning it into a separate public company

Inside the finances of NC's 13th District candidates

Both candidates for North Carolina's 13th district call for a stock trading ban.

Rep. Brad Knott poses for a photograph on the steps of the House of Representatives in 2024. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images



As Republican Rep. Brad Knott vies for another term representing North Carolina&#x27;s 13th District, he reports holding assets worth between $3.3 million and $13.4 million, according to a financial disclosure report filed in August.Why it matters: Financial disclosure reports are one of the key tools the public has for examining how policymakers in Washington make their money and whether they have potential conflicts of interest.<ul><li>They&#x27;ve <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="played a big role" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/05/29/whatley-and-cooper-both-back-congressional-stock-trading-ban" data-vars-content-id="a56d6f1b-d0df-43d5-8996-04c1f6d522f1" data-vars-headline="Inside the finances of NC&#x27;s 13th District candidates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/05/29/whatley-and-cooper-both-back-congressional-stock-trading-ban" target="_self">played a big role</a> in the Senate showdown between Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley.</li></ul>

Politics

Proposed park at the corner of Hargett & McDowell: tree-lined plaza with curved walkways, circular shrub beds, benches, and people strolling under dappled sunlight.

The city of Raleigh is in the early stages of redesigning Nash Square to make the space more inviting to the public. 

Why it matters: Nash Square is one of Raleigh's five public squares that were laid out in the city's original plan from 1792, and it sits in the heart of downtown next to Raleigh City Hall. 

The other squares were Moore Square, Union Square (home to the State Capitol), Burke Square (now the Governor's Mansion) and Caswell Square (now the N.C. Department of Public Safety). 

What's happening: The Raleigh City Council reviewed new drawings of how a refresh of Nash Square could look this month, including adding tree-filled medians on Hargett Street to narrow the road between Raleigh City Hall and Nash Square. 

Other improvements would include improving walking paths and opening the corners of the park. 

A monetary amount for renovating the square is not known yet. The city council will discuss it more in depth next year. 

Rendering of a proposed park with a circular path: sunlit lawn, large trees, a curved stone walkway, and clusters of metal tables and chairs; people sit on benches and stroll along the path.

Raleigh is in the early stages of renovating Nash Square

The city is reviewing plans for refreshing the public square.

Two panels: 'HARGETT STREET MID-BLOCK: EXISTING' (top) and 'HARGETT STREET MID-BLOCK: PROPOSED' (bottom). Top shows a street with construction barriers, cones, cars, and brick buildings; bottom shows a tree-lined pedestrian plaza.

A rendering of how Hargett Street could be transformed between Raleigh City Hall and Nash Square. Courtesy of City of Raleigh

<figure><img alt="Proposed park at the corner of Hargett &amp; McDowell: tree-lined plaza with curved walkways, circular shrub beds, benches, and people strolling under dappled sunlight." height="736" id="e610dfa8-d1a9-4f24-875b-07cba0bff240" src="https://images.axios.com/TSmaQwzfq5pCfgyGXreWqjq2uA8=/2026/09/11/1789154415155.png" width="1280"/><figcaption>Rendering: City of Raleigh</figcaption></figure>The city of Raleigh is in the early stages of redesigning Nash Square to make the space more inviting to the public. Why it matters: Nash Square is one of Raleigh&#x27;s five public squares that were laid out in the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="original plan from 1792" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wral.com/archive/20829660/" data-vars-content-id="d40b872d-ba81-4ce0-b2d2-c236c10d413a" data-vars-headline="Raleigh is in the early stages of renovating Nash Square" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wral.com/archive/20829660/" target="_blank">original plan from 1792</a>, and it sits in the heart of downtown next to Raleigh City Hall.

Development

The owner of a popular bar in Glenwood South is filing a rezoning application to change the allowable height on the property from 7 stories to 40. 

Why it matters: Glenwood South is one of the hottest spots for new development in all of Raleigh and has seen a wave of developers seeking to building higher — including the 37-story Highline Glenwood, which is under construction, and the planned 30-story tower on Peace Street.

Driving the news: The new rezoning application would apply to 425 Glenwood Ave. and 609 Tucker St., according to a neighborhood meeting notice. The two properties are home to Teets Bar and Lucky B's bar.

Those bars are owned by the former Carolina Hurricanes player Bates Battaglia and his brother. Teets was notably the first bar that Hurricanes players brought the Stanley Cup to when they made it back from Las Vegas. 

The neighborhood meeting is planned for Sept. 21 at the Halifax Community Center. The Triangle Business Journal first reported the application. 

Zoom in: The neighborhood meeting notice says that the rezoning is meant to allow for the potential of a larger mixed-use development at the site. 

A rezoning win would also make the property much more valuable. The land currently has an assessed tax value of $2.7 million, according to Wake County records. 

A representative for the property owners did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

Glenwood South bar owner files for 40-story rezoning

Glenwood South continues to be one of the hottest Raleigh neighborhoods for development.

Illustration of the Raleigh skyline with word balloons with question marks popping up from left to right above it. 

Stylized cityscape in yellow-green tones under a blue sky, with several cream speech bubbles containing black exclamation marks floating above buildings.

The owner of a popular bar in Glenwood South is filing a rezoning application to change the allowable height on the property from 7 stories to 40. Why it matters: Glenwood South is one of the hottest spots for new development in all of Raleigh and has seen a wave of developers seeking to building higher — including the 37-story <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Highline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/28/turnbridge-highline-glenwood-tower-construction-start-downtown" data-vars-content-id="ffd54890-60c6-495c-a6c6-6972b04c9209" data-vars-headline="Glenwood South bar owner files for 40-story rezoning" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/28/turnbridge-highline-glenwood-tower-construction-start-downtown" target="_self">Highline</a> Glenwood, which is under construction, and the planned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="30-story tower on Peace Street" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/08/raleigh-city-council-approves-30-story-tower-on-peace-street" data-vars-content-id="ffd54890-60c6-495c-a6c6-6972b04c9209" data-vars-headline="Glenwood South bar owner files for 40-story rezoning" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/08/raleigh-city-council-approves-30-story-tower-on-peace-street" target="_self">30-story tower on Peace Street</a>.

A bar chart that shows fiscal 2025 athletics spending by UNC System schools. UNC-Chapel Hill spends the most at $188 million, followed by NC State at $134 million. East Carolina is at $68 million. The lowest totals are NC Central at $18 million and Western Carolina at $19 million.

Zachery Eanes

Featured stories

Ballooning athletics spending is getting a closer look by the UNC System

Raleigh is considering a six-month moratorium on data centers

Glenwood South bar owner files for 40-story rezoning

Inside the finances of NC's 13th District candidates

Raleigh is in the early stages of renovating Nash Square