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Ex-Democrats hand North Carolina GOP key votes

Two Mecklenburg lawmakers helped Republicans advance constitutional amendments and override a veto.

Politics

Two former Democrats gave Republicans in the North Carolina House the three-fifths majority they needed for several votes Wednesday, passing a trio of constitutional amendments that will likely appear on ballots across the state in November.Why it matters: Charlotte state Reps. Carla Cunningham and Nasif Majeed having joined the Republican majority Wednesday may have long-term effects, given the high threshold for altering the state constitution.

North Carolina sues VinFast to take back control of Chatham County land

The lawsuit is meant to take back control of the Chatham County land VinFast wanted to build on.

Business

N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson is suing the Vietnamese car maker VinFast, alleging the electric vehicle company breached its agreement with the state to build a manufacturing facility in Chatham County. Why it matters: Announced with much fanfare in 2022, VinFast&#x27;s promise to build a $4 billion EV plant in Chatham County and employ some 7,500 workers has not materialized, according to the lawsuit. <ul><li>The lawsuit is part of an effort by the state to reacquire the 1,765-acre site from VinFast and begin marketing it to new companies. </li></ul>

Why a Raleigh church is rethinking its parking lot's future

Many churches across the country are now using excess land to add affordable housing.

News

One of Raleigh&#x27;s most historic churches, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Edenton Street United Methodist Church" data-vars-click-url="https://www.esumc.org/" data-vars-content-id="9115327a-afae-4966-bbd1-0316fa8cf9e6" data-vars-headline="Why a Raleigh church is rethinking its parking lot&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.esumc.org/" target="_blank">Edenton Street United Methodist Church</a>, is contemplating the future of its downtown parking lot and how it can be best used going forward in a rapidly changing city. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The church&#x27;s 1.2-acre parking lot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.esumc.org/dawsonlot" data-vars-content-id="9115327a-afae-4966-bbd1-0316fa8cf9e6" data-vars-headline="Why a Raleigh church is rethinking its parking lot&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.esumc.org/dawsonlot" target="_blank">The church&#x27;s 1.2-acre parking lot</a> sits in the heart of downtown Raleigh, where the church has been located since the early 1800s.

North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion

The aquarium closes after Memorial Day for a renovation that will add a huge new shark habitat.

<figure><img alt="A shark moves through the screen, its multiple rows of teeth and dead-looking eye nearing the camera lens." height="450" id="10af9e22-a47b-481f-8ca1-65b5730e5a68" src="https://images.axios.com/WCIhcD3MIptV2oxxjZP1B4fDUy0=/2026/05/21/1779378719507.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A sand tiger shark at Fort Fisher Aquarium. Video: Mary Helen Moore/Axios</figcaption></figure>This is the final weekend the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will be open for several years. Why it matters: A lengthy renovation and expansion begins after Memorial Day that will give the already popular destination a new look and make it the state&#x27;s largest aquarium.Zoom in: Today, the aquarium is home to around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="200 species" data-vars-click-url="http://inaturalist.org/guides/1499?page=1" data-vars-content-id="2a2d2d2e-f96d-4944-8fce-fdff17ba1be1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://inaturalist.org/guides/1499?page=1" target="_blank">200 species</a>, many native to North Carolina&#x27;s waters, including sand tiger sharks, an albino alligator and, sometimes, sea turtles. <ul><li>Many of the fish and other animals. including two families of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Asian small-clawed otters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/NCAquariumFF/posts/1332249242280196?ref=embed_post" data-vars-content-id="2a2d2d2e-f96d-4944-8fce-fdff17ba1be1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/NCAquariumFF/posts/1332249242280196?ref=embed_post" target="_blank">Asian small-clawed otters</a>, will remain on-site throughout construction, aquarium staff said.</li><li>Renovations will add a massive 400,000-gallon shark habitat, new touch tanks and more.</li></ul>Driving the news: Construction breaks ground Tuesday. The state says it will take around 30 months, putting completion in late 2028. <ul><li>North Carolina has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two other state-run aquariums" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaquariums.com/" data-vars-content-id="2a2d2d2e-f96d-4944-8fce-fdff17ba1be1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaquariums.com/" target="_blank">two other state-run aquariums</a>, but Fort Fisher is the closest one to the Triangle.</li><li>Fort Fisher&#x27;s Civil War-era historic site and beach access both will remain open.</li></ul>By the numbers: The aquarium had about 474,000 visitors in 2025.If you go: Aquarium entry continues <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="9am-5pm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncaquariums.com/visit-fort-fisher" data-vars-content-id="2a2d2d2e-f96d-4944-8fce-fdff17ba1be1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Aquarium closing for yearslong expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncaquariums.com/visit-fort-fisher" target="_blank">9am-5pm</a> through Monday. Adult tickets cost $15.<ul><li>The drive from Wilmington takes about 30 minutes. </li><li>900 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach</li></ul><figure><img alt="View of visitors, including many children, as they view various fish in a tank at the Fort Fisher Aquarium, Kure Beach, North Carolina, 1997. " height="3125" id="eb139a25-ff97-4611-841b-fc98a2b44e19" src="https://images.axios.com/dMbGQ11G1AI8i0MxbapijzwHlhA=/2026/05/21/1779385682123.jpeg" width="4800"/><figcaption>The Fort Fisher aquarium in 1997. Photo: Brownie Harris/Corbis via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>

Raleigh to add new water restrictions due to ongoing drought

Raleigh last had mandatory water restrictions in 2008, according to the city

Climate

Raleigh will institute <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Stage 1 water restrictions" data-vars-click-url="https://raleighnc.gov/water-and-sewer/services/water-supply-status-and-conservation-stages" data-vars-content-id="514826b7-5102-467c-968a-3f677362d3ea" data-vars-headline="Raleigh to add new water restrictions due to ongoing drought" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://raleighnc.gov/water-and-sewer/services/water-supply-status-and-conservation-stages" target="_blank">Stage 1 water restrictions</a> starting on Monday due to drought conditions affecting its main reservoir at Falls Lake. Why it matters: All of North Carolina is experiencing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="severe drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/10/drought-north-carolina-farming-water-supply-rain-dry" data-vars-content-id="514826b7-5102-467c-968a-3f677362d3ea" data-vars-headline="Raleigh to add new water restrictions due to ongoing drought" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/10/drought-north-carolina-farming-water-supply-rain-dry" target="_self">severe drought</a> this spring, and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh area" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.87946000000005&amp;lon=-78.78709999999995#.Yzbp9OzMJO9" data-vars-content-id="514826b7-5102-467c-968a-3f677362d3ea" data-vars-headline="Raleigh to add new water restrictions due to ongoing drought" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.87946000000005&amp;lon=-78.78709999999995#.Yzbp9OzMJO9" target="_blank">Raleigh area</a> is not expected to get significant rainfall this week.

North Carolina's drought has no end in sight

Stream levels are at all-time lows as farmers enter the spring planting season.

North Carolina&#x27;s statewide drought is getting worse, and weather forecasters don&#x27;t expect any rain to help ease the strain this week. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="soil is extremely dry" data-vars-click-url="https://climate.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/NASA_SPoRT-LIS_0-10cm_pctl_2026-03-31.gif" data-vars-content-id="6fe7d53c-354d-4df0-a2b5-3c5c59420759" data-vars-headline="North Carolina&#x27;s drought has no end in sight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://climate.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/NASA_SPoRT-LIS_0-10cm_pctl_2026-03-31.gif" target="_blank">soil is extremely dry</a> as farmers enter the main <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="planting season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/06/central-nc-spring-planting-season-drought-raleigh-wake-durham-chapel-hill-seed-libraries" data-vars-content-id="6fe7d53c-354d-4df0-a2b5-3c5c59420759" data-vars-headline="North Carolina&#x27;s drought has no end in sight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/06/central-nc-spring-planting-season-drought-raleigh-wake-durham-chapel-hill-seed-libraries" target="_self">planting season</a>, and as groundwater levels drop, some communities are taking water conservation measures.

North Carolina startup Plantd bets on grass to cut construction emissions

The Oxford-based company is scaling a fast-growing grass product to replace wood panels in homes.

North Carolina company Plantd is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="raising big bucks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/04/north-carolina-venture-capital-startup-funding-pitchbook" data-vars-content-id="c711e89b-5692-4303-ae8d-fcf1cc246b86" data-vars-headline="North Carolina startup Plantd bets on grass to cut construction emissions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/04/north-carolina-venture-capital-startup-funding-pitchbook" target="_self">raising big bucks</a> to scale up production of a carbon-negative building material made with its own crop of fast-growing grasses.Why it matters: Globally, the buildings and construction industry is &quot;by far&quot; the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="United Nations Environment Programme" data-vars-click-url="https://www.unep.org/resources/report/building-materials-and-climate-constructing-new-future" data-vars-content-id="c711e89b-5692-4303-ae8d-fcf1cc246b86" data-vars-headline="North Carolina startup Plantd bets on grass to cut construction emissions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.unep.org/resources/report/building-materials-and-climate-constructing-new-future" target="_blank">United Nations Environment Programme</a>.

North Carolina gardeners kick off spring planting amid drought

After a dry winter, experts say improving weather could steady soon.

Things to Do

If you were considering planting a garden this spring, now&#x27;s the time to put those plans into action.Why it matters: Central North Carolina&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spring planting season" data-vars-click-url="https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/central-north-carolina-planting-calendar-for-annual-vegetables-fruits-and-herbs" data-vars-content-id="98779f56-79a0-42cd-94ce-db6e73fe1db3" data-vars-headline="North Carolina gardeners kick off spring planting amid drought" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/central-north-carolina-planting-calendar-for-annual-vegetables-fruits-and-herbs" target="_blank">spring planting season</a> is getting underway in the midst of a months-long drought, though meteorologists believe weather conditions are improving.

Duke Energy is betting new battery-storage facilities will help it use more renewable energy

Battery storage helps energy companies deploy solar power when it is most needed.

If Duke Energy intends to meet a state-mandated goal of being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="carbon neutral by 2050" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/01/duke-energy-plan-will-delay-coal-retirements-and-study-more-nuclear-plants" data-vars-content-id="8f6d66bd-8233-48ba-b915-c3d292d14e2e" data-vars-headline="Duke Energy is betting new battery-storage facilities will help it use more renewable energy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/01/duke-energy-plan-will-delay-coal-retirements-and-study-more-nuclear-plants" target="_self">carbon neutral by 2050</a>, then it&#x27;s going to need to build more large-scale battery facilities like the one it recently opened in the suburbs of Raleigh.Why it matters: The new battery-storage facility in Knightdale can run 100 megawatts of power for up to two hours, and represents nearly half of all of Duke Energy&#x27;s battery storage built in the state so far. <ul><li>That&#x27;s the equivalent of powering up to 70,000 homes for two hours, and it&#x27;s a critical technology for making sure solar power can be used when it is most needed, like early mornings in the winter before the sun rises. </li></ul>

Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding

Renovations are ongoing at many businesses, while others have closed completely.

More than seven months after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Chantal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-north-south-carolina-flood" data-vars-content-id="1cc3490d-4976-4d4f-a3fa-bca1c4e5b2b0" data-vars-headline="Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-north-south-carolina-flood" target="_self">Tropical Storm Chantal</a> significantly flooded parts of Chapel Hill, businesses at the popular Eastgate Crossing shopping center are still working to clean up the mess.Why it matters: The lingering effects of Chantal, which dumped more than 7 inches of rain in 12 hours, have shown just how damaging <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fast-forming tropical storms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-tropical-weather-triangle-north-carolina-carrboro-chapel-hill-durham" data-vars-content-id="1cc3490d-4976-4d4f-a3fa-bca1c4e5b2b0" data-vars-headline="Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-tropical-weather-triangle-north-carolina-carrboro-chapel-hill-durham" target="_self">fast-forming tropical storms</a> can be amid intensifying climate change.<ul><li>Chantal caused <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more than $56 million worth of damage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article310619555.html" data-vars-content-id="1cc3490d-4976-4d4f-a3fa-bca1c4e5b2b0" data-vars-headline="Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article310619555.html" target="_blank">more than $56 million worth of damage</a> in Orange County, much of that at Eastgate Crossing. </li></ul>

Cold stuns fish on North Carolina coast

Unusually cold temperatures are killing fish and triggering a harvest ban.

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is closing the season on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spotted seatrout" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/26/north-carolina-recreational-fishing-flounder-red-drum-striped-bass-spotted-trout" data-vars-content-id="ba9cbf0a-f7a5-4390-86f0-dde42043a89c" data-vars-headline="Cold stuns fish on North Carolina coast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/26/north-carolina-recreational-fishing-flounder-red-drum-striped-bass-spotted-trout" target="_self">spotted seatrout</a> because so many of the fish are dying from the cold.Why it matters: The recent stretch of unusually frigid temperatures is having an impact on wildlife throughout the South, especially fish and reptiles.

Triangle's first major snowstorm in years expected this weekend

Snowfall will vary by location, but all of North Carolina will see freezing temps and strong winds.

Forecasters believe central North Carolina will get more snow this weekend than it has in years.Why it matters: The National Weather Service in Raleigh says most models are calling for 5 to 10 inches of snowfall — which in some places will coat ice stubbornly lingering from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last weekend&#x27;s winter storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/26/raleigh-winter-storm-forecast-vs-reality-ice-sleet" data-vars-content-id="5d116d31-50ba-490f-91a5-6cfb64fba93b" data-vars-headline="Triangle&#x27;s first major snowstorm in years expected this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/26/raleigh-winter-storm-forecast-vs-reality-ice-sleet" target="_self">last weekend&#x27;s winter storm</a>.

How Duke Energy plans to keep outages from happening on the coldest nights of the year

Temperatures in the teens this week will put a strain on the grid

Duke Energy&#x27;s power infrastructure kept the lights on without major disruptions for most of central North Carolina during a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sleet storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/22/triangle-north-carolina-ice-storm-threat-latest-forecast" data-vars-content-id="fb1a5f52-0da7-4da2-9919-da400ea95317" data-vars-headline="How Duke Energy plans to keep outages from happening on the coldest nights of the year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/22/triangle-north-carolina-ice-storm-threat-latest-forecast" target="_self">sleet storm</a> over the weekend. Why it matters: But the system will continue to be tested by some of the coldest temperatures we have seen this winter, with lows in the teens nearly every night this week.

Why Raleigh dodged the worst of the winter storm

Forecasts warned of widespread ice accumulation — but stubborn cold air favored sleet over freezing rain.

Last weekend&#x27;s winter storm fell short of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dire forecasts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/22/triangle-north-carolina-ice-storm-threat-latest-forecast" data-vars-content-id="cb7dce32-e395-4622-b08f-676156cb9419" data-vars-headline="Why Raleigh dodged the worst of the winter storm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/22/triangle-north-carolina-ice-storm-threat-latest-forecast" target="_self">dire forecasts</a> in Raleigh, sparing the region from the widespread ice damage and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="power outages" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/electricity-grid-holding-up-storm-demand" data-vars-content-id="cb7dce32-e395-4622-b08f-676156cb9419" data-vars-headline="Why Raleigh dodged the worst of the winter storm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/electricity-grid-holding-up-storm-demand" target="_self">power outages</a> many feared.Why it matters: Dodging the worst-case scenario this time may undercut urgency ahead of the next winter storm — when the region might not be as lucky.

Climate 🌿

Raleigh to add new water restrictions due to ongoing drought

North Carolina's drought has no end in sight

North Carolina startup Plantd bets on grass to cut construction emissions

North Carolina gardeners kick off spring planting amid drought

Duke Energy is betting new battery-storage facilities will help it use more renewable energy