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North Carolina faces a degree shortfall in key industries, report finds

The state has identified nursing, engineering and education as critical need industries

Education

North Carolina is not graduating enough students with degrees in several critical industries to meet a growing demand for workers in the state, a new report from the UNC System says. Why it matters: The report makes the case that the state&#x27;s 16 public universities need to produce 5,000 to 10,000 more degrees every year to meet demand from workers, especially in industries like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health care" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/health-worker-shortages-predicted-2028" data-vars-content-id="a2d37f6b-599a-47e6-a6cc-ceb42368abdf" data-vars-headline="North Carolina faces a degree shortfall in key industries, report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/health-worker-shortages-predicted-2028" target="_self">health care</a>, engineering and education.

North Carolina's drought has no end in sight

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

Climate

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.

Raleigh software unicorn Pendo lays off 10% of workforce

The company said the layoffs are needed as the "technology landscape has changed dramatically."

Business

Pendo, one of the few Raleigh tech startups to reach a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="valuation of more than $1 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/07/who-are-the-triangles-unicorn-startups-pendo-epic-teamworks" data-vars-content-id="f6f36b7b-837b-4f08-b148-3aa953dd6bcb" data-vars-headline="Raleigh software unicorn Pendo lays off 10% of workforce" 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/who-are-the-triangles-unicorn-startups-pendo-epic-teamworks" target="_self">valuation of more than $1 billion</a>, is laying off 90 positions, or around 10% of its workforce, a company spokesperson told Axios. Why it matters: Pendo is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest tech company" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/06/tech-layoffs-ai-work" data-vars-content-id="f6f36b7b-837b-4f08-b148-3aa953dd6bcb" data-vars-headline="Raleigh software unicorn Pendo lays off 10% of workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/06/tech-layoffs-ai-work" target="_blank">latest tech company</a> to lay off workers this year, as companies reckon with how AI tools are changing their workforce and strengthening their budgets. <ul><li>Locally, Epic Games also recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced a large round of layoffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/24/epic-games-lays-off-more-than-1000-as-fortnites-popularity-slows" data-vars-content-id="f6f36b7b-837b-4f08-b148-3aa953dd6bcb" data-vars-headline="Raleigh software unicorn Pendo lays off 10% of workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/24/epic-games-lays-off-more-than-1000-as-fortnites-popularity-slows" target="_self">announced a large round of layoffs</a>, including more than 200 at its offices in Cary, due to a slowdown in its businesses. </li></ul>

Kane Realty files plans for 15-story residential tower in North Hills

The new plans comes weeks after the developer won a rezoning from the Raleigh City Council

Development

Roughly two and half months after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winning its rezoning case" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/08/12/triangle-projects-facing-contentious-rezoning-debates-north-hills-northgate-durham-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="05b18a84-9f48-4f4b-9d7b-effa6d3b09ea" data-vars-headline="Kane Realty files plans for 15-story residential tower in North Hills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/08/12/triangle-projects-facing-contentious-rezoning-debates-north-hills-northgate-durham-raleigh" target="_self">winning its rezoning case</a> at the Raleigh City Council, Kane Realty has submitted plans for a new residential tower in North Hills. Why it matters: The rezoning case proved contentious as some residents pushed back against Kane&#x27;s efforts to build taller buildings along Six Forks and Lassiter Mill roads, raising concerns about the area&#x27;s ability to handle increased traffic and shadows cast from new towers.<ul><li>But Kane, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh&#x27;s most prolific developer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/02/whats-next-for-kane-realty-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="05b18a84-9f48-4f4b-9d7b-effa6d3b09ea" data-vars-headline="Kane Realty files plans for 15-story residential tower in North Hills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/02/whats-next-for-kane-realty-in-2026" target="_self">Raleigh&#x27;s most prolific developer</a>, argued additional height was needed to handle the city&#x27;s growing population and North Hills&#x27; status as a magnet for newcomers. </li></ul>

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.

Ice threat rises for Triangle in winter storm's latest forecasts

Ice accumulation could lead to downed trees and power outages across the region.

Snow chances in North Carolina&#x27;s Triangle have faded as the risk of sleet and freezing rain rises sharply.Why it matters: Ice accumulation is expected to cause <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major disruptions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/20/prepare-power-outages-winter-storm-triangle-north-carolina-snow-sleet-ice" data-vars-content-id="7ffd483a-6e26-42af-8660-d80d6c883ccf" data-vars-headline="Ice threat rises for Triangle in winter storm&#x27;s latest forecasts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/20/prepare-power-outages-winter-storm-triangle-north-carolina-snow-sleet-ice" target="_self">major disruptions</a> across the region, making roads dangerous and potentially triggering widespread power outages.

Climate 🌿

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

Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding