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The state could finally sell the old Rex hospital 

The former Rex Hospital has been owned by the state since 1981

Business

The old Rex Hospital in Raleigh could be sold by the state next year after years of speculation about the future of the Wade Avenue property. Why it matters: The nearly 16-acre property, between the Village District and Hayes Barton, could become one of Raleigh&#x27;s most attractive redevelopment sites. <ul><li>The property currently has an assessed value of $58.3 million, according to Wake County records. </li></ul>

Two new Durham restaurants will share one home

A coffee and pastry shop will become a wine bar at night, alongside an upscale tasting menu.

Food and Drink

Durham is set to get two new restaurants in the spring — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Vinter and The Baker" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/vintnerbaker/" data-vars-content-id="6b7c319b-0e08-4140-b1c7-78dfa16a2105" data-vars-headline="Two new Durham restaurants will share one home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/vintnerbaker/" target="_blank">The Vinter and The Baker</a>, which will serve coffee and pastries by day and wine and small plates at night, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Restaurant Cornelia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.corneliadurham.com/" data-vars-content-id="6b7c319b-0e08-4140-b1c7-78dfa16a2105" data-vars-headline="Two new Durham restaurants will share one home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.corneliadurham.com/" target="_blank">Restaurant Cornelia</a>, which will offer evening fine dining.Why it matters: The sister concepts will provide all-day food options in a neighborhood just north of downtown.

Hurricanes' Slavin invests in Prime Barbecue's expansion

Prime STQ is expected to open in Research Triangle Park next Spring.

Fresh off winning a Stanley Cup, Carolina Hurricanes star Jaccob Slavin&#x27;s next career move is to partner in one of the most hotly anticipated restaurant openings in the Triangle. Why it matters: Prieto&#x27;s beloved Knightdale restaurant, Prime Barbecue, is in the process of expanding to the Hub RTP development in Research Triangle Park. <ul><li>The new restaurant, called <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Prime STQ" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/11/18/prime-barbecue-founder-to-open-new-restaurant-in-research-triangle-park" data-vars-content-id="a829c80f-8114-48e3-bc9a-4c39a1676845" data-vars-headline="Hurricanes&#x27; Slavin invests in Prime Barbecue&#x27;s expansion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/11/18/prime-barbecue-founder-to-open-new-restaurant-in-research-triangle-park" target="_self">Prime STQ</a>, is being billed as a combination of a barbecue joint and a classic steakhouse. </li></ul>

A plan for an elevated walkway to Dix Park gains momentum

The elevated walkway would travel between the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts and Dix Park.

Development

An ambitious effort to connect downtown Raleigh to Dix Park via an elevated walkway is gaining momentum. Why it matters: For years, city leaders have been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="working through ideas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/11/06/raleigh-gondola-connects-dix-park-downtown" data-vars-content-id="49e3b1b9-36d1-41a8-9ff6-0ac520580c98" data-vars-headline="A plan for an elevated walkway to Dix Park gains momentum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/11/06/raleigh-gondola-connects-dix-park-downtown" target="_self">working through ideas</a> of how to best connect the 300-acre Dix Park to downtown proper. <ul><li>Though the park is just one mile from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh Union Station" data-vars-click-url="https://raleighnc.gov/transit-streets-and-sidewalks/places/raleigh-union-station" data-vars-content-id="49e3b1b9-36d1-41a8-9ff6-0ac520580c98" data-vars-headline="A plan for an elevated walkway to Dix Park gains momentum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://raleighnc.gov/transit-streets-and-sidewalks/places/raleigh-union-station" target="_blank">Raleigh Union Station</a>, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="four-lane road" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2022/08/16/the-western-wall-of-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="49e3b1b9-36d1-41a8-9ff6-0ac520580c98" data-vars-headline="A plan for an elevated walkway to Dix Park gains momentum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2022/08/16/the-western-wall-of-raleigh" target="_self">four-lane road</a> makes it tricky for pedestrians and cyclists to get there.</li></ul>

UNC displays 500-year-old copy of "The Odyssey"

The rare 1517 edition offers a centuries-old connection to this summer's blockbuster moment.

Things to Do

UNC-Chapel Hill is in possession of a very old, Renaissance-era copy of &quot;The Odyssey,&quot; and the book is now on display in a campus library. Why it matters: The ancient story&#x27;s turn as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer blockbuster" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/odyssey-imax-christopher-nolan" data-vars-content-id="d06fe4f9-c27e-43e6-a54a-30584573e1f5" data-vars-headline="UNC displays 500-year-old copy of &quot;The Odyssey&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/odyssey-imax-christopher-nolan" target="_self">summer blockbuster</a> has brought it back to the forefront of global culture, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 3,000 years after" data-vars-click-url="https://www.history.com/articles/phrases-odyssey-homer" data-vars-content-id="d06fe4f9-c27e-43e6-a54a-30584573e1f5" data-vars-headline="UNC displays 500-year-old copy of &quot;The Odyssey&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.history.com/articles/phrases-odyssey-homer" target="_blank">nearly 3,000 years after</a> its debut.

Pornhub plots return to North Carolina browsers 

The site argues age verification laws miss their goal and expose adults' personal information instead.

Politics

Pornhub is hoping to return to North Carolinians&#x27; web browsers and search histories by challenging the state&#x27;s age verification rules for porn sites.Why it matters: It&#x27;s been nearly three years since residents could directly access one of the biggest names in online pornography.

N.C. Museum of Art director departing for Guggenheim Abu Dhabi 

Valerie Hillings had led the N.C. Museum of Art since 2018.

Culture

The North Carolina Museum of Art&#x27;s director, Valerie Hillings, is departing the Raleigh-based museum to become the first director of the new Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum. Why it matters: The N.C. Museum of Art, one of the Triangle&#x27;s and the state&#x27;s leading cultural institutions, will now hire a search firm to find Hillings&#x27; permanent replacement.

CAM Raleigh's downtown building being put up for sale

CAM Raleigh, which has been at the location since 2010, is considering what future operations look like.

A prominent piece of property in downtown Raleigh&#x27;s Warehouse District is going up for sale. Why it matters: The Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh — commonly known as CAM Raleigh — is selling its museum building while the organization determines its path forward in the city.

Local Limelight: Carrboro author Elisa Faison

Her debut novel "Skin Contact" earned praise from major outlets. She shares what's next.

Carrboro-based author <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Elisa Faison&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.elisafaison.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4f806e6-ad35-42ea-b0b2-c7604c68129c" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Carrboro author Elisa Faison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.elisafaison.com/" target="_blank">Elisa Faison&#x27;s</a> recently published novel &quot;Skin Contact&quot; is drawing national attention a month after its release.Why it matters: Literary buzz from major publications, including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The New York Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/books/review/summer-fiction-preview.html?unlocked_article_code=1.11A.uOm4._af6sIl5XqjY&amp;smid=url-share" data-vars-content-id="f4f806e6-ad35-42ea-b0b2-c7604c68129c" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Carrboro author Elisa Faison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/books/review/summer-fiction-preview.html?unlocked_article_code=1.11A.uOm4._af6sIl5XqjY&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BBC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20260106-the-40-most-exciting-books-to-look-forward-to-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="f4f806e6-ad35-42ea-b0b2-c7604c68129c" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Carrboro author Elisa Faison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20260106-the-40-most-exciting-books-to-look-forward-to-in-2026" target="_blank">BBC</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Financial Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ft.com/content/84ead41e-ba5f-4770-9170-ed2a5dd68780" data-vars-content-id="f4f806e6-ad35-42ea-b0b2-c7604c68129c" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Carrboro author Elisa Faison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ft.com/content/84ead41e-ba5f-4770-9170-ed2a5dd68780" target="_blank">Financial Times</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Marie Claire" data-vars-click-url="https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/books/books-about-nonmonogamy-polyamory-open-marriage/" data-vars-content-id="f4f806e6-ad35-42ea-b0b2-c7604c68129c" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Carrboro author Elisa Faison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/books/books-about-nonmonogamy-polyamory-open-marriage/" target="_blank">Marie Claire</a>, is shining a national spotlight on the debut novelist.

Empanadas in the Triangle for Messi

Makus Empanadas serves traditional Argentine cuisine in Raleigh and Durham.

News

Our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/29/wake-forest-norse-brewing-scandinavian-food-beer" data-vars-content-id="bdbe39c3-1704-417e-a55a-c8a307660b40" data-vars-headline="Empanadas in the Triangle for Messi" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/29/wake-forest-norse-brewing-scandinavian-food-beer" target="_self">World</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/17/joining-the-karavan" data-vars-content-id="bdbe39c3-1704-417e-a55a-c8a307660b40" data-vars-headline="Empanadas in the Triangle for Messi" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/17/joining-the-karavan" target="_self">Cup</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/22/a-taste-of-senegal-in-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="bdbe39c3-1704-417e-a55a-c8a307660b40" data-vars-headline="Empanadas in the Triangle for Messi" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/22/a-taste-of-senegal-in-raleigh" target="_self">eats</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="series" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/02/a-detour-to-portugal-in-fuquay-varina" data-vars-content-id="bdbe39c3-1704-417e-a55a-c8a307660b40" data-vars-headline="Empanadas in the Triangle for Messi" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/02/a-detour-to-portugal-in-fuquay-varina" target="_self">series</a> heads next to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Makus Empanadas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.makusempanadas.com/" data-vars-content-id="bdbe39c3-1704-417e-a55a-c8a307660b40" data-vars-headline="Empanadas in the Triangle for Messi" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.makusempanadas.com/" target="_blank">Makus Empanadas</a>, a no-frills restaurant serving some of the Triangle&#x27;s best empanadas.Driving the news: Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, stayed alive with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an epic comeback" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/08/miami-fans-react-to-argentina-comeback-win" data-vars-content-id="bdbe39c3-1704-417e-a55a-c8a307660b40" data-vars-headline="Empanadas in the Triangle for Messi" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/07/08/miami-fans-react-to-argentina-comeback-win" target="_self">an epic comeback</a> over Egypt earlier this week — making this the perfect time to sample Argentine cuisine.Zoom in: The Durham location is in a Hope Valley strip mall. Makus is pronounced &quot;make us&quot; — as in &quot;please make us some empanadas.&quot;<ul><li>Interior walls are lined with photos of the founders — best friends who grew up in Argentina — as well as star Argentine athletes like Messi, his predecessor Diego Maradona, and basketball player Manu Ginóbili.</li></ul>Best bites: The menu centers on empanadas ($4.25 each), baked pockets of dough filled with meat, veggies or cheese. They arrive piping hot, stamped with letters indicating what&#x27;s enclosed.<ul><li>Our favorites were the ham and cheese, spinach and pork chimichurri.</li><li>We also loved the chipa ($4.75 for four rolls), circular cheesy bread that is addictively chewy inside thanks to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tapioca starch" data-vars-click-url="https://theargentineexperience.com/blog/argentine-chipa-recipe-what-is-it/" data-vars-content-id="bdbe39c3-1704-417e-a55a-c8a307660b40" data-vars-headline="Empanadas in the Triangle for Messi" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theargentineexperience.com/blog/argentine-chipa-recipe-what-is-it/" target="_blank">tapioca starch</a>.</li></ul>⚽️ What&#x27;s next: The World Cup is being narrowed to a field of four this weekend. Winners will join <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="France/Morocco" data-vars-click-url="https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/live/world-cup-bracket-schedule-scores-results-live-updates-quarterfinals-203257966.html" data-vars-content-id="bdbe39c3-1704-417e-a55a-c8a307660b40" data-vars-headline="Empanadas in the Triangle for Messi" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/live/world-cup-bracket-schedule-scores-results-live-updates-quarterfinals-203257966.html" target="_blank">France/Morocco</a> in the semifinals:<ul><li>Spain vs. Belgium Friday at 3pm.</li><li>Norway vs. England Saturday at 5pm.</li><li>Argentina vs. Switzerland Saturday at 9pm.</li></ul>If you go: There are two Makus locations:<ul><li>411 W. Morgan St., Raleigh (inside Morgan Street Food Hall).</li><li>1125 N.C. 54 #304, Durham.</li></ul>

Key absences help Republicans override Stein vetoes

Votes had been stalled for months before lawmakers advanced immigration and DEI measures.

North Carolina House Republicans overrode Gov. Josh Stein&#x27;s vetoes on several controversial pieces of legislation on Wednesday.Why it matters: The overrides advance Republican priorities on immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion. Votes were stalled for months because no unaffiliated or Democratic members would support them.

Artspace celebrates 40 years of giving artists space in downtown Raleigh

Built in the former city livery, Artspace today is a hive of artistry that many people may accidentally skip over.

Back in 1986, the city of Raleigh had an idea to use the arts as a way to make downtown more vibrant — a topic that was pertinent then and remains <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="top of mind today" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/08/28/downtown-raleigh-revitalizing-dix-park-recovery-pandemic-design" data-vars-content-id="65b5d492-92db-4de1-906f-4d96bcd36380" data-vars-headline="Artspace celebrates 40 years of giving artists space in downtown Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/08/28/downtown-raleigh-revitalizing-dix-park-recovery-pandemic-design" target="_self">top of mind today</a>. <ul><li>Then it was the City Market area that was decaying and becoming an eyesore, and leaders like Raleigh Mayor Smedes York threw their support behind art as a way to turn the area around. </li></ul>Why it matters: 40 years later, that idea continues to have legs, as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artspace" data-vars-click-url="https://artspacenc.org/our-story/" data-vars-content-id="65b5d492-92db-4de1-906f-4d96bcd36380" data-vars-headline="Artspace celebrates 40 years of giving artists space in downtown Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://artspacenc.org/our-story/" target="_blank">Artspace</a>, a nonprofit that provides subsidized studio spaces for artists and exhibitions in the heart of downtown, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

Local Limelight: Musician Shirlette Ammons is out with a new podcast

"Tending" tells the story of Black farmers billion-dollar battle against the USDA.

The Durham-based host of the new podcast &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tending" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tendingpodcast.com/" data-vars-content-id="4b8992d2-8141-4c12-a13a-f0a1b54d31e3" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Musician Shirlette Ammons is out with a new podcast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tendingpodcast.com/" target="_blank">Tending</a>&quot; introduces herself the same way each time.<ul><li>&quot;My name is Shirlette Ammons. I&#x27;m a musician and storyteller,&quot; she drawls, pausing momentarily. &quot;Most importantly, I&#x27;m the granddaughter of a Black farmer.&quot;</li></ul>Why it matters: The six-episode series — now available on the Southern food podcast <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gravy" data-vars-click-url="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gravy/id938456371" data-vars-content-id="4b8992d2-8141-4c12-a13a-f0a1b54d31e3" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Musician Shirlette Ammons is out with a new podcast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gravy/id938456371" target="_blank">Gravy</a> — digs into the stories of Black farmers and their fight for equal treatment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The life of a Taylor Swift app created in Durham

Swift Alert has 2.5 million downloads since its Eras Tour-origin.

New Taylor Swift music, for Durham-based serial entrepreneur Kyle Mumma, always comes with a little bit of anxiety. <ul><li>&quot;Is it going to be as good as it always is? And fortunately, it always is,&quot; Mumma says.</li><li>But there are also the other Swifties to think about. </li></ul>Why it matters: Mumma and his wife, Mia Wise, created the wildly popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Swift Alert" data-vars-click-url="https://www.swiftalert.online/" data-vars-content-id="500685e3-8b2e-4749-befe-d3135ae57b0d" data-vars-headline="The life of a Taylor Swift app created in Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.swiftalert.online/" target="_blank">Swift Alert</a> app, with 2.5 million downloads and counting.<ul><li>Swift&#x27;s new album <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" &quot;The Life of a Showgirl&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://store.taylorswift.com/collections/the-life-of-a-showgirl?srsltid=AfmBOorikbTQWmK28mX9sx4M5jQWyxL0FJN33pF_RPXLJYPG9TTT-Dr-" data-vars-content-id="500685e3-8b2e-4749-befe-d3135ae57b0d" data-vars-headline="The life of a Taylor Swift app created in Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://store.taylorswift.com/collections/the-life-of-a-showgirl?srsltid=AfmBOorikbTQWmK28mX9sx4M5jQWyxL0FJN33pF_RPXLJYPG9TTT-Dr-" target="_blank"> &quot;The Life of a Showgirl&quot;</a> debuted Friday.</li></ul>