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In North Carolina, Trump announces 'big plant.' Details remain scarce.

Sibelco, a quartz mining company, is one of the largest employers in rural Mitchell County.

Business

On stage in Greenville on Tuesday, President Trump touted breaking news for the state of North Carolina. Sibelco, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quartz mining company" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/10/01/hurricane-helene-tech-chip-shortage-spruce-pine-quartz-supply" data-vars-content-id="52d1f7b4-b42f-47c9-bbb7-99e3d4c9ae58" data-vars-headline="In North Carolina, Trump announces &#x27;big plant.&#x27; Details remain scarce." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2024/10/01/hurricane-helene-tech-chip-shortage-spruce-pine-quartz-supply" target="_self">quartz mining company</a> with a big operation in Spruce Pine — more than 300 miles from Greenville — was planning a major expansion. <ul><li>He invited Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on stage to announce the news: &quot;We&#x27;re ​announcing Sibelco is going to build silicon manufacturing. ​It&#x27;s quartz ​manufacturing. It is basically the ‌foundation ⁠of semiconductors,&quot; Lutnick said during the rally, saying it was an investment worth &quot;hundreds of millions of dollars.&quot; </li></ul>

Watch Raleigh scientists uncover a 75-million-year-old dinosaur

Scientists are extracting a rare, nearly complete skeleton that could reveal a new species.

Things to Do

Paleontologists in a downtown Raleigh lab are extracting a 75-million-year-old dinosaur fossil from stone — and anyone can stop by to watch them work.Why it matters: The ostrich-like skeleton being unearthed could be a new dinosaur species, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences" data-vars-click-url="https://www.naturalsciences.org/" data-vars-content-id="60fd58b1-62e4-4547-a699-8581216ae366" data-vars-headline="Watch Raleigh scientists uncover a 75-million-year-old dinosaur" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.naturalsciences.org/" target="_blank">North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences</a> research team.

Spirit Christmas is coming to North Carolina

One Spirit Halloween in North Carolina will turn into a Christmas-themed store.

Every fall, like clockwork, Spirit Halloween stores sprout up across the country, taking over the empty shells of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="former stores like Joann or Big Lots" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/spirit-halloween-store-previous-tenant" data-vars-content-id="cd91d6b0-1d1c-468e-9478-72cd3f236675" data-vars-headline="Spirit Christmas is coming to North Carolina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/24/spirit-halloween-store-previous-tenant" target="_self">former stores like Joann or Big Lots</a>. <ul><li>For the first time in North Carolina, the company behind Spirit will add a new offering: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spirit Christmas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/10/19/spirit-christmas-colonial-heights-virginia-2026" data-vars-content-id="cd91d6b0-1d1c-468e-9478-72cd3f236675" data-vars-headline="Spirit Christmas is coming to North Carolina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/10/19/spirit-christmas-colonial-heights-virginia-2026" target="_self">Spirit Christmas</a>. </li></ul>

Duke Endowment donates $100 million to N.C. Children's Hospital

The gift comes from the Duke Endowment, a Charlotte-based foundation founded by James Buchanan Duke.

Health

The Duke Endowment is donating $100 million toward the creation of the North Carolina Children&#x27;s Hospital in Apex. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jointly run" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/01/28/duke-unc-unveil-new-details-joint-nc-childrens-hospital-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="00bf131d-b038-47a8-9c56-473cfeef5d0d" data-vars-headline="Duke Endowment donates $100 million to N.C. Children&#x27;s Hospital" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/01/28/duke-unc-unveil-new-details-joint-nc-childrens-hospital-north-carolina" target="_self">Jointly run</a> by UNC Health and Duke Health, N.C. Children&#x27;s is one of the largest development efforts in the entire state and would be the first freestanding children&#x27;s hospital in North Carolina. <ul><li>It&#x27;s expected to break ground next year and create 8,000 new jobs once it opens in the early 2030s.</li></ul>

Durham's century-old pink building gets a creative makeover

Boardinghouse Arts has a gallery, recording studio and workspaces inside a century-old building.

A new art gallery in downtown Durham is quickly becoming a gathering spot for creatives.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Boardinghouse Arts" data-vars-click-url="https://boardinghousearts.org/" data-vars-content-id="41996701-0bbc-443d-99b1-9a22cb306e68" data-vars-headline="Durham&#x27;s century-old pink building gets a creative makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://boardinghousearts.org/" target="_blank">Boardinghouse Arts</a>, created by local couple Laura Ritchie and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shirlette Ammons" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/12/09/local-limelight-durham-musician-shirlette-ammons-podcast" data-vars-content-id="41996701-0bbc-443d-99b1-9a22cb306e68" data-vars-headline="Durham&#x27;s century-old pink building gets a creative makeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/12/09/local-limelight-durham-musician-shirlette-ammons-podcast" target="_self">Shirlette Ammons</a>, brings a gallery, recording studio and artist workspaces all under one roof.

Chess is booming in Raleigh as younger players take over

Raleigh's active Chess.com players jumped 67% in a year as the centuries-old game finds new fans.

Culture

Younger adults are now more likely than their elders to play chess, according to recent YouGov <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/47760163.39429/aHR0cHM6Ly95b3Vnb3YuY29tL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzU0OTQzLXdoYXQtYW1lcmljYW5zLXRoaW5rLWFib3V0LWJvYXJkLWdhbWVzP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfcG9ydGxhbmQmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/68c2bf4b2d4e12576f0d465dBc0c3bd91" data-vars-content-id="c5e823b1-3b66-4abe-a883-79ce222e1b89" data-vars-headline="Chess is booming in Raleigh as younger players take over" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/47760163.39429/aHR0cHM6Ly95b3Vnb3YuY29tL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzU0OTQzLXdoYXQtYW1lcmljYW5zLXRoaW5rLWFib3V0LWJvYXJkLWdhbWVzP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1uZXdzbGV0dGVyX2F4aW9zbG9jYWxfcG9ydGxhbmQmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/68c2bf4b2d4e12576f0d465dBc0c3bd91" target="_self">data</a>.Why it matters: The centuries-old game is becoming a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gen Z" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/analog-bag-screen-free-wellness" data-vars-content-id="c5e823b1-3b66-4abe-a883-79ce222e1b89" data-vars-headline="Chess is booming in Raleigh as younger players take over" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/23/analog-bag-screen-free-wellness" target="_self">Gen Z</a> phenomenon.

The Triangle's most popular dog breed

A new report reveals the most popular and trending dog breeds in Raleigh and Durham.

Raleigh and Durham have the same favorite dog breed: the golden retriever.Why it matters: Golden retrievers are likely a familiar sight at the Triangle&#x27;s many <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dog parks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/06/dix-park-big-year-play-plaza-record-attendance-trolls" data-vars-content-id="0bb21881-8430-4a2c-9182-35e64237cf71" data-vars-headline="The Triangle&#x27;s most popular dog breed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/06/dix-park-big-year-play-plaza-record-attendance-trolls" target="_self">dog parks</a> (or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bark Bar in Cary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/05/kid-friendly-activities-triangle-raleigh-durham-chapel-hill" data-vars-content-id="0bb21881-8430-4a2c-9182-35e64237cf71" data-vars-headline="The Triangle&#x27;s most popular dog breed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/05/kid-friendly-activities-triangle-raleigh-durham-chapel-hill" target="_self">The Bark Bar in Cary</a>, perhaps).

The crossword's favorite Eno hits different here

Eno is a crossword staple, but Triangle residents have a 35-mile reason to think beyond Brian.

The name Eno is valuable to crossword constructors — three of the most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="common letters" data-vars-click-url="https://pi.math.cornell.edu/~mec/2003-2004/cryptography/subs/frequencies.html" data-vars-content-id="d89485cd-a9bc-4908-a7d8-e7531120eef0" data-vars-headline="The crossword&#x27;s favorite Eno hits different here" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pi.math.cornell.edu/~mec/2003-2004/cryptography/subs/frequencies.html" target="_blank">common letters</a> in English arranged in a handy vowel-consonant-vowel formation.The big picture: Eno has appeared in hundreds of New York Times crosswords, with clues nearly always referencing ambient electronic musician Brian Eno.<ul><li>He&#x27;s famous, yes, but just esoteric enough <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to stick out" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/NYTCrossword/comments/1nh15ls/why_do_nyt_crossword_writers_like_brian_eno_so/" data-vars-content-id="d89485cd-a9bc-4908-a7d8-e7531120eef0" data-vars-headline="The crossword&#x27;s favorite Eno hits different here" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/NYTCrossword/comments/1nh15ls/why_do_nyt_crossword_writers_like_brian_eno_so/" target="_blank">to stick out</a> as a bit of &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crosswordese" data-vars-click-url="https://www.crosswordese.com/190515_eno.html" data-vars-content-id="d89485cd-a9bc-4908-a7d8-e7531120eef0" data-vars-headline="The crossword&#x27;s favorite Eno hits different here" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.crosswordese.com/190515_eno.html" target="_blank">crosswordese</a>&quot; — language that&#x27;s way more common in puzzles than in real life.</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.

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.

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.

Development

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>