Raleigh

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Raleigh with Mary Helen Moore and Zachery Eanes.

Axios Raleigh

Standard

Raleigh Alerts

Alert

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Raleigh.

Axios Raleigh Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Raleigh Partners

Raleigh Members

Membership

Asheville's Helene recovery gets global G20 spotlight

More than 1,000 visitors are expected in the western North Carolina town hit hard by Helene.

Politics

This weekend, a G20 summit in Asheville will draw finance ministers, economic leaders and heavy-hitting CEOs from around the world.Why it matters: Choosing the Blue Ridge Mountains for the summit is a strategic show of support from the Trump administration for a region still healing from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Helene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/26/a-year-on-from-helene" data-vars-content-id="b53e4917-633f-44d4-87fe-cc758283547b" data-vars-headline="Asheville&#x27;s Helene recovery gets global G20 spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/26/a-year-on-from-helene" target="_self">Tropical Storm Helene</a>.

UNC Health rebrands startup investment arm, adds $125M

Founded as Rex Health Ventures, UNC Health's investment arm has invested in 30 companies.

Business

UNC Health is rebranding its investment arm and giving it $125 million in additional capital to put money into more health care startups. Why it matters: The move will give the health care system around $125 million to invest in startups over the next decade, according to Anita Watkins, who leads UNC Health&#x27;s venture capital efforts.

America's meetup boom can be seen in Raleigh, too

From birdwatching to mahjong, Raleighites are trying to meet people IRL.

Things to Do

Young people raised on swiping, DMing and streaming are doing something bold: going out.Why it matters: Amid a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="loneliness epidemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/15/depression-living-alone-national-health" data-vars-content-id="d6a1be1a-794f-4778-b786-ae2e737c2f0f" data-vars-headline="America&#x27;s meetup boom can be seen in Raleigh, too" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/15/depression-living-alone-national-health" target="_self">loneliness epidemic</a>, millennials and Gen Zers are craving IRL connection — enough to show up for meetups built around activities once considered solitary, or &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grandma hobbies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/needlepoint-grandma-hobbies-tiktok" data-vars-content-id="d6a1be1a-794f-4778-b786-ae2e737c2f0f" data-vars-headline="America&#x27;s meetup boom can be seen in Raleigh, too" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/needlepoint-grandma-hobbies-tiktok" target="_self">grandma hobbies</a>.&quot;

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.

Christina Koch brings memories of the Moon to Raleigh

Back in Raleigh, the Artemis II astronaut shared what she remembers most about nine days around the Moon.

Education

Nearly five months ago, a spaceship carrying four people thundered past the Moon and farther into space than humans had ever traveled.Why it matters: Everyone aboard earned their spot in the history books, including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NASA astronaut Christina Koch" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/03/north-carolina-astronaut-christina-koch-artemis-ii-moon-mission" data-vars-content-id="322eec51-0144-4a46-a34e-25043ad6f4c5" data-vars-headline="Christina Koch brings memories of the Moon to Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/03/north-carolina-astronaut-christina-koch-artemis-ii-moon-mission" target="_self">NASA astronaut Christina Koch</a>, who spent her youth in North Carolina&#x27;s public schools and her college years at N.C. State.Driving the news: And on Monday, Koch came back to Raleigh for an official homecoming trip.

UNC looks to place athletics in an LLC

UNC would join a trend of universities across the country of placing athletics into separate entitites.

Sports

UNC-Chapel Hill trustees are considering putting the university&#x27;s athletics department into a separate entity owned by the school — a move its athletic director said could help maximize revenue. Why it matters: As college sports move into a more professional and expensive direction, some colleges across the country are spinning their athletics into limited liability companies.

School's back already? Not in most of North Carolina

More districts are defying North Carolina's calendar law, while Triangle schools are complying.

Hundreds of traditional schools in North Carolina are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reopening this week" data-vars-click-url="https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/meetings/TempFolder/Meetings/SBE%20Report%20260513_472619vxikr0nfgubaaxcbuyi5ag1b.pdf" data-vars-content-id="e45bc08d-d67f-4c85-a2cf-a5619264842f" data-vars-headline="School&#x27;s back already? Not in most of North Carolina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/meetings/TempFolder/Meetings/SBE%20Report%20260513_472619vxikr0nfgubaaxcbuyi5ag1b.pdf" target="_blank">reopening this week</a> despite a state law barring them from starting classes before Aug. 24.Why it matters: America&#x27;s start-of-school season stretches nearly two months. Gone are the days of a shared &quot;back-to-school&quot; moment.

Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship's spending rise

The Opportunity Scholarship program has grown significantly in North Carolina.

North Carolina&#x27;s funding of Opportunity Scholarships has reached $589 million this year, with taxpayer money now going to more than 100,000 students at private schools, according to data from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncseaa.edu/opportunity-scholarship-summary-of-data/" data-vars-content-id="7952fc62-45f0-4a64-8361-9891dcbf9d0f" data-vars-headline="Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship&#x27;s spending rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncseaa.edu/opportunity-scholarship-summary-of-data/" target="_blank">North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority</a>.Why it matters: The amount of money flowing into the voucher program has grown significantly since 2024, when the state legislature <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expanded the eligibility requirements" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/12/numbers-fully-funded-school-voucher-program-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="7952fc62-45f0-4a64-8361-9891dcbf9d0f" data-vars-headline="Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship&#x27;s spending rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/12/numbers-fully-funded-school-voucher-program-north-carolina" target="_self">expanded the eligibility requirements</a> for families able to use the program. <ul><li>The program has been a priority of state Republicans, who view it as a way to give families more educational choices. Spending is expected to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continue growing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/05/06/north-carolina-republicans-move-to-add-250-million-to-private-school-vouchers" data-vars-content-id="7952fc62-45f0-4a64-8361-9891dcbf9d0f" data-vars-headline="Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship&#x27;s spending rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/05/06/north-carolina-republicans-move-to-add-250-million-to-private-school-vouchers" target="_self">continue growing</a>. </li><li>Democrats and teacher associations have opposed the program for sapping money away from public education. </li></ul>Driving the news: The state auditor&#x27;s office, led by Republican Dave Boliek, said in May that it is conducting an audit of the program, which it expects to release later this year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The News &amp; Observer reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article315940381.html" data-vars-content-id="7952fc62-45f0-4a64-8361-9891dcbf9d0f" data-vars-headline="Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship&#x27;s spending rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article315940381.html" target="_blank">The News &amp; Observer reported</a>. Zoom in: The school that receives the most money from the program is located in Raleigh, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per the Triangle Business Journal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/06/03/north-carolina-private-school-vouchers-scholarship.html" data-vars-content-id="7952fc62-45f0-4a64-8361-9891dcbf9d0f" data-vars-headline="Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship&#x27;s spending rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2026/06/03/north-carolina-private-school-vouchers-scholarship.html" target="_blank">per the Triangle Business Journal</a>. <ul><li>North Raleigh Christian Academy received nearly $6.3 million in Opportunity Scholarship vouchers for the 2025-2026 school year. </li></ul>

The AI talent shortage is creating new pathways in tech

Businesses are adopting AI faster than the workforce can keep pace.

Partners

Businesses are adopting AI faster than they can find workers with the skills to deploy it.Why it&#x27;s important: The conversation surrounding AI technology is shifting from job replacement to worker adaptation.The World Economic Forum projects AI may displace 92 million jobs globally by 2030, but will simultaneously create 170 million new roles for a net gain of 78 million positions, with technology, data and AI among the fastest-growing roles.<ul><li>Many of those jobs will require workers who understand how AI systems work in real environments.</li></ul>

Some North Carolina schools still lack AEDs as lawmakers push bill

Advocates say quick access to AEDs can help save students during cardiac emergencies.

North Carolina lawmakers are considering requiring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AEDs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/21/north-carolina-911-drone-defibrillator" data-vars-content-id="1f389ccf-67b0-4f16-b7cb-a5f120894d36" data-vars-headline="Some North Carolina schools still lack AEDs as lawmakers push bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/21/north-carolina-911-drone-defibrillator" target="_self">AEDs</a> on every public school campus.Why it matters: During cardiac arrest, getting a shock from a defibrillator in time can be the difference between life and death.

Commencement surprise: Debt relief for N.C. State grads

The gift honors Prakash Chand Kochhar, who immigrated from India to Raleigh 80 years ago to study textiles.

A donor surprised around 200 N.C. State students at their graduation Friday with a promise to erase all debt they took on during the current school year.Why it matters: The gift from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Anil and Marilyn Kochhar" data-vars-click-url="https://axenehp.com/consultants/anil-kochhar-asa-maaa/" data-vars-content-id="92398968-307b-4e3e-8288-a6093d53f85c" data-vars-headline="Commencement surprise: Debt relief for N.C. State grads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axenehp.com/consultants/anil-kochhar-asa-maaa/" target="_blank">Anil and Marilyn Kochhar</a> will benefit graduates in N.C. State&#x27;s Wilson College of Textiles.

On your left! Triangle group rides highlight road safety gaps

Hundreds of students will ride as advocates push for safer streets after a teen cyclist's death.

Transit

Hundreds of Triangle students are expected to bike to school Wednesday for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bike &amp; Roll to School Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.walkbiketoschool.org/registration/whosbiking.php?sid=NC" data-vars-content-id="e4dcb4fe-712d-4f3c-85a6-1aff3bb0e277" data-vars-headline="On your left! Triangle group rides highlight road safety gaps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.walkbiketoschool.org/registration/whosbiking.php?sid=NC" target="_blank">Bike &amp; Roll to School Day</a>.Why it matters: Advocates hope the group rides boost kids&#x27; confidence on the roads and also highlight safety risks tied to gaps in biking infrastructure.

10 best signs we saw at Raleigh teachers rally

With no new state budget, schools remain on old funding levels as educators demand action.

The streets of downtown Raleigh surrounding the General Assembly and State Capitol are typically sleepy on Friday mornings, at least in recent years.<ul><li>But on May 1, they swelled with crowds of thousands of people protesting the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state of public education" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/30/north-carolina-teachers-rally-raleigh-school-funding-protest-ncae-budget-cuts" data-vars-content-id="cdef9761-78a9-401a-b3fb-2f6f66cf4587" data-vars-headline="10 best signs we saw at Raleigh teachers rally" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/30/north-carolina-teachers-rally-raleigh-school-funding-protest-ncae-budget-cuts" target="_self">state of public education</a> in North Carolina.</li></ul>Why it matters: Friday&#x27;s protest is the first gathering on its scale that North Carolina educators have organized since rallies in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2018" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickgleason/2018/05/16/public-school-teachers-play-hooky-again-this-time-in-north-carolina/" data-vars-content-id="cdef9761-78a9-401a-b3fb-2f6f66cf4587" data-vars-headline="10 best signs we saw at Raleigh teachers rally" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickgleason/2018/05/16/public-school-teachers-play-hooky-again-this-time-in-north-carolina/" target="_blank">2018</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2019" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wbtv.com/2019/05/01/thousands-gather-nc-teacher-rally/" data-vars-content-id="cdef9761-78a9-401a-b3fb-2f6f66cf4587" data-vars-headline="10 best signs we saw at Raleigh teachers rally" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wbtv.com/2019/05/01/thousands-gather-nc-teacher-rally/" target="_blank">2019</a> attracted national attention.

Ahead of teacher rally, schools face tough budget choices

Thousands rally as districts face cuts, closures and widening gaps in school funding statewide.

Thousands of teachers from across North Carolina are descending on Raleigh for a &quot;Kids Over Corporations&quot; protest Friday.Why it matters: School is canceled across much of the state, and the North Carolina Association of Educators is hoping the mass protest pushes lawmakers to pass raises for teachers and increase school funding.

A choropleth map showing U.S. public school start dates before August 16. Darker-shaded states indicate a higher percentage of schools starting early, with most of the Southeast and part of the Southwest starting before this date. Lighter shades represent states with fewer schools starting before August 16, including several Northeast states with no schools opening prior to that date.

Share of schools open before August 16

Data: MDR Education; Map: Brad Jennings/Axios. Note: Includes public schools. Does not include year-round schools.

A line chart that shows North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship spending by year from 2015 to 2026. Spending rose each year from $4.6 million in 2015 to $589 million in 2026. Growth accelerated after 2022, climbing from $79.5 million to $432.2 million in 2025.

Amount spent on Opportunity Scholarships in North Carolina

Data: North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority; Chart: Zachery Eanes/Axios

Education 📚

Christina Koch brings memories of the Moon to Raleigh

UNC looks to place athletics in an LLC

School's back already? Not in most of North Carolina

Chart du jour: Opportunity Scholarship's spending rise

The AI talent shortage is creating new pathways in tech