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GOP groups retreat from North Carolina Senate race a month early

Major GOP groups are taking their ad dollars elsewhere as Michael Whatley trails Roy Cooper.

Politics

With one month until Election Day, some big GOP spenders are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="giving up on" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/25/gop-october-midterms-key-moment?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="5d6f297c-6d1b-4b75-8208-4dce5566032b" data-vars-headline="GOP groups retreat from North Carolina Senate race a month early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/09/25/gop-october-midterms-key-moment?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&amp;stream=top" target="_self">giving up on</a> North Carolina and prioritizing other states. Why it matters: It&#x27;s a sign that Republicans believe Michael Whatley can&#x27;t win and that the seat will flip to Democrats, who need <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="four pickups" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/23/senate-ohio-alaska-iowa-texas-kansas-mississippi-nebraska" data-vars-content-id="5d6f297c-6d1b-4b75-8208-4dce5566032b" data-vars-headline="GOP groups retreat from North Carolina Senate race a month early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/23/senate-ohio-alaska-iowa-texas-kansas-mississippi-nebraska" target="_self">four pickups</a> to regain control of the Senate.

Scoop: After completing Hotel Indigo, New York developer eyes next project in Raleigh

The New York developer just completed a $36 million renovation of the former Holiday Inn.

Development

Tidal Real Estate Partners, the New York developer that just completed a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$36 million renovation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/08/hotel-indigo-plots-october-opening-in-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="908a7b92-89c9-4713-aebc-f00b24b75573" data-vars-headline="Scoop: After completing Hotel Indigo, New York developer eyes next project in Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/08/hotel-indigo-plots-october-opening-in-raleigh" target="_self">$36 million renovation</a> of the former Holiday Inn, isn&#x27;t slowing down its work in downtown Raleigh. Why it matters: The real estate company plans to break ground as soon as the next 60 days on a 20-story tower at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="521 S. Wilmington St." data-vars-click-url="https://tidalrep.com/projects/residential/521-s.-wilmington" data-vars-content-id="908a7b92-89c9-4713-aebc-f00b24b75573" data-vars-headline="Scoop: After completing Hotel Indigo, New York developer eyes next project in Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tidalrep.com/projects/residential/521-s.-wilmington" target="_blank">521 S. Wilmington St.</a>, Tidal&#x27;s CEO Mick Walsdorf told Axios.

Duke Energy strikes deal with data center giants 

The new rules come after widespread public pushback to data centers.

Business

Duke Energy and some of the world&#x27;s biggest companies have reached an agreement over a new large load tariff in North Carolina for data centers and other high-demand energy users.Why it matters: The creation of the tariff — essentially rules that high-use customers have to follow to gain access to electricity — comes as residents <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increasingly push back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/27/democrats-try-to-pressure-duke-energy-to-put-data-center-pledge-into-writing" data-vars-content-id="5081422e-28d2-4cf1-bc2f-abe4d2b33d09" data-vars-headline="Duke Energy strikes deal with data center giants " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/27/democrats-try-to-pressure-duke-energy-to-put-data-center-pledge-into-writing" target="_self">increasingly push back</a> against the construction of new data centers in the state. <ul><li>Duke Energy is also still in the process of getting its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposal to raise electricity rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/20/duke-energy-and-state-reach-agreement-on-lower-rate-increase-request" data-vars-content-id="5081422e-28d2-4cf1-bc2f-abe4d2b33d09" data-vars-headline="Duke Energy strikes deal with data center giants " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/20/duke-energy-and-state-reach-agreement-on-lower-rate-increase-request" target="_self">proposal to raise electricity rates</a> in the state approved. </li></ul>

Michael Jordan gifts UNC School of Social Work $10 million

The $10 million donation is in honor of his mother, Deloris P. Jordan

Education

Michael Jordan, perhaps UNC-Chapel Hill&#x27;s most famous alum, is donating $10 million to his alma mater. Why it matters: The donation, which is in honor of his mother Deloris P. Jordan, a longtime advocate for maternal and child health, is the largest donation in the UNC&#x27;s School of Social Work&#x27;s history and will rename a center within the school after Jordan&#x27;s mother.

New book dives into the miracle of Research Triangle Park

Nearly 70 years later, Research Triangle Park continues to evolve.

The creation of Research Triangle Park in 1959 is often cited as one of the most important events in North Carolina&#x27;s history. <ul><li>To many, it marked the start of a wave of high-tech jobs to the state at a time when its main industries — textiles, tobacco and furniture — were declining</li></ul>Why it matters: But, as a new book on the history of Research Triangle Park argues, that eventuality was never guaranteed. It took unprecedented collaboration between schools, businesses and a multitude of local governments.

SAS to launch AI think tank at N.C. State 

SAS and N.C. State's relationship goes back to the company's origins.

SAS Institute, the multibillion-dollar analytics company born in the labs of N.C. State, will help launch a new AI think tank at the university, its CEO Jim Goodnight said Thursday. Why it matters: The partnership aims to improve health outcomes and agricultural practices and to create safety frameworks around the use of AI in those areas. <ul><li>SAS&#x27; analytical model was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="originally created at N.C. State" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/01/sas-institute-turns-50" data-vars-content-id="e9f05d4a-d979-477b-bde2-5639814f8024" data-vars-headline="SAS to launch AI think tank at N.C. State " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/01/sas-institute-turns-50" target="_self">originally created at N.C. State</a> to find a better way to analyze agricultural data. Since then, it has evolved into creating analytics software for myriad industries and in recent years has invested heavily in new AI capabilities. </li></ul>

Duke researcher lands "genius" grant for work on memory

Felipe De Brigard is one of 20 recipients of the MacArthur Foundation fellowship this year.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Felipe De Brigard" data-vars-click-url="https://scholars.duke.edu/person/felipe.debrigard" data-vars-content-id="0293f394-8854-42e0-8b4c-31150be15095" data-vars-headline="Duke researcher lands &quot;genius&quot; grant for work on memory" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://scholars.duke.edu/person/felipe.debrigard" target="_blank">Felipe De Brigard</a>, a cognitive scientist and philosopher at Duke University, has joined the ranks of geniuses. Why it matters: De Brigard is the latest researcher from the Triangle to win one of the MacArthur Foundation&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Genius Grants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.macfound.org/programs/awards/fellows/" data-vars-content-id="0293f394-8854-42e0-8b4c-31150be15095" data-vars-headline="Duke researcher lands &quot;genius&quot; grant for work on memory" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.macfound.org/programs/awards/fellows/" target="_blank">Genius Grants</a>, a prestigious award that comes with an $800,000 stipend that can be used without restrictions.

N.C. State leans into growth potential of battery technology 

It is working closely with Toyota to create a pipeline of battery engineers

N.C. State University is boosting its bet on teaching battery technology. Why it matters: With <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="demand rising for new-generation batteries " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/battery-storage-utilities-data-centers" data-vars-content-id="8024d0fd-2fba-4267-8a82-d51c5d663612" data-vars-headline="N.C. State leans into growth potential of battery technology " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/23/battery-storage-utilities-data-centers" target="_self">demand rising for new-generation batteries </a>for electric vehicles, hybrids smartphones and hosts of AI uses, N.C. State is trying to get more students to study the technology and fill the growing pipeline of battery jobs in North Carolina.

College offers land before North Carolina seniors apply 

More than 105,000 seniors can claim a community college spot without essays, SAT scores or recommendations.

North Carolina&#x27;s 105,036 high school seniors on track to graduate in 2027 are all receiving letters offering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="automatic acceptance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cfnc.org/nc-college-connect/" data-vars-content-id="73dc6b67-6b38-4ac9-8876-8c9433644610" data-vars-headline="College offers land before North Carolina seniors apply " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cfnc.org/nc-college-connect/" target="_blank">automatic acceptance</a> to community college. Why it matters: Bringing in community colleges is a major leap in outreach for the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="College Connect" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cfnc.org/nc-college-connect/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=24207070071&amp;gbraid=0AAAAA-Ft7skA6irV1_aovxqvbB9ONimuR&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw8c3VBhCsARIsAA_xJ92tKN8Pl6dQ9eAiAMNaF_COo1KBKXM0sjIoeEYwkRGNsZJA7FmCDEAaAn_rEALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="73dc6b67-6b38-4ac9-8876-8c9433644610" data-vars-headline="College offers land before North Carolina seniors apply " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cfnc.org/nc-college-connect/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=24207070071&amp;gbraid=0AAAAA-Ft7skA6irV1_aovxqvbB9ONimuR&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw8c3VBhCsARIsAA_xJ92tKN8Pl6dQ9eAiAMNaF_COo1KBKXM0sjIoeEYwkRGNsZJA7FmCDEAaAn_rEALw_wcB" target="_blank">College Connect</a> program, now in its third year offering automatic acceptance at most in-state colleges and universities.

UNC medical residents set to continue at WakeMed for now

For nearly 50 years, UNC has sent medical residents to WakeMed for training.

Health

For nearly 50 years, the UNC School of Medicine has had a partnership with WakeMed to train medical students and residents at its hospitals. Why it matters: But WakeMed&#x27;s looming merger with Atrium has put that partnership&#x27;s long-term future into question, especially as Atrium has a close partnership with the Wake Forest School of Medicine and is currently helping it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expand to the Charlotte area" data-vars-click-url="https://school.wakehealth.edu/about-the-school/facilities-and-environment/learning-environment/charlotte" data-vars-content-id="3120e77f-2373-43b3-8f25-3685ca74fea9" data-vars-headline="UNC medical residents set to continue at WakeMed for now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://school.wakehealth.edu/about-the-school/facilities-and-environment/learning-environment/charlotte" target="_blank">expand to the Charlotte area</a>.

Local schools battle HVAC issues in extreme heat

Dozens of schools have reported HVAC issues as voters prepare to weigh an infrastructure bond.

The recent wave of 100-degree days is straining HVAC systems at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/08/11/nc-school-start-dates-august-calendar-law" data-vars-content-id="751ff627-cb92-4176-87d4-ce67e5bbea06" data-vars-headline="Local schools battle HVAC issues in extreme heat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/08/11/nc-school-start-dates-august-calendar-law" target="_self">local schools</a>.Why it matters: That may be impacting student performance.

Closing North Carolina's talent gap starts with early STEM access

Raleigh's future workforce starts with STEM access.

Partners

The Triangle continues to attract college graduates, research investment and companies that need highly skilled workers — but North Carolina&#x27;s next challenge is ensuring that enough young people can eventually enter the industries driving that growth.The story: North Carolina expects to add roughly 260,000 jobs by 2034, but employers could still need 5,000–10,000 more college graduates each year than the state currently produces, according to a<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" 2026 UNC System workforce study." data-vars-click-url="https://www.northcarolina.edu/news/unc-system-study-finds-growing-workforce-gaps-as-economy-expands/" data-vars-content-id="a97a4371-ed54-4b1f-b5e0-a4ff7c32cdc9" data-vars-headline="Closing North Carolina&#x27;s talent gap starts with early STEM access" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.northcarolina.edu/news/unc-system-study-finds-growing-workforce-gaps-as-economy-expands/" target="_blank"> 2026 UNC System workforce study.</a><ul><li>The state needs to help young people — especially populations who continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields — build the awareness, confidence and skills to pursue these specialized roles.</li></ul>

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.

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.

Education 📚

New book dives into the miracle of Research Triangle Park

Michael Jordan gifts UNC School of Social Work $10 million

SAS to launch AI think tank at N.C. State

Duke researcher lands "genius" grant for work on memory

N.C. State leans into growth potential of battery technology