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Raleigh-Durham International lands a new airline

Guadalajara will be RDU's third Mexican destination.

News

Volaris, a low-cost Mexican airline, will launch its first flight out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport in October.Why it matters: The airline will give RDU its first nonstop flight to Guadalajara, Mexico. It is the airport&#x27;s third route to Mexico in addition to Mexico City and Cancun.

Summer heat is changing a nearly 50-year-old tradition

Festival for the Eno expects to abandon its July format and shift future events to milder seasons.

Things to Do

This weekend, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Festival for the Eno" data-vars-click-url="https://www.enoriver.org/festival-for-the-eno/" data-vars-content-id="c9dac9b0-405a-4c3a-a88e-8fe0c655c53b" data-vars-headline="Summer heat is changing a nearly 50-year-old tradition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.enoriver.org/festival-for-the-eno/" target="_blank">Festival for the Eno</a> is trading its traditional July riverfront gathering for a downtown Durham benefit concert — potentially the first of many.Why it matters: North Carolina&#x27;s hot and unpredictable July weather is pushing the nearly 50-year-old festival away from its traditional summer format.

Charlotte jewelry brand KIKI opens first Triangle store

KIKI opens its Durham store Saturday, Sept. 12.

Business

Charlotte-based jewelry brand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="KIKI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/20/charlotte-jewelry-water-brook-kiki-south-end" data-vars-content-id="4e38c7c4-106c-4c46-8603-2a1eee3cef90" data-vars-headline="Charlotte jewelry brand KIKI opens first Triangle store" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/20/charlotte-jewelry-water-brook-kiki-south-end" target="_self">KIKI</a> is expanding to the Triangle with a new Durham store opening Saturday, Sept. 12.Why it matters: What started as a pandemic side hustle for founder Kris Cox has quickly grown into a multi-location jewelry brand. Durham will be KIKI&#x27;s first store outside Charlotte.

Raleigh and Durham public housing communities set for huge transformations

Heritage Park in Raleigh and Forest Hills Heights in Durham will be transformed significantly.

Development

Raleigh and Durham are both on the cusp of seeing major public housing communities redeveloped into large mixed-use and mixed-income projects. Why it matters: The plans aim to provide new affordable units in cities where housing costs have soared while shifting to a public housing model that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="views mixed-income communities" data-vars-click-url="https://theconversation.com/mixed-income-public-housing-mixed-outcomes-mixed-up-concept-36089" data-vars-content-id="63dbc3bf-ed5f-48c3-bf6b-e25443e0ed91" data-vars-headline="Raleigh and Durham public housing communities set for huge transformations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theconversation.com/mixed-income-public-housing-mixed-outcomes-mixed-up-concept-36089" target="_blank">views mixed-income communities</a> as producing better outcomes than communities dedicated completely to affordable units.

Important nutritional research is being piloted through North Carolina's sewers

Researchers from Duke and UNC have been tracking diet habits through wastewater.

Environment

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, North Carolina public officials plumbed the sewers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="looking for signs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/epidemiology/communicable-disease/respiratory-diseases/dashboard/wastewater-testing" data-vars-content-id="50dffb7a-378d-416d-a559-230fd32616b3" data-vars-headline="Important nutritional research is being piloted through North Carolina&#x27;s sewers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/epidemiology/communicable-disease/respiratory-diseases/dashboard/wastewater-testing" target="_blank">looking for signs</a> of the virus&#x27; prevalence was in the state. <ul><li>Now, that same infrastructure is being tested as a way to track the diets of entire cities and neighborhoods.</li></ul>Why it matters: The tracking method —  which captures food DNA left behind in sewage — could become an important tool for studying the nutritional health of a community or determine food access disparities by neighborhoods.

Raleigh is experiencing its driest start to the year ever

Drought conditions have worsened across North Carolina this spring.

The Raleigh area is off to its driest start in more than 140 years, as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North Carolina&#x27;s drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/10/drought-north-carolina-farming-water-supply-rain-dry" data-vars-content-id="3c78f914-f747-4f59-bfb1-1917fcd91d10" data-vars-headline="Raleigh is experiencing its driest start to the year ever" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/10/drought-north-carolina-farming-water-supply-rain-dry" target="_self">North Carolina&#x27;s drought</a> has become extreme across much of the Triangle, according to data from the National Weather Service. Why it matters: Water restrictions remain in effect to prevent the drinking water supply from dwindling too low.

Wake County waterways carry rare warning: Don't eat any fish

Contamination linked to a former transformer company continues to trigger fish warnings.

In some Wake County waterways, signs announce to anglers that the fish cannot, under any circumstances, be eaten.Why it matters: Eating lots of freshwater fish in North Carolina comes with health risks because of the widespread presence of mercury in the environment. Total bans are uncommon, though. <ul><li>This one is caused by another contaminant: cancer-causing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).</li></ul>

North Carolina's drought puts pressure on water supply

For April, restrictions be triggered if supply in Falls Lake drops to 85%. Right now, they are at 87%.

Triangle officials aren&#x27;t yet placing new limits on how much water people can use as dry weather persists, but local water supply managers are closely monitoring conditions.Why it matters: North Carolina is experiencing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="severe drought" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/10/drought-north-carolina-farming-water-supply-rain-dry" data-vars-content-id="f07b8ce4-874f-4639-84ff-7a2c6890a569" data-vars-headline="North Carolina&#x27;s drought puts pressure on water supply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/04/10/drought-north-carolina-farming-water-supply-rain-dry" target="_self">severe drought</a>, and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh area" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.87946000000005&amp;lon=-78.78709999999995#.Yzbp9OzMJO9" data-vars-content-id="f07b8ce4-874f-4639-84ff-7a2c6890a569" data-vars-headline="North Carolina&#x27;s drought puts pressure on water supply" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.87946000000005&amp;lon=-78.78709999999995#.Yzbp9OzMJO9" target="_blank">Raleigh area</a> is in for more sunny days this week.

Follow tagged North Carolina fish — and one likely eaten by a shark

Tagged fish, like Swim Shady, are helping scientists learn how red drum move between states and coastal waters.

North Carolina researchers tagging and tracking coastal fish have created an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="online tracker" data-vars-click-url="https://tracker.ncmefoundation.org/" data-vars-content-id="f5e5dc69-1776-493f-bb90-7e0cb7aa50ef" data-vars-headline="Follow tagged North Carolina fish — and one likely eaten by a shark" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tracker.ncmefoundation.org/" target="_blank">online tracker</a> that lets anyone see where the fish are pinging.Why it matters: Red drum are hugely popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recreational fish" 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="f5e5dc69-1776-493f-bb90-7e0cb7aa50ef" data-vars-headline="Follow tagged North Carolina fish — and one likely eaten by a shark" 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">recreational fish</a>, and yet their movement patterns are somewhat of a mystery.

Cold stuns fish on North Carolina coast

Unusually cold temperatures are killing fish and triggering a harvest ban.

Climate

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.

North Carolina goes to trial over how it's managed fisheries

The ruling will have massive implications for the commercial and recreational fishing industries.

A trial is now underway in Raleigh that could have enormous consequences for North Carolina&#x27;s multi-billion-dollar <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="commercial" data-vars-click-url="https://business.appstate.edu/news/new-research-considers-impact-commercial-fisheries-north-carolinas-economy" data-vars-content-id="c2dd97e1-0400-4de0-a2ea-fffa07f7f890" data-vars-headline="North Carolina goes to trial over how it&#x27;s managed fisheries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://business.appstate.edu/news/new-research-considers-impact-commercial-fisheries-north-carolinas-economy" target="_blank">commercial</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recreational" data-vars-click-url="https://cals.ncsu.edu/agricultural-and-resource-economics/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2020/10/ECONOMIST.FALL-2020-von-Haefen-FINAL-FINAL-FINAL.pdf" data-vars-content-id="c2dd97e1-0400-4de0-a2ea-fffa07f7f890" data-vars-headline="North Carolina goes to trial over how it&#x27;s managed fisheries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cals.ncsu.edu/agricultural-and-resource-economics/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2020/10/ECONOMIST.FALL-2020-von-Haefen-FINAL-FINAL-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">recreational</a> fishing industries.Why it matters: The state is being accused of not effectively <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="managing its fisheries" 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="c2dd97e1-0400-4de0-a2ea-fffa07f7f890" data-vars-headline="North Carolina goes to trial over how it&#x27;s managed fisheries" 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">managing its fisheries</a>, natural resources that belong to the people of North Carolina.

Taking home these 5 fish triggers new North Carolina rule

The data gives the state a window into a recreational fishing industry that commercial anglers argue is opaque.

Starting next week, anglers who catch some of North Carolina&#x27;s most popular coastal fish species are required to file reports with the state if they&#x27;re taking those fish home to eat.Why it matters: More than 1 million people fish every year in North Carolina waters, the state reports, and many of them have bristled against the new rule, which applies to flounder, red drum, spotted seatrout, striped bass and weakfish.<ul><li>Advocates say the data being collected will grant the state new insights into the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multi-billion-dollar" data-vars-click-url="https://cals.ncsu.edu/agricultural-and-resource-economics/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2020/10/ECONOMIST.FALL-2020-von-Haefen-FINAL-FINAL-FINAL.pdf" data-vars-content-id="bf5024d9-3ef8-4243-bdb6-9fe52ad7fddb" data-vars-headline="Taking home these 5 fish triggers new North Carolina rule" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cals.ncsu.edu/agricultural-and-resource-economics/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2020/10/ECONOMIST.FALL-2020-von-Haefen-FINAL-FINAL-FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">multi-billion-dollar</a> recreational fishing industry. </li></ul>

Raleigh prepares to turn over a new leaf

Each fall, Raleigh residents welcome cooler air, colorful trees and the return of season traditions.

<div data-sponsor-disclosure="&quot;{&quot;logoUrl&quot;:&quot;https://images.axios.com/FxFKLlNpw0BORhjellSNSzTpAcI=/2025/11/21/1763752924051.jpg&quot;,&quot;headline&quot;:&quot;A message from: The City of Raleigh&quot;}&quot;"></div><div style="display:none"></div>Each fall, Raleigh residents welcome cooler air, colorful trees and the return of season traditions.<ul><li>But as the leaves fall, the challenge of cleanup begins.</li></ul>As the City of Raleigh gears up for leaf collection this year, it&#x27;s also preparing for a big change next fall.

Trout fishing in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene

WNC tourism is rebounding after Hurricane Helene, but a major trout hatchery goes offline next year.

For well over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="350,000 people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncwildlife.gov/ncwrc-trout-report-final/open" data-vars-content-id="8bd529ab-ad20-4ac1-93a6-b762eb2d40d7" data-vars-headline="Trout fishing in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncwildlife.gov/ncwrc-trout-report-final/open" target="_blank">350,000 people</a> per year, the first few cool days in fall signal it&#x27;s time to plan a trout fishing trip in the southern Appalachians of North Carolina.Why it matters: Trout fishing in western North Carolina generates around $1.4 billion in annual economic impact, the state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="estimated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncwildlife.gov/ncwrc-trout-report-final/open" data-vars-content-id="8bd529ab-ad20-4ac1-93a6-b762eb2d40d7" data-vars-headline="Trout fishing in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncwildlife.gov/ncwrc-trout-report-final/open" target="_blank">estimated</a> in 2023.<ul><li>The best fishing happens outside the hot summer months, since trout need cold water to survive.</li></ul>