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North Carolina faces a degree shortfall in key industries, report finds

The state has identified nursing, engineering and education as critical need industries

Education

North Carolina is not graduating enough students with degrees in several critical industries to meet a growing demand for workers in the state, a new report from the UNC System says. Why it matters: The report makes the case that the state&#x27;s 16 public universities need to produce 5,000 to 10,000 more degrees every year to meet demand from workers, especially in industries like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health care" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/health-worker-shortages-predicted-2028" data-vars-content-id="a2d37f6b-599a-47e6-a6cc-ceb42368abdf" data-vars-headline="North Carolina faces a degree shortfall in key industries, report finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/05/health-worker-shortages-predicted-2028" target="_self">health care</a>, engineering and education.

Coworking chain Switchyards adds Raleigh to the roster

The coworking chain continues to bet that remote workers don't want to be remote all of the time.

Business

Less than a year after opening its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first Triangle location" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/06/25/switchyards-durham-coworking-club-triangle-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="dc25adfb-b46a-45cb-9f1f-7c4d5c15b6d3" data-vars-headline="Coworking chain Switchyards adds Raleigh to the roster" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/06/25/switchyards-durham-coworking-club-triangle-north-carolina" target="_self">first Triangle location</a> in Durham, the coworking company Switchyards is expanding to Raleigh.Why it matters: Part of the appeal of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Switchyards" data-vars-click-url="https://switchyards.com/raleigh-nc-boylan" data-vars-content-id="dc25adfb-b46a-45cb-9f1f-7c4d5c15b6d3" data-vars-headline="Coworking chain Switchyards adds Raleigh to the roster" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://switchyards.com/raleigh-nc-boylan" target="_blank">Switchyards</a>, a chain <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="born in Atlanta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/04/17/switchyards-coworking-expansion-nashville-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="dc25adfb-b46a-45cb-9f1f-7c4d5c15b6d3" data-vars-headline="Coworking chain Switchyards adds Raleigh to the roster" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/atlanta/2024/04/17/switchyards-coworking-expansion-nashville-charlotte" target="_self">born in Atlanta</a>, is that members can go to any of its 24/7 workspaces. A second Triangle location gives it an edge with remote workers who bounce between Raleigh and Durham.

Raleigh software unicorn Pendo lays off 10% of workforce

The company said the layoffs are needed as the "technology landscape has changed dramatically."

Pendo, one of the few Raleigh tech startups to reach a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="valuation of more than $1 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/07/who-are-the-triangles-unicorn-startups-pendo-epic-teamworks" data-vars-content-id="f6f36b7b-837b-4f08-b148-3aa953dd6bcb" data-vars-headline="Raleigh software unicorn Pendo lays off 10% of workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/07/who-are-the-triangles-unicorn-startups-pendo-epic-teamworks" target="_self">valuation of more than $1 billion</a>, is laying off 90 positions, or around 10% of its workforce, a company spokesperson told Axios. Why it matters: Pendo is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest tech company" data-vars-click-url="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/06/tech-layoffs-ai-work" data-vars-content-id="f6f36b7b-837b-4f08-b148-3aa953dd6bcb" data-vars-headline="Raleigh software unicorn Pendo lays off 10% of workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/06/tech-layoffs-ai-work" target="_blank">latest tech company</a> to lay off workers this year, as companies reckon with how AI tools are changing their workforce and strengthening their budgets. <ul><li>Locally, Epic Games also recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced a large round of layoffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/24/epic-games-lays-off-more-than-1000-as-fortnites-popularity-slows" data-vars-content-id="f6f36b7b-837b-4f08-b148-3aa953dd6bcb" data-vars-headline="Raleigh software unicorn Pendo lays off 10% of workforce" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/24/epic-games-lays-off-more-than-1000-as-fortnites-popularity-slows" target="_self">announced a large round of layoffs</a>, including more than 200 at its offices in Cary, due to a slowdown in its businesses. </li></ul>

Kane Realty files plans for 15-story residential tower in North Hills

The new plans comes weeks after the developer won a rezoning from the Raleigh City Council

Development

Roughly two and half months after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winning its rezoning case" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/08/12/triangle-projects-facing-contentious-rezoning-debates-north-hills-northgate-durham-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="05b18a84-9f48-4f4b-9d7b-effa6d3b09ea" data-vars-headline="Kane Realty files plans for 15-story residential tower in North Hills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/08/12/triangle-projects-facing-contentious-rezoning-debates-north-hills-northgate-durham-raleigh" target="_self">winning its rezoning case</a> at the Raleigh City Council, Kane Realty has submitted plans for a new residential tower in North Hills. Why it matters: The rezoning case proved contentious as some residents pushed back against Kane&#x27;s efforts to build taller buildings along Six Forks and Lassiter Mill roads, raising concerns about the area&#x27;s ability to handle increased traffic and shadows cast from new towers.<ul><li>But Kane, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh&#x27;s most prolific developer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/02/whats-next-for-kane-realty-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="05b18a84-9f48-4f4b-9d7b-effa6d3b09ea" data-vars-headline="Kane Realty files plans for 15-story residential tower in North Hills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/02/02/whats-next-for-kane-realty-in-2026" target="_self">Raleigh&#x27;s most prolific developer</a>, argued additional height was needed to handle the city&#x27;s growing population and North Hills&#x27; status as a magnet for newcomers. </li></ul>

The questions you should be asking your primary care provider — and why they matter

Patients with a primary care provider they trust have better health care outcomes.

Partners

<div data-sponsor-disclosure="&quot;{&quot;logoUrl&quot;:&quot;https://images.axios.com/4CJecxx3TgEaWLyJ9p7cy8u4iS0=/2026/03/25/1774474220755.png&quot;,&quot;headline&quot;:&quot;A message from: Amazon One Medical&quot;}&quot;"></div><div style="display:none"></div>Nearly half of Americans feel anxious before a doctor&#x27;s appointment — and most leave at least one question they forgot or didn&#x27;t feel comfortable asking.Here&#x27;s the deal: The relationship between a patient and their primary care provider (PCP) is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health.Studies show that patients with a PCP they trust have better health outcomes, lower hospitalization rates and higher satisfaction with their care, but the structure of most primary care visits makes that relationship difficult to organically build.

Health care cost illusions still underpin debates

North Carolina's 2026 session could reshape health care affordability statewide.

North Carolinians are feeling the strain of rising healthcare costs — and as the 2026 short session approaches, how lawmakers address affordability could influence what families pay, how employers structure coverage and how providers are reimbursed.Why it&#x27;s important: Health care affordability is shaped by a complex mix of insurance design, pharmaceutical pricing, regulatory decisions, provider costs and patient needs, all interacting within the broader health care landscape.<ul><li>For policymakers, that means reform requires examining how decisions in one part of the ecosystem affect the rest — not just the most visible components of care delivery.</li></ul>

Health care providers urge checking measles vaccine status as cases surge

Two shots of the MMR give widespread protection against measles.

Health

North Carolina has confirmed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="22 cases " data-vars-click-url="https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/epidemiology/communicable-disease/infectious-respiratory-diseases/measles-rubeola/measles-cases-and-outbreaks-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="739579fd-1d01-4ef4-9ca7-59c2eb77529d" data-vars-headline="Health care providers urge checking measles vaccine status as cases surge" 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/infectious-respiratory-diseases/measles-rubeola/measles-cases-and-outbreaks-north-carolina" target="_blank">22 cases </a>of measles in the state since December amid a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national resurgence in cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/30/us-texas-measles-cases-cdc-vaccine-rfk-jr" data-vars-content-id="739579fd-1d01-4ef4-9ca7-59c2eb77529d" data-vars-headline="Health care providers urge checking measles vaccine status as cases surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/30/us-texas-measles-cases-cdc-vaccine-rfk-jr" target="_self">national resurgence in cases</a> and a hot spot in neighboring South Carolina. Why it matters: Health care providers are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urging" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/measles-exposure-and-vaccination-what-you-need-know" data-vars-content-id="739579fd-1d01-4ef4-9ca7-59c2eb77529d" data-vars-headline="Health care providers urge checking measles vaccine status as cases surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/measles-exposure-and-vaccination-what-you-need-know" target="_blank">urging</a> people to check their vaccine status and see if they received one dose, two doses or no doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as a child.

Demand for GLP-1s from North Carolina Medicaid patients has grown significantly

GLP-1s remain expensive, causing many state Medicaid programs not to cover it

North Carolina is one of 13 states whose Medicaid programs cover <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GLP-1s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/12/wegovy-weight-loss-the-triangle-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="f275b217-8fa3-481b-8b36-2414867968c7" data-vars-headline="Demand for GLP-1s from North Carolina Medicaid patients has grown significantly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/12/wegovy-weight-loss-the-triangle-north-carolina" target="_self">GLP-1s</a> for weight loss treatment, and their usage in the state has skyrocketed in recent years. Why it matters: The number of Medicaid claims for GLP-1s as a prescription for weight loss surged from practically zero in 2023 to more than 211,000 in the past year, according to data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. <ul><li>Medicaid coverage of GLP-1s for weight management began in August 2024. The drugs treat other conditions, including diabetes. Medicaid processed an additional 257,320 GLP-1 claims related to other conditions in North Carolina last year.</li></ul>

World's first weight loss pill is made in the Triangle

Many of the most popular weight loss drugs are being made in North Carolina.

North Carolina has quickly become a leading hub for the manufacturing of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, including the new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wegovy pill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/22/fda-weight-loss-pill-glp-1-approved" data-vars-content-id="de863d0e-ecd4-4a4a-8806-c7346259da9a" data-vars-headline="World&#x27;s first weight loss pill is made in the Triangle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/22/fda-weight-loss-pill-glp-1-approved" target="_self">Wegovy pill</a> that&#x27;s now on the market.Why it matters: Having a pill form as opposed to a weekly shot is a big deal, largely because pills are cheaper to make than the widely popular injectables, NPR recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2025/11/25/nx-s1-5619816/obesity-pills-wegovy-semaglutide-orforglipron" data-vars-content-id="de863d0e-ecd4-4a4a-8806-c7346259da9a" data-vars-headline="World&#x27;s first weight loss pill is made in the Triangle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2025/11/25/nx-s1-5619816/obesity-pills-wegovy-semaglutide-orforglipron" target="_blank">reported</a>.

UNC Health's new CEO takes the helm amid "acute headwinds" in health care

This comes amid looming Medicaid cuts, a drop in research funding, expansion statewide and the uncertain future of a children's hospital.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cristy Page" data-vars-click-url="https://www.unchealthcare.org/about-us/leadership/cristy-page-md-mph/" data-vars-content-id="ab3577bf-b2c4-4025-93f3-125bc120d50a" data-vars-headline="UNC Health&#x27;s new CEO takes the helm amid &quot;acute headwinds&quot; in health care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.unchealthcare.org/about-us/leadership/cristy-page-md-mph/" target="_blank">Cristy Page</a>, the newly appointed CEO of UNC Health and dean of UNC&#x27;s school of medicine, is taking the helm of one of the state&#x27;s most influential health care systems at a tumultuous time. Why it matters: Page, a family physician who was made permanent CEO last month after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="serving in an interim capacity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/15/two-of-the-triangles-most-influential-employers-face-leadership-changes" data-vars-content-id="ab3577bf-b2c4-4025-93f3-125bc120d50a" data-vars-headline="UNC Health&#x27;s new CEO takes the helm amid &quot;acute headwinds&quot; in health care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/15/two-of-the-triangles-most-influential-employers-face-leadership-changes" target="_self">serving in an interim capacity</a>, must navigate looming Medicaid cuts, a decline in research funding, expansion across the state and an uncertain future around a children&#x27;s hospital.

North Carolina reverses Medicaid cuts after lawsuits

Lawmakers are still unable to agree on a budget, meaning Medicaid could run out of money in April.

The state is reversing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Medicaid cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/30/medicaid-cuts-are-looming" data-vars-content-id="bd216002-03ea-4deb-972b-92095e1ae6d3" data-vars-headline="North Carolina reverses Medicaid cuts after lawsuits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/30/medicaid-cuts-are-looming" target="_self">Medicaid cuts</a> made earlier this year to save money after lawmakers&#x27; negotiations over a budget fully funding the health care program fell apart.Why it matters: A quarter of North Carolinians — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over 3.1 million people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncruralcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Final_Medicaid_Overview_Cut_Implications_3-5-25.pdf" data-vars-content-id="bd216002-03ea-4deb-972b-92095e1ae6d3" data-vars-headline="North Carolina reverses Medicaid cuts after lawsuits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncruralcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Final_Medicaid_Overview_Cut_Implications_3-5-25.pdf" target="_blank">over 3.1 million people</a> — have health care coverage through Medicaid, and Gov. Josh Stein&#x27;s administration warned that cuts would ripple throughout the entire health care ecosystem.

A North Carolina 911 experiment sends defibrillators by drone

Duke Health is dropping defibrillators from the air in Forsyth County.

First responders are using drones to drop off <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="defibrillators" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/03/cardiac-arrest-aed-defibrilator-states" data-vars-content-id="e2474f00-e0f5-4dc3-a840-f26e3e010835" data-vars-headline="A North Carolina 911 experiment sends defibrillators by drone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/03/cardiac-arrest-aed-defibrilator-states" target="_self">defibrillators</a> at the addresses of real 911 calls in North Carolina. The experiment aims to help more people survive cardiac arrest, which can take only minutes to kill a person.Why it matters: Cardiac arrest strikes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="350,000" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/articles/cpr-facts-and-statistics?srsltid=AfmBOooTiTebyyAVv9qyxsKiGcqnb38vWFKf8VOFD1wVjGsHOSC91J4a" data-vars-content-id="e2474f00-e0f5-4dc3-a840-f26e3e010835" data-vars-headline="A North Carolina 911 experiment sends defibrillators by drone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/articles/cpr-facts-and-statistics?srsltid=AfmBOooTiTebyyAVv9qyxsKiGcqnb38vWFKf8VOFD1wVjGsHOSC91J4a" target="_blank">350,000</a> people in the United States every year, and around 90% of those that take place outside hospitals are fatal, according to the American Red Cross.

Lawsuit temporarily halts North Carolina Medicaid cuts to autism care

The lawsuit focused on cuts made to behavior therapy for children diagnosed with autism.

North Carolina&#x27;s Department of Health and Human Services says it will comply with a judge&#x27;s order to temporarily reverse Medicaid cuts affecting children diagnosed with autism. Why it matters: DHHS <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made reimbursement cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/30/medicaid-cuts-are-looming" data-vars-content-id="f5beed89-ab71-47c6-9ff3-949dc25d3e25" data-vars-headline="Lawsuit temporarily halts North Carolina Medicaid cuts to autism care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/30/medicaid-cuts-are-looming" target="_self">made reimbursement cuts</a> to its Medicaid program in October, potentially affecting care for the millions of residents in the state who rely on it. <ul><li>The cuts came after the N.C. General Assembly couldn&#x27;t come to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="agreement on a state budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/19/republican-general-assembly-medicaid-funding-childrens-hospital" data-vars-content-id="f5beed89-ab71-47c6-9ff3-949dc25d3e25" data-vars-headline="Lawsuit temporarily halts North Carolina Medicaid cuts to autism care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/19/republican-general-assembly-medicaid-funding-childrens-hospital" target="_self">agreement on a state budget</a> that would include enough funding for Medicaid. </li></ul>

Durham startup wants to help health care systems navigate AI

Vega Health is based in downtown Durham and was founded by Mark Sendak

A new Durham startup founded by a former Duke physician and data scientist wants to help health care systems navigate the complexities of adding new artificial intelligence tools. Why it matters: Health care systems nationwide are increasingly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turning to new AI tools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/health-tech-deals/2025/02/03/health-systems-see-scribes-as-real-ai-revolution" data-vars-content-id="e7655c09-f55c-4c26-901e-9be5a1e68fe9" data-vars-headline="Durham startup wants to help health care systems navigate AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/health-tech-deals/2025/02/03/health-systems-see-scribes-as-real-ai-revolution" target="_self">turning to new AI tools</a> to improve care or help with persistent work shortages. <ul><li>But the process of picking which ones to implement and then monitoring their performance can be overwhelming, argues Mark Sendak, the founder of Durham-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vega Health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vegahealth.com/" data-vars-content-id="e7655c09-f55c-4c26-901e-9be5a1e68fe9" data-vars-headline="Durham startup wants to help health care systems navigate AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vegahealth.com/" target="_blank">Vega Health</a>. </li></ul>

A column chart that shows North Carolina Medicaid claims for GLP-1 weight loss drugs from 2023 to 2025. Claims rose sharply from 126 in 2023 to 37,407 in 2024, then surged to 211,342 in 2025, indicating rapid growth in drug utilization over the period.

Health 🩺

The questions you should be asking your primary care provider — and why they matter

Health care cost illusions still underpin debates

Health care providers urge checking measles vaccine status as cases surge

Demand for GLP-1s from North Carolina Medicaid patients has grown significantly

World's first weight loss pill is made in the Triangle