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Growth in the Triangle cools slightly but still among nation's fastest

Immigration across the country slowed down in the first year of the Trump administration

News

Population growth is slowing in most counties nationwide amid a massive drop in immigration, new U.S. Census data shows.<ul><li>But that isn&#x27;t stopping the Triangle from still being among the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest-growing areas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/03/13/raleigh-durham-population-growth-census-immigrants" data-vars-content-id="7f345a6e-a50f-44b0-a890-6fedede25457" data-vars-headline="Growth in the Triangle cools slightly but still among nation&#x27;s fastest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/03/13/raleigh-durham-population-growth-census-immigrants" target="_self">fastest-growing areas</a> in the country. </li></ul>Why it matters: The new data offers the best look yet at how tighter immigration enforcement is affecting America&#x27;s demographic makeup, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick writes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/26/county-population-growth-immigration" data-vars-content-id="7f345a6e-a50f-44b0-a890-6fedede25457" data-vars-headline="Growth in the Triangle cools slightly but still among nation&#x27;s fastest" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/26/county-population-growth-immigration" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Alex Fitzpatrick writes</a>.

Rocky Mount nears rare state financial takeover

Late audits and overspending pushed the city toward insolvency, triggering a final warning from state officials.

Politics

Rocky Mount is at risk of a rare state takeover of its finances after years of overspending and missed audits pushed the city toward insolvency.Why it matters: State takeovers are extremely rare. It&#x27;s only ever happened to 12 local governments, and they&#x27;re all far smaller than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rocky Mount" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/17/where-president-trump-jd-vance-have-been-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="1433d93a-bdd2-464e-80fb-9cfd9a1350eb" data-vars-headline="Rocky Mount nears rare state financial takeover" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/17/where-president-trump-jd-vance-have-been-north-carolina" target="_self">Rocky Mount</a>, a city of around 55,000 about 60 miles east of Raleigh.

Jean's By The Sea brings a new laid-back seafood joint to Durham

The menu jumps from Calabash-style fried baskets and shrimp rolls to raw oysters and crudo.

Food and Drink

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jean&#x27;s By The Sea" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jeansbythesea.com/" data-vars-content-id="7c618f05-bfcf-49bc-a944-baa62c620741" data-vars-headline="Jean&#x27;s By The Sea brings a new laid-back seafood joint to Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jeansbythesea.com/" target="_blank">Jean&#x27;s By The Sea</a>, a loving ode to the fish shacks of the coast, is providing a fresh injection of shellfish and seafood into the Durham food scene. Zoom in: Jean&#x27;s, run by local wine and hospitality veteran <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kate Elia" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/news/in-other-news-march-2026/" data-vars-content-id="7c618f05-bfcf-49bc-a944-baa62c620741" data-vars-headline="Jean&#x27;s By The Sea brings a new laid-back seafood joint to Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/news/in-other-news-march-2026/" target="_blank">Kate Elia</a>, opened last month in a former Wimpy&#x27;s Grill location off Hillsborough Road in the Old West Durham neighborhood. <ul><li>The spot still retains the small and laid-back charm of a roadside grill, but offers ample outdoor seating and a beverage program that punches above its weight.</li></ul>

North Carolina's top court bows out of public school funding fight

The Leandro case decision comes at a time when North Carolina student performance is still recovering from sharp pandemic-era declines.

Education

The North Carolina Supreme Court has thrown out a $5.6 billion school funding plan put forward after a decades-long fight over public education spending. Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Leandro" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/11/14/a-massive-education-plan-that-could-transform-cms-hangs-in-the-balance-313318" data-vars-content-id="b1266f12-51a3-490c-952c-49e05bda2a72" data-vars-headline="North Carolina&#x27;s top court bows out of public school funding fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/11/14/a-massive-education-plan-that-could-transform-cms-hangs-in-the-balance-313318" target="_self">Leandro</a> case decision comes at a time when North Carolina student performance is still recovering from sharp pandemic-era declines in math and reading proficiency. Funding per student <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lags behind the national average" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wunc.org/2025-12-16/nc-ranks-dead-last-in-the-country-for-school-funding-effort-new-report-shows" data-vars-content-id="b1266f12-51a3-490c-952c-49e05bda2a72" data-vars-headline="North Carolina&#x27;s top court bows out of public school funding fight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wunc.org/2025-12-16/nc-ranks-dead-last-in-the-country-for-school-funding-effort-new-report-shows" target="_blank">lags behind the national average</a>.

12 places around the Triangle to shop local this holiday season

The list of small business includes stops in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Carrboro.

Things to Do

The holidays are back upon us, and I&#x27;ve been on a mission in recent years to source most of my Christmas gifts from local sellers.<ul><li>It&#x27;s a fun challenge that makes me feel good and results in beautiful gifts that are often one-of-a-kind.</li></ul>Why it matters: Buying local keeps your money circulating through the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North Carolina" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2022/07/22/24-hours-in-downtown-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="d1de7800-1264-4692-97dc-6037a2ed11fc" data-vars-headline="12 places around the Triangle to shop local this holiday season" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2022/07/22/24-hours-in-downtown-raleigh" target="_self">North Carolina</a> economy and reduces the distances your goods travel, which is a win for the environment.<ul><li>Keep reading for 12 of my trusty standbys around the Triangle.</li></ul>

In photos: Angus Barn's dazzling winter wonderland display

Holiday decorations will be up at the Angus Barn through Jan. 26.

Walk into the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Angus Barn" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/07/29/best-restaurants-raleigh-durham-chapel-hill-triangle-nc-2024" data-vars-content-id="6368e77f-a513-4961-8941-01e3603c0eb8" data-vars-headline="In photos: Angus Barn&#x27;s dazzling winter wonderland display" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/07/29/best-restaurants-raleigh-durham-chapel-hill-triangle-nc-2024" target="_self">Angus Barn</a> over the holidays and you might forget you&#x27;re at a classic Southern steakhouse. As has been its custom for years, the Raleigh fixture is now a winter wonderland, decked out with thousands of sparkling lights, dazzling ornaments, Christmas trees, regal Nutcrackers, wreaths and festive garlands.Driving the news: Holiday decorations will be up at the Angus Barn through Jan. 26.

What to know about Thanksgiving travel in North Carolina and beyond

Nearly 1.6 million North Carolinians will be traveling 50 or more miles in the coming days, according to AAA.

If you&#x27;re heading out of town for Thanksgiving this year, you&#x27;re not alone: Nearly 1.6 million North Carolinians will be traveling 50 or more miles in the coming days, according to AAA.Why it matters: The holiday will make for some record-busting traffic on the roadways and in airports.<ul><li>Raleigh-Durham International Airport is projecting more than 286,000 people will travel through the airport during the Thanksgiving holiday, potentially besting the record set in 2019 by nearly 10%.</li><li>Sunday, Nov. 26, is expected to be the busiest day for RDU, airport officials said in a release.</li></ul>

Holidays

12 places around the Triangle to shop local this holiday season

In photos: Angus Barn's dazzling winter wonderland display

What to know about Thanksgiving travel in North Carolina and beyond