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

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

Environment

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>

How Raleigh's First Citizens grew from a regional bank to national player

The Holding family has run Raleigh-based First Citizens Bank for three generations.

Business

When Frank Holding Jr. took the helm at Raleigh&#x27;s First Citizens Bank in 2008, the country was in the midst of a financial crisis, and First Citizens was still essentially a &quot;large community bank,&quot; he said.Why it matters: In the years since, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="First Citizens" data-vars-click-url="https://www.firstcitizens.com/" data-vars-content-id="f0078f17-27c4-4bdc-a7f4-8fc0972c8dee" data-vars-headline="How Raleigh&#x27;s First Citizens grew from a regional bank to national player" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.firstcitizens.com/" target="_blank">First Citizens</a> has transformed into a significant player on the national stage thanks to a series of acquisitions spearheaded by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Holding family" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/04/02/north-carolinas-richest-residents-2025-forbes-billionaires" data-vars-content-id="f0078f17-27c4-4bdc-a7f4-8fc0972c8dee" data-vars-headline="How Raleigh&#x27;s First Citizens grew from a regional bank to national player" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/04/02/north-carolinas-richest-residents-2025-forbes-billionaires" target="_self">Holding family</a>, which has controlled the bank for generations.

North Carolina's first Buc-ee's breaks ground in Mebane

The Mebane travel center is set to open in 2027 with 120 gas pumps and 200 jobs.

<figure><img alt="Gif of people in hard hats and one wearing beaver costume shoveling dirt at a ceremonial groundbreaking. Behind them are excavators and a sign that says &quot;Buc-ee&#x27;s COMING SOON TO MEBANE.&quot;" height="450" id="32461d27-ffbb-45fc-b6db-6815b31fe21e" src="https://images.axios.com/y7jLNS3XvP04dpRMVFOvZs-YqRY=/2026/06/10/1781116013509.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>A ceremonial groundbreaking off I-40/85 at Exit 152. Photo: Mary Helen Moore/Axios</figcaption></figure>Construction has begun on North Carolina&#x27;s first Buc-ee&#x27;s travel center, a massive gas station and convenience store slated to open in Mebane in 2027.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Texas gas station chain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/11/buc-ees-texas-luling-largest-travel-center" data-vars-content-id="3c471abf-8070-48dd-9ab6-9c71df34f800" data-vars-headline="North Carolina&#x27;s first Buc-ee&#x27;s breaks ground in Mebane" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/06/11/buc-ees-texas-luling-largest-travel-center" target="_self">Texas gas station chain</a> has built a devoted following since the 1980s, thanks to its beaver mascot merch, clean bathrooms and endless array of snacks.

Carolina Blaze brings pro softball to Durham

The Triangle is now home to one of just six AUSL teams as women's sports keeps growing.

Sports

The Triangle&#x27;s newest pro sports team — softball&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Carolina Blaze" data-vars-click-url="https://theausl.com/blaze/" data-vars-content-id="77b68d9b-e8da-4c9d-84eb-f3272c04f729" data-vars-headline="Carolina Blaze brings pro softball to Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theausl.com/blaze/" target="_blank">Carolina Blaze</a> — plays its first game in Durham on Tuesday.Why it matters: Women&#x27;s sports is a rapidly growing business, and Durham is one of just six cities with an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Athletes Unlimited Softball League" data-vars-click-url="https://theausl.com/news/ultimate-guide-to-every-2026-opening-day-matchup/" data-vars-content-id="77b68d9b-e8da-4c9d-84eb-f3272c04f729" data-vars-headline="Carolina Blaze brings pro softball to Durham" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://theausl.com/news/ultimate-guide-to-every-2026-opening-day-matchup/" target="_blank">Athletes Unlimited Softball League</a> team.

Rep. Ross introduces bill to give indie musicians collective bargaining power

The bill aims to give indie musicians more bargaining power against streaming and AI companies

Politics

Surrounded by award-winning musicians, U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, a Democrat from Wake County, made the case Thursday for legislation that would give musicians more power to collectively bargain against music streaming and artificial intelligence companies. Why it matters: At a press conference at the Pour House in Raleigh, local musicians like Tift Merritt, Shirlette Ammons and Rissi Palmer, as well as Merge Records co-founder Laura Ballance, said low <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="payouts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/media-trends-membership/2026/04/04/streaming-music-payout-gap" data-vars-content-id="d6b7096a-eb00-4cb3-b9c5-0c7daff4c20d" data-vars-headline="Rep. Ross introduces bill to give indie musicians collective bargaining power" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/media-trends-membership/2026/04/04/streaming-music-payout-gap" target="_self">payouts</a> on streaming platforms are making it harder for artists to make a living. <ul><li>On top of that, they worry that AI companies are using their art without compensation to train models that make music that will crowd out human artists. </li></ul>

Ben Folds comes back to Raleigh to raise money for music education

The singer-songwriter rose to fame playing piano for the Chapel Hill band Ben Folds Five.

Music

Ben Folds was 8 years old and living in Winston-Salem when he first sat down at a piano for lessons. Why it matters: The moment would change the course of his life. <ul><li>Folds went on to become one of the standout talents to emerge from Chapel Hill&#x27;s influential indie music scene in the 1990s, gaining international recognition with Ben Folds Five and as a solo artist.</li></ul>

Sylvan Esso is bringing back its Good Moon festival

Artists performing at the festival includes Sylvan Esso, Tyler Childers and MJ Lenderman.

Things to Do

After a year away, the Durham band <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sylvan Esso" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sylvanesso.com/" data-vars-content-id="3f761b9a-0833-460e-9570-b24bcc3fb89e" data-vars-headline="Sylvan Esso is bringing back its Good Moon festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sylvanesso.com/" target="_blank">Sylvan Esso</a> and its music label <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Psychic Hotline" data-vars-click-url="https://psychic-hotline.net/" data-vars-content-id="3f761b9a-0833-460e-9570-b24bcc3fb89e" data-vars-headline="Sylvan Esso is bringing back its Good Moon festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://psychic-hotline.net/" target="_blank">Psychic Hotline</a> are bringing back the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Good Moon music festival" data-vars-click-url="https://goodmoonnc.com/" data-vars-content-id="3f761b9a-0833-460e-9570-b24bcc3fb89e" data-vars-headline="Sylvan Esso is bringing back its Good Moon festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://goodmoonnc.com/" target="_blank">Good Moon music festival</a> to Durham this fall.Why it matters: Sylvan Esso has become one of the most well-known acts to emerge out of Durham in the past decade, and it has used its clout to create its own music festival.

Durham band Sluice writes some of the sharpest lyrics in the Triangle

Sluice is part of a burgeoning, alt-country-tinged music scene in Durham

Justin Morris, the songwriter behind the Durham band <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sluice" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/artist/2G2lzG0hD7813EiPyiCC4j?si=C8Z8hM3uTnaOghEFYehfSA" data-vars-content-id="29cd105d-85b2-42ff-bc5e-55aac11e4f68" data-vars-headline="Durham band Sluice writes some of the sharpest lyrics in the Triangle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/2G2lzG0hD7813EiPyiCC4j?si=C8Z8hM3uTnaOghEFYehfSA" target="_blank">Sluice</a>, may have written the best (and perhaps only) song about surfing real estate listings in the Triangle. <ul><li>On his new song, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zillow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koUY3pNDo0A" data-vars-content-id="29cd105d-85b2-42ff-bc5e-55aac11e4f68" data-vars-headline="Durham band Sluice writes some of the sharpest lyrics in the Triangle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koUY3pNDo0A" target="_blank">Zillow</a>,&quot; Morris reflects on the current state of the region, where a backyard pool house goes for $500,000 and a working-class person has to choose between moving out to Mebane or the house with a flood-prone basement. </li><li>&quot;And where will you live?&quot; he asks.</li></ul>Why it matters: They&#x27;re some of the sharpest lyrics about the Triangle you&#x27;ll find from a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local artist" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qp4suW1Hfo" data-vars-content-id="29cd105d-85b2-42ff-bc5e-55aac11e4f68" data-vars-headline="Durham band Sluice writes some of the sharpest lyrics in the Triangle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qp4suW1Hfo" target="_blank">local artist</a> right now.

PBS North Carolina series celebrates the state's rich music culture

The show airs performances and interviews of bands and artists from across the state.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Shaped by Sound" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pbs.org/show/shaped-by-sound/" data-vars-content-id="730c9f3b-87b1-4a42-b23b-746168a9a296" data-vars-headline="PBS North Carolina series celebrates the state&#x27;s rich music culture" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pbs.org/show/shaped-by-sound/" target="_blank">Shaped by Sound</a>, PBS North Carolina&#x27;s platform for highlighting the work of the state&#x27;s musicians, is back with a packed season 2. Why it matters: At a time when PBS North Carolina is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grappling with tough budget cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/23/pbs-north-carolina-grapples-with-budget-cuts" data-vars-content-id="730c9f3b-87b1-4a42-b23b-746168a9a296" data-vars-headline="PBS North Carolina series celebrates the state&#x27;s rich music culture" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/23/pbs-north-carolina-grapples-with-budget-cuts" target="_self">grappling with tough budget cuts</a>, the television station continues to forge ahead with one of its most ambitious productions.

Raleigh hopes the magic of bluegrass lives on downtown

Raleigh Wide Open is billed as the heir to the World of Bluegrass Festival, which decamped for Tennessee.

News

When the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://raleighwideopen.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22947905723&amp;gbraid=0AAAABBGRjD8Q8Adc_2V3qE7WixDubj2oe&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwxfjGBhAUEiwAKWPwDnO-ICsMZ6_8xvODPNYlwTSv3K51i4dTkBq0JMLtp1KCnJioT4dAHBoClqQQAvD_BwE" data-vars-content-id="968c02ee-6ffc-496d-bf62-9ac185891696" data-vars-headline="Raleigh hopes the magic of bluegrass lives on downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://raleighwideopen.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22947905723&amp;gbraid=0AAAABBGRjD8Q8Adc_2V3qE7WixDubj2oe&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwxfjGBhAUEiwAKWPwDnO-ICsMZ6_8xvODPNYlwTSv3K51i4dTkBq0JMLtp1KCnJioT4dAHBoClqQQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival</a> hosts its inaugural festival downtown on Friday and Saturday, organizers hope the vast majority of people won&#x27;t notice much of anything new at all. Why it matters: After more than a decade in the City of Oaks, the International Bluegrass Music Association&#x27;s annual conference and World of Bluegrass <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="held its last festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/26/world-of-bluegrass-returns-for-one-last-ride" data-vars-content-id="968c02ee-6ffc-496d-bf62-9ac185891696" data-vars-headline="Raleigh hopes the magic of bluegrass lives on downtown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/26/world-of-bluegrass-returns-for-one-last-ride" target="_self">held its last festival</a> in downtown Raleigh last year, decamping for Tennessee. <ul><li>Raleigh Wide Open wants to pick up right where IBMA&#x27;s event left things — continuing a tradition of free bluegrass concerts up and down Fayetteville Street that tens of thousands of people became accustomed to. </li></ul>

Durham's influential music label Merge Records sells 50% stake in company

Merge Records, founded in Chapel Hill 35 years ago, has become one of the most influential music labels.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Merge Records" data-vars-click-url="https://www.mergerecords.com/" data-vars-content-id="c207e62c-ac94-4744-9baa-fae76fdb6acb" data-vars-headline="Durham&#x27;s influential music label Merge Records sells 50% stake in company" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.mergerecords.com/" target="_blank">Merge Records</a>, a Durham music label that has become influential in the independent music scene <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over the past 35 years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/05/22/durhams-influential-indie-music-label-merge-records-turns-35" data-vars-content-id="c207e62c-ac94-4744-9baa-fae76fdb6acb" data-vars-headline="Durham&#x27;s influential music label Merge Records sells 50% stake in company" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/05/22/durhams-influential-indie-music-label-merge-records-turns-35" target="_self">over the past 35 years</a>, has sold a 50% stake in the company — a move that the label hopes will provide more distribution resources for its artists.Why it matters: Founded by Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance as a way to release the music of their own band, Superchunk, Merge has become a powerhouse in the industry, putting out records by bands like Arcade Fire, Spoon, Neutral Milk Hotel and the Magnetic Fields.<ul><li>It&#x27;s also an important incubator of the Triangle&#x27;s own music scene, bringing its artists through the area&#x27;s venues and giving local bands like Hiss Golden Messenger, Rosali and H.C. McEntire a launchpad to new audiences.</li></ul>

Organizers unveil the future of Raleigh's Dreamville Festival

The organizers of Raleigh's Dreamville Festival said Thursday they will continue to host a music festival in the city under a new brand.

Raleigh&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dreamville Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/12/11/dreamville-festival-2025-final-year-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="d5737045-3d8b-45c8-9099-afcf8bcc7008" data-vars-headline="Organizers unveil the future of Raleigh&#x27;s Dreamville Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/12/11/dreamville-festival-2025-final-year-raleigh" target="_self">Dreamville Festival</a> will continue in the city under a new brand, Sascha Stone Guttfreund, a promoter with Dreamville and Live Nation, said in a news conference Thursday with Raleigh officials. Why it matters: The news, which comes two days before the fifth Dreamville is set to begin, is welcome after North Carolina-born rapper J. Cole announced earlier this year that this festival would be the last in its current form.

Pop-up shops and parties: 19 things to do this Dreamville Festival week

Looking for things to do outside of Dreamville? Here are events happening April 2-6 in Raleigh including pop-up shops, parties, brunch, games nights, after parties, run clubs, music industry leader discussions, free events and more.

Experiencing FOMO for not getting a ticket to the last <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dreamville Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/03/30/3-things-to-know-before-you-go-to-dreamville-festival-325126" data-vars-content-id="dde29d62-581c-4aa5-89eb-f039a1680113" data-vars-headline="Pop-up shops and parties: 19 things to do this Dreamville Festival week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/03/30/3-things-to-know-before-you-go-to-dreamville-festival-325126" target="_self">Dreamville Festival</a> or looking for things to do while you&#x27;re in town? Here are 19 events happening in Raleigh so you can participate in the festivities all week long.

Durham musician Phil Cook's new album is for the birds

A wood thrush sings in E-flat — a fact the prolific Durham musician Phil Cook discovered while interpreting the sounds of Orange County woods on his piano.

A wood thrush <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcR6XrnD7Yc" data-vars-content-id="3648d755-1e87-439b-a80a-a349aef32a2f" data-vars-headline="Durham musician Phil Cook&#x27;s new album is for the birds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcR6XrnD7Yc" target="_blank">sings</a> in E-flat — a fact the prolific Durham musician Phil Cook discovered while interpreting the sounds of the Orange County woods on his piano.Why it matters: Cook&#x27;s latest album, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Appalachian Borealis" data-vars-click-url="https://open.spotify.com/album/3cAjAnLW6B0D7jqSctRzft?si=AlGaJ7yXQmuH2W9ksgHBLA" data-vars-content-id="3648d755-1e87-439b-a80a-a349aef32a2f" data-vars-headline="Durham musician Phil Cook&#x27;s new album is for the birds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/3cAjAnLW6B0D7jqSctRzft?si=AlGaJ7yXQmuH2W9ksgHBLA" target="_blank">Appalachian Borealis</a>&quot; — 11 stripped-down piano works, many featuring recordings from the fields and woods of North Carolina&#x27;s Piedmont — holds a mirror to the quiet moments spent with nature and to what life felt like for Cook while quarantined at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Music

The Gables boutique hotel begins accepting reservations in Raleigh

Rep. Ross introduces bill to give indie musicians collective bargaining power

Ben Folds comes back to Raleigh to raise money for music education

Sylvan Esso is bringing back its Good Moon festival

Durham band Sluice writes some of the sharpest lyrics in the Triangle