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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>

What's next for the Durham parks closed for lead issues

Lead in the soil of some Durham parks was found initially by a Duke researcher.

News

Durham officials still cannot say when lead contamination will be cleaned up in five city parks that remain fully or partially closed. Why it matters: It&#x27;s been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly two years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/05/07/durham-playgrounds-parks-lead-contamination-testing" data-vars-content-id="240d1977-a0ed-43ce-8e0a-a3b788e0388d" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for the Durham parks closed for lead issues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/05/07/durham-playgrounds-parks-lead-contamination-testing" target="_self">nearly two years</a> since testing showed the soil in those five parks is contaminated with lead, and the state&#x27;s Department of Environmental Quality continues to investigate the extent of the issues.

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.

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>.

Local Limelight: Jesse Lipson on Levitate's big hiring plans

Jesse Lipson is one of the Triangle's most successful tech leaders of the past two decades

Jesse Lipson has been one of the Triangle&#x27;s leading tech entrepreneurs for the past two decades. He founded the Raleigh software company ShareFile, which he sold to Citrix, and he now leads Levitate, a maker of communications and marketing software.Why it matters: Raleigh-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Levitate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.levitate.ai/" data-vars-content-id="cb70fdff-8c02-421c-835f-27091e912d7c" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Jesse Lipson on Levitate&#x27;s big hiring plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.levitate.ai/" target="_blank">Levitate</a> recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="raised $16 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/levitate-raises-16m-to-bring-ai-to-relationship-based-businesses-302704595.html" data-vars-content-id="cb70fdff-8c02-421c-835f-27091e912d7c" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Jesse Lipson on Levitate&#x27;s big hiring plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/levitate-raises-16m-to-bring-ai-to-relationship-based-businesses-302704595.html" target="_blank">raised $16 million</a> from investors, which will help kick off a hiring round of more than 100 new employees. <ul><li>That will take its Raleigh headcount at its Gateway Plaza headquarters to around 300, and help fill out new offices in Toronto and Wilmington. </li></ul>

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

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>.

Will Wade abandons Wolfpack

Wade might be the most-hated man in Raleigh now.

Will Wade is out as head coach of N.C. State&#x27;s men&#x27;s basketball team. Why it matters: In a stunning move, Wade, who spent his one season in Raleigh promising a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="red reckoning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/26/more-leadership-changes-rumored" data-vars-content-id="e3eb1e98-5d5f-44c2-87df-bccdc4948019" data-vars-headline="Will Wade abandons Wolfpack" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/26/more-leadership-changes-rumored" target="_self">red reckoning</a>&quot; for the ACC, quit to return to Louisiana State University. <ul><li>Wade coached at LSU from 2017 to 2022, before being ousted after an NCAA investigation. </li></ul>

Top contenders emerge in N.C. GOP race to replace Phil Berger

Berger has led the North Carolina Senate since 2011.

Politics

The behind-the-scenes jostling to replace Phil Berger as leader of the North Carolina Senate is now out in the open, a day after he conceded <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="primary defeat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/13/page-still-leads-after-initial-count-finalized-in-closely-watched-north-carolina-primary" data-vars-content-id="f45998a4-ad73-4bf5-b0a3-e5440e7946b5" data-vars-headline="Top contenders emerge in N.C. GOP race to replace Phil Berger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/13/page-still-leads-after-initial-count-finalized-in-closely-watched-north-carolina-primary" target="_self">primary defeat</a> to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.Why it matters: Berger&#x27;s long tenure has shaped Republican power in Raleigh, and his successor will determine whether that influence — and party unity — holds.

Epic Games lays off more than 1,000, as Fortnite's popularity slows

Epic Games rode Fortnite's success to be one of the most valuable startups in the country

Epic Games, the Cary-based video game developer, is laying off 1,000 employees amid a slowdown in engagement in Fortnite, its most popular game. Why it matters: After Fortnite was released in 2017, Epic Games rode the game&#x27;s popularity and the success of its Unreal Engine visualization tool to become one of the most valuable privately held companies in the country, and was at one point valued <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="at more than $30 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/03/13/epic-games-ipo-potential-in-2024" data-vars-content-id="c4dc9860-801c-4d10-899a-225a49b0d25f" data-vars-headline="Epic Games lays off more than 1,000, as Fortnite&#x27;s popularity slows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/03/13/epic-games-ipo-potential-in-2024" target="_self">at more than $30 billion</a>. <ul><li>It hired thousands of people and ambitiously bought the former Cary Towne Center mall for a future headquarters that has yet to materialize. </li></ul>

A year of major decisions looms at UNC-Chapel Hill

Hubert Davis' position as UNC basketball coach seemed secure before a March Madness loss to VCU.

Hubert Davis&#x27; future as the head coach of UNC&#x27;s basketball team <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hangs in the balance" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48270301/sources-unc-davis-discussing-future-tournament-loss" data-vars-content-id="c6d3c727-73e5-4906-8565-637214235999" data-vars-headline="A year of major decisions looms at UNC-Chapel Hill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48270301/sources-unc-davis-discussing-future-tournament-loss" target="_blank">hangs in the balance</a>, with the university set to make a decision in the coming days.<ul><li>It&#x27;s a sign of how fast things can change in Chapel Hill, as his position seemed secure until a 19-point lead <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="evaporated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/23/blue-devils-dance-on" data-vars-content-id="c6d3c727-73e5-4906-8565-637214235999" data-vars-headline="A year of major decisions looms at UNC-Chapel Hill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/23/blue-devils-dance-on" target="_self">evaporated</a> against VCU in the NCAA Tournament last week.</li></ul>

How HB2's legacy reshaped N.C. and modern culture fights

It's been a decade since the divisive "bathroom bill" was signed into law.

Ten years ago, House Bill 2 — the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;bathroom bill&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/03/25/north-carolina-republicans-transgender-rights-bathroom-bill" data-vars-content-id="fca0229e-9746-433c-91ef-f79264cdff20" data-vars-headline="How HB2&#x27;s legacy reshaped N.C. and modern culture fights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/03/25/north-carolina-republicans-transgender-rights-bathroom-bill" target="_self">&quot;bathroom bill&quot;</a> — became law, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="setting off" data-vars-click-url="https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article68655007.html" data-vars-content-id="fca0229e-9746-433c-91ef-f79264cdff20" data-vars-headline="How HB2&#x27;s legacy reshaped N.C. and modern culture fights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article68655007.html" target="_blank">setting off</a> years of political and economic shifts in North Carolina.Why it matters: The fallout from the now-repealed measure was marked by widespread corporate pressure and boycotts.<ul><li>HB2, which rankled the power balance between North Carolina&#x27;s GOP-controlled state legislature and a large Democratic-run city, was also a blueprint for modern culture fights.</li></ul>

News 🗞

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