Raleigh

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Raleigh with Mary Helen Moore and Zachery Eanes.

Axios Raleigh

Standard

Raleigh Alerts

Alert

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Raleigh.

Axios Raleigh Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Raleigh Partners

Raleigh Members

Membership

Raleigh leaders address scrutiny over downtown death

The death of a Black man prompted questions amid the South's history of racist lynchings.

News

Raleigh leaders held a press conference Monday to address skepticism that police too quickly labeled a weekend death downtown a suicide.Driving the news: Saturday afternoon, a 32-year-old man&#x27;s body was found in a parking lot behind businesses across from Nash Square, according to police.

UNC Health rebrands startup investment arm, adds $125M

Founded as Rex Health Ventures, UNC Health's investment arm has invested in 30 companies.

Business

UNC Health is rebranding its investment arm and giving it $125 million in additional capital to put money into more health care startups. Why it matters: The move will give the health care system around $125 million to invest in startups over the next decade, according to Anita Watkins, who leads UNC Health&#x27;s venture capital efforts.

America's meetup boom can be seen in Raleigh, too

From birdwatching to mahjong, Raleighites are trying to meet people IRL.

Things to Do

Young people raised on swiping, DMing and streaming are doing something bold: going out.Why it matters: Amid a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="loneliness epidemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/15/depression-living-alone-national-health" data-vars-content-id="d6a1be1a-794f-4778-b786-ae2e737c2f0f" data-vars-headline="America&#x27;s meetup boom can be seen in Raleigh, too" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/15/depression-living-alone-national-health" target="_self">loneliness epidemic</a>, millennials and Gen Zers are craving IRL connection — enough to show up for meetups built around activities once considered solitary, or &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grandma hobbies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/needlepoint-grandma-hobbies-tiktok" data-vars-content-id="d6a1be1a-794f-4778-b786-ae2e737c2f0f" data-vars-headline="America&#x27;s meetup boom can be seen in Raleigh, too" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/07/needlepoint-grandma-hobbies-tiktok" target="_self">grandma hobbies</a>.&quot;

UNC displays 500-year-old copy of "The Odyssey"

The rare 1517 edition offers a centuries-old connection to this summer's blockbuster moment.

UNC-Chapel Hill is in possession of a very old, Renaissance-era copy of &quot;The Odyssey,&quot; and the book is now on display in a campus library. Why it matters: The ancient story&#x27;s turn as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer blockbuster" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/odyssey-imax-christopher-nolan" data-vars-content-id="d06fe4f9-c27e-43e6-a54a-30584573e1f5" data-vars-headline="UNC displays 500-year-old copy of &quot;The Odyssey&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/odyssey-imax-christopher-nolan" target="_self">summer blockbuster</a> has brought it back to the forefront of global culture, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 3,000 years after" data-vars-click-url="https://www.history.com/articles/phrases-odyssey-homer" data-vars-content-id="d06fe4f9-c27e-43e6-a54a-30584573e1f5" data-vars-headline="UNC displays 500-year-old copy of &quot;The Odyssey&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.history.com/articles/phrases-odyssey-homer" target="_blank">nearly 3,000 years after</a> its debut.

 North Carolina abortion travel tripled after Dobbs

The number of out-of-state patients seeking abortion care in North Carolina more than tripled.

The number of out-of-state travelers seeking abortion care more than tripled in the year after the Supreme Court&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dobbs decision" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/14/maternal-deaths-dobbs-abortions-us-health" data-vars-content-id="3458eb0e-95cb-4bc2-862f-b375dee335cb" data-vars-headline=" North Carolina abortion travel tripled after Dobbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/14/maternal-deaths-dobbs-abortions-us-health" target="_self">Dobbs decision</a> overturned Roe v. Wade, according to a new study in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Journal of the American Medical Association" data-vars-click-url="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2853162?utm_source=for_the_media&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=ftm_links&amp;utm_term=082126" data-vars-content-id="3458eb0e-95cb-4bc2-862f-b375dee335cb" data-vars-headline=" North Carolina abortion travel tripled after Dobbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2853162?utm_source=for_the_media&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=ftm_links&amp;utm_term=082126" target="_blank">Journal of the American Medical Association</a>. Why it matters: The study adds growing evidence that North Carolina became a landing spot for many patients living in neighboring states with more restrictive abortion laws.

Raleigh to close GoRaleigh station entrance in response to safety concerns

The Wilmington Street entrance will be covered by a chain-link fence.

The city of Raleigh plans to permanently close the Wilmington Street pedestrian entrance to the GoRaleigh bus station next week. Why it matters: The closure of the entrance is part of an effort, city leaders say, to address what they call <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="real and perceived safety issues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/25/downtown-raleigh-businesses-fret-over-parking-decks-future" data-vars-content-id="12dac532-0f71-4220-a3a3-dd459f0ae9ab" data-vars-headline="Raleigh to close GoRaleigh station entrance in response to safety concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/25/downtown-raleigh-businesses-fret-over-parking-decks-future" target="_self">real and perceived safety issues</a> occurring at the downtown bus station.

Details of Raleigh youth curfew are revealed

olice would investigate complaints involving minors, adults and businesses under the proposal.

Raleigh&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed youth curfew" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/08/17/raleigh-city-council-to-debate-youth-curfew-again" data-vars-content-id="0a58c834-fcd1-4ba7-9074-803b0d743a39" data-vars-headline="Details of Raleigh youth curfew are revealed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/08/17/raleigh-city-council-to-debate-youth-curfew-again" target="_self">proposed youth curfew</a> is headed for a City Council vote next month.Why it matters: If the ordinance passes, teenagers — as well as adults and businesses that help them violate the curfew — could face legal action when unsupervised minors are caught out at night.

Raleigh City Council to debate youth curfew again

The city will review a draft of a youth curfew and hear about plans to engage teens in the city more effectively.

More than a month after July 4 celebrations <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turned violent" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/07/raleigh-moves-to-enact-youth-curfew-in-response-to-teen-takeover" data-vars-content-id="3fa08eb0-56d1-4198-8fef-341a1483904c" data-vars-headline="Raleigh City Council to debate youth curfew again" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/07/raleigh-moves-to-enact-youth-curfew-in-response-to-teen-takeover" target="_self">turned violent</a>, the Raleigh City Council will once again debate the merits of a youth curfew in the city. Why it matters: A proposed youth curfew would be a major shift for how Raleigh polices and comes after city leaders raised concerns over an alleged &quot;teen takeover&quot; that saw thousands of people gather in Brier Creek and Glenwood South on July 4.

Why a Raleigh furniture store wants to open a cocktail club

Trig Modern hopes the intimate cocktail club will attract clients, designers and newcomers to the space.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trig Modern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.trigmodern.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23821277936&amp;gbraid=0AAAABDDH7Nue30G8KizVYeedyyRJC0DCd&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw-frTBhCvARIsADv4XY6kTSGRmLtoTqg5B9M5dgX40L-_b1ty6l3sA-VbHnlCFTKtzhXPT8kaAu74EALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="19a476b7-7811-421e-82a1-3e1d581b27fb" data-vars-headline="Why a Raleigh furniture store wants to open a cocktail club" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.trigmodern.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23821277936&amp;gbraid=0AAAABDDH7Nue30G8KizVYeedyyRJC0DCd&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw-frTBhCvARIsADv4XY6kTSGRmLtoTqg5B9M5dgX40L-_b1ty6l3sA-VbHnlCFTKtzhXPT8kaAu74EALw_wcB" target="_blank">Trig Modern</a>, a high-end furniture and design store, plans to add a new cocktail club at the popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dock 1053" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dock1053.com/" data-vars-content-id="19a476b7-7811-421e-82a1-3e1d581b27fb" data-vars-headline="Why a Raleigh furniture store wants to open a cocktail club" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dock1053.com/" target="_blank">Dock 1053</a> development when it moves into a larger space later this month. Why it matters: Trig, which has had a store in Raleigh since 2012, hopes Parlor 1053 will create a gathering spot for customers while attracting newcomers to its space at Dock 1053.

Affordable housing could finally come to former Durham Police HQ property

The property has seen several deals fall through in the past eight years.

Development

The former Durham Police headquarters property could finally be in line for affordable housing under a new plan the Durham City Council is considering. Why it matters: For eight years, the Durham City Council has tried to find a long-term solution for the 4-acre land it owns at 505 W. Chapel Hill St., which has fallen into disrepair after the Durham Police vacated it in 2019. <ul><li>It has seen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two deals with developers fall through" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/06/02/durham-police-hq-redevelopment-peebles-affordable-housing" data-vars-content-id="6fb4d9cf-25c0-425f-99d7-2057587b16f7" data-vars-headline="Affordable housing could finally come to former Durham Police HQ property" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/06/02/durham-police-hq-redevelopment-peebles-affordable-housing" target="_self">two deals with developers fall through</a> that would have added housing and preserved the historic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Milton Small building" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncmodernist.org/hsl.htm" data-vars-content-id="6fb4d9cf-25c0-425f-99d7-2057587b16f7" data-vars-headline="Affordable housing could finally come to former Durham Police HQ property" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncmodernist.org/hsl.htm" target="_blank">Milton Small building</a> that was home to the Durham Police for decades. </li></ul>

N.C. Museum of Art director departing for Guggenheim Abu Dhabi 

Valerie Hillings had led the N.C. Museum of Art since 2018.

Culture

The North Carolina Museum of Art&#x27;s director, Valerie Hillings, is departing the Raleigh-based museum to become the first director of the new Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum. Why it matters: The N.C. Museum of Art, one of the Triangle&#x27;s and the state&#x27;s leading cultural institutions, will now hire a search firm to find Hillings&#x27; permanent replacement.

Local Limelight: Carrboro author Elisa Faison

Her debut novel "Skin Contact" earned praise from major outlets. She shares what's next.

Carrboro-based author <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Elisa Faison&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.elisafaison.com/" data-vars-content-id="f4f806e6-ad35-42ea-b0b2-c7604c68129c" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Carrboro author Elisa Faison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.elisafaison.com/" target="_blank">Elisa Faison&#x27;s</a> recently published novel &quot;Skin Contact&quot; is drawing national attention a month after its release.Why it matters: Literary buzz from major publications, including <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The New York Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/books/review/summer-fiction-preview.html?unlocked_article_code=1.11A.uOm4._af6sIl5XqjY&amp;smid=url-share" data-vars-content-id="f4f806e6-ad35-42ea-b0b2-c7604c68129c" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Carrboro author Elisa Faison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/books/review/summer-fiction-preview.html?unlocked_article_code=1.11A.uOm4._af6sIl5XqjY&amp;smid=url-share" target="_blank">The New York Times</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="BBC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20260106-the-40-most-exciting-books-to-look-forward-to-in-2026" data-vars-content-id="f4f806e6-ad35-42ea-b0b2-c7604c68129c" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Carrboro author Elisa Faison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20260106-the-40-most-exciting-books-to-look-forward-to-in-2026" target="_blank">BBC</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Financial Times" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ft.com/content/84ead41e-ba5f-4770-9170-ed2a5dd68780" data-vars-content-id="f4f806e6-ad35-42ea-b0b2-c7604c68129c" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Carrboro author Elisa Faison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ft.com/content/84ead41e-ba5f-4770-9170-ed2a5dd68780" target="_blank">Financial Times</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Marie Claire" data-vars-click-url="https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/books/books-about-nonmonogamy-polyamory-open-marriage/" data-vars-content-id="f4f806e6-ad35-42ea-b0b2-c7604c68129c" data-vars-headline="Local Limelight: Carrboro author Elisa Faison" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/books/books-about-nonmonogamy-polyamory-open-marriage/" target="_blank">Marie Claire</a>, is shining a national spotlight on the debut novelist.

News 🗞

North Carolina abortion travel tripled after Dobbs

America's meetup boom can be seen in Raleigh, too

Raleigh to close GoRaleigh station entrance in response to safety concerns

Details of Raleigh youth curfew are revealed

Raleigh leaders address scrutiny over downtown death