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The Triangle's 30 best restaurants, right now

Stanbury takes the top spot again as the Triangle's increasingly acclaimed food scene keeps growing.

Food and Drink

Creating a list of the Triangle&#x27;s 30 best restaurants keeps getting harder for us here at Axios Raleigh. <ul><li>We see it as a sign of just how vibrant the region&#x27;s cuisine has gotten over the past decade, with longtime institutions going strong and an ever-growing list of exciting newcomers. </li></ul>

Court ruling could reshape North Carolina coastal fishing

Shrimp trawling and gillnetting face new scrutiny after a judge found decades of state failures.

Climate

North Carolina failed to protect its coastal fisheries, leaving multiple species at risk of collapse, a Wake County judge ruled last week.Why it matters: The ruling found North Carolinians&#x27; constitutional right to harvest fish and shellfish is being violated, potentially requiring the state to overhaul how it manages the coastal ecosystem.

Chapel Hill braces for a star-studded G20 gathering

Sam Altman will discuss coming AI advances as global ministers gather on the edge of UNC's campus.

Politics

A G20 meeting next week will bring some of the biggest names in tech to Chapel Hill — including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.Why it matters: The high-profile gathering will complicate traffic and increase the police presence around campus Tuesday and Wednesday.

Meta settlement gives social media its Big Tobacco moment

North Carolina will get at least $451 million as Facebook and Instagram add protections for kids.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Meta" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/18/meta-trial-social-media-children-facebook-instagram" data-vars-content-id="63701f16-5b6c-425c-b3cb-a46e56c27cf3" data-vars-headline="Meta settlement gives social media its Big Tobacco moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/18/meta-trial-social-media-children-facebook-instagram" target="_self">Meta</a> agreed to settle with U.S. states for up to $16.7 billion in a landmark deal over allegations Facebook and Instagram were designed in ways that harm children.<ul><li>The company is calling on its peers to sign on to the pact as well, saying it won&#x27;t work unless they jointly line up behind broad reform.</li></ul>Why it matters: This is social media&#x27;s version of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="landmark 1990s tobacco settlement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.naag.org/our-work/naag-center-for-tobacco-and-public-health/the-master-settlement-agreement/" data-vars-content-id="63701f16-5b6c-425c-b3cb-a46e56c27cf3" data-vars-headline="Meta settlement gives social media its Big Tobacco moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.naag.org/our-work/naag-center-for-tobacco-and-public-health/the-master-settlement-agreement/" target="_blank">landmark 1990s tobacco settlement</a>, a settlement that effectively reshapes the industry and the way young Americans experience some of their favorite platforms.

Asheville's Helene recovery gets global G20 spotlight

More than 1,000 visitors are expected in the western North Carolina town hit hard by Helene.

This weekend, a G20 summit in Asheville will draw finance ministers, economic leaders and heavy-hitting CEOs from around the world.Why it matters: Choosing the Blue Ridge Mountains for the summit is a strategic show of support from the Trump administration for a region still healing from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Helene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/26/a-year-on-from-helene" data-vars-content-id="b53e4917-633f-44d4-87fe-cc758283547b" data-vars-headline="Asheville&#x27;s Helene recovery gets global G20 spotlight" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/26/a-year-on-from-helene" target="_self">Tropical Storm Helene</a>.

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.

School's back already? Not in most of North Carolina

More districts are defying North Carolina's calendar law, while Triangle schools are complying.

Education

Hundreds of traditional schools in North Carolina are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reopening this week" data-vars-click-url="https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/meetings/TempFolder/Meetings/SBE%20Report%20260513_472619vxikr0nfgubaaxcbuyi5ag1b.pdf" data-vars-content-id="e45bc08d-d67f-4c85-a2cf-a5619264842f" data-vars-headline="School&#x27;s back already? Not in most of North Carolina" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/meetings/TempFolder/Meetings/SBE%20Report%20260513_472619vxikr0nfgubaaxcbuyi5ag1b.pdf" target="_blank">reopening this week</a> despite a state law barring them from starting classes before Aug. 24.Why it matters: America&#x27;s start-of-school season stretches nearly two months. Gone are the days of a shared &quot;back-to-school&quot; moment.

Pornhub plots return to North Carolina browsers 

The site argues age verification laws miss their goal and expose adults' personal information instead.

Pornhub is hoping to return to North Carolinians&#x27; web browsers and search histories by challenging the state&#x27;s age verification rules for porn sites.Why it matters: It&#x27;s been nearly three years since residents could directly access one of the biggest names in online pornography.

North Carolina THC products remain in limbo

A bill stalled that would have outlawed most hemp gummies, drinks and vapes sold across the state.

State lawmakers are unlikely to move forward with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new regulations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/31/pivotal-week-in-raleigh-for-hemp-regulation" data-vars-content-id="044344aa-8ea0-47d1-a58a-d057f24dee0c" data-vars-headline="North Carolina THC products remain in limbo" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/31/pivotal-week-in-raleigh-for-hemp-regulation" target="_self">new regulations</a> on hemp this session, state House Speaker Destin Hall told reporters late Tuesday.Why it matters: The bill House Republicans were considering — passed by the Senate in July — would topple the state&#x27;s hemp industry, which has flourished in the past decade thanks to a federal loophole set to close in November.<ul><li>Yes, but: Not taking action lets gummies, THC-infused drinks, weed and vapes continue to be sold in retail stores. Though if the federal government doesn&#x27;t change course, the industry could die anyway.</li></ul>

A pivotal week in Raleigh for hemp regulation

A bill under consideration would ban the vast majority of THC hemp products in the state, critics say.

Next week will be a pivotal one for North Carolina&#x27;s hemp industry as the North Carolina House considers legislation that would ban most intoxicating THC products.Why it matters: With a federal ban <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="looming in November" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/12/government-shutdown-bill-thc-hemp-products" data-vars-content-id="55d6afb7-1dd3-4d15-9efa-8dc1bcb5f395" data-vars-headline="A pivotal week in Raleigh for hemp regulation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/12/government-shutdown-bill-thc-hemp-products" target="_self">looming in November</a> on most intoxicating THC hemp products, the industry hoped that the state legislature in Raleigh might be able to find a compromise that would keep products on the shelves while tightening regulations on things like age restrictions. Yes, but: Earlier this month the N.C. Senate moved forward <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a bill " data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/H328" data-vars-content-id="55d6afb7-1dd3-4d15-9efa-8dc1bcb5f395" data-vars-headline="A pivotal week in Raleigh for hemp regulation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/H328" target="_blank">a bill </a>that mirrors the federal language by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="banning any hemp products with over 0.3% THC (or 0.4 mg)" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/01/north-carolina-hemp-regulations-thc-age-limit" data-vars-content-id="55d6afb7-1dd3-4d15-9efa-8dc1bcb5f395" data-vars-headline="A pivotal week in Raleigh for hemp regulation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/01/north-carolina-hemp-regulations-thc-age-limit" target="_self">banning any hemp products with over 0.3% THC (or 0.4 mg)</a> and banning their purchase by anyone under 21.

North Carolina could offer PGA Tour millions to keep Greensboro tournament relevant

The PGA Tour is restructuring its field into two competition tiers.

State lawmakers could offer the PGA Tour up to $40 million to keep Greensboro&#x27;s Wyndham Championship a top-tier tournament going forward. Why it matters: The PGA Tour plans to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restructure its tour" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2026/06/23/pga-tour-new-competitive-structure-two-series-model-2028-schedule-changes-announcement-championship-challenger-series-track-brian-rolapp" data-vars-content-id="a171214a-9994-4e7c-8870-7def37604b94" data-vars-headline="North Carolina could offer PGA Tour millions to keep Greensboro tournament relevant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2026/06/23/pga-tour-new-competitive-structure-two-series-model-2028-schedule-changes-announcement-championship-challenger-series-track-brian-rolapp" target="_blank">restructure its tour</a> into a two-tier format starting in 2028, meaning some tournaments would feature the most elite players, while others would field those hoping to be promoted to the top tier. <ul><li>The status of the Wyndham Championship, played at Sedgefield Country Club, is uncertain, and the money would be offered as an incentive to keep the tournament as part of the highest-tier of golf competition. </li></ul>

Politics 🇺🇸

Chapel Hill braces for a star-studded G20 gathering

Meta settlement gives social media its Big Tobacco moment

Court ruling could reshape North Carolina coastal fishing

Asheville's Helene recovery gets global G20 spotlight

Details of Raleigh youth curfew are revealed