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Housing becomes part of North Carolina's strategy to attract businesses

The state's new economic development plan pinpoints housing as vital for landing new jobs.

Business

Housing is becoming an even more important part of North Carolina&#x27;s ability to attract new companies, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new strategic plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commerce.nc.gov/first-opportunity-strategic-economic-development-plan/open" data-vars-content-id="d4f8fa2a-4665-4c17-b92b-fe027b6624cb" data-vars-headline="Housing becomes part of North Carolina&#x27;s strategy to attract businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commerce.nc.gov/first-opportunity-strategic-economic-development-plan/open" target="_blank">new strategic plan</a> released by Gov. Josh Stein&#x27;s administration. Why it matters: By 2029, the entire state could have a housing gap of more than 760,000 units, the NC Chamber estimated in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report last year" data-vars-click-url="https://ncchamber.com/foundation/nc-housing-analysis/" data-vars-content-id="d4f8fa2a-4665-4c17-b92b-fe027b6624cb" data-vars-headline="Housing becomes part of North Carolina&#x27;s strategy to attract businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ncchamber.com/foundation/nc-housing-analysis/" target="_blank">report last year</a>, which will likely mean higher home prices for residents and missed opportunities for economic development.

Some North Carolina schools still lack AEDs as lawmakers push bill

Advocates say quick access to AEDs can help save students during cardiac emergencies.

Education

North Carolina lawmakers are considering requiring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AEDs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/21/north-carolina-911-drone-defibrillator" data-vars-content-id="1f389ccf-67b0-4f16-b7cb-a5f120894d36" data-vars-headline="Some North Carolina schools still lack AEDs as lawmakers push bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/21/north-carolina-911-drone-defibrillator" target="_self">AEDs</a> on every public school campus.Why it matters: During cardiac arrest, getting a shock from a defibrillator in time can be the difference between life and death.

Triangle couples see wedding costs soar

Raleigh and Durham weddings now cost well above the U.S. average, new data shows.

Wedding season is here, and so is the sticker shock.The big picture: The average <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wedding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/davids-bridal-wedding-dress-fit-guarantee" data-vars-content-id="4442ccc3-41a4-41b9-a503-d78238c5b436" data-vars-headline="Triangle couples see wedding costs soar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/davids-bridal-wedding-dress-fit-guarantee" target="_self">wedding</a> in metro Raleigh cost around $39,000 last year, while the Durham-Chapel Hill metro came in around $38,000, per industry research firm <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Wedding Report" data-vars-click-url="https://wedding.report/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/38300/idtype/m/location/Pittsburgh__PA/" data-vars-content-id="4442ccc3-41a4-41b9-a503-d78238c5b436" data-vars-headline="Triangle couples see wedding costs soar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wedding.report/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/38300/idtype/m/location/Pittsburgh__PA/" target="_blank">The Wedding Report</a>.<ul><li>Both are well above the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national average" data-vars-click-url="https://wedding.report/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/00/idtype/s/location/United_States/" data-vars-content-id="4442ccc3-41a4-41b9-a503-d78238c5b436" data-vars-headline="Triangle couples see wedding costs soar" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wedding.report/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/00/idtype/s/location/United_States/" target="_blank">national average</a> of $32,899.</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>

On your left! Triangle group rides highlight road safety gaps

Hundreds of students will ride as advocates push for safer streets after a teen cyclist's death.

Transit

Hundreds of Triangle students are expected to bike to school Wednesday for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bike &amp; Roll to School Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.walkbiketoschool.org/registration/whosbiking.php?sid=NC" data-vars-content-id="e4dcb4fe-712d-4f3c-85a6-1aff3bb0e277" data-vars-headline="On your left! Triangle group rides highlight road safety gaps" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.walkbiketoschool.org/registration/whosbiking.php?sid=NC" target="_blank">Bike &amp; Roll to School Day</a>.Why it matters: Advocates hope the group rides boost kids&#x27; confidence on the roads and also highlight safety risks tied to gaps in biking infrastructure.

As Lenovo Center grows, its transit options should too

The area around Lenovo Center is set for billions of dollars of investments in the coming decade

The parking lots around Lenovo Center are packed again for a Stanley Cup playoff series, with thousands of cars paying $50 a spot and traffic on Wade Avenue and Edwards Mill Road grinding to a halt.Why it matters: Avoiding the parking fee or easing the congestion is difficult, however, as only two direct buses stop nearby — and neither has the capacity to serve the arena during games or concerts.

Raleigh's R-Line bus service could be on chopping block

Ridership has not recovered on the R-Line since coming back after the pandemic.

After a couple years of subpar ridership, the clock may be ticking on the R-Line, Raleigh&#x27;s downtown bus circulator. Why it matters: The bus stops at Raleigh&#x27;s train station and apartment towers, connecting the city&#x27;s residents to state government offices, the convention center and hotspots for dining, drinking and shopping.<ul><li>But most Raleigh residents just don&#x27;t seem to be interested.</li></ul>

A step-by-step guide to taking the bus in the Triangle

A step-by-step guide to public transit in the Triangle

With gas prices <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="creeping toward" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/28/iran-war-inflation-costs" data-vars-content-id="13d9974e-c5e2-4e70-92d0-1fe716eee8a2" data-vars-headline="A step-by-step guide to taking the bus in the Triangle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/28/iran-war-inflation-costs" target="_self">creeping toward</a> $4 a gallon <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in the Triangle" data-vars-click-url="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=NC" data-vars-content-id="13d9974e-c5e2-4e70-92d0-1fe716eee8a2" data-vars-headline="A step-by-step guide to taking the bus in the Triangle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=NC" target="_blank">in the Triangle</a>, it&#x27;s as good a time as any to try out public transit.Why it matters: In Raleigh, car commuters spend an estimated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="42 hours in traffic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/traffic-congestion-getting-worse" data-vars-content-id="13d9974e-c5e2-4e70-92d0-1fe716eee8a2" data-vars-headline="A step-by-step guide to taking the bus in the Triangle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/traffic-congestion-getting-worse" target="_self">42 hours in traffic</a> a year. Navigating by bus and train can help save time and take the edge off.

RDU's $2.5B construction projects aim to handle sweeping growth

The $2.5 billion worth of investments will double the capacity of the airport.

Passengers should brace for lots of dust and other disruptions as Raleigh-Durham International Airport forges ahead on four major construction projects. Why it matters: These large-scale projects will double the capacity of RDU over the next decade. Airport officials see the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="investments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/17/whats-on-rdus-wishlist-international-destinations" data-vars-content-id="65406e22-2462-49d5-a95b-31e92b87cecd" data-vars-headline="RDU&#x27;s $2.5B construction projects aim to handle sweeping growth" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/17/whats-on-rdus-wishlist-international-destinations" target="_self">investments</a>, though they may be disruptive, as necessary to handle the anticipated passenger growth.

Taking the bus to RDU is probably easier than you think

A park-and-ride near the airport is also easily reached by bus from Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill.

I&#x27;ve been wondering what it&#x27;s like to take public transit to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh-Durham International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/29/to-go-international-rdu-adds-incentives" data-vars-content-id="d87e0e69-e5a6-42fc-b6f7-d0dd40e3c024" data-vars-headline="Taking the bus to RDU is probably easier than you think" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/29/to-go-international-rdu-adds-incentives" target="_self">Raleigh-Durham International Airport</a>, so on a recent work trip, I gave it a try.<ul><li>It was refreshingly painless.</li></ul>Why it matters: RDU is a major <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic driver" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/17/whats-on-rdus-wishlist-international-destinations" data-vars-content-id="d87e0e69-e5a6-42fc-b6f7-d0dd40e3c024" data-vars-headline="Taking the bus to RDU is probably easier than you think" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/17/whats-on-rdus-wishlist-international-destinations" target="_self">economic driver</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one of the most well-liked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/22/why-people-are-loving-rdu" data-vars-content-id="d87e0e69-e5a6-42fc-b6f7-d0dd40e3c024" data-vars-headline="Taking the bus to RDU is probably easier than you think" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/22/why-people-are-loving-rdu" target="_self">one of the most well-liked</a> large airports in North America. Millions of people from the Triangle rely on it to access destinations around the U.S. and around the world.<ul><li>But actually getting to the airport can be confusing and expensive.</li></ul>

What's on RDU's international wishlist

RDU is eyeing two regions as priorities for the next decade

Raleigh-Durham International Airport now serves a record 15 international destinations, a number that could continue to grow as RDU eyes new routes to two key regions: Latin America and India. Why it matters: RDU is one of the biggest economic drivers in the region. It helps attract businesses and investment to the area, and provides a key source of transit for millions of people around the Triangle. <ul><li>The airport has viewed adding international flights coming out of the pandemic as a key priority, even offering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="incentives to land" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/29/to-go-international-rdu-adds-incentives" data-vars-content-id="a4ff873f-ead5-4d38-8fbc-11a3cc3d2a93" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s on RDU&#x27;s international wishlist" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/29/to-go-international-rdu-adds-incentives" target="_self">incentives to land</a> highly competitive routes such as Germany and Ireland.</li></ul>

Durham unveils initial bus rapid transit plans

The route would stretch from Duke hospital through downtown and into East Durham.

Following in the footsteps of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh and Chapel Hill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/03/13/bus-rapid-transit-momentum-picks-up-in-chapel-hill-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="af0e2009-2a5c-45f7-99a0-c4295fdc1702" data-vars-headline="Durham unveils initial bus rapid transit plans" 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/bus-rapid-transit-momentum-picks-up-in-chapel-hill-raleigh" target="_self">Raleigh and Chapel Hill</a>, Durham has unveiled initial plans for adding a bus rapid transit line through the center of the city.Why it matters: With dreams of light rail and commuter rail across the Triangle <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seemingly quashed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/07/26/raleigh-durham-commuter-rail-faces-bleak-funding-outlook" data-vars-content-id="af0e2009-2a5c-45f7-99a0-c4295fdc1702" data-vars-headline="Durham unveils initial bus rapid transit plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/07/26/raleigh-durham-commuter-rail-faces-bleak-funding-outlook" target="_self">seemingly quashed</a>, officials in the region have increasingly turned their eyes toward bus rapid transit as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="way to improve transit options" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/06/11/gotriangle-new-ceo-bus-rapid-transit-raleigh-durham" data-vars-content-id="af0e2009-2a5c-45f7-99a0-c4295fdc1702" data-vars-headline="Durham unveils initial bus rapid transit plans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/06/11/gotriangle-new-ceo-bus-rapid-transit-raleigh-durham" target="_self">way to improve transit options</a>. <ul><li>Bus rapid transit is cheaper than rail and similar to traditional bus service, but provides bus-only lanes and preferred traffic lights to improve speed, increases frequency and adds larger stations.</li></ul>

GoTriangle CEO: Bus rapid transit could play a key role in the Triangle's future

It will be important for cities to prove bus rapid transit works before expanding the system, new CEO Brian Smith told reporters Wednesday.

News

GoTriangle&#x27;s new CEO Brian Smith says <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="regional bus rapid transit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/03/13/bus-rapid-transit-momentum-picks-up-in-chapel-hill-raleigh" data-vars-content-id="75819816-e816-4aa8-9a2b-e2e2dbcc8517" data-vars-headline="GoTriangle CEO: Bus rapid transit could play a key role in the Triangle&#x27;s future" 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/bus-rapid-transit-momentum-picks-up-in-chapel-hill-raleigh" target="_self">regional bus rapid transit</a> could be a critical part of the region&#x27;s future, but it will be important for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cities to prove the systems work well" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/04/28/raleigh-tries-again-to-get-bus-rapid-transit-construction-started" data-vars-content-id="75819816-e816-4aa8-9a2b-e2e2dbcc8517" data-vars-headline="GoTriangle CEO: Bus rapid transit could play a key role in the Triangle&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/04/28/raleigh-tries-again-to-get-bus-rapid-transit-construction-started" target="_self">cities to prove the systems work well</a> first. Why it matters: GoTriangle is at an inflection point after its previous CEO <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="left the regional transit agency" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/27/gotriangle-ceo-departs-resignation-triangle-transit" data-vars-content-id="75819816-e816-4aa8-9a2b-e2e2dbcc8517" data-vars-headline="GoTriangle CEO: Bus rapid transit could play a key role in the Triangle&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/27/gotriangle-ceo-departs-resignation-triangle-transit" target="_self">left the regional transit agency</a> following the collapse of its commuter rail plans due to funding concerns. <ul><li>Smith, who comes to the Triangle from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hampton Roads Transit" data-vars-click-url="https://gohrt.com/agency/management/brian-smith/" data-vars-content-id="75819816-e816-4aa8-9a2b-e2e2dbcc8517" data-vars-headline="GoTriangle CEO: Bus rapid transit could play a key role in the Triangle&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gohrt.com/agency/management/brian-smith/" target="_blank">Hampton Roads Transit</a> in Virginia, will be tasked with helping design what the region&#x27;s future connections between cities look like. </li></ul>

State lawmakers could block Capital Boulevard's conversion into a toll road

Local officials had begrudgingly supported turning Capital Boulevard into a toll road

Politics

State lawmakers could block the potential transformation of Capital Boulevard into a toll road under the N.C. House&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proposed state budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S257v6.pdf" data-vars-content-id="e5a95c32-7135-4ef9-947f-10a2c1a30b57" data-vars-headline="State lawmakers could block Capital Boulevard&#x27;s conversion into a toll road" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S257v6.pdf" target="_blank">proposed state budget</a>. Why it matters: Local officials in Raleigh and Wake County have begrudgingly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turned toward tolls" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/04/16/to-speed-up-capital-blvd-expansion-the-triangle-could-add-tolls" data-vars-content-id="e5a95c32-7135-4ef9-947f-10a2c1a30b57" data-vars-headline="State lawmakers could block Capital Boulevard&#x27;s conversion into a toll road" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/04/16/to-speed-up-capital-blvd-expansion-the-triangle-could-add-tolls" target="_self">turned toward tolls</a> as a way to pay for an expansion of a 10-mile section of Capital Boulevard between Raleigh and Wake Forest, one of the region&#x27;s most gridlocked roads.

Car insurance falling — but not everywhere

North Carolina has one of nation's lowest car insurance rates, but it's rising

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing the change in average annual car insurance costs from 2024 to 2025, per Insurify. New Jersey had the biggest gain (+20%), while Wyoming had the biggest fall (-30%). Nationally, costs fell by 6%.

Transit 🚗

On your left! Triangle group rides highlight road safety gaps

As Lenovo Center grows, its transit options should too

Raleigh's R-Line bus service could be on chopping block

A step-by-step guide to taking the bus in the Triangle

North Carolina has one of nation's lowest car insurance rates, but it's rising