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Hurricanes close practices as Stanley Cup defense begins

Fans won't get their usual up-close look at the Canes during preseason practices in Morrisville.

Sports

Carolina Hurricanes training camp starts next week, but fans won&#x27;t be able to watch the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Stanley Cup champions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/15/carolina-hurricanes-win-stanley-cup" data-vars-content-id="8166fe2d-6ee5-454d-82a9-396f225899b7" data-vars-headline="Hurricanes close practices as Stanley Cup defense begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/15/carolina-hurricanes-win-stanley-cup" target="_self">Stanley Cup champions</a> practice.Why it matters: Unlike <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="previous years" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/15/how-to-watch-carolina-canes-skate-for-free-training-camp-morrisville-lenovo-center" data-vars-content-id="8166fe2d-6ee5-454d-82a9-396f225899b7" data-vars-headline="Hurricanes close practices as Stanley Cup defense begins" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/15/how-to-watch-carolina-canes-skate-for-free-training-camp-morrisville-lenovo-center" target="_self">previous years</a>, preseason skates at the team&#x27;s Morrisville practice rink are closed to the public, though media can watch.

Inside the finances of NC's 13th District candidates

Both candidates for North Carolina's 13th district call for a stock trading ban.

Politics

As Republican Rep. Brad Knott vies for another term representing North Carolina&#x27;s 13th District, he reports holding assets worth between $3.3 million and $13.4 million, according to a financial disclosure report filed in August.Why it matters: Financial disclosure reports are one of the key tools the public has for examining how policymakers in Washington make their money and whether they have potential conflicts of interest.<ul><li>They&#x27;ve <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="played a big role" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/05/29/whatley-and-cooper-both-back-congressional-stock-trading-ban" data-vars-content-id="a56d6f1b-d0df-43d5-8996-04c1f6d522f1" data-vars-headline="Inside the finances of NC&#x27;s 13th District candidates" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/05/29/whatley-and-cooper-both-back-congressional-stock-trading-ban" target="_self">played a big role</a> in the Senate showdown between Roy Cooper and Michael Whatley.</li></ul>

Charlotte jewelry brand KIKI opens first Triangle store

KIKI opens its Durham store Saturday, Sept. 12.

Business

Charlotte-based jewelry brand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="KIKI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/20/charlotte-jewelry-water-brook-kiki-south-end" data-vars-content-id="4e38c7c4-106c-4c46-8603-2a1eee3cef90" data-vars-headline="Charlotte jewelry brand KIKI opens first Triangle store" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/20/charlotte-jewelry-water-brook-kiki-south-end" target="_self">KIKI</a> is expanding to the Triangle with a new Durham store opening Saturday, Sept. 12.Why it matters: What started as a pandemic side hustle for founder Kris Cox has quickly grown into a multi-location jewelry brand. Durham will be KIKI&#x27;s first store outside Charlotte.

Durham water feature linked to teen's death

Naegleria fowleri DNA was detected at El Futuro but not at the other sites investigators tested.

News

A water feature at the Durham nonprofit El Futuro was the likely source of a rare brain-eating amoeba that infected and killed a local teenager in August, a state investigation found.The big picture: Naegleria fowleri infections are rare but progress quickly and are nearly always fatal, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Centers for Disease Control and Prevention" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/naegleria/about/index.html" data-vars-content-id="ba70ce22-ef9a-4a8d-8756-8111c0e184db" data-vars-headline="Durham water feature linked to teen&#x27;s death" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/naegleria/about/index.html" target="_blank">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>. <ul><li>Between 1962 and 2024, 167 infections were documented in the U.S., per CDC data. Only four people survived.</li></ul>

NC tourism spending is booming

Travelers spent some $35.6 billion in North Carolina in 2023.

In yet another r<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ecord-breaking year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/05/19/north-carolina-sees-record-amount-of-tourism-spending-in-2022" data-vars-content-id="df7c0590-7ead-4da8-8c14-c2e0ac1a1761" data-vars-headline="NC tourism spending is booming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/05/19/north-carolina-sees-record-amount-of-tourism-spending-in-2022" target="_self">ecord-breaking year</a> for the state, travelers spent some $35.6 billion in North Carolina in 2023.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a sign that travelers are willing to spend on trips and experiences from the state&#x27;s mountains to its big cities and Atlantic beaches.

Worldwide tech issues cause flight delays, cancellations at RDU

The Triangle is feeling the effects of a major technology outage that grounded flights worldwide Friday, July 19.

Travel

The Triangle is feeling the effects of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="major technology outage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/19/us-flights-grounded-global-outages-microsoft-glitch" data-vars-content-id="de0b5daf-f986-4595-bd60-a48e72e3ffd6" data-vars-headline="Worldwide tech issues cause flight delays, cancellations at RDU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/19/us-flights-grounded-global-outages-microsoft-glitch" target="_self">major technology outage</a> that grounded flights worldwide Friday, July 19. Why it matters: Travelers flying in and out of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh-Durham International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/04/26/direct-flights-raleigh-durham-international-airport-rdu" data-vars-content-id="de0b5daf-f986-4595-bd60-a48e72e3ffd6" data-vars-headline="Worldwide tech issues cause flight delays, cancellations at RDU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/04/26/direct-flights-raleigh-durham-international-airport-rdu" target="_self">Raleigh-Durham International Airport</a> should <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="brace for delays and cancellations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/19/fridays-massive-air-travel-delays-mapped" data-vars-content-id="de0b5daf-f986-4595-bd60-a48e72e3ffd6" data-vars-headline="Worldwide tech issues cause flight delays, cancellations at RDU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/19/fridays-massive-air-travel-delays-mapped" target="_self">brace for delays and cancellations</a> throughout the day.

Get ready for a busy travel weekend at RDU

Raleigh-Durham International Airport estimates about 300,000 travelers will travel through the airport over the Memorial Day Weekend.

If you&#x27;re traveling by air this Memorial Day weekend, prepare for long lines.By the numbers: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh-Durham International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/04/26/direct-flights-raleigh-durham-international-airport-rdu" data-vars-content-id="8adc28aa-09c2-4f60-8505-5b756bb376a5" data-vars-headline="Get ready for a busy travel weekend at RDU" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/04/26/direct-flights-raleigh-durham-international-airport-rdu" target="_self">Raleigh-Durham International Airport</a> is predicting about 300,000 travelers between Thursday, May 23, and Tuesday, May 28 —an 8% increase in passenger traffic compared to last year.

Direct flights from Raleigh

Direct flights from Raleigh-Durham International Airport

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh-Durham International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/02/16/rdu-lands-federal-money-to-help-expand-security-line" data-vars-content-id="55cceb05-d387-4add-bb42-22a4dad49faa" data-vars-headline="Direct flights from Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/02/16/rdu-lands-federal-money-to-help-expand-security-line" target="_self">Raleigh-Durham International Airport</a> is rapidly growing, with an expansion of Terminal 2 underway plus plans for more gates for planes and more parking for passengers.State of play: Sixteen carriers operate more than 350 daily flights through RDU, including a growing number of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="international options" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/09/14/rdu-nonstop-international-flights-paris-frankfurt-cancun-london" data-vars-content-id="55cceb05-d387-4add-bb42-22a4dad49faa" data-vars-headline="Direct flights from Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/09/14/rdu-nonstop-international-flights-paris-frankfurt-cancun-london" target="_self">international options</a>.

Bracket competition: North Carolina's best beach

North Carolina's beaches all offer different charms. But which one is the best?

Ask a room full of North Carolinians what their favorite beach is and you&#x27;ll likely get dozens of different answers — and maybe start an argument or two.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s beaches — famous worldwide thanks to movies and TV shows — all offer something different, from the classic boardwalk experience of Carolina Beach to dunes so remote you feel like you&#x27;re at the edge of the world.

RDU lands federal money to help expand security line

On some days, RDU's security line can overflow into the airport's entrance

Raleigh-Durham International Airport is getting more federal funding for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Terminal 2" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/04/24/new-restaurants-coming-to-rdu" data-vars-content-id="81a63f80-8217-4aa5-a586-ea8227f4d1e1" data-vars-headline="RDU lands federal money to help expand security line" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/04/24/new-restaurants-coming-to-rdu" target="_self">Terminal 2</a> expansion.<ul><li>This time, the money will go toward the security checkpoint area, baggage claim and federal inspection station.</li></ul>Why it matters: RDU is has long prized its short waiting times. But with passenger numbers hitting record levels, the security line can often spill out into Terminal 2&#x27;s entrance.

RDU to offer direct flight to Panama City

Panama City offers more connections to Central and South America for Triangle fliers.

Raleigh-Durham International Airport has added another nonstop, overseas destination. Panama City will be the airport&#x27;s 10th <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="international route" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/11/14/rdu-adds-a-flight-to-mexico-city" data-vars-content-id="ffac10be-8b6c-4758-bd21-91d759581c30" data-vars-headline="RDU to offer direct flight to Panama City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2023/11/14/rdu-adds-a-flight-to-mexico-city" target="_self">international route</a>.Why it matters: The Panama City flight promises to provide easier connections to the rest of Latin America, RDU Chief Executive Officer Michael Landguth said at a news conference on Monday.<ul><li>RDU is one of the largest American markets with no direct service to Central or South America, per Landguth.</li></ul>

Axios Charlotte

TSA's new Gateside program is coming to CLT and RDU

Charlotte

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%.

Travel

TSA's new Gateside program is coming to CLT and RDU

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

The best beaches in North Carolina

What happens if you travel without a Real ID

The clock is ticking to get your Real ID in North Carolina