The Triangle's two largest cities joined a national trend in seeing declining homicides since the pandemic, according to local and national data.

Why it matters: After surging during the pandemic, homicides in Raleigh and Durham remain down significantly from their peak in 2022.

The big picture: A report from the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) found declines across every major violent-crime category in 2025 compared to 2024, Axios' Russell Contreras writes.

• The report features data from 67 of the nation's biggest police departments, and confirms other studies on last year's declines.
• Cities report that homicides overall fell 19%.

Driving the news: In Raleigh, there were 28 homicides in 2025, up from 27 in 2024. But the numbers remain well below their peak.

• Raleigh's homicides peaked in 2022 with 49, and last year represented a nearly 45% decline from then.
• Violent crime overall in Raleigh fell 1% last year, ABC11 reported.

In Durham, there were 38 homicides in 2025, down from 40 in 2024.

• Many of the city's major crime categories also fell last year, including an 11% decline in rape, 10% in robberies and 22% in aggravated assault.

Between the lines: Raleigh and Durham's police departments are going through a period of transition.

• Rico Boyce, a longtime veteran of the department, is in his first year as Raleigh's chief of police, and Durham's police chief Patrice Andrews is set to retire this year.

Reality check: Violent crime rates in many cities have been falling significantly since former President Biden's last two years in office, following a COVID-era crime wave that began in 2020, the final year of Trump's first term.

The bottom line: Experts aren't sure why violent crime continues to fall.

• One study suggested that the homicide surge of 2020 was driven largely by men and teen boys who were either laid off or saw their schools close during pandemic shutdowns.

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A pair of Raleigh real estate companies is betting a sweeping set of renovations — including the addition of a pickleball court and sky bar — will keep one of Durham's most prominent office towers attractive to current and prospective tenants.

Why it matters: It remains rough going for many of the region's office buildings, as companies continue to lease smaller amounts of office space than they did before the pandemic.

• And that is especially true for office buildings that lack amenities or are in non-walkable locations.

Driving the news: Capital Associates and Chartwell Property Group are currently renovating the Durham Centre in downtown Durham, a 15-story tower originally built at 300 Morgan St. in 1986.

• The building is home to several Duke offices, Duke Clinical Research Institute and the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, but more than half of its space is available for lease or sublease, according to online documents.

What's next: The renovations have already begun and are expected to be completed this summer. They will include:

• An indoor pickleball court
• A 15th-floor sky bar and lounge
• A golf simulator room
• Cafe space for a local vendor
• A fitness space featuring saunas and cold plunges

State of play: This is the second time Chartwell Property Group has done a refresh on an older office building, having also invested heavily into The Grove Raleigh, the former headquarters building for Martin Marietta.

• That building is now 90% leased after renovations.

⚡️ Chatham County is now the second county in North Carolina to pass a moratorium on new data centers or cryptocurrency mines. (News & Observer)

🏀 UNC plans to keep Dean Smith and Roy Williams' names associated with any future basketball arena. (WRAL)

🔬 North Carolina universities have already lost nearly $300 million collectively due to changes in federal policy, but that number could swell up to $2.2 billion depending on key court decisions. (The Assembly)

🇬🇷 Kipos Greek Taverna in Chapel Hill is reopening Feb. 21 after being closed since last summer, when it suffered severe flood damage from Tropical Storm Chantal.

Austin Thompson, who killed five people in Raleigh's Hedingham neighborhood in a mass shooting, was sentenced to life without parole. (WUNC)

E.O.'s Athletic Club, a new sports bar, is now open in Durham, transforming the former Beyu Caffe that operated in the heart of Durham for nearly 15 years.

Why it matters: The bar's owners hope it stands out in a sea of sports bars by offering an inclusive gathering spot, showing as many women's sports as it does men's.

• It's also the latest spot opened by Michelle Vanderwalker and Sean Umstead, the James Beard-nominated bar owners behind Kingfisher and Queeny's.

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