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Axios Raleigh
Playgrounds in five Durham parks closed for lead testing
The city of Durham closed playgrounds and other areas in five of its parks while it conducts additional soil lead tests.Why it matters: Chronic lead exposure is dangerous, especially for children. A 2022 study by a Duke graduate student found some parks in Durham that were previously home trash incinerators or used ash as infill between 1900 and 1950 had lead concentrations higher than EPA standards.Driving the news: Durham's parks and recreation department began fencing off additional sections of Northgate, Walltown, East Durham, East End and Lyon parks in recent weeks amid additional testing.EPA standards for lead concentrations in the...
Construction on a $3 billion development in the Raleigh suburbs could begin soon
Veridea, a long-awaited, master-plan community in Apex, could begin phase one of construction later this year, according to its developer, New York firm RXR.Why it matters: Veridea has been in the works for more than a decade and represents a $3 billion investment in one of the Triangle's fastest growing towns.Zoom in: RXR bought the 1,000-acre site — located about three miles south of downtown Apex — last year for $91 million from Hudson Realty, the Triangle Business Journal reported. Plans have been tweaked over the years, but RXR's current plan would add thousands of housing units and millions of square...
Holly Springs' post office isn't keeping up with the town's growth, officials say
The Holly Springs post office is in dire need of upgrades to serve one of the fastest-growing towns in the state, a delegation of elected officials in Wake County say. Why it matters: Holly Springs has seen rapid population growth in the past decade, growing by 86.3% since 2010 to around 46,000 residents. It's become one of the most prominent suburbs of Raleigh and is attracting large employers like Fujifilm Diosynth, a biotech company that's planning to add more than 1,000 local jobs. Yes, but: Elected officials say its postal infrastructure has not kept up with the growth. The existing...
Private school vouchers in North Carolina could expand significantly under Republican bill
North Carolina Republicans are moving to significantly expand the state's Opportunity Scholarship program, which offers state-funded vouchers to pay for private schooling, during the short session. Why it matters: More than 72,000 families applied for private school vouchers this year, after the program was opened to all families in the state regardless of income. State of play: Under the current funding level of $191 million, only a small portion of applicants in the lowest income levels received vouchers. For example, a family of four making more than $115,440 could not receive a voucher.Driving the news: A bill that moved through...
Brooklyn PIckle's second North Carolina location will open in Raleigh
Brooklyn Pickle, a New York sandwich company founded in Syracuse, is doubling down on its presence in North Carolina. The latest: Brooklyn Pickle said Friday it will soon open its first Raleigh location on Lake Boone Trail. It's the sandwich shop's sixth location and second in North Carolina, with another shop in Southern Pines. What to expect: Sandwiches you'd see at most New York delis, including pastrami, Reubens and roast beef — all starting at under $10. Brooklyn Pickle also offers subs, wraps, soups, salads and several types of pickles. Location: 4025 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 120Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Brooklyn Pickle's opening date has been delayed from Monday.
Biden's visit to N.C. highlights administration's efforts to remove forever chemicals
President Biden's Thursday trip to Wilmington — the site of one of North Carolina's most notorious chemical contaminations — comes just weeks after his administration moved to curb the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pollution in the U.S.Why it matters: Exposure to certain levels of these synthetic compounds, referred to collectively as "forever chemicals," has been linked to adverse health effects in humans and animals, including an increased risk of cancer, Axios previously reported.Zoom in: The chemicals have also become a salient issue in North Carolina since PFAS were found in the Wilmington area's water supply around seven...
Path to Congress clears for Trump-backed Knott
Former federal prosecutor and Trump-endorsed candidate Brad Knott has seemingly sealed the Republican nomination for North Carolina's 13th Congressional District after Smithfield attorney Kelly Daughtry dropped out of the race ahead of the May 14 primary runoff.Why it matters: The runoff for the Republican-leaning district seemed primed to become a measurement of how much power Trump's support has in the swing state in 2024, as we reported earlier this week.Two days after that story ran, Daughtry answered that question in a statement ending her candidacy.What they're saying: "In light of President Trump's endorsement of Brad Knott for the Congressional seat in District 13, it has become clear that a pathway to victory is no longer feasible," Daughtry said in a statement. "I believe in the democratic process and respect the endorsement of our President."The intrigue: Ballots have already been printed, and some already cast, meaning Daughtry could still walk away with the most votes. On the off chance that happens, she could still withdraw, and a Republican district executive committee would choose the nominee, the N&O reported. Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details.
Here are things to do across the Triangle this weekend
The weather's warming up quickly, which means it's time for communities across the region to host their annual festivals.Here's what's happening in the Triangle this weekend:🦅 Learn how to build the perfect bird habitat with the Durham Museum of Life + Science's Bird Bonanza event on Saturday. 🍽️ Eat out at the Holly Springs International Food Festival on Friday. 🛍️ Shop and eat at the First Friday Market on Halifax Mall in downtown Raleigh, where they will be showing the movie Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith Friday evening. 🍓 Celebrate strawberry season at the Strawberry Festival in Old North Durham Park and the Strawberry Jamboree at the Carrboro Farmers' Market on Saturday. 🏔️ Head to downtown Apex on Saturday for PeakFest featuring free music, local shops and food vendors. 🧑🧑🧒 Shop for Mother's Day and Father's Day gifts at the Ma & Pa Market on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh on Saturday. 🪕 Listen to music near the banks of the Haw River in Saxapahaw on Saturday for the Haw River Festival. 👂 Hear poetry and bands perform and grab a bite from local food trucks at the annual Carrboro Day on Sunday.
Single-family home construction slumps in Raleigh
Data: Census Bureau via FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis; Chart: Axios VisualsRaleigh single-family home construction is down nearly 10% compared to last year, per the latest numbers from Federal Reserve Economic Data. Why it matters: Our inventory problem isn't going away. Tight inventory compounds the area's existing affordability challenges. This is the least affordable housing market for first-time buyers in more than four decades.Zoom in: Building new homes in Raleigh and Cary takes time. The process of filing subdivision plans and housing permits can take anywhere from one to two years, the Triangle Business Journal reported.New home construction...
A wine bar will be replacing the old Cafe Carolina space in the Village District
Postino WineCafe, a Phoenix-born wine bar chain, will open in the former Cafe Carolina space in the Village District this summer, the restaurant's management announced Wednesday. What to expect: Postino WineCafe is renovating the former Cafe Carolina space to include room for more than 150 diners, including a large outdoor patio area. Postino will be open for lunch and dinner, serving more than 30 wines by the glass. In addition to wine and beer, Postino's menu includes charcuterie boards, soups and salads and paninis. Address: 401 Daniels St., Unit B0238, Raleigh
Here are the Triangle ZIP codes with the biggest home appreciation in the past year
Data: Zillow; Note: Typical home value refers to the average of the middle third of Zillow home value estimates for every home in a given region with a county record, including single-family, condominium and co-operative homes; Table: Axios VisualsThe ZIP codes in the Raleigh area experiencing the highest home appreciation in the past year include areas in exurban Johnston County and some of the most desirable neighborhoods in town. Why it matters: Fewer homes on the market kept prices growing in most areas, meaning affordability dwindled, according to Zillow chief economist Skylar Olsen.State of play: The ZIP code which saw...
Triangle-based Front Porch Venture Partners completes $20 million fundraise
Front Porch Venture Partners, a Triangle-based venture capital firm started in 2019, has raised $20 million for its second fund to invest in startups in Southeastern states. Why it matters: The new fund is quadruple the size of Front Porch's pilot fund and adds a chunk of new capital available to Triangle startups after a year where local startup investment cratered. Driving the news: Front Porch will use the money to invest both in other venture capital firms (like Durham-based Idea Fund Partners and Hatteras Venture Partners) as well as individual startups. Nikin Shah, general partner for Front Porch, said...
Here are some of the best concerts happening in the Triangle in May
The spring concert season is heating up across the Triangle. Here are some of the best concerts happening in May: 😢 May 1: Emo legends Sunny Day Real Estate play the Lincoln Theatre.🎸 May 2: Hard rockers Queens of the Stone Age take on Red Hat Amphitheater. 🤘 May 3: '90s alt-rockers The Verve Pipe make an appearance at The Rialto. 🎸 May 3: '00s standouts Say Anything play The Ritz. 🎤 May 7: The Dave Grohl-led Foo Fighters bring their show to Coastal Credit Union Music Park. 🎙️ May 8: Singer Madison Beer stops at The Ritz. 🥁 May...
UNC police detained dozens of pro-Palestine demonstrators that set up tents on campus
Classes at UNC-Chapel Hill were canceled Tuesday afternoon after demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war escalated into confrontations involving protesters, counter-protesters and police. The cancelation, which coincided with the last day of classes, came hours after campus police detained 36 people who camped out on the university's main quad. 27 were cited for trespassing and released on-site, per UNC officials. Six were arrested and transported to Orange County Detention Center.Why it matters: The protests, which mirrored similar events at university campuses across the country, had attracted hundreds of students — including those from other institutions like N.C. State and Duke.The latest:...
Another Japanese company is expanding in the Triangle with Ricoh opening an office at N.C. State
Ricoh, a Japanese printing company expanding into 3D printing, is opening a new center on N.C. State University's Centennial Campus. Why it matters: Ricoh joins the long list of Japanese companies investing in North Carolina in recent years — a trend recently highlighted by the Japanese prime minister's visit to the Tar Heel State. Driving the news: Ricoh plans to initially invest $1.8 million in the center, which Carsten Bruhn, the head of Ricoh's U.S. operations, said it will use to partner with faculty on projects and to recruit engineering talent. Bruhn declined to speculate how many people will work...
Berkeley Cafe, a longtime watering hole and live music space in downtown Raleigh, has reopened
Berkeley Cafe, a fixture of downtown Raleigh's live music and dining scene, has reopened after moving to the former home of Fiction Kitchen on South Dawson Street. Why it matters: When Berkeley Cafe announced its longtime home on the edge of Nash Square would be torn down to become condos, Raleighites collectively feared another piece of its downtown history would disappear as well. Driving the news: Just a little more than six months after closing the Nash Square space, Berkeley is serving lunch at 428 S. Dawson St. as of this week. The new spot might feel familiar to regulars. The old bar top made the move, as did several longtime wall fixtures and paintings. What's next: Berkeley Cafe is sticking to lunch hours of 11am -3:30pm for now as it waits for its alcohol license. Live music and dinner will return once the permit is secured.
UNC police detained dozens of pro-Palestine demonstrators that set up tents on campus
The last day of classes at UNC-Chapel Hill was canceled Tuesday afternoon after demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war escalated into confrontations involving protesters, counter-protesters and police. The cancelation came hours after campus police arrested around 30 people who camped out on the university's main quad early Tuesday morning. Why it matters: The protests, which mirrored similar events at university campuses across the country, had attracted hundreds of students — including those from other institutions like N.C. State and Duke.The latest: After police cleared the area Tuesday morning, UNC's campus was quiet for a few hours hours before hundreds of demonstrators...
North Carolina's 13th district is a showdown between money and a Trump endorsement
One of the last remaining Republican primary races could be a test of how influential former President Trump's endorsement remains in North Carolina.Why it matters: The winner of the May 14 Republican primary runoff for North Carolina Congressional District 13 between Kelly Daughtry and Brad Knott will likely become the representative for a large swath of suburban Raleigh area voters. The district was redrawn last year to be more favorable for Republicans. Incumbent Rep. Wiley Nickel, a Democrat, decided not to run after the new maps were released.State of play: Former federal prosecutor Knott narrowly got enough votes in March...
La Terrazza will bring Mediterranean dishes to the Dillon tower's rooftop
La Terrazza, a restaurant with a bird's-eye perch over downtown Raleigh, will open in the Warehouse District on May 1. Why it matters: La Terrazza is the newest creation from the team behind the popular downtown Italian eatery Mulino, and the restaurant will occupy one of the city's premier pieces of real estate — the rooftop terrace at The Dillon tower. What to expect: La Terrazza will operate with limited hours to start, opening Tuesday through Saturday from 5-10pm and Sunday from 4-9pm. The menu features southern Italian and Mediterranean dishes, including lamb skewers, fresh pasta, grilled octopus, charcuterie and pizzas....
Brightleaf Square's next tenants to open are Emmy Squared and FlowCorps
Two new tenants are coming to downtown Durham's Brightleaf Square. Emmy Squared, a popular pizza chain that serves Detroit-style pies, is expected to open next month. FlowCorps, a Raleigh-based Pilates and cardio fitness studio, will open a location there later this year. Why it matters: After several years of transition, Brightleaf Square's owner, Charlotte-based Asana Partners, has brought in a host of new tenants for the shopping-and-eating destination. Driving the news: Real estate service firm CBRE said FlowCorps will lease 3,856 square feet at Brightleaf and is expected to open this fall. State of play: The north building at Brightleaf is now nearly full leased — though 20,000 square feet of space remains available, per CBRE.Other tenants that have recently opened include: Fonda Lupita, the first Triangle location of the popular Sanford Mexican restaurantGreek restaurant NikosSouthern African restaurant Zweli's Kitchen Paddywax Candle Bar
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