When Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity increased across North Carolina, fear kept some families from leaving their homes and children from attending school. In response, schools implemented safety protocols to protect students, while community members mobilized quickly to organize transportation, food distribution, and protection teams. This story examines both those immediate efforts and what they reveal about gaps in existing systems, highlighting what community leaders say must come next.Through interviews with organizers, school officials, and advocates, it highlights growing calls for clearer statewide policies, stronger communication, and more proactive crisis planning to better protect students and families moving forward.Drawing on interviews with organizers, school officials, and advocates, it highlights calls for clearer statewide policies, stronger communication, and more proactive crisis planning to better protect students and families.
Eyes on the Sky
The Raleigh-Durham International Airport Plane Spotting Facebook group has reached more than 5,200 members, and some of those members have formed lasting friendships. Members take pictures, set up airside tours, and some even work for the airlines. While the airport sees over 400 flights daily, these plane spotters find something more: the chance to build meaningful relationships with others who share their passion for aviation.
Chasing the Sasquatch: North Carolina’s Bigfoot Believers
By Grace Nugent From UNC students to museum owner, belief in Bigfoot is alive across…
The Scoop: Gymnastics
Photo, audio, and video package by Megan Patton, Hailey Stone, and Zoe Behrendt on UNC Gymnastics.
The EV Crossroads: Why U.S. Automakers Are Hesitating at a Critical Moment
Federal rollbacks of emissions rules and EV incentives, now challenged in court by states and cities, have deepened uncertainty for U.S. automakers. As companies hesitate and scale back electric plans, China accelerates ahead, leaving the industry split between short-term profits and long-term competitiveness in a global EV transition.
At the End of the Runway: Plane Spotting at RDU
Plane spotting at Raleigh-Durham International Airport has grown into more than a hobby — it’s a thriving community. From seasoned aviation enthusiasts to curious newcomers, spotters gather to watch, track and photograph aircraft, finding connection and meaning in moments most travelers overlook.
Population Growth Fuels Change Across North Carolina’s Business Landscape
North Carolina’s rapid population growth is fueling economic success while quietly straining the systems beneath it. As infrastructure lags and real estate pressures mount, small businesses face rising costs, tighter competition and uncertain futures — raising a critical question: can the state sustain its growth without losing the local character that built it?
The almost untold story of Ivan Fleser: From his Chapel Hill days to playing with Ted Williams and former presidents
During World War II, Ivan Fleser trained at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Navy Pre-Flight School and played on the Cloudbuster Nine alongside Ted Williams and Johnny Pesky. After surviving a near-fatal plane crash, he returned home to serve as an educator and coach. Decades later, his quiet legacy endures through family and history.
A Walk for Peace: Raleigh Welcomes the Monks
Volunteers and faith leaders gather at Greg Poole Jr. All Faiths Chapel to prepare a welcoming lunch for traveling Buddhist monks. As crowds assemble from Dorothea Dix Park to the North Carolina Capitol, Raleigh unites in celebration, fellowship, and peace, culminating in a powerful speech before thousands.
New Asia Continent to open at the N.C. Zoo this fall
The North Carolina Zoo will open a 12.5-acre Asia Continent this September featuring tigers, Komodo dragons and more. Designed for immersive guest experiences and top-tier animal welfare, the exhibit blends jungle landscapes with architecture. Funded by $152 million in state and private support, it’s expected to boost tourism and conservation awareness.