Wake Up, Raleigh!
By: Matt Peiken
Language: en
Categories: News, Daily
Catch up on all the Raleigh news every weekday morning. Our newscast podcast draws stories from across the local news media landscape to keep you in-the-know in under four minutes.
Episodes
Friday, Jan. 9: Raleigh DEI Targeted + Family Warned of Murder Suspect + Influx of New Residents
Jan 09, 2026Today's Raleigh newscast includes these stories:
NC House panel targets Raleigh, Asheville equity programsFamily says stalking warnings ignored before teacher’s killingPlan filed for 20 rental townhomes on South BlountU-Haul index ranks Raleigh eighth for net moves in 2025Liberation Station reopens in Raleigh’s Washington Terrace neighborhood Duration: 00:04:02Thursday, Jan. 8: Wake Teachers Walk Out + Avelo Drops RDU Routes + Paid Concert Parking
Jan 08, 2026Today's Raleigh newscast includes these stories:
Wake teachers walk out, urge Leandro funding and pay boostsRepair work puts Raleigh Convention Center reopening on trackAvelo drops more RDU routes, closes crew baseDurham lifts City Hall ban on activist Amanda WallaceCoastal Credit Union Music Park starts paid parking, $20–$110 Duration: 00:03:55Wednesday, Jan. 7: Teachers Walk Out + Cary Mayor Feels 'Betrayal' + Mental Health Defense
Jan 07, 2026Today's Raleigh newscast includes these stories:
NC teachers walk out at 52 schools todayCary mayor says manager’s resignation felt like betrayalRecords detail suspect’s mental illness before Zoe Welsh killingRosebud cocktail bar to open Feb. 14 downtown RaleighAngie Brooks’ Shaw years in Raleigh shaped global advocacy Duration: 00:03:49Tuesday, Jan. 6: Murder Suspect Sought Mental Help + Lingering Health Lawsuit + Virtual-Only FLEX Classes?
Jan 06, 2026Today's Raleigh newscast includes these stories:
Murder suspect sought mental health hearing weeks before arrestState retirees’ health lawsuit still delayed after 13 yearsTop Wake school forced into virtual-only instructionRaleigh-area road projects to disrupt traffic in 2026Cary activist group grows rapidly ahead of 2026 election Duration: 00:04:02Monday, Jan. 5: Teacher Killed in Burglary + Shop Local Director Under Fire + Building Queer Community
Jan 05, 2026Today's Raleigh newscast includes these stories:
Ravenscroft teacher killed during home burglary Saturday morningTeacher challenges GOP lawmaker in Wake House primaryShop Local Raleigh director apologizes for transphobic commentDallas developer to renovate affordable apartments in DurhamGrassroots group builds queer community for Triangle women Duration: 00:03:52Tuesday, Dec. 30: WakeMed Restricts Visitors + UNC Health Outlook + Cary Displacement + Liberation Reopens
Dec 30, 2025Today's Raleigh newscast includes these stories:
WakeMed restricts visitors as flu admissions surge statewideUNC Health CEO Cristy Page plans growth amid funding threatsChatham Estates residents fear closure, looming displacement in CaryLiberation Station reopens near St. Augustine’s, celebrates KwanzaaZest Cafe closes after 29 years; sale set Jan. 6 Duration: 00:03:39Monday, Dec. 29: Democrats Unopposed + Triangle Job Losses + Gun Violence Prevention + Xmas Tree Recycling
Dec 29, 2025Today's Raleigh newscast includes these stories:
Four Triangle Democrats run unopposed; Wake expands early votingDuke, RTI cuts, solar bankruptcy fuel Triangle job lossesDurham launches six-month gun violence plan with expert AbtRaleigh Ukrainian Vertep unites refugee families through carolsWake recycles Christmas trees into park trails through January 31 Duration: 00:04:05Tuesday, Dec. 23: 100-plus Candidates File + Cary Trolley Controversy + Charter School Enrollment Drops
Dec 23, 2025Today's Raleigh newscast includes these stories:
100+ candidates file for Triangle races ahead of March primaryRaleigh City Council on ballot again before staggered terms beginCary bought $540K trolleys, sold after ADA issues revealedNew charter schools miss enrollment targets; High Point TISA closesCrabtree plans $60M makeover; Northgate, Triangle Town Center redevelop Duration: 00:03:47Monday, Dec. 22: UNC Syllabi Scrutiny + Faculty Fears Rising + Durham Mayor Allegation + Wake County Commission + More Convention Center Fallout
Dec 22, 2025Today's Raleigh newscast includes these stories:
UNC faculty must post syllabi publicly starting January 15Faculty report rising fear, censorship across UNC campusesDurham mayor denies misconduct allegation by former studentWake County Commission expands, 2026 races now setAnimate! Raleigh postponed amid Convention Center repairs Duration: 00:03:55Friday, Dec. 19: Trooper Accountability + Property Taxes + Freeman vs. Chitlik + Teacher Pay
Dec 19, 2025Today's Raleigh newscast includes these stories:
Mother presses trooper-crash accountability.NC lawmakers eye property-tax relief; Paré warns seniors squeezed.Freeman challenges Chitlik in Durham’s blue Senate District 22.Report: NC near-bottom in teacher pay growth, per-pupil funding.NC Museum of Art campaign nears goal; East Building revamp. Duration: 00:04:12Thursday, Dec. 18: State Health Premium Hikes + Ligon Rebuild Battle + LGBT Center Reopens + Downtown Artist Lounge
Dec 18, 2025Today's Raleigh newscast includes these stories:
State workers face 2026 premium hikes amid plan deficitLigon rebuild plan pits alumni against Wake schoolsLGBT Center reopens in long-term Cabarrus Street homeRaleigh revives DWI unit after deadly impaired-driving surgeTardys launch downtown Raleigh Artist Lounge, multi-level arts venue Duration: 00:03:57Wednesday, Dec. 17: Cary Land Deal Fallout + Meredith College Troubles + Migrant Support + Triangle Eatery Grades + Rapper Madison Speaks
Dec 17, 2025Today's Raleigh newscast includes these stories:
Cary land deal bypassed council; flood-risk warnings ignoredMeredith ousts deans; protests grow amid deficit, mold complaintsMigrant advocates brace for 2026 after H-2A wage cutsFour Triangle restaurants get B grades in health inspectionsRaleigh rapper Madison Jay urges voting, civic engagement Duration: 00:04:06Tuesday, Dec. 16: Dropping Schools + Fuquay-Varina Water Plan + Raleigh for the Young, Wealthy + Push for Trees
Dec 16, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Wake may drop caps at five overcrowded schoolsFuquay-Varina water transfer plan faces regional oppositionRaleigh-Cary ranks No. 2 for wealthy millennialsRaleigh ZIP 27608 tops $1.1M average home priceNonprofit aims to plant 50,000 trees by 2050 Duration: 00:04:01Monday Dec. 15: ICE Arrests Doubled + Flood Aid Dammed + Schools Enrollment Slide + Raleigh Residents Sue + Built-to-Rent Housing/ent
Dec 15, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
ICE arrests doubled; Triangle saw about 770.Old Farm flood victims still waiting on promised aid.Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools weigh closures after enrollment slide.Raleigh residents sue over 30-story zoning near Peace Street.Sadie Oaks: 201 build-to-rent townhomes break ground in Wendell. Duration: 00:03:57Friday, Dec. 12: Cary Corruption? + Foushee Challenged + Clash at Capitol + UNC Syllabi Public + WakeMed Victim's History
Dec 12, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Cary manager’s luxury travel raises questions, lacks receiptsNida Allam challenges Foushee in NC-4 primaryLawmakers clash with CHCCS over parental rights lawUNC System to make all syllabi public by 2026Officer killed at WakeMed had troubled job history Duration: 00:04:08Thursday, Dec. 11: Legal Aid Cuts + Smithfield Growth + Cary Council Snubbed + Protester Boxed Out + Legal Rubdown
Dec 11, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Legal Aid slashes services after $6M state funding freezeSmithfield medical building sale reflects Raleigh’s growth pressureCary mayor: council left out of key decisionsDurham judge limits CPS protester’s actions, sparking backlashMassage board’s law firm ties raise legal concerns Duration: 00:04:05Wednesday, Dec. 10: ICE Returns + Snow Days Debate + Raleigh Home Values + Enloe Charity Ball + 'Jeopardy' Champ's Jeopardy
Dec 10, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Advocates report large ICE operation across Triangle.Snow day closures revive debate over Wake’s countywide school system.Zillow: Two-thirds of Raleigh homes lost value over year.Enloe Charity Ball targets $200K for Note in the Pocket.Raleigh “Jeopardy” champion in jeopardy of his own. Duration: 00:03:47Tuesday, Dec. 9: Charter Schools Impact + Apple Delays RTP Campus + WakeMed Mental Hospital + Judge Charged + Police Crackdown
Dec 09, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Charter growth forces Durham schools to divert $51M locally.Apple delays RTP campus, wins four-year extension on incentives.WakeMed advances Garner mental hospital, citing soaring ER crises.Durham chief district judge charged in domestic violence case.Capital Boulevard DWI crackdown nets 10 arrests, 130 charges. Duration: 00:03:57Monday, Dec. 8: Black Enrollment Drops + Ethics Backlash + Historic Durham PD Building + Western Blvd. Highrise + Durham UDO Rewrite
Dec 08, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
UNC Chapel Hill Black enrollment drops, DEI cuts deepen isolation.Cary councilmember’s taxpayer-funded degree prompts ethics, transparency backlash.Durham eyes interim uses while preserving historic police HQ site.Western Boulevard Kmart rezoning could add 20-story transit-oriented village.OP-ED: Durham UDO rewrite aims for denser housing without silencing residents. Duration: 00:04:07Friday, Dec. 5: Candidates File + Ligon Middle Debated + Taser Death Settled + Startup Funding + Triangle Stream Health
Dec 05, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Raleigh candidates file as city shifts to staggered four-year terms.Community debates future of historic, overcrowded J.W. Ligon Middle.Raleigh settles Darryl Williams Taser death lawsuit for $975,000.Cycle Labs raises $9.7M to grow supply-chain testing platform.Volunteers join Haw River Watch to track Triangle stream health. Duration: 00:03:54Thursday, Dec. 4: Diversity Disparity + Raids Inspired Fear + Student Mental Health +C.J. Mann Profile + Hurricanes Retrospective
Dec 04, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Report: NC teacher prep lags behind student diversityImmigration raids spur fear, absences across North Carolina communitiesUNC Chinese students build peer mental health support networkRaleigh developer C.J. Mann builds equitable, community-focused projectsLockout reset propelled Hurricanes’ 2006 Stanley Cup breakthrough Duration: 00:04:15Wednesday, Dec. 3: Convention Center Fire + Wendell Migrant Update + New Durham Council + Oyster Bar Comeback?
Dec 03, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Roof fire at Raleigh Convention Center quickly contained, no injuriesAsylum-seeking Wendell woman kept detained despite nationwide bail rulingDurham swears in new council as longtime members say goodbyeDurham County seeks no-contact order against child welfare activistProperty deal boosts hopes for 42nd Street Oyster Bar comeback Duration: 00:04:07Tuesday, Dec. 2: New County Leaders + Healthcare Worker Shortage + $250M Holly Springs Investment + Durham's First Heritage Community
Dec 02, 2025Today's episode includes these stories:
Mike Lee elected Durham County commissioners chair; Allam vice chairTriangle Healthcare Summit warns electrician shortage threatens hospital projectsYpsomed investing $250 million in Holly Springs injection-device plantMerrick-Moore named Durham’s first Heritage Community honoring Black legacyRaleigh pay-what-you-can café strained by rising food insecurity Duration: 00:04:03Monday, Dec. 1: ICE Warning + Wendell Rally + Dems Target Whatley + Bio Industry Boom vs. Lag + Kellam-Wyatt Park Development
Dec 01, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
ICE deployment warning in Triangle based on unconfirmed Siembra tipWendell rally backs detained asylum seeker Fatima Velasquez-AntonioDemocrats target Whatley’s Helene recovery record in NC Senate raceBooming Triangle biomanufacturing faces lagging research and venture fundingWake County begins Kellam-Wyatt Park project near Raleigh, Knightdale Duration: 00:04:07Tuesday, Nov. 25: Immigration Crackdown Aftermath + Free Parking Extended + Rinehart Council Bid
Nov 25, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Raleigh, Durham leaders and residents unsettled by secretive CBP immigration crackdownAscension’s Amsurg deal quietly reshapes ownership of Triangle endoscopy centersRaleigh extends two-hour free parking as businesses cheer, revenues dipClark Rinehart launches at-large council bid centered on housing, transitDurham zine vending machine maps ice cream, foraging, queer history Duration: 00:03:43Monday, Nov. 24: Raleigh-Born Detainee + Durham Reactions to ICE + Enrollment Drop + Missing Middle Housing
Nov 24, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
TikTok video shows Border Patrol detain, release Raleigh-born landscaper.Immigration raids spike Durham absences, spark student walkouts and protests.Enrollment drop forces Durham schools cuts and higher charter transfers.Carolinas hospital chaplains shoulder unseen emotional burden, struggle with burnout.Rezoning could bring 190 townhomes, advancing missing middle housing. Duration: 00:03:45Friday, Nov. 21: ICE Ripple Effect + Op-Ed: Invoke State Militia + Selma Housing + UNC Austerity
Nov 21, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Site Slowdown: Immigration crackdown empties South Creek Chapel Hill crewsWendell Detention: Enforcement sweep seizes homeowner Fatima Velasquez-Antonio in CaryState Militia: Attorney urges Stein reactivate humanitarian defense force statewideSelma Housing: Officials weigh Waterbury Gardens rezoning, workforce affordability promiseUNC Austerity: Independent audit disputes necessity ideological budget reductions Duration: 00:04:08Thursday, Nov. 20: Regional Raids + ICE Detentions + Hiring Promise + UNC Policy Shift + Raleigh Arts Leader
Nov 20, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Regional Raids: Protests surge after multiple detentions during federal operations.ICE Detentions: Witnesses describe chaotic arrests amid agent activity.Hiring Commitment: Insurance firm Aspida pledges high-paying jobs through state deal.Policy Shift: UNC system mandates costly coverage, sparking student criticism.Creative Leader: Raleigh native strengthens city culture via Artspace. Duration: 00:04:32Wednesday, Nov. 19: Responses to Federal Immigration Enforcement Raids in the Triangle
Nov 19, 2025Today's newscast is devoted entirely to ICE raids Tuesday throughout the Triange:
Triangle Arrests: Federal agents make arrests in Durham, Cary, and Raleigh, prompting school assurances and community protests.Durham Response: City, county, and schools denounce fear-based immigration actions; sheriff reiterates non-cooperation.GOP Support: Republican leaders back expanded federal enforcement as Democrats condemn statewide raids.School Assurances: Wake schools reaffirm protections for all students amid raids, educators call for safeguards.Vendor Protection: Brown Berets launch safety initiative for Latino vendors amid raids and violence. Duration: 00:04:05Tuesday, Nov. 18: Parade Death Sentencing + Raleigh ICE Protest + Shutdown Vote + Brewery Closures
Nov 18, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Parade Sentencing: Driver gets 262 days for Raleigh parade death.Immigration Protest: Raleigh rally denounces ICE, Border Patrol surge.Shutdown Vote: Foushee, Ross oppose deal lacking health-care fixes.Raleigh environmental scientists expand work on toxic ‘forever chemicals.’Brewery Closures: Two Triangle taprooms shut amid craft-beer slowdown. Duration: 00:04:20Monday, Nov. 17: Raleigh's ICE Position + Data Center Pushback + Apex Dispute + Missy Lane Closes
Nov 17, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Sheriff Reassurances: Wake, Durham sheriffs report no local immigration operations amid Charlotte arrests.Data Center Pushback: New Hill residents raise environmental, noise concerns over 200-MW Apex project.Apex Parking Dispute: Council rejects proposal to shift student-parking conflict to Wake County.Northgate Overhaul: Durham mall redevelopment pivots to big-box retail, drops housing plans.Missy Lane’s Closes: Downtown Durham jazz venue ends run; nonprofit foundation continues work.Friday, Nov. 14: UNC Tuition + SEL Debate + Virtual Charters + Apex Data Center + Wendell Growth
Nov 14, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
UNC Tuition: Trustees keep NC tuition flat; raise out-of-state rates.SEL Debate: Durham schools expand SEL despite statewide political backlash.Virtual Charters: NC cyber schools seek renewal after weak academic results.Apex Data Center: Residents question massive facility’s noise, utilities, rezoning needs.Wendell Growth: Downtown revitalizes through small-business reinvestment and redevelopment projects.Thursday, Nov. 13: NCSU Prof Killed + UNC Hate Crimes + Chatham Park Expansion + Durham Modular Homes + Sight To Speech
Nov 13, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
NCSU Professor Killed Near Campus: Driver charged after deadly crash near Raleigh campus.UNC Reports Hate Crime Spike: Stalking, bias incidents surge amid campus unrest.Pittsboro OKs Chatham Park Growth: Town approves major expansion adding homes, commerce.Durham Tests Modular Homes: Builders pilot sustainable designs easing housing demand.Wendell Startup Debuts Caption Glasses: Smart eyewear transcribes speech for hearing assistance. Duration: 00:04:18Wednesday, Nov. 12: WakeMed Shooter's Struggles + Durham Enrollment Dip + Hotel Conversions Up +
Nov 12, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
WakeMed Shooting Suspect: Friends describe Benji Martin Jr. as kind and artistic, struggling with mental health before fatal shooting.SNAP Delays Hit Students: Federal shutdown delays SNAP for 586,000 N.C. households, including students.Durham Enrollment Drop: Durham Public Schools loses 1,000 students amid vouchers, immigration fears.Hotel Conversions Rising: Raleigh, Durham rank top ten nationally for hotel-to-apartment conversions.Chancellor Installed: Kevin Howell inaugurated as NC State’s 15th chancellor, pledging innovation. Duration: 00:03:55Tuesday, Nov. 11: UNC Rejects Trump Compact + WakeMed Office Remembered + Elections Board Shakeup + Wake Waste Plan
Nov 11, 2025Today's episode includes these stories:
UNC Rejects Trump Compact: UNC-Chapel Hill refuses Trump administration’s “academic excellence” compact.Elections Board Shake-Up: New GOP-linked hires reshape North Carolina’s State Board of Elections leadership.WakeMed Officer Remembered: Officer Roger Smith honored as hero after fatal WakeMed shooting in Garner.Wake County Waste Plan: County explores landfill expansion, waste-to-energy options before 2040 capacity deadline.Durham Home Erosion: Walltown homeowner battles severe erosion from city stormwater pipe runoff.Monday, Nov. 10: WakeMed Officer Killed + Worker Walkouts + Durham Park Plans + Meet the 'Fatheist'
Nov 10, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
WakeMed Shooting: Office killed and suspect charged with murder after shooting at WakeMed Garner Healthplex.Teacher Walkout: Wake County educators join statewide protest over pay and delayed budget.Durham Food Hall: Workers walk out after ICE recruitment ad appears without approval.Athletic Park Plan: Durham leans toward renovating historic Athletic Park instead of replacement.Faitheist on YouTube: Raleigh creator “Heliocentric” builds empathy through atheist church visits online.Friday, Nov. 7: Electoral Recap + WedMed Expansion + On-Campus Marketing
Nov 07, 2025Today's episode includes these stories:
Electoral Recap: Wake County Democrats sweep local elections amid record voter turnout.Morrisville Race: Mayor TJ Cawley re-elected for third term with 64% support.WakeMed Expansion: Garner “whole health campus” to add mental and acute care beds.HealthWorks Program: New chamber-based plan offers small businesses affordable group insurance.Campus Marketing: Major brands host pop-ups at UNC, sparking debate over corporate access.Thursday, Nov. 6: Electoral Upsets + Food Aid Strain + Amazon Union Drive
Nov 06, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Electoral Upsets: Wake County sees wave of new mayors; only Morrisville incumbent reelected.Food Aid Strain: Shutdown threatens SNAP, WIC support for 100,000 Wake residents.Amazon Union Drive: Durham warehouse workers renew organizing push over wages and safety.IBM Restructuring: Tech giant cuts jobs globally, Triangle positions potentially affected.AP Gains: NC students set records for AP participation and passing rates.Wednesday, Nov. 5: Special Needs Settlements + Rare Earth Factory + AI in Classrooms
Nov 05, 2025Today's newscast includes these stories:
Special-Needs Settlements: Wake County Schools pay $1.3M resolving special-education service disputes.Investigation: Chief Justice Newby’s ruling enabled GOP gerrymandering, reshaping elections.Rare-Earth Factory: Vulcan Elements secures $1B to build U.S. magnet plant.AI in Classrooms: UNC sets new AI-use guidelines, encouraging responsible academic integration.Raleigh Lot Sale: Downtown parking lot sells for $7.15M, eyed for future development. Duration: 00:04:15