Friday, Jan. 9: Equity Oversight + Safety Warning + Housing Plan
Friday, Jan. 9
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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NC House panel targets Raleigh, Asheville equity programs
Raleigh city officials defended their diversity programs Wednesday after being summoned to testify before a North Carolina House committee. Lawmakers questioned whether the city’s equity efforts violate new federal restrictions on DEI programs. City Manager Marchell Adams-David emphasized that Raleigh does not use racial quotas and focuses instead on inclusive economic development. Mayor Janet Cowell said several initiatives were suspended to ensure compliance with a 2025 executive order. Officials cited programs like a small business expo and employee ownership support as race-neutral strategies to boost opportunity.
Family says stalking warnings ignored before teacher’s killing
Before being accused of fatally assaulting Ravenscroft teacher Zoe Welsh, Ryan Camacho had a troubling history with a Raleigh family who say the system failed to intervene. Wes Phillips and his wife endured years of stalking, vandalism, and threats from Camacho, beginning in 2016. Despite repeated police reports and a temporary no-contact order, Phillips says Wake County authorities failed to act decisively. Camacho was eventually convicted on misdemeanor charges but served only brief jail time. Phillips believes Welsh’s death might have been prevented had officials taken earlier warnings seriously.
Plan filed for 20 rental townhomes on South Blounte
In south Raleigh, 20 new rental townhomes may soon rise on South Blount Street, across from the former Greyhound bus station. Developer Blue Wave has submitted a preliminary plan to build four three-story buildings featuring rooftop decks, garages, and shared amenities like a dog park and picnic area. The 2,100-square-foot units would offer two bedrooms and 2.5 baths. The site, zoned for industrial mixed-use, sits near the future Downtown South project, which has already spurred additional housing nearby. Blue Wave expects to deliver the homes by spring 2027.
U-Haul index ranks Raleigh eighth for net moves in 2025
Raleigh continues to attract new residents at a brisk pace, according to U-Haul’s 2025 Growth Index released Tuesday. The metro area ranked eighth in the nation for net one-way U-Haul moves, based on over 2.5 million transactions nationwide. Garner, a nearby suburb, also made the top 25 among growing U.S. cities. While U-Haul’s data doesn’t directly measure population growth, it’s considered a strong indicator of migration trends. A separate report from RetirementLiving.com found North Carolina had the second-highest net migration in the country last year, with nearly 60,000 more people moving in than out.
Liberation Station reopens in Raleigh’s Washington Terrace neighborhood
North Carolina’s only Black-owned children’s bookstore, Liberation Station, has reopened in Raleigh after a seven-year journey. Founded by Victoria Scott-Miller, the store closed in 2024 due to safety concerns, but has now reopened in Washington Terrace, a historically Black neighborhood. The new space stands on land that once held the Seawell Plantation—now marked with a historical plaque. Every book is by a Black author, handpicked by Scott-Miller’s family. Liberation Station also offers community resources, programming, and a podcast studio for preserving family history.
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