Monday, Dec. 15: ICE Arrests + Flood Aid Delay + School Closures
Monday, Dec. 15
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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ICE arrests doubled; Triangle saw about 770.
Immigration arrests in North Carolina have nearly doubled this year compared to all of 2024, with more than 3,400 arrests recorded through mid-October. The Triangle and nearby counties accounted for about 770 of those arrests, according to data analyzed by WUNC. Just over half of arrests in the region involved individuals with criminal convictions. Statewide, the share of ICE arrests involving people with no convictions or only pending charges has risen significantly. The increase follows new state laws requiring more local cooperation with ICE.
Old Farm flood victims still waiting on promised aid.
Five months after Tropical Storm Chantal inundated Durham’s Old Farm neighborhood, residents like 77-year-old Fred Foster are still waiting for relief. Over 50 homes flooded during the July storm, but federal aid has been limited due to FEMA’s damage threshold. State grants, promised in August, have yet to be distributed. Many homeowners lacked flood insurance, partly due to outdated maps that failed to classify their homes as high-risk. Senator Sophia Chitlik is pushing for more state aid and buyout programs, but no federal dollars are available for individual recovery.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools weigh closures after enrollment slide.
Facing a steep enrollment decline, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools may close at least one elementary school and restructure its programs, Superintendent Rodney Trice told the school board this week. Since 2020, the district has lost over 1,500 students, with enrollment projected to drop another 15% by 2035. A $300 million bond will fund three new elementary schools, but budget deficits loom. Trice emphasized the need for a flexible master plan, noting that innovation—not just cuts—must guide the district’s future. The board pledged public input before any closures are finalized.
Raleigh residents sue over 30-story zoning near Peace Street.
A controversial high-rise development in Downtown Raleigh is now the subject of a lawsuit. Three residents of the Glenwood-Brooklyn Historic District have filed suit against the City of Raleigh and its council over their October approval of a 30-story zoning plan near Peace Street. The suit claims the rezoning was “procedurally deficient,” violated due process, and constitutes illegal spot zoning. Plaintiffs argue the development would diminish property values and disrupt the neighborhood. The city has not commented. No official site plans have been submitted.
Sadie Oaks: 201 build-to-rent townhomes break ground in Wendell.
A new 201-unit build-to-rent townhome community is coming to Wendell Falls Parkway in eastern Wake County. California-based BrightSky Residential has begun construction on Sadie Oaks, its first North Carolina project. Unlike typical rentals, these homes are developed to remain single-family rentals long-term—appealing to renters seeking suburban living without homeownership responsibilities. The development includes three- and four-bedroom units, private garages, and community amenities like a pool, clubhouse, and pickleball court. Leasing is expected to begin in spring 2026, with average rents around $2,500.
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