Monday, Dec. 29: Triangle Elections + Job Losses + Gun Violence Plan
Monday, Dec. 29
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Four Triangle Democrats run unopposed; Wake expands early voting.
Several Raleigh-Durham lawmakers will run unopposed in the 2026 state legislative elections, effectively securing another term. Among them are Reps. Sarah Crawford of Raleigh, and Vernetta Alston and Zack Hawkins of Durham, along with Senator Natalie Murdock, also of Durham. All are Democrats representing left-leaning districts. Statewide, twenty legislators face no challengers, and all but one are Democrats. Meanwhile, Wake County will expand its early voting for the March 3 primary, increasing sites from eight to twelve. Officials say the move supports higher turnout in a county where early voting is the most popular method.
Duke, RTI cuts, solar bankruptcy fuel Triangle job losses.
Raleigh and Durham saw significant employment upheaval in 2025, with thousands of job losses tied to both shifting federal policies and the growing role of artificial intelligence. Duke University cut hundreds of positions amid a $350 million cost-reduction plan, while Durham’s RTI International lost 435 jobs after federal research funding was slashed. Nearby, Pine Gate Renewables and its subsidiary Blue Ridge Power filed for bankruptcy, cutting 740 solar jobs. Additionally, local Amazon Delivery Service Partners laid off over 300 workers in Durham and Garner. AI-related slowdowns also hit professional sectors across the state.
Durham launches six-month gun violence plan with expert Abt.
Durham has kicked off a six-month process to create a local gun violence reduction strategy, guided by national expert Thomas Abt of the University of Maryland. At a packed event, Abt presented data showing that community gun violence disproportionately impacts disadvantaged youth and carries immense social costs—up to $627 million annually in Durham. His proposed framework includes focused interventions in high-risk neighborhoods, balancing policing with support, and ensuring fairness. Residents also raised concerns about AI-powered policing tools. Mayor Leo Williams stressed the need for a united community response.
Raleigh Ukrainian Vertep unites refugee families through carols.
In Raleigh, a Ukrainian Christmas tradition brought children and parents together this month at Ridge Road Baptist Church, where Ukraine House hosted its first Vertep performance. Dozens of children, many of them refugees, wore angel wings and shepherd costumes while singing carols as part of a traditional nativity play. The school, founded in 2023, offers classes in language, history, art, and music to help preserve Ukrainian culture among displaced families. Parents and teachers say it’s not just education—it’s healing. One parent described it as “a mission” to build a new life while honoring their homeland.
Wake recycles Christmas trees into park trails through January 31.
Wake County residents can recycle their live, undecorated Christmas trees now through January 31 as part of the Happy Trails Christmas Tree Recycling Program. Trees are mulched to reinforce park trails across the county. Drop-off is free and available daily at four Wake County Solid Waste convenience centers: Old Stage Road and Yates Mill Pond Road in Raleigh, Old Smithfield Road in Apex, and Wendell Boulevard in Wendell. Five county parks also accept trees: Beech Bluff in Willow Spring, Blue Jay Point and Green Hills in Raleigh, Harris Lake in New Hill, and Lake Crabtree in Morrisville.
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