Renee Umsted

NC public radio & TV stations lost federal funding last year. How are they now? Leaders of PBS North Carolina, WNCU and Blue Ridge Public Radio reflect on the past few months and share plans for the future.

Public broadcasters lost federal funding last year. For @newsobserver.com, I checked in with a few stations in North Carolina to learn how they're coping.
www.newsobserver.com/entertainmen...

Breeze announces new flights, including ones to RDU’s top unserved destination Breeze Airways to fly from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Antonio, Texas, Madison, Wisconsin, and Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Breeze Airways to fly from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to San Antonio, Texas, Madison, Wisconsin, and Atlantic City, New Jersey.

New cafe offering banh mi & baked goods is opening soon in the Triangle This restaurant specializes in the classic Vietnamese sandwich, but also offers sweet treats such as macarons and pastries.

This restaurant specializes in the classic Vietnamese sandwich, but also offers sweet treats such as macarons and pastries.

Measles is spreading: Is your child’s North Carolina school vulnerable? When the number of vaccinated children drop too low in a school, the risk of infection increases there and in the wider community, experts say.

The measles is going around. Is your child's school protected? I did a ton of data cleaning and analysis to bring you answers, via @charlotteobserver.com. www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/a...

After 13 years, Crabtree mall’s Santa has a new home. Where to find him now There’s still a Santa at the popular Raleigh mall — just not the same jolly fellow who’s been there for the past decade or so.

There’s still a Santa at the popular Raleigh mall — just not the same jolly fellow who’s been there for the past decade or so.

CBS 17 meteorologist leaves the station after 6 years. Here’s what to know The meteorologist is “over the moon” about shutting off the very early alarm for the first time in years.

The meteorologist is “over the moon” about shutting off the very early alarm for the first time in years.

ABC11 co-anchor explains why she’s leaving the station and the Triangle After the unexpected death of her fiancé this year, the WTVD co-anchor talked to The N&O about her departure and what’s next.

After the unexpected death of her fiancé this year, the WTVD co-anchor talked to The N&O about her departure and what’s next.

19 Triangle restaurants in the new American South Michelin Guide: The breakdown Three of NC’s four “Bib Gourmand” distinctions are in the Triangle.

Three of NC’s four “Bib Gourmand” distinctions are in the Triangle.

Jonas Brothers visit Durham’s Omie’s Coffee Shop before show Ahead of their concert in Raleigh, a popular band visited a Triangle coffee shop. Here’s how they made it to the local business and which drinks they ordered.

In my latest for @newsobserver.com, I tell you how to order coffee like a Jonas brother. www.newsobserver.com/living/food-...

Raleigh’s No Kings protest this weekend isn’t downtown. Here’s why Many protests that happen in Raleigh are held downtown. But this one will be miles away from the State Capitol.

Raleigh’s No Kings protest this weekend isn’t downtown. Here’s why. Organizers cite downtown festivals and crowd size as reasons for holding Saturday's protest on Capital Boulevard, near Triangle Town Center. (Via @reneeumsted.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a... #ncpol

Massive pumpkin sets new record at the NC State Fair. Here’s how much it weighs It’s a great pumpkin indeed. For the third year in a row, pumpkins weighing more than a ton were entered in the “Super Bowl for giant growers.”

Yesterday, @newsobserver.com saw the inner workings of the giant pumpkin and watermelon competition at the N.C. State Fair. Here's what you missed: www.newsobserver.com/news/state/n...

I visited a hot Triangle barbecue joint’s new location. Here’s how it went Traditional North Carolina and Texas-style barbecue? They’ve got it. But tacos and sandos are also on the menu.

I had brisket for lunch this week. Here's how my visit to one of the Triangle's newest barbecue joints went. www.newsobserver.com/living/food-...

We're asking readers: Which restaurants should Crabtree mall add?

Downtown Raleigh is getting a new ABC liquor store soon. Here’s what we know For the first time in 40 years, downtown Raleigh will have its own ABC store.

The Wake County ABC store in downtown Raleigh is now open. www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...

Acclaimed Triangle barbecue joint brings ‘the spirit of leisure’ to Cary The barbecue gods are looking favorably upon downtown Cary.

Inside Look at the new location of one of the Triangle's most unconventional -- and acclaimed -- barbecue brands. From @reneeumsted.bsky.social and @vizjourno.bsky.social.

Riff ram

This new Raleigh-area business has a ‘mixed-reality playground.’ See inside A new entertainment complex in the Triangle has activities for all ages, including a mixed-reality playground, and serves food and drinks. Take a look inside.

A new entertainment complex in the Triangle has activities for all ages, including a mixed-reality playground, and serves food and drinks. Take a look inside.

Crabtree Valley revival: What a $60 million facelift will do for the aging mall Raleigh's Crabtree Mall is undergoing a $60M transformation with sleek updates, aiming to increase occupancy and attract top-tier shopping brands.

See what's in the works for Crabtree mall. www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...

A ban nearly crushed NC shrimpers. Why they embrace the life they fight to keep. Shrimp trawling kills too many fish and damages marine habitats, critics say. Those who do the work say it’s a job and a culture worth preserving in North Carolina.

A @newsobserver.com photojournalist and I spent the past few months talking with and visiting North Carolina shrimpers and other commercial fishermen, who have been thrust into the spotlight recently.

Here's what we learned: www.newsobserver.com/news/state/n...

Here’s a guide to the new Gipson Play Plaza at Raleigh’s Dix Park The 18.5-acre addition includes playgrounds, a sand box, a sensory maze, a splash pad and more. Here’s what to know about visiting.

Want to go to the new Gipson Play Plaza at Dix Park? Here's what you need to know. www.newsobserver.com/raleigh-city...

Raleigh has the best ‘grocery store’ in NC, study says. It isn’t a grocery store The new ranking analyzed thousands of stores in the 100 most populous cities in the U.S. And the best “grocery store” in North Carolina is in Raleigh.

I went to the "grocery store" to ask people why they shop and sell there. www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...

A big Texas taco brand is opening in Raleigh, offering ‘bold, global flavors’ A big Texas taco brand looks to Raleigh as part of a nationwide expansion.

Big news for us Texpats: www.newsobserver.com/living/food-...

Popular NC seafood restaurant expands to a 4th location in the Triangle Serving fried platters and the Southern classic shrimp and grits, the restaurant will soon open in a new Triangle town.

Looking for a new place for outdoor dining? This restaurant, which opens soon, features a patio and a fire pit. www.newsobserver.com/living/food-...

‘Pitch perfect’ restaurant in downtown Durham will close soon. Here’s when to go Known for a rotating, chef-driven menu, the 36-seat dinner spot is saying goodbye.

"To be financially feasible, the restaurant needed to serve around eight to 10 more people each night, and there just wasn’t space to seat them." @reneeumsted.bsky.social on a Durham dining loss.

A furniture chain will make its NC debut this year with 6 new stores The company is expecting to open 20 new stores across the United States this year. Two of them will be in the Triangle.

The retailer is planning to open 20 new stores across the U.S. this year, and six of them will be in North Carolina.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...

N&O, Charlotte Observer named Pulitzer Prize finalists for Helene coverage The Associated Press and The Washington Post were also finalists in the category.

🧵 The News & Observer + The Charlotte Observer were honored as a Pulitzer Prize finalist for their joint coverage of Hurricane Helene + the aftermath in NC. The Associated Press + The Washington Post were also finalists.

www.newsobserver.com/news/local/a...

Breaking: Gregg Popovich will no longer be head coach of the Spurs and is transitioning full-time to team president, sources told Shams Charania.

Breaking: Gregg Popovich will no longer be head coach of the Spurs and is transitioning full-time to team president, sources told Shams Charania.

He is the NBA’s all-time winningest coach and winner of five NBA titles.

A new Publix grocery store opens soon in the Triangle. When you can shop The 46,791-square-foot store is the latest Triangle location for the Florida-based grocer.

An opening date for the new Publix in Rolesville has been announced.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...

UNC basketball player Zayden High suspended for sexual misconduct; kept team perks High filmed a fellow student without consent during a sexual encounter, according to the student, additional sources and documentation obtained by The N&O.

NEW: UNC basketball player Zayden High was suspended last semester after the university found him responsible for sexual exploitation.

Despite sanctions barring him from athletics, he kept access to facilities & has been around the team at least once. www.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...

NC proms look a little different this year, and the change is costing more The latest trend for a night under the stars is blooming among Triangle prom-goers.

You might be seeing photos of well-dressed high schoolers carrying small bouquets this spring. No, they're not all getting married. It's just for the prom. www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...