obsessed with this horrifying, evocative landfill dispatch very @ccourtneybohl.bsky.social: “All the while, flocks of migratory birds whirl overhead, noshing on trash. Depending on the season you can spot rock pigeons, eagles, Canada geese, starlings, and turkey vultures.”
Zebulon's Board of Commissioners has been short a member since June, when Beverly Clark resigned in protest and called for "a whole board and mayor." The remaining commissioners don't seem to be in any rush to replace her. My latest on the small-town government meltdown for @indyweek.bsky.social:
Got to hang out with the wonderful Carlos Lemus Sr. of LaGana for the latest installment of @indyweek.bsky.social's Character Studies series. We talked about his fanbase, the Cheesecake Factory, and chasing perfection. 10/10 recommend his cacao cake!
Revealing reporting from @indyweek.bsky.social's @ccourtneybohl.bsky.social about a call hosted by St. Augustine's University officials.
SAU's debts exceed $47 million (not including a $20 million default judgement SAU is contesting). Enrollment is about 53 students.
indyweek.com/news/wake/sa...
The Wake County Housing Authority and other public housing authorities owe local landlords nearly $1.9 million in past-due rental payments. New for @indyweek.bsky.social
This is the third-consecutive day of pro-immigrant activism in Raleigh. Read my original dispatch from Monday's protest here: indyweek.com/news/wake/ra...
Barbara Duran, 17, tells me: "I'm here for my family. I come from immigrants. My grandparents immigrated here from Mexico, my father immigrated here from Mexico. So many people have been silenced. I'm here to speak out for them, I'm here to give them a voice and use my privilege for good."
Protesters are draped in Mexican flags and carrying handmade signs: "ICE = Gestapo," "stop separating our families." They're playing music, chanting, and passing around water bottles and masks.
Hundreds of people have gathered in and around Raleigh's Moore Square tonight to peacefully protest ICE. They're also rallying against two pieces of anti-immigrant legislation that just passed the General Assembly, SB 153 and HB 310. @indyweek.bsky.social
“Never at any point in the last two years have I gotten any outreach from any of them about what I do,” Peeler says. “I think I’m doing the correct thing. I’m following the [Comprehensive Plan]. I’m pushing for things that Raleigh needs. And I’ve never gotten negative feedback.”
Last week the Raleigh City Council removed two planning commissioners who were eligible to keep serving.
Usually, commissioners who show up to meetings get reappointed. But that wasn’t the case for Reeves Peeler, who says he still doesn’t fully understand why the council gave him the boot.
The United States government has never officially recognized May Day, which celebrates working-class unity and workers’ rights, but workers and activists continue to observe it: this year, there were more than 1,000 protests planned around the country.
As Saint Augustine's University faces down existential threats in the form of lawsuits, property liens, crippling debt, and potential accreditation loss, board chair Brian Boulware is blaming the school's financial predicament on “administrative negligence” and denying that the board played a role.
“When I was born in ‘42, my parents named me Vicki for a quick victory over fascism. From the day I was born, it was my job to fight fascism. And that’s what I’ve been doing."
If you've never heard of the Raging Grannies, where have you been!!
New for @indyweek.bsky.social
“When I was born in ‘42, my parents named me Vicki for a quick victory over fascism."
Absolutely obsessed with @ccourtneybohl.bsky.social's new story for @indyweek.bsky.social on the badass activists who are the Raging Grannies.
indyweek.com/news/northca...
At one point in the conversation, Reeves quipped to the mayors, “We’re not going to bring up the light rail today?”
“Please don’t,” Williams replied, eliciting a burst of strained laughter from the audience.
Developers originally promised 10% affordable units in the residential tower they’re building next to Union Station. Now they want to contribute $1.5 million to the city’s affordable housing efforts instead. Is it a fair trade-off? New for @indyweek.bsky.social:
During her state of the city address on Tuesday night, Janet Cowell showed off her re-creations of old images from Raleigh's city archive. This one might be my favorite
Got to sit down with Irregardless Café founder Arthur Gordon to talk about urban farming, what our dreams mean, and why he wants to create a multigenerational affordable housing development in southwest Raleigh. New for @indyweek.bsky.social
Saint Augustine's University just lost its accreditation appeal.
This is a major setback, but the Raleigh HBCU has vowed to make one last effort to stay accredited: a "final and binding" arbitration process with its accreditor SACSCOC.
A cohort of Southeast Raleigh residents is advising the city on how to redevelop the 6-acre former DMV site on New Bern Ave.
The group formed in response to prevailing skepticism that the city would factor community voices into the redevelopment process. Soon, they'll make their recommendation.
But SACS, the school's accreditor, also has focused on the board charged with overseeing SAU.
As @ccourtneybohl.bsky.social & I report, internal complaints and lawsuits reveal deep disputes about how the board has managed the institution.
As St. Augustine's University fights an uphill battle to retain accreditation, it hopes a land lease deal can turn the tides.
A cohort of alumni, former employees, and Raleigh-based community groups have proposed a different solution: replace SAU's board of trustees.
As Saint Augustine’s University battles to retain accreditation, internal complaints and lawsuits reveal deep disputes about how the board of trustees has managed the institution.
Story by me and @eringretzinger.bsky.social for
@indyweek.bsky.social and @theassemblync.bsky.social
Monti Valrie, the managing partner of 50 Plus 1 Sports, says his company plans to lease all 105 acres of Saint Augustine’s downtown property and develop about half of that land.
