RDU Airport Begins $2.5B Expansion

Construction on Raleigh-Durham International Airport’s $2.5 billion capital improvement program began Monday in Terminal 2. The initiative, funded primarily by passenger facility charges, along with airline fees, customer spending, federal grants, and local taxes, will continue through 2032 to address growing passenger volumes.

Phase one of the Transform RDU program includes a two-year closure of the north end of Terminal 2 for expansions to the ticketing hall, security checkpoints, baggage claim, and international arrivals facilities. Additional projects encompass runway extension, new traffic bridges, road widening, and increased parking.

Airport officials said ticket counters and security lanes will remain operational during construction. The upgrades are designed to accommodate projected growth following a 2025 passenger total of approximately 15.5 million. Travelers are advised to allow extra time due to ongoing work.

Suspect in Teacher’s Murder has Lengthy Record

Ryan Camacho, 36, has been charged with first-degree murder and felony burglary in the Jan. 3 death of Zoe Welsh, a 57-year-old mother and teacher at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh.

Camacho allegedly broke into Welsh’s home during an attempted burglary. Welsh called 911 around 6:30 a.m. to report an intruder, but was assaulted while on the call and later died from head injuries.

Court records show Camacho’s criminal history spans more than 20 years and includes over two dozen arrests, a prison escape conviction, and more than five years served in prison. He was released in July 2025.

Welsh’s friends and former students expressed concern over Camacho’s record, with one friend stating, “I remember growing up in the world of three strikes you’re out, and this is not that.”

NC Cities Named Top Retirement Spots

Several North Carolina locations have appeared in recent rankings as attractive retirement destinations due to their recreational opportunities, arts and culture, low costs, and untaxed Social Security benefits.

Travel + Leisure ranked Asheville No. 8 among its top 10 best places to retire in the South for 2026, citing the area’s outdoor recreation options, art scene, craft breweries, and quality health care.

FinanceBuzz ranked Rocky Mount No. 3 and Greenville No. 11 among 12 quaint Southern cities where retirees can live on $1,150 a month or less. Rocky Mount was highlighted for affordable housing and hiking trails, while Greenville was noted for university events and low living expenses.

Yahoo Finance included Wilmington among the top U.S. coastal retirement spots, citing the city’s historic charm, beaches, and health care network.

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➤ Statewide: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit over Medicaid autism service cuts, arguing the dispute is moot after the cuts were reversed. (More)

➤ CLT Airport: American Airlines added nearly 5,000 additional seats to Caribbean destinations and resumed service to the region on Sunday after the Federal Aviation Administration closed airspace over the area following U.S. airstrikes in Venezuela. (More)

➤ Fayetteville: Two brothers, Timothy Nakamoto, 43, and Daniel Nakamoto, 45, were shot and killed at Mac’s Speed Shop Saturday evening after an argument escalated into a physical altercation that ended in gunfire. Police are questioning a person of interest. (More)

➤ Nash County: Convicted felon Jonathan Kendall Bulluck, 28, livestreamed an 80 mph police chase on Facebook Saturday while tossing methamphetamine and fentanyl from his vehicle before being arrested on multiple drug and firearm charges. (More)

➤ Raleigh: Chef Ashley Christensen’s Beasley’s Chicken + Honey will close Jan. 25 after 14 years due to post-pandemic challenges. Meanwhile, Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue is relocating to Quail Corners Shopping Center. (More)

➤ Hendersonville: Over 200 middle and high school girls participated in a wrestling tournament on Jan. 3, highlighting the sport’s rapid growth since North Carolina sanctioned it in 2023. (More)

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➤ Men’s Basketball AP Poll: UNC fell five spots to No. 17 this week, while Duke remained ranked at No. 6. (See Poll)

➤ The Carolina Panthers will host the fifth-seeded LA Rams next weekend in round one of the NFL playoffs—a rematch of their game in November, which the Panthers won 31-28. (More)

➤ Former Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards committed to UNC football this week, marking a key early transfer portal pickup for new head coach Bill Belichick. (More)

➤ NC State center Lorena Awou was suspended indefinitely last month and is now looking to transfer from the program entirely. The reason behind her suspension hasn’t been disclosed. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Buc-ee’s first North Carolina location in Mebane is expected to open by May 2027. The 74,000-square-foot store will feature 120 gas pumps and create 200 full-time jobs. (More)

➤ Elon University has appointed longtime administrator Jeff Stein, former president of Mary Baldwin University, as chief integration officer to lead its pending merger with Queens University of Charlotte. (More)

➤ Consumers who bought certain fresh or frozen beef cuts in 26 states, including North Carolina, between 2014 and 2019 may qualify for payments from an $87.5 million antitrust settlement involving Tyson and Cargill. (More)

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➤ Six K-9 officers—Sailor, Hardy, Zorro, Apollo, Zar, and Arty—are helping police departments across Dare County detect narcotics, track suspects, and uncover digital evidence. (See Photos)

➤ Ocracoke Island’s 2025 beach-nesting bird season was impacted by severe weather and predators like coyotes, yielding only eight Least Terns and two Wilson’s Plover fledglings. On the positive side, Ocracoke produced 11 American Oystercatcher fledglings, while Hatteras and Bodie islands added another 10. (More)

➤ Prosperity Motorplex in Castle Hayne hosted a free New Year’s Mud Bash featuring lawn mower racing, mud drag racing, obstacle courses, and games. (More)

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If you could pick the perfect place to retire, where would it be?

1. Right where I am
2. The coast
3. The mountains
4. A small, rural town
5. A big city
6. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you personally experienced an earthquake?

1. Yes: 40%
2. No: 31%
3. Possibly, not sure: 29%

What Elon University alumnus played a role on The Vampire Diaries?

Show me the answer