The week in photos captures NC through the lens of News & Observer journalists
By Scott Sharpe
A vivid winter sunset sets over downtown Raleigh on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 as the low angle of the sun intensifies the evening light. The 538-foot-tall PNC Plaza rises above the skyline illuminated in red and green for the holidays. The winter solstice has passed and the days are beginning to grow longer.
Travis Long
tlong@newsobserver.com
Here’s a curated selection of moments across North Carolina as captured through the lens of The News and Observer visual journalists. This feature can be seen in Sunday’s newspaper, as well as in our online Edition. See it at eedition.newsobserver.com.
A brilliant sunset greets drivers on their evening commute heading west on I-40 in Raleigh, Monday evening, Dec. 22, 2025. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
Andrew Pitschmann relaxes in one of the hammocks at Raleigh’s Dix Park as he enjoys the warm Christmas Eve weather on Dec. 24, 2025. Scott Sharpe ssharpe@newsobserver.com
N.C. State’s Paul McNeil Jr. reacts after drawing a foul during the second half of the Wolfpack’s 76-62 win over Ole Miss on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
Hatomim Sholom Bluming lights a menorah during an event hosted by Chabad of Durham-Chapel Hill at Skin Analytics at The Streets at Southpoint on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Durham, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown The News & Observer
President Donald Trump takes the stage during a rally at the Rocky Mount Event Center in Rocky Mount on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
This story was originally published December 26, 2025 at 11:48 AM.
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