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Raleigh rezoning, Virginia Foxx and Stanley Cup schedule: The Triangle’s top stories

From a Stanley Cup chase to a bankrupt HBCU fighting for survival, these are the headlines shaping the Triangle today.

Here’s a quick look at the top stories from The News & Observer on Thursday, May 28, 2026.

RDU opposes Raleigh rezoning: Raleigh-Durham International Airport is fighting a rezoning request that could bring more than 700 homes to a 32-acre site in northwest Raleigh, citing FAA research linking aircraft noise to resident annoyance.

Foxx claims congressional immunity: U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican from North Carolina, is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit from former Columbia student Khymani James, arguing she is shielded by the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause and sovereign immunity.

St. Augustine’s fights for survival: The 160-year-old historically Black university in Raleigh has no students, lost its accreditation on May 15 and owes roughly $74 million. But leaders say its 105-acre property valued at $200 million could fund a path forward.

NC settles meat price lawsuit: The Department of Justice and six state attorneys general, including North Carolina’s Jeff Jackson, reached a settlement with Indiana-based Agri Stats over allegations the company helped meat processors raise chicken, pork and turkey prices.

Students attend class at Enloe High School on the first day of classes in the fall of 1976 after Wake County and Raleigh City school systems merged.
Students attend class at Enloe High School on the first day of classes in the fall of 1976 after Wake County and Raleigh City school systems merged. File photo

A slice of history

Wake-Raleigh schools merger turns 50: July 1, 2026, marks 50 years since Raleigh City Schools and Wake County schools merged. Wake County Public Schools is now the state’s largest district and the 14th largest in the nation, growing from 54,000 to more than 160,000 students.

Sebastian Aho (20) of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 27, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Sebastian Aho (20) of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre on May 27, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Bruce Bennett Getty Images

Stanley Cup series

Stanley Cup Final schedule set: The NHL released two scheduling scenarios for the Stanley Cup Final, with the Vegas Golden Knights awaiting the winner of the Hurricanes-Canadiens series. If Carolina wins Game 5 on Friday, Game 1 will be in Raleigh on Tuesday, June 2.

‘Tunnel vision’ drives Hurricanes: Carolina leads the Eastern Conference Final 3-1 after a 4-0 shutout in Game 4, with coach Rod Brind’Amour urging his team to stay focused on the next shift rather than the looming Stanley Cup Final.

Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz speaks at the Henry Owl Building Dedication Ceremony in the Frank Porter Graham Student Union at UNC-Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Friday, May 13, 2022.
Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz speaks at the Henry Owl Building Dedication Ceremony in the Frank Porter Graham Student Union at UNC-Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Friday, May 13, 2022. Angelina Katsanis akatsanis@newsobserver.com

Opinion

Guskiewicz exits Michigan State: Former UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz announced this week he will leave Michigan State to become Clemson’s next president, citing an “unsustainable” relationship with the Board of Trustees — echoing the governance conflicts that marked his UNC tenure.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.

Jessica Banov
The News & Observer
Jessica Banov is a news editor and audience growth specialist at The News & Observer and The Herald-Sun. She was part of the team from The N&O and The Charlotte Observer that was named a 2025 Pulitzer Prize finalist for Breaking News for coverage of Hurricane Helene. She also serves as The N&O’s intern program coordinator. 
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