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Good afternoon, Raleigh. In honor of the snow this week, why did the snowman go to therapy?

He had a meltdown! ⛄️

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

• 5 fun things to do in Raleigh this weekend

• What U-Haul stats say about North Carolina

• Whitewater center coming to Raleigh?

• Homeowner insurance set to increase

Let’s get to it. 🏃

STORIES THIS WEEK

U-Haul Ranks North Carolina as 3rd Fastest-Growing State 🚚

North Carolina is the third fastest-growing state in the U.S. for one-way moves, according to the 2024 U-Haul Growth Index, trailing only Texas and South Carolina. Strong job growth and quality of life continue to draw new residents, especially to the Triangle.

The state’s population has surged nearly 6% since 2020, now exceeding 11 million, with Wilmington and Johnston County seeing notable growth. Southern states dominate the rankings, with Florida and Tennessee rounding out the top five, while California remains last for the fifth straight year.

Home Insurance Rates Rising in North Carolina 📈

North Carolina homeowners will see insurance rate hikes following a settlement between the Department of Insurance and Rate Bureau. Instead of the initially proposed 42.2% increase, rates will rise by 7.5% in June 2025 and another 7.5% in 2026.

In Wake and Durham counties, where a 39.8% hike was requested, rates will match the statewide average. Coastal areas face steeper increases—16% in 2025 and 15.9% in 2026. While Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey says the settlement saves homeowners $777 million compared to the original proposal, Rate Bureau COO Jarred Chappell warns further hikes are likely due to rising costs and stronger storms.

Whitewater Center Coming to Raleigh? 🚣🏼‍♂️

The U.S. National Whitewater Center, a major outdoor attraction in Charlotte, is considering a $350 million expansion to Raleigh, according to CEO Jeff Wise.

The current Charlotte facility, spanning 1,300 acres near the airport, offers whitewater rafting, ziplining, and outdoor events. In 2023, the nonprofit center generated $28 million in revenue and welcomed over 1.1 million visitors. Details on a Raleigh location remain in early discussions.

RDU’s International Travel Surged in 2024 ✈️

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) saw a 33% jump in international travel in 2024, with 303,000 passengers flying abroad, thanks to new routes from Lufthansa, Copa, and Aeromexico to Frankfurt, Panama City, and Mexico City. More international destinations are planned for 2025.

Total passenger traffic hit 15.5 million, up from 14.5 million in 2023, with American Airlines leading market share at 26.6%. According to NCDOT, RDU contributes $24.1 billion annually to the economy and supports nearly 140,000 jobs.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND

RETRO PIC OF THE WEEK

Glenwood Avenue and Blue Ridge Road looking toward what would become Crabtree Valley Mall. Photo taken September 1, 1967.

WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday

43 🌡️ 20 | 🌤️ | 0%

Saturday

46 🌡️ 27 | 🌤️ | 0%

Sunday

53 🌡️ 33 | 🌤️ | 0%

LOCAL SPORTS

Hockey 🏒

• Friday: Carolina Hurricanes @ New York Islanders | 7:30 PM

Men’s College Basketball 🏀

• Saturday: Stanford at UNC | 2:15 PM

• Saturday: California at NC State | 6:00 PM

• Saturday: Duke at Boston College | 8:00 PM

THANKS!

Thanks for reading the Raleigh Rundown today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who likes ninjas. 🥷

Have any suggestions for what you would like to see in future editions? Reply to this email and let me know!

Let’s do this again next Thursday!