As 2025 draws to a close, we’re taking some time to look back at the stories that defined the year in the Triangle.
At the INDY, we chronicled the local impacts of federal funding cuts on jobs and libraries, growing pressure on local food banks and the presence of immigration agents in the Triangle. We wrote about municipal elections, a renewed interest in recreational third spaces, and our favorite songs of the year from Triangle artists. These are just some of the news and culture stories that stood out to us this year.
Take a spin through our 2025 coverage below.
INDY News Stories That Stood Out in 2025: The local impacts of federal policies, a skating renaissance, and Democratic wins—these are the news stories that stood out to us this year. Plus, local nonprofits doing on-the-ground work.
Looking Back Through INDY’s 2025 Culture Coverage: From the future of arts funding to an adult talent show, restaurant openings to an $8,887 Bloody Mary—here are a few selections from a memorable year of Triangle culture coverage.
Ten Local Songs We Loved in 2025 (And One for the New Year): A non-comprehensive list of songs that stuck with us this year, with releases from Triangle artists like Reese McHenry, Jooselord, Tre. Charles, Joseph Decosimo, and more.
INDY’s 2025 Best of the Triangle Winners: Our readers picks for the best of the best of the Triangle across categories spanning from restaurants and bars to dentists and yoga studios, museums and parks, and local politicians and nonprofits.