Hofmann Forest, or most of it anyway, is no longer for sale In a letter to students in N.C. State University’s College of Natural Resources, Dean Mary Watzin says Hofmann’s current owners—the University’s Board of Trustees of the Endowment Fund and the Natural Resources Foundation—will retain ownership of “the majority of the property,” and will […]
Jane Porter
Jane Porter is Wake County editor of the INDY, covering Raleigh and other communities across Wake County. She first joined the staff in 2013 and is a former INDY intern, staff writer, and editor-in-chief, first joining the staff in 2013.
N.C. Reps. file bill to take on food desert zones
On Monday, members of the North Carolina House of Representatives filed H250, the Healthy Food Small Retailer/Corner Store Act. The bill will provide funding assistance of up to $5,000 to independently-owned corner stores and small retailers to upgrade their refrigeration equipment and provide employee training, to enable the stores to sell fresh fruits and vegetables […]
NC GOP needs initiative to convince Wake, Mecklenburg voters to “connect” with their candidates
Instead of adhering to what the voters of the state’s two largest counties say they want (with their votes!) and respecting the democratic process, North Carolina Republicans will launch an initiative to make their candidates more attractive to such voters. This initiative will be called Project Listen. Probably upset by last fall’s elections in which […]
Today in Disappointment: Wake County Commissioners in the Senate, fracking in the House
Updated: S181 passed the Senate Thursday morning in a 32-16 final vote. After clearing the Senate Redistricting Committee Tuesday on a voice vote, S181, which would split Wake County into two super-districts and place County Commissioners’ elections into the same districts as the school board, passed the Senate on an initial 31-16 vote. The Senate […]
Glenwood, Moore Square businesses struggle while Warehouse District, Fayetteville Street improve
Nora and Nicky’s, a women’s clothing consignment shop on West Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh, feels more like an urban boutique than a thrift store. An inviting storefront window and a few well-organized racks of designer clothes and locally made goods create an intimate setting with a friendly vibe. Owner Cathy Brooks opened the store […]
This week in disappointment: More fallout on marriage bill; judicial system handcuffed by budget
Ideology met real life at a House Judiciary committee public hearing, where representatives from the state’s Registers of Deeds offices told lawmakers that Senate Bill 2 would cause a host of staffing and administrative problems. Guilford County Register of Deeds Jeff Thigpen said he is concerned that the bill, which allows magistrates with “sincerely held […]
N.C. Reps. file bill prohibiting discriminatory profiling
Last month, 20 year old Janisha Fonville was shot and killed by a Charlotte Mecklenburg police officer, because she was wielding a kitchen knife at officers in her apartment. Fonville was black. The officer who shot her is white. On Tuesday, Rep. Rodney Moore, D-Mecklenburg, filed a bill that prohibits discriminatory practices by law enforcement […]
Hillsborough Street student housing off the table; ‘Publix’ site public hearing delayed again
Updated: Doug Hill from the City Planning Department said in an email Wednesday that the most recent conditions submitted for Z-1-14 are dated Feb. 5, 2015. The Planning Commission voted to recommend these conditions to the City Council Feb. 10. Under the UDO, all property owners must sign off on all conditions in the application […]
NC Senate bill would change the way Wake County Commissioners are elected
Updated: S181 was heard in the Senate Redistricting Committee Thursday afternoon. Wake County Commissioners James West, Sig Hutchinson, John Burns and Matt Calabria spoke against the bill; former Commissioner J.T. Knott and four rural Wake residents spoke in favor. Committee chair Sen. Bob Rucho said Wake residents can speak to the bill at the committee’s […]
NC Registers of Deeds cite logistical problems with magistrates bill
At a House Judiciary committee public hearing Wednesday, representatives from the state’s Registers of Deeds offices told lawmakers that Senate Bill 2 will cause a host of staffing and administrative problems. Guilford County Register of Deeds Jeff Thigpen said he is concerned that the bill, which allows magistrates with “sincerely held religious beliefs” to recuse […]

