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Good afternoon, Raleigh. I just broke up with my mathematician girlfriend.

She was obsessed with an X.

In today’s Raleigh Rundown:

Let’s get to it. 🏃‍♂️

Raleigh-based First Citizens Bank is teaming up with the Carolina Hurricanes as the NHL team’s new “official home helmet branding partner” for the 2025–26 season. The bank’s logo will appear on both sides of the Canes’ red, black, and white home helmets, unveiled Monday during the preseason opener against Tampa Bay.

Financial terms weren’t disclosed, though helmet sponsorships typically run between $1 million and $5 million annually. Lenovo, which previously held exclusive helmet rights, will retain space on away game helmets. Hurricanes CEO Brian Fork said First Citizens was the right fit, pointing to its Raleigh roots and national growth story as a strong match for the team’s own journey.

Raleigh’s housing market continues to defy national trends, leading the country in closed sales growth for the second month in a row. Closed sales in the metro rose nearly 11 percent in August compared to the same month last year, according to the RE/MAX National Housing Report.

That follows July’s nation-leading 19.5 percent year-over-year increase. By contrast, national sales fell 1.6 percent in August. Local inventory in Wake County is up 38 percent, with the median sales price reaching $501,000, while mortgage rates have dipped slightly to around 6.3 percent, fueling buyer demand.

State lawmakers have approved $35 million to jumpstart infrastructure work around Raleigh’s Lenovo Center. The funding, headed to the Centennial Authority, will support the creation of a major sports and entertainment district.

The development, led by Pacific Elm Properties of Dallas, will feature more than 200,000 square feet of retail and entertainment, 150,000 square feet of office space, a hotel, and over 500 apartments. Construction on phase one is expected to begin in the coming months, positioning the project as a transformative addition to the city’s growth.

Breeze Airways is making a major move at Raleigh-Durham International Airport with new international flights and a 200-job crew base. Starting in March 2026, Breeze will launch nonstop seasonal service to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic—RDU’s top two unserved international destinations.

The airline now serves 27 destinations, more than any other carrier at RDU, and is cementing itself as the airport’s largest carrier by reach. Breeze is also adding a local crew base, hiring more than 100 flight attendants along with pilots and maintenance staff. CEO David Neeleman says smaller planes, attractive travel packages, and a focus on service will help Breeze succeed where other airlines have struggled.

Aerial view of Dix Hill Hospital and State Penitentiary. Downtown Raleigh can be seen in the distance. 1956.

Friday

84 🌡️ 70 | ⛈️ | 60%

Saturday

77 🌡️ 68 | ⛈️ | 80%

Sunday

78 🌡️ 67 | ⛈️ | 70%

🏉 NFL

P.S. When you want to show off on a Zoom call…

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