Brian Gordon
@skyoutbriout.bsky.social
Covering business, labor and tech — The News & Observer
Reposted by Brian Gordon
Four months removed from bankruptcy, the North Carolina chipmaker has new plans and a massive dormant factory.
What Wolfspeed needs to wake up its very quiet Chatham County factory
Four months removed from bankruptcy, the North Carolina chipmaker has new plans and a massive dormant factory.
bit.ly
February 6, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Four months removed from bankruptcy, the North Carolina chipmaker has new plans and a massive dormant factory.
Since 2021, more than 16,000 NY residents have moved to the Triangle's three main counties, adding to the local presence of people from the land of lake effect snow, Garbage Plates, wings, and the Buffalo Bills:
amp-newsobserver-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.news...
amp-newsobserver-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.news...
Panthers, smanthers: The Triangle is home for Western NY food and football
Garbage Plates in the Tar Heel State. A group of non-native NC residents from the north have made their new state look (and taste) familiar.
amp-newsobserver-com.cdn.ampproject.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Since 2021, more than 16,000 NY residents have moved to the Triangle's three main counties, adding to the local presence of people from the land of lake effect snow, Garbage Plates, wings, and the Buffalo Bills:
amp-newsobserver-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.news...
amp-newsobserver-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.news...
New records: Nearly all of MrBeast's upcoming Beast Games Season 2 shot in Eastern NC, where MrBeast/Jimmy Donaldson grew up and remains based.
To award a Beast production crew $15 million in incentives, NC first had to update its grant rules:
amp-newsobserver-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.news...
To award a Beast production crew $15 million in incentives, NC first had to update its grant rules:
amp-newsobserver-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.news...
MrBeast filmed most of new Beast Games in NC after state updated incentive rules
New public records explain not only when and where Beast Games Season 2 was shot, but how North Carolina adjusted its guidelines to bring it to MrBeast’s home state.
amp-newsobserver-com.cdn.ampproject.org
December 16, 2025 at 8:38 PM
New records: Nearly all of MrBeast's upcoming Beast Games Season 2 shot in Eastern NC, where MrBeast/Jimmy Donaldson grew up and remains based.
To award a Beast production crew $15 million in incentives, NC first had to update its grant rules:
amp-newsobserver-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.news...
To award a Beast production crew $15 million in incentives, NC first had to update its grant rules:
amp-newsobserver-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.news...
News scoop in downtown Durham: Meta did not renew its office lease this summer at American Tobacco Campus. The tech company previously committed to hire 100 engineers at this site.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Meta ends lease of Durham office where it once planned to employ 100 engineers
One of the world’s 10 most valuable companies has exited an office at American Tobacco Campus.
www.newsobserver.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
News scoop in downtown Durham: Meta did not renew its office lease this summer at American Tobacco Campus. The tech company previously committed to hire 100 engineers at this site.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Reposted by Brian Gordon
RTP scientists fired for signing a petition criticizing EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin challenge terminations. They've appealed to the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, saying their free speech rights were violated. (Via @skyoutbriout.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol
RTP scientists fired by EPA for signing a petition challenge terminations
“Beyond the legal reasons, I still maintain a deep commitment to the mission of the EPA,” one dismissed EPA employee told The News & Observer.
www.newsobserver.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:45 PM
RTP scientists fired for signing a petition criticizing EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin challenge terminations. They've appealed to the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, saying their free speech rights were violated. (Via @skyoutbriout.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/politic... #ncpol
Wednesday was a big auto day for North Carolina, with two events from two very different car companies.
Toyota marked the opening of its promised $13.9 billion battery plant. Later in Charlotte, revived Scout Motors announced it would open a 1,200-worker HQ:
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Toyota marked the opening of its promised $13.9 billion battery plant. Later in Charlotte, revived Scout Motors announced it would open a 1,200-worker HQ:
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Within a few hours, North Carolina raised its automaker bona fides at two sites
Between established Toyota and revived Scout Motors, the Tar Heel State celebrated major car developments this week.
www.newsobserver.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Wednesday was a big auto day for North Carolina, with two events from two very different car companies.
Toyota marked the opening of its promised $13.9 billion battery plant. Later in Charlotte, revived Scout Motors announced it would open a 1,200-worker HQ:
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Toyota marked the opening of its promised $13.9 billion battery plant. Later in Charlotte, revived Scout Motors announced it would open a 1,200-worker HQ:
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Reposted by Brian Gordon
Between established Toyota and revived Scout Motors, the Tar Heel State celebrated major car developments this week.
Within a few hours, North Carolina raised its automaker bona fides at two sites
Between established Toyota and revived Scout Motors, the Tar Heel State celebrated major car developments this week.
bit.ly
November 14, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Between established Toyota and revived Scout Motors, the Tar Heel State celebrated major car developments this week.
Toyota began producing hybrid car batteries months ago at its new Liberty, NC plant, but on Wednesday, the company invited workers and government officials to celebrate the launch of its promised 5,000-worker-plus Piedmont facility.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Toyota marks production launch at NC battery factory, surpasses 2,500 workers
Toyota celebrates North Carolina battery factory production in Randolph County town of Liberty, where Japanese carmaker manufacturers for hybrids and electric
www.newsobserver.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Toyota began producing hybrid car batteries months ago at its new Liberty, NC plant, but on Wednesday, the company invited workers and government officials to celebrate the launch of its promised 5,000-worker-plus Piedmont facility.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
North Carolina is central to a great U.S. obesity drug race.
Competition between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk has affected 1000s of jobs between Charlotte and Raleigh. I visited the companies’ Triangle sites to learn how their drugs are made — and who's winning.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Competition between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk has affected 1000s of jobs between Charlotte and Raleigh. I visited the companies’ Triangle sites to learn how their drugs are made — and who's winning.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Heavy weights: North Carolina is at the heart of a great American obesity drug race
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk’s competition in weight-loss drugs has affected thousands of jobs between Charlotte and Raleigh. Who is winning?
www.newsobserver.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:33 PM
North Carolina is central to a great U.S. obesity drug race.
Competition between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk has affected 1000s of jobs between Charlotte and Raleigh. I visited the companies’ Triangle sites to learn how their drugs are made — and who's winning.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Competition between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk has affected 1000s of jobs between Charlotte and Raleigh. I visited the companies’ Triangle sites to learn how their drugs are made — and who's winning.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
IBM confirms it will move most Red Hat back-office staff (finance, legal, HR, accounting, and some supporting IT) into the parent company early next year.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
IBM moves Red Hat back-office workers into parent company. Why some are watching.
Most finance, HR, legal, accounting and some IT support staff at the Raleigh software provider Red Hat will be shifted into IBM early next year.
www.newsobserver.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:19 PM
IBM confirms it will move most Red Hat back-office staff (finance, legal, HR, accounting, and some supporting IT) into the parent company early next year.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
A new drive to unionize four Amazon facilities in Durham begins after labor advocates lost an election earlier this year near Raleigh.
“We didn’t lose, we learned,” one union leader said.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
“We didn’t lose, we learned,” one union leader said.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Amazon union organizers start another NC campaign — this time in Durham
The new drive to unionize Triangle warehouse workers begins eight months after labor advocates lost an election near Raleigh.
www.newsobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:26 PM
A new drive to unionize four Amazon facilities in Durham begins after labor advocates lost an election earlier this year near Raleigh.
“We didn’t lose, we learned,” one union leader said.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
“We didn’t lose, we learned,” one union leader said.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Reposted by Brian Gordon
Vulcan Elements enters $1.4 billion partnership to pay for its first major commercial facility and challenge Chinese industry dominance.
U.S. government to take $50 million stake in Triangle rare earth magnets startup
Vulcan Elements enters $1.4 billion partnership to pay for its first major commercial facility and challenge Chinese industry dominance.
bit.ly
November 3, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Vulcan Elements enters $1.4 billion partnership to pay for its first major commercial facility and challenge Chinese industry dominance.
While Amazon commits to create 500+ jobs at a future data center in Richmond County, the company's incentive agreement with the local government allows Amazon to only hire 50 full-time workers there to receive its property tax breaks:
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Amazon breaks ground on $10 billion data center between Raleigh and Charlotte
While some North Carolina communities battle data centers, Amazon is launching a 20-building project in Richmond County.
www.newsobserver.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:01 PM
While Amazon commits to create 500+ jobs at a future data center in Richmond County, the company's incentive agreement with the local government allows Amazon to only hire 50 full-time workers there to receive its property tax breaks:
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
How fast has Nvidia reached an unprecedented $5 trillion valuation? These are all stories I’ve written in the past 2.5 years:
October 29, 2025 at 6:50 PM
How fast has Nvidia reached an unprecedented $5 trillion valuation? These are all stories I’ve written in the past 2.5 years:
“Everybody’s here.”
Original Queer Eye cast member/TV personality Carson Kressley gave me an interview yesterday at High Point, NC’s famed biannual furniture market.
Original Queer Eye cast member/TV personality Carson Kressley gave me an interview yesterday at High Point, NC’s famed biannual furniture market.
October 29, 2025 at 1:04 PM
“Everybody’s here.”
Original Queer Eye cast member/TV personality Carson Kressley gave me an interview yesterday at High Point, NC’s famed biannual furniture market.
Original Queer Eye cast member/TV personality Carson Kressley gave me an interview yesterday at High Point, NC’s famed biannual furniture market.
Reposted by Brian Gordon
Many foresee a dire future for entry-level white-collar work.
AI is disappearing entry-level office jobs as NC blue-collar training gets boost
Many foresee a dire future for entry-level white-collar work.
bit.ly
October 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Many foresee a dire future for entry-level white-collar work.
JD Vance officiated at his wedding. Now, Kyle Walsh is the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences after atypical hiring process.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Duke professor, JD Vance friend named director of NIH’s RTP office. Some see issue.
JD Vance officiated at his wedding. Now, Kyle Walsh is the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences after atypical selection process.
www.newsobserver.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:03 PM
JD Vance officiated at his wedding. Now, Kyle Walsh is the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences after atypical hiring process.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Reposted by Brian Gordon
Duke University professor, JD Vance friend named director of NIH’s RTP office. Staff and former directors say Kyle Walsh's appointment as NIEHS director bypassed standard nationwide search process.(Via @skyoutbriout.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/busines... #ncpol
Duke professor, JD Vance friend named director of NIH’s RTP office. Some see issue.
JD Vance officiated at his wedding. Now, Kyle Walsh is the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences after atypical selection process.
www.newsobserver.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Duke University professor, JD Vance friend named director of NIH’s RTP office. Staff and former directors say Kyle Walsh's appointment as NIEHS director bypassed standard nationwide search process.(Via @skyoutbriout.bsky.social) www.newsobserver.com/news/busines... #ncpol
In an N&O interview, the developer behind the New Hill Digital Campus near Apex defended his data center project against residents' noise, energy, environmental concerns.
The fight unfolding in Wake County is one more common as U.S. data center demand surges.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
The fight unfolding in Wake County is one more common as U.S. data center demand surges.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
If this Wake County farm isn’t right for new data center, developer asks where is?
Residents have raised environmental, energy and noise concerns over the New Hill Digital Campus.
www.newsobserver.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:42 PM
In an N&O interview, the developer behind the New Hill Digital Campus near Apex defended his data center project against residents' noise, energy, environmental concerns.
The fight unfolding in Wake County is one more common as U.S. data center demand surges.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
The fight unfolding in Wake County is one more common as U.S. data center demand surges.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
If you pass an internet cafe with black out windows in Raleigh or Durham, there's a good chance it's an electronic gaming hall.
Their operations violate NC law, from slot machines to
sweepstakes terminals. I played them, lost and won, and wrote about it:
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Their operations violate NC law, from slot machines to
sweepstakes terminals. I played them, lost and won, and wrote about it:
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Inside the Triangle’s illegal gaming cafés — where the internet rarely works
Gambling continues at internet sweepstakes cafés in Raleigh, Cary and Durham, even though they violate the law.
www.newsobserver.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:43 PM
If you pass an internet cafe with black out windows in Raleigh or Durham, there's a good chance it's an electronic gaming hall.
Their operations violate NC law, from slot machines to
sweepstakes terminals. I played them, lost and won, and wrote about it:
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Their operations violate NC law, from slot machines to
sweepstakes terminals. I played them, lost and won, and wrote about it:
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Thief ignored cash in register and took only Pokémon cards at Raleigh’s Hidden Block Games, one of three local stores to have Pokémon cards targeted in recent overnight break-ins.
The largest U.S. printer of Pokémon cards also happens to be in the Triangle:
amp.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
The largest U.S. printer of Pokémon cards also happens to be in the Triangle:
amp.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Pokémon cards stolen in three overnight break-ins of Wake County game stores
A burglar ignored the cash register and took only Pokémon cards, the store’s owner says, reflecting the high prices these cards fetch.
amp.newsobserver.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Thief ignored cash in register and took only Pokémon cards at Raleigh’s Hidden Block Games, one of three local stores to have Pokémon cards targeted in recent overnight break-ins.
The largest U.S. printer of Pokémon cards also happens to be in the Triangle:
amp.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
The largest U.S. printer of Pokémon cards also happens to be in the Triangle:
amp.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Under federal law, employers must give workers 60 days' warning before certain mass layoffs. But as contractors, Amazon delivery drivers can fall into a loophole where they get much less warning — including no warning at all.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Why Amazon drivers can be laid off without the usually required 60 days’ notice
Amazon delivery drivers aren’t Amazon employees. This distinction was recently highlighted during a mass job cut in Durham, N.C.
www.newsobserver.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Under federal law, employers must give workers 60 days' warning before certain mass layoffs. But as contractors, Amazon delivery drivers can fall into a loophole where they get much less warning — including no warning at all.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Saw my first severed leg and learned how a Triangle transplant maker custom 3D prints ankles, knees, hips and shoulders:
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Need a knee? Growing Triangle transplant maker blazes 3D-printed joints in RTP
Ankles, shoulders, hips and knees. From its Morrisville headquarters, restord3D is broadening its ambitions to get into more operating rooms.
www.newsobserver.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Saw my first severed leg and learned how a Triangle transplant maker custom 3D prints ankles, knees, hips and shoulders:
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Say goodbye to Wolfspeed, and say hello to Wolfspeed.
Shares of the Durham, NC semiconductor supplier appeared to have ballooned 1,700% earlier this week, but the reality explains the new state of this newly non-bankrupt company.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Shares of the Durham, NC semiconductor supplier appeared to have ballooned 1,700% earlier this week, but the reality explains the new state of this newly non-bankrupt company.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Why Wolfspeed’s stock rose 1,700% this week — and what really happened
Was the newly non-bankrupt Durham semiconductor supplier suddenly the next meme stock? Not quite.
www.newsobserver.com
October 3, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Say goodbye to Wolfspeed, and say hello to Wolfspeed.
Shares of the Durham, NC semiconductor supplier appeared to have ballooned 1,700% earlier this week, but the reality explains the new state of this newly non-bankrupt company.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...
Shares of the Durham, NC semiconductor supplier appeared to have ballooned 1,700% earlier this week, but the reality explains the new state of this newly non-bankrupt company.
www.newsobserver.com/news/busines...