Office Talk with Raleigh Magazine

Ten bars, ten cocktail heavyweights, and one seriously spirited night. Raleigh Magazine’s Cocktail Classic returns to The Exchange Nov. 14, and we’re spilling everything you need to know before you go. Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam talk dress code, safe rides, can’t-miss pours and how to cast your People’s Choice vote. Plus: live mixology demos, elevated eats, a bubbly...

Your license plate could be getting more screen time than you are. Flock cameras help police find stolen cars and missing people, but their growing presence in Raleigh raises questions about who’s tracking your movements and who can access that data. Gina Stephens and Melissa Howsam talk public safety, privacy and the fine print of living in a world that’s always watching. All Eyes on Flock  Stay...

Gen Z wants flip phones, digital cameras, paper maps and a life less online. But can you really recreate the analog ’90s when the internet is always one person—or one emergency—away? This week, Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam unpack why a generation raised online is desperate to log off, what they’re actually nostalgic for—and why voluntarily ditching your iPhone isn’t t...

Raleigh’s long-promised hotel boom has officially arrived. This week, Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam unpack the new wave of stays reshaping the city—from the just-opened Hotel Indigo and Village District’s Oberlin to the massive Omni and forthcoming Westin—and why Raleigh’s growing hotel inventory is about much more than where visitors sleep. Raleigh’s Hotel Boom Is Her...

Want to taste your way through Raleigh's cocktail scene in one night? Cocktail Classic returns Nov. 14—and tickets are officially on sale. Tune in for what's new this year, how you'll get up close with RM's Best Bartender nominees and when voting for Raleigh's best bars and bartenders begins. The Cocktail Classic Stay in the Know Get Social Meet Our Sponsors Swim Woodhouse Spa Raleigh Timber Pizza...

You paid hundreds of dollars for the ticket, so why are you watching the concert through someone else’s phone screen? Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam talk concert etiquette and the little things we can all do to make live music better for everyone. How to Not Be That Person Good Content Lives Here Meet Our Sponsors Swim Woodhouse Spa Raleigh Timber Pizza Get the issue to...

Downtown Raleigh is full of ambitious renderings—but some of the city's biggest redevelopment sites remain empty years after businesses packed up and left. Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam unpack why major projects stall, who gets caught in the middle and what these vacant blocks say about the realities of growth in Raleigh. Why Raleigh's Biggest Development Projects Are...

Raleigh has added roughly 150,000 residents in the last 20 years—but today RPD has essentially the same number of officers it did in 2006. Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam unpack the department's 93 vacancies, rising response times and a surprising retention problem that's sending Raleigh-trained officers to neighboring towns. As the city races toward its next quarter-mil...

After a year of anonymous meals, revisits and spirited debates, Raleigh Magazine's 2026 Best Restaurants issue has arrived. Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam take listeners behind the scenes of one of the city's most anticipated editorial projects, reveal a few of this year's winners and explain what separates a good restaurant from one worthy of the Best Restaurants list....

Starting this September, the City is replacing seasonal loose-leaf vacuum collection with enhanced weekly yard waste pickup. Raleigh Solid Waste Services Director Shikha Gupta and Senior Communications Analyst Ellen Mathis join Publisher Gina Stephens to explain why the change is happening—and break down your three new options: bin it, bag it or leave it. (Don’t) Just Leave It Stay in the Know Get...

What if $10 could help keep a family from losing its home? Raleigh Magazine ’s fourth-annual Give Raleigh campaign is supporting seven local nonprofits working on the front lines of housing insecurity across Wake County—and Pinnacle Financial Partners is matching the first $10,000 raised. Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam share the real people behind the statistics, why ho...

It's rant time. Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam take a break from the news to air their latest grievances—from blinding LED headlights and reply-all etiquette to Raleigh traffic headaches, windshield wiper fluid and one restaurant trend that needs to end immediately. Consider yourselves warned. Taking a Louisville Slugger to LEDs Enough With the Noise—Ordinances Bars Are...

Foodie News is back—and Raleigh has given us plenty to discuss. Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam catch up on the restaurants, bars and breweries making moves in 2026, from buzzy openings and neighborhood newcomers to surprising closings, major pivots and what they reveal about Raleigh’s evolving dining scene. Big Cat on the Prowl in Raleigh Nothing Plane about Jane’s Stay...

Raleigh is attracting bigger concert tours than ever—but is the city ready for them? Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam discuss the post-concert chaos surrounding recent Carter-Finley shows, why thousands of fans were left frustrated after Noah Kahan and what needs to happen before the next major act rolls into town. “Nightmare Scenario” Plays Out at Carter-Finley Concert S...

Whether you're calling a rideshare, hopping on a scooter or just trying to avoid parking, getting around Raleigh isn't as simple—or affordable—as it used to be. Gina Stephens and Melissa Howsam explore what's driving the costs, the challenges riders face and what it means for a growing city. Why Raleigh Rideshares Are Surging Raleigh’s Revolving Ride Revolution Scoots Out of Reach? Become a Raleig...

What should Raleigh look like as it continues to grow? Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam dive into the debate over the city's signage rules—from glowing neon and bold storefronts to the regulations that shape Raleigh's streetscape. Are the rules preserving the city's charm, or are they holding back creativity and local character? Curbing Creativity or Keeping It Classy? Al...

From frozen yogurt and cupcakes to freakshakes and Crumbl cookies, Raleigh has never met a food trend it didn't try. This week, Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam dive into the city's latest obsession: customizable "slop bowls." Are grain-and-greens bowls here to stay—or headed for the same fate as the food fads that came before them? Slop Bowls + Other Fads Raleigh Loves t...

The Carolina Hurricanes brought the Stanley Cup back to Raleigh—but the impact may last far longer than the celebration. Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam unpack what the championship means for Raleigh's reputation, economy and future as a major sports destination. Plus: parade reactions, Cup trivia and why some believe the Canes just strengthened Raleigh's MLB case. Ralei...

Raleigh’s iconic “Hair Curler” is checking back in. Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam take listeners inside Hotel Indigo Raleigh, the highly anticipated transformation of the former Holiday Inn that nearly faced demolition. From the new 20th-floor cocktail bar to the stories hidden inside one of downtown’s most beloved landmarks, get an exclusive first look at one of Ralei...

If Raleigh roads feel increasingly stressful to navigate lately, you’re not imagining it. This week, we’re breaking down Raleigh’s newly identified most fatal intersections, why so many crashes happen in the same places and what the City’s long-term safety plan could mean for drivers, pedestrians and the future of Raleigh growth. Raleigh’s Most Dangerous Intersections Revealed Stay in the Know Get...

When does ‘grabbing a drink’ turn into genuinely belonging somewhere? This week, we’re talking regular culture—from third places and neighborhood hangs to the subtle moment you realize the bartender knows your order, your job and possibly your entire life story. What Makes a Regular? Stay in the Know Get Social Meet Our Sponsors: Swim Woodhouse Spa Raleigh Timber Pizza Get the issue to your door!...

Raleigh’s future isn’t just being built through apartments and development—it’s being shaped through parks, public art and spaces designed for people to gather. This week, we’re diving into NCMA’s massive new interactive installation, Raleigh’s historic Parks Bond projects and why public space suddenly feels more important than ever. New Reason to Touch Grass in Raleigh—Literally The Future of Ral...

Why did a story about dogs start an internet fight? This week, we’re diving into Raleigh’s evolving pet culture—from doodlemania and breeder debates to the real cost of dog ownership and the blurry line between dog-friendly and dog-everywhere. Adopt Don’t Shop: Raleigh’s Dog Culture Shift Stay in the Know Get Social Meet Our Sponsors: Swim Woodhouse Spa Raleigh Get the issue to your door! Subscrib...

The market’s moving—but not the way it used to. Listen in as Publisher Gina Stephens chats with Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby's International for an insider look at Raleigh real estate: what’s actually selling, whether we’re in a buyers vs. sellers market, which neighborhoods are heating up—and what today’s buyers really want. Plus: why timing is everything in Raleigh. In partnership with Hodge &am...

Raleigh’s burger battle is juicy, and Publisher Gina Stephens and Editor-in-Chief Melissa Howsam are dishing on Raleigh Mag’s Best Burgers. Warning: side effects may include immediate cravings. 2025 Best Burgers Good Content Lives Here Get social Meet Our Sponsors: Swim Woodhouse Spa Raleigh Timber Pizza This episode originally aired on May 6, 2025. Get the issue to your door! Subscribe Now