From purple streetlights to Raleigh recycling — you ask, we answer: Our best reader questions

In 2023, The News & Observer launched a series called “Asked & Answered,” in which our service journalism team tackles questions about our region from our very own community members.

Our most popular story to date is about purple street lights in Durham, Carrboro and other Triangle towns — that was read over 100,000 times in its first week of publication, cementing the importance of hearing from readers and making sure their questions are heard (and answered, whenever possible).

Here’s a roundup of some of our best and most well-read stories from the service journalism team’s “Asked & Answered” series so far. Did you miss some?

The News & Observer tackles reader questions with new Asked & Answered series

Why are there purple streetlights in Durham & Carrboro?

This story kicked off our Asked & Answered initiative, tackling a question from one of our photojournalists. After spotting some purple/blue-ish lights in Durham, he wondered if they were installed intentionally to play up Duke University.

Alas, the real reason isn’t that exciting. Learn why there are purple and blue streetlights across the Triangle in our story.

Read: We noticed purple streetlights in the Triangle. Here’s why — and what to do about it

Is recycling worth it? We dove into recycling in Raleigh

This multi-story package — complete with animated videos, a live Q&A and an interactive map to help you discard your recyclable materials properly — answered one simple question: “Does recycling make a difference in our community?”

The short answer is yes. The slightly longer answer is yes, as long as our community members recycle correctly.

Two N&O journalists spent time traversing across the state to see just how recyclable materials are transformed into brand new items.

Plastic and glass are fully local processes, going right back on North Carolina shelves (and sometimes on the backs of UNC-Chapel Hill athletes and graduates — read more about that below!) soon after items are tossed in that curbside bin.

Read: From the curbside bin to a brand new item: We tracked Raleigh’s recycling process

More stories, videos and maps from our Raleigh recycling package:

• 7 ways we’re recycling wrong in Raleigh (and how to correct it)

• Search this interactive map to find the best places for hard-to-recycle items in the Raleigh area

• It’s against the law to throw plastic bottles (& other items) in the trash in NC

Do Triangle grocery stores throw away food at the end of the day, or donate?

After a Cary reader saw a grocery store employee throwing out donuts a bit before closing, she reached out to us to learn if our nearby stores throw out food at the end of the day.

Thankfully, there’s a robust system in place that connects national chain grocery stores with nonprofit food banks to make sure leftover food is given to those who need it.

Learn how the process works (and how you can help) in our story.

Read: Do Triangle grocery stores throw away food at the end of the day, or donate? We asked

More Triangle food pantry stories:

• Food Pantry 101: How to get free food from a food pantry (and how to donate)

• Get free food or donate: Here’s a list of food pantries in Triangle towns

Why don’t grocery stores in NC sell liquor? ABC stores & booze laws

Unlike beer and wine, liquor can’t be sold in regular grocery stores in North Carolina. Instead, the sale of liquor is controlled by the state.

Our story dug into the full history and operations of ABC Stores in NC.

Read: Why can’t we buy liquor in NC grocery stores? A short history of ABC & booze laws

More stories about Raleigh law enforcement:

• When you feel unsafe, are Raleigh or Durham Police stations open 24/7? What we learned

• xx

How can I get squirrels, rodents to stop chewing my car wires?

Squirrels and other rodents need to continually be chewing something to whittle down and sharpen their teeth, experts say. After all, the word “rodent” comes from the Latin word “rodere” — to gnaw.

They really love the extra hard materials that make up our cars, and sometimes they’ll chew through bumpers and the undersides of your vehicle to get to some food left inside. We learned of this happening to quite a few Raleighites this summer.

These little critters can severely damage your car and leave you with a hefty mechanic bill. We talked to a local mechanic and an expert on NC rodents to learn how to keep squirrels away.

Read: Squirrels love chewing car wires. Here’s why — and how to get them to stop

More questions readers asked about Raleigh’s critters:

• Can mosquito spray services kill good bugs, like pollinators? We asked the experts

• Why is the Carolina Hurricanes mascot a pig? We have the whole Stormy story

Are Raleigh’s oaks protected from developers? How the city preserves its trees

Locals have strong feelings towards Raleigh’s namesake oaks and other trees in the Triangle. A few of them asked us how the city protects its majestic oaks amid construction and redevelopment projects.

We talked to Raleigh’s urban foresters to learn what the city does to preserve its trees and keep Raleigh’s canopy flourishing.

Bonus: Did you know you can request trees from the city of Raleigh and get help planting them? Learn more in our tree stories.

Read: Are Raleigh’s trees protected from developers? What to know about the rules

More stories about our region’s trees:

• Raleigh is the City of Oaks. But what happens when the oak trees die or disappear?

• We asked readers to show us their favorite trees in the Triangle. The results are stunning

• If a neighbor’s tree falls on your car in NC, who’s at fault? We asked a lawyer

Why are Wake Forest Road’s lanes so narrow?

For years, rumors floated around Raleigh that transit workers simply repainted the lines instead of expanding the roadway when additional lanes were needed.

Fact or fiction? We talked to the NC Department of Transportation to get the skinny.

Read: Why are the lanes on Raleigh’s Wake Forest Road so scarily narrow? The answer

More stories about driving in Raleigh:

• Why is this section of the Raleigh Beltline so rough? And when will it be fixed?

• More than 100 ‘No Turn on Red’ signs recently went up in Raleigh. Here’s where and why

Why can’t public transit get you to RDU Airport?

A few stories this year addressed questions about Raleigh streets and transit options. One story, written by our transportation reporter Richard Stradling, examined the Triangle’s previously proposed commuter rail line and a curiously missing destination: RDU Airport.

The Triangle first drew up plans for commuter trains connecting Raleigh, Cary, Research Triangle Park and Durham over 20 years ago, and GoTriangle more recently proposed a similar system of trains between Durham and Johnston County.

Still, an airport stop wasn’t in the plans. Our story tells you why.

Read: Why doesn’t the Triangle’s proposed commuter rail line go to RDU airport? What to know

More stories about Raleigh roadways:

• Can you drive a golf cart on the streets of Raleigh? Here’s what the law says.

• Jones Sausage to Glascock: The history behind some of Raleigh’s funny-sounding road names

Triangle Asked & Answered: What do you want to know?

Have a question about something in our community? The News & Observer’s Service Journalism team wants your questions for our Triangle Asked & Answered series. Reach out to us by filling out this form or by sending an email to ask@newsobserver.com.

North Carolina Observer: Looking back on 2023’s big stories, moments and people

How do local issues affect us? N&O journalists dug deep in 2023 to shed light on them