Independent news and updates for South Durham, covering local development, government, health, and community life.

[SoDu We Learn DPS Governance] How DPS Board Committees Shape School Decisions Before the Final Vote

This explainer looks at recent Durham Public Schools committee work, including classroom technology, solar planning, budget transparency, and policy updates.

[Dispatches Received in Error Issue 20] Missing Persons Circular: The Man Who Walked Out During Low Tide

A weekly serial fiction project for paid subscribers, unfolding through a growing archive of documents from an alternate-universe Southpoint.

Durham Public Schools Cafeteria Menu: What’s for Lunch Aug. 24-28, 2026

Traditional-calendar students return Monday. Here’s what DPS is serving for breakfast and lunch during the first week back.

Durham Weighs Gun Violence Plan and Three Futures for NC 147

One proposal is intended to save lives in the near term. The other could reshape central Durham for generations. Both still face questions about money and execution.

Durham County Data Center Moratorium Would Set Conditions for Smaller Projects

The proposed nine-month pause would cover large data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, and artificial intelligence computing facilities. Some projects of up to 100,000 square feet could continue under water-use and backup-power restrictions.

[SoDu Crime Watch] Shoplifting and Fraud Reports on the Rise

Vehicle-related theft remained South Durham’s largest category from Aug. 14-20, followed by 27 shoplifting reports.

[VIDEO] Mettlesome: 10 Years of Improv

Neighborhood News Guy Wes Platt hears from Ashley Melzer of Mettlesome, which celebrates 10 years of making stuff up on the fly. Plus: more rain - but not enough to end Stage 2 restrictions and traditional schools go back into session next week.

[Nerdspresso] A Bad Taste in The Devil's Mouth

The Devil’s Mouth is the name for the underwater cave they’re exploring when tragedy strikes. It could also be what was used to dictate prompts into ChatGPT for this rote thriller.

[SoDu Stuff to Do] Your Weekend Ahead - Aug. 20, 2026

What's in the SoDu Events Calendar for this weekend? Southpoint Access provides a few highlights to consider!

[SoDu Shopping Basket] Food Lion Takes the Low-Cost Lead as SoDu Grocery Basket Falls

The average basket falls to $66.44 this week, with Food Lion ($50.29) taking the lowest-cost spot and Fresh Market ($104.43) highest - a $54.14 gap for the same 17 staples.

Swiss Chocolatier Läderach Opening Saturday at The Streets at Southpoint

The Aug. 22 grand opening will include a ribbon-cutting and a chocolate giveaway for the first 100 customers.

[Health Inspection Reports] Durham Restaurants 27707 - August 2026

Top scores went to Eastcut Sandwich Bar and Zephyr Coffee, each with a perfect 100 and no demerits.